You would think the guild would be situated in some secret place or a cool place. But this didn't look like it.
It was a big tree house. Considering how big the mutant plants can form networks, this huge tree house was their headquarters. Something like a club you go to after you come home from school.
The treehouse didn't have stairs. There were big baskets that you had to climb and then someone from inside lifted you. Was this a security feature?
Jamie went after Leo and she felt it was okay after the initial bumps and jerks. When she jumped out, she found a door. Leo was standing inside greeting others.
Jamie stepped in and then she really felt how big the treehouse really was. There were nearly thirty people here. They all looked at her weirdly.
"Hello!"
She waved at them.
"Leader is here!"
She half expected Sawyer behind her. But when she turned, there was a lady behind her.
She looked at her and smiled.
"You are the new girl. I'm Halley!"
"I'm Jamie."
Halley then walked to the center and gestured to everyone to sit down. They all sat on the floor.
"So, we have a new guild quest in five days. Remember to gear up. You will be divided into five groups. Form your group now."
Jamie didn't know what to do. She was going to go to the group that had fewer members. She didn't know anyone here anyway.
"As for you, you are a newbie. You will be taken care of by Sawyer."
Jamie cursed under her breath.
"What?" Halley asked her.
"I'm just celebrating."
Jamie didn't want to tarnish her image before the leader.
Was she the one who Sawyer defeated? If yes, how was she still a leader? Why wasn't there an information desk here? Or an About Us pamphlet?
Jamie sat watching people group and she found that Leo was also sitting alone. She nudged him.
"You don't form a group?"
"Before you, I was the newbie. I feel scared to talk to them."
Ah, so he was also like her. Jamie would like to talk with them but she didn't want any entanglements later.
Sawyer came fashionably late.
"I see you have formed groups. Pick a leader and the leader will come here to receive your package."
Sawyer moved to a corner and took out several bags. He gave each leader one package.
"We have a communicator, IDs, and some necessary documents in there. Practice your protocol and never abandon your family."
He then looked at Jamie.
"You will come with me."
Jamie found that her group had only Sawyer and Leo as members with her. A trio.
They sat in a corner to discuss stuff.
"You have documents. These are our communicators. The first quest is to qualify for the tournament. Don't worry. We will qualify. Just get familiar with the place and practice your skills."
He gave a good pep talk.
"Yes, as you are going to be with me, don't try not to use your power to the extreme. It will help you know your vulnerability. Do you have any superpowers I should know?"
He pointedly looked at Jamie.
Jamie had space powers. She had no elemental powers or other kinds of powers but her space powers were quite powerful then. But she wasn't telling him anything.
She shook her head.
"Then as the only known person to have powers, Leo, you will not flaunt it. Keep it secret till you absolutely have the need to use it."
Leo nodded.
Their meeting went well.
Jamie followed Leo back home. She followed like him a little brother followed his elder brother everywhere.
"Leo, you are back. Come, I have cooked."
Celia gave her some cold treatment. Jamie didn't mind. She couldn't ask some known stranger to love her.
Jamie went to take a shower. She needed to cool her mind.
She thought about the supper powers thing. Leo had lightning powers. So maybe there could be someone somewhere who had powers too, right?
She wouldn't be unique but if there were no other superpowers, they would be targeted. She had to think long-term before announcing the truth.
When Jamie came out, she found Celia reading something.
"Your food is there. If you want, you can eat with us."
Jamie smiled.
When she thought she wouldn't contact her, Celia managed to reel her in.
The day of the quest arrived. Their guild stood together.
"Welcome to the Qualifying Match. We have ten teams participating. Any team that gets a Monster Vine Tentacle of grade seven will qualify."
There were no spectators. But the teams all looked mighty.
A group sat in the centre and a man who stood there announced.
"The match starts now."
Everyone rushed into the forest. Jamie found that Sawyer signaled and the five teams rushed in. He walked behind them leisurely.
As if going on a stroll.
They walked slowly. Leo kept following Sawyer without any questions. Jamie found it difficult but she tried to keep quiet.
"Do you want to explore and then get the vine or the other way?"
Leo spoke first.
"I want the vine."
Sawyer took them deeper into the Forest. They kept walking and it was nearing sunset.
"We are here. Let's get the vine in the morning. We have to camp here."
He got a tri-tent. They could sleep in the same tent but still have the feeling of sleeping in different tents. A tent inside a tent.
Jamie instantly fell asleep. She didn't want to eavesdrop on Leo and Sawyer. And that made her wake up at midnight. She found the fire still burning.
"You aren't going to sleep?"
"I'm keeping watch."
Oh, yeah!
"How do you know the vine is here?"
"Why do you think Leo got his superpowers that day?"
Why did he answer with a question?
He turned his attention to her.
"I've known him for so long and we have been in far worse situations. You were the only variable then."
Did he mean what she thought he meant?