After about thirty minutes of silence, Ryker who had taken a meditative position to recover his reserve of Tia that had been spent fighting the Zombie Beetle, alongside the two beside him, Raylen and Jean finally got up, drawing everyone's attention.
CRACK! Followed by a melodious series of cracks as Ryker twisted his body in weird shapes.
"You should all try this sometimes." Speaking casually he did one final cramp, as if oblivious to all that had happened.
No one said a word, instead they looked on with expectation in their eyes while glancing at Flynn and Amelia who sat silently observing their acts, like they would soon be dealt with.
By now, the bloodied chin of the golden haired youth had healed up pretty well, earning a piqued observation from Flynn who came to another realization.
'In every severe situation there was always good fortune it seems.'
This had been his thought upon realizing the good benefit brought by the bizarre phenomenon of living dead in this Hell. Something he had failed to take note of for a long while now.
Just as the dead couldn't die, the living were also supported to live. Explaining while there was yet to be anyone who died from hunger or was complaining about it.
The strange energy seemed keen on keeping everything alive.
"What happened?"
Noticing how he had been strangely surrounded, with silent aggrieved stares focusing intently on him then stylishly towards the sitting youth, Flynn who starred likewise in the same manner but with expressionless eyes. Ryker revealed a clueless look of bewilderment, pretending to act unaware of what had taken place.
But suddenly, summoning out his courage, a brown haired youth, in dirty green jacket from Riverside who couldn't take it anymore, stepped forward as he pointed towards the golden haired youth who was now cowering as he held his broken chin, then at Flynn.
Disgust and hate etched on his face, he spoke in a wronged manner.
"Can't you see what he did to Henry? He could have almost killed him if Drew hadn't been there to save him."
With that he pointed at the stern looking youth who caught the golden haired youth, now Henry after receiving a combo blow from Flynn.
Hearing this, Ryker glanced back with an exaggerated look of surprise, before taking upon a cold look.
"And who was it that acted first?" Cutting the youth off, Ryker asked with coldness while moving to glance at their cowering faces, both of shame or guilt.
Although everyone here had been forged through a well rigorous training that broke them countless times, in order to test their conviction in taking on the Tribulation. Ryker couldn't help but realize at this moment that it was only an exercise in name not real life experience.
A thousand push ups couldn't change all of one's character. Though it would boost their morale and build a sense of confidence in themselves that they were strong, birthing pride that they were different, it didn't mean they were mentally advanced.
Their minds were affirmed and also their ego. Other aspects of their character were more or less the same. Especially in this case when most of this conviction had been born from contempt for the less privileged.
"All those who didn't want to take on the Tribulation are no different from Fortunate scums," they had been told this a lot of times.
Having almost gone on this path if not for his sister, then he would have been the same with these one sided fools, stuck with pride.
Too bad they didn't know what was coming for them.
"Have any of you formed a Seal?" Suddenly he asked, and they all appeared taken aback. confusion etched on their faces as they began turning to each other.
"Well if you have, we'll be going out on an expedition to draw out the reminder of the Creatures and clear our path out of this hell." Adding with exasperation, he let his words settle as he released a quick sigh.
"No-one?" Shortly after a few moments of silence, he questioned as they avoided his gaze.
Not only was it hard to slay a single Creature, the process involved was extremely risking.
Without having formed their Seals, their combat strength compared to a Creature of the Vile Rank was akin to catapulting a big stone against an extremely thin metal sheet. Although they might be able to withstand a few attacks while ending up with shattered bones. Taking on more than 3 would simply kill them.
Even while having formed their Seal it took both twins to be able to battle evenly against a single Zombie Beetle. And Jean Included to end its life.
While they could solve the latter with more numbers, escorting the lured out Creature into the Great Hall while staying out of it, it had only taken five of them sneaking up on the Creatures horde before they had been chased by two giant beetles. The only three to survive were Ryker, Raylen and Jean who after a few rounds decided they would go alone rather than sacrifice further lives.
And with that everyone had been happy to stay behind, if they wanted to voice their opinion then they would also need to go and try it out themselves.
With that the group of three from Oak were accepted as their leader, especially Ryker whose Will made him fearsome than his casual look.
" As unpleasing as it may to hear this, those two over there are crucial to our survival"
While he may not have said it, they quickly understood what he meant. Instantly turning stunned and speechless they couldn't or rather didn't want to believe what they heard.
In turn, Flynn kept his face expressionless as he met their nonbelieving stares. And Amelia meanwhile had a fabric covering her face, leaving only her eyes which wasn't enough to read her expression. Though inside she felt deeply pleased with pride threatening to burst her head.
"You're not needing this are you?"
Taking away the spear from the golden haired youth whose eyes were filled with misgivings, he began to walk towards Flynn by snatching another sword from an unsuspecting youths, who wordlessly couldn't refute.
As many as they were there were only four other Stellar Armaments to go about with Ryker and co claiming four for themselves.
Soon, Ryker handed over the spear to Flynn with an apologetic smile and the double edge sword to Amelia despite how unfitting it looked to hold for her slender body.
Glancing at the other two who still held onto the remaining Weapon Ryker took a welcoming posture…
"Would you do me the favour of handing those over in my place?"
It was when he said these words that everyone seemed to pay attention to where he was pointing at…
"Oh Alex doesn't need those, he's found himself something much better."