Jazmel stretched, first light was early even for him. Jazmel was ready to go, he was itching to explore, adventuring was part of delving into the labyrinth, and he found himself really enjoying it. Besides the obvious risks and danger at all times, he was finding himself, he was figuring out his truth but also who he could be.

  He stepped out of the room he had been gifted; he had slept well on the futon, but he missed his own bed in truth. Jazmel took his silent time to prepare his mind and ready himself for the day.

  “Early riser too huh.” He heard, he turned around and noticed Abram walking down the hall towards him.

  “Sometimes, but you know how it goes.” Jazmel shrugged and he smiled in welcome.

  “Foreign place? I can only imagine, but all the same. I thank you; I will make sure you guys are rewarded here.” Abram said and Jazmel nodded, thanking him.

  “Can you tell me about the confederacy?” Jazmel asked and Abram suddenly grew serious.

  “They came very quickly. At first it was just a few, sometimes larger groups. But they didn’t do anything, for a while. Until we clashed over a quest, they attacked, and we lost a few, but I returned the favour with Senju and their leader, and I clashed, a powerful master tier. But ever since then it has been skirmishes and though we haven’t fought again since then.” He explained.

  “Is he strong?” Jazmel asked and Abram grew stern.

  “She is the strongest person I have ever faced.” Abram said with a profoundly serious face. Jazmel wasn’t shocked in truth, he had seen strong women throughout the labyrinth, even his own faction had great and powerful women.

  “Good to know, not to worry though. We are here and we can pull our weight and then some.” Jazmel said, trying to comfort Abram, after all. The weight on the shoulders of a leader, could only ever be understood by another.

  “We will see to it that you and your sect gain the domain.” Jazmel said and Abram smiled.

  “Can I ask why you joined us and didn’t even try to see if the confederacy were the better option.” Abram asked him suddenly.

  “It was simple, they picked on the little guy, I hate when bullies try to quash everything with power. Plus when you defeated them and they began to retreat, you didn’t chase them down. That told me you were not bloodthirsty. I can only respect that also.” Jazmel said and Abram looked at him with surprise.

  “Your eyes see much lord Jazmel.” Jazmel stroked his own neck, suddenly embarrassed.

  “I hate the title.” Jazmel confessed and Abram nodded knowingly.

  “I hate the status, but better me who will give it my all than someone else who would do it for personal gain.” He said and that stirred something in Jazmel, he hadn't considered it like that before. But he had taken the position as nobody else had stepped forward and now he was wishing he didn’t. But he needed to take full control of it and stop hiding from his position.

  “You are right.” Jazmel said and Abram merely inclined his head.

  “Come let us get breakfast and see about the teams.” He motioned for Jazmel to follow him, and he led the way, between the rooms and corridors to a small kitchen.

  They had eaten a small breakfast and from a balcony in the main house building. Jazmel and his party watched as the sect was active with tasks. Members rushed around and focused on completing the different tasks needed to get the teams ready. Jazmel noticed the elders who were out and about, they were preparing to leave the sect and head off towards their quests.

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  Abram sat with Jazmel while his team members all sat waiting, ready and raring to go.

  Senju was down in amongst everyone, calling out things and members of the sect, were rushing around to do her bidding.

  “She runs a tight ship.” Abram said as he and Jazmel watched her.

  “I can only imagine.” Jazmel responded and he smiled, Senju made him think of Sadé, he wondered how she was doing.

  “Yes she runs everything, I am simply the face of the sect. Most members go to her with whatever they need, and she comes to me with the results. It is unfair, but she likes to maintain the optimum control of it all and so I leave it to her.” He said and Jazmel nodded, understanding.

  DING!

  DOMAIN WIDE ANNOUNCEMENT!

  ALL QUESTS WILL BECOME ACTVIE WITHIN THE NEXT HOUR!!

  THEIR LOCATIONS WILL APPEAR FOR THOSE WITHIN THE DOMAIN!

  PREPARE YOUR BEST!!

  …

  “A map. Well that is new.” Abram mouthed and he looked anxious but trying to hold it in. Jazmel could imagine why, this domain was being offered as a reward and if Abram completed the tasks, he and his people would be safe.

  The first group left, the elder leading them towards the river and where an array of boats were waiting. She was leading a group of thirty and so the boats would have to make a few trips, but she seemed confident and focused.

  About twenty minutes after her, a second elder made for another exit. Jazmel didn’t know where it led to, but she was leading the biggest group. Well over one hundred sect members. There were an assorted bunch also, archers, staff users and sword bearers. This woman man was brawny, and battle scarred, Jazmel could only imagine what his task was. But he smiled and sipped from a gourd, which told Jazmel he was used to this sort of situation. They left after about an hour, moving slower and with a much bigger group, they would have to take their time.

  Another group left soon after that, heading towards the river and the boats as they returned. This was a small group, literally ten members, including the elder. But Jazmel could tell they were seasoned, fiercely experienced members of the sect and rankers who had created names for themselves. Whatever their tasks were, it was being handled by some of the best and Jazmel respect that. He himself was questioning how he led his faction and who was in charge of what. He would need to focus more, he needed strengthen the entirety of his faction, but also the way the sect was so focused. Jazmel needed to consider a second in command. A vice leader.

  His obvious first thought was that he should choose Sadé, but then again was that the right choice. Was he solely picking her because of his emotional connection, she was integral to the black wing faction. He knew it and she knew it too. But he wondered if that was the right choice, the added factor of her being a princess now also made the decision conscientious. He wondered about it and figured he would have to deal with that when he returned.

  The last elder to leave was leaving with just five members and the last member was a master tier. Her entire aura was so powerful it felt like gravity surrounded her. Jazmel looked at Abram and he smiled, knowingly.

  “That is Tyla, she is one of our strongest members. Only young, but already master tier. Aside from me and Senju, she is probably the strongest member. I am working towards integrating her as an elder, a special one that can work solo or with minimal effort from others in support. But right now it’s too early to let her go out alone.” Abram explained and Jazmel listened intently.

  “I can see her Mana, she is strong.” Jazmel said, aloud but it was more for himself.

  “Yes, she was born with a Mana heart, so she had more Mana than anyone her age. So she could only train and spar with those older than her. She has been entering the labyrinth as a child, within parties. So that is how she made it to master tier, she is a genius. One in a million.” Abram announced and Jazmel simply watched the teen girl curiously.

  He hadn't thought himself a prodigy or a genius, he had worked hard to earn every digit of exp or every level he currently had. He knew that he had been lucky with certain plots and tasks, that the system had given him. But overall he had pushed and fought for everything. Nothing had come easy to him, but he admired that about himself.

  You earned the right to be here

  He told himself and he honestly believed it.

  “When do we move?” Jazmel asked, suddenly itching to test out his new master tier body.

  “As soon as we learn where we need to go. Senju will leave before us, to aid the elders and then when they have unlocked whatever they need to. We will get our task of the domain boss. Are still sure you and your party can help; this is your last chance to decline.” Abram asked, Jazmel could see the pleading in his eyes, but his face was stone straight.

  “I gave you my word, we aren’t going anywhere.” Jazmel said and Abram smiled after sighing.