The Achievement Junkie

"Finally!"

Oli laughed as he gazed at the screens overhead. Watching the many encounters was fun but now Oli could finally watch Moranti, curious to see if he's anything like Dominus.

'There will be a change in protocol.'

Surprised, Oli replied telepathically, 'What's wrong, Daruun? Has something happened?'

'No one will be allowed to leave Glacier Keep via spatial gate,' continued Daruun.

'So no one's allowed to leave?'

'Not via spatial gate.'

'Then… you want to only allow Jack's team to leave?' Oli deduced, knowing that only Jack's team was the only one capable of returning home without the gates.

'No,' Daruun answered. 'Anyone can leave but not through the spatial gates of Glacier Keep. They can wait till the order changes, but for now, no one is allowed off of the planet.'

'Oh… So they can enter Kartonia? Are you sure you want to let them?' asked Oli.

'Knowing Jack and his ever-growing schemes, I may have little choice in the matter…' Daruun sighed. 'My fifth body is en route to patrol the area surrounding Kartonia. After I perform an initial scan, Jack's second body will probe for possible intruders on the planet. Once we've determined what's going on and who might be behind it, then I may call on you for further aid.'

'You're coming here?' Oli was nearly speechless. 'It's… that serious? Are you sure you don't want me to--'

'Not until Jack confirms there's indeed an intruder. I don't want to give Jewel any free excuses unless I had no choice,' replied Daruun, stoic and emotionless.

'You're tone's different,' stated Oli. 'Did something happen to Sterfen?'

'I'm… not sure yet… He's alive but I can't confirm anything until Jack inspects the area. Then, my fifth body may act and there's a slight chance you may be called for assistance,' explained Daruun.

'Why not just send Skaryn?' asked Oli.

'He's already involved in Jack's plans in the keep,' Daruun stated. 'You know how passionate he is about her. Now that he's back, how could he not do everything to end their suffering and get revenge? Wouldn't you do the same?'

'Yeah… You're right about that,' Oli laughed. 'Then I guess I'll get some good entertainment while you're busy with possible intruders. Just call me and I'll make a move.'

'Thank you, Oli.'

As Daruun ended the conversation, Oli sighed and shifted his attention to the growing crowd of failed challengers. In particular, Oli focused on a group of seven people. He hopped to his feet and casually approached them with a smile. "You're with Halmut, right?"

The group of one human, four Flood Dragons, and two Quake Dragons met Oli's gaze but were silent.

"You know, I'd recommend we talk freely," added Oli. "Considering the situation we might be in, my patience might run dry and that's something that none of you would want."

"Yes… we're subordinate's of Halmut," a Flood Dragon god replied.

"Do any of you know what Halmut is up to? Or how he got items that were never on Kartonia in the first place?" questioned Oli.

They all shook their heads as the same dragon replied, "No… We only know that Halmut has connections with someone or some group outside of Kartonia. They should be the ones that gave him those items but we don't know how."

"Hmmm… do you mind?" While pondering the situation, Oli hopped onto the Flood Dragon's back and sat down cross-legged, only asking for permission afterward.

"N-no… go right ahead."

"You know, we have more in common than you might think," Oli chuckled and glanced at the two defeated Flood Dragons. "I could give you some pointers on controlling your earth energy or offer some beginner techniques… But only if you're willing to speak up."

While both Quake Dragons were perplexed by the offer, two scrolls appeared in Oli's hands. Oli added, "These come from my homeworld. They should be perfect techniques to help you condense and hone your energy as entry-level one-stars. So, will you speak up for treasures beyond your station or will you stay quiet?"

Nodding to each other, the Quake Dragon's quickly accepted Oli's offer. One spoke up, "We don't know much. All we know is that Halmut's been given items by an outside group and his favorite of those items are energy stimulants that calm him down and help circulate his energy."

"Stimulants?" Oli's gaze shifted, caught off guard slightly. "Has he shared those with you and the others?"

"Yeah, he's given us all some."

A sense of seriousness washed over Oli's calm face. He clicked his tongue, scoffing, "Halmut… I should have taught you a tougher lesson while I had the chance… Do you have any of these stimulants?"

"No…"

"We do." A small pile of stimulants appeared amid the Flood Dragons. The lead dragon mentioned, "We were ordered to consume them but none of us wanted to do so when our mistress wasn't allowed to do the same…"

Looking back to the Flood Dragons, Oli smiled. "Mind handing them over? Those might feel good but they're nothing more than drugs to make weak cosmicians feel stronger. They're actually believed to be toxic to cosmicians."

"What?!" All of the dragons were astounded by the reveal, and the Flood Dragons shook as they took out the few stimulants they were given in the first place. "Th-then…"

Oli hopped off the Flood Dragon's back and picked up one of the stimulants. "Did you know what these are officially called, as was declared across the void by the District Council? Faux-ore. That's because they're crude imitations, mimicking one of the most precious items in existence, cosmic ore. But since cosmic ore is so rare, the development of faux-ore has been a booming business with hidden consequences…"

Everyone in the waiting chamber was now listening in on Oli's rant, startled to hear that Kartonian's had faux-ore.

Tossing the two scrolls to the Quake Dragons, Oli looked to the foreign cosmicians and stated, "For Halmut to have this, I think that all but confirms who Halmut's partnered with, right? Mind letting them know?"

"Who is it?" Alcahain finally spoke up, feeling betrayed to the utmost. He never had the most respect for Halmut in the first place, but all thoughts of the Sun Dragon being worth considering as a leader was immediately and irrevocably tarnished.

The first cosmician to speak summed it all up in a single word. "Gem?"