- I have news - she said loudly, so she immediately gained the attention of everybody. - The opponent of yours... We did a bit of research and found out some strange rumors circulating around the empire. The white-skinned warrior who looked similar to Ashal Kal Anur... There is a possibility he is from a faction that many years ago was imprisoned underground of the Sabhetani capital planet, Ashanti. If this is true Zor'xal just openly went against the imperial official, which means he sees a possibility of losing, and might try to undermine the results of the tournament in front of the queen.historical

- What a fucking bastard - said Nil.

- Wait. Can you explain this a bit clearer? - asked Adam, as he started walking towards her.

- He might say that the official's verdict was against him because of the appearance of an unwelcomed person. A deeply hidden secret of the Sabhetani people. This is a very risky move, but Zor'xal never belonged to the smartest.

- What do you mean? - Adam kept asking, as he stopped next to her.

- He obtained his power by poisoning his brother after his father's death. He was not supposed to rule. He never had the necessary qualities.

- I was asking about the move. Why is it risky?

- Oh, yes. First of all, he needs to send an envoy to the high queen made out of people who won't know the truth, and definitely can't appear before her himself. She will read his mind like an open book and know that he is lying. On top of that, he has to make a case strong enough to win against the word of Ashal Kal Anur whose sheer position makes it very hard. This means that the emperor fears he will lose with you. It's actually a good sign.

- So it was not bad news...

- No. He might attempt to change the draws into his victories, or call the whole thing invalid, but it will be a hard task, if not impossible. I also wanted to congratulate you on your recent victory - she added. - Now two of them. That person, William, is very strong. Is he the strongest among you?

- No I'm not - Will interrupted her, as he entered the waiting room.

Atri smiled at his words.

- Then you have serious chances for a victory. I never thought I will see such a thing in my entire life - she bowed slightly. - I want to thank you

- There is no need. We are doing it for ourselves. And when it's done, that bastard will pay for each comrade of our that we lost to his greed - said Will.

- Hell yeah! - somebody from the hunters shouted.

This was the first pebble that caused an avalanche of shouts and cheers. The loud voices and the overall mood filled with bravery made the alien women smile again. When they all finally got a bit quieter, she spoke again:

- I'm happy that I met you, humans. And also a bit envious. My people couldn't fight like you. We didn't have enough in us, and now the next generations have to pay for it, but seeing you now, here, brought me something that I thought was lost long ago. Hope.

Then something I never expected happened. Adam slowly put his hands around her and hugged her. It was quite a nice gesture. Many people found it cute, and let out a few:

- Awwww...

The fire mage was not embarrassed at all and looked Atri straight in the eyes, as he let go of her. I think I saw a slight blush on her face.

- I need to go now - she informed and quickly escaped the room.

As people focused on making fun of him, Will sat next to me.

- So, what do you think? Are you still worried about me?

- I didn't expect you to do so well - I said honestly. - But it was a bit too majestic for me.

I tried to crack a joke, but it kinda fell flat because of the emotions still lingering in our hearts. It was hard to laugh when our comrades died in front of our eyes.

- Well I want to end this in a spectacular way, to show this frog that he picked a fight with the wrong species. I'm gonna humiliate him.

- You think you might take on the remaining aliens? - I asked with my eyebrows risen high.

- If none of them is way stronger than what we saw just now, then I believe so. I still didn't use my best tricks - he smiled mysteriously.

- You know that I can just check your skills in my head?

- Oh come on, Peter. Don do that. Don't ruin the surprise.

- Ok, ok... I won't. Just be careful out there.

- The very moment I even suspect that I might be in danger, I'm gonna give up, and leave some space for you. Dustin still needs his father, and I have no plans for dying. But I also very much would love to slap that frog in his ugly smug. Even if only figuratively.

I snorted. I knew the feeling, but my idea was a bit more extreme. I already started thinking of killing that thing at the very moment A good possibility, not involving a widespread conflict, would occur. With the development of the recent events, I even started thinking of asking Ashal Kal Anur for help in that matter.

Zor'xal didn't need slapping. He needed a knife between his ribs.

My thought process was stopped by curious wool from Will, and for a moment I thought I would have to come up with a clever lie, to explain my sudden silence, but Katri Xel Avakadaisu came to help me, as he again entered our waiting room.

Now she clearly was embarrassed, with a bit deeper color covering her cheeks.

- You need to relocate - she informed us. - Please follow me.

I noticed that she tried her best to not look at Adam. Her gaze was almost entirely focused on the floor.

Will poked me with his elbow and smiled. I just shook my head.

- It's not a fucking high school, Will.. Grow up.