Nothing but Pawns (Seven Knights Fanfiction)

Chapter 3: Passing

As the designated over-all leader, it was Spike's duty to make sure everyone was ready before going to battle. He was also in charge of checking equipments and making sure everyone has the best NK can give. Even though he found it troublesome, he had to fetch Kris to ready the dragon raid teams.

He soon saw him standing in front of a cell. It was for the other beings (or heroes as NK call them) that will be used for 'creating stars'. It seems that the Leisure Adventure Team managed to catch clones from the Purgatory. It was indeed funny to see how their world was turned into a game, and they had to play it as if it was just another story.

"Kris" -Spike tapped him once- "raid teams are next."

"Tch, what are these?" Kris glared at the sight before him. He could see monsters moving senselessly inside the cell. "Why can't they interact with us?"

Spike turned to the cell, seeing Knox seated on the floor along other monsters. "NK said they don't have enough stars to be conscious. It's like how the spirits possess or copy the dead."

"NK sent others away. They tend to come back again and again, but they were never conscious." He turned to the tyrant. "Some of them have the same 'stars' as we do, but they still don't talk and think at all." Kris hissed. "What's the real difference?"

The tyrant kept quiet. He did not know what to say; neither did he care to think.

The hell lord sighed and walked past Spike to the direction of the waiting area. "I'm heading back."

Finally. Spike softly snorted and left the cell area. He had seen his mother there once, and he had met multiple clones of himself in the same cells. The only time he could meet his clones was when NK dissolve these into energy to enter his body. It made him feel stronger, but he had no idea what those are for real.

The tyrant walked with Kris back to the waiting area where another scene was happening. It seemed like Dellons maddened Rudy, and they were fighting in the middle. No one even bothered to stop them; even Da Qiao was merely watching them while being seated next to Daisy. He noticed Yuri holding Evan back, and Pascal was grunting in entertainment. When Dellons was about to attack, Kris decided to interrupt. Tensions rose more, and Spike knew NK would be displeased.

He shook his head. They had all the luxury and right to fight, but everyone still needed to fight someone else and continue to win. NK did not punish anyone, but they would be badly hurt if they fight without enough energy.

With Kris and Rudy clashing swords with Dellons, Spike hurled his ax to the ground. Icicles sprouted which encased the three; it seemed the shields of light had been exhausted. Everyone in the room turned to the leader. The icebergs broke, throwing the three to the ground.

"I'll give everyone another minute to rest. NK decided to raid the dragon first before attacking the castle." He turned to the three. "You all belong to the same raid team as me, don't slack off."

Rudy got up and helped Kris stand. Dellons got up on his own. Everyone gathered their weapons and readied their gears. Spike led them to the door leading to the dragon's tower and opened it. They could hear the howling wind and the dragon's flapping wings.

"Like always, stay behind me." Evan instructed his team before walking ahead. Even though they were the second team, he wanted to get to the top first.

Rudy turned to see his entire team which was made up of two allies and two enemies. "I'll take every damage that I can. Hit him with your strongest attacks. Don't hesitate to give up and faint halfway; I'll take it from there."

"You don't have to say that." Kris walked ahead first before Rudy followed him.

...

"I wonder how long I have to get stuck with you guys."

"Until NK finds no use for you."

"What are you talking about, Kris?" Dellons laughed in ridicule. "She lost use for you first, but you're still here!"

"...I wonder if Eileene found her way back."