Chapter 552 - Day MMCXXXII, Part V

We heard the characteristic sound of metal bending, trying to resist the strength of the person who was forcing the door open, but it clearly couldn't. The mechanism snaped, and both wings moved slightly, but not too much since they didn't fit anymore in their designed slots.

It was enough to reveal Martin, with helmet and armor still on, partially melted on his face and body. It burned the flesh exposing bones, all charred. We could see part of his skull, and empty socked left by eye that popped because of the immense heat.

I immediately knew what was going on. He was supposed to die in that explosion, but thanks to the 'Dreadnought' class skills he was still kept alive, but not for long though. I shadow walked to him, before he collapsed inside the room and died, then grabbed his arm and used 'Renewal'.

The magic forced his entire body to stretch, bending his back backward, as the muscle tensed. The charcoal fell off, revealing red flesh and white bones, that started to heal and grew, to fix the deep pounds. In the span of a second, his whole body got back to a perfect condition.

I wanted to help him walk inside, but he pushed me to the side, and then puked on the ground, as he collapsed on his knees. Then he gasped for air and attempted to stand up, but his legs just refused to work.

We all picked him. He was panting heavily.

Quite a group of hunters in the meantime gathered around the entrance to the armory. We started heading towards them, as Martin clearly needed to lie down a bit. Hailwic pushed her way through people, and upon seeing her boyfriend she covered her mouth with both hands, as a gasp of happiness escaped her mouth.

- Make space! - shouted Will. - He needs to lie down.

People didn't react, but when Hailwic turned around, they all just backed down, and we could bring the giant inside the waiting area without problems. We put him on the closest couch, where he could get back to himself.

She didn't leave him even for a second as they reunited.

- Fuck. That was a close call - Boris whispered to me when we left the two of them.

I just nodded.

- Fancy healing ability you showed there - he continued. - Good to know you have it. You saved the man's life.

- Yeah - I agreed.

- Those fuckers really hit us low - said Sanders, and he came closer to us. - They were planing this fucking thing from the very beginning.

Quite a bunch of people had to hear his words, as a small crowd of the most influential hunters gathered around us.

- We need to strike back - said Edward Hill. - If they think they can treat us like this, they are fucking wrong.

- I have an idea - said Adam. - Yeah... This might work.

- So you want to go next? - asked Tai

- Yeah. I do - he replied and a nasty smile crawled on his face.

I didn't know what really was on his mind, but with the little knowledge of the man I possessed, I was willing to believe he could pay back to Zor'xal for what he did.

Our little meeting was stopped by the opening of a door leading to the waiting room from the corridor. It was Katri Xel Avakadaisu, surrounded by the other Atri.

- Humans, please gather. I have some information I need to share with you.

Other hunters started slowly walking towards them. In our group people first looked at one another, and then also moved to get closer. As the crowd around the aliens formed, she continued.

- First of all, I want to say that I'm genuinely surprised and happy about how you are doing so far. Zor'xal is very angry because of your performance, and nothing makes me happier than that. The second thing is, that due to the damage inflicted on the arena due to the stupid plan of our emperor - her remark made the other Atri giggle - you have to be moved to another waiting room because tomorrow we will be continuing in a different place because this one needs some repairs.

As she was saying that Boris pushed his way to the front.

- Hey. How many more of those minions does your so-called emperor have there? - he asked her bluntly.

Her eyes moved to rest on his person.

- Too many, but if you are worried that he will try to keep you here forever by putting more and more weaklings against you, then you can rest assured. The imperial official is watching, and the more he prolongs this and keeps losing, the more he is risking making them angry. And that is the last thing Zor'xal would want. Because angry official means that his position in the Ixan empire will get weaker.

- So if we crush his forces like we are doing now, how much longer do you think this whole thing will go on before that official will put a hold on it?

- It has been only a couple of days. That's too short for our great emperor to show the full might of his empire. It might take a few weeks.

- A few weeks? - asked somebody.

- Yes - said Avakadaisu. - And now please follow me. We will take you, to the new place you will be using from now on. And rest assured about your equipment. It will also be moved to a new armory.

With those words, she and the other Atri left the room. I immediately looked towards Martin. He was already on his feet, supported by Hailwic. His armor was off, and he was half-naked since the clothes covering his torso were destroyed.

I went to pick up the supplies we brought from Earth and stored everything in my vault, then I helped the two of them move. 

We were taken to the exact same place located in a different area. The assistants, and the rest of the people who were among them, were also relocated. This time a bit closer to us.

That's how the day ended, although there was still plenty of talks since the regular humans were quite concerned about Martin and his wellbeing