Avalon Rebirth by Mitchell T. Jacobs Page A

really fair, either.”
    “So what are you going to do? Try to fight your way back to the top?”
    “Yeah. That's what we're aiming for. We're currently trying to get a team together so we can climb back up the ranks.”
    “I pity anyone that gets in your way,” Chad said with a smile.
    “How is the A-rank tournament going? I haven't been paying much attention to it.”
    “It's weird, truth be told. No one seems to know what to do now that Silver Star is out of the running. It's been so long since you guys weren't the obvious team to beat.”
    “That really doesn't tell me anything.”
    “No, I guess not. Well, there's a power vacuum in the middle of the A-rank division. Anyone still in the tournament has the ability to stake their claim to the top now. And that feels really odd to a lot of people. Scary, even.”
    “What about you?”
    “Us? Well, I'm not one to celebrate a friend's misfortune, but you'll forgive me for thinking that this might be our chance to get over the hump and take the top.”
    “Can't blame you for that, no. But that just means you couldn't beat us the old-fashioned way,” Darin replied with a smile.
    “Sure, go ahead and rub it in,” Chad laughed. “But that's the general mood around the A-ranks. It sucks for you guys, but this is our chance. And if Night Dragon has the opportunity, we'll take it.”
    “Of course,” Darin nodded. He'd do the same thing in their position.
    “But we're also not delusional,” Chad added. “We know that you'll be coming back to take your spot. Some of the others think this will be the end of you. Not us. We know you'll be back.”
    “That's a long way off.”
    “What, aren't you supposed to come out with a bunch of bluster? How you guys are going to stomp all over anyone who gets in your way?”
    “Are you really going to believe it if I say it?” Darin asked. “I'm not even sure if I'd believe it. Leah doesn't. She thinks it's going to be a while.”
    “I'd go with her instincts. She knows what it's all about. Of course, this is just my opinion. But...”
    “Nah, it's mine too. I know better than to just ignore what she's feeling,” he replied. Leah tended to be spot-on wit her feelings, or at least in the ballpark.
    “Nothing wrong with it taking some time.”
    “Well of course you'd say that. It gives you more time to enjoy all the perks at the top.”
    Chad laughed again. “Hey, you guys held onto them for long enough. Let someone else have a turn.”
    “Fine. We will. Not exactly by choice, but...”
    “Yeah. And I get what she's thinking. Nothing guaranteed, though. They might have taken away your skill points, but they didn't take away your brains. At least I think they didn't.”
    “Yeah, still inside my head as far as I know. But enough about that. What did you wanted to talk to me about?”
    “Oh, right. Well, I heard a bit of news through the grapevine about your old partners. I'm not sure if you already know about it or what, but I thought I should ask, at least.”
    “What about them?”
    “Well, apparently they have the same thoughts you do. I don't have things completely confirmed, but Leslie heard some rumblings though her friends and contacts. They're recruiting, at the very least.”
    “Finding two new members to join is hard,” Darin said.
    “It's not for two, though. It's one. Apparently the other spot is already filled. That's the part I though would really interest you.”
    Darin frowned as he considered that tidbit of information. It might mean something, or it might just be chance. Jon and Leo could have planned their exit from Silver Star far in advance and took the opportunity to prepare for a new team. On the other hand, the whole thing could just be a coincidence.
    At this point he didn't know what to think. And did it matter anyhow? As much as he loathed his former teammates for betraying them, he had too much in front of him already. As he had heard once, it was better to care for one's own household