Wiping the oozing liquid from his lips, Iramo savors the taste as decides what's next from the wide selection of delicacies he's never seen before in his life.
"Ohhh that looks good! I think I'll have that blue thing next!"
Sighing as she extends her hand, grabbing onto a soft, doughy blue ball gushing out purple paste, Saranai holds it to Iramo's mouth.
"Here, try it! It's an Ebi Echo I love them, they're really yummy! An look I'll have one too, just bite down slow."
Biting down into it an exploding of flavor from the smooth, flaky crust and the sweet, gooey paste, bring tears to his eyes and a smile on his face.
"This might just be the best thing I ever had and I'm worlds away!"
Lost in his eyes filled with genuine tears of joy, Saranai can't help but smile as she bring another up to his face and laugh.
"I'm glad you like it! Ouuuu you should try this one next!"
Cutting in from across the room Allie addresses the elephant in the room.
"So are we still here for the plan or am interrupting your date?"
Both darting their eyes over to Allie, feel the judgment beaming from her trifold eyes as she sits calmly crossing her arms and tapping the heel of her foot onto her thighs. Pouting as they lower their hands and sit up straight answering at the same time.
"So I can't eat?"
"Yeah Allie! That's not even fair you know we've been out all day!"
Smirking as she looks them up and down, Allie places a rolling circular device into the center of the feast, projecting a schematic with detailed writing from top to bottom in front of their face.
"This is the final results of the plan with the schematics miss Maradai sent for you and your research all checks out, retro ranking can still be done to boost rank although the tradition is dead."
With a mouth full Saranai quickly swallows her food, nearly falling over the table as she grabs onto its edge.
"This is perfect! You hear that Iramo? That means we can definitely go forward with our plan! All that's left to do is draft up his new name and get him into the database as a new arrival! Speaking of which Allie how's that coming along?"
The moment Saranai says those words a white cube flies across as Allie looks to Iramo.
"Already done. Miss Maradai saw to it herself actually. Your new identity going forward from now is Leo Flame. You came all the way from the Lost Lands and you have an estimated animus ranking on par with a Circuit Captain as well as extensive experience fighting Devions. An miss Maradi said you are never to tell anybody you beat a Xaride, nor are you allowed to use your ability to control the sky."
With a mouth full, Iramo protest and throws up his hands.
"WAH! Come on! I just got that back!"
Ignoring him, Allie continues on and points her hand like a spear to the side of her head.
"Hey, you better listen because even I know without her saying it that if you show that power, she'll have your head. The Frozen Phoenix doesn't forget and she wants you dead. So it would be in all of our best interest if you don't stand out. Now that the outlines are out the way its time to get into the main focus of operation Retro Ranker, code name Dark Star's Fan."
Sighing with an aggravated expression, Saranai tucks her hair back and rolls her eyes.
"Wow, I can already guess who choose the name. But what Allie said is true Iramo. You can't use your abilities well at least the known ones. So no but wind but fire and lighting are fine, oh an no flying either because that a dead give away. At least not until we fit you up you up with some tech."
Iramo's face breakout into a devious smile as he thinks of the possibilities that await.
I don't know what this plans about but I'm getting fancy gear and a new name too? Ouuuu this is gonna be fun!
"I'm in! What's this tech I'm hearing?"
Silenced by a orange cube shoved into his mouth, Saranai rolls her eyes as she licks the sticky yellow sauce off her finger tips.
"Be quiet! You didn't even hear the plan so just listen close because this part matters the most and it will only work if we know our part."
Pumping his left fist to the sky, Iramo shoves more of the spongy orange squares into his mouth as he nods his head.
"Understood boss lady!"
peering through the corner of his eye, Iramo's Izoa awakens and focuses in on Saranai as she begin to stand.
"Okay as you already know we're aiming for the stars but we need access to the warp and while Maradi can leave whenever she wants we'll need higher Clarance for that."
Pointing to the central chamber of the higher point in Centria, Saranai drags her hand all the way down through the second layer, all the way down to the empty earth beneath the lowest layer.
"So our plan is to gain the needed status through rank to leave the world on our own. But to do so without interference or questioning we'd need to be at least high captain level. Once we've achieved that ranking we'll be just trusted enough to have access that isn't monitored closely and the ability to open our own rifts between worlds. Meaning all we have to do is achieve a high position in a short time."
Positioning a close up of the highest point, zeroing in on the chamber sealed away from light, Saranai points to the hand prints engraved into the black walls with matching ledges.
"Progressing in such a short time is hard enough and should be the hardest part but the I.A will be ten times worst than that. An if we're not careful… they'll catch onto us then we'll be luck to get away alive."
With a straight face and heavy eyes, Iramo takes his stand.
"I see… If it's like that, I'll do my part and stop playing around. But I still can't get my head wrapped around one thing. If the I.A are the ones who watch from above why not go below ground?"
Drifting back to the memory of that place, Saranai shakes her head as she sees the outcome clear as day.
"Because if we go back down they'll kill everyone and then we really can't run away. Even now the only thing keeping them out the Fallen zone is a deal made a long time, only fulfilled out of fear. That one day he will return and if we're gone… he'll kill them all."
A silloute walking along the mountain side, cloaked in a dark blue robe with fine black patterns running down its side, stoops down taking in the view of the bartanic forest below. With ten others following close behind.
"Let's go."
Grabbing the circular device from the center of the table, Saranai look at Allie, signaling an unspoken code. One that needs no introduction to be understood.
"That's why as long as we can do our part we'll be safe but under no circumstance, should you not any of us give them reason to act while he's gone. That's why we'll be moving up the ranks the old way no questions asked."
Leaning forward abruptly, Allie bluntly chimes in.
"Exactly the case and the way in question is know as Showdown. An to enact a showdown you must be of equal rank or your opponent must exceed your rank. So no punching below your weight which is what makes this the safest and most effective option to climb the ranks. Should you beat someone of equal standing with more weight to their name or far above you it will make your value as an asset skyrocket. This will always enable a chain reaction leading to more challenges for both you and others disrupting the values enough for you to slip by so long as you don't abuse the method."
"Of course to avoid that from we have prepared a second approach to gradually build reputation through independent scans under The Dark Stars care. But in order for take you in you must show promise in the upcoming scan. Miss Maradi left very specific instructions for you both of you to follow until then."
Flapping her, Maradi blows a gentle breeze around her as tiny balls of light gather around her, forming a system of bite size stars around her head and all throughout her hair, draped over a chair.
"The Scan set to happen twelve flips from now so until the announcements made make sure they focus onnn uh getting to know each other better hehe!"
Baffled by her words, Ireen can't help but shake her head.
"Girl you don't have anything else to tell them to work on instead?"
Rolling her eyes at the question, Maradi let out a long exaggerated sigh as she pouts at Irene.
"I guesssss, okay then tell them to work on their Izoa connections too. Because from what I've seen out there… they'll need them as much as I need you, my sweet Ireen!"
Rolling her eyes as she pushes her back, Ireen can't help but blush as Maradi grabs onto her and holds her tight, releasing a barrage of kisses onto her face.
"Muah, muah, muah, muah, MUAHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Giving in to Maradi's affection, Ireen can't help but cover her face with her hands.
"Okay! Okay! You can hug me but stop kissing me up like that! Your not my man!"
Snuggling her face up against Ireens smooth, brown skin, Maradi nibbles on her face as she rubs up against her tights with her hands.
"Awww my sweet Ireen's gotten all shy! Don't worry Ireen it's not cheating, if you just close your eyes!"
Objecting as she vanishes, Maradi turns around and crosses her arms, looking at the Rava-Nine.
"Going back when we're in the middle of something your no fun!
Leaning into the light, Maradi can't help but
"Well would you look at that, we don't have much time. Start up the search again Ireen, looks like we're going to the Lost Lands again."
With the entirety of the land in her eye, Ireen asks one question.
"Sure but where in Tolza are we heading this time?"
Sighing as she stretches out her arms over her head, Maradi throws her body back and slouches into the chair.
"I don't know for sure but I might run into an old friend."
The race to the top is the rush before the fall. True greatness is not at the peak of peaks but in the deepest depth of your heart. Once your on the way down is when the greatest journey starts.