1Author note : everything in italic format is what is happening outside the game.

every thing underlined is memory sequence.

(Everything in parenthesis is thoughts. Kinda like a thought bubble )

xxx's means that's the real name but like I said wont be revealing that

Chapter 4

Still In My Heart

Colnel had already logged in. He was standing outside the cathedral looking out to the vast nothingness that was on this field."I wonder if it always looked like this..." He sigh a bit and then leaned against it resting his head on his hand. "I should be out there trying to figure stuff out...however I got nothing to go off of. Oh well besides I said I meet her here." He close his eyes and then just tried waiting patiently.

Rio would appear on the field and then walked up beside Colnel quietly."Sorry I'm on later then normal. I had to pick my dog up from the vet and I just been keeping her company."

Colnel would open his eyes and shake his head "Ah don't worry too much about it. So how is your dog?"

"Great" she smile and then leaned on the edge of the stone bridge like Colnel. "So..."

"You want to know pretty badly don't you?" Colnel said softly

"Yeah...But if you don't want to share that is fine"

"No no. I'll share." He closed his eyes. "It must have been about December. A little after Christmas had passed. They were holding a gift event that day." He start to go in detail

"This even is weird.." Colnel sight softly to himself "From what I heard the item is really only effective till your level 10." He shake his head a bit. He look around seeing snow fall around Mac Anu. He walk toward the bridge stopping in the middle resting on the railing hearing the people around him.

"Come on. If you want to power that item up, I'll help you. We long arms need to stick together. Trust me after this you'll never forget the name Alastor" He said with a slight smirk

"I...I don't know. I mean I'm happy with what I got." Siren had said softly. "Besides I don't want to be necessarily powerful. I like just staying here and playing at my own pace."

"Yeah that's true. But still that item would be a lot better and you wouldn't have to worry about having to take the time to find money and what not."

"Well...okay. You said it was at hidden forbidden holy ground right?"

Alastor nodded. "Yeah. So get your items and then ill be waiting at the Chaos gate." HE run off toward the Chaos gate.

Colnel got a look at Alastor as he ran by "hmm..." He then looked at Siren who was walking around the town. He walk past toward her but passed her. He then felt a tap on his shoulder as he turned around "Hm?" He look at Siren

"Hey...um...I was wondering. Well I'm kind of new to this." She look to the side. "Could you help me? Im looking to pick up some items."

Colnel starred at her and then smiled a bit "I kinda figured you were new to this. I overheard you and that Alastor guy talking. If you want to play at your own pace you should in my opinion."

She look at him and then to the side " I know but he seemed so persistent. I figure I let him help me."

Colnel sigh a bit "Well that is your choice I suppose. If your looking for items though, follow me." He walk ahead of her.

Siren looked at him "Hey...um...my name is Scarlet Siren." She walk with him

"Oh...How rude of me. My name is Colnel." he smile a bit. "So Miss Scarlet Siren. How long have you actually been playing this game?"

Siren seemed lost in thought for a moment and then smiled " about three days"

"Wow so you just barely started." He place his hands behind his head "So this event item is really going to help you out. I hear its really effective till you hit level 10."

Siren nodded " Yeah...heh it will be good for me for about 6 more levels." She look ahead as she saw the item shop ahead "Oh...that was actually pretty easy."

Colnel nodded "Heh yeah. So I guess you just been out fighting and its why you never knew about the shops huh?

Sire nodded "Yeah...I wanted to grind a bit."

Colnel smiled a bit "Well...heh you take care of yourself. Remember to just make the most out of the game while you play. Otherwise you might just want to quit. I'll see you around." Colnel would walk to the Chaos gate. He pass Alastor. He felt a cold chill go down his spine like if he was being watched. He enter the keywords hidden forbidden holy ground and logged in to the field. He see the bare place and then narrowed his eyes "Why would he invite her here to power up that item?" He walk to the cathedral and enter inside it. He walk around hearing the haunting music "That guy...something about him...he knew who I was..." HE continue walking around

Siren and Alastor would log in to the field. Siren walked around looking at her surroundings "So what here can power up this item?"

Alastor had a smirk on his face as he walked ahead of her "Actually its inside the cathedral. Not a lot of people know about this place." He push open the doors and surveyed the inside. He smile a bit not seeing anyone inside. "Well come on hurry up."

Siren looked at him and sighed a bit "You don't have to be rude." She say as she followed him. She look around admiring the way the place looked and then saw Alastor had stopped right at the alter. "What's wrong?"

Alastor smirked as he started to chuckle to himself. "Stupid Newbie." He put his hand to his face and turn around laughing "Don't you get it? I set you up." he smirk "You ever hear of those violent players? The ones that kill others just for the pure fun of it? The ones that take those items off the dead ones?" He smirk "I...Am...One." He pull out his lance and point it at her.

Siren's hazel green eyes widened as she screamed out a bit "Get Away from me!" she pull out her basic lance. She hold it up to defend herself "Why are you doing this? What do you get out of it?"

"Ending someone's life. I find it really amusing for someone so weak to put up a fight against an opponent who out classes them in everything." He smile and then thrust his lance at her.

Siren moved to the side as it pierced her shoulder armor. She wince a bit "No...stop this!" she trust her lance at him as she was parried easily and stumbled forward.

"Talk about pathetic." Alastor smirked. He equip a weaker weapon and attack her. He damage her slightly. "I do enjoy dragging out a fight."

Siren fell to the floor. After taking a wound to her stomach. She try pushing herself away slowly. Her lance across the cathedral. "No..." she close her eyes "Someone help me!"

Alastor smirk. "Heh scream all you want. No one comes here." He be standing over her. She was now sitting up trying to push away from him. Alastor would equip his strongest lance and then laugh "Now now...Don't be too angry!" He saw kicking her a bit.

Colnel could hear a battle was going on and had been running through the halls of the cathedral. "What was that noise?" He be a floor higher but could see Alastor standing over Siren "What the?"

Alastor raise his lance up "Heh now die!" He thrust his lance downward for her chest.

Colnel would jump from where he was before Alastor raised his lance. He land right between the both of them as the lance was parried by Colnel's sword. Colnel be on one knee and he look up at Alastor. "Damn player killer. I hate when you ruin the game for other people." He push him back with his sword. Making him skid back across the cathedral "You okay?" He look back at Siren "I'm sorry I got kinda lost wondering around here I had trouble finding you." He turn around and pull out a potion and hand it to her "Here drink this. It should restore you fully since your only level 4 if I remember correctly." He smile "I'll take care of him" He turn around. His smile turning to a serious face.

Alastor would stare at Colnel "Heh I thought I knew who you were. Your that Heavy Blade all us player killers hate. Colnel." He hold his lance firmly "But to beat you would end your legacy of being immortal to a players attack."

"Oh so that's what people are saying? A regular player's attack can't kill me?" He laugh a bit "I'm a little flattered by that. Though truth is. You guys are too weak to be able to kill me. True you may injure me, but yet I always wind up the victor cause of my skill. You think you are any different? Care to see if I am immortal? Be my guest."

Alastor would narrow his eyes and charge at him. He thrust his lance at Colnel repeatedly. "Just die!"

Colnel would keep dodging the thrusts. He smirk as Alastor stepped forward to hard and lost his footing making him stumble toward him "Got you!" Colnel would swing his sword he noticed Alastor recovered from the mis step. His sword would go across his left eye.

Alastor would step back yelling out in pain holding his eye. "You bastard!" HE drop the lance. Blood coming from right beside his nose going diagonally upwards to just where his forehead had began. He stare at Colnel "This isn't over." He hold his eye and then logged out from the field.

Colnel would turn around and walk to Siren. "Hey..."

Siren had taken the potion but was still scarred as she backed away from him. "W-what?"

Colnel tilt his head to the side "Hey you don't have to be scarred of me. It may surprise you but not all people above level 20 are player killers." He smile and sat down on one of the benches

Siren looked down. She sit by him "Thanks...For saving me." She look at the ground

"Hey don't worry about it." He look at her "What's wrong?"

"Just...I was getting ready to quit this game if I had died. I thought that only people would be out to get me. But...I was wrong. You helped me...and I just. I feel bad for even thinking that."

"Ah don't worry too much about it." He yawn a bit "I just hate player killers. I'm glad I was there to save you." He close his eyes and then pulled out a light lance. "Here" He offer it to her

"W-what's this?" She took it and looked at it .She smiled a bit and looked at him

"Heh if your level 4. This Lance is probably the best item for you. I got it from an event before you started playing. This lance can actually be upgraded too. Just you need to go to the weapon shops. And present the claim" He hand her the slip "They can upgrade it for you. The event was really hard and I didn't get the sword. I got the lance so I have no use for it. I want you to have it."

Siren would smile and then hold on to it tightly "Thank you so much. I'll always be sure to treasure this Colnel." She close her eyes.

Colnel smiled a bit and gave her his member address "Here...that way you can see if im online. Ill help you out. I don't mind playing at your pace."

Siren blush a bit "Really? Thank you." she was about to say something and stopped "Im sorry I got to go."

Colnel sigh a bit "ah well that is a shame. Well till next time we meet. Feel free to send me a message Miss Scarlet Siren"

Siren shake her head "Just call me Siren. Well good bye" She said as she left the filed and logged out.

Rio smiled a bit "So you saved her? That is how you to first met?"

Colnel nodded and then smiled a bit himself "Yea."

Rio scratched her head "So that scar on Alastor was left by you. Tell me more about you and Siren. When did you start seeing each other?"

Colnel laughed a bit "Heh well aren't you curious" he sigh a bit "About a month of playing together we became good friends. However I didn't know I knew her outside the game as well."

Colnel be standing behind the counter reading a book on law enforcement. "Hmm.."

"Hiya book worm!" Siren said.

"Oh hi xxxxxx" he rub his head a bit "Don't tease me too much. I happen to like this and I don't want to be stuck working here my whole life."

"I know I know xx " She look around "So got any recommendations for games? Not that I really need any other game since you told me to pick up the world. " she mimic Colnel's voice "If you are looking for something time consuming and something that you can play at your own pace. I recommend the World. Sure its an MMO but still its worth the fee.

Colnel smirked "You're a funny one." he say sarcastically "Ah well there might be some expansions coming out for it. I haven't heard to much about it though. I like the game though I noticed I been partying a lot with the same people. Heh feels like I know them"

"Yeah I been doing that too. Its fun though. I mean with me being in the military and all. I really can't make too many friends where I am at cause I may have to move at a moments notice. I'm glad though I came here after Christmas to return that gift. That is how I met you initially.

"Yeah. It is going to suck when you leave though. You are a pretty cool girl."

"Thanks. So one day you and me got to play on the world. I think we could have fun"

"Yeah. We will have to plan for something"

"Well I thought I just stop by and say hi . I really can't stay too long. I'm sorry. I just wanted to tell you im going to be gone for a few days." she smile

"Ah don't worry about it . I'll see you around right?"

She smile while nodding and then left the store. Colnel would go through the rest of his day and return home as he sat down in front of his PC.

Colnel would appear in front of the Chaos gate "Said she wanted to meet me at the usual place." He log in to hidden forbidden holy ground. He look at the cathedral as he entered it. He smile seeing siren sitting down and sat by her. "So what's up? Normally we don't meet here unless we are just going to talk"

Siren look down. "Just...I need to tell you something. My job requires me to travel. I'm not going to be on for a few days. It just really pisses me off that they do this. I'm sorry. So I was hoping we can just spend tonight talking if you didn't mind?

Colnel shake his head "Sure I don't mind." He smile a bit

"So she told you she was leaving?" Rio asked

"Yeah. We talked about just stuff we liked and what we didn't. It felt strange cause I had the conversation before with . I didn't think to much about it till she logged off. I noticed I was bored and just waiting for her to come back. Same thing at work. Then I pieced it all together. One night. Just thinking about how she was complaining about the same things as " He look up and continue

Colnel and Siren both be sitting down together in the cathedral. Colnel would look at her "So how was your trip?"

"Boring...I didn't really want to go but I had to. I'm glad to be back though."

Colnel smiled a bit (that's exactly what she said when she said she was back...it is her..) He blush a bit and then looked at her

"Something wrong? You seem to be blushing?" She tilt her head

"Ah...heh have a bit of a fever. That update they did to the game can pick up facial features I hear now. So I guess it does work."

Siren giggle a bit "Yeah. This seems more real and real"

Colnel closed his eyes "So what is your job? If you don't mind my asking"

Siren looked at him surprised "Ah Colnel we aren't supposed to reveal that stuff."

Colnel smile a bit " I know just im curious is all.." He look up at the ceiling.

Siren closed her eyes leaning against him a bit "Heh guess im still tired from my trip"

Colnel close his eyes as well "Hey Siren..."

"Yeah?" Siren said softly

"Why did you start playing this game?" he ask

"Heh believe it or not a guy I met at a game store said this be fun especially cause of what I do currently"

"Heh. He sounds weird"

She shake her head "quite the opposite. He is really nice. I need to tell him to meet me on here one day so we can play together. Not that I don't want to play with you just I think it be kinda fun."

"Siren...I got something I want to tell you." Colnel said a bit nervous.

Siren pick her head up and look at him "What?"

"Siren...heh playing with you for this month and just getting to talk to you like this. Has made me happy. I guess...what I want to say is...I like you more then just a friend."

Siren blushed and looked at him "But Colnel...this is just a game." She looked to the side "I mean I like you too...just a relationship in the game?"

Colnel shook his head "Heh guess it would have been easier to ask you outside the game..."

Siren looked at him her face still red "Outside?"

"Siren" Colnel look at her "xxxxxx its me...xx "

Siren's eyes widened a bit and she turned a bright red "xx!?" she look at him "H-how long have you known that its me?"

"I just figured it out not to long ago...I wanted to ask you out when you stopped by today but I chickened out. Guess the only place I could actually feel comfortable saying something like that was here...I'm sorry"

Siren smiled a bit and then looked at him "I have been waiting for you to tell me that for a very long time." she bite her lower lip "I have felt that way about you since the day we first met and we talked like we were old friends."

Colnel blushed "Siren...heh...I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner"

"It's okay I'm just glad you told me finally." He wrap her arms around him "Colnel, xx, heh I don't know what to call you."

"Heh how bout we just go by our character names in game...and outside we will be our real names"

"Heh...okay" she smiled " colnel..." She kiss him softly

Rio have a smile on her face "Heh so that's how. I didn't know you have a girlfriend. So that's why you were so determined to make sure we were okay the other day. I get it now."

Colnel nod "Heh yeah. I'm going to find a way to save her. I know that."

Rio smile a bit "I promise I'll do whatever I can do to help you xx, er I mean Colnel."

Colnel smirk " Heh I should have left that part out."

Rio giggled "xxx"

Colnel looked at her "what?"

"xxx its my name." she smile "Now we are even."

Colnel nodded a bit "Heh okay..."

Rio smiled a bit "I got to get going Colnel. I hope we get a lead here soon so I can help you." she smile and then logged out.

"Heh...figures..." He close his fist and then look up "Siren...I'll find a way to help you I promise."