"To walk among strangers with trickling trepidation is preservation. To sit in oppressive disquiet among friends is to be a casualty of oneself." -Cao Cao
Chapter 25- Bond
The Virtual World
Pirugan Continent, Sarkast
In-Game Timer: Day 31
7:27 PM
Eight days remained before Emily Tanner's timeline was enacted. Ray determined that the best course of action was to armor up and then position himself outside of Vesta Cave at the start. The journey would be long.
Ray stood before the towering walls of Sarkast. The outskirts of the city were as full of life as ever despite the mature evening. The farmhands were winding down tending the fields as soldiers organized war parties to deal with monsters that mustered the courage to wander closer to the city. The atmosphere seemed to have lightened since the last time he passed through. The workers favored him with a nod in greeting and even the soldiers took the time to appraise the Player with three monsters in tow.
Athena especially exuded a powerful presence with her intense demeanor and the aura from her leader skill that radiated off her body as a result of a recent battle.
They had fought a faction of taur demons that were unfortunate enough to cross their path. Fresh blood caked their blades and dripped from claws following a raid. For the first time, Ray was able to bring his monsters into a position where they could activate a leader skill; a skill which affected an entire team of monsters without having to be activated. It was a permanent passive that worked if certain conditions were met. Athena's leader skill: Hymn of Nike, provided allied god monsters with increased hit points and triple the attack power. It was considered a rather underwhelming leader skill in the original Puzzle and Dragons game. But here, she was given another passive to accompany it. She also had the potential to incorporate the leader skills of other monsters on the team concurrent to her own as long as the Player provided them with enough matched orbs that fulfilled all attributes on the team. This led to considerable burst potential for the endgame.
Their fight hadn't gone unnoticed. A group of soldiers emerged to lend a hand when they heard the familiar sounds of combat. They were not ones to shy away from battle. They embraced it. A quick nod of appreciation from the captain and the enthusiastic clang of weapons from his men answered them in celebration.
Word would spread of a powerful trio of monsters with their Player.
The guards didn't even stop them outside the gate. Ray wasn't sure because of the armor that encased their bodies, but he would've sworn that the soldiers playing their board game to the side were the same he had met a brief time ago on his first visit to the city. The captain merely gave them a quick once-over as they approached and motioned them forward. A few of the soldiers gave the team a swift salute, the crossing of the right arm over their chest and weapon-hand side in a stiffened posture of respect.
Ray returned the gesture as he passed.
"People and monsters change as their world does."
Ray turned to the voice and saw Athena was now walking next to him. He found his eyes locked in place with her unyielding gaze. Ray's pace naturally slowed to match hers. Ahead of them, Leilan and Verche seemed to sense the heaviness in Athena's tone and maintained their steps to keep ahead of them.
"What brought this on?" Ray asked.
Athena's eyes took in the city that opened around them. "I haven't seen humans behave like this in a long time. A single emotion is fleeting. One moment there is hate, and then hope shadows behind."
She was silent for a time as they entered the familiar plaza with the statue of General Mal Saf astride his horse, Storm Glory. The area was quiet compared to the first time Ray had seen it. No Players milled about and the citizens were absent for the most part.
Ray was about to break the uncomfortable silence when Athena increased her pace and approached the grand statue.
He noticed Verche and Leilan had already reached the forge of blacksmith Desdon Maverick. Leilan gave him a barely discernible shrug as she noticed him staring at her.
He turned his attention back to Athena who crouched in front of the placard. Her brow furrowed as she struggled with an emotional turmoil that Ray couldn't even pretend to understand. The monsters were from a different world, but their conflict could be considered synonymous with what transpired in his own world. But he wanted to understand. He didn't want to be closed off.
"Thank you, Ray," Athena said as she stood. She faced him straight on and stared at him with that calculated gaze. She then placed a hand over her chest and made a slight bow as she closed her eyes. Athena maintained this posture for a few seconds before opening her eyes to appraise him.
Ray could tell she was pleasantly surprised by his reaction as she took an almost inaudible intake of breath. He scratched the back of his head uncomfortably and forced down a nervous laugh.
"No need to be so formal," he said as he composed himself.
He lowered his arm and held his hand out to her. "We're all in this together, right? Besides, I spent most of my time as a punching bag." He laughed at that last bit as he recalled how Athena had cut through his armor and tore his flesh like it was butter.
Athena smiled and settled her hand in his for a moment before grasping it firmly. She stared at him for a few seconds and Ray felt his face heating up.
She was a strange girl. Cryptic in speech and completely unreadable with her expressions. Ray couldn't find the right words to describe her.
Athena finally released his hand and stared at her palm.
She is...awkward. Ray thought amused.
"How were you able to endure against me?" Athena asked.
Ray tilted his head in confusion. "Um, didn't I answer that? I dunno. Willpower maybe? Ah, or perhaps it's my unrivaled wit!"
Athena gave him what might have been a playful shove despite her rigid demeanor. Without another word, she turned and began to make her way to the forge where Leilan and Verche disappeared.
Ray followed her and decided not to broach further. He figured she wouldn't answer anyway.
Yeah, she's awkward.
Sophie rushed from the forge and into the main sitting room when she heard the familiar voice of Ray conversing with his monster partners.
Ever since the exploration of Flint Peak, she had been unable to deny her fascination with the Player. The allure had nothing to do with his power, but with how human he seemed. She had expected the Players to be otherworldy like a mysterious magic. But the mystery of Ray was in his personality and ideals. It was the 'how' and 'why.'
She felt a lightness beneath her feet as she crossed the threshold into the room. Her heart skipped a beat as she noticed Ray's dirtied, matted hair and face that was a result of nearly constant battles and little respite.
Her jaw dropped when she saw his armor. It was in tatters and shouldn't have been wearable. No one in their right mind could even classify it as armor anymore. It was just a bunch of split metal and hanging cloth with maybe a bit of mail underneath to miraculously block some piercing damage from an arrow. In other words, he looked awful.
"Hey Sophie!" Ray waved as he noticed her gawking at him.
Sophie's arms stiffened as she marched up to him and immediately went to work inspecting his armor. Ray was about to protest until Sophie planted her fist on his head and dug the knuckles into his scalp.
"Ow ow ow! What the frig', Sophie."
Sophie nearly butted heads with him and prodded the devastated parts of his armor. "What did you get yourself into? How are you even alive? Ah, no!" She saw what was left of the wrist armor and hidden blade she had forged for him. She cupped Ray's wrist in her trembling hands.
Desdon had settled himself into a chair behind her so he could get a better view of the armor and laughed. "Easy now, Sophie. Armor is meant to take a beating or even break sometimes." He took a long swig of beer from his freshly filled mug. "Although, I suppose this is more along the lines of simply, well, gone?" Desdon leaned forward and snorted at the sorry sight.
"To shed some light on this, I am pleased to say that your work with that armor saved his life," Verche said. He leaned against the front door and crossed his arms.
Sophie perked up at this. "I'm sorry, what?"
Ray thanked Verche for the distraction and managed to untangle himself from Sophie and retreated to his monster partners.
"Ah, right. I forgot. You haven't met my monster partners." Ray motioned to each of them in turn and they greeted her with silent nods.
"As Verche was saying," Leilan interjected. "As you can see, a god monster's weapon sliced clean through Ray's body armor; however, the armor you reinforced was not breached. It saved his life, and ours."
"You have our thanks." Athena bowed to Sophie.
"That is some fine ironwork for using such a common metal." Verche mirrored Athena.
Sophie's face heated up. "Oh, really, it was nothing. Y'know, just doing my job and all."
She smiled with the lavish praise that the god monsters poured on her.
"Don't let the praise go to your head," Desdon laughed as he downed the last of his beer. Sophie could sense the semi-serious advice hidden underneath his jovial tone.
It brought her back to ground, and she realized what the real reason for Ray's visit must be.
"Oh, right! Armor! Of course." Sophie rushed back to the forge.
She returned with her arms full of components for a set of armor. They were all pitch black with a lighter outline of deep gray. If one scrutinized the armor enough, he/she would note the specks of red hidden amongst the edges.
Anyone could tell just by giving it a quick look that the armor was superior quality. The waist portion of the body armor was still metal, but it appeared to be flexible and extended as pieces, known as cuisses, that protected the thigh. There were three layers for the pauldrons with the lowest portion wrapping around the upper arm and the second extending to protect the armpit. The leggings were hammered down so thin at the joints that they could almost be mistaken for cloth. A few adjustable notches were inserted at the base of the leggings to accommodate several types of footwear.
She had been waiting for Ray's return with such anticipation that she had forgotten the reason for it.
"The armor is light, but I guarantee it will block most god weapons!" Sophie said. She leaned forward and clenched her fists. "I can even adjust the wrist guards to insert a new blade if you want!"
Ray and his monsters stared at her in shock as she overwhelmed them with the details of the armor.
Desdon's beer burst from his mouth. "What in the hells is that?"
Sophie paused her explanation when she realized that the best part of the armor had been left out.
"Oh, right! It's made from caricthmian. All of it. Well, I did have to insert some brass on internal components for the wrist and shin guards. I used some of the metal we gathered at Flint Peak. Also-"
"No! I mean how did you have the time to make it? Is this why we are constantly on backorder?" Desdon slapped a hand over his eyes and groaned.
Sophie laced her fingers behind her back and fidgeted. "Well, I mean, it was a side hobby. And I wanted to make sure it was finished before Ray returned."
Ray glanced around at everyone stupidly before pointing at himself. "Wait, me? Why?"
Sophie blushed. "I-It's a gift. For you. F-for helping me gather the metal. It's helped a lot. You have no idea."
Ray gawked at the incredible armor. It was made for him? He couldn't believe it. Caricthmian metal was mentioned all the time in this world. The most valuable and rarest in the entire country. It was only second to dragon metal found in Dragon Territory. He couldn't fathom how much the armor was worth. Ray convinced himself that she must mean he was getting it at a discount or something.
"I've been working on this a while," Sophie said anticipating Ray's thoughts. "Long before you and the other Players arrived. I only needed to fix the cuirass a bit to fit your measurements. The metal you provided is enough."
"I-I can't possibly accept this," Ray stuttered. "I still consider myself a total noob, but this must be worth a fortune!"
"Too late!" Desdon roared. His massive body filled Ray's vision. "The caricthmian has already been tempered and finished. It is made to fit a specific individual. That would be you! If you don't take it it will just sit in storage collecting dust."
Ray held his hands up in submission startled by Desdon's sudden outburst. "Ah…haha. Okay. I gratefully accept."
Ray couldn't help thinking how unfair this situation would be if this world actually was a game. Receiving armor such as this under the circumstances would've made the game so broken.
Desdon nodded satisfied. "Good. Wear it well. Protect your temple to destroy your enemy's."
"Yes, sir," Ray stuttered.
Ray turned to Sophie and bowed. "Thank you so much, Sophie. I don't know how I can repay you. I will make myself stronger so I can be worthy of wearing it."
Sophie held a hand up and laughed pleasantly. "You already have. Well, perhaps you could assist me this evening. You don't plan on departing with night closing in, right?"
"True enough," Verche concurred. "It would be pointless to depart now."
"Rest here for the night," Desdon said. He somehow managed to cool off. "We have plenty of spare beds."
"We appreciate the hospitality," Verche said. "But Ray's residence is only a short ways from here."
"Ah, of course. I had forgotten about the meddling of the Creators."
Sophie clapped her hands. "Alright then. I'll go get changed. I won't be long…" She trailed off as she recalled Ray's battered body and attire.
Ray spread his arms far out to the side when he felt her analyzing him. A piece of metal decided at that moment to sway to and fro almost mockingly under his armpit. "Oh, right. Wait, we're going out?"
Sophie smiled. "Yeah. I'm sure I can find something suitable."
Ray assumed settling a part of his debt to Sophie would involve a task that involved his skill as a Player. Players possessed unique traits compared to regular humans, and experienced the virtual world in diverse ways. However, this mission required the most basic of dexterity and strength.
The paper bags with simple, thin rope handles held a variety of commodities: an assortment of vegetables, fabrics, and a couple of strange gadgets, much like the ones Ray had seen Sophie use when they first met in the forge. She had taken him on quite the shopping spree.
So, this is what she had in mind, Ray thought amused. I'm a pack mule for the evening.
The northern market district was a bustle of activity, a complete contrast to the eastern district. Apparently, he had been wrong about the east side having everything an adventurer could possibly want. The sheer abundance of places had misled him.
The whole of Sarkast was a labyrinth of side streets, alleys, and interconnected walkways for the buildings of progressively growing height towards the heart of the city. They all retained the same beige color of melded stone. Without proper landmarks, it would be impossible for a foreigner to find his/her way through the city without an escort.
Sophie had managed to find him a short-fitted coat to match with a cotton tunic. The garb felt awkward with the string he had to tie at the v-neck. He also wore the loose trousers that complimented his other dark colors. A gray buckle held the pants in place that were just a tad too big for him. The clothes had been left behind a few years back when a rushed adventurer exchanged them for thicker wear. Desdon in his weakened state, unable to forge weapons after his injury during the war, had taken the time to stitch the clothing back together. It seemed the older man was a real jack-of-all-trades.
"Just one more stop." Sophie twirled about and winked. Her red woolen, two-piece dress floated like a drifting flower around her legs as she spun.
This type of gown was considered rather informal for this world, but Ray found himself enraptured by how well it complemented her naturally pretty features. He was used to her blacksmith garb and the leather apron that covered her from shoulders to knees. Now her light skin was revealed, as well as the lean muscle from years of labor in the forge. Her blonde hair no longer required distance from the flames of the hearth, so she untied her ponytail and allowed it to fall straight just slightly passed her shoulders. She had taken the time to tie a thin braid to the left side of her face.
"Something the matter, Ray?" Sophie woke him from his stupor. His eyes had been wandering aimlessly and Sophie was now leaning towards him with concern.
"Oh, nothing. Sorry. Just taking in the sights," Ray said quickly as he glanced around at the unchanging scenery.
Sophie gave him a knowing smile. "Sights, huh. Well, if you want a real sight besides dull buildings, I can show you one when we've finished."
"Oh, that would be great. I appreciate it."
"No problem, good sir," Sophie said with mock formality. "It is only proper that a mistress allows her servant a proper respite."
"Woah, I'm your servant now?" Ray laughed. "When did this start?"
"When you mentioned something about repaying me."
"Guess I walked into that one. Typical."
"Onwards." Sophie straightened one leg, turned on her heel, and took an exaggerated step towards another side street.
Ray appreciated her playful personality. It made the trip much easier.
It turned out that the last destination was for Mr. Maverick. He needed a replenishment of spirits that involved more than just beer. This was where a true test of Ray's strength came into play. The supply of alcohol was enough to last a normal man a month. Sophie let Ray know that it was a weekly excursion. The man could drink like a fish.
Ray felt the fatigue and numbness begin to take over as the wooden boxes filled with bottles pulled at his arms. He made it a point not to betray himself and maintained a neutral expression. It was a battle with his pride as a man.
"Feeling tired, servant?" Sophie grinned as she led him down more unfamiliar side streets.
"Nonsense," Ray responded. He stuck to concise responses to use the least amount of air and energy possible. It was embarrassing that he could fight off hordes of taur demons, but find that such a seemingly simple task could be so taxing.
They rounded a bend and the cobblestone street halted. In its place was an uphill dirt road that led somewhere out of sight behind the crest of the hill.
"Since you're in good health, I thought we'd take a more scenic route." Sophie swung some of her paper bags over her shoulder and lengthened her stride to match the incline. Ray swore he saw the hint of a grin on her face.
He despaired as they reached the top of the hill, only to discover that it declined on the opposite side where one of the buildings had hidden a steep set of stairs.
That's playing dirty, Ray thought.
Ray made sure to keep his breathing even. He was glad that he overcame the major part of his asthma issues before entering the virtual world. Perhaps the intrinsic scans also helped with this. He couldn't remember exactly what they applied with his first initial login.
Ray immediately forgot his fatigue when he cleared that last step. Before him was an endless ocean of night sky speckled with light. Two of the moons looked as if they would collide with each other at any moment. Their glows bounced off each other's surfaces and lined the night sky like lighthouses guiding the stars on a sea of blackness.
"So, what do you think? Worth it?"
Ray's eyes were drawn to the female who stood next to the fountain at the center of the plateau. Her hair almost seemed to glow like the moons with a yellow hue.
Ray surprised himself as he found his response easily. "Looks like my debt has increased."
Sophie laughed. "Wow. Maybe you've become accustomed to being my servant."
"Well, I don't really mind it."
Sophie seemed taken aback by his response, for she then turned away from him and went back to the habit of fidgeting with her hands behind her back.
Did I say something wrong? Ray wondered where her witty responses went.
Sophie retreated to the railing that lined the edge of the cliff overlooking the city before he could ask. He hesitated a moment before joining her. They stood in silence staring at the lights below and above. Ray breathed a sigh of relief when Sophie lowered herself into a lazy posture and allowed her arms to dangle over the railing. He opted to remain mute and just appreciate the scenery.
Sophie broke the silence first. "It's funny. I never thought I would ever become friends with a Player." She stopped herself for a moment as she realized the possibly one-sided pronouncement she made. "Ah, sorry, I mean…I don't know how you see it but-"
"I see us as friends." Ray relieved her from the burden of stumbling to find the right words. "Why wouldn't I?"
Sophie stared at him for a moment and then gave him an appreciative nod. "Thanks for that."
Another silence followed. For some reason, it didn't seem to Ray that there was any tension in it. He didn't feel uncomfortable like he expected after that awkward exchange of words. Why was that?
He was about to take his turn to push the conversation forward when Sophie beat him to it.
"So, what's it like in your world? Is it like this one?" She asked the questions without looking away from the sky.
Ray recovered from his surprise at the unexpected question. He supposed it was only natural that she would be curious about the people that had practically invaded the place she called home. After all, these people came from somewhere that was said to control hers.
"You can't see the stars in my world," Ray said. He felt a sadness building up inside him like a geyser. "There are only a few places left where they aren't obscured by our artificial light."
Sophie listened attentively as Ray described the cities of glass and cement that had taken over lands once rich in vegetation and wildlife. Places once preserved and protected by law no longer had immunity and were destroyed to make way for steel.
Ray stopped himself when he realized how grim the tone of the conversation had become with his negative thinking. He worked to salvage a sliver of light that remained from his youth.
"But, there was one time where my family and I visited a place called the Grand Canyon during one of our warm seasons."
Sophie perked up as she sensed Ray's enthusiasm.
"There was a night when you could see other planets in the sky. You could even see the rings around some of them if you looked close enough."
"That's amazing," Sophie breathed. Her eyes were distant as she tried to picture other celestial bodies in the sky of her own world. "I guess our universe has some too."
"Probably."
"Can you travel to them?"
"We've found ways to reach some of them."
"Kind of like this one."
Ray stiffened. She wasn't far off with that reasoning. Sure, it was a different method of travel, but his people had found a way to reach this world as well.
"Yeah, like this one," Ray finally said.
Sophie straightened herself and noticeably tightened her grip on the railing. "So even when you Players leave, you can still come back. Right?"
Ray shifted his gaze towards her and noticed her keen stare. He found himself unable to tear his eyes away, as if her own demanded his. She was dead serious.
If he was being honest, he didn't quite know the answer. Right now, the Players were an integral part of the war that drew ever closer. Whoever the enemy was in his world still needed the Players to remain as participants. But what if war was prevented? What would happen when the time came that the Players were no longer needed? Ray was certain that this world perceived as a game would never expand passed this beta stage. This world would be revealed for what it truly was. The so-called Creators of his world would do everything in their power to close the way for him.
But…
"No matter what happens, even when all this ends, I will find a way back." Ray rested his arm on the railing and leaned forward to make sure Sophie could see how serious he was in that statement. He wanted her to see his confidence in this belief. No, this promise. "I love this world way too much. I'm not letting it go so easily."
Ray frowned when all the response he received was Sophie tightening her lips into a thin line. He could see her lips quivering slightly and swore that her face had darkened. Ray figured it might have been a shifting of the shadows.
Sophie suddenly grinned and dug her knuckles into his scalp. "Look at you acting all cool. Geez, you actually had me all flustered there for a second."
Ray whined as she forced his head down so he could only see the ground. "Ouch, dammit! I was being sincere!"
"I-I know!" Sophie blurted as she jammed her knuckles down harder. "That's why it was-forget it!"
Her knuckles may have dug all the way through his skull to the brain, because Ray now found himself going out of his usual character and dug his own knuckles into her head on instinct.
"I can only take so much abuse!"
They both dug their fists into each other's scalps.
"Bow to your mistress!" Sophie shouted.
"I refuse!"
They went back and forth for a little longer until Ray finally submitted. At one point it had actually escalated when Sophie attempted to throw Ray into a standing headlock, which he managed to avoid. He cursed his instincts when he realized that he wouldn't have minded that at all.
The time spent with Sophie was something Ray desperately needed. The constant fighting and struggles building to the war were taxing on the mind and body. Sophie managed to put his body to work on their shopping excursion, but his mind cleared along the way to see things in a positive perspective. Ray hated how their time together now seemed like a fleeting moment. But it was a moment that reminded him of why he wanted to stay in this world so desperately.
Sophie was someone who believed in him. She believed he could make a difference. Why else would she give him the precious armor she worked on during times where this world's existence was just a possibility to him?
"Well, looks like we're back," Sophie said with a hint of disappointment.
Ray thought perhaps his mentality mimicked hers, for he didn't notice the forge surrounded in darkness, settled just outside the comforting light of the streetlamps.
"Yeah."
Ray entered just behind her and assisted with putting everything away. He chuckled when he saw that the cupboard was filled with empty bottles of alcohol. He decided to leave them there and hid the filled bottles amongst those that were depleted. Almost like a little game that might convince Desdon to clean up a bit. It was strange, the rest of the forge was so tidy. Maybe that was Sophie's doing.
When they were finished, Sophie led him to the door. It became a playful habit: the servant following his mistress.
"So, what's next for you?" Sophie asked, as they leaned against the front wall of the forge.
Ray sighed. "The southern Bakke Mountains."
"That's quite the trip."
"We need to find Metatron and Pandora. Things are getting worse."
"I see."
They stood in silence for a while longer. The stars were still clear in the night sky. Ray narrowed his eyes as he noticed a thin streak appear that stood out amongst all the other glowing specks. It appeared that stars worked the same way even in this world.
"Y'know, shooting stars are considered good luck in my world," Ray said. He smiled at the comforting thought.
Sophie's expression brightened. "Really? I don't know if people see it that way here, but I like that." She pushed herself off the wall. "Works for me!"
She turned and pointed a finger at him. "Remember, you're my servant. We have a pact."
Ray grinned. "That's a one-sided pact, but okay. Besides, it's a big city. Have some more detours ready for my next visit, alright?"
"You got it!" Sophie pumped herself up.
If the war hadn't been so pressing, Ray could see himself staying in a city like Sarkast for a good while. But duty called. A duty he gladly accepted. A duty that protected someone like Sophie.
Leilan, Verche, and Athena were in the midst of a strategy meeting when Ray found them in the basement. Separating them was a marble table with a map of Pirugan laid out. It was held in place by metal clippings hammered into the wood that encased the circumference of the marble.
They seemed to be in a heated discussion judging from Verche's clenched fists and a plain scowl from Leilan. Athena was as unreadable as ever.
Ray could guess the source of their grievances. The news he brought about Emily Tanner and her deadline probably interfered with other plans the monsters carefully laid out.
"We needed to amend our arrangement with the Valkyries in any case," Verche said. "We never expected to liberate so many comrades in such a short time. Metatron and Pandora take priority."
"I understand. But we also need to consider Depths Legion and these masked Players," Leilan countered. "Judging by the formation of the magical energy they are releasing…" She pointed to an area on the map to the southeast near the small mining town of Millshore that she and Ray encountered on their first meeting. "…this is where they will strike next."
"I'm sure the other Players of the Grand Hunters realize this as well," Athena said when she was sure Leilan had finished. "Perhaps we should trust them to handle it."
Leilan let out a defeated sigh. She was aware this option existed. "I know. I trust Parvati, Bastet, and their Players. But I don't trust the judgement of the guild as a whole. I suppose I'm being a little defensive."
Verche was the first to notice Ray descend the stairs from the back of the room. Athena was facing to the side while Leilan had her back to him. The god of light placed an armored hand under the chin of his armor like he was scheming something. He made a barely discernible nod in Ray's direction and gestured for him to remain silent. Ray frowned at this, but his curiosity got the better of him.
"Why would you be so defensive?" Verche asked. "Is it because they rejected Ray?"
Leilan let out an irritated breath at the reminder. "Foolish. They divide us over their skewed reasoning and alienate one of the most competent Players."
For a moment Ray stiffened at the unexpected praise. He had no idea she saw him in such a competent light. It wasn't until a few select words from Verche that Ray caught on to what was supposed to happen next.
Ray grinned. Oh, I get it.
He cleared his head and came up with the best way to make his entrance.
Athena gave him a sidelong glance, and Ray thought he detected the hint of a smirk on the edge of her mouth for a brief second.
Ray spoke up just as he was about to stand next to the somewhat distracted Leilan, "Aw, that's sweet. I had no idea you thought so highly of me."
Her calm response was unexpected. She didn't even turn to face him. "Of course I do. After all that's happened, how could I not?" A ready grin mocked Verche whose shoulders slumped in disappointment. "Also, it's going to take a lot more training to sneak up on me."
Dammit. Well don't I look like an idiot, Ray thought.
"We'll work on it," Verche said. He clenched his fist determinedly.
"Perhaps we should return to the task at hand," Athena suggested.
"Agreed. Now that our wonderful Player is here, he can provide us with his valuable insight." Leilan said with a hint of sarcasm.
Ouch. Okay, I see where this is going. Ray scrambled with his thoughts to come up with a lucrative response.
The best way to go about this would be to issue it with the confidence of an ultimatum.
"I'm in favor of contacting Metatron and Pandora. We are the only ones capable of reaching them at this point. I assume Vesta Cave will have powerful monsters guarding their location since they entered before the Reversion. They also wouldn't want just any god monster able to enter with their own power at the offset."
"A solid deduction," Athena said.
"Furthermore, we have allies in Millshore with Irina Roche. I can contact Yukiko and Kurt to inform them of this if the situation escalates. We don't know the exact location of where Erenheim and his followers will trigger another magical surge. However, if anyone has found the location by now, it would be the people of Millshore who are mining the mountain."
"Oh?" Verche made his voice heard to show a mix of his interest in the idea and puzzlement. "How will Irina know to trust them?"
Ray lifted his wrist to give them a clear view of his database. "The power of messaging. I send some mail to Yukiko or Kurt with information only Roche and I would know."
"Alright, I'm convinced," Leilan said. "Contact Yukiko and Kurt and inform them to make haste for Millshore."
Ray did well to hide his surprise at her willingness to accept his judgement without refute. The he realized that she had manipulated his mindset again. Her comment had gotten him all riled up to the point where he could only give his true feelings on the matter. She was good. She knew him too well.
He started writing his message on the database to relay their plan to Yukiko and Kurt.
"There is only one other issue," Athena said. "As far as we know, nobody else has a full team of monsters. Even if some of them did, Depths Legion could just send in a team with two or less monsters. There would be no resistance. The rules set forth won't allow Players with monsters to fight in that situation."
"That's true," Verche concurred. "But we god monsters are still far from our higher levels of power. Millshore has its own standing army. I'm sure Miss Roche can pull a defense together."
"That still won't be enough," Leilan argued.
"Fair enough. I have some friends who might be willing to help us out."
