Avilien: Tutorial islands

Fallen

Hands, clammy and stuffed into pockets, head low so that his chin rested on his chest, and socks with such big holes they may have been worn out of existence, Luke felt he had hit rock bottom. He cursed every second of his walk through bustling crowds. Cursing his lack of power, cursing his helplessness. He cried, tears rolling off his cheeks and hitting the pavement below. None of the Avilien civilians paying him a bit of notice.

What concerned Luke the most was attempting to get Nebs, Quinn, and the other guides back. Could he get them back? Damocles and his thugs were out of reach now on their little island. Even if he levelled like a man possessed Luke didn't even get to cross swords with Damocles. He didn't know what other tricks the red-haired demon had and somehow in the battle, all of them were able to keep up with his speed. They must have distributed stats similar to himself.

In other games that had classes, there were set amounts of abilities or spells per class. Avilien appeared to break that mould. It had seemingly endless choices and unlimited uses for abilities depending on the uses. Luke couldn't analyze all of that in the heat of battle. Dungeons and raids were easier to manage as bosses and creatures were limited. No matter the excuses that ran through his broken mind, it wasn't good enough. It would never be good enough.

Luke passed by a small bustling café with tables outside that had large parasols shading customers from the sun. The café was on the corner of the street. Luke spotting the darkened alley riddled in steel bins and litter found a need to escape down into it. He had to escape the presence of people. The thin, claustrophobic area reminded him of home, the backstreets behind the shops. Punching one of the red brick walls in frustration and anger, Luke cracked the brick due to the strength of his character. He wanted to feel pain, physical, and not the emotional tidal wave he was going through.

Hitting his head off the wall next made the bricks crack more. Luke next slumped down and started to cry. Head in his arms he wrapped himself into a small ball and sobbed without control.

"It's all my fault! He screamed. "All my fault!" he screamed again as tears flooded his arms.

As Luke beat himself up and placed all of the blame upon himself he failed to notice a sleek black stalker. Rajin, with Trix's permission, had tailed Luke to observe the young man. At first, Rajin was seething, he resented Luke. Luke who had been over-confident and cocky lost his brother. Now he peered down over the buildings gutter and found his anger melting away. He had never seen his brother happier with another person even in that situation.

"Overconfidence could have been your downfall," spoke Rajin as he leapt down into the alley and caused Luke to uncurl. "Sure enough, you came to your friend's aid. A noble action. Afterwards, you tossed their needed aid aside. Believing in your strength is fine. But any reasonable person would have assessed the struggle in that predicament. A level three going against three high-level reds he knows nothing about. That isn't logical. In Avilien, the ones with the higher levels generally have the power," explained Rajin as he sat before Luke.

"Nebs told me about you. You're after deleting him for some potato. You're also after deleting me." Luke used the wall as an aid and dragged himself back to his feet.

"We were after deleting you. My master and I would like to see how events pan out. As for Nebs... he didn't even share that potato. I'm his older brother, so I have the right to beat him up if I wish." Rajin swished his four black tails.

"Heh, Nebs never said a word about you being his brother. Are you going to save him?" asked Luke as he wiped the tears from his eyes.

"Do you want me to? Look me in the eyes and tell me you're okay with that. Tell me that you're okay with me storming into Damocles kingdom and deleting them and saving Nebs. That you are satisfied leaving it to someone else." Luke looked away from Rajin as he leapt up and placed a paw on either side of Luke's head.

"I watched the fight kid. I know why all these gods fear you. At max level and max gear, you're going to be one terrifying kid. Learn to rely on others a little. That fight would have ended differently if you had a healer and tank. You could have perhaps won..."

"I know that!" screamed Luke as he cried once more and stared Rajin in the eyes. "Of course I knew that. If Nagori healed and dispelled, Cissy tanked, and Split gave air support the battle wouldn't have been so one-sided towards the end. I underestimated my opponents. But I also don't want my friends risking their lives," explained Luke.

"Every day in Avilien is risking your life. You do not get to decide what choices a person makes with their own life. From getting simple food to travelling down the street. A fight could come from anywhere. All you would do is make them weaker when they need to grow strong." Rajin had a point as he backed away from Luke and sat down once more.

Luke dried his eyes again, this time standing up straight. He had headed Rajin's words. A Grenchitty that he knew must be hurting as bad as he. Rajin could storm Damocles's place without issue and yet he held back. He kept his anger and hurt in check.

"I need to apologize to my friends and then get ready to face Damocles again. This time I won't make the same mistake. I'll rely on others. As much as I hate it," said Luke.

"Good, then my work here is done. And to think, I was going to smack you around," Rajin laughed, the hurt behind his eyes evident.

"Rajin... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I lost Nebs..." Luke sniffled and felt like he would collapse again. Rajin caught him and held him up.

"You're a good kid," Rajin sobbed. "Just beat the guy and get my brother back. Now stand strong you got others that deserve a bigger apology." Rajin jolted his back so Luke stood up and then he took off, leaping up the walls of the alley.

Luke knew what needed to be said to the others as he started his shoeless walk back. Anxiety started to kick in as he mulled over his words and actions. He Hadn't been in this situation before. Never had he had to say sorry for his actions. But to redeem himself and to battle for his taken friends he needed help.