Cyber Mortality

Chapter 62:

 When Flint said to be prepared for anything I doubt he meant herds of dinosaurs migrating across a field of mansions.

Ten triceratops mill about a pond a few hundred feet away. Eight look to be adults and two wiggle between the adults legs.

"Hmm," Jez nods in disbelief. "What's next?"

"Don't tempt fate," Flint scowls upon noticing some smaller two legged dinosaurs off to our right.

"Those don't look very nice," I eye them warily. "I'd rather tempt fate with the triceratops."

"I do also worry about the pterodactyls we encountered while coming to the island," Zephyr looks up to the sky. "Out in the open would be a perfect place for them to swoop down and snatch one of us up."

"We should form up and keep our eyes peeled for an attack," Flint commands. "Nyle and May, you two take the lead since you're our close combat fighters. Jez you're with me, we will be prepared to take out anything at range. Zephyr... You do whatever it is you do."

Zephyr rolls his eyes but takes up a position in the back. He will guard our backs.

I call forth my scimitars and stand beside Nyle.

"Let's hope not all the dinosaurs on this island are out to get us," I chuckle. "There are so many out here."

Nyle calls forth his long sword with a flourish.

"I'm sure whatever we encounter we will be able to handle," he grins. "After all, this is what we came here to do. Slay monsters, save damsels, and find treasure."

We fall into silence with the only sounds being our boots on the ground and the soft rumble of large feet. I glance toward the western horizon to see the sun lazing just above the town. Small dots weave out of a gate near there and one gleams golden in the final rays of the setting sun.

"I think I see Vyra," I call out and point toward the figure in the distance.

Flint reaches into his satchel to pull out a set of binoculars. He raises them to his face before nodding.

"And Birch," Flint replies. "Looks like the rest of the party joined up with them as well."

"Should we join them?" Jez purses her lips. "It's been kinda nice having just our little band back together."

"I think they will be alright," Flint shrugs. "Perhaps you could whisper to them again, Zephyr?" His silver eyes flash in amusement.

"Hmmph," Zephyr sticks his nose up to the air. "Maybe I will."

Zephyr brings his palms together and cups them into his hand. Then he extends his palm in their direction. "Go, my wind. Carry my voice to them."

I raise an eyebrow at his dramatic display.

"Weirdo," I whisper into the wind and send it to wrap around his ears.

"Hmm," Zephyr nods. "You're getting better. You didn't sound like you were in a hurricane this time."

"Gee thanks," my lips turn up in a smirk. "Sorry I didn't do it as dramatically as some people."

"You looked like you were in a magical girl show," Nyle snorts into his fist and wipes a tear from his eyes. Then this face goes stoic. "Which I have certainly never watched."

"Anyways," Flint butts in. "We should try to make it to one of those mansions before stopping for the night. We don't want to be caught outside of cover when the larger predators come out."

We double time it to the closest mansion. A large iron gate with stone walls stands before the front of the mansion. Ivy and other flora crawl up the cracked remnants of the walls. An iron lantern swings in the breeze with a flame still burning inside.

Flint pushes open the gate and peers into the grounds on the estate. A large square fountain stands before the front door with a path winding around it. Three cherubs strand in the center of the fountain with pitchers pouring water. Green bushes run along the entry road with a small purple flower dotting here and there. A hedge maze stands to the east in the center of a garden filled with a variety of purple, blue, and pink flowers. To the west is an open lawn with a few maple trees, a stone path, and three benches.

"Home sweet home," Jez strolls up the lane and calls forth a flame into her palm. She holds it out to light the way as the sun sinks below the horizon.

"Do you think anyone ever actually lived here? Or is its only purpose to serve as a dungeon?" Zephyr purses his lips. "It's incredible how they make the passage of time appear in this game. Only out for two years yet I feel as if I have been here for a decade."

"Time does pass more quickly here than in the real world," Flint replies. "Like dreaming."

"Perhaps it has only been a week or two in the real world since this all started," Jez suggests. "Even though to us it feels like a few months."

"It's also possible Cyberius changed the games dynamics in more ways than we think," Flint replies. He approaches the front door cautiously. "We can bleed and die, but maybe he changed the passage of time."

"I don't know how I feel about that," I shudder. The less time that passed in the real world the better.

"Sorry, May," Flint tilts his head. "Didn't mean to make you think of your mother."

"Oh, no." I shake my head. "I'm fine. Don't worry."

He nods and turns to open the door.

A warm hand touches my shoulder affectionately. I expect Nyle, but see Jez smiling at me. I pat her hand in thanks before following Flint into the mansion.