Astral Flow

Chapter 19

[War is coming]

That was the message all players had received, every last one of them on the island, the most curious thing was it had been sent by an unknown player.

More accurately it was a name no one recognized, not even the beta players.

[Hellfang Teach]

Not wanting to waste any time Ryder and the rest of the group began running to the nearest village, hoping that by some miracle everything was alright.

Feros, not wanting to leave the npc behind, carried Regis on his back, hoping that she'd be able to give answers when she awoke.

Thankfully as they approached, it was clear that the village had long since been taken by the other players. Though everyone was clearly either in a panic, or just confused, as almost everyone was standing around discussing what to do.

Some wanted to run, others dismissed it as a prank, a good portion wanted to stand and fight.

Ryder didn't care about those options though, they didn't matter. The only thing that mattered right now was finding Aranea, he had to confirm what was happening.

Surely there was no way anything massive could happen, right?

"Ryder, what are you doing?" Feros questions, his voice tired from all the running and clearly a bit annoyed. "Running around like this isn't going to help anyone!"

"I just need to find Aranea! If we can confirm that, whatever the hell this is, is real... well then we can begin planning around it!" Ryder replied, though he made no effort to hide his panic as he looked around, how could he? He just lost Lily to god knows what, and now a potential declaration of war had been launched.

Yuria grabs his shoulder, stopping him and making him remain in place. Quietly she shakes her head, a tired sigh escaping her. "You must slow down, you will not only exhaust yourself but Feros as well."

Hesitantly he looks over to Feros, a tinge of regret filling him as he sees the tired swordsman trying to keep up, the death knight still passed out on his back.

The other players eyed them cautiously, unsure what to make of this situation.

"If you just slow down a moment I'm sure we can find her, we just have to be wiser about this." Her voice is a bit calmer, more solemn in nature as she lets Ryder go. Briefly she makes eye contact with him before turning, her gaze focusing on a random player nearby, without a second thought she walks over and begins talking with them.

Ryder doesn't budge though, still trying to calm himself after that loss.

His mind racing to every possible worst conclusion.

'It could've been a death trap, why did we let her go in?'

'What if it was a one way portal?'

'She could be dead now and it's all our fault.'

'What if it forced her into an inescapable place? She'll starve to death there.'

'It's all my fault.'

'It always has been.'

'I could've done something.'

"-is at the tavern discussing the info." Yuria's voice slowly dragged him back to reality, his mind still racing with every outcome.

Cautiously she looks at Ryder once more. "Did you get that?"

He blinks a few times, trying to recall what she said, though most of the words slip his mind. "Sorry, I kinda spaced out there..."