Game On

Chapter Thirty-Six: The Boys Are Back

Lowering his crossbow, Bob jogged into the room and over to Mark. Rummaging through his satchel bag, Bob removed a few potions and helped Mark recover. Sean relaxed watching Mark's health bar fill up and the symbol for his paralyzed condition vanish. Noticing the little bat symbol, bob winced but told them excitedly. "You guys have no idea how happy we are to see you." Sean forced a smile. He was still a little shaken up. Glancing at Wade who stood awkwardly in the doorway, Sean took in his appearance better. Wade's avatar was so tall that his shoulders were flush with the top of the doorway. He looked strong and rugged with shredded leather pants and a necklace of bones around his neck. He could faintly see the bone handle of a dagger hidden among the ordinary animal bones of the necklace. Wade's skin had a strange blue tint to it and his scruffy hair was dark and wild. He'd chosen to be a member of the jotunn. The giant race. He was a little frightening to look at. Standing at nine feet tall.

When Sean's eyes drifted over to Bob, he smirked. Bob had chosen to be a hardy looking Dwarf. He was loaded with tools and weapons that made him prepared for almost anything. He was dressed in impressive full body armor, but instead of a helmet, he wore a set of work goggles. Helping pull Mark to his feet, Bob rolled his eyes when he shrugged and said aloud. "An Aesir... I knew it. Did I say that he'd pick that, Wade?" Wade let out a chuckle, softly admitting. "You did. I owe you a drink, I guess. Thanks, Mark..." Mark shot him a playful glare. When Bob turned his attention to Sean, Sean eased himself up and reluctantly asked. "Ethan?" Bob and Wade shared a grim look, before Bob answered softly. "He's gone..." Mark exhaled all the air in his lungs, before walking away to a window. Bob lowered his eyes to the floor, telling Mark swiftly. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let him go ahead of us... He heard you might be coming up this way and he wanted to finish his quest. We were going to join him later..."

Bob gestured to his bag, adding grimly. "I wanted to be prepared for anything. I was stocking up. Wade kept a look out for you in town. We didn't hear about the people hunting gamers... until it was too late. Wade and I got caught up in town. Ethan was here... We got the message when he..." Wade removed a gorgeous dagger with a soft leather sheath and a smooth oak branch handle with strong bare branches spanning off it. Handing it out for Mark, Wade told him solemnly. "Here. He'd want you to have it. When he... He didn't have much, but it sent that with the message that he'd fallen." Mark didn't look or even move away from the window. So, Sean moved forward to accept it for him. Once he accepted it, he slipped it into their shared married inventory. That way Mark didn't have to take it right now. Looking the dagger over, Sean could tell that it was the dagger of a Vanir. He doubted Mark could do anything with it... but it was the thought that mattered.

Leaving the silence between them for a bit, Sean accepted them into their party. When they were all good to go, Sean finally broke the silence to ask. "Why are you here?" Wade was the one to answer, telling them coolly. "At first it was to finish what Ethan had started. A dash of revenge... But more than that. We heard there is this skeleton guy that was looking for you in the last town. He thought of only one way you could have escaped... He's heading up this way. We've got to go." Tensing up, Sean muttered out. "Fuck, he's persistent." Bob huffed, telling him openly. "It's not just him. It's everyone. They are attacking people in groups. Pressuring others to join a side." Wade nodded, adding seriously. "Ya. They are not playing the game so much as... focusing on being the winning faction." Finally facing them, Mark darkly grumbled out. "Then let's fucking finish this for them." Bob opened his mouth, but Mark was already storming out past them all. Wade waved to Bob and Sean, telling them coolly. "I'll follow him."

Bob stopped Wade, telling Wade in a rush. "No! I'll go with him. If he's a vamp, my potions will keep him alive. Plus, I have ranged weapons to watch his back. Go with Sean. He'll need a tank." Sean opened his mouth to complain but managed to stop himself. He wanted to go with Mark... but he felt like he had to share him. Mark wasn't just his. Clearing his throat, Sean told Wade softly. "Let's go hunt a werewolf. We'll leave the lord of the manor to... them." Wade backed up to let Sean out of the room. Sean started down the hallway but snuck a glance behind him. Mark was long out of sight, but his worry over him didn't relent. Beside him, Wade's heavy footsteps practically shook the windows, while he asked him quietly. "So... You and Mark have been... getting alone?" Biting his lip, Sean nodded. He wasn't sure how much he should tell them. It felt... awkward. Wade stretched when they stepped outside the building, telling him happily. "Well, I'm glad. Mark has missed you even if he hasn't said it."