Game On

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Emberfall

Sean waited until the kids vanished into the woods, before telling Wade coolly. "Let's head back to the house." Sitting up, Wade blurted out curiously. "How did you know that they were going to help us? That they weren't going to kill us too?" Taking a slow breath, Sean honestly replied. "I didn't. It was just a gut feeling." Wade eyed him suspiciously but got to his feet and walked back toward the manor. As they approached the large manor, Sean slowed to a stop and glanced up at the falling snowflakes. The dark clouds in the sky were starting to sprinkle snow across the land. It was nice, but Sean hugged himself against the cold that chilled him to the bone. He'd have to get winter clothing if they ventured on. Wade glanced up at the falling snow, telling him in a calm voice. "The cold from the mountains is finally coming this way. The local N.P.C.s mentioned a harsh winter was on the way. Brought on by the ascension of a new warrior that will reach Valhalla and... win the favor of the Aesir gods."

Bowing his head, Sean muttered out. "I'd settle for anyone just winning this damn game." Wade nodded, almost whispering to the sky. "I hope Molly is alright..." Patting Wade's large muscular leg, Sean encouraged him to keep moving. It wasn't going to do them any good to dwell on the outside. When they reached the front of the manor, Bob was pacing in front of Mark, his voice blunt and stern when he snapped out. "What you did was reckless! Do you know what you've done?!" Mark gave him a distant shrug, prompting Bob to ask him bitterly. "How are you going to explain that to HIM, Mark?!" Approaching them, Sean asked curiously. "Explain what to who?" Bob fell silent and backed away from Mark. Sensing the tension between them, Sean asked nervously. "What happened?" Bob gestured to Mark but said nothing. Standing up from his seat on the steps, Mark told him without looking at him. "Nothing. Let's just finish this quest and get out of here." Bob gestured for Wade to follow him to the gate where Mira was waiting for them.

However, before Mark could pass him, Sean grabbed Mark's arm and asked in a worried low tone of voice. "Mark? What happened?" Lifting a hand to curl a finger under Sean's chin, Mark whispered over his lips. "Everything is fine. The lord is dead. That is all that matters." Dropping his hand, Mark tried to walk away again, but Sean clutched his arm more desperately now. Something was wrong. He could feel it. Squeezing Mark's arm, Sean's voice cracked when he asked in a fragile tone. "Mark... Don't start hiding things from me now. Tell me?" Turning to face him, Mark gently cupped his arms and whispered to him guiltily. "I mess up. I used my rage... I beat him down to yellow... and... I lost control. Before my attack ended, I..." Sean's eyes drifted up to Mark's health bar and he swallowed hard. Mark's bars were completely full, and the bat symbol was no longer black but gold. Seeing the look on his face, Mark exhaled out. "It's done. I... I'm sorry."

Sean thought he'd be mad about it, but instead he cupped Mark's face and kissed him long and deeply. Mark was still here. That was all that he cared about. Vampire or not. When his lips parted from Mark's, Mark whispered in a tender voice. "You're not mad?" Shaking his head, Sean told him honestly. "I left the decision to you. You'll have your weaknesses... but you'll be stronger too. I just want you safe. Everything else... We'll figure out." Mark playfully stroked one of Sean's long pointed ears before kissing his cheek. Shivering a bit from the cold, Sean hugged him, and Mark finally looked up at the falling snowflakes. His voice was deep and serene when he told him. "It's so strange. I don't feel the cold anymore. But I can feel the warmth coming from you." Sean hugged him tighter, and Mark's arms embraced him back. Stroking a sweet spot between his wings, Mark told him confidently. "I'll keep you safe, Sean. Just know that." From the gate, Bob cleared his throat and asked cautiously. "Guys? Are you good?" Pulling from Mark, Sean nodded.

Wade and Bob shared a look that made Sean feel anxious, but he followed Mark up to them. He could tell that his relationship with Mark was going to be an adjustment for them. Even if they claimed to be ok with it... He doubted they truly believed how they genuinely felt. Years of playing pretend in a game would do that and he knew it but did Mark. Would Mark choose his friends over him? Walking up to Mira, she smiled at them and looked up at the sky as she informed them. "I feel like a weight has been lifted. You've done well. Now... What would you like in gratitude? Would you like to become a vampire? A werewolf? Would you like my silver sword? Or the Rune Eyes? You can only choose one per member of your party. So... choose wisely." Bob accepted the silver sword from her hand and walked through the gate. The silver sword materialized again as Wade approached but he rebuffed the sword and accepted the Rune Eyes. Beckoning him to kneel down, she told him to close his eyes and carefully kissed each eyelid.