The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 31: The Friend we wanted to be. (Part 3)

Side Story: He was right.

Veranvanter

Vanter huffed a sigh as he paced down the corridor. It hadn't been long since he ushered everyone out of Ardent's room and after finally getting his sister Endithalia into her room, he was heading back to his best friend's apartment. He honestly felt a little guilty as he had just convinced his sister not to do the same but a nagging feeling continued to plague his mind. A question needed to be answered and only Aria could help. Now that she knew the truth there was no need to hold back from asking it.

Vanter unlocked the door to the apartment with his own key that Ardent had given him. It was dark but a single small light was lit in the kitchen. Arthur Friend was drinking while sitting at the counter and from the looks of it, quite the strong one.

He looked up hopefully and upon seeing who it was clearly deflated, "Oh Vanter. Did you forget something? Sorry don't mind me, I was just hoping for someone else."

Vanter couldn't help feel for the man. He had every right to have been angry that his son was put in danger, in fact Vanter was as well, though for differing reasons.

"Zen will come around eventually. I think she just needs time."

Arthur chuckled a sigh, "I certainly hope so. If you see her, tell her I'll be waiting. That aside, can I help with anything?"

"Is Aria still awake? I need to ask her something."

"She should be. She and Erin just got out of the bathroom, they're in Aria's room. Erin looked a bit jumpy, almost like how she was when she first arrived.... What happened to Ardent, it was related to her wasn't it?"

"In a way," Vanter couldn't lie but couldn't say the entire truth. "Erin's innocent though."

"I know. I'm not going to be kicking her out. I'm just concerned." He waved Vanter away, "Go find Aria, no need to mind my musing thoughts."

"I won't be long," Vanter smiled and headed past him to Aria's room. As he approached he could feel two presences in the room, both still awake. He knocked once, and as the door swung open already ajar, let himself in, "Aria, it's Vant-."

His introduction cut itself apart as he realised now, he had entered quite rudely. Cursing himself for not waiting a moment before entering, it was too late not to take in the scene. Aria and Erin, faces flushed, sat on the edge of the bed they shared. Their hands were intertwined and as he had entered, he had clearly seen their lips part. At least in a way, his question had been answered. Why did you dump me? They had got along incredibly well after the Fall and since coming back he had always wanted to know what about him had put her off.

"V-Vanter?" Erin snapped away from Aria, trying to appear as if nothing had happened. "We-um-there-."

"This is my fault," Vanter admitted fully. "I should have waited before coming in. Sorry. I'll-uh-leave you two to alone."

"Lock the door on your way out," Aria winked at him.

"A-Aria!" Erin blushed deeply.

Vanter left in a hurry, locking the door. As he left the apartment, he couldn't help declaring it out loud, "I fucking knew it!"

End Side Story

**

Ardent Friend

It was past midnight. I couldn't sleep. By all means my body wanted to, but after all that happened, I couldn't. Thoughts of what I had to do still plagued my mind. I needed to know more about the Witches of Areithia, they were somehow linked to not just the Rift Walkers but the stone sphere that most likely sent us back in time. Then there was my mother who I had always thought was normal. I had no clear memories of her, but I remembered a warm and loving smile. If she suffered from mana deprivation like I was currently, it meant she couldn't be normal at all. Finally, there was the next tournament. I needed to win, or at least place to get into the World Cup. I groaned, unable to even shift in my sleep as my body felt like lead.