Boy Meets Ai

Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Thomas looked so different in the Ether. While his facial features were recognizable, that was where the similarity ended. He was muscular and tall, and clad in shining silver armor with a dazzling white cape draped on his back. Thomas had an air of confidence about him that Seiko had never seen before in the real world. The biggest shock came from seeing him standing. The Ether really was an amazing place. A person that was paralyzed could use their legs just fine in this place.

All of the contestants had arrived. Seiko and his friends all grouped together. Despite how he looked, Thomas was still timid. He kept his distance from them at first. Seiko waved him over to join them.

"Everyone, this is my friend Thomas."

Shinobu had already been acquainted as they had briefly met during the battle royale. Ever the extrovert, she looped an arm over his shoulder, pulling him closer. Oaklee was the only one to notice Aramais tense slightly when his user was touched.

"You know this guy? He's pretty awesome. I wouldn't expect a healer to make it this far so you must be good." Shinobu laughed.

Hendricks suggested they all go grab a drink. Thomas agreed reservedly so they left the arena, heading back toward the town.

People filled the streets again, milling through the shopping district. Several of the store fronts had massive crystal viewing screens in their windows. Everyone could see replays of the intense preliminary battles that had taken place. Seiko and Oaklee made small talk with Thomas as they walked. They were still adjusting to the Ether version of the boy. Aramais on the other hand, looked and acted more or less the same. He wore light blue Buddhist robes that draped over his slight frame. The ai looked stern, watchful, even slightly on edge. Oaklee walked beside him, behind their humans. She noticed his fingers jitter every now and then as if he were hooked up to a car battery.

Weird... A glitch maybe? She thought.

"Can I help you find something?" He said in a low tone, so the others couldn't hear him.

Oaklee was caught off guard. Still, she played it cool. "Just checking out your threads man." She quickened her pace, feeling Aramais gaze burn the back of her head.

"I thought you weren't into PVP stuff." Seiko said as more of a question.

"Ehh, I figured I'd try it out. You always made it seem really cool." Thomas smiled.

They soon arrived at a tavern that was packed to the gills. Shinobu pushed through a horde of players to a cramped section of bench.

Drinks were brought to them by a barmaid.

"ANYTHING ELSE FOR YA?!" She screamed at them to be heard over the crowd.

Seiko shook his head and smiled, handing her a small gold coin. He noticed some of the players in the bar had been in the prelims. He wondered if any of them were looking to take revenge on the winners. Lost in thought and surveying the dense crowd, the ranger didn't hear Hendricks shouting his name.

"Huh. Sorry what?"

"What are you going to do with the money if you win?"

He still wasn't prepared to answer the question. Seiko shrugged noncommittedly at Hendricks.

"Not really sure. I haven't thought about it."

Shinobu sucked her teeth. "You should start thinking about it now. If you don't have a plan, you'll just end up blowing it all on things you don't even want."

"What would you do with it?" Oaklee asked her.

"I'm moving out of my parent's place." Shinobu spoke with conviction.

Hendricks went next. "Music school for me. The one I want to attend is crazy expensive but the girls that go there? ... Nothing beats a hot, classically trained cellist. Plus, all the groupies I'll get once I'm a famous Rockstar." His gaze went dreamy as he thought about it.

"Its not all its cracked up to be. All those happy faces you see on stage are actually miserable inside." Shinobu grumbled under her breath.

Everyone at the table turned to her curiously. She was usually the optimistic one of the group.

"How do you know that? That they're faking it?" Seiko asked.

"My family has been in the music business for years. I guess you could say, I've gotten to see the 'rock stars' up close. They don't always seem to be the happiest people is all." She seemed distant still.

"Ummm, ok then. Buzzkill." Hendricks mumbled, clearly irritated by Shinobu raining on his parade.

They all turned to Thomas next, expectantly.

He shrunk in his seat, awkwardly.

"Oh... I want to buy my mom a nice place. She works really hard taking care of me, so I want to give something back to her you know?"

Seiko could see something unspoken in his friend's expression but didn't think it was the right time to pry. However, he didn't have to. Oaklee did her own probing.

"That's nice and all but what about for yourself? There's gotta be something you want too."

Thomas was silent for a moment, clearly uncomfortable with the spotlight that Oaklee had cast on him. Aramais, noticing his user's discomfort, stepped in to defend the boy.

"Thomas is a selfless person. He thinks of others. That may be a difficult concept for some to grasp." His words were calm, but his stare was icy and pointed towards Oaklee.

"To be honest, I have been thinking about dropping out. I only entered on a whim." Thomas said. The revelation shocked the players at the table.

"Why throw away the opportunity?" Oaklee pressed further, ignoring Aramais' malicious glare.

"I just... don't like the idea of fighting my friend. If I had to go up against Seiko... or any of you really... You've all been so nice to me, and it would just suck..." He paused. "But Aramais insisted I try at least so I'm here."

"We're glad you are." Seiko said, reassuringly. Thomas smiled.

The party all looked at each other. It was very likely that one of them would have to fight the other. With the agreement to split the reward only applying to the three of them, losing to Thomas wouldn't be an option. A more tense mood hung over the group as the realization settled in. The young boy was both a friend and an enemy to them now.

Shinobu changed the subject, asking how Thomas and Seiko had met. Seiko revealed to them that he and Thomas knew each other in real life, and they were neighbors.

"Really? What is Seiko like? Does he look the same? Is he secretly an old man?" Shinobu was extremely inquisitive.

"Ummmm... He pretty much looks like his avatar for the most part. His hair is shorter in real life I think."

Shinobu nodded thoughtfully with a slight "huh." As she tried to conjure the mental image. Seiko wasn't sure if he imagined it, but he could feel her eyes linger on him for a moment. They had a couple drinks at the tavern, but the place was decidedly much too loud and raucous for them. They chose instead to spend their time outside, chatting idly. As the sun started its descent, the players began to make their way back to the arena. The spectators made their way eagerly toward the coliseum as well. Some of them patted Seiko and his friends on the shoulders, wishing them good luck in their matches. The first match in the tournament was going to be announced any minute now. He had thought he was ready to go and face whatever came his way, but the nerves were starting to set in. What if he went up against Hati? Or even Shinobu in the first round? He glanced at Thomas. He didn't even have a clue what he and Aramais were capable of! Doubt swirled in his mind like heavy fog. His feet became lead.

How the heck am I gonna be able to put up a decent fight against-

A small hand grabbed his, warm and reassuring. It was Oaklee was at his side. She had sensed his hesitation but remained steadfast herself. Her honey-colored eyes were unwavering, sending an unspoken message to her partner as she stared into his.

We got this!

Seiko squeezed her hand in response. They would get through it. Somehow.