Boy Meets Ai

Chapter 73

Chapter 73

The loot wasn't too bad. There was some great legendary armor for Marquis and a pendant of invisibility. Seiko received a unique item, a set of earrings that allowed him to glamour his armor at will to look like whatever he wanted. Shinobu lamented at not receiving a single samurai class item even though her gear was already maxed out. As the party walked out of the keep, they saw someone they didn't expect, waiting for them.

Gabriel stood there in all his celestial glory. He beamed at the players as they approached.

"Hello everyone! Long time no see. I believe a Happy birthday is in order as well." he said cheerfully. They were happy to see their old pal. None of them had kept in contact with the archon.

"I apologize to interrupt your special day, but I had something I wanted to deliver in person." He held out his glowing hand and clutched in it were three neat white envelopes. Each one was sealed with burgundy wax.

"What are these? Invitations to another fancy dinner?" Shinobu joked.

"Not this time I'm afraid." The archon laughed wryly. "It appears that your friend was able to leave you all messages before she... Well, we still aren't entirely sure how she was able to do it but as our team was examining the deconstructed code of Aramais, we found these recordings."

Gabriel handed each of them out to the three players and bid them farewell. Everything had gone quiet.

Seiko held the letter as if it were his own heart. They all moved a little ways away to give each other privacy. Oaklee left this for them. Seiko's hands trembled as he broke the seal. His hand went up to his mouth as he heard her voice for the first time in a year.

"Hey man, I don't have much time left. That was a perfect shot btw. I trained you well, my pupil. Hahaha." There was a pause and then some static before she continued. "Aramais and me'll be erased any minute now but it didn't feel right leaving without saying a real goodbye." Seiko could hear her struggling to keep herself together.

"I am so incredibly glad to have known you. You are such an amazing person with so much to give this world. You've given me more than I think you'll ever know. I wish we could go on more adventures together but that's..." there was heavy static. his heart flopped in his chest as he thought she was gone. But then he heard her again.

"I'm sorry I won't be there with you anymore but please know that you are never alone. I am always with you. Take care of our friends please. Goodbye Seiko. I love you so much. Oh, and PS: if you're hearing this and you still haven't asked out Shinobu on a certified in person date, get on it or I swear I'll come back from the grave and strangle you!"

Seiko laughed through his tears. He could seeHendricks bawling his eyes out in a full out ugly cry and Shinobu trying tohide her face, but the sound of her soft sobs still reached him. He grabbed hisfriends and pulled them in close. The young man hugged them as if he neverplanned on letting go.