The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 50: What we are. (Part 1)

Chapter 50: What we are.

2 years 8 months 1 week After the Fall:

"Can I sit next to you Ardent?" Kah'Seer asked me as she held a bowl of steaming soup, a piece of toasted bread balancing on top. I had a similar meal and was sitting by one of the many small fires we had set up to warm our combined troop.

"Go ahead, you don't need to ask," I welcomed her with a smile. She smiled in return and sat beside me, brushing back her black hair past her ear, ensuring it wouldn't get in the way.

Kah'Seer sighed and looked to the night sky, the stars were bright and with our vision, it was easy to get lost in their beauty. "We'll be reaching the Sand's Heart soon. We won't get time to rest like this once we're inside."

"There's a few places to rest," I said while holding my bowl of soup for warmth. "Not perfectly safe, but safe enough."

"In the briefing they said you raided it before. How far did you get?"

I thought back to the simpler times, "We reached the fourth floor but got wiped out before reaching the Witch herself. Though back then it was just a game. We could go in as many times as we liked and keep trying. We didn't have to fear death."

"Still, that's impressive. Only the most determined Players went that far." She dipped her bread into the soup before biting into it, eyes still focused on the stars. "In Areithia we used to watch what we could. Though only few of us could join you in the game, the stories and adventures you went through were inspiring. You saw our world in a way that we took for granted."

I laughed, "We were just having fun. I had a good group of friends, that's why I could keep playing. I'm not that special."

"I think you are," Kah'Seer looked at me directly. "What other Player in our region has done what you achieved now? When the system disappeared, most of them went back to being regular people. Somehow you did the opposite, you shone."

"I shone?" I chuckled at the words. "I just did what a desperate man would. My sister is the one that shines. She never played the game and yet she's the strongest of us all. Without her, we wouldn't even stand a chance in the Sand's Heart."

"True, your sister is great but she's not you. We're following your lead not hers. I bet even if you asked her, she'd say it was you not her. It's a shame the rest of the world doesn't see you. They're focused on her power instead... that's dangerous."

"I think you're idolising me a bit there," I smirked. "But thank you. As for Aria, it's been hard for her. Honestly, I'd rather her be normal, safe and away from the danger. She chose to be here with us."

A pause came between us as we continued to eat. The chatter around the other fires making our way to us. Light-hearted conversations tinged with a tense air. I could see Vanter wrapping his arm around Shin, laughing and poking fun at the dwarf. Gary sat stoically but with a soft smile, watching their banter. Quyen was helping serve the food, making sure it stayed warm. Ana held a drink in her hand, her face reddened as she laughed at the others. Aria stood by herself a ways off, eyes aimed up at the stars. They were my team, my family and we all knew that chances were one of us might not make it back. Everyone in the combined troop knew that, but if we didn't try, the sands would take over and our dungeons would become uninhabitable. Without our dungeons the Rift Walkers would pick us apart with ease.

"Hey Ardent," Kah'Seer broke me from my thoughts. "Do you mind if we talk more?"

"Mind? No, not at all," I looked at her with my brow raised. "Is something the matter?"