The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 55: Who? (Part 1)

Chapter 55: Who?

2 weeks before the Fall:

"Welcome home!" Aria greeted me at the door, throwing her arm around me in a tight hug. "How was Crysis?"

"Super busy," I smiled as I returned the hug. "If things go well, we should be able to double or even triple the number of tourists and guests that can come by. Speaking of which, I should real-."

"No!" she struck me light on the head. "You're home for a break, not to keep working."

I laughed, "Yeah I guess you're right."

I put my bag down and looked around our small apartment home. The hotel and inn rooms I had been through lately were bigger in comparison and far less cluttered. Still, it was home and being there gave me a sense of calmness.

"So, how's uni life treating you? I asked.

"It's good," she smiled.

"And you're feeling alright?" I looked at her pointedly with concern.

"I'm fine," her smile became a little forced. "It's been hard to get used to, but I'm no longer jumping when someone accidently brushes into me. I haven't had a panic attack in ages. It's good. All the boys in my classes have been super friendly and Izzy has been looking out for me."

"I'm glad. Just don't push yourself."

"If I never push myself, I'll be like this forever. I don't want to miss out anymore. I already wasted enough time." She shook herself and set her foot down firmly, "Speaking of which. Let's not waste time. Are you hungry? There's a new Japanese place that's meant to be really good. The head chef apparently has been inspired by Areithian cuisine!"

"Areithian cuisine?" I smirked.

"Oh right, you would be bored of that by now," she began to ponder another place.

I set my hand on her head gently, "It sounds great. I haven't had Japanese in ages and I'm curious how they change things up."

"Great! Let me just get my jacket." In just a few steps she was already at the door to our shared room and her jacket was in hand. As she put her jacket on, with a flick of her wrist, her phone and wallet appeared in her hands, quickly checking the contents.

"You've gotten used to using the System?" I pointed out her movement.

"Of course, it's too convenient not to use it. Plus get this," she puffed out her chest proudly. "My magic stat is over one hundred already and I didn't even play Areithia Online. This girl's got talent."

"Wow," I was impressed. Mine wasn't that much higher and I had played the game for years.

"Yep. Though honestly, I've only used it to light the stove. It just keeps going up for some reason," she shrugged. "Oh, but there's a few clubs at the university where...."

We continued to chat as we made our way outside and I mused how things had changed yet remained the same. Life had finally settled back down after the Merge and I was excited to see more of it.

**

Ardent Friend:

We heard the screaming before we even made it past the tree line. The old mountain man guided me back to where he had tied up the demon. At first, we couldn't recognise the sound, thinking it was the wind in the trees but as we drew closer the pained hollering was clear, urging us forward. What we found was the tied demon yelling in a fit of rage, rolling across the ground, battling the ropes that bound him in a fitful seizure.