The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 65: A misstep. (Part 2)

**

"Now all you have to do is enter the Void," Kazu looked at me, a rather suspicious though sincere smile dancing on his lips. We stood outside the city of Crysis in a large villa belonging to the royal family. Here, whatever happened, the city would be safe. Kazu bowed dramatically, "Once you disappear, my memories will vanish as pledged by our contract and in return upon our fated meeting you will reveal to me three truths."

"Three truths that we both agree on," I added. In other words, I had to answer three of his questions but only questions we both agreed could be asked. It was a chore to get him to agree but there were significant things I couldn't trust him with.

"Of course," he continued to smile. "Now keep the part of myself with you safe."

I patted my chest. It was odd having a foreign soul within me, like the feeling of having a lump in my throat that just wouldn't fade away. I just hoped I wouldn't have it long enough to become used to.

The Old Mountain Man looked at me, "You sure you'll be alright?"

I shrugged, "Honestly, I don't know. The Void is meant to be mostly timeless. If what we know is true, I won't be in there long before Kazu pulls me back out. I'm more concerned about you though."

"I'll just return to mountain," he laughed only for his expression to darken. "I feel as though without you my sanity may wane but that's the punishment I deserve, a part of my exile."

"You don't need to do that," I frowned and pleaded in my own way.

"I do," his eyes were firm.

I owed a lot to the Old Man. His training was brutal but it helped me recover from my failure and without him, looking after Ria would have been more than I could handle so suddenly. He made it possible for me to live in this world.

"When I'm back, I'll come visit. In real life, not the virtual world. That I promise."

"Ha!" he laughed and slapped me on the back. "I can't wait."

We both looked to where Ria was standing beside Ratansi and the King. She was wearing the same clothes I had bought for her on the day we met and was the picture of excitement. Though we had warned her that going with me was dangerous, to her it was like going on a family holiday with Dad. The fact that I could actually be her father was both heartwarming and filled with trepidation. Either way, I had to return her to her correct time.

Ria grinned, both hands on the straps of the bag she wore on her back, "Be good while I'm away!"

"We will Ria," Ratansi smiled at the small girl and rubbed her head affectionately. "Do the same for your Dad."

"Ria's always a good girl," she said proudly.

Articus nodded, smiling, "A little cheeky too."

"Just a little," Ria gestured innocently. She turned our way and happily ran to me and grabbed onto my legs. "Are we going now?"

"Yes, we're going," I smiled, hiding the nerves within me. I lifted Ria and with some help sat her against my chest where she was strapped down safely. I faced the others, "Okay, looks like this is it."

"Don't worry about us Arvel," Ratansi said reassuringly. "We've put down our fortifications. Use the Void like you practiced."

"Right," I nodded and faced towards the target in the middle of the field. Just like I had done with the falling bomb, my intent was to erase it entirely using the Void and step through the resulting crack. "Goodbye everyone. I'll see you later."