The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 79: Gone (Part 2)

Ria Friend: Before she was gone.

Ria had always tried to show her best self. She was very conscious to those around her and while she wanted to have fun, she was very used to putting others before her own wants. Each time her father left, the gentle pat and smile he'd show her, those memories were always present. Ria knew however she couldn't hold him back and always put a brave front, that she'd be fine, that they'd both be fine.

A lot had happened in only a few short months and while Ria couldn't understand everything, she knew things couldn't be the same. Her original father died. She saw it happen. And now she lived with her father of a different world. Someone who filled her with the same feelings as the one she lost but at the same time, couldn't close the gap no matter how small it became. Ria loved him, and like her original dad, she'd do her best for him too. And so, when the time came, Ria said goodbye and was once again left with Uncle Shin, a different Uncle Shin who was somehow the same.

"Ria," Shin called to the small girl. "You like playing with trinkets, don't you?"

"Yup!" Ria smiled to him, eager to find out what the dwarf had in store for her.

"Take this," he handed her a multicoloured cube. "It's a training toy. When you push your mana inside the smaller part will change colour depending on what mana you used. Try make it all the same colour first and then you can try make pictures with it."

Ria looked in awe at the cube that was larger than both her hands combined, taking it with a grin, "Okay I'll try that." She skipped away and sat beside the Shin's truck, poking at the cube and frowning. It was harder than it seemed to split the types of mana apart but after a while, Ria was able to change the cube all into one colour.

"I did it!" she exclaimed, intent to show her Uncle Shin her skills. As soon as she stood however, a foreboding feeling stirred into her body. A primal fear she had never felt before caused her to sweat, dropping the cube to the ground. She screamed, "Uncle Shin!"

"Ria!?" Shin burst out of the truck at her fearful cry. "What's wrong?

"I.... I don't know," Ria looked about but couldn't point out why her heart was thudding.

"Does it hurt anywhere?" the dwarf asked concerned. "Are you hot, are you hungry?"

"N-no...," she stared into the dwarf's eyes, her next few words unknown even to herself. "They're coming."

"Who's-," Shin began but never finished as an alarm blared from the convoy.

Immediately the entire convoy of knights readied their weapons, fully alert. A loud crack erupted from behind them, and a heave of earth exploded. Then the first one appeared in their vision. Bursting from the tree line and planted on all fours, a ceramic white creature with black void like holes for eyes. It stood on two pointed feet, its torso bent at odd angles and stiff bladed arms attached by creaking joints.

"Oh shit!" Shin swore and picked up Ria, quickly placing her into the Truck. "Ria, get back!" He reached for his rifle by the door and loading the chamber with a heavy shell fired as the monstrous white being jumped towards them. It shattered into white fragments only for more to appear behind it. Shin put his skills to the test, firing again and again at the oncoming Rift Walkers. For every one he destroyed, two more would take their place and despite his efforts, they drew closer.

Finally, the bullets Shin had on him were exhausted. He snarled and flipped the rifle in his hands over as the stock turned to a sharpened blade.

"Have at ye then!" Shin roared and prepared for the melee. Ria's mind was frozen. It wasn't the first time she had seen battle before, but the creatures before her frightened her more than even the demons. Demons were mad, but these 'things' caused her to shiver. She didn't know what to do.

Just as the Rift Walkers reached them, a sweep of force pushed them away, scattering the monsters away from the truck.

"Your highness!?" Shin looked to their saviour surprised, flanked by several knights who created a permitter around him.

The King simply nodded and went straight to Ria, pulling a ring off his finger, "Ria, wear this. It will protect you. Stay inside, it'll be over soon."

Ria couldn't say anything more than a mumble as the ring was placed on to her thumb, tightening to fit. She was ushered back and with a smile, the King locked the door, sealing Ria inside and unable to see the outer world. Instead, she heard it. Sharp shrieks that scratched at her ears, the sound of weapons colliding and the yells of battle. Something heavy hit the truck and suddenly it slammed on its side, causing Ria to fumble against the nearby cabinetry. She was showered by loose tools, her hands covering her head as the objects collided against her. It hurt but Ria stayed firm, knowing outside was worse.

It was then that Ria felt a prickle of something else appear close by. She withdrew her hands, and saw the person appear. A lady wearing a long robe and carrying a small staff. She looked about the truck and quickly spotted Ria. The women frowned almost sadly.

"There you are," she reached down, and Ria backed away, scrambling against the far wall. "I'm sorry but you need to come with me."

Her soft tone only caused Ria to become even more cautious, "N-no!" She yelled but against the sound outside, no one could hear her. "Daddy help!"

The woman apologised again as he lunged and took hold of Ria's wrist. Immediately Ria felt something come over her. Something was trying to take her away but before she could understand it, the world around her began to shift and turn, the small truck interior warping into vivid and splashing colours before they settled back into a cold dark grey steel room.

"Where- why-," Ria snapped back, fleeing from the women only to find herself trapped in the room with not even a door or window in sight.

"I'm sorry but it's safest if you stay here. Don't worry, it won't be long... on your end at least." The woman bowed and with that, disappeared.

Ria turned about but didn't know what to do. There was no one else. Just like that time she had been stuck in a dream but now it was worse. She was conscious and afraid.

"Daddy! Daddy please!" she screamed, and no one answered. It was only a matter of time before her voice run dry and she laid to the floor, clutching herself, quietly sobbing.