The Game Before the Fall

Epilogue: The World That Began.

Epilogue: The World That Began.

The world which chose a different End:

"You're looking up at the sky again Ash," Raul poked her in the shoulder, breaking her from her thoughts.

"Sorry," Ash faced her friends, her eyes wistful.

Doug smiled softly, "Thinking about Ardent again?"

"It's hard not to sometimes," Joanna added. The four friends still got together regularly even after the Merge. It had been a year since the world drastically changed and now that life had settled down, the definition of normal was changing.

Ash contemplated Doug's question and laughed, "Yeah, I guess I was thinking of him. Do you really think he's out there, protecting us all from Rift Walkers? The way the anniversary documentary put it, he was basically a superhero."

"Well," Raul folded his arms, "I think he is. Why else would he leave us all behind? We've all met Endi and Ria. You don't just give up something like that for no reason."

Joanna looked to the skies as well, "It's kind of scary as well don't you think? That those monsters exist and without Ardent they'd come here."

Doug held her closer, "But we don't have to be scared because he's out there, right?"

Ash couldn't help but laugh, "I still can't believe it sometimes. I mean, we all knew Ardent was special, but not that special."

"We were lucky to be friends with him," Raul nodded.

"Screw that," Ash grinned, "he was lucky to have friends like us. Maybe the world should be thanking us for raising him that way."

"We didn't raise him," Doug frowned at her.

"But we did play a big part in his life at one point," Ash postured grandly before sliding back into the couch they sat on. "Ardent aside, where are we spawning in? I think we go for Teremire. I've always wanted to go there in real life."

"It's too bad trying to get a tourist Visa is basically impossible," Raul sighed.

Doug laughed, "Yeah, but at least we can go there once again virtually."

Joanna grinned, "Yep. When they first announced they were bringing Areithia Online back, I squealed. I'm so excited! I mean, fighting in real life and in a game is way different. My hat goes off to those real-life adventurers."

"Same here," Raul agreed. "Though rumour has it that if you do well in the game, they might fast track your visa application."

Ash postured forward heroically, "Is this it? Are we bringing back the number one Guild in the world?"

They all looked at her doubtedly, Doug shaking his head, "Ash, since when were we ever number one?"

"In our hearts Doug, in our hearts," Ash replied and smiled. Her eyes couldn't help drift to the skies above, missing a good friend and wondering how he'd react to the world now.

**

James Thatcher stood in front of the armoured individuals around him. Like him they all had the emblem of a blue shining star embedded into their shoulders. It was his guild, the All Stars, a real-life adventuring guild that took up jobs all across the world.

"So, what do you think 'Crozen'" a bright pink haired young woman slapped his shoulder. "Think you and your crew have got this, or do you want the backup?"

"Stella," James scowled at the woman. "Why do you always turn up wherever I go? Aren't there other adventuring groups you need to look after? What about Erin or Maggie?"