Out of This World Gaming [~ read description]

Chapter 40: Sotoro's Story

One morning, we saw that our mother was in critical condition from an illness whose source we, have this day, are unable to determine. While our neighbors were busy sharing their support, we were left to help our mother.

A group of children of varying ages surrounded a woman lying on a futon that was flattened into a bed. Covered with a teal blanket and resting her head on a fluffy, white pillow, the woman weakly gazed at them. "Satara, please take care of your siblings." her voice trailed off before a coughing fit had the chance to ambush it.

"Zerrin, you're techie, aren't you?" began Satara. "Our father had the resources to protect us from cybernetic attacks, so it only makes sense that you're going to be the one to help Mother."

Zerrin frowned and turned her gaze away from her sibling as she replied, "I've already told you that there's nothing more I can do for her other than make a Maintenance Collar." In a blinding fog of rage and desperate need for a hope spot, she grabbed her younger sister by the collar of her shirt. This in turn sparked an intense argument between the two.

"Then make one! You're a programmer, aren't you?" "I don't have the one thing we need to make it work." "Oh, really, what could you possibly need?" "Emerald dust?" "Zerrin, you little shi-"

"That's enough!" a black haired boy mediated as he put himself between his fighting sisters. "Where would we find Emerald dust, anyway?" Sotoro put a hand to his chin.

"Well, I hear Silverleaf Academy uses an emerald to power their school's anti-ability radius." Ziazan sat on the edge of the futon where the woman groaned. "Please don't do anything illegal. Especially not in the Flower-marsh region." she begged.

"Mom's got a point, guys," Sotoro spike up. "if we're to save her, we're gonna have to be vigilant since we'll be in enemy territory." The woman groaned again and was on the verge of raising her voice when she replied, "you kids just don't listen. Stop while you're ahead, will ya?"

"Okay, Mom, we won't do it. C'mon guys, let's go get her some soup." Ziazan rose to his feet and dragged his adoptive siblings out of her bedroom and closed the door. As they walked into the kitchen, their conversation continued.

"Well, ladies and gentleman, I think it's time we once again get out there and remind the world about the Wolfhaven Phantoms' existence. You gonna work with us this time, Satara?" Ziazan asked his older sister. "Only because it helps Mother." she responded.

We had to use codenames in order to reduce our chances of being caught. We had plenty more members, but I can't remember their codenames, so I guess I have no choice but to use their real names. The Wolfhaven Phantoms would go lengths to achieve their goals, even for family.

We sent out a calling card that evening to Silverleaf Academy. According to the rumors we heard, the gem that neutralizes Consoleoid Abilities is usually kept underground, but in cases where it was in any potential danger, the headmaster kept it in his office.

Unfortunately for him, we knew his secret. Not to mention that we paid attention to the news the following evening.

"Will you guys get in here already? Our calling card's on the news!" Zerrin screeched as her thumb relentlessly attacked the button to turn the volume up in case her siblings didn't make it in time. She turned it back down as a crowd ran into the room to watch the television displaying a Consoleoid native to the Flower-marsh region holding a slip of paper in his hand as heread the words on it.

"You harbor a gem of worth, and that we cannot let slide. You'll know soon enough that the Wolfhaven Phantoms do not view this fact or your flawed security system with mirth. For that, we announce we're not on your side. Watch your back, Headmaster Westbrook." The newscaster read the poem.