The Paladin

Genesis - Chapter Two

-Xen-

Xen was just like it was in the game, but like every city in the real world it was big, loud and crowded. Everything that Matthew didn't like about cities even though he lived in one. The city was just founded about thirty years ago so there were not any skyscrapers, but a lot of small building and home business. After hours of playing the game, he had memorized the lay out of the city and found Last Gate to Haven quickly. It, like everything else so far, looked exactly like it did in the games. He saw the bar was closed, but the door was unlocked so he nervously stepped in. "Hello?" he called out, hoping not to let Rose think he was a thief.

Rose was behind the bar setting up to open "Sorry but we are closed." Then she looked at him with her green eyes. "Besides, you aren't old enough to drink." Chuckling she let her shoulder length black hair down and her green eyes glowed.

"Umm..." Matthew started, and got his tongue tied for a minute. This was not the first time this happened to him, but this one confused him. He shook his head and splat out "Clyde sent me here to help out till he comes back." He saw the expression on her face soften a little. "I do have experience in a kitchen."

She smiled, "You ran into him? Glad to hear that they are well and still thinking of us." She came out from behind the bar and extended her hand for a shake. "My name is Rose."

"Mine is Matthew" Matt shook her hand but was confused. In the game, only Rose worked in the bar. "Who else works here?"

"Oh, Taylor didn't say anything? That's rude." Rose looked flustered "She probably will not like that at all." She walked to the stairs and called up to someone to come down.

When he heard footsteps coming downstairs to the bar he looked to see the bottom of a very familiar dress. Suddenly a hard knot formed in his gut because he knew who it was. He saw her soft face appeared and she smiled. "Hi! My name is Tiffany." Her eyes where bright blue and her brown hair, just the perfect women.

When he saw her, he couldn't speak, as if he never could before. He finally got out "My name I Matthew." He held out his and Tiffany shook it. Her hand was so soft, unlike anything Matt felt before.

"Call me Tiff." Tiff asked. "And welcome to our Last Gate to Haven on this planet." Then her and Rose laughed, possibly an inside joke. "How did you hear about us?" He told them the tale. "Well, I am sorry that Taylor was mean to you, but thank you for agreeing to help us." She looked at Rose and shrugged. "Well let me show you around."

Matt followed and took in everything that she said and showed him, but it was still just a kitchen and he know most of what she had told him. The only thing on his mind was Tiff. For whatever reason, he had always loved her even though she was not real. The fact that she now was real, the feelings grow stronger. The only problem was that she was Taylor's girlfriend and they were a perfect match. Taylor had his issues, but Tiff was the balance to them. Matt knew that he could never be with her but it was hard not to think about them together.

After the tour, Tiff took him to a spare room "Well, here is where you can stay. We open at noon so drop your stuff off and let's set everything up." They only had an hour, but with three people working to get everything set up, they got ready in time.

The day was slow, only a few people came in. Rose told Matt that with the Zodiac War going on, most people were afraid to leave their homes even knowing that they were safe. Matt understood. The war going on at his world the enemy was unknown but the faceless leader was demanding the world leaders follow him to 'glorious ascension' as he called it. Matt did not believe it because every time he saw the reports showed death.

After they closed for the night and cleaned up, Tiff gave Matt a pillow and blanket. "Well, it is good to have someone who is finally able to help us. And you are very good at this, we didn't need to train you."