Hymn of Elys

Chapter Three

The walk towards the town had been filled with barren battlefields and a multitude of loss.

Random people had cropped up during the journey, but most of them repeated the same lines continuously. Were these the non-player characters she had heard about? Machines also roamed the landscape, aiding citizens with their tasks. The tech was decrepit and rusted, moving with shambling steps. Their peeling paint gave them a haunted visage. The first few had started her, but most were accompanied by what looked like merchants. All of them seemed to be peaceful.

Most of the people's clothing was of common cloth, nothing like the ethereal gown Alice was given. Dirt stained their cheeks, and their eyes appear sunken. She could tell their way of life took a toll on most of them. Only the scant amount of children she had seen looked as if they were joyful.

The adult's anguish and despair was palpable; Alice wished she could help them, but she didn't know how. It only made the journey towards the town more agonizing.

About a mile from the town, an older man crossed her path carrying a load of logs upon his back. He was middle aged, perhaps in his mid forties. The lines drawn on his face spoke of a hard life. His clothing indicated he was most likely a farmer.

He was almost beside Alice, heading the opposite way when he stumbled; one of his legs giving way under the weight of the timber.

He groaned from the strain of the load, and Alice rushed forward to help him get back onto his feet. "Careful, sir!" She caught him around his upper arm, her grip solid as she tried to hold up some of his weight. Surprisingly, she was stronger than she appeared even though the man himself was sturdy enough. With her help, he righted himself, his face ruddy with embarrassment and fatigue.

"Ah. Thank you, girl." He tried to stand up straight, wincing at some unseen pain. "These old bones just aren't what they used to be." He cast her a charming smile, the kind that melted the heart.

Alice giggled, letting the old man go as she stepped away. "Don't worry about it, sir. I'm just glad you're alright."

"Are you from around here, lass?" He asked, lifting an eyebrow. "I don't recall seeing a wee one like you. And, trust me, I've been around here for a long time." The man let out a hearty laugh, his face transforming with his glee. She echoed the laugh, finding it infectious.

Alice gave him a dazzling smile, pleased to be having such an organic conversation. "I'm new here," her answer was simple, but she didn't know the lore of the world yet. Did the citizens know that the players came from an altogether different reality?

The older man nodded his understanding, but he didn't quite seem to believe her. "I see. Well, I have to get back to it, lass. Take care." He turned to leave, but winced as the pack of logs settled against his back once more.

Alice watched as he took a few more steps away from her, her heart aching to see such a man in pain. He bravely continued, not even uttering a curse of pain as he walked with a shuddering gait.

When most other people used the machines, why did this one man insist on carrying such a burden by himself?

A sudden warmth in the pit of her stomach started to burn, steadily rising to her diaphragm. It was the same kind of warmth she had felt when she had been with Freya.

Alice took a step forward, her lips opening as words started to form in her mind.

"This rain seems to fall

endlessly upon the earth.

I cry restlessly for all of us,