Somnium Online

Sparring Match.

Eric returned to the shop laden with groceries.

He set them down in the kitchen where Reagan was busily preparing dinner.

"It smells good," Eric said.

Reagan startled and nearly dropped the knife she was chopping vegetables with. "Oh, thank you." She said.

Eric started unpacking groceries. "Today was weird, a bunch of people were protesting at the guildhall."

Reagan continued cooking. "I can't blame them. A hundred strange people appear out of nowhere claiming immortality and acting all superior is enough to make most people angry."

Eric laughed. "I don't think they're all like that, I bet a few of them are nice."

Reagan wasn't laughing. "I wouldn't be too sure. They all treat life like it's a game or something. It's disgusting."

Eric's hand shook slightly. "Did something happen today?" He asked, his voice calm on the surface, but layered with ice.

Reagan stopped. "Nothing too important." She said, pretending to be nonchalant.

Eric finished putting away groceries. "I see. Well, if anything happens, let me know." He was smiling now, but in his mind, he was ripping whoever did something to her into small pieces and then burning them.

Eric left the kitchen and went up to the roof. Anne had taken to going up there to practice her swordsmanship.

Eric took up a practice sword and stepped into the sparring ring. Anne turned to face him.

They collided in a flurry of cuts and slashes. Anne pressing the attack Eric barely holding his ground. Anne sprang backward, avoiding a kick.

Eric was sweating already. Anne was fast and incredibly strong. Without N helping him it was all he could do to defend himself.

"I've got news," Eric said between blows.

Anne switched to a two-handed grip and launched a second barrage of blows.

"Spill it." She replied.

Eric dodged a slash and ducked a swing that would have taken his head off if the blades were real.

"The so-called players have been making a nuisance of themselves. It's likely that we'll be attacked soon."

Anne kicked Eric in the stomach, sending him skidding backward. She shuffled her feet into a better stance.

"We already knew that much, and there's no way they can beat the two of us. The only problem would be if they trained first, but none of them even bother with low-level quests to build their strength."

Eric reversed his grip on his sword and charge Anne.

"That's true for most of them, but a few are actually getting stronger. Plus," Anne partied his thrust. " We can't be everywhere at once to defend against them."

Eric continued his charge, but Anne slapped his sword aside with the flat of her blade, grabbed his arm, planted a hand on his chest, and flipped him over her head.

He crashed into the roof, his weapon flung from his grasp. He lay there panting and out of breath.

Anne twirled her practice sword and sheathed it.

"Well," she said. "If they go after civilians within the city limits the guards will arrest them. If they go after us, we beat them. We're going to be fine."

Eric closed his eyes and calmed his breathing.

"You're right." He replied. "We'll just let the guards do their job."

Anne helped him up and together they went back inside to clean up before dinner.

After eating on the rooftop, they each went to their respective rooms for the night.

[Author's note.]

My apologies for the short chapter.

At the time this was written I was preparing for a short trip and was unable to write at the time.

Chapters will return to their original length.