Somnium Online

Sam

"Where is she?" Eric wondered aloud as he approached the spawn point. "Damn, I should have told her to wait. Any ideas N?"

"Oh, so NOW you ask me for help? Not back when you were busy blowing your cover and nearly getting us sent away to some far-flung battlefield in a country most people couldn't find on a map if their life depended on it?"

Eric winced "At least it didn't end up like that." He reasoned.

"Oh, right because almost dying is fine as long as it doesn't actually happen." N reasoned sarcastically.

Eric sighed, "look, I get that you're mad, but we're still a team right?"

"Yeah yeah... it's just... I already died once, and I'd rather not do it again."

Eric was silent. There wasn't any proper response to that.

After a minute, N spoke up again. "She's traveling with another player, they're in the middle of the woods outside the capital right now."

"Damn" Eric swore, "how fast can I get there?"

N processed for a second, "an hour if you don't break any laws."

Eric gritted his teeth, "and if I do?"

"Approximately five minutes with a little help from yours truly," N answered smugly.

Eric weighed his options. Either he would risk Elizabeth dying and being mad at him now, or he would deal with Anne being mad at him later. He was instantly airborne and hurtling towards the city limits at breakneck speed.

"It really is a lovely day to be an adventurer," Sam said cheerfully as they made their way through the dense foliage.

Elizabeth followed behind him nervously. "Are you sure we're going the right way?" She asked, glancing around at the thick undergrowth.

"I set up a camp just a little ways from here," Sam reassured her. Suddenly they reached a clearing, the trees seemed to part like a curtain, revealing a circular clearing with a small tent.

There were the ashes of a campfire nearby, and some shirts were drying on a makeshift clothesline.

"Welcome to my humble abode." Sam grinned, spreading his arms to gesture at the clearing.

Elizabeth clapped politely. "So... do we just wait here until the day's over and then go back to collect the rewards?" She guessed.

Sam's smile drooped. "When you put it that way it almost sounds like we're doing something wrong." He pouted. "But you are half right. What I'm doing isn't exactly playing by the rules. Then again, it's not like there are any.

Elizabeth's eyes narrowed "what do you mean by tha-" she felt a strong arm grab her from behind, and a crushing weight on her throat, she needed air, but her lungs wouldn't work. Then... everything went black.

"Hey Eric, we've got a teeny problem..." N warned.

"I'm a bit busy right now, so this had better be good." He snapped.

"Well, Elly's still alive, but her position hasn't changed in more than sixty seconds," N explained.

"Got it, prepare for combat," Eric replied curtly, then, he redoubled his efforts, pushing the upper limits of his speed.

Elizabeth woke up disoriented and with a massive headache.

"Nhhg, where am I?" She groaned.

"Would you look at that, awake already." Sam chuckled as he stood over her.

Behind him, a large muscled man with tattoos up and down his forearms hefted a large wooden club.

"You almost made it too easy for me." Sam grinned, "Oh sure Mr. Sam, I'll join your party." He mocked. "Here's a hint kid, never trust anyone."