Grip (5 )

Alright. Well, that was quicker than I imagined... she seemed quite irritated at seeing my alive. I don't blame her though.

Time to uh... well, it's barely just noon now. I could check that Draking yard and scout it out but to be honest that probably won't help without... you know, vision.

I guess I could head over to Mordova's place, I might of left some gold between the cushions or something haha... so, more seriously though, this Ice Blossom thing I have... It belongs to Mordova. I think I should return it.

- " Alright. Let's head there then... Mordova's Castle. "

}{}{ Ice Goddess Mordova. You plan to return the Blossom correct? }{}{

- " Even if it doesn't do anything... it will make me feel a little better. Her Blossom rips my soul... I gotta let go sometime. "

}{}{ If I remember, she was Jotun's mother correct? You being the father of course. }{}{

- " It's what the System says... and what it says is basically absolute to us players. "

}{}{ I've heard rumors the Gods were based off those from... Greek Mythology? Is that the correct word? }{}{

- " Yeah. Most Pantheons in games are based off the greeks... they wrote nearly everything down so we have lots of knowledge about them... easier to draw from reality than to make stuff up right? "

}{}{ I wouldn't know. }{}{

Right. I forgot, Syn doesn't have the best imagination.

Either way, we have arrived at her icy castle... usually the cold doesn't bother me, but here it was always nearly unbearable... and without my Crusader powers... it's uh, quite cold.

Freezing, dare I say.

Ahem. Let's get this over with.

...

Empty.

Nothing but Ice... not a flame to illuminate the shadows of the pillars of quartz nor a soul to fill these halls of powdered snow. The entrance leads directly to a large throne hall unlike many other castles, split off from here are millions of other halls... all leading to rooms and yards, none of which I visited.

So, I make my way down the hall... echoing my steps is nothing but the noise of metal boots against Ice, a melody of falling icicles and melting snow ring harder than any noise.... a cacophony of noise and a deaf man to hear it.

I stumble all my ways to the stairs leading to the frozen throne, up the steps I go as whispers of past laid near... the Blossom, I held aloft in my hands, sung with memories... bitter, yet refreshing. Heh... kinda like snow.

I place the bundle of icy petals upon the throne of crystalline ice, resting it upon a bed of snow that carelessly sat upon there.

| Ice Blossom has been returned. |

| It has taken root, cold and snappy vines of ice crawl from outside of it into the throne... eventually, the flower blossoms and opens. |

Thank you....

Bye.

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Alright. Time to go, we have business to deal woth at the draking docks... wherever that is.

I got so distracted yesterday I forgot to check beforehand. I guess it was guilt but after I went to Mordova's place I just felt shitty.

I mean... I caused her death.

I still cause the deaths of NPCs to this fucking day, gah... eventually I'll sort my shit out, and by the time that happens, I'll ensure nobody gets harmed because of me anymore.

There will always be conflict and death, but hopefully in the future it won't be my fault... that's all I really care about. Is that my philosophy?

Probably yeah.

Alright, enough. Time to get shit done... more sappy shit, I already spent like a month doing sappy shit.

So, I made my way to gather up the gang.

They made their last dues as well, Jotun left the adventurer guild, Dice... did something. She wont tell me. Anise published a few manuals... probably of various magic formulas, she netted us a solid 80 Gold.

Now, we head off to the ' Draking Ship ', I assume it's one of those flying ships that was being developed before Morin got declarations of war from both a player guild and half the Demon Lord's Army, I don't know which is worse. Either way, White Falcon...

According to Syn it was a small, marble white battle ship. Large sails flanked the boat like wings, along with it huge jet engines. I can't judge much, though if I made a draking ship... this would seem like child's play, I won't say anything though.

Either way, I was lead onto the large deck... upon it was large steel railing which I gripped myself upon, the floor felt... wooden. This shit is made of wood. Fuck, I am going to die.

Anise is dealing with negotiations, the crew is waiting at the dock yard, I am the only one upon this ship... and yet, why do I sense..

Mana, Alchemical Power, Void energy.

The Mana is dyed Black, the Alchemical power was distorted and hot, the void energy... was, well... unusual.

{{ Command: Display Vision }}

Ah, that's why.

There before me stood a figure wrapped in layers of black fiber, it stood at the very center of the deck... it cast no shadow, it's outline was blurry at best.

" Good evening. I am Umbra, nice to meet you. "

Is... it friendly? A Male voice, powerful and yet burnt with a sore throat, his accent was robotic much like Dice's original voice.

- " Likewise, I a- "

" I know who you are, more than you do at least. You are a problem, usually I am the one to solve it. "

No...t frien...dly... ugh, he's got... what it's called... Fear Aura. Even I can't resist that... gah... it hurts my throat to look at him.

- " Y- "

" It is my turn to speak. "

My mouth was zipped shut, large threads tied my mouth like a doll's. I turned to the gang and attempted to get their attention... but.

It was useless. Something was... no, time has stopped.

" This journey you take... useless. Origin has already made steps against it, there will be no results. "

I struggled to let out a noise, anything, but it only came out as a * MMm *... this... bastard... Umbra... son of a bitch...

" Though, there is a chance. Asi. Would you be willing to risk more of yourself... for someone that may not even be alive? Or what if she has forgotten you? Or, worse yet... what of she hates you? "

It chuckled.

" You've already lost your sight... your soul... your reputation... hmm... oh, I've forgotten. The Players, they hate you. Despise you. At this moment, they are all looking to kill you. How would it feel if Asi were to try and kill you? "

It laughed more, maniacally throwing it's head back as it glowed a dark black.

" Hahaha.... ha. Hey, take a joke will you? Whatever, I have bigger things to deal with now thanks to you... so, I can't kill you just yet... besides, watching you writhe in agony as Asi stabs you will be the funniest joke I've ever heard! "

I was immobile, yet... full of anger I tried my hardest to break free of the maniac's control, his grip was harder than steel... and I felt his warm breathe on my shoulder... despite his location he whispered in my ear.

" See you then. Avery. "