Withered Oaths

True watched the battle between Akiol and Zealous.

He couldn't help but be amazed, Akiol's execution of skill. His ability to fight. He hadn't seen such fighting prowess before.

It was like Zealous was under his control the whole battle. Every move they made was purely under Akiol's control. Like a puppet designed for a show.

True wasn't sure if he could fight Akiol, even if he had a stat advantage. He had no idea someone could be so skilled.

So when Zealous died he blurted out, "Would you like to join our guild?"

The silver haired player was obviously confused, "No?"

True was ashamed that he had the audacity to ask in such a situation. But he couldn't let someone like this go, "We can provide you with benefits only the core members get, we will even give you the freedom you want!"

"I'm not looking to join any Guilds."

True bit the inside of his lip, "Then at least friend me, how else would you claim your favor?"

They looked embarrassed, "I uh, I can't friend people due to a quest."

True closed his eyes, 'If you don't want to friend me you can give it to me straight! I promise I won't show my broken heart!'

True only nodded at the statement then, "That's a shame."

"If you give me your forum information, I can create a group chat with you though."

True was baffled at the situation, was there really a quest that prevented players from friending people? Still he accepted the outcome, "Sure!"

~ ~ ~

Akiol walked away from the destruction. The moment it was out of sight he said, "You can let her out Stars."

'Finally! She had been pestering me this whole time!' -Stars

'I have not! You won't answer my question!' -Givale

'That isn't a question, it's a demand! I told you, do it yourself! Now shoo!'

Givale appeared and landed gracefully. She looked at Akiol and blushed slightly.

Akiol frowned, "Something wrong?"

"I uh. . . I want to apologize. I treated you wrongly."

Akiol was suddenly amused at the outcome. Givale looked incredibly embarrassed by the situation. Still he gave a small laugh, "No problem, you gonna treat me nicer from now on?"

"Yes. . ."

"Then we are all good."

Givale hesitated before continuing, "I- I hope you can teach me how to use mana as good as you. Y-You don't have to of course! I just hoped you would consider it."

Akiol began to put the pieces together. Stars must have shown Givale the fight, in which she saw his mana manipulation. He assumed she wished to do the same, and wanted Stars to ask for her. Thus their bickering.

Akiol patted her head, "I can try, no guarantees that it will provide any results."

Givale brightened, "Thank you!"

"Let's continue exploring for a while. I would like to rest my mind."

"Okay!"

Akiol asked Stars, "What is your opinion on Givale?"

'Prideful, she has the pride of a young Dragon. However since she now admires your ability to control mana, it seems that pride will be suppressed for now.' -Stars

"Is that all?"

'Immature?'

"I could say the same to you sometimes."

'Nonsense.'

Whilst Givale could listen into their conversation, she was too busy looking at an interesting creature. The creature jumped and bit into her arm. Yet it failed to even scratch her. She shook if off, they were more violent than she thought they'd be.

She began wandering further away. Spotting something she was about to run towards it, but hesitated. She wasn't sure how far she could leave Akiol.

Akiol caught on to this, "Let us test it then."

Akiol began walked back whilst Givale walked forward. They were able to move a bit before Akiol had a feeling that going any further would be a bad idea.

He assumed the distance was around five hundred meters, not bad.

'I can't go any further Akiol!' -Givale spoke through the link.

"I'm coming back. You can stay there and explore if you want."

'Okay!'

Akiol casually walked towards her general direction. His mind melting into his surroundings. The way the trees moved due to the wind, the insects that crawl across the ground. It was all shown to Akiol.

He enjoyed the sense, it put him a state of serenity. His presence was almost completely hidden. His footsteps light as air.

'Akiol!!!' -Givale

A loud yell snapped him out of the state. He hurriedly asked, "Are you okay?"

'I need help!'

Akiol was aware were Givale was due to the link. Similarly to how he knew where Stars was at all times. His body erupted in a yellow glow and he took off.

The remaining meters between them shortened in mere moments. He burst into a clearing. He saw Givale pinned down by a bunch of fuzzy creatures.

She yelled, "I'm stuck! I can't get them off me!"

Akiol was really amused at this, the creatures weren't even harming Givale. Instead they simply piled onto her to sleep.

Akiol walked over and picked one up. The fuzzy creature opened a singular eye. After examined Akiol for a moment it latched onto his arm. The moment it closed its eye Akiol's whole arm fell off.

The creature opened its eye startled. Upon looking at the arm and Akiol it seemed to panic. It hurriedly gave the arm back to Akiol.

The slime reattached itself and the creature hesitated. Instead it latched onto Akiol's leg and closed its eye again.

Givale spoke up, "They weaken any part of the body they grab."

Stars continued, 'They are almost completely harmless. They like hugging living things and sleeping. However they sleep for weeks at a time. So they slowly kill anything they latch on to. It's completely accidental, they don't mean it. It's just in their nature.

Akiol felt bad for the little creatures, "A fate they cannot escape."

His eyes narrowed at the thought. He then picked up the one on his leg and put it aside.

Looking at the large pile he asked, "Stars, can you just stick her in your world at this distance?"

'Oh, let me try.' -Stars

The pile of creatures suddenly dropped and woke up simultaneously. They were terrified that the thing they were sleeping on disappeared. So they ran off in terror.

Givale reappeared next to Akiol, "Never again!"

Akiol chuckled, "You should be more cautious."

Givale only pouted in response.

~ ~ ~

"So this is the house. Moderate security, far too many entrances. It's almost like they are welcoming any intruders."

A voice spoke through an earpiece, "Don't you dare."

"Calm down, do you think I would really break in after all that happened? I am no criminal."

"We both know your past."

"That's the past, I'm a better person now. Look at this Good Samaritan work I am doing right now."

"This is our duty."

"You're always so serious when we work. Relax a little, we've known each other for years!"

"I have to be serious because you aren't."

The person rolled their eyes.

The voice from the earpiece spoke, "You rolled your eyes didn't you."

". . . No."

"We've known each other for years, I know how you act."

"I did not roll my eyes."

"You did."

The person ground their teeth in frustration.

The earpiece spoke, "Stop grinding your teeth. The mic is picking up the sound, and it sounds awful."

"Changing the subject. Who's house is this?"

"We don't have clearance for that info."

"Man, we are retired already. They can't cut us a little slack?"

"We offered to do this."

"Yeah, because Withered Oaths finally made a move. To think it would be in a game though."

"Did you want to join?"

"If it brings us closer to them."

"We don't know their goals in-game. We'll be going in blind."

"Don't you respawn or something?"

"Well yes. But still."

"We might as well then. If we can gather even a little info. . ."

"Isn't Rebecca playing it? Perhaps we can ask her to show us the ropes."

"Ah, how hard can it be?"

"They don't have any modern technology."

". . ."

". . ."

"Call Rebecca then."

~ ~ ~

"You're up early."

Akiol looked at the time, "Oh, I haven't slept all morning."

Jarvis shook his head, "You should maintain a steady sleep schedule."

"Says the one who played the game for weeks straight."

"That was for a different reason."

"Your sleep was awful during those times."

"I'm aware, but still. Maintain your health."

Akiol chuckled, "I will. Oh! Do you know the name of a creature that will sleep on you?"

"What?"

"Sorry, that was vague. I came across a creature that only sleeps on creatures or people. Anything they grab is weakened to the point to where you cannot move. They then will sleep for weeks."

"That sounds so interesting. What did they look like?"

"Hmm. Imagine a mix between a platypus and capybara, except with only one eye."

"A beaver?"

"No, body like a platypus, no tail. Face like a capybara, except one eye."

"I need to see this for myself."

"Perhaps I'll take you on our next exploration then."

Jarvis picked up on a certain part of the sentence, "Our?"

"I shall introduce you to Givale later then."

"Givale?"

"She's nice, I'm sure you'll like her."

"Her?"

Akiol made a face, "Why do you keep asking questions like that?"

"The way you are wording this is open for many misunderstandings."

"She's a Dragon, due to certain circumstances she hasn't been able to grow or leave a place. I'll explain the story to you all when you meet her."

"You have been exploring with a Dragon?!"

"Why are you so shocked?"

"I haven't seen one yet!"

"You have the four Sages, I'm sure their existence is equal to a Dragon."

"Not by themselves."

"Then that fuse-"

Akiol's phone rang, he noticed it was Rebecca. He then apologized, "I need to take this."

"I'll be in the game, send a message whenever you wish to introduce us."

Akiol nodded and answered the call, "Hello?"

"We need to meet."