Leaving the Village to The Capital City

The moment Uravis got his consciousness back, he couldn't help but think that this was no how he pictured he would find the artifact. By crashing into it instead of the normal way of finding things.

The sounds of the others voices and their gasps grew closer, replaced by the sudden silence that made him open his eyes finally.

He was met with the concerned faced on Arin, Tyson and the Kim, while Ivie stood on the other side, her arms crossed and a look of mockery on her face.

"Look who's awake," she said, her voice laced with sarcasm that was starting to get on his nerves. "We were starting to think you would sleep through all the fun."

Uravis raised himself up, rubbing his head. "So what happened?"

"The great Drakonis, took a tumble into the cave from the top and face planted into a statue," Tyson chuckled. "And somehow, you managed to break the lock on that chest."

Uravis' gaze shifted to the chest that was now open, revealing a glowing orb within. He smiled wryly. "I guess I did."

Arin helped Uravis to his feet and stood asides while he dusted himself . Then he realized he was still as Drakonis, resulting in a relieved sigh. 'Can't risk them finding out who I am,' he thought, raising himself back to his full height after he had finished dusting himself.

Arin gave a quiet chuckle, "You are a strange one, Drakonis. But I suppose that's why we need you."

As they approach the chest, Ivie spoke up, her voice filled with excitement, that shocked Uravis. He expected her to be an emo type of girl, cold and insensitive, but he was wrong.

"This is it, the artifact we have been searching for! With this we finally have a ticket into-"

"Wait," Uravis interrupted, his eyes fixed on the glowing ball, with immense power surging from it. However, his intrusive earned a glare from Ivie, she clenched her fists, fighting back to urge to hit him. But Uravis cared less.

"We shouldn't get ahead of ourselves. We don't know what this thing does or what kind of power it holds." he added and Arin smiled.

"I know, that is why.." he paused, pulling on a thick glove and bag, he carefully picked up the orb, placed it in the bag and zipped it shut. "That is why we are keeping it with you."

Uravis frowned deeply, taking a quick step back when Arin raised the back to him. "Why me?"

"Because you obviously the strongest here," Kim uttered, walking to Arin's side, she took the bag from him and threw it to Uravis, who had no choice but catch it. "I hate to admit it too, but we need you with us."

Uravis brows curved as confusion replaced his displeasure, he had no idea how strong he was. Or if he would be needed for anything. And he could not measure his mana point, that he assumes he had.

Ivie scoffed, averting her gaze when Uravis glanced at her. Choosing to ignore her since she was not going to cooperate, he smiled. "Fine, but what are we going to do with this?"

"We," Tyson laughed, "You are going to do something with it."

"Wait what? this thing is dangerous, I would rather leave it here than put myself or anyone else in danger," Uravis quickly replied, as he held the bag away from him.

Tyson smirked, "Yeah, because nothing says caution like the guy who face plants into statues and break ancient locks."

Uravis shot him a glare that soon fell, switching to a small chuckle. "But it worked right?" they all nodded in agreement and began making their way out of the dungeon, with Tyson's help.

______

With the Life core in hand, Uravis stood at the heart of the village, few meters away from his home. He bade farewell to Arin's team after they decided they would meet again before night.

Ivie on the other hand insisted on staying behind, so Drakonis would keep to his own side of the deal. Uravis was far from reality, thinking of what to tell her, or excuses to give so he would not have to take her home.

He did not have an extra place to stay, and he wanted to avoid booking a room in an Inn, to avoid suspicions. So he had to come clean, to either Claire or Ivie.

Coming clean to Ivie was dangerous because he did not trust her yet, and she could do anything to him. And telling Claire was bad because she would get worried which would make him guilty and he would end up staying behind.

So it was clear, 'I have to tell Claire,' he concluded, increasing his pace while Ivie strolled carelessly behind him.

Arriving at Claire's cottage, he inhaled and exhaled several times, making scenarios of how she would look if she saw him and learnt about everything.

He knocked gently on the door, praying silently that she would not answer, but as fate would have it, she answered the door almost immediately and her expression suddenly changed to a frown.

Her eyes shifted from him to Ivie causing her displeasure to show even more. "Can I help you?"

Uravis hesitated for a while then he raised one of his fingers, showing her the birth mark on his wrist. Her frown turned to a raise in one of her brows, her eyes scanning him from head to toe.

"Claire, sorry for coming back late. Can we come in?" he asked, winking at the end of what he said, she reluctantly paved way for them, flashed a quick smile at Ivie to hide her confusion.

After closing the door, Uravis excused himself and Claire, he grabbed her hands and pulled her to her room where he shut and lock the door behind him.

"What is going on and who are you?" Claire asked, her hands on both sides of her waist. She was becoming impatient and from what she observed. The man before her looked different and sounded different, but he had Uravis' birthmark.

"Look, I have alot to tell you, but firstly. I have a skill, Login skill, it lets me switch to avatars from my game," he paused when she shook her head still confused. "I am from another world and I was summoned here for the ascender games, Unfortunately I was banished from there because of my useless skill."

She then nodded, slowly picking up what she was saying, "Okay, So who are you and what does this have to do with me? Besides where is Uravis?"

"I am Drakonis, You are my sister by bond and I am Uravis. The skill lets me switch with my avatars," he explained, rubbing his head nervously when she frowned.

Claire sighed and put her palms together, "Well, since you are Uravis, switch back."

"Alright," he answered and without hesitating he switched back to himself right in front of her, the mop of brown hair vanishing and getting replaced with his normal black hair and red eyes.

Claire's eyes slowly widened when he changed back, but she smiled. "I am so proud of you," she said happily but then frowned again. "So who is the girl?"

"She is part of the adventurers that I told you about. We found a life core in some dungeon outside the village but I still have to follow them on a trip," Uravis answered.

Then she muttered an Oh, her expression turning sad when she let what he said sink in. "You're leaving me."

That moment Uravis felt his heart ache, the first time she was getting upset and he felt terrible. He reluctantly threw his arms around her, his hands rubbing her back in circles.

"I can invite you there if I managed to settle down after our mission. If not, I will come back home. I won't ever leave you," he assured, staying silent to see what she would say. "Claire?"

"Please don't go," she begged as she raised her head to look at him, tears staining her tanned skin. Just the few time they've been together, she grew fond of him like he did with her. And now she was finding it difficult to let him go.

Uravis hated to see her sad, she was exactly like his little sister, only older. he pulled away from her and cupped her cheeks. "Five days."

Claire shook her head slowly, more tears flowing down her cheeks. "Give me five days Claire, If I don't come back or ask you to come there, then you have every right to be worried about me. For now, just pray for me and hope that I return safely. Please?"

He gave her an assuring smile, promising her that he would come back, she wiped the tears away and sniffed, giving a small nod.

"Good, now can I eat, I am starving."

A hour later, after the dinner went in silence for Uravis as Drakonis who watched Claire and Ivie get along nicely. He stood before Claire, away from the other adventurers, who were busy prepping up.

"Wish me luck Big sis," he uttered, giving a slight bow that she was unhappy with. She opened up her arms, waiting impatiently for him to do what she expected him to.

Giving a soft chuckle, he went into her arms and embraced her, pasting the moment to his mind permanently so he would not forget.

When he pulled away and clutched his bag, she smiled. "Take care and come back after five days, Okay?"

"I will, Take care as well, and check your drawer when you get home, okay?" she replied with a nod, too emotional to speak as she watched him step backwards away from her.

He finally turned around to join the others, leaving her alone once again, to the big city on another mission.