Revenge Of The Monarch (Part 1)

The hum of the equipment store was soothing in a way.

Lucas let his fingers glide over the two longswords Kael had bought earlier, their polished edges gleaming under the ambient glow of the shop's lanterns.

They felt heavier than his old shortswords, both in weight and significance. Longswords were a step up, a sign that his progress wasn't just in numbers but in the tools he wielded.

"Think you can handle these?" Kael's teasing voice broke through Lucas's thoughts.

Lucas smirked, hefting one of the blades. It was well-balanced, and the grip felt right in his hands. "I'll manage," he said. "Though this is a bit overkill, don't you think?"

Kael raised a brow, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Overkill is underrated. You're going to need them, trust me."

Before Lucas could respond, Kael stepped to another rack and pulled out a curved sword with an elegant edge. Its black-and-silver finish gleamed like it belonged to a warrior of renown.

"And this," Kael said, holding it out, "is for you."

Lucas stared at the weapon, shaking his head. "No way. You've already spent enough on me. I can't — "

Kael waved him off, his grin never wavering. "Oh, stop. This isn't charity; it's an investment. We're partners, and I don't plan on babysitting you forever. Besides, you're going to need this for our next mission."

Lucas hesitated for a moment before taking the sword, its weight feeling oddly reassuring in his grasp. He exhaled softly, letting a flicker of gratitude cross his face. "Thanks. I'll make it worth it."

Kael clapped him on the shoulder. "You'd better. Let's go."

The Quest Shop was alive with chatter as players milled about, inspecting the holographic boards or whispering among themselves.

Lucas and Kael walked in, the door's chime barely audible over the din.

"What's the plan?" Lucas asked, trailing behind Kael as his companion scanned the boards.

"Looking for something worthwhile. There's always something good posted after major updates," Kael replied.

As they neared the center of the shop, a particular board caught Lucas's attention.

The glowing mission displayed on it was impossible to miss, not just because of its bold text but because of the murmurs surrounding it.

[MISSION POSTED: WANTED – PLAYER KILLER 'AIDENTIDE'

REWARD: 200 NEXUS COINS]

Lucas's stomach churned as he read the details. AidenTide.

The name was seared into his mind from the night before, and now it seemed the player's notoriety had reached new heights.

The mission description noted multiple kills, stolen loot, and even hints of coordinated ambushes.

Nearby, a group of players muttered amongst themselves.

"He got me in the eastern woods," one said bitterly.

"Same here," another added. "I barely healed before he was on me again."

"Guy's ruthless. This reward better be worth it," a third player grumbled.

Lucas's grip tightened on the hilt of the curved sword strapped to his belt.

He hadn't told Kael about his encounter with Aiden, partly because he didn't want to appear weak and partly because he wasn't sure how to explain the personal weight of it.

Kael, meanwhile, scanned the details on the board. "Player killer, huh?" he mused. "This could be interesting."

Lucas stiffened but tried to keep his expression neutral. "You think we should go after him?"

Kael grinned, his eyes alight with excitement. "Why not? It's a solid reward, and if this guy's as infamous as everyone says, it'll be a good challenge. Plus, there's nothing like taking down a bully to boost morale."

Lucas forced a chuckle, hiding the growing pit in his stomach. He nodded, letting Kael lead the way as they signed up for the mission.

As they left the Quest Shop, Kael spoke animatedly about strategies, his enthusiasm infectious. "We'll need to track him down in the woods," he said. "That's probably where he's hiding out, picking off players who aren't paying attention. If we're careful, we can lure him into a trap instead of walking into his."

Lucas nodded along, but his mind was elsewhere. He replayed the events of the previous night: the ambush, the betrayal, the coldness in AidenTide's voice.

He clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. This time, it would be different.

Kael glanced at him, noticing the tension. "You good?"

"Yeah," Lucas replied quickly. "Just... focused."

Kael smirked. "Good. We're going to need that focus. Let's make this count."

The forest loomed ahead, its canopy casting shifting shadows over the narrow trails. It was eerily quiet, the only sounds being the rustling of leaves and the faint hum of the Nexus interface in the background.

Kael crouched low, scanning the area with sharp eyes. "This is his hunting ground," he said. "Stay close, and keep your eyes open. If he's half as good as they say, he'll know we're here before we spot him."

Lucas nodded, gripping his weapons tightly. The new longswords felt steady in his hands, their weight a comforting reminder of his newfound strength.

The duo moved cautiously, stepping over fallen branches and keeping to the shadows. Kael took the lead, his movements fluid and deliberate, while Lucas followed, his senses on high alert.

After a few minutes, Kael froze, holding up a hand to signal Lucas to stop. He pointed ahead, where faint tracks disturbed the otherwise undisturbed forest floor.

"Fresh," Kael whispered. "He's close."

Lucas's heart pounded as they continued forward, each step feeling heavier than the last. He wasn't sure if it was adrenaline, fear, or a mix of both, but he was ready.

This wasn't about revenge — at least, that's what he told himself. It was about proving that he could hold his own.

"Remember," Kael said, glancing back at him. "Stick to the plan. We flush him out, and then we hit hard and fast. No hesitation."

Lucas nodded, his jaw set. "Got it."