by John Nest
“Can you really eat right now?” asked Seth, peeved.
“Seth, Donny, this isn’t the time for that,” said Nash sternly.
The younger Smoak fell silent. Both of them aware of their Grandmother’s uncertainty.
“I’ll go see what I can find in the cafeteria,” said Nash. “In the meantime, just keep Mima company,” he paused and stared at his brothers. “In silence.”
“Gotcha!” replied Donny, giving Nash a salute.
“Pfft,” exhaled Seth, looking at Donny. “Don’t worry, we’ll be fine,” he said to Nash.
After a quick tour at the hospital cafeteria, Nash bought six pieces of granola bars and three cans of soda.
On his way back, Nash overheard a group of three doctors talking to each other in the hallway. They were updating their charts on their individual tablets.
“Poor Mrs. Smoak,” said one of the Doctors. “Her Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome has progressed beyond recovery.”
“I know,” said another Doctor. “Not even an organ donation could save her now. Not with such a severe case like this.”
“Wait, wasn’t there an experimental procedure that’s cured MODS at this level?” asked the third Doctor.
“But the success rate for that one is less than 10%,” said the first Doctor. “I don’t think the children would want to risk those odds.”
“Shh! Quiet, her grandson is heading this way,” said the second Doctor.
Nash stared at the floor, avoiding any eye contact. He walked fast until he got inside his Mima’s hospital room.
“Hey? Something wrong?” asked Donny.
“No, no,” hurriedly replied Nash. “Was just worried you two might have been fighting again.”
“Nah, I already apologized to Seth and to Mima too,” said a smiling Donny, pointing to their awoken Grandmother.
“Mima! You’re awake,” said an energized Nash. He dropped the bag of food on the table and rushed to her bedside.
“Of course! I just fell off my bed is all,” said Daphne.
Looking at his Mima, Nash could see she was in pain. Yet, she put up a tough facade which fooled Donny, or was Donny just playing along as well?
‘Who am I kidding? She had me fooled too,’ he bitterly thought to himself, recalling the times he went past her room without worrying.
“Why didn’t you tell me about your MODS?” blurted out Nash.
“How?” asked Daphne, confused. “So, you already know about that, huh?” She shook her head and patted his hand. “I’ve already lived long enough,” she said. “And Seth and Donny don’t need to hear about that.”
“Mima? I didn’t know you know how to use MODS?” asked Donny. “What kind of game did you use MODS on?”
Their Grandmother only took a few seconds to answer the youngest Smoak. “Divine Light!” she replied with a straight face. “It was a new game Nash had me play. It was sort of fun, but I didn’t like the MODS I was given.”
“Is that an offline game?” asked Seth. “I’ve never heard of it before.”
“Well, it’s an indie game,” added Nash, covering for his Mima as well. “I doubt you’ll even find any information about it.”
“Indie game?” said Seth. “That sounds interesting. Can I play?”
“Count me in!” yelled Donny. “Is it a multiplayer?”
“No! Don’t bother with it. The game’s lousy!” said Daphne with a disgusted face and shaking her head.
“That bad, huh?” said Donny. “What about you, Nash? Did you like it?”
“No,” replied a sincere Nash, looking straight at Daphne. “I hated it as soon as I learned more about it.”
“Forget about that stupid game,” she grumbled and shifted the topic. “Would you look at that,” she said, pointing to the swaying leaves outside her window. “It’s really windy today.”
“Yeah, it’s almost that time of the year,” replied Donny.
“You, Two, might not remember this,” she said to Seth and Donny. “But your Papap used to make you, Three, dragon kites.”
“Really?” asked Seth. “What kind?”
“Long ones,” she replied. “About eight kites in total.”
“Nash, weren’t those dragon kites lovely?” she said.
“Of course, they were,” said Nash. He stepped closer to the window and looked at the blowing leaves. “Bet it would really soar high with winds like these.”
“Right?” agreed Daphne and laughed. “I was just thinking how wonderful it would be to fly those kites again.”
She then patted Seth’s and Donny’s hands and said. “Hey, how about you ask Nash to teach you how to make those kites? And then you three can come back tomorrow and fly them outside.”
“You’re kidding, right?” said Nash, chuckling. “I’ve already forgotten how to make—” he could not finish refusing their Grandmother as Donny had interrupted him.
“Come on!” protested Donny. “Mima wants to see those kites, and I think it would be a great idea.”
“Yeah, I’d like to see one too,” chimed in Seth. “Besides, don’t you want to cheer up Mima?”
“Fine! We’ll make a dragon kite when we get home,” said Nash in surrender.
“Great!” said an enlivened Daphne, urging Nash to come to her. “Thank you,” she said to him. She patted his head and stroked his black hair. They shared a conversation without words. Both agreed that Seth and Donny should not know about her Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome.
After Daphne released him, she called Seth and Donny to join in and hugged all of them at once.
“My three boys all grown up!” she said, tightening her hold on them.
“Mima, I can’t breathe!” said Donny, pulling his head out of Daphne’s embrace.
“Well, I think I’m going to get some rest,” she said and released them. “And you all go home as well.”
“Do we really have to?” asked Donny.
“Yeah, I don’t mind staying the night,” added Seth.
“No. Mima needs her rest, and she can’t do it with you two here,” said Nash.
“Alright!” complained Donny. He hugged her and Seth soon followed.
When it was Nash’s turn, he whispered in her ear. “That’s why you’ve been sleeping most of the time,” concluded Nash. “Does it hurt less when you’re asleep?”
Daphne smiled and sighed. “Yes! Now, go already!”
Nash ushered his brothers out. He waved goodbye to his Mima and blew her a kiss.
* * * * * *
To Smoke, the emergency in the real world had only been over a day. However, almost five days had already passed in the virtual realm of Zectas.
While he was settling his Mima into the hospital, he was reminded of one of her sayings: “The person who gets the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do more and dare more.”
‘Guess it’s about time I do something even more drastic,’ he thought, determined. ‘But what?’
He could not think of anything at the moment. So, he decided to see his Flame Master instead.
A small gray mouse crossed over from his right shoulder to the left. “Whoa, Daga, stop moving around,” he said to his newly named Shade. He named it after an estranged Uncle, who always nibbled at his cheese sticks, which strangely enough he always carried around in his pockets.
According to Ouragan, Shades gained experience and level, as long as they are active. Whenever a Shade is killed or deactivated, its experience and powers revert to its first summoning.
As Smoke stroked the head of the little mouse on his shoulder, his dark ember sprite whizzed above him, fast.
Igniz somersaulted, twirled, danced, just about anything he could think of to grab Smoke’s attention.
“Come on, Bud, it’s not like I’ve forgotten about you,” Smoke said to Igniz. “Now, let’s get going already!”
With that, Smoke leaped into the air, gliding swiftly towards the secluded school in the mountains.
‘Yes, th
is is exactly what I need,’ he thought, pushing out the image of his sick Mima in the hospital. ‘I’m sure she’ll recover soon.’ He convinced himself of an optimistic outcome.
Even at top speed, it still took him two hours to reach the Florissant Seminary. Looking from above, he found the institute to look smaller, although he knew that the place was over five hectares. He also noticed two Automaton Knights standing outside the seminary doors.
WOOSH
He landed softly, discreetly placing Daga on a rock. “Why don’t you explore here a bit,” he said to his Shade.
Together with an orbiting Igniz, Smoke then walked up to the Automaton Knights and greeted them. “Hey! How’s it going?”
The Knights did not reply. Instead, they stood at attention and raised their swords before Smoke.
CREAK
The sounds of rusted joints echoed, as the two large wooden doors behind them opened.
A red flame floating in the middle of the entrance hall greeted them.
“Took you long enough,” said Eleve’s voice from within the flames.
“Sorry, I had to do something important back in my world,” said Smoke, his discomfort audible in his voice.
“I see,” replied Eleve.
Suddenly, Smoke’s vision blurred, as he was teleported into a different part of the seminary.
When his eyesight recovered, he found Eleve standing directly below the massive phoenix sculpture lined with gold and rubies, which hung down from the ceiling.
“Physically you look okay,” said Eleve, who stood in front of pure white flames. “But I can tell that you are shattered inside.”
“Really?” asked Smoke, surprised that a Zectian would be concerned with events outside the realm of this virtual reality.
“Life’s challenges are paralyzing,” went on Eleve. “But don’t let it,” she said, shaking her head. “Instead, use it to help you discover who you truly are.”
“To be honest, I feel like a selfish bastard who neglected his mother,” replied Smoke. “I should have spent more time with Mima.”
Smoke paused, removed his paradox mask and wiped the tears which flowed out without warning. “I used the excuse that being here was our only way to live,” he added. “It’s my only way of supporting her and my Brothers.”
“I see,” said Eleve and paused. “Wait, I was lying,” she suddenly added. “I don’t see. I can’t claim that I understand what your other world might be like, but all I know is that if you worked hard for her, then I’m sure she has no ill feelings towards you, Faux.”
Smoke stared at her, surprised. “You know, my Brothers told me something similar.”
Eleve smiled and patted him on the shoulders.
“Anyway, let’s forget about my life in the other world,” said Smoke. “Let’s focus on the now.”
As he thought about drastic steps to make up for lost time and the fact that he had been wanting to tell Eleve about himself, he found that it was time.
“Actually, there is something else,” said Smoke. “My name isn’t technically Faux. It’s Smoke and I’m a Beggar.”
“Really?” replied the old HighElf, and she let out a more genuine smile. “I did feel that something was off about you, but I’m glad that you decided to tell me about it, Smoke.”
Eleve chuckled. “Kind of feels strange calling you something else other than Faux now,” she said.
“I’ll still answer if you call me by that name,” said Smoke. “I’ve gotten used to it.”
“So, why did you decide to change your name anyway?” asked Eleve.
“You see, it all started after two of my friends were killed by Burmistrz back in the Chayotl Kingdom,” said Smoke. He began telling Eleve about everything. From his quest of reviving Sharur and Laernea to his quest of liberating the enslaved Avendre Mercenaries, and finally his goal of defeating Burmistrz himself…
“So, that’s why you were looking for a Thaumaturge,” said Eleve, reminded from the time when she first revealed that she was the 16th Magietrois Florissant. “I’m glad that you shared those things with me,” she added.
Then, a notification window popped up.
+ Intimacy with Eleve has risen to ‘Blood Confidant’
“There’s so much I would like to tell you,” blurted out Eleve. “But my lips are currently sealed to a certain extent.”
“It’s no problem. I understand,” said Smoke. “I didn’t tell you those things so that you would open up to me. I just felt that it was the right thing to do and tell you the truth about me.”
“Hm,” said Eleve, nodding her head. “About your list of demanding tasks. I can’t do anything about the Thaumaturge, but maybe this will help with the Avendre Mercenaries.”
Fifty treasure chests appeared out of thin air, all filled with golden zec coins.
“That’s the fifty million zecs reward I got from the King,” explained Eleve. “Take it. It’s all yours.”
+ Received 50,000,000 zecs
“Oh, and there’s also this,” added Eleve, conjuring flames out of her hands. The flames died out, which revealed an ancient leather book. “Here, take it,” she said throwing the old book to Smoke.
+ Received Ability Tome: ‘Conjure Automaton Knight’
As he had fulfilled the ability tome’s requirements, the tome vanished as soon as Smoke touched it.
+ Learned Ability: Conjure Automaton Knight
Active
Level: Beginner Level 1
Experience: (0/1,000)
* Knight’s combat abilities depends on:
> The user’s knowledge of Knight Movements
> The level of this ability
*Current Maximum number of Knight(s)
> 1
Effect: Give life to Automaton Knights
MP Consumption: 500,000 MP
“As you can see, the reason the Automaton Knights are decent fighters is because—” began Eleve, but was cut off by Smoke.
“Because you have an extensive knowledge on Knights,” interjected Smoke, all psyched.
Eleve strongly shook her head back and forth. “No! It’s because I raised the level of that ability to 900. Why would I have knowledge about Knights?”
“Oh, right,” said Smoke. “Sorry, I was just hoping that you did. In that way, maybe I could have a decent army of Automaton Knights as well.”
“Well, I guess you could,” replied Eleve. “You’re supposed to be a Beggar, right? I guess if you had Knight abilities and raised them, then they would be imparted on your own Automaton Knights.”
“Really?” asked Smoke. “Well, that’s good to know.”
Then, Smoke paused and looked troubled.
“What’s wrong now?” asked Eleve. “You just received enough money to raise a village and a rare ability. Can’t you be happy longer than that?”
Smoke laughed, halfheartedly. “I am happy! Of course, I am,” he repeated himself. “But the thing is, I can’t use this ability yet.”
“Why?” asked Eleve, her eyebrows raised.
“I’m kind of a couple of mana points short from using it,” said Smoke.
“Oh,” replied Eleve. “That’s easy. Just train harder and increase your levels.”
Smoke nodded. He knew that it had been some time since he grinded for his levels. “Yup, I’ll do that,” he said, electrified.
“Maybe you can send me somewhere with high-level monsters,” said Smoke. “Something similar to the paradox monster?” he suggested.
“Sure, I can do that,” replied Eleve. “But before you go, I need to know something.”
“Anything,” said Smoke. “Ask away.”
“What do you plan to do when you find a Thaumaturge?” she asked.
“Huh? I already told you,” said Smoke. “I’m going to revive my two friends Sharur and Laernea.”
“What about the other Zectians who died during your war against Burmistrz?” questioned Eleve. “Aren’t you going to save them as well?”
Smoke could not respond. It took him a few more seconds before answering. “I would like to save them, but to be candid, my only priority is reviving those two.”
“Hm. That sounds noble and selfish at the same time,” said Eleve with a distorted face. “But honest,” she added.
Smoke could not respond. He knew that she was right, but he did not care if he was being selfish.
“I’m not judging you,” said Eleve. “I would probably do the same thing as well.”
“Really?” asked Smoke, surprised. “Glad to know that you feel the same.”
“Anyway, let’s not dwell on it,” quickly added Eleve. “Circling back to your mana problem. What about helping out a troubled village?” she said, trying to change the topic. “Perhaps helping them out could give you the needed experience to use the Automaton Knight?”
“Huh? Is it a Farming Village?” said a hesitant Smoke. “They don’t want me to go looking for crops, do they?” he asked, remembering the time he was sent by Franz Briar to fight against a tree ent. He was certain that even a hundred tree ents would not increase his level now.
“Why? Do you have a problem with a farming village? You’re too good for a gathering quest now?” asked Eleve, with a hint of ribbing sarcasm.
“No, no, I didn’t mean it like that,” defensively said Smoke. “It’s just that… Oh, nevermind!”
Smoke shoulders dropped in surrender. “Where’s the village?”
Eleve snorted, trying hard to suppress her laughter. “Here,” she said and handed him a piece of paper.
MAP LOCATION: Nadaya Village
Coordinates: Latitude: 28°16′ N, Longitude: 60°48′ W
Note: Sixty-five kilometers away from current location.
“It’s kind of far,” said Smoke, staring at his updated map with the location of the village.
“Complaining, are we?” said Eleve. “Fine, don’t do the quest,” she said, taking back the piece of paper in Smoke’s hand.
“You know what?” said Eleve. “You were more obedient when you were still Faux!”
