Complete ✪ Finweald The Old and Oft-Forgotten Path

[Bradwynne]

Bradwynne found himself staring at the front of a spring one day. This spring was just a day's walk away from Finweald proper, but as it seemed, the path to this spring became overgrown with vegetation, so as while Finweald proper became more prosperous with the fall of Vintergard, this spring seemed to had been forgotten by a lot of people. Although this place was known by a name, Marsey Spring, it seemed to have been forgotten by a lot of people in that city. But he had never forgotten, for he had fond memories regarding this place that had been forgotten by most people, including that person. This spring was where he swore to become a hero that delivers swift justice, helps the needy, and heals the sick and infirm, and he still waited for the other person to heed this call of the spring. Even if it might be near impossible for her to do so. But even if she never returned to this spring, even if she would never return again, he would still be returning here again and again to reaffirm his conviction to do good and only good.

But, for so long that he had a pilgrimage here every week, for four whole years, he had never seen her here. Although he actually knew what happened to her, he had still half expected for her to even just come here, even if just absent-mindedly, even when she was still under the spell of whatever had possessed her, even when she was influenced by Dissonance. But he had never seen her figure here, or even just near here. The closest he did see her and talked with her was during their journey towards Finweald, but even after that, she had never appeared here. Not a single time. Was the spell of Dissonance too strong for her to endure? He had tried everything in his arsenal to silently purge out the Dissonance from her, but it still was not effective. What more would he need for him to be able to return her to what she used to be?

As he then pondered on these thoughts, he then remembered the Star Maiden again. The Star Maiden, that they pledged to search together. Some months after they parted ways, he had finally found her, the Star Maiden that would give them guidance for their future heroic endeavors. He had received a lot of guidance from her, and became more reinforced in his decision to be a hero. But alas, she had disappeared during the fight with Titanius, and he had not seen her again after that. She disappeared, at the time he needed her guidance again the most, as he had found his partner again at that time, who had been brainwashed by a powerful entity related to the Dissonance, and stayed that way even after the brainwashing had been seemingly removed. If ever, he wanted to know, what would the Star Maiden do in that situation. If ever, he wanted to ask the Star Maiden, what would she do if she was in his situation.

He was lost in these thoughts as he watched the goings-on in the spring, which was as calm as his thoughts were noisy. He just smiled at that small thought process as he continued to reminisce the old times that will never come again and might never repeat again. So long as that person was still lost to Dissonant thoughts.

 

[Hanno Futaba]

With the list in his hand, Hanno double-checked it before tucking it inside his pocket. So far, there wasn't as many as he would expect, something that was not so bad news in his mind. It seemed that after everything was revealed, even if people didn't stop playing the game, they were at the very least far more cautious about it. Pretty much like someone practicing extreme sports.

As those thoughts wandered in his mind as he continued to move further, hoping to get in Finweald soon, a place that he considered would grow the list immensely.

Eventually, a golden color caught the side of his sight, and when he turned to look at the source, it was a familiar figure. One of the many unpleasant surprises he had when reading the list. His lips pursed, but his muscles softened in a way. The truth was that he wanted to go there and talk to him about it, but his expressions showed his mind was somewhere else.

Instead, he decided to just approach without those intentions, pushing those thoughts for another time, or if it happened to come up soon.

"Hey man," Hanno spoke quietly, adjusting the shield on his back and looking at him with a soft expression. He was still accepting that the list Levi gave to him held the truth.

"Lookin' a bit pensive. Reflecting about stuff?" He asked, in his usual friendly way.

@Bradwynne

 

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

Kamala was lost! How could someone who wanted to join the Explorers League find herself in this situation?

She heaved a deep sigh. She knew exactly why, but she dared not blame one of her fellow farmers from Pormont. The young man had given her a terrible map, with directions not even pointing out names, only containing arrows and hearts and a doodle of a smiling head. Someone really needs to learn cartography. Or maybe just basic map-making, specifically remembering names and avoiding random art.

Fortunately for the farmer, she found two people who appeared pretty friendly. She heaved another sigh, this time a grateful one. With her basket of fresh fruits and other crops, balanced deftly on her head, she approached them with a warm smile, hoping that they would be able to help her out. Or her them. If there was anything people always said about Kamala, it was that she often prioritized others before her. Often to her own disadvantage. Just like in real life.

"H-hello! Do you guys know the way to Folk St. Market?" Kamala then noticed that while one of them seemed to have some sort of a list in hand, the other one seemed to be more lost in thought. Are they also...lost? Maybe I can help. She can't even help herself at the moment. "Are you guys all right?"

@Bradwynne @Hanno Futaba

 

[Bradwynne]

As Bradwynne was still reflecting on those fleeting memories, he then suddenly heard a voice. He was so surprised hearing that familiar voice that he then almost stumbled backwards as he turned towards the speaker, his boots getting entangled with the numerous root trailers of the thick grass he was stepping on as he turned. Fortunately the really long ootachi that was sheathed on his back acted as some sort of a crutch as he then managed to recover.

"Ah, it's you, Hanno." Bradwynne said those words after he had recomposed himself. It was that same @Hanno Futaba that he accompanied on that real-life excursion that unearthed what had really happened to a friend and one of the ex-Witch Ops member, Sean Poteitoku. But sadly, he had ended up in the same situation as Sean this time around. He was thinking then that he had no words to say to Hanno this time around, after he knew what was going to happen and ended up dying a third time anyway. But he knew there will be no excuses this time around. Last time they were drunk as hell, this time they were sober.

"I was just thinking of some things in the past that sadly might never happen again." That sentence was indeed true, he would not know if there was actually a way to turn that woman into what she used to be. But maybe this was the effect of growing up, and he should know: he was forced to grow up after that third death. "As you should know, this was the place where I vowed to become a hero five years ago. I was too young then to know the nuances of war and killing, and since that time I forced myself to know what it truly meant."

As he was speaking, he then heard yet another voice. This time it was from a catwoman unknown to him (@Kamala Graham), who was seemingly lost and had stumbled into this area. Bradwynne then felt himself quite blushing: he had said some intimate matters to someone he did not know, and he was embarrassed thinking about it.

"IfyouaretalkingaboutFolkStMarketthenitshouldbeattheotherbendfromhere. AndyesweareallrightIamjustvisitingthisplaceandhehappenedtoseeme." He said those words in a rapid fire matter that was quite unintelligible to those who hear them as he was quite flustered.

 

[Hanno Futaba]

Hanno blinked at Bradwynne's reaction, having a small smile on his lips when he realized it was him. "Yeah buddy, it is me." He said, walking closer to his friend while listening to him further. The mention of past things that might never happen again made him think instantly about the UI-Lock. Did he mean something to his family? Or did he mean something that happened in these four long years?

Standing next to him, Hanno looked at Bradwynne solemnly, nodding. "Unfortunately most of the people that get caught in war and killing are the ones that don't want to." After all, aside from some crazy-minded, war was something undesirable.

"You didn't just vow it at the time. You became one." Hanno smiled faintly at him. "You know..."

But before he could continue, the words from a woman made him pause and turn around, seeing the familiar face. "Oh hey, I know you! You are from the Lion Arms meeting with the newbies. Glad to see you around, buddy." Hanno grinned, resting a hand on his waist and peeking at Brawynne's reaction, chuckling and smirking.

"He means that if you need to go to Folk St. Market, it is another long walk, I think about a day or less depending on your pace." He tried to translate roughly, or well, just said what he knew.

"Sorry about him. He gets a bit flustered when talking to a pretty woman." Hanno nudged him playfully, then looked at the catwoman again. "And you? Are you okay yourself?"

@Bradwynne @Kamala Graham

 

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

"Oh, I see," Kamala stared at @Bradwynne, initially a little confused at the way he was speaking but just chalked it up to a communication barrier. That's probably just the way they talk where they're from. She didn't want to judge him for being the way he was. She had no right. Plus, everyone was wonderful in their own way. There was nothing else to it. His cheeks are a little red, though. Maybe he's had too much to drink?

"Ah! So that's why you were so familiar," Kamala offered @Hanno Futaba a warm smile, though she did not yet know his name. She figured there were so many people in that meeting, that she couldn't have possibly introduced herself to everyone, especially with all that rain and the Lions' roof leaking. Everyone was too busy helping, and in the end, they all just parted ways. "I'm Kamala, by the way. Kamala Graham."

The explanation led to her heaving a sigh of relief. That direction was much easier to understand and to follow, but it was not anyone's fault. Again, everyone was wonderful in their own way. She turned to look towards the distance, a little disappointed that it was yet another long walk, though she knew she shouldn't complain. She was doing it all not for herself but for the others back in Pormont.

"Pretty?" She turned back to them, a little taken aback by the statement. She wasn't offended, just surprised that anyone would find her pretty. Then again, who was she to judge anyone else's standards? To that, Kamala just let out a chuckle. At least they seemed fine and healthy. She was worried there for a bit. "Well, I'll take that as a compliment then. I'm so sorry for bothering you both! I have a map, but it's not as clear as I'd have hoped. Here..." She then took a flying alligator fruit from her basket, one for each of them, as a token of appreciation for their help. "...take these. It's the least I could offer to repay your kindness."

 

[Bradwynne]

Bradwynne was still quite flustered, as @Hanno Futaba then explained the reason why he was like that, or at least what he had been thinking; that he was actually entranced by this catwoman's looks or something. Immediately the embarrassment went away from his system and got replaced with pretend sulkiness, though a cutesy one at that.

"It is not like that! I just really don't like it when my intimate matters were exposed to a real stranger, you know! Also, it's not like that catwoman is ugly or something; yes, she is a cute one, but that's not the reason!"

He then turned away from Hanno, and then sat down on the grass hugging his knees with one arm and drawing random things with the index finger of the other. Although what it was was quite unintelligible.

"Jeez, I thought you were a friend and you just wrung me out in the open like that. I did not really expect that from you."

When he then recovered from his bout of sulking, Bradwynne turned around and faced the catwoman who introduced herself as @Kamala Graham, who then gave each of them a quite strange fruit. Come to think of it, he had seen this fruit quite a number of times but he still did not manage to eat one.

"Thank you, Kamala. Although I am quite intrigued so as how to eat this one."

Maybe removing the skin will actually do the trick? He then took out a pocket knife from his vest pocket, and then sliced off a portion of the skin which revealed a white flesh with splotches of black which he thought were the seeds of the fruit. Really strange. Although he did not know if he should remove the black parts, maybe he should just learn the hard way as he then proceeded to tear the skin and opened the fruit like a book to reveal the flesh in all of its glory, and then took a bite out of it. The flesh was watery like a watermelon, but also tasted as sweet as one. Although the flavor profile should be quite different.

"Tastes really refreshing. Now I wanted to buy more of them whenever they would be available. Now, did you two just say that you met each other in a Lion Arms meeting? If ever, I wanted to say sorry in advance, that kind of thing really looked like an interrogation more than anything. Looks like Boss Levi was really concerned, and for a good reason."

 

[Hanno Futaba]

Hanno nodded at Kamala's realization. "Yeah! it was a bit chaotic, but it would be hard to miss ya." He said, remembering the woman being carried around in the middle of the mess that was happening.

When Bradwynne started sulking, Hanno wrapped his arm around his shoulder and laughed heartily, giving a gentle pat on his shoulder. "Come on, of course you are my friend, buddy! I am just joking with you." He said playfully, peeking up at Kamala and grinning when she offered the fruit, unwrapping the arm around his buddy and taking the fruit. "Hey, thank you! And yeah, it was a compliment." Hanno chuckled, getting the fruit open to take a good bite of it, humming cheerfully at its taste and shaking his head. "Nah, you aren't bothering us, buddy." He said, reassuring before glancing at Bradwynne.

"Yeah, Levi was very serious about everything. But I think he, Chad and Mimi did a good job on introducing everything and welcoming everyone." Hanno said to Brad, smiling faintly and casting a glance at Kamala.

"Did you choose a faction to join in?" He asked.

@Bradwynne @Kamala Graham

 

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

"Well, now that you know my name, I suppose we're not strangers anymore?" Kamala gave @Bradwynne a warm smile, hoping to get the most positive of responses, even though neither of the men were yet to introduce themselves to her. She did enjoy watching him sample the fruit with bated breath and delighted when his response was indeed very positive. Kamala even made tiny claps, bouncing in place. "I'm glad you liked it! I'm selling it at the market in behalf of our farm in Pormont. I'll give you both a discount if you do!"

With regards to the Lion Arms thing, Kamala could only shrug. At this point, she was still unsure whether she'd commit to them. After all, she was only there because they bribed her with stuff for the farm. She wouldn't have accepted any of it, but prioritized the farm's needs and well-being over her own sense of honor and any other such prejudices. "They seemed like fine people, though I'm still uncertain whether they'd have a place for little old me!"

Kamala could only chuckle at @Hanno Futaba's statement, taking to it as another compliment. Was she that memorable? She didn't linger on the thought any further, noting that it would be more based on another's perception. "That's good to know! Are you both joining the Lions?"

 

[Bradwynne]

When @Kamala Graham mentioned her being not a stranger anymore now that Bradwynne now knew her name, he just stroked his chin with his index finger as he then said, "Yes, I suppose we're not strangers anymore." But still those matters that he was thinking about was still not something that he would say to a new acquaintance, although he would just leave it as that. Hopefully she would just forget, although he would not mind anyway if she didn't.

"By the way, I am Bradwynne. Bradwynne Lambert. As for me, I can really be found everywhere, but in some days I have a small job in Stokbon as a waiter and chef. Maybe I will come visit that farm if time will permit. Also I am currently associated with the Lion Arms."

He then turned towards @Hanno Futaba, as he really missed him a lot within these four years. Of course, as well as the other former Witch Ops members that he did not meet yet.

"Yeah, of course they are really good blokes. All of them in fact. Although sometimes they always do things in a rush. Like probably when Boss Levi received the news that the Travelers are coming back here. You might have known his circumstances."

Bradwynne then looked up in the sky for a short time. "It was really hard when the reality of the situation had hit us. Especially if we had a family back there that loved us a lot. It was a reality hard to swallow, but sometimes we had to deal with it like a grown man should. Even if we are mere minors when it strikes us. As for me, I had to grow up even if prematurely."

He then turned towards Hanno again. "It feels really good to see old friends like you whenever I think of the situation back there. The Grand Witch as well. Although I do have a lot of fear that everyone that mattered to me might end up as I did."

 

[Hanno Futaba]

At the mention of name from Kamala, Hanno blinked realizing he has been rather rude not introducing himself. "Oh, my bad. My name is Hanno, Hanno Futaba." He said, a bit sheepish this time even if he still had his cheerful grin on his face, then watching the woman being so happy about Bradwynne's like to the fruit, that was indeed very tasty. At the mention of 'our farm', Hanno blinked surprised.

"You got a farm, buddy? You need to show us some time. I'm a chef myself, so having a good spot to buy fresh ingredients would be great." Hanno said, interested in the idea of getting his hands on some good material to work with. With his surprise growing at Bradwynne's reveal. "We need to cook together someday, man." He said.

His attention then shifted to Kamala again, chuckling. "It is all good, buddy. You need to be somewhere you are comfortable with, and that it can help you to achieve your dreams in this place." If the Lion's Arms wasn't ideal, it was completely fine.

"I am in the Lions too yeah. I used to be in the Monster Hunters in the past, but with all the events occurring... I think I can help more people in Lion's Arms." Hanno said, then looked at Bradwynne with a solemn expression.

"Honestly... I didn't expect all of that to happen. No one did. It caught all of us by surprise, and..." Hanno lingered his eyes on Brad for a moment, feeling his heart tighten. "... I'm not going to lie. I was devastated to learn about a lot of things when this world became accessible again... Levi's list of UI Locked players was a hit I didn't expect." He didn't say it in a judging manner, but rather in a vaguely sorrowful tone, one that he tried to brighten up right away.

"The best we can do now, is not let anyone fall into this trap again."

@Bradwynne @Kamala Graham

 

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

"Oh, a Lion waiter AND chef in Stokbon? Any place I might know?" Kamala tilted her head towards @Bradwynne, genuinely impressed at how he was able to multitask the two very separate fields. Being a hero was one thing, but also being in the service industry? The amount of stress that all that must put on him, Kamala could only imagine. She could barely survive farm work.

She listened intently to what Bradwynne was saying, sympathizing with his emotions. Kamala had no idea what he had gone through, but she could feel the pang of whatever he had survived through his words. She wondered if it was all worth it. In some ways, perhaps it was. Even in the deepest darkness, there would always be light, even if just a tiny spark of it.

"Yes!" Kamala beamed with pride as she turned to @Hanno Futaba. "Well, it's more of a communal farm. With others like us and not like us." Referring to the non-Players as NPCs felt a little weird for her at the moment, though it didn't always. Her eyes widened in amazement at Hanno's revelation. "Another Lion chef? Wow! You guys are amazing! I'd love to partner with you both if you're interested? But maybe I'll have a talk with the others at the farm first."

"UI-locked?" Kamala turned to each of them, one after another, a little confused. "What's that?"

 

[Bradwynne]

As @Hanno Futaba mentioned that he was also a chef, he became really interested. This was actually a facet that he did not know about Hanno yet, and so wondered what could he cook. Although he also wondered how a small guy like him would go around the kitchen to make dishes if ever, considering the height of the countertops built these days. But hey, at least yet another short guy did it here before, so maybe they had made countertops and appliances to accommodate such a height.

"Oh, another chef? Now I want to try to sample your creations. You know, I had become interested in lots of different foods because I really love to eat a lot. Of course I balance it with exercise, which resulted in the large figure you see today. Fortunately the growth is balanced so I really look like an overgrown teenager, but I am a full-fledged adult now!"

He then puffed his chest with pride at his current stature as he laughed. When @Kamala Graham then asked about where he was currently working, Bradwynne replied, "I am currently working in a large tavern known as The Fancy Pepper. For those who can tolerate spicy foods and drinks, that is the place to be! If you visit every Saturday and Sunday, there is a good chance you will see me there." That was his current schedule, although sometimes when the owner needs his help, he could always fly away to that place. Especially whenever that particular grump shorty (@Darko Ljubicic) arrives and orders food just to tease him a bit. He should have irritated him far enough to rebuild that old place, so that their rivalry would begin again. It should be really nice to drive himself to the limits again when it comes to culinary arts, and with the influx of Travelers right now, it should be really interesting if there were chefs among them like Hanno here.

But that latter thought then coincided with the discussion of UI-locked people in this world, and Bradwynne, who by then was in a jolly mood, became more somber as he heard it. He then said to Hanno who mentioned that he joined in the Lion Arms for that reason, "In any case I am really glad that you have joined us. As I have noticed, there were an influx of new people as well as old ones like you who started to 'play this game'." He emphasized the latter words so as to make it a sarcastic remark. "There were some people who don't know it yet and were plunged unawares, and so Boss Levi was rightly alarmed by this. You know, since he was also UI-locked. Like our friend Sean, and, so you might know, like me as well." He then started to change his tone into a more wistful one. "When I discovered that fact, I could not help but worry about people who were UI-locked really early. What if they die another time without someone to revive them? And immediately then, one of the people I cherished a lot went on an expedition, and she had already received her third death. Fearing the worst that could happen to her, I joined in as well, fully confident in my skills as a divine magic user. As it turned out, my skills weren't as foolproof as I thought they would be. But at least, no one suffered a permanent death there. But I ended up losing my access to my UI." He then turned to Kamala, who had earlier asked what did UI-locked meant, and then said, "I thought that you might have known already since Boss Levi even tried to round up every Traveler in Brisshal into that tavern to tell that thing, but I guess he really did rush things a lot. But you need to know this, since I, as well as Hanno over there, were the first ones to unfortunately discover this. Being UI-locked is what happens when you receive a third death in this world. After that death, you will become an entity that is no different from those who are native here. The worst part, your body in that world we call as our real world... will be dead after that third death here. The next time you die here after that... you are permanently dead." He then left Kamala to digest on this fact, since it was indeed a serious thing.

 

[Hanno Futaba]

Hanno tried really hard to not voice how cute it was of Bradwynne to tell he was a full-fledged adult. He sounded like a teenager eager to be an adult, and Hanno knew better than to tease him about it- Especially because it is true, he is a full-fledged adult now, even if when he met him in real life, he was just a kid.

Shifting his eyes to Kamala, Hanno nodded eagerly. "You can consider the partnership done as soon as your friends agree with the idea." He said, confidently before peeking at Bradwynne. "You can bet, buddy. I will cook you anything you want, just say the word. In exchange, you will need to feed me and Ghast something." Hanno said, and the giant shield on his back rumbled quietly.

When Kamala questioned about the UI-Lock, Hanno froze onto place, crossing his arms and pursing his lips. He thought she already knew about it, especially after the reunion with the Lion's Arms. Bradwynne went ahead, explaining every single bit and piece of it, which Hanno nodded in agreement, turning to the beastfolk girl right after.

"What Brad said is completely right. You need to be very careful upon getting deaths in this game, because a third one will mean your real body... Is dead." He said, holding his breath and looking at Bradwynne. "So that's how it happened. Despite knowing the danger, you wanted to keep someone you cared for safe." Hanno crossed his arms, understanding the reasoning behind his actions now.

@Bradwynne @Kamala Graham

 

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

"The Fancy Pepper..." Kamala tried to remember if she had been in such a place before, putting a finger on near her bottom lip as she furrowed her eyebrows to concentrate on her attempt, but to no avail. Either has never been there before or she was not remembering the place. Somewhere with spicy food? I'd definitely remember that. She turned to @Bradwynne with a disappointed sigh. "...I don't think I've ever been there..." But then immediately perked up with a promise. "...but I'll definitely check it out now! I love spicy food!"

"Great! I'll tell them as soon as I get back home!" Kamala made those tiny claps in place again as she gave @Hanno Futaba a very excited smile. She knew the folks back at Pormont would love that idea. Having a consistent partner to sell their crops to would be so beneficial to everyone who's been working hard, which was actually everyone including herself.

The boys' information soon made Kamala feel a bit glum. Third death... Becoming like the natives? Dead in the real world! Kamala's eyes widened in horror at that revelation. Was that what happened to her friend? Did they just die more than three times in here, and then followed suit in the real world? Kamala swallowed air, more than a little concerned. "Is that a consistent thing or has anyone died more than three times and still lived to tell the tale?"

 

[Bradwynne]

As @Kamala Graham agonized about the information she had received about the UI-locked, Bradwynne was also thinking if what he did was for the best. Was he in the right in shattering this woman's dreams within this world just to tell an inconvenient truth? But this information should be disseminated to as more people as possible. And so he would try to steel himself during this conversation, and agonize it a bit later by himself. Or with his old friends.

But it had seemed Kamala still had difficulty in swallowing the truth, as she asked if it was consistent. Bradwynne just nodded his head solemnly and slowly, adding, "I am hoping against hope that it is not consistent, but it is. Although it was not supposed to be this way, I dare think. If ever, I wanted all of this to be a massive lie. Or if ever it was the truth, then we are the only ones who will suffer from this."

He then sighed, and then continued, "There were already reports of people who could not log themselves out in some situations, more particularly when the Astorean Revolution started and the King of Falderen had imprisoned some Travelers. Those who were imprisoned could not log themselves out, at a time when they were in serious danger and would have profited from a breather. But still, even during that and some time after, Travelers could still die as many times as they want, not fearing any consequences in the real world. But that was before the Dissonance started to appear."

He then bit his lip as he turned towards @Hanno Futaba. "That friend that I cherished the most that had set me into the path of heroism, in this spring where we together had swore to become heroes, had fallen into Dissonance, as she became dead in the real world and her behavior had turned upside down by it. But even with that I still clung with hope against hope that someday she will return to what she used to be, as I had met her here, pure, innocent, but determined to the core to save everyone."

 

[Hanno Futaba]

Hanno nodded satisfied at the acceptance of Kamala of the deal, they could work on tasty food now, all the three together!

However the conversation wasn't being too tasty this time, and once again Hanno could only nod in confirmation for Bradwynne's explanation. "All the cases are the same. The only difference is that people that die three times and people who were locked down, is that people who die three times have their body dead in real life." He said, glancing at Bradwynne.

"I am not sure if you could like... keep the body alive, or something. Just like someone in vegetative state." Hanno said, unsure of any way to work around it.

"There isn't really a way for someone to talk to the outside world from here, unless someone logs in the game to talk to them, or if someone from inside the game sends a message for you. So it is a tough situation in all ways possible." Hanno explained, not wanting to panic the woman, but she needed to know all the truth and the risks.

And honestly, if she logged off to never log in again, Hanno would be relieved.

@Bradwynne @Kamala Graham

 

[Kamala Graham]

‧͙⁺˚･❀･˚⁺͙‧

"Are the two of you..." Kamala wasn't quite sure how to phrase her question properly as she shifted her gaze between @Bradwynne and @Hanno Futaba. If they knew about this whole UI-locked thing, why were they still playing the game? That first answer that came to her mind was the saddest one. She dared not even fully accept the thought. Kamala fought to stay on the positive side of things. "You're both all right, right?"

"The Dissonance?" Kamala continued listening intently as she was informed of the game world's past. "I'm so sorry to hear that..." She lamented with Bradwynne, even though she had not met his friend, though with the conversation drowning in sad things, the overall feeling was not hard to miss. "She sounds like she was a great friend."

There was nothing else left for her to say as she contemplated her next move. Kamala had been enjoying her time in the game, especially after meeting the other Players and the non-Players that welcomed her and started the farm in Pormont with her, but with this stark realization of the deadly risks involved, she wondered if it would be much better if she told people to log out and just play some other game together. What about my friend? I still need to find them, and figure out what happened to them here... Maybe they're still somewhere in this game... I need to find out...

 

[Bradwynne]

As Bradwynne listened to @Hanno Futaba's remarks about taking the bodies and put them into a vegetative state, he then pondered on that possibility. If ever they found a way to return those souls into the real world back to their former bodies again, it should be good. But...

"Looks like it would not be possible anytime soon. Not to mention the great cost that it would entail, it had seemed from my conversations with other Travelers that the VRSA banned any mention of Terrasphere in America, and I do not know if other countries followed their lead. I for one thought that my body could not be saved if ever, since we do came from a quite poor Irish household. They would just put me out of my misery, and I would not blame them if they did. The only thing I could do now is to reduce the number of casualties as much as possible."

He then turned towards @Kamala Graham, who insinuated that they were both crazy for staying here in this world after they had uncovered the truth. She maybe had not said this out of contempt, but out of concern for them both. Bradwynne then replied, "Maybe I should have ran away as soon as possible from this world when I had the chance to. I am actually too young in that world to suffer such a fate. Maybe I should have continued studying there towards whatever goal I might had in the future. But as I then felt this world which I thought was just a game becoming an actual and separate reality, I came to cherish the bonds that I had fostered with my friends here, and for some of them who cannot return to that world, I endeavored to become their support when other people would just choose to run away. Crazy, I know, betting my own safety, and also my bonds in the other world just to do that. But I could not simply ignore them all. And when the people I cared the most were in danger of dying permanently, I could not help but to make sure that they do not."

He then turned towards the spring. "Especially her. She was also too young to suffer such a fate, so I endeavored to help her as she had helped me before. Back then I was what you call a 'gamer', killing people in this world for fun, even if they were mere bandits. I also joined a war, where I thought that I would catch a thrill of a lifetime. But as soon as I realized the truth, that this was a world of its own, as I saw the immediate families of those that I killed were as furious as they might have been if they were in the other world, I felt the gravity of my actions started to haunt me for a long time that even as I sleep in the other world I was inundated with the images of dead soldiers and their families crying and screaming. As she had comforted me in those trying times, I endeavored to be a rock for her now that she must be suffering here. Especially now that she was affected with the Dissonance and might be continuing to do things that she would regret in the future as I did before. As I see it, if she continues to be affected by Dissonance, she will descend to its deeper end as her actions and the resulting regret from it would spiral her further and further into doing much more heinous things."

 

[Hanno Futaba]

"Yeah. This would only be viable for a rich family, and even then..." Hanno held his breath at the possibilities. It was a fucked up situation no matter how you saw it, the chance of finding a solution was nearly null. What a family would do knowing that their child, parent, or sibling was gone without any chance of coming back? It was just... Complicated.

Kamala's words and concern made Hanno smile bittersweetly. "I only have one death on me. Not even close to an UI-Lock and I am careful, but... I can't just leave my friends in here." Hanno said, glancing at Bradwynne, but also thinking about many others. "There are people stuck in here that need help, that need news from the outside world, that need a hand and a shield to not be gone for good-" He then looked at the beastfolk woman.

"And there is you, and those like you, Kamala. Who log in this game and don't understand the consequences of it. Or join, know the consequences but continue to play anyway. These still have some degree of salvation, and we can't ignore it." Hanno said with a gentle expression, perhaps serious but not wanting to drag the mood even lower.

Hanno then glanced at Bradwynne, resting a hand on his shoulder. "If there is anyone that can save her, it is probably you, buddy. But please don't hesitate to ask for assistance. If there is anything you need help with, let me know."

@Bradwynne @Kamala Graham