The carriage now hauled out of the main capital of Reuthar dragged on for a few more miles before coming to it's destination, a lavish mansion at the edge of the town's boundaries and the world outside. Making their way to the main hall, Jarren tailed the two ladies as they made it the garden.
Jarren took his leave elsewhere leaving the two ladies to have some room to breathe. Glancing over the myriads of flowers and calming landscape, Kaelin mastering enough courage bothered to ask the questions in her mind. "Are you fine with the play the two of you act? What is it's use after all?"
Lyssara chuckled much to Kaelin's shock. She had expected a far more sharp response from her given her demeanor back at the restaurant but now she knew that it was nothing more than a mask she wore. "It helps to see the real monster than wears Jarren's skin. I'm sure you know this."
A bewildered face from Kaelin elicited another chuckle from Lyssara. "It would seem that he didn't tell you. The individual known as Jarren Velros is long dead, now a monster resides in his body. The same that talks with you so casually is the same that demands to see the fall of Arcania." Kaelin had felt that Jar felt a little too mature for someone his age.
She had expected reasons for this but another being residing in the body of Jarren wasn't one of them. "What exactly is the being inside the husk of a body?" Lyssara raised the tea to her lips before taking a bird's sip. "Even I don't know what exactly wears his body but the more I read him, the less I understand."
'Is that why you play this act with him? To gauge more out of him?' This revelation hit her before taking a sip of her tea. "Some biscuits to help you." Jarren posed as he came over with a tray of light snacks. His movement refined as he placed it on the table and leaving once more.
"Does Callista know about this?" Lyssara gave a nod which bothered Kaelin. "If so then why would she engage with the unknown so casually?" Glancing at the lady seated next to her, she flashed a knowing smile. "The same reason why living brings exist, to escape from death and I am no different."
The image of Jarren in Kaelin's mind began to shift. No more was the prodigy with multilayered glyphs shocking Reuthar but a dark blur with a grin stretching too widely for comfort. A part of her wished that she never knew and yet she asked for more regarding him. "The game? What exactly is it?"
Placing her cup down, Lyssara stretched her hand out and her estoc flashed in her hand, it's design vaguely similar to her bow. "Consider it another world where you can grow stronger without a care. However it's difficulty shouldn't be overlooked." A knowing laugh escaped her lips.
"Do you wish to play? However this will have far more consequences than you could ever foresee. You might never be the same person again, forced to leave your world behind and take up something far greater." Jarren's footsteps echoed from behind, a low chuckle filling the air.
"You exaggerate too much Lyssara." His figure crashing onto one of the seats next to the two. "Be truthful, she won't be the same once she's through the gauntlet of code." He didn't bother protesting as he sank into his chair, his head turning to face Kaelin. "So Kaelin, do you wish to make this choice or do you wish to go back to your old life?"
Lazily extending his arm, his image of a devil offering a deal dampened now replaced with a casual deal that seemed trivial. Her gaze lingered at his gloved hand, hesitant of what would come to follow. "What will be of my old world? This world and those I care about?" Her question making the air turn cold.
"This world you have been born into will wither away at the hands of the others, as for your parents, that depends with why choice you make. So do you wish to play my game or decline my offer ?" His answer vague which irked her but aware of her position, she didn't make a fuss about it. The image of the ruined Ark Facility surfaced in her mind.
'I need to grow stronger to protect my family but what use does it mean if my will won't be?' Jarren persisted with his extended hand. "I hope you don't mind if I were to ask a favor from you. I just want my family to be safe." Jarren didn't falter with his grin. "Of course, they'll be in safe arms. However that is if you are alive to protect them. Once you perish then I can't tell you what will be of them."
She knew that she was asking for too much already with such a deal. 'Then I have to make sure that I live long enough for them to live.' She vowed as she shot her hand out accepting his deal. Lyssara watched the handshake, a playful grin forming on her face. "She chose to play? Truly intriguing with how the rest of the ladies will react."
The lady that she was majorly concerned with was Clomere, aware that Callista was akin to a cat, easy to distract and take care off while Clomere was as cold as ice. Her mind shivering the day she was brought to her. "I'm sure that she won't be too fond of this. But she'll learn to understand." Jarren mused as he properly sunk into his chair.
"I hope that you're ready for what's to come." And with that Kaelin's vision went dark similar to the day prior. However rather than stalling in the abyss, the world around her was filled with color, the image of a cave coming in front of her. Not far Jarren and Lyssara seemed to be waiting for her.
[{Congratulations player Kaelin for logging in}]
A notification obstructed her vision which took her by surprise.
[{Player: Kaelin}]
[{Level:0}]
[{Innate skill: None}]
[{Weapons: Bow}]
[{Active Skills: None}]
[{Passive Skills: None}]
[{Utility Skill: None}]
[{Charm: None}]
[Favor: Greatly favored by the Creators of the game}]
Lyssara's brows furrowed seeing her level of favor. 'Greatly favored? Is this the highest level given that Jarren has shown great interest in her?' She muttered to herself as she drew out her estoc. "As a creator of the game, I'm not required to actively play the game but I'm sure Lyssara could help you out."
Jarren mused, his hands pocketed now in something more casual as he was adorned in regular tunics rather than an uptight uniform.
[{You have been granted access to replay the first floor only once by one of the Creators}]
Her eyes widened with shock before her mind drifted back to Seryn. 'Were you the cause of me unable to help her back then or not?' Jarren didn't give her an answer but his smile persisted hinting at something darker. "Just have fun." He urged before his figure vanished from the scene.
The two ladies glanced at each other before Lyssara shattered the silence. "Since it would seem that you work best with a bow, you should have something else to accommodate it." Her hands making out to the weapon rack before grabbing a scimitar. It's blade glowing under the sun's rays ready to be bathed in a sea of blood.
"How about this? I'm sure you could work with this." Grabbing the scimitar, Kaelin briefly inspected it before a notification flashed once more.
[{You can place your items in your inventory}]
[{You have a hundred items that you can store}]
Lyssara's face soured seeing this. 'A hundred? It would seem that this is what Seryn feels when I accompany her.' She cursed with how blatant Jarren played favorites with them. She was sure the rest did as well which disgusted her and yet it proved to be beneficial for her. 'But then again having fifty isn't as bad in comparison to Seryn who can only store up to ten items.'
Now with the two armed, they began their first descent. Lyssara began with the basics of the game. Recalling about the increasing difficulty, the three elites of the floor and the shop. A rat appeared at the end of the hall, Lyssara hesitated giving the kill to Kaelin who drew her bow.
*Whoosh*
In an instant the rat was slain which bothered Lyssara. 'Really shameless with their game.' She sighed as the two kept on walking. With Kaelin's range and her close quarters weapon, the two were able to clear the halls relatively quickly before coming face with the first elite of the floor. "This one should be easy. Just be quick on your feet is all."
She advised as the two walked in. The scene for the fight was relatively the same as she had left it with her last dive.
[{Elite – Vermin Scourge, Gnaw back}]
The elite showed up however recalling her last dive, it didn't bother making a move on the two. 'Right! It conceded last time so it would be pointless for me to engage with it but the case is different with Kaelin.' Putting her tuck away, she muttered to Kaelin who was still taken aback with the size of the rat.
"It would seem that you'll have to face this elite by yourself but worry not. If it gets out of hand, I'll step in to lend a hand." And with that she drew back from the fight, leaning at one of the walls ready to watch the fight unfurl. The elite aware that she wouldn't be active in the fight seemed to regain it's fighting vigor as it flashed it's chrome teeth at Kaelin.
"Just don't show any fear with it and you'll be fine." Lyssara lazily chimed in, ready to see Kaelin's figure be tossed all over the room. As much as she wanted to help out Kaelin, she wanted her to have a taste with the difficulty of the game before heading to the lower floors. 'I apologize Kaelin but you can't have it that easy for you.'
A cheeky laugh escaped her lips as she watched Kaelin's shriveling figure. Clutching hard to her bow, her entire frame moved akin to a block fearful of making a move as the elite charged at her.
*Bam*
She was sent flying before crashing at the cave walls. Lyssara merely watched, aware that Jarren would like her to be more active with the fight. 'You truly are a terrible teacher.' Jarren's words echoed in her head. 'Why thank you, I learnt it from you with hoe you made his game.' Her response sharp making the conversation fall silent.
A stream of blood could be seen trail down Kaelin's lips as determination glimmered in her eyes. Lyssara watched her movements before cursing at Jarren once more. 'That's why she's so hesitant with the bow, it's not suited for her.' Seeing Kaelin switch to the scimitar, her output was far more potent than before.
Her mind recalled of her estoc. She hadn't plan her weapon to be the estoc and her that was what Jarren gave her. 'I take it that the situation is the same with Seryn and her dagger.' Clutching her forehead, she let out a frustrated groan at Jarren once more. 'You really do enjoy watching us suffer, don't you?' The lack of an answer told her all that she needed to know.
Kaelin who had been constantly clashing with the Gnaw back seemed to be falling at a disadvantage. Sure her reaction was far above the standard but the weapon in her hand required her to be close with the elite leaving her prove to far more attacks in comparison to her using her bow. 'Each time she tries to gain some distance with the elite, the rat tries to close it.'
This revelation only increased her marvel at the code of a game she played. 'But if so then it would seem that I would have to intervene and help her.' Watching Kaelin's figure be sent flying across the room once more, she drew out her tuck. 'Let's see how fast you die.' She muttered instantly closing the distance with her echo step skill.