Standing on the balcony, Amane tried to fall into parade rest as the princess approached, clasping her hands behind her back in what she hoped was a sophisticated-looking posture. She couldn't be sure of how dignified she actually looked, but her kimono did a good job of keeping her back straight, so on that front she couldn't have failed too badly. As she stood in silent witness to the exchange between the princess and Astor, the felis tried her best to muffle her shock at what transpired. A spell to create a...bond of some sort? A binding contract. A lethally binding contract. She hadn't even known something like that was possible with player-based magic. Granted, she had done little experimentation herself, but...as hard as it was to remember sometimes, was this not a game? No matter how hard they pushed, it seemed like there were virtually no limits to their ability — no system or mechanic to bar their way. If the idea were not completely ridiculous, she would have believed this world was real.

And now it looked like they were pushing the boundary once more. Until now they had been reacting to events — invading the castle in response to the Yladians' plea, escaping when captured...but an assassination attempt would be completely on their terms. Sure, the princess might have suggested it, and while not entirely unprovoked, the act of taking the King's life wasn't just a passive response to the happenings around them. Rather, they would be influencing and turning the event on its head.

It didn't sound like Astor was looking for a secondary opinion; the king seemed to have made up his mind. Now, should she join in the attempt, or do her part to protect the castle? Her first instinct would be to stay back. Killing anyone for revenge didn't sit right with her, and that was precisely what this undertaking felt like deep down — she doubted much people actually cared about the political situation of Falderen, as long as it affected them not. This wasn't their battle, but defending the castle was. But the more she thought about it, the more she felt like she had to join in. Infiltrating and storming Falderen's capital couldn't possibly be easy, and the group would need healers. Most of the top players Astorea had to offer were all her friends, or at least acquaintances, comrades...Amane wouldn't have been able to live with herself if they died, and she hadn't been present. As much as assassination grated on her morals — for how dishonourable did they have to be, to murder someone in their own home? — she couldn't, wouldn't, abandon the people she had fought alongside. Besides, she consoled herself, this could prevent more deaths. While one life lost to save the many was still not justified...the end result remained that less deaths would have been caused by her hands. The coward's way out: she had killed twelve people in one swoop when imprisoned; killing the King would pale in comparison.

Letting out a soft sigh after the princess was done, Amane's posture sagged with weariness, her time behind bars taking its toll. She wondered what everyone else thought about such an undertaking...and, more importantly, who would sign up.

 

Emerath had wound up in the city, he was sure, entirely by chance. He recounted the story of how he reached the area as he looked at the posting for the defense of the city.

Finding the Event

He was aimlessly walking around Honeyhome, when he heard some players talking about war. Now, war isn't normally something that a man would go about getting his nose into, especially on his first day. But this was an MMO. War was the name of the game here. This is where the big bads were, where the world enders lived. And sure, he had only just started, but why not shape up the competition?

And so, he listened to some players talk about said war, and found out that the King of Astoria, supposedly Emerath's king had plans to attack another kingdom. Or something. Emerath got lost in the details once he started thinking about what any good MMO gamer would think about, and that was loot.

Eventually, the players left, and Emerath, clambered out of the inn after them, making about as much noise as possible with the other players on their way to war definitely noticing him. As one turned and glared at him, Emerath just smiled and gave a light wave, before one of the others smiled back and waved for him to join them. Emerath gave a sigh of relief, and skipped after them. He had an in on where to go, and the loot when he got there.

To the City

North was the name of the game. Unfortunately, Emerath was entirely surrounded by strangers, and so he just kept to himself as they led the way. He tried to ask questions that any sane newbie would ask, "Where are we going?" and "Why are we going there?" and "Who is the king?" and "Why does the other king need to die?" Basically all he got was groans and the occasional, "Man, he's really new isn't he? Why'd you let him come with us?" and Emerath would just fade back into the background again. But that was fine with him, as he took in the sights of the area. The game was more than beautiful. He marveled at the idea that this was what it looked like back in the medieval days before technology took everything over.

Rolling hills, dense forests, lush meadows, castles, villages, farms. Though he could do without as much of the farms. Cow dung wasn't the greatest smell in the world, and he'd be happier if he could do with much less of it. And while it took them the better part of the day to reach Dormont, he realized that he hadn't noticed it. Though what he had noticed was how war torn the area was. The capital was bustling, sure, but you could also tell that it was devastated. "Did the other guys do this? Is that why we want to kill them?" Emerath asked one of the people he had been following, only to have them roll their eyes at him again. "Can we ditch him?" one of them pleaded to the others, as Emerath gave a sour face and said, "Look, I may not be good at the whole social thing, but I know that that's rude."

Lost in the Crowd

As Emerath marveled at Dormont, despite it's wartorn state it still had a natural beauty of an old city, he found himself walking into a throng of people walking this way and that. Guards tried to wrangle players for the war effort, and others were signing up for what seemed to be more dangerous missions. Emerath looked around to turn back to his new "friends" that he had traveled with, only to find that they were gone. Disappeared in the sea of people preparing for an MMO event. "Well, thanks for getting me here... jerks," he muttered to himself as he sighed and made his way to one of the nearby postings swarmed by players.

Emerath managed to make his way to the front, and read the postings. One for an assassination, high ranking players, blah blah blah. Nope, not for Emerath. One for a tunnel expedition, high ranking players, blah blah blah. Still not for Emerath. And then he saw the posting about the defense of the city. Something "all are welcome" to participate in. Well, that was right up Emerath's alley with his one day veteran status. He would probably still suck, but hey, at least he could try right?

Back to the Present

"...and now we're here!" Emerath said to what appeared to be a very bored guard. "Look, are you even listening? I'm trying to tell you a fun story, brighten your shift up a little, and here you are dozing off on me." Emerath threw his hands up in the air and said, "This is why I don't talk to people in MMOs. Nobody likes the new kid. Just wait until I get stronger, then I'll make sure everyone wants to be my friend!"

The guard just scowled at Emerath, and finally said, "Look, do you want to join the defense effort or not? I have to get more adventurers, unless you plan on doing it alone?" Emerath rubbed the bridge of his nose after realizing once more that he wasn't wearing glasses there again. "Yes, I'd like to join the defense effort, do as you must. Sorry for taking up your time, sir."

Emerath wearily made his way over to a nearby short wall to sit, suddenly realizing how tired he was from walking all that way and the eventful nature of his first day. "Going to war on day one. I have to be insane!" he muttered to himself.

 

Lucia chuckled a little, nodding back to Astor's request, it wouldn't be hard for her to pull off provided the Princess and her subjects weren't capable of detecting it. She had a great deal of magic power after all, Necromancy like an infection to rot someone away into oblivion wouldn't take a lot of effort. Glancing back to @Astor Balthas she could only rub her chin as she spoke in the same hushed voice. "I'll need either something she'll keep close at hand... or at least time to set it up without anyone scanning her closely. Either one would be enough." She mused, for subterfuge, Malefimancy wasn't exactly in your face when it came to cursing, but there was no reason not to be careful, unsure when seers might be present and investigating she'd find a good moment to lay one down.

Otherwise, if Astor had a useful charm or something to offer the princess as 'protection' while in reality letting it be their insurance would be much more useful as well. Regardless of how Astor wanted to go about it though, Lucia was prepared to make it happen as fluidly and subtly as possible.

 

She'd been told by someone or another after the rather harsh return to the ground that it was time to start preparing for the next step in their eminent war against the NPCs of Falderen- and, although she was naturally impulsive in this world, Solaria wasn't too keen on being ill prepared when she was planning to aid anyone she could in not meeting a grisly death.

Of course, she started out wandering the city a bit awkwardly- she knew the lay of the land, but she was feeling a bit...dizzy. She wasn't sure what it was about falling a good hundred or so feet from the air, but it really had an impact on her head. She was fairly sure she didn't have a concussion, at least. Others, however, might fight her on that- because she was regularly bumping into people in the crowd, trying to find the best place to get some extra training and supplies in for the next trek of the trip.

Seeing a few signs for different needs the city had in preparation, she was on her way to the sign ups for the tunnel expedition to see if she could help- when, as expected of someone still trying to regain their bearings, she tripped and nearly knocked someone at another desk over, just landing a hair's breadth from their feet. "Ow... I got lucky the first time with the stuff laid out on the ground... Man it hurts..." Shifting, she stood up on her own, about to apologize to one of the strangers when she heard their words ring in their ears.

"Entering a war on your first day isn't that strange if you ask me. I think I started taking part in a major battle my first week myself. Though... Now that I think about it, no one really calls me sane. Not often insane, either, but... It's kind of just a neutral thing to do? You should just do what seems fitting for you, right?"


@Emerath Katou

 

It was a bittersweet precession that lead them back to Dormont; more a funeral march than a parade. Those who fell in the valiant effort we're carted back by the caravans which once carried them toward the front. The wounded limped alongside the fetid meatwagons, a pathetic display of the cost of this war.

The cost of all wars, Kijin corrected himself grimly.

He walked with one sleeve hung off his person, half his torso exposed. Dried and still slick blood alike marked his torso, a sure sign that he was wounded in the previous battle. Each step he took burned him from hip to shoulder, but he refused to show any of the pain on his face.

He gripped at the sheath of his katana tightly as they breached the city limit, and the small band of townsfolk prepared to meet them sucked in a breath. Instead of cheers, they were greeted with a haunted expression, and evident worry.

"We have the list of fallen on hand," a crier announced loudly for the crowd, "and I will name them now for you. Please refrain from harassing the caravan as they pass back into the city."

Kijin watched as a small boy, hands tightly gripping either arm of his toy bear.

This is how nations are built, he mused. On broken backs and hearts.

 

This was an entertaining proposal indeed set by the Princess herself, it was someting he wasn't expecting but he understood her since he was a warrior in the real world as well as in Terrasphere. It was no surprise to him Astor asked for Lucia to curse the Felderan princess in their care If she had decided to betry Astor and Astorea. Unlike Lucia who gave Astor an answer right away, he decided to stay silent for a moment to think when Astor asked for his decision. If the princess was correct than he would have to go since without a doubt he was one of the strongest players on Terrasphere but that would prove horrible If he would to fall with the others. Still, there wasn't much choice was it? He was a warrior after all. Clearing his throat, he spoke up to @Astor Balthas

Seto

"I will do whatever is required your grace. Seeing I'm one of the strongest warriors in Astorea and perhaps one of the strongest amongst all the players here on Terrasphere, If you so wish it, I shall join Princess D'vangelline's escort to Stokbon and aid in the killing of the Mad King of Felderan. While I cannot summon the undead like the Duchess, I too I'm a Master of Malefimancy. You can thank Merkaba for that.

So I can also curse the warrior Princess and If by some reason, she tries anything, I can allow my curse to kill her and If somehow that backfires, I am more than skilled enough to take her life in honorable combat, she will have her warrior's death.

There is the other issue of Astorea itself, someone must stay behind to look after things while everyone is away. I would nominate myself of course but the Duchess here thinks I would betray you so it can't be me."

 

Emerath had rather lost himself in his own musings as a woman fell at his feet. “Like an angel from on high,” he mused to himself mentally. Though, with all the hustle and bustle, he wouldn’t have been surprised if someone managed to push her down. He hadn’t really noticed what had happened.

Normally he would have offered assistance, but she was up again, and was even responding to Emerath’s own comment. It was his fault really. He had been thinking out loud and wasn’t exactly quiet about it in his recent exasperation. Emerath considered her response, and almost found himself slipping back into his own mental safe haven, but forced himself to keep his mind on this stranger. As of yet, she had been the nicest person to him.

“Well,” Emerath started, considering how to further the conversation, “to me, on day one, this is all just a game.” But as he looked out to the caravan coming in to the city, and the people lined up, tears in their eyes, and the criers explaining and giving lists of lost soldiers, Emerath realized it wasn’t that simple.

“But to them,” he said, indicating people like the crying child holding his teddy bear, “it isn’t that simple. I’ve apparently missed some stuff. And I’d like to know what I’m getting myself into. Perhaps make it a little less neutral. Do you think you can help with that?”

Emerath stood and gave a light bow to the woman. He wasn’t sure if she had other plans, but Emerath certainly didn’t. So he figured he’d take the chance offered him. “I’m Emerath by the way. It is a pleasure to meet you,” he offered, with a smile.

@Solaria

 

A wave of her hand flicked back and forth as she felt the minimal breeze created by her hand. She was hot under the sun, her eyes a dreary shade as she yawned finally and leaned against a solid oak tree. Her eyes half lid as she sheepishly watched people move back and forth in the crowd. It was all the hysterics, everyone bumbling around trying to gather much needed resources for the war to come to their home.

After her time with Seto, she had a few of her own chores. In his name and his house she would defend the land like she was supposed to. But that man and his mind were both something she was interested in learning more about. Wars do not make heroes, they make tragedies and she is seeing that tragedy first hand as she looked at the long faces of the individuals.

The woman smoothed her hair out over her chest and sighed, folding her arms over her chest as the shade of the tree kept both sun and heat from her body. She hummed to herself as she looked on towards the others. Standing around and idling was something she had much leisure in. The woman's lips curled as it was swept by her tongue, she needed a drink. Water, wine, anything would be nice right about now. Although she was tempted to fine a nice bottle and just settle alone.

Her blue eyes scanned the crowd. She had yet to see Duke Seto, but there was a familiar bob of black hair that she recognized right off the bat. Her cheeks grew hot and warm, almost as if she were embarrassed by thought. She would allow the moments to pass to watch where she was going. Her eyes on the figure as she talked with another. Vivian only waited, her finger in her mouth while she gnawed lightly at her nail. Should she go to her? What was it that they had anyways? Was it just an one night thing? The woman had these trivial thoughts, but that night was a lasting memory forever dressed in her eyes.

"Lucia..." she whispered to herself. The name made her insides warm and fuzzy just watching her from this distance.

 

He'd seemed confused at first to her, before he started to respond to her notation. "First day or fifth or even fiftieth probably wouldn't change that it's still a game, to me. But it's not a game for everyone, you're right... Even for players, parts of this world have become more like a home. I have to admit... I've become pretty attached to certain things myself, my shop included."

With a soft laugh, Solaria held a hand out in a usual greeting when the man bowed, a bit confused by his gesture, but entertained at the same time. It wasn't like he'd been the first to do so around her- it was an intriguing greeting, to say the least.

"I'm Solaria... Technically, out of nowhere, I'm a viscountess. That said, I still feel like a foreigner most of the time to this day, even if I also feel at home... So don't feel bad that, right now, it feels like mostly a game. In time, it'll feel like home to you too."

Smiling sadly, she looked towards the crying children that were all too familiar, seeing one that reminded her an awful lot of her real brother, causing her to wander a few feet away to pet the boy's head and heal a scraped knee he had at that moment. Turning to look at Emerath with a grin, she watched the boy run to find his family that he was worried over, returning to her acquaintance's side.

"It's true, to them this is just reality... To us, it's reality, but a secondary one. I'm not sure what I can tell you that you'd find helpful in breaking your neutrality, but I don't think it's bad to be neutral, though knowing the situation surely would aid you in either scenario. I'll do my best to help you, but I'm not sure where to begin... and my head's still a bit off from falling a hundred feet in the sky before. Think we can take a seat somewhere while we discuss it? If you're not too busy, that is."

It was in her nature to help any she could, especially a player seeking their way in a new, confusing world. "Also, be wary what you take part in. I survived my first major battle, but a later one killed me. We're blessed with the ability to be reborn, but there's a cost. Be wary of that, unlike me. Alright, Emerath?"


@Emerath Katou

 

He watched those people who rose high on the laurels of status call out to each other across parapets and balconies, singing the dangers of their battle to come and weaving wicked plans for allies and enemies alike. In this game of kingdoms, there were no friends. There was simply convenience, and there were survivors.

The king himself ascended over the sacrifices of his men and the misfortunes of men who coveted the very same prize. Crowns held no interest for Kijin, truth be told.

He watched the story unfold, different from any other, wholly alive. That alone was worth the time he invested. To watch, to experience, and to be a cog in the machine that was Terrasphere.

Some men wished for glory, others merely wished to watch those men burn.

When he heard there would be an assassination attempt, Kijin found a seat and rested near the edge of the thick mass of bodies. He caught his breath and leaned on his katana, eyes intent on the King and the foreign Princess.

The campaign would be long and bloody.

One King or another could fall.

Kijin felt his lips pull upward into a slight smile. All the while, the crier listed off another name from his list in a painful monotone, and somewhere in the streets, a wife mourned her husband.

 

Aalam heard the call when he was neck deep in the ranged section of weaponry of one of the many weapons shops that scattered throughout the kingdom. As he checked the quality of the different bow and the draw strength that each one took, the message played out for him. The king was calling all who were able to join him in his court there were things that he needed to discuss with the players. Grabbing a few of the steel arrowheads form a bin in the back of the bow rack and, then seeing the shop owner about a proper bow, the ones he had on the shelf were not stronger enough for his purposes. He didn’t need a fine longbow he needs an excellent one, and that was what he got. The owner had something tucked under hos counter away from prying eyes it was a piece of beauty. Made of steel with images of the forest etched into the steel the deigned shined with a green metal. Now, this bow had a good draw weight on it, it felt useful in his hands after everything that he went through, it was a comfort. Adjusting the cloak on his shoulder feeling his muscles stretch it was still taught, he wasn’t at his best not yet after returning.

Making his way through the crowded streets if these were gathering of people vital to the kingdom then his Lord Seto was going to be there, he would have to make a report on what had happened if nothing else. Shit, he was going to be pissed how poorly Aalam had represented the house in this event, damnit … the duchess already didn’t like him the fact he did so poorly in the mission was not going to win him any bonus points with her.

He had arrived to hear most of the kings and well the princesses plan. It seemed that the good king was looking for people to help him to take down the mad king of with the princess that had rescued them from the prison. The idea sounded like an excellent play to him, but there was always the possibility that this was just a big trap but could they afford not to try. He had seen the horrors that the mad had allowed first hand him he lifted a finger to do anything what kind of man would he be. As he listens the discussion that broke out around him the wound in his shoulder started to ache and throb. It seems that he still hadn’t fully healed from that jackal, could he leave a kingdom under that type of rule. Well, at least his choice in going to the kings meeting wasn’t going to be difficult. Well at least his lord was present and had just demonstrated why Aalam loved being in his service. The man was direct to the point of almost ridiculousness, but he was honest, and that was a nice change from the people he knew in his life. However, he could see from now that he wouldn’t have a chance to get to talk him for a while he was busying. He could wait after all that had to happen the least it could do was wait. The possibility of helping with the assignation sounded well interesting but he was in shape to help them kill a king but depending on what his lord said he could assist with clearing the way. Sending a message to @Seto Kurama so that he would see it when the man had a free moment “Sir I must apologize for I am cant not assist with this assassination, the prison term was too strenuous, however, I might be able to help with clearing the way if nothing else. However I do want your opinion on the choice I should make for I am a Duke's man.”

 

This new council of war wasn't what he was expecting at all. He had thought they would prepare and manage the defenses of Astorea, instead, they were doing the same damm thing as before, running off to go meet the enemy head-on and it looked like he might get dragged into it as well. Between Astor and the Princess wanting to go kill the Mad King to everyone wanting to put a curse on the princess and looking for volunteers, Seto was starting to get irritated that little to no one cared for strategy and tactics. Seto knew in the back of his mind If that anyone of these people were put in a combat position in the real world that required strategy and tactics, they would all die miserably but what can you expect of first world citizens? When his UI alerted him he had a message from a person, internally he cheered to himself, he finally had an excuse to get away from this dreadful and boring war council at least for the moment anyway. Taking a few feet away from the war council, Seto walked away temporary to a corner before opening his UI and swiping his UI's menu's until he got to his messages. It was his Ranger that messaged him, asking for his orders on the current matter that is transpiring at the moment. Scanning the room first for anyone nearby, he decided to take a tone down so one would hear him.

Voice mail

Aalam,

I don't know If your present for the war council or not but things are turning out exactly like when the King was captured. The King and the Felderan Princess want to go into Felderan and assasinate the Mad King. I don't understand how no one in this damm game doesn't understand strategy and tactics. Due to the current situation, I may be going with the King and the Princess to Felderan, If that's the case I don't know who will lead the defenses here.

As for my loyal servants, I will be hosting a small meeting between the four of you, I would like for all of you to work together on what I or you as a group chose. I will let you know afterwards when I want to host it.

From: @Seto Kurama
To: @Aalam Abungu

 

As a man born and partially raised in Japan, Emerath often forgot that handshaking was the general greeting in the United States. He blushed lightly and grasped the woman’s hand in greeting for a shake, before listening to her explain herself.

As she spoke, and as Emerath listened and watched her, he learned some key things about the game. One was that players had a hand in politics. As she spoke about being a Viscountess, Emerath wondered if the King too was a player in his realm, and then further if they were out to kill another player King. If anything, he also took a status such as Solaria’s to mean that Emerath may have just made a powerful ally. Though until he knew more, that was neither here nor there.

Emerath also got the opportunity to see an example of what magic looked like in this world. Healing magic no less. And just like that, his new acquaintance quickly gained even more prominence in his mind. Kind, a healer, and helpful to a newcomer like Emerath. For a moment he felt like he was hitting a jackpot. But, she seemed a little lost in the clouds, and it wasn’t until she mentioned falling from a great height that he understood how someone like her could end up tripping at his feet.

She ended her part of the discussion with a cautionary tale about death, that told him his third bits of knowledge. That death was reversible, but it wasn’t free. Emerath had expected as much, but it was good to have confirmation on these details. Solaria was turning out to be more of an angel than he could have imagined when he made that mental comment.

Emerath have her a nod at her suggestion to move somewhere to sit, not only for his own weary legs, but so this poor girl could rest from what sounded like a bit of an ordeal. He indicated a nearby restaurant table, and moved to sit there, a bit away from the crowd of people. Ever the gentleman, Emerath pulled the seat out for Solaria before sitting in his own chair across the table.

Once settled, the obvious question would escape Emerath’s curious lips, “So how did you fall 100 feet? Did someone throw you from a cliff or building?” He felt this question bore more consequence to the current situation than whatever politics they might discuss. But he did mull over the idea of this MMO being home. Emerath had never been one to stay in one place for very long. It was always a master and move on type of deal. Although, if he actually managed to make friends here, like Solaria, then perhaps she was right.

Emerath did have one other burning question that popped into his head as he got to know Solaria more in this moment. “Are you going to fight in the defense? The more you talk to me, the more I see things like healing magic, the more I start to hope that this newbie might have someone like you by my side. Although I understand if you have more pressing matters. I feel that I would be fairly insignificant in the grand scheme of all this.”

@Solaria

 

As he waited for an answer from the Duke he looked around the room taking the measure of all those that were present. It was a decent turnout, for the most part, a few of those that were in the dungeon with him and many that came from the king’s announcement. Well, at least he was able to reach a lot of people if nothing else the people…. Well, the players loved him. The king was a good man Aalam just didn’t care he had followed him before base on the man’s words alone, and it had bitten him in the ass, with a huge crossbow bolt. He had been foolish before he wasn’t going to be so again. So he waited well he was able to pick out Solaria out form the crowd, the girl was seemed to be that bundle of joy still well at least she hadn’t changed from when he had met her. It was nice to see that a person was still able to keep smiling even in times like this. Everyone else was an unknown face he had heard of Lady Lucia from the Duke one point, but he had never met the woman, and there was no reason to change that today.

When the message from Duke arrived it was nice to get a plan of action; it seemed that the members of his court would have to decide their course at the time. Well at least he wouldn’t have to agree with anything right there and then even though duke himself had been recruited to the mission, there was a little worry for his safety. Aalam had seen the man fight, and he was a monster on the field of battle they would succeed. His worry was mostly for the Duke's kingdom the duke was the man who breathes fear into any who would threaten the lands there was a defiant chance that without him there might be an invasion of the land if it wasn’t the duke them someone else in the kingdom. He would bring that up at the meeting, but for right now there was a goblet of wine that needs to be emptied. However, before he took a sip, he sent a message to his lord.

Voice mail

Right Sire I understand, if this is what you want I shall wait until I have met the others before deciding on a course of action. I am in the general audience for the council sir it suits me better to blend in with the public. It makes me a better agent if my loyalties are not that widely know.
From: @Aalam Abungu
To: @Seto Kurama

Downing the rest of the wine in a gulp before starting his walk around the room might as well see what the feel of the place was.