More Worries and Predicaments

Akiol looked up and sighed from exhaustion. He felt so tired, even though his body was still operating at 100%.

The white area began to fade, slowly more colors came into view. He was now in front of the entrance to the tower.

The four others looked towards him once he appeared. Different looks on their faces.

Akiol asked, "So... did I pass?"

Opportunity nodded, "I would be a fool to say no. Sorry for doubting you."

"No worries, I completely understand. Still... I'm going to have to put off anything you wish to say for now. I seemed to have pushed myself a little too hard..."

Truthfully, Akiol was having a hard time focusing. He wished only to sleep, or replenish his energy somehow.

Akiol apologized, "Sorry, but I think... I think I'm gonna rest for now. I'll be on later."

Opportunity waved him away, she was fully aware of how intense the Tower was. It would be more shocking if he came out unfazed, "You can log out here, not many can enter anyway."

"Alright."

Akiol quickly logged out. After exiting the pod he walked to his room and fell into its soft embrace.

His final thoughts before falling asleep were, 'I need to stop doing this...'

———————————————————————-

"So... you mean to tell me you lost him?!"

A man replied shaking, "We were vastly unprepared. The data said he was unskilled, but he still took us down! The data was completely off!"

"So you are blaming the data? Doesn't he play A World's Legacy? Of course the data would be off you idiot! That game is full of opportunity! That's why I gave you access to that drug! Yet you still let him escape. Do you take me for a fool?"

"N-No ma'am!"

"Now he's safe within his home. The authorities are keeping an eye on that house, and we cannot make a move. It doesn't help that they were on our trail to begin with! We lost another chance to catch the one named Opportunity. Everything is going terrible. What am I to tell my superiors?"

"I-I am not sure."

The lady kicked the man, forcing him to his knees, "I am aware you do not know! Everything coming out of your mouth is so disappointing!"

"Forgive me!"

The lady tapped her chin, "What to do..."

The lady suddenly snapped, for she had an idea, "We can hunt him in-game. Surely you know his identity in the game right?"

"I-"

"You don't do you?"

"N-No! We have an idea! There was a new silver haired person following Opportunity. We believe it could be him!"

The lady smiled, "That's the best news I have heard all day. Why can't you do this more often?"

"I will do my best."

"I need more than your best. I need results. Send Tenebrous, it's about time they produce results with their fundings..."

"Right away!"

———————————————————————-

Akiol's eyelids fluttered as he awoke. Immediately he was assaulted with hunger pains. He frowned and checked the time.

He had been asleep for six hours!

It was incredibly early in the morning, so early that the sun hasn't risen yet. However his body called for nutrition.

Walking into their kitchen he quickly made himself a meal. It wasn't anything too grand, just something to satisfy his hunger whilst keeping the noise low.

Yielya popped around the corner, "Ah, so it was you who was up."

"It seems like we meet at very early times."

"I'm sure it's not intentional."

"Why would I intentionally wake up at this hour?"

"Not waking up, meeting at such a time."

Akiol finished his meal and began cleaning up, "So what are you doing up at this hour?"

"Bored."

"That doesn't really answer my question."

"I'm bored, there isn't much to do right now. I don't feel like tagging along with a bunch of ungrateful strangers. So I decided to wander around the house for a bit."

"And thus began the rumors of a haunted house... Why don't you just sleep then?"

"Not tired."

Akiol put away the last of the objects he used, "Not tired? Having the same issues as me?"

"I'm used to being active with light sleep. However this new life... it's quite boring now."

"Because we aren't constantly adventuring?"

"Exactly, the same repeating thing everyday is quite mind numbing. I'd like to go exploring in-game, but it seems like you have some issues to take care of."

"Just figuring out the identities of my kidnappers."

"Speaking of which, are you okay?"

"I've recovered, all systems functional."

"I'm sure you're fine physically. I just mean mentally. Being drugged and kidnapped isn't necessarily a walk in the park you know."

"I could ask you the same. Being abused isn't either."

"I know how to keep myself healthy. However you tend to be a little too uncaring for somethings. So I figured I would keep an eye on you."

"I'm fine, some amateurs aren't going to impact me whatsoever."

Yielya sighed, "Do you know why I am asking this?"

"Because you always look out for us?"

"Partially. Mainly because you aren't as alert as usual. I wouldn't say being alert is a bad thing, but your not necessarily adapting to your surroundings. Rather you seem distracted a lot. You're becoming a bit more distant, I just want to make sure you're okay."

Akiol smiled, "Don't worry, I'm perfectly fine. You know me, would I let anything trouble me without consulting any of you?"

"Yes, yes you would. One prime example is your past, which you always change the subject on."

Akiol paused for a moment before responding, "My past is merely a set of events which have already occurred. I do not let it bother me, why should I dwell on the past when the future remains?"

"Because without truly understanding your past you lose who you are as a person. Every action we make, every choice we choose, every person we meet, it builds us as a character. When you decide to ignore your past, you fail to confront the very thing that makes you, you. I don't wish to see you lose yourself Akiol."

"I won't lose myself. More like I can't, I seemed to always be needed for something."

"That something is?"

"A lot of things."

"This is what I mean."

Akiol shook his head, "Don't worry much, I'll still be Akiol. I'll still be here when you need me, when any of you need me. After all that's what I am born to do. Be a hero."

"And who will save that very Hero when they need help?"

"That's all of you of course."

"Then we will be there too, when you need us. Don't forget that."

"I won't."

Akiol walked away, he felt bad for not telling them all the things they deserve to know. However it's his job as the Hero to figure these things out.

It was what he was born for, what his fate is tied to.

...

Yielya watched as Akiol walked away, she felt disappointed with the outcome of their conversation.

She had hoped that now with their new life they all could relax and truly enjoy living. Everyone else seemed to do so, except Akiol.

He always had a nasty habit of trying to do things himself, but was always conscious of his own party whilst doing so. Because of this he always limited his own ability and growth. He felt a duty as the party leader to help his teammates grow alongside him.

Yielya was certain everyone was aware of this. Akiol had never really went 100% into anything.

Even during the fight with the Demon Lord he hadn't gone all out. He always left openings for his party to take advantage of. Always made sure they assisted.

While due to this the party grew stronger, Akiol's potential wasn't fully shown. It was like their existence was holding him back.

It pained everyone, even though their strength was equal to Akiol's in some shape or form.

Was it really fair? For them or for Akiol? Yielya didn't know. The main reason she wanted everyone to continue playing A World's Legacy was for Akiol to truly grow.

Without having to worry about his teammates and really focus on himself. She didn't want his talent to be wasted. So this was her solution.

Even if she wasn't sure it was working.

...

Akiol logged back into A World's Legacy. Once his surroundings returned he immediately heard a voice.

'Oh thank goodness you're here. Please do something about this.' -Stars

Akiol was intrigued and a little concerned, "What's wrong?"

'Givale has been throwing a fit. Since I can't create food she's been complaining that she is hungry.' -Stars

"That's it?"

'Yes that is it, please deal with this.'

Givale suddenly appeared next to Akiol. She looked up at him, "You're here!"

"Stars said you're hungry?"

"The Tower always fed me..."

"Alright let's grab something then. Anything you want in particular?"

"Anything with meat!"

'Ah you crazed carnivore.' -Stars

'Tch! You remain silent weapon. At least I am a living being.' -Givale

'And what says I am not?'

'Your origin story.'

'My origin story is about how I came to be! I am living now! As a weapon sure, but you have seen my human shape!'

'A mere avatar, your true form remains a weapon.'

'Your true form is a Dragon, but there might be issues with that.'

Givale was upset at that. It wasn't her fault that she ended up like this!

Akiol rubbed the bridge of his nose. When he joined this game the last thing he expected was becoming the father of two that were older than him, "Quite down you two."

'You heard him.' -Stars

'So have you!' -Givale

Akiol began pulling Givale's nose upward. She immediately began to plead, "Wait wait! I'm sorry! I'll be quiet! Let go!"

'Haha!' -Stars

Akiol began to absorb Stars and the sheath. In which he also began to plead, 'No! I'll stay quiet too! Don't do this!'

Akiol let the two go, he already felt a headache coming back.