The Old Party

"Didn't go so well?" Kazi asked.

"No." Sun-young leaned on the wall, arms crossed and eyes heavy. "I didn't even get to ask."

Kazi's personal dimension had changed significantly since the last time she visited. The house was only given one floor and was very long, its sturdy walls woven from bamboo. It reminded Sun-young of Japanese homes, though according to Kazi, this was a Bangladeshi design. The rooms were spacious and cozy, laid with soft cushions. The bamboo lattice casted dappled patterns of light and shadow across the wooden floors, the sunlight coming in the form of lanterns outside.

Player dimensions could be granted two primary environments: night and day. Temperatures did not adjust and thus air conditioning was not necessary. Everything outside, the dirt and soil and grass, it was all implanted. All bought in. Kazi spent a decent fortune on building this environment. In one of the rooms, Kazi sat cross-legged on a cushion, Sun-young leaned on the bamboo lattice wall, and William lay in the corner on a king-sized bed chamber.

He lay and he did not move.

"But you're still going, right?" Kazi said. Sun-young nodded. "I hoped that you could have taken Marta with you. Guess not. I'm sorry for asking."

"It's fine, I was going to ask her anyway."

A quietness settled over them. Almost as one, their gazes drifted toward William. The blond boy once full of life was a pale husk. His hair, once so blond, had gotten darker in colour. Sun-young drew in a breath. "Can I ask again what happened to William?"

"...to be honest, I don't know myself."

Sun-young darted an eye at him. She read the Times newspaper. She heard the sheer destruction Jack caused. Some of it felt…off and Kazi seemed to be in the middle of it all. Jack and William and everyone that managed to escape the carnage, he was between everything. He was the one that brought it all together. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him the MVP of the gate given how much he did.

"All that matters is that I made a mistake," Kazi said. "I thought Jack would attack on the waters. I considered a land attack and sent the strongest guilds to prevent that but—"

"He was stronger and crazier than you thought. Don't blame yourself over that."

"It's not that. There's been a lot of blame going around. Me, you, and Marta…" Kazi sighed. "Especially Marta. I just feel regret. That's how it goes, right?"

"Mm."

"I'm glad that Elena is taking care of her, though. Without her…" Kazi shook his head. "I have to buy that woman a gift one of these days. It's not easy to take care of a person."

"Message me and I'll join you."

"Won't you be busy under Marshal Margaret? From the sound of it, I doubt you're going to be just any member. You'll have real responsibilities."

"I don't know the details but yes, something like that. I'll try anyway."

Kazi leaned forward, elbow on his knee and palm holding his cheek. Exhaling, he looked at William, then the outside world. "Ever since Gate 10, everything has been so quiet and lonely. I'm going to miss you, Sun-young." He looked at her and smiled, his features lighting up. His eyes were bright, his eyelashes like glistening sun drops. It was a smile that Sun-young was glad to see before she left. The guilt in her heart waned slightly.

"Thank you." Sun-young lowered her head and smiled back. "I only wish I got to say goodbye to William."

"It's not too late, you know."

She eyed the sleeping blond. "...I'd rather tell him when he's awake." She pushed herself off the wall and approached William. His breathing was small and quiet, the red lion-imaged blanket reaching up to his shoulders. He seemed peaceful. Sun-young grabbed the chain locket on her neck, thumb caressing the centerpiece.

She didn't realize the fond smile on her before it was too late.

Sun-young didn't ever think she could get close to people, not after the way her life went. University, law school, her internship and workplace...

But she was wrong. William, Marta, and Kazi, they all meant the world to her. They all meant more to her than life itself.

"I'll get Commander Cedric to check on him," Sun-young said.

"No need, I already did."

"I know. Another check isn't a bad idea though."

Kazi chuckled. "I know you're concerned but don't worry. The Commander said his body is in a state of magical recovery. It's like hibernation, he won't die. He will wake up."

"I wish I could do more," Sun-young whispered. Through the Templars, through Marshal Margaret, she hoped to do exactly that. She hoped to learn and grow. She hoped to be strong enough that this tragedy never had to happen again. She felt so helpless and weak. The confidence she once wielded her blade with had dissipated, replaced by potential that made her tremble. She couldn't do this alone. She needed guidance. She needed the Marshal.

"Why? I told you, I need strong warriors to serve under me. I felt a connection when I first saw you. At the time, I didn't know what it was. Now I do. We are connected by the most human ability: anti-magic."

"Those with real dreams would never hesitate to announce them. So answer me: what do you fight for?"

"A good life?" Marshal Margaret's features relaxed and she kneeled down to her level. "Sun-young, I am not saying that's a bad reason to fight, but with your ambitions you could be so much more. Don't you realize it, Yoon Sun-young? The only person holding yourself back is you."

"You will recognize your weakness, Yoon Sun-young, and the feebleness of your dreams."

"Tell me. What do you fight for?"

Marta, William, Kazi…she wanted to protect them all. That was her feeble dream. That was why she had to go. Jack was still out there and he wasn't going to stop. He was never going to stop, not unless someone personally ended him. She brushed aside a lock of hair from William's forehead and muttered, "Goodbye."

She didn't want to look away. She didn't want to tear her gaze from her friends ever again. But to get stronger, she had to.

[ Yoon Sun-young has left the party! ]