Perina’s Steps

"I've been wondering.", Akiol began.

Nimin looked at him, currently finishing off a monster, "Yeah?"

"Who's Perina?"

The Guild of Dusted Bright paused in synchronization. Such a response only made Akiol's curiosity grow deeper.

Although hesitant, Nimin answered, "If you want to hear about her I suppose it's your right… Let's take a break."

They searched for a relatively safe area and sat down. Nimin drummed his fingers on his thigh, "This require a bit of backstory to really grasp. Do you mind?"

"No."

"Then… Dusted Bright was originally seven members. A Warrior like yourself, and an Archer. Upon joining the game all players were quickly warned not to go any further than some designated areas by NPCs. The excuse was…"

"Too dangerous.", E said, finishing the sentence.

"Exactly. Many of us ignored the warnings, our curiosity getting the better of us. We explored further out, found stronger monsters. Fighting them was challenging, but extremely rewarding. Because of it those of us who explored our became much stronger than the average player base. Rapidly ascending into First Star…"

He paused, eyes filled with a lingering sadness, "It was then that we came across each other. Shortly later the Guild Dusted Bright was formed, and we began to make a name for ourselves. Seven of us of high strength, capable of fighting the top Guilds head to head. The seven of Dusted Bright…"

Hundred scratched his head furiously, "Our name reached the ears of Miss Perina. The leader of the left continent. She called for us, summoning us for something."

Fare answered the 'something', "To give us a mission, if I remember correctly. Said she had a job for us."

"I remember now, she never told us what the job was however."

Snapping out of his daze Nimin continued, "That's when it began. Upon entering her halls we were captured. Strength we've never witnessed before. We were dragged to her throne. She spoke of her path to greater heights, and how we will be assisting her in that path."

Nimin squeezed his thigh, "She grabbed the Archer first, we watched as a strange energy was sucked out of them. Perina absorbed the energy, and the Archer fell unconscious. It struck us at that moment that something was very wrong. We struggled to free ourselves, and through some miracle most of us manage to escape."

Para decided to continue the story, "The… Archer met up with us shortly after we escaped. Giving us terrible news. Whatever Perina did, she stole the Archer's Skills and Stats, but left her level alone…"

"Crippling their account…", Akiol put together the pieces, "So the reason many players are weak is because-?"

"After the incident many players of exceptional strength were captured. And also absorbed. They must have learned from us, for it seems like very few managed to escape. The reason many are so weak is due to the ones who were absorbed continuing, not willing to give up and those who live in fear of being the next victim."

A sigh was heard from Nimin, "That's why we live out in the middle of nowhere. Constantly on the move. It's hindered our progress towards strength."

Akiol tapped his nose, "So the reason you guys grow stronger is to fight back?"

"Yeah."

"How interesting."

Changing the subject Nimin tried to rid of the depressive atmosphere, "So what about you? Someone of your strength would have certainly caught Perina's eye. I don't understand why you don't know of her, and why you are so strong."

Akiol pondered various stories, depending on what he said here could lead to different scenarios. It troubled him momentarily.

Dusted Bright seemed like honest people. With such a thought Akiol chose to be honest, "I'm not from here."

"You chose to cross the river willingly?!"

"No, I'm not from 'here'. I'm from another continent."

Dusted Bright was stunned silent. Akiol could see their expressions as they rapidly clicked. Nimin suddenly grabbed Akiol's hand, "You mean there are other players with similar strength as you?!"

"Sort of, not to brag but not many are of my strength. However the average is certainly higher than here."

"Then we can fight back?!"

"Hold on, the device that brought us here was destroyed on use. Only a handful of us actually made it."

Nimin punched a tree, "Damn!"

"Let's calm down on the language here. That won't help your situation."

"Sorry… sorry. I got excited thinking we had a chance."

Akiol changed his focus onto the group chat, reading through its history. Slowly a frown began to form.

Wrock: I was kidnapped, dude is kinda strong.

Yielya: Oh? What happened?

Wrock: No idea, dude said he wanted to test me. I seemed to have passed that test and he knocked me out before I could react.

Yielya: Are you just waiting to see where he takes you?

Wrock: Well we've been traveling for a while now. I've been logging out when he takes breaks, but still no sign of where we are headed.

Akiol scrolled further down, reading the most recent messages.

Yielya: Any luck?

Wrock: Well we just arrived somewhere, I heard whispers about someone named Perina, but that's it.

Akiol suddenly realized what was happening.

Akiol: Wrock you need to leave as soon as possible. It's not worth the risk.

Wrock: ? You know something about this place?

Akiol: I just learned about Perina, if you're captured Perina will cripple your account. It's not worth the risk right now.

Wrock: …That's tough, I'm in a bit of a pickle. Escaping is kinda hard.

Akiol: Do your best, I'll try to come over.

Wrock: Is it really worth risking both of our accounts?

Akiol: If the guy who kidnapped you is strong enough to knock you out without you noticing, I think it would be best for us to team up.

Wrock: Fair, I'll try to not meet this Perina then.

Closing the group chat Akiol quickly asked, "Where does Perina reside?"

Nimin was startled, "I know your strong and all, but Perina is most likely Third Star!"

"I'm not trying to fight her, my friend was just captured."

"What..?"

Dusted Bright conversed with each other silently. Akiol quickly interrupted, "Sorry, but I need to know."

"It's really far from here, especially on foot. We don't hang around that area."

"Just tell me the directions."

Nimin grit his teeth, "The path there is… never mind I'll send you there myself. You said you didn't have a mount right?"

Fare snatched Nimin's arm, "Are you crazy?! You're sending yourself directly to her!"

"I'm not going to let her take another one!"

"If we lose you we won't stand a chance!"

Akiol spoke, "Just outside he territory then, as long as I can see the place she's at then I can take care of the rest. Nimin can flee the moment I do."

"What about me sensei?", Mira interrupted.

"Stay here, I'll be back."

"…Okay."

Suddenly a beast with a large wingspan descended and landed, causing the ground to shake.

Nimin shouted, "It's my mount! Hop on we have to go as soon as possible! It only takes a minute for Perina to fully absorb someone!"

Akiol leapt onto the back of the beast, "Alright go!"

The beast ascended with a force that created a powerful wind. Stars couldn't help but comment, 'This guy has a Wyvern! Pretty impressive to say the least.'

Givale harrumphed, 'Those brainless freaks only hold the the raw strength of a Dragon.'

"We can argue about the difference between Dragons and Wyverns later."

~~~

Hundred watched as the Wyvern shot off at an incredible speed. With a sigh he said, "I'll log off for now, let me know how it turns out."

Para looked over with a surprised look, "What? At this time?"

"I have something to do."

Hundred retreated into the Guildhouse and promptly logged off. Para made an irritated face, "That guy!"

Fare patted her shoulder, "It's probably something important. Let's not worry about it."

Para snorted and turned her head, "I'll get back at him later."

E sighed as he stared into the distance, "Guild master better come back."

"If something happens to him like it did Nemmy…"

"Ah that reminds me, we never told Akiol about Nemmy did we."

"Well we don't actually know what happened to Nemmy."

"…"

~~~

Wrock was placed onto the ground. A voice entered his ears, "Get up, I know you're awake."

Wrock sighed, "There's no fooling ya is there?"

"When you fought as long as I-"

"You get a knack for things, yes I know."

"…"

"So why'd you bring me here?"

"You've been selected."

"Selected for what?"

"To be a step in Miss Perina's ascension."

"Mhm, I see. What if I decline?"

"You have no say."

"Oh praise be, seems like my rights have been violated."

"Hmph."

Wrock inspected the bindings around his limbs, "Isn't this some random rope? You think I'll be bound by this?"

"Such a rope is impossible for First Star fighters such as yourself."

"Wanna make a bet then."

"Hmph."

"If I break free of these you let me go?"

"Not happening."

"Me breaking these or you letting me go?"

"Both."

Wrock chuckled, "Well then, how long until I meet this Perina fellow I have the most wonderful opportunity to meet?"

"Around half an hour, Miss is getting ready."

"Guess I'll wait patiently then…"