Chapter 4: Aftermath (1)

The day after leaving the dungeon was a blur. There were police at the school, and sirens going around in a frenzy outside. This was apparently not an isolated incident.

"Ezra? Oh my god ezra?!" My mom runs to me as I walk into the front door, covered head to toe in blood, "Ezra, are you okay?!"

"Yeah.. just.. tired," is all I can say before passing out in place.

-

I wake up a few hours later on the couch, the dim glow of the setting sun peering through the windows.

"You're up? Are you okay?!" My mom rushes into my view.

"Woah, woah! Yeah.. sorry.. today was... rough," I say solemnly, my voice cracking on that last word.

"What happened? Is everyone okay?!" She pushes.

"Yeah... thankfully everyone survived," I answer.

"Then, why all the..." her voice trails off as she gestures at my now ruined outfit.

"Monsters." I explain simply.

"What?"

"You seen the news?" I ask, pointing to the TV.

"Those things can be killed? Nobody's been able to this whole time!"

"Yeah... players. Players can, I guess. I dont know, I had to. I had to kill another living thing today, please just.." I start to sob.

"Okay, okay. I see. I'm sorry i pressed the issue. Do you want to go take a shower and head to bed?"

I nod and head off to the shower.

-

"Ezra! School's cancelled for today on account of whatever a 'break' is, we should evacuate!" I hear my mom scream up the stairs in the early hours of the morning.

"What?" I shout back, running to the top of the steps in a half-conscious daze, "Did you say a break?!"

"Yeah, why? Do you know what it is?" She asks, with an unusually concerned look.

"Yeah, its where the monsters escape the portal. Mom, I have to go," I say, running out the front door, "Evacuate to safety! Only player's can help right now!"

"What?! Hey! Get back here!" She yells after me. It's too late, I quickly pull up the System's map feature. About half a mile away there's a break.

It's going to be another long one, I sigh to myself, pulling out my phone to call conner.

"Hey, did you hear the news?" He asks as soon as he picks up.

"Yeah, you know what this means right, coop player Connor Patral?" I hint.

Connor sighs. "On my way," he says and joins me as I pass his house.

"Hey! You kids need to get away from here! Its dangerous there-" A militant tries to stop us, but we evade and leap right through the rearlines and into the fray.

There are at least six hundred goblins in front of the gate. Each of them weilding either a dagger or a slingshot as they slowly encircle us.

A few of the goblins shout what I can only assume is an insult or rallying cry.

"Connor, check your skills." I advise as they inch closer, and one particularly brave goblin makes an attack with a sharper dagger which I promptly block.

"Skills...?" He questions as the interface opens for him, "Oh! I see... I have...basic elemental spellcasting, One Handed Sword proficiency, and Healing Touch!"

"Great, now cast a fire spell!" I urge as the goblins start to overpower us, two of them landing clean cuts across my back.

"What?! I dont know how!" He yells.

"Just try it!" I press further as a goblin leaves an uneven gash in my cheek with a dull blade.

"I cant!" He protests.

"Yes you can! Hurry!"

"Crap! Jus-" he's cut off as an enormous fireball erupts from his hand, singing most of the goblins that the gate let out as it collapsed.

"oh... I uh.. I see..." He says as the affected goblins run around screaming desperately looking for a way to put themelve out before inevitably perishing.

"No time Connor, cleanup!" I urge as we begin wiping out every last goblin around.

Finally there's four left in front of me. I leap forwards and slice through them all in one clean motion, like a knife through warm butter.

"You… are… a terrible party member. holy... crap... I will never get used to that," I say, out of breath.