Reflections of Past

"Man, how long has it been?"

"It's been like a week. You're fine."

"But that's three in-game weeks! What are they doing?"

"I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't come back after a few months."

"In-game?"

"No."

Desk Guy sighed, without his favorite team to watch he felt bored. In hopes of speeding up time he buried himself in his work, but only a week had passed. Chewing the inside of his cheek he rapidly pulled up several windows on his pc.

Erina raised an eyebrow, "What are you doing?"

"Seeing when the next cross maintenance is."

"Are you really planning on flying out that far just to see what they're doing?"

"If I must."

"Gosh, I think it's good that they're gone! You clearly need a break."

"Mmm."

~ ~ ~

"I'm sorry."

The villagers were confused, "What are you apologizing for?"

"I couldn't save you. I can't with my strength."

The mother who Tilia had first come across patted her, "There's nothing to apologize for. We spent all this time hiding by ourselves, for us to blame someone who isn't affiliated with us for not saving us. That's a terrible thing to do. You don't need to save us, we can handle ourselves."

Tilia grit her teeth, "No, I will save you. Just hold on for a while longer. I'll be back, stronger than before. I'll free you all from this hell."

"Then, we can only wish you luck."

"Stay strong for me."

"We've been enduring for all this time, what's a little longer?"

"Thank you."

Tilia bade farewell to the villagers, after being sure to mark down the coordinates. She needed to find her path, for the only way to save the village is by being Second Stage herself.

She planned to venture out, hopefully to gain insight.

~ ~ ~

Yielya drummed her fingers against a table, "Hmm. . ."

There wasn't anything else, even in folklore. The small amount of info she had now was all she could find.

She planned to visit the next city, in hopes of finding different material to study.

However transportation between cities wasn't as cheap as it was in their continent. Instead of it being scrolls, it was teleport formations. These were expensive to uphold, and in return had expensive fees for usage.

Being dirt poor Yielya had no choice but to take a trip on foot, or to hitch a ride. She was going to choose the latter. However Jarvis had given the coordinates to Harbon City. So she planned to use her mount instead.

Harbon City, from Jarvis' description, most likely had nothing she was looking for. But Yielya planned to meet up with Jarvis and join in his exploration.

Perhaps she would find more information as she traveled.

~ ~ ~

The voices of people filled one's ears. Laughter, screams, chattering, singing, crying, all sorts of types all flowing freely together.

It was not pleasing to the ear, but not discomforting either. Kiro sipped the jar of wine as she spoke, "So? What's your thoughts?"

"Noisy."

"That's Harbon for ya!"

"Well you weren't lying about how energetic this place gets."

"I certainly wouldn't want to lie to the one paying me with such fine wine."

"Ha."

"Why not partake in some of the activities?"

"I'm flat broke remember?"

"Ah, but a little trickery and you can get by pretty well."

"Hm?"

Kiro picked up a random stone. Waving it in her hand a puff of smoke appeared and the stone was replaced with a Tri-Sent, "Just a small trick."

"What did you do?"

"I changed the appearance of the stone. It's still a stone, and an experienced merchant would tell that the weight of it doesn't match an actual Tri-Sent. Which is why I couldn't get some drink back in Doru."

"Is it magic?"

"Eh, kind of. It's just something I can do."

Kiro winked mischievously before tossing away the fake coin. It landed on the ground and the puff of smoke reappeared. Suddenly it returned back into its normal stone self.

Eyeing the stone Jarvis spoke, "Well I don't feel comfortable with scamming people. So let's not."

"A shame Mister."

Kiro yawned, "Shall we get some sleep?"

"Know any soft places?"

"Not too far from here I guess."

"Then let's go."

Much to Jarvis' disappointment, the city was mostly filled with NPCs over actual players. Although he wasn't sure quite the reason why. Although he wished to continue traveling, he was waiting for Yielya. So staying at Harbon was his only option.

Jarvis suddenly said, "Ah, we're going to stay around here for a bit. Someone is supposed to be arriving."

Kiro frowned, "Hm? How would you know that? I thought you weren't from these parts."

"I'm not, call it a gut feeling. Like with the Kitsune."

Kiro eyed Jarvis suspiciously before shrugging, "If you insist."

~ ~ ~

"We're close to the exit Sensei!"

Akiol looked towards Mira, "Oh? That's great!"

Mira paused, "Uh, we may have to take a detour."

"Is there any particular reason?"

"There might be troubles?"

Akiol was able to tell that Mira was being deceitful, "I don't know, everything seems quite calm."

"But-"

Givale poked Mira, "Are you lying?"

"No."

Givale scrunched up her face, "Hmm. . ."

Akiol yawned, "Well, I was considering bringing you along after we left. If you were okay with that."

With the side of his eye he was able to see Mira's expression complicate. Akiol could guess the reason for Mira's lies. Most likely due to him not wanting to leave Akiol just yet. After all he had only learned the basics.

Mira dragged the dirt with his foot, "But, the forest."

"Give yourself some time to think about it. There's no rush." Akiol consulted.

Mira nodded a little sadly. Akiol looked upwards and warned, "It's best we rest now then, it seems like the sun is setting."

Givale's attention was suddenly diverted, "Oh! I can fight those weird guys again!"

"Make sure to be careful."

"Of course!"

. . .

As night fell Mira snuck off, or at least he thought he did. Akiol was aware of Mira's movements, but did not stop him. Hopping across the trees his speed reached a realm many players could barely dream of. His body would be a blur to any spectators.

Confusing thoughts flooded his mind. Between his desire to go along with Akiol, and his duty to help protect the forest. He slowed down and descended to the ground, a beautiful pond that seemed to glow came into view. Mira crouched at the edge of the pond, watching his face in the reflection of the still pond.

"What troubles you?"

Mira looked up to see a majestic creature staring at him. An elk with crystal orbs hanging on its antlers.

"I. . ."

The elk walked across the pond, not a single ripple from its footsteps, "Speak."

"I don't want to leave you guys!"

"Leave?"

"Sensei- he taught me how to fight! I want to go with him! But- but. . . !"

A ticklish sensation touched Mira's forehead. He looked up to see the elk right in front of him.

The elk spoke, "So you've met someone who doesn't fear you?"

"Mm! I thought he was here to hunt you and fought him, but instead of running he fought back! He managed to beat me, even though I'm stronger!"

"The one you call Sensei."

"He promised to teach me if I showed him the exit. I know a few moves now! But they're about to leave! I want to go with. . ."

"We'll be fine, child. We've survived even without your help. Go with him, explore the world and learn what you want."

"But!"

"Come back in the future, and show us your new moves, okay?"

Mira's face reddened as tears welled up into his eyes, "Mm! I'll learn really cool ones!"

"Now go back to him, he must be wondering where you went."

Mira nodded and returned back to where he came. The elk watched as the boy's figure slowly shrunk before sighing.

"Is this alright?"

The elk turned its head, "We can't stay around much longer. This is for the best, hopefully the one he calls Sensei is trustworthy and will lead him down the right path."

The elk moved to the edge of the pond. Greeted by hundreds of elk of all sizes. A silence spread as they shared gazes. If one were to see them through the pond's reflection. They would not see elk at all. Rather they would see humans. Ones old and young. Children next to their parents, parents next to family.

Their figures were ghostly, a faint transparency visible with a close look.

A child walked up, "Is it time to go?"

The elk who spoke to Mira looked back. In the reflection of the pond stood an old man. Almost white hair neatly tied on his head. A beard finely groomed.

Their eyes squinted, a trace of happiness glowing in them. They then turned to the child, "Yes, I think it's time to go."

Slowly the herd of elk moved together, their figures slowly disappearing one after another. Soon the only one that remained was the old man. Before he vanished he whispered some faint words.

"Have fun, little one."