Della

Sim was in deep thought as he lay on his bed staring at the ceiling. His breathing was slow as he tried to figure out everything he had learned. The apartment room was the place that was not affected by the insanity of these people. He wondered where Della was. Where was she hiding? If there was a way for him to find her he'll gladly take it.

A knock on the door had him jump out of bed as he looked over at the window noticing the moon was setting casting a beautiful shade of purple and blue on the walls. He reached for the door handle and he opened it. 

A flying metal ball smashed Sim in the face before smashing his body against the wall as hard as he could as he slid down the wall. His vision blurred as he heard laughing and cheering. Sim groaned in agony as he clutched his head and rolled off the bed landing on his feet. 

Getting to his knees he looked up and saw Kavan holding a spear and pointing it in his direction while watching Sim's annoyed face. Kavan chuckled seeing Sim's frustrated expression.

"I am not going!" Sim shouted. 

"Sim, you can't keep avoiding this forever!" Isla scolded. 

"Sure I can! Like this!" Sim laughed. 

As he bounced back on his bed simultaneously rolling away from Kavan and Isla. Sim looked up and caught the pole of the spear and stopped it from hitting him with his hand. 

"Oh come on! You're just gonna let them push you around like that!" Isla snapped.

"Wait, where is Roman?" He asked. 

Isla looked over at Kavan as well. He gave her a shrug and she turned back to Sim "Roman isn't here..." She informed.

"Fine, I am coming!" Sim growled. 

He got up from the bed stomping on the floor with his boots as he marched out of his bedroom. He looked left and right as the doors to the kitchen and living room were closed as he walked through them outside the main hall. He then looked behind himself making sure no one was following him. Making sure all were clear he darted toward the stairs and ran down them quickly.

"Why must you act like you are in a weird action movie?" Isla asked. 

"You would too if your life turned upside overnight!" He explained. 

They heard loud screams from the direction of the spiral tower as they echoed out through the empty town.

"I can never tell if that is ambiance or not anymore," Sim noted. 

"How long are you gonna wear those ugly clothes?" Isla shouted. 

Sim was confused by the judgment of his choice of clothes. He glanced down at himself seeing he was wearing a pair of ripped black jeans with holes at the bottom, a black T-shirt, a dark red flannel, a red jacket with a large pocket on the back, black combat boots, black leather belt, and two daggers hanging from the front pocket.

"Who are you dressing for?" Kavan laughed. 

"Obviously myself!" Sim yelled. 

"You can't fight with that brother!" Isla argued. 

They started to tug Sim back as he fought them off.

"It is my decision!" Sim said, pushing them off with force as the two fell backward as they landed heavily on their bottom.

"I will be back, Kavan will come with me!" Isla ordered. 

"Can I stay home?!" He shouted. 

They didn't answer him as they ran off down the road  disappearing in the distance

Kavan shook his head as he sighed, grabbing a piece of fruit from the bowl sitting inside before leaving. 

He decided to take a walk on his own down the road as he took bites from his fruit looking up at the stars shining down at the world as he ate a sudden breeze swept past causing the trees along the path to sway slightly.

"I checked my laptop and nothing is there meaning I most likely wiped it afterward…if I can't find those works then I will have to train," He thought. 

Feeling at peace as though the wind was speaking to him, he continued walking down the street looking at the stars. He couldn't help but think about how everything seemed so peaceful and tranquil, but as soon as something happens it always becomes chaotic.

"Something bad will happen sooner or later...there is no such thing as perfect," He thought.

[Cave of Spirits] 

A small cave entrance was filled with white-robed men and women holding torches lighting it up. One man in the middle was wearing a large gold cross hanging around his neck. He wore a red velvet suit with long black hair tied back in a ponytail, a big smile across his face as he was speaking.

"We have been called together by the spirits of our fallen comrades. This place should have belonged to the dead. Now it is ours. We have been given a great gift from above to make it our own. The future is ours!" The leader exclaimed. 

"This place is a sacred land and it shall remain untouched by man and god alike. No one may enter unless we give permission. We call upon those spirits who were once worshiped by many. Our prayers will go unanswered until we find a way to restore these forgotten times!" Another explained. 

"Sim!" Della shouted. 

The men and women began chanting as they threw their hands into the air.

"You know why this cave exists, don't you? This was created when the gods died. They created this place with their blood, sweat, and tears to protect this sacred ground. This is where the sacrifices and offerings were performed to appease the spirits of the gods. All this time they have been waiting here. Waiting for us." The Speech continued. 

"For a long time, we wandered this dark world, lost, hungry, and cold. We were alone. It's funny how humans forget what it truly means to be alone. How lonely life gets after you realize your purpose, what you're supposed to do, where you belong, and where you belong is not in this world. That is why we have gathered here tonight. To finally find a new place where no one ever finds us. No one cares. The spirit has been given its freedom! Let us begin!" The main priest noted. 

"We've been told you are able to perform rituals with these spirits. Please guide us in the creation of this sacred ground. What rituals do we need? What do we sacrifice? Do you have any idea how difficult this journey is? Are the prayers of these people enough? Will the gods forgive? Are we ready?" A man yelled.

"Yes yes yes! The gods will hear our pleas, they will forgive us and accept our sacrifice and return us to the paradise we deserve!" Another voice chanted.

The crowd cheered and cheered until suddenly the sound became deafening. Della looked sucked into the whole affair as Sim gawked confused trying to get his brain to work as he watched the man speak.

"Lady Della, please step forward,"  The man stated as he held out his hand.

"It is my time as I am now level 10 right?" Della questioned.

"Because the sacrifices need to be made. The spirits want to see your offering in the holy place, they will accept it. Come, Lady Della! Please allow us to show you the way.!"  The man insisted.

Della took a deep breath before stepping forward; she grabbed hold of his hand as he led her to the circle of stones in the center the crowd began to chant. Della stared ahead not moving as the man stood in front of the stone circles holding onto Della's hand and Della staring into space. She was silent, unable to look away.  After a few minutes, the chants stopped and everyone sat still.

"Della! Please stop this nonsense!" Sim shouted. 

"Shut up!" Della snapped at him.

Sim glared at Della and turned his attention back to the leader.

"You will continue with our ritual now," The man said to Della.

A tap on the shoulder had him turn around as the same man with red hair and grey eyes built a bodily frame in his robe with the cross hung around his neck.

"I need you to come with me," He asked. 

He complied following  him inside the cave 

"What are you doing!?" Sim whispered furiously.

"I need your help with one last ritual to keep our spirits alive! This will ensure we are protected against harm," He explained.

He complied following  him inside the cave which sparkled like the inside of a geode

  with little crystals and gems hanging on top of it that were glowing and shining.

"What do you need me to do?" Sim asked.

"Omni Illuminated Crashing!" The robed man shouted. 

[HP -76 HP remaining 24/100] 

Taking his fist he smashed it into Sim's stomach Sim screamed in pain, clutching his stomach as he collapsed on the floor dizzy from the blow before lying on his side. As Sim lay there he heard voices talking to him and he lifted himself up only to fall back down, feeling weak.

"We are only getting started!" He smiled.