Vane

I opened my eyes slowly, bright lights glowed above me. I saw two bright candles lit hanging above me. I looked to the side, to realize I was in a small room, on a single worn mattress pushed into the corner. A small fire blazed in the front of the room, and there was a table with a few chairs along the opposite wall. I moved to sit up and winced at the slight pain in my shoulder, I reached up to grip it to realize it was covered in gauze and bandages. I felt something hard beneath the bandage, and I stuck my fingers in to pull out a green crystal, tucked into the folds of the bandage.

"It's a healing crystal." A voice came from the doorway. I jumped, bumping my head against the side wall. I groaned and clutched my head. The melodic voice chuckled and moved farther into the room. I had dropped the crystal and it bounced across the floor.

The large figure moved to the fallen crystal to pick it up. He had an imposing figure, well over six feet tall. His muscles strained against the fabric of his long black duster, the front of which was open to reveal a padded leather tunic beneath it. He wore black leathers for pants. My gaze lifted from the muscles on his chest, along his strong square jawline, straight aquiline nose, full lips. His tanned skin contrasted with his silver-white shaggy hair. His eyes were a piercing, dark gunmetal gray. I swallowed audibly.

He tossed the crystal towards me, I moved to catch it easily, only to blanche and look down, realizing I was not wearing a shirt, but just had thick padded bandage across my shoulder and chest. I blushed and rushed to cover myself with the blanket. He stared at me squarely, not looking away, and raised a brow.

"You know, I saw everything already when I healed you." His lips quirked up at the corners in a smirk. I scowled. He was right. Raising a brow, I stared him square in the eyes and dropped my blanket, exposing my upper body. His eyes widened a little in shock, and I swear a blush coloured his lips. I looked him square in the eye and reached to the end of the bed for my leather tunic. Slowly and deliberately I pulled it over my shoulders to cover myself. Luckily, I was still wearing my pants. I smirked at his reaction; I never had been shy.

"What happened? Where are we?" I asked, when he finally met my gaze. He sat down on the chair next to the fireplace and leaned his head on his hand while he looked at me.

"You passed out at the edge of the woods, you had poison in your system. I brought you to the tavern and healed you with a couple of crystals. You really need to make sure you carry some on you." He scolded. As he turned his head to look toward the fire, I could see his profile, and I could see the pointed tips of his ears peaking out beneath his hair. Another race, he must be a beta player.

"I'm rather new to Aether, I hadn't even made it to town yet." I admitted, running my fingers through my wild black curls. I saw my sword propped up against the wall next to the fireplace and sighed in relief. I moved to go pick it up and started cleaning the blade.

"Is it your first full immersion?" He asked, "With the immersive gear, most people can't really feel pain. But our brain still sends the message to our system saying we should be in pain." He gestured to my shoulder. I winced. A beta player wouldn't be feeling the pain like I am right now.

"Something like that." I muttered, and studiously turned back to my blade. The man snorted. Then his eyes widened.

"You're a Lost Soul." He stated. I shrugged and looked at the fire, staring into its depths. I tried not to think about how I was trapped here. How my sister was waiting at home for no one to come. What would happen to her? I also didn't know how I felt about trusting someone in here with the information that I could die.

"Aren't we all lost souls, to some extent?" I quipped, my lips lifting in half a smile. The man rolled his eyes and tossed what looked like a wrapped sandwich at me. I smiled gratefully and began to eat.

"How did you end up here?" He asked, he leaned forward in his chair, his eyes had softened. I thought carefully before I opened my mouth.

"I needed money, and I made a deal with the wrong company. Now I'm here." I said simply. His eyes were wide, and he gripped the edge of the table with white knuckles.

"They killed you?!" He exclaimed. His eyes narrowed. I nodded, still staring at the fire. A tear slipped down my cheeks. He looked panicked and moved over to the side of the bed where I was, he placed a hand on my back tentatively.

"Hey, it's okay. You'll get through this game." He said. "There are plenty of safe places to survive and build a life. You could open a shop, run an inn. You could pick up a craft or trade." He rubbed soothing circles on my back. I clenched my fists. Just lie down and take what these people have done to me? Living a life here, would be accepting everything that has happened in this messed up world. Living here, would mean giving up on Emily. I gripped the handle of my sword and stared at the shimmering black steel. I admired the gentle curves and edges. The unyielding sharpness.

"I have to get back. I have someone waiting for me." I said. His eyes fell slightly, and he bit his lower lip.

"You're thinking about going after the end game prize." He said. I nodded.

"I don't think I have much choice." I answered, softly. He slowed the movement of his hand.

"We always have a choice. Is this person worth it? Death in here is true death. You are data, there will be no afterlife." He says ominously. I frown and wrap my arms around myself.

"She's worth it." I said. His eyes quirked up at the word "she". He frowned and stared at the fireplace, as if deep in thought.

"Well, we're going to have to train you." He said. My eyes widened, and I looked up at him. His lips were quirked up in that smirk.

"You're going to help me? Why?" I asked. He leaned back against the wall and put his hands behind his head. He smiled and shrugged.

"It sounds entertaining. And maybe there's someone I want to bring back to life." He mused. I tilted my head to the side and nodded. Okay then.

"Are you a beta player?" I asked him. He shrugged again.

"Something like that." He mocked my words. I stuck my tongue out at him. He chuckled. Then he straightened and stood in the middle of the room. He spread his arms out wide and spun in a slow circle.

"Welcome to Vale, the beginning town." He held his hand out toward me. "I'm Vane." I reached out and placed my delicate hand in his strong, calloused one. It dwarfed my hand.

"Fayre." I said. We shook hands.