The Cold Burdens Of Survival

The return trip was quiet, somber, and there was little need to explain why. Upon reappearing at the dungeon’s entrance after their time in the Chamber of Fate, Ember, Lian, and Maggie all found that their levels had been raised to ten. There was of course no way Moze’s experience alone managed to boost them that high, but it was possible that this was the help the reaper claimed to have offered. None of them cared at the moment as those additional skill points sat dormant within their books. Thordon and Clarissa remained at the back, giving the others some space. Though Thordon found himself stung by the loss of Moze, he felt the others were in a very different situation than himself. Ruori meanwhile strutted off to the side. She seemed to show little reaction when the news of Moze hit her, but she did aim to make herself the lookout for the return trip.

The fort had been a much farther journey than the trip to the bandit camp, and it was already starting to get dark. Unfortunately, encounters with mobs were inevitable, but the fights all ended quickly. They were handled quietly and without a word from all but Ember who shouted and growled even outside of Rage. When they finally reached the borders of Santa Rio, they did not return to their old camp. Their supplies would just need to wait there for another time. Instead, they made their way back into town. Ember lead them to the Slumbering Calf inn, the very inn he stayed at when he was first pulled into this world. He met with the dwarven barman once more, but was particularly short on words. Implored by the man to share his troubles, Ember was far from in the proper mood for it, simply taking his key and slowly making his way up the steps.

He managed to secure a larger room this time at least. There were only four beds, but nobody seemed to have an issue with that. They lit some candles and set down their belongings before finally taking a much needed seat. Things then were silent for a while, once more. Everyone flipping through their codexes idly while Ruori sat and stared out the window. Eventually, perhaps tired of the sullen mood or relentless silence, the elf shrugged and finally spoke.

“So, what now?” Ruori asked.

“Whaddya mean what now?” Ember replied curtly.

“I mean, what exactly do you plan to do now? Think you’re just gonna give up now that Moze is dead?” Ruori asked, still staring out the window.

There was a short silence before Ember sighed. “Man, I dunno. It’s just… none of this even feels real, you know? I mean, pulled into a video game aside I just… Moze being dead… It just doesn’t make any sense to me. I mean, he was right there! I thought we were supposed to respawn or something when we died. Apparently not though, and nobody seemed to think we needed to know that kinda crap, you know?” Ember grumbled.

“Yea, sure woulda been nice if that freak in the mask actually told us that ahead of time, wouldn’t it? Still, can't always have it easy, can we?” Ruori stated, tapping her fingers on the table.

“Yea, well, seems like a pretty important thing to know. It’s like they wanted someone to die.” Ember growled, before laying down on the bed.

“Maybe they did, who knows. At the very least, we know that we seem to be playing a different sort of game than most of the other players, one that could cost us our lives if we’re not careful. If you ask me, I think we should try again tomorrow.” Ruori suggested.

That sparked the attention of the rest of the room, snapping them temporarily from the melancholy and turning their attention to Ruori and especially invoking the ire of Lian. “Seriously, tomorrow!? Ruori, maybe you don’t care, but we just lost Moze to that place hours ago! We need to figure something out at the very least, but I don’t even want to think about that place right now!”

“Sure, but is sitting around here, moping going to do you any favors? You guys were given extra levels on your way out of that place. That dungeon caps you at level ten, meaning you couldn’t possibly be any more prepared for it. Besides, now that I know for certain we’re being toyed with, I think I wanna get some answers myself, and the sooner the better.” Ruori demanded.

“Yea, well sucks to be you I guess Ruori. The only way you’re getting in there is with us, and I think we should wait and give ourselves a chance to settle down.” Lian protested.

“We’ll put it to a vote then. What about you Ember? What do you want to do?” Ruori asked, turning her attention to the imp on the bed.

Ember was silent for a moment before speaking up. “I think… I wanna figure out what’s going on here and why Moze had to die.“ Ember replied, his tail thumping loudly against the bed.

“Okay, okay, very reasonable. And you Maggie?” Ruori asked again, this time turning her head to the small plush sitting on the bed and staring at the floor.

“I think… I… I just want Mister Moze back…” She replied with a sniffle.

Lian just sighed. “Look, we’re all tired now. Why don’t we get some rest and we’ll talk about it more tomorrow?”

Moments after saying that, the door to their room suddenly received a knock before a female voice spoke from the opposite side. “Room service. Mind if I come in? Ruthrik had me brew you some tea. It's on the house!”

The group looked to each other before Ember motioned for someone to open the door. That someone was Clarissa who leaned over and pulled it open. On the opposite side was a what looked to be some sort of bee-like creature. They had a round head with two large antennae and thick puffy fuzz with a thick black stripe around their chest. They were dressed in the same finery as the staff, but a prominent black stinger stuck out from behind them. Ember would have recalled them as a Cucolvo from character creation if he had the mind to.

“Ah, thank you! Ruthrik said you looked troubled so he wanted to do somethin nice for ya.” She said before making her way over to the table and setting down a large metal platter laden with tea cups and two teapots. “There you go. Now, is there anything you need? Maybe an ear for your troubles?”

The party looked amongst one another before Ember sighed. “I-It’s nothing you need to bother yourself with. It’s just… we lost a good friend today…”

“Oh no, oh, I’m so sorry to hear that guys! I know how hard it can be out there. Please, if there’s anything I can do for you, just ask.” She offered kindly, her wide eyes showing immense remorse.

“Thanks, we’ll… we’ll keep that in mind.” Ember replied.

“Please do. You’re always welcome here.” She said before slowly making her way to the door. “Oh! By the way, Maybe it’s too early to talk about, but if you’re looking for a place to put him to rest, there’s a church in town and a really nice priest who just moved in not long ago. Maybe pay him a visit.”

“Th-thanks, we’ll keep that in mind.” Ember said before the bee left.

Ember just scooted up to the pillow and rested his head upon it. “I’m tired. I think I’m gonna turn in for the night… Goodnight.”