These Guys Again? Come on

“Yup,” he said. “We are.”

Just what I needed. Another headache.

Meru studied Nathan’s face. “Something I should know about that loud person at the front?”

“He’s a nuisance.” Nathan caught Kieran already moving out of the corner of his eye. “We had a mild issue with his party, Golden Vengeance, back in Graystone.”

“Ah,” Meru said. There was a faint gleam in his eye. “Then you’d best follow your companion.”

Nathan nodded, turned and then hesitated.

He glanced back. “You… don’t know our names, do you?”

Meru regarded him for a moment. “You never introduced yourselves.”

“Right.”

“Not that it matters,” Meru added lightly. “I don’t usually bother with names.”

He smiled, faint and unreadable.

“I do know yours.”

The way he said it made Nathan’s skin crawl.

“Okay,” Nathan said. “Well. My companions are Kieran and Zam.”

“I use nicknames.”

Nathan paused. “Nicknames?”

“They are Asset,” Meru said easily. “And Noise.”

“Huh?”

“That is how I categorized them.”

“Uh-huh.” Nathan started to turn. “And what was my nickname?”

Meru didn’t hesitate.

“Variable.”

“Variable?”

Meru smiled.

The fuck.
It’s as bad as anomaly.

Anomaly made him think of Nyx and the girls. Bob. Everyone that wasn’t with them right now.

Nathan turned before he could think about it any longer.

Nothing I can do about it but move forward and get us out of here.

He waded through the crowd.

A roar of unhappy people.

“If they’re so good, then why don’t they just get a move on already?”
“Fodder. They want fodder!”

Kieran and Zam were already at the front.

Olark was talking.

Voice raised. Heated.

At Kieran.

His face was flushed with anger, finger wagging, spittle flying as he spoke. He stood half-turned toward the crowd, voice carrying easily as he gestured with one hand, the other resting on the hilt of his sword like it was a prop.

A performance.

He spoke the way people did when they expected to be listened to. Long, winding sentences. Explanations no one had asked for.

“…and that’s exactly why we’re not moving until this is resolved,” Olark was saying. “I won’t have only my party endangered by reckless—”

Nathan slowed as he approached, taking it in.

“…so if anyone thinks they can just push past us without consequence—”

Of course.
Like he has any right to be mad.
I’m sure Kieran didn’t even say anything yet.

Nathan’s gaze fixed on Kieran’s back a few paces ahead of him.

Arms crossed.
Silent.
Judging.

Nathan almost laughed as he pictured the glare Kieran must be wearing.

So glad that look hasn’t been directed at me in a while.
Huh. Can’t even remember the last time I was on the receiving end of that glare.

Olark kept going, voice rising and falling as he worked himself up, clearly pleased with the attention. A few members of Golden Vengeance hovered behind him, nodding along. Others nearby watched in wary silence, waiting to see how this would break.

“As I said, we have devised a strategy to make sure everyone gets through. A challenge.”

Nathan stopped beside Kieran.

“Sounds like you lot are the ones who benefit,” sneered a woman in the crowd.

“Yeah!”
Several others in the crowd agreed.

Nathan leaned toward Kieran. “So, what’s happening?”

Kieran kept his eyes on Olark. “The challenge, as he calls it, is to send other parties in first. Staggered.” He raised his voice slightly, enough for the crowd to hear. “They observe the dangers before committing their own party.”

Nathan snorted. “That sounds cowardly.” He looked past Kieran, voice carrying. “Right on track with how you operate.”

The crowd roared again.

“Yeah! Cowards!”
“Tryin’ to use us as fodder!”

“It’s a rotation!” Olark snapped. “We’ll all benefit.” His jaw tightened as he glared at Nathan and Kieran. “How dare you two try stirring up trouble like this.”

“Trouble? Us?” Nathan laughed. “We all made it onto this new floor, and now the great Golden Vengeance is holding everyone up because what?” He spread his hands. “You’re too afraid to be the first ones into uncharted territory?”

“It is strategy,” Olark boomed, forcing his voice louder, trying to reel the crowd back in. “There are several parties already on floor twelve who haven’t returned to relay information. So yes—uncharted territory.”

His gaze snapped back to Nathan. “Which means if we band together, most of us will reach the next floor more quickly.”

"Where is your honor?" Kieran deadpanned. "Always using others as stepping stones. Disgraceful.”

Nathan nodded, pleased.
Yeah. Kieran. You tell them cheaters.

The crowd reacted immediately.

“That’s right!”
“Disgraceful!”
“Using us like shields!”
“Call it what it is!”

Olark bristled, face darkening. “You’re twisting my words—”

“You twisted them yourself!” someone shouted back.

The noise surged, overlapping voices piling on faster than Olark could cut through. He tried anyway, raising his voice, jaw tight, hands coming up in sharp, commanding gestures.

“Listen to me,” he snapped. “This is strategy—”

Olark stopped.

Nathan caught it at the edges first. Voices lowering instead of rising. Words falling away, not because they were finished, but because something else had drawn attention.

A ripple passed through the crowd.

The roar thinned into murmuring.

“…Meru…”
“…Oglivos…”
“…That mage…”

Nathan looked over his shoulder.

Oh.

So that’s what finally shut Olark up.

The crowd began to part.

Nathan let out a slow breath.

Our pass decided to make his grand entrance.

Meru walked through the opening. His smile plastered.

"I have to agree with my comrade. Seems you don't feel confident to move forward on your own merit."

"Comrade?" Olark's face paled. He looked at Kieran then at Meru again. "That's not it. I came up with a strategy that will benefit us all."

“Tsk. You are in the way.” Meru's eyes darkened.

Olark faltered. "We have a pass. We are meant to be at the front."

Nathan stared at Olark’s necklace.
Really?
These dickwads got a pass, too?

“What a coincidence,” Meru said lightly, tapping the pass necklace at his throat. “So do I.”

Olark’s eyes dropped to it.

For a moment, something calculating flickered across his face. Then his spine straightened. His expression smoothed.

“Oh,” he said. “So you do.” He cleared his throat. “Would you like to lead? Normally, I’d challenge you to use the pass after us. We did arrive first.”

A smile stretched across his face. Forced. Polished.

“But,” he added, inclining his head, “I’m willing to concede to Meru Oglivos. Of the hero party who ended the Scourge War.”

Nathan looked at Meru.

What now?

Meru’s smile vanished.

Not faded. Not softened.

Gone.

What replaced it made Nathan’s stomach tighten. Something sharp. Contained. Barely.

“You simple,” Meru said quietly, “ridiculous peon.”

He stepped forward and extended one hand.

“Retrieve Destruction.”

A golden staff coalesced in his grasp, light folding in on itself as if dragged from somewhere else. A red crystal flared to life within the U-shaped head, energy crackling across its surface.

The crowd recoiled as one, bodies pressing hard against stone walls.

Meru leveled the staff at Olark.

Olark squeaked.

“G-Great Meru,” he stammered. “Have I… have I offended you?”

“Your existence is offensive,” Meru said calmly.

He inhaled, angling the staff just slightly back, power humming audibly now.

“Do not ever let the words hero party leave your mouth again.” His gaze burned. “And do not insult me by pretending your offer was gracious.”

His voice rose, sharp and scathing.

“Who are you trying to fool?”

Olark winced.

“Certainly not me.”

“W-what?” Olark croaked.

The rest of Golden Vengeance offered no assistance. They had already retreated to the walls, eyes averted, hands carefully empty.

Olark stood alone.

Small.

Very aware of it.

Nathan watched, stunned.

Damn.

Olark gestured shakily toward the corridor. “P-please. Help yourself. We’ll wait an hour. No—two hours.”

Meru clicked his tongue.

“I don’t think I’ve made myself clear.” His gaze didn’t waver. “Take your useless party back to floor ten. Stay there for one full day.”

Olark swallowed. “What?”

Meru tilted his head, almost curious.

“Would you like to challenge me to a duel?”

The rest of Olark’s party was already retreating along the edges of the crowd, eyes down, steps quick.

“Of course not,” Olark said hoarsely. “We will wait one day.”

Meru’s gaze stayed on him.

“I had better not see you again.”

Olark nodded once, sharp and desperate, then edged past Meru, slipping through the crowd to rejoin his party.

Nathan could hear Olark’s angry whispering as they retreated toward the stairs, the corridor otherwise silent.

Only once they were gone did Meru turn.

“Fellow adventurers,” he said calmly. “I did not mean to startle you. I hope you will forgive me.” He gestured toward the corridor. “We will proceed now. One hour stagger. In the order you arrived.”

People looked at one another.

Then someone clapped.

Another voice followed.

Applause broke out, cheers spilling through the space like pressure finally venting.

“Thank you, Mr. Oglivos!”
“Nothing to forgive!”
“That was incredible!”

Meru inclined his head once, accepting it without ceremony.

He turned toward Nathan. “Let us proceed.” He stepped forward without waiting.

Nathan glanced at Kieran.

His sword was already in his hand.

When did he pull that out?

Nathan’s gaze shifted to Zam. He stared down the corridor after Meru, then swallowed.

Kieran sheathed his sword.

“That was unexpected.”

“You seemed prepared,” Nathan said, glancing toward Meru’s retreating back.

Guess that answers my is-he-legit hesitation.

“I don’t think so,” Kieran said at last.

Nathan looked back at him. “Don’t think what?”

Kieran and Zam started after Meru.

Nathan followed.

Kieran kept his gaze forward. “If he had attacked,” he said quietly, “he would have annihilated us.”

“Annihilated?” Nathan scoffed. “You? Naw.”

Kieran stopped and turned.

“I could feel his mana,” he said. “I have never felt another’s mana like that.”

Kieran started forward again.

Goosebumps prickled along Nathan’s arms.

He steadied his breathing, and the four of them set out to clear the eleventh floor.

***

Meru seemed to need to blow off steam.

So he took the lead.

Whatever came at them didn’t last long. Fire. Raw energy. One and two word spells detonated corridors into smoking ruin. Enemies vanished in bursts of heat and light before Kieran or Zam could even adjust their footing.

Efficient. Excessive.

Kieran, while a fan of efficiency, did not seem pleased with being sidelined. He watched Meru’s casting closely.

Meru relied on Nathan only when it came to traps, pausing just long enough for him to flag what would have otherwise been obliterated along with the floor.

After a few hours, he slowed.

Without comment, he waved Kieran and Zam forward again and drifted back to Nathan’s side.

“Had your fill?” Nathan asked after a moment.

Meru exhaled softly. “Seemed a pity to monopolize the violence.”

“Hm. Pity. Yes.” Nathan gave him a slow side-eye.

Is he for real?

They walked in silence for a stretch.

“You named your staff Destruction?” Nathan asked eventually.

“A name can paralyze the weak,” Meru said. “Or entice the strong.”

Nathan considered that.

“Is there anything stronger than you?”

Meru seemed caught off guard for a second. “These days?”

He tilted his head back slightly. “About a month ago, I wouldn’t have hesitated to say no.”

“Has something changed?”

Meru glanced at him. “It’s like the world woke up.”

“Woke up?”

“A strange way to put it,” Meru said, “but I don’t have a better description. Everything that had become monotonous. Boring. Stagnant.” He paused. “Suddenly isn’t anymore. New prospects.”

About a month ago?
Like when Kieran and I started story mode?

Nathan almost missed a step.

“What is it this time?” Meru asked mildly. “Care to share with me?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Of course.” Meru sighed. “What must I do to earn your trust?”

Nathan didn’t know how to answer.
Or if he should.

So he didn’t.

“I suppose you made the decision to stay with us?” Nathan asked instead.

Meru looked at him. “I haven’t left yet. So, yes.”

“Do you think you’ll be able to teach Kieran how to cast and defend?”

Meru’s gaze shifted toward Kieran. “Yes. Though I’m still unsure why he can’t do this already.” His eyes returned to Nathan. “It would help if you were more open with me.”

Nathan looked away.

“Yes, yes,” Meru said lightly. “You aren’t ready to talk yet.”

Then Meru’s head snapped forward.

He moved in a blur, already striding toward Kieran and Zam.

Nathan’s hand went to his sword on instinct. Steel cleared leather as he followed, pulse kicking up.

“Back!” Meru shouted.

Kieran reacted instantly, hopping back and hauling Zam with him by the shoulder.

Nathan felt it then.

An oppressive weight pressed in from all sides.

“Sorcerers,” Meru said flatly. “They can cast. Stay vigilant.”

Three hooded figures bled out of the shadows ahead, their forms indistinct, edges warping as if reality itself didn’t quite agree with them.

Nathan didn’t ignore the notification this time.

[ Level 20: Dark Sorcerer ]
Attribute: Mana Flame Wraith

Flame wraith?

Hint: Avoid the flames. They are hard to put out. Sometimes known as eternal flames.

Good to know?

Meru glanced back over his shoulder.

“Asset,” he called. “To my side.”

Kieran didn’t move. He held his sword ready, stance firm, eyes locked on the figures ahead.

Asset?
Oh. Right.

Nathan reacted without thinking.

He stepped in and shoved Kieran forward by the shoulder. Hard enough to get his attention.

“He means you, sir!”

Kieran shot Nathan a sharp look, then understood. He moved immediately, taking position beside Meru.

The three hooded figures lifted their arms in unison.

Fire bloomed.

Not wild. Focused. Compressed heat lanced forward like thrown spears.

Meru tilted his staff.

He called out, “Snare.”
A precise, contained light intercepted one blast midair.

The fire folded inward instead of exploding, collapsing with a violent hiss.

“We are going to have a little field training today, my Asset,” Meru said calmly.

Kieran didn’t hesitate. “I will do my best.”

“Good,” Meru replied, eyes never leaving the enemies.

Another volley surged toward them.

“Defend.”

The word landed like a commandment.

Nathan watched the air in front of Meru and Kieran thicken, mana pulling taut into something invisible but solid. The fire spears struck and skidded away, dispersing harmlessly.

“Your augmented sword will work on them, but,” Meru continued evenly, “today, we will work on your defense.”

“Defense?” Kieran asked, tightening his grip.

Meru blocked another blast with a shift of his staff and a counter spell.

“Yes. Imagine the mana on your blade as an extension of yourself.”

“An extension,” Kieran repeated, lifting the sword slightly.

Nathan watched, absorbed despite himself.

This reminds me of my training.
I miss having mana.

The sorcerers stayed back, clearly long-range. Fire kept coming. Measured. Relentless.

Meru deflected it all without issue.

“Hold it steady,” Meru said. “Words are powerful. The mana listens.”

“What word?” Kieran asked.

“Defend. Block. Shield,” Meru said. “Whatever resonates with your intent.”

Another blast screamed toward them.

Meru thwarted it with ease.

Nathan watched Kieran’s fingers curl tighter around the hilt.

“Barrier!”

His sword flared. Just a little. The mana only sparked, but it had answered.

“That is a strong word,” Meru said. “A good choice for a strapping man like yourself.”

Nathan looked at Meru.
Seriously, dude?

Meru gave Kieran a few more minutes.

“It’s a start,” he said.

Then he turned.

“Obliterate.”

The hooded figures didn’t even have time to scream before they vanished.

Nathan blinked several times.
So fast.
And terrifyingly precise.

Kieran stared at the empty space. “That’s it?”

“For now,” Meru said easily. “I only wished to run a test.” He glanced at him. “You have potential.”

“Will I be able to use magic outside of my augment?” Kieran asked.

“I believe so.”

Nathan smiled.
I never doubted it once I saw he had MP.
But still. This is exciting.

“Whoa. Wasn’t that something?”

Nathan startled and looked to his right.

Zam was standing beside him.
When did he get there?

Zam looked at him, expression conflicted. “I feel useless.”

Nathan snorted. “Welcome to the club.”

Meru stayed at the front with Kieran.

Nathan and Zam fell into the rear.

Zam was in an unusually good mood.

He had finally graduated to Bronze tier.

Nathan offered his congratulations and half-listened as Zam talked about his ma and his home. He didn’t mind. Zam had a calming, warm energy Nathan found easy to be around.

While he listened, Nathan kept one eye on the map.

They ran into a few more mana-based enemies along the way. Each time, Meru slowed just long enough to give Kieran brief, on-the-fly guidance. Corrections. Adjustments. Nothing wasted.

The boss room came next.

One hulking casting-type creature waited inside, horned and massive, mana radiating off it in heavy waves that even Nathan could feel.

Nathan’s notification tagged it as a Level Twenty-Five Horned Demon.

His brain immediately misread it.

Horny Demon.

He huffed a laugh.

It went down without much fuss.

Nathan shook his head once.
Still an easy ass dungeon.

They headed for the stairs to the twelfth floor.

***

On the twelfth floor, they came across a marked area.

“I didn’t think we’d see these here,” Nathan said.

“The first party would’ve put it down,” Meru replied, stretching. “I’m ready to rest.”

No one argued.

Nathan pulled everything from his inventory.

It was quiet here. Secluded.

“Monsters don’t attack?” Nathan asked, glancing around.

“Between trigger zones,” Meru said.

“Like the walk time before something spawns?”

“Correct.”

Nathan exhaled.

Like a save point in a game. I’ll take it.

Kieran and Nathan set up all the tents. Meru’s was the largest.

Zam rolled out his bedroll nearby.

While they worked, Zam moved to start a fire. Meru beat him to it, igniting one instantly with a flick of his staff.

Zam grinned. “That works. I’ll get started on food.”

“You are cooking?” Meru asked, sounding genuinely uncertain.

“He’s a great cook,” Nathan said, laughing. “Even you should find his presentation entertaining.”

“Presentation?”

“You’ll see.”

Meru said nothing. He materialized a table from his inventory, then two chairs, and began setting up a Pogo board.

He really is obsessed with that game.

Once everything was set, Meru called Nathan over to sit and play.

Kieran found a nearby rock and settled onto it instead.

Zam put on another cooking show, rattling off what he was doing and why as he worked.

No Marla around this time to interrupt him.

He talked about his ma and her wisdom.

Nathan played earnestly with Meru.

He was still nowhere close to actually beating him.

Zam finished cooking fairly quickly.

He served Meru first, handed him a plate, and waited.

Nathan sighed and stood to get his own.

Kieran held one out to him.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Nathan started to turn. “We should go over your interface stats later. I bet you’ve leveled up. And the skill trees.”

“Sure.”

Nathan returned to the chair at the table.

Meru was expressing his surprise at the quality of the food.

“Told you,” Nathan said.

“You were right.”

They finished eating and continued playing.

Kieran and Zam exchanged a few quiet words while watching the game.

A few matches later, something had been bothering Nathan for a while. He debated how to bring it up.

Meru must have noticed him shifting.

“What is it?”

“Hm?”

“You’re squirming in your seat, and I don’t think it has anything to do with the game.”

“Oh. Well. It may be sensitive.”

Meru moved a few tokens across the board.

“Out with it.”

“Okay,” Nathan said. “Earlier, Olark said you were with the hero party. What did he mean?”

Zam inhaled so sharply Nathan heard it.

Did I fuck up?

Meru made a few more moves.

Nathan assumed he wasn’t going to answer.

Then Meru spoke.

“I was a member of the party later referred to as the Hero Party.”

“What happened?”

“We defeated what was known as the Scourge,” Meru said. “I was the only survivor.”

He laid down a card.

“The title was granted posthumously.”

No one spoke.

Meru looked up at Nathan.

“We grew up together,” he said. “Three of them.”

Childhood?

Nathan realized he hadn’t thought of them as NPCs in a long time. They felt too real for that.

“I was twenty,” Meru continued. “An orphan. No ties to the world.”

He moved another piece.

“Then I had a title with weight. And more money than I knew what to do with.”

He was quiet for a while, then gestured for Nathan to take his turn.

“That must have been difficult for you,” Nathan said.

“Difficult.” Meru considered the word. “No. I was bored out of my mind.”

“I see.”

“Once you defeat something like that,” Meru continued, moving a piece, “there is nowhere left to go.”

He didn’t look up.

“I traveled. Cleared dungeons across the continent. Took the highest paying guild contracts.”

Another move.

“Nothing changed. New floors didn’t open. Requests were repetitive. Dealing with people is tedious.”

He paused.

“So I occupied myself.”

Nathan waited.

“Games,” Meru said lightly. “Pleasures in various forms. Anything that made the days pass.”

Nathan stared at the board.

“You do enjoy the attention you get, though, don’t you?”

Meru rolled a token between his fingers.

“I can’t say I entirely dislike it.” The corner of his mouth twitched into a smile.

I knew it.

“What exactly was the Scourge?”

Meru smiled at him.

“You certainly don’t seem to know much about history,” he said. “I find that interesting.”

“Are you dodging my question?”

Meru leaned back, stretched, and laid down a card.

“I win.”

He stood and collected the tokens, cards, and board, storing them back into his inventory.

“I have answered enough of your questions for today. It is time to rest.”

I still haven’t answered any of his questions, Nathan realized. Even though he’s shared so much.

“Goodnight, darlings,” Meru said lightly, waving as he walked away.

Nathan caught him wink at Kieran and just rolled his eyes.

That’s just how he is. Still a bitch.

***

Later, Nathan sat by the fire with Kieran, his golden interface open between them.

He skimmed it.

Still D-rank. Fine.

HP and MP were higher than the last check. MP especially. That was what mattered.

“That MP,” Kieran said, studying the numbers, “that is my magic ability?”

“Yes.”

“It has gone up.”
Kieran nodded to himself.

Nathan scrolled.

The S-rank trait was unchanged.

That’s fine.

He scrolled again—

Then froze.

“Sir!” he shrieked.

“What is it?” Kieran asked, already scanning the area.

Nathan grabbed his shoulder. “Points. You have fourteen points.”

He pointed at the interface so Kieran could see what he was talking about.

Unallocated values hovered there, waiting.

Nathan let out a quiet laugh. “Finally.”

“You seem excited,” Kieran said. “I have no idea what that means.”

“It means I can build—” Nathan cut himself off. “Never mind. It’s a good thing.”

“If you say so.”

Nathan forced himself to slow down. He needed to focus.

“Alright,” he said, leaning back so he could see the whole interface at once. “We’re not touching Strength or Agility yet. You’re already ahead of the curve there.”

Kieran inclined his head. “You mean I’m built different?”

Nathan glanced at him. His cheeks threatened to warm. “You remember that?”

“How could I not? You screamed it aloud.”

“I did not scream.”

“You spoke loudly.”

“Are you trying to be funny?”

“Never.”

Nathan sighed. “Let me focus, please.”

“As you wish.”

Kieran turned his face away.

Nathan was fairly sure he was smiling.

Jerk.

Nathan tapped Vitality first.

Two points flowed in.

HP ticked upward immediately.

“Survivability,” Nathan said. “Always first.”

Next, Perception.

One point.

“Synergy with your trait,” he murmured. “Threat Instinct scales better the more you can actually interpret.”

Then Willpower.

Two points.

Kieran’s MP nudged upward again, the interface responding smoothly.

Nathan grinned. “There it is.”

He paused, fingers hovering.

A skill tab glowed at the edge of the interface. The mage path. Now available. Waiting to be acknowledged.

Fuck yes. Gotta play this right.

He didn’t commit to it yet.

“Last ones go here,” he said, mostly to himself.

He allocated the remaining points into Willpower and Perception, balancing them deliberately.

The interface settled.

Nathan exhaled, satisfied.

“This keeps you lethal, durable, and ready,” he said. “Next quest, we start feeding the mage path properly.”

Kieran studied the numbers in silence.

“I trust your judgment,” he said at last.

Nathan smiled, eyes still on the interface.

“Good,” he said. “Because I’ve been waiting a long time to do this.”

“You do get a maniacal look after staring at my interface,” Kieran observed.

“Maniacal?” Nathan looked up at him. “I’m just excited. This gets us closer to getting out of here.”

“Me leveling up?”

“Yes. Well. Both of us.”

“Speaking of getting out,” Kieran said, “where are we on overall progress?”

Nathan opened his own interface.

[ Overall Progress: 9% ]

Kieran frowned. “Nine percent? That’s all?”

“Yeah,” Nathan said. “Doesn’t look promising. I keep wondering if I’m missing something.”

Nine percent.

Nathan shuddered.

Five percent triggered that memory.
Or had it been leaving Graystone?

Whatever it was, he wasn’t looking forward to a repeat performance.

I do wonder what happened to Mal.
And her family.
The others.

“Are you alright?” Kieran asked.

“Yes. Why?”

“You had that faraway look in your eyes.”

“Ah. Yeah. I’m good. Thanks.”

They both stared into the fire.

“I feel confident I will be able to use magic like a proper mage,” Kieran said.

“I have no doubt,” Nathan said, smiling at him.

Especially with me helping you.
And that crazy bastard mage, I suppose.

Kieran nodded.

They stayed quiet for a little longer.

“I have questions for you,” Kieran said.

“Questions?”

“Yes.” Kieran met his eyes. “I need to know more about you. Who you are.”

Nathan’s heart started thumping.

“Who I am?”

“Yes. You know what I mean.” Kieran’s voice stayed calm. “I had hoped to let you come to me, in your own time.”

Nathan felt frozen. He wasn’t ready for whatever this was right now.

“I’m worried you may never reveal things,” Kieran continued. “You are still keeping much from me.”

“I—” Nathan swallowed. “Once things are said aloud, I can’t backtrack. In my position—”

It could mean life or death.

Nathan couldn't finish the thought out loud.

He could feel Kieran observing him.

"As long as you are aware that I am still waiting."

Nathan took a moment. “I am aware.”

“Good.”

It got quiet again.

This is awkward now.

“Whoever you are,” Kieran said, eyes on the fire, “I’m not sure how you ended up in this situation. But I am certain you are good.”

Nathan stared at him.

His throat tightened. He felt like he might cry.

Kieran stood. “I am going to my tent—”

“Nathan.”

Kieran paused.

Nathan held out his hand. “I’m Nathan.”

Kieran looked at it, then took it in his.

“It’s nice to meet you,” he said. “Nathan.”

“Yeah,” Nathan said. “You too.”

Their hands separated.

“It’s the best I can offer you right now,” Nathan said. “My name.”

“It’s a start.”

“Yeah.”

A blue notification flared into existence in front of Nathan.

[ Initializing... ]
[ ACCESS BLOCKED ]

"It is the same as before." Kieran said.

"It is."

[ Reinitializing… ]
[ ACCESS BLOCKED ]

[ Reinitializing… ]
[ ACCESS GRANTED]

“That’s new,” Nathan said.

Another screen pushed forward.

It looked like a messenger interface.

Text appeared slowly, letter by letter, as if someone were typing in real time.

Hello?

I’ve been trying to reach you.

Can you read this now?

Kieran and Nathan exchanged a glance.

A keyboard appeared.

What in the fuck is this now?