Vol. 5, Chapter 87: Dust to Dust

It happened when the snowstorm was at its worst, when the snow falling before us was like a thick white blanket, one that is soggy and cold. It was during such a time that we were attacked by none other than one of the enemy Champions. This one is the Archer/Assassin, and as for how he was able to track us through the snow, I suspect that he has the [Tracking] skill, a skill that allows the player to see a marked target regardless of where the target is on the map. It's a useful skill to have on massive player versus player maps such as the one used in guild wars.

Was he able to [mark] one of us, or did he somehow managed to [mark] their capture friend as she was being carried off? No, it can't be the latter case. If he knew where she was, then all three Champions on the search would attack at the same time. From how it looks, it seems that he's alone. He didn't even bring backup with him, likely because they'd slow him down.

His initial attack took out one of the Dragonbroods. It was a [Penetrating Arrow], and it easily pierced through the Dragonbrood's thick hide. Optimally, he'd want to take out one of the Champions, but due to the cloak we're wearing, he probably couldn't tell, especially not with his vision impaired by the snow. Even so, it did not change the fact that we were at a disadvantage, as while the enemy could not pick us out from the Dragonbroods, we had no idea where the enemy even was.

In response, we decided to form a defensive circle around the less 'tanky' members. Those of the outer circle will soak up the damage while the healers within the inner circle would heal any damage the outer circle would sustain. Like so, we were able to hold out till the storm subsided, causing the enemy Champion to make a hasty retreat now that he had lost his sole advantage.

"Looks like we held out somehow."

"Finally, it's over! I don't think I could have held out any longer. The suspense was killing me."

Six falls over into the snow only to immediately crawl back up upon realizing how cold it is.

"Ugh... I need a place to sit down. Hey, when are we getting out of the mountains?"

"Shouldn't be too long, at least according to Nibal. Still, even if we leave the mountains, there's no guarantee that we'll have lost the pursuers, so I wouldn't get my hopes up about resting."

Though he says that, Oro is leaning against his massive greatsword, looking about just as tired as Six is.

I'd imagine if we, those of the class with the highest physical prowess are this tired, then no doubt Corona, a Sorcerer, should be even more so.

"Hey, Corona, how are you- Corona!?"

"What, what's wrong? Did something happen to..."

Oro notices as well, and the moment he realizes it, his face turns pale and his eyes widen in disbelief. Corona, she's gone. Not only that, so are our captive, with the only clues as to what happened being a dead Dragonbrood that had apparently bled out silently on the snow while we're focused on the hidden enemy Archer/Assassin.

"Shit! What are we going to do now!?"

"Calm down, the situation isn't that bad. Corona, she's still fine. She's still in our party and her Hp is still full. She's not in any danger yet."

Six was starting to panic but Oro calmed him down while trying to keep his own cool about the situation, even though he's should be most worried about the missing Corona.

Our escaped captive aside, we should try to locate Corona. If we're lucky, she might even be with the captive, being used as a hostage or something.

"Michaela, can you take into the sky and help us search?"

Of all of us, Michaela should be able to cover the most ground. And with the snowstorm settling down, she should have no problem taking flight. However, as I made my request, another problem arises

"Michaela?"

Michaela, she is disappearing, her body falling apart into particles of light.

"A message from my liege."

Even while her body slowly disintegrates, she speaks with her usual calm and gentle tone, the tone that would usually soothe one's heart. However, right now, there's only a wrenching feeling at the pit of my stomach.

"Continue with the mission, he said. All is well. Proceed as planned."

"Wait, what do you mean all is well!? This isn't looking good at all."

Now Six is really panicking and frankly, so am I. The way she's disappearing, this doesn't look like she's being called back at all. Instead, it looks more like she's dying from a fatal blow. She wasn't hit by anything, was she? No, not from the looks of it, and her Hp is full as well. So that could only mean.

"Michaela, what happened with Aurelius?"

"All is well. Continue with the mission..."

As she repeats those vague words, she eventually vanished, leaving nothing at all behind. With that, our original party of six had been reduced to three.

***

I can't see. I can't hear. I can't feel my body. It's as if all sensations have left me. Or, perhaps it's me that have left the sensations behind along with my body? Do I even have a body left? Not after that blast, I don't think. Oh, wait. Perhaps I spoke too soon. I'm starting to hear something... Voices, they're voices, and they do not sound pleased at all.

"Au... Aureli...... Aurelius!"

"Oh hey... What's up?"

I seem to be propped up at the base of a tree. Did something dragged me over or did the blast knocked me all the way here? In front of me, I see Toto kneeled down. She had her hands reaching out, yet, at the same time, she seems hesitant to touch me, as if I'll break apart at the slightest contact.

"What... What were you thinking!?"

"Well, a lot of things actually. There's so much to think about these days I feel constantly light-headed."

Despite my best attempt to appear aloof, it does not seem to calm Toto down one bit. Tears just keep on rolling down her cheeks without any sign of stopping. Do I look that bad?

Slowly, I tilt my head downwards to take a look at my own state. Seeing that I can't really feel much of anything, I'd reckon that I probably lost about most of my limbs, and so I am prepared for what I am about to see. However, how should I put it, it's not exactly as bad as I thought. Well, I mean, everything below my chest is gone and my arms are nowhere to be found either. It's pretty bad, just not as much as I expected. At least there isn't any blood and gore, only glittering dust falling from my torn up body.

Across from me, I spot another body in a similar condition to mine. This one is sickeningly bloody, and if my [Insight] wasn't working, I probably wouldn't be able to tell that it's Remus. He's dead right? Proper dead? No one is going to cast [Resurrection] on him, right? Beside him, watching over him vigilantly is the princess. She's probably there to make sure that my worst fear doesn't happen. She'll be able to cast [Dispel] at the first sight of him reviving if she's that close to him. However, as I'm thinking such thoughts, the princess suddenly jerks away from the body. Something is happening.

Following my sight, Toto looks over as well, and together, we witness something emerging from Remus' body. Yes... it certainly was 'something' alright. I can't quite find words to describe it, as it is without form or shape. It is something that we simply know is there, something sinister, malevolent, and profoundly hateful. If most of my body hadn't been blown to bits, I'd probably be sweating buckets right now. Fortunately, as suddenly as it came, it quickly vanished, like morning mist evaporating by the heat of the rising sun.

I see now, so that's the one, the one behind Remus' power and knowledge. I think I might know who it could be. The disgusting feeling I have at the pit of my stomach, I have experienced it before. It was only through a memory, but it was vivid enough for me to feel the same way. It's one of them, one of the Type-Zeros. Looks like the Grand Keeper, Seven, had let one slip her by. I suppose this is one of those times to go, 'You had one job!' But, she's not here and on top of that, she's kind of scary, so I'll keep it to myself. I'll take it to my grave even, which wouldn't take too long.

"Is... Is it gone?"

"I think so, yes..."

"Aurelius, you'll be fine, right? We'll just have to get someone to heal you right? I know! The [Demonic Tree]! It'll be able to somehow keep you alive, right?"

She's trying to sound optimistic, for my sake probably, but her desperation is coming through in her voice.

Slowly, gently, I shake my head.

"Toto, look at me. How am I even able to talk so normally like this? One look and you should know this isn't normal. I'm sorry, I really am, about this, and the fact that I kept it from you till the last second, but the thing is, I was already dead."

"What... are you talking about?"

Her voice trembles. It's almost as if she knew what I am about to say. She probably guessed it, the moment she saw me walking about and fighting in top condition.

"I used [Resurrection]."

More precisely, after sending Toto away, I broke away from the [Demonic Tree] and have it use [Resurrection] on me just as I am about to die. Thanks to that, I came back with full heal and mana. Of course, the downside of that is the fact that the effect only lasts so long. All in all, it's a good thing that I stopped Remus before my time is up.

"Is there.... Is there nothing I can do?"

"Yeah... I don't think so. [Resurrection] could only be used once. I'm sorry, but I can't figure another way out."

Remus was a tough opponent. And by sending everyone away, even though it was for a plan, which worked out, by the way, I guess I screwed myself over in the long run.

Gradually, I can feel myself fading away. My time is running out. No, perhaps my time was already up. I was only able to extend it by having Nine [Overwrite] this body with the World Breaker. I probably have that to thank for my body not being completely vaporized by Remus' blast.

"Seriously... that idiot... firing off......... at point-blank. Now he... killed us...... both."

"Aurelius? Aurelius, don't go! We still need you! Please stay!"

Sorry, no can do. This is it for me. But, don't worry about it. I've got a plan. I've always got a plan. Just follow the 'princess'. She'll know what to do. Because... Because I... I......

***

"Hey! Hey! Wake up! No napping on company time!"

"Come one, give him a break. He's sick."

"We've got no time for this! We have a deadline to make. Just give him some energy drink! He'll pull through."

In my murky consciousness, I get a feeling that I'm being yelled at. It's by a nostalgic voice no less. A voice I occasionally still hear in my nightmares.

"Hey, buddy. You awake? Sorry about that. I tried to tell them, but they won't listen?"

"Huh? Wha-?"

"Man, I think your cold's getting worse. Do you need anything?"

"Something... Something warm..."

"Sure, I get right to it. And tell me if you need anything else, alright?"

"Sure thing..."

"Make sure you do, okay. I know how you're like."

Is this... Is this my old office? My head hurts. What was I doing? I can't quite remember. I think I got sick a day or two ago, but the boss wouldn't let me take a break, said we're understaffed and we needed to launch the beta by next month. Even added something like, 'you don't look that sick,' and told me to stop trying to slack off while everyone's working their butts off. What an ass. And what's the title of the game again? It got outsourced to us at the last minute too because the parent company got overwhelmed by the unexpected amount of work, so I don't have that clear of an impression of it. Still, to just up and forget about it... Is the fever frying my brain?

"Hey, what are we working on again?"

"Wait, seriously!? Weren't you paying attention at the meeting?"

"No, I mean, just tell me the name already."

"Buddy, it's Elysium Online. Are you sure you're alright? Should I call for an ambulance? Buddy?"

"Elysium Online...... Elysium Online?"

***

End of Chapter 87