Chapter 256: Play

Chapter 256: Play

Aegis was led by Sapphire and Herilon into the Night Hunters guild hall, as per a suggestion by Herilon.

Weve got a decent grinding spot on Kalmoore still. Im sure Quinn wont mind sharing it with you temporarily, given the circumstances. Herilon gave an explanation. As a result, the group found themselves idling in the front foyer of the guild hall, staring at the marble tiled floors and the satyr NPC behind the counter. Herilon and Sapphire had disappeared further inside the building for a moment, leaving them to their own devices.

You think we should make a guild? Darkshot suggested suddenly, motioning to the walls around them. Then wed get lots of underlings. And a cool guild hall like this. He added.

We already have a castle. Aegis shrugged in response. Underlings seem like a lot of work, too.

No way, you get to boss them around, and they all look up to you. Please sir Darkshot, teach me how to be as awesome as you are. he mimed a weak, squeaky high pitched voice, Im sorry, somethings cannot be taught. But if you follow in my footsteps, you may become stronger than you ever thought possible. He replied to himself in the deepest, manliest voice he could muster. Rakkan simply rolled his eyes at him while Aegis and Lina let out a light chuckle.

Leading a guild takes a very special type of personality. Without proper leadership, a guild tends to fall apart or become a miserable experience for all people involved. Its not something you should force. Pyri explained.

Do you think I might have that special type of personality? Darkshot turned to Pyri with hopeful eyes. She returned an awkward smile to him which every single person could see right through.

Maybe. She answered politely. Before more could be said, the doors leading into the guild hall behind them swung open, and a surprised Sherry stepped into the foyer with a large backpack strapped over her shoulders. The pack was stuffed so full of goods and wares that they were towering up over the back of her head, visible behind her as the bag jingled and clanged its contents against each other.

With two quiet clops of her hooves on the tiled floor, she stopped in her tracks and panned her eyes over the group.

Hi. She smiled and waved awkwardly.

Hello. Pyri replied as she and Lina waved at her.

Yo, Sherry. Perfect timing. What do you think Darkshot began with wild hand gestures. Me, leading my own guild of dark rangers. The Dark Ranger guild. He waved his hands dramatically through the air. Sherry was not as subtle in her response - her eyebrows crinkled immediately, with one rising up far above the other.

Really? Youre gonna lead a guild?

Well, yeah. Itd be awesome, right? Aegis can build me my guild hall in Rene. Darkshot nonchalantly motioned to Aegis.

I can do what now? Aegis replied, raising his brows similarly to how Sherry had, getting a light coo out of Darkwing as he nestled into Darkshots shoulder and closed his eyes as if losing interest in what was happening around him. Disappointment quickly flooded over Darkshots face as a result.

How about Sherry stepped towards him with a smile. You just stick to being that cool, dark ranger, who shoots from the shadows. I think the lone wolf style suits you better She added a seductive smile and wink at the end while gently putting one hand on his shoulder.

You you think so? Darkshots face suddenly went red, barely able to look her in the eyes. He instead looked over her shoulder beyond her stuffed pack to see Rakkan shaking his head to himself in disbelief and looking away from the two.

Yeah, definitely. I like the strong, independent type. Being a guild leader would just bog you down, ruin your style. She added encouragingly.

Yeah. Yeah I guess youre right

Of course, because where do you shoot from? Sherry leaned in closer, making it uncomfortable for even Aegis to watch.

The darkness. He mumbled boyishly back. Sherry then quickly pecked him on his rosy red cheeks.

Damn right. She smiled, released her hand from his shoulders, then began heading further into the guild hall. Tullans requested more materials for your shield. She glanced back at Aegis while walking away. He wants me to tell you that theyll be done in a day or two, before your preliminaries start.

Oh. Okay, got it. Thanks. Aegis replied, and the last thing he saw of Sherry was a wave of her hand as she disappeared around a corridor leading further into the hall, the sound of her satyr hooves clopping on the floor slowly fading away. It went awkwardly silent for a few moments as Darkshot slowly tried to recompose himself.

Where do you shoot from? Aegis playfully asked Lina, breaking the silence.

The darkness. She whispered back in a faked, shy manner, mocking Darkshot.

Oh shut up. Darkshot grumbled back as the others laughed. The laughter died down quickly to the sound of several sets of footsteps approaching on the other side of one of the many doors leading into the front foyer. When the door swung open, it revealed Quinn, Sapphire, Trexon and Herilon.

So. You need a spot to grind? Quinn asked, not wasting any time with small talk.

Yup. Aegis nodded back as he and his party all turned to face her attentively.

Probably an ancient rune waiting to be discovered somewhere in there. Rakkan said as a smile grew over his face.

At least one. Aegis nodded in agreement.

Hm. Pyri tapped her own shoulder to cast fly on herself, then began levitating up into the sky. The group was currently in a small clearing, allowing her to soar up without interference, but as she got higher to take in their surroundings, she could see very little of what was below the trees in front of them. There were a few tall ruined structures that stood up to the large overgrown forest, but most of it was hidden from her view. The best she could do was get a sense of how large these ruins were, and they seemed to extend far out through the forest in front of them as far as her eyes could see. Eventually, she hovered back down to the others.

These ruins are massive. Quinn mentioned the enemies are of low density, which typically means they are few and far between. With only two days well need to think wisely about how we approach this. Pyri explained as her feet lightly tapped down back onto the portal altar. As she spoke, though, Aegis was already fidgeting around in his interface.

Theres only one way to be efficient under these circumstances, as far as I can see it. Aegis pulled out a large gray sack from his inventory and handed it to Darkshot. Darkshot took the bag curiously and opened the top to peer inside, while Rakkan and Pyri leaned over to look inside as well.

A bunch of cooked meat, and elixirs? Darkshot raised his eyebrows at Aegis after seeing the contents.

Care package, for solo grinding. Aegis replied without meeting his eyes as he was busy loading up another pack, taking it out and handing it to Rakkan.

Wait. You want us to kill level 180 elites on our own? Darkshot asked in disbelief as Rakkan took his pack with a grin and quickly added it to his own inventory. Is he serious? Darkshot turned to Rakkan, hoping to get someone on his side, but Rakkan shrugged back.

Heres yours. Aegis handed the next pack to Pyri who gladly took it.

You know, that offer from Quinn didnt sound so bad. If were going solo, why not have some helpers? Darkshot continued, this time looking to Pyri, but she also just shrugged at him.

And yours. Aegis gave a final sack to Lina, and she took it hesitantly, looking down at it somewhat disappointed.

Cmon. Darkshot groaned.

Darkshot. Aegis locked eyes with him, then turned to the others one by one. Pyri. Rakkan. Lina. he took a deep breath. Weve been training nonstop recently. And before that, weve fought all manner of dangerous beasts spread out through this Shattered World Online. Do you really think there's going to be anything here that you, Darkshot, the one who shoots from the darkness, cannot handle? Aegis ended his gaze on Darkshot with a grin. The hesitation on Darkshots face slowly faded away.

Nah I guess not. Theres nothing I cant kite. Darkshot finally came around and replied with confidence.

Alright. Aegis put his hand forward, palm facing down. The others finished adding their sacks to their inventory, and the first to lean in and put his hand atop Aegis was Darkshot. Next was Rakkan, then Pyri, and finally with some hesitation Lina. In a circle, with their hands stacked, they all exchanged brief looks of excitement.

Lets kick some ass. Aegis cheered before throwing all of their hands up in the air.

Alright. Imma be level 160 by the time of the preliminaries, easy. Darkshot cheered before turning and walking along the paved path towards the ruins.

Im going to be 161. Rakkan replied as he joined him.

Im probably going to hit 170. Pyri added nonchalantly.

Yeah right. Darkshot replied with a puff of air. As they got further away, Aegis was preparing to follow after them, but was stopped as Lina grabbed the back of his cloak of Eirene, tugging on it lightly.

Aegis turned to look at her, staring at her feet, listening to the sound of the other three voices fading off as they walked further and further away into the ruins.

Is everything okay? Aegis asked her.

Yeah well, no Lina whispered shyly.

Whats wrong? Aegis turned to face her and took her hand from his cloak and into his own.

Its just, well uhm She had trouble speaking clearly, and continued looking down at her feet to avoid Aegis gaze. I want to stay with you. She finally managed to get the words out.

Youre worried about fighting the elites on your own? The elixirs in the bag are really powerful, so-

No, its not that. She shook her head quickly, before he could finish. I just want to stay with you. You were gone on your advanced quest, and then the training, and the brawl, so She mumbled. Aegis didnt need a further explanation, as he began to understand how she was feeling.

Right, we havent been able to spend much time together. Ive been so focused on preparing for this tournament, not thinking about anything else Aegis turned his head down to his own feet as he pondered for a moment. Lina didnt reply to this, but her silence was all he needed for him to understand he was on the right track. Okay, he tightly gripped her hand and began leading her towards the ruins. Lets play together. Well have to work extra hard to keep up with the others, though, okay? Aegis smiled at her encouragingly as she finally looked up from her feet to meet his eyes.

Mhm. She nodded back excitedly, a giant smile growing over her face.