Enjoying the food prepared for us by Sam's chefs, we talked about everyone else's current situations, outside HavenFall. Sabrina has been busy venturing into the Courtyard, alongside countless other players as they discover lots of small hidden pathways. Each pathway branches into more, eventually creating a complex and intricate maze with the Courtyard at the center.
With so many players working together in the forum, there have been countless variations of parts of the maze, drawn by the players. Progress has been slow, however, the latest map of the maze created by a player in Lotus has revealed that it might be similar to a circle or oval. Some parts of the map haven't been filled since there has been no exploration in that section, but comparing the other known parts, it can be concluded to be circular or oblique.
Sabrina, explains to us that the exploration has been slow due to the space within the maze as well as the various enemies that they have encountered. With only enough space for maybe 2-3 people to stand next to each other in battle, it has been difficult for most groups of players and NPCs to venture too deep into the maze. Resulting in slow progression through the maze.
There have been a few daredevil groups who have traveled deep into the maze, exploring it and sharing it with the rest of the players. In turn, they have found a large array of monsters, including skeletons, zombies, wraiths, banshees, ghosts, specters, and demons. They have faced off against Variants of each type of monster as well, and with their superb display of skill, have acquired bountiful loot.
Compared to the other players, their weapons and armor looked to have been dropped by the monsters or picked up from 'chests', with one of them having glowing blue runes along the handle. Sabrina, on the other hand, has been going deeper into the maze, with the help of her NPCs and her tamed 'horse' monster, with little to no luck on her loot. Her progress has also been halted several times by a specific monster that has been terrorizing the maze.
Wielding a long obsidian bow, with spikes jutting out the ends, dressed in leather armor that was the color of the night sky, was a singular skeleton. Its eyes were filled with green flames and its rickety bones shook each time it moved, however, it was faster than any creature that Sabrina had seen before. Coupled along with its terrifying accuracy, the monster patrols the Maze, finding victims in every corner.
Meeting it 4 times now, Sabrina had to constantly retreat to the Courtyard, waiting hours before going back the same way if she wanted the monster to leave. Otherwise, she would have to exit the Courtyard from a different location. Unfortunately for Sabrina, that was just one of the few difficult monsters. Other parties have encountered ghosts that could hypnotize players, creating chaotic battles where your ally can turn into your enemy within a second.
On the other hand, Sam has had a very fruitful experience, acquiring various equipment that boosts stats. Dressing his Minotaur warriors, with enchanted rings, necklaces, and armor, he has quickly become one of the more influential players in the Tower location of the Glemt. Like in the Abyss, they had to climb up a long fleet of stairs, but compared to the small number of levels in the Abyss, the tower had a maximum of 50 levels.
Each level had a different group of monsters, or sometimes a singular monster, each stronger than the last with a large coverage of abilities for any scenario. Sam, has been progressing further and further up the Tower, reaching the 48th level last night, and predicting to encounter the last level tonight. However, Aqua's most elite team currently's Sam rival, already encountering and dealing with the monster that is at the top.
Both Helioc and SanShiGo, were busy dealing with the monster and in turn, revealed parts of their strengths to the public, as scouts from other teams ventured closer to the leading group, spying on their movements. From Sam's intelligence network, he was able to gather some information about both of their abilities.
Helioc is a dual-wielding assassin, using two karambit knives that look like the cosmos, glistening purple as he slices through the air. Donning a tight, black suit with a bright red scarf that wraps around his neck, covering his mouth, he creates the illusion of a floating red butterfly fluttering around the battlefield, as he disappears into the shadows. Compared to Helioc, SanShiGo's presence was more known, as he lights up the surroundings with his pure white robe with golden runes along the edges.
The robe emits a white light that illuminates the surroundings, seemly cleansing the stale air, and reinvigorating the surroundings. Wearing a smile so wide, that his eyes are like crescent moons, he showcases a high level of leadership. Commanding the rest of the elite team from behind, SanShiGo, displayed an intellect similar to that of ancient strategists, utilizing his strengths to the maximum while keeping his weaknesses to the minimum.
But just because he is a commanding figure, doesn't mean he cannot fight. Underneath the robe, he hides his choice of weapon, a brown book. Flicking open the pages, the scout saw SanShiGo summon a beast underneath him, a giant panda, twice the size of one in the real world. Riding on top of the giant beast, he commands the other members of the elite squad while the panda protects him, fending off anything that comes close.
Hearing this, I became slightly dumbfounded. The difference between the top 2 of Aqua was like night and day, no, maybe that is because it really is just that different. With Helioc, covering from the shadows while SanShiGo draws the attention, the both of them together could be one of the strongest duos, and this is with the little information we know about them.
Scratching my head at the new information, I lean back into my chair. The world is so huge, and I have only really discovered a drop of it. There are still so many things to explore and so many things to experience with so many individuals to talk to and communicate with and yet… In the grander scheme of things, who knows what side they are on and what their ambitions and goals are? Will we be able to become allies, or will we be enemies? Only time can tell.
After a long discussion with everyone, eventually we split up, to do our own things. Rebecca and I went to the pool, where a long stretch of clear blue water awaits us. Sliding into the pool, after changing into our swimsuits, the both of us enjoyed a relaxing afternoon.
"Babe… I'm worried about you and I fear that both me and Melody will acquire more power from Fortuna. While, it sounds good and all, that power scares me. What if I see something about you? I… I-" - Rebecca
"I will be fine. I'm as careful as I can be while I'm in the game, you don't need to worry about a thing babe." - Ian
"No… What. What do you mean? You might still be affected by the curse thing when you go back to the game." - Rebecca
"Hmm… I find that unlikely. Each time I had the curse I was fine after a while and yes, this went on for longer, I did die. So, I should be okay? Regardless, if anything goes wrong, Kingston, and everyone is going to be there, and so will you." - Ian
"ARE YOU DUMB? Kingston was only able to defeat you in the Abyss because Devel helped him. How do you expect the rest of us to be able to deal with you." - Rebecca
"Well… Okay, I didn't think of that, but it isn't like I can't play the game. There are so many things we have to still do." - Ian
"I just don't want anything to happen to you…" - Rebecca
"Sigh, come here. It will be fine." - Ian
Hugging Rebecca close, I kiss her forehead while we float in the middle of the pool, as the sun dips below the horizon and the sky is painted purple and orange. Holding her tightly, I whisper next to her ear my love for her, before we continue to float up and down the pool, watching the stars sparkle in the sky.
"Ian! Time for me to tell you what is up at the top of the Abyss." - Kingston
Out in the corner of my eye, standing with two sets of towers over his shoulder, Kingston shouts out to me, ushering me back inside. I had wanted some time to myself and Rebecca, before getting another bombardment of information, since the discussion was too much all at once. Tell Kingston to find me later, I went to relax I guess the time had passed faster than I had thought, and it was already nearing 2100.
"Alright coming. Come on babe, let's get out of the pool." - Ian
"Mhm! We can rest in our room while Kingston tells you everything." - Rebecca
Nodding my head, I take the towel off Kingston, drying my upper body and head before entering the shower and washing off the chlorine in the shower. After a nice hot shower, I sat on the bed next to Rebecca who had also just finished, while Kingston find a chair and sits in front of us. Taking a deep breath, he begins to tell us what happened after Devel and I were killed in the game.
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