Author's Note:

Sorry for the late and not proof-read chapter. Have an exam on Monday so it's taking all my time and energy, it's a wonder I managed to even finish the chapter on time. Hope you enjoy and comment to point out where I've made mistakes ^^

Edit: Proofread

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Snow was everywhere. Dark could see, hear, smell, taste and feel it. The little frozen particles covered him whole, sneaking under his clothes and chilling him to the bone.

He pushed himself off the ground and coughed violently. Snow dripped from his mouth, half liquid. The taste was horrendous and he coughed again, trying to get it out. It wasn’t a successful endeavour and Dark just made his throat feel more raw.

A glance at his health bar showed that he had bigger problems, though. Death was knocking on his door. He opened his bag and took out a potion, gulping it down in an instant.

Health returned and the throat calmed down a bit. Dark brushed a hand over his face, cleaning the snow off and feeling bruises heal right under his fingers. It passed soon and he pushed himself back, sitting down on his knees.

He took a look of his surroundings, whiteness blinding his vision. It lasted for a moment and he saw the archer and elf lying few meters away. Dark stood up on shaky legs and went to check up on them.

The archer was in bad shape, white faced and with a hand twisted in an unnatural pose. His side was torn and bleeding, red liquid flowing into snow and melting it. Wisps of steam rose from there.

Dark leaned down next to him and poured a potion in his mouth. It was a waste of money but it had to be done. He had promised Wing to finish this mission. No matter the price, it had to be done.

The archer coughed on the liquid but drank it. It took mere seconds for colour to return to his face and a groan leave his mouth. He was going to live. That was good news and Dark moved onto the elf.

He didn’t expect to see him alive even if the body was there. The fall took a huge amount of health and the elf had already been wounded. He had no chance of survival.

Purple eyes met Dark’s searching gaze. He saw snow covering the elf, his face and clothes but there were no bruises or cuts. Not a single wound or tear in the robes. The elf looked as if he had just rolled around in the snow for fun, not been thrown off a mountain side higher than half a kilometre.

“Light is not your colour. Darkness suits you better,” the man spoke up. Dark watched him in suspicion for a moment before shifting his eyes to himself. He was covered in snow and blood, tears marking where he’d hit sharper edges.

Dark returned to the archer. The man was sitting now, looking at his quiver with a look of pure disgust. It took a moment for Dark to see the problem. All the arrows had broken on the fall along with the bow itself. And it was most likely the best set the archer had.

“Why did you do that?” he hissed when he noticed Dark’s presence. “You left Monthu to die! You bastard!” He jumped, trying to attack with his dagger.

The slash was so childish that Dark could step out of it and that was enough to throw the archer’s balance off. He slipped on the snow and fell down, face first. “Damn! Yo-”

“I saved your life.”

“What?” the archer growled, pushing himself up. His eyes was narrowed and lips twisted into a snarl. “You freaking killed him! I could have helped! And you just ran away!”

He tried attacking again then. This time he didn’t slip but the archer was no dagger master. All of his slashes didn’t pose the merest of dangers to Dark. It was like a kid waving his stick in a game of make-believe.

Ten minutes later the archer was breathing heavy, sweat running down his face in torrents while Dark made the barest of side steps. But he was getting cold. That more than anything prompted him to speak up.

“Are you done?”

The archer roared and rushed the rogue but this time Dark caught the dagger hand. He hit the wrist, forcing the man to release the dagger and then held him in place. “I saved your life. You need to live and lead the rest of survivors. This mission needs to end in success.”

There was no answer but breathing for a good minute. “Survivors? You and the elf? No one’s stupid enough to jump off.”

He seemed to having calmed down a bit so Dark released him. “They will come,” he said in a bland tone. It wasn’t a fact but it had to happen. The mission would fail otherwise and that wasn’t an option. “We need to make a fire. The temperature is dropping.”

“What’s stopping you?” the archer asked with a twist to his mouth and before Dark could reply he turned and walked away. There wasn’t anywhere to go so Dark let him and went to find a good place for a fire.

Not far he saw a natural indentation in the wall. It was some three four meters deep, able to serve as an impromptu shelter with only one side open for entering. Dark checked the walls and finding them strong, took out a few logs. He didn’t carry much but this was going to serve for now.

They’ll have to go exploring the place later on. Now it was important to warm up and regain the feeling in the muscles. The attack and movement speed had dropped by whole thirty percent because of the cold. It was dangerous to be this weak in an unknown territory.

Flint helped to create a spark which dropped on the papers put below. Flames burst into existence and Dark pushed them under the logs. They were dry so fire soon caught up and blazed hot.

Dark put his hands near it, enjoying the warmth. That didn’t last long for he felt snow melting in his clothes. It was a curious feeling but not a comfortable one. Trickles of water ran down his chest, clothes starting to stick to his body.

“Shit,” he cursed and took out a blanket from the inventory. It was old and ragged but had served him well in all his travels. He walked to the place’s entrance and looked upwards.

The ceiling was high, a whole meter over his head. After a moment’s thinking he took out four daggers with a ring at the handle. He wrapped a thick thread around each one and connected them to the blanket. It was a bit sad tearing it even more but this was survival.

Once the connections were done he took out another pair of daggers and used them to climb up the wall with the blanket on his shoulder. It was a bit uncomfortable but he went up, the blades sliding deep into the icy wall and holding up.

The next part was somewhat more complicated. He stuck one the daggers straight up and had to push the blanket’s ones in before falling off. Two were in when he felt himself slipping and let go of the blanket.

He fell in a crouch, both hands on the ground and a glance upwards showed that the daggers held. Half the job done. Now he had to return and put the other side of the blanket up to block the whole entrance.

Cold wind passed, forcing a shiver out of him but he stilled himself and started his climb upwards again. Only once it was done did he rush to the fire and warm himself up. His fingers were close to turning blue by the time. ‘What is this abnormal cold...’

Well, he had cover now and could change his clothes. These were his favourite but he had a few extra pairs. Black boots, trousers and a long sleeved shirt. After a good look he even found a mask for his eyes. It didn’t give much warmth but everything counted in this freezing cold.

Dark watched his blanket stretched on the entrance with a tired look. It was the best place for it. Most efficient. He turned away and moved closer to the fire, closing his eyes for a moment.

He had dry clothes on, fire and a shelter. Two leaders had survived and if luck held, some players. It was as good as one could hope after that terrible sequence of events above.

There was still a chance to finish this. Nothing was lost yet. At some point he had to succeed too. It was impossible that he was meant for failure.

A gust of wind got in and Dark opened his eyes. He saw the archer peaking with only his head in. His face was red but the tips of his ears were turning blue. “Can I enter?” he asked in a slow, forced tone.

Dark nodded and returned his eyes to the fire. It was still going strong but it won’t last forever. He had only three more logs in his inventory, few hours’ worth of fuel. He tried to remember if he’d seen any trees in this field but it was a hazy memory. There was no point to paying attention to what’s below when he was looking for danger on his own level.

Wrong direction also, as it showed up. He just hadn’t thought that someone could survive the fall from the cliffs above them with enough health to attack. Like an idiot he had judged the yetis by human standards.

He heard the archer settling before him and saw his frigid fingers extended to the fire. Just like Dark the man wasn’t dressed for winter. Somehow few had taken their time to get warmer clothes. Everyone expected this to be over quick and without much resistance from the place.

It was monsters people were used to fighting, not nature itself.

Another mistake in Dark’s repertoire. He had made so many of them, it was no wonder this was going so bad. Why did he ever think he could take the responsibility of ensuring this mission’s success?

“Master,” he whispered. Wing had asked that of him and this time Dark couldn’t fail. He had promised that to himself and master alike. No giving up this time.

“Hmm?” the archer asked, raising his head. Fire had melted his anger and reluctance along with the snow. “Did you say anything?”

“Have you seen the elf?”

The archer scowled at the mention of the Draugar’s leader. “He’s walking around as if he’s out in the park! I had to check on you to see I’m not imagining this cold!”

Dark had a hard time believing someone could not feel the bone chilling presence. Even near the fire his back was getting cold while his hands were close to roasting. He had to shift his position to make sure the rest of him got warm too, though in that time the other side, away from the fire, started freezing.

“Did you see anything on your walk around?” he asked without raising his head, eyes locked on the dancing flames.

The archer shook his head as he moved a bit closer to the fire. “Not really. Though, if it is, it’s deep beneath the snow.” He breathed a sigh of pleasure as he moved his fingers. “This is more like it. I feel like a human again.”

A head peeked through the cloth at the entrance. Pointed ears gave away their owner in an instant. “You have visitors.”

“Who a-” Hawk started but Dark didn’t listen. He stood up and checking the daggers at his sides ventured outside. Cold hit him with a brutal punch, shivers racked his body but he shook them off.

He ran past the elf to the ledge and saw three people lying on the ground. One of them turned into smoke before he even came close. The other two were breathing heavy, their faces twisted in agony.

There was only one way to save them and Dark did it. He took out his potions and poured them down the throats of both the fallen guys. It felt like dropping gold coins off the cliff. He didn’t have enough potions to save everyone yet he had to try.

This was all he could do. Maybe later on another way will show itself but now there was nothing. It was either save these guys or let them die. Simple as that.

They coughed for a moment and then breathed easier. Their bones jumped into place and colour returned to their faces. “Thanks,” one of them muttered, sitting up.

Dark left him to it, coming closer to the mountain’s slippery cliff-like side. He lifted his head up but nothing could be seen. How many players were still alive? Was there a chance or was he just wasting his time?

“Hey, man. You saved me, thanks,” said a cheerful tone from behind him. Dark turned around to meet eyes with the one of the guys he’d helped. The man was in his mid thirties with plate armour of highest quality. It would be tricky if one had to kill him.

Though, he didn’t have his helmet on now. His whole head and neck were open for attack.

“How is the fight?” Dark asked, still staring upwards. If only he could see what was happening there.

“Bad stuff up there,” the man beside him answered in a grim tone, looking upwards for a moment too. “People have formed little groups and are holding out, for now. It won’t last, though.”

“Idiots,” the other plated man grunted.

The archer made his way to them. He had his hands wrapped around himself and Dark felt the cold again. A quick glance at his fingers showed them having taken a whitish colour. He rubbed them together, not daring to put in his pockets.

“Jackal?” the archer asked, his voice raising for a moment. “Didn’t expect to see you first here.”

The second man snickered while the first grumbled under his breath. “We fell off.”

Archer laughed aloud, his eyes shining with mirth. “And here I thought you’d be the last man standing.”

“What about you yourself? Weren’t you the first to run from the fight?”

Now it was archer’s time to look away. “Thank that guy,” he said pointing at Dark.” He left Monthu to die and threw me with the elf down.”

“Elf? Is he alive?”

“Alive and kicking. I have no idea how he can stand the cold in his see-through clothes but he’s the one best off here. By the way, what’s his name? All I have ever heard anyone calling him is the elf.”

Jackal smiled. “That’s for a reason. His name is unpronounceable.”

“I am Lathlaeril,” the elf piped up, joining the conversation. Dark turned and saw him standing as if he was anywhere but in this frozen place. His skin was normal looking without any signs of being cold in the least.

Not only that but heat was radiating off of him. If he stood longer in the same place, ice melted underneath. Was that a skill or something? But Dark had never heard of bards being able to control their natural heat. Weren’t all their abilities associated with music?

“Yeah, try saying that,” the second plate armour guy muttered.

“Letheril? Lahliril? Lytheril?” the archer tried to the elf’s and the armoured guys’ amusement.

“I suggest you stick with the elf,” Jackal said as a fireball whooshed far above them. “We need to do something. I can’t just sit here and wait for everyone to die without doing anything.”

Finally something Dark shared. But what could they do? He had suggested for players to jump down but none did. Others could motivate better but that wasn’t the main problem.

How could they keep the players alive? Potions were in limited supply, Dark had only five left. Others might have more but even if they agreed to use them, there wouldn’t be enough. Another way had to be found.

He took out his daggers and tried running up the ice wall. His feet slipped but he managed to push the left blade in. It held him for a second but the ice was too thick and snow above too thin.

Cold hard ground met him with a smack. Five percent of his health disappeared but what rattled him was the failure itself. He could get better at this but what would it solve? Him hanging for his life on the daggers wasn’t going to save anyone.

“What were you planning?” Jackal asked, stopping right above Dark. “Do you want to get back up?”

Dark shook his head as he stood up. Snow clung to his new set of clothes and a chill sneaked into his bones. He felt himself shiver against his own will. If that wasn’t enough, his limbs got harder to move. Both legs and hands felt like they had turned into marble.

He ignored the man’s question and rushed to the shelter. Fire should still be going there and he might regain control of his character. Warmth should do the trick. For now. He didn’t want to think what will happen when the logs burned out.

Flames licked his fingers and a few minutes later feeling returned into them. Instead he himself shivered twice as much. He opened his status menu and as expected cold resistance was zero.

Without hope he opened his inventory but there was nothing useful there. He believed that if you were seen, you were dead so there was no point to buy resistance potions.

“What happened?” Jackal asked, rushing into the shelter. Dark didn’t even glance his way. The most important thing right now was to get warm and think up a way to save all those people above. There had to be something he could do. This was a game, not real life.

“There’s a fire here?” the other plated guy asked, pushing his way in. He flopped almost on the logs and extended his hands into the flames. “Ahh, this is more like it.”

Jackal went in after him but he stayed clear of the fire. “We need to aid the people above. Do you know a way?”

“Do you think I’d be sitting here if I did?” Dark snapped, standing up in a rush. His hands shook at his sides as he glared at the mailed man.

But getting angry was useless, Dark pushed the man out of the way and stomped outside. He stopped when he reached the wall and stared at it with disgust. There had to be a way to overcome this problem. He had promised to do it.

The elf gave him an amused look but Dark didn’t pay him much attention. There was more important matters to attend. He let his eyes roam over the top of the cliff but it was far out of sight. No details could be seen from below.

He then looked all over the slide. There were raises and bumps, parts of fallen tree trunks sticking out. It was a wonder he had survived going through that. Others wouldn’t be so lucky. Only classes with higher health than average would make it down here for sure.

But he needed a cleric. If there was at least one, he could heal people mid-fall and save them. It was the best possible solution yet how he was to get a healer in this mess?

“Hey, sorry about that. I didn’t want to anger you,” Jackal came to say but received no reply. The black robed rogue didn’t even turn his head to acknowledge him. “I really didn’t mean it.”

“We need a healer,” he said instead.

It took Jackal a moment to understand what the man was talking about. “It might help but how are we going to get one? I doubt any would survive.”

Dark didn’t say anything. He was still figuring that out.

A shiver ran down his body but he suppressed the need to hug himself to save some warmth. He glared at the mountain side instead, wondering how one could save anyone in the middle of the fall.

‘What if I tried to grab him?’ he thought. There was a good possibility he could manage. His mechanical skills were decent, as well as his reaction time. He had ran up around five meters before falling and he wasn’t trying too hard.

But where would he find a healer that would trust him enough to try?

“Friendship is a wonderful thing. People trust each other and accept your faults. Isn’t that the best thing ever?” the elf asked in a wishful tone. He had his eyes half-closed as he stared at the sky.

Dark was about to dismiss his comment when a thought struck him. The archer was always with a female cleric. He could ask her to come down if she was still alive.

“Archer, can you ask the cleric to come down?”

“To die here?” the archer asked in distrust. He was standing next to the two plated man and giving Dark a narrowed eye stare.

The rogue shook his head. “I’m going to catch her. She won’t die.”

“How can you be so sure? You didn’t get far up last time you tried.”

Dark came closer to him. He hoped the man will see the determination in his eyes. There was no way he was going to fail. “I will succeed.”

The archer kept his eyes for a long minute. Then he sighed and raised his hand, motioning with it in the air. “I’ll trust you this once. But if you fail, know that you won’t live much longer than her.”

Dark nodded and moved back near the slide. He made sure his daggers were tightly strapped and flexed his fingers, readying himself. Cold was entering his bones, slowing his movements but it wasn’t over the top yet.

Ten percent. That was the amount he’d lost. But he believed if he pushed enough, he could get everything back for a moment. And that was all that mattered. If he could save the healer, everyone would be able to come down. The mission will be safe for the moment.

“She is coming down in a second. They have to run through a few fights,” the archer said as Dark noticed two shadows leaving off the cliff.

“They?” he screamed out, falling into a sprinting position, eyes set on the target. One dot was lighter so it had to be the priestess. He followed her descent as she hit against the snow and started rolling down.

When she was closer, he saw red on her robes. Was she wounded before even jumping off? That would mean her chances to reach even his point were slim.

He had to try and go now. She was fifty meters ahead but if he waited, she could die at any moment.

Step forward and he was running up. Faster than the brain could process he made the steps. There was no time to worry if he would slip. His eyes were set on the female he was getting closer to with each passing second. She was fifteen meters away, now ten.

The other figure crashed right before her with a horrible breaking sound. Childish face flashed through Dark’s vision but his eyes were only for the female. No matter what, he had to save her.

But the child was in front. He was sliding faster and was coming straight at Dark. There was no way to dodge him but by jumping. On the slippery surface. Dark didn’t have time to hesitate.

He put pushed harder against the ground and sprung forward. The snow covering underneath him broke and he was thrown off course. He crashed on the ice to the right of the female cleric.

But not too far. As they were both propelled into the air for a short moment, he grabbed onto her robe’s end and pulled her closer. She screamed out but ignoring that, he positioned himself underneath.

A sharp stone hit against his back. He gasped with the pain, pushing the female off himself with all the force he had. Her shouts became even louder but Dark saw a glimpse of her flailing through the air. It brought a smile to his face as his hand got caught beneath him.

He closed his eyes and ignoring pain awaited his fate. There was a chance he’d survive this, but a very slim one. His health was flashing red before him and it was going only down.

The elf watched the flight of everyone from the corner of his eyes. It was easy to see that the boy was going to die, he was on his last points of health. Rogue coming in close second.

Even the priestess didn’t seem to be much better off. Dark had slowed her descent and saved her from meeting every bump on the slide. Yet the fall was going to be enough to finish her off.

And no one was doing anything to save either of them. The elf curled his lip upwards at the way all those three man just stood and stared in horror. They knew something had to be done but had no idea for the right thing. So they simply did nothing.

What a bunch of fools.

Ace took a few quick steps away and after turning around whispered to the air, “Winds that don’t find rest, Gust!” He aimed the spell behind himself but from the moment he started chanting, he knew something had went horribly wrong.

Violent air torrents surged from all directions, raising snow from the ground to the point where it was no longer possible to see anything. Great gusts made Ace stumble himself as he was lifted from the ground.

He activated [Mystic Eyes} and dropped the illusion to get a better look of his surroundings. Right as he did that, he saw Jackal flying at a worrying speed straight at him. Ace used [Radiant Step] to move out of the way as the wind tugged him in a new direction now.

There was no stabilising himself in here so he allowed the wind to carry him, only shifting the position when a wall or a person came his way.

While flying like that, he took notice of the situation around him. It was a freaking snow storm. And he had caused it. With a simple [Gust] spell.

As he watched he saw Jackal being smashed against the wall, Hawk being thrown into Aurora. They clasped hands and tried to stay together against the raging winds. Par was so light he was caught in between the fighting currents, being pushed right and left but not hitting anything.

The last person, some underling of Jackal’s, was flying through the air, laughing. Ace followed him for a moment before activating [Void Step]. He had only a second before wind pushed him away to deal damage but that was more than enough.

His daggers reached flesh after being enforced with [Magma Blade] and took good chunks of the guy’s health. Ace repeated that a few more times before using [Heart-seeker]. The man turned into smoke with no one the wiser and Ace no longer looking suspicious.

It would be troublesome if only the elf disappeared. Some might put two and two together which would remove the biggest plus from his class.

Black shadow passed over Ace’s head and he raised it to see Dark floating. He had his arms wrapped around himself, shivering. ‘Is he cold?’

Ace’s eyes widened. [Excessive Heat] was keeping him warm but not others. By trying to save them from the fall, he was going to freeze them to death. It was a wonder they weren’t ice sculptures already by the white sheen on Dark’s face.

But what was Ace to do? He couldn’t stop the storm as he wasn’t supplying the mana. It was that simple incantation that had caused it all.

What if..? Ace closed his eyes and started to chant, “Fire’s burning within every existence, you keep them warm and alive but now is not the time for nurturing, Excessive Heat!”

He felt his blood igniting. No, it was no longer blood but lava running through his veins. Heat radiated from his every pore as if trying to consume him, burn him alive.

Ace clenched his teeth but the feeling was gone as soon as it appeared. Once he opened his eyes he saw waves of red leaving his body, distorting the air around him. They melted the snow in his vicinity but unlike he wished the winds weren’t decreasing. .

If he was to guess, they seemed to be growing even worse. But the important part was that he had achieved his current goal. Snow had melted and instead it started raining now. This meant no one was going to freeze to death. Huge plus.

Or at least a plus. The winds were still there and if not dealt with, they were going to kill everyone. ‘Par doesn’t deserve this,’ Ace thought watching the kid being thrown around like a rag doll. He might be an idiot but he was young. That gave him reason to act the way he did, be so damn innocent.

Others, not so much. Well, Dark had tried his best to make things work. Ace admired him for that, especially for saving his cover above. Second later and he would have had to activate one of his skills, giving himself away.

So what could he do now? Cast another [Gust]? Ace shook his head to himself as he was thrown to the side. The wall met him with a hard welcome, rattling his bones. Ace wasn’t thrilled by it and activated [Void Step] a number of times to reach a place on a mountain side where he was safe from the wind.

It was a beautiful sight down below. Rain pelting the ground as people were thrown around like feathers. Parts of dragon skeleton were broken and flew in a dangerous proximity to the players.

Ace thought for a minute, face palming himself afterwards. How to save, how to save when he had taken himself out already. What was preventing him from doing the same just with other people in hand?

He dived downwards, head first. Wind pushed his hair backwards, rain getting in his eyes. It made it hard to see but he saw a glimpse of black. Dark. [Void Step] there and Ace was right beside him.

The same skill wouldn’t work with other people so now it was time for [Radiant Step]. This was harder to use in the storm. Not only was the eyesight horrendous but the wind tried its best to push him off the fields.

Ace had levelled up the skill so he could have a few of them at the same time but that didn’t make it any easier. Winds were rushing him from all sides, messing up his balance.

If that wasn’t enough, he had to hold onto Dark with one hand. Something that required lots of strength and even more balancing around as not to be flown along with him.

Ace created fields underneath and to the side, behind Dark to use his body to keep him in place. It was probably the only thing that kept them moving at all. Though not much.

‘These freaking winds! They’re too strong to move against with a dead weight!’ Ace stopped for a moment, letting the currents push him in a random direction. ‘Against? Why fight something if I can use it!’

He took a glance around and noticed a current going near the right way. Few fields, a moment of struggle and he was in it, Dark dragging after. They were sped through so fast Ace missed the jumping off part.

It was back in the middle of the storm. But Ace now knew what he had to do. He found the current that moved in the right direction and jumped. It carried him swiftly forward and this time he was paying close attention. Few moments before the leaving point he activated the fields and pushed himself off.

Other current tried to grab him but fields helped to keep on track. Hair got in the way, blocking the eyes. Ace pushed them off with the free hand and moved the last step.

They were out of the storm.

Here the winds were weaker and the rain but a drizzle. Ace climbed even higher, finding a cave like fissure in the mountain side. It wasn’t large but could keep three people hidden. Just the right size.

He threw Dark in there and with a wide smile made a back flip. There was nothing to catch him so he just fell for a long moment, enjoying the feel when wind caught him again.

It was back to the struggle.

He took notice of Par’s red robe and finding a current moving in that direction entered it. The kid’s hand was ice cold as Ace grabbed it. He took a long look at him but the fact that he was here meant he was still alive. That was the important part and Ace carried him to safety.

The travel wasn’t simple but once you got the reigns, it was possible. Unlike his first try of fighting back.

When Par was dropped into the safety of the cave, Ace settled at the edge. He turned [Excessive Heat] off, though it had already done its job. The area surrounding him had melted, leaving only ground below so there was no chance of slipping.

Not that it mattered much. Ace had a thought to return back there himself. It had been an interesting experience to fly around without trying. Moving in all directions but having absolutely no control over it.

He stood up to go back when the sky caught his eye. It was turning purple. The colour was pale lavender now but it was growing more intense the longer he watched.

He’d never seen a sky like that. What was it suppose to mean?

A sound from behind attracted his attention and he saw Par staggering out. The kid didn’t seem to be comfortable on his own feet, almost falling with every other step. Wall keeping most of his weight.

“Ace?” he called out in a shaky voice.

The person in question turned away as if bit. “That guy is dead. Leave me alone.”

“But you saved me! And now you’re going to save everyone else!”

Ace turned around, a smirk on his face. “Who said anything about helping others? They can die for all I care!” His smile widened at the disbelieving look on the kid’s face. “Did you really think I was some kind of hero? That I would save everyone?” He laughed out aloud.

Par’s eyes watered as he looked. He tried taking a step forward, slipped and lay for a moment. His body shook when he pulled himself upwards, snow covering his face.

An emotion long forgotten tugged at Ace’s conscience. His fingers twitched, wanting to go and help the kid, say sorry. “You’re pathetic,” he said, looking down at the fallen boy.

The kid whimpered, lowering his head down. “I-,” he tried saying but a sob cut him off. He spluttered for a moment, raising his eyes for a second to meet Ace’s. What he saw didn’t seem to sit well with him for his head drooped even lower.

“Thought so. You’re nothing but your brother’s baby boy. Pitiful creature.”

“No!” the boy shouted out, pushing himself upwards on shaky legs. He looked ethereal with half-melted snow glistening all over him. Tears of righteous indignation went down his cheeks as he found courage to stare back.

Ace turned away as a bitter smile graced his face. The way Par looked now, that’s how he had always imagined angels to be. Not those golden haired, blue eyed sculptures of beauty and magnificence that lacked any emotion. Mockery of true strength.

One Ace never found within himself.

He looked into the purpling sky and remembered the darkness. Night time. It still made his heart speed up every time. [Flare] left his cloak, a familiar light shining in his vision.

It was the best spell he’d ever learnt but one he didn’t like thinking about. The flame reminded him too much of the skeletons lurking in his past. Things he’d forced himself to do for years to get over his fears.

Terror that never really left. Anger, pride and competitiveness kept him moving but they weren’t going to last him long. The last one was gone already. He was alone in the world and holding the record of living the longest.

What a pitiful title. Why did he ever think it mattered? Oh, right. That old man. He had made it look important, like it was worth living for. Worth facing all your monsters, conquering them.

The man had just forgotten to mention how hard it was going to be. How tiresome and exhausting. That once you did, you were no longer sure whether it had been really worth the effort.

He had joined the game to see how much he’d changed and it had been awesome at first. Learning the path of the rogue, hunting players and playing around in a group. It all had amused him to no end.

But it was getting old now. His favourite Ace was gone, Wing had become a caricature of what he had planned for him and Lathlaeril. The elf was still fun but it was a periodical character. After a day it got tiresome to talk in cryptic words and see their quality drop.

Having no known fighting capabilities in battles was annoying too.

There were his students but they weren’t of much use either. He had thought they might bring some interest to the game but all they did was whine. Only Fenek was any good and Dark now.

The latter was actually the best thing that had happened in the last few weeks. It was amusing to watch as he tried his best without saying a word to others. A well trained dog, though one with the worst of lucks when choosing his masters.

“I am not pitiful!” Par shouted out, waking Ace from his thought. “I’m my own person! There’s nothing wrong with listening to adults!”

‘Oh, he’s still here,’ Ace mused, shifting his head slightly to the left. The kid was standing in the same place, hands clenched tight against his sides. An expression of fierceness on his face.

It was a bit discredited by tear stains and quivering lips but still looked good on him. Unlike on Ace.It always struck him strange how everyone believed his innocent act. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been such.

“What do you want from me?” he asked the boy, looking back with a cold look. There was tiredness in his voice that he hadn’t planned for.

It more than anything else made the kid waver. He took a step forward but Ace’s glare dissuaded him from coming closer. Instead he opened his mouth. “I-I want you to save everyone!” he shouted out, lowering his head in an instant. Did he think he’d overstepped his boundaries?

“Will that be enough?” Ace asked, raising his eyes upwards. The sky had gone deep purple in the time he’d been thinking. What was going on there?

“E-enough fo-for what?”

“You never calling me Ace ever again,” Ace said, turning his burning glare to the kid. The boy shivered and it brought a smile to Ace’s face. He imagined his eyes had turned crimson and through the mask holes looked great.

“Why?”

Ace turned away, sitting down on the edge. “They can die then. The priestess should be out of mana by now.”

“No!” Par screamed out, dashing to the edge. He caught himself before falling off and went on his knees to glance downwards. His eyes widened out of fear or seeing the storm Ace didn’t know. “You must save them...” the kid whispered.

“Must? Who is going to force me? You?” Ace laughed aloud. “I don’t think so.”

Par took another glance below, pulling back in a second. “I won’t call you Ace. Just please, please protect everyone.”

Ace turned but there was no longer any smile on his face. “Don’t forget it,” he said in a soft voice and pushed himself off.

Par screamed something after him but the words were lost in the wind.