As Lily and Blondie enjoyed the simple yet satisfying feast, their conversation covered a wide range of topics, from their personal lives to the ongoing war between the Resistance and the Leviathan.

The memory of Brad's death still haunted Blondie, casting a shadow over her spirit. It was evident in the distant look in her eyes, the way her voice trembled as she spoke about him. He had been more than just a boyfriend to her – he had been her rock, her anchor in this tumultuous world. Without him, she felt adrift, like a ship without a captain.

Lily's heart went out to Blondie. She knew the pain of loss all too well, having just experienced the devastating death of her own love, Allan, at the hands of Timur Demyan. It was a pain that cut deep, leaving wounds that seemed impossible to heal.

Quietly, Lily shared her own recent experience, her voice carrying the weight of grief. "I understand what you’re going through right now. I just lost the love of my life a few days ago too."

Blondie turned to her, a mix of curiosity and empathy in her eyes. "What happened?"

Lily's gaze grew distant as she recounted the painful memory. "He was killed by Timur Demyan right before my eyes. I was completely powerless to stop him."

Blondie's voice was soft with sympathy. "I'm sorry."

Lily offered her a faint smile, her heart heavy with the weight of their shared sorrow. "If you need someone to talk to, I'm here for you."

Blondie nodded, her voice tinged with a mix of frustration and grief. "I'm just..."

“Go ahead.” Lily encouraged her.

“I’m just so angry!” she sobbed, “Why did she have to kill him? All because he refused to become a nasty zombie creature like her?!”

Lily's expression grew solemn, understanding the depth of Blondie's emotions. "Do you mind if I ask why you two were fighting against the Leviathan?"

Blondie let out a shaky breath, wiping away a tear. "Because he's a monster! He's evil! He's trying to take over the world, and enslave people like you!" Blondie said hotly, "He's a sadistic pig! He wants everyone to worship him as a god! He doesn't deserve any praise!"

Lily smiled. "So you're one of the rebels?"

"You could say that." Blondie nodded, wiping away her tears, "And I guess I should thank you. If you hadn't come along when you did, I'd probably have died today. I owe you my life."

"I'm glad I was able to help you." Lily said warmly. "How did you get involved with the Leviathan?"

Blondie sighed, "It all started with Sam.”

“Who is Sam?” Lily raised an eyebrow.

“He was a member of our guild. He was a bit of a noob, so he was often the brunt of our jokes. He took a lot of criticism.” Blondie shrugged, “Then the game reset and despite our attempts to gather more guild members, they kept dying off and wouldn’t respawn. I began to fear the worst. The Leviathan was spreading his influence. More and more people were turning into zombies. Everyone thought it was a glitch, but soon enough, most players gave up hope. Some even blamed us for what was happening."

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Blondie paused, "There were rumors that the Leviathan was behind it all. People believed he was using some sort of curse on us. The Leviathan wasn't actually a deity, but a demon. He wanted to enslave everyone and destroy this world."

"Didn't anyone else believe that?" Lily inquired with interest.

"Most people were too afraid to speak up. That's why I joined the Resistance. I knew there had to be something wrong with the way the game was designed. It was meant to be fun, not stressful!"

"So, what happened to Sam?” Lily tried to bring the conversation back on track.

"I accidentally shot him.” Blondie cringed with regret, “Then we saw the Leviathan for the first time. It was terrifying!”

"How did that affect you?" Lily asked.

"I couldn't sleep for days after the incident. I offered to stand guard most nights. I figured I would be better able to protect others than myself." Blondie said, "Sam was always so nice to me. He never judged me. He loved helping out other people. I wanted to make sure I lived up to his expectations."

Lily smiled and nodded.

"I'd like to help defeat the Leviathan too.” Blondie said, "What can I do?”

"Let's start with gathering intelligence." Lily said, "Brittany and her crew of Shadow Walkers are following the Leviathan’s orders. We need to find out what they’re doing and where they’re going. Whatever it is that they’re up to, it’s not good.”

"Okay." Blondie nodded, "I’ll do anything to avenge Brad’s death. I'm going to make Brittany pay. I swear upon my life."

Lily's gaze held steady, her voice gentle yet firm. "I know it hurts. And I'm here to support you through it."

Blondie nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Thank you."

As they continued to talk, Blondie shared her perspective on the conflict with the Leviathan, her anger at his tyranny and her commitment to fighting against his oppressive rule. Lily listened intently, her heart growing heavier with each revelation. It was clear that Blondie was a passionate and determined individual, fueled by her love for Brad and her desire to seek justice for his death.

When Blondie expressed her willingness to join the fight against the Leviathan, Lily's eyes lit up with a sense of shared purpose. "We can use all the help we can get, Blondie. Let's start by gathering information on Brittany and her Shadow Walkers. We need to know their plans and movements. Together, we'll make them pay for the pain they've caused."

Blondie's resolve strengthened, determination shining in her eyes. "I'll do whatever it takes. For Brad. For all of us."

Lily nodded, their bond deepening as they united in their quest for justice. "Together, we'll bring an end to the Leviathan's reign of terror. And we'll make sure that the sacrifices of those we've lost are never forgotten."

"I understand that this is incredibly difficult, but right now, we need to focus on the danger at hand." Lily urged, "The Shadow Walkers, the Leviathan – they're threats we can't afford to underestimate."

Blondie wiped her tears, her voice wavering. "Okay, I'll try to understand. But Brad... I can't let go of the thought that he'll come back."

Lily nodded, her own resolve unwavering. "We'll honor Brad's memory and find a way to move forward, together. Right now, we must stand united against the challenges we face. Can I count on you, Blondie?"

Blondie sniffled, her gaze a mix of grief and determination. "Yes, I'll do my best. Just... Brad..."

Lily offered a compassionate smile, a bond of shared understanding forming between them. "We'll navigate this journey together. And I promise, we'll face whatever comes our way, supporting each other every step of the way."

As they shared their resolve, a sense of camaraderie enveloped them, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, they were not alone. With their spirits intertwined and a shared goal in mind, they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, standing strong against the forces that sought to destroy their world.

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