Chapter 61
As with all good things, the time passed too quickly, and before he knew it, everyone had finished eating, and was preparing to leave.
“I guess we should get out of your hair,” Z said as he finished taking the box of pizza to the trash. The robotic system would immediately sort it into its proper components, making the need for separating out garbage a thing of the ancient past. “Got monsters to slay and such, after all.”
“He says that,” Elm added, “but he’s the DM. Pretty sure the monsters he’s talking about slaying are our characters.”
“You wound me,” Z countered, feigning insult. “As if I would try to win at DnD.”
“If you could, we all know you would have long ago.” Oak offered up. “You know the reason you’re stuck as forever DM is because your character designs kept breaking the game.”
“I thought it was because you loved my various character impressions and story telling skills.” Z laughed, “could have sworn you said I was the next Mercer.”
“I said you wished you were like Mercer,” Oak corrected, “your impressions and voices feel like a drunk theater kid during their first semester after having watched a single video on how to do improv.”
“Yes, and?” Z smiled, and while James wasn’t really sure of what they were doing, he found himself smiling along. It was impossible not to. While this was the real world, all he was seeing was his favorite group of adventurers standing in his house, cracking jokes and poking fun at each other just like they always did. Real world, or immersion, it was refreshing to know they were the same for these five.
“Enough of the bromance,” Fel said with a mock gag, “it’s creepy enough five grown ass adults were hanging out here for this long. You should really get going before I think I need to call the authorities.”
The group all turned their attention to Fel, and James could see they were working for an answer that didn’t make the situation sound as creepy as Fel had just laid it out. Obviously, they all knew it wasn’t, but when Fel put it that way, well…
“Didn’t you say you had something to give Z, before he left?” James said, moving the subject away from anything awkward.
“I do,” Fel said with a nod, “actually, thanks for the reminder.” She walked over to the couch and ruffled around behind it. A moment later she pulled out a nondescript black backpack, and carried it over to Z. “Here you go.”
Z took it, not saying another word, and slung it over his shoulder. He didn’t look Fel in the eyes as he took it, and James noticed all the others were looking away as well. What was in that backpack?
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Frank, well Faust, cleared his throat, pulling the attention away from Z and the bag. “While we’re giving out gifts,” he rummaged in his pocket, and pulled out a handful of coin shaped objects, “who would like a free challenge coin?”
“A challenge coin?” James took the metal object in his hand. It was about as large as a quarter, though thicker. He’d have assumed it was gold, given its color and weight, but highly doubted the precious metal was being used. Instead, it was probably gold plated. One side of the coin had a grinning skull, the other side had a sword.
“A challenge coin,” Faust said with a smile, handing them out to everyone. “They’re a tradition Z knows from the military. We have them where I work as well. Had these lying about and have just been handing them out to friends. So, here’s to making new friends.”
James went to pocket the coin, not really knowing what to say. As he did, Faust held his gaze, and his tone shifted ever so slightly.
“Just make sure you don’t happen to take it in your immersion pod. For some reason the coins metal can sometimes cause issues with the pod.” He winked at James. Or at least, James was pretty sure he winked.
“Uh, noted.” James said, “I’ll make sure not to.”
“Good,” Faust nodded, “I figured I’d warn you at least. Last thing anyone needs after all, with this amazing immersion event coming up, is something making their pods malfunction.” Another wink. James was pretty sure he got it.
“Speaking of this upcoming event,” Fel looked from James, to the others, “I really should get going as well.” She pocketed the coin Faust had held out to her, “I’m going to give Alex a goodnight kiss before I head home and get ready. Super excited for this event. Cannot wait to see what all happens.”
She looked back at James, and he could see she had unspoken words for him. Her eyes, normally fierce and confident, held a hint of worry. Her smile waivered, as she looked him up and down. “Feel free to look for me in game, yeah James? Username’s FlashFyre, if you forgot.” With that, contrary to the statements of Z, and her own words, Fel was the first to leave.
James watched her go, feeling a pang of regret wash over him. He’d pulled her into this. Her and Alex, and everyone. If he’d never met her, she would be blissfully unaware of what was to come. Would that be better for her?
“Something got you doubting yourself? Girl troubles, perhaps?” Z said, the man placing a comforting hand on James’s shoulder, his kind eyes looking down at him. The older man smiled, but just like Fel, it didn’t reach his eyes. The way he stood, the way his shoulders drooped, it was as if Z was shouldering an immense weight. Was it whatever was in the bag? Couldn’t be. Fel was fit, but he doubted she’d have lifted the backpack so easily with a single arm if it was heavy enough to weigh on Z like it seemed to be.
“You’ll be fine James,” Z continued, his voice soft. “Just trust in yourself, and the choices you make, and you’ll get through whatever you’re dealing with.” He let go of James’s shoulder and stepped backwards. The rest of the Knights Who Go Ni all waved at James, their faces covered in smiling masks, their serious eyes the only traitors to the ruse. “Take care James, and feel free to hit us up in game, if you ever feel like diving the dungeon, yeah?”
With that, they turned and left. James watched them go, fighting hard to keep his food down as his nerves took a hard grip on his stomach. That was it. Potentially the last meal he’d have, the last supper he’d enjoy in the real world. In a few hours, he’d be immersed in DCO once more, knowing full well the game was no longer just that. And shortly after, well… he’d be raiding a dungeon, only this dungeon was in the real world. Could his adventuring party succeed?