As Shyri and Kalem moved far enough from the chaotic battlefield, her heart pounded with both urgency and hope. The sounds of the clashing weapons and Redom's roaring fury still echoed faintly behind them, but they were out of immediate danger. Glancing down at the mount whistle Kame had given her, Shyri took a deep breath and blew it.

The air around them shimmered, the whistle's sound carrying through the stillness of the dark woods. A sudden rush of wind followed as shadows coalesced before them, swirling and dancing in the moonlight. From the darkness, a massive creature emerged, its powerful wings beating against the night sky. A Nocturnal Griffin, its body covered in sleek, obsidian-black feathers that gleamed under the faint light, landed gracefully before Shyri.

The griffin’s eyes glowed an eerie violet, its majestic beak sharp and curved, and its powerful talons dug into the earth beneath it. Dark, ethereal energy seemed to ripple off its body as it crouched low, awaiting its rider. Its wings stretched wide, casting a formidable shadow on the ground.

Shyri's screen flickered with a notification:

"You have summoned a Nocturnal Griffin. Please name your mount."

She blinked, still in awe of the creature standing before her. Its beauty and power took her breath away. A moment passed as she pondered, her fingers hovering over the naming screen. The beast stared back at her with patient, intelligent eyes, as if waiting for her decision.

Without hesitation, Shyri typed in the name that came to her mind, one that embodied the creature’s grace and strength: "Umbra."

The name appeared on her screen, and with a gentle nod, the Nocturnal Griffin—Umbra—bowed its head slightly in acknowledgment, as if accepting the title. Shyri couldn't help but feel a deep connection forming with the creature.

Shyri smiled, the gravity of the situation still pressing down on them but now tinged with a spark of hope. “Come on,” she said, climbing onto Umbra’s back and offering her hand to Kalem. “We need to get out of here.”

Together, they mounted the griffin, feeling the surge of power as Umbra stretched its wings and took to the sky, carrying them away from the danger and into the night.

As they soared through the darkened skies on Umbra’s back, Kalem leaned back slightly, his body relaxing for the first time since their harrowing encounter with Redom. The cool air brushed against his face, the rhythmic beating of the griffin’s wings soothing his nerves. He glanced at Shyri, whose face was still set in determination.

“Find a campground,” he said softly, his voice calm but firm. “Somewhere far… at least a day’s flight from Fireguard. We need to lay low and regroup.”

Shyri nodded without saying a word, scanning the landscape below them. The rolling hills and dense forests stretched out beneath them like a sea of shadows, distant mountains barely visible on the horizon. As she steered Umbra further into the wilderness, Kalem allowed himself to breathe, feeling the weight of their near-death experience lifting slightly.

Suddenly, a notification appeared on both their HUDs, jarring them from the brief calm:

"Redom of Fireguard is now on the hunt for you. He will be actively hunting you down until he is defeated."

Kalem's jaw clenched, and he exchanged a tense glance with Shyri. Before they could fully process the first message, another notification blinked into view:

"Your status with the Irons Hand guild has been updated: Trusted. However, due to your title, your reputation is now neutral."

Kalem exhaled sharply, a mix of relief and frustration crossing his face. "We helped them, and yet... that damned title still keeps us on the edge."

But then, a final notification appeared:

"Quest: Hunted – You have successfully escaped Redom’s immediate pursuit. Be wary, as Redom has ears all throughout the country. It would be best to flee to another country to slow his progress in finding you."

Shyri’s hands tightened around Umbra’s reins as she let the words sink in. The quest alert pulsed ominously on her screen, a reminder that Redom was far from done with them.

“We can’t stay anywhere near Fireguard,” Kalem said, more to himself than to her. His eyes were fixed on the horizon, scanning for any sign of safety in the distance. “We need to get out of this country altogether… find somewhere Redom’s influence doesn’t reach as easily.”

Shyri agreed, her gaze steely as they flew deeper into the wilderness. "I’ll find us a safe spot for tonight. Then we’ll figure out how to cross the border."

The realization that they were now fugitives from one of the most dangerous men in the land settled heavily on them. But there was no time for despair—only action. Umbra flew faster, the cold night wind whipping past as they ventured further from the city and its dangers.

As they flew through the night, Shyri’s mind raced, the recent notifications still lingering in her thoughts. One detail stood out: the shift in their status with Kame’s guild, Irons Hand. They were no longer viewed with hostility, despite their Sinner titles.

She blinked at her HUD, staring at the words: "Trusted – Reputation: Neutral."

A flood of relief washed over her. Neutral. It wasn’t ideal, but compared to the outright hostility they had faced in Fireguard, it was a huge step up.

Shyri’s thoughts drifted back to the conversation she’d had with Kame during lunch. The guild had been wary of the Sinner titles, and the city itself had declared a manhunt for them. She had feared they’d be entirely cut off from any help, forced to live as outcasts in the game world, but now... there was hope.

“If Kame’s guild can trust us enough to be neutral,” she thought, glancing at Kalem, “then maybe other towns or even countries could too.”

Her heart raced with the realization. It might not be easy—earning even neutral standing with a nation or town would likely take immense effort. But it was possible. Neutral was better than being hated and hunted at every turn. It meant they could at least move around without immediate danger in some places, even if they couldn’t fully trust anyone.

She felt a strange sense of empowerment. Their titles didn’t have to completely define them, and if they could get Kame’s guild to this point, they could convince others too.

Kalem noticed her quiet contemplation and raised an eyebrow. “You alright?” he asked, his voice steady as Umbra’s wings beat rhythmically through the night air.

Shyri nodded slowly, eyes still scanning her HUD. “I just realized something,” she said, her voice quiet but determined. “We might be Sinners, but... being neutral with people is better than being hated, right? If we can get a town or country to trust us, even just enough for neutrality, we could live like normal players. Move around without constantly being hunted.”

Kalem looked at her, a glint of understanding in his eyes. “You’re right. It’s not perfect, but it’s something to work with. We just need to stay smart, build connections... maybe even help a few key people along the way.”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

A spark of hope lit in Shyri’s chest. Shyri opened her message menu, her fingers hovering over the keys. She thought about everything Kame and her guild had done for them, stepping in against Redom even at great cost. With a deep breath, she began typing:

“Hey Kame, thank you so much for what you and your guild did back there. We wouldn’t have made it without you. I know you lost a lot of players, and I feel bad about it… If there’s anything we can do to help, please let us know.”

She hesitated before hitting send, feeling a pang of guilt. They had barely survived, and now Kame’s guild was paying the price for stepping in. But she pressed send, watching the message zoom off into the virtual ether.

Not long after, a reply pinged back on her HUD.

"Shyri! No need to thank me! It was intense but fun tbh. My guild master was more than happy to step in—we’ve had our eye on Redom for a while. Losing players was tough, but we’re planning to get him next time. The guild leader wants to strategize outside the game. We think it's going to take more coordination and some serious firepower to take him down for good. You in?”

Shyri smiled, a wave of relief and gratitude washing over her. Kame's upbeat reply made her feel a bit better about the whole ordeal. Still, the fact that the guild wanted to strategize outside the game was a serious step.

"Of course," Shyri typed back quickly. "I’ll help in any way I can. Just let me know when and where, and I’ll be there.”

Kame's response came almost immediately:

"Great! We’ll set something up soon. Gonna be epic. Oh, and... keep that griffin. Pretty sweet ride. 😉"

Shyri chuckled softly at the last part, feeling a sense of camaraderie with Kame. Despite everything, there was comfort in knowing they had allies.

Kalem sat behind Shyri, his silence heavy with guilt. He stared at the horizon, lost in his thoughts. His mind replayed the fight with Redom over and over—the ruthless blows, the power difference, and how he had failed to keep them safe.

“I was supposed to protect us," Kalem said, his voice low. “I’m the higher level, and I still died. I couldn’t even keep myself alive. What kind of player am I if I can’t even handle a fight like that?”

Shyri turned slightly, hearing the pain in his voice. She wanted to let him vent, but something inside her couldn’t let him continue to tear himself apart. She shifted on the griffin’s back, and with a swift, graceful movement, she turned all the way to face him. The air whipped around them, the griffin’s wings beating rhythmically beneath them, but her focus was entirely on Kalem.

"Kalem, stop," she said softly, but firmly, her dark eyes locking onto his. Her hand lifted, and before he could react, she placed it gently on his face, her fingers brushing against his cheek with a tenderness that made him pause. “You’re being too hard on yourself. None of this is your fault."

Her touch was warm, calming the storm of self-criticism swirling in his mind. Kalem’s heart pounded in his chest, heavier than he’d expected. The weight of her words, and her gaze—so full of understanding and compassion—cut through the guilt that had been crushing him.

“You’ve done so much already," she continued, her voice steady but soothing. "Redom is... beyond both of us right now. But that doesn’t mean you failed. We’re both alive, and we’re gonna get stronger. We’ll take him down together. But you can’t keep punishing yourself."

Kalem’s breath hitched as her words sank in, and his eyes, once filled with frustration and disappointment in himself, softened under her gaze. The gentle press of her hand on his face, her soft eyes staring into his own, made something shift inside him. He wasn’t sure when it had started, but the feelings he had for Shyri—the respect, the admiration—were growing into something deeper. And now, sitting here with her, so close and so vulnerable, he couldn’t deny it anymore.

"I... I don’t know what I’d do without you,” Kalem said, his voice barely above a whisper, the weight of his feelings catching him off guard. His heart raced as he realized how much he liked her—more than he’d ever let on in such a short time.

Shyri gave him a small smile, her thumb brushing against his cheek gently before she pulled her hand away. "You don’t have to," she said softly. "We’re in this together, Kalem."

Kalem's chest tightened, a swirl of emotions he wasn’t ready to face just yet. But one thing was clear: he liked Shyri. More than he was letting off, and definitely more than he had expected.

As Umbra glided over the dense forest, Shyri scanned the ground below for a safe place to land. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the trees and the jagged peaks of a mountain range ahead. She squinted, her sharp eyes catching a small clearing nestled at the foot of the mountains. It was secluded, surrounded by thick trees and boulders, offering them a decent place to rest without drawing too much attention.

“There,” she said, pointing toward the clearing. The Griffin responded instantly, swooping lower as the ground drew closer, its wings slowing their descent until they gently touched down in the clearing. Shyri slid off the mount, feeling the cool earth under her feet as she surveyed their surroundings.

Kalem dismounted as well, walking to stand next to her. His gaze followed hers, lingering on the mountain range that loomed over them. The atmosphere was still, save for the faint rustle of leaves in the evening breeze. “It’s quiet here. This should be safe for the night," she said, her tone relieved.

Kalem nodded, but his focus was on the mountains. “Just beyond those peaks lies the kingdom of Westhound," he said thoughtfully. “They’ve always been in conflict with Fireguard. Their lands are well-fortified, and they hate the corruption that has spread through Fireguard.”

Shyri turned toward him, intrigued. "Do you think they'd give us sanctuary?"

Kalem shrugged, his expression uncertain but hopeful. “Possibly. They don’t like outsiders, but if we explain who we are and that we’re being hunted by Fireguard, we might stand a chance. At the very least, they’re not allied with Redom or anyone else from that city.”

Shyri's gaze drifted back to the mountains. Westhound could be their best option, but they would need a solid plan to cross the border without raising suspicion.

“We can rest here for now," she said, walking toward the center of the clearing and setting up a small fire. “Tomorrow, we’ll need to figure out the safest route through the mountains. If we can make it to Westhound, we might be able to buy ourselves some time, maybe even an alliance."

Kalem nodded, watching her work while lost in thought. The fire crackled to life between them, its warmth a small comfort as the night grew colder. The looming mountains ahead were a daunting challenge.

As Shyri and Kalem finished setting up the camp, they glanced at the in-game time and realized it had gotten far later than either of them had expected. Shyri let out a small sigh as she decided to log off.

"Let’s pick up from here tomorrow," she said, her voice a bit tired but content.

Kalem nodded in agreement, and soon the world of the game vanished, replaced by the quiet darkness of Kalem's dorm room. Shyri blinked a few times, adjusting to reality again before she realized where she was — still in Kalem's room.

"Oh shoot!" she muttered, scrambling to gather her things. She had completely forgotten that she wasn’t at her own place and had lost track of time while playing. “I’ve gotta go. It’s late, and I didn’t even tell Kame where I was.”

Kalem stood up from his chair, watching her rush. "Wait—Shyri," he started, walking toward the door as she swung her bag over her shoulder.

But Shyri was already halfway out of the door, her mind focused on getting home. She hurried down the hall and out into the cool night air, her footsteps quick as she crossed the campus.

“Shyri, hold up!” Kalem called out, running after her.

She slowed down, turning back to see him jogging toward her under the dim lights scattered around the campus paths. He reached her, slightly out of breath, and gently grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.

“Kalem, I really have to—” Shyri began, but Kalem cut her off.

"I know, but I… I need to say this before you go." His voice was soft but firm, his eyes serious as he held her gaze. “Look, I know we just met, but I can’t stop thinking about you. Playing together, talking… it just feels right. I like you, Shyri. I know it’s fast, but I couldn’t let you leave without telling you.”

Shyri stood frozen, her mind racing to process what he had just said. Her heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, she didn’t know how to respond. The intensity in his eyes, the sincerity in his words—it was overwhelming.

She looked away, her cheeks flushing slightly under the campus lights.

“You—what?” She stammered before quickly composing herself. “Kalem, we… we barely know each other. You can’t just…” Her words trailed off, and in a moment of flustered panic, she blurted out, “You’ll have to take me on a date first!"

The words hung in the air, and before she could register the surprise in Kalem’s expression, Shyri turned and bolted toward her apartment, her heart pounding in her chest.

Kalem stood there for a moment, stunned but grinning. "A date, huh?" he muttered to himself, watching her disappear into the night with a soft chuckle. "Guess I’ll take you up on that."

As Shyri hurried home, her mind swirled with thoughts of Kalem’s confession, her own unexpected response, and the whirlwind of emotions she hadn’t seen coming.