Milly sat beside Calista at the wake, watching the bottle of scotch get passed around the circle of Freelancers. They gathered in the middle of the open office space, the only furniture the twenty beds spaced equidistant from each other along the outer windows. Stories of their fallen coworkers filled the air around them, laughter and tears intermingled in remembrance of their sacrifice, growing louder as the bottle grew lighter.

Milly did not have any stories to share. Though she had dined with the fallen on the beach each night, she had spent little time trying to get to know them. She felt out of place, a stranger amongst friends.

The scotch made its way to Milly. She grasped the bottle tentatively in her hand, the smell making its way to her nose. Her foster father drank scotch. The smell in her nostrils brought back memories of those nights when his drinking became something more. She could smell it on his breath when he leaded close. When his blows struck. When she was huddle over in fear, waiting for it to stop. She felt sick to her stomach and passed the bottle to Calista with a sudden thrust.

Calista lifted the bottle from Milly’s hands and drank, taking a second gulp before passing it over to Rain. Milly felt her stomach churn as she watched the vile liquid descended down Calista’s throat and imagined the smell of the scotch on Calista’s breath. She did not want to be here. She did not want to see this.

“Are you okay, Milly?” Calista asked.

“I’m fine,” Milly lied, feeling guilty.

Calista looked worried but did not press her. She inched closer to Milly and placed her hand comfortingly on Milly’s lower back as the bottle continued around the circle. Calista could feel the tension that had grabbed hold of Milly.

“What did I expect?” Milly thought, scolding herself. “Calista was the popular girl in high school. Popular girls drink. Most people drink. You are the one who is broken, not her.” Milly felt her thoughts growing dark and she grew increasingly anxious as she watched the bottle moving closer to her with every pass around the circle.

The scotch reached Billy, who took an enormous swig despite the scowl from Ying. “I wish Matt was here for this,” he declared. “A great friend. I mean, the guy was a narcissist, but he was so good natured about it. He used to throw these elaborate birthday parties for himself. Hundreds of people attended. He enjoyed them so much that last year he held three, though I still have no idea how he convince so many people he had birthdays in April, July, and December. But he did, and the parties were outstanding. Though guess who had to help him haul all his presents up the eight flights of stairs to his apartment when his elevator broke.”

Billy laughed, and opened his inventory. He withdrew a box wrapped in blue and gold paper, topped with a big red bow. “We each got one of these gifts from the event. Our reward for surviving. Matt would have loved it.” He grasped the red bow. “This is for you, Matt.”

Billy pulled on the bow, and the box in his hands dissolved into a fine gold dust that disappeared as it touched the ground. A triumphant chime sounded across the office.

Billy held in his hands a simple, metal spatula.

“Oh, you have got to be fucking kidding me,” complained Billy, as Ying doubled over in laughter. It was infectious, and within moments everyone had joined in.

“Okay, okay, calm down you clowns,” Billy said, waving away their laughter and fixing his gaze on the spatula. The description appeared, and Billy licked his lips with excitement.

Spatula of the Iron Chef

Allez Cuisine!

Benefit: Grants Talent “Next Level Catering”. Allows the player to create elaborate meals using high quality ingredients that temporarily boost a player’s attributes.

Benefit: Grants Talent “Eat Your Way to Victory”. Allows the player to create exceptional meals using unique ingredients that permanently boost a player’s attributes.

Benefit: Increases the user’s agility by 4

“I know what we are doing on our second date, Billy Hawthorn. You do only have one redeeming quality,” Ying announced. Billy raised a suggestive eyebrow and earned a slap on the shoulder from Ying. “Not that, asshole. I meant you can cook.”

“Okay, Ying,” Billy laughed. “If it means a second date, I will be your chef. Now, here, it is your turn.” He handed her the bottle.

Ying drank from the bottle and opened her gift, a foggy glass orb that accelerated healing. She passed the bottle, and around the circle it travelled. Mohammad, one of their best hunters, got a quiver of arrows that never ran out. Diwata, who swam competitively in high school, got a silver trident that let her breathe under water. Harriett, the tailor, who had lost her hand in the battle, received an artificial hand that could mold itself into any tool she required.

The Freelancers grew more excited and increasingly boisterous as each drank and opened their gift. But Milly was quiet. She watched the bottle grow closer to her and Calista, her anxiety growing and muscles tensed.

“It is just alcohol, Milly,” she thought to herself. “Be brave. Everyone else is drinking. It is normal. Just be normal.” But as the bottle got closer and closer, she dreaded the touch of its glass on her fingers and the thought of its liquid on Calista’s lips. Calista hand, which was lightly stroking Milly’s back, grew still.

Naomi received a pair of sneakers that left no trace of her passage, then passed the scotch over to Milly.

Milly gulped, heart beating wildly in her chest. Her hand slowly left her lap, shaking as she reached forward for the bottle.

Calista’s hand left Milly’s back, and she reached gently across Milly’s lap and took the bottle from Naomi, then handed it over to Rain without a word. Calista gave Milly an understanding smile, then returned her hand to the small of Milly’s back.

“Okay, Milly, it is your turn,” Calista said chipperly. “What gift did you get?”

Milly felt the tension leave her muscles in an instant as she stared up into Calista’s sparkling eyes. Calista looked back at her with excitement, unaware that she had, with one simple motion, sealed her place in Milly’s heart.

Milly shuffled over until she pressed her leg firmly against Calista. “I already got a gift,” she whispered, “I got you.”

“I feel the same way,” Calista whispered back.

“Alright, lovebirds,” teased Billy from across the circle, “just open your gifts already.”

The slap that Ying delivered to the back of Billy’s head rang out across the office, and laughter erupted from the Freelancers.

Milly blushed from head to toe. But she was not embarrassed. She was happy. This time, her blush felt right. She reached over and grasped Calista’s hand, intertwined their fingers without hesitation or fear. Calista gave her a supportive squeeze, and they leaned until their shoulders were pressed together.

Milly grabbed her present from her inventory and pulled on the big red bow.

The box suddenly flew from Milly’s hand, leaving the bow behind clenched in her fingers, and hovered three feet above her. There was a collective gasp from the circle of Freelancers at the sight. A moment later, two faint silver threads appeared on either side of the gift, sparkling in the air.

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Calista and Rain’s gifts abruptly flew out of their inventories, joining Milly’s as they floated together in the air, the silver threads uniting them together. They spun in the air, growing faster and faster, until all three gifts erupted in a bright, golden light that filled the room.

The boxes had dissolved into golden dust, and in their place were three delicately crafted silver pendants, each with a different phase of the moon as its centerpiece. The three pendants hung in the air, slowly spinning as if on display, then drifted down into their laps.

Milly could feel the power emanating from her full moon pendant as it came to rest on her gown. There was a sense of familiarity in the pendant. Milly focused and smiled as she read the description.

Luna’s Pendant of Guidance

For the one who showed kindness and love

Benefit: Grants talent “Oracle’s Divination (beginner).” Allows the player to use ritual and sacrifice to tap into the fabric of the contest, gaining insight and hidden significance behind events and challenges.

Benefit: Oracle’s Divination is more powerful when in the presence of its sister pendants.

Benefit: Increases the user’s magic by 8

Milly slipped the pendant around her neck, feeling the full moon centerpiece settle against her skin. It felt warm to the touch, as if warmed by the hands of its creator. She knew what this was for, though she could tell no one. Luna had just given Milly a way of communicating with her without drawing attention. A direct connection to the contest’s AI Director. It was expensive – the pendant was already implanting the knowledge of the rituals and sacrifices required into her mind – but it would be invaluable.

“Thank you, Luna,” Milly thought. “I’ll find a way to thank you in person soon.”

Milly looked over at Calista, who was dangling her crescent moon pendant gently in her fingers, eyes scanning the elaborate carvings of animals along the chain. Milly glanced down at the pendant’s description.

Luna’s Pendant of The Journey

For the one who showed bravery and sacrifice

Benefit: Grants talent “Companion of Artemis.” The player gains an instinctive knowledge of the beasts and monsters of the world.

Benefit: Companion of Artemis will know the location of nearby unique beasts if in the presence of its sister pendants.

Benefit: Increases the user’s strength by 8

“Hey Billy, I’ll bring you back some special ingredients for your spatula,” Calista declared, putting on the pendant.

“You had better,” Billy answered, sounding excited. “This thing is not meant for flipping burgers. And I am getting tired of cooking with boar. An expert chef like me needs premium ingredients.”

“Rain, what does yours do?” Milly asked, curious.

Rain’s halfmoon pendant was still on her lap. Milly could see her mind churning with possibilities. “I’m… not really sure,” she answered, turning her description screen so Milly could read.

Luna’s Pendant of Imagination

For the one who has a mind unburdened by limitations

Benefit: Grants talent “The Creativity of Hephaestus.” The player can transmute raw materials into supplies and equipment and may incorporate aspects of the talents they possess into the resulting transmutation.

Benefit: Allows the player to tap into the talents of those wearing its sister pendants when transmuting.

Benefit: Increases the user’s magic by 8

“What the heck does that mean?” Calista asked, baffled.

Rain put the pendant on, and her eyes lit up with understanding.

“It’s easier if I show you,” Rain said, rapidly scanning the myriad of materials she had collected in her inventory over the past week. She withdrew her spare apron and placed it on the ground in front of her, then added five different types of plants, a slab of boar hide, two screws, and a square of metal that had fallen off the outside of a tower.

“Rain, are you a hoarder? How much stuff do you have in there?” exclaimed Ying.

“You never know what will be useful,” Rain replied. “Calista, can you give me your hand for a moment?”

Calista extended her hand, a confused look on her face. Rain grasped it tightly. “Okay, let’s see if this works.”

Milly watched as Calista and Rain’s pendants began to glow. Rain placed her free hand over the collected items and channeled her magic. Milly watched in amazement as the items began to melt together, merging into a complex, molten ball. It glowed with combined colors, giving off an intense heat that scorched the stained carpet below.

Sweat beaded on Rain’s brow and Milly could see her hands start to shake. Rain clenched her channeling hand into a fist, and a beam of light shot from Calista’s chest into the molten mass. It was joined by a line of fire from Rain, and the two magics united in the core of the molten mass.

Rain was sweating profusely now. She unclenched her fist and turned her palm to the ceiling, and suddenly the mass began to take shape. It stretched and folded along the floor, twisting into elaborate patterns. Then, in a final burst of light and heat, the molten mass settled into its new form. Rain fell backwards, laughing and exhausted, her magic completely drained.

Laying before them was a sleeveless white dress with gold embroidery, low cut and with a short skirt that ended just above the knees. It looked straight out of a Greek myth.

“It’s beautiful, Rain,” Calista said, running her hands along its silky fabric, a slight heat remaining.

“It’s for you,” replied Rain. “To replace your improvised bikini, which has seen better days. I tried to make it into something that fits your amazon aesthetic.”

Calista lifted the dress carefully in her hands. “I love it,” she whispered. “Thank you Rain. I… just… thank you.”

“I infused it with your shield talent and my fire talent. It should help protect you and keep you warm.”

Calista lifted the dress and clutched it to her chest, grateful for the gift.

“The only disadvantage is you will need a new excuse to borrow Milly’s hoodie,” Rain whispered to Calista.

Calista blushed happily, and Rain passed the bottle along the line.

* * *

“A two-person pop-up tent, three sleeping bags, and a small cooking pot,” recited Calista irritably, walking back from the Emporia in her new white and gold dress, “which cost us every piece of gold we had left. Aren’t there laws against this kind of price gouging?”

“In this world? I doubt it,” Rain chuckled as the trio headed towards the lobby’s plains entrance, their destination far in the distance. “Tutoria is a shrewd businesswoman.”

Calista scoffed, staring daggers back at Tutoria, who was waving happily from her shop.

Milly watched the edge of the setting sun begin to crest below the horizon. “We should go,” she said, opening the doors, feeling the dry night air on her skin, and breathing in the dusty scent. The scent reminded her of her first day in the contest, exploring the plains with Xavier.

The day that started it all. The day that had changed everything.

She remembered the lonely woman she had been, abandoned and without hope. It felt like a lifetime ago. Would she even recognize herself now?

Calista arrived at her side and leaned in for a gentle kiss. Milly felt a tingle on her lips as they parted, still a strange sensation that caused her heart to flutter. “What are you thinking about?” Calista whispered to her with sparkling eyes.

Milly thought for a moment. “Just this,” she answered. This time, she took the lead and kissed Calista, letting her past drain away into the soil beneath their feet.

“Come on, you two,” Rain called from ahead of them, delighted that her friends had finally found each other. “You can do that along the way.”

Milly and Calista’s lips reluctantly separated, Milly’s stomach filled with excited butterflies. It was the end of their first day together, and Milly felt like her life was finally beginning. After nineteen years of lost hope and loneliness, Milly had found her happiness.

They walked together into the wilderness, hand in hand, ready to face the world.

***

Mildred Persephone Brown

Player

Level: 18

Specialty: Survival

Strength: 18 (+4 from Wedding Ring of Phillip the Ogre, + 4 from Collar of the Victor)

Agility: 15 (+5 from Gown of Moon and Stars)

Toughness: 18 (+4 from Collar of the Victor)

Magic: 35 (+5 from Gown of Moon and Stars, +2 from Milly's First Witch's Hat, +8 from Luna’s Pendant of Guidance)

Talents: Healer's Touch, Fire Magic (Beginner), Earth Magic (Beginner), Reanimate Rodent (Witch's Hat), Telekinesis (Beginner), Oracle’s Divination (Pendant of Guidance)

Unique Talent: Salem’s Fury

Rain Desjarlais

Player

Level: 14

Specialty: Brewing, Experimentation

Strength: 10

Agility: 18 (+6 from Dagger of Lugh Samildànach)

Toughness: 21 (+6 from Dagger of Lugh Samildànach)

Magic: 22 (+8 from Luna’s Pendant of Imagination)

Talents: Nature's Bounty, Alchemy (Beginner), Dagger Specialist (Beginner), Fire Magic (Beginner), The Creativity of Hephaestus (from Luna’s Pendant of Imagination)

Unique Talent: The Mage Alchemist of Lugh Samildànach

Calista Gale

Player

Level: 14

Specialty: Hunting, Mean Girl

Strength: 28 (+6 from Spear of Pinga, +8 from Luna’s Pendant of The Journey)

Agility: 18 (+6 from Spear of Pinga)

Toughness: 14

Magic: 10 (+4 from Huntress' Scrunchy)

Talents: Protective Shield (beginner, augmented), Spear Specialist (beginner), Improved Perception (from Huntress' Scrunchy), Spear Recall (from Spear of Pinga),

Companion of Artemis (from Luna’s Pendant of The Journey)

Unique Talent: Pinga’s Redeeming Protector