(O) “So… I think I can help ya two, but it’ll be a bit tricky.”

After I showed him the struggle, he completely freaked out for a few minutes and we had to watch him walk in circles until he finally calmed down. Needless to say, I had to stop Alice from punching him in the face for ignoring us.

(S) “Are you sure you can do it?”

(O) “Yeah, well… maybe, I think…”

(A) “Are you fucking sure or not?!”

(O) “I’m sure, I’m sure… just, it’s the first tame I’m doin’ somethin’ like that, y’know… ya don’t create a davine object every mornin’…”

(A) “Davine?”

(S) “He meant ‘Divine’ Alice.”

(A) “Oh… Wait, what’s a…”

(S) “I’ll tell you about it later, Ogre, what do you need.”

(O) “Dude, I don’t think it’s safe to…”

He was obviously nervous, touching his neck, avoiding our eyes, and sweating like crazy… I figured this couldn’t be an easy task, but his reaction worries me a lot.

(A) “Listen, Og’, you look like a nice guy, but if you don’t help us I’ll break your…”

(S) “Alice! Don’t be like that!”

(O) “No! That’s fine… I… it’s not lake I’ve a choice anyway. I do need somethin’ to make the copy. Well, not exactly to ‘make’ it but… I need a relic.”

(S) “A relic?”

(O) "Yes, it's further in the south, where there's a sort of big Stonehenge thingy, and in the middle a trapdoor leading to a room."

(A) “Wow, sounds like a real quest…”

What is Stonehenge…? Whatever, Alice seems to know what it is.

(O) “The thing is, it’s guarded.”

(A) “Well, that’s a given.”

(O) “And the guardian is really powerful…”

Damn, he was so joyous and energetic when he opened the door, but now he keeps looking away with a clearly faked smile. Looks like he has some history with the guardian, or the relic…

(A) “And what is the ‘relic’? A magical screw-driver or something?”

(O) "I don't know. It might sound weird, but I don't really ‘need' it… it's complicated, just get it and it should be fine."

(S) “Okay…”

(O) “Yeah, I… I don’t really craft gear so I have nothing to offer right now…”

(A) “Don’t worry, I figured you were usel…”

(S) “Don’t sweat it!”

Fortunately, I managed to cut her speech in time, this stupid sister of mine…

We talked a bit more about the location of the said relic and after that, Ogre offered us to eat something. We couldn't really refuse, especially Alice who has barely eaten anything for the past few days because of her ‘training'. It was hard enough to find something to eat in the plain, and unlike sis’, I wasn’t fighting anyone.

So, of course, we accepted the invitation.

----------------------------------------

V: Come on!

V: Don’t tell me that’s the only thing you have to say!

V: She fucking cheated on you!

V: Literally! ><

S: Yeah… well, I kind of did the same.

S: She must have a reason.

S: And it’s not like it changes anything.

V: You are so boring. (=.=)'

V: I am ashamed of being your guide.

S: Hey, we do have something in common now, I also am ashamed of you. Wink [https://forum.royalroadl.com/images/smilies/wink.png]

S: Plus, our relationship is based on trust, sort of. It’s not a so-called ‘guide’ I never met that could change anything.

V: Oh!

V: I am shocked! (°o°)

V: After everything I did for you!

S: Like?

V: First, I taught you about the vvorlds.

S: You didn’t say half of what the other did, and I had to pay for it with info on myself.

V: VVell… I…

V: Oh, I knovv! I saved you when you faint in the jungle!

V: Ha!

S: You what?

V: I almost forgot, I used my precious ticket to come save your weak ass after you almost got killed by a bug.

S: Really?

V: Yeah, baby! (^.^)

V: How do you think you passed the door?

S: Holy…

S: It was you!

S: Why didn’t you told me?

V: ‘Cause it's a secret. You're not supposed to knovv that I can travel betvveen worlds.

S: You can do that?

S: Wait, worlds?

V: And… I vvon’t tell you more.

V: Hehe. (^.^)

S: Wait!

S: What are you talking about!

S: The other guide never told anything about worlds or world travelling!

S: Val?

S: Are you…

S: Fuck you.

Shit, she left the conversation, just like that.

What a bitch.

I guess that the existence of multiple worlds was to be expected, but I thought it was just continents or something. And it seems to be quite a big deal to travel from one another, I suppose there are no more magical doors after you finish the Quest.

And… she saved me? I kind of forgot what happened back in the jungle, it feels like it was decades ago, but it might be possible. I fainted and woke up on the next struggle, so obviously, someone picked me up, and even though I didn't meet her yet, she was already watching me, so she was aware of my imminent death.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

But why?

It’s not her type at all.

Not that I know a lot about her, and not like I want to know a lot about her. She's joking all the time about wanting me to die and she kind of admitted she will be killing me in the near future. I asked the other guides but nobody told me anything about her, other than she's crazy strong and liked to make bet to see who'll be the first noob to die. Apparently, I was the first time in years she didn't do that.

Hum… this doesn’t make sense… or maybe I’m missing something.

“Are you okay?”

“Oh? Yeah, sorry, just lost in thought.”

“Did Val bullied you or something?”

“No, well, she kind of did but, you know, the usual.”

Alice and I were walking toward our new destination: the relic. As the place is an hour away from Ogre's workshop/house, we moved as soon as we could. With a feeling that the struggles are becoming tougher and longer, I figured we shouldn't waste any time. That and I was starting to have a hard time containing Alice's behaviour in front of our host - she doesn't know the difference between criticizing and plainly insulting people.

Everything was going fine, we were almost halfway there and the sun was just starting to go down in the sky. We had all the afternoon to defeat the guardian, take the relic, whatever it is, and go back to Ogre.

I’m sure it won’t be that easy, but I’m an optimistic guy.

“Sam, I was thinking… well, it’s kind of obvious, but… if I’m going to have my own Quest Book, it means we’ll part ways… right?”

“…”

…

…

Holy shit!

“Don’t tell me you didn’t think of that…”

"Oh, my…! No! I feel so stupid!"

I was so obvious that I fucking didn't realize it!

“But yeah, it seems logical! I mean, it’s not like there’s anything we can trust here, or any real ‘rules’, but I don’t think us ‘climbing’ the quest together was meant to be.”

“Yeah…”

“…”

So, that was the reason why she barely talked to me since we left the workshop…

“Don’t be so sad, it’s not like we won’t see each other after that. We’re almost at the 20th struggle, sort of, and I’m sure Marie will figure how to link our books together, so we’ll never really be…”

“I know that! But… I’m… it’s too soon!”

She stopped. And turned around, staring at me with her tearful gold and silver eyes.

“I was finally doing it. I was finally improving, thanks to you. If we split apart, I… I don’t know if I’ll make it!”

“What do you mean… you don’t need me to…”

"Yes, I do! I told you what happened on the 7th struggle! Do you think I won't snap out again!"

“Alice…”

"This is me! I am a killing machine, I am good at it and I don't even feel bad about it! I'm a fucking monster! The only thing keeping me away from destroying the world, from losing my fucking common sense is you! I hate the world, I hate the people! I...!"

…

…

…

*sob*

...

"I envy you, you know. You can care about the other... you can forgive them, you can forgive yourself, you can... forget… But I can't… Because of this stupid bitch I… I…"

"Without a single word, Samsy took her beloved sister into his arms, putting one hand on the back of her head. He didn't say anything, because he knew no word could do anything, and the two fakes siblings stayed like that, silent, eyes closed, the wind brushing her scarlet hair. As her tears were about to fall, she gently pushes him away, and both opened their eyes at the same time. Then, without a warning…"

“Who the fuck is talking?”

As I was trying to comfort Alice, a voice coming from nowhere started to comment the situation. She tried to call it out, but there was no one around…

"Haha, sorry, I couldn't help myself."

“Where the fuck are you!”

“Please, don’t get mad, young lady. Just look down.”

At our feet, there was… a hologram? A sort of scroll, like the ones we had at Lucropolis, was put on the grass, and a blue-ish projection of a man was floating above its screen. He was only tens of centimetres tall and was wearing a classy suit with a top hat. Strangely enough, the upper part of his head was completely covered by some sort of shadow, and he was harbouring a wide and confident smile.

Alice picked up the scroll.

“What is the meaning of this.”

"I'm sorry, I don't have any dictionary with me right now, but I'll try something, this is a pronoun, used to design something."

"… Is this a jo…"

"Haha, got'ya! It's actually just a recording, I'm actually in another world, hehe, so I wouldn't have any signal anyway. Well, I guess it won't be much different than a real conversation for you…"

“What are you talking about?”

“Hey Sam!! Long time no see!”

“Do I know you?”

“No… not really. But I know a lot about you! Wink wink. I said it out loud because you can’t see my eyes! Haha! I’m so funny.”

“…”

“…”

"Hehe, I guess I should introduce myself, you met my… you met Eve, right? But she probably didn't say anything about me yet, she's kind of shy for that. I have many titles, such as the All-Seeing, or the Gentleman, but for you, I think the most appropriate would be Adam. It's a pleasure for you to meet me."