Takeshi stared at Maru for a while without saying anything. She waved her hand in front of his face. Was he frozen??
"Takeshi? Did you hear me? I said I think I'm in a hospital in the real world..." she said, still waving her hand in front of him.
"I've checked all the nearby hospitals, Maru, you're not in any of them." answered Takeshi in a monotone voice.
"I'm telling you... I saw it. I was in a bed and I couldn't move! I was hooked up to a bunch of machines and the ceiling tile! It was painted like a blue sky!" she tried to explain all that she saw. Takeshi sat silent.
"I'll look into it more. Come on, we need to teleport back before we're spotted." he said. He placed his hand on her arm. She placed her hand on his. Takeshi stared at her small hand on his.
"Is there something you're not telling me?" Maru asked. Takeshi said nothing as he teleported them back to the inn. Haru was pacing in the room when they appeared. The look of worry disappeared from his face for a brief moment but quickly returned.
"Lady Ky...Maru!! Where did you disappear to?? You were sleeping on the bed, and then you just disappeared. Why is the concealment spell gone? It hasn't been 24 hours yet." Haru rambled on. Maru performed the concealment spell.
"I'm not quite sure what is going on. I was...having a weird dream, and then I woke up in the valley." answered Maru. Haru's eyes grew wide.
"You were summoned..." whispered Haru. Maru looked between Takeshi and Haru.
"Care to elaborate??? Who summoned me??? Why to the valley??" she asked.
"Not who but what. The Valley has sung your name, and now the world will know of your return." he answered. Takeshi growled a bit.
"Enough with the riddles!" Takeshi said in a deep tone. Haru stared at Maru.
"My lady, I suggest we head straight to the woodland kingdom. There are more to protect you there than just me. I'm not invincible." said Haru, ignoring Takeshi.
"I don't understand. It's no different than when I first appeared in the valley. Why would everyone know now but not the first time?" she asked.
"The first time you went to the valley on your own accord, yes? Whereas this time you were summoned." answered Haru. Maru thought about it. She guessed, in a way, it sort of made sense. When she was playing her character, she did go to the valley. Then, in her heart, she longed to stay in the peaceful valley. Whereas this time she had wanted to stay in the real world. Yet she was brought back.
"Yes, I guess you could say that. But why would everyone know this time?" she asked. Haru stared at her, seeming a bit confused that she did not understand. Was this something Princess Kyomi would know the answer to?
"Did you forget the prophecy? It is said that the valley of Kyomi has magical properties due to the many wars fought on it. The prophecy says that the valley will summon forth the leader who will end all fighting. Bringing peace to the valley and the surrounding realms. Your parents had named you after the valley. After your disappearance, many believed that you would come back to fulfill the prophecy." Haru said as he grabbed Maru's hand. "Please, we need to take you home." Haru looked at Takeshi.
"I think he's right, Maru. You should go to your people. I may..." Takeshi paused. "Give us a moment, I'll persuade her." Haru hesitated but gave in since Takeshi had yet to give him a reason not to trust him. After Haru left the room, Takeshi put up a barrier. "Maru, a notification was just sent out server wide saying that Princess Kyomi is in play."
"Yeah, but that happened before..." Maru began. Takeshi shook his head.
"Developers have confirmed it. Now my character is built well, and I can take on npcs no problem. However, if a group of the world's greatest players come at me..." said Takeshi.
"You both keep talking as if I can't handle myself on the battlefield as well. And if no one can find me, then no one has to fight..." Maru said, starting to become annoyed with them treating her like a damsel in distress.
"Maru!! Have you forgotten about items??? There are necklaces that can be crafted to see through enchantments! You have been lucky most players haven't been in Telan as of late! They will come for you!!! You may actually be in the game, but I am not! My gear might be the best available, but I will have to get off the game at some point. Not to mention finding you in the real world and figuring out what we have to do to bring you back. You have to survive while I'm gone, and time passes much faster in the game. You need to go back with the general for now." He paused for a moment. "There's also the visions... based on the available in-game knowledge, only pure blood dark elves have the power. There are two ways to see a vision first hand and second hand. First hand, obviously being the one having the vision and second hand would be someone showing you a vision. However, what you described was a first-hand vision. For a second-hand vision to happen, the seer would have to make physical contact with you." Takeshi added.
"Which no one did. Meaning there's more behind Kyomi's...well might as well say my origin since I'm the one living it. If I go with Haru, I'd be more likely to find out more intel. But what about you? Being a dark elf, I doubt they'll just let you waltz in with me..." said Maru. He seemed to think about it for a moment.
"If I had enough time, I'd make a new character. But I don't have enough time to grind one out. You'll just have to convince your newly found dad to let me in." said Takeshi with a laugh.
Dad?? The word made her hand twitch. Maru's real dad had passed away during his time in the military. Or so she was told. She had no memory of the man. There were not even any real pictures of him. Just a drawing. Her mother passed away during childbirth. So, she was sent into foster care. 'Meet your new dad!' How many times had her foster mom told her that? A dark room flashed to her mind.
"Maru?" Takeshi asked. He went to place his hand on her shoulder. Maru instinctively jumped back. She wiped her brow. When did she break into a cold sweat?
"Yeah... I'll be sure to have him grant you permission." said Maru as she smiled radiantly. Takeshi stared at her as Haru burst through the door. What happened to the barrier?? Did Takeshi drop it??
"My lady, we need to move now!" yelled Haru. She could now hear sounds coming from the street. "Everyone is beginning to look for you!" That was much faster than anticipated. She had thought at least a day or so would pass before they would come here.
"Tch... we need to go. No more debating." Takeshi said as he grabbed Maru's hand and placed his other on Haru's shoulder. In an instant, they were on the outskirts of the woodland realm capital, Muir. Maru and Haru began to move forward. Realizing Takeshi was not following, Maru turned and walked back to him. "I can't pass this area, unfortunately."
"I will be sure to tell his Majesty of your efforts in keeping the princess safe," said Haru as he walked up beside them. He bowed toward Takeshi and then turned to Maru. "I will tell the gatekeeper of our arrival." She gave him a nod of approval. With that, Haru walked towards the gate. Silence fell between Takeshi and Maru.
"How will I be able to get in touch with you once we get permission for you to enter the city?" asked Maru. Her long dark hair blew in front of her face from the breeze. Takeshi held up his wrist. On it was a jade bracelet that matched hers.
"Just hold it, and mine will glow. This will let me know that you want to get a hold of me. You can also teleport to me like I can to you. However, I'm not sure how you would do it without a menu. And you won't be able to tell if I'm on or not, so I suggest we stick to the glow rather than have you teleport into a camp of dark elves." he said with a laugh. Maru hesitated but couldn't hold it in any longer.
"Is this real? Or am I in a coma dream?" asked Maru. "Cause none if it makes sense, to be honest. I mean, I'm in a damn video game! I can feel everything here from the breeze to your touch... even though you can't feel any of it." Maru said as she grabbed his hand and then let go. "At least your character can show emotion. When I met up with Tulla, hers moved more robotically. On top of being in a game, you've spoken more words to me than you ever have in the real world! And you've been nice! There's no way this can be real..."
"Well, in the real world, I have no need to talk to you, and the only reason I'm even helping you is for my own personal gain, remember? I have to talk to you here to get you out, or you'll end up getting yourself killed! Then how will I ever get the gear you owe me, along with your resignation and the other condition you agreed to." Takeshi paused, "This is real Maru. I can only imagine trying to find logic where there is none. Though I doubt your tiny brain could wrap your head around it if there was any anyway." Maru shook her head at his answer.
"Now that. That sounds like the real Takeshi. For a moment, I actually thought you had a soul. Fool me once." Maru sighed, "I'll go catch up to Haru and use the bracelet to let ya know when it's safe to teleport." she said as she began to walk away. Takeshi stared at her for a moment and then disappeared.