Elias stared at Lucius, the weight of the revelation crashing over him. The cryptic guide, the one who had introduced him to the game's mysteries, was also the GodGamer—the creator of Celestian Requiem.
His pulse raced, thoughts scrambling. What does this mean? Why us? But before panic could set in, his eyes caught on something mundane yet grounding: a perfectly iced slice of chocolate cake on the table nearby.
He picked up the fork, took a bite, letting the sweetness steady him. Brain food. Alright, focus. Exhaling slowly, he felt his thoughts start to organize.
"Okay," he muttered. "This is just... a quest. I can do quests."
Naomi arched an eyebrow. "Cake? Now?"
"It helps me think," Elias mumbled.
Lucius, meanwhile, was at the kitchen counter, pouring boiling water over leaves in a tea infuser with practiced ease, his expression faintly amused. "Adaptation is a useful skill. You'll need it."
Elias plopped himself into a chair, still holding the fork. "Alright. So... these Devourers. What do they want? Are you sending us on some kind of epic mission?"
Before Lucius could respond, Ava, who had been in Naomi's arms all this time, whirled around. "Wait—what is all this?" She pressed a hand to her forehead. "Eli, is this one of those... LARP things?"
Lucius remained calm, as if her question didn't faze him. "Ms. Martinez, I know this is a lot to take in." He handed her a teacup with a reassuring smile. "Here, mint and chamomile—something for the nerves."
His tone, smooth and unhurried, seemed to have a calming effect on Ava. She took the cup gingerly. "Thank you," she murmured. "It's actually my favorite."
"I know," Lucius smiled, then passed cups to Elias and Naomi. "Ms. Faraday—espresso for you. And lemon-ginger, Elias."
Elias blinked, startled. "How do you—"
"I know all things," Lucius interrupted, his voice leaving no room for argument. "And I am your ally... unless you make me your enemy. That's all you need to know."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Finally, Lucius looked at Elias with unsettling intensity. "Tell me, Elias—what is a game?"
The question, out of nowhere, hung in the air.
Elias hesitated. "A game is... fun? A way to escape?"
Lucius's gaze didn't waver. "And an MMORPG?"
Elias thought for a moment. "It's... role-playing. A way to be someone else. To follow a story."
Lucius inclined his head slightly. "Exactly. But what happens when players become too focused on winning, treating the game only as a means to an end?"
"They... quit when things don't go their way?" Elias offered, uncertain.
"They grind endlessly. Complain on forums. Rage when things don't go as expected," Lucius continued, a hint of disdain edging his voice. "And, at worst, they break the rules. Hack the game. The creator's vision is forgotten, and the players forget to play the role—to immerse themselves in the journey."
Elias's heart started pounding as he grasped the implications. "You're saying... I need to live out the warrior's journey. Follow his path."
Lucius gave a subtle nod. "The warrior's journey is more than a quest—it's a truth waiting to be uncovered. Until you live it, you'll never understand what it truly means to wield that sword."
Naomi's brow furrowed. "So, is this game really role-playing or more of a 'choose your own adventure'?"
Lucius's expression softened. "Sharp as ever, Ms. Faraday. Elias chose his companion well. But it's as I said—the path of the warrior will lead to answers. The choice to follow it, or diverge, is yours."
Elias ran a hand through his hair, absorbing it all. "Let me get this straight. I'm supposed to reenact every step of the ancient warrior's life, but I can also... choose to ignore it?"
"Play the role as it was meant to be played," Lucius answered. "Not for rewards, not for rank, but for truth. And what you do with that truth—that's up to you."
Naomi gave Elias a sidelong glance. "Guess it's time to stop min-maxing and actually play the game, WardensBlade."
Elias groaned but couldn't keep a small grin from surfacing. "Yeah, yeah. I get it."
Ava, meanwhile, had sunk into a chair, her confusion weighing her down. "This is insane…"
Lucius's gaze turned sympathetic. "Ms. Martinez, I know it's a lot. But listen—part of you senses it could be true. And if so, the Elias you see now may not be the same when he returns to you."
Ava stared, jaw clenched. "But what am I supposed to do? I don't even believe any of this."
Lucius's expression softened further. "The Devourers pride themselves on strength, yes. But I've learned that sometimes, the race doesn't go to the swift nor the battle to the strong."
Ava swallowed, his words piercing her skepticism.
Elias took a steadying breath. "Alright, so... where do we start?"
Lucius held his gaze, a spark of amusement glimmering in his eyes. "Why even ask, Elias, when you already know the answer?" And with that, Lucius turned, stepping out the door.
And then he was gone.