Aven's breath shuddered against Elian's shoulder.
He hiccuped again, fingers digging through the other man's fabric, afraid as if the whole world would slip through if he let go.
Elian allowed him, staring at the crumbled ceiling, the faint whine of the wind outside blowing past them.
He let Aven cry. Letting him soak his shirt and shake against his chest until it stopped sounding like breathing and more like scraping.
When Aven's breathing stabilized, Elian muttered,
"Great. You're repainting my clothes with snot. Didn't I tell you to clean it up?"
Aven gave a small, broken sound that could've been a laugh or another sob. His voice came out muffled again, not even listening to what Elian said.
"I could've saved them."
Elian audibly sighed through his nose, lifting a hand to pat his back.
"It's not your fault. I'm sure you know the truth why it really happened, " his voice, softer.
Elian had patched two and two together. If Aven laid here, with one whole arm missing, and from the three guards conversation he heard when hiding with Crix back in the Guild that Aven was locked up.
And with Crix positive the Black Guild planned this whole charade. This meant Aven was locked up, however, he retaliated and it led to this one way.
Elian patted him again. "You did what you could. Now, before you get a headache from crying, from crying, try growing that arm back. How much Mana do you have left?"
"60%"
Elian scoffed, his brows raised.
Aven shook his head, still pressed against his shoulder. "But, you don't get it. T-the people… how can they just—"
"I do," Elian cut in. His tone stayed even. "I know what it's like to want to fix something that's already gone. Trust me."
He pulled back enough to meet Aven's brown eyes, hand settling on his shoulder as he gave him a small shake. "So stop tearing yourself apart over it. Wipe your face."
Aven sniffed, then drew back the mess he could, rubbing his sleeve across his cheeks. He swallowed whatever was left of the breakdown, eyes red and half-empty. "If you tell anyone you saw me like this," he muttered, voice hoarse, "I'll kill you."
Elian blinked. You… can try that. "Sure."
[Why are you acting like a warm hearted person… EW.]
Elian averted his eyes away from his system's message.
[Don't ignore me… you look weird right now. You wanted to kill that guy!]
Well, I don't like it when I see people cry.
[Liar. You want Aven on your side, that's what. And also use him for your revenge plan.]
Like you always do.
H-hey, apart from that. I really don't like seeing people cry.
[Pretty people by any chance huh???]
Suckerbot, don't start.
"Oh look! Your other arm's regrown. S-ranks sure heals fast."
Aven still stared at the ground for a while, not bothering to check out his arm.
But something in his chest twisted. Guilt, maybe, or the weight of what he hadn't said.
Maybe Elian isn't totally a bad person and more than he presented himself.
But I still haven't told him about his sister. What if…
Aven frantically shook his head, startling Elian.
He pouted, lowering his gaze away from Elian as he gulped slowly. "Elian, your—"
"Get away from my pawn, you low-life degenerate!"
A pair of pale hands tore down the makeshift stone cave. It all came tumbling down, exposing the two men to more intruders.
Aven flinched, his eyes adjusting to the sunlight.
Elian groaned before he was yanked back by the collar. Sun's hand clamped onto him like he was repossessing a property.
Elian barely turned, muttering, "Oh for goodness sake—let go already." He shoved Sun off with a lazy flick, then looked back at Aven.
His hand extended again, palm open and the faintest grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Come with me. Let's find the Black King. And trap the White one while we're at it."
Aven stared at him. His eyes darted to where Sun Sun stood. Two more figures appeared behind him and Aven recognized them too well.
Crix covered in his weird artifacts, grinning at him, and Moon, staring at him dead-eyed.
But two White Pieces on one board...
Only a fool would join.
Moon's glare that cracked into a soft look before she turned away.
Maybe he was the fool then.
The Black Guild's orders didn't mean much anymore, not after what happened. If joining a broken board could stop more people from dying... maybe that was reason enough.
And pissing off Ian? That was just a bonus.
He craved the moment when he'd prove his step-brother wrong. And rub it in his face.
The tales of Kai don't exist. And he, the unchosen hero, would save the world.
Very cliché.
Aven's lips curved into a smile as he clasped Elian's hand and hauled himself up. "Alright then. But I'm only joining to watch these two," he gestured to Sun and Moon.
Sun only scoffed at him.
For a team, it sure is a hell of one.
Aven's purple screen flickered in front of him.
[New Board Joined: Gamblers.]
[Current members: 5.]
[Your claimed piece is on the current Board.]
Aven squinted his eyes. Gamblers? "We're not doing anything illegal, right?"
Elian just shrugged. "Don't mind it. We're clearing the West Sector. It's up for claiming and we could use your help to speed up the monster clearing."
"Uh-huh." Aven's tone said he didn't buy it, but he nodded anyway.
Sun, still pouting, wrapped his arms around Elian from behind.
Aven shot him a flat stare and Elian sighed. "He's very clingy like a damn cat. Just… ignore it."
"..."
"Don't ask."
[Glad to see you accepting your fate. Many Constellations are delighted.]
Stop rubbing it in, suckerbot.
"...Sure." Aven shrugged, letting the weird team settle in.
Sun, however, lifted his head. "We could teleport there if everyone holds onto me. Except him." He pointed directly at Aven.
Aven rolled his eyes. "Yeah, no thanks." He flicked his wrist, opening his system's inventory and a shimmer of purple aura exuded around him.
A giant flat circular void covered the surface of the Scorched Earth they walked on and a sleek red convertible appeared behind them.
"Get in."
"You had that the whole time?"
Elian's jaw slackened. "You've got a car in your pocket?"
"Inventory."
Elian gritted his teeth, staring dirty at Aven. What a showoff. Why don't I have one?
[Because you're level 6, dumbass.]
[Reach level 10 to access more features.]
Elian groaned. Dammit.
Crix whistled low as he hopped in without any thought in mind, his gloved hand carefully admiring the clean car. "Oi! This is nice! Best I've ever seen!"
Aven, smug in all glory, shrugged. His shoulders were much lighter now. The gnawing pain that clung to his chest was no more. "I'm driving, okay?"
They all piled in and Aven started the engine.
Tires bit the cracked road. The city blurred through the dead streets. Moon had stuck her head out, shouting curses in the air as they drove by, alerting the undead wolves and Kykloi's glare.
It winced at the noise they made but then turned away from them.
By the time the West Sector came into view, the laughter had died down.
The air there was still. Thick with the smell of rotting, burnt flesh. Rusted street signs, fallen trees half-eaten by whatever monster lurked by. Buildings gutted open with glass still clinging to their frames.
[Welcome to the West sector. Home for higher class citizens.]
When they stepped out. Elian's boot landed on something soft.
Squelch.