*Argus's Narration*
"It's late now…" I thought out loud as my eyes rolled up, gazing at the starry night sky.
It never ceases to amaze me- How countless brilliant twinkling stars surround the imperfect moon like it's their entire world. To many people, it may not be much, but it's a declaration to me–proof that I don't have to be perfect to be loved.
"Yes, it is getting late… we need to hurry- the painkillers won't last much longer." Ringed her voice in my ears, bringing me back to reality. Looking down, Lili's worried and anxious face greeted me as she stood tapping her foot on the ground.
"Yeah… So, what's the plan? I'm hungry…" I said, I wouldn't call half a loaf of bread and milk, a proper meal.
"Hm, Take this and only drink a sip, it's another enhancement type potion I bought from the hospital… A sip of it is no different than a filling dinner." Lili said as she pulled a milky white potion out of her bag, before handing it to me.
I'd be lying if I said, I don't wanna eat some goodies before going to sleep, and I hate sleeping. Why? Nightmares.
"Why don't we cash in our cores?… The guild will be on our way back," I suggested. The thought of a million just wasn't leaving my mind.
It turned out, I'm a millionaire once more, the golden egg, or say The Jack Bird's Golden Egg is a drop item that's worth 1 million Vs. It's the drop item of a super rare rooster-like monster which, even though as no fighting capabilities of its own but is fast, clever, and hard to dispatch.
So, yeah I'm a millionaire once again although not as rich as I was, it's my smart earned money, and that tickles!
"No! We're going home, period! How about this, once I've settled you in, I'll go and exchange the egg while you rest." Lili instantly shook her head, her dead-serious eyes not leaving me.
"Oh, come on! It won't take long… Please? Pretty please with a cheery on top~" I said, with the sweetest smile, and hands joined together.
.
.
.
-Rattle~
The wooden wheels of our 'Taxi' rattled on the stone road, swaying my head left and right as we moved forward, toward our first stop- The Guild.
The gentle winds brought me a different mouthwatering fragrance each time I drew breath while drawing my eyes towards all kinds of food stalls decorating our path.
And with the winds came along distant cheers and laughs from the bars lit up across the streets.
While a myriad of Demi-Humans walked about their way, dressing me the world with the magic of a fairy tale full of adventure and things to discover.
At times like these, I find it hard to believe that I'm too a part of it now. I'm not just watching this on a screen.
It feels so surreal to think that, if I want, I can just walk up and join, and be a part of this celebration.
And what feels even more magical is, just like in a fantasy, I now have a friend I can bet my life on, and our every day is an adventure. It's our story, and we're the protagonists.
Things that I've always dreamt of are now my reality. Even though our situation is less than desirable, it still feels nice; just sitting here feels nice.
Yes, it all came at a price, and if I am to put it in my own words, I'd say it came from betrayal- I betrayed my family, the ones I loved, and slapped them with a duplicate.
Is it wrong for me to feel nice?
I don't know, maybe it is… maybe it isn't.
Maybe it's all just a dream, and I'm in a coma. It's all just in my head- a fantasy… my fantasy.
Still, whatever it is, I like it here.
But what if someday that 'GOD' come to me said he is now willing to resurrect me. Said that he'll get me back to my family, get me back to the time when everything was alright.
What would I do?
I honestly don't know. Will I choose my family or my fantasy?
-KRINK!
The spiral of my thoughts shattered as loud sharp rings of the carriage's horn tore through them, returning air to my lungs.
I didn't even know, since when I was holding my breath.
It only after a few seconds did I realized- my entire body was shaking and covered in sweat.
While I was gathering myself, a hand reached out from my right and tapped my shoulder.
"Are your wounds acting up?" Lili asked as she held my shoulder for support.
Not replying right away, not in a condition to, my shaking hands first lit up a cigarette to calm the influx of these sudden raging emotions.
"It's nothing… my stupid fuckin mind just wandered the areas better off left alone…" I said, after exhaling a cloud of ashen smoke before slowly turning away.
Even so, I couldn't help thinking, "What would my answer be… What would I do- if I woke up in a beeping white room tomorrow?"
.
.
.
The cane ticked first, then I stepped off the carriage, filling my chest with the crisp night air while I stretched my stiff back.
"Man, these taxies are so not comfortable…"
"Well, these guys are just freelancers… There is a Familia that runs a taxi company, although their services are a little expensive, they guarantee comfort." Said Lili, following in tow.
"Wow… So, they even have Uber here," I spoke under my breath before shifting my eyes to the brightly lit and still crowded Guild.
The Guild was the same since the last time I visited it.
Two long yet disciplined lines of adventurers stood in front of the 'Exchange' counter, while some clustered in front of the 'Quests'.
Employees dressed in black and white, busy behind their respective desks, but one stood out from the rest, like a blooming flower at the heart of a field crowded with weeds.
A gorgeous Half-Elf sat behind her desk with a quill in her hand.
Short silky brown hair spruced up, calm emerald eyes flickering with intelligence, lips perked up in a small smile as she leisurely wrote with her chin propped on her free hand.
I watched hypnotized as the song she hummed faintly reached my ears while the quill in her hand danced on her dainty fingertips.
I knew who she was. I'd be a fool to have not recognized her at first glance.
Eina Tulle.
/Deep breaths, Argus! /
With a jolt, the hustle and bustle of the Guild returned to my ears, and so did the air in my lungs- For the second time, I had forgotten to breathe.
[Thanks for that!] I chuckled while inhaling a deep heavy sigh before my gaze once again settled on Eina.
Unlike how I thought I would be, my heart was pounding but, I wasn't nervous.
It was coming from Eina. She was just sitting there lost in her work, but the vibe of calm and tranquility she surrounded herself with was… mystical. Something beyond even the realm of magic.
So much so, that even a stuttering mess like me thought- It'd be fine if I went up and said hie.
Before another thought could form, Lili beside me stepped forward.
And to my panic, she walked straight in Eina's direction.
My very first instinct was to stop her, but my hand stopped itself midway. Words never left my lips.
Hesitating for a second more with eyes squinted, I followed her lead.
-Ba-damb!… Ba-damb!
My heart pounded faster and faster with every step we took while my mind raced at the fasted sprint possible to frame the Perfect Greeting.
[Good evening? Such an enchanting evening this is, isn't it? No! So fuckin flirty! Ugh… How about… just hie?]
And did I ever mentioned, who enormous Lili's bag is?
She blocked the whole desk when we got there!
While all I could do was barely peek!
Lili then unceremoniously faked a cough, mercilessly jolting Eina out of her work as she said, "Good evening, I and my friend would like for you to arrange a private transaction."
A sweet yelp of surprise escaped Eina's lips as her emerald eyes jumped up, "Oh! Good evening! I'm Eina Tulle… about the private transaction you requested, can I see your credentials?"
But before Lili could even squeak out a single syllable, my stupid grinning head popped out from behind her bag
.
"Hey! Hi! I'm Argus! Hale!… I'm with her! Th-The friend? So, yeah… um, Hie!!"
/Boy oh boy… /
That awkward grinning second! It lasted for an eternity! Before Eina chuckled behind her palm, her eyes forming two beautiful crescent moons.
"Hello, Argus, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Yeah, sure all yours… No! Mine! Mine! It-it's all mine! That pleasure…" My tongue… just wasn't out like a dog!
[God! Damn it! What happened to the calm and tranquility!?!]
Lili's trembling bag was the testament of how hard she was trying to hold back her laughter as she passed Eina her ID.
While I stiffly hid back behind her bag.
A second later, Eina's voice greeted my ears, "Very well, Miss Liliruca… please allow me to state the condition to conduct a private transaction- The business must be of or above 1 million Vs."
And the very next second, God knows what demon possessed me and I jumped up again, "Yeah! Trust me! It's good stuff, our Eggs… our Egg! It's worth it! You won't regret it!… I-Da-Dattebayo!"
And god knows! What possessed my trusted Loli- She stepped away! Leaving the embarrassing mess I was out in full display!
Double taking her direction, I desperately signaled her with my eyes to come back, to which she replied with an eyebrow up, "Why? I thought my bag was getting in your way."
[God damn it, Loli! Get back here! Now is not the time!] I screamed, standing there not knowing what to do, where to look, where to put my hands on, am I standing correctly? Are my shoelaces tied? Am I sweating too much? Am I breathing too loud? Am I shaking too much? Are my balls too blue?
/Want me to dig you a hole? /
[Dig me a grave!]