Memories of Fated

Chapter Eight - The Meeting

POV: Ito Tsubaki

2000. 2000 people shattered into oblivion. 2000 people I couldn't save. 2000 people who died for nothing.

One month. One month levelling up, and limited resources and tense conversations between players. One month spent in this hell. And one month of no progress.

"I am bored" I complain, folding myself onto the inn's bed's and resting my arm against my eyes.

"I am bored of your complaining" Kyo replies from his chair with his menu open, sifting through all of his items. I think he did that yesterday.

"Well if you are organising your inventory, that proves you are bored" I sit up from the bed, crossing my legs, placing my hand on my chin. "I am so bored"

"Then go and level up or something" Kyo suggests, sighing heavily.

"But I have gotten as high as you can on this floor" I point out dryly.

"Then try and find the first-floor dungeon"

"You think I haven't tried?" I stand up, pacing the small room. "It isn't in the same place as the beta test, or where it should be"

"Heard that they were holding a meeting today about the first-floor dungeon" Kyo closes his menu, stretching his hands out behind his head, following my pacing with his eyes.

"It probably won't be anything new"

Kyo gives me a look. "Fine but only if you go with me"

"What makes you think I am interested?"

"You bought it up"

*********************

Me and Kyo walk into the meeting place; a callosum of all places. The beige stone arches above us, then circles to form seats, a couple of players dot each row, though not many. We take two of the seats at the back row, excluded from the other, bigger groups of players.

"Ok everyone, let's get started" A blue-haired player introduces himself as Luke and starts the meeting. I could tell he was one of those happy go lucky players who act like knights towards the people. I sigh as quietly as I can. This was going to be a long meeting.

I shifted my bum on the hard stone seat, impatient. Then Luke says something that made me lean closer.

"We have found the first-floor dungeon"

Then part of my brain tuned out the rest of the conversation, trying to remember the features of the first floor boss from the beta test and the model design.

Then a player with unnaturally spiky hair jumps up onto the stage, blurting out something about "beta testers are cheaters" and that they should "bow down and apologize for leaving the other players in the dust"

I clenched my fists. Because everything he said is true. I did leave everyone behind, and the results are 2000 lives shattered into oblivion. But I won't go down and apologize. I won't. I have my reasons and my mission. I won't let everyone down again.

Then someone else stands up, flicking a familiar books cover in the spiky hair's face. It is the book. The book I put together, with all the information I could think of. The book I poured hours into. No beta tester would ever know that much information.

Kyo glances over at me, giving me a look that says 'see? I told you so!'

"Shut up" I mouth, turning my head back towards the stage.

"Ok everyone, let's divide into groups of four!"

Suddenly, everyone has made friends and offers, forming their own groups. I curse under my breath. Then one player catches my eye, well two really.

One has a maroon cape cover their face, hiding their features. And the other, well he reminds me of someone. He has onyx eyes that skirt around the theatre and his hair is black, dipping in between his eyes.

"Hey, Kyo, is it me or do you think he looks like Tachi?" I point to the player down in the middle row.

"Yeah, I can kind of see where you are coming from," he told his head sideways thoughtfully.

He moves up several rows, toward the player sitting in the corner, and they seem to talk for a few minutes before I decide.

"Let's go and find out"

I walk over to the second half of the seating area without waiting for Kyo.

"Hey, Tachi!" I wave, smiling.

Tachi turns around for his conversation with the other player, staring at me for a second, blinking like a blind person without their glasses. "Yira?"

"Yep! Do you mind if we join your group?" I pointed over my shoulder to Kyo.

He looked at the other player, who curtly nodded before replying. "Sure!"

Tachi opens his menu, offering me, Kyo and the other player into the group and we all select the round circle.

Above my heath bar, Kyo's, Tachi's and the other player's health bars appear underneath mine. And above the other player's health bar, it reads, Saki.

I realise me and Kyo must look really weird standing up compared to everyone who is sitting down so I move to sit next to Saki while Kyo sits beside Tachi.

There is a tense silence for a while before Luke calls everyone to listen again. He starts to list off all of the things we currently know about the boss. And obviously, since I wrote the book, I can almost mouth what he is saying.

So I close my mind off again.

*****************

"Ok everyone, let's meet at 10 and let's win!"

Everyone suddenly bursts into chatter, a few stand up, some leave. And before I know it, it is just me and Kyo.

"Oh but it probably won't be anything new" Kyo does a high, and not to mention bad impression on my voice.

"Ok...ok maybe I am not bored anymore"

"I would be afraid if you were"