They pressed onward, the wind rushing past them as their Verdant Chargers carried them across the open plains. The sun hung high in the sky, casting golden light over the horizon. For the first time since Alex’s death, Kaiden felt something close to freedom. But deep down, he knew their journey was just beginning.
As Kaiden and Naō rode onward, their Verdant Chargers moving in smooth, rhythmic strides beneath them, the plains stretched endlessly before them, a sea of green and gold swaying beneath the wind. The sun hung high, its light refracting off the crystalline foliage of distant trees, giving the landscape a mesmerizing, almost dreamlike quality.
They rode in silence for a bit, the only sound being the rhythmic pounding of their Chargers’ hooves against the dirt road. It was a peaceful moment, one that allowed Kaiden’s mind to drift. He found himself thinking about everything that had happened up to this point; the impossible fights, the Photosphere, the unanswered questions surrounding Alex’s death. No matter how much he tried to focus on the game’s mechanics, his real-world grief lingered, gnawing at the edges of his thoughts.
“You’ve been quiet,” Naō observed, breaking the silence.
Kaiden exhaled. “Just thinking.”
“About Alex?”
“Yeah.”
Naō hesitated before speaking again. “I know I didn’t know him like you did, but from what I can tell, he meant a lot to you.”
Kaiden nodded. “He was more than my best friend. We practically grew up together, went to the same college… played every game together.” His grip on the reins tightened. “Now he’s just… gone. And no one seems to care enough to ask why.”
Naō frowned. “I care.”
Kaiden looked at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice.
Naō continued, “I mean, yeah, I only met you guys, but… that doesn’t mean I don’t want answers too. I was there, Kaiden. I saw what happened. And whatever that thing was that killed him, it wasn’t just some random boss fight gone wrong.”
Kaiden exhaled, his shoulders loosening slightly. He wasn’t used to talking about this with anyone, but Naō wasn’t just another party member anymore, he was someone who had been through the nightmare with him.
“I appreciate that, man,” Kaiden said. “Seriously.”
Naō gave him a small smile. “Besides, I’m kinda invested now. Can’t have my party leader going all lone-wolf on me, right?”
Kaiden smirked. “Party leader, huh? You’re really committing to this, aren’t you?”
Naō shrugged playfully. “I mean, you are the one dragging us through dangerous missions. Might as well make it official.”
Kaiden chuckled, shaking his head. “Fine, but don’t expect me to make a guild or anything.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
They rode a little farther before Kaiden shot Naō a sidelong glance. “By the way, what was with all that hesitation earlier? The way you were talking to your Charger? It sounded… personal.”
Naō’s posture stiffened slightly, his gaze fixed ahead. “It’s nothing. Just… thinking about stuff.”
Kaiden arched a brow. “That’s a lot of ‘thinking about stuff’ for someone who usually talks my ear off.”
Naō let out a small laugh but didn’t answer immediately. A few moments passed before he finally said, “It’s just… home life, I guess. Expectations, pressure, all that nonsense.”
Kaiden tilted his head slightly. “Parents?”
Naō nodded. “Yeah. Family, mostly. It’s complicated.”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
Kaiden could hear the hesitation in his voice, like he wanted to say more but wasn’t ready to open up just yet. Before Kaiden could press further, the terrain ahead shifted, and Naō pointed toward a ridge.
They rode a little farther before Naō suddenly perked up. “Wait, hold on, look over there.”
Kaiden followed his gaze to a nearby ridge where the land sloped into a densely wooded area. Among the trees, dark figures moved between the shadows: creatures, their jagged forms barely visible against the flickering light filtering through the canopy.
A notification flashed across their HUDs:
[New Area Discovered: The Bramble Thicket]
Kaiden pulled his Charger to a slow stop, Naō doing the same beside him. “Looks like we’re not alone out here.”
Naō checked his minimap. “No quest markers, but if I had to guess, this is one of those optional zones with rare enemies.”
Kaiden studied the movement in the distance. “Think it’s worth checking out?”
Naō hesitated. “It could be good EXP, but… we don’t know what we’re up against.”
Kaiden considered the risks. They had just gotten their mounts, and pushing forward to the next city would be the smarter move. But at the same time, there was always the chance that these creatures held valuable loot or some hidden story element.
“Let’s take a look,” Kaiden decided. “Besides, the monsters are weaker at night, but I promise if it gets too dangerous, we leave immediately. “
Naō nodded. “Agreed.”
They nudged their Chargers forward, cautiously approaching the tree line. The moment they crossed into the Bramble Thicket, the atmosphere shifted. The temperature dropped slightly, and the air carried a faint, musty scent. The foliage around them darkened, vines coiling like serpents around twisted tree trunks.
A rustling noise echoed from deeper within.
Kaiden’s fingers twitched near his weapon. “Something’s coming.”
Naō prepped a vial in his hand, ready to support if needed.
The rustling grew louder, then silence.
Kaiden’s eyes darted around, scanning the shadows for movement. “Where the hell—”
A sudden blur shot out from the trees.
[Enemy Encounter: Thornback Stalkers | Level 7]
[6 Cells]
Two sleek, quadrupedal creatures emerged from the brush, their bodies covered in sharp, jagged thorns. Their eyes glowed an eerie green, and their tails swayed like bladed whips. They were faster than anything Kaiden had fought so far.
One lunged straight for him.
Kaiden barely had time to react before the creature’s claws scraped across his chestplate. [-18 LP] flashed in his HUD as he stumbled back, catching himself just in time to parry with his scythe.
Naō tossed a vial toward the other Stalker, coating its body in a slick, bubbling substance. Corrosive Draught Defense Down debuff (-10% DEF) for 10 seconds
“Go for it!” Naō shouted.
Kaiden didn’t need to be told twice. He surged forward, his scythe cutting into the softened hide of the second Stalker of the cell, cutting through its root [-3 RD] [-3 RD]. Stem Exposed. He made another attempt to cut through the life points of the creature and delivered a blow that drained its remaining health, [-30 LP] appeared over its head as it let out a shriek, stumbling back.
The first Stalker came for Kaiden’s blind spot.
Naō reacted fast, hurling another vial. [Skill Activated: Vital Sap – + 25 LP] The green energy surged through Kaiden’s body, counteracting the earlier damage just as he spun and drove his scythe into the first Stalker’s side.
[-28 LP] [Critical Hit!]
The Stalker collapsed, its body dissipating into digital fragments.
“One down!” Kaiden called.
The second Stalker, now wounded and desperate, let out a shrill screech before lunging wildly at Naō.
Naō ducked, barely dodging in time, but the creature’s tail managed to scrape his arm. [-10 LP]
Kaiden narrowed his eyes. “Not happening.”
He dashed forward, delivering a sweeping strike. His scythe cleaved through the creature’s exposed flank, ending it in one final blow.
[-35 LP]
[Enemy Defeated]
Both Thornback Stalkers dissolved into shimmering light, leaving behind lootable items.
[Loot Acquired: Thornback Hide x2, Bramble Fangs x1, Verdant Coins +30]
Kaiden exhaled, rolling his shoulders. “That was… something.”
Naō let out a breath, rubbing his arm. “Yeah, note to self don’t stand in front of the angry plant monsters.”
Kaiden chuckled, scrolling through their rewards. “Well, at least we got some decent loot.”
Naō nodded. “And EXP. We’re getting stronger.”
Kaiden glanced ahead toward the rest of the Bramble Thicket. The world wasn’t done throwing surprises at them.
