Chapter 9

Fenton and Kendrick were waiting for my response. They had both talked about their skills. Now it was apparently my turn. It's not like I never thought this would happen. I just didn't expect that I would want to tell them. So I was torn. 

On one hand, I had fully convinced myself I could wait out this game and not tell anyone about my skill of luck. This would effectively keep me alive and prevent me from being taken advantage of. The smart thing to do would be to keep my mouth shut and keep my little secret.

On the other hand, Kendrick literally saved my life. I had to admit that garnered a certain amount of respect. Also, would my luck really introduce me to someone who would take advantage of me? 

And Fenton…I honestly don't think he would try to take advantage of me either.

I let out a sigh and lowered my gaze. 

Fenton looked at me thoughtfully, “You know what, it's ok," he said. "You don't have to tell us right now.”

Kendrick looked at us. “Wait, so you haven't even told each other? I'm sorry! I didn't realize. I never would have asked if you didn't even know each other's." Kendrick's face showed complete dismay. He was acting like he had accidentally kicked a puppy. 

"No, it's ok. You couldn't have known,” I told him. 

This would probably be the best time to come clean about our relationship. I looked down at Fenton, expecting him to say something. My arm was still wrapped around his shoulder.

Instead of correcting the misunderstanding about our relationship, Fenton appeared to be leaning into the sharade harder. He was leaning into me and holding my hand- the one that had the gem embedded into the palm. He traced his fingertips around the gem, careful to not touch it. 

“Does it hurt?" he asked, keeping his eyes trained on my hand. His voice and his touch were soft.

"...no.” I couldn't even feel the gem, I just felt his fingertips tickling my palm.

"Alright, so let's put together a plan for our next move," Kendrick said. 

“What do you have in mind?" I asked, reluctantly turning my attention away from a Fenton.

Kendrick pulled a map out of his inventory and started making marks on it.

“This is where we left Jacob and the guild at the base of the mountain. They probably won't stay there long, but we should avoid that area for now,” Kendrick said, his brows furrowed. 

“Where should we go then?" Fenton asked. 

Looking over the map I realized I really haven't explored outside of this area. So I didn't have anything to offer to this conversation. 

"Well, I have two ideas…” Kendrick started. Our goal should be to beat the game. If we found the first artifact then we just need to find the other two. 

“That's a good idea in theory, but how do we even find them?" Fenton asked. 

“This world is divided into four quadrants,” Kendrick explained. "Our guess was that the artifacts are separated that way. We are currently in quadrant two. The Sacred Temple is in quadrant one. So, it's a fair guess that the other two artifacts are in quadrants three and four." 

This was sound reasoning. I was getting really weirded out by how serious Kendrick was acting. 

“So, you had a giant guild at your disposal, endless resources, and that's as much as you guys found out?" With each comment Fenton dealt a blow to Kendrick's pride.

“Ouch…yeah, you're not wrong. I do have a list of possible locations. Nothing is confirmed though,” Kendrick replied. 

"Can we take a look at the list?” I asked.

"Sure! Here, take a look.” Kendrick pulled out a scroll from his inventory. Laying it flat on the ground so that we could see six different places. 

Quadrant Three

Darthill Fortress

The Living Caves

The Lonely Wilds

Quadrant Four

The Mysterious Isle

Requiem Library

The Cold Ocean 

Phew, what a list. All of them sounded like somewhere you would  find in some epic fantasy. Their names probably gave clues to what we would find there. I definitely didn't want to go to any of these places on this list.

"At least it's a small list…” Fenton mumbled. 

"Let's move to one of the nearby towns and get some supplies, then we can start checking out the locations,” Kendrick said decidedly as he started packing up his things. 

I hesitated before standing up. Did I really need to be involved in this? Couldn't someone else find the last two artifacts and then just let me know? Fenton stood up and held out his hand for me. I looked at his expectant face, and I took his hand. It would probably be fine. 

***

“So where are we headed?" I asked. 

Kendrick opened up his inventory. "I don't know about you guys but I could use some more health potions, I should fix up my sword, and I need some food.” His stomach gave a hearted confirmation for the need for food. 

“Hey Fenton, can you understand Kendrick's stomach? What did it say?" My joke earned me smack and a shove while Kendrick and I giggled at how hilarious I was.

Kendrick had been smiling and laughing for a while now, acting more like his usual self. Up until his player menu made a ‘ding’ that is. 

"...who was the message from?” Fenton asked. 

Kendrick reluctantly opened up his messages. "It looks like it's from Jacob…" Kendrick’s face didn't look good.

“It wouldn't hurt to see what he said." I offered.

“Yeah…" he took a deep breath and opened the message. “... Kendrick, where did you go? Why did you leave the guild?" 

“That's it?" I knew Jacob was a man of few words, but come on. 

“Yeah…that's all he wrote. I-I don't understand.” He had stopped walking when he saw the message and now just stood there staring at it. 

Fenton and I looked at each other. I wasn't sure if Kendrick needed comfort because because his brother contacted him, or because he didn't acknowledge what he had done

"Well…maybe he doesn't understand how you would side with us?" Fenton started. "Yeah, maybe he's confused about how we disappeared too.”

"I'm also confused about that,” I added. 

They both looked at me.

"Oh come on, it's weird. I have a rock stuck in my hand and we don't actually know what it does.” 

Fenton looked at my hand thoughtfully. "Yeah, maybe we should learn more about it first. Wasn't there a library on that list?”

"Yes, the Requiem Library is in quadrant Four," Kendrick recited.

“So let's make that our first location stop. It would be amazing if they had something actually fun to read. I miss my webtoons," I reminisced as we started walking again.

“Are you going to respond to Jacob?" Fenton asked. 

"...maybe in a bit. I don't really know what to say. Let's get our supplies first and I'll think on it.” 

We moved silently from this point into the nearest town. 

Dragon Hallow.

A sign stood about a mile outside of the town. 

“Have you been to this town before Kendrick?" Fenton asked.

“Oh yeah, I've been to all of them. Even where Fireswamp used to be! I actually spawned in this one though." 

“Wait, this is your ‘hometown’?" Fenton stopped. “Why didn't you say that sooner? We shouldn't be here then!" He yelled. 

“Why not?" I asked, genuinely curious. “Isn't it better to stock up on supplies from your hometown?" 

“Not if Jacob might be looking for us!" He hissed, “He could probably guess this is where we would head. We should have thought this through more." Fenton smacked his face and ran his hand down to his chin. 

This was my moment.

I walked behind Fenton and wrapped my arms around him. “Shh shh. It will be ok." I swayed back and forth, effectively rocking him from side to side. “We're already here. We might as well stock up on supplies quickly and then leave. There's no guarantee that he would come here first anyway." 

Fenton let me continue doing this for far longer than I thought he would. He let out an excessively long and loud sigh. 

“Fine. One hour. Let's get what we need and then get out of here,” he said, his voice still seemed agitated.

"Should we split up and divy up the list then?” Kendrick suggested.

"No! Don't you ever watch movies? That's when one person gets cornered and killed,” he yelled.

"Oh I wouldn't let that happen to you Fenton! You don't have anything to worry about,” I said jokingly.

"Me?” Fenton wiggled free and started smacking my arm. "Me? You think I'm worried about me? I'm worried about you!” He turned on his heel and huffed away, marching towards the town.

“...his love is a little violent I think," Kendrick mumbled.

I tried to not laugh, “Yeah... Love huh…?" 

We followed after him. Neither one of us noticing the figure following us at a distance.