The four sat around a campfire, exchanging stories and indulging in the rest of the meat that Lyra had gathered.
"I use to be a star track runner. My school wasn't very good, but somehow I was able to make up for everyone else and take the team to regionals. We never were able to get farther than that though."
Sachi spoke through his chewing.
"Makes sense why you're with the God of Wind."
Zephyr's hand rested on his chin, his transparent eyes locked in Sachi.
"It's hard to believe you're a Lesser Champion, Sachi. Lyra is a Minor Champion and still couldn't hold her own against those guys."
Sachi stood up, the massive boost to his DEX was immediately noticeable. His body felt as light as a feather.
"Is the difference really supposed to be that big?"
Zephyr nodded. "Lesser God's are on the brink of death. They lose their champion again, and they're gone for good. Doesn't help that they barely have enough power to select a Champion."
Sachi slid his gaze to Serendelle, who was conveniently looking away from him.
"'Again'?"
"What? She didn't explain this to you?"
Sachi held his gaze on Serendelle.
"Not in full, apparently."
Serendelle raised a hand to her chest in protest.
"I said what was important in the moment. I hoped I'd get a better chance to explain later."
Zephyr chuckled. "Then let me save you the hassle."
"Us gods have been bored for centuries, so one god came along and created a game for us to play. Find a warrior among all the realms, form a bond with them, and climb the ranks."
Zephyr began to circle the fire.
"But what's the fun in a game without risks? A God's Champion dies, they don't come back, and the god loses substantial power. They pick another, join the game again and hope their Champion can take out other Champions and regain their lost strength."
He paused for a moment and looked at Serendelle.
"Being a Lesser God means that the next time her Champion dies, she'll die too."
Sachi put both his hands on his hip.
"I've already killed several Champions, is that not enough to become a Minor God again?"
Zephyr shrugged. "Dunno, I've never been there before."
Lyra stood up and began to put out the fire.
"We should get moving, we've sat around for too long."
She stretched and pointed into the forest and away from the desert.
"I saw a dungeon over that way. I actually went into the city to get supplies for it before I ran into those guys."
Sachi's head tilted. "A dungeon?"
Lyra nodded confidently. "This is a game after all."
"That's some direction, at least."
Sachi made sure he had all his gear, and followed Lyra into the forest. The gods - now birds - trailed behind.
Finding a clearing in the forest, an entrance to a cave came into view. More than that, a couple men lined with that dreadful red armband.
Sachi whispered in a hush voice.
"They just have to be everywhere."
Eager to try out his new weapon, he tried to move out of cover. Before he could, Lyra stuck out her arm.
"Let me take care of them, this is my strong suit."
She winked and pulled out a bow that had looked to be barely functional.
"How come I get that powerful sword and you get that?"
"Zephyr used up most of his power on your sword. When he gets more power back, I'll get a better bow. Just let me handle this."
She counted three men in total.
'Okay, I can handle this.'
She notched a spectral arrow, and pulled back the string. When she released the arrow, two more identical ones appear next to it.
The first arrow hit, and then the second, but the third missed.
'Damnit…'
She quickly notched another, and struck her target on the second shot.
Sachi was surprised by her skill. He had tried archery before, but he could barely hit a target, much less where was actually aiming. Hitting almost three at once was impressive.
"Let's go then."
The flapping of wings echoed as Serendelle landed on Sachi's shoulder. Zephyr's falcon was too big to comfortably fit on the shoulder of the petite girl.
No items had dropped from the three men, so Sachi simply ignored the stains and hurried inside the cave.
It was dark and dreary, the only light they had was the occasional torch on the wall. The slashing of blades and cheering of men echoed from deeper in the cave.
As expected, everything had been looted. All chests, monster corpses, everything. Eventually, Sachi and Lyra caught up with the group. There was more basic looking men, and a peculiar looking man in strange outfit. He was taller than the others, and his leather outfit seemed to be designed for quick moments.
They watched carefully as the group of men argued over which way to go next. Until the tall man turned around, staring directly at where Sachi and Lyra were hidden.
The chattering stopped.
Sachi hid his back against a wall, hoping that the man didn't see him. Lyra copied his movements as swiftly as possible.
As fast as Sachi could blink, the tall man appeared right in front of him.
"This is Eternal Flame property, and you're currently trespassing." The man waved a dagger in front of him. "The penalty of doing so is death."
The man lunged forward with the dagger.
As quick as he could, Sachi drew his blade and tried to defend himself.
Each strike from the tall man was inhumanly fast and impossible to read. The short blade left cut after cut on his body, each feeling like a bullet tearing through his body. Not even his Emberheart Plate could protect him.
[You health is critically low]
Serendelle's desperate shouting was the only thing louder than the notification.
"Sachi!"
Defense wasn't working, he needed offense.
He tried to return a swing at the man, but he was easily able to avoid it. Sachi had already lost too much blood, and his own handling was getting sloppy.
To his left he could see Lyra struggling on her own. The rest of the men had attack her, leaving her and her bloodcurdling shouts powerless.
One of the men chuckled.
"Careful now, we'll want her alive for later. This one's good for more than just killing…"
Sachi grit his teeth and gathered himself.
[Activated skill: Gale Slash]
A single wide swing released a glowing green beam from the blade. Even for someone as fast as the tall man, the ability itself caught him off guard. The gale nicked his shoulder, spilling just a bit of blood.
"Tch, lucky bastard. The same trick won't work twice."
Sachi ran to help Lyra. He should've protested against her more. Now he had to worry about her too, and she's not of much use in close quarters like this.
[Activated Skill: Power Slash]
A wild, reckless swing to hit as many of the men as possible.
[You have slain a Champion!]
[All stats have increased by 10%]
[You have slain a Champion!]
[All stats have increased by 10%]
[Stat increase threshold met]
'Damnit, only two?'
There was still two left, mercilessly mocking Lyra. They barely payed any interest to Sachi, even after two of them died. The reason was obviously.
[Your health and stamina are critically low]
[Death is imminent]
'I can't… not like this…'
Sachi thought of everything he could, any idea that could possibly save him.
"There is no running, young man. You have insulted the Eternal Flame by being here, accept your punishment with grace."
Serendelle's distressed shouts bounced off the cave walls.
"Sachi!"
A sharp pain went through his stomach.
Sachi looked down to see a dagger sticking through him. Blood poured from his mouth, and his consciousness began to fade.
[You have died]