Cindralis bustled more than Kaiden remembered. Players crowded the markets, shuffling between crafting stations and message boards. Gilded lamp posts cast soft orange light across cobbled streets, and the sky cast a purple-gold skyline.

  Ironstride stood with her back to them near the corner of the Conservatory exit, arms crossed, helmet unequipped from her person. “Well,” she said, tightening the straps of her pack. “It was a good run.”

  Kaiden nodded. “You heading out solo again?”

  She smirked. “Not for long. Got my own mess to clean up in the eastern wilds. But something tells me we’ll cross paths again.”

  Naō gave a respectful nod. “Admit it, we all make a pretty good team.”

  She rolled her eyes but grinned. “Stay out of trouble, both of you. You especially Kaiden.”

  They watched her disappear into the crowd, leaving only her name above the heads of passing players.

  [SYSTEM MESSAGE: Player CrimsonCrow has returned online]

  Kaiden read the message, then looked to Naō with a knowing gesture. “CrimsonCrow is online now,” he said.

  Naō nodded. “You think he’ll know anything else about what happened to Alex?”

  “He was there,” Kaiden muttered. “He has to know something.”

  They made their way through the upper district, winding walkways until they reached the hillside neighborhood of Free Company estates.

  CrimsonCrow’s guild hall sat on a cliffside overlooking the eastern coast. It was shaped like a hybrid of cathedral and fortress with crimson-and-black banners flapping in the breeze.

  The door opened before they knocked.

  CrimsonCrow stood framed in the doorway. His armor gleamed with a black-silver sheen, reflecting the light in sharp, clean lines. He had on a long scarf that was equipped around his neck that billowed in the air as if being blown by the wind.

  “Well damn,” he said. “Didn’t expect to see you guys so soon. When I got pinged that someone had been looking for me and I saw your names, honestly it took me for a loop.”

  Naō tilted his head to the side. “You sound surprised.”

  Crow shrugged, grinning. “Not in a bad way. RTS isn’t exactly beginner-friendly. Most new players drop out after the first major zone. I figured it might take you longer.”

  He stepped aside, letting them in. The interior was just as lavish as Kaiden expected: trophy mounts, gear displays, and custom lighting adorned every room. The living quarters was stacked with memorabilia that players had collected from different raids or bought from different shops. Several couches were lined in a half circle where players were left idled sitting on the couch.

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  Crow led them to a quieter lounge area away from the other players.

  “How are you liking the game so far?”

  Kaiden exchanged a glance with Naō. “It’s... more than I expected.”

  Naō shrugged. “It’s a pretty unique experience. I haven’t played a lot of MMO’s but the single player games that I have played, this game makes me work for my efforts.”

  Crow leaned back on a plush bench. “Good to hear.”

  He looked at Kaiden more seriously. “Hey. I didn’t really get a chance to say anything before... but I’m sorry. About Alex.”

  Kaiden’s posture stiffened. He knew that it was coming but hearing it in reality reframed his focus that it was all real.

  Crow continued, his voice much softer after seeing his reaction. “That day in the zone... everything happened so fast. I can’t forget it, no matter how hard I try. But... I really wish I could’ve done more.”

  Kaiden swallowed. “Yeah. Me too. But it wasn’t your fault. That thing came out of nowhere.”

  Crow nodded, but didn’t say anything for a moment.

  Then Kaiden added, “Before he... before it happened, he tossed me something. A glowing orb. I don’t even know what it is.”

  Crow tilted his head. “You still have it?”

  Kaiden nodded. “Yeah. It’s called the Photosphere. Pulls aggro like crazy. I’ve been trying to figure it out but so-far nothing.”

  Crow’s expression remained composed. “Sounds like a heavy burden. If you want, I can take it off your hands. Just until we know what it does.”

  Kaiden hesitated. Naō had seen the gestured and narrowed his eyes. They shared a silent look, but after a while, Kaiden opened his inventory.

  [ITEM SELECTED: Photosphere]

  Crow grinned and sent a trade request.

  [TRADE REQUEST INITIATED…]

  [ERROR: This item cannot be traded.]

  A red X blinked on the screen.

  Naō leaned forward, looking over Kaiden’s menu. “It’s flagged as a key item?”

  Kaiden frowned. “I didn’t realize. I thought maybe…”

  Crow waved it off with a laugh. “No big deal. Honestly, I should be apologizing. You guys came all this way. I wish I could make it up to you.”

  He snapped his fingers a half a second later.

  “Got it. There’s a tournament coming up, two cities over. PvP-style bracket. Big loot pool. Since you were close with Alex, let me help. I’ll party up with you both, get you some better gear. You’ve come far, but you’re still wearing bottom-shelf junk.”

  Kaiden laughed under his breath. “Thanks, I think.”

  Naō gave Crow a side-eye. “Isn’t that kinda unfair?”

  Crow shook his head, sucking his teeth. “Nah. There’ll be another one next week. Besides, you’ll need solid gear if you plan on surviving the later zones. It’s just smart prep.”

  He waved them toward the inner hallway. “Tournament’s in two in-game days. We can leave tomorrow.”

  Kaiden and Naō exchanged a look, then nodded.

  [CrimsonCrow has been added to your Friends List]

  As they left the FC lounge to get some air, a faint ping echoed in Kaiden’s log.

  [NEW QUEST UNLOCKED: Belgrave’s Request – Part II]

  “Guess we’re not done with Belgrave.”

  Naō cracked his knuckles. “Let’s go see what the old guy needs.”

  They turned east, weaving through players and setting off toward the event marker for the subquest.