[F01;PP] Another Beginning | <<The First Few Lessons>>

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari hadn't been to the first floor in some time, a year or more as her memory served. She glanced around the courtyard of the Town of Beginnings, sighing as she saw how empty the main floor had become now. There was once a time - a time she could barely remember now - when the shops were lined, the streets filled with NPCs and players, thousands of people moving throughout. 

Now, as she stood in the centre of the courtyard and stared at the small throngs of NPCs that moved throughout the streets, Nari almost felt sad. There were many whom she had once seen here, that she knew she would never see again. Many who would have been seen once were now lost to the passing of time, barely a name upon her memories. 

She sighed as she glanced down at the small kitsune at her feet, shaking her head. "I hate it here, Mio...the memories are...anyways, we should pick up what she needs in Tolbana and then make our way back, before something stupid happens."

Onóra had requested her to head to the first in order to obtain some supplies that were supposedly only available here - something that Nari had always found questionable. Most of what they needed was available on the higher floors. Most of the frontliners had never returned to the lower floors, much less the first, because of that. 

"And yet, here I am...back on the first. Like nothing had ever happened..." She sighed, waving a hand in the air as if waving something away. Mio followed along, content to stare up at Nari with his beady eyes.

---

 

  

Statblock

Spoiler notes -- Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 44 | HP: 840/840 | EN: 98/98 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 20 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 30 | B.Healing [+46] | L.Momentum: 1 | LD: 4 | Static: 40/24 Tier 4 | Tier 8 equipped Reaper's Charge [Scythe; Tier 4 Perfect] Enhancement: Accuracy [3 Slots] Enhancement: Static [1 Slot]  Reaper's Defence  [Light Armour; Tier 4 Perfect] Enhancement: Evasion [2 Slots] Enhancement: Light Momentum [1 Slots] Twin-Fox Bracelet [Tier 4 Perfect Jewellery] Enhancement: Recovery [2 Slots] Enhancement: Evasion [1 Slot]   battle-ready inventory Teleport Crystal {3} Starter Healing Potions {4} | Heals 50 HP Divinity's Wait {4} | Tier 2; Perfect Potion | Mitigation III Divinity's Protection {4} | Tier 3; Perfect Potion | Overhealth III Cold Brew Coffee {3} | Tier 1; Perfect Potion | HP Recovery III Percephonius Pyratius {9} | Tier 4; Perfect Potion | Damage III Ketchup Chips {3} | Tier 4; Perfect Snacks| Probiotics III Siúil a Rún {2} | Tier 3; Perfect; Masterpiece Support Song | HP Recovery III [Mass] skills Spoiler Utility Skills Extended Weight Limit [Active: Passive. Effect: +2 additional Battle-Ready inventory slots.] Searching [Rank: 4. Active: Passive. Effect: +1 LD per rank. +1 to Stealth Detection per rank.] [Rank 3 Searching Mod] Detect [Active: Passive. Effect: Grants +2 Stealth Detection. Grants +1 LD when searching for dungeons and labyrinths.] Combat Skills Battle Healing [Rank: 3. Active: Passive. Effect: While in combat, recover 1% per rank of your maximum HP (rounded down) at the beginning of your turn.] Fighting Spirit [Active: Passive. Effect: Attacking and using Howl or Focused Howl generates +1 additional Hate. (Ex. Generate 1/2/3 Hate on a Miss/Hit/Critical attack. Generate 5 Hate when using Focused Howl.)] Weapon Skills Polearm [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: +7 DMG] [Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Stamina [Active: Passive. Effect: Reduces EN of all attacks by 2.] [Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Precision [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 ACC.] [Rank 5 Weapon Addon] <<Weapon Type>> Focus [Active: Passive. Effect: Decreases minor critical threshold by 1. Also reduces DoT thresholds by 1. Players cannot use Focus and Ferocity at the same time for the same Weapon Type.] [Rank 5 Shift] TECH Specialist [Active: Passive. Effect: For TECH Sword Arts, +4 to multipliers, +3 to EN cost. No other Shifts may be taken.] Armour Skills Light Armour [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: 30 MIT. Mitigation is capped at 2 slots.] [Light Armour Mod] Meticulous [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 base Damage.] [Light Armour Add-on] Resolve [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 Accuracy and +10 * Tier HP.] Active Extra Skills Concentration [Active: Free Action. Cooldown: 5 turns. Effect: As a free action, gain Absolute Accuracy on your next attack. In the case Absolute Accuracy is already present, increase your Accuracy by 1 instead. Effect lasts until the start of next turn.] Meditation [Active: Post Action. Cooldown: 3 turns. Effect: Recover an additional (4 * Tier) energy.] Parry [Active: Post action. Energy cost: 9 EN Cooldown: 3 Turns. Effect: Apply the energy cost upon proc, not activation. Reduces the final damage of the next successful attack against you by 50% (rounded down) and negates stun/paralysis effects of that attack. If hit by multiple attacks, only apply parry to the first attack against you. Parry lasts for three turns. Cooldown starts when the player activates the Skill. If the player is hit when using Parry, the cooldown is reset to 3 turns.] [Parry Mod] Vengeful Riposte [Active: Passive. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: A successful Parry also returns 50% (rounded down) of the raw damage that would be dealt to you back to your opponent. The reflected damage can be mitigated by the opponent.] Survival [Active: Passive. Effect: Increases Healing effects received from all sources by 10%. Grants immunity to all damage dealing environmental attacks/effects.] Inactive Extra Skills  Assault Mode [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: As a free action, switch your accuracy and evasion values until the start of your next turn.] Brawler [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 5 Turns. Effect: Increase mitigation by 10*tier until the start of your next turn.] Frozen Hide [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: As a free action, apply one slot of Frost Aura and one slot of Frost Thorns equal to your tier to yourself until the start of your next turn.] Combat Mastery Damage [Rank: 3. Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 * Tier additional Base Damage per rank. Ranks of this Skill obey Damage enhancement caps.] Familiar Skills Protector Familiar [Active: Free Action. Cooldown: 3 Posts; Effect: The next time you would take damage, your familiar rushes to your aid, reducing the final damage by 10%.] data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== sword arts Spoiler [x12] ST-I (12 10 EN) | A single-target sword art. [x15] ST-II (15 13 EN) | A powerful single-target sword art. Only available for use when ST-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if ST-II had been used and had missed the previous turn. [x20] ST-B (20 18 EN) | A devastating single-target sword art. Can only be used if the sword art used the previous turn is not ST-B and had rolled a natural CD9+. When performing an AoE attack, use only the first roll. [x11] AOE-I (11 9 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. [x14] AOE-II (14 12 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE | A powerful sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. Only available for use when AOE-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if AOE-II had been used and had missed the previous turn. [x16] TECH-A (16 14 EN) | STUN | A single-target sword art that stuns an enemy. [x16] TECH-B (15 13 EN) | DELAY | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Delay] on the enemy. [Delay] is a status condition that reduces the enemy’s ACC by 1 for one turn. [x16] TECH-C (15 13 EN) | COUNTER | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, places [Counter] around the player. [Counter] reduces the final damage taken by its user by 25% (rounded down) for one turn. [x16] TECH-D (15 13 EN) | SHATTER | A single-target sword art that applies [Shatter] to an enemy for 3 turns. [Shatter] is a debuff that can stack up to a cap of 3. Each stack of [Shatter] removes -20 MIT from an enemy, down to 0, if it has MIT. [x12] TECH-F (11 9 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE STUN | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. All struck targets are stunned for one turn. [x16] TECH-G (15 13 EN) | BURN | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Burn] on the enemy. [Burn] is a DoT ailment that deals [14 * Player Tier] unmitigated Burn damage for 2 turns. data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== buffs Spoiler Estate Buffs Bedroom [-1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat.] Living Room [Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.] Storage Closet [+1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot] Basement [Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll.] Extended Workshop [+2 Crafting EXP per crafting attempt & +1 crafting attempt per day.] Greenhouse [+2 Gathering EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to gathering attempts.] data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==

[Phoenix Jewel Hope 0]

Phoenix had been sitting around in the first floor, she hadn't been really doing anything except do quests and get enough XP and gear to go through the floors smoothly. She slowly sighed and looked around the empty main floor with the occasional rare player wandering around who was also new to the game. Phoenix to an NPC to accept a quest and looked around before spotting Nari, she didn't know who she was but saw the familiar and such and squinted a little. most likely a player from the higher floors coming back to the main floor? she was pretty confused to say the least..looking around a little before wandering over. the 6'5 pseudo-wolf lady with a fairly generous form approached Nari, her different colored eyes looking down at her curiously, she didn't say anything for a good few seconds before slowly speaking up

"Are you a new player?" she asked, it seemed she already knew the answer but just wanted to confirm her suspicions. Phoenix herself was a new player so she was still a bit lost, Staring down at her but decided to kneel down to her height to get a better look at her. her yello and blue eyes looking into Nari's for a moment before looking away a little. "im a new player anyways.." she said with a bit of a frown before her face went to neutral and she stared back at Nari. "What floor are you on anyways? im only on this floor..i haven't exactly progressed enough like everyone else..' she said with a sigh and shrugged, her black and white hair seeming quite interesting, yes its natural. just like the rest of herr. "i wish i hadn't come here with my uh..friend." 



HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 4 | Bleed: 12 DMG | Paralyse

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari glanced up at the player that had appeared beside her, the woman standing well over her. She cocked her head to the left, leaning ever so slightly on her side as she lifted her hands in a semi-shrug. She wasn't sure what to make of the woman, brazen for sure to just approach someone else. 

"No...I'm definitely not a new player. Erm...I've been up to Floor Twenty-seven, working my way to the frontlines. Even got engaged with the scouting party..." She gave a side-eye to the woman, before the blunt words slipped her mouth, a questioning look on her face. "Was...there something I can help you out with? I'm just headed out to Tolbana, but if it's just something quick I may be able to assist..."

She hesitated, her weight shifted in a way that clearly showed she was getting ready to step off, but was waiting to see what the other player's request would be. She didn't want to be rude but she had been sent to complete an errand, and as much as she knew Onóra was patient, she didn't want to keep the blonde waiting excessively. 

[Phoenix Jewel Hope 0]

She slowly shrugged, looking around a bit before looking back at the girl, slowly deciding to speak up once again "Ah well..I could tell you weren't a uhh..newer player like myself." She said lightly and looked at her familiar curiously before back at Nari "27th floor? i feel like i can't get passed the 1st one..i've been down here for so long that everyone left me behind." she said with a soft frown and sighed gently 

"ah well i uh..was trying to find someone who could help me out and get better gear and stuff..but if you're busy then its fine." She said to Nari, giving a shrug once again before standing up properly "Its a bit lonely round here.." she mumbled, rubbing the back of her head a bit "but if you're busy then you can go, not like i can leave this place anyway." she smiled a bit at Nari before giving her a headpat. looking around a little curiously, the girls different colored eyes not seeming to show much err..emotion? she just seemed tired.



HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 4 | Bleed: 12 DMG | Paralyse

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Her head tilted slightly to the left, her eyes following the movements of the other player. She noticed their nervousness, the way they eyed Mio every so often, and the general way that they seemed disconcerted with the environment and everything around them. Flashes of memory passed through Nari's mind as she saw similar traits, before she shook her head to clear it.

"Well...I don't know if I can help with finding better gear immediately, but if you haven't done it already, there's a quest in Tolbana with the mayor where you can start down the path. I think it's called...the First Lessons quest line...I did it a while ago, but it shouldn't have changed too much. If you want to come with, I can show you where the mayor usually is." She waved a hand towards the gates of the Town of Beginning, leading out into the fields beyond. It was on her way, so she didn't mind the company entirely - although she was definitely keeping an eye on the other player. "That is, assuming you're comfortable travelling with another..."

She beamed a smile that she hoped came across as friendly and welcoming, shifting her weight onto her left side as she waited for an answer. At her feet, Mio had sat on the ground with his eyes staring up at the two and his nine tails seemingly swaying in a floating manner behind him. The kitsune's attention was on the new player, and Nari could see that the kitsune hadn't entirely warmed up to the other. Likely reacting to my own concerns...still, keep an eye.

[Phoenix Jewel Hope 0]

Phoenix watched as she shifted, moving away from her just a bit in case she didn't try to attack her or something.. "Ah well..the mayor..right. First lessons..i don't think i've done it yet." She said, putting a hand on her chin as she went into thought, hearing the girls words about traveling with another person made her nod, she felt quite lonely so some company would be nice..seeing her beam a friendly and welcoming smile made the tall one smile a little in return before looking at the kitsune "may i uh..pet your familiar? it looks really cute.." She said, waiting to get permission from Nari before she touched the kitsune, looking at the gates that went to the fields full of enemies and such..filling Phoenix with a bit of unease..

HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 4 | Bleed: 12 DMG | Paralyze

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari glanced down at Mio before shrugging in response. Her words were casual, no hint of malice or negativity to them. "I mean...you can try. He doesn't usually take well to strangers, though. So don't blame me if he nips you. He's...a bit protective, as he should be."

She turned towards the main gates, before heading off in their direction - making sure to wave to Merv as they passed the ever vigilant gate guard. As they walked, she began asking questions casually, trying to get a gauge on the other player. "So, have you been out of the Town of Beginnings much? I know some people found themselves...err...holed up, so to speak, for the last few years. I think most of us have had our time hidden away from the world."

She glanced across the open fields as they left the town behind, the small collection of bodies growing even sparser as they exited the safe zone that the walls provided. She spied only two beyond, moving in the distance far enough away that she couldn't identify them even if she'd wanted to do so. 

"Not that there's anything wrong with that...some people are just not comfortable with this. They're comfortable leaving the frontlines to...well, the frontliners. Which is no big deal! It's better than...well, you know how it is, I'm sure." She refrained from letting her true thoughts get out - those dark memories which haunted most people in their nights, terrorising them ever after. It did no good to bring those memories up and to light.

[Phoenix Jewel Hope 0]

Phoenix shrugged and nodded, slowly kneeling down and attempted to pet the kitsune familiar, if the kitsune nipped at her or moved away, she respected this decision and moved her hand away, if she were allowed to pet it, she just gave some gentle rubs and scratches on the head. looking over at the gates and decided to follow after Nari. passing the Merv guard person, hearing her question she slowly nodded before switching to a shrug. "Well..me and a uh..good friend did stuff outside of this place.." She didn't seem very comfortable about something and looked away, a frown spread across her face, following alongside Nari, she didn't say anything until Nari spoke up again about the frontline "the frontline..i dont think i could ever go there..not cause im weak but..just other reasons.." Again she didn't reiterate but decided to add on "personal reasons..stuff like that." she said, although she seemed a bit saddened by something, she was also fairly calm, probably trying to not spook the other player or something..

HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 4 | Bleed: 12 DMG | Paralyze

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari watched as the girl attempted to pet the kitsune, the creature recoiling slightly and moving away - thankfully not biting out as Nari was concerned it would do. Turning her focus to the area around them, Nari took in the scenery. The floor was, as always, an image straight out of a near-perfect environment. Flaws could be found, if one looked...but they were not common.

"Anyways...you've decided to get started in earnest now, right? So why don't we get your quest done so that you can catch up with those at the frontlines. Assuming that is your wish, after all." She smiled, a reassuring, welcoming expression in the hopes of easing the other's obvious discomfort. She remembered her beginning days, and how difficult those had been - not being at the head of the pack had left her...wanting, once she was ready to go.

"And hey...if there's ever any questions that you have, I can always try and answer them. This game requires team work, soloing it won't get you very far. So...don't be afraid to call upon help, if you require it, yeah?" The words were soft, spoken with what she hoped was a warming tone. She wanted to make sure the other knew she was there to help, even if she wasn't always there.

[Phoenix Jewel Hope 0]

Phoenix seemed a bit disappointed that the kitsune moved away from her, slowly shrugging a little "I guess.." A quest..it made her feel quite sad from something "catch up with frontlines?..mmh." Phoenix began to think for a moment before shrugging "Im..not a big fan of the frontlines..I assume there are those uh..PKers, isn't there?" She said to Nari in a gentle voice. staring at the grass as she stopped for a moment in her tracks, moving her hand to her arm "Maybe I should just stay here..its much more safe.." She seemed quite uneasy, about going outside the town of beginnings "Have..you ever lost someone, to a PKer?" She said to Nari, lifting her head slightly, although continued to stand there "or met someone who was?" She said, her eyes drifting up slightly to watch Nari, seeming a bit cautious, it felt like an irrational fear, she didn't exactly trust other players either way.

 

HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 4 | Bleed: 12 DMG | Paralyze

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari came to a stop, turning to stare at the other player hard. Their interest in player killers had set off some alarm bells for the woman, and she found herself listening for any sounds of movement around them. Seconds ticked by, as Nari waited - watching and listening for anything, before realising that the two were quite alone for the time.

"No...no I haven't. Not to player killers..." She paused, an awkwardness in the air as she struggled to continue speaking. She'd lost many, but those were different stories. Different situations. "Player killers are not anywhere near as...popular, or normal, as you may think. I've never come across one on any of the floors I've been on - and I've been on most of them. I'm sure they're still out there, somewhere...but the purges have cleared away most of them."

Nari had only ever heard about the purges - those hunts to clear out the player killers who plagued the game. They had happened before Nari had ventured out, and as far as she was concerned it was something that could stay in the past - something that she needn't worry about. "Honestly...the thing you should be concerned with is the monsters. They're far more dangerous nowadays than any player killers...but you can overcome those, if you put the effort in. Truly."

She tried to reassure the player, tried to make them understand. She felt like her words would fall on deaf ears, however, and there was little she could do about that except reiterate her points. "I mean, look at me...I'm still here. And I started out like you, once. It's just...it takes time, and a bit of practice. But it's possible to survive. To escape."

[Phoenix Jewel Hope 0]

Phoenix stayed silent, looking away from Nari as she fidgeted with her clothing a bit "they're rare huh.." Phoenix mumbled, looking at the ground, her eye brows furrowed a bit "why did my friend die to them then..if they're rare or mostly wiped out, then how come my friend died by their hands?" she said, she seemed quite upset now "I dont think these "purges" checked hard enough if my friend still died out there!" she said, holding up her sword that she had gotten from a quest "my friend died for this sword, all for some stupid quest!" she vented out to Nari, she seemed confused, frustrated, saddened. she hadn't been able to vent to anyone or really talk to anyone since her friend died. she felt like giving up "Thats..why i never wanted to leave outside of the safe area..im probably not even strong enough to do anything everyone else can either." She said, staring at the ground. she looked like she was on the verge of crying, but she tried to stop herself "i..don't want to be weak anymore..but how can I if never even helped my friend..if i never left the stupid safe area."

HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 4 | Bleed: 12 DMG | Paralyze

 

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari stayed quiet as the other released the pent up emotions, the thoughts and frustrations, which had clearly been held back for a long time. She listened, without saying a word, as the other expressed their concerns and fears. Their desires. Their hesitations. Nari couldn't help but remember her first days, back when she had started this game. Started down the path of becoming stronger, of joining the ranks of those fighting for their freedoms.

"You won't. You can't. As you are, you could never defend your friends, or those around you." She kept her voice level, no judgement, no negativity. No positivity, either. Her tone entirely monotone as she spoke - knowing that the words would either settle in, or they wouldn't. There wasn't anything more that Nari could do, beyond say the blunt truth. "As you are, you would never stand a chance against the horrors that those on the frontlines face. Against the dangers that we face every day. You would die, within an hour."

She didn't move, didn't bat an eye at her harshness. Her words weren't meant to comfort the other, they were meant to enlighten them. Before the other could rebuttal her, Nari continued talking. "Which is not to say that you couldn't, one of these days. Put in the effort...stand up and face that fear, and you could come back and defend everyone in this town. You could become the hero of those who still remain - who are still alive. Doing that, you would honour those who you lost." 

She paused again, considering her next words carefully. "We've all lost someone. This game has taken friends, family...lovers, from all of us. You're not special, for losing someone - even if they were special to you. What you need to do now, is make a choice. Will you honour their memory by continuing to fight for freedom - to return to the real world, and tell everyone of their loss, of what they meant to you? Or will you cower and die, unable to spread the memories of those who were once here?"

She took a single step closer to the other player, her expression softening ever so slightly from the stoic expression it had been. The slight smile tugged at her lips, and her eyes seemed to warm a tiny bit. "I've made my choice. I will make it out of here, and clear the game. For everyone I've lost, and for those who are still here. One day...that monument will be made real, in the real world, so that we can remember the horrors that were seen here...and overcome. Are there still player killers out in the world, here? I'm sure there are. The purge was handled well - and likely after your friend died - but nothing is perfect. Did some slip through the cracks and get away? I wouldn't doubt it. But wallowing here, in the safety of the walls...that's no life. If you want to do right by those you lost...get up and fight. Fight for your freedom. For their memories. Don't make their loss be in vain."

[Phoenix Jewel Hope 0]

Phoenix stayed silent as the girl talked to her, staring at the ground. holding her sword tightly in her hand, her nails digging into whatever palm that wasn't covered by her sword handle, she didn't exactly move from her spot as Nari got closer. hearing that she wasn't special hurt her, although it was true, her case wasn't special at all, hundreds and  thousands of players lost loved ones or family members, but why would she care if she lost something so close to her, it was selfish but she didn't care about what happened to others, she wanted to stick with her friend, she was the only thing she could care about. "I..I don't know..a part of me just wants to die here..to be with them..but im afraid of dying..I want to live..but I don't think i'll ever find someone like my friend.." she said, slowly shaking her head, she worked at a bar but it didn't matter, she was probably fired by now for not being well, showing up to her job! "I don't know what to do anymore.." It seemed she had given up, although it was like a small flame inside of her heart, keeping on that hope and determination, to beat this game. but how would she beat the game, its what her friend would want anyways. falling onto her knees and looked at the ground. her multicolored eyes looking at the ground. she wanted to get back up but it felt like she didn't have the strength to. she wanted to continue walking and fighting but she didn't have the motivation or determination to, She looked pathetic in other eyes, to fall to her knees and seem so weak minded, but I don't think telling her that would help very much in her situation, to Nari she's probably seen this plenty of times, a player falling to their knees and losing all hope. it was probably something pretty common between players too, Phoenix wasn't exactly anyone special, her circumstances weren't special either.

HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 4 | Bleed: 12 DMG | Paralyze

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari watched as the player struggled with the realisation, with the fact that they were torn between two decisions. She didn't provide any input, at first. She let the girl continue talking - trying to convince herself that there was a choice, a simple choice. Or perhaps that someone would come and make that choice for her. Nari knew better, however.

"No one is going to tell you what to do...all that we can do is give you opinions, and perhaps guide you. But you need to make the actual choice in the end. Do you give up here, join the names of those etched into the Monument? Or do you continue fighting, so that the memories of your friend don't die with you?" Nari reached out a hand, as if offering support to the other player. "If you decide to rise to your feet and overcome that fear...to continue fighting in the hopes of being free...of taking those memories back to the real world so that your friend isn't forgotten forever, then we're here for you."

She paused, not wanting to say the next bit, but knowing that it needed to be stated to make it clear. As horrible as it was, it was a burden that those on the frontlines knew they would always carry, so long as they were stuck in this game. "And should you choose that you cannot fight...well, then we'll carry your memories with us. Until the end. That's what it means to be on the frontlines. It's not about standing against monsters, or fighting to free everyone...it's about realising that there are those who cannot fight, and that we carry their burdens upon us. Their memories. Their names."

She glanced back towards the Town of Beginnings, before adding a personal note to the conversation. Something that she had refrained from telling anyone else, until now. "I sometimes go back and look at that monument. I memorise the new names that are added to it, that need to be remembered. Because someone needs to remember them. Someone needs to let Cardinal know that they won't be forgotten."