Free Yvvaros: The Clash of Worlds by Alex Mulder

don’t have to worry. So I can start thinking about joining her.
    “Tell us the details, Kaoru,” said Luke.
    “First, we’re going to need an alliance between the major guilds.” Kaoru ran his finger over the map. “Silverstrike, can you begin negotiations with some of the other leaders? We want to get them on board, but we also can’t tell them too much about the actual details of the plan.”
    Silverstrike nodded.
    “I can… but how will it be of any help?” Silverstrike shrugged. “There are too many Arbiters and not enough high level players. We wouldn’t stand a chance in an all-out attack, regardless of whether they can respawn.”
    “That’s where the next part of the plan comes in,” said Kaoru. “We’re going to have something that evens the odds between us and our enemies. Kato, this is where your help is going to be essential as the Hero of Kantor.”
    The Hero of Kantor… It’s just a name.
    “What do you need me to do?”
    Kaoru tapped his fingers on the map. He looked a little hesitant, as though expecting his request to be too much for Luke to accept.
    “I need you to track down the three Elemental Wells and claim them for your guild,” said Kaoru. “And I think you’re going to need to bring Tess with you in order to do it.”
    That’s not going to happen.
    Luke shook his head, and Kaoru clasped his hands together in desperation.
    “Just listen!” He made eye contact with Tess and then looked back at Luke. “She’s the highest level player in your guild. The only reason we were even able to take down the Arbiter in the first place was because of her magic.”
    “Absolutely not,” said Luke. Tess reached over and put her hand on his arm.
    “Luke…” Her voice was little more than a whisper. “You can’t protect me forever.”
    Tess…
    “There is another part to the plan that I’m going to need your help for Kato,” said Kaoru. “We can talk about the Elemental Wells later, but I need to make sure you’re committed to this final task.”
    “What is it?”
    “I need you… to get your father to join with us.”
    Luke laughed and then shook his head.
    This plan is insane. I should have known that it would be ridiculous going into it.
    “Hear me out!” Kaoru was shouting, not in an angry tone of voice, but like a moderator trying to calm an unruly crowd. “All of the other facets of the plan I’ve had worked out for days. When you found me, the final piece, how we’re actually going to break free from the UN’s physical control, clicked in my head.”
    “I don’t even know where my dad is,” said Luke. “I haven’t seen him in over a week.”
    “Please, try to find him,” said Kaoru. “We need access to the server and he can give it to us. If we can get to the main server, and transfer the world state to a server that’s under our control, then we can win.”
    Nobody said anything for a moment. Luke let Kaoru’s words settle on the air, unsure of whether or not to object or to take them into consideration.
    The sun was beginning to set outside. Several of Katrina’s guild members were waiting in the courtyard, back from disposing of the Arbiter’s body. Luke sighed, and then stood up from his chair at the table.
    “Let’s finish this meeting later,” he said. “It’s been a long day.”
    Kaoru looked a little surprised, but he nodded politely.
    Am I really tired, or am I just sick of taking on responsibility?
    As if response, Tess walked over to him and curled her arm through his.
    “I’m tired, too,” she said. “Thanks, Kato.”
    “I’ll have some of my players setup the bonfire, and we can eat dinner around it,” said Katrina. “To celebrate the fact that we’re all still alive and in control of Dunidan’s Rest. Who knows how long that’s going to continue to be the case…”
    “Kato.” Kaoru was standing in the back of the guild hall, calm and composed. “Thank you for listening. Regardless of what you and your friends decide to