Free Yvvaros: The Clash of Worlds by Alex Mulder Page B

something about it,” Tess continued, “and now is the time. So stop worrying, okay? I’m starving, let’s go eat.”
    The group reconvened around the fire as the night sky came into view. Katrina and the general store merchant brought out food to cook, and Silverstrike set up a cask of ale nearby. For a moment, Luke was able to pretend like they were having a party, and not in the midst of plotting a rebellion.
    “We should all go skinny dipping in the oasis after this!” yelled Silverstrike. Most of the group mumbled good nature rebukes. Luke just smiled and poured himself a mug of ale.
    The food was simple, but tasty, a roasted slab of beef along with potatoes and vegetables from Tess’s garden. Luke took his plate gratefully, noting that his stamina bar was almost empty.
    “Kato…” Kaoru sat down next to him, setting his own plate on his lap. “I just wanted to thank you again. All of the planning I’ve done, everything I’ve said tonight, it’s all for the sake of Yvvaros as much as it is for me, the wanted rebel.”
    Luke nodded.
    “You’re welcome, though at this point I still haven’t done much beyond hear you out.”
    “I’m thanking you for what you’ve already done,” said Kaoru. “For saving me. For saving us all during the Battle of Kantor.”
    Luke resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
    They treat me like I’m a legend, or a myth. I’m just a teenager, playing a game.
    “A lot of people look up to you, and admire what you stand for,” said Kaoru. “I realize that it probably feels like an unnecessary weight to bear from your perspective, but to the ordinary player, you represent hope.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind.” Luke took a deep swig from his mug. Kaoru watched him for a moment, and then stood up.
    “It’s late,” he said. “I should be going.”
    Luke glanced up at him in surprise.
    For some reason, I had just assumed that he was one of the players that had gone all in.
    “The soonest I’ll be able to log back in is early tomorrow afternoon.” He swept his gaze across the group. “Can I have your answers by then?”
    Luke nodded.
    “Yes,” he said. “We’ll come to a decision.”
    “Alright. See you then.”
    Kaoru blinked out of existence in an instant, and Luke began to feel the extent of his own fatigue. Tess was sitting next to him and leaned against his shoulder.
    “It’s okay if you want to log out, too,” she said. “I’m going to get some sleep of my own.”
    “Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He kissed her on the forehead.
    “See you tomorrow, Luke.”
    Luke said his farewells to Silverstrike, Katrina, and the others in Dunidan’s Rest, and then pulled out his journal and signed off. Instantly, he was back in his room, back in the empty house, and back in the physical reality.
     

CHAPTER 9
     
    It was night time in the real world, just like it had been in Yvvaros. Luke stood up from his desk slowly, feeling his joints creak and his muscles ache from being still for so long.
    I spend more of my waking hours in-game than I do out of it. My body… what’s the point of even having it?
    He was tired, but something kept him from being able to climb into bed immediately. Kaoru’s plan was still fresh in his mind, and part of it was going to force him to pay attention to a problem that he’d been ignoring since he left the hospital over a week ago.
    Luke walked out of his room, his legs feeling a bit unsteady, as though he’d just stepped off a long bus ride. He made his way first to the kitchen, making himself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that he wolfed down in seconds. He made another one using the last of his bread and walked to his father’s room.
    It looked almost exactly like it had the last time Luke had been there. The blood from his attempt at going all in had been left for him to clean up, a visceral reminder of the events of that day. The wood floor was faintly stained, but much easier to look at than it had been when he’d