The Gamer's System

Chapter 109: The Leader

"Master!" Heron said as soon as they returned. 

"We've got trouble, the sisters are"

"Master?" Heron and Morpheus looked around and saw that Zeke is not inside the cave. They've just returned from their mission with some unfortunate news. They opened the [Voice Chat] option which just activated, a more convenient form of communication than the bracelets.

"Master where are you?" She said, wanting to deliver the message right away.

"Oh hey, I'm inside the farm right now. Anything you need?" He replied, continuing his mediation. 

"DAAAAD!" Morpheus butted in, totally ruining Zeke's concentration. The boy wagged its tail so much that it hit Heron's face.

"Ackkk you know how I feel about all that shouting Mory." Zeke replied. 

"I'm sorry dad, I just wanted to talk with you is all." Morpheus replied, which Heron immediately cut off.

"Just pat his head later. Anyway, we've got a problem. The sisters are missing from their cell." Heron continued. 

This is something within Zeke's expectations. After all these years, Glade would've properly dealt with the Windsprite sisters because there's something special about their genes. He knows this because Glade did mention it to him. Meaning, if they aren't locked up in prisonthey must've been brought somewhere and made into test subjects.

"I understand. Let me finish my meditation first, you two are free to do what you want for now." Zeke replied which, both of his allies agreed to.

Immediately, everything round Zeke began cracking. Just by him sitting in place, the earth below him rumbled and the sky above darkened. There's enough rage to go around and, aside from him being toyed with over and over again, he hates his own helplessness.

"Just you wait. I'll tear everything apart with my own hands." Zeke continued.

"That looks like one nasty storm being brewed up there." Vorst said, finally healed from all his injuries and looking at the sky.

"Yeah well, there are things scarier than storms in this world." Amare replied, looking at the same sky Vorst is gazing at.

With the message left by Zeke for them, the group began wondering what it is that they should do. Of course they can't turn him down but, following him won't necessarily be leading to anything good. There is too little information offered and, just because the elf said that he is Zeke Elwood, it doesn't mean that they should believe him right away. And there is another thing which Amare herself is worried about

Zeke Elwood is the same human which caused an uproar on earth as soon as he went missing. The gaming community grieved internationally and demanded an answer as to where he went. The public event went as far as to blame his parents which caused so much negative effect on the couple that they died of depression. 

They haven't told this to Zeke yet and, they believe it is something which should be left out if they wish the best for their mission. It's not impossible for the human to turn against the gods because, for some reason, they all believe that he can and, he has the ability to beat them down.

"So what do you think about the offer?" Vorst asked, breaking Amare's train of thought.

"I think that we've not been trained enough. I think that this world is more dangerous than we made it out to be. And I think that the only logical choice is to follow a man who can beat us all up with a stick if we want to survive the coming battles." Was Amare's reply. Logical as it may be, she is still not fully convinced of this for some reason. 

"Your words sound so convincing yet your voice doesn.t'" Vorst replied, smiling gently.

Around their cabin, everyone shared the same sentiment. They thought how the offer seemed too good to be true. With Quinn still lacking motivation, the group is a bit lost on what to do next. 

Although the gods told them to finish the quest, there weren't any punishments included for failing to do so. No negative implications were added in case the group failed to accomplish the mission at hand. Hence, they have the choice to live peacefullybut this leaves a bad taste in their mouths.

They would've consulted Kaguya but, she is still unconsciously lying on her room. Zeke told them that the time for her to wake up isn't assured and so, all they can do is wait and hope that it comes soon. And on the room of the said member of the elites, is a trusted ally speaking about her worries.

"Miss Kaguya, we're really in a pickle here." Lizzie their enhancer said. She continued staying at the vice-commander's room, feeling that it is the safest place within the whole cabin. She adores Kaguya after all and, wants to be just like her. Courageous, headstrong, yet calm and collected when needed to be.

"I came here because I thought I was special. For once, nobody treated me like I'm some kind of inferior human being. That's why even though it's scary and my spot is just safely at the backlines" Tears began pouring uncontrollably from her eyes. So much have went on ever since they arrived and, frankly speaking, there was too little time to adjust to the new environment.

In games, you'd expect battles with some weak opponents to be the first encounter. But, as soon as they arrived, they got dealt with some boss class monsters, leaving them in a battered and beaten up state.

"I-I don't know what t-to do anymore. I d-don't wanna go h-home either." Lizzie continued, feeling pathetic for her lack of resolve and indecision. Yet, the universe seem to have answered her pleas because, a warm hand touched her cheek.

This surprised Lizzie who immediately looked up, with her tears still flowing uncontrollably.

"Miss Kaguya?!" She continued, receiving a weak smile from the female elite who have just woken up. Lizzie immediately hugged her and continued crying on her chest. 

"Lizzie, if you don't mind. I'd like to continue breathing." Kaguya replied, feeling Lizzie's hug to be too tight for comfort.

"MISSS KAGUYAAAA!" She shouted, rubbing all her tears on Kaguya's clothes. The elite who just woke up have no idea what is going on but, from the reaction of Lizzie, she guessed that something bad must've happened.

Some members soon followed inside the room, slamming the door open. Their eyes widened in surprise as they saw Kaguya finally awake. The vice-leader gave them the same smile and then pointed for someone to take Lizzie off.

From this point, a lot of things happened. The first of which is the group giving Kaguya time to recover more strength. But knowing that Zeke may not give them this leisure, they asked Kaguya to come to the meeting hall before sundown. She agreed of course, asking also how Quinn is doing to which nobody was able to responded to.

Sundown came quickly and, Amare was the one charged with disclosing all the information. From the moment that Kaguya lost consciousness until the order given by Zeke, Amare was careful to tell things as they are, without making Zeke look bad or making Quinn look like a coward for refusing to get up.

Kaguya accepted all that was said without any complaints and, shock showed minimally on her face. And with all the information finally being given, they waited for what Kaguya would say.

"I think its safe to say that, Zeke isn't an enemy of ours. First of all, you said that he massacred all 5,000 soldiers that came for us." Kaguya began.

"Yeah, but what if that was just a set up for us to gain his trust?" One of them replied.

"I believe five thousand strong men and five generals is too much of a sacrifice don't you think?" Kaguya continued.

"If one general was enough to push us to our limits, then why do they need to sacrifice five more just to gain our trust? Anyway you look at it, the so-called Zeke is an ally for now." 

"For now?" Amare replied.

"Yes. For all we know, he may have ulterior motives. But I believe that the best choice is to follow his orders. The portal used by King Glade is probably infested with his troops and a lot of surprises. We have to minimize the risks once we go there and, that includes getting someone stronger than the generals on our side." Everyone agreed on this, it wasn't part of the original plan but, it seemed to be better anyway.

They have one problem left though and that is their leader. But even this part has been though of by Kaguya already. He told them to get Quinn to face Jake, one which the latter gladly accepted.

"So does that mean" Jake began.

"I won't accept any complaints from the other elites. If Jake wins the fight, then we are changing leaders. We can't have a cripple leading our group." She continued.

"Wait so Jake's going to be our new leader?" Mirio replied.

"Not yet. Once Zeke comes, tell him about the situation. If eh wants us, I bet he also needs a strong leader he can rely on. Let him watch the fight." She said in a serious tone.

Before they could even reach a conclusion, they heard someone knocking on their door. Lizzie came to open it and, what came inside were two creatures which surprised the group. 

"Ohh so these are the guys dad approved?" Morpheus began.

"I think they're too dull." Heron replied.

And with this, the meeting which should've ended with the choosing of a new leader, will soon turn into something else entirely.