After having dinner, we decided to go to the rooftop. There was a big terrace in my house, so we decided to take some time to relax in here. My entire family was too tired though, so they all went to sleep, especially my parents who were exhausted and liked going to sleep early every day, mostly because they woke early as well.
So at the end, I ended with Mark and Rita with me. It was a long day, but we enjoyed it a lot. It helped us unwind from all the worries we were feeling and to appreciate the little things in life. I always believe that's the most important part of life as well, to always enjoy the little things, and be thankful you can wake up each day and live.
"Oh man, I am beat…" Sighed Rita, sitting over a comfy chair while drinking some wine. "So are we going to log-in? I bet your daughter and her friends must be already playing in their rooms."
"I would rather take a break from there…" I sighed. "However, now that I know its not a game, I feel obligated to go see how everyone's doing. Also shouldn't we be making a guild?"
"Right, how about we make it tonight then?" Mark suggested. "Is Lily available?"
"She messaged me just now! Seems like she has been playing for hours now, she sent me a picture of her with the brownies. They seem to be hunting for monster meat and expanding the field for more houses." I said while checking the game app. It was possible for players to send messages even when one of them was logged off, and even send pictures taken in-game.
"Then let's go and make a guild! Though I don't want to stick for much longer. I want to nap." Sighed Rita.
"Yeah I'll go check on everyone, then probably build a few things and log off as well." I said. "The Demon King's going to take a whole month to awaken, so at the very least we can take it easy for now."
"Sounds like a plan, let's go then." Mark agreed rather quickly.
"W-Wait! Before that, what about magic though?!" Rita asked.
She really wanted magic, didn't she?
"HMMM…" The Great Spirit began inspecting Rita with her powers. "She seems… alright? I guess she could awaken to something. Mark can certainly do it. Though if you really want them to awaken strong magic, we'll need materials to use to create their Magic Circles, this can't be done so easily."
"Ah, the Great Spirit says we'll need materials to make your magic circles first." I said while analyzing things. "And after that, you'll finally begin using magic. But let's take it easy for now, don't rush things, Rita."
"So that's how it works, a Magic Circle, inside of our bodies?" Mark wondered. "Interesting… Maybe I should do some more research on the internet."
"Meeh… We need materials?! And what sort of materials? This isn't a magic world or something, is it?" Sighed Rita.
"Well after what happened in the First Contact, it's kind of is now. Just still developing." I sighed. "We can use my own plants as materials, but also animal blood and bones are good. I think we could use what's left of the lamb we ate today. There's a giant bucket of blood from it too."
"I see, sounds a bit gross but I am willing." Said Mark.
"Anything else?" Rita sighed.
"Hollows! You need to hunt a few Hollows and get their Magic Crystals, those are crystalized masses of impure mana, if we use magic to purify them, they're perfect fuel for their awakening." The Great Spirit said.
"We'll need to hunt Hollows…" I sighed.
"H-Hunt Hollows?!" Rita asked while raising an eyebrow.
"What's… a Hollow?" Mark wondered.
And like that, we spent ten minutes in explanations. Once the two learned not only about the Hollows existence but about Blackie's awakening into a Demonic Beast, the two almost lost their minds.
"S-So there are invisible monsters in this world we can't even see?! And from a while ago?!" Rita was completely flabbergasted. "S-So maybe all of those superstitions of ghosts are real! Maybe a lot of monsters from beliefs are real too?"
"T-This is certainly completely insane…" Sighed Mark. "And it seems they only attack those with Mana, so if we ever awaken, we'll need to risk ourselves at being targeted by them."
"W-Wha…?! This wasn't supposed to be happening…" Rita seemed dispirited now.
"Well, seems like you don't want to be a witch anymore? Huh? Well, I won't force you, its your decision." I shrugged.
"N-No! I want to!" Rita complained. "I REALLY WANT TO!" She suddenly grabbed my arm and started begging. "Elayne we've been friends all along, please don't leave me behind!"
"E-Eh? Calm down! Alright, I was just saying. If you two become… Magicians, we'll need you two to fight monsters as well, we might be able to make charms to throw them hollows away from you, but so we can grow stronger, we need to hunt these guys. And perhaps more monsters that might eventually show up." I said. "Get it guys?"
"Alright, I am willing to." Mark didn't even hesitated unlike Rita. His will was very strong. "I promised you I will protect you, Elayne. Well, you're way stronger than me so I don't think I can completely protect you from all harm by myself but… I just want to become someone reliable."
"Hehe, and I appreciate it." I said, giving him a head pat.
"Geez, get a room already." Rita sighed, crossing her arms.
To her comment, Mark and I grew redder out of embarrassment! How can she say that out loud like nothing?!
"R-Rita!" I exclaimed.
"A-Ahahah…" Mark laughed slightly nervously. "S-So anyways, let's log-in for now."
"Yeah, let's go." I nodded.
Like that, we moved back to our rooms and brought out the VR headsets we brought along, connecting them to the internet. At this day and age, even the countryside had a rather decent internet connection.
My eyes opened once more, as I was greeted by the beautiful night sky of Arcadia, and the surrounding mystical Forest of Beginnings, overflowing with nature everywhere.
For some reason, this also feels like my home.