(Luke's POV)
As Luke received the system notification inviting him to the fourth annual rankers event, he let out a deep sigh of relief before instantly accepting it. This was the moment he had been preparing for over the past several months—a final chance to prove his worth among the best players in Terra Nova Online and get the forward momentum necessary to propel him towards becoming a 'Master'.
A flash of light enveloped him, and within seconds, he found himself teleported to the pre-game space—a serene, grassy field with a single towering tree at its center, the same as the one a year before.
The air buzzed with anticipation as the top 10,000 rankers began appearing one after another, their unique armor and weapons gleaming under the sunlight.
Luke scanned the crowd, his sharp eyes immediately catching sight of a familiar figure standing under the tree.
His father, Jacob.
The man looked older than Luke remembered, his posture slightly slouched and his expression hesitant. Their gazes locked for a brief moment, and Luke could see the uncertainty in his father's eyes. It was clear he wanted to approach, to say something, but the weight of their shared past kept him rooted to the spot.
Luke's emotions churned—a mixture of anger, sadness, and an almost reluctant acknowledgement.
He still couldn't forgive the man for abandoning their family, yet seeing him here now, knowing how he had been working so hard over the past months to keep their mother happy and to try and bridge the gap within the family, something within Luke stirred.
After a few seconds of hesitation, Luke gave him a curt nod of acknowledgement before looking away, silently signaling that he wasn't ready for a conversation, but their relationship was on the right path.
As he turned his gaze back to the field, a blur of bouncing melons caught his attention.
"Luke!" PinkLotus called out cheerfully, dashing toward him with an infectious grin. Before he could brace himself, she threw her arms around him, snuggling into his chest like a cat seeking warmth.
"Wha—" Luke stammered, his face turning as red as a tomato as the public display of affection drew the attention of more than a few rankers nearby.
The reactions were immediate. Heads turned, conversations paused, and whispers rippled through the crowd. PinkLotus wasn't just any player—she was widely regarded as the goddess of Terra Nova, her beauty and prowess unmatched. Seeing her act so chummy with another man left more than a few onlookers seething with jealousy.
"Lia, people are staring!" Luke hissed under his breath, but PinkLotus merely giggled, tilting her head up to meet his flustered gaze.
"Let them stare," she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I'm proud to have you by my side, Luke. Why shouldn't they know that?"
Her words only deepened his embarrassment, and he tried to gently pull away, but her grip remained firm.
"Relax," she said, patting his chest. "Focus on the event, not them."
Despite her words, Luke couldn't ignore the jealous stares drilling into his back. He cleared his throat awkwardly, grateful when PinkLotus finally stepped aside, though her presence continued to command attention.
As he steadied himself, his gaze shifted again, landing on another familiar figure approaching from the edge of the field.
It was Cervantez.
The man's expression was complicated, a mix of respect and something else—something darker.
"It's been a while, SkyLion," Cervantez said as he stopped a few steps away.
His tone was neutral, but there was an edge to it, as though he was trying to gauge Luke's reaction.
"Not that long since I suplexed you, I reckon" Luke replied evenly, refusing to be rattled.
A soft smile spread on Cervantez's face as he alternated his gaze between Luke and PinkLotus, complex feelings arising in his chest as he saw them acting as comfortable with one another as they did.
However, suppressing the disgust he felt, Cervantez let out a deep sigh as he admitted what he wanted to for a long while.
"I apologise for my previous behaviour, SkyLion. You may not know it but the guild is crumbling and the guild members are leaving en-masse.
Despite all I've done for them, apart from a handful still sticking around, nobody is willing to stay, and it's only now that I realize just how flawed my methods were in the past.
I know that trust that's broken once can never be reforged, so I don't expect us to become best friends again, but I just wanted to apologise to you once, because I owe you that much.
Back then, I should have been more accommodating of your request….. the DarkSky guild was as much yours as it was mine, but I was naive and foolish.
I hope you can forgive me for it someday" Cervantez said, as he sounded genuinely sorry for his previous behaviour.
For a moment, Luke found himself unable to respond to Cervantez's comments, as just like Cervantez, he too was suppressing a lot of pent-up emotions at this moment.
However, with PinkLotus's comforting presence by his side, he soon snapped back to reality, as he gave Cervantez a measured nod.
"The next time we run into one another, there will be no warmth between us, but there won't be any hostility either.
I'm grateful for all you've done for me, as it is a fact that without you I wouldn't be the player I am today.
So let's call us even" Luke said, as he extended his hand for Cervantez to shake.
"Thankyou—" Cervantez said, accepting that handshake, as after casting one last complicated glance at the duo, he walked away, feeling as if a boulder had been lifted off his chest.
His apology to Luke was one long due, and it felt good to finally have it done.
"Are you okay?" PinkLotus asked Luke once Cervantez was out of earshot, as Luke nodded with a big grin.
This unexpected apology was one he had long hoped for, and its arrival brought him a quiet sense of relief and satisfaction.