<<FLOOR 1>> Wandering Starlight

[Cascade 0]

Three months had passed since the games launch, her imprisonment, her mentors death, and the end of what she knew as every day life. Clientele would come looking, people that had yet to pay would get away with no fee, the squirrel she used to feed would stop visiting, she couldn't feel, see, smell, or taste right, everything was numb. Above all else, a rotting corpse lay on the other side of what she knew as 'home.' She'd bumped into players as the days passed. Some seemed infatuated with her simply because of how she looked, some called her the Starlit Wanderer due to her lack of introduction. People around floor one knew of her, but didn't take time to actually know her. She spent her time wallowing in the death of Kersh. She put a smile on for all she passed, but her eyes showed her brokenness. Her beautiful, darkened, soulless eyes. There were times she just hid away for days on end. What was the point? She had no friends, no parents, no lover, she was alone. The weight was crushing. Cascade looked up at the lake she had been napping by. It was beautiful, this was something she could find meaning in. The beauty of what lay around her. It wasn't real, she knew, but it made no difference. Her gaze softened. There were times she could escape the gloom that shrouded her. Times like these where everything seemed at peace. A singular moment she could fool herself that everything was okay. The moment passed, she sighed and gave a smile. Maybe someday ill make it out.

She steadied herself and stood. It was time to head into town. She needed to do something. Talk to someone, do, see, hear, feel, be anything other than what she was now. Her feet moved one after another, phantom stepping her way to the village. Each step felt tiresome, but she continued. 

The town came into sight, she entered glancing around aimlessly. The usual NPCs waved to her. The man outside the tavern hit on her for the 70th time. She watched as the NPC from the cafe tripped and fell routinely. A memory flashed. Shed seen an unusual girl catch the NPC one day a few months back. She had beautiful jet black hair. She hadnt seen her since. Cascade assumed the girl hadnt realized it was an NPC at the time and caught her out of decency, hope shes doing alright. She brushed away the thought and kept forward. Finally she reached the middle of the town. She stood face to face with that blasted portal. The one that mocked her day in and out. The one that tempted her to just die by a strong enemies hand. The portal that brought PKs and highly ranked officials. Everything it stood for mocked her. She scoffed and sat at a nearby bench. A shadow cast down upon her, she looked up to meet the eyes of a stranger. The man was tall, he had blonde hair, Grey eyes, shard features, a seemingly strong body. From his apparel she guessed he was a blacksmith. His aura gave, 'self assured.' 

did you need something? She asked cheerfully, a sweet smile crossing her lips. 

The moment she spoke seemed to shatter his confidence. He scratched at the back of his head nervously.Ive seen you around here before and I was wondering if you were interested in going on a date possibly?

Her smile stayed, her head tilted as she responded. You're very kind but I think it would be in your best interest to pursue someone else. Her mind raged, why on earth would you want to pursue me? There are more important things, not to mention prettier girls. Its always, go on a date with me, youre hot girl, wow look at her, she must have had a blessed life back home looking like that; never whats your name? How are you today? Etc. To her everyone seemed lovely in their own ways, but their were also those who seemed lifeless and shallow. None of them....not one, had any light. 

***

Cascade| HP 20/20 | EN 20/20 | ACC 0 | EVA 0| 

Spoiler

Name: Cascade

True Tier: 1 

Level: 1 

HP: 20/20

EN: 20/20 

 

Stats-

Damage: 1

Mitigation: 0

Accuracy: 0

Evasion: 0

Recovery: 0

Bleed: 0

Battle Healing: 0

Inventory- 

(3) Starter Healing Potions (Heals 50 HP)

2,000 Col

(25) Material

 

Edited Tuesday at 10:32 PM by Cascade

[Ascension 0]

The Town of Beginnings never lost its charm for Cassian. The bustle of players haggling in the market square, the chiming of notifications as trades were sealed, and the chatter of adventurers planning their next foray into the wilds. It all had a rhythm, a heartbeat that felt alive. He’d wandered from floor to floor since the death game began, never rooting himself anywhere, but somehow this place always pulled him back like a well-worn tavern at the end of a long road. He leaned casually against the stone wall of a modest player-run shop, arms folded as he let the tide of people wash past. He wasn’t looking for gear, and he wasn’t looking for trouble. Mostly, he was just killing time before deciding which floor to disappear into next. That was when he noticed her.

Long strands of white hair rippled in the faint breeze, catching flecks of late sunlight like spun silk. Her golden-yellow eyes gleamed in a way that made her stand out even among the crowd, sharp and bright, as if she carried a piece of the sun within them. He’d seen her before. Once by the fountain, another time at the item stalls. She wasn’t just another face. No, she lingered in memory like an unsolved riddle. And currently, some poor fool was trying his luck with her.

Pushing off the wall, Cassian strolled over with the easy gait of someone who’d seen one too many tavern brawls about to start. Cassian smirked as he watched the man’s nervous gestures followed by the woman's beautiful smile. By the time Cassian walked up he caught the tail end of a semi-cold, semi-cheerful dismissal "It would be in your best interest to pursue someone else. The man's shoulders had slumped, his confidence bleeding away. Oof. Brutal. Leaning up on the wall next to her, he tipped his chin toward the suitor and let a crooked grin spread across his face.

A chuckle slipped past Cassian’s lips, low and amused, and he brushed his hair from his eyes. Maybe this was the perfect excuse to step in. At worst, he’d get waved off. At best… maybe he’d find an ally or friend worth making in this beautiful but deadly world.

“This guy over here isn’t bothering you, is he?” His tone was light, teasing, but there was a subtle edge beneath it, the kind that made clear he was willing to deal with the problem if she wanted. He let the grin soften, tilting his head just slightly. “Name’s Ascension,” he said, voice carrying just enough warmth to balance the confidence. “What’s yours?”

[Cascade 0]

Her gaze slipped from the defeated player coursing their way to the man that spoke. His voice, she had heard it only once before, and had been sure to remember it, not that it was understood why. There was just something about the tone, it was inviting, soothing, oozing of sincerity, yet a conscious clever tick. Throughout her time here, only he had caught her eye. Once in this very plaza, he had defended a lower player against some washed out bully. The impression had warmed her heart and refused to be forgotten.  

Her eyes met his, she was bewildered, the man hadn't come to make a pass at her, simply to check if she was okay.

She smiled softly, No, thank you. I am quite alright. Nothing new for me as of late anyhow. She noted sincerely.

He was quite handsome. She took a moment to delight in the fact that he had yellow lit eyes like herself. Her gaze fell back to the ground as the thoughts coursed. No one she ever knew had ever possessed the striking feature apart from her. There were times it cast her as an outsider, making her feel less than beautiful, and even a little strange.

The good thing was things like that didnt often bother her. To her it was useless to dwell on meaningless things that she couldn't change, therefore, she did not. But from time to time, it did, it bothered her, if only for a fleeting moment. 

The lightness with which he spoke was all too tempting, it drew near a peace that had remained unknown until now. If she hadn't known any better, she'd almost think that he would truly defend her against the man had he been bothersome. If she wished, that is.

His grin softened, her eyes widening for a fleeting moment before returning to normal, eyes again meeting the ground. It's incredible how absolutely genuine you are. The thought trickled in her mind. She knew then that she had found someone worth knowing, the light that had been drempt of had somehow found her.

What was it about him that caused her to gravitate towards knowing who he was, what he liked or disliked, what made him smile, what made him sad, everything....she wanted to know it all. 

She offered her hand with a smile, her eyes landing on his own. It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Cascade. She offered sweetly as she stood.

Her head tilted habitually matching his. Her gaze never fell, she was intent now. This stranger had intrigued her. If anything, friendship was the goal.

She passively studied him. His eyes were kind, but there was something else. He had experienced loss in some way. Seemingly lively and cheerful eyes, aside from that, a little fogged, lonely. A feeling that was all too familiar. 

Fear rose up within her, a terrifying, clutching, pain in her heart that screamed to be free of terror. He would leave too, of that she felt certain, but whatever the cost, she had to know him. And so, she steadied herself and kept her eyes forward, looking not just at Ascension, but also her future. 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by Cascade