/~Renn~/
Two weeks. Two whole weeks.
That's how long it's been since everything exploded like a glitch bomb in a tight server. That's how long it's been since the Kyra and Axel showdown, since all of our unit got turned to data dust, since Contrario nearly died holding off the twin devils.
I've had better weeks but now I don't want to ever remember the raid week.
All that matters now is that I was alive. My arm was healed, and my eye had been patched up with nanotech. And Contrario? He wasn't just alive, I felt he was different now.
The Valley Hunt wasn't a punishment. It was tradition. It was a rite of recovery. It was a way to earn your feet back after surviving hell.
The Bloodgrove wasn't the friendliest stretch of wilderness. As far as the eye can see, here it was all wild overgrowth and crimson-furred beasts that hunted in packs, mutated by centuries of corrupted code and old-world virus leaks. If you wanted to stretch your legs and keep your edge, you had to come here.
Which is why Contrario and I were moving through waist-high purple vines and breathing recycled air under a bio-dome sky that went on and off like a dying lightbulb.
"Remind me why we volunteered for this again?" I groaned, flicking a blood tick off my boot.
Contrario didn't even look up. "You wanted cardio. I wanted silence. We both lose."
I laughed. "And you say I'm the dramatic one."
He smiled, barely. But it was there.
Two weeks ago, this guy was barely able to stand. Now? Now he was gradually clocking back into life like he belonged in it.
We moved quietly for a few minutes, our eyes scanning for movement, we had our blades and bows ready. The beasts in the Grove didn't warn you, they just happened to you. Whoever coined the term, Experience is the best teacher must have been here before.
Then, we heard a rustle.
"That came from three clicks left," I whispered, my eyes narrowing.
Contrario nodded, his hand reaching for his short blade. "It looks like a Rager."
The creature emerged, snarling. It was a boar-like beast with tusks of bone, glowing orange eyes, and a hunchback covered in mossy tendrils.
We split instinctively. Like we'd done this a thousand times.
I distracted it with a flash dart while Contrario slid underneath its lunge, jamming his blade up through its lower jaw and then rolled to safety as it collapsed in a heap of gurgling sludge.
"Nice one, man," I muttered, as I was impressed at how good he was getting.
"You're lucky I didn't let it get you first," he said, dusting off his gloves. "It would've made for a fun funeral speech. 'Here lies Renn who died trying to do CrossFit in the woods.'"
I snorted. "Toxic."
But he smiled again, this time longer.
---
We took down a few more. A triple-pack of Grovemaws and a Swamp Howler that nearly bit my leg off. Contrario saved me twice. I got him back once and I called It even.
As the sun simulation lowered and the dome shifted into night mode, we sat on a high ledge overlooking the Grove. A mini bonfire sparked between us with fire cubes crackling from our rations.
Contrario passed me a drink. "Cheers."
I raised my can. "To not dying today."
We clinked.
There was silence for a moment. Then, he asked quietly, "Do you ever feel guilty for surviving?"
The question hit harder than any beast could.
I nodded slowly. "Every damn day."
He didn't say anything, but he understood.
"Hey," I said, nudging him with my shoulder. "You're not that bad at this, you know."
He looked at me sideways.
"I mean, you're still a sarcastic prick," I grinned. "But you've got moves. Fire. Loyalty and determination. If we're heading into hell again, I'd rather have you on my squad than anyone else."
Contrario stared at me like I'd grown a second head. "You're high on Swamp fumes?"
"Nah, man. I'm just being honest, bro."
He blinked.
"Did you just.....wait. Did you just call me bro?"
I grinned. "Yeah. You better get used to it. You're my bro now."
He stared for a second longer, then shook his head with a small laugh. "God help me, you're gay now."
We sat there for a while, watching the fake stars flicker above the Grove. I didn't say it out loud, but I knew it now.
Contrario wasn't a joke. He wasn't a bug in the system.
He was the real deal.
And somehow...somehow, I was proud to call him my brother.
I've always wanted a brother, just like him.
---
As we packed up and headed out of the Grove, a drone pinged overhead and dropped a scroll encrypted in black fire.
Contrario catches it and Opens it. As he read its contents, his eyes widened in surprise.
"Shadow Tournament: Invitation Accepted. You Have Been Chosen."
"Looks like we're going back into the fire." I said with a smile on my face
Contrario nodded, his grip tightening. "This should be like a walk in the park"
Past the laughs, past the bond, a secret notification dropped in my vision.
"What's it, Renn? you good?" Contrario asked as I paused in my movement.
"Yeah bro, it's all good."
Let's get back to the clan master.