Chapter 15:

  The Five Guilds

  Do you know the feeling that a dream has when you're about to wake or when the details aren't all there? Where everything seems to be in a haze, but you know, you just know that something isn't right? I felt that today, and as I woke up, I knew why.

  Elizabeth was gone.

  The bed felt cold and empty, and yet...I remembered something, or thought I did. The feeling of a warm touch. A soft kiss. My hand immediately went to my forehead as I recalled a vague memory of someone kissing me there as I was half asleep. I remembered reaching out, but...I guess she wasn't able to stay.

  The smell of eggs and bacon filled the apartment as I fully woke up, putting my gsses on to see Maya cooking in the kitchen. Despite the emptiness of Elizabeth being gone, I felt reassured that Maya was still here. That meant everything I had been through tely wasn't just a dream.

  This was made even more apparent when Azure poked their head out from under the covers groggily. Smiling with a silent ugh, I pet them affectionately before quickly making my way to the bathroom. I had tried to sleep in a shirt and boxers, at the very least, for Maya's comfort. Both her and Elizabeth had been staying here recently.

  I felt bad, since I didn't have another bed for her, but she insisted that the couch was fine. The reason I rushed to the bathroom with clothes in my arms, was that I found myself without a shirt. Sometime in the night, Elizabeth must have taken it off. I definitely didn't remember doing so, even if it was uncomfortable to sleep in. It was much better to be decent, especially with two women in the same room as me.

  Of course, Elizabeth definitely didn't mind. I chuckled, thinking about that. It felt weird being wanted and liked by someone like her in such an overwhelming positive way. It was definitely a huge boost to my own confidence, though.

  Brushing my teeth, Azure watched with heavy eyes as they floated sleepily nearby. I chuckled, patting them on the head when they attempted to see what I was doing. Flopping over my shoulder, after I had dressed, Azure promptly went back to sleep.

  "...Lucky," I mumbled amusedly.

  It wasn't that I was still tired, but rather, I wouldn't mind just ying around. However, I had a guest and that food smelled amazing. By the time I finished everything in the bathroom, Maya had everything prepared, and I was pleased to see there were two ptes.

  "Morning, Maya," I greeted her as I left the bathroom in a loose, long-sleeved shirt and some sweatpants, "Did you sleep well? That couch isn't the greatest."

  "As I've told you before, Sir," Maya replied with a polite tone, "It's fine. I actually find it quite comfortable."

  "Really?" I asked doubtfully, but didn't pursue it further, "Well, regardless, I apologize for earlier. Ellie must have taken my shirt in the night..."

  "I think I recall Ms. Falcrest doing something like that," Maya mused with a slight smile, "Don't worry about it. I don't mind."

  "...Well, it's a bit weird, isn't it?" I asked, feeling a little strange myself.

  "Not at all, Sir," she answered as she pced several eggs and strips of bacon on one of the ptes, "It will most likely be a normal occurrence, so please don't pay it any mind."

  "That doesn't mean it's okay," I said as I sat down upon the couch, "You're still a woman, and I'm a man. I shouldn't-"

  "Sir," Maya interrupted with a surprising firmness to her tone, "It's fine. Please, don't worry about it."

  "...Alright," I gave in with a sigh, "I won't promise anything though."

  "That's fine," Maya filled the other pte full, much to my amusement, "Ms. Falcrest told me to be firm if you had compints. Said you wouldn't drop it otherwise."

  I grumbled to myself a little.

  "Am I that predictable?"

  "Do you want the truth, or do you want me to be nice?" Maya asked with a wry smile.

  "Oh, shut up," I growled pyfully, "Fine, fine. Yes, she knows me. Ugh."

  Sinking back into the couch, I waited for Maya to put the pan away and sit down with me before starting to eat. She, of course, had the rger portion, but I didn't mind. I was just happy to see her eating. It was really good food.

  "So...Elizabeth had to work?" I asked, turning on the television to some morning cartoons.

  It was nice that entertainment was still ongoing. When the dungeons first appeared, I had been worried that things would come to a halt, but surprisingly, they had increased in production. All the shows that had episodes already done were released, and new series and episodes were constantly being produced.

  The reason was quite simple. Morale. While Pyers hunted monsters and protected us from the dungeons and wild zones, us normal folk needed something to occupy ourselves. There was work, of course, but during our downtime we still needed something to do. Gambling, partying, watching shows, and just overall trying to replicate any sense of normalcy.

  "I'm afraid so, Sir," Maya answered, her eyes glued to the screen, "I had to peel her off of you, otherwise she wouldn't leave. I do apologize."

  I was a little disheartened, but shook my head with a smile.

  "No, you don't have to apologize," I told her, taking a bite of egg which oozed with yolk, continuing to speak after I swallowed, "She has to work. I know that. I just hope she comes back safely."

  "I agree, and she will," Maya nodded, though her keen eyes took me in carefully, "Are you sure you're alright?"

  "Mhm," I nodded the affirmative, "I do miss her, but I know she'll be back."

  "She will," Maya stated with surety, "It'll take more than the Guild Leader meeting to stop her. If anything, they should be worried if they take too long..."

  "Ha!" I ughed at that, because she was right.

  Elizabeth was a yandere, and woe be to any who get between a yandere and the object of their obsession. In this case, that was me. I was slightly warmed by that thought, but also a little concerned. I hoped she didn't get into any trouble.

  For the rest of the morning, Maya and I sat together watching cartoons, of which she had grown attached to tely. This was the weekend that Elizabeth had to go to a meeting of Guild Leaders. It felt empty without her, but Maya helped to fill the void. If only for a while.

  -----

  Five individuals. Five people who had the most influence within the world of Pyers of the Eastern Territory. One had influence all over the world. That person was Elizabeth Falcrest.

  She sat among three of the four other individuals, one of which had yet to show, around a circur conference table within City W's Pyers Association HQ. One of the rooms on the top floor. Just the other day, she had been here with Lucas. If only that's why she was here today.

  Instead, she had to cater to these posturing fools.

  The Umbral Witch, Reina. An S-Ranked Pyer and Guild Leader of Haven. Ranked third among the top five guilds. They specialize in magic and are backed by several corporations within the magical technology fields. Though they employ other Pyers as well, incorporating a sort of "Knight" system to protect their Mages.

  Reina was a cunning woman with skin like cream and lush lips in an almost perpetual smile. Confident in the power she held. Of Irish descent, her auburn hair flowed down her shoulders in waves. Keen cool blue eyes held amusement to a joke no one else was privy to.

  She loved to show off, wearing a sleek bck dress that hugged every curve of her body. It was modest with sleeves that came to a tapered point, connected to her middle-finger. Its skirt was split on the right side, revealing her long legs which she had crossed at the moment. She was accompanied by a young woman with curly red hair, grey eyes behind gsses, and a fair, freckled face.

  She wore a nice bck suit and tie, hands csped before her, and hair tied back in a high ponytail. She was Ellen, B-Rank and specialized in defense, despite her petite build. She was reserved, but utterly loyal to Reina. It made sense, considering she was her daughter.

  Next were the more annoying of the others. Reina was at least competent, and thus more accepted by Elizabeth, even if she was one who supported going into the Wild Zone.

  The Mammoth, Dimitry of Adamant. Ranked fourth among the top five guilds. Adamant had been formed from Pyers who were military or did mercenary work, and Dimitry was its founder. A child of immigrants from Europe. Since its founding, it accepted more than just ex-military and mercs. Anyone with enough discipline and willing to dedicate themselves to the guild would be accepted.

  They weren't as strict as the military, but did have a rigorous training that would instill such qualities into its members. Cohesive units and camaraderie were its tenets. Elizabeth begrudgingly admitted that they were effective. It was one reason she didn't interfere with their creation.

  Dimitry was alone, which was just like him. He was a carefree guy despite his military background. However, he was prideful. One reason Elizabeth found him annoying. He was quick to jump to bravado, even if it was disadvantageous. Such as entering the Wild Zone.

  Even if he was a legendary Tanker, an S-Rank that carried his guild, he should still take precautions. A well-pced hit would be all it'd take to pierce his defenses. How many times had she seen his foolishness get him killed from such a thing? Too many.

  This time, it had to be different, but she had no interest in helping those who continued to throw themselves to their death. It would only create weakness in the Pyers. Selflessness was one thing, but when overall survival was needed, it became useless. That being said, he was a good man.

  Even saved Lucas a few times. For that, she gave him credit, but that debt had been paid only to be squandered by his damn bravado in several lives before. She'd watch him closely this time to ensure he didn't make the same mistakes, and if he did...well, she had backups.

  Dimitry stood out from most people being a giant of a man with well-packed muscle, roughly a head taller than Elizabeth herself. His dirty blonde hair swept back, fell to just below his chin. With tanned skin from being out in the sun and honey-colored eyes made him an attractive man to most. Elizabeth didn't see the appeal, but then again, she only had eyes for Lucas.

  Everyone else might as well be a dead fish.

  Julian Baxter in particur had most of Elizabeth's ire. Like usual, they had fanfare greater than that bastard Bryan, who was here with Edward as the leader of the Hawks Guild. They sat in their respective pce among the top five guilds as the fifth rank. Which made Julian's Aurora Guild rank two among the top five guilds.

  Aurora wasn't as specialized as Adamant or Haven, but that didn't mean they should be looked down upon. Being ranked two wasn't an easy feat. Of course, Aegis, Elizabeth's own, was ranked first. None would ever repce them.

  Julian waved to their fans, being the st to enter the building. They wore what you might find on a supermodel, of which they were in their spare time. Wearing a slightly loose, long-sleeved grey shirt that showed off too much of their colrbone and dark, skinny jeans with a few thin chains hanging from it as decoration. With a listless, carefree expression upon their dainty face, they smiled and waved which had their fans practically fainting.

  Elizabeth could only scoff. Everyone watched their entrance upon the screen against the wall. This meeting was a big deal due to it involving the Wild Zone, and so was partially being televised. The only reason Elizabeth allowed it, and it was her who allowed it, was to keep morale up for the people. That, and she wondered if Lucas was watching.

  "No..." She mused, daydreaming about him. He was probably watching cartoons at the moment or pying games with Maya. The meeting itself wouldn't be televised anyways. It would be a lot of boring talk. Just the fact that the top five guilds had gathered would be shone and spoken about in the news and by the people.

  Which is why Julian was milking it for all its worth before the cameras shut off. Elizabeth's gaze turned to the screen with barely contained disgust. Long, silky hair like spun chestnut sparkled in the sunlight and was tied back in a high ponytail. Who gave them the right to have the same-colored hair as Lucas? Well, aside from...that.

  Her heart sunk a bit as she thought of it, but was soothed by the warmth of her love for Lucas and his for her. That silver streak would always be a reminder, but right now, she had to push that aside. All she wanted was for this yellow-eyed bastard to get their pasty ass up to the meeting already. Julian the Radiant, they were called, but all she thought of them as was a nuisance.

  What was so radiant about them? They were duller than dirt covered shit. Even rusted metal shined more than them. Maybe she was being harsher than normal, but the more she thought of them, the more annoyed she got. Her fingers tapping impatiently upon the arm of her chair.

  As if sensing the deadly gre through the screen, Julian began to quickly make their way into the building. They would be smart to hurry up. Elizabeth's patience was wearing thin. Especially since they were the third one who supported going into the Wild Zone. Only Edward, of whom Elizabeth had on a tight leash at the moment, was against it besides herself.

  Gncing over at the one in question, he submissively shrunk back with an awkward smile. Bryan, for his part, looked away in shame. There was still a bit of fire in his eyes. If he didn't put that out soon, she'd extinguish it. Lucas's safety was her priority. Bryan either got in line, or she'd find someone to repce him.

  Of course, it wasn't all fear that had Edward not wanting to enter the Wild Zone. One of the reasons his guild had made it to the fifth spot was his leadership and genuine intelligence. He had managed his guild well, and part of that was not doing foolish shit like entering the Wild Zone to try and "conquer" it.

  He knew what he wanted, and he hadn't lied to Elizabeth. He wanted the Crowned Tulip to give to someone in his guild. Besides himself, one of the candidates was Bryan. Not who she would have picked, but if he was smart and backed off from Lucas and herself, she was more than willing to help him get stronger. It was all for the survival of this world and her peaceful life with Lucas.

  Even if she had to help those she hated, if it helped keep Lucas safe, she'd do it in a heartbeat. All that mattered was if everyone would fall in line. Those that would put him in danger would find their lives cut short. Those that wasted her time, like Julian who just now walked in the room, would be watched closely and with extreme prejudice.

  Every second wasted was another second not spent with Lucas. The gravest of sins one could commit, aside from pcing him in danger.

  "Sorry, everyone," Julian's sweet, kindly voice apologized with a bow of their head, "I hope you didn't wait long, but I couldn't just not say hello to everyone waiting. I-"

  "Sit," Elizabeth ordered, and immediately they cmmed up and moved quickly to their seat.

  Elizabeth's eyes followed them the entire way. An intense pressure that everyone felt. She had no time to py games. Once Julian was seated, Elizabeth began to speak.

  "While I realize morale is important..." Elizabeth spoke softly, but everyone heard her, as the silence in this room right now was enough to even hear a pin drop, "We're here to discuss something more important. If everyone is ready...I'd like to get straight to the point."

  She looked around the table at everyone, starting from her right. From Dimitry to Edward, passing Julian and ending on Reina. Leaning back in her chair, Elizabeth crossed one leg over the other while resting her head against her left hand. She had control of the room and there was no one to challenge that.

  "I'm sure you've heard from the Association President, but let me restate it in my own words," Elizabeth took a deep, calming breath, though her eyes were anything but as they took on an edge, darkening as she spoke, "What the fuck do you want from the Wild Zone?"

  -----

  Lucas was zily taking a walk in a nearby park when Elizabeth scooped him into her arms. She was finally free of that boring ass meeting. Under her...persuasion, they had all come clean on what they wanted. The Crowned Tulip. She had been pleased with their wise decision.

  Under her guidance, she accepted their proposal on several conditions. Any infighting would be met with swift retribution from Aegis. If a Crowned Tulip was found, there would be a lottery for it. The only way to truly make it fair. As such, Aegis would not be a part of the lottery.

  Elizabeth didn't need them, she already had all she needed.

  As Lucas pressed back into her, she felt like all her energy was being rejuvenated. Neither of them said a word. He knew what she needed, and she loved him all the more for it. He had always known what she needed, and she would indulge as much as she could.

  The Guilds would announce that they weren't going to try and retake the Wild Zone, but rather harvest it for resources in order to strengthen themselves and prepare to try and take it in the future. This was another of her conditions, though the reason for it she kept hidden. This condition was to limit the loss of life from those with too much bravado in attempting to conquer the Wild Zone. This would, simultaneously, still keep hope for the people that one day the Wild Zone would be recimed. It would also appease most of the financial backers, though a few were bound to grumble.

  More of the smaller guilds would join in as well because it was a harvesting campaign and not a conquering campaign. Wild Zones were dangerous, so the less time you spent in them, the higher your chance of survival. Plus, it was lucrative for the smaller guilds. Having no pressure of conquering the zone, they could focus on finding useful materials to help them grow.

  In other words, while the top five guilds searched for the Crowned Tulip, the smaller guilds could get stronger while limiting the damage done to them due to the less time spent in the zone. They didn't have to lie about conquering it while wasting time searching. Everyone harvested and got what they wanted before, hopefully, returning safely. It was a win/win for her and those involved.

  "Long day?" Lucas inquired, his hand caressing her cheek.

  "Mhm," she nodded, taking his hand in hers and kissing its palm affectionately, "But it just got better. Yours?"

  "...Same. Much better now," he replied, a light blush to his face and a sparkle in his eyes as he smiled, "Would you like to help me finish this walk?"

  "I'd be delighted to, love," her response as calm as she felt.

  A peace came over her as she took his hand and they walked slowly through the park. Maya trailed behind as Azure flew around them. They all enjoyed the gentle breeze through the green leaves. Neither of them, Lucas or Elizabeth, wanted this day to end now that they were back together, but the day stops for no one...no matter how hard Elizabeth made silent threats towards the sun or Father Time.

  ------

  Nikushimi