Spirit Game

Later that night, Rain was ready to dive back into the Spirit Realm. By now, his troops would be nearing the Dustplain, and he couldn't afford to linger in the real world any longer.

He knew he'd have to come up with some convincing excuses for his impending absence. Missing school for a day was one thing, but he was planning on being gone for much longer — days, maybe even a week.

As Rain paced his room, he considered paying off the local doctor to write him a medical excuse, something that would cover him for at least a week.

After all, sieges in the Spirit Realm were anything but predictable. The Gnome stronghold was infamous for its unyielding fortifications and ruthless anti-siege machines. What might begin as a battle of days could easily spiral into a relentless war of attrition, stretching on for weeks.

With his mind made up, Rain steeled himself for the battle ahead. There was no turning back now. The Dustplain awaited, and so did his fate.

~RiiinNgG!~

Rain was about to slip into his pod when his phone buzzed. A call. He almost ignored it, but the caller ID made his stomach drop — it was his parents.

Once, their calls brought him joy. But now, they only filled him with dread. Deep down, Rain always feared they'd find out he was flunking his studies, and that fear gnawed at him whenever the phone rang. The thought of them dropping in for a surprise visit made his heart race.

He grabbed his phone, forcing a smile as he answered. "H-Hello?"

"Rain! How are you? It's been a while since we last talked. I'm sorry we've been so busy. I've been worried about you," his mother's voice echoed through the line, filled with concern.

Rain let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. She sounded normal — like always. Ever the worried mom.

For a second, he thought his advisor had snitched on him, spilling the beans about his frequent absences and sleepiness at school. But no, his mother sounded too calm for that.

But then, as if on cue, she asked, "Your teacher called, saying you've been missing school a lot lately. Is that true? Are you okay? Are you sick?"

Rain felt his stomach twist. Great. His advisor had called. Just what he needed. The last thing he could afford right now was his parents showing up unannounced, especially with a war on the horizon.

"Uh . . . everything's fine, Mom," Rain lied, trying to sound casual. "I just got a little sick, that's all. Nothing to worry about."

"Really? Have you been taking your vitamins and medicine?"

Rain forced a smile. "Y-Yeah, of course."

"Maybe I should come back there and take care of you."

"NO!" Rain blurted out, then quickly cleared his throat. "No, I'm fine, really. You don't have to trouble yourself."

"Of course, it's no trouble. You're my son. Your father and I work so hard that we have neglected you, and now you're sick . . . It makes me feel terrible that I can't be there to take care of you."

Rain rubbed his temples. "Mom, don't feel bad. I'm a grown man now, and I can take care of myself. You don't need to come back just because of a little cold. I've got this."

Mrs. Weathers wasn't entirely convinced, but she could tell Rain might get frustrated if she pushed further. She wanted nothing more than to be there for him, but her job kept her abroad. The guilt of not being there gnawed at her, especially now that he was unwell.

Rain was about to head off to college, and that's why she and her husband were working nonstop. Their jobs weren't glamorous — they held low-ranking positions in a corporate world, which meant they had to work twice as hard to ensure Rain's future was secure.

"Rain . . ."

"Mom, I'm fine, really. You and Dad should focus on taking care of yourselves. Don't overwork yourselves. I've got a part-time job now, so you don't even need to send me an allowance anymore."

"A part-time job?" Mrs. Weathers was taken aback. "Rain, is that the real reason you're missing school? Your father and I work hard so you can focus on your studies, not so you can become a part-time student. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but we want you to concentrate on your education and get into a good college."

"Is your allowance not enough? Is that it? We can increase it—"

"Mom," Rain interrupted, pinching the bridge of his nose. He cursed himself for mentioning the job. "This job is just a small thing. It doesn't interfere with my studies at all." He lied, hoping he sounded convincing enough to fool his mother.

"Are you sure? I mean, taking on a job does teach some responsibility, but still . . ."

"Mom, I've got to go. I have a ton of assignments to finish, and there's an exam tomorrow. Bye. I love you."

"Rain—"

Mrs. Weathers didn't get the chance to finish her sentence before the line went dead. She stared at her phone, worry etched across her face.

"What did Rain say?" Mr. Weathers asked as he finished setting the table in their small apartment in Zone C.

"He said he's taking a part-time job . . . and he's only a minor. What job could possibly hire him? He said it's something he does from home, so maybe it's an online job," Mrs.

Weathers explained, her concern growing. "I'm worried it might interfere with his studies."

"Leave him be," Mr. Weathers said, settling into his chair and digging into dinner. "The boy's nearly eighteen. He'll be fine. Earning his own money is a good thing."

"But his teacher mentioned he's been absent a lot lately and that he's always asleep in class. This job of his might be keeping him up at night. I'm worried . . . Maybe I should go back and see for myself."

"Leave him alone," Mr. Weathers insisted. "Rain's trying to figure out life on his own. If he wants to juggle a job with his studies, let him. Sooner or later, he'll have to do that in the real world. He needs to learn how to balance everything.

How's he going to grow if you keep babying him?"

Mrs. Weathers sighed. Her husband had a point, but still . . . "I just feel guilty because we're not there for him.

He's been living alone since high school."

"That's life," Mr. Weathers replied, biting into his meal. "All men must leave the nest and forge their own paths. Eventually, he'll start his own life."

"I know that . . ."

"Enough of that. Eat. It's just your hunger talking."

Mrs. Weathers pouted but joined her husband at the table. The whole time, she couldn't stop thinking about Rain, the worry for her son gnawing at her nonstop.

She wanted to be with him, but she also wanted to save up for his college so he could attend a well-known university. The conflict tore at her heart.

"Maybe I should really check on him after all . . ." Mrs. Weathers muttered to herself.

=======

Later that night, Rain slipped back into the Spirit Realm. The camp was calm, with everyone resting after days of relentless travel. The air was thick with the scent of smoke as the bonfire crackled, casting flickering shadows over Thraigar, Helliana, and Santi, who were huddled around its warmth.

Rain approached the fire, but before he could greet them, a voice whispered from behind, startling him.

"My lord, you've returned," Ri's soft voice cut through the night.

Rain jumped, nearly tripping over his own feet. He whirled around to see Ri standing there, her expression as unreadable as ever. "R-Ri . . . Don't sneak up on me like that!

You'll give me a heart attack."

Ri nodded, her face still stoic.

"Aren't you resting with the others?"

"I've already rested," Ri replied simply.

"R-really?" Rain stammered, still trying to steady his heartbeat.

"Hey, Rain! You're back!" Thraigar's booming voice interrupted, his large hand waving Rain over. "Come and join us! We're feasting tonight!"

At the mention of Rain's return, Chi, Chick, and Chill emerged from their tent, greeting him with enthusiastic smiles.

"Good to be back, everyone." Rain settled by the fire, feeling the warmth seep into his bones.

"Will you be staying with us longer this time?" Santi asked, her sharp eyes studying him closely. She had noticed his absences. "We'll reach our home tomorrow — the Gnomes' stronghold after that. That's why we're resting now because tomorrow begins our war with Gorm."

Rain nodded, his face growing serious. "That's right. I'll be here until Gorm is obliterated." But as he spoke, his eyes drifted, almost unconsciously, to Santi's chest. Without her armor, the Sand Elf wore only a thin, revealing garment, and the sight of her full breasts, unconfined, was . . .

distracting.

"My friend, Santi's face is up here," Thraigar remarked innocently, his voice cutting through Rain's daze. "What are you looking at down there?"

"N-nothing!" Rain almost shouted, forcing himself to meet Santi's gaze. He tried to maintain a serious front, but no matter how hard he tried, his eyes kept drifting back to her cleavage, drawn like a magnet.

Santi, however, seemed unfazed, while Helliana continued their discussion. "Once we reach the Sand Elves' lair, we'll regroup with the others and plan our approach to the Gnomes' fortifications."

"I hope everyone gets a good night's rest," Santi added, her tone somber. "Because as of tomorrow, sleep will be a luxury we won't have when our fight with Gorm begins."

~AaArRghH!~

Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream shattered the peace, drawing everyone's attention.

"What was that?"

"Are we under attack?"

"What's going on?"

Their hands instinctively reached for their weapons as they sprang to their feet, scanning the darkness for signs of danger.