THE MOMENT
“Please guide me to the entrance of the cave. From there I can journey safely to my home,” the lovely princess said. But, after her request, she stood still for a moment and blinked. Her eyes grew wide and pooled with tears as she stared at the pale teenager with a widow's peak. "OREN!!!???" The Princess closed the gap and threw her arms around the lanky teenager and he returned the tight hug.
Justice watched the interaction from a few feet away. She guided Oren to the Princess at the back of the Goblin cave; but, once there she kept her distance. He seemed to realize where they were as they entered the cave. His curiosity grew and his eagerness intensified as they walked to the end. This was all for him. It was worth it to see a faint smile as he hugged the Princess. But, Justice looked away when she noticed tears in his eyes too. He'd never admit to it and she wanted to be looking at something else in case he glanced at her.
"How long has it been... how long have I...?" The Princess gestured at her flowing royal gown. Oren shook his head.
"You don't want to know. Too long," he said. "I'm sorry, I didn't know... I thought my mom killed you...," Oren replied while staring at the cavern floor.
"It was Jake...," the Princess placed a gentle hand on Oren's shoulder to comfort him. "He saved me from your mother by making me an NPC. I don't know how long it's been; but, it went by fast," she gave him a reassuring smile. "But, I'm definitely ready to see some other places," she giggled. Oren nodded.
"I need to disconnect you from the AlterNet first," he said. He turned to Justice and nodded. "I need to shut down the Server; you're going to have to nap for a bit, okay?" he asked.
"No sweat," Justice nodded at him and sat down on the floor so she wouldn't fall. Oren concentrated and a brilliant red crown began to glow on the center of his forehead.
"Everyone. Sleep," he focused on his message and unleashed his power across the planet. In seconds, everyone in the world fell asleep; some fatally so. Princess Eva fell forward into Oren's arms. On that day, the world went silent while Oren worked.
"What a happy reunion...," A new voice filled the air with an echoing whisper. Oren froze a tall, pale woman with bone-white horns stepped out of a black portal and settled her gaze on him. "...though, it seems someone important is missing....," Ballisea said.
"You weren't invited, Mother," Oren stared at her coldly.
"I don't need an invitation, silly boy," Ballisea smiled at him. "I am everywhere. Always. I was referring to that Muerte you seemed so fond of; I believe his name was Jake...," she added. "Surely the man that raised you is invited to reunite with you and his lady love."
Oren felt a deep hope rekindled inside him. It was a hope he crushed and buried once he learned Ballisea killed Jake. But, he knew his mother and she wouldn't have cared about Eva under normal circumstances. The fact that she was there meant something and her mention of Jake only confirmed his suspicions.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"I wish to make different choices," Ballisea replied. "Maybe not every time; but, at least this time it's still novel." She made a gesture and a black portal opened in the air next to her. A single skeleton walked out of it and stood next to her. Ballisea placed a hand on its skull and golden energy flowed out of her hand into it. In seconds, an athletic, tan man with a bush beard stood in place of the skeleton; but, he still had his eyes closed as if asleep.
"But, this is not entirely free," Ballisea giggled. "You must make a choice. Sharp Development is celebrating your birthday with a festival and a tournament; drop out," she said. "You'd likely win against Aurelio and all the other teams. Choose either that glory or -," she was interrupted before she finished.
"Okay, I'll forfeit," Oren nodded.
"I insist on a more formal agreement," Ballisea replied. She gestured at the cavern around them. "You've waited quite a while for this reunion of yours, you don't mind waiting a bit longer, do you?" she smiled.
"Less than two weeks until my birthday," Oren nodded. "I assume that's what you're suggesting." Ballisea nodded at her son.
"I'll leave this one, you leave that one...," she gestured at Jake, then Eva. "...once the Exhibition match is over, you and your chosen family may live unbothered by me."
"I agree," Oren nodded.
"As do I," Ballisea replied. Then, after a curt nod, she faded away. Oren sighed to himself and carefully set Eva down on the floor. Then, he returned to Justice and gathered her up in his arms before walking out of the cavern through a black portal. He left the Server as it was.
On that day, the world went silent. And it remained still.