[center][b]Winter[/b][/center]
[center][b]Aeternus || Nexus[/b][/center] 

[center][i]~"It is by faith that poetry, as well as devotion, soars above this dull earth; that imagination breaks through it's clouds, breathes a purer air, and lives in a softer light"~[/i][/center]

Among the many players which walked around the small virtual town of Nexus, Alessia was one of the few who were looked upon as a lost cause or doomed to failure. She was a person who no one would expect to make it out of this tragic situation with her life. Of course It was no secret that Imperial Knights were a tough class due to their weak damage threshold and it was because of this that very few were now left alive. Most had fallen within the first day and not even to very tough enemies. For an Imperial Knight it would be the moment you got stunned that you would feel that horrifying pause and watch helplessly as the virtual enemy struck you again, tearing your life from your mortal core. She had already witnessed a few cases of this, her friends in fact. They had started this game together and had chosen the same class so they could pair up and explore the world with a more challenging experience. But they were gone now, and she was among the few who remained of this doomed class. 

She could see it in their eyes as they passed her in the street, that look of empathy or sadness when they saw what she already knew. That there was a strong chance she wouldn't see home again. It was time she started coming to terms with that. Even trying to join up with other parties was difficult, sure she had a ton of damage output which was valuable in initiating engagements or taking down tougher enemies. But quite a few would turn away from a player who they would expect would only get killed, becoming unreliable. Alessia looked up at the sky as these thoughts crossed her mind, causing a soft sigh to escape her lips as she walked through the towns center, her sword kept diagonally across her back due to the sheer size of it. A couple of assassin class players walked by her, turning back to look at her. One looked like he was about to say something before the other placed a hand on his shoulder, shaking his head before they continued on their way. 

It wasn't all bad though. For example the Lantern Festival was tonight and if it was anything that Alessia appreciated it was the beauty of lights casting a canvass across the night sky. "Excuse me miss" spoke a voice from her left, causing her to snap from her thoughts as she focused on who was addressing her. A young girl who seemed far too young to be playing this game looked up at her, "I know this isn't much, but me and my friends want you to have this" she said, holding up a lantern with a smile. Alessia looked passed the girl to a group she seemed to belong too who gave waved in her direction. She gave a small wave back before she knelt down to be at the same level as the girl, returning her attention to her. She placed her hands gently on the lantern, bringing it down between them, "What's your name?" she asked softly. The girl paused for a moment before she spoke "Cecilia!" she replied. Alessia gave a small smile, "Well met Cecilia, my name is Alessia" she replied before continuing, "Is this your lantern?" she asked. Cecilia nodded once, "I managed to take down a wolf in the Mystic Wood with my brothers and we bought one each with the reward money" she said with a clear tone of pride. 

Alessia smiled and have a small chuckle, "Then I think you should be the one to release it, don't you think?" she asked, the young girl looking down for a moment before meeting her gaze again. "My brothers said you don't have allot of time, they said Imperial Knights don't last long in this game... we wanted to give you this so you could enjoy the festival..." she said sadly, looking down again. Alessia continued to smile and placed a hand on her shoulder as she replied, the girl looking up again as she spoke, "I'm tougher then I look, don't worry about me" she said before leaning in to whisper to her, "Between you and me, I'm on a secret mission. I'm actually a very high level" she said before leaning back. The young girl beamed, "Really?! that's great!" she said happily before Alessai raised her hand in a quieting gesture, "You must keep it a secret, it's top secret ok?" she replied, the young girl giving a determined nod in reply. "Now you should keep your lantern, you've earned it. It's only fair you should release it at the festival" she said before standing up. Cecilia smiled, "Thanks miss Alessia, hopefully we'll see you again?" she asked. Alessia simply smiled and replied, "I hope so". The young girl grinned before running back to her brothers. She watched her go before turning and continuing on her way.