Nero shouted in defiance as he was hoisted away. Why would anybody follow that fiery lunatic? Didn't they realize she was making it harder for them to escape by making them reliant on her? As they pulled him away, he shouted, "Teleport... Taft!" But it didn't work - they stepped off the platform the moment he started speaking and the action was interrupted, having absolutely no effect. He was carried out of the city, thrashing as tears streaked down his face. He was thrust to the ground, no longer surrounded by walls and buildings or on stone streets, but subject to whatever they wanted to do. He hung his head, closing his eyes... To be honest, he could die right now... If he was lucky, there would truly be nothing after death. It sounded so blissful, to be lost to the Void.

"You'll all rot in Hell for the choices you've already made - enjoy your decisions while you can," He sneered, though his breath grew ragged and nervous.

He was willing to release life, but... like this? No pride... No dignity... No, this was what he deserved, the boy was sure. He hadn't been evil, but he had been greedy, taking advantage of his abilities to make coin rather than to simply aide the players with low manufacturing skill levels. Perhaps Rose was right - he was impeding progress, rather than helping. Finally, he felt the men holding him down falter and he looked up to see one fall and shatter to pieces as Alice appeared, her blonde hair falling about her as she looked to the rest of Rose's group of followers and he stared up at her, awestruck as her once-vivid, green indicator turned a menacing blood-red. She was so relaxed, but he could tell where she had mentally been only minutes ago. Yet, the girl had overcome her emotion... Why? To help him, or to take hold of the opportunity to take down some of Rose's misguided cronies? Would he put his reputation on the line, stick his neck out so far for somebody else?

But she didn't stop - one after another, the men fell around them. Reinforcements arrived and Nero dazedly climbed to his feet and the fates of the two who held him down were placed in his hands. A need for vengeance against these two, and more specifically Rose and Nikolai, ate away at him inside. The sound of his blade drawing from his sheath sounded around as he stared at them darkly, stepping forward with it at his side. He opened his mouth, but froze as a notification appeared before him.

"An invitati-" He started before his eyes grew wide and he looked over to Alice. "O-Oh," He stammered, staring at it for several moments. A twinge tugged at his heart - guilds tended to collect its members' cash for the betterment of the guild, which was only fair. It was like paying dues for a club or fees for any other group... But it was something he had never wanted to pay. What was wrong with simple parties? However, as he met her eyes, he knew it was time to stop thinking for himself. He tapped the button to join and he felt absolutely no different when the window disappeared and it was official; Nero was in a guild. And yet, it didn't feel regrettable as he turned to the two men before him again, snarling.

"Fight each other or I'll kill you both myself," He said coldly. "Winner gets to go."

"What? No!"

"I was hoping you'd say so," Nero started, twirling his blade once, the light caughti t as it flashed.

"Wait! WAIT!" The other cried out, causing his weapon to freeze mere centimeters from his neck. It was the one who had not protested before, "We'll do it."

"What?" The other retorted angrily, looking over at him and taking a step back. The will to live was stronger than that to resist killing a comrade to them, clearly, as they drew their weapons: one in defense, the other with a burning desire to live.

Nero stood, retreating slightly to give them room as the weapons glowed all different colours, flashing and clanging loudly as they collided, fear shrouding the expression of one as the other fought to [I]survive.[/I] It was clear from the start who would win - the one who actually tried, standing where his 'friend' once had, panting heavily. He looked to Nero, "I won... I won!" He looked like he had won the lottery, and in the next moment, he dissipated into a thousand shimmering shards. Nero stood several meters from where he had started and sheathed his blade, his lip twitching slightly as he looked to Alice. His indicator turned crimson as he joined every other player around him, making it truly official.

"Thank you, Alice," he said, shaking slightly and wiping at his face to hide his emotion. "I can't... I can't believe they're really gone..." He spoke sadly, clearing his throat and shaking his head, "Let's get out of here... In case Rose is hanging around." The boy hesitated, staring down for a moment and rubbing the back of his neck, "You want to stay at my house tonight? Save money on the inn, at least, and... We can talk about your guild," He stated, looking up. Anything... Anything to not be left reveling in his own thoughts, if only for one night.