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[indent][indent][indent][color=gray][sub][right][color=#98A9B1][b]Location:[/b][/color] Kazuki’s Home-- The City of Thorinn, Aetheria[/right][/sub][/color]
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It took him some time to compose himself. But he did. It was thanks to his older brother that Benkei felt that he had to keep going. After all, this world was now playing for keeps, and he had to make sure his brother survived. He would not let Kazuki die. He’d failed the others, but he could not fail his family. 

[color=98A9B1]“Come on,”[/color] he muttered to Kazuki, as he slowly got dressed. He wasn’t wearing his normal armor; though in the back of his mind, he thought he [i]should[/i]. They’d also need to consider their health now. If they could die, it meant they could get sick. They could starve. Disease killed just as many people in the middle ages as wars did; and Benkei was certain that without proper hygiene, cleanliness and precautions, many of the wayfarers stuck in Pariah would perish within a year. [color=98A9B1]“There’s a lot we need to do.”[/color]

He needed to meet with the others. Every wayfarer he met, he needed to talk to. Most of the players in Pariah were older. They were students and adults with different skills. And if they were going to be stuck here in this world, they’d need to use everything possible to their advantage. Doctors, nurses and pharmacologists could devise medicines, engineers and mechanics could build more advanced tools and machines. While they lacked the technology from their own world, they did not lack the knowledge. And the first group of people that would meet with him, that would talk these things out? They were his party members. 

He failed Aaginim, Enos and Atlas. He failed Luci. But he wouldn’t fail everyone else. He was so obsessed with himself, that when he finally laid eyes on Kazuki’s books, he looked at his brother. [color=98A9B1]“Kazuki, are you planning on studying medicine here?”[/color]

[color=plum]"My healing has its limits, apparently,"[/color] Kazuki replied, lightly rubbing his temples. [color=plum]"The rules have changed, so at this point I've decided to cover all my bases. If I understand the human body and my magic better, I can be more effective."[/color] 

[color=98A9B1]“It looks like we both have the same idea then. I want to meet with the others, and other players as well. There's a lot of information here in this world, but we all have skills and knowledge from the real world as well. If this place is anything like the normal world, we’re going to need medical knowledge, engineering knowledge and other expertise.”[/color] 

Kazuki scowled at the mention of engineering, albeit he seemed to agree with everything else. After a few seconds of pause, he let out a small sigh. [color=plum]"Banding together, huh?"[/color] He seemed to be looking far away, a small frown on his face. [color=plum]"Think they'll be open to the idea?"[/color]

[color=98A9B1]“If they want to live, they’ll have to. The average lifespan of a person back in the 1800s was roughly 30 years. That was the average life span [i]everywhere.[/i] If we want to avoid dying in this game, we’ll need all the help we can get. And right now the first place is with those that will listen: namely our party members.”[/color] 

For a second, Kazuki was uncharacteristically quiet, even for him. He opened his mouth once or twice to talk, but he seemed to struggle with his words. Finally, he asked, [color=plum]"You don't think they'd be with Luci?"[/color] 

[color=98A9B1]“They could be. She may not listen. But I think some will. Alex, Graves, Rael, Seele, even Kalie. I think they’d be open to listen to us. I bet even Prisilica and Leaves would listen. Luci? Probably not.”[/color] He was unsure about Alja. If she stayed by Luci’s side, she could demand them leave. But he had to try and reach out to them. He needed all the help he could get.

The two brothers gathered their things and made their way to The Laughing Worg. Benkei hoped that people would listen. In his mind, working together was their [i]only[/i] hope for survival. 

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