[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/W2b84ZQ.png[/img][/center][@TheNoCoKid] [@Ryik]

Ellen shielded her eyes and stepped back from the scarlet glow, mouth dropping open as she took in The Messenger's words. The blood seemed to drain from her body. [color=FFBB33]"What?! All this time, we've been controlling and beating up real people?"[/color] All those memories of tournaments, conventions, the global struggle to earn Rift Warriors X, turned sour. [color=FFBB33]"That's so many kinds of fucked up."[/color]

She cast Thomas a bemused glance. Jesse had been patched a few times - was this why? [color=FFBB33]"Remember that time I ranted at you about how Masada had lost his mind? Looks like it's true, but not in the way I thought. Seriously though?"[/color] She turned her attention back to The Messenger, or rather, his horned cap. The only part she could look at without her eyes hurting. [color=FFBB33]"He never tried to negotiate with them? And just... kept making new characters? New people, rather?"[/color]

As Ren spoke up, asking why it would be a bad thing if the fighters broke free into the real world, Ellen clenched her fists. She supposed he did have a point - she'd played plenty of games about sapient artificial beings fighting for their rights. Plus, she'd resented having her own life mapped out for her in the past. The Messenger, however, also spoke sense. Well, as much sense as anything could make right now. Bloodthirsty conquerors wreaking havoc in the real world... It didn't bear thinking about. As screwed up as the situation was, Masada had a real moral dilemma on his hands.

Ellen gave a heavy sigh. [color=FFBB33]"Ren's right. We've still gotta save him, he never meant for this to happen. And the people in our world don't know about any of this, they don't deserve a war."[/color] In response to Thomas' smile, she gave him a determined look. [color=FFBB33]"We'll just have to do what we do best."[/color]