The Path of Ascension 2: A LitRPG Adventure

49

“Our final action before we retreat will be to ground the remaining satellites, in an effort to ensure that communication will remain a possibility. The satellites can make a nominal consultation hub and ensure that information can be passed through the network. Though, it will be limited. We are transmitting the estimated crash locations now. We ask anyone able, protect the lower Tier adventurers. Once again, We apologize for the hardship that has befallen us all.”

The prince looked to cut the transmission but paused.

Hope filled his voice.

“We have just received a message containing information about the fortress from a private source. It will be transmitted to everyone now.”

Matt looked around, and Camila rolled her eyes.

“I’m not going to out us, but it’s good information that needs to be shared. We can help people without putting a target on our back.”

Before he could think over the ramifications of her actions, the prince’s words cut through.

“Please take this information and protect yourselves. We suggest that anyone wishing to let this blow over head to a rift and stay inside for the next few weeks. If you can hold the entrance for fifteen minutes, the rift will instance, and you will have only to contend with the rift itself. This mess will be solved either way, once that much time has passed.”

“For those that are willing and able to fight, please head to the crash sites, and we’ll distribute more information once we are no longer running. If you…”

With that, the transmission cut off, and Matt rubbed his face in his hands.

“I don’t think hiding that we did this is a good idea.” The thought of causing this and not taking responsibility made Matt’s guts roil.

Liz nodded with him, but Camilla kicked his leg hard and glared at Liz who was out of her reach.

“Think it through. We f****d up, sure. But who’s to say that they won’t just slit our throats. This isn’t the Empire proper, or even a civilized place like the capital. Your status of being on The Path won’t matter for s**t here. Stop being naïve. There is no communication off this rock and no one to help us but ourselves”

That stung, but a part of Matt whispered that she was right, and that they could just avoid responsibility for now. He agreed with the assessment, but he also wanted, and even needed, to do something to mitigate the damage he had caused. He also had understood her jab about the capital of this vassal kingdom, being civilized. As they knew from experience, that was hardly the case.

But, in the end, the fear of getting killed in retaliation won, and Matt didn’t argue with her anymore. The cowardice just added to the weight of all the deaths that he had caused, but it wasn’t enough to risk Liz and Aster’s lives in the crossfire.

Liz spoke up, “The prince might be right, though.”

Seeing their confusion, she elaborated. “About this being an assassination attempt. The world is under the control of the two Tier 15 overseers. Holding back and not stopping this is one thing. You could even argue that this is a good training scenario. But not protecting the city, and only protecting the teleporter is another thing entirely. Capturing the Tier 7 teams also points to some sort of foul play. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re a part of one of the other heir’s factions and using this as an assassination attempt of opportunity.”

Matt was genuinely shocked at the idea. “Why would siblings try to kill each other? Any death would be investigated.”

Liz shrugged.

“This isn’t tolerated in the Empire proper, but here, the titles are hereditary. So, that means if you can make sure that you’re the last one standing…”

She let the statement peter off. It was enough.

Matt just couldn’t believe that someone would let so many lives be endangered, simply for the chance at killing one single prince. He could understand the power plays, but to be willing to write off so many lives. No, that was more than he could easily stomach.

He just shook his head, while using the sensation of Aster’s silky fur under his hands to calm himself down.

The fact this was his fault, and that he brought on another instance of the same disaster that had taken so much from him, ate at him. There was just nothing that he could do about it.

I swear, I will do whatever I can to fix this. We’ll get to the landing site, and I’m sure that the prince will want to send strike teams to the ruin or something. I can help.

Matt looked to the rest of his team, judging their moods before correcting himself.

We can help. We have to help. The sooner we bring that behemoth down, the sooner the deaths of the innocent will stop.

The roiling in his stomach lessened, and he calmed down once the decision was made. It wasn’t a perfect answer, but Matt never claimed to be perfect. This was the best he could do.

He made to stand, but Liz grabbed his hand and pulled him down.

“No.”

Matt started to explain, but she shook her head.

“Matt, we need to rest and recover. You have the worst injuries out of all of us, and the slowest healing. You can’t be half as effective as usual if we want to actually help.”

“That’s true, sure. But it’s not important. I can heal just as well on the move. We need to get going.”

Camilla supported Liz’s point.

“We can’t even move right now, with the golems still patrolling. Besides, moving on foot is too slow. It’s better to wait, and then fly just above the tree line, when it’s safe.”

She met his eyes, for what he realized was the first time.

“Matt, getting yourself killed helps no one. Think it through. Don’t listen to the guilt. I know where that path leads”

“The guilt is the worst part, Camilla. I… We did this. We set this in motion. This is our fault.”