The Isekai Game

Trust

Vanessa walked steadily with V at her front and E in the rear. She couldn't figure out their angle. Couldn't they have just killed her and take the map. While at it, could they ever stop bickering. It wasn't clear if they were lovers, sisters, or friends. But hearing them was reminiscent of Dani and Logan. 

Neither was hostile. Rather they simply wouldn't stop complaining about each other and their past decisions. The shrine was down a slope. When jumping down the rocks, V was sure to walk his lady down gently. 

Bugged by their relationship, Vanessa had to ask, "Are you two married"?

E's face crinkled like that of an old hag, "...That's my brother".

"Ah, so...".

"Oh God, no," said the man, "We are not practitioners of inner family relations. We are merely bound by blood and cursed by power". 

"What do you mean?" asked Vanessa, hopping down the hill. 

It was obvious that they were opposites in abilities. E was fragile physically with great magical strength. Probably the more dangerous one for Vanessa. Whereas V was a more calm physical attacker without much magic outside of his oddly mechanical body. 

E gently laid her foot down on the flat ground with the assistance of V, "We are forced to serve together as the sins of envy. The only sin with two servants". 

Vanessa sighed, "Interesting". 

"Not really," answered V.

"Shut! up! You're so annoying with your pessimism"!

V aimed his thumb at her, "This is what I put up with on a daily basis". 

"Imma break your f*****g thumb!" she yelled before holding out her hand for him to guide her down another rock, "Help me". 

As he helped her down, Vanessa spoke up, "You two remind me of my two teammates, Dani and Logan". 

"They act like brother and sister," said E. 

V looked straight at the shrine, "They do, and I wish them well". 

"I don't," said E in a down voice, "They killed us and took my mansion last Christmas... Twice". 

Vanessa realized how stern the man was upon coming close to the shrine. It was the earth shrine, with a spirit sitting on a nearby rock. Not to mention, why did E say "Twice"? They only played through the game once. They were apparently lying. But why?

Regardless, this clever girl had just the plan. She saw it in each of the angels so far. They were well adapted for combat. If she could confront the angel, they could work together to defeat these two imposters. And if possible, find the real sins to defend the shrine. 

The angel looked up as Vanessa approached him, "Can I help you"? 

"Yes," she answered as V rubbed his face, "I need help killing these two imposters before they harm the shrine".

Once again, a silence broke between them with a random crow cawed as it flew by. 

"I swear to God! How many times have we saved you"?

The angel remained seated, relaxed, "Well... You do need her to take you to the shrine". 

It was clear to Vanessa as she drew her sword at V, "Aha, so that is why you never killed me. Now me and the angel will kill the two of you for impostering the sin of envy". 

The angel corrected her, "They are the sins of envy". 

A silence fell with a crow cawing again, only to be broken by the angel, "And there's no way I'm fighting them". 

"Dumb b***h," said E. 

Vanessa smiled from the embarrassment, "I'm sorry. I thought you were lying and were really the bad guys".

V threw a hand up, "I literally reminded you that I flew over your head and shot at you two months ago". 

"Well," said the angel, "They are bad guys". 

Vanessa's voice dropped low, "Huh"?

"Us angels have been trying to take care of the land for quite some time now. But it's due to people like the seven sins that it is being destroyed". 

"Buuut, arent you all angels?" asked Vanessa. 

The angel answered, "They are from an unruly bread that is connected to humanity whereas the angels of the shrine are pure breeds, meant to protect humans". 

"Wooow, do you hear this a*s clown?" asked E, "And she's just listening to him". 

V stepped towards them, "All we are here to do is defend the shrines and take out the curse". 

"What difference does it make?" asked the angel, "You'll only bring it back yourself". 

Both siblings were disgusted by the angel's words. 

Vanessa snapped her fingers, "Sooo, what do you want me to do"?

It was the first time she got to actually speak to one of the angels. Surely it was her only opportunity at real guidance. 

The angel took a moment before answering, "Well, there isn't much you can do. You already helped two of them get to a shrine to remove the curse from it. You also helped one to take out the light that defended the land. Meanwhile, your friend has already slain two angels. There really isn't much you can do". 

"Eh, what do you mean my friend has already slain two angels"?

E answered, "There are two gates at the center of this island. You have to clear the curse from the shrines to open one of them. To do this, you must assist one of the seven sins to the shrine to ward off the evil". 

The angel finished the explanation, "The other gate is opened by removing the light from each shrine. Or in other words, to slay the angel guarding it. Your 'friend' Logan is willing to kill those in charge of taking care of this land to reach the center and obtain a greater power". 

V leaned back, "So Vanessa, what do you want to do"?

"I mean... There shouldn't be anything wrong with protecting the shrine from darkness," she answered.

The angel smirked, "Even if it means bringing the darkness back again? You must be crazy".

Seein another letter by the shrine, Vanessa picked it up, "Question. If you're meant to protect this land, then why is there darkness here"? 

The angel shrugged his shoulders, "What do you expect us to do"? 

"To defend it from this curse," she answered. 

V stepped between them, "Vanessa, angels are only as strong as their support. If the people choose to embrace the curse, then that is what will take over the land. It's up to you to make the decision for the sake of the future". 

She made the decision to eave the siblings as a useless light entered her body from the shrine. She was just as confused as before, reading the letter to herself. 

"Vanessa, you know what I find crazy? People. What is good and evil? There is much proclaimed evil that brings happiness to people. Likewise, there are many 'good' people who will tear it away. I have found much strength and happiness in these so-called evil ones. It was more like they were misunderstood. Still, these things have left me confused on what to do". 

Looking up, Vanessa felt that. She was confused as well. Still, it was perfect timing. It was pretty clear that the sins were there to help get rid of this curse. Even if they themselves were a little deranged. 

She turned around without a further word, ignoring the angel calling out to her to keep him safe from her friend. It paused her legs for a moment to hear his plea. Yet, she couldn't find herself wasting much more time on angels that didn't seem to do their job. If possible, she would stop Logan from committing these atrocious acts. Unti. then, she could only do her best. 

Right when she started walking, E shouted, "Head back West! You need to help Impulse get to the West shrine"!

Her direction of travel shifted slightly to head West, as she looked up at the reddened sky, brighten to its peek of blood red. While she was determined to win, she was ready to get this nightmare over with.