The scent of decaying leaves filled Lethanda''s senses. She stood atop the ruined archway overlooking the fallen township of Ravensreach. The air was thick. Mist tendrils of fog weaving through the shattered remnants of once proud homes. Shadows danced beneath the skeletal branches of dead trees. Their clawed limbs reaching toward a starless sky.


    She felt the weight of her bow in her hands. The polished wood was smooth against her fingertips. The string hummed with latent energy. A taut line between anticipation and release. Below her, comrades moved with purpose. The soft glow of enchantments casting halos around their figures.


    "Positions," she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath yet carried to each ear by magic.


    The team responded with silent efficiency. Ten souls bound by fate and friendship diving headlong into the abyss. Their footsteps echoed against cobblestone streets. A staccato rhythm of courage and resolve.


    Skeletons emerged from the gloom. Eyes ablaze with unholy fire. They swarmed like locusts. The clatter of bones a discordant symphony. Lethanda drew an arrow, the fletching brushing her cheek as she took aim.


    "Engage," she commanded, the word slicing through the din.


    Her arrow flew true. Piercing the skull of the nearest undead. It collapsed in a heap. Bones scattering like fallen leaves. Around her the battle unfolded—a tapestry of steel and sorcery.


    "Kurgrim, hold the centre!" She called out.


    "Aye," Kurgrim Bloodaxe bellowed. His massive shield gleaming as he waded into the fray.


    Beside him Kardril the barbarian let out a primal roar. Axes whirling in deadly arcs. Lethanda didn''t know him well—an acquaintance at best—but he held his ground.


    "Not bad for an ''off-tank''," she mused.


    They''d reached level sixty and ten-man dungeon raids were the new standard. The guild was adapting - though some adjustments were smoother than others. Some fights demanded two good tanks, and while Kurgrim was solid, the backups were still finding their footing.


    "Arcanis, take your fire-team left. Cut off their flank," she ordered, her magically assisted voice once again above the unfolding mayhem.


    "On it," Arcanis replied, his robes billowing as he led a group of ranged DPS.


    Ceri darted through the melee. Her daggers flashing like quicksilver. "If one more skeleton looks at me funny, I’m starting a bone collection for a new Guildmaster’s chair," she quipped between strikes.


    "Focus, Ceri," Lethanda admonished, gently a hint of a smile playing on her lips.


    "Always am," Ceri winked, smashing a flaming magical blade through a skeleton''s ribs like a sledgehammer.


    The courtyard battle was dual-phased—first a relentless onslaught designed to test their coordination. Lethanda''s eyes flickered over the battlefield. She barked out some more commands. People moved around for her like chess pieces on a board.


    They were ready for this. Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance, she thought to herself. The capitals of each word vivid in her mind. She’d planned this dungeon raid out for hours, consulting every written article and watching vid after vid.


    "Phase two incoming," she warned.


    From the shadows four massive undead spiders skittered into view. Their legs clicking ominously against stone. Venom dripped from their fangs. Pooling in hissing acidic puddles.


    "Kurgrim! Kardril! You know the drill."


    The Tanks nodded, moving to intercept. "Let''s dance," Kardril growled. Lethanda was impressed. She liked his attitude, and to see some roleplay in the middle of such a tense fight.


    "Maintain distance between them," Lethanda reminded. "Their poisons stack. But are individually applied."


    "Got it," Kurgrim affirmed, bracing himself as a spider lunged. His shield-warrior abilities made him a superlative tank, and his shield counter-striked hard, smashing sticky gore from the creature.


    The rest of the party fell into formation. Lethanda had drilled them on the small unit tactics needed for the fight on an open field in front of the dungeon. Breaking the group into fire-teams for flexibility was turning into an inspired idea of hers. It had taken time, and some had questioned. But they all saw the benefits now in her approach.


    "Switch in thirty seconds," she called.


    Arcanis''s team unleashed a barrage of spells. Arcane missiles streaking through the air. "DPS group burn them down," he shouted. Lethanda winced. Despite all his progression in roleplaying he occasionally still slipped. She’d have a quiet word afterwards. He needed to set a better example as a class leader now.


    Ceri moved with liquid grace. Targeting weak points. Her shadow teleport ability giving her unmatched movement as she struck again and again. "These things are uglier up close," she remarked.


    "Stay sharp," Lethanda cautioned, loosing another arrow. She loved Ceri’s quips but she was tense.


    "Switch now," she commanded.


    Kurgrim and Kardril swapped positions seamlessly. Allowing toxins from particular spiders to dissipate. With each spiders poison being individually applied, each stack was effectively starting anew on them. Their former spider opponents poison stacks would now fall off, and the new adversaries poison stacks would have to start all over again building from zero.


    It was a key boss-fight specific manoeuvre they''d practiced with her outside the dungeon to overcome the deadly stacking poison mechanic. Drilled to be fair.


    A necessity in this perma-death realm, thought Lethanda. No room for error.


    "Perfect execution," Lethanda shouted at them, a surge of pride warming her. Her guild was really doing it. They were listening. The practice had paid off.


    "Arcanis! Focus fire on the northmost spider," she directed. “But don’t drop him into execute range yet.” It was critical none of the four undead spiders died prematurely. They had to be all dropped as a group within 10 seconds of each other. Get it wrong and a brutal berserk buff was applied to the remaining spiders which would start one-shotting the tanks.


    "Consider it squashed," Arcanis replied, casting a torrent of flame. His group moving as one to lock onto his target.


    The spider screeched. It’s exoskeleton cracking under the assault.


    "Gather," Lethanda ordered.


    The tanks herded the four undead spiders into a tight cluster. The fight end-phase was deadly. Lethanda knew this was the second major coordination hurdle. The mobs damage was about to spike as they all hit low health levels. Not a berserk phase which would kill them, but definitely a time for the tanks and their healers to start using all their long cooldowns.


    "AoE now!" Lethanda hated using the game term. But sometimes even on an RP server you needed to be straightforward.


    A maelstrom of fire, ice and shadow engulfed the four enemies. Explosions rocked the courtyard as the spiders collapsed. Limbs twitching before falling still.


    Silence hung for a heartbeat.


    "Yes!" Ceri exclaimed, punching the air.


    "Well executed team," Lethanda said, allowing herself a rare smile. The spiders bodies even revealed good progression loot for them. Some definite upgrades there for some people, she thought.


    Lethanda walked up to everyone in the team. Giving individual praise. Build team spirit and confidence, she thought. When they followed orders on the battlefield, they’d get rewarded for it. It was key to build trust in her command ability.


    "That''s what I''m talking about," Kurgrim laughed, clapping Kardril on the back.


    They''d done it. Ravensreach''s first major hurdle cleared—a significant milestone in any guild''s journey on Gates of Baraadon.


    Ceri stepped forward her eyes bright. "Listen up everyone," she began. "Full wipes at this stage can be catastrophic. We''ve all heard stories—guilds falling apart after losing their top players here. ‘The Guildkiller’ they are calling it."


    Arcanis nodded solemnly, "Remember Crimson Blade. Ravensreach broke them."


    Lethanda surveyed her friends, "We''ve come a long way from being called a ''carebear guild''," she remarked.


    "Who''s calling us that?" Kurgrim asked indignantly.


    "Doesn''t matter," Ceri interjected. "What matters is we''re proving them wrong."


    "Agreed," Arcanis said. "Our coordination was spot on."


    "The fire-team concept is really paying off," another member chimed in.


    "Thanks to Lethanda''s leadership," Ceri smiled - shooting her a grateful look.


    "Just doing my part," Lethanda replied modestly. The acknowledgment warmed her. She loved Ceri to bits on a personal level. But she was also her CO as guildmaster - so the praise mattered when it came from that source more.


    "Alright let''s take five," Kurgrim suggested. "Rest up before we push deeper."


    As the group settled, snippets of non-RP conversation floated through the air. This wasn’t ‘camp-firing’ time. This was a de-stress after an intense fight – even Lethanda couldn’t bring herself to correct them.


    "Did anyone else update their gear stats after the last patch," someone asked.


    "Yeah, had to rework my entire build," another groaned. It was true, Lethanda thought. The last patch that had dropped had pushed her to have to re-assess her build too. Still a Shadow Ranger, but now focused on applying DOT’s rather than just direct damage.


    Ceri plopped down beside Lethanda. "So, thinking about the next boss?"


    "Always," Lethanda lied. Brushing aside thoughts of build-maps, DPS sims and talent tree calculators. "It''s a step up from this one."


    "Can''t wait," Ceri grinned. "Your calls were so on point." Making time to seek her out for individual praise, Lethanda mused. That’s what made her a great guild leader, she innately knew good leadership. Good commander. No training needed.


    "Couldn''t have done it without everyone''s trust," Lethanda acknowledged. The words ‘Forever Loyal’, crossed her stream-of-thought. That trust was something that was earned - dedication and loyalty returned back to the guild as a group.


    "Trust. And a little bit of fear," Ceri teased. "You can be intimidating. I’ve never seen you this intense before. You coached those two tanks like a drill sergeant."


    "Only when necessary," Lethanda smirked. Was she being overbearing?


    Arcanis approached, munching on a virtual apple, "So after we clear Ravensreach, what''s next?"


    "That''s for tomorrow," Lethanda said firmly. They needed the platoon to refocus on the task at hand quickly. Stay in the moment. "One step at a time."


    The break ended and they prepared to move forward. Equipment checked. Spells ready. Minds focused. Lethanda made a few moments to talk with her fire-team leaders individually to ensure they were fully back to it.


    "Alright team," Lethanda''s voice carried authority and confidence. "Let''s show Ravensreach who we are."


    As they formed up and as they ventured deeper into the shadows. Lethanda couldn''t help but feel a swell of pride. They''d passed a critical test—not just of game avatar power - but of unity, teamwork and coordination. Wǒ zhēn wèi zhèxiē jiāhuo gǎndào jiāo''ào, she thought.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    "Onward," she shouted to them, gripping her bow tightly. “The path ahead is fraught with danger, but together, we are unstoppable!” So much for just being a ‘carebear guild’, Lethanda thought.


    *


    The scent of damp stone and ancient decay clung to the air. A miasma that seeped into Lethanda''s very bones. The deeper they ventured into the walled city, the more the shadows seemed to whisper secrets. Promises of glory entwined with threats of oblivion. She ran her fingers along the feathered shaft of an arrow. The texture grounding her amid the ethereal glow of ghostly apparitions they''d left in their wake.


    Her comrades moved with a practiced grace. The quiet shuffle of boots on cobblestone the only sound aside from the distant echo of dripping water. The eerie luminescence of ghoul-fire cast flickering patterns on the crumbling walls. Revealing faded murals of a time long past. Lethanda could almost taste the history here—a bittersweet tang of triumph and tragedy.


    They had dispatched the last of the guardians, Spectral Knights whose hollow eyes betrayed a sorrow deeper than death. Now the final barrier stood before them: the lair of the Duke of Death. The shadow-corrupted Elf-Lord Highglade. His presence was a palpable weight pressing against the edges of their consciousness like a storm about to break.


    "Alright team," Ceri began, her voice steady, but tinged with excitement. "This is it. We''ve got our strategies down. Let''s make this count."


    Piopei shifted uncomfortably. His usual polite demeanour replaced with a hint of apprehension. "Uh guys? Small problem."


    Lethanda turned. The subtle movement causing her cloak to ripple like liquid night. "What is it?" she asked, her tone crisp.


    "I''ve. Uh. Run out of cooldown reagents for my big AoE healing cooldown." Piopei admitted sheepishly. "I need to fast travel back to the nearest vendor. It''ll only take fifteen minutes."


    A cold surge of irritation flashed through her. "You what?" The words came out sharper than intended.


    "I''m really sorry," he stammered. "I thought I had enough but—"


    "Unbelievable!" Lethanda snapped. Her eyes narrowing. "Do you realise you''re letting down the entire platoon? We can''t afford delays because someone didn''t plan ahead."


    The group fell silent. The ambient sounds of the dungeon suddenly amplified in the void left by their stunned voices.


    "Lethanda," Arcanis interjected cautiously. "it''s not that big of a deal. We can wait."


    She whirled on him. A mix of frustration and something darker flickering across her face. "In this fighting force everyone is expected to take responsibility! To play their part! We can''t succeed if people are this careless."


    Piopei''s expression crumbled. Guilt etched into every line. "I''ll be quick," he mumbled. Initiating the fast travel sequence, his form dissolving into particles of light.


    An uncomfortable tension hung in the air.


    Ceri stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Lethanda''s arm. "Hey, can we talk for a sec?"


    Lethanda exhaled sharply, but nodded. "Fine."


    Ceri guided her away from the group. Stopping beneath an archway draped in creeping vines that seemed to pulse with a faint otherworldly energy. "Look," she began, her usual bright eyes clouded with concern. "We''re all keyed up. But we can''t talk to guildmates like that."


    Lethanda crossed her arms defensively. "He was unprepared. That''s unacceptable at this stage." She had stopped herself adding ‘sir’ to that sentence with palpable effort. She internally cursed at her learnsoft mod for a moment. She was beginning to grasp it’s impact on the situation.


    "We''re human," Ceri insisted softly. "We make mistakes. We''re not the kind of guild that shouts in people''s faces. That''s just not us."


    A muscle in Lethanda''s jaw tightened.


    The words resonated uncomfortably. Echoing against the knowledge of what had probably led her to act out. "I..." She faltered searching for the right response. Struggling to even grasp how to explain.


    Ceri tilted her head, studying her intently. "This just isn''t like you Lethanda. What''s really going on?"


    Silence stretched between them. Thick as the shadows enveloping the dungeon. Finally Lethanda sank to her knees, so their eyes were level. The weight of unspoken burdens pressing down.


    "Yes," she whispered her voice barely audible. "So much is wrong."


    Ceri''s gaze softened. "Talk to me."


    "I have this new piece of cyberware," Lethanda confessed, her words tumbling out in a rush. "It''s glitching. My life''s... falling apart. I can''t control it." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I''m so sorry."


    Before she could say more, Ceri wrapped her arms around her holding her tightly. The warmth of the embrace was a balm against the cold despair gnawing at her. For a moment Lethanda allowed herself to lean into it to draw strength from the simple act of connection.


    "I''m here for you," Ceri murmured. "I may not be able to fix what''s happening IRL. But you''re not alone."


    Lethanda pulled back, slightly meeting her friend''s eyes. "I just really needed this win," she admitted. "Something positive and solid to hold onto."


    "I understand," Ceri said gently. "But as guildmaster I have to say—you can''t speak to our guildmates like that. It''s not fair. And it''s not who we are."


    A pang of guilt twisted in Lethanda''s chest. "You''re right. I crossed a line."


    Ceri offered a small smile. "Take a couple of days off from the high-stakes stuff after this. Focus on what you love about the game. Be the ‘sensationalist’ for a while. Not the raid leader. We’ll do it together. Haunt the bars of the towns, sniff the forest air. Everything I know you really love about this place. No more skeletons. No more leadership. Just me and you.”


    Lethanda nodded slowly. "You''ve really grown into this role you know."


    "Someone had to," Ceri teased lightly, her eyes regaining their usual sparkle.


    They made their way back to the group. Piopei had returned, his demeanour cautious as he avoided meeting Lethanda''s gaze.


    Before anyone could speak Lethanda stepped forward. "Everyone I need a moment." The team turned their attention to her a mix of curiosity and lingering tension evident.


    She took a steadying breath. "Piopei, I''m sorry. The way I spoke to you was unacceptable. I let my stress and tension out on you, and that''s not fair to you or anyone here. The way I acted. That’s not us. That’s not the Fellowship."


    He looked up. Surprise evident. "It''s okay," he replied hesitantly. "I should''ve been prepared."


    "No," she insisted. "We win as a guild. And we uphold certain values—Respect. Support. Understanding. I failed to embody those and for that I apologise to all of you."


    Kurgrim Bloodaxe strode forward. His heavy armour clinking softly. Without warning he enveloped Lethanda in a bear hug. "You''re hard on yourself lass," he rumbled. "We''re a team and that means we carry each other''s burdens."


    She managed a small laugh. "Careful Kurgrim. You''re going to crush me."


    He released her with a chuckle. "Can''t have that. We need you sharp for the Duke."


    Arcanis nodded thoughtfully. "First time tackling a dungeon of this calibre is tough. We''re all feeling the pressure."


    Piopei stepped closer. "I was upset. Yeah. I’d screwed up, and you shouting wasn’t helping. But I get it. No hard feelings?"


    "None," Lethanda assured him, relief washing over her. She honestly hoped that was the end of it.


    "Group hug!" Ceri declared. Pulling them all into a haphazard embrace.


    "Is this mandatory?" Kardril grumbled, though a faint smile betrayed his amusement.


    "Absolutely!" Ceri retorted.


    The raid group all dogpiled on top. Laughter rippled through the team, dispelling the remnants of tension.


    "Alright," Arcanis clapped his hands together. "Shall we go defeat an undead corrupted elf lord?"


    "Let''s do it," Lethanda agreed, feeling a renewed sense of purpose.


    As they reorganised, Lethanda couldn''t help but internally curse at how her implant had disrupted her online sanctuary. Her friends, this game—it was supposed to be her escape, not a battlefield fraught with complications.


    "Ready when you are," Ceri said, giving her an encouraging nod.


    "Form up," Lethanda instructed, her voice steady. "Same strategy as we discussed earlier. Remember communication is key."


    They advanced toward the ominous gates of the lair. The air growing colder with each step. The darkness ahead seemed to pulse alive with malevolent intent. They crossed the threshold. The oppressive energy of Lord Highglade''s domain pressing in. Shadows twisted into grotesque shapes and a low chilling laugh echoed from the depths.


    "Welcome trespassers," a voice dripped with malice. "Prepare to join my legion of the damned."


    "Cheery fellow," Ceri muttered.


    "Focus," Lethanda chided her softly. "The last challenge awaits!" she shouted to the raid team, tightening her grip on her bow. "And together we''re ready!"


    *


    The Forest embraced Lethanda with a tapestry of sensations. The dappled sunlight filtered through the canopy casting golden patterns on the moss-covered ground. The air was alive with the scent of wildflowers. The distant trill of songbirds. Leaves whispered secrets as a gentle breeze stirred them. The earthy aroma of damp soil grounded her.


    Ceri had outdone herself again. A lavish picnic sprawled before them on a checkered cloth—honeyed breads, ripe fruits glistening with dew, cheeses infused with herbs, and flagons of sweet mead. It was a feast fit for a raid group. Yet today it was just the two of them.


    From the corner of her eye, Lethanda noticed Ceri watching her intently. Concern shadowing her usually bright gaze. But Ceri remained silent. Allowing Lethanda the space to absorb the moment.


    Drawn by the melodic babble of a nearby stream, Lethanda wandered over. Her footsteps barely disturbing the carpet of leaves. Kneeling by the water''s edge she dipped her hands into the cool flow. The sensation was invigorating. The crystal-clear water swirling around her fingers like liquid silk. She closed her eyes. Letting the sound and touch envelop her. A respite from the turmoil churning within.


    Her Ranger''s Sanctuary enveloped them in an invisible barrier. Ensuring no wandering creatures would disturb their peace. But just as she began to lose herself in the tranquillity, a mischievous giggle broke through.


    Before she could react, a playful shove sent her tumbling into the stream. The shock of cold water elicited a gasp. Replaced quickly by laughter as she surfaced. Droplets sparkling like diamonds in her hair.


    "You looked like you needed that!" Ceri grinned, her eyes dancing with mischief.


    Lethanda shook her head chuckling. "I did. I really did." She waded back to the bank. Her clothes drying instantly with a whispered incantation. Settling onto the soft grass she reached for a tall glass filled with elven wine. The liquid catching the light in hues of amber and rose.


    "I''m going to step down as raid leader," she said quietly, swirling the wine in her glass. "For a while at least."


    Ceri arched an eyebrow but remained silent. Her expression encouraging yet unobtrusive.


    "Kurgrim knows the strategies as well as I do," Lethanda continued. "He leads with confidence, and the team respects him."


    Without a word Ceri tossed her a small cake. Its icing adorned with delicate flowers. Lethanda caught it effortlessly, taking a bite and savouring the burst of sweet berries.


    They sat in companionable silence. The gentle sounds of the Forest wrapping around them like a comforting blanket. Finally Ceri broke the quiet.


    "You had me worried during the raid," she admitted softly. "You didn''t seem like yourself. For a moment I thought maybe you''d let someone else pilot your account."


    Lethanda grimaced. "No. It was me. Just... dealing with some major real-life issues. Serious stuff." She hesitated. "I don''t want to unload it all on you."


    Ceri reached out, her fingers brushing lightly against Lethanda''s hand. "You don''t have to share anything you''re not comfortable with," she said gently. "But I want you to know I''m here for you. Not just as a game friend."


    Her gaze held a depth that made Lethanda''s heart skip. "I''ve been hoping... that maybe we''re more than just friends," Ceri continued, a hint of vulnerability in her voice.


    Lethanda felt a mix of emotions swirl within her. Peril''s brutal honesty echoed in her mind urging transparency. She searched for the right words. "We''ve been growing closer," she acknowledged. "But we haven''t really talked about what that means."


    Ceri nodded slowly. "I guess we''ve both avoided labelling it," she admitted. She took Lethanda''s hand firmly. The warmth of her touch reassuring. "But regardless of labels. I care about you."


    "It''s important to me that we''re authentic with each other," Lethanda said carefully. "To be clear about boundaries and honest about who we are."


    A flicker of uncertainty passed over Ceri''s face surprising Lethanda. "I don''t need to know everything," Ceri replied, her tone measured. "I have no intention of connecting in real life. I''m content with what we have here."


    Lethanda tilted her head processing the sudden unexpected shift. "You don''t want to know about my life outside the game?" How could you be truthful and transparent with someone who actively didn’t want to know?


    Ceri shook her head gently. "The real world is messy. Complicated. Here we can be who we want to be. Free from all that. I want to support you. But I also want to keep this... us... separate from everything else."


    She leaned in slightly. Her voice softening. "Whoever you are out there. Whatever challenges you''re facing. It doesn''t change who you are to me. You''re my Lethanda,” she started to grin. “The noble elf ranger who occasionally goes overboard when given the slightest whiff of responsibility and power."


    A smile tugged at Lethanda''s lips. "Guilty as charged."


    Ceri''s eyes searched hers. "I just don''t want to lose this. Don''t hurt me by bringing in things that could complicate what we have. I don''t want this to end."


    Lethanda felt a pang of conflict. The “don’t hurt me,” was stark and clear in Ceri’s voice. It even had a pleading quality.


    She had been prepared to share more. To bridge the gap between her virtual self and reality. But Ceri''s reluctance was clear. Her desire to keep their connection within the boundaries of the game palpable.


    She inhaled deeply. The scent of pine and wildflowers filling her lungs. The Forest seemed to hold its breath. The gentle rustling of leaves the only sound besides the murmuring stream.


    "Alright," Lethanda said softly. "I respect that." She would tell Peril all about this chat though. Ceri didn’t seem to want to have real transparency in this relationship. But genuineness and openness was the beating heart of what she had outside-the-game.


    Ceri visibly relaxed. A smile spreading across her face. "Thank you."


    They sat together. The sunlight casting dappled patterns around them. Lethanda let the moment breathe. The serenity of the Forest seeping into her.


    "Tell me more about your plans," Ceri prompted, her tone lightening. Shifting the conversation completely. "If you''re stepping back from raid leading what will you focus on?"


    "Maybe I''ll explore some of the uncharted regions and areas," Lethanda mused. "Rediscover why I fell in love with this world in the first place. Try and find places that are as meaningful as this one."


    "That sounds wonderful," Ceri agreed. "And who knows? Maybe I''ll join you on some of those adventures."


    "I''d like that," Lethanda replied, a genuine smile warming her features.


    Ceri nudged her playfully. "Just promise you won''t disappear on me." There was an undercurrent there, Lethanda realised.


    She was worried Lethanda would ghost completely and leave the game. No. She’d already ghosted from her real life. She wasn’t about to do it again online.


    "I wouldn''t dream of it."