We Thought You Were Dead

Ethan’s breath caught in his throat. He took a step forward, eyes wide, as if afraid she might vanish again. “You disappeared. We thought, after the dungeon break..” His voice cracked, not finishing the sentence.

Alice moved first, her composure shattered as she dashed across the room, nearly tackling Grace as she wrapped her in a hug. Grace stiffened for a moment, then melted into the embrace, her own arms coming up around Alice.

“We thought you were dead.” Alice whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She moved back, still holding onto Grace. “After the dungeon break, after everything, we never heard a word.”

“I thought our parents.. They didn’t say anything? I thought they told you.” Tears were welling up in Grace’s eyes as she spoke. “I didn’t know.”

Ethan stood frozen nearby, eyes wide, watching his sister cling to the girl they’d mourned like family. The room felt smaller, the only thing he could focus on was Grace, still finding it difficult to believe she was here. “We thought you were gone. Not just moved, gone.” He managed to croak out.

Grace looked to Ethan, the expression on his face saying everything he didn’t. She held out an arm to him and he came to them, joining them in the hug. As they pulled apart, Ethan looked towards Guildmaster Thomas.

“You clearly have some catching up to do. The file I sent you has everything I intended to cover.” He turned on his heel, leaving them to their reunion.

Ethan turned towards where Penny and Mei stood, both of them watching the scene unfold. “This is Grace,” he said, glancing between them. “She was our best friend growing up. Before the dungeon break.”

Alice wiped her eyes, smiling through the tears. “We used to train together in the backyard. She was the first person who ever beat Ethan in a duel.”

Grace gave a soft laugh. “He let me win.”

“I absolutely did not,” Ethan muttered, but his eyes were warm.

Penny stepped forward. “I’m Penny,” she introduced herself. “I didn’t grow up with you, but I’m already totally invested in the drama.” She joked, bringing out laughter from everyone.

Mei didn’t speak right away, watching from further back as Penny introduced herself. Ethan took her hand, pulling her closer, not content to let her remain on the sidelines. “Grace, this is Mei, the most recent addition to our team. She’s a fantastic mage, and crazy smart. You’ll love her.” Mei smiled, reaching out and shaking Grace’s hand.

Grace’s gaze flicked between them, assessing without judgment. Penny radiated chaotic energy, the kind that could either spark brilliance or burn bridges. Mei was quieter, but her eyes held weight, like she’d already measured Grace’s presence against the team’s balance.

“I didn’t know what I was expecting,” Grace said, still clutching Alice’s hand from their embrace, her voice trembling with joy. “Maybe some cold, elite squad sizing me up, but not this. Not hugs. Not you.

Ethan smiled softly at her words. "We're glad you're here, Grace," he said, his voice steadying as the initial shock began to wear off. Alice nodded in agreement, her grip on Grace's hand tightening slightly. "We have so much to catch up on," she said, her voice filled with excitement and a hint of nostalgia.

They continued talking as they settled back into their seats, all eager to hear Grace’s story. She sat with her hands folded in front of her, trying to put into words what had happened. “After the dungeon break, everything fell apart. My parents didn’t wait, we left before containment was even confirmed. I didn’t get to say goodbye, no messages, no calls. Just gone.”

“We ended up at my uncle's house in Sacramento.” Grace continued. “I asked about you both, at first. My parents didn’t want to talk about anything to do with what happened. I thought about you both constantly, but I didn’t know how to reach out. By the time I could have I just.. Didn’t. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to be.” Ethan interjected. “We were all kids.”

Alice nodded at Ethan’s words. “And you’re here now, no more apologies needed.”

As Grace finished telling her story, the conversation moved towards the subject they had originally gathered for, the team.

Penny broke into the conversation. “Guildmaster Warren sang your praises when he asked if we’d be interested in working with you. So, best friend, what’s your class? Please tell me it’s something dramatic like Shadowblade or Bloodreaver.”

“Shadowblade? I wish I had that kind of flair. No, I’m a Sentinel. Boring, but I can get the job done.” Grace explained with a small smile at Penny. “It’s not flashy, but I never let anything get past me.”

Penny leaned forward, elbows on the table. “Not flashy? Please. You just described the backbone of every successful raid team. You’re the one who keeps us alive while the rest of us make questionable life choices.”

Grace gave a wry smile. “Sentinel,” she said, mock-dramatic. “The glamorous life of standing in front of danger and saying, ‘Not today.’” She glanced at Penny with a playful look. “Basically, I’m the magical equivalent of a very stubborn wall.”

Penny grinned wider. “You’re a badass Sentinel with a sense of humor and a talent for keeping mages safe. We’re going to be very good friends.”

Grace blinked, then smiled, genuine and a little shy. “I’d like that.”

Mei, watching from the side, murmured, “Called it. That counts.”

“What?” Alice blinked. “Seriously, you think that counts?”

“I don’t get it, what counts for what?” Penny asked, confused.

Mei nodded, deadpan. “She called her a badass and declared lifelong friendship. That counts.”

Alice sighed, handing Mei a folded bill. “Such a sucker's bet. What was I thinking, I know Penny well enough to know better.”

Understanding what was happening, Penny gasped and clutched her chest as if Alice had personally betrayed her. “You bet against me?” Eyes wide in mock horror. “Against me, the undisputed champion of befriending newcomers in emotionally complicated settings as they reunite with their childhood friends?”

Alice raised her hands up and gave a deliberate shrug, the universal gesture for ‘what did you expect?’ “I made a call, a bad one, apparently. I blame Mei for challenging me.”

Penny threw her hands up. “Please. I had her laughing before the Guildmaster was even out of the room and the tears stopped flowing. I’m a social juggernaut, Alice. A charisma comet. You should’ve bet on me and doubled your money.”

Mei, deadpan as ever, added, “She did call herself a magical wall. That was the moment.”

Penny pointed triumphantly. “Exactly! Who wouldn’t bond over that?”

Ethan, watching from the side, murmured to Grace, “This is why I always bet on Penny.”

Grace glanced back at him, still smiling. “Noted,” she said. “Next time I’ll put money on her too.”

Penny, catching just enough of the exchange, pointed triumphantly. “See? Even the new girl gets it!”

Grace hadn’t expected to feel this way, not so soon, not so deeply. But as the meeting unfolded, laughter echoing off the walls and playful jabs flying between teammates, she found herself smiling more than she had in weeks.

It wasn’t just the reunion with Ethan and Alice, though that had cracked something open in her. It was the way Penny had roped her into the banter without hesitation and the way Mei’s quiet observations included her without pressure.

They didn’t treat her like a stranger. They were already treating her like someone who belonged.

When Penny declared, “We’re going to be very good friends,” and Mei collected her winnings from a bet about it, Grace had laughed, really laughed. And when Ethan leaned in and said, “Always bet on Penny,” she felt a warmth she hadn’t realized she missed. She wasn’t just being tolerated. She was being folded in. Grace glanced around the room, the laughter still lingering in the air like warmth after a storm. She straightened slightly, her tone shifting just enough to signal a pivot.

“So,” she said, with a half-smile, “I was told there’d be a chance to get some training in today.”

Penny perked up. “Already itching to show us what you can do?”

Grace chuckled. “Maybe a little bit. But I figured if I’m going to mesh with the team, I should probably see how you all move, and let you see how I hold the line.”

Alice nodded, already rising. “Fair. Nothing builds trust like a few bruises.”

—------------

Trainer Harris was already at the control station in the yard when the team arrived, seeing a large amount of constructs already positioned in preparation. Strategist Lee and Mage Thompson stood nearby, present to observe as the team prepared to practice with a full complement for the first time.

Grace stepped out from the preparation area, weapon in hand and her armored left arm gleaming under the sun. She held a long halberd, ending in a long point at the top, a long axe blade on one edge balanced by a hammer on the opposite side. Armored plates ran down her left shoulder to her wrist, ending in a large gauntlet that seemed as much shield as it was armor. She surveyed the training yard, her eyes landing on the waiting team, assessing them as she walked forward.

Penny let out a low whistle, her grin spreading. “Okay, Sentinel,” she murmured, “you’ve got the aesthetic down.”

Ethan launched into an explanation of basic tactics for Grace, explaining where she would slot into formation. “Standard formation to start. Grace, you’ll be center with Alice on your left. I’ll hold your right flank.” He hefted his shield to make the point. “Mei and Penny in the rear.”

He continued breaking down their strategy. “Our standard tactic revolves around me Boosting Penny to establish control over the fight, followed by Alice or Mei as the situation dictates for offense. Expect Penny’s Shroud, she’ll be dropping it on us moments before we clash with the enemy, it’ll block enemy vision and leave yours unhindered. You’ll have a few moments of surprise to take advantage of where they won’t be able to see your initial attacks.”

“Alice, keep an eye out for openings Grace creates.” Ethan instructed her. “You’re going to have a lot more room to work with now that we have a proper defender.” He looked across the yard at the waiting training constructs. “Mei, it looks like Harris is prepping to send a few more bots than normal at us, want to try that trick with Earth Wall we talked about?”

Mei nodded. “I’ll focus on the left side, that should make it easier for Alice to cut down the first few.”

“Okay, sounds like we’re ready. Formation.” Ethan commanded, hefting his shield and mace. “Let’s go.”

Grace stood at the center of the formation, halberd poised, her armored left arm gleaming. Alice flanked her on the left, rapier dancing up and down with anticipation. Ethan held the right, calm and composed, shield at the ready. Behind them, Penny and Mei took their positions, ready to cast.

The training bots surged forward, their movements sharp and coordinated.

Mei struck first. Slamming her staff down, jagged stone erupted from the ground, tripping two bots and forcing the others to split their charge. The formation fractured.

Penny followed instantly, summoning her Boosted Shadow Minion. A shadowy beast clawed its way into existence beside her, snarling as it lunged. Then came the Shroud: a dome of darkness fell over the team, obscuring their positions as the bots closed in.

From within the veil, Grace and Alice moved like twin blades. Grace’s halberd swept low, cleaving through the first bot’s leg joints with brutal precision. Alice darted forward, her rapier flashing, and struck the second bot clean through its core. Sparks flew with a loud crack, her Boosted Shock removing the bot from the fight. “Dropped!” Alice and Grace both called out as they dispatched their first set of opponents.

To the right, the Shadow Minion had engaged another bot, allowing for Ethan to move in. His mace cracked against its chassis, while the minion grappled it from behind.

The next wave of constructs charged.

Penny raised a hand, summoning a Boosted array of Shadow Bolts, letting them fly. A barrage of dark energy slammed into the oncoming bot, knocking it down. Ethan swiftly ended it with a downward smash.

Grace surged forward, activating a skill with her halberd raised. She closed the short distance to the next bot and her weapon came down like a meteor, smashing into the shoulder of a bot and crashing to the ground in a pile of broken metal. She pivoted, lowering her left arm, activating another skill and halting all movement. The next bot collided with her full **** and stopped dead. Grace didn’t budge an inch, sending the Bot spinning.

Alice didn’t miss the opening, quickly skewering the spinning bot and slamming her buckler into its head as she released another Shock.

A concussive blast of air rang out, sending the two remaining bots staggering, barely able to keep their feet beneath them. Mei followed the spell with a Boosted Water Whip. Appearing instantly and lashing out towards the bots, she finished the job, sending both of them to the ground. Grace and Ethan swung together, their weapons smashing down together, finishing the fight.

As the last bots were destroyed, the Shroud dissipated. Trainer Harris nodded from the control station, while Strategist Lee and Mage Thompson exchanged impressed glances.

Ethan looked over at Grace, breath steady. “You held the line.”

Grace smiled, adrenaline still humming. “Told you I could.”

Penny grinned. “Okay, Sentinel. You’re officially terrifying.”

Alice bumped Grace’s shoulder lightly. “And you make a damn good wall.”

“Again!” Shouted Trainer Harris, another set of training bots being activated.

The team smiled and fell back into formation. From the first clash, Grace had moved like she belonged, her instincts syncing with theirs, her presence anchoring the line. The team didn’t just accept her, they adjusted around her without hesitation. It was the kind of inclusion that couldn’t be ****. It just happened. And Grace, standing in the center of it all, felt something she hadn’t in a long time. Like she belonged.