"[Do you know why Jericho isn't online yet?]" Lednar questioned.

"[He had things to finish. Hopefully he will be on soon.]"

"[I see; where are the two of you at currently?]"

"[We are both at the starting town of Trillith.]"

"[Why are you there? I thought Jericho was heading to the Clogwyni Mountain Range. Don't tell me he went back into the mist and you guys were defeated.]"

Princess laughed as she read the message. "[No we didn't fall to the mist, we met a witch and she sent us back here. She said that Jericho and I are not quite strong enough to travel in the area.]"

"[You met a witch there? Where? My brother couldn't find anyone living in those mountains when he explored it a few weeks back.]"

"[Yeah, we did. It was just a short ways outside of the mist covered woods where the forests and mountains overlapped. Jericho and I can use her hut as a warp spot to go back to the area later.]"

"[That's cool! Well, I'm on my way over so we can head out after Jericho comes online.]"

"[We will probably do a short performance here before we head out. It helps to perform before adventuring.]"

"[Sounds like a plan.]"

Princess walked over to the well where they typically performed in the past.

"Isn't that Dancing Princess?" a random person shouted. "It is!" he shouted as he ran towards the well.

"Who's that?" another person inquired as they followed.

The fans pounced on the potential prey.

Princess smiled at the gathering crowd. "I know you are all here to support my brother but he isn't online just yet. While we wait, let me give you a special solo," she shouted to the horde of people who were there for her.

The audience cheered.

The girl smiled and danced.

[Jericho the Bard has come Online.]

Jericho smiled as he found his sister at their usual performing spot. "How was school?" he asked as soon as she was done.

"Boring as usual," she replied. "This time I got a head start on the performance. So how should we perform for our friends today?"

Jericho pulled out the piano. "How about the I'm Alive Suite and a little interpretive dance?" he offered.

"It has been a while since you have done that one. I'm up for it," she replied with a smile.

Jericho sat down on the piano bench. His hand floated over the keys as a gentle calming tone rapidly transformed into an energetic lively tone.

Princess danced to tell the story of waking up to a new day; a story of living wildly. Her agile, flexible movements were fierce.

The audience was enchanted.

Suddenly, Jericho's composition turned slow, heavy, and more rhythmic. The weight of the keys echoed the burdens of life. A lighthearted melody overlapped the somber ba.s.s. Sorrow returned and the two parts united harmoniously between burdened and free.

Princess's eyes reflected regret and loss. She attempted to be wild like before but could not succeed. Her dance continued with her movements becoming stiff and rigid; struggling but somewhat successful.

Eyes in the audience leaked salty tears as the portrayal reminded them of the difficulties in their own lives.

The melody slowed to halt and there were a few moments of silence.

Some of the audience members clapped, thinking the performance was done.

Jericho's hands slapped the deep end of the piano and a determined overture resounded.

Princess's energy and vitality returned. Her movements slowly became stronger and more flexible like before. New movements were thrown in. Her expression gleamed with excitement and inspiration. Struggles were still present but she remained determined.

Jericho brought the twelve minute suite to an end.

Princess posed to signal the audience the piece was truly concluded. Sweat trickled down her forehead.

The audience cheered once more.

Lednar watched from the sidelines. "She lost the ability to dance in real life for a year. How can she still smile and appear happy like that? The more I get to know her, the more impressive she is," he whispered as he made his way forward. He wanted Jericho and Princess to know he was there. While time wasn't of the essence, Lednar was concerned about delaying things too long.

Jericho saw the familiar alchemage. He nodded towards the boy. "Alright, Princess your friend is here. So let's choose one last piece and say goodbye to the audience."

The girl nodded before giving a playful grin. "How about your Defying Legends Quartet?"

Jericho's eyes widened with excitement. "You're right; I can pull out all of the instruments needed for that one!" He split into four. The first Jericho pulled out the ceremonial drums he obtained from the satyrs. The second Jericho retrieved his smaller wooden flute. The third Jericho pulled out the statue he got from the satyr G.o.d and turned it into a viola. The fourth Jericho sat down at the piano.

The audience members who had not seen Jericho's performances in the past were shocked by the sudden change.

The piano started alone. The alternating hard and soft beats gave a feeling a lonely past and journey.

Princess danced gently and calmly.

Just as the piano was about to fade, the viola gave an undertone of support.

Princess used her new illusion skill to make a copy of herself. Princess and her illusion repeated the dance together.

The two instruments paused for beat. ♫ "oummmm!" ♪ two of the Jerichos' voices hummed. The drums joined in the fray with the other two instruments. The sudden force of will was inspiring.

After cycling through a few measures, Jericho stopped using the bow and plucked the strings of the viola. The flute whistled. The piano vanished. A short interlude repeated as if the song were calling out to be heard. The piano returned and the bow rubbed the viola stings once more.

Many audience members felt a desire to push forward. Confidence filled them.

When the composition ended the feeling lingered in the atmosphere. The audience was quiet and enchanted by the powerful emotions.

A person started to clap, drawing everyone out of their stupor. They cheered.

Jericho put his instruments away.

The two performers bowed and Princess gave her routine 'support us' speech.

An audience member who had seen some of their earlier performances came to talk to them. "Why are you guys still here? Haven't you gotten strong enough to leave for bigger places?" he asked.

Jericho gave a nod. "We have gotten strong enough, and we are on our way out now. Princess's friend is here to pick us up." He pointed to Lednar.

The man gave a 'knowing smile'. "Alright; where are you all going? I want to be there for your next performance."

Jericho looked over to the Alchemage to ask him where they were going.

Lednar sighed. "We are going to the City of Durango. It is just north of where Pren used to be.

"Cool, I'll let the guild know," the man replied.

"The guild?" Princess inquired. "What guild?"

The man smiled "The members of the Royal Bardians guild, that I am a part of, are all fans of yours so knowing where you will be potentially performing next is great!"

Lednar frowned. "The Dragoons guild has a friendly relations.h.i.+p with Jericho and Princess. If your guild is there to cause trouble you have been warned."

The man smiled calmly. "Then The Dragoons are also our friends. Good luck in your adventures! We look forward to your next performance!" the man shouted as he ran off.

"That was odd," Princess commented.

Jericho chuckled. "Just a little, if he approaches you in the future, just make sure he knows just how scary you can be," he teased.

She smirked back at her brother and turned to her friend. "So, Durango? What is there?"

Lednar chuckled slightly. "Let's walk. I'll tell you about it on our way."

The three started to walk to the gate where they could warp to the city.

"The other day I discovered a really strange dungeon."

Jericho looked confused. "Like a prison?"

Lednar laughed, he expected the question from the two gaming noobs. "No, a dungeon is a gaming term for a special area with stronger than normal creatures that usually require a party to fight. There are often some really unique treasures in them. In other games, dungeons were more like temporary instances and they were repeatable. In this game however, things don't re-sp.a.w.n. Dungeons in this game are hidden areas filled with stronger than normal creatures. Once someone clears it out, it will remain empty until something else takes it over as a new lair. Some people have even claimed former dungeons as their own property. Of course there have been many instances where these lairs have triggered fights between people. So currently the location of the dungeon is a secret. In the future when people mention raids, it is basically the same as a dungeon but they are significantly harder and usually requires a large amount of people."

Jericho sighed. "A dungeon sounds exactly like the type of thing the two of us are avoiding."

"I know. But haven't you completed other normally violent quests in your own way?" he reasoned.

Princess nodded. "This might be a good chance for you to experience something new, brother. Maybe you will find more inspiration."

"Alright, so tell us about this dungeon," Jericho asked as they warped to the new city.

Lednar put his finger to his mouth to tell them to be quiet. "I'll tell you more when we get closer. It isn't smart to talk about it openly. The two of you have been adventuring out in the wilds a lot lately so let's stock up in town before head there. I'm honestly surprised you were able to adventure in such weak gear. Even if you don't fight, equipment plays a significant role in your non-combat capabilities too."

Princess thought for a bit. "Makes sense, it is harder to rock out when you look like an android butler in those videos. But it is hard to calm people down when you are dressed like a punk."

"Um… More like the equipment you wear affects your stats and sometimes how well you can perform certain skills," he worriedly explained to his non-gamer friend and her brother.

They walked inside the gates of the city.

Princess received a message from s.h.i.+arra. "[Princess, you are online again. Are you and your brother okay? You have been gone for a while.]"

"[Yeah, we had a little bit of trouble but we will be fine. How are you doing? It isn't like you to message me with such motherly questions.]"

"[I'm doing well enough. I have been hanging out with Jericho's friends Emerald and DarkLord.]"

"[Who are they?]" She looked over at Jericho. "Brother, who are Emerald and DarkLord?"

Jericho chuckled at the first name and gave a confused look at the second. "Emerald is the guy that tried to recruit us before we went to save the town. He was also the one who informed me that there were people wanting to harm us while we were trying to fill that village's well. As for this DarkLord, I don't know."

s.h.i.+arra answered. "[Like me, they are some of the leaders of a new guild. They helped out a lot when we were playing back in Trillith.]"

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Moira looked confused. "[You joined a guild? I thought you said joining a guild wouldn't be productive.]"

"[More like I helped make a fandom guild; oh, by the way some of us are gathering in Durango to hear your guys' next performance.]"

Princess chuckled. "[So you are part of the Royal Bardians? We met a guy that just asked about where we were going and said he would tell his guild. A fandom guild sounds like fun. Does it have types of problems a normal guild would have. What fandom is your guild for? Final Square? Shera Heman? The Voltronica Lionesses? Adventure Ducks? Goliath Maza?]"

"[Hahahaha, no, we are your fandom guild. It has some of the same problems but not all of them. Of course, I'm your friend before your fan so I look forward to the time we can hang out again. Enjoy gaming with your other friend. That should be soon right?]"

"[Thanks s.h.i.+arra! And yeah, we are hanging out with my friend Lednar today. Don't worry I'm working on my brother for you. I still think the two of you would be great together.]"

"[I won't tell the fans of Jericho you said that. And really, you don't have to try and push us into a relations.h.i.+p. I would rather be friends.]"

Princess sighed.

Jericho turned to his sister. "What's wrong?"

"Two people I s.h.i.+p only want to be friends. It is so disappointing."