A World to End (preview)
Part 1: “Smile and Nod if you Understand the Plan.” I dropped down into the opening and felt the air whooshing past. I braced for impact, knowing my athletics would absorb the damage. My boots thudded into the soil, my knees buckled slightly, and I dropped to the ground, my sword falling momentarily free. I reached out and grabbed it, using my Inventory shortcut to stow it. I then looked up into the darkening opening far above. Something glinted. “Valentine, is that you?” “Catch meeeee!!!” I heard a cry crescendo as it neared me. I paused, reached out, and waited. She dropped like a stone, butt first, arms outstretched - about the opposite of graceful. Yet I couldn’t fault her for it. She couldn’t fall any other way – her skills weren’t high enough. I held out my arms, waited, adjusted slightly and… oof! She landed safely in my waiting embrace. She smirked and gave me a quick peck on the cheek before vaulting out. “You’re a life saver!” She said sweetly, her voi...