Repeating the name to himself over and over, Sean shrugged out absently. "Why is that name so familiar to me?" Jormungandr hinted at a smile, before telling him his deep tone of voice. "He is well known. He is the gold-king. Good luck to you." Nodding, Sean made his way back up to the house. He was so lost in thought that when Lulu called out his name, he hadn't heard it. Only when she slammed into his side did she chuckle up at him. "Where did you go?" Giving her a little shrug, he answered coolly. "Just went for a walk to clear my head." She eyed him suspiciously, but then took his hand and led him toward the house. She rattled on about her goat and leveling up her skills in fishing. It surprised Sean with how normal the conversation was. Even Bob and Wade shared stories from how they learned to use their races and weapons. It was like old times. They laughed and joked. They reminisced and after Mark took Lulu up to bed... they mourned Ethan.

It was hard to believe that he'd never see him again. He didn't want to believe it. He wanted to keep the hope that when this was over... he'd somehow be ok. That they all would be ok. After a few silent drinks to his memory, Bob broke the silence by asking them curiously. "So, this skeleton guy is after you because...?" Mark interjected to answer for him. "He claims to be hunting races. Sean is a Light Elf. They aren't common here. So, he's hunting him." Leaning back in his chair, Bob huffed out gruffly. "I don't understand people... That is just... stupid." Wade grunted in agreement before adding curtly. "Add that with the people killing each other over who plays games better than another... and... we have no chance of getting out of this game." Mark crossed his arms, scolding them lightly. "I refuse to believe that. You wanna go upstairs and tell Lulu that she will never see her parents again? That her future is to die here?" Raising a hand to calm him, Bob told Mark swiftly. "All we are saying is that if we have to rely on people to win this game. We are fucked."

Wade nodded, telling Mark in a low voice. "The beta testers never won the game. They didn't even get close, Mark. I was one of them. And we banned together to try and win it and still couldn't do it. How are we supposed to do it now? These bosses are harder than I remember them being in the beta test. These people are greedy and brutal. To a lot of them, this is still just a game." Bob slipped in after him by saying defeatedly. "For others... this is their life now. They won't risk it to be the ones that die so that others can live." Sean eyed them all, then asked with a weak shrug. "So, where do you fall in that logic? You wanna give up?" Bob sighed heavily, fixing his bearded beard before telling them honestly. "I'm not giving up. Nor do I want to fight this battle. I just... I don't see an outcome where we win this." Wade nodded, answering promptly. "I don't want to die for nothing. I have family that I want to see again." Sean locked eyes with them, before asking a bit sharply. "So, Ethan died for nothing?" The table was silent for a long time.

Straightening up, Sean told them all seriously. "I don't want to die either. I'd gladly just stay right here and live out this new life. But is that fair to players like Lulu? Players that just wanted to have a little fun. That can't win this game alone because they don't do this for a living. Beating games is what WE do. Don't we owe it to them and ourselves to get out of here?" Mark smirked to himself, mumbling out under his breath. "Those that have the ability to do something should... or be content in being guilty of standing idly by." Banging his hand on the table, Mark straightened up and told them with pride. "Damn it, I'm not going to stand idly by. I can fight. I'm going to fight. And if I die so that others can live... then at least they can't say that I didn't try to make things right." Sean shushed Mark a bit, glancing toward the stairs in the hopes that his loud noises didn't wake Lulu. Wade exhaled, then asked with a shrug. "Alright. So, what do we do?" Mark looked at Sean, taking his hand to draw his attention back to them.

Blushing a little, Sean cleared his throat and answered. "Grendel is the next boss. The reports are claiming that he is invincible... but I have a tip that says he isn't." Wade blinked, interjecting curiously. "Grendel? As in the monster thing that Beowulf fought naked?" As he said it, Sean felt the relief hit him as he expressed aloud. "That is why I know it! I knew I'd heard the name before." Bob snickered, but Mark groaned out wearily. "Well, isn't that a son of a bitch... How do we kill it? Flash it to death?" Wade curtly retorted rather seriously. "Actually, Beowulf wrestled its arm off, and it bled to death. Being naked was just him showing that you didn't need weapons to kill... an animal or beast. Why are you all staring like that? I've read things. I went to school." Bob chuckled, then said openly. "Ok. This Grendel. What is it?" Sean leaned on his arms, telling him a little excited. "That is unclear. Everyone has called him something different. Some say he is a deformed human. Others say he is a troll. Others claim he is an ogre. He is a beast in some versions and a demon in others."

Bob rolled his eyes, picking up his drink as he shrugged out. "It can be anything. That's all you had to say." Wade helped by adding in confidently. "Well, that isn't entirely true. He is just as Sean said. The only sure thing that is known is Grendel's mother. She is always depicted as a woman as beautiful as gold and when angered she becomes a demon of unknown strength and power. She has never been killed because every man who looks upon her falls for her." Mark smirked, cutting in lightly. "That's if the game developers paid attention to details. Which most don't. So, we can assume that this Grendel and its mother will be... whatever they wanted." Sean shifted in his seat a bit more, before telling them. "According to Jormungandr, this Grendel has a hide of solid gold that can't be pierced by magic or weapon. It is also said that this last form was stronger when it is deaf and that to kill him... we must turn it upon itself. Any thoughts?" Mark swallowed, before admitting honestly. "I don't know. We'd have to go there... Which is a big risk. They'll be people hunting players and people looking for us."

Bob nodded, gesturing upstairs as he told them. "And there is Lulu to consider. She could get hurt." Mark shook his head, telling them firmly. "She's not coming with us. That's why we have the house here. Here she is safe." Bob raised an eyebrow, asking softly. "You leave her here all alone?" Sean cut in then. "We have a friend and her father that are stopping by to keep her company. They... lost a son of their own." For another moment no one spoke, before Wade stated. "We should turn in for the night. Get some rest. Then we can discuss if we are leaving tomorrow." Mark glanced at Sean, but firmly told them. "We'll stay here a day or two. That should get us all rested and ready." Finishing his drink, Bob got up and wished them a goodnight. Wade followed soon after, leaving Sean and Mark alone in the kitchen. Licking his lips, Mark asked him discreetly. "Did they seem... a little different to you?" Sean flashed him a distant smile, before saying. "I'm sure we seem different to them. Our avatars are... effecting a lot of our decisions lately."

Leaning back in his seat, Mark told him softly. "I didn't tell Lulu about the whole... vampire thing. I think it is best if she doesn't. I don't want her to worry." Relaxing in his own chair, Sean asked in return. "You think she won't notice you drinking it?" Mark glanced up at his health bars, lightly drumming his fingers on the table, he replied. "Depends on when I feed, I guess. Unless she brings it up, I just want to keep it quiet." Sean nodded, sliding out of his seat while he asked him. "Hungry?" Mark's dark eyes slowly met his, allowing Sean to see the red ridges that lined his irises. Staying still, Mark told him coolly. "I could eat. But I'll do it after you're all asleep." Shaking his head, Sean moved closer to him and whispered to him. "Come upstairs with me. You can... try me." Mark hesitated, uttering out. "Didn't you kill the last person to feed on you?" Sean nodded, but quickly added. "Yes, but I wanted him to die. Can we at least try a little? I don't want you going out by yourself tonight."

Extending out his hand, Mark gently took ahold of Sean's and removed a dagger from his boot. Very gingerly, Mark pricked Sean's finger and watched the blood bead up on the tip. Sean stayed calm, holding his breath as Mark brought his finger to his lips. Placing a gentle kiss to his finger, Mark parted his lips and let his tongue slid out over the tip to lick the blood up. Closing his eyes, Sean let out a small moan and gripped the back of Mark's chair with his free hand. He didn't want to think about being bitten or stabbed with his fangs. He just wanted to focus on Mark's loving touches. After another kiss to his finger, Mark began kissing a trail up his arm. Lingering on the soft skin of his inner bicep, until Sean jerked from how his beard tickled him. Continuing to kiss up over his shoulder, Mark's hands pulled Sean closer. Coaxing him to straggle him. Once he did, Mark kissed along his shoulder and Sean tensed without meaning to do it. Mark's hands rubbed Sean's back, trying to relax him as he whispered to him. "We don't have to do this. I can go hunt."

Shaking his head, Sean hugged Mark closer and told him with rocky confidence. "I know. But I want... Please. Just once. Let's try." Mark kissed a tender spot on his neck, before one of his hands trailed up the back of Sean's neck. Feeling the fingers of his hand slide carefully under his ear, Sean moaned. Tilting his head enough to rest his head on Mark's broad shoulder. For a bit longer, Mark just kissed his throat and hummed to him. Easing him into a relaxed state, before his lips rose and the tips on his fangs touched Sean's skin. Sean's eyes flew open, and he jerked as Mark's fangs quickly pierced the skin. The pain burned along his throat and made him uncomfortable. All he could think about were Mark's fangs buried in his skin. Sean's fingers dug into Mark's arms as he held him and tried to convince himself to remain calm. Mark helped by letting his fingers lightly trace Sean's wings, causing pleasant sensations to shiver through him. Then as quickly as he'd been bitten, Mark leaned back from him.

Sean expected to see his fangs, or his lips stained in blood. However, there was nothing. Mark had savored every drop. He'd retracted his fangs and after giving him a tight-lipped smile, he kissed his cheek. Glancing up at Mark's health bar, Sean smiled to himself. Mark's stamina bar was full again and Sean had only lost a little health in the process. Nothing he couldn't gain back in a minute or two. Cupping Mark's face, Sean started to kiss him, but Mark pressed a finger to his lips. Flinching, Mark told him honestly. "You might want to hold off on that until I can drink something else." Sean blinked, pressing his lips to Mark's without a second more hesitation. Mark tried to resist the kiss, but eventually gave in and parted his lips for him. As their tongues intertwined, Sean cringed at the heavy taste of copper, but pushed it from his mind. He wasn't afraid of his own blood. He'd get used to it for Mark's sake. Just in case there was no escape from here. Just in case this was all he got from Mark.

Shortly after their kiss, Mark whispered over Sean's lips. "Are you not grossed out?" Sean booped Mark's nose, whispering back to him innocently. "No. Because it is just me. More of me. Inside you." Mark smiled, then placed a loving kiss on his lips again. Sean almost lost himself in the kiss, until Mark hefted him up into his arms. A tiny squeal left Sean, before he could muffle it into Mark's shoulder. As easily as breathing, Mark carried him up the steps and into their room. Dropping Sean down onto the bed, Mark crawled over him and playfully growled out to him. "Maybe I'll take a nibble of something sweeter..." As Mark grabbed Sean's ankles and pulled him closer to kiss his inner thighs with light kisses that tickled him. Sean muffled a playful scream into his pillow and tried to wiggle away. Mark was always a little more playful at night and thankfully... that hadn't changed about him. To Be Continued...