THE MOMENT
"This way," Monday said. She followed the hovering red arrow that only she could see as she led Nax through the mall. Monday had never visited a mall before that, and she was disappointed. Only half the stores were open, and the empty walkways reflected that. Nax and Monday were two of the dozen people that Monday could see; it was nothing like the flowing crowds she'd seen on TV. "Thanks for tagging along," she added as she turned onto another empty path.
"No sweat," Nax nodded. "Thanks for not making me," he added with a chuckle. Monday rolled her eyes at him and shook her head. "I wouldn't do that with a Unique," she said. "But, Zeros don't count," she explained. Nax shrugged but, he didn't have a response. After walking for another few minutes, Monday turned down another path, and slowed her pace.
"There it is..," she said. As she focused on it, the red arrow flew forward and pointed down at a golden sword embedded in a large boulder. It was fenced in by a velvet rope and a plaque.
"What?" Nax asked as he followed Monday towards the boulder. "You're here for the sword in the stone?" he asked with a chuckle. "What, you get to rule Camelot now?"
"Yeah, kind of," Monday nodded as she stepped over the cordon. "It's gonna give you a prompt, just say yes," she said.
"Huh?" Nax asked his question as Monday wrapped her hands around the hilt. As soon as she touched it, Nax felt a system messaged Whispered on his wrist.
[User: Monday wishes to pull the sword from the stone.]
[Allow this action? Yes. No.] Nax shrugged and answered yes. He heard a ding, then Monday pulled the sword free of the stone. Then, he got another Whisper.
[User: Monday controls Camelot]
"Sweet, thanks," Monday said as she crossed the velvet rope again. "I appreciate the help," she said. "You can leave if you have somewhere else to be, I'm gonna start fixing this place up."
"That's it?" Nax asked. "When you asked for help on a quest, I thought you needed help killing something...," he said. Monday shook her head.
"Nah, I'm good at that," she giggled. Then, she gestured at the now vacant boulder with her thumb. "It's set up so that no one can pull it out by themselves. There's supposed to be a group vote; but, if the only two people agree...," she shrugged. Nax looked at the golden blade, then back at Monday.
"Okay, but what's so special about that sword?" Then, he tilted his head. "Do merchants even use weapons?" he asked. He didn't know any merchants and wasn't familiar with how the class worked. Monday shook her head.
"Not really. This isn't a weapon though," she grinned. "It's just proof of ownership; I own Camelot Mall now," she said. "It's for a merchant questline, I can make big money off this place."
"This place...?" Nax looked around at the empty shops but Monday nodded.
"Well after I fix it up," she said.
"Wait, that sword was just there waiting for anyone to come pull it out?"
"With enough votes," Monday corrected him.
"With enough votes, sure. But, doesn't that mean any of them could have pulled it out too?" he asked. Monday giggled and shook her head.
"Of course not," she said. "Remember? Zeros don't count."