A beautiful princess kidnapped by a ferocious evil dragon is locked by her captor in a desolate tower. Her salvation comes in the form of a horse-riding knight in shining armor, which not only saves the helpless princess and slays the mighty dragon; but ends being a handsome foreign prince which she ends falling in love with.
Variations of the same tale have been told by parent to child for many generations throughout the world, their reactions as they heard such story varied from child to child. Who lost in their imaginations took the role of the princess, the knight or sometimes even of the dragon.
The way a cute little girl called Amanda Ferreira reacted was however far different from what her mother Susana expected, when she decided to tell her such story after placing her daughter in its bed at night.
“Why would the dragon take away the princess, just to keep her in a tower?” Amanda asked looking up to her mother expectantly with her clear blue eyes.
“Because...” Her mother muttered as her eyebrows creased thinking of a response. She, herself had never asked such a question before. However, before she could think of a proper response for her beloved, she presented a new question.
"Why a tower?" asked Amanda as she pushed down the blanket her mother had covered her with, "Since he could fly, wouldn't a mountain be a better place to hide the princess?” She said as she sat on her bed with a pensive expression on her face.
By now, her mother knew that her attempt of putting her daughter to sleep by telling her a story had failed miserably as more questions kept flowing from her daughter’s mouth.
Questions such as why didn't he eat her if he were such an evil monster, since that what monsters supposedly do? Since the princess was locked at the tower, does that mean the dragon feeding her every day?
If he was, what was he feeding her? Did the dragon cook for her? Why and how, a single knight did manage to succeed in not only rescuing the princess and killing the dragon, when all the other knights who protected the princess’s kingdom had failed?
Susana was shocked, after hearing such questions from her beloved 7 years old daughter. Not knowing what to say, she discussed such events with her husband Fernando, which managed to convince both her and himself, that such reaction should be attributed to the importance they had always placed on their single child's education.
Having enrolled her at the best, most expensive private school available at their country, which included a pre-school division and a nursery, which Amanda passed most of her time at when her parents were at work.
However, with each passing year, the truth became clearer. Always ranking among the top of her class, Amanda, who had a platinum blond hair just like her mother; went against the cliché that all blondes were stupid.
It was after that young girl’s sixteenth birthday, when a few apparently insignificant events started shaping her fate. In a regular school day her best friend Laura Rodrigues, excitedly spoke about the future release of according to her words, the best game ever created.
A few years before, a breakthrough in technology had introduced something that had existed for years in the minds of science fiction fans, a working virtual reality system which was wholeheartedly accepted by the gaming industry.
The reason for Laura’s excitement was her participation in the closed beta test of the game named Royal Road that, at least according to her, was more than just a game, calling it a portal to another world was more appropriate.
A world inhabited by humans, demi-humans and monsters. A world where you could enjoy fantastical adventures of sword and magic, or just relax by a beautiful lake eating a handmade meal. The possibilities were nearly infinite in a system, which promised thousands of professions, and millions of skills.
“It sounds amazing right?” Laura said smiling, after spending most of the morning glorifying Royal Road.
“Yes it does,” Said Amanda before sighing, “But didn't you say it was a Korean game?” She asked with an annoyed expression on her face. Her experiences with Korean games had a single common trait, the fact they were all entirely in Korean.
“I did, but it has a translation system installed.” Her friend responded with a smirk on her face.
“Oh really... I didn't think they would care.” Amanda retorted because of the prejudices she had about Koreans.
The reason behind it was in her past encounters with them; Koreans had, as many other ethnic groups migrated to Brazil, and opened their own communities and stores. It was in one of their stores, that Amanda had gone to buy her father’s birthday present.
Entering the store for the first time, which sold the most varied things imported from Asia. Amanda observed a well-adorned jian¹ balanced precariously on one of the store’s glass displays. Subsequently, that rather mundane action somehow had earned the storekeepers full attention. Who gave her the evil eye as if she were somehow dirtying or trying to steal the sword.
Uncomfortable with the treatment received in such store, she ended leaving it without buying anything, never to walk into it again. That was sadly,one of the many unfortunate encounters she had involving Koreans, all which left a deep impression in her.
“Good morning class, I am sorry to interrupt your pleasant conversations. But if you all were to be kind enough to open your books at page forty-two, we will now commence today’s lesson.” Amanda’s history teacher said as she entered the classroom.
“Let’s continue later, okay?” Laura said before returning to her seat to study. Throughout the day, their rather one-side conversation continued at every chance they had. However, with the many classes they had on that day, their conversation did not progress much further.
It would have been just like any other regular school day for them, if not for the art teacher receiving a phone call at the start of his class, informing him that his wife had gone into labor.
Being the day’s last class, they were allowed to leave school earlier, but not before an announcement by the school’s director. Reminding them about the trip to Rio de Janeiro that had been programmed to the end of the year.
After the speech was given, Amanda and Laura left the school and went to a bus station near it. Even though they were both from wealthy families, both had grown accustomed to using the public transportation system that had finally reached a level similar to Japan, after the Brazilian government, under the pressure of continuous protests from the general population; made heavy investments in the sector.
As they waited for a few minutes until the next bus scheduled arrival, Laura promised to send an email to Amanda’s smart phone with many links about the game. This included the prices involved in playing it.
“See you later Amanda, good luck at your work.” Said Laura before entering the bus, which would take her home.
The work mentioned by her friend was a part-time job she had gotten at Burger Queen. Even though, Amanda came from a wealthy family there was one simple reason as to why she was working at such place. She had simply wanted to save more money for the trip to Rio de Janeiro.
Amanda already received a large monthly allowance from her family. So they refused to gift her more for the trip, thinking she needed to learn the value of money. To their surprise she took one of her father’s jokes about working part time in Burger Queen seriously.
Consequently, that was the reason why she boarded the next available bus; after Laura's. And why Amanda was now behind the counter of her favorite's shopping mall's Burger Queen store; wearing their trademark uniform. Her workday went smoothly, with no noteworthy events until a group of foreign students walked into the store.
Among them a were twin brothers, which were having difficulty ordering their food, going as far as to resort to mimic to get across to the other party. They approached the female cashier who apparently knew nothing about the English language.
“No onions, get it? I don’t want any onions.” The scrawniest of the twins, who had a long red hair and wore glasses articulated.
“I am sorry, I don’t speak English.” Stammered the cashier, regretting the fact she slept through English classes.
“Forget it brother, you can just take it off later.” The more athletic of the twins advised. Who differently from his brother, did not wear glasses and had a shorter haircut.
“No, the taste will stay on the meat and you know how much I hate onions.” He complained to his brother. His brother sighed because of all the negative attention they were getting.
The whole problem transpired moments after Amanda’s turn ended, having already registered her exit in the store’s system she had yet to change out of her uniform. When Amanda heard one of her colleagues mention the problem at the cashier, deciding to help she marched towards the source of the problem.
“Please leave it to me.²” Amanda confidently said, touching the cashier's shoulder.
“Thank you Amanda, you’re a lifesaver.” The relieved cashier said, before smiling and leaving her station.
“Excuse me sir, what is the problem?” Asked Amanda, using what she learned during her training, a pleasant smile.
“What's wrong? Is my accent bad?” She asked since no answer came from them as the twins stood in silence staring at her.
The first brother, who woke up from his daze, was the short-haired one who shoved his brother’s back as discreetly as he could. But since that did not work, he decided to speak in his stead.
“I am terribly sorry, but you see my dear younger brother cannot stand the taste of onions, so could you please not add them to his burger?”
“It’s bad to be a picky eater, but then again you’re the customer...” Amanda said smiling.
“I know, I couldn’t agree more. Sadly, it’s easier to convince him to bungee jump, than to make him eat a slice of onion.” Joked the older of the two brothers while smirking, but Amanda, not caring for his bad joke continued with her work.
“Two chocolate milk-shakes, two medium fries, a double cheeseburger and a Big Queen without onions, is that correct sir?” Said Amanda, trying to ignore that his gaze was directed at her chest. Contrary to what she, or any onlookers thought he was mostly reading the name tag, which was conveniently placed on top one of her breasts.
“Yes, that’s all. Thank you for your help Amanda.” The older brother said before paying for their meal.
Only a few minutes later, after both received their meals, the younger brother got back to his senses and followed his brother into one of the few vacant tables whom after taking a few bites of his sandwich, spoke.
“She’s perfect.” He said with a piece of half-chewed hamburger inside his mouth.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
“Is your Big Queen that good?” Asked his brother smirking, as he knew exactly about what he was talking about.
"Very funny," He said after swallowing the food inside his mouth, "I know you were also staring at her." Said the younger brother pushing up his glasses frame, his vision was flawless and did not need corrective glasses, which were already obsolete. Since reparative surgery had become cheaper and more effective, but many people still wore fake lenses as he did out of habit.
“Go ask her out.” His brother said, with a broad smile on his face.
“What? No way, she won’t accept...” He answered while shaking his head.
“Whatever, we're leaving Brazil tomorrow anyway; this is your last chance bro.” His brother said while barely containing his urge to laugh.
“But...” The younger brother started to mumble, but was interrupted by his brother.
“Just go, or I will be telling mom about it, and you know how she loves gossiping at the hairdresser...” The elder brother said taking a bite at his burger, stuffing his mouth as to prevent himself from laughing.
“Fine... I will go, but if you say a single word about this to mom, I swear no one will recognize you as my twin after I am done with you.” The younger brother says as he leaves his chair.
He couldn’t help but to laugh at his younger brother’s words, despite the serious tone of his voice. Cheering him on, as he got off his chair and walked towards the cashier.
Every step seemed difficult for his brother, who dragged his legs as if they were bound to a heavy iron ball. Despite all the effort it took him, he ended managing to reach the cashier and asking the man who now stood there, where the girl who helped them earlier had gone.
“Oh, you mean Amanda? She left already.” He answered with a grin on his face, as he crushed the red haired young man's hope.
Oblivious to that, Amanda was inside the bus heading back to her home; It didn’t take long for the bus to reach the station closest to where she lived, which was only a short walk away from the four-building apartment complex where Amanda and her parents lived. When she reached the condominium’s gate, a man inside the gatehouse greeted her.
"Hello Amanda." Ayrton greeted her, "Still working at Burger Queen?" He asked with a smile on his face, as South Valley's oldest gatekeeper, having worked that since before Amanda's birth. Ayrton knew her and her family well enough to be considered one of their friends.
"Yes, and something interesting happened there today." Said Amanda as she passed through the gate. Moments after the gate closed behind her she started to narrate the events which had taken place on her work place.
Done so, she excused herself after she noticed the clock inside the gatehouse wall. They both exchanged farewells before Amanda left the gatehouse and entered the edifice C, taking the elevator to reach the eleventh floor.
When the elevator arrived she left it and walked to the door of apartment KC-2, where she lived along with her parents. Pressing her finger against the digital lock installed on the door, it silently opened.
“Welcome home.” Said a man sitting on the living room’s couch while watching TV.
“Thank you father, you look well today.” Said Amanda smiling, the man who had greeted her was her father, Fernando Ferreira.
“What do you want, Amanda?” Fernando sighed before asking so, as he knew his daughter well enough to know what her compliment truly meant.
“It’s rather expensive, but I want this.” She said, showing the pamphlet Laura had given her on the bus.
“Virtual Reality Capsule? And why would you need that for?” Asked her father, who was not very fond of new technologies, since to him they had made the mankind weaker and lazier. While his opinion was not entirely wrong and he knew technology had many benefits, but he couldn’t help but sigh every time he heard complaints that came from others when they found out an elevator was in maintenance.
“For a game.” She answered wishing she could have given a better reason, for him to spend a rather high amount of money on something superfluous. Unfortunately, different from most people, he was not easily manipulated by her words.
“I won’t buy it.” Said her father, crushing her hopes as if they were an egg stepped by an elephant, she tried to change his mind, but failed to do so.
‘Stubborn fools’ Amanda thought after she had spent the rest of the day trying to convince him. Going as far as to ask for her mother’s help, but that hadn't changed anything as she too agreed with her husband’s opinion. She did not give up, and almost every day tried to ask for it, by subtly shifting the conversation.
But it was only at her eighteenth-birthday party, that she gained the desired capsule; apparently, as a reward, for passing the university entrance exam. She couldn't wait to play with it, but had to entertain her party guests.
“Congratulations Amanda! Now you can finally join me.” Said her friend Laura, smiling after she saw her best friend’s gift.
On that day’s evening, after all guests had left, Amanda entered the capsule for the first time. Inside it, she was involved by a deep darkness, but aside from that nothing was happening, making her think that perhaps the capsule had not been installed properly.
Amanda sighed, ‘Just my luck.’ She thought, moments before the surge of a bright light nearly blinded her.
“The scan of your iris has determined that you are an unregistered user, do you wish to create a new account?” Asked a feminine voice searching for the voice’s owner she looked around. But after she saw nothing but white Amanda gave up and gave her answer to the empty white room.
“Yes.” She answered, thinking that whoever had asked clearly was not very bright why else she would be here?
“Please select the name of your avatar.” Said the body less voice, in the two last years she had waited, Amanda had thought long and hard on a name fit for the character she wanted to create.
“Artanis.” She answered, having already decided on her name and race.
“Please select your gender, from male, female or neutral.” Stated the voice, as amusing as playing a male could be and no matter how curious she was about the neutral gender, her answer was not surprising.
“Female.” She said to the mysterious female voice.
“Royal Road has forty-nine races. You may select your race from the primary thirty-one.” The voice said before a list appeared before Amanda’s eyes.
Even though, she already had a race mind, one that fitted her avatar’s name. She took her time to read it, curious about the list's contents.
According to the list’s description, her desired race the elves; were creatures incapable of dying from old age, which after reaching maturity, stayed with the appearance same through their life. Being said to descend from fairies, elves were agile, intelligent, wise and also possessed a physical strength nearly equal to the one found on an average human. Their biggest flaw was their low vitality, result of their lithe frame leaving their bodies frailer than the ones of most races.
Currently on Royal Road, only two elven sub-races are available at the character creation, half-elves that were almost no different from humans, aside from their somewhat pointy ears and dark elves. Who were stronger and sturdier than their elven counterparts, but less agile. They also not well seen by most races.
“Elf.” Said Amanda
“You may alter your appearance anyway you like.” The voice stated.
‘That won’t be necessary.’ Was what Amanda thought; at least before seeing the 3D model representing her, that suddenly appeared.
“Please match the skin tone with mine.” Said Amanda, since the beautiful elven maiden before her had nearly all of Amanda’s features, including her beautiful platinum blond hair and clear blue eyes. Being nearly a perfect copy, aside from two things, one being the characteristic long ears every elf possess; the other her skin.
Rather that her tanned skin, the result of hours under the sun. Was a fair white one, similar to the one she had, in older pictures found in her family digital album. The mysterious entity, hearing her request, changed the model’s skin, which was slowly tanned, till it achieved the same beautiful tone the real Amanda currently had. But on closer inspection, Amanda noted there was something else that needed to be changed.
“Please make her skin uniform.” Said Amanda, since the model before her, had all her skins characteristics, including the marks caused by the clothes she wore. Answering her request, the 3D model once again changed, achieving a perfect tan through its entire skin.
“I've finished editing it, please continue.” She said, having changed the only flaw she could find on her avatar since she considered her appearance perfect. It might sound arrogant, but it only meant she loved herself the way she was, and never once thought that anything needed to be changed.
She had often heard derogatory and petty remarks about her body, but she had been assured by her family they all came from people jealous and envious of her appearance. A certain documentary about plastic surgery helped her to confirm what her family said was actually true.. Seeing many women being put under the knife to achieve a figure close to hers, made her glad that she needed not to undergo such procedures.
“Your account has been activated, your attributes and class shall be determined based on your actions in the game. Please select a city and kingdom to begin your journey.” The female voice said, hearing this Amanda assumed the account activation process was nearing its end.
“Any city is fine as long it's well populated.” Answered Amanda since she did not know anything about the game’s geography and her real life friends told her to pick any city she wanted as she could always travel to meet them.
“Welcome to Royal Road. May you have a grand adventure, on your journey to becoming the next Empress.” Were the last words said by the mysterious voice before Amanda was once again enveloped in a bright light.
When regained her senses she was in a small forest covered elven village. There Amanda learned, among other things, how to manipulate the various windows and controls of the game, after she completed the tutorial, the elven village residents waved her goodbye as a horse pulled carriage took her away.
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