Chapter 10: A Warning of the Gravest Kind

“Here we go.” Thomas ripped open the sack of food and began handing out his victory spoils. “A few tarts, got some bread, that cake I wanna save and, oh yeah, apple, anyone?”

The food was passed around the group and soon everyone, except for the Guide, was munching on something. Thomas felt slight annoyance that Alexander took two of the tarts but didn’t say anything.

“So what’s this warning, Guide?” Asked Amelie. She had chosen a small loaf of bread and was gingerly picking at it with her fingers as it rested in one hand.

“First, some advice,” responded the Guide. “Over the past day or so I have gotten to know each of you to a degree. It’s not long enough to make a resounding judgment but maybe I was designed to notice more things than other NPCs. I suppose, since I have been doing this so long and seen my predictions come true so often, that my advice isn’t so bad after all.”

“I would love some advice, Mr Guide,” said Amelie. Thomas was was pretty sure she wasn’t joking, either.

“Very well, yours can come first, Amelie. And remember, for nearly one thousand years I have been guiding new players over their first day of life in Esem. I remember every single face, and every single name. Though I have never left this island, I do have means to follow up on players and have seen how accurate my advice came to be.”

The Guide stopped talking and looked at the ground, his brow furrowed. When he spoke again his voice seemed to change, like he was addressing a soldier now and not a teenage girl.

“Amelie, you are a kind and caring person. Many will mistake your kindness for weakness or a lack of intelligence. I can see this will be a devastating mistake for some. Out of all the players I have seen your intelligence is quite remarkable, and I foresee you achieving great things once you leave the island. You must never forget that there will be those who would exploit a mind such as yours. Coupled with your caring nature, you have the potential to be a great force for good in this world. Continue to look after the weak. More than anything remember this: intellect is a two sided sword, and can be used against ones self just as much as against ones enemies.”

Bread forgotten, Amelie had listened intently to the old man and was nodding fervently.

“Yess sir, and thank you for your words. I will not forget them.”

“Alexander,” the Guide rumbled on, facing the big guy. “You have some of the greatest potential I have ever seen in a new player. Whatever you choose to do after leaving the island, I have no doubt you will find great success. Your mind is sharp and your body is strong. These are two things which come rarely to people and is wasted on most. I think that you have the capability to capitalize on your gifts to the fullest extent. But,” the Guide held up his unlit pipe and pointed at Alexander. “You’re pride is great, and arrogance may cause the wise words of friends to fall impotently on your ears. Others will not see the world as you do, and you must be patient with them. One never knows where wisdom will spring. Also, do not allow misunderstandings with your friends to push them away. I know you desire to be loved and appreciated, but nothing in this world is given for free. If I had to sum it up: if you wish to truly have something, you must first let it go.”

Thomas watched Alexanders expression change as the Guide spoke. His eyes were wide the entire time and it was as though he were hearing things about himself that he had never considered. By the end of it he was nodding like a dog just as Amelie had.

Alexander took the Guides hand and shook it respectfully. “Thank you, sir. I‘ll remember what you have said. And thanks for the food, too,” he added.

“And finally we come to you.” The Guide turned to face Chase who was nonchalantly eating some bread.

Hang on, thats my cake! How did he grab that without my noticing? Thomas fumed inside but couldn’t help but be impressed. He would have to keep on eye on this guy. Might even be able to learn something useful from him down the line.

“Lay it on me, Guide,” said Chase through a mouthful of cake.

The Guide hmmm’ed thoughtfully but instead of immediately responding he packed his pipe and lit it, the entire time looking at Chase. He spent a full minute smoking before he said anything.

“Well, Chase, there are many things I could tell you but I’ll keep it short and sweet: keep your powder dry, don’t swim on a full stomach and, most importantly, don’t sweat the small stuff.”

“Is that it?” Said Chase. He didn’t sound too perturbed by the Guide’s short advice compared to the other two but seemed slightly amused Thomas thought.

“Aye, that’s it. No sense in rehashing what’s already been said. Clear?”

“Oh, it’s crystal clear,” said Chase sarcastically. “You off then?”

“I suppose so, need to go back to the camp. Gonna have more players spawning in a day or so.”

Chase shook the Guide’s hand. “Maybe you can get Jojo to lend a hand or six. I saw him last night while we were all eating.”

“Is that so? He must have reset himself early. The big lad is mighty shy. Too bad you lot won’t be able to see him on a good day.”

Alexander and Amelie smiled weakly.

“It’s alright, Mr Guide,” said Amelie. “One encounter with Jojo is more than enough for me.”

“Agreed,” said Alexander. Thomas noticed that fear seemed to be the only thing which stopped Alexander from stuffing his face.

The Guide began to turn around and then stopped himself.

“I almost forget, I need to leave you three with a warning.”

“Really? I thought you weren’t being serious,” said Chase. But he sounded worried for the first time.

“No, I am serious.” The guide looked around at everyone including Thomas. Thomas was reminded of the day he spawned and the Guide kept telling him to stay near camp and not wander off with increasing frustration.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Esem is not a very old world,” said the Guide. “I haven’t mentioned it but Esem is only 984 years old, and with its 1000th birthday nearing the horizon, I feel the need to warn all my new players that something is coming, some event that cannot be stopped.”

“Like what?” Said Chase, interrupting Amelie before she could speak. Now he couldn’t keep the concern off of his face.

“I don’t know, but things are changing in Esem. I am unsure what AION’s will is in these matters, but, better be on your toes. As we near the year 1000 I am sure odd happenings will begin to become common place. This undoubtedly will effect life in Esem.”

“Has anything like this happened before?” Asked Alexander.

“I suppose there have been events, yes,” said the Guide. “But I must imagine something special for the year 1000. Also I have heard some strange rumors floating around. And if an old NPC on an island is hearing these things you can rest assured others are as well.”

“Just spawned and already there are problems, eh?” Chase laughed.

The Guide held up his hands. “I didn’t say problems. AION will never give the world more than it can handle.”

“That’s a comforting thought,” said Chase. “Can you give us any specifics?”

“Not really.”

“Because you can’t or you don’t want to?”

“A bit of both, if I am being honest. Look,” the Guide pointed down the path. “The starting town is down that way. Young Thomas here can show you the way to the info center. They will tell you what happens next. Soon you three can meet all the other new players and speculate with them about what a 1000 year old simulation might be cooking up.”

Thomas watched as the Guide shook everyone’s hands. They all looked confused at the Guide’s parting words. Thomas’ own spawnmates had been too excited to get to the town to think much on what they Guide had told them about the coming 1000 year event in Esem and even Thomas had forgotten until the old man had mentioned it again. Soon the three of them were waving the old man good bye and he began to make his way back to camp.

“Well then,” said Chase once the Guide was gone. “Thomas, is it?”

“That’s me.”

“Gonna take us to the info center the Guide mentioned?”

“Ye I guess it’s this way.” He lazily waved his hand for them to follow.

Thomas led the three of them from the Joining Gate and down the path. The ocean stretched across the horizon and met the blue sky which boasted a cloudless day.

“How lovely,” said Amelie. “Thomas, may I ask when you spawned on this island?”

“About a month ago, I reckon.”

“And when do you plan on leaving?”

“I don’t really know. I have to pass some test in order to be allowed off the island. Unfortunately the test is a bit challenging for people my age.”

At the word ‘test’ Alexander seemed interested.

“What kind of test is this? Like a written examination?”

“Yeah I think there’s some writing to it,” said Thomas. “But its mostly running around and showing you learned how to handle yourself. I’ll probably take it again in a month or so.”

“You failed it, you mean?”

Thomas didn’t like how Alexander said that word. “Yes, I did. Most people do their first time so its no big deal. The island isn’t so bad.”

“Are there many other children like yourself, Thomas?” Asked Amelie.

Why does she talk so strange? Thought Thomas.

“Not really. The next oldest kid is around 12, I think. There’s also an old man named Marlon who I think is the oldest. He has to be about 80 or something.”

“I see,” she said. “This world doesn’t seem too kind to children if there are giant spiders running around.”

Thomas shrugged. “I guess. I’ve heard a lot of kids end up in something like orphanages once they get off the island where they get to train more until they can go off on their own. No way am I ending up in one of those.”

A silence fell over the four of them as they walked.

“Can I ask you guys something?” Said Thomas.

The two men seemed lost in their thoughts and didn’t say a word but Amelie told him to go ahead.

“What do you remember of the Old World?”

“The Old World?”

“Yeah, where we came from. Everyone seems to come here with no memories but one, usually. There’s a guy who just left to the mainland yesterday who said he remembered reading a book…I can’t remember the name but it was about a whale or something. Another person said they remember flying in big machines to get around.”

“Interesting,” said Amelie. She placed a finger on her chin as she thought. “I don’t think I remember anything at all. Is that odd?”

“I don’t know. Everyone I’ve met had some memory but maybe it doesn’t happen for everyone.”

“Well I am sure I’ll remember something soon—at least I hope. What about you?” She added.

Thomas hadn’t shared his memory with anyone but decided Amelie seemed to be trustworthy enough. Even though she was only a few years older than him there was something more mature about her than the other players her age.

“I remember my mom,” said Thomas.

“Really? What was she like?”

“Who knows. All I remember is a woman who kind of looks like me: brown hair and kind of short. Glasses, too. In my memory we were sitting at a table together. Can’t remember what we were talking about but she looked sad.”

“Do you remember anything else?”

“Just her name,” said Thomas. Suddenly a small sadness was hanging in his chest. “Anne, or maybe Annie. Something like that.”

Perhaps Amelie sensed he didn’t want to talk much more about it because she turned her head around to look at Chase and Alexander.

“Do you two have memories of the old world, too?”

“Huh?” Said Alexander, who clearly had been listening. “I remember something, I think.” He squinted at the docks they were coming near. “I seem to remember cleaning some large object. It could get me places like a wagon but it was made of metal. Don’t remember any family members or anything or especially how we got here. What about you, Chase?”

Thomas imagined his ears pricking back like a cat. Chase didn’t respond immediately, and when he did he sounded hesitant.

“Um…yes, I have a memory.”

“Will you tell us, Chase?” Said Amelie. “Only if you don’t mind.”

“Sure,” he cleared his throat. “I have a memory of feeding my dog.”

“You had a dog?” Said Thomas.

“Yes. A dog. His name was Jay, I think.”

Is he lying? Thought Thomas. A lot of people refused to share their memories but they didn’t usually lie about them. Chase was acting as though they had caught him stealing their dinner.

“Big dog?” Prodded Thomas.

“Not really. Normal sized dog.”

“And her name was Jay?”

“Jay,” nodded Chase. “She was a good girl.”

“I thought you said it was a boy,” said Alexander.

Chase sighed. “Honestly I can’t remember. Jay isn’t a gender specific name, is it?”

Exactly what I would say, Thomas thought. If he was lying Thomas didn’t really care, but his curiosity arose regardless. There was something about Chase which Thomas couldn’t put his finger on.

They had since passed the docks and were walking down the street Thomas had flown down as Thaddeus had chased him. The Headquarters was coming up soon but Thomas didn’t want to leave them yet. They were a more peculiar bunch than the others he had met on the island. It seemed each of them didn’t really belong here, even more than the other players who arrived with just as much confusion.

“This is it,” said Thomas. They stopped outside a large brick building with two floors. The sign read “Island Headquarters and Registration Center.”

“So we just go in?” Said Amelie.

“I’ll go with you. Usually the Guide comes but I guess he trusted it to me. You’re gonna meet the island supervisor. He’s a really fun guy,” said Thomas sarcastically.

“That’s wonderful to hear,” said Amelie brightly. She didn’t seem to catch his tone.

“Right, this way then.” Thomas reached for the door and gave a small bow as the three went though. He stepped inside once Alexander had waddled in and shut it behind them. The lobby was unchanged since last he had had the pleasure to be sent to the supervisors office for a prank involving a gallon of milk and the master at arms during sword training. It was a small room with doors opening to halls on either side and a large desk pushed against the far wall. A small bespectacled NPC sat behind the desk and was writing in a large book.

“Hello, Avery,” said Thomas. “I brought you some new people.”

“Thomas?” Avery looked up and seemed to just notice them. He adjusted his glasses and squinted down at Thomas over the desk. “Why are you here, where is the Guide?”

“He asked me to escort these new players to the Registration Hall,” said Thomas. He jabbed a thumb and said, “This is Chase, Alexander, and Amelie.”

“Highly irregular,” said Avery suspiciously. He drummed a tattoo on the desk with his fingers. “The Guide asked you to bring them? What, was he too busy to do his job?”

“You’ll have to ask him,” said Thomas. “I’m just doing as I was told.”

“Doing as you are told?” A booming voiced filled the room as a shadow fell over Thomas. “Why do I doubt that?”