Location: Home in Village Uri, South of Diptabhumi
Day: Healer of The Triad (First Day of Triad)
Year: Nivam, 6878 AFG
"Bastad, "Hira greeted Jakal.
"Hira," Jakal declared with a raised eyebrow, "You shouldn't use language like that."
Hira, undeterred, turned to Eka, who seemed unimpressed. "Mimi says this. To Pupa," Hira proudly announced.
Eka sighed and addressed Hira, "We'll discuss this later."
Meanwhile, Jakal, tapping on the door frame, was struggling to enter the room. "Could you invite this person in? It seems this person is stuck."
Eka couldn't help but appreciate the quality of the blackwood that composed the door frame. It was imported from Nei, a desert kingdom, and was a rare treasure. Modou's family must be quite wealthy. Eka had always assumed them to be like any other family in the village, and the origins of their riches remained a mystery. However, the wood, aged over five generations, was impressive.
Eka knew that this blackwood began as white as ash. She, as the creator and a group of elite carpenters knew they had to craft it during this stage, as once it turned gray, it became impenetrable.
"Mimi," Hira tugged at Eka's skirt, "protected by the gods."
Jakal, still outside, whistled. "You have divine protection on your door, fine lady. Please invite this person in quickly, and this person will never leave your side."
Eka raised an eyebrow, noting Jakal's earlier politeness was merely a façade. "Hold on. I won't invite you. I don't appreciate this type of behaviour." Infact, she did not appreciate anyone barging into her house, be it a virtual one or her real one.
"Fine lady, don't be alarmed. This person has taken the Oath of Hemara," Jakal reassured her.
Eka frowned. "The Oath of Hemara? What's that?"
Jakal seemed surprised. "Did you forget because of your Awakening?"
Eka hesitated but decided to bite. "Yes, I've Awakened."
Jakal explained, "The Oath of Hemara is a trust agreement between players and NPCs, created by Hemara, the Lady of Law. It's meant to make lawless individuals trustworthy, especially the oath-bearers."
Eka remained cautious. "I still don't want to invite you."
Jakal persisted, "Do you not want to hear what this person has from Ms. Devia?"
Eka suddenly remembered her initial reason for being in the virtual world: to log out. The intrigue and unfolding events had momentarily distracted her.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
"Mimi?"
"Hmm?" Eka turned toward Hira, her eyes damp and unusually bright.
"Mimi, go out?" Hira tugged at Eka's skirt and mumbled, "Mimi, log out," with her head bowed.
Eka froze. "You... you know about logging out?"
Hira tilted her head, her expression unchanging. Her eyes darkened as though she held the secrets of an underground cult. "Mimi, you mentioned it, Payers. Log out."
"Oh, did I say that aloud? I must have let my thoughts slip. But, Hira, there's no such thing as logging out. We're a part of this world."
Hira nodded, sending a final glare at Jakal before nestling her head under Eka's neck.
Eka sighed and motioned for Jakal to join them. He cheerfully stepped forward, his sword vanishing into an unseen inventory.
Jakal whistled, "A fine taste for a fine lady," gesturing to the opulent hallway decor. Although the furnishings showed signs of wear and age, the maroon, brown, and black decor exuded luxury. Swords, shields and various handheld weaponry, polished to smooth perfection lined the walls. Natural light sweeped in through large windows along the hallway. Small and precious artifacts sat atop short tables beneath the wall hangings.
"Show this guest around," he instructed Eka, who followed Jakal as if he were the master and she the servant.
"Mimi, no," Hira whispered in Eka's ear.
"Eh, no."
"As you wish."
At least he displayed some intelligence beneath his seemingly vacant exterior.
"Tell me what I need to know and then leave."
"Madam, there's no need to be so rude," Jakal replied, instantly making Eka feel ashamed.
"I apologize," Eka said stiffly. "But your approach until now didn't warrant an apology, really."
"This person is sorry too. This person never had genuine friends. This person's parents are wealthy, you see. This person's dad is a designer at Kadak Games and Co. This person always had early access to Ira's codes. So-called friends took advantage. When this person got to know you, this person thought you were a good NPC and wanted to protect you. Forgive this person if this person came on too strong."
Eka was left speechless, a mixture of irritation and sympathy. She didn't hate him, but perhaps his enthusiasm had been overwhelming.
"Jakal, I don't hate you. I have a lot on my mind. The Administrator keeps giving orders, and it's a headache to sort through them." Eka lied without hesitation.
"You're an Awoken. So lifelike."
Hira's body shook with silent laughter. "Is everything amusing to you?" Hira nodded. "Okay, keep quiet. I have many questions for you later. Act as if you're asleep." Hira obliged, lying limp and even adding snoring for effect.
"She's adorable. It's rare to see a child NPC in this village, especially one living so close to the forest. Doesn't it scare you?"
The mention of a rare child NPC caught Eka's attention. She made a mental note to investigate that later. "So, about the reason you came..."
"Ah, Ms. Devia. She declined. She mentioned being informed about the mission. Just as you said, the Administrator changed things, and she hopes for a better change."
Eka experienced disbelief, loss, hopelessness, and shock all at once. Sorrow struck her hard, and she fought back tears as she tightened her grip on Hira.
"Mimi?" Hira patted Eka on the head. "Mimi, don't cry." She kissed Eka's cheek and murmured words of comfort.
"Aww…"
Both aunt and niece scowled at the boy. Jakal raised his hands in surrender and stepped back.
Eka's mood was as stormy as the gray clouds gathering on the horizon. She discovered she had a unique ability, the power to control who entered her house. Just as she could permit someone's entrance, she realized she could also deny them access. With a nonchalant flick of her wrist, she uttered, "Jakal, you may show yourself out. Or it might be best to simply log out."
"But—" Jakal barely had time to protest before an invisible force seized him by the collar and whisked him away from the house. He found himself deposited a few feet from the doorframe, and the heavy blackwood doors promptly shut behind him. "Fine lady, this person will not trouble you. Fine lady…"
Inside the house, Eka wearily shuffled into a room, while Hira hesitated, her concern for her tired aunt mingling with curiosity. Eka's choice of room turned out to be less than ideal, and Hira couldn't help but shake her head. Eka, however, paid it no mind and wearily settled onto the bed. Hira joined her, and the two women, with Hira's concern still lingering, drifted into peaceful slumber.