I was amazed at how the game could make NPC’s so life like. I could feel the hatred coming from princess Lucila as if she was more human than data. The developers wanted Expanding Stars to be as realistic as possible, there was no levels or stats in the game. If you wanted power you had to work hard and grind for it. The NPC’S was so realistic that some players started to fall in love with them.
There are those who still treat NPC’s as just computer data, but I see my NPC’s no different than another player sometimes. Sitting in front of the princess, I could not help but admire how human like she was. I got up to leave but before walking out I turned my head back towards the princess. “ I know that you think I will not get away with this, but I will and that I can assure you.”
Going back up the elevator I was escorted to a room, like the church it was beautifully decorated and furnished. I sat down at the head of a conference table placed in the middle of the room. Zed took out a folder and placed it in front of me.
“ My lord here are the latest reports, The Emperor has increased the search for his daughter and has asked the help of clans. Promising a reward for any clues or the safe return of his daughter. But I assure my lord the team has left no clues. Also all our people are in place for tomorrow's festival.” Zed said.
I shifted through the reports and nodded my head as I read. Then I saw something that made me frown. “It says here that security was increased at the palace, will this be a problem in the operation tomorrow?” I said looking at Zed. He took a moment to think before saying.
“I can not say for sure my lord...but it is not something that will stop the final outcome.” I thought for a little bit and nodded my head in agreement. Nothing can stop the final outcome now that we had the princess. Once we are inside the palace, I will be one step closer. A little while later I was back in the main part of the church. I was standing behind a podium overlooking about fifty people or so. They were all NPC’s I recruited over the years. I sighed to myself, because I was still going along with this cult thing. I raised my arms up above my head and spoke. “Tomorrow is yet another step we will take, you have traveled a long journey with me. You have come through many hardships for a chance to get back at the world, and I thank you...many may not make it ...but I also know you do not fear death! Soon we will wage a war that this world will not forget. We will wage a war of our hatred...my hatred. Now it seems we have a mouse among us.”
A man was dragged out of the crowd by four others. He was then forced down on his knees in front of me. The man on his knees looked up at me. “You will never get away with what your about to do! The emperor already has his eyes on your little cult!” the young man said.
I walked down from where I was until I was in front of him. I cupped my hand under his chin and moved my lips towards his ear. “You think I do not know i'm being watched...you silly child. What makes this even more laughable is that we are being watched for the wrong reason!” Of course the ruler of a land will keep tabs on a strange organization that popped out from nowhere, it's only natural. The government still did not know our true intentions so this man threat was not a concern to me. What was a concern, was having him here any longer. I do not want him to notify anyone about our movements. After the man was dragged away and dealt with, i gave the order for everyone else to return and get ready for tomorrow.
Sam POV
Today was the day of the festival. Celebrating one hundred years since the empire was founded. The street was crowded with people, and cheers could be heard as the parade went by. I have been playing ESO since it first hit the shelves. I started in the Florium Empire faction and joined the army, thinking I would be a great hero on the battlefield. “Sigh.” I couldn't help but let out breath. Instead of epic tales I could brag about to my friends at school, I became a regular city guard. Always going on patrol, always standing by a door or gate or room, it was repetitive job.
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Today me and a couple of NPC’s was guarding the side of the road to help separate the people from the passing parade. It was a hot day and my arms was stiff from keeping people back. “I just want to go to the pub.” I said. Then I felt a pull on my arm, I looked down to see a small girl.
“Um excuse me sir what time is it?” she said.
I looked at my watch and it said 9:59am. I told the little girl the time and she thanked me. What a cute kid I thought. Then I notice she was still here. “Do you need something else?” I said. All of a sudden the ground trembled and screams started to fill the air. Clouds of black smoke could be seen raising in the air, then there was more explosions followed by more black smoke. People were running trying to get away, pushing each other out of the others way. “What the fuck is going on!?” I said. I could hear rapid orders and report in my ear from my communication device.
“The time for his shadow and his light is finally here.” said the girl.
I turned towards her. “Huh what did you say?” I said. But when I looked at the little girl, she had her arm stretched out as if welcoming someone to a hug. Her smile was welcoming but her eyes seem to be looking somewhere far away. That is when I noticed the green wire sticking out of her shirt.
“Oh fu.” was all I could say before a bright light and a system notification.
> You have died. After 29 days you will be able to enter the game. We hope you had a wonderful experience!<
I stared at the prompt for a minute. “What the fuck just happened!?”
Smoke filled the air and shouts could be heard all around. Soldiers was trying to get the situation under control but could not because of the amount of people. Out of the crowd people in cloaks and masks started to attack the soldiers.
“Enemy attack!” someone shouted before being shot and crumpling to the ground. All of a sudden the soldiers found themselves outnumbered and dying one by one. Guards from the palace came out to hold the attackers back while reinforcements arrive. The men in masks broke through the outer defences of the palace and made it inside but this did not come without many sacrifices. Government officials ran for cover, because as the saying went. Bullets do not have no name on them. Pretty soon the attackers made it to the palace treasury only to be stopped by a door.
“It is time for you to be of some use now my dear lucila.” Xiler said with a smile.
Soon two people with masks dragged out a young woman who was being protected in the middle of the group. They threw her onto the floor in front of the door making the chains on her arms clang on the marble floor. She turned her head sharply at me but I could not help but chuckle at her adorable defiant gaze. “Do it now or more people will die outside” I said. You could see the inner struggle on her face before she came to a decision. She got up and walked to the doors, placing her hands on it. There was a vibration in the air as a powerful energy began to form, soon the doors let out a long creek before opening. The princess seemed tired and a shade lighter. “Good.” I said.
She coldly looked at me before saying. “All this death over some credits, you disgust me.”
I was amused by what she said. “My dear, dear lucila. You think behind these doors is some mer credits.” I laughed. She gave me a confused look.
“What else could it be she?” she said.
Some men walked into the room pass the doors and came back holding a black box. “My lord.” the man said giving me the box. I opened it to find a pink crystal that brightly lit up the room, showing the world its luster. I picked up the crystal and held it up in my hand. “This small crystal can power half this planet...Isn't it beautiful lucila. Can you imagine the power within this crystal was to be used as a weapon?” I said. Lucila looked in horror at what this could mean. But before she could say anything. “To bad im not going to use it as a weapon” i said. Now the princess has a confused look on her face.
“Then what will you use it for?” she said. Before I could answer another voice spoke up behind us.
“Yes what will you use it for young man? The voice asked in curiosity.
Lucila suddenly lit up. “Father!” I turned to see a man with the same chestnut skin and green eyes like lucila. His hair was dreaded and so was his beard. Behind him stood at least one hundred soldiers, all aiming their guns at us. We was sadly outnumbered this time.