After school I head home, stalling a bit as there is no rush. I need to wait for Maddy because she has drama. If I wait in the game it will take three times as long so I guess I will just browse tumblr.

Time passes faster than I had expected, I haven't browsed tumblr much so I had a few things to catch up with. A number of my mutual followers have also begun playing the game, I hope I can meet them soon.

Where we can't meet in real life due to distance constraints, we can meet in the game if we happen to be closer. It will be a lot easier to get to each other even if we aren't as we don't need to spend real money.

After chatting for a while I move over to the game's official site. I haven't been on here since I first got the game.

The game's site is a major hub for all things relating to it. The site has videos, forums, news, leaderboards, chat rooms, and support. I am curious about the top players as the game was released just a few weeks ago.

"Level 60?!!" I shout out in amazement, someone has reached level 60 already. While not completely surprising as I have just been reading this time, but I still level 6.

'I really need to start increasing my level.'

I decide to log in and read until Maddy can log in.

---

Maddy logs back in as I reach partway through the thirtieth volume. 'I wonder what kind of rewards I will get.'

"Hello again Maddy!" I greet Maddy again even though it's only been three hours.

"Hello~." Her voice is gentle and slightly childish, noticeably more energetic than it was in class.

"How much coffee have you had?" I was sure she must be on caffeine.

"Hmmm, three?"

"Not five?" I'm not very surprised at the amount of coffee she drinks.

"No~ I've got to sleep tonight."

"Okay, well let's get going I guess, it's best not to waste time."

"Okay~"

We look around for Malek so we can leave the town and begin an adventure.

"Malek!" Seeing him across the street I call to get his attention.

"Hey, I've got a something for you two to do." Malek seemed to have a new goal in mind.

"Something to do? Weren't we going to that special forest you mentioned?" my confusion comes across in my voice.

"Ah, well after asking around in town I found something possibly more interesting, though it might be nothing."

"Let's go!" Maddy calls out from behind me.

"Ughhh, guess we're going then, lead the way Malek." I gesture for Malek to lead.

Instead of heading to wear the cart was we head through some alleyways and end up outside of the town, reaching into his robe Malek pulls out some sort of whistle.

'What's that? I've never seen a whistle like that.'

The whistle Malek is holding is made of a slightly bluish stone with some sort of rune engraved on the top.

"Ah please step back." Malek gives us a warning before blowing into the whistle.

While I don't hear anything initially a noticeable change begins in the sky.

The slightly cloudy sky immediately becomes overcast. A clap of thunder resounds throughout the area.

'What kind of whistle is that?!'

A lightning bolt bursts from the clouds and strikes in front of Malek. Maddy and I shield our eyes from the light cast by the lightning. Peaking out through my fingers three stunning purple horses stand in front of Malek. A sense of awe overcomes me as I gaze at these magnificent horses. Their coat of fur the purple color of a bolt of lightning in a storm. Small dark clouds form around these horses as they stamp their feet and shake their heads.

Stolen story; please report.

"Are we going to ride these?" Maddy asks excitedly

"Of course, why else would I call them?" Malek answers her question rather matter of factly.

"Err, I haven't ridden a horse in years. Plus don't we need some sort of riding skill, it is a game after all." I don't want to spoil the mood but I still had some concerns with Malek's plan.

"Wow Jordan, way to ruin the mood." Maddy says this in her standard teasing tone.

"Kuh- I just want to know what we are getting ourselves into, I don't want this horse to go 200 miles per hour then fly off and die!"

"No need to worry, these are magically summoned mounts with special characteristics, you do not need the riding skill. Do note though that riding these will develop your riding skill so you can ride normal mounts later." Malek chimes in and keeps Maddy from teasing me more.

'Thanks Malek!'

Hopping onto our horses they begin prancing upwards then lightning gathers at their feet.

'Oh no...'

"Yeaa!" My thoughts contrast strongly with Maddy's excitement.

'This might be fun but I am too worried right now.' As the pressure builds up the fear increases, but it shortly disappears as we begin flying gracefully through the air.

"Oh this is actually really pleasant!"

"Weee!" Maddy is definitely in full adolescent mode after her coffee spree.

After just a few minutes of travel we cleared a massive distance. It didn't feel like we were going overly fast at all.

Malek signals for us to land and I make a gentle landing before disembarking. After getting off the horse flies back into the sky and disappears.

"Bye bye horsey friend!" I shout at the now non-existent horse and wave.

Malek gives a questioning look at me as my behavior is different now that Maddy is around. I shrug back at him not knowing what to say.

"Well, you two are going to explore this cave, I have some things I need to do so I can't help you." Malek points to rocky mound of earth in front of us, a small hole seems to lead into a cavern.

"Sweet!" Maddy seems ready for an adventure and I make a sound of excitement.

"Oh, what about my quest to read the books, if I finish before I see you again what should I do?"

Malek makes a contemplative look before tossing me a white translucent crystal.

"You won't be able to use that until you finish the last volume, once you do use the crystal the quest will be completed and you will receive your reward. Now concerning the cave I have some things for you."

Pulling out an over sized bag Malek tips it over and empties its contents on the floor. It contains anything ranging from preserved foods to tinderboxes and water.

"Raven's survival skills won't help when there aren't access to any ingredients. Take these with you and ration them well, I'm not sure how long it will take you to clear the cave."

"Ah thanks." I give a small thank you as I nod my head towards Malek.

"Yeah, thank you." Maddy's thank you is slightly less familiar.

"No problem, I've got things to do so I will be leaving now." Malek says this as he is engulfed by a bright light.

After the light dissipates Malek is nowhere to be seen.

"Well, let's go?" I suggest we begin our journey as it may take a long time.

Maddy nods and heads into the cave while I gather the supplies back up into the bag.

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