I was uncertain of what lay in the shadows. What lay behind me, wasn’t the same terrain I had just visited. The branches rustled as the breeze traveled from place to place, the ominous crackle of the fire senr shivers up my spine. It lasted a second, yet it felt like an eternity. I was different; I had changed, what changed?
Only fives days left to finish the deadline and my nerves were shot. I was foolish to think that taking a short cut through Forest of Wessil would be faster than the road, yet my appetite for greed persuaded me otherwise. Why Oh Why had I listened to the prophecy teller? If only I had stuck to the main road, I wouldn’t have risked the meager clothes strapped to my back and my new dagger. Yes, my dagger: its silver glow rivaled the moon and the rare engraved dancers swirled with each jab and leapt with each slice.
Others would bow before me, with my newly acquired possession. Slaying Kings and Commanders, Princes and Queens, I could hardly wait to pay off my debt, and have the freedom to backstab anyone’s heart. Heart Ache is really the only emotion that would come from our separation, so this trip was a necessity. I had to take the shipment of Mage Books to the guild.
The mage guild wasn’t an official part of the game, like most of the establishments found within Dragon’s Ground, one of the newest and most advanced VRMMO’s ever to be released. It was, however, the third most influential group in this vast world. Only the NPC ‘s empire in the Vantra province and Black Reach rivaled the massive wealth of mage guild. In fact, everyone who had managed to complete a task assigned by the mage guild owned a castle filled to the brim with gold tapestries, rare items, and players begging to wash their feet.
Weakness was a mistake I wasn’t going to make. No matter how tempting living in luxury was, I’d always lack the control I craved. It was the reason why I played this game. Like many others, I had become lost in the chaotic dystopia that neither cared how hard people worked, nor gave a second glance at the creativity they produced. Life was decided by birth, not merit.
After receiving my acceptance letter into one of the few remaining colleges left in the world, I had thought my life would as bright as a super nova. I didn’t realize that (similar to after effects of a super nova) my life would be pulled back into oblivion, forming a black hole. All the joy I had felt in my youth entered the void, where not even light could escape.
The waiting list to join Hartford was absolutely absurd. Only a handful of the hundred of thousands of students that applied were picked to attend each year. The other one thousand spots were reserved for the sons and daughters of powerful politicians and CEO tycoons. Once I was accepted, I had gradually grown accustom living on the campus, and thought I had been granted tenure.
Foolish. I’m still foolish. It could’ve been prevented: the suffering, doubt, the agony. If I had stayed in the shadows, lurking, waiting for opportunity, I would have made a life for myself. Instead, I had brazenly challenged the power structure that had withheld for centuries. They were fine with mediocre commoners, but not ones that took their place, ones that decided to play God.
Dragon’s ground was a second chance for me, or so I was told. I’m relatively inexperienced when comes to these games, but with an abundance of time and an open mind. I’ve decided to try to make a name for myself.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
“ROOOOAAAaaaR” bellowed a lvl 13 Panther.
An explosion of unbearable pain penetrated my frail body. I didn’t have time to gather my thoughts; I only had seconds before the beast tore me to shreds. Adrenaline forced my body into the heat of battle, encouraging primal instincts to kick in. The blur of my silver knife, scraped its hide, leaving burn marks wherever I managed to land a hit. A strike to the neck caused it to hesitate.
I capitalized on my foes weakness by thrusting the sharp edge deep into its chest. Enraged, the feral monster flailed it’s claws, crushing my leg. Bones shattered as I dropped into the bloody mud. Black fur filled my vision. I was desperate. If I were to fall a victim, I would loose everything. My impending death was looming over me, so I struggled. I unloaded the entirety of my strength into a kick, sending the Panther crashing into the bonfire I had formed during dusk. My last-ditch effort had saved me.
Weaving between reality and emptiness, the games internal sensors began the auto logout procedure. I noticed the “orange glow”, the heat, as the countdown began. 10, 9, 8…. 4, 3 … 1.
Saying I was shaken by the events that had unfolded, would have been an understatement. The gruesome display of gutted entrails lining the floor, the sharp pain, and the screeching of the beast, would probably leave even the most levelheaded men on edge. I couldn’t even fathom what it would be like to be tortured in game. (Which was allowed once a player reached the age of 21 and consented the Terms and Conditions of the game)
“Why would people design a game with such a high pain threshold? They’re going to drive away all their customers.” I grumbled as I ransacked my house, looking for the ‘Holy Grail’ (also known as my phone).
Luckily, someone called when I was looking for it and was able to use my ears to hear its angelic song. (That’s sadly the name of ringtone. I have problems… deal with it.)
“Hey, Tony. I was just about to call and let you know if you want…” was all I managed to say before Tony interrupted.
“DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE SHIT THAT JUST WENT DOWN IN BRUSSUCS!?!?”
“No…”
“Apparently some fucking idiot created a forest fire that’s stretched on for miles. All the big guilds in the area are pissed that their houses are in danger and put a 150,000 gold bounty on whoever could find the perpetrator!“
“Where exactly did the fire start?”
“The Forest of Wessil, I think. We should totally hunt him down.”
“I’m not entirely sure, but I might have started it.”
“Holy shit dude. You’re fucked,” were the last words to come out of Tony’s mouth before he hung up.
As much as I wanted to head out to grab I bite, I knew that if I didn’t enter the game now, there would be no possibility of recovering my precious knife. I would also lose the opportunity to finish the mage quest, if they found out that I was the culprit. So instead giving in to the comforts of my small apartment, I took a seat in my capsule and turned it on.