Paul was bored out of his mind.
He read a lot, even practiced martial arts, but now he was beginning to feel like he needed something more. He was like a chained tiger, biding his time to strike, but one thing you learn after years of martial arts is to always stay calm.
There he was, wondering how he would spend his summer, when his identical twin brother, Peter, barged into his room.
Peter was around six foot two inches, fit with dark hair, muscular build, and faded grey eyes, nearly identical to Paul to the point where you couldn’t tell the two apart just on appearance alone. Personality-wise, however, they were polar opposites. Paul was the patient one, always thinking before he acted while Peter was like a storm, always reckless and impulsive.
“Paul... we need to talk. I was thinking...”
“Are you sick? You never think!”
Peter sarcastically chuckled, “Ha-ha, really funny. So, as I was saying, there’s this new game that everyone’s addicted to. I know you don’t like games and don’t pay attention to them when they come out, but I was thinking if we could try it together.”
“Alright, spill the beans already. Why should we play it together? I want to get back to reading and you’re not helping.”
“Ok, ok, fine. It’s called Road to Power, and you can almost anything you want! An elf, a dwarf... I don’t know, maybe even a bird if you want!”
Paul took it all in. For the first time in his life, he didn’t know how to respond. He became lost in his thoughts. I can be an elf, learn magic, or even fight monsters! I could pour all of my pent-up frustration into it. It--
His thoughts were suddenly cut short by his brother, “...delivering the game today... be interested.”
“Wait a moment, say that again.” Paul interrupted.
“I was saying, dear brother, that they’re delivering the game today and I was sure you’d be interested to play.” Grinning, his smile reaching his eyes and his arms open wide, “Now give me a hug. I know I’ve earned it.”
Before Paul could punch him, their mother called from downstairs, “Peter! Paul! The delivery man is here!”
The two brothers glanced at each other for a split-second before Paul jumped up and rushed downstairs, leaving Peter behind who was laughing.
A few hours later, Paul had finally finished installing the capsule. During that time, he went to the convenience store to buy a load of junk food and soda. He was planning to play until he dropped dead in real life.
Getting ready to enter the game, his mother called, “Paul, it’s dinner time! You can play tomorrow.”
Paul thought to himself deviously, Better pretend I didn’t hear that, so I can play.
But before he could act on his idea, his father’s voice already boomed, “Son, I want to see you here and ready to eat on the count of five! If not, your game is going back where it came from!”
Paul almost cried and muttered to himself, “How can you take back water from someone dying of thirst?”
Left without a choice, he went downstairs to eat. The following time was the longest dinner that he had ever eaten since he was born. With a devilish smirk on his face, his brother could barely stop himself from laughing out loud.
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I swear on my life, Peter, when I meet you in the game, I’m gonna beat the crap out of you.
When Peter saw Paul’s smile, he knew he was in trouble, the way only a twin can know.
Paul woke up early the next morning. He did all the chores that he had to and went out jogging to exercise for a while. When he came back, it was just in time for breakfast.
Walking in the house, he was surprised to find his brother awake. Peter wasn’t the type to wake up this early. It was proof that there would be mad gaming later.
As soon as breakfast was over, he asked if anyone needed him around. With that knowing smile, his mother hugged him and told him to enjoy his game.
Paul ran up to his room, opening his computer and began browsing through the Road to Power forum for information. He wanted to know what kind of elves that he could be. He wanted to play quickly but didn’t want to make a hasty choice. He needed to find out all he could about the elven race.
Only when Paul learned all of the information available on the topic did he decide that it was time. He went to his capsule and entered it.
It was completely dark inside and nothing happened.
Maybe it's broken? Fear and anticipation coursed through him, but before a full minute passed, a message appeared before him.
Do you want to connect to Road of Power? Yes or No.
Crazy machine, I wouldn’t be sitting in here if I wasn’t going to connect.
“Yes.”
From nowhere, he heard a woman’s voice, “The biometric scan on your iris and veins has determined that you are an unregistered user. Do you wish to create an account?”
“Yes, yes, create the account.”
Hopefully, I’m done with all the nonsense.
The voice spoke again, “Welcome to Road to Power. Please name your avatar.”
Things were finally getting fun, “Call me Hawk”
“What is your avatar’s sex? Male, Female, or Neutral?”
“Male.”
“What appearance would you like to assume?”
“My own.”
“What do you wish for your avatar’s race to be?”
“Could I ask a question?”
A long silence ensued before the woman said, “Please do.”
“Is it possible to be a half-light elf and half-dark elf?”
“I haven’t heard of something like that before. Let me check it.” The woman pondered.
Waiting again, Paul hoped he would be allowed to play the race he wanted.
“Done. Check your skill window later. You’ve got some nice innate abilities there. Do you want to modify your appearance? Due to the many benefits of your race, you can only modify the skin color.”
“Ok, I want my skin to be a darker shade of grey, please.”
“Your appearance has been changed. Select a city and a kingdom you would like to start at.”
“Calmar City, Kingdom of Storden.”
Road to Power, here I come!
After playing through the tutorial, Hawk found himself standing in a busy street with people on both sides of him haggling left and right. There were all kinds of shops, from blacksmiths, merchants, and tailors to even more exotic shops that Paul couldn't recognize, but he was too busy immersing himself in this new virtual reality to care. Soon, not wanting to block the way of other players, he started walking.
He hadn’t moved more than a few feet before already feeling people stare at him. One woman, an NPC he guessed, approached him.
“What are you? I’ve never seen an elf like you before. You look like a dark elf with your white hair, but I don’t sense that you’re evil.”
Paul was surprised, he already forgot that he requested a unique race. Why do I have to explain myself to someone I don’t even know. Sigh. I can’t even enjoy the game without people disturbing me.
He was too polite to actually say his thoughts out loud though. With a gracious bow, he wove a speech, “Kind lady, you honor me by asking, but I’m afraid there isn’t yet a word for what I am.”
The woman was still looking at him, waiting for him to continue, so he added, “but if it pleases you, you may consider me a half-elf.”
Looking satisfied, the woman responded, “I’m Elaina. I need to have a book in Elvish translated.”
Hawk was glad. Not even an hour passed and he already got a quest.
Bowing again, he introduced himself, “Hawk, at your service, my lady.”
***
Quest: Elaina’s Book
Description: Translate a book for Elaina
Requirements: Be of Elven descent and satisfy Elain’s curiosity.
Reward: Unknown
***
An electronic voice sounded, “You have accepted the quest.”