As Shyri and Kalem descended in the cave they found a staircase as they proceeded downwards, the air grew colder, thick with an ancient energy. The flickering light from the torches on the walls casted an eerie shadow on the rough stone walls, revealing carvings of dark elves engaged in battles long forgotten.
When they reached the bottom, they entered an expansive chamber lit by torches embedded in the walls. The atmosphere was heavy, almost suffocating, as if the very stones held the weight of countless lost souls.
Suddenly, dark elf spirits surged from the ground, swirling around them like smoke, their mournful wails echoing in the cavern. In the center stood a dark elf general, his translucent figure looming ominously, adorned in tattered armor that flickered with ethereal energy. He pointed a skeletal hand at Shyri, his voice booming with fury.
"You! You are the child of the bloodline that condemned us to this fate!"
As the waves of undead dark elves surged toward them, Kalem unleashed his area-of-effect spells, bright bursts of light erupting around him. The light struck the spirits, dispersing them momentarily, but they quickly reformed, relentless in their assault.
Shyri, gripping her new scythe, focused on conserving her mana. With a swift, fluid motion, she spun the weapon around her, the blade slicing through the spectral forms. Each arc of the scythe sent dark energy rippling out, cutting down any spirit that got too close. The weight of the weapon felt natural in her hands, a perfect extension of her will.
"Keep pushing them back!" Kalem shouted, maintaining the barrier of light around them. "I’ll draw their attention; you take them out!"
Shyri nodded, shifting her stance as she danced through the fray, moving gracefully yet powerfully. She struck with precision, her eyes locked on the shadows swirling around her. Every swing felt exhilarating, the scythe’s dark aura empowering her, pushing her skills to new heights.
As the last of the current wave fell, Kalem glanced back at her, a grin breaking through the tension. "Nice work! But we can’t let up—there are too many!"
Just as he said this, a new wave emerged, larger and more menacing than before, led by the dark elf general. His voice thundered through the chamber, filled with wrath. "You dare defy us? You will pay for your insolence!"
Shyri tightened her grip on the scythe, feeling the energy build within her. "We need to take him down now!" she shouted to Kalem. "I’ll unleash my strongest magic—can you cover me?"
Kalem nodded, readying himself for the onslaught. "I’ll keep the spirits at bay. Go for it!"
Shyri leaped into the air, spinning her scythe with a grace that felt almost otherworldly. The energy from her elemental skills swirled around her, coalescing into a dark vortex that crackled with power. As she descended, she unleashed her strongest attack—an arc of dark energy spiraling toward the general.
“Shadow’s Reckoning!” she cried, feeling the weight of her bloodline behind the attack. The vortex shot forward, engulfing the spirits around her and crashing into the dark elf general.
Kalem, seeing the moment of vulnerability, directed a powerful beam of light at the general, enhancing Shyri’s attack. The combined forces of dark and light collided, creating a blinding explosion that shook the very ground beneath them.
The general howled in fury, his form flickering as the attack tore through his defenses. For a moment, the room was filled with chaos—darkness battling light, spirits swirling around in disarray.
As the dust settled, the general staggered back, visibly weakened but not yet defeated. “You think this will end your torment? I will not fall so easily!”
Shyri landed lightly on her feet, feeling a surge of adrenaline. “We’re just getting started!” she shot back, readying herself for another strike.
Kalem, prepared another spell. “Let’s finish this together! On my mark!”
The dark elf general’s power surged, the air crackling with energy as he absorbed the remnants of his fallen soldiers. Shadows twisted around him, amplifying his strength, and his eyes glowed with a fierce, unnatural light.
“Foolish children,” he roared, his voice echoing with a haunting authority. “Your efforts are futile! I am their wrath made flesh!”
With a swift motion, he unleashed a barrage of dark energy bolts, each one laced with the pain and anger of the spirits he commanded. Shyri barely managed to evade the first volley, her instincts kicking in as she twisted and turned, using her agility to avoid the lethal projectiles. Kalem, however, took a stance and raised a barrier of light to shield them.
“Hold on, Shyri!” he shouted, focusing on maintaining the shield as the bolts crashed against it, sending ripples of energy through the air.
Despite their defenses, the sheer force of the general’s attacks began to wear them down. The shield flickered, and Kalem gritted his teeth, struggling to keep it intact. “We can’t let him drain us! We need to strike back!”
Shyri nodded. “I’ll distract him! You find an opening to hit him with your light magic!”
With a fierce battle cry, Shyri charged forward, spinning her scythe to deflect the incoming bolts. She moved in close, taunting the general. “Is this all you’ve got? You’re just a shadow of what you once were!”
The general snarled, redirecting his focus on her. “You dare mock me? I will enjoy tearing you apart!”
As he lunged forward, Shyri sidestepped, using her agility to evade his strikes while keeping him engaged. With each swing of her scythe, she aimed to frustrate him, drawing his attention away from Kalem.
Kalem seized the opportunity. With a deep breath, he began to channel a powerful spell, gathering light energy around him. He could feel the weight of the spirits pressing against him, but he pushed through, determined to save Shyri and vanquish the general once and for all.
“Now, Shyri!” he called, unleashing a concentrated beam of light at the general, hoping to catch him off guard.
The dark elf general raised his hand, a sinister grin spreading across his face as he absorbed Kalem’s light energy. The beam twisted into dark tendrils, feeding his power even further.
“Foolish lightbearer,” he sneered. “You only strengthen me with your feeble attempts!”
Shyri’s heart sank as she realized the danger they were in. The general’s form grew more imposing, shadows swirling around him like a storm. He turned his gaze back to Shyri, his eyes glinting with malevolent satisfaction.
“Now, little Elementalist, it’s your turn to face the consequences of your bloodline!”
With a sweeping motion, he launched a wave of dark energy toward her, the force behind it enough to shake the very ground.
“No!” Shyri shouted, raising her scythe instinctively to block. The impact was overwhelming, sending her sprawling back, but she gritted her teeth and pushed through the pain.
Kalem’s voice broke through the haze. “Shyri! Focus! You have to harness your power!”
She fought to regain her footing, feeling the dark magic around her trying to suffocate her spirit. Remembering the training with Fung she felt the shadows, not as enemies but as allies.
“Shadow’s embrace!” she called out, channeling her elemental skills into the scythe. The weapon glowed with a deep, ethereal light, and she felt a surge of power flow through her, melding the darkness with her will.
As the wave of energy crashed toward her again, she spun her scythe, deflecting the attack and sending a shockwave of dark energy back at the general. “You may be powerful, but I won’t let you win!”
The dark elf general staggered, momentarily caught off guard. Shyri seized the opportunity, launching herself forward with the scythe raised high, ready to strike.
“Kalem! Now!” she yelled, knowing they needed to strike together while the general was vulnerable.
Kalem surged forward, his weapon glowing brighter than ever, the light energy coursing through him as he aimed for the general’s back. With a fierce shout, he plunged his weapon deep into the dark elf’s form, feeling the resistance of shadowy flesh give way.
At the same moment, Shyri followed through with her strike, bringing her scythe down with all her might. The combined force of their attacks resonated through the cave, creating a shockwave that sent echoes of energy cascading off the walls.
The general let out a guttural scream, the sound reverberating through the chamber. “No! You cannot—”
But before he could finish, the light from Kalem’s weapon exploded within him, intertwining with Shyri’s dark energy. The contrast was blinding, illuminating the cavern as the general’s form began to unravel, the shadows that had empowered him dissipating into wisps of darkness.
Shyri felt a surge of triumph, but it was fleeting. The general’s essence twisted in desperation, reaching out with dark tendrils to grasp at both of them. “I will not be defeated by the likes of you!”
At that moment, they had to act quickly. Shyri spun away from the general, the scythe still glowing, as she concentrated on channeling her remaining energy. “Kalem, we need to finish this!”
Kalem, still connected to his weapon, felt the intensity of the moment. “Let’s combine our powers!” he shouted, focusing on the light energy he had left.
Together, they drew on their respective abilities—light and dark intertwining into each other's weapons as they focused on one final, devastating attack. Shyri raised her scythe, now radiating both shadows and light.
“Shadow’s Dawn!” she cried, and Kalem echoed, “Brilliant Radiance!”
The combined force surged forward, a brilliant explosion of contrasting energies aimed straight at the heart of the general.
The dark elf general’s eyes widened in horror as he realized he could not absorb this power. “No! This cannot be!”
With a resounding clash, their attack hit home, and the cavern erupted in a blinding light. Shadows shattered and darkness fell away as the general let out one final, anguished roar, his form disintegrating into the ether.
As the light faded, silence enveloped the room. Shyri and Kalem stood panting, their hearts racing from the adrenaline and the weight of their victory.
As Shyri and Kalem lay on the cold cave floor, their bodies exhausted from the intense battle, a chilling presence enveloped them. From the shadows, a figure emerged, shrouded in darkness, with an unsettling smile spreading across his face.
“Ah, how delightful to see you again, dear Shyri,” he said, his voice dripping with mockery. “You’ve grown so weak. It was almost adorable watching you attempt to take on the general. But alas, your efforts were in vain.”
Shyri’s heart sank at the sight of him, recognition dawning with a wave of dread. This was the one responsible for her parents' death, the one she had been searching for. She tried to push herself up, but her body betrayed her, leaving her sprawled on the ground, filled with a mix of anger and despair.
“You’re just a child playing in a world you don’t understand,” he continued, standing over her like a specter. “You thought you could find me? I’ve already moved on to bigger pursuits. Your quest tracker will inform you of my next location, but I recommend getting much stronger before you dare challenge me again.”
With a flick of his wrist, he faded into the shadows, his laughter echoing in the cave. Shyri felt a surge of frustration as the darkness enveloped him, leaving her in an oppressive silence.
The familiar notification chimed in her mind, startling her. Quest Updated: The Darkest Night. The details flashed: “Your nemesis has relocated. Grow stronger and gather allies before confronting him.”
Kalem, struggling to catch his breath, turned his head to Shyri, concern etched on his face. “Shyri… Are you okay?”
She nodded slowly, though her heart felt heavy. “I’ll be fine. But he… he’s taunting me. He thinks I’m weak.”
Kalem pushed himself to sit up, leaning against a nearby wall for support. “We both just fought a powerful foe. You’ve already come so far. We just need to train harder, get stronger, and find out more about him. Together.”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
Shyri took a deep breath, determination igniting within her. “You’re right. I won’t let him get away with this. I’ll find him again, and next time, I’ll be ready.”
As they rested in the dim light of the cave, they shared their thoughts on how to grow stronger.
Shyri and Kalem slowly made their way back through the cave, each step heavy with fatigue. They navigated the winding paths cautiously, aware that even in their weakened state, they could encounter more dangers.
As they finally emerged from the cave into the cool night air, the lights of Fireguard twinkled in the distance. “We need to be careful,” Kalem said, glancing around for any guards or unwanted attention. “Let’s stick to the shadows.”
They slipped into the city under the cover of darkness, making their way to a shabby inn tucked away in a quiet alley, the kind of place that seemed to cater to those who preferred to stay off the radar.
Once inside, they approached the front desk. A surly-looking innkeeper eyed them suspiciously, but they managed to secure a room for the night, grateful for a moment of respite.
As they entered the dimly lit room, Shyri leaned against the wall, letting out a sigh of relief. “I can’t believe we made it back.”
Kalem smiled, though exhaustion tugged at the corners of his mouth. “We did good out there. But we need to keep working together and learning from one another.”
Shyri nodded, a warmth spreading in her chest. “Agreed. We should exchange numbers so we can coordinate our training and keep each other updated on our progress.”
They quickly exchanged contact information, ensuring they could easily reach one another. “I’ll message you later with some ideas on training,” Kalem said, his tone brightening despite their fatigue.
“Sounds good. I’m looking forward to it,” Shyri replied, feeling a rush of excitement at the thought of working together more closely.
After a moment, they both logged off, the familiar sensation of leaving the virtual world washing over them. As Shyri settled into her bed, thoughts of their next time together was disturbed by Kame who glared at her from the other side of the room smirking before going to sleep.
The next morning, Shyri woke to the sound of Kame bustling around the apartment. She rubbed her eyes and stretched, still feeling the lingering excitement from her adventures in the game. As she made her way to the kitchen, Kame turned to her with a curious look.
“So, who were you playing with last night?” Kame asked, a playful smirk on her face. “You seemed pretty engrossed.”
Shyri poured herself a cup of coffee, a slight blush creeping onto her cheeks. “Oh, just a guy named Kalem. We met at the library yesterday. He’s been playing New World Online since it was in beta.”
Kame raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. “Just a guy, huh? He must be cute if you were so wrapped up in conversation with him.”
Shyri felt her heart race at the suggestion. “I mean, he’s not bad looking,” she admitted, trying to sound casual. “But we were mostly talking about the game and strategies. Nothing more.”
Kame leaned closer, a teasing grin spreading across her face. “Uh-huh. Sure. So, you guys are just friends, then? Or is there a little spark there?”
Shyri rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips. “I don’t know! We’re just getting to know each other. It’s nice to have someone to play with, especially since he’s strong.”
Kame crossed her arms, a mischievous glint in her eye. “I think you should see where it goes. A cute guy who’s into gaming? That’s a win-win!”
“Stop!” Shyri laughed, feeling a mix of embarrassment and excitement. “It’s too early to think about that.”
“Maybe, but I think you should keep him around. You never know what could happen!” Kame winked, returning to her breakfast.
Shyri chuckled, her mind drifting back to Kalem and their shared experiences in the game.
Shyri stood in front of her closet, her usual routine feeling inadequate today. Normally, she'd throw on jeans and a hoodie, something quick and comfortable. But after her time with Kalem, something felt different. She wanted to change things up, to feel more like her in-game character — powerful, composed, and confident.
Her fingers grazed over a few plain shirts before she pulled out a dark, fitted dress she hadn’t worn in ages. The material was soft, clinging in the right places without being too flashy, and the color reminded her of the shadowy tones her dark elf character favored. She hesitated for a moment but ultimately slipped it on, smoothing the fabric down as she stood in front of the mirror.
It was a subtle transformation. The dress highlighted her figure, making her feel elegant yet strong. But something was missing.
She stepped closer to the mirror and, without thinking, started braiding her hair, parting it down the middle. She’d never done it quite like this before, but as her fingers worked through the strands, she realized she was unconsciously mirroring her dark elf’s hairstyle. The braids were sleek, framing her face in a way that made her look more composed. Her glasses were the final touch, making her look sharp and alert.
Shyri adjusted the frames on her nose, checking her reflection one more time. It was strange seeing herself like this — not exactly her character but close enough to blur the lines between game and reality. The braided hair, the fitted dress, even the way she stood felt like a nod to the confident, magical person she was in New Life Online.
With a deep breath, she grabbed her bag and stepped into her shoes, feeling a strange mixture of nerves and excitement. This wasn’t her usual look, but maybe that was a good thing. Maybe it was time to embrace this new side of herself.
On her way out the door, she glanced back at the mirror one last time. "Okay, Shyri," she muttered, more to herself than anyone. "You got this."
She slipped out of the apartment, feeling lighter, more confident than she had in weeks. The walk to class felt slower, more purposeful, as if she was allowing herself to exist fully in this new energy. People noticed, too. As she crossed the campus grounds, she caught glimpses of people turning their heads, some whispering or looking her way with surprise.
For once, she didn’t feel invisible. And she kind of liked it.
Shyri paused, her heart skipping a beat as she heard her name. She looked over and saw Kalem waving to her with a bright smile, his dreads freshly twisted, standing out in the crowd. He looked relaxed and confident, and something about seeing him like this made her stomach flutter.
She blinked, momentarily taken aback. The calm morning walk, the compliments from passing students — all of it seemed like a blur now that Kalem was standing there, clearly excited to see her. She smiled back, adjusting her glasses slightly as she waved.
"Kalem!" she called out, her voice carrying a mix of surprise and happiness.
He jogged over to her, his grin growing as he approached. "Wow, you clean up nice. Is this your normal look for class, or are you trying to match your character in real life now?" he teased lightly, his eyes catching the subtle dark elf resemblance in her braided hair.
Shyri blushed, glancing down at her dress before laughing softly. “Maybe a little of both. Thought I’d switch things up today.”
“Well, it’s working,” Kalem said, still smiling. “You look great.” His gaze lingered a moment longer than usual, as if he was seeing her in a new light outside of the game.
“Thanks,” she replied, feeling her cheeks grow warmer. “You look pretty good yourself. Fresh twists, huh?”
Kalem chuckled, running a hand through his dreads. “Yeah, figured it was time for a little maintenance. Plus, I had to look sharp, especially if I might bump into you.”
Shyri couldn’t help but grin at that. “So... you on your way to class too?”
Kalem nodded. “Yeah, but I’ve got some time before it starts. Mind if I walk with you?”
“Not at all,” she said, feeling a bit more at ease now.
As they walked together through campus, Shyri noticed more eyes on them, the occasional whisper as they passed. It was strange—normally, she moved through the crowd unnoticed, but today, it felt like something had shifted. Whether it was the way she looked or the fact that she was with Kalem, she wasn’t sure, but there was an undeniable change in the air.
“So,” Kalem said after a few moments, breaking the silence. “Are you ready for tonight? Back to the game?”
Shyri smirked. “Definitely. I’ve been thinking about that dungeon all morning.”
Kalem gave a low laugh. “Good. There’s a lot more to explore, and now that we’ve teamed up… well, we might be unstoppable.”
Shyri glanced up at him, feeling that familiar excitement stirring again. “Yeah, we just might be.”
The rest of the walk felt easy, the conversation flowing naturally between them. By the time they reached her building, Shyri realized just how comfortable she felt around him, both in-game and out. As Shyri approached her classroom, her mind still lingered on Kalem’s wave and smile from across the quad. He had called out to her just as she was making her way past the library, and his freshly twisted dreads had caught the sunlight, giving him an almost radiant, confident aura. There was something effortlessly cool about him, and the way he smiled at her made her heart flutter.
“Heading to Oceanography, see you later!” Kalem had called out, grinning as he adjusted his backpack and waved goodbye. His easy demeanor left Shyri feeling warm inside. It was strange, this budding connection — something she hadn’t expected, but it felt good.
Now, as she walked into her own class, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being different. She held her bag strap a little tighter and took a deep breath before stepping into the lecture hall. Normally, she’d slip in quietly, unnoticed. But today felt different.
The room was already half-filled, and Shyri caught sight of a few classmates glancing up as she entered. The girl who usually sat two rows behind her actually did a double-take, her eyebrows raising in surprise. Shyri’s dress and braided hair had clearly made an impression. Even her professor, typically too focused on setting up the lesson, gave a brief nod of acknowledgment when he saw her.
Shyri walked with more confidence, her heels clicking lightly against the tiled floor as she moved toward her usual seat by the window. The small whispers she picked up from the room seemed to fade as she reached her desk and sat down, adjusting her dress slightly before pulling out her notebook.
As she settled in, she could feel the eyes of a few students still on her. It was subtle, but it was there. Shyri tried not to let it rattle her, though. Instead, she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and focused on her notes. She wasn’t used to this kind of attention, but for some reason, today, it didn’t bother her as much.
Maybe it was Kalem’s confidence rubbing off on her, or perhaps it was her avatar’s influence from the game. Either way, Shyri felt like she was evolving, slowly becoming more in tune with who she was — both in the game and in real life.
As the professor began the lecture, Shyri found herself smiling, glancing out the window and wondering what Kalem was up to in his oceanography class. It felt strange to think about him so much, but at the same time, it was kind of nice.
Now, as the lecture ended and students began to shuffle out of the room, Shyri decided she’d head to the library for a bit of study time before her next class.
The hallways were bustling, but Shyri moved through them with a newfound sense of calm. Her braided hair swung gently against her back, and the soft fabric of her dress brushed her legs as she made her way across campus. As she neared the library, she saw a familiar face in the distance — Kame, with her unmistakable energetic bounce, was headed her way.
Kame spotted Shyri and grinned wide, waving her over. “Hey! Library, huh? Nah, no way! Let’s go get some lunch, girl. I’m starving.”
Shyri hesitated for a moment, then nodded with a smile. “Sure, I could eat. Let’s go.”
The two of them veered off course, heading toward the student cafeteria instead. As they walked, Kame's eyes twinkled mischievously as she glanced at Shyri. “So, what’s up with the dress today, huh? You’re looking real cute.” She leaned in closer, her grin widening. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain guy, would it?”
Shyri felt a blush creeping up her neck but tried to play it off. “No, I just felt like dressing up today.”
“Uh-huh, sure,” Kame teased, but before Shyri could respond, a small group of girls suddenly approached them from the side, cutting off their path.
“Hey, Shyri, right?” one of the girls asked. She had a curious, almost confrontational tone.
Shyri stopped and looked at them, slightly confused. “Yeah?”
The girl exchanged glances with her friends before turning back to Shyri. “We were just wondering... what’s your deal with Kalem? We saw you talking with him earlier. You two seem close.”
Shyri blinked, caught off guard. “Oh, um, we’re just friends,” she said, feeling a slight awkwardness settle in.
One of the girls raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. “Really? Because Kalem doesn’t usually talk to girls. I mean, he’s popular, but he doesn’t give anyone the time of day. So... what makes you different?”
Kame, sensing the slight tension, stepped in with her signature confidence. “Well, maybe because Shyri’s actually cool, and Kalem can see that. Not that hard to figure out, right?”
The girls exchanged looks again, clearly not thrilled with the response, but they didn’t push further. “Okay, well, we were just curious,” one of them muttered before they walked away, still whispering among themselves.
Shyri let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. Kame nudged her with a grin. “Looks like someone’s got people talking!”
Shyri shook her head, her heart still racing a little. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
Kame laughed, hooking her arm through Shyri’s as they continued toward the cafeteria. “Get used to it, girl. Kalem’s not just any guy, apparently. But don’t worry, you’ve got this.”
As they entered the cafeteria and sat down to eat, Shyri couldn’t help but think back to the girls’ words. Kalem never talked to other girls? Why had he talked to her, then? And why did it feel like she couldn’t stop thinking about him?
As Shyri and Kame sat down with their trays, the buzz of conversation from other students filled the cafeteria, but the two friends were in their own little world. Kame dug into her food with enthusiasm, and Shyri, though still a little distracted by the earlier encounter with the girls, slowly followed suit.
After a few minutes, Kame glanced up from her plate and grinned. “So, how was the game last night? You didn’t tell me much about who you were playing with.”
Shyri hesitated for a moment before deciding to let Kame in on the full story. “Well, remember how I told you I met someone in the library? It was Kalem, and we teamed up in the game last night. We cleared this crazy dungeon together that was near Fireguard.”
Kame raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Kalem huh? So, that’s who you were with all night?. What’s his class? And how did it go?”
“He’s an Elemental Oathbreaker specializing in light magic,” Shyri explained. “We went into this dungeon, and it turned out to be tied to my character’s backstory. There was this... general, some kind of spirit connected to my family’s past, and it was feeding on the souls of fallen soldiers. The fight was intense — we barely made it out alive.”
Kame nodded thoughtfully as she finished chewing. “Sounds like you had a wild night in there. But you know, something’s been going on in the game lately — especially around Fireguard.”
Shyri’s interest was piqued. “What do you mean?”
Kame leaned in, her voice lowering a bit as if she was sharing some secret intel. “I’ve been hearing rumors about a town-wide alert around Fireguard. Apparently, there’s a manhunt going on — to capture players with the ‘Sinner’ title. Some guildmates were talking about it this morning. It’s like the city has been put on high alert after something happened, and they’re cracking down hard.”
Shyri’s heart skipped a beat, her mind immediately racing. “Sinner title? That’s what Kalem and I both have.
Kame gave her a wide-eyed look, pausing in disbelief. “Wait...I forgot You have the Sinner title, too Damn, that explains a lot. Apparently, there’s something going on in the city — like it’s corrupt or something. Word is that some event last night which may have been yall clearing the dungeon might’ve triggered something. Some kind of connection between that dungeon and Fireguard itself.”
Shyri’s brows furrowed as she thought about the implications. “So, the city is hunting us because of something we did in the dungeon?”
“Seems like it,” Kame replied. “My guild’s been trying to figure it out. The guards are suspicious of every high-level player that’s been seen near Fireguard lately, and they’re especially asking people if they've seen those with the Sinner title. It’s like they’re trying to cover something up — and now, they want to get rid of you and Kalem.”
Shyri took a deep breath, realizing how serious this had become. “So, we’re wanted now... and there’s no way we’ll be able to just walk around Fireguard unnoticed.”
Kame nodded, her face more serious than usual. “You two need to be careful. There’s a high bounty of twenty thousand gold for your capture. If NPCs or other players catch you, it could mean losing everything.”