The Plains Rider - Prologue

The sound of tires squealing followed by the feeling of excruciating pain wakes Willow from her slumber. Taking a minute to collect herself she realizes she is on a plane bound for Korea. It has been almost a year and a half since the accident leaving her with a broken spirit and tattered body. Living on the reservation for most of her life this is the first time she has left the country much less the comfort of her home. Being only 18 she was heading to take part in a new medical program sponsored by one of Korea’s top medical companies. The accident had left her right hand partially paralyzed and she needed a cane to walk. She had been receiving treatment at a local hospital off the reservation when a lady around her 30s approached her. The lady had offered the chance to take part in a new experimental program to help people recover from accidents that left them with disabilities. The program was supposed to use Capsules supplied by the Unicorn Corporation and the use of Royal Road was to help cope with the trauma of losing limbs or becoming disabled. She had lived for all of her life on the reservation with her grandfather Benjamin Brighthoof. They lived together on a small ranch with five horses, a few chickens and pigs, and a goat named Silva. Most of her days were spent tending the animals, checking the traps or fishing and hunting with her grandfather. She had sold all of the horses and the grazing pastures to help pay for the medical bills leaving her with only the main house. She had lost her Grandfather and most of her home.

Looking out the window it was just before dawn and the horizon was starting to shine as the sun peeked out from beyond. She had been flying for almost 12 hours now reaching to her side to get her crutch. It was a metallic crutch with an arm brace she had to use in order to walk. Picking it up and slowly turning to the aisle she noticed a young boy about the age of 7 staring at her as she tried to get up. Not paying much attention to him she noticed he was reading a book on archery. Finally positioning herself and getting up she made way to the restroom in the middle of the plane. Washing her face she looks into the mirror, her long straight black hair hanging down to her waist covering most of her tan face. Standing there, staring into the mirror, her dark brown eyes look as if the go on forever showing a solemn and deep seeded sadness. Using the palm of her right hand, she struggles to open the door, unable to use her fingers to grip the latch it takes her a few minute to get out of the restroom. Once returns to her seat she hears the boy and his mother talking about attending an archery school once he returns and how when he gets older how he will win a gold medal in the Olympics. Listening to the boy she is reminded how she and her grandfather would go hunting in the mountains. They used to hunt for many things like deer, pheasant, and wild turkeys. Her grandfather had taught her a lot on how to survive off the land from gathering herb for medicine, skinning and gutting game, fishing, and how to smoke meats and fish to preserve them for the winter. Clutching her right hand she is reminded how she can’t do these things anymore. Her eyes start to get misty, her grandfather isn’t here anymore and she can’t grip with her right hand. Things that had been everyday occurrences like riding horses or shooting a bow had become a distant memory to her. *Bing* “Please fasten your seat belt the airplane will be landing shortly”

After landing she had to get her luggage and go through customs which took a considerable amount of time. She was supposed to wait near the entrance for someone to pick her up. As she struggled towards the entrance dragging her suitcase she noticed a man in his 20s wearing white scrubs holding a sign with her name on it. Reaching into her bag she pulls out her passport as she struggles with her luggage. Showing her passport to the man he introduces himself. “I’m Park Kwan I work at the hospital where you will be staying while you’re here”. (Hmm she is about 160cm tall, that’s some build, it is hard to think she is disabled) Kwan thinks to himself. Upon a further appraisal he notices her blue jeans accenting her sensual curves and thick thighs and ample rear. Willow nods to Kwan as he grabs her suitcase and they proceeds to leave. While in the car Kwan sneaks peeks in the rear view mirror watching Willow as she gazes out the window. “From what I hear you will be with us for a while.” “There are plenty of things to do close to the hospital.” Kwan state as he gazes back to see if there is a reaction from Willow. Turning her head slightly avoiding eye contact Willow nods to Kwan. Kwan continues to try to make conversation as Willow pays little attention to him. Kwan thinks to himself (Wow that is some wall she has built for herself). They soon arrive at the hospital where she was to stay in a dorm that rests on the edge of the hospital grounds. Other people going through long term physical therapy also reside there. Kwan shows her to her room and places her luggage in the room for her. “Dr. Kim should be around shortly to see you, Take your time to unpack and rest a bit.”, Kwan says with a smile as he waves goodbye before he turns and leaves. She takes look around the room it has a twin bed, a desk beside it a small bookshelf, and in the corner a Capsule. She had seen a capsule before in the information she was given by the lady when offered her the chance to be in the program.

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After about 30 minutes had past Willow heard a knock on the door. Opening the door she is greeted by a woman in her late 20s wearing a white lab coat over a modest blouse and knee length skirt. “Hello I’m Kim Jin Ae, I’ll be your primary doctor while you’re here. During your stay you will be required attend school since you haven’t finished your schooling, as well as go through physical therapy and counseling.There is also the mandatory use of the capsule where you will need to login to Royal Road.” Nodding in agreement Willow gives here consent. “While you play Royal Road you are free to do whatever you like. We however will be monitoring your gameplay and will from time to time give you activities or objectives you should try to complete with the best of your ability. For the time being since you just arrived today you have free time to do what you like. I would suggest you take the time to go ahead and log into Royal Road setup your account and look around a bit.” Dr. Kim then hands her an Id with her picture and a small golden square about 1 inch by 1 inch at the bottom of it. “You will need this to get your meals, You can use it at the vending machines as well, it also is used to unlock your door.” “Since today is Friday you will be starting school Monday, and since it is almost lunch time so you should head to the cafeteria.” “If you need anything just ask one of the nurses or if you want to talk you can always come see me anytime, as long as I’m not busy I will do the my best to help you.” Ok Willow nods again and with a low barely audible voice “Thank you.”

Taking some time to go to the cafeteria, Willow grabbed some lunch. While she over hears people talking. “I finally unlocked my advanced class. It has taken me forever to get it done; I suck at leveling”, a male off about 25 years of age says. “Well you are doing better than me. I choose a production class, it’s murder just staying alive and not starving to death.” the female next to him exclaims. “Well at least you started in Morata, thanks to Weed, it not hard to start as a production class there.” Thinking to herself (what are they talking about), She hasn’t played many video games much less a VRMMORPG. She finishes her lunch while listen to others talking about Royal Road and various thing they have been doing in it. Taking her time she finishes her meal and heads to her room her with thoughts of Royal Road and wondering what it is like.

She had finished unpacking already before she left for lunch. Looking around her room once again, she notices the papers that Dr. Kim left for her to look through on the desk. Looking at the paperwork, it was standard admission paperwork and a schedule for her day to day activities. Apparently she had a lot of free time after school and therapy. With nothing else to do, Willow decides to log into Royal Road. She had seen news about it a few times on the tv and in magazines and with the chatter from the cafeteria her interests were at its peak. She wasn’t much into video games so this would be her first time playing a VRMMORPG. She had read the paper work and knew how to use the capsule and a general idea on what she needed to do. Getting into the capsule she is greeted with;

Connect to Royal Road

Yes | No