I got back to Inn after dark, the day weighing heavy on my mind. The introductory quests to gain my first set of skills were fun, frivolous, sexy, and altogether worth it, but I didn’t expect the turn this game would have on me once I got past the starter zone.

Watching Fizkip get sucked into the box played over and over. He was just a character in a game, but now he was gone. In the reading I’d done on Abosolute Territory before signing up, they had made it clear that this was a persistent, ever-changing world. Choices made by characters had lasting consequences on the environment and because of that, Fizkip was gone forever.

“Yazen?” Miko wasn’t on the bench this time, but instead standing at the top of the stairs. The stars were out in full force tonight, bathing the area in a sedate blue light. She wore an off-shoulder pink babydoll that was so short when she raised her hands to wave at me, it hiked up enough to see everything it was supposed to hide.

I stopped at the crossroads lamp, grasping on and watching her. She was so cute, it was hard to put into words.

She ran up to me, her babydoll at least two sizes too big, and bouncing with each step. She got closer and I realized it didn’t matter if it stayed on, as I was able to see her perky breasts through the sheer fabric.

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She was stunning, with her hair pulled back into two pig tails. She looked up at me, her hands clasped in front her her chest. “Were you successful?”

I handed over the box without a word. The weight of the quest lifting slightly as she took it.

Completed: Mysterious Energy Part Two!

You successfully captured the disturbance and brought peace to the Weeping Cave. Still the burden of loss weighs heavy on you, and Miko will do what she can to help you forget.

Gained 100 XP! Reputation with the Mimi Sisterhood increased by 100.

She grimaced and put the box down on the ground. “We can worry about that later.”

She stepped closer, a concerned look in her eye. “Something troubles you, did you want to talk about it?”

Seeing her looking up at me with a concerned expressing brought home everything I was supposed to be fighting for. I fought so she didn’t have to carry the burdens. Her cute note and bright eyes didn’t need to smell or see the carnage that this world had to offer. She was innocent and small, and I was big and shielded her from such things.

It was at that moment I realized I needed to embrace my role as protector, and not let them worry about me anymore.

I smiled, taking another knee in the dirt. “Nothing to worry about, my dear. Everything went according to plan.

She sidled up to me, straddling my leg once again. I wrapped my hands around her waist and pulled her forward with earnest this time. It was time I embraced our roles. I protect, and she gives her rewards.

She ran a finger down the edge of my ear, a wicked grin on her tiny face. “Time to make you forget your worries, Yazen.”