Ashes of the Fallen

The slippery grass and abundance of tree roots nearly tripped me up as I tried to defend myself. Then in a quick move, he jumped to my left and attempted a [Sidestab] that cut along my stomach. The shallow open wound six inches across my abdomen burned with an intensity I was all too familiar with as I ended up tackling the man down into the grass.

Wrestling against the myriad of tree roots that obstructed the ground, I managed to get a hand on his face as I shoved his head into the ground. Pulling my dagger as he repeatedly stabbed me in the side, I put it into the center of his chest with all of my weight.

The cold metal piercing through his leather armor and into his heart, the man immediately relaxed as his arm fell to the wayside. A look at my health and I was only at 12%. I was nearly gone… another stab or two, and I would have died.

Sitting back, I began to cast a spell that glowed with a soft golden-white.

Not bothering to count the time, eventually a golden beam of light shined down on me and engulfed me in its warmth. My health partially restored and my minor wounds rapidly regenerating, I was safe.

Standing up, I looked at the scene laid before me.

Two bodies here, and three somewhere out in the dark.

They were players looking for fun, looking to get a kick out of raiding my village while I was offline. Maybe they would have stolen some goods, killed some NPCs, and been on their way.

If I wasn't on, they would have probably escaped into the night.

Unknown and undiscovered.

This was my reality now.

I was a target.

Yeah, it was time to announce myself to the world.

Chapter 72: A State of War

(Wednesday, November 10th Game Day / Thursday, April 15th Real Day)

The game was no longer innocent.

What started as an adventure game, filled with immersion and world discovery was now a series of conflicts. The innocence was long gone and even I had realized that. A part of me wanted to believe some of it remained.

That, maybe, things could go back to being peaceful.

I realized that was foolhardy though.

The Central Kingdoms had been warring for at least a month now. The North and South had both experienced their share of blood too. War, had spilled across the continent. We were all at war now, with each other.

This was essentially the beginning of the first war of The Dragon's Wrath.

Whether it became a Great War or one that fizzles out shortly, was yet to be seen.

I expected it, somewhat welcomed it, but I didn't think it would come quite so soon. My village was still developing, players were still learning the system, and over half of the continent had yet to be explored.

Yet, already, guilds were waging war.

They wanted to claim territory and solidify themselves for the future.

It was reasonable.

That was what the game was for.

Simulated Fantasy Warfare.

Whether that was warfare against the Environment or against Players didn't matter. Monsters or creatures or humans, didn't matter. There was a singular goal in a lot of games, and this one was no different.

Everyone wanted to live their dreams.

To be the best.

[FWB] thought the same way.

They wanted to eliminate the competition.

I, was the competition.

Now, they would pay the price for their transgressions.

War had come to The North.

War, was not something I would shy away from.

No, not at all.

"Set out, Eindride," I said calmly to the man next to me.

"All hands, row!" he yelled to the men.

Our Longship was departing now.

Filled with twenty of my strongest warriors, mages, and priests along with Katherine and I plus two sailors. All of them equipped with the best weapons and armor I could produce and acquire. All of them highly trained in group tactics and coordination. Yeah, they were all developed as well.

A priest, two mages, and two warriors per group.

They learned how to train together, they learned how to hunt together, and then they learned how to fight together. Now, they would get the chance to test their mettle.

Some, would get the chance for revenge.

Vengeance was on our minds.

A long time coming.

It would be swift.

It would be deadly.

It would be… remorseless.

I was a monster after all.

Chapter 73: The Raid

(Saturday, November 13th Game Day / Friday, April 16th Real Day)

Once we had reached the open water, a strong tailwind had taken us on course. A calm night with a good breeze, the waves that crashed against the walls of the ship were small and harmless. The ice cold froth hitting our faces was nothing more than a reminder of what it felt like to be alive.

The stars were out, guiding us on our voyage if by chance we lost sight of the mainland. That wasn't a worry though, for the clouds had parted and let the full moon illuminate the way. A beam of light, pointing us in the direction that we needed to go.

The heavens and the Gods of the North were on our side tonight.

Men and women alike were waiting, eager and ready in the silence.