A Paladin's Promise

Prologue

How could this have happened?

Why did I give up everything for a silly dream? I always thought I knew what I wanted, but... I suppose I was wrong. Oh, I'm sorry— you don't know what I'm talking about! My name is Adrienne Hope Rayne. As an ordinary high school sophomore, I often dreamed I lived in a fantasy world. Not that my real life was terrible— not at all! I simply realized how many more possibilities there could be in a realm with no limits. I sought magic. I sought friendship. I sought adventure. I made a mistake chasing my dream. Now I'm dealing with the consequences. This is the story of my quest through the virtual world of video games and back to the real world. It is a story of adventure, war, pain, loss, friendship, and love. Prepare yourself. This tale will change the way you look at video games. Forever.

***

Creeping up to the door, a mysterious figure holds a knife firmly in his hand. He silently pushes open the door to see her asleep in bed. Good. Slowly approaching her, he raises his weapon. He soon stands at her side. Grinning, he sinks his blade into her chest.

***

I shoot up and cover my mouth, silencing a scream. Another nightmare. I turn on my lamp, then rise from my bed and walk over to the mirror by my door. Glancing at my reflection, I unbutton my shirt and open it. I sigh. No blood. No stab wound. Just the dark scar on my chest that I am all too familiar with. I button my shirt back up. What time is it, anyway? I walk back over to my bed and grab my phone from my nightstand.

2:47 a.m.

I still have about three hours left before I have to wake up for school, so I climb into bed and fall asleep once more. Soon enough, I hear a light knock on my door and a familiar voice behind it.

"Adrienne. Wake up."

"Who is it?" I ask, rubbing my eyes.

"It's me."

"What do you want, Golden Freddy?" I give a sleepy smile in response to the disembodied voice.

"It's time for you to get up."

I soon recognize the voice to be that of my father, Bradley. I prop myself up on my arm and grab my phone from my nightstand.

6:00 a.m.

After I shove the covers off of me, I creep out of bed and walk to the bathroom. Locking the door behind me, I turn the shower on. Carefully stripping, I glance at my reflection in the mirror: short straight black hair, dark blue eyes, and pale, freckled skin. I run my fingertips along that same thin, dark scar on my chest. As a baby, I had a couple of heart conditions; namely arrhythmia and two holes. I've since recovered and now take medication to control my heartbeat. After folding up my pajamas, I step into the shower and scrub myself clean. I think about my friends and how much I want to see them again. Sure, it has only been a few months, and I have seen them a few times over the summer, but I miss them. When I finish showering, I turn the water off and dry myself with a towel.

I return to my room and change into a white dress. Mom always says that I look most beautiful in white. Once I finish applying my eye makeup, I eat breakfast, brush my teeth, do my hair, take my meds, and gather my things.

"You look lovely, Adrienne."

"Thanks, Dad." I give him a hug, then look for my mom to give her a hug as well.

"Have a wonderful day at school, sweetheart. You look beautiful."

"Thanks, Mom." With those words, I grab my messenger bag and walk out the door.

***

I reach the bus stop early, so I wait for my best friend to arrive. As I stand watching the sunrise, I let my mind wander. I close my eyes and reflect on last night's dream.