Rise of The Dragon Lord

Chapter 1

I slowly walk through my ornately decorated keep. Its vaulted ceilings stand imposingly above, with gold sculptures of warriors, mages, and dragons lining the walls. Stone stairs, carved from the mountain I chose to build my home upon, contrast with the black granite of the walls.

I can feel my heart aching as I take everything in for one last time. This game has been my world since I've been confined to the sterile white-walled hospital room, and now it's being shut down forever.

Making my way through the halls to my throne room, I pass a mirror, my red hair complementing my small teenage form. Dragon horns flow out from my head, giving my avatar a majestic flair.

I let out a slight giggle as memories of how I made my character rush through my mind, bringing at first nostalgia, then pain. My late friends and I chose non-human characters, and I chose a demoness, before setting out into this world.

However, one by one, death came for them. I still own all the other old gear, which I keep close to me, unable to let go, no matter how many times the doctors tell me to make new friends with other players. But how do I make friends with someone I have nothing in common with? I feel more of a connection to the silent NPCs that roam my halls than I do to any player. If anything, I've become an overtuned NPC with more dialog options at this point; the real world has become a fantasy.

Pushing open the large dark oak doors that separate my throne room from the halls, I take note of the maids and knights npcs that line the aisle, their faces seemingly showing sadness. Though I push this aside, thinking it's just me imposing my sadness on them. They are just guild npcs they have no personality other than their mode.

Upon taking my seat, I look at the clock: 22:00, two more hour till the servers are down. While lost in thought as I scroll through the menus, moving item to the guild storage, to pass the time, I hear a knock on the door of my throne room. I know that there isn't any player all the way out here, but I call out, "You may have an audience with me if that's what you wish."

A frail, old lady enters, her movements slow and deliberate. I signal for a maid to assist her. Her trembling hands struggle grasp my maid's arm. I couldn't fathom why an NPC would seek me out on the final day, especially one who seldom ventured beyond the village limits.

"You needn't bow unless you wish," I interject before she can kneel, "However, if you seek protection, I'm afraid my link to this world ends within the hour. As for a cherished relic, it can be secured in the vault."

Her voice, void of youthful vigor, responds, "It's nothing of the sort, Lady Brunhilde. I simply wished for a friendly conversation before your departure."

"Is that all you really want?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. "I'm more than happy to chitchat for a little bit, but why make such a journey just to talk?"

"I suppose it's been a while," she says, struggling to smile, "You and your friends were the ones who saved me and my mother from certain death. We've wanted to express our gratitude ever since that day, but when we got the money to start looking for you, they had left and you had moved all the way out here."

Acknowledging her sentiments, I promise, "Your thanks are accepted and will be conveyed to my companions in the next one." Suppressing emotions, I utter these words, reminded that normal NPCs in this game world possess lives and tales of their own.

Her nod reflects accomplishment mixed with sadness. "The solitude of being the last of a group... it makes connection difficult." She produces an object from her pocket, advancing towards me. My raised hand signals my knights to stand down. "Please accept this; it's a family heirloom. Legend claims it responds only to those who've truly walked the path of a hero."