Selle

Ch. 1: Is this where it ends?

"Dad!"

I hear my son call out to me from his room. He's just twelve years old, and he just reached the final boss of the game we've been playing. Knights of the Swarm.

Knights of the Swarm came out 3 years ago, but he had just started playing two months back. He decided from the beginning to go with the Mage class, to 'help buff dad's character'. I had personally gone with the warrior class. I always enjoyed the tank role of any RPG I play. I have a passion for this game, which is the reason why he wanted to pick it up and play it. His favorite part of the game is the farming mechanic. He had watched different tutorials online for days, just to make sure our base is set up fully for a huge kinrut farm. In all honesty, if we were transported into the game for some reason, I know he'd help take care of us.

My son, Agnar, appears in the doorway. His fluffy, dark brown hair always seems to be brushed back, and tied to keep it out of his face. He wears a pendant that my late father had left him in his will. The pendant is a gold star, with a hole in the center where my father had managed to snipe while training for the last world war. I can hear the jingling of the chain as Agnar walks in, and sits beside me.

"I need your help!" He pulls out his notebook. Inside, he had written a full page of battle tactics he had prepared for this boss. "So as soon as the battle starts, if I can get you to flank this guy from the left, I can work on his health as he is focused on you. All you have to do is use your focus ability to make him aggro you." He speaks, knowing he had this full plan, and had put a lot of thought into it hours ago. I nod in agreement, and turn to my computer and press the power on button.

I'm stuck at the login screen. Once I get past this screen, the final boss is mine. I'm Master Rank 30, which is close to max level. The boss himself, rank 40. He is a pretty cliche big bad wizard that wants to take over the lands, blah blah. I remember reading about his movesets on the forums. The only thing that may give me trouble is the second phase.

After a few minutes, I get loaded in, and start to head towards the arena. As expected, there is a classic NPC giving out quests along the way. I accepted the side quest without a second thought. Leaving it for later, I continue along the path. The arena is big enough for a mass party. There's a giant open gate with a loading area. I check my inventory- a tad low on health potions, a bunch sharpening stones for my blade, and an evacuation kit just in case things get too heated in battle. My son arrives at the gate, shooting a message into the party chat letting me know he had made sure to better prepare for this battle. He remembered to buy extra potions, weapon repair kits, and reassigned his skills slots to match the boss' typing. I'm proud. I message back to remind him to make any last minute adjustments.

68, 67, 66

The countdown timer has just started. In just a few moments, the big bad will be standing before us. I go ahead and wipe my hands down my jeans to get rid of any excess moisture.

52, 51, 50.

I see my son's character sharpening his sword. I see he changed his class. He left the Mage class to go with the Rogue.

"Selle!"

I hear my wife calling from downstairs. I send my son another message, letting him know I'll be back as soon as possible, and to leave the loading area to wait for me. I click out of the game to go see what she would need help with. It seems as if she is ready to start cooking. As I approach her, she smiles and grabs a pen and paper to write down what ingredients she needs.

"Just in time to stop the bad guy from spawning and taking over the world." I jokingly say. "You're the land's hero." I hear her giggle.

"Well, maybe I should have a big statue for the people to worship me at!" She is trying to hold back her laughter.

I look at her with a 'serious' look on my face. "Maybe you're in on it with the wizard" I chuckle a little bit, but she starts laughing.

"Maybe I am, but your next big quest is to bring back some groceries." She hands me the list she had just written up for me.

Heavy whipping scream, Cuban bread, Fresh garlic.

Her writing is elegant. Each stroke of the pen, curling as she writes. She finishes the list, passing it to me. "I just need you to run to the store and grab these for me." She tells me. "The shrimp fettuccine will be an absolute disaster if we don't have these."

I grab the car keys and give her a little peck on the forehead. "I'll be back. Maybe then I can finally learn your secret technique to make your dishes perfect." I jokingly said to her. She giggles and throws some of the flour at me. I manage to run outside, and start walking towards the car.

I hop in the car and turn the ignition. As I back out, I plug in my aux cord and start my playlist. I fully pull out of the driveway, and start to drive down the road. "20 minute drive." I speak under my breath. I relax my head against the seat, music blaring out of my speakers. "Just enough for almost 5 songs." I turn up the volume, beginning to sing along to the music.

"In 0.5 miles, turn left."

I don't know what I'd do without my GPS. I keep an eye on the directions and make the turn as I approach it.. I should be coming up to the red light soon. After I go through this, I should be almost on a straight path to the store. Just 10 minutes away. As I approach the light, it turns green. Perfect timing.

Skrrt!

Of course. Drunk driver. He missed the light change. This is where it changes. My life ends, my family's lives change, what will happen to them?

I hear the loud crash, but I don't feel anything- Just numb to the impact. I start to feel myself fade out of consciousness. My vision is going blurry. I can hear the drunk driver scream at me. He is realizing what has happened. The world starts to fade away from me.