This is not a game

The Age of Glory: Chance encounter

"We meet again, what a pleasant surprise!" Eli announces cheerfully, having been tracking down the object of his pursuit across the server for a good week. "This must be fate! What are you up to?" His target doesn't deign him with a response, save for an irritated sound, and continues to sprint through the forest. It's enough to let Eli know he's listening, so Eli keeps talking, scanning his surroundings as he runs. "Hey, hey, hey! Are you going after the boss? You'd be better off fighting me! Come on, let's hit the arena. Let's go, go, go! Forget those nobodies — let them play in their sandbox. HEY!"

Eli dodges to the side to avoid a lazy attack from his opponent, grinning as he counters immediately. "You want to die out here in the open, give me all your gear, and that lovely robe? My dear sir, I'm flattered, but there are other ways to undress." He hears a chuckle in his headset, dodges, strikes again, hits a tree, and barely manages to yank his sword from the trunk before evading a spear thrust. Eli dances around, excited now that his opponent's full attention is on him.

"HEY! Who dared?!" Or maybe not full attention. Instead of continuing his attack, Eli's character stops and looks toward the direction from which an arrow has just embedded itself in his back. A small group of five unfamiliar players is heading toward them with clear hostile intent. As Eli wonders what's going on, SilverAge shamelessly slips out of view. Cursing, Eli decides it's best to make his own exit before things turn ugly. Losing a level and gear in a random fight isn't appealing, especially when, for once, he hasn't done anything to deserve it. Besides, it's obvious that this mob wasn't targeting him when they started firing arrows.

Spinning like a whirlwind, Eli deflects a few more arrows and bolts off, disappearing into the trees in seconds. A little later, he hides behind a large boulder, smirking when he catches a glimpse of movement about ten meters away.

"Listen, Silver, this has to be fate. Admit it — you were waiting for me here, weren't you?"

"Keep quiet," Silver finally speaks, and Eli falls silent, surprised for a moment. A few seconds later, he continues, but quieter now.

"Are they hunting you? What did you do?" The battle mage doesn't respond, and Eli, fingers off the mouse, taps them thoughtfully on the desk for a few moments before dismissing his questions. "Never mind. I can't let such a magnificent rival slip away again because of some angry peasants with pitchforks. Besides, they shot at me. At me! An innocent swordsman who hasn't layed a finger on anyone!" Eli usually harmed other characters with his sword, that much is true. He chuckles at his own silly joke and is surprised when he hears a laugh in his headset, taking it as encouragement. "Alright, you convinced me. I'll help you. And in return, you'll face me in the arena."

In the end, it's just the two of them — plus a ninja who wisely fled when left alone — who make it out of the forest alive. Eli reaches neutral territory with three percent left on his health bar, while his slightly more cautious companion survives with seven. Eli happily declares them brothers bonded for life and tries once more to figure out what motivated their attackers, who had hurled vague curses and accusations of theft during the fight. It turns out that SilverAge and his team had wiped out several of their boss and dungeon records.

"Idiots," Eli says, genuinely offended. "Isn't the whole point of the game to compete against the best? Where's your team, by the way? Why are you solo today, Silver? Can I call you Silver? You're not alone anymore — we're bonded by virtual blood, so you're obligated to fight me again! I literally saved your ass, and I'm not asking for anything in return. This humble swordsman just wants to train with someone who makes me work for it."

"Fine," Silver finally agrees, and Eli makes his character jump with excitement, his whole demeanor — and voice — radiating satisfaction. A second later, a friend request from SilverAge pops up. Eli clicks "Accept" immediately, smiling so widely that his grin is probably audible on the other side of the internet. He half-sings, "You're my friend, friend, friend — you'll taste my blade, blade, blade."

"Icebreaker, thanks for the help," Silver's calm, warm voice cuts him off. "I have to go. Arena—tomorrow?"

For that promise, subdued though it is, Eli generously forgives Silver's sneaky exit and spends the rest of the evening wandering solo — first through the city, then, once healed, through the surrounding areas — until he's completely exhausts himself, making sleep possible. For the first time in ages, he falls asleep with a smile on his face, looking forward to tomorrow's battles. And he's not disappointed.