New Game

Chapter 6: Luring

A vivid memory came alive before Aquila's eyes; even though it felt like it had happened years ago - he remembered it as though it were yesterday.

Sebastian couldn't believe his parents had finally bought him a computer. He had been trying to get them to buy him one for years. Of course he had to share it with his sister, and his parents told him it was for his birthday, Easter, and Christmas. He didn't know what they'd meant by 'Easter', nobody ever got presents on Easter. Maybe they meant that he wasn't getting any chocolate. But he didn't care. All he cared about was his new computer.

A few months passed by – Sophia and Alister had introduced him to a free online MMORPG and it hadn't taken him long to get addicted. Sophia and Alister had been playing the game for quite a bit longer than Sebastian, but Sebastian caught up to them quite quickly, and pretty soon he'd even overtaken them. Not only did Sebastian spend more time playing the game than they did, but he had also managed to figure out a few crafty tips and tricks to help him progress. In one underground cavern there was a corner where mobs couldn't attack players, so Sebastian would stand there levelling up his range. He also found a cheesy way to farm expensive items; which paid for some high-end gear.

There was one particular weekend that had come to his mind so suddenly though. It was a time that was uncannily similar to his current predicament. It had been a quiet Saturday night, Sebastian's parents were out, and his sister was asleep – so he didn't have to fight her for the computer.

Normally on Saturday nights, the three of them (Sohpia, Alister and Sebastian) logged in and played together. It was becoming somewhat of a tradition. But this weekend Sophia and her parents had gone to Wales, so it was just Sebastian and Aliser – and when it was just the two of them there was sure to be mischief.

'Where are you?' Sebastian asked. He was wearing a cheap headset with a microphone that reached down in front of his mouth.

'I'm almost at the PvP zone. Have you found anyone yet?' Alister replied through their online voice chat.

'Not anyone worth the trouble.'

'It doesn't matter if they're worth the trouble or not. Just make sure they're a lower level than us.'

'Fine.'

Sebastian's online avatar walked through a crowded city; his character didn't look very intimidating. All the other people who walked through the streets of the virtual city in the game wore armour of all different kinds of colours. Sebastian's character wore normal clothes and carried a simple sword. Sebastian clicked on the screen and the avatar moved to stand next to someone who seemed to be just hanging around doing nothing.

Hi, can you help me, Sebastian typed into the in-game chat and the text appeared above his character's head.

It didn't seem as though the other player was going to respond, but just as Sebastian was about to move on, the reply appeared above the other player's head.

Sure, what with lol?

'Talk to me Sebastian. What's going on?' Alister asked.

'Think I got someone. Just hold tight.'

Sebastian typed frantically.

A quest. There's a really big reward and I'll share it with you. Just follow me.

To Sebastian's surprise, the other player began following him. They walked down a path that led out of the city and through some grassy fields.

'Ali, I'm taking a player up to Dragon's Gate. Don't attack straight away. We need to wait until we've got him far enough in so he can't run away.'