Avilien

The guild of daggers

Off the beaten path and deep into the woods, surrounded by tall oaks and the thick yellows and greens of plant life, not much light shone through the dense forest. The forest itself nestled on one of the biggest hills overlooking Islington, and although on a hill, most of it was surprisingly flat. Leaves, branches, moss, and grass covered the forest floor as Luke practiced swishing the named blade. As he swung it around, he pictured himself as one of the heroes from Sabrelance, a manga built around magical sword wielders. The sword moved as elegant as the wind, and so did Luke; he moved quicker than he used to, and holding the sword at times felt like he was slowing down time.

Trying to drill into himself that he was just data and that everything in the world was no more than just a game now with stats and parameters, Luke tried his best to try random moves from his favourite RPG games. There wasn't a single game Luke had played and not become one of the best at, so if the world was now a game, could he rise to the top? He used to be approached online by top talent scouts for e-sports teams, but Luke declined them all. He enjoyed gaming on his own. A team of people he didn't know would shoot his anxiety through the roof.

Nebs napped on an overhanging tree branch while Luke tested his newfound body. His speed increased with the sword equipped and in hand, making his runs faster. Unable to see it, he must have a stamina bar now, as he ran out of breathe quicker than he used to. He was a good runner and could run long distances, which got him out of much trouble with bullies. Now he could barely run to the edge of the woods without keeling over, breathless.

Looking out of the forest and down at the town, Luke tried to catch his breath. He wondered if Anna was right when she said it was hard to summon a weapon. Luke had done it with nothing but instinct, yet if loads of people could do it, then they would be causing all kinds of mayhem or showing off across the globe.

"Master, I'm hungry," said Nebs from the top of a tree. "I'm shocked you mastered your sword as quick as you did and in such a short amount of time, but can we get out of here now and eat some delicious potatoes?" Nebs asked with a yawn. He had followed Luke by jumping through the trees.

"You know I saved you, right? Do you always have to insult me?" Luke asked with a deep sigh.

"Nothing personal...just it took other people months or even years to get the hang of what you did in seconds after finding out about it. Maybe you're gifted or lucky," Nebs mumbled the last few words as he hopped down from the tree and onto Luke.

By the time Luke made his way onto the forest path, it had become dark. He paced quickly through the forest as it unnerved him being surrounded by such darkness. Upon exiting the woods, streetlights lit up the old country path down the hillside. Islington looked amazing at night as thousands of lights illuminated the town, bathing it in a golden glow. The hills on all sides tried to close in on the town, but it was too bright.

"I think I will go to this meeting place. After practicing with my sword, I'm feeling a little more confident in myself. Do you want to lead the way, Nebs? You know where this meeting place is, don't you?" Luke asked.

"My car! That boy!" screamed a woman from Evergreen Close. Mrs. Adams had returned from work—Luke could tell by her shrill voice. Everyone seemed hell-bent on blaming him for the destruction of the car and the engine lying in the middle of the road. It was almost as if when anything went wrong, it was his fault.

"That sounds like one angry woman. Wonder who she is mad at?" Nebs asked as he looked in the direction of the cul-de-sac.

"Just lead the way, Nebs." Luke sunk his head and walked past a wooden bench pressed up against the dry stone wall.