While we were treading through the forest, our PACs were mapping the area. After a few hours of walking the trees began to thin. We came to the tree line and finally got our first glimpse of the Glowing Plains. We gazed out upon the rolling fields of grass, dotted with the bulbs of small blue flowers. The background was mostly mountains and blue sky.

"Yo, where is the 'Glowing' part?" Randy asked.

"A lot of people exaggerate geographical locations. Y'know, brings in more tourists and stuff." I commented.

"I wonder what the city is like." Casey casually stated, focusing her sharp Nightkin eyes on the medieval community in the distance.

"Guess we'll find out in about an hour." I replied.

"I think we should get a carriage in the city, or at least four horses." Ned suggested, as we started walking towards the distant city.

"Huh?! Aw come on, walkings not that bad." I chuckled nervously.

The party stared at me, I knew this conversation was coming. I also knew walking wouldn't be an option for long, based on the rumors about traveling. High level PC's spoke of long and dangerous roads, connecting the several cities of the country called Devnia.

"Uh... You seemed too smart to ask dumb questions like that, Bruno. I wouldn't have been surprised if it were Randy." Ned sounded disappointed.

"Ey, why you gotta start shit. Zombie-ass, 'Dawn of the Ned' lookin' mutha fucker!" Randy began a string of insults, that Ned ignored with a playful grin.

Then Ned asked: "..So, do you not like horses?"

"Yo! ..You not still trippin' on dat cookout, from like '91 'n shit. Is you?!" Randy howled.

"Man, that horse tried to kill me! I told you.. Horses don't like me, and I don't like horses." I shouted.

"You fat fuck. It was like 14 years ago, and I told you why It did that." Randy scolded.

"What happened?" Ned and Casey said in unison.

"Pops took us to his buddy's barbecue, on some 'bumble-fuck nowhere' farmland. Pops was high, and thought it'd be fun to put Bruno on tha dude's horse. The horse was all fuckin skittish from the fire pit, and the strangers already. So when Pop's put this tubby fuck on it's back, it went apeshit crazy." Randy explained.

"It didn't even have a saddle." I added, "I was 8 years old and had no interest in riding that horse, but he said it wasn't optional."

"Oh man, that sucks." Ned offered.

Casey remained silent.

"It's been 14 years...Walk it off, Fathead" Randy ordered.

"I never said I hadn't. It's not just that I fell off some serial killer horse 100 years ago. All horses hate me, and I fucking hate all horses. End of story." I concluded.

We quietly walked on about another 30 minutes, arriving faster than I had estimated. The large city was surrounded on its three sides by water, being built on a thumb shaped plot of land pressed into a huge lake. The city walls ran the sides of the peninsula, and met on the road at a large reinforced gate. What I could see over the walls appeared to be a wide variety of wood, stone and metal buildings peaking over them. Outside of the gate were several guards and a long line of pulled carts and carriages, attended by people of all races and genders. Some of the waiting people appeared to be heavily armored Knights, mounted on the vile creatures of our previous conversation. I also noted a few small families on foot, near the back of the line. We queued in, behind the families and waited to enter the city.

-----

Entering Luhana city was much more pleasant than entering the starter town of Greenthorn. We just showed them our adventurers badges and they let us in. No one even called me a slave this time... Well at least not to my "face." Most of the homes and buildings in the city had large walls of white stone blocks, lined with thick wooden support beams. The shingled roofs were mostly sun-worn tiles of wood and metal. The common door frame wasn't the rectangular shape I was accustomed to but heavy wooden oval doors. the city was overrun with standard A-frame type houses, but occasionally tall rounded metallic towers loomed over the houses and came to a phallus-like mushroom top. Large catwalks occasionally crossed over the stone paved roads perpendicularly, creating archways. Crossing under one brought us to a section of the medieval metropolis containing the adventurers guild. 'High town' as the locals had dubbed it, was a small section of city raised by one of the rare elevations across the mostly flat plains. A wide flight of stone stairs ascended this elevation and connected to a narrow walkway that was grid patterned between the fancy homes and buildings. Much like Greenthorns castle, this elevated section seemed to be the 'pearl' of Luhana's class system.

Luhana's adventurers guild was twice the size of Greenthorn's. While still modeled like a Grand cathedral, this Guildhall was decorated in an offensive amount Gold and Silverite. The walls were constructed of a polished green, Jade-like material that I first mistook for Cryspar. The interior of the massive Hall was so gaudy and ultra luxurious, I immediately felt underdressed and out of place. There was a long Red carpet, laid out down the center of the long hall. On either side were fancy tables and matching chairs, below a reflective golden ceiling studded with fancy chandeliers. It gave the impression of a Black tie restaurant. Hundreds of busy Adventurers scurried about, or sat at the fancy tables. The basic layout of the Guildhall wasn't too far from that of Greenthorn, so after a short time we found the Travel Point located in the basement.

"Word! Dis place is pimp son." Randy called out in delight.

"It sure is swanky." Ned proclaimed, " Feels a lil' overwhelming."

"Sure does." Casey agreed.

"Yeah." I added, "So... Ned and Randy you guys are logging out here, right? I am Portaling to Greenthorn to get Hobo. You still coming?"

"Sure." Casey said.

"I'll be out a day or two." Randy Informed. "I'll holla' when I get back. Peace!"

Randy then placed his Dwarven thumb on his PAC and logged out a moment later.

"I ...uh. I'll only be out around 24 hours. I'll text you all from my PAC when I return. Bye!"

Ned placed his Undead thumb on his PAC, then also disappeared.

Casey and I approached the Travel Point. The large room consisted of several long, thin and jagged cracks of light, outlined in dark void. The large white vertical lines resembled bolts of lightning, hovering in place between large crystals above and below them. The crystals were mounted on a large platform similar to a New York City subway station. After waiting in a short line, we spoke to the mage standing at a metallic podium next to one of the portals. Traveling to Greenthorn would cost one gold coin per person, and we couldn't carry more than one bag each. Portals were a steep cost for the lower level adventurers. Since Casey was only tagging along to see Hobo, I payed for her travel as well. The portal was impressive from afar, and very intimidating up close. The tear in space/time surged with a resonating hum. My body tingled the closer I came to it and I imagined my hair would be standing on end, if my avatar were human. We were directed to pass through one at a time, and Casey stepped forward. Only hesitating for a moment, she then pushed through. Following her was a static crack, and a flash of light and she was gone. For an instant I thought of Randy's AI, then stepped forward. I submerged my 'fingers' in the terrifying portal and retrieved them immediately. The submerged digits went numb instantly and I stared at the reptilian digits, still attached to my 'hand.'

"Don't dawdle, sir. Please step through the portal quickly!" The attendant commanded.

"Huh?! ...Oh sorry." I replied absently, while staring at my hand. "Sure thing."

I then stepped forward, into the enigmatic portal.

-----

The crimson skinned HobGoblin stood amongst the majestic horses and inhaled, deeply enjoying the smell of the stables. He loved the pungent aroma his human caretaker regarded as foul. He enjoyed the time he spent amongst the four legged creatures. He remembered smelling fear from the horses as a little Gobling, but now they tolerated the spindly young Hob. He removed the fragrant brown apples from the floor of their stalls, as well as caught the rodent creatures that scurried around the stables. The brown things tasted awful compared to their delightful smell. The rodents, on the other hand, made a great snack and weren't hard to catch... with some practice. The HobGoblin was fast and nimble as he silently prowled the stables. He had located a rodent and was about to swoop in and grab it when a strong, warm feeling shot through his body. He instinctively halted his stalking of the rodent, then sprinted to the gate of the stables. He heard a familiar, soft voice coming from a thin, dark skinned humanoid. Followed by a resonating voice, he remembered well.

"Aw he's so big now! Look at how much he grew, Bruno!" The thin one exclaimed.

"When the hell did he turn red?!" His master cried.

-----

As we approached the stables a small red monster came rushing to meet Casey and I. The HobGoblin stood several inches higher than my knee and moved swiftly to our location. It stopped a few feet away from us, and stared up at me with excited eyes. After Casey and I exchanged a few observations about the Hobtot's shocking new appearance, we greeted the little creature.

"Hey there lil' guy!" Casey called to the Hob, in a higher octave than normal.

"What's up buddy." I said with a smile.

The Hob's face lit up at my words, and it returned a smile of sharp teeth, under it's wide and flat nose. Casey approached the small Hob, and scooped it up like it was a 'teacup' dog.

"Wow Hobo, you got so heavy!" Casey said, as she hugged the Hobgoblin that was still staring at me.

I walked up behind the Nightkin, and placed my hand on the Hob's head and began to pet it. "Have you been a good Goblin?" I asked, not expecting an answer.

The Hob fidgeted a little, and began drooling on Casey's armor. The Nightkin didn't notice, or didn't care. Then my Pac received a notification and Lila appeared on my shoulder. Casey also got a notification and Melony appeared next to Casey. Her sudden entrance seemed to agitate my pet Hob. It began growling in a low volume at the AI.

"Oh. My. God. His widdle gwowl is sho cuuute!" Casey couldn't refrain herself.

[Greetings] Lila said.

"Hey" I replied.

[This is a notice to all players: Servers will shut down in 2 hours for an update and maintenance!] She announced.

"Oh ok. Thanks for the heads up." I smiled at my AI. "Hey, can you tell me why my pet changed color?"

Lila seemed to scan the Hob, then offered: [This pet seems to have gained a class. In doing so, it has evolved into a BloodGoblin. I have no data other than the class name.]

"Oh shit. So this is normal than?" I asked.

[It is not uncommon for pets to change appearance as they get stronger, but I have no records on pets receiving a Class. That is all I can offer.] She informed.

"Huh. Is that right?" I stared at the Hob, deep in thought. "Hey, can you give me any notes on the update?"

[No. I am sorry. The notes will be available after the server is brought back online.] Lila frowned.

"Ah ok. No big deal, we'll be logged out before the server goes down." I smiled. "See ya when I log back in, Lila. And thank you."

[You're welcome.] Lila replied, then disappeared.

After Lila had vanished, I went to the young man I had been paying to watch after Hobo. I put thee silver coins in his hand, and thanked him for his work. I then told him I would be returning for my pet tomorrow morning. I patted Hobo on the head and dragged the Nightkin away from the stables. We both headed for the basement of Greenthorns adventurers guild. I saw Jorghan, sitting at his usual table looking over the adventurers as usual. I waived to the Orc Chieftain as I passed by, and he nodded in reply. In the basement of the guild, there was no Traveling Point. Just the large room that received the one way portal traffic, and respawned players. Casey and I had 'landed' here after stepping through the portal at Luhana city. I recalled my entire body feeling numb and resisting the urge to vomit upon 'landing.' I looked over and saw Casey shudder, as I assumed she was recalling the experience as well.

"Hey. Now that the route is mapped out, message me when you log in. We can travel back to Luhana together." I offered.

"Sure. I wont be very long, so I may be on before you." She reported.

"I won't be off long either, but I'll message you when I log in just incase." I smiled.

I then watched as she pressed her thumb against her PAC, then disappeared. I summoned my PAC and was about to press my thumb to the log out button, when Jorghans hand grabbed my shoulder.

"We need to talk." The large Orc commanded.