Hello again everyone. How are is it so far?

“XXXXX” Talking

‘XXXXX’ Thinking

In a brilliant flash of light that heralds the arrival of a new player, Abrum was born into the world of Atreties. As he observed his surroundings, his face changed to one filled with wonder and amazement. He looked at his hands, scrutinizing every inch of them, and continued to look around.

‘Is this really a game? It feels…… just like life felt before my accident. I can feel the rough texture of my pants, the slightly cold breeze. I can taste the moisture in the air. OOooooh…. What in heaven’s name is that smell?’

He continued to look around himself. The city was alive with bright hues, shop signs, vendors selling their wares. There were guards in bright regalia of Blue and Gold, but the thing that caught Abrum’s eye were the players. Not specifically the players, but the menagerie of creatures that would follow each player like an entourage. Among these menageries were three headed dogs, hunched humanoids with leathery wings protruding from their shoulder blades, and some animal like humans. However, each of these beautiful creatures, that should be full of life, had collars around their necks.

‘Maybe that’s the sign of companionship’ he shrugged it off and approached one of the players and asked him if there was a training hall any where.

“Sure thing kid, it’s down a few blocks, take a right on Villa Ysmir, and you’ll find it at the end of the street.”

Abrum thanked the player and was on his way. The reason Abrum wanted to find the training hall was simple. He was not strong, and he wanted to be. He refused to be like the generic noobs that went out and died in droves whenever a pack of wolves made their appearance. As he walked to the training hall, there were numerous comments on his unique appearance.

“Wow, look at his hair, I don’t remember that being an option in the character set up.”

“Forget the hair, his eyes look like they’re staring into my soul”

“He can stare into my soul any time, my heart and soul belong to him!”

Abrum kept walking, and sped up a little bit when he heard that last comment. He shook his head thinking to himself

‘That last comment escalated things a bit quickly. Goodness.’

As he walked, he marveled at the realism of the game. The NPC’s were going about their daily lives, just like a normal person would. Abrum almost couldn’t tell the difference between the NPC’s and the players. The only thing that could possibly be used to differentiate would be the clothing, as well as the monster companions.

As Abrum turned down Villa Ysmir, he noticed that the buildings began to get shabbier. The buildings seemed to be less and less colorful, and the houses started to lean a bit. When he arrived at the end of the street, the houses were basically colorless. The training hall was a different story altogether. It was made of bricks with a deep red hue instead of the generic building material of wood. The door was a huge oak door that had two metal bars that attached it to the door way.

With some apprehension, Abrum opened the door carefully and walked inside. He was greeted by a burly man, five foot ten, that looked like he could chop down a tree with his bare hands. The man looked a tad bit irritated with Abrum’s presence.

“No this is not a magic shop, those are down on Freya Boulevard. No this is not a black magic shop either, I don’t know where those are. This is the training hall, get it? THE TRAINING HALL!”

The man was beet red when he had finished. His eyes were bulging. These construct a very scary scenario, especially when the one wearing these contortions of emotion could snap you like a twig over his knee.

“W-well good. I must be in the right place then.”

“Right place? What are you playing at? I paid my bills! No I do not want to buy anything.”

“You misunderstand sir, I came here seeking your services. I would like you to teach me if that would be convenient. I believe someone of your stature would be overly qualified to teach an inexperienced traveler, such as myself, the way of the sword.” Abrum suavely replied.

The instructor just blinked for a few seconds. Realization swept across his face like a wave of soothing water. He blinked away a few tears, and mumbled to himself, something about how he’ll do a good job with this one/

“Come here lad, come closer so I can see your face.”

Abrum was puzzled by this and just came closer. As he approached, he realized something. The instructor’s eyes were white, as if they were sightless.

“Actually, sir, are you sure you are qualified to teach me? With your eye sight and all.”

The man gave him an incredulous look

“How about a little duel then? To see if this BLIND man can beat you, the picture of health. Go over to the wall and grab a wooden sword?”

Abrum complied

‘This is going to be interesting’

Abrum proceeded to put himself in the ready position opposite from the older man.

“You can come whenever you are ready BOY.” The man said derisively.

Abrum was a bit angry at this and charged forward, not making a sound, using the man’s blindness to his advantage. He charged and then jumped slashing downwards with a terrifying force. The man merely smiled, sidestepped out of the way, and Abrum went tumbling.

Abrum recollected himself and charged forward with a slash. The man parried with a smile and all of a sudden, Abrum was on the floor, without his weapon. He looked up at the man in awe. The man smiled and offered his hand

“The names Aleqe, what might yours be son?”

“Abrum”

“Well then Abrum, the only thing I have to say… Is your attacking style stinks.”

And so began the training.