CHAPTER 13 - AWAKENING

South of Dresan

Another ghoul was pinned down by Valentina.

‘She’s different…’ Anissa was not missing a thing.

Artemis joined the party and received the Mokan’s quest. She didn’t know who Empress was, nor she knew about the bounty for her head. However, she swore to keep her mouth shut.

“Good job, kid!” Josh cracked the ghoul’s skull with his mace.

Artemis had no preferred playstyle. When Carlos had to leave for a long period, she suggested taking his tank role.

“Step back now, avoid unnecessary damage” Pavel shouted, “that’s how the bruiser works!”

Everyone was surprised because her level was rather low to tank. Josh and Pavel landed her some gear, while Anissa taught her to play like a bruiser.

“Stay flexible while fighting,” Anissa shouted, “don’t get carried away.”

Unlike tanks, the bruiser was a role that required a sharp sense when to engage and when to disengage. For the past two days, Artemis struggled with that balance.

“A-Amazing,” Valentina backed off and gasped at Anissa’s ferocity, “she’s shot-calling as well...”

Anissa performed a deadly dance on the frontline. She recently developed basic proficiency in Daggers and Duel-wielding.

“D-Dammit...” Pavel was knocked down. “Err, guys-”

“Hmm...” Anissa glanced at the backline and grinned.

*SMAASH*

“I got you!” Valentina charged at the enemy with her shield.

“Good stuff...” Once Pavel was freed, he quickly grabbed his bow and pulled an arrow from his quiver.

Artemis noticed that and stepped away.

Pavel released the arrow and a loud screech followed. While he was preparing for the second shoot, Artemis had already finished the target.

“Dead,” she informed and dashed to peel for Josh.

“You learn, eh…” Pavel mumbled and repositioned as well.

The ghouls’ level varied widely between 10-20.

Josh was targeted by two of the stronger ones. He struggled against their simultaneous attacks.

“I will take this one,” Valentina equalized the numbers.

Josh and Pavel focused on damage, while Artemis was peeling.

“Two more down,” Josh tossed a life potion, “keep your HP high, kid.”

“She’s beating them alone...” Artemis pointed ahead.

Anissa was handling two ghouls at level 20 at once

“That’s what my lovely Empress does,” Pavel beamed. “C’mon, we have to help too.”

“Join me now, Shir’tanaaaa!” Anissa shouted

A short kid grew rapidly in size and jumped into the fray. Anissa was now holding back, she was protecting him instead of fighting with him.

“You should step forward as well, Artemis,” Josh said, “bag more contribution.”

The whole point was to provide battle practice and experience for Shir’tana and Artemis. Both of them were fighting the last enemies. Everyone was paying attention to keep them safe.

Soon the wounded ghouls were eliminated as well.

QUEST: Mokan’s revenge - COMPLETED

You have gained quest completion experience

You have gained affinity with Mokan’s villagers

You have advanced in Dresan’s awakening quest chain

LEVEL UP!

LEVEL UP!

...

“Niceeeee.”

“Ah, eh, already?” Shir’tana shrank back to his original size and dropped his weapon. “I-I wanted to fight a bit longer...” Even his angry childish voice changed back which made it sound funny.

“I will hold that heavy sword for you, little brother,” Anissa chuckled.

“Enough adult roleplaying for today, kiddo,” Josh laughed and patted Shir’tana’s head.

Shir’tana aimed to become stronger so he can find his parents. Naturally, he was disappointed by the slow progression.

“Your awareness is getting better, Artemis,” Anissa complimented.

Pavel nodded and added, “a ghoul had sneaked behind my back, but Artemis pushed him off me.”

“I noticed something similar.” Anissa held her laughter. “Everyone, we will camp here, recover your strength.”

Each received a piece of bread and dried meat. Food was not essential for players in Brave New World but helped one’s recovery rate, and the group had an NPC.

“I ‘ained anotha wevel,” the youngster was munching.

“I’m proud of you, little brother.”

“Who would guess that there were so many ghouls here,” Josh said.

“Their level was unpredictable,” Pavel added.

“At least we found them rather easily...” Anissa glanced ahead.

Eyes were on Artemis.

“I-I guess my high affinity...” Indeed, she was able to track the den thanks to her animal friends, but that was not everything.

In the past two days, Valentina was reserved towards the group. Her main goal was to level-up with experienced players and to complete a certain unique quest.

Anissa shared her identity as Empress, even though she saved the information about the Petven’s quest.

“Actually… I had an encounter...” Valentina stuttered.

“Artemis, we are not asking you anything, remember that,” Anissa reminded her.

“I… you are all good people...” Valentina continued, then shared an ability description.

“Whaaaat?”

“This explains everything,” Anissa confirmed.

“What happened?” As an NPC Shir’tana wasn’t eligible to see shared system information.

“Artemis can communicate with animals,” Pavel replied.

The young wizard was dumbfounded.

“I also used to talk to a kitty back in Ephra but it never listened to me, is it something like that?”

Artemis smiled and raised a chin.

“Laaand,” she shouted, then extended an arm and awaited.

“Hmm… ehhhhh?!”

A hawk had landed on her glove.

“A-AMAAAAAZING,” Shir’tana reached to touch the bird. “Waah...” Artemis had to calm it down for him.

“I-I didn’t mean to hide-”

“Don’t worry,” Anissa interrupted her, “we all have our secrets, we’ve met just recently.”

Shir’tana was still caressing the hawk.

“What do you plan to achieve in Brave New World?” Anissa continued.

“I-...”

“Why the sudden change of heart to leave the forest?” Anissa kept digging.

Valentina was influenced by Brave New World and convinced by her dream that she had to achieve something. Her mind rioted against the depression, it gave her goal, it gave her hope. A few days ago she logged determined to complete the quest.

Now, It was tough for her to keep it all in. She had to tell someone, so she began from the day they’ve met.

The Guardian… Unique quest… The following dream…

The curious events made everybody silent. Even Shir’tana had forgotten about the hawk and the bird eventually flew away without him noticing.

“And then I woke up at home, in Malta...” Valentina’s eyes were teary.

‘To find your brother in a VR world…’ Pavel and Josh were shocked but didn’t dare to say something dumb.

“You probably think I’m an idiot...” Valentina sighed, head slumped down.

“Y-You will... definitely find him, Artemis,” as a child who had no memories of his parents, Shir’tana cried his heart out at that story. “I-I’m also... looking for my mom and dad...” he sobbed.

A sudden warmth wrapped Artemis, then her forehead felt wet.

Anissa was sitting next to her, with an arm around her back and lips on her forehead.

Valentina lifted her head to meet a pair of supportive brown eyes.

“You are one sweet girl, Valentina,” she used her real name, “and as long as you desire, we will accompany your journey.”

“S-Sister...” the sobbing Shir’tana rushed to apply the hug treatment.

Someone had added a bottle of liquor to soften the mood. The bottle circled between them a few times.

Even Shir’tana was allowed to lick from the burning liquid. He was disgusted by the taste and went to sleep soon after.

A lot was shared by everyone.

The cynical Pavel was the single child from his father’s first marriage. His mother died giving him birth. Outshined by his siblings, hated by his stepmother. His father called him the family’s failure.

The kind Josh had a drug addiction a couple of years ago. That eventually made him lose the girl he loved to someone else. She was now married with two kids. Later, Josh got back to his gaming passion as a therapy.

Anissa told of her days in the orphanage. She was nearly adopted by a person who was later exposed as a child molester and jailed. It was a creepy story, yet she laughed hard.

Near the camp, on that virtual night, Valentina cried a lot and laughed a bit. She didn’t realize it back then, but later she would return to that time. She would think that night had changed her forever.

Many secrets were revealed by everyone.

Name: ARTEMIS

Faction: Dresan dynasty

Race: Human

Class: None

Level: 12

Health: 186/238

Mana: 94/94

Stamina: 104/165

Strength: 17

Endurance: 30

Vitality: 21

Dexterity: 1

Agility: 5

Intelligence: 1

Spell power: 1

Spellcasting: 1

Charisma: 3

TITLE: Guardian of the Forest (+2 Vitality, +2 Charisma)

Passives:

Call of the wild: Allows a basic communication with animal NPCs. The ability is amplified by the target’s affinity. The ability is amplified near the southern forests of Dresan (Guardian of the Forest).

Actives:

Guardian’s sacrifice: Cast protection on target for 3 seconds. In that duration, receive the damage instead. The target will not be protected for the overkill damage. Mana cost: 100; Cooldown: 24 hours.

“Unique quest...” Anissa read aloud.

Three stages:

Aspirant’s determination. One must discover himself before discovering the world. Achieve level 100! ??? ???

“Reaching level 100 shouldn’t be that difficult...”

“The following stages are missing...”

“What do you think you will find?”

“I-I don’t know...”

“So you invested in endurance and vitality to withstand the wounds?” Anissa pointed at her arm scars.

“Yea, and I would fight barehanded against the goblins...”

“That’s why you lacked Strength attribute to wear the armor plates at first...”

“At least you have some awesome parents,” Pavel envied.

“Parents at all...” Anissa joked.

“They’re the best, I'm blessed to have them...”

“By the way, maybe your ability can help us find Shen?”

“I’ll try my best, my ability is amplified in this part of Dresan.”

“Command the hawks to find that motherfucker then!”

“I don’t think it works that-”

“Great, meanwhile we should return to Mokan. This quest chain should be explored further.”

On the next day, Valentina woke up early, instead of the regular midday. She had breakfast with her parents for the first time in nearly a month.

Valentina seemed tired, but also sober. Her parents learned she made some friends in Brave New World. They left for work with positivity, hoping their daughter is fighting back depression.

Dresan’s awakening became a famous subject.

Players were originally invested in bypassing the inner circles of the faction. However, many saw an opportunity to benefit from the quest chain.

So far Dresan’s powerhouses didn’t care.

City of Sarn, Dresan dynasty

“More undead are coming!”

Players and outers were defending a siege of basic skeletons and skeleton soldiers led by an epic Death Knight.

I told you I’ll come back...

“It’s that slave, Zaha,” an NPC cried, “he swore to haunt Dresan even in his death!”

“They are climbing the walls,” a panicked NPC shouted.

“We’re ‘ere to protect the citizens of Sarn,” a short redhead clenched his fist, then whispered to the side, “how’s the live stream, Daisy?”

“Doin' alright, Guildmastah,” she replied, “the broadcast's runnin'."

“Y'all defend the walls, show what southerners are made of!” Billy declaimed.

"Glory to the Redneck gamin'!" Echoed from everywhere.

The organization had about 10 members from Louisiana, Alabama, and Georgia.

Their goal was to prove the talent of the American countryside gamers.

They had no trust in the US educational system, however, they required no lessons in bravery.

"Ted, focus on pushing the bastards, they don't waver from wounds anyway."

"Aye, Guildmastah!" His swings turned heavier, less accurate.

"Eloise, hold on!" A skeleton warrior had grabbed her arm.

Billy rushed to her and began to chop the bony arm with an axe.

"Ye'r… a tough one… ain't ya!" He was gasping after each swing.

The arm was finally severed and Eloise freed. Other skeletons were using their buddy as a stepping stone.

“Persistent bastards,” Ted shouted while hammering another undead.

“Their level is ‘round 20-25,” Eloise cried.

“And more importantly, they’ve got that fucker...” Billy glared at the mounted Death Knight.

It’s pointless to struggle, today is your last...

“Guildmastah, the outer NPCs seem terrified by him,” Daisy pointed, “apparently he’s a local who got tortured to death by an inner noble!”

“Fuckin’ inners, they are the politics in this world, thinkin’ they are all better than everyone...” He snorted

“The Death Knight is buffing his units and scaring away ours, sounds fair...” Someone sighed.

The situation was grim. Initially, the rednecks saw a chance to prove themselves in defending the city of Sarn. Alas, the NPC allies were horrified by Zaha's aura.

“It was not planned that way...” Billy was beating himself.

‘I failed my guildmates...’ He thought.

“GUILDMASTAH, someone is fighting the Death Knight!”

“What?” Billy smacked another skeleton warrior and glanced at Zaha again.

Indeed, a small group of players and an NPC were all over him.

“Our time is limited, don’t hold back!” Empress commanded.

Anissa warned that walls will fall soon. She already saw Shir’tana’s frightened status. Players alone wouldn’t withstand the undead’s siege.

‘An epic boss gifted with aura to scare the lower level NPCs.’ She thought. ‘But then why is he alright...’

“Cursed creature, we'll end your misery!” Kajo's attitude changed swiftly after the Mokan's revenge completion.

The following Awakening quest came directly from Kajo. The party then cleansed a neighbor village from ghouls and basic skeletons.

For the next quest, he joined himself and told the tragic story of the slave Zaha.

Zaha used to be the strongest protector of the locals. He was brave and kind. Alas, an inner noble had an eye on his sister. In Dresan, the inner powerhouses could do whatever they please with the outers.

The honest and naive Zaha believed that he can reason the noble. In the end, his sister was taken anyway and he was turned into a slave.

The injustice for him felt just as painful as the indifference of his outer friends. He felt betrayed and swore to return even in death.

"This corpse is strong!" Pavel's arrows were hitting consecutively.

"I am joining Kajo, try to not hit my arse like yesterday!" Josh shouted and rushed towards the mounted Death Knight.

"You are tempting me…" Pavel replied.

Kajo and Josh were both swinging at Zaha. Landing a clean hit was a challenge. His zombie horse made him like a small fortress.

"His height is a problem, attack the horse!" Anissa ordered.

She sneaked at the side and simultaneously launched both daggers in an overhead arc. Dual strike pierced deep in brutal fashion.

*CRITICAL STRIKE*

Unlike Zaha, the horse was a common zombie creature. Also, his massive body was hard to miss, which allowed some reckless techniques to connect.

Don't ignore me, you sinister…

"Danger," Anissa saw Zaha's long sword falling with tremendous speed, "blo-"

*CRAAACK*

"Nghh…" Artemis had been vigilant and intercepted. Her eyes were shut through the impact. "I lost HP while blocking? Anissa-"

The wounded horse had collapsed after that powerful blow.

Anissa had wasted no time, she was already behind Zaha, looking to stab his throat.

Artemis noticed the wrecked shield and her bleeding temple made sense. She threw it away and equipped a second weapon.

"Enough peeling for today, I'm all in." Artemis stepped forward.

"Did you ran out of arrows, archer boy?" Someone mocked.

"Don't test me, Josh!" Pavel had difficulties to spot an opening. "Well, fuck it…" He drew a sword and joined the melee combat.

Servants of the Awakening, assist me!

Zaha had desired to see Dresan in ruins. The pride was not a burden for him if he could repay the lifetime abuse.

The skeleton warriors had just claimed the walls of Sarn. Surprisingly, the entire undead army was summoned back. Some were too far to get affected by the order, others were just clumsy.

Everyone was absorbed in finishing the Death Knight, nobody heard the following words of sorrow.

“You deserved better, teacher…” Kajo swung his battle axe one last time. He felt the weapon sink inside the skull of Zaha. Memories of his childhood clouded his mind. He was a toddler again and dreamed for strength to protect his loved ones.

Right before his eyes, his hero was being cut to pieces.

You have slain the Death Knight Zaha!

QUEST COMPLETED!