I am telling you we were kissing for who knows how long. It was ruined I say. The moment ruined. How you may ask? Well let’s start form the part I was French kissing Amelia.

************************************************************************************

Eyes shut and hugging her at the same time. I even lost track of time to this. The ground beneath our feet began to rumble slightly, however we didn’t mind since we had the tattoos activated so we would die no matter the fate then. What caught Amelia and Me, of guard was a simple phrase said by someone. The person I knew that was on the other side of the river was more then 300 meters away when we began kissing. Well someone said this: “Would you stop kissing my daughter please?”

What’s worse was that it was way too calm and then I noticed Amelia bit my lip really hard since she was startled. I am at this point saying thanks for ruining my moment weird stranger that calls people Daughter. Wait Daughter? It finally clicked who the person was. I saw him when he spoke that phrase since he was standing in my line of sight. Over Amelia’s shoulder, the stranger at the bank of the river clearly resembled the same person I saw.

Amelia let me go and turned around since the voice spoke from behind her.

Amelia: Ddd..d.ddd. Daaaa… ddaaadd. DAD? WHAAAAA? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

Before she finished the sentence the ice we stood on fell in to the water. I then saw Amelia disappear before my very eyes, as if in to thin air. It seems the ice was indeed heave and since the river was a very rapid one at that. The Ice in huge chunks were chipped away and pushed down river to the south. Many sharp rocks that happen to be in this river shred the ice utterly. I was sure that I was going to die, well or it would hurt a lot. I jumped up in the air while summoning my pickax from the inventory to try and grapple some rocks as not to be shredded. That blessing was probably not going to help, even if it enabled me not to die, I would still be shredded and with no way to regenerate my body parts I would die when the blessing wore off.

With my biggest effort to jump as close to the bank as possible, I was able to put a small distance between the ice and me that coming right behind me now. As I struck one of the rocks to my surprise it did shatter the rock blasting me on closer to the bank of the river.

The river it self was quite wide and had to be deep. Since currently I was holding on to the pickax, which was stuck in the rock while fully submerged underwater without ground in sight. I hence wiggled the pickax out of the rock and tried to swim to the bottom. I was right it was exceptionally deep. 10 meters deep to be precise. I saw huge ice blocks smashing in to the water and partially floating away down stream in this rushing water. I used my pickax on the waterbed to stabilize my footing and proceed to outside the river. It took me 10 minutes to fight the current and get out of the river. I hope you didn’t forget that I could breath underwater so air was not a problem. Finally out of the river I flopped on the bank of the huge river and was actually breathing deeply as if I had a huge work out.

***********Five minutes later***********

I heard Amelia shouting.

Amelia: Dad there he is.

I quickly stood up and looked around. The first thing I saw was a huge man in plain clothing walking next to Amelia. He was around my Height “6 feet.” The other detail I noticed both this man and Amelia were completely dry. How was the question in my mind? Did he jump from the other side of the river, which I could now estimate properly was roughly 60 meters in diameter.

Zen: How?

Amelia: How what?

Zen: How are you not wet?

She then pointed in to the sky. I followed the direction to, which she pointed and there was a small black bird in the sky flying around.

Zen: What about the bird?

Amelia: It’s not a bird. Dad can you make him fly by us?

Stranger Dad Guy: Sure Mel

I then watched after a wave from this Dad guy’s hand. The black bird was now coming closer and closer. In matter of seconds the small black bird spot in sky seemed to speed our way and got bigger and bigger.

Bigger and Bigger

Bigger and BIGGER

BIGGGER and BIGGGGER

From what seemed like a small bird the size of my hand in they sky was just above me. Let me just say this. There is no way this could be a small bird the distance it was flying at was what made it look small. In fact it was huge like nothing I ever saw before. The wingspan was 15 meters wide. In fact it wasn’t a bird at all. It was a Black Phoenix. When it flew buy there was not even a sound that it made. To my surprise no wind gust followed it. It was if it slipped in between wind itself.

Amelia: Zen I want to introduce you my Dad, James Fox Tanis.

Zen: It is a pleasure to meet you James Fox Tanis. My name is Zen Trilen, Amelia’s boyfriend.

Stranger Dad Guy: Call me James or Tanis. It is a pleasure to meet you. I have heard so much about you.

Zen: Tanis it is then. Sorry to say I have not heard anything about you.

Tanis: That is because I forbid her to tell people that she is my daughter. I have heard your last name somewhere before. Hmmm. mmm…. You do resemble them.

Zen: Resemble who?

Tanis: What do you mean whom? Your father looked like you.

Zen: Well I don’t know how they looked like. So I can’t confirm that.

Tanis: Oh! My, that’s right I know that, Amelia told me everything about that. Either way your last name matches a person I used to play this game with in the Beta Stages. Perhaps it’s only a similar last name. I already saw that mans children so you must also only look alike. If you were his son everyone would know about you. Anyway what are you too doing on a newly formed glacier and in this part of the world?

Zen: Well we are doing a quest and in regard to this glacier, I think I was the one that somehow made it through a chain reaction.

Tanis: How interesting! I was looking for my daughter for a couple days now since I remember her complaining being stuck around some 5 impassible mountains or so. Seems they are passible and where are you headed now?

Amelia: Dad don’t tell him I was complaining, I was only stuck there for some time till I met him there as well. We should head out and while walking to the village we can tell you all about that.

Zen: Why not just fly there?

Tanis: O yes, I have to apologies that I didn’t save you with Amelia back there. You see the Phoenix is a shy creature and can be vary mean. It wont let anyone ride it unless you’re related by blood to me. So, since you have to walk, I will walk with you two and you tell me all about your adventures. I did see a few houses nearly 20 miles north from here, so how about you tell me your story as we continue to walk.

Zen: Ok but we need to dry and eat first so lets make camp for the night since its already approaching quickly. We are not exactly in a rush.

Tanis: Then it will be my treat to treat you both to a nice camp out.

As he said that out of thin air a huge cabin appeared near the river. Another second later a huge bon fire also appeared already blazing hot with some meat on a skewer spinning above the fire.

Zen: Hmm. How peculiar? Do you have something like a storage transfer?

Tanis: Oh and how did you hear of that name?

I then summoned several blocks of wood blocks to use as chairs and small table.

Tanis: You have only begun this game and already found the skill. Last time I saw him he was dying. So how did you come to get that?

Zen: I guess its story time.

Several hours passed by around the campfire we tried different kinds of meat. I never tasted before. He was an amazing cook in all. That night we did not see the phoenix at all. He was probably hunting to eat. It was now nearly midnight with the moon high in the sky.

Tanis: It seems your friends have arrived and are standing upon the glacier.

Zen: I can see in darkness just not that far, and I can tell you for a certain aside from Amelia. I have no friends.

As we were speaking shadows began coming in to view. Somehow 8 figures made it across the river without making any noise. I could now see their faces that were still in the shadows of the camp and near by trees.

Birk: My, my for low leveled people you could have gotten away if you wanted didn’t stay near the end of the glacier. We did loose your track completely but now your not getting away. You will guide us to that village.

Zen: So you must be the ones trying to destroy it then.

Birk: Guess it’s out of the bag. Yes we are the invaders. I seem to be right that disappearing so quickly last time made you suspicious. Although what intrigued me even more was when you began to spot us and point us out. We called for reinforcements since your actions were strange. Well now that we are here you will either point the way to the village or die. You choose!

Zen: I choose neither.

Birk: It’s not like you have an option.

Zen: True I might die but she won’t.

I said that pointing to Amelia who was sitting near her father. Birk looked in the direction and saw that there was a third person.

Birk: Are you saying that all of us which by the way is more then three this time wont be able to kill the two of you?

Zen: Are you stupid or something. Can’t you see the third person sitting next to Amelia? The reason why you can’t kill her now is he won’t allow that. Even though he doesn’t care about me. Probably want’s me dead as well.

Birk again looked at Amelia and then his eyes widened as if seeing a monster.

Tanis: Well hello young fella of the Neofine Race. What brings you here chasing after my daughter or is it that you lost your way home and need her to help you?

Birk: Where did you just come from?

Tanis: Why I never moved ever since you stood on top of that glacier.

Birk: No matter will dispatch you as well.

He was speaking calmly even tough he was excessively sweating.

Tanis: Well not that I know you’re my daughters enemies. I have no regret.

As soon as he said that Birk yelled out. “ATTACK.” What shocked him that there were no arrows or spells or even anything moving around him. He looked back because his friends who were just behind him made no sound. While turning back around to face us he began screaming. “WHAT DID YOU DO?” When he completely faced us again. He saw the huge phoenix standing in front of him. That was the last thing he saw. The phoenix crunched him in half and then swallowed him whole.

Amelia: When? How? What just happened DAD?

Tanis: Don’t worry my sweat I just killed all of them since they pointed their filthy bows in your direction. I knew they weren’t your friends and intended to kill you either way. The killing intent was just too big even though it was still a spec to me. Ho Ho Ha He.

Amelia: You could have at least left their stuff unharmed.

Tanis: Now, I don’t want to be a hindrance to your gaming experience by giving you free things. You got to get all that stuff your self without the help of people remember that rule. I feel that you already leached enough of Zen over there.

Zen: I wouldn’t call it leaching off. Just covering ones weakness, in a sense I too leached of her potions. I feel without her I would be here.

Amelia: Zen just to let you know my dad is a professor. So he can go on and on with his lectures.

Tanis: Well fine! Fine! I won’t go in to my lecturing mode. I will tell you this though, there are crimes being committed in this game and there is not a good way to punish those people. I know I am saying this out of the blue. I just felt like warning you. Even though there are prisons, however those prisons have a fault. They are escapable. I know a certain guild called The Phantoms they are a killer guild and kill everyone and everything. When someone from their guild is caught they use their skills to break their members out. So be careful of what you do and whom you deal with.

Amelia: What I tell you. He does sound like a professor doesn’t he. Going on and on about random things.

Zen: Anyhow. Is there really no way to prevent their escape?

Tanis: Hmm. There is one thing that’s possible but extremely rare and hard to get a hold of. Some of the richer kingdoms have a few Katonium shackles and I tell you this, that those are mainly used on extremely high-level people. It works but the negative side to it is; only a few shackles and once those prisoners escape. Even though they cannot take them off due to the metal quality they can simply be killed and respawn again, of course they sacrifice the experience and other penalties but for now there is no other way to take them off.

Zen: Can’t they just pick the lock?

Tanis: That the interesting part no one know how those shackles are placed on an individual. They say they wake up with them already molded their bodies. As if someone smith them on and if people try to cut them or melt them away. Usually the person dies in the process. Even to me it’s a mystery on how they do it.

Amelia and me looked at each other.

When we told mostly everything to her dad. We left out the part about the spirit King and the Dragon with that Miracle water. We summed it up that I dug through the thinnest part of the mountain to get out. How we got the quest was a letter we found near a corpse at the mountain. The secret about what we discovered we hid. One thing was certain it surely sounded and looked like her dad, but in this world of magic and such. Even a great actor could easily disguise himself as someone else or could really be her dad. We kept quite about the secrets we vowed to not tell a soul without both of our consent.

Zen: Oh yes btw I have talked to someone in the business world. Seems a certain guild wants to meet me. I told them where we are at and the representative said that they will be here in a few days.

Tanis: You told them? Do you know the guild name?

Zen: I frankly did not know.

Tanis: But why would a certain guild seek you out, unless you sold some very high information and thus they want to claim you.

Zen: Claim me?

Tanis: Yes some of the larger guild have been recruiting some times its willingly and sometimes not so willingly. In particular they would take you to a fort and lock you up till you comply. Just like arresting people. They also use all their means to prevent you from dying or breaking out. Usually new players just remake their character and therefore the only way to get out.

Zen: Hmm. This might be a problem then in the future.

Tanis: If they are able to make it here in a couple of days means they are some sort of riders and high level at that.

Zen: Yes that guy said they ride Griffins or something like that.

Tanis: I know a few that ride Griffins. Well let’s play it out and see. I’ll hide myself within the village and make myself look like and NPC and their scans will reveal it to be so. Don’t forget though I’m not doing this for you but for my daughter. Seems like you got her out of that mountain range and so I will repay you incase they are hostile.

Zen: Thank You. It seems that I made a blunder and thank you in advance for doing this.

Tanis: This also means we need to prepare and head to the village now. Since Griffin riders and Advanced riders can get here faster then couple of days.

Zen: Ok then it seems like we aren’t camping tonight right?

Tanis: No time.

Within another blink of an eye everything that belonged to the camp disappeared even the wooden blocks I took out. As we started to walk towards the village I could see clearly but since Amelia was complaining about not seeing her dad made a light that projected outward like a extremely bright headlamp from a car.

Amelia: Is that magic?

Tanis: Yes and No

Amelia: Anything else you can tell me?

Tanis: Nope. You have to discover things yourself. Just by seeing it I’ve already helped you too much.

Amelia: Dad please!

Tanis: You know you can’t change my mind. What’s my number one rule?

Amelia: I know. I know. Get it with your strength if you want to have it, something along those lines.

We walked all night at a fairly good pace. As the sun rose we could see beautiful sunrise over the surrounding mountains. This place that we were in was like a small hill in the valley. It was beautiful; we continued north and followed the river.

Soon the river widened and became a huge lake. Don’t forget it was a huge river to begin with. With rapid flowing water, however the lake was very calm and steady, a perfect mirror to in nature.

Tanis: I do like this place of calm and quite. Perhaps I should move out here and live a nice tranquil life.

As soon as he said that we thought it was as if he jinxed us. A small hill began to rise from the ground. It was indeed a small hill in comparison to the surrounding. Although when it stood up completely it was nearly 5 meters tall.

Amelia: Tranquil Dad?

Tanis: In tranquil lands you need scary monsters such as this golem to keep it tranquil.

Amelia: Well it can’t be tranquil if it attacks us.

Tanis: That’s that thing though. It won’t attack us.

Zen: What do you mean by that?

Tanis: Monsters are more proficient in feeling danger and power levels of individuals. If the power level is twice as high as its own they won’t attack.

Zen: How do you measure this power level thing you mentioned?

Tanis: That you too will have to figure out.

We continued to walk and that monster that was in our path and got up. Actually turned away from our direction and walked of. It was if it woke up to make way to an enemy feared by even this golem. What amazed me next was as if the entire valley shook and I could see further ahead. That small hill covered with moss and grass up ahead also got up and move out of our way. When they got their distance they would lay back down. I stopped counting these hills after I got to the number 100. You could see that the path in front of us was like a path without any small hill to obstruct us. I then examined a golem (4 meters tall) that was the nearest to us. As it lay down it camouflaged so well that I wouldn’t be able to believe if I haven’t seen it with my own eyes. They moved out of our way without leaving a footprint on the ground. Just how high was their level?

Zen: What’s their level Mr. Tanis?

Tanis: Don’t ad a Mr. in there and they range from 100 -150.

Just how powerful is Amelia’s Dad? I was afraid to pry and frankly did not really care.

Zen: How is it possible that a village, which has an average of lvl 50 survive here?

Tanis: You can go around these golems and they are not aggressive so they stay within their territory. Frankly it seemed our path had to go near their nest so that’s why.

Zen: They have a nest?

Tanis: Yes and no. Technically they do have their own village and it mainly underground. The entrance is a closely guarded secret by them.

Zen: They can speak?

Tanis: All monsters that are above level 100 can speak. It’s a matter of understanding their language and such.

It was getting more and more interesting. Just what does this game have in store for us? I could not believe that there are so many mysteries to uncover. Once we passed the golems that were next to the huge lake. I assumed there must be a secret in that lake that I would love to uncover, however this was not the correct time. By lunch time we could now see the village of in the distance next to another small lake that was either human made or something of the sort since the water flowed in from the river and then back in to the river keeping it fresh and clean. There was a small bridge connecting the small island between the river and the lake. It made it look tranquil indeed.

Tanis: Look at this place. Isn’t it tranquil? I bet if I placed a few of my touches to this place it would make it even more tranquil then now. Perhaps Ill do just that.

Zen: It is your choice after all. This is the place that seems to be where our quest only starts.

Tanis: Right something about protecting this frontier and making it better right?

Zen: Right.

I was still shocked since Amelia was quiet most of the time. It would seem she never once interrupted or been to disrespectful. I even noted that she was not very spoiled since she gave up on trying to convince her dad to do this or that for her. I think she believes in growing with her own power in this game.

When we were near the village with only a few hundred meters to the closest building. We saw there was not even a small fence or anything of the sort. No guards or anything. I counted a total of 20 houses all in a circular formation and one building in the middle.

Tanis: I have to say. That looks like a very strong barrier. Must be a Lvl 300 at least.

Zen & Amelia: There is a barrier?

Tanis: Yep and that’s why they didn’t bother building walls. Any monster lower then Lvl 300 won’t be able to enter. The bad side to this type of spell and protection magic is it has a time limit. Anything that enters this village will also be alerted to the villagers.

Zen: Can you tell how long this barrier will last?

Tanis: 12 months and 3 days from now. Seems what ever you need to do. Better be done by then.

Amelia: Can’t you do something about that Dad?

Tanis: I could but that would take the fun out of your quest and I don’t feel like it. I helped enough don’t you think, especially through that Tranquil Valley of Death?

Amelia: You just made that name up to scare me didn’t you?

Tanis: Perhaps. He he he

Mr. Tanis had a huge grin on his face. Just what is his aim?

It was interesting while we approached the village no one was in sight and only when we got to the center of the village closer to the center building someone stepped out to great us.

Stranger: Welcome Dear Travellers!

===========================

Story transferred by author from

https://paztok.wordpress.com