EFate: An MMO Story

Passing a wagon out front, Eric put some distance between himself and the general store, aiming to get as far away as possible from the place where he'd been parted with his money. Slowing down at last, Eric took a closer look at the cloak still clutched tightly within his grasp. Now that he was closer, the details in the cloak were far more apparent than they had been inside the shop. The soft grey fur that comprised the outside of the cloak was soft to the touch, even softer than Floof's, while the violet interior was smooth, his hand easily running across the silvery threads that traversed the fabric.

[Swordclaw Fur Cloak - Rare Cloak]

Armour: 4

Durability: 100/100

Inherent Effect:

Grants user Minor Magic Resistance

Made from the fur of a Swordclaw Lynx, this cloak would be coveted even by members of the nobility. The cloak retains the powers of the Swordclaw's fur, granting the wearer increased stealth capabilities in suitable terrain, as well as some of the Swordclaw's magical resistance. The magical threads infused into the cloak help to amplify the magical resistance properties at the cost of making the cloak far more difficult to enchant.

Only a rare item, eh? Eric thought with a small measure of disappointment. While it was true that most players would kill to own even a single rare item, for the price he'd paid, he had been hoping that the cloak would be at least on the same level as Grimarok's Sabre. Still, the cloak was a very attractive item. Magic resistance was an effect he had never seen before, even on the various rare items that Riptide had been fortunate enough to obtain so far, and the stealth bonus was pretty useful as well.

Hesitating for a moment, Eric decided to store the cloak inside his storage for the time being. While he itched to wear it, to show off his new item to the world and receive the gazes of admiration and envy from his fellow players, something told him that perhaps flaunting his newfound wealth was not a good idea. Resolving to equip it the moment he left the village, Eric reluctantly deposited the cloak in his storage pouch before heading towards the village chapel.

Twenty minutes later, Eric happily exited the chapel, bidding Maria goodbye as he hummed merrily to himself. The price of Maria's healing potions was even cheaper than Burgess had made him believe, as the priestess had happily discounted them for Eric when she learned that Alistair had sent him.

Looks like increasing my reputation within Tonbura was the right move, Eric thought as he tossed a healing potion in the air, the crystalline vial sparkling in the sunlight as the vermillion coloured liquid sloshed around inside.

[Health Potion - D Grade]

Restores 60 health when consumed. 20% more effective than the standard grade D healing potion, this potion was created by a follower of Leralitas.

~

After a few hours of fitful rest, Eric was forced awake by the blaring of his alarm, located annoyingly in the hall outside his room. Clambering out of bed, he muttered dark curses about alarms and ungrateful cats as he quickly got dressed, rushing through his morning duties as quickly as possible.

Gulping down the last bite of cereal, Eric placed the bowl in the dishwasher before sprinting back upstairs. Placing the FateGear on his head, he quickly checked the Strife chat to make sure that Astrid, Turk, and Aria were all still coming. Seeing that they had indeed left messages informing him that they were on their way, Eric exited the chat, checking the time as he did so. Swearing slightly, he opened Fate, quietly urging the familiar shards of rainbow coloured light to hurry up as they enveloped him, transporting him once more back to the familiar streets of Tonbura.

The others had agreed to meet him in the village square at six in the morning, Fate time. Currently, it was six o'three and he was still a minute from the square. Sprinting at top speed, Eric dashed to the square, skidding to a halt in front of an amused looking Aria, and an unimpressed looking Turk. Beside them, Astrid was doing her best to conceal her smile as her gaze flitted between Turk and Eric.

"Sorry I'm late," Eric apologized, doing his best to catch his breath as he stood up. "Have you guys been waiting long?"

"Nope. We just got here a few minutes ago," Aria responded cheerfully.

"No thanks to you. We could have been here fifteen minutes ago if you hadn't stopped to watch that squirrel thing earlier," Turk said with an annoyed tone.

"But it was so cute! Come on, wouldn't you want one of those as a pet?"

"Hmph."

"Oh my god! Is that a Demonic Rabbit? Is it yours? Where did you get it? Can I pet it?" she asked, her eyes sparkling as she beheld Floof's fluffy pelt. For his part, Floof ignored the onlookers, content to munch on the apple that Eric was holding as Aria gazed on.

"Yeah, this is Floof. He's my pet," Eric introduced her. Curious, both Turk and Astrid made their way over as well. Continuing to pelt Eric with questions, Aria tentatively reached over to pet the rabbit, sighing happily as she ran her fingers through his fur. Seeing that Turk appeared to have been mollified, Eric decided that now might be the best time to apologize.

"Sorry for running late. I was up late last night getting stuff ready for today," he apologized.

"No worries," Astrid waved him off. But Turk appeared slightly happier after this, his gaze lightening as he stood next to Aria.

"What's the plan for today anyways?" Aria asked at last, finally looking up from Floof's fluffy form.

"I grabbed some stuff that Alistair suggested already. That's what I was doing last night," Eric explained, taking out a handful of health potions, three pouches of coins, as well as some of the items he'd purchased from Burgess yesterday and handing it to them. "The only thing I didn't get yet is equipment. Alistair suggested we all have a bow and a quiver full of arrows each, even the mages. I was thinking we could pick up Lark, and then head over to Craig's for the archery stuff. Then if anyone needs new armour or weapons, we can take care of that before picking a den to attack. Is that okay with everyone?"

"Sure."

"Yup!"

"Sounds good to me. I wanted to meet Lark anyways," Astrid was the last to speak.

"Back so soon, boy?" she asked unkindly.

Eric nodded. "Yes. I'm here to see Lark, is she in?"

"Just ring the chime formation and she'll come running," Lark's grandmother sighed. Giving her a solemn nod, Eric looked at the chime rune that was engraved next to the doorway. However, as he reached out to activate it, he hesitated. Lark's grandmother's reluctance to allow her to accompany his squad was understandable. While the rest of them would all respawn if they died, Lark only had one life to live. Should she die, there was no coming back. Eric, Astrid, Turk, and Aria were all free of these burdens. There were no family members that would grieve their loss if they died in game, no lovers who would forever mourn their passing. No, they could all escape the consequences because it was a game. However, Lark could not. And that was why he as her commander, had to bear this burden.

Withdrawing his hand from the chime rune, Eric turned towards Lark's grandmother who was eyeing him warily. "I know there are no promises I can make to assure you that she will be safe. But I swear upon my honour as a knight that she will be protected to our last breaths," he said solemnly.

With a surprised look, Lark's grandmother regarded him carefully, before closing her eyes softly. When she reopened them, she gave him a hard nod. "So be it. But as her grandmother, I too swear, that if Lark should die under your charge, I will curse you to the end of days. So go, Ser Erick Kystfyr. Take Lark and leave my sight."

With a nod, Eric turned and activated the alarm rune that was engraved next to the doorway, which produced a melodious ringing sound as the chimes activated, followed shortly thereafter by the slapping sound of b.a.r.e feet on hard wood.

"I'm coming!" a voice rang out. Stepping back wisely, Eric watched as the door was flung open to reveal Lark, her expression bright and her complexion unblemished despite the early hour.

"Captain?" she asked uncertainly, her hands flying to her hair which was still ruffled from the pillow. "What are you doing here?"

"I told you I'd come pick you up once the squad was ready. That time has come," Eric explained, pointing to the other three standing awkwardly at the roadside. Seeing Lark peer over, Aria waved happily, while Turk and Astrid both examined their new squadmate. Ignoring this, Eric turned back to Lark. "We'll give you a few minutes to get ready. Then we're heading out."