Wyvern: War of Irewind (BlueBolt)

1 - Logging in

"Account name – Navire, logging in..."

I open my eyes and find myself standing next to a single slender pine tree growing on top of a small hill in Dinas. Standing on this hill the view of Dinas is breathtaking. As the sun rises, the first gleam of the light falls upon the golden cross on top of the Sacred Church in the middle of the town, making it glow like the sword of Solus itself. "This view is always worth taking the time to travel to this tree every day." I say to myself. "Why did the game devs decide to put just a single pine tree in the entirety of Dinas though?" speaks a voice from behind. I turn back and I see Arare munching on some snacks next to our favorite, and the only pine tree in Dinas. "Welp, I'm pine with it", I reply knowing it's a bad pun, but Arare still chuckles at it and says, "Nice one, Wanna eat some arare though?" as he chomps on his favorite snack. "Well, we could sit here eating all day and let Crash kick us out of the guild for lazing around, or maybe we for once decide to show up on time." I shrug and Arare starts laughing and says, "Yeah, I wouldn't want him to be mad at us on the guild's first anniversary. Alright! The last one to reach has to treat the winner" and just rushes off into the distance."

Arare and I have always been together ever since my first day at the guild of Dyverzyn. He's a capable mage who can use a variety of spells, but none of those compare to his charms and charisma. I've never really had any close friends in real life, but till I am playing in Wyvern, Arare is the one guy I would call my best friend. As we dive into the crowded streets of the town, I see many familiar faces as we come across the famous places in Dinas- The blacksmith market, the town hall, and of course Arare's favorite Japanese snack store. The game devs did a really good job of simulating the tastes of food, unless you have a god tongue, it's indistinguishable from anything you would find in real life. Wyvern is such a phenomenon...

Wyvern VRMMORPG was released on May 13th, 2065. Ever since it has become quite famous for the fact that the game felt like being in the real world, due to a console that can directly process brain waves for both input and output. But I only started playing in 2067, when they announced the ability to talk to people in-game just by the use of their AR glasses. It felt like a place where I could find some friends and go on adventures, and I wasn't wrong.

As we race through the streets, I and Arare come across a shady looking building in the backstreets of Dinas. With broken windows and walls looking like it could fall any second. "How is this building still standing?" Arare says as he looks at one of the cracks in the wall, "I could fit my mage staff inside it and it would fit perfectly". I giggle and say "Welp, Videogame Logic" and walk into the shady building known as the Dyverzyn Guild.

We enter the building there is a loud bang, assuming we're under attack, I and Arare quickly take our battle stances. "We're safe! Don't worry it was just another failed experiment" says Daniel, as he emerges out of the smoke, "I guess I shouldn't really try to put fire crystals on a lightning element rapier". Daniel is the brain behind Dyverzyn, the one who plans out tactics and helps us keep our gear in shape, although he's a bit shy. I never saw him leave his workshop unless it's when he needs to get some new parts for his next experiment... or say explosion. "Daniel not again!" Says Crash as he steps down the staircase, waving his hand in attempts to drive out the smoke, "That's the 4th explosion today, at this rate we will soon be in smithereens. And what are you waiting for Arare use wind magic and get this smoke out!". Arare quickly draws out his wand and chants a spell, "Ventus Minus" and his wand starts to suck up the smoke, leaving behind fresh air again. "It's a handy spell to have, I should learn it myself," says Daniel, "It's no use in battle, I had to learn this only because of your experiments" Arare replies, and everyone starts laughing. "Well, it could be handy in stealth missions, when you get in contact with a gas trap," says Crash the Guild master. He's a smart guy, and all the things I know about surviving here, are taught to me by him. I met Crash in another game, where he invited me to Wyvern and introduced me to Arare and Daniel.

"Alright enough detours! Let's begin with the big announcement that I called you all here for." Crash speaks in an enthusiastic tone, "Gentlemen" He takes a pause and looks around, "And gentlemen.", I almost want to laugh, but I try my hardest to keep a serious face, "As you all know, exactly one year ago from today we founded this guild called as Dyverzyn. It was a wonderful journey as we overcame many challenges, and cleared many dungeons. I thank you all for the hard work you guys put into this, especially our prudent mage", and takes a glance at Arare, "I would like to promote Arare and appoint him as the new guild leader!". I and Daniel start clapping in joy and pop a bottle of champagne. Normally champagne is something that minors like us cannot have, and there were many debates over letting children drink in-game. But in the end, it was decided legal, since it's just a virtual code that creates a taste similar to champagne, with absolutely no health hazards.

I turn my head to face Arare, but he doesn't seem happy at all. Instead, I see this puzzled look on his face as he starts to speak, "But Crash, what about you then?". Crash starts ruffling his slightly grizzly hair as he begins speaking in a low voice, "Well you see umm, I'm kinda leaving on a personal adventure. So, I am not going to be here for a while". "For how long?" Daniel interrupts, "Well I don't really know. It could be anywhere from a couple of years to forever." Crash replies. "DUDE! Do you not realize that to form a guild you need at least 4 members? If you were to leave the guild now, it would be automatically disbanded!", I speak in an aggressive tone. "Sorry Navire, that is something you guys would have to handle on your own. I want to achieve some things in my life outside this game too." Says Crash in a sad tone, "Don't get me wrong, I love playing with you guys. But I got college coming up soon. Its time I finally quit Wyvern... Arare, I trust that you will take good care of the team. See you around guys", and he logs off. Without giving Arare a chance to process anything that happened.

After a brief moment, Arare starts crying. His game character makes me forget that behind that polygon body is still a twelve-year-old kid, who just lost all contact with his best friend. I hug him and Daniel joins in, as we see the guild emblem fade away from our profiles and the building wall. It may be just a game, but we three were now homeless. Well, you don't need a home in a game like this, when you can just log in when you want to play and then log out when you're done. But having a place to call home, is just a different experience...

It has been 3 months since Crash left. Since we are not part of a guild, we stopped receiving guild missions, and only have to do small side quests. I have started losing interest in Wyvern, but I log in every day, Arare won't be happy if I were to leave as well. "Hey Navire, why don't you go and get some health potions from the town. We are running low." says Daniel, "Alrighty Dan!" I exclaim. And leave into the town. Walking through the busy streets of Dinas, I glance my eyes over my shoulders and see that rustling street full of people buying and selling goods and equipment. "I should get Arare a good mage hat sometime, it would suit him and probably cheer him up a bit...", I am interrupted by a text message incoming from... Crash? I quickly get to the side of the street and open the message. It reads, "Hey Nav, holding off good on your own? Well, I left for college but then I got contacted by an old friend of mine to help him finding some treasure stash. Don't tell Arare, it's a quick mission to go and look for clues in a low-level water dungeon, it'll be a breeze with your water and lightning magic skills. And he's paying a hefty sum, which you can keep for the guild since I won't be needing that when in college. Sounds like a deal? If you're interested, meet me at the Central Garden of Aeviternus, 12 pm Wyvern Standard Time, 4 In-game days from today. Hope to see you soon –Crash"