The air crackled with anticipation as she swiftly gathered her belongings, readying herself for the journey that lay ahead. Ronan, the lonesome butler whose loyalty to Hypnos was unwavering, stood near the stables, his usual stoic demeanour adorned with an air of heightened seriousness. His eyes, usually calm and observant, now held a glint of something deeper, hinting at the gravity of the impending expedition. It was evident that this journey was no ordinary venture, and Ronan's subtle change in disposition only amplified the weight of the tasks ahead.
"You'll be leaving now," said Ronan, his eyes glazed over with a mysterious sheen, "it's not a long journey, it should only last a few days before you reach Corcilus,"
She nodded, recognising the name of the city, Corcilus, famous for it's corruption, was also the domain of the red scorpion an malevolent organisation focused on their one true mission. Making money.
"You will reach the underground auction and procure the horn using the funds provided," he continued, handing her a letter.
"And Adara... No matter what, do not think about disobeying the lord,"
For a second there, Adara was sure that his eyes regained some kind of focus, as if he was truly looking at her again, only for that mysterious sheen to cover his eyes again.
She nodded, dismissing her observation almost instantly, instead choosing to accept the letter and climb upon the deep black stallion that Ronan had provided.
"Before I go, Ronan, do you perhaps have any idea as to why the lord entrusted such a task to a mere cook?" I inquired, naturally curious.
After all, it would make much more sense to send Ronan, how was far more skilled than me in combat, magic and practically every other task required.
About to answer, Ronan shuddered, and instead shook his head, feigning ignorance on why.
Knowing she wouldn't get an answer out of him Adara merely spurred the horse onwards and left the fortress, some part of her and excited to leave the lords domain for the first time.
----
She rode through the desolate frozen fields, the eerie silence broken only by the rhythmic sound of hooves against the icy ground. The journey, surprisingly, went unhindered, devoid of any encounters or obstacles, and the steed provided, Anox, listened to me quite well. As the day waned into the cold embrace of dusk, she arrived at the outskirts of the Boreal Forest known as the Glade of Beginnings. The trees loomed tall and imposing, casting elongated shadows in the fading light. With practiced efficiency, Adara set up a modest camp, a flickering fire warding off the encroaching chill. Despite the tranquility of the surrounding nature, an unsettling feeling lingered, perhaps, a premonition of the trials yet to come?
As she had this thought, I hear a sound behind me, deeper into the now pitch black darkness.
Adara, her attention fixated on the darkness beyond the crackling flames, startled as a voice pierced the silence from the shadows. She turned to find a man, his features illuminated by the dancing firelight, staring at her with wide-eyed disbelief.
"Whoa! This is incredible!" The man's voice quivered with excitement. "I can't believe how real this looks! And you, you're so lifelike! The graphics, the details—it's mind-blowing!"
Adara, perplexed by his words, furrowed her brow. "What nonsense are you spouting? This Is the domain of my lord, you'll be surely punished for setting foot here," I say, my hand inching towards the dagger concealed in my thick boots
The man, undeterred by Adara's stern words, continued marveling at her presence. "Seriously, the developers outdid themselves with your character design! The way you respond in real-time, it's just like an advanced AI. When my friends told me to get VR I was against it, but this is crazy good!"
Adara's patience wore thin. "You speak in riddles, stranger. I was not "developed" but born like all other creatures. I am Adara, on a mission bestowed upon me by my lord. Now cease this absurdity and speak sense!"
The man, oblivious to Adara's frustration, persisted in his delusion. "Okay, okay, you're staying in character, I get it! But seriously, these graphics, the AI interactions—it's phenomenal!"
Adara scoffed. "Enough of your prattle! If you seek wisdom, speak of matters that exist within this reality, not the fabrications of a fanciful mind!"
The man, still lost in his disbelief, muttered to himself, "A medieval-themed world with this level of detail... it's beyond anything I've ever seen."
Adara sighed, confused on the man's behaviour, she had not expected to find a lunatic in her travels.