Blade Hawke awoke to the soft sounds of birds chirping outside his window. The gentle morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on his childhood bedroom. He sat up, the familiar surroundings filling him with a mix of nostalgia and disbelief. This was no ordinary day; it was the day before the release of Dominion Legends—a day he had lived once before.
Blade stood up and looked around. His room was exactly as he remembered it: posters of his favourite games adorned the walls, his old gaming console sat on the desk, and a stack of strategy guides lay nearby. He ran his fingers over the familiar objects, each touch reaffirming the reality of his situation.
Determined, Blade began to devise a plan. With his future knowledge, he knew exactly what to do. First, he needed to ensure his family's financial stability. His father's accident and his mother's illness had been the turning points in his past life. This time, he would be prepared.
The first step was getting the right gaming gear. He checked his savings and realized he had just enough to buy the necessary equipment. He knew the local electronics store had just the setup he needed.
That afternoon, Blade headed to the store, his excitement barely contained. The store was bustling with people eager to get their hands on the latest technology. Blade quickly found the VR headset and gaming console required for Dominion Legends. He made the purchase, confident that this investment would pay off in the long run.
When Blade got home, he set up the equipment in his room, ensuring everything was perfectly arranged for an optimal gaming experience. With everything in place, he was ready to dive into Dominion Legends as soon as it launched.
When the game finally launched, Blade logged in, his heart pounding with excitement and anticipation. The virtual world of Dominion Legends unfolded before him, vibrant and full of possibilities. As the initial welcome screen loaded, a holographic figure appeared before him—a friendly AI guide.
"Welcome to Dominion Legends," the AI guide greeted him with a warm smile. "I am Nexus, your guide to this wondrous world. I will assist you in selecting your class, choosing your starting region, and understanding the game's mechanics. Shall we begin?"
Blade nodded, impressed by the AI's realistic appearance and engaging demeanour. "Yes, let's do it."
Nexus gestured towards a menu that materialized in front of Blade. "First, let's choose your class. Each class has unique abilities and strengths. Please select from the following options."
A list of classes appeared, each with a brief description:
Warrior: A melee fighter with high strength and endurance.
Mage: A spellcaster with powerful magical abilities.
Rogue: A stealthy assassin with agility and precision.
Archer: A ranged combatant with exceptional aim.
Cleric: A healer and support class with restorative powers.
Blade considered his options, recalling his past experiences and the strengths of each class. However, he knew that by not selecting any of these standard classes, he could unlock unique classes later in the game.
"I would like to skip the class selection for now," Blade said, trying to sound as casual as possible.
Nexus paused for a moment, as if processing the information. "Very well. You can always select a class later if you choose to do so. Now, let's move on to character customization. Please choose a name for your character."
Blade typed in the name "Blade" for his character, keeping it simple and familiar.
Nexus continued, "Now, let's select your starting region. Each region offers unique quests, resources, and challenges. Here are the available regions:
Verdant Vale: A lush, forested area known for its rich resources and hidden secrets.
Crimson Highlands: A mountainous region with challenging terrain and powerful enemies.
Azure Coast: A coastal area with a mix of land and sea adventures.
Golden Plains: Open fields and rolling hills, home to various creatures and ancient ruins.
Obsidian Desert: A harsh, arid landscape filled with treacherous foes and hidden treasures.
Blade chose the Verdant Vale, drawn to its promise of hidden secrets and abundant resources.
"Wonderful choice," Nexus said. "You are now ready to begin your journey in Dominion Legends. Remember, I am here to assist you whenever you need help. Good luck, and may your adventures be prosperous."
With Nexus's guidance, Blade felt well-prepared and confident. He confirmed his selections, and the game world loaded around him. As the environment materialized, Blade took his first steps into the Verdant Vale, ready to embark on his journey.
The lush forests of the Verdant Vale were even more breathtaking than Blade had imagined. The sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The air was filled with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant bird calls. Blade marvelled at the attention to detail and the vibrant scenery.
Knowing that the game timeline progressed at 2.5 times the speed of real time—meaning 2.5 hours in-game equated to 1 hour in the real world—Blade realized he had ample opportunity to immerse himself fully in the game world. He spent the first few hours exploring his surroundings. He followed a winding path that led to a crystal-clear river, its waters shimmering in the sunlight. He paused to admire the view, feeling a sense of peace and wonder.
Blade knew that there were various training places scattered throughout the Verdant Vale that could naturally increase his stats, but he also knew that these places had strict conditions to trigger their benefits. As he wandered, he kept an eye out for any signs or clues that might lead him to one of these training spots.
Blade continued to explore, noting the locations of different resources and potential quest sites. He ventured deeper into the forest, where he encountered an array of magical creatures.
In one of his explorations, Blade discovered a hidden grove filled with glowing medicinal herbs. Recognizing their magical properties, he carefully harvested some, knowing they would be useful for crafting potions or trading with other players. He also stumbled upon a small enchanted cave, which he marked on his map to explore later, suspecting it might hold hidden treasures or serve as a valuable training spot.
As the sun began to set, Blade realized he needed to prepare for the night. Drawing on his survival skills, he gathered supplies from the magical surroundings. He collected dry wood for a fire, found edible plants and enchanted fruits, and even caught a few luminescent fish from the river using a makeshift fishing line he crafted from enchanted vines. With his provisions secured, Blade found a secluded spot near a waterfall to set up camp.
He built a small fire and prepared a simple meal with the magical supplies he had gathered. The sound of the cascading water provided a soothing backdrop as Blade reflected on his first day in the game. He felt a sense of accomplishment, having taken his time to explore and learn about the magical world around him.