Every game in drerealm had its own taboos. Breaking any taboo meant summoning the game ghost.
Aspectral being known for its ruthless efficiency. No player, survives its wrath as long you provoke it by breaking the taboo.
Well, if you don't break, then your safe.
Panic gripped the remaining players. Ten were left, their eyes sunken with fear, haunted by the scary discovery , but still, they didn't know all the taboos.
They sat huddled around a flickering fire, the light casting eerie shapes on their faces. Sam trembled, unable to hold back his tears. Well, he was a terrible coward.
"Either you shut up, or we lock you out, Sam!" Jack shouted, all the players were irritated by sam's wails. As he tries to keep everyone focused.
Amid the turmoil, Mathias, a pragmatic person, barely flinched.
He had a singular priority: sleep. Whether in danger or not, as long as it's time for sleeping , he won't miss it. With a yawn, he wrapped himself in his cloak and drifted into slumber, leaving Marcus bewildered by his indifference.
"Is it only sleeping that matters to you?" Marcus probed, watching Mathias peacefully snore as others traded worried glances.His question hung in the air unanswered.
The sun began to rise, casting rosy hues through the trees while the birds chirped their morning songs. Just then, Jack burst through the door, urgency painted on his face. "Guys... the patriarch calls us."
The whispers erupted among the newbies: "Who's the patriarch?"
Mathias looked at them knowingly. "He's the NPC of the game. He gives instructions."
They trekked to the patriarch's home, a rustic dwelling draped in vines. Inside, they found an old, frail man adorned in elegant Viking robes, yet his face was etched with sorrow.
"You all seek the gate to return to your world," the patriarch began. "But first, I need a mirror." He then silently retreated, leaving the players in confusion. How could a rock be a mirror?
" Where in this world can we even find a mirror?. Jack muttered
"In ancient times, mirrors were made from smooth rocks ". Marcus whispered.
Undeterred, Mathias suggested they split up and search for answers. Three groups formed, each taking a different path.
As Mathias and Marcus walked through the village, they encountered an elderly man and his daughter seated by a small, stagnant pond. They greeted them respectfully and inquired, "Excuse us sir, dose anyone around make mirrors?"
The old man looked thoughtful before responding, "Only one man in this village can help you." He pointed towards a distant home.
Curiosity tinged Marcus's voice as he asked, "Why is the pond covered? Doesn't it have water?" it resembled that, where the serpent come from at the inn.
"It once did," the man sighed. "But it dried up, and anyone who tried to dig it sunk in a treacherous mud in the pit. We covered it to prevent any more tragedies."
With the new information, Mathias and Marcus set off to find the mirror maker, but the warning echoed in their minds:
When they finally reached the mirror maker's home—a rugged cabin with a woodpile—Jack and Mary were already there, impatiently waiting for the remaining players.
The mirror maker, his back turned, chopped wood, then abruptly paused, sensing their presence.
"What do you want?" he growled, turning to face them.
Mathias stepped forward. "Are you the mirror maker? We need your help."
"Help?" the man scoffed, then sighed . "I need four square-shaped rocks, without cracks. And they must not touch the ground once they're cut from the mountain. maybe then l will help you"
Marcus looked at Mathias, disbelief in his eyes. "Where will we find such rocks?" He asked
"On the mountain at the forest's edge," the mirror maker said, handing them tools—heavy hammers, woods, ropes, and axes. They first had to heat the mountain until it softened enough to break.
As they traipsed toward the mountain, Mathias had an unsettling thought. "How long will it take to make the mirror?"
The mirror maker hesitated, then muttered, "I don't know," his tone dismissive.
Frustrated, Mathias raised his axe as if to strike the maker, but the man closed his eyes and screamed in fear, "Three days! It will take three days!"
With that revelation, they embarked on their next quest. While behind them, Mark, Luke , Susan and join were stoped by the inn attendant who was carrying a brown cloak in her arms, she whispered to them. " Remember to carry the rock at the four corners, it won't be heavy". The she walked away.
The four players were gleeful as they thought she had told them a hint of avoiding the taboo. But it wasn't.
Hours of trekking led them to the mountain. They started a fire at its base, huddled together as the heat enveloped them. As dusk approached, the rocky surface began to soften, yielding to their relentless hammering.
After hours of meticulous chiseling, they finally formed one rock as required. Exhausted yet exhilarated, they decided it would be best to carry them in pairs. Sam, Jack, and Mary took the first turn, leaving the others resting.
"I'll help them," Marcus said, glancing at Mathias, who pretended to fall on the ground, as he claimed to have a terrible leg pain. " Marcus , l can't walk please carry me." He nagged. But in actual sense was looking for more taboos , and that could only be done by watching what other players do, and where the taboo gets triggered.
Suddenly, a chill coursed through the air, and Mathias felt a palpable dread. He turned to see the serpent slowly moving behind Marcus. "Marcus, watch out!"
But it was too late. The creature lunged.
Marcus's gut instinct kicked in. He turned just as the ghostly figure was a bout to struck, it suddenly jumped on the trees and vanished , as Marcus still pondered as to why it disappeared, a cacophony of screams erupted from the other side. Marcus was frozen in fear, called out, but he could only hear the fading echoes of terror as they dwindled to silence.
"What happened?" Mathias demanded, his heart beating heavily when he finally reunited with Marcus.
" you left me behind. .
"They… they're gone," jack whispered, fear gripping his voice.
The four players got killed by the game ghost. They had broken the taboo by carrying the rock from all four corners. The game ghost had taken its due.
Moments later, they reached the glazier's home with heavy hearts and a lingering sense of fear, they returned to the inn, after delivering the heavy rock to the maker.
The innkeeper regarded them quizzically, noticing the changes in their numbers. "Where are the rest? You're not the same number."
Their stunned silence spoke louder than any words could speak. As the night settled around Drerealm.