The XP: Chapter 3

Pratchett turned out to be an elderly merchant NPC pacing in front of his ramshackle shop. It was picked cleans and barely standing and Pratchett looked like he was having a panic attack. 

Yermum walked up and gave a simple wave. “Hi.” Which broke Pratchett out of his worried pacing.

“Hail and well Yermum. Terry said you might be coming by to take up my quest.” He said forcing a sad smile on his sunken face.

“What is your quest?” Yermum asked. Looking at Pratchett’s busted up shop.

Pratchett pointed to his ruined shop front. “The villainous Thieves of Ire robbed my shop and kidnapped my grand daughter. The town security forces are too afraid to go after them.” Pratchett dropped to his knees to beg, “Oh please Yermum! Rescue my granddaughter!”

Yermum looked down at the man who was crying at his feet. “ummm….ok.” He agreed.

Pratchett smiled genuinely for the first time in days and there was a sparkle in his eye. “Oh thank you Yermum! I know my daughter will be safe in your care.”

Yermum nodded and ran off in the direction his mini map pointed him.

Half a zone away Bob, Blackout, and Stygian emerge victorius from the Sea of Ever Burning Fury. Their bags full of loot and pockets full of coin. Stygian’s happy voice echo’s from under his massive helm. “I should have come back a long time ago.” He admitted

Blackout nods. “Seriously, you missed out on some sweet opportunities.”

Blackout couldn’t see the glare but he could feel Stygian staring him down. Far to their left Yermum is being chased by one of the Thieves of Ire. He doubles back to try and loose the thief but agros another one who joins the first in chasing him down.

“You do know that most people place this game for the actual fun of it right?” Stygian asked.

Bob nodded. “We have fun all the time.” She pointed out.

Yermum has agroed another two thieves, He is just barely ahead of the pack of murderous NPC’s and getting closer to the trio.

Stygian turns to face Bob. “Selling gold and items on the black market!” he throws his hands in the air.

Blackout shrugs his shoulders. “That’s fun for us.”

A few of the thieves give up the chase and head back to their original target area’s. Yermum has given up and is now just running blindly as quick as he can.

“It goes against the end user licence agreement and could get us banned!” Stygian shouted.

Bob threw her hands in the air like she was being held at gun point. “Oh no! not the EULA! Stygian why do you care?” She asked.

Yermum blows through the middle of the trio followed by the last three thieves from the mob, which the trio disposes of as reflex actions. Bob, Stygian and Blackout all look over to Yermum who is now laying down arms and legs splayed out on the road. He is gasping for air.

Stygian disappeared his comically large sword. “I don’t really, I just wanted to make sure you weren’t gonna get pissed if I kept some of this gear cause it seriously puts my current stuff to shame.” He said stepping over Yermum.

Blackout followed him. “What did you expect after being logged out for two years?”

Bob walked around Yermum and took a quick glance down at the noob. “You’re welcome.” She said before catching up with her friends.

Yermum sat up and watch the trio head back toward town. He got to his feet and ran to catch up with them. “Hey!” He shouted, The trio stopped and turned to face him. “Um, thanks for that, back there, saving my life and all.”

Stygian shook his head. “Don’t mention it.” He said turning toward town again. Blackout and Bob followed his lead.

Yermum continued the conversation “You guys seem pretty hardcore.” He stated.

They didn’t turn around this time. “And so, very busy.” Blackout said without looking back.

Yermum jogged to keep up with them. “Busy with what?” He asked.

Bob rolled her eyes. “Important things, high level things, and judging by the way you play, things you won’t be seeing for a really, really long time. So, do the world a favor and go back to the World of Waterslides.” She snapped, as they entered town. Yermum stopped walking and they began to separate from him. Bob grits her teeth and stops walking. She Glares at Stygian whose metallic whistle of innocence echoes under his helmet. “I hate you.” She points at Stygian.  She turns around and motions Yermum over. He is all smiles as he jogs back to the group.

“We’re going to need to get him trained and geared.” He pointed out.

Yermum nodded. “You won’t regret this.” He offered.

Bob shook her head. “Too late.”

The foursome headed to the item shop in town and Stygian’s metallic laughter echoed off the buildings.