LATEST UPDATES

Published at 9th of October 2023 05:27:44 AM


Chapter 19

If audio player doesn't work, press Stop then Play button again








Night had descended upon the virtual realm of Coven Online, the moon casting a mystical glow upon the landscape as Kyle and Jake ventured into the heart of the town square. Despite the lingering unease of his fruitless search for Zakira, Kyle couldn't deny a spark of anticipation as he looked around at the various NPCs bustling about, each immersed in their virtual lives.

Jake grinned, "You know, it's a good thing you've got me to keep you on track. Otherwise, you'd be chasing ghosts and NPCs all day."

Kyle chuckled, appreciating his friend's lightheartedness. "Yeah, you're right. I needed a reality check."

"Speaking of reality checks, check out the adventure board." Jake pointed toward a wooden board adorned with colorful scrolls, each bearing different quest descriptions.

Kyle's interest was piqued. "What quests are there?"

Jake's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Here's one called 'The Lost Relic.' Apparently, some ancient artifact has been stolen, and the townspeople are offering a hefty reward for its return."

Quest:

The Lost Relic

Level:

5

Experience Points:

+500 XP

Gold:

+250 Gold

Relic of Radiance (Artifact):

Grants a boost to magical abilities

Quest Description:
An ancient artifact known as the Relic of Radiance has been stolen from the town's museum. Embark on a journey to uncover the thief's lair, navigate treacherous caves, and confront the Relic Seeker. Recover the relic to restore balance to the town and reap valuable rewards.

Kyle read the description, feeling a surge of curiosity. "Sounds interesting. Let's do it."

Kyle stood in the bustling town square, his frustration from earlier slowly giving way to a new sense of purpose. The failed attempts to locate Zakira had left him yearning for a distraction, and as if fate had heard his silent plea, this new quest had just become available. With his resolve unshaken, Kyle strode purposefully through the lively town square. The ambient chatter of NPCs and the scent of flowers filled the air. His attention was fixed on the task at hand—to gather information about the stolen Relic of Radiance.

Beside him, Jake matched his stride. "Hey, let's split up and talk to as many NPCs as we can. We need to gather as much information about the stolen relic as possible."

Jake nodded, his eyes scanning the bustling square. "Got it. I'll check out the marketplace. You cover the area around the town hall."

Kyle approached the first NPC he encountered, initiating the conversation with determination. "Excuse me, have you heard anything about the stolen Relic of Radiance?"

The NPC, a portly merchant with a friendly demeanor, paused his animated conversation with another virtual character. He turned his attention to Kyle, his expression shifting to one of concern. "Ah, you must be new here, lad. The Relic of Radiance is a treasure of our town. It's said to possess the ability to amplify magical prowess."

Kyle's interest piqued at the mention of enhanced magical abilities.

Maybe I can use it to defeat Edron.

"And what happened to it?" Kyle asked with increased interest.

The merchant's expression darkened. "It was stolen, young one. The relic's disappearance has cast a shadow over our town. We've lost our connection to the Radiant magic that once protected us. Our mages are weakened, and the town is in turmoil."

Around them, other NPCs nodded in agreement, their virtual faces etched with worry. As Kyle continued his inquiries, Jake approached another NPC in the marketplace, engaging in a similar conversation. Kyle's focus remained steadfast on gathering information, and the urgency in the townspeople's voices resonated with his sense of purpose.

With each conversation, his understanding deepened. The townspeople were eager for heroes to rise, to restore the relic and bring back the Radiant magic that had long safeguarded their home. The weight of their hopes and fears rested on the shoulders of those willing to take on this quest—a burden Kyle and Jake were prepared to bear.

Guided by the subtle clues he had gathered from the townspeople's conversations, Kyle's attention turned towards the lush outskirts of the town square. With each word and hint, the townspeople had unknowingly woven a tapestry of information, leading him closer to the truth. Their anecdotes and whispered speculations had converged on a common thread—the relic's likely resting place lay hidden beneath the very ground he stood upon. And so, his steps carried him with purpose, his heart thrumming with anticipation, as he sought to unravel the mysteries that had been woven into the fabric of this virtual world.

As he ventured to the outskirts of the town square, the soft rustling of leaves and the subtle shift of shadows drew his attention. The clusters of vines and bushes that adorned the area seemed to whisper a secret message to his keen senses. Guided by intuition, he approached a particularly dense thicket of greenery.

His fingers brushed against the vines, the texture and density of the foliage different from the surrounding plants. A sense of anticipation surged within him, and with a careful tug, he revealed a concealed entrance hidden behind the verdant curtain. The passage was narrow, almost indistinguishable, as if nature itself had woven a veil of secrecy.

A surge of excitement and accomplishment coursed through him. He had pieced together the puzzle, followed the breadcrumbs of information, and unlocked the path to the relic's potential location.

Just as Kyle was about to take his first step into the hidden passage, a familiar voice called out behind him. "Hey, Kyle! Hold up!"

He turned to find Jake hurrying towards him, his face bearing an expression of equal determination. The two friends met, their shared sense of purpose evident in their exchanged glances.

Jake caught his breath, leaning against a nearby tree. "So, you found the entrance?"

Kyle nodded, a mixture of excitement and anticipation coursing through him. "Yeah, the townspeople were right. It's hidden in plain sight, right here."

"You really think that relic's down here?" Jake asked, his tone a mixture of skepticism and curiosity.

Kyle nodded, his eyes gleaming with determination. "The clues seem to point in that direction. And I've got a feeling that whatever's hidden down here might shed some light on Zakira's whereabouts too."

Jake let out an exasperated sigh, running a hand through his hair. "You're still hung up on that girl, huh? Seriously, man, I get that she's got you intrigued, but don't let it cloud your judgment. We're supposed to be focusing on this quest, not chasing after some NPC."

Kyle shot his friend a sidelong glance, his resolve unwavering despite Jake's annoyance. "I hear you, Jake. But if there's a chance that finding the relic might lead us to her or give us some answers, then it's worth exploring."

Jake rolled his eyes but didn't argue further. Instead, he muttered, "You've got it bad, dude. Just remember, getting too obsessed with an NPC isn't healthy. We're here to play the game and have fun, not get caught up in a virtual romance."

Kyle sighed, realizing that Jake had a point. He wasn't oblivious to the risks of becoming too invested in a virtual world, but there was something about Zakira and the mysteries she held that compelled him forward.

With a steadying breath, Kyle stepped into the concealed passageway, the darkness embracing him like a shroud.

"Dude, hold up." Jake's expression shifted, his finger pointing towards the shadowy expanse ahead, "Aren't you forgetting something?"

Kyle turned back around and shrugged, appreciating Jake's practicality. "You're right. We'll need some light."

With purposeful strides, they headed back toward the town square, where they had noticed a small market stall earlier. The stall was adorned with various supplies and essentials for adventurers, catering to the needs of those who sought to explore the virtual world's hidden corners.

As they approached, a grizzled merchant greeted them with a knowing smile. "In need of some gear for your journey, lads?"

Kyle exchanged a glance with Jake before nodding. "Torches, preferably."

The merchant's gnarled hand swept across a display of goods, revealing a selection of torches. "Ah, exploring the depths, are we? These torches will keep the darkness at bay. That'll be 10 gold coins apiece."

Without hesitation, Kyle handed over the gold coins, and the merchant placed two torches into his outstretched hands.

[-20 Gold]

The torches were wrapped with strips of cloth soaked in a flammable substance, ready to be ignited with a simple spark of magic. They quickly returned to the concealed entrance to the underground caverns. As Kyle and Jake stood at the entrance of the concealed tunnel, their torches held firmly in hand, Kyle felt a surge of excitement mixed with determination. He knew that the depths of the tunnel might hold the answers they sought. With a whispered incantation in Latin, "Lux Ignis," he channeled his magical energy into his Crystal Staff.

Spell Name:

Lux Ignis

Element:

Fire

Mana Cost:

20 Mana

Casting Time:

1 second

Cooldown:

10 seconds

Effect:

Ignite torches and light sources within a 10-meter radius with a wave of magical energy. Provides illumination in dark environments and enhances visibility. Can also be used to start fires in combustible materials.

Description:
Lux Ignis is a basic elemental spell that harnesses magical energy to create an intense burst of light and heat. When cast, it instantly ignites nearby torches, candles, and other light sources, providing illumination in dark areas. Additionally, the spell can be directed towards combustible materials to start small fires, allowing for tactical advantages and creative solutions.

A soft, radiant light emanated from the tip of his staff, enveloping the torches in a warm glow. The flames responded instantly, bursting to life with intensity. Their gentle light illuminated the tunnel, dispelling the darkness and revealing the rugged walls that surrounded them. Kyle exchanged a satisfied nod with Jake as the torches blazed to life, ready to guide their path into the unknown.

[-20 Mana]

With the ignited torches in hand, their flames promised to chase away the shadows and reveal the secrets lurking within the darkness of the tunnel looming ahead. They exchanged a determined look, and Kyle took a deep breath and made the first step forward. The journey ahead might be fraught with challenges and uncertainty, but armed with their torches and unwavering resolve, they were ready to face whatever awaited them in the depths below. As they descended into the darkness, they were propelled by a sense of purpose and the thrill of discovery. The journey ahead promised not only the prospect of the stolen relic but also the untold secrets and challenges that awaited in the hidden depths.

© 2023 J.T. Acker. All rights reserved.





Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!


COMMENTS