End Online: Volume 3

by D Wolfin

  "Hang on," I hold my hand out to the others while slowly inching myself forward. "Something just doesn't feel right. There were no guards, and then this?"

  When I get within ten meters of him the man suddenly opens his eyes, revealing two sky blue pupils.

  "Who goes there!" His dusty old voice croaks out. "Who are you?"

  "My name is Lost. And I am here to put a stop to you!"

  "Stop me," He cackles in outrageous laughter, "I am afraid you are forty years too late. As you can see, the damage has already been done."

  "The elves no longer have a home to return to. And you are the only thing holding the last of the bandits together!"

  "You fool!" He shouted back, his voice breaking halfway through. "I scared them once, and a few have remained loyal. But what about now. Look at me! I am no longer the almighty warrior I once was. I have already lost eighty percent of them who have simply run away from some stupid rumour. It is only a matter of time before the rest leave."

  I remain silent as he doesn't quite look like he is finished talking yet.

  "Listen, rather than ending this now. Will you work for me? Together we can once again slaughter and punish these elves!" A cruel light enters his eyes, even sending chills through the air.

  Deep down inside, a rage starts to spill forth from the deepest essence of my being. I have learned about the history of the humans in real life. Simply the thought of genocide and slavery is something that was drilled into me from a young age as being an atrocious act against humanity itself.

  "Are you kidding me! Who would want to fight for someone who is committing slavery and genocide against an entire race. And for no reason too!"

  "No reason?! Shut your mouth when you have no clue as to what you speak of!"

  "OH!? It sounds like you have some reason. Well, tell me, what could these people have possibly done to deserve this?!"

  "You want to know why?! Because they murdered my wife!"

  Our heated conversation instantly turns silent. Both of us take some time to catch our breath.

  "They slaughtered her before my very eyes. 'The traitor who tainted her blood with that of a vile human,' they said. They even threw my two year old daughter off a cliff for being half human. I managed to pitifully flee with my pitiful life after that, but I didn't even want to live anymore. It is fortunate Gej'yu gave me her precious necklace when we exchanged wedding vows. This way, I had a reason in life to cling on to. To eliminate all the elves and make them regret what they did."

  "... I had no idea."

  "Please, fight for me. I no longer have the strength to do so anymore. I will even teach you all of my old techniques I learnt through life."

  Quest: Liberate Eltreant(Genocide)

  New information has come to light through your conversation with the bandit leader. You now have the option to change sides and proceed with slaughtering every elf in the town.

  If you succeed in this ordeal, you may even be entitled to govern a small group of bandits.

  Accepting will cause all elves to become highly hostile towards you.

  Grade: Purple

  "Sorry, but I have to turn you down. There is no way I can go ahead with that."

  Quest deviation has been rejected.

  "I guess there is only one way to finish this." The old bandit leader draws a rusty shortsword in a shaking hand.

  He dashes at me in a speed unbecoming of his age. Unfortunately, it is nowhere near fast enough as not just my sword, but two arrows and a few large ice bolts instantly pierce his body.

  Emitting an agonized groan, the bandit leader falls to his knees and dies.

  "What the heck! Is it over already? Just like that!?" Mason calls out in shock, running up to where I was still standing.

  "I'm sorry." I say to the corpse in a voice so soft that only I can hear, "I understand that you had your reasons. But you were stuck living in the past and couldn't move on. There is no way I could fight for someone like you."

  Looking at the loot menu above the boss corpse, there was only one item.

  Loot:

  ◊ Prisoner Key

  Take / Take All

  ***************************************************

  Three more days in real life passed by until every single bandit had left Eltreant and Shai'en split up from the party, using the 'Prisoner Key' to release all the captive and enslaved elves.

  A few more days after peace returned to the capital of the elves, the various communities that originally fled the city, gradually returned.

  For every elf that returned to the city, the frigid temperature began to warm and the mist would slowly disperse. Eventually, the midday sun broke through the mist, revealing a clear blue sky that I never realized how much I missed. The mist of the northern woods never completely left, it turned into a fine orange residue that caused everything it touches to be filled with the warmth of life.

  The day after life returned to the northern woods and the elves began to slowly flourish once again in their homeland, Shai'en came running up to us with a never before seen excitement on her face.

  "Everyone, come quickly!" She chimes out cheerfully, grabbing my hand with one of hers and Mason's with the other.

  Turning on her heels, she starts dragging us through the city with strength she should not have. We are pulled behind her like a chariot for about ten minutes, before she stops before a crowd of people, three of which I recognize.

  "Rix?!" I call out, utterly surprised to see the innkeeper here. Right next to him is his wife, Zusa'jan, and the elvish child, Shai'lan.

  "Oh, Lost! It is good to see you. I was wondering where you were, missing such an important event!"

  "Event? What are you talking about?"

  "Shh, just join the crowd and watch."

  Right as I am about to try and peek over the crowd to see what the fuss is about, another familiar face appears before me and the party.

  "Lost, it is good to see you again." Hon'ar, the leader of Eldenweiss's guard says to me while bowing deeply.

  "Hon'ar, I see that you are here too!"

  "Haha, of course I am! Anyway, before the ceremony proceeds, I want to give you and all your friends something. Also, if you or any of your friends happen to find a 'Compact Soul Gem', you can come see me to be reincarnated as an elf."

  Your quest has been successfully completed

  As a reward for your hard efforts, Hon'ar has granted everyone the finest grade of Elvish bows. Intimacy with the Elven race has improved greatly.

  You have brought the Elven race closer to the human race and they are now willing to allow humans to 'Race Change' into elves. All one needs is sufficient intimacy with the Elven Race and a 'Compact Soul Gem'.

  As a scion to the elven race, you will receive the following benefits:

  - Less experience will be required to gain levels

  - Health will increase at a more rapid pace than that of a human

  - Stats will naturally grow slower.

  My jaw drops open just reading the notification. And just as soon as I start seriously worrying about money I receive a top quality item that I can sell. Make that two I can sell, Fen got one as well!

  Fine Elvish Longbow

  A bow of the finest craftsmanship. It is lightweight bow with unparalleled accuracy. It is incredibly sturdy and the handle can even be used to block most swords.

  Requirements:

  - Level 105

  - Dex 68

  Weapon Type: Longbow(Sung Redgum)

  Attack: 84 - 95

  Durability: 71/71

  Weight: 3.4 lbs

  "Wait. Did you say ceremony?" I ask Hon'ar quizzically.

  "Of course, Shai'en and I are getting married!"

  Not just me, but everyone else in the party are completely stunned. The woman in question, Shai'en, walks up next to him and links her arm around and through his. With one seemingly casual step, he leads her into the now parting crown and up to a platform underneath a tree covered
in gentle pink leaves that create a sweet fragrance wherever they travel.

  The sound of flutes permeate the air as joyful tunes are played as celebrant music for the occasion. I almost find myself closing my eyes and becoming lost in the melody.

  "This is it," The innkeeper's wife say next to me, "The Tree of Pink Blossoms. The only place in the elvish culture that allows them to officially get married."

  "Shouldn't you be saying 'us', and not 'them'" I laugh calmly at her.

  "Please I left this world a long time ago. Well, I suppose you could actually say that I was never a part of it in the first place."

  Before I could question her any further, the 'Tree of Pink Blossoms' starts to give out a peach coloured glow, the two elves underneath exchanging their vows.

  "Shai'en. Through life and death, joy and suffering. I, Hon'ar, swear to stay by your side for all eternity. Should danger come your way, I will hold my bow steady and protect you. Should misfortune befall you, I shall be the one to turn the tides of luck. Should your life come to an end, I shall lie down next to you and keep you company, never leaving your side again."

  "Hon'ar. Through love and affection, sadness and turmoil. I, Shai'en, swear to also stay by your side for all eternity. Should you ever stray from your path, I will guide you back onto it. Should you ever fall into despair, I will be the light to lift the darkness. Should battle ever claim your life, I will seek eternal vengeance on your killer before I shall join you in travelling the netherworld, always keeping you company."

  The light from the 'Tree of Pink Blossoms' suddenly erupts, illuminating the now husband and wife in a heart-warming radiance. At the peak of the brightness. Two silhouettes, man and woman, lean towards each other and seal their vows with a kiss of affection.

  Looking at the newlywed couple and how joyful they are, I feel something cold on my cheek. I raise my hand and wipe off a single tear from my face, only for it to be replaced by another.