The next two days passed in a frenetic blur for Alex as he poured over every permutation and variable surrounding their imminent infiltration of the Crypt Keeper's inner sanctum. Scouring the sisters' reconnaissance data, he meticulously mapped out contingencies for any obstacles or hostilities they may encounter.
Infiltration vectors, aerial approach trajectories, fallback rendezvous points in case they were split up - Alex left no contingency unaccounted for in his operational plan. He would allow for no untamed variables that could jeopardize their chances of success and survival.Only once he was satisfied with the tactical framework did he finally turn his focus to the long game - the delicate situation involving their other...competitors angling for possession of the mythical Crown of Asteria.Leaning back in his chair with a weary sigh, Alex picked up the phone which Agent Three had initially given him and dialed the only number on it. It took a fewDespite the dozens of armed militants encircling him, weapons aimed squarely at his center of mass, Alex refused to be cowed. His expression hardened into a mask of determination."Enough of these games!" he shouted, voice reverberating off the warehouse's steel rafters. "I want to see the one who set me on this merry chase. The so-called 'Agent Three' who's been jerking me around from the start."His words hung heavier in the air than their seeming bravado might imply. The combat-garbed soldiers shifted uneasily, tightening their firing grips in response to his overt demand.Then, that same electronically distorted voice crackled over the PA system once more."Stand down." The words may as well have been etched in permafrost for the glacial chill of authority they carried.Instantly, the agitated perimeter detail froze, their aim wavering fractionally. Alex didn't flinch, eyes locked dead ahead as a solitary figure detached from the shad
The sun rose over the gleaming skyscrapers and winding streets of Metropolis, the largest city in the nation of Utopia. A city where dreams are brought to life and also where dreams are shattered.Alex wiped the sleep from his eyes as his alarm blared, stretching out his hand, he slammed on it as he had done every single day. With a low groan, he sat up on the edge of the bed, signaling the start of another long day. At just 22 years old, he felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. As the only child, he had no one to call, and no father to even remember.Alex was of average height and build, with messy brown hair and green eyes that shone with equal parts intellect and exhaustion. Alex's humble abode was a studio apartment on the outskirts of Metropolis. Though cramped, he tried to make the most of the limited space. Against one wall was his single bed, the dark blue comforter always messy from his perpetually exhausted state. His desk and computer setup took up the opposite c
Alex stumbled out of the lecture hall in a daze, his mind clouded with worries about his mother and their lack of money, the reminder was that he had to find a way to pay up before the end of the quarter, and that was barely 3 weeks from the current date. Suddenly, he felt a fist lightly bump his shoulder from behind."Hey space cadet, are you still in there?" a familiar voice teased.Alex turned to see his childhood friend Emma grinning at him. Despite his stress, he couldn't help but smile back at her comforting presence.Emma had been by his side since their early school days, they got through childhood together and since then they had always been partners. Emma was of average height with long, wavy blonde hair framing her bright blue eyes. Emma's bubbly spirit and sharp wit could always lift Alex's mood, even in the darkest of times.They had both gotten into the medical program at Metropolis University, though Emma was never quite the flawless student Alex was. Still, her intelli
Alex stared at the contact info for Zane that Emma had forwarded him. It was just a simple username - "Zane419". No other details or instructions. He could easily message this Zane character in Elysium Quest and probably get a quick response.Yet Alex hesitated, his finger hovering over the enter key. Should he really go through with this shady deal that could potentially get his account banned?His EQ character had been built up over years of painstaking work. Maxing out levels in combat, sorcery, crafting - not to mention amassing rare armors and weapons. He was proudest of the thriving virtual business he'd created, an in-game shop where he sold merchandise for gold coins. It was all completely legitimate according to EQ's terms of service.If his account got deleted, all that hard work would vanish instantly. Sure, he could always start fresh and build a new character. But without the items, levels, and reputation he'd earned, it just wouldn't feel the same.Then again, it's not l
Two weeks crawled by without any word from Zane. With each passing day, Alex grew more anxious. He constantly checked his Elysium Quest account, but there were no new messages. Where was Zane? Had he forgotten about the deal already? Or worse - had Zane's update gotten Alex's account been blacklisted for messaging a hacker before they could even connect?But he haven't even installed anything yet. He only gave him his username and his stats in EQ, so there would be no way the gaming company would ban an account that haven't done anything illegal.With a sigh, Alex cooled off because he was only thinking too much. While waiting in limbo, Alex did his best to continue on with his exhausting routine. Each day blurred into the next as he bounced between delivery driving, coffee shop shifts, and night classes, all the while caring for his ailing mother.The grueling schedule allowed little time for gaming or distraction. But late at night when sleep evaded him, Alex would log into EQ, ha
Hyperion Hub was the bustling central trading area and meeting point in Elysium Quest. Located in a gleaming futuristic city, it served as a commerce hub and safe zone where no combat was allowed.Flying vehicles zoomed between towering skyscrapers of chrome and glass. Neon signs advertised shops, taverns, inns, and services from every galactic sector. The sidewalks were constantly crowded with avatars of every shape, size, and species browsing wares from around the virtual universe.In Hyperion's massive open-air market, merchants hawked rare loot and artifacts collected from dangerous quests. One could find exotic weapons, armors, potions, pets, and mounts that granted special abilities. The items available were only limited by players' imaginations and skills.Those seeking adventures could meet potential party members or check the quest boards overflowing with opportunities ranging from local errands to epic intergalactic missions. The hub contained portals leading to countless re
Alex stopped by Metropolis General Hospital to see his mother. As he locked up his scooter outside the towering medical complex, feelings of apprehension and sadness washed over him. He tried to steel himself before heading inside.Alex nodded politely to the receptionist as he passed the front desk. His feet knew the route by heart, having traversed these sterile halls far too often. Each turn and elevator ride brought him closer to his mother's room on the 5th floor.Outside her door, Alex took a deep breath before entering quietly. The steady beep of monitors filled the small space. Alex felt his heart constrict to see his once lively, vibrant mother lying motionless in the hospital bed. Her face looked pale and gaunt, her breathing shallow.Alex pulled a chair close to the bed and sat down. Though she appeared asleep, he still took her frail hand gently in his own."Hi Mom, it's me again," he said softly, managing a sad smile. "Sorry I couldn't come by yesterday - double shift at
With bated breath, Alex watched the progress bar slowly fill as the controversial update was installed. The process took nearly an hour, during which Alex paced his small apartment anxiously. His mind raced with possibilities both thrilling and terrifying about what effects the cracked software could trigger.Alex hesitated only a moment before initiating the restart, his finger trembling slightly over the power button. As the computer powered down and then slowly hummed back to life, Alex felt his heart hammering. This was the moment of truth.With a deep breath, he rebooted his system and waited as the computer restarted. Relief washed over him as it hummed back to life with no immediate signs of problems. But the real test would come when he logged into Elysium Quest.Donning his VR visor and gloves, Alex loaded up EQ, his heart pounding in anticipation. But instead of his character spawning in the familiar virtual hub, Alex found himself in an endless expanse of glaring white noth
Despite the dozens of armed militants encircling him, weapons aimed squarely at his center of mass, Alex refused to be cowed. His expression hardened into a mask of determination."Enough of these games!" he shouted, voice reverberating off the warehouse's steel rafters. "I want to see the one who set me on this merry chase. The so-called 'Agent Three' who's been jerking me around from the start."His words hung heavier in the air than their seeming bravado might imply. The combat-garbed soldiers shifted uneasily, tightening their firing grips in response to his overt demand.Then, that same electronically distorted voice crackled over the PA system once more."Stand down." The words may as well have been etched in permafrost for the glacial chill of authority they carried.Instantly, the agitated perimeter detail froze, their aim wavering fractionally. Alex didn't flinch, eyes locked dead ahead as a solitary figure detached from the shad
The next two days passed in a frenetic blur for Alex as he poured over every permutation and variable surrounding their imminent infiltration of the Crypt Keeper's inner sanctum. Scouring the sisters' reconnaissance data, he meticulously mapped out contingencies for any obstacles or hostilities they may encounter.Infiltration vectors, aerial approach trajectories, fallback rendezvous points in case they were split up - Alex left no contingency unaccounted for in his operational plan. He would allow for no untamed variables that could jeopardize their chances of success and survival.Only once he was satisfied with the tactical framework did he finally turn his focus to the long game - the delicate situation involving their other...competitors angling for possession of the mythical Crown of Asteria.Leaning back in his chair with a weary sigh, Alex picked up the phone which Agent Three had initially given him and dialed the only number on it. It took a few
Kalthia's bold declaration rang with an edge of thinly veiled menace that sent a subtle thrill down Alex's spine. He couldn't help but allow a confident smile to spread across his features. With these two ancient draconic powerhouses united alongside him, mustering the unstoppable force necessary to overcome any obstacles suddenly seemed well within their grasp. All the pieces were falling into place."Good, I'm counting on that." Alex glanced between the sisters meaningfully. "Because after reviewing these reconnaissance reports, I'll need to implement the next phase of my stratagem sooner than expected."Extending his senses inward, he focused on a data connection he had carefully constructed to code manipulated data concerning a certain interested party. A few complex subroutine commands later, and an encrypted packet of randomized reports and map imagery began generating.With this, the data for the Seekers operatives was prepared and with this they would think they were getting a
Alex looked between Kalthia and Kelthia, seeing their attentions fully locked on him now in anticipation of his plan to infiltrate the Crypt Keeper's Mountain Temple and steal the legendary Healing Crown of Asteria.He took a deep breath before laying out the initial stages. "First thing's first - I need for us to do is pinpoint the exact location of this temple for me. Provide any details you can about its defenses, the terrain around it, everything."The sisters exchanged a look. Kelthia gave a slight nod. "That much I can readily supply. The Crypt Keeper's domain is a treacherous region, wreathed in obscuring mistrals and guarded by wards most foul.""But for dragons such as ourselves, piercing its veil of secrecy is well within our abilities," Kalthia added, a note of confidence edging her tone.Alex nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Once I have that locational data and mapping, I can start planning out the safest route for approach and infiltration."He fixed them both with a resolu
Kalthia seemed to seethe silently at Alex's boldness in the face of the dragonslayer threat. He seemed to undermine the abilities. The dark shadows writhed more intensely around her human form."You dismiss their danger far too lightly, boy," she said in a low, dangerous tone. "These are not mere obstacles to overcome, but an extinction-level peril to everything we are. Don't you understand that?"Alex held her smoldering gaze, undeterred. "Then we'd better be prepared to face them when the time comes. Because they won't be the ones to stop us from our quest - and I repeat, not if I have any say about it."An icy pause lingered in the grand hall after Alex's defiant declaration. Kalthia stared at him like she was looking at a totally deaf fool seemingly dumbstruck that he would still push forward with their plans after learning about the dragonslayers and the other dangers it posses to them."You cannot be serious," the Umbra Dragon said at last,
“Now that we have taken care of the in-house fighting, there are some things we need to get done.”Alex looked the sisters deep in the eye. He needed to know if they were ready for what he was going to say next.“I would need you both to help me out with something and once this is done, we would start our journey, it's going to be a very long road but I have this hope we would get there" Alex couldn't just tell them that he had almost all the information from millions of dragons who had lived and died. He was like a walking data bank for dragons and the system made it far easier for him to process things.“Leave?" Kalthia asked, “We just can't do that," she said with a dull expression.Alex was surprised, “We just agreed that we were going to go on a journey that would change our lives and you say you can't leave this area? Then why bother agreeing in the first place?"" Don't get agitated” Kelthia stepped in "I would explain in a rather
"It's about your longevity," Alex began. "I realize even as powerful dragons, you can only live so long naturally."This piqued Kalthia's interest as well. She leaned forward slightly in her shadowy chair. "Are you implying you know of a way for us to extend our lifespans beyond what is possible?"Kelthia's expression was more guarded, but she gave a slight nod. "The strongest of dragonkind may only endure ten to fifteen thousand years before our essence fades. Kalthia and I have already experienced over six millennia.""Which leaves perhaps two or three thousand more years, if we're fortunate enough to live in peace," Kalthia added, somewhat wistfully.Alex nodded seriously. "I understand. But what if I told you there's a way to naturally and safely prolong your life spans much further - without any detrimental backlash?"The two sisters exchanged a startled look. Even for beings as ancient as them, the prospect of cheating their impending demise piqued their curiosity intensely.“No
“Can't you just go see her alone? Whatever you both discuss you can let me know about it later" Kalthia came up with an excuse.Alex paused and looked at her with a side eye. “If I remember clearly, you proudly said there was nothing impossible for you to do, so why are you scared of meeting up with your sister? Moreover, you promised that there was no request you would not answer to and here you are already trying to jump bail over my first request. Tell me how I can trust a word you say in the future?"The words Alex spoke hit Kalthia's pride so hard that her pale skin showed signs of redness in response to his provocation.“You think I'm scared of that Icy lump? If it comes to a fight, I would pin her down over and over again" Kelthia expressed her anger, “In fact, let's get going, even if she has grudges higher than the universe itself, there is no need to be afraid of her”.“Perfect, then I would open up a portal right now" Alex smiled.Seeing Kalthia's reluctance to involve her
Kalthia's booming voice washed over Alex, but he paid it little mind. His eyes were wide, hands patting over his body in disbelief. The dragon's remarks about being flesh and blood barely registered."Legs? Check. Arms? Check. Head? Still attached," Alex muttered under his breath, wiggling his fingers and toes. A broad grin spread across his face as the tingling warmth of draconic essence flowed through him. He could feel every muscle, every hair on his skin. He was here - truly present in this fantastical world in a corporeal form."I...I made it. My actual self is in Elysium!" he exclaimed, clenching his fists in excitement. Kalthia watched him bemusedly as Alex stretched and bent, testing his physical mobility and sensations. Her prodigy seemed utterly absorbed in marveling at his own tangible existence here."This is amazing! If I can travel between realms like this..." Alex's voice trailed off as the implications dawned on him. He looked up at the dragon determinedly."I just n