It had been a long time since Jason had last played the MMORPG known as the World, but for some reason he felt like playing it once more after finding the game while cleaning his apartment. He gave it a quick glance over as he sorted his various CDs laying about his computer room. He found himself looking back at it a few times and as if in denial he would try to push it out of his mind. He continued to clean as he pulled out a black leather CD case and began to put all his CDs into it one at a time. He glanced over his shoulder to see the game once more as if it were beckoning and begging him to play like his younger siblings would when he babysat them. He glanced over at it one more time, extended his arm out, and then picked it up.

He looked at it for a few seconds and then turned his wrist so he could see if the disc had scratches in it. He turned it in the light and after a few minutes of searching he had found it to be scratch free. He didn't give it a second thought as he climbed into his computer chair and opened up the disc drive to his computer. He slipped the disc into the computer and watched the screen as the disc drive took the disc in. The screen came to life with the ALTIMIT Logo and then came to the login screen. Jason rummaged around for the game case and peered into the game manual, then turned to the notes section to find his password. He brought his index finger to a random page in the notes section and began to skim through it until he found what he was looking for. He quickly turned back to the monitor and began to punch in the keys to the keyboard until his information was in. He clicked the enter button and the game began to analyze the data until finally he was approved for access. Jason moved his right hand to his wireless mouse and double clicked on "The World" Icon. He scrolled through the boards for a bit to find someone to quest with and replied to their post. Jason made arrangements for a party and within moments after having put on his VR Googles. Then picking up his controller; he was ready to play as Faust once more.

Faust quickly scanned the cobblestone streets as he brought one hand to his side to feel the swords that hung there. He smiled briefly as he touched each of his swords' hilts as if remembering the good old days of murder and mayhem. The flashback however was short lived as Faust began to make his way to his usual meeting place underneath the Mac Anu Bridge. Though as usual he was interupted by a clumsy player who would always have the misfortune of running into Faust. Faust sneered as he jabbed a hilt to one of his swords into the back of the players head. The hapless player stumbled forward with his hands on the back of his head and leaning forward. Faust then kneed the player in the face and watched him fall to the ground. Blood oozed from the players nose as Faust brought it upon himself to further teach manners to the unruly youth. Faust began to kick the player in the gut, but no more than three times before continuing on his way once more. He then called back as he made his way through the shocked crowd, "Your lucky you caught me in a good mood, otherwise I would have killed you..."

Faust, who was still mumbling to himself about the previous incident, walked past the Game Save Shop and found himself peering down a short flight of stairs that led to the Elf's Haven below. He walked down slowly with his arms crossed behind his head and then peered around the corner to see if his companion was already there, but alas he was not. Faust thought to himself, I better just wait then. He turned around and leaned against the wall, but remained vigilant because he was anxious to start questing again. So the wait begins, he told himself.

Vincent smiled as he got home from school that Monday. Finally… I get to play the World for awhile. At least till mom gets home. he frowned at this thought, knowing the slave driver would have and endless menial tasks for him to perform upon her arrival. He relished getting home from school, not only because the fact he had spare time, but also because he was alone for a long while. The taskmaster got off work at six thirty and didn’t get home till around seven. Also, she usually expected dinner to be made, which meant he had less time.

He grasped the CD with the utmost care, being extremely cautious not to damage his escape route from the boring real world. He put it in and effortlessly uploaded the exe file that started the World. He posted a message on the BBS, wanting to actually explore a dungeon instead of just aimlessly cavort around the root town learning the controls. He swiftly got a response from a blademaster named Faust, who invited him to a level 5 field. He was a little nervous about going to a field four levels higher than him, but the anxiety was eclipsed by feelings of curiosity and adventure. However, he went too hastily because he missed Faust's last and crucial message, their meeting point.

He then logged into the actual game, materializing in a bustling noisy city, filled with many different characters of all shapes and sizes. It became clearer and more vivid as the golden rings dissipated around his lithe body, the clear blue sky and the intensely bright reddish orange sun beaming down on the many clamorous occupants of the city. He was recanted from his observations when he became suddenly aware of the seemingly weightless gargantuan sword, which rested over his shoulder and down his back in his right hand. That’s so weird. This thing should weigh a ton. he thought, puzzled.

He then remembered he was supposed to be meeting Faust somewhere, but he couldn’t remember where. Shit… I hope he finds me near this giant blue glowing spinning circle thing. What was it called again? he deliberated frustrated that he couldn’t remember its name.

Unexpectedly, but fortuitously, a spear toting man a long arm? with long purple spiky hair and clad in a green kimono walked by and bellowed, rather boisterously, to his party member, “Hey, Ukilato, meet me at the chaos gate later. I have to pick up some items first.” His friend deigned to respond verbally to his command but instead nodded in affirmation. Now that I know what it’s called I can send him a flash mail. If I can figure that out… he thought glumly.

He tried but to no avail, he couldn’t figure it out. I guess I will look for him the old fashioned way. he thought grimly and stepped down the long stone steps that led from the chaos gate. He was searching for a sinister looking, armor clad blademaster. He walked around logically looping the bridge twice and looking around each of the shops, finally stopping in front of the elf’s haven, where he saw a character that fit that description leaning unperturbedly against the wall as if he was waiting for something, or someone. Jex pondered to himself about whether he should approach the brooding ominous man or not. He finally dug up the courage to possibly look like an idiot and went up to him and said, “Umm… Are you Faust?”

His sword, almost body length, was now rested uneasily behind him, part of its tip dragged across the ground. It left a small laceration in the tiled stone ground, a tiny imperfection in the otherwise immaculate terrain of Mac Anu. He anxiously awaited a response from the blademaster.

Faust peered up slowly as he analyzed the player in front of him mentally. He first noticed that the player had no shoes on, which was rather odd since foot gear was part of usual armor setup in the game. He continued to look up and noticed that the shorts were frayed almost as if by an animal because the shorts themselves had many different tears in almost every direction. Faust then looked to a plain white t-shirt with a v-neck that seemed to show off the player's muscle tone. Faust noticed the player was holding a large sword, thus indicating he was a heavy blade. Faust then looked at the player's face and noticed the strange blue markings on his face and the unique blonde streaks he had in his black hair.

Faust looked the player in the eyes and said, "And, what if I am?" He had players hunting him before because of his treacherous ways and wasn't about to drop his guard even for this seemingly harmless player. Faust did notice that the player didn't show any hostility by the tone of his voice, which was why he was hesitant in drawing one of his blades. Although, he did keep his hand on one of the hilts hust in case. Faust looked to the player who at the moment seemed hesitant to answer. Faust asked once more, "And, what if I am this Faust you seek?" Faust soon answered his own question with another question, "Are you the one I replied to on the boards?"

Faust released his hand from his hilt after analyzing the player again and saw no malicious intent in the player's eyes and mannerisms. Faust extended his hand to shake the strange player's hand. He spoke as he did so, "Yes, I am Faust, sorry for my rude reaction, but I must be cautious as I am not a well-liked player. But, you'll learn that as time progresses on the battlefield. So are you ready to do some hunting my friend?" He smiled darkly as he said that and then spoke again, "So what is your name, partner?" Faust still waiting for the player to shake his hand as he spoke.

He sheepishly replied, “Umm yeah, that was me.” The dark blademaster took his hand off the hilt and held it out for him to shake, while explaining that he must be cautious at all times because he wasn’t well liked. Jexath was puzzled as to why, but didn’t ask, fearing another interrogative explosion. He asked if Jex was ready to do some hunting, unsure of what that meant he nonchalantly nodded. He then realized that Faust was still extending his hand toward him and shook it.

“I’m Jexath or Jex if you’d prefer.” He introduced himself, speaking a little more confidently now that his hand was removed from the sword’s handle. He finally relaxed and became a little more comfortable around his new companion, as strange as he seemed to be. “Sorry for not finding you right away, I must have missed your last BBS post, which obviously told me where to meet you.” He apologized, realizing the error he made, “I usually don’t rush but I was excited for my first adventure here.”

He gazed at him one more time, noticing the more intricate details. He studied his face and saw his blood red, slightly malicious eyes, his snow white hair and his ashen skin tone. Ignoring all of this him simply smiled and said, “What are we waiting for, lead the way.”

Faust nodded in agreement and slipped by Jex turned and beckoned him to follow. Faust didn't say anything else though as he made his way up the stairs to the main street. Faust looked to the right and was about to turn the coner when he ran into an all too familiar pink-haired heavyblade. Faust watched as the girl fell on her butt with a thud. She obviously wasn't looking where she had been going either as she rubbed the spot that hit the ground the hardest. She looked up to Faust and began to yell before realizing who she was yelling at, "Why don't you watch where your going you jerk!" Once the anger in her faded, she realized who she had yelled at. She quickly replied, "Faust is that you?" Faust looked to her and lended her his hand. She took it and he pulled her up. She looked at him and then got red in the face, lifted her hand up, and slapped him square across the face.

Faust brought his hand to his cheek and rubbed it slightly. He then yelled at her, "What the hell was that for?" She replied as she clenched her fists, "You jerk, you never call, you never write, and I haven't seen you in God knows how long?" Where have you been all this time? Do you not like me anymore... is that it?" She started to tear up a bit as she wrapped her hands around him to hug him as she still cried. Faust looked to her and noticed her character hadn't changed much since last he saw her. She wore black and pink striped stockings, black leather boots with pink laces, and she wore a black and pink plaid mini-skirt. She also had on a black shirt with a pink skull with a bow on its head. On her arms she had black and pink stripped cloth arm protectors. With an ebon colored heavyblade hanging from her back by a black leather hoister. She also had short blond hair with black and pink highlights to match her outfit.

Faust replied to her, "I apologize for not telling you sooner, but I have been busy with work. I'll be sure to tell you the next time my schedule gets busy, but anyways, I'm here now. Faust hugged her and then noticed her staring at his partner. Nana looked to the player and asked Faust, "Who is he?" Faust replied, "This is Jex and Jex this is Nana. We know one another from way back when I first started playing this game." Nana waved her hand as if to say hello to Jex. Faust smiled and spoke to Nana, "We were about to go on a quest, would you care to come?" Nana nodded her head happily. Faust now turned his head to Jex and asked, "Would it be alright if she tagged along?"

He and Faust departed the seedy back alley under the bridge and made there way up the stairs. They walked along the main channel of the bridge, the whole time in an uneasy silence. The duo then turned a corner and Faust collided with a pink haired girl, she was a heavyblade wearing a pink and black ensemble. She then started yelling at him, and she was getting annoyed. Jexath feared another angry reaction from Faust and was about to step when the girl suddenly calmed down and said, “Faust is that you?”

They know each other? Jexath wondered bemusedly. He gaped in awe as she promptly smacked the blademaster across the face, knowing that she was probably going to get her ass kicked, however Faust stayed calm and told her that he was busy with various things and couldn’t get on the world too much.

“Who is she?” she asked and he was about to respond when Faust interjected.

“This is Jex and Jex this is Nana. We know one another from way back when I first started playing this game.” He asked her if she would like to accompany them on the quest and then asked Jexath if she could come along.

“I don’t see why not,” he replied and added, “The more the merrier, nice to meet you, Nana.”

They then strolled toward the chaos gate; the duo had become a trio.