Un Tempo Senza Fine Part 2

Chapter 3: “You’re getting a lot better at this.”

I looked out the door and saw luscious green everywhere, and a white horse tied up to a hitching post. I took my first step outside and breathed deep, filling my lungs with the clean air.

Time started to slow down so I stopped and waited, I heard the familiar voice of the AI woman. “How do you like the scenery?” She asked. It seemed to me she was getting more friendly as we interacted, it was really strange to me.

“I love it.” I said back with a smile.

“Well, you're heading into town now. It will have a lot of people and places to see. Don’t worry though, I’ll explain everything and it's purpose once we get there.” she explained.

“Sounds good Miss AI.” I answered.

“But first, you’ll have to ride that horse.” She said, and I swore I could almost hear a grin, but it was crazy right? She was an AI.

“A horse? I mean.. I’ve ridden before but it has been a really long time.” I explained.

“That's alright,” she said “ Because they are the primary form of transportation you'll get the hang of it pretty quick.”

Time started to move again, so I started walking towards the stranger and horse. He was stroking its back as I approached. “You ready to go?” he asked as he watched me, almost like he was noticing my reaction to the scenery. “Yea, I’m ready.” I said as I looked nervously at the horse. “Now, I know you haven't ridden since the accident, but you have to try again sometime.”

I remember thinking “What accident?” but i soon realized it must've been the way the game explained my lack of experience.

“Yeah,” I said awkwardly “It's been a little while since i’ve rode.”

“It’ll be fine brother, just face your fears!” He said with quite a bit of conviction, it was moving really.

I walked up to the horse back, it was bare, but it had been bridled so I figured I was just going to ride like that. I put my hands on her back, and it was soft. Like a real horse, or even a little softer. I took a handful of her hair into my hand and jumped, swinging my leg over its back.

“Wow, because you haven't ridden for months i figured you'd have a harder time with that.” My in game brother said with a surprised look.

He untied the horse from the post and I started asking it where to go, but not with words. I moved the reins and it moved in response, I made a little click with my mouth and she immediately started to pick up pace. It was just like riding in real life, except the horse was way more responsive than the ones I had been used to.

“What are you waiting for?” I yelled back at my in game brother. “Whoa, hold up! I have to get my horse first, kid!” He yelled back.

With that I started walking the horse around, looking at everything and taking it in. It was so beautiful, the world was everything you had in your wildest dreams.

“Alright I’m ready. Let's head off.” My in game brother said as he came trotting up on his horse. It was brown with a black mane and nose, I remember wishing I had rode that one instead.

It was a long ride before we got to town, what seemed like an hour or more. We rode our horses into the bustling market place when time slowed yet again.

“How was your ride Merek?” The AI asked. “It was good, thank you. I didn't realize how much i missed riding.” I said. And it was true, I had missed riding a lot, but I never had the time in real life.

“You know, there are skills you can develop here, like animal training. You seem to be pretty good with horses. Maybe you ought to give it a try sometime?” She asked as I walked and continued to watch the frozen townspeople.

It all seemed so real.

“Yea, I'll have to do that at some point.” I said finally.

“Alright Merek, in the town you’ll find some important buildings. Why don’t we walk around for a bit.” “Walk around? How are we going to do that? Won't I be breaking character?” I said confused.

“Not if I walk with you.” She said, but this time, instead of the voice sounding like it was from all around, it sounded like it was coming from behind me. I remember looking back and seeing her, she was a taller girl with long brunette wavy hair, she had a slender athletic body, she was beautiful, I had to catch my breath.

“Alright Merek, get off your horse and I’ll show you around.” she said. “But, what about my brother?” I asked as I looked over to his still frozen figure.

“Just play along” She said, and time unfroze.

“Merek! Is that you?” I heard her call from behind me, I looked back to see her running towards me and my horse. I smiled trying to play along but not really knowing what to do.

“Go get her Merek.” My in game brother said, “I'll be waiting at the pub. Come find me when you're ready.” And with that I dismounted my horse, finding the AI waiting for me at the ground and wrapping me in a hug. Even that felt real, which honestly scared me a little.

“Alright, shall we get started?” She said with a smile. “We shall” I responded, not being able to help the smile forming on my face.

*news reporter* “Wait, did you like the AI?” “Oh, no. Not really. I knew she was AI but.. Honestly I couldn't help the good feeling i had when she was with me.” *news reporter* “I see, I think any person in your position would’ve felt the same. Please continue!” “Um, right.. Where was i? Oh yea, she was taking me around town.”

We walked around the bustling town for a long time, she pointed out merchants, and explained the bartering system. Basically just like haggling in a farmers market. And we passed a building that was a lot cleaner than the rest. She told me it was the library and that if i wanted to learn about the game, skill, magic, or anything of that matter, that was the place to do it. It also helped buff learning if you read a book on technique and then went and practiced, it would increase your skill level faster. Then I had her explain the leveling system and skill system to me, but they were really odd. Essentially you could be a high level and not be very skilled, or a low level and be at par or better than high level players. All you had to do was practice the skills enough to become a master. Meaning that a very low level player could be far better than you at combat, alchemy, or any other skill, making it very hard to assess who you were facing. A gambit to keep the roleplay alive.

Finally she walked me to the brothel, we walked inside and i saw my brother waiting at the bar, talking with some other people. I noticed a board hanging on the wall, and looked at the AI woman. “That's an information board, it can serve to help people find quests, or put out information quickly. There's one in every brothel or pub you visit.” She explained. “With that I think i'll be taking my leave, for now. See you soon Merek.” She said as she turned to walk out the door. “Thank you, it was great seeing you again.” I said as she disappeared behind the closing door.” The atmosphere of the brothel was just like you’d expect, the smell of boos in the air. It wasn't lit up very well, and smoke from different peoples pipes filled the air, leaving it with a rancid smell. One could also hear women's voices laughing and flirting in the background.

I remember asking myself “What are they smoking in those things?”

I looked around but didn't see my brother anymore, I figured he had slipped out while I was looking at the board. I made my way through the empty chairs and tables to the bar and sat down. Before the bartender could even ask what I wanted a man sat beside me. He was an older man, grey hair, and a limber figure. But he didn't look to be all that old.

I wondered “Is this a real player?”

“He will have water, thank ya much.” The grey haired man said as he let his body weight rest on a wooden stool. It made a creaking noise as he sat down beside me. “The name is Sadon, sorry but you don't look like you're needing a drink just yet” He said with a smile. “My name is Merek, nice to meet you Sadon.” I said as I reached out my hand to shake.

“I’m going to cut straight to the point kid, have you ever been to a dojo?” He asked.

I remembered the AI mentioning dojo’s as a place to train your skills. “No, I’m afraid I haven't,” I said as the man eagerly waited for my answer.

“Well then, it's settled. Want to come see what the one here in town is like?” He asked.

“I might as well give it a shot” I said as we both proceeded to stand up from our stools. Just as we were turning our backs the bartender set down a glass of water. “Don't be rude son, drink that before we go. You’ll need it.” Sadon said as he motioned towards the glass. I turned back around and thanked the bartender, then drank it all within a couple gulps. I hadn't realized I was so thirsty until the water got into my mouth, it was odd. Being thirsty in a video game, it just didn't seem right.

We made our way out the doors of the brothel, and walked up the dirt street a couple of blocks, or, what I made out to be blocks. The suns were starting to set and I stopped for a moment to take it in, it wasn't all that amazing, like a normal sunset, except with two suns. Even then it was still something to take in, different but oddly familiar. “Beautiful, Isn't it?” Sadon said as he put his hand on my shoulder, for being an older guy I realized he had quite a strong grip. “Yea, it's not something worth wasting” i said as we gazed up. “No, not at all. One mustn't be wasteful.” He said, it almost seemed like he was in deeper thought but I wasn't really concerned with what he was thinking at the time.

Once we were outside the Dojo I could hear the sounds of combat inside, sounds of sparring and yells. “Pretty great, isn't it?” He said as he looked towards the dojo. “Come on, let's go inside.” He said as he motioned towards the door. We made our way through the doors and I had to take a moment. Again and again I found myself being taken back by how real everything looked and felt. You could literally smell the sweat in the air, hear the sounds of sparring coming from the different rooms. I looked around and saw Sadon standing in between two handing red clothes that acted as a sort of door. “This way” he said as he disappeared behind the cloth. I followed him in, the room was lit up by lanterns and the smell of burning oil was piercing, a smell I would no doubt get accustomed too. In a line there were four wooden dummies, the kinds you see in the Kung Fu movies, with Sadon leaning up against the first one in the line.

“Why don't you give this a try?” He said. “What? Me? I don't know the first thing abou--” But he cut me off. “Listen, all you have to do at first is find your rhythm, hit it so it moves, not like you're trying to knock it down.” He said pushing one of the wooden arms on a spinning axis. “See?” He finished.

I walked over, noticed a metal track of some sort sitting at the bottom of each dummy, “What's that for?” I asked. “You'll see soon enough, just give it a go” He said.

So I stood in front of the dummy, Feeling the arms and giving them light pushes as I watched them spin around delivering some sort of counter for every push. “Like i said kid, hit it so it moves, don't try to knock it down.” Sadon said with an encouraging look.

I hit the arm that was chest level with me, it immediately spun around and whacked me on my other side. So I did it again, this time when i made contact i anticipated the next blow and threw up my arm to stop it. “There you go! Just like that!” He said. So I did it again, this time putting more effort into the block spinning the arm back around the other way. “Yes, Keep it going boy” Sadon said, “But now use those legs!” he said as he kicked the arm that was at leg level around, hitting me in the shin. “Ouch!” I yelled as it made contact, and that was the thing, it actually hurt. But I wasn't really focused on that when Sadon was trying to get me to move faster.

Within a couple of minutes I was spinning the dummy around like a whirlwind, blocking or dodging every oncoming blow, using my feet and shins to block while I used my hands to strike the upper arms. It felt good, like a well oiled machine. It got going so fast that my arms and legs felt like they were moving on their own accord. And then, I saw an opening, like my mind telling me to take the advantage. So I hit the center of the dummy with both palms, and all the strength I had. And it screeched and moved backwards.

“That's what the metal track is for boy!” The old man yelled with fire in his eyes. “Frankly son, I've never seen someone pick up fighting technique so quickly.” He said with excitement on his voice, and written all over his face. He started walking to one of the dummies beside mine, and started explaining. “See, here at the dojo, there are people like me. Trainers if you will, and we live to see a student like yourself.” He explained as he started winding up his arms. “We love to train egear minded individuals, and it helps when they have a knack for what we are training.” He said as he tapped the wooden dummy. “I'd like to train you boy, to become a master at martial arts, like myself” He said. “Wait, you're a master?” I asked with a bit of surprise. “Oh,” he said, raising his eyebrows “you don't believe me?” and with that he started wailing on the dummy, it was moving with blinding speed, and so was he. I could barely track his movements, but I could hear the knocking on the wood. Dozens of times a second the dummy would knock and change directions with the old man's blows, he was a master all right. Then just as my jaw opened all the way he delivered the final blow, sending the dummy back on the metal slider seven feet or more. I just watched as he rolled his sleeves back down and he met my gaze. “With any luck, you'd be able to do that in no time at all, I think you could surpass me Merek, are you willing to give it a try?”

Chapter 4: “Nice to see you again, old friend.”

*news reporter* “So did you do it?” “Yea, I mean, I felt it was the smartest option. And Sadon filled me with confidence.”

The next two weeks or so were spent at the Dojo, Sadon taught me all about the world and what I would face. He told me that there were monsters that came from a bright light in the night, and in some places they ruled the day. There were bandits and slavers, all sorts of evil in the world I was coming to know. But, as far as I knew, I was progressing with great speed. And the AI finally introduced herself as Maria, we would walk to the Dojo every morning together, and back every night. She became a close friend, and I stopped thinking of her as AI but more as just someone I knew, and someone cared about.

After the two weeks of training Sadon decided it was time for my final test, before I was to enter the real world, or out of the tutorial town essentially. My final test was to fight Sadon in a one on one sparring match, if I beat him it was my time to leave, if not, I was to stay to learn and practice more.

That morning I woke up, the sun beat through the boards just like the first day. I moved around on the straw bed I had come accustomed to, and waited for my brother to enter my room with a wake up call.

“Hey kid, wake up. It's your big day.” He said from the other room behind the closed door. I remember hearing his voice, it was as if he didn't want to wake me up at all, probably because I could be leaving soon after. “Alright brother, are you coming to town with me today?” I asked, talking through the door, although by that time I was already getting my clothes on. “Yes, of course I'll come to town with you, it may very well be my last day with my kid brother.” And that was when I knew. I knew he was feeling down because of the tone of his voice, but I knew at some point I had to leave the tutorial zone.

I was met in town by Maria, who also looked down in the dumps. When I asked her why she explained that she wouldn't be able to follow me out of the tutorial zone, she was restricted to that town alone. But I assured her she was one of my best friends, and that I would absolutely be back to see her. Even still she teared up as I met with Sadon on the dojo and we bowed to each other, greeting one another in the way that had been accustomed to me for weeks.

“It's time, You have finally shown me that you're ready for the final test. Although today, we won't be fighting in the Dojo, we will fight in this arena.” He said with a very serious and somber tone as he pointed to the zone set up outside the Dojo. I could see the whole town, and for a moment I too was struck with sadness. It was the home I had come to know, and this was my right of passage in order to leave, and I wasn't sure I wanted too. But I had to know if my friends were out there, if they had been brought into this magical world too.

“Are you ready to begin, Merek?” Sadon asked, rolling up his sleeves. I knew he would be serious throughout this entire fight. Holding back wasn't an option, even though I had grown to care about the old man so much. He had taught me so much, how to stand up for myself, and restrain myself when people really tried to push my buttons. Mostly because he himself pushed my buttons all day, as much as he could. The sick old man actually enjoyed breaking me down just to build me back up.

“I'm ready, teacher.” I said back as we walked into the arena, he took his horse stance, and I took mine. Early on, Sadon had taught me his fighting style, what they called “The mantis” but as i fought and sparred more it felt like i was fighting more than my opponent. Sadon finally let me follow what my body told me was right, and it hit. A fighting style that no one in the Dojo had seen before. It was powerful, but elegant, and he encouraged me to pursue that style over his own.

“Maria, if you will,” Sadon said to Maria as she walked into the arena, announcing the beginning of the fight.

Sadon moved, tracing his feet in a crescent motion as he approached. Never lifting his feet completely off the ground so that he wouldn't lose the ability to be grounded.

I advanced, mimicking his actions, resting my upper body, knowing that the fight to come would be a grueling one. He made the first move, open palm directed at my head, but I managed to deflect his blow and counter. I felt contact but my hand flew out of my control as he hit my stomach with immense force. He countered my first attack with ease.

“You disrespect me” He said as I was holding my stomach with one hand, recovering from the blow. “And how do you figure that?” I asked. “You're going easy on me” He said with a smile. “This is the fight of your life, for your life. Don't hold back Merek!” He said as he advanced on my wounded state.

I honestly didn't want to hurt him, but I knew he was right. I had to treat every fight like my last. And I wasn't fighting to leave my home, I was fighting to move past it. I had grown so much in the two weeks here with them that I would be disrespecting them if I pulled my punches in order to stay. So I gave it my all.

It felt like we were moving as fast as lightning, his fighting style was about speed and defense, delivering counter blows and the opportune moment. Just like with the dummy, though, I started to be able to anticipate his counters and counter them myself. A mix of the fighting style I had picked up and his I supposed. That was my upper hand .

We moved with grace, almost as if we were dancing, but our hands and feet were in constant struggle against the others. We traded blows so quickly that I'm sure no one really knew what was going on. Finally I found an opening, and knowing it had been the only opening since the fight began I jumped on the chance. I made contact with his right shoulder, knocking him off balance. I swiped his feet from under him and jumped so that I could land my final blown onto his chest. When I leapt into air it was like time slowed, but not due to the game, it was a clarity in the fight that I had never experienced. I knew what I needed to do.

I landed in a kneeling position over Sadon, I yelled as I pushed my fist full power towards his chest, but I stopped it, inches away from his ribcage.

The crowd was silent as Sadon laid under my fist. They knew I hadn't hit him, but yet they all almost acted as if they were afraid i really did hit him. Sadon was looking up at me, his eyes starting to water.

“You disrespect me still?” He asked. “No, Sadon.” I quickly retorted “With this I respect your teaching, I know that you're not my enemy, so I will not treat you as such. But I honor the challenge to fight you.” I said, knowing that I might fail my final test because I pulled my finishing blow.

“Of course, my boy. You have passed the final test. It was a test of strength, but not physical strength. The strength to hold back your immense power. Go now, into the world. Show them your power!” He said.

*News Reporter*

“Wait… so they were testing your ability to hold back even though everyone told you to go all out?”

“Well yes and no, I think Sadon would have passed me if I had landed the blow, but me showing him that I had the restraint to pull back even in the heat of the battle, it was also a display of strength of sorts.”

Truth be told..

I was taken back, not knowing that was the true meaning of my test. “Thank you, master” was all I could muster. We stood up together and brushed ourselves off, Maria was crying as she watched me walk out of the arena. I hadn't noticed before but the sun was setting. We had been battling literally all day.

“Wow, that was longer than I had realized.” I said as I walked up to her, “Yes it was pretty long. Good job Merek!” She said with tears in her eyes.

“Why are you crying Maria?” I asked, tilting my head sideways as I waited for her to respond. “You did better than I ever would have imagined.” She said finally. “Hah, yee of little faith” I said as I put my arm around her and started walking back to my horse, swaying slightly with her strides.

All the sudden everything around me started rippling, like seeing a reflection in the water, or looking out at a road in the hot sun. People started appearing out of nowhere all around me as I walked with Maria. “Keep your cool, you're out of the tutorial world now.” She said as we kept walking. It was the same town, the same people… but there were more. So many more, it was astounding.

“These are all players Merek, people, like you.” She said as we walked together towards my horse, who now had a dozen other horses tied up beside it.

“Holy cow! I thought the players were already with me, those were all AI?!” I said in an excited but hushed tone. “Wow, wait.. How are you still with me?” I asked as we moved through the small crowd on the street.

“I'm with all the new players here. Look around.” She said, when I looked around I realized there were a handful of players that had a woman by theirs side. None of the women looked like Maria, and none of them were walking so closely to the person they were accompanying. “Why are we so close but all your… other bodies are or whatever are so different from you?” I asked. “I'm different with every player Merek, and with you, I grew to know you as a friend rather than as a student. I know you're different, and I acted accordingly.” she said, and she turned to look at me with a smile, almost as if to see my reaction.

I remembered her telling me about how feelings of love could occur, and I knew I admired her, but in the back of my mind I knew she was an AI so I guessIi had been holding back. “I'm really glad you did Maria,” I said as I smiled at her “You made these last two weeks so special. I don't know what i would've done without you.” And I pulled her into a warm embrace in the middle of the street. When I let go I realized she was blushing slightly, and I couldn't help but notice she was rather cute.

“Before you go, I need to show you something,” She said as she took my hand and led me to the brothel. “Up on the poster board, I noticed it about a week ago, but couldn't tell you until now.” She said as she pointed to a white poster. It was half covered by other requests or information so I reached out and gave it a small tug and it came off its pin. “It's me.” I said staring at the poster with a rough sketch of my face. The caption below the sketch read “if you have seen this man, or, if you are this man, head to the city of Bethel. We will be waiting there.” “What? Bethel? Who do you think could have..” I said confused. “Maybe it's your friends, Merek. I'm sure they're worried sick about you. I know I would be…” She said as she lowered her face to the ground.

I remember in that moment I could tell she was having a really hard time. I didn't quite know what to do so I reached out and grabbed her chin, lifted her gaze to meet mine.

“Okay, listen Maria. Don't worry about me. You know how strong i've become, and if you're worried about me coming back to visit, well that's just the stupidest thing you've done yet. You are my only friend in the g-- this place so far. I care about you, and I’ll act accordingly.” I said as I winked at her, repeating the words she had told me just moments before. “I’ll be back, okay?” I said as I looked at the poster again.

“Okay, but.. Before you go let me give you these.” She said as she held out her hands. “Ausrüstung,” she yelled “Equipt!”. And a sword and dagger appeared in her hands. “These are the best I can give you, but they will do for now.” she said as she handed them to me.

“Thank you Maria, thank you so much” I said as I pulled the sword from its sheath, it looked like black chrome, glimmering in the now dusk light. “It will serve you well.” She said as she took a small step closer.

I sheathed the sword and hung it off my back, taking a small step towards her as I did. Then I pulled her into another hug, this one longer than before. I felt her breathing become more violent in my arms, and then she began to sob into my chest. She pulled away from me and said “Please be careful, and make sure you come back and visit me. Okay?” her eyes were glazed over, and i just nodded my head. I turned to walk out the door, not another word needed to be said. Then Maria called after me “Be careful Merek. There's bandits outside.”

DISLCAIMER: I will be posting my book two chapters at a time. I haven't Finished writing the book so this will give me time to finish it if the book starts to take off! If you have any comments I would love some constructive feedback! Also if you enjoyed please share with anyone you think would enjoy! It helps a ton!