A Short Goodbye

"What is a Main Quest?" Dom asked the System. So far his quests has been task led, such as learning a new skill, winning a battle, or finding a new area. They were all easy enough tasks to complete, with rewards that had quickly enabled Riverside's growth. He hadn't requested any new ones in a while, his mind pulled to the many other things that he had going on. He had hoped for more rewards for beating the Type 3 Humans, but felt like that wouldn't happen until the forest had been fully searched and cleared. Dom had lingering feelings that it wasn't the last they had seen of the Type 3 Humans in this area.

[There are two types of Main Quest, there are Player Class Main Quests and World Conquest Online Main Quests.]

Dom was definitely interested in a main quest, especially if the rewards were of a level that could fill in some of the gaps that Riverside currently had in it's Military and Civilian areas. Before he made any decisions though, he needed more information.

"System, please can you explain the different types of Main Quest to me?" Dom asked politely.

[A Player Class Main Quest is a group of individual quests linked to your Player Class, that will give you direction with related rewards to your class. An example of this would be a Warrior Class, the Main Quest would be based on the players playstyle and could be to something such as to become a Commander in an Army. This quest would include several sub quests, such as; join an army, become a squad leader, win a battle. Each Player will have different Player Class Main Quests, depending on their playstyle and class.]

[A World Conquest Online Main Quest is linked to the evolving world of World Conquest Online. These are currently locked until a related quest is available in your region or wider. However an example of this could be to join a special mission map similar to the Golden Token's, but on a larger scale. Another example could be to pick a side in a large conflict in the region and see the conflict through to completion. Currently there are no Special Missions or Regional Situations that are available for a World Conquest Online Main Quest. Some of these quests are optional, where as others may be required.]

The Player Class Main Quests definitely sounded to Dom like the best option, as it would give him direction on what he needed for Riverside and therefore he expected the rewards to be related to that. He had his own plans he wanted for Riverside, and if the Quest was based on both his Class and Playstyle, then he suspected that this would be related to growth and territory. 

The World Conquest Online Main Quest sounded exciting, he was interested to see what Scenario's he was placed in, or what things would happen in the region he was based in. He was excited to see what would happen, but for now he would have to wait.

"Please give me a Player Class Main Quest." Dom requested after a couple of seconds of thinking. 

[Player Class Main Quest selected.....Rolling for Quest.....]

[Main Quest - Found your own small Kingdom. 

Riverside has grown in to a respectable city in the wider landscape of World Conquest Online. Situated in a secluded spot in the South East of the Northern Continent, Riverside has had ample opportunity to grow from a handful of Civilians to now having a population in the multiple thousands. You have proven your Military might through some local campaigns, with a Military above your peers. 

Riverside is the size of a minor City State, with vibrant and fertile lands surrounding it. But are you happy with being the Lord of a small city state in the wilderness, or would you like to be the Lord, Grand Duke or King of a Kingdom?

This Quest includes multiple steps, with some rewards being granted throughout, but the main rewards will be received at the end. These will be calculated based on the overall scores across the sub quests and difficulty levels you apply based on your choices made. 

Would you like to accept this Main Quest?]

This quest aligned with Dom's plans to build a large region that encompassed the River from the sea up to Tongpai Lake and everything in between. He hoped the rewards would be things that could help him build this and defend it.

"I would like to accept the Main Quest!" Dom said excitedly, he wasn't sure about being the King of a Kingdom, the world of World Conquest Online was huge and he felt declaring himself King was a bit to high at this stage, his ego was not that large. Also declaring yourself King would most likely attract bigger and scarier enemies. A small Kingdom or large City State however was a reasonable goal for where he felt he was right now and what Riverside could handle.

[This is a multi layered quest, the following quests can be completed in any order:

Sub Quest 1 - Explore and Draw the outline of the whole region you wish to be your Kingdom.

Sub Quest 2 - Defeat or Subjugate all those within the Sub Quest 1 Borders.

Sub Quest 3 – Create a successful Government Function that Governs all those that live within the Borders from Sub Quest 1.

Sub Quest 4 – Increase Population to a minimum of ten thousand active members, including Civilian and Military. This does not include Slaves, Serfs or Prisoners.

Sub Quest 5 - Build and declare an item as the Regalia of your Kingdom, this can be any item, however once chosen this can not be changed.

Sub Quest 6 - Name and Launch your Kingdom. Kingdom Launch must be a grand event including guests from near and far.

Sub Quest 7 - Receive Recognition of your State by a minimum of two other Forces of either a similar size or larger.]

Dom listened to the quests and understood that the first Quest was the most important, the wider the area he chose, the higher the rewards. However, the wider the area he chose, the higher the risks, with more people to Subjugate, plus a larger area to Govern and Defend. He had a lot to discuss with the other members of Riverside, but that would have to wait as it was now time to log out and enjoy his last day with Andrew, before Andrew went home for a couple of weeks.

.....

Dom awoke in his bedroom and followed his usual routine, he first headed in to his bathroom and showered. The warm water felt relaxing as it heavily dropped on to his back and shoulders, his arm had a dull ache from where he had received the wound in the game. There was no wound but it was phantom pain from his brain, telling him that it hadn't healed yet. The realism did play on his mind and he wondered how those that had died in game felt when they woke up, not that he wanted to try it himself.

He was soon finished showering and had dressed in some comfortable clothes, before heading in to the living space. Andrew and Kai were sat waiting for him, which was unusual since they had started playing. Historically Dom was always last, but since starting World Conquest Online he had increased his morning routine speed.

"Morning sleeping beauty." Andrew teased from the sofa where he was sat. Kai was in the kitchen area and was pouring himself a glass of water.

"Have I over slept?" Dom questioned, surprised at himself falling back in to old habits.

"No, I just logged out earlier today, I have a lot to pack before I leave later." Andrew joked as Dom sat next to him.

"Would you like a glass?" Kai asked from the kitchen area, stopping Andrew from teasing Dom any further.

"Yes please!" Dom replied, his mouth dry, the left over taste of Peruda's drink still in the back of his throat.

"How did the battle you were so excited for go?" Andrew asked seriously, not wanting any risk to Riverside before he arrived.

"We won thankfully." Dom replied calmly, as if he was always going to win. "It was bloody and honestly the realism has hit me this time, I can still smell the battle and have the occasional vision of some of the enemies."

"My Father has spoken to me about things like this before." Kai added as he walked towards Dom with a glass of water. "We are here if you want to talk about it."

"It's fine, it's just a game." Dom replied honestly, thankful that his friends were supportive when they needed to be. "The key thing is that we won and we are now entering a good growth stage."

"I can't wait to get there." Andrew smiled, "I won't be able to log in for a couple of days, but once I do, I'll be speeding my way down to you."

"How long will it take you to travel home?" Kai asked, interrupting the conversation. Kai knew how long, as did Dom, as Andrew often headed home during the break to his grandparents. 

"A full day of travel unfortunately, my transfer should be here in around six hours to take me home." Andrew replied frustratedly, "Then I will be home for a week, before heading to Central!"

"When are you leaving Dom?" Kai asked. "My transfer is a similar time to Andrew's." 

"I am waiting for confirmation still." Dom replied honestly, he wasn't sure if he would be heading to the Isles of Brittany first or if he was directly going to Central. He was a bit frustrated as the Isles of Brittany would be heading away from Central and adding extra travel time on the way back. Dom was going to continue the conversation, but then remember Andrew's guest at the Leavers Ball. "What happened with the girl?"

"Oh don't ask." Andrew replied with a laugh, "Everything was going oh so well, and then my good friend Florence Chan decided to get involved and cause a bit of a disruption."

"What did she do?" Dom asked shocked.

"She decided to call me a womaniser and it was her duty to rescue the girl from my evil clutches." Andrew laughed, "I'm not sure what I have done to her to deserve it." 

"You were born?" Dom joked in reply. His arm suddenly hurt again, mainly as Andrew had just punched him in it, directly where his in game wound had been. He gave Andrew a death stare, before laughing at his friends stupid looking face. 

......

The day soon passed, with Andrew and Kai each departing and heading in the different directions that they would take home. Dom was left alone but still had a couple hours left before he needed to relog in. He had sat in the now empty living room reading GoldenSun's blog, wondering who would live in this room once he left, his only home for the last few years. The blog had been describing some battle that a Warrior had been involved in against a rival state, Dom was just getting in to it when the door banged loudly.

Dom put down the blog and headed towards the door, opening it to see that Captain Howard Allard the Physical Education Teacher was stood there with a letter in his hand. He had a warm smile on his face and was dressed in his Military Suit. 

"Good Afternoon Mr Lazarus." Captain Allard started, before handing Dom the letter. "I thought it would be best to bring you this myself and say a final goodbye."

"Thank you Captain!" Dom exclaimed seriously, Captain Allard had been one of the best teachers Dom had experienced. Captain Allard had treated Dom and other students who were orphaned exceptionally well as their parents were War Heroes like Captain Allard himself.

"I hope to see you again Mr Lazarus." Captain Allard continued, "It has been a pleasure teaching you. I wish your Mother could see the man you are growing up to be."

With that Captain Allard saluted, before turning and heading down the corridor, leaving Dom a bit speechless at the final words said to him. He also wished his Mother had seen the man he was growing to be, and hoped she would be proud of him. 

He turned back in to his room and closed the door behind him, opening the letter to see what the contents said.

[Dear Mr Dominic Lazarus,

You will be collected in the Morning at Eleven O'clock by Direct Transfer. We expect to see you the following day at the Sects Head Quarters. Please leave all of your luggage behind, as this will be shipped to Central University direct to your place of Residence.

Many Thanks,

Annabel Howard.]