Author's Note

You may be wondering: "Why are you separating what could easily be one chapter into two chapters?"
My response to that would be: "I really do not care, as this is my story."
"You may then reply: "You must have some sort of reason!"
My reply then would be: "I do indeed: Get the story some more attention, and bring a level of separation between two different parts of the same chapter. Any more questions?"
Then, I would hope that there were no more questions, but feel free to ask them in the comment section.

Also, I know I promised profiles, but I must confess: I have not thought too much about how they all look beyond Raven, Holly, and Moonlit. As a consequence, those are the only ones I presently have for you guys, as to not further delay this chapter while I write out Part 2.
Raven Star - Profile picture.
Holly Leaf - White-coated, green-maned pegasus. Mane usually done in a double ponytail bound with red. Her Talent Mark is a bushel of Holly.
Moonlit Sonata - Midnight blue-coated, white-maned unicorn. Her talent mark is a Treble Cleft.

As always, commentary is welcome, as I try to figure out how this story is ever going to be completely written out. I am extremely tempted to try a smaller story and put this one on a hiatus similar to that of Turnabout Silver Lining.

But, until then, enjoy my new chapter! God bless!

ESO: A New Day(Part 1)

A new day comes upon the land of ESO, basking the virtual world with the light from the sun script in place, providing a small semblance of the real life that the players had involuntarily left behind as a consequence of deciding to come onto the game.

Many of the land have locked themselves away, fearing the death that may come to pass should they leave the safe confines of the hotel in which they decided to stay.

Others, however, have begun training, to train themselves up, as to perhaps have a chance of escaping the nightmare that has become their reality.

For the two partners, however, they are presently sitting in the breakfast area of the Inn, eating a meal and talking.

“Are you better this morning?” Raven asks.

“As good as a prisoner could be,” Holly responds.

“Better than nothing,” Raven offers, making Holly smile a bit.

“I suppose. You are taking this surprisingly well, considering the fact that unlike me, you have a family outside of this world that cares for you,” Holly says.

“My mentality is simple: There is no use in becoming depressed, as we will never be able to get out of here if we are. It sucks, and likely will suck worse as time progresses, but we must never lose hope. Deuteronomy 31:6, ‘“Be strong, and of a good courage, feare not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doeth goe with thee, he will not faile thee, nor forsake thee.’” Raven replies.

“Fair point,” Holly concedes. “What is the plan for today, anyway?” She inquires.

“I would say training and questing. I doubt our Innkeeper mare will let us stay here much longer simply with the small bits we have collected, and we need to get accustomed to this combat system, and gain levels,” Raven explains.

“Agreed. Where would we go though? Due to the strict NDA’s they had out, the testers were not exactly allowed to speak of the quests and such, and there are probably none who we could ask for directions to quests or good areas for EXP,” She states.

“What gives you that idea?” Says the mare from last night, overhearing the conversation and heading over. “I happen to be a prior tester myself, such being another reason why I was able to set up shop so quickly,” She continues. “I am Moonlit Sonata, by the way, a former Cellist. Based upon the owner panel, I would make the presumption you two are Raven and Holly?” She introduces herself and asks, pointing both of them out accurately as she said their names.

“You are correct, Ms. Sonata. Are you willing to help us with what we were talking about?” Raven inquires.

“One better, actually. You are not the only partnership in this game, and my partner and I were thinking about starting a Guild, so that we could help other players with the knowledge we gained, and have more ponypower for both quests and the inevitable boss fighting. I wanted to know if perhaps you both would be interested,” She explains.

“What is the catch?” Holly asks.

“The only real catch is that we would all equally distribute our earnings and resources, so that we are all at our best should something happen, and obviously our experience would be shared during team excursions. Otherwise, there is none. Personally, I think that is a small price to pay for a team behind oneself,” Moonlit responds.

“Where is that partner of yours? I think it would be best for all of us to talk before such a decision is made,” Raven asks.

“Presently out and about doing a Kill Quest for EXP and quick bits, he should not be too awfully long. I will send him a message and tell him to meet here, so we can talk some more, and make the decision on whether or not we want to form it, as it requires at least three ponies,” Moonlit says.

“Very well. We shall await his arrival then,” Raven replies.

“Excellent,” Moonlit states with a smile, trotting away as she starts to message her friend.

“..bloody socialists,” Raven mutters.

“I agree with your sentiment, but unlike real life, it actually makes logical sense here. A universal currency, universal needs, no real point in holding mass quantities of money due to the infinite amount, and more than enough for everyone anyway,” Holly says.

“You are not wrong my dear..you are definitely not wrong,” Raven concedes. “She seems nice enough, I wonder how her friend is?” He continues in inquiry.

“Perhaps similar, I could not imagine a Cellist befriending someone too awfully different,” Holly states, hopefully.

“He is on his way,” Moonlit says to us. “Just be wary, he can be a bit..odd,” She continues, making Holly swiftly retract her prior statement.

“So these are the two pieces of fresh meat you happened to lure in,” The mysterious pony says, being slapped by Moonlit due to that comment.

“How rude! Apologize and introduce yourself properly, you drunkard,” Moonlit bites back.

“Okay, okay, calm yourself,” He says with an unconcerned chuckle. “My name is Dusk, my role in here is to help guide a guild of imbeciles to being decent enough not to die at the hands of our captor Torn Soul and his minions in this game. Are you in or out?” He continues, taking out some hard cider from his inventory.

“We had a few questions..” Raven begins, before a spear is put near his throat.

“No time for questions. This is war. You are either on our side, or you are thrown to the Timberwolves. All you need to know is this: You join us, you stay with us. Leave us, and we will find you. Stay with us, you have a chance at survival. We find you? Well,” He chuckles. “How about we not entertain the thought?” He finishes, drinking more of his cider.

“What the hell are you on?!” Holly exclaims, being the next victim of a close-proximity spear before Raven tackles him, Moonlit pulling them apart about as quickly.

“I am on the drug of wanting to survive in this death game. The only way to do that is to have a guild that will not split when times get rough. The only way to do that, is to ensure nobody would want to leave,” Dusk explains.

“Let me try to explain this a bit..nicer,” Moonlit hops into the conversation, still holding the two away from each other. “If you want to join, join with the intent to stay. We do not want ponies who will simply leave us behind after they get what they want. We have dealt with too many who have done so, to take much mercy upon them,” She tries to rephrase.

“Ultimately then, we join, we stay, we leave afterwards, we die?” Raven asks.

“If I can keep this drunkard from not sending the whole of Tartarus after you both, then you likely would not die by his hooves or whoever he knows, but good luck with the rest of the game,” She replies.

“I have a feeling we have little choice at this point anyway,” Holly laments, Dusk chuckling.

“Smart mare. We are not as big of pricks as you may observe, we are simply very into the virtue of Loyalty. Because we have told you about us, and invited you in, we expect a mirror effect here, with your subsequent joining of us,” Dusk says, drinking another large quantity of cider.

“In other words, I may have set a trap for you under orders from Dusk. I apologize,” Moonlit says, her ears drooping.

“Now now, you did quite well, good Moonlit. They seem very strong and capable, fine specimens for our purposes,” Dusk states.

“You are a prick, you know that?” Raven asks.

“Glad to be one,” Dusk retorts.

“Well,” Raven begins, before standing a bit more upright. “While you may see it differently, me and Holly both volunteer to join the Guild you seek to create, for mutual benefit. It is my hope that by us joining together, we may see the light at the end of this tunnel,” He continues, extending his hoof to the drunken stallion.

“You are wise, Raven. I am glad to have you,” Dusk says, with all sincerity that a drunkard could have after as much cider as he apparently consumes. “The same to you, Holly,” He continues, offering his hoof to her reluctant reciprocation.

“I shall create the guild and meet you three in the Waterfall Dungeon for our first guild mission in 10 minutes. Meeting adjourned,” Dusk says, before trotting out of the Inn. Moonlit turns to the two other remaining with the same look as before.

“Worry not, Moonlit. Even though you did trap us, this arrangement should work out for all of us, so I can hardly complain,” Raven assures her.

“You..are not mad?” She asks, hopeful.

“He may not be, but I am,” Holly retorts, storming out of the Inn.

“You will have to excuse Holly, she is..an odd soul, and these circumstances..you know,” Raven tries to word.

“It is fine..I do not really deserve as you have given me, but thank you,” Moonlit replies, a small smile appearing on her face.

“We should probably go after Holly, since I have no clue where we are going, and she does not either, and you probably do,” Raven states.

“Indeed. Let us go, then,” Lunar responds, both of them swiftly going after Holly, and heading to the dungeon in question, all trotting in relative silence as they all think the same general thought:

“What will happen now?”