His feet slapped the pavement as he raced down the street, void of any other figures or cars on this cool autumn evening. His dark eyes squinted as the sun sank below the horizon, casting a final glare into his sight as he ran. A bag full of books bounced against his back, remnants from school that day, reminding the boy that even after he got home he would still have to finish his homework before passing out for the night; unless of course he could put it off until the morning, again.

Collin fought for breath as he ran up the last hill before reaching his house, passing several kids playing on the sidewalk. Their shouts of encouragement rang through his ears as they sought to conquer the trials of jump rope, seeking for that final 'double dutch', or whatever it was they called it these days. He heard his name yelled and turned briefly, watching as two of the three little girls waved, his only response a smile. There wasn't time to stop and talk, not today.

He veered to the left of the street as the hill was crested. His mom heard him running and turned from a small flowerbed near their front porch, one hand coming up to her brow to shield her eyes from the sun. She smiled as her son reached the fence, then without opening it simply leapt into the air, one hand touching the fence, propelling his body over it. He landed, still running, and made for the front door.

"Hey speedy, where's the fire?" His mom caught him by the arm as he sought to run past without speaking, his chest heaving. Collin tried to pull himself free, but his mother held fast to his blue shirtsleeve. With an exasperated sigh he turned to face her, his free hand reaching up to brush strands of black hair from his eyes.

"Mom, you know what tonight is! I told you about it this morning! They open the new server tonight, and I have to be there!" He could imagine what he sounded like, a 16-year-old boy, almost a young man, talking to his mom about a new server on a computer game. But it wasn't just a computer game, it was Hybrid World. The best MMORPG ever created. Tonight a whole new world would be opening up to the public, and he had to be there! So wrapped up was he in his thoughts that he missed the subtle frown his mom let slip.

"Hon, I don't know about this game… I think you may be spending too much time in it. How about we go see that new movie tonight instead? It'll be fun, just me and you kiddo." She smiled brightly, letting go of her son's shirt and clasping her hands in front of her. Colin stared at his mom as if she were bereft of her senses. Sure, he enjoyed going places with his mom, even though her looks always caused men to stare at them, or her for that matter. Even though she was his mom, she still looked only to be in her 20s, and very much kept her girlish figure, so to speak. Honey blonde hair, bright blue eyes, she was any man's dream. That fact annoyed him to no end.

"Mom, no offense, but the last time we went out I almost got into a fight because of some guy hitting on you." He shook his head as she started to protest. "Sorry mother dear, maybe another night, but not tonight! I've been planning this for weeks!"

She sighed and nodded, the only encouragement he needed to bolt for the door. The young woman turned and watched as he disappeared into the house, slamming the door on accident.

"Just be careful…"

Collin didn't hear his mother's words as he walked through the house, straight to the kitchen. He set his book bag on the table and quickly moved to the fridge, rummaging in it until he found the apple he sought. One bite brought juices into his mouth and satisfied his immediate hunger. It would do until tonight when he logged off. As he took another bite from the fruit and started down the hall the phone rang. Instead of turning around and running back to the kitchen he ran to his room, shutting the door behind him, and grabbed his black cordless.

"Hello?"

"Collin! Hey man. I tried to wait for you after school, but Mrs. Johnson said you'd hit the library." His friend's voice was relaxd, and he could tell that he'd already had a nap in the time that Collin had been studying at school.

"Yea, sorry about that, but we have that chem. test first period and I knew I wouldn't study for it tonight." He said as he sat on the edge of his bed, kicking his shoes off in the general direction of his closet. Next came his jacket, it too being thrown across the room to land in a heap near his closet door. Immediately he got up and walked around his bed to his large computer desk, easing into his chair as John rambled on about something that'd happened in class the last period. His free hand touched the mouse, bringing his computer back up from its sleeping state, the hard drive wurring to life.

"But yea," John was saying, "I told her maybe tomorrow night. I mean, tonight is the night man. She wouldn't understand of course, so I didn't mention why I couldn't go out. Megan is pretty and all…but… this is the night man!"

Collin blinked. "John, you mean to tell me that you passed over the girl that you've wanted to go out with since kindergarten to play Hybrid tonight?"

"Yep, why?"

Collin shook his head, eyes rolling upwards at the thought of it all. He sighed. "Nothin' man… just, this could have waited...it'll still be here tomorrow! What if she changes her mind? Maybe you should call her or something?"

John laughed. "No way am I letting you have all the fun yourself. I'm ready to log on whenever you are. This is going to be awesome!"

He could hear the excitement in his friend's voice and could picture him sitting there in his chair, probably almost bouncing up and down. Unlike Collin's 5ft 11 inches and slim frame, John was about 5ft 8", and stocky. Where Collin's hair was black his friend's was red. But he was his best friend, and they both shared this same passion.

"Alright man, let's do it. See you inside?"

"You know it!" John said, the phone clicking not a second later. Collin laughed silently and threw the phone to his bed. His hands reached for the Gauntlet, a device that actually fit onto his head and over his eyes, instead of on his hand as the name suggested. It was shaped as a biking helmet with a visor that slid down over his eyes, showing him a new world in digitized format. He could feel small pins pressing into the base of his neck, feeding his mind the virtual reality that would transform his body. A voice spoke into his thoughts.

"Login:"

"Jace."

"Password:"

"Gemini"

"Accepted. Hybrid entry enabled."

Suddenly his world exploded and he was no long a part of the real world, but was something else, somewhere else. It was a rush of bliss, that first glimpse into unreality that always accompanied his entry. Lights flared about his closed eyes as the realm in which he would awaken was created.

He opened his eyes, finding himself as usual in a white room, no walls to speak of, no floor or ceiling, simply white space. In his mind he spoke the command.

Jace initiate.

His character profile opened up into the blank space and the transformation began. He looked down and saw that he wore the same clothes as he did in his room at home, the simple black cargo pants and black and white shirt, but then began the change. His hair retained its natural color, but grew to shoulder length. His body thickened, heightening and sprouting muscle tone at the same instance. A digital aura surrounded his changing body, black armor replacing his pants, then his shirt, his hands and feet growing slightly in size to accommodate his new stature. A breastplate materialized on his person, the emblem of a dragon decorating its glowing surface. He ears became slightly upswept, akin to an elf, but different. Dark green eyes became brighter, glaring with an inner light that could only come from the game.

Suddenly the white space began to change, taking shape, form, becoming something else even as Jace took life. In mere moments he no longer stood in emptiness, but now stood in the middle of a room. His room. In the Inn of Jasper. It was the same place he began almost each quest, his save point. A bed sat to his left, a single cot that was never used. Directly in front of him was an armoire that he knew contained one changing of clothes, and his special items. A stride took him to its doors, which opened with ease as his hands touched them, sliding on hidden hinges.

Inside was the clothing, a simple black tunic, black pants, and of course black boots. He dressed to fit the part. He spoke a single word and the spell of illusion was dispelled, something put in place to keep would be thieves away. Beside the clothes now rested other, more important items.

Gemini.

A shimmer spread over the surface of the black-bladed sword hanging on the wall of the dresser, larger than a long sword, yet smaller than a broadsword or claymore. He reached out and grasped the hilt, a fine piece of craftsmanship created from onyx stone and encrusted with black diamonds. The crosspiece was unlike any Jace had ever come across as of yet. Instead of a simple cross, it branched out in all four directions. There was of course a purpose for this, as there was a purpose for everything. In this form the sword was deadly to say the least, the powers of the Dark Dragon Lords bestowed upon its blade, after Jace defeated their Master, Dakus. It was one of his proudest moments in the game; beheading the mighty black dragon and having its blood stain his blade, giving it more power than he could have imagined.

He pulled it from the wall and stepped back, swinging the perfectly balanced blade once, then raising it and releasing it. Magical properties brought the sword to rest against his back, locking into clasps there designed for the blade. The large hilt rose above his shoulder, glowing faintly in the dim candlelit room.

Beneath where the sword had rested was a shelf, upon which sat several other items. Jace reached out and took several pouches from it, latching them to the right side of his armor, within easy reach. Another pouch, one that jingled, obviously filled with coins, was stuck inside his breastplate, secured with magic. Next came two small axs that were fixed to his left side. Each was deadly in its own right, and had the powers to return to their places at his side once unleashed. Finally he lifted a heavy curved dagger. To some the dagger was the most dangerous of his arsenal, for its powers were to absorb any energy it came into contact with, and then transfers them to either the user, or unleashing them from its own blade. It was fit into a slot in his back, safe from contact with his own skin.

Jace stepped back from the armoire and turned, the doors sliding closed as his presence fled. He strode across the room, and then stopped by the door that would leave this area. On a pedestal before him sat his helm, a thing of nightmares that would complete his character and let all who came before him know who and what he was. Wings replaced his ears, ending in razor sharp spikes, his eyes were scales that let the light of his vision shine through. At the crest of his head were ridges that rode backwards, forming a spin of jagged bone to the base of his neck. Another set of wings swept down, forming his mouthpiece and then moving down still to protect his neck. A smile flittered across his lips as he reached down and pulled it from its place, then raised it into the air, slowly letting the helm fit itself onto his head. He was then complete.

He was Jace, Dark Knight of Anyss, Order of Dragon.

●◦●◦●

He moved down the stairs of the inn with ease, moving lightly in his armor. The din of the common room below reached his ears well before he descended the final step, and then pushed through the heavy doors that led to the room. Inside there were any number of races, eating, drinking, flirting, and trading. Elves mingled with humans, humans with dwarfs, and so on, it was supposed to be a place of truce and neutrality.

"Ho Master Jace!"

He stopped and turned slightly to his left where an overweight man in a too-tight vest waved, then started making his way over to where he stood. Mik, the owner of the Inn, was an NPC. A non-playing character, but one who was played well by whichever program ran it. He was devoid of any and all hair save a handlebar mustache, and his only obvious weapon was a cudgel hanging from his side, useful if his patrons got out of order. By the time he'd waded through his customers and reached Jace's side he had to remove a handkerchief from his waste band and mop his sweating head.

The Dark Knight bowed his head slightly to acknowledge the man. "Mik."

"So good to seeeee you again, Master! It has been soooo long!" It had only been a day. "Such patrons as you are sorely missed when they are absent from these unworthy walls!" He started to ramble on, but an uplifted hand silenced any other comment that was forthcoming.

"I don't want any today, Mik." The innkeeper's expression was crestfallen, but visibly changed as Jace reached into his armor and extracted a single silver piece, handing it to the man. "For the room and your troubles. And the repair to the table."

Mik looked bewildered for a moment, not having been aware of any damage to a table. "Table, Master?"

Just then Jace turned, his left hand sweeping upwards from his side, an ax within his clutches. He brought his hand up and across his chest, then with uncommon speed released it. The weapon seared the air, end over end until its path ended with a solid 'chunk'.

A dwarf, so engrossed in his mug of ale, failed to notice anything of the happenings around him, and almost lost his seat as a small ax embedded itself into the backside of his uplifted mug. As the jug was lowered all could see the dwarf's face, a mask of rage, painted with cool ale. He sputtered a moment, and then slammed the offending thing down, cracking the table. The small man leapt to his feet, chair crashing backwards and into a serving woman.

"Ah, that table…" Mik said, cautiously moving away from the storm that was about to rage. He knew his cudgel would do no good against these. Jace only smiled behind the twisted black helm.

"Why the bloody…are ye daft!" Willow raged, reaching around to one of the long handles protruding from his back. His hand closed on it, a faint click sounding as the clasp securing the weapon was released and he brought it to bear. In his hand Willow gripped a large double bladed ax, the surface etched with runes, giving it power beyond that of normality.

Jace began walking toward the infuriated dwarven warrior slowly, ignoring his shouts of insult. He knew sometimes his friend got a little too much into character. Without thought Willow jumped up onto the table, further cracking the structure of it.

"Willow, I wouldn't…" Jace started, but was cut off by the short warrior who would hear none of it.

"I'm gonna lop of yer head, bring you down to my size so I can shove me foot up yer bum is what I would-" A loud crack sounded through the common room as the table collapsed under the weight of the heavy man. He fell through the splintered furniture, landing hard on his backside, a slightly dazed look in his eyes as his horned helm fell forward. One hand reached up and scratched at his beard, as red as the flush staining his cheeks.

Without a word Jace bent down and gripped the back of Willow's armor, still walking, now dragging the short man along with him. The dwarf raged all the louder, kicking his legs hard against the floor, throwing threats at the taller man's back with no effect. They exited the inn to the sound of laughter, and the sound of a very angry Willow Stormhammer.

"Alright, let's go. We have to make the server safe point soon or it will be swamped." Jace said as he released Willow, already walking away toward the portal that would allow them to exit the town. The still angry dwarf jumped to his feet, and then swung his ax up and over the back of his head, letting it latch magically into place.

"Now wait a minute, ya can't just be pluckin' me up and draggin' me about, then jus' saying let's go!" His legs pumped hard and fast as he caught up with the Knight, whose longer legs quickly outdistanced the dwarf.

"Do you really have to talk like that?"

"It's me character lad. Besides, it's fun. You should scowl sometimes or something man, gives some reality to the mask." Willow said, or John. Jace only shook his head, laughing silently to himself. "Took ye long enough, wuddya hafta do, clean yer room or summat?"

Jace looked down at his friend, his eyebrows rising behind the black helm. He had only been off the phone thirty seconds when he'd logged into the server. "What are you talking about? I logged on less than a minute after we got off the phone."

"Bah, whatever lad. Tis no shame to be doin wut yer mommie asks of ye."

The Dark Knight just shook his head and kept walking, noting that other warriors were quickly approaching the Safe Point, the place where the portal lies that will take you to another level. So far there had only been 12 levels in the game, but tonight level 13 would be unlocked, and the new world opened to all. New powers, new weapons… But first they had to defeat the boss at the end of level 12, a newly created monster that was the key to opening the new world.

"Hey John-"

"Willow."

"But-"

"It's Willow, Jace."

Collin, or Jace, sighed. "Ok, Willow, what do you think the level 12 boss is going to be like this time? I know we've beaten him like…ten times, but this time he'll be different."

Willow shrugged his armor-laden shoulders, spikes rising from each shoulder plate. "I'm not knowin lad, but we've done it afore, we'll be doin it again." He reached up with one hand and patted the handle of an ax jutting out over his head. "Me an Serpent Slayer'll see to it lad, doncha be worryin'."

"I wasn't worrying… just curious." Jace mumbled, his eyes narrowing behind his helm as they reached the portal. A single man stood beside it, another NPC, this one dressed in a long brown robe with a cord tied around his waist and a hood covering his head. Only a pair of gold colored eyes could be seen from the darkness of his face.

"Which level?" The Gate Keeper asked, his voice a soft whisper. In his right hand he grasped a staff of ordinary wood, the end of which was burnt and curled in on itself, but even so, Jace could feel power radiating from it, and him.

"Twelve," He said, reaching behind him to lay a reassuring hand upon Gemini. The blade of the sword was warm and thrumming beneath his touch, eager for battle. Through it Jace felt his own excitement building, turning the previous nervousness into a focused line of determination.

The Gate Keeper nodded, and somehow they could feel the creature smiling beneath the cowl. "Twelve it is… May the Gods go with you."

His staff flared to life, and then where nothing once was, a door was created. Within its confines swirled colors and pigments beyond definition, a portal to another dimension within the game. Beside him Willow gripped the handle of an ax, no doubt remembering a time when the portal they went through landed them in a circle of trolls that were having a discussion on what to eat for supper.

Jace relaxd and let the magic of his Order flow through his veins, calling upon the dark enchantment of this realm to come to his call, to be at his will. The Gate Keeper nodded again and they stepped forward, first the Dark Knight, then the dwarf. For a brief moment it seemed as though time itself ceased and that all that existed was pain, their bodies being torn apart and put back together, the penalty for using a portal. Lights exploded in their minds, their bodies screamed in agony.

Then it was over, the pain a dimming memory, the feeling of their bodies being ripped to shreds but a pleasant dream, for such was the way of the portal. It broke their digital selves into the smallest fragments of data and transported them elsewhere, and when it was over, the trip was forgotten almost immediately and they were fine, never dreading the next trip through a portal.

Jace opened his eyes and peered around. It seemed relatively safe, at the moment, though the area was eerily quiet. A sound of huffing and grumbling drew his gaze down at his feet where he saw willow, on his back, struggling somewhat to get back upright. He stifled a laugh and bent down, lending his friend a hand, which the dwarf grudgingly grabbed, and then hauled him up to his booted feet.

"These portals, never know where you'll land… or how." He said, unable to keep a slight hitch from his voice that let on to his laughter inside. Willow though didn't say a word about it, instead he took time to look around and take stock in their surroundings.

"Looks like we're at deadmire forest lad… and tis almost night. To me thinking, there should be a cave up ahead. We better be makin for it, fore sommat finds us."

He nodded. "I agree. I'll lead the way." Willow didn't say anything else, just stepped aside and let the knight walk past him, then fell into line. He knew that in the failing light Jace's eyesight was much better than his, having the vision more keen than an elf's. "Watch my back."

Willow harrumphed. "As if ye need to ask, lad." One hand stayed on his ax handle, his eyes constantly roving over the trees, his steps making it seem as though a herd of deer were stampeding.

The knight cringed slightly at the sound, but ignored it and kept moving. It was nigh impossible for a dwarf to walk quietly, even in a game, and to expect them to do so was nothing but foolishness. Besides, it always kept them on their toes and forever led to excitement. They hadn't gone but a hundred yards when the first excitement of the night began. At first it had only been a shadow, but then the shadow before them came to life.

Jace stopped, feeling Willow bump into him and then mutter a curse before backing up and stepping around, trying to get a glimpse of what caused their halt. His eyes narrowed slightly as the shadow took form. The dwarf stepped from behind his friend and came to stand at his side, his hand on the ax. "A bloody magic user… here of all places." The dwarf mumbled, loosening Serpent Slayer against his back, preparing to pull it around at the first sign of attack.

"Yes, dwarf, a 'bloody magic user'." His mocking voice spoke out from the inside of a black hood, which flowed into the black robes of his clerical order. Before him he held a black staff seemingly created of a single iron rod, a blood-red crystal perching atop it, clutched in a withered hand. "A dwarf and a Dragon Knight, almost a Dragon Lord I sense. What a strange combination." He laughed, the sound mocking and scornful. "Well, I have no use for a dwarf, but you, Knight, come along, I need an escort."

Jace's eyes widened, though none but him knew it, and his mouth almost dropped in astonishment. The guy couldn't be serious. Yet the sound of his voice told the knight that he was. Before he could speak though, Willow, now enraged beyond any rational point, reacted.

His ax seemed to leap into his hands, the large double-bladed weapon gleaming in the dark light. A pale blue shone upon its edges, the runes etched into its surface shimmering and dancing, almost as if alive. He began to run, his short legs pumping hard and furious, bringing him loudly into the path of the mage, a roar to an unknown god ripped from his spittle dripping lips.

Jace watched the mage's fingers of his left hand moving slightly and recognized the incantation for a high-level magic shield, one that should be able to deflect any physical attack. No doubt the man wanted to laugh as Willow struck at him, only to be knocked a hundred feet backwards. The mage greatly underestimated the dwarf though. Serpent Slayer was aptly named, for it was used to slay great dragons, and the only weapons capable of doing that had to be able to cut through magically strengthened skin. Thus, the ax of the dwarf was imbued with the power to 'eat' magic. Which meant that the mage's shield was laughable.

The mage's eyes were on the knight; most likely expecting him to come to the aid of his friend whom he thought was about to be dealt with. Instead of seeing Jace leaping into action, he only saw him calmly standing there, not even bothering to draw his sword. It was perhaps at this point that the mage realized the glow that surrounded the ax, his eyes widening as realization came to him, but too late.

This, Jace thought, is why it's never good to be a word mage.

Before the man could utter a spell Willow attacked. The small dwarf leapt into the air, roaring and staring right into the mage's eyes. He brought the ax down, blade flat. It paused for a moment as it hit the magical barrier, and the man's eyes almost lit with glee, but it was short-lived as the shield was shattered in a spray of blue magical residue. A keening sound pierced the quiet of the forest after the roar of the dwarf, the sound of magic breaking. The ax crashed down, smashing into the upturned face of the surprised magician, blood and bone spurting from the hood as the material fell back. The man fell to the ground under the weight of the enraged dwarf's attack, crumpling him as Willow bore down.

Willow landed on the ground before the man, his ax resting on the mage's head. His color faded as his HP fell away, a moan escaping the mass of blood and pain. Jace walked up and laid a hand upon his friend's shoulder, the dwarf huffing with exertion, his pulse racing. Experience poured into him and he felt himself becoming stronger, his victory obvious. Through his heavy breathing he spoke, a grin blossoming on his rugged face.

"Aye ye bloody mage, try castin a bloody spell wit yer bloody mouth busted." He pulled his ax away, the glimmering blueness becoming pale as the magic in the air completely disseminated to nothing. The blood dripped from the shaft of his weapon and fell to the ground, sinking into the soil and fertilizing the ground. He slung the ax around, barely missing Jace, and latched it onto his back. His hands on his hips, he kicked the man and stomped off in the direction they had originally been headed.

So this is the madness that power drives some to… thinking that they are above everyone else and can control those lesser than them at a whim… The young knight thought as he passed the mage, his green eyes regarding the man in silence. He pitied the guy, in a way. Someone that had to bully others just to find companions must live a sad life, for usually what one did in the game somehow reflected how they were in life. Jace was an exception though, for though his character design was basically evil, he couldn't quite pull it off, though he tried. Being evil didn't mean you turned into a PK though, a player-killer. He looked back over his shoulder at the still form of the mage one last time, his eyes full of pity for the person behind the character.

"C'mon lad, we avn't got all bloody day." Willow said from up ahead, as he noticed his comrade not yet following. "Besides, you don't want the server to get full, do you?" He finished, switching to his normal form of speech for a moment.

Jace smiled slightly and trotted to catch up with his friend, again taking the lead.

"Fear not, friend dwarf, I will get us there in time."

Behind him he heard the short man harrumph again.

"Ye better, for me ax is singin to me the sounds of blood. Wouldna want to hafta spill yers to satisfy em." He could hear willow patting the long handle of his ax as he spoke, which caused him to walk just a bit faster. He wouldn't put it past the man to actually try and make good on his light threat, if they missed getting into the server.