You thought I'd leave you with just that? No, this is a two-for-one special! Enjoy the official first chapter of Elder Tale (an extremely original play on Elder Tales, the world in which the game is set). Remember, whether you like it or not, review, and it will just get better next time!

I do not own nor claim ownership of anything that is or is remotely related to Log Horizon and all associated franchises, besides an internet connection with which to view said franchises. Log Horizon is sole property of Mamare Touno and his merry band of associates.

Wander blinked awake and knew instantly where he was. At first.

Strange, flowering lizards clambered up mighty oaks, clinging to ages-old moss and long-defunct power lines. Here and there, a briar weasel dug in the wreckage of office parks, scavenging according to its own, inscrutable sensibilities. In the distant sky, some variant of lesser dragon wheeled in it's dance-like hunting patterns, spinning like a fantastical winged dolphin between sleepy mountains of cloud and the faint outlines of skyscrapers. Yeah, Wander was in the middle of the Apocalypse.

That's what his friends had said it was called, anyway. The moment when, instead of logging into the Novasphere Pioneers expansion to Elder Tales, every player worldwide had found themselves inside the very game they had all been trying to log into. Lovespotions and Ironsides, in Wander's party at the time, had tried to log out, contact a GM, and slap themselves awake before sending desperate messages to everyone on their friend list. They'd all said the same thing: No way out, no idea what was going on. In a panic, they'd dumped their stock of potions onto him and warped to the nearest city for answers. Wander, though, felt nothing but excitement. He'd been planning the expedition for weeks, and it was certainly a wondrous surprise to be able to experience his destination in person. Just over the next ridge, and he'd see-

"See... See what?"

Now Wander became concerned. What had been the expedition? Had he arrived at his destination? And, looking around more carefully... Where was he? The adventurer concentrated, trying to sort past his confusion and get a hold on things. His friends had departed to... Athens? Where the hell were they going that Athens was their city of choice? Europe... No, more Mediterranean. Somewhere like... "AH, SHIT!"

Pain shot through Wander's every neuron and crashed against the inside of his skull, knocking him backwards and paralyzing him utterly. It felt like his brain had first been put through a cheese grater, then left to warp in the sun-and now, some five year old was jamming the pieces back together again. Images blew across his vision like hurricane debris: A massive dragon, crashing through an ancient hill; Radiant spheres of fire and darkness; Endless staircases, and a door that glided silently open. The sword, shimmering, planted in the cold earth...

The pain stopped, as suddenly as it had arrived. Gasping, Wander steadied himself against a tree. "The hell was that all about?"

Apparently, he'd made it, wherever he was going, and there was treasure there. Some kind of magic sword? Grasping at whatever he could get, Wander pulled up the menu, watching expectantly as the panels materialized in his vision. He was about to select inventory, when he noticed a message flashing at the bottom of his sight.

"From Elder Tales? I hope it's not a ban or anything." Wander paused. "Can I even be banned anymore? Anyways, 'Recipient: Wander. Subject: The Arcana.' Arcana?" He blinked, then read on. "'Wander: On May 6th, 2018, you activated a Hidden Quest, 'Arcana.' Due to this, your previous character has been... Overwritten? Please allow up to three hours for profile restoration?!'" Wander, now in a cold sweat, blindly opened his Status page, and cried in shock.

"What is this!? 'Race, Alv. Subclass, none. Class, Arcanist.' What the hell is that supposed to mean!? 'Level...'"

Wander was level 1. 0 experience, level 1. Countless hours of questing, battling, wandering, all just... Gone. Reset. Level 1. He had to start all over, now. A whole new beginning, in a whole new, dangerous... Fascinating world.

The adventurer, lost, confused, angry, and-perhaps-just a little excited, began to wander towards the far-off city skyline.

Well, it looks like he's getting over things rather quickly. Don't worry, this won't be an amnesiac protagonist-I just wanted a chance to explain what's going on, because it's all pretty non-canon. I'm going to see if I can manage some action next chapter, so hang on to your chainmail! Or, something like that.

Forkive out.

P.S. As of March 2014, what you read will be a slightly edited version of this chapter. As both my series and the official series have progressed, I have developed a more defined vision of what this story can become, and needed to address some continuity issues retroactively. I know you'll all forgive me... right?