Beginning of a New Tale

                                    

                                          
Joko sat down under a maple tree.  His bare feet bled and his head was swirling. 
                          
"Why is this place so darn hot!" Joko yelled, angry that he didn't think his item through.
                          
"It is the middle of Sun Blaze, which is kind of like summer," a voice responded.
                          
Joko's ears perked.
                          
"Is this another hunter?  Or is it a navigation fairy?  I couldn't hear them come up..." Joko thought.
                          
"Might I ask your name?" the voice said.
                          
"I'm Jo-, um... Fasnth, yeah, and I am a god," Joko responded.
                          
"Nice try 'Fasnth,' NPCs don't stumble.  Also, you must not be a major God, making you a mob," the voice responded.
                          
"You wouldn't believe the truth," Joko/Fasnth said, "Can you tell me where the nearest village is?  I need to get something to wear."
                          
"Armor run out of durability?"
                          
"Yeah, something like that."
                          
"The closest village is about thirty kilometers along this road, but only ten if you go through the Black Forest."
                          
"I will take the road... After a quick nap."
                          
(Pros to being part feline - great reflexes, hearing, agility, and strength.  Cons - urge to nap in the sun, can't resist boxes and yarn, and catnip can be used as a deadly drug.)
                          
Joko fell asleep.
                          
He woke to a slightly rocking motion.  He was in a cart.
                          
"Awake back there," it was the same voice from earlier, "I thought maybe you would want a ride.  Don't worry, I won't charge much, I am heading in that direction anyway."
                          
"I don't have any money," Joko replied, worried.
                          
"No problem.  If I buy you gear, you will help me hunt.  I get a profit and you can get started with your game."
                          
"This isn't a game for me," Fasnth said.
                          
"It's a job?  Wow, you must be poor."
                          
"No, this is reality.  After level ten, when I die, game over."
                          
"That is harsh, but come to think of it, the Snake Hoods did mention something about changing realities.  Anyway, we are here."
                          
The village was bustling.  It could almost be mistaken for a city at rush hour.  Shops lined the road, each NPC calling out their goods.  Fasnth folded his ears down to drain out some of the noise.
                          
"How do I even know how to control these," he thought as he picked up a bottle of something from the nearest stall using his tail.
                          
The only thing that seemed unrealistic is the hologram-like signs that each shop used.
                          
"Ok, let's see... we need armor, weapons, and... undergarments, maybe travel clothes," the cart driver said to himself.
                          
He turned down an alleyway and stopped at the third door on the left.  Fasnth felt tears well in his eyes.
                          
"Wait here," the driver said.
                          
Fasnth just laid down, nothing could happen in this sanctuary.  However, peace can't be kept in civilization.
                          
A man walked up to the cart and started to look at it's contents.  He raised his eyebrows as he saw Fasnth's red tail.
                          
"That is some high quality pelt," he said.
                          
He reached out and grabbed it.  Fasnth fluffed his tail and brought his ears back, flat against his head.  He sprang from underneath the blanket and started to claw at the man's face.  Red marks appeared and Fasnth felt a blood lust coming on.  His pupils constricted into that of a cat and fur grew on his body.  His canines grew to fangs and he bit the jugular of the thief.  The thief collapsed and Fasnth looted the body.  There was a bit of money, a small push dagger, a watch, and a leg of ham.  How he kept all of that without showing any form of backpack was a mystery.
                          
"What just happened?!" the driver screamed as he walked out of the shop.
                          
"I protected myself and your merchandise.  He was a thief," Fasnth replied, slowly turning back to normal.  He wiped the blood from his mouth and continued, "By the way, what is your name?"
                          
"I-i-i-it is John, John Rustman," John said, "and I am a merchant.  Here is your gear."
                          
He placed the items at Fasnth's feet.  Not bad in terms of quality, but the design could be improved.  It was a barbarian's set of armor.  Light and sturdy, but didn't leave much to the imagination.  However, it did suit Fasnth's red hair and animistic features.  The weapon was nothing to scream about.  For one hand, a claw, the other, a saber.  Finally, his travel clothes.  They were basically a faceless monk's dress*.
                          
"Thank you for your generosity," Fasnth said as he bowed, "Don't worry, I just learned that only certain people taste good and friends aren't one of them."
                          
"Ha, ha.  On the other hand, Japanese eh.  No one has ever bowed to me," John said.
                          
"No!  I just lived there,  in Jake's birth city.  That doesn't matter though.  Now I live in the game."
                          
"Just remember your promise.  Lets go hunting, this is the start of a beautiful relationship.  You get the goods, I sell, and you get the finder's fee."
                          
"Sounds like a deal.  Maybe one day, you can be part of my army."
                          
"Don't get full of yourself, Fasnth."
                          
"Let's make a guild.  That way, I can send you the items instead of meeting up every time."
                          
"Sure, but what should it be called?"
                          
"How about..."
                          
"I know!  Logout!"
                          
"No that is too easily made fun of.   That is supposed to be a secret too.  Got it!  Blood Cats."
                          
"Nice."
                          
From that day, the Blood Cats were formed.  This is the day that John and Joko, now Fasnth began their journey.
                          
*Author's note:  I forgot the official name... maybe the lost monks, but anyway, these monks wore blue kimonos, straw sandals, and a basket over their heads.  The last article of clothing made the costume great for infiltration.  It was comfortable enough for travel and cheap enough for most beginners.