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This following short story (very short story) was made for a writing contest on a mud that I played. The mud is called A Temporal Rift. It is a roleplay encouraged mud that at one point took up all my entire life. For a period of a year or so I played constantly, increasing my power and status in the game becoming one of the most dominant players out there. I reached a point where I realized that I just had to call it quits and get back to reality, so I left the community. It hurt though because these people had become my family, that’s what is so drawing of the game. The people, environment, and the sense of escape. Besides that I just love text games and fantasy.

*side note: I did return to the community a few years later, most of the same people were there. I started my characters over and was even given back some of the equipment I had given to people or sold at auction when I left. I was also given lots of gold and quest points and people were pleased to have me back. However it just wasn’t the same and I could never catch up to the others in strength unless I spent months and months of playing, if even that. So I again left. To the disappointment of many and maybe myself. I drag on though, heres the story.*

A Tale of Three Gypsies

There I was resting casually in Neo-Midgaard. When all of a sudden there was the young one again! He arrived through a portal and was soon followed by others. They looked at me. They left. I paid them no mind. I continued to relax. I was not concerned with their actions or with their presence. The young colorful one returned. The little imp dared kick my shin! He left. He came back. He slapped me and ran! I could take no more of this from the impudent little weasel! I pursued him into the square. He was alone. I struck, fast and hard. The battle commenced, his blood started to flow profusely. Victory was soon to be mine! But alas, the others came and joined the fray. First one, then another, I was battling three assailants. I was forced to retreat to care for my wounds. I went to safety. The young one had the audacity to taunt me. He proceeded to make light and joke about my wise and tactical retreat. I am not so foolish as to pay much heed to the ramblings of a child. My anger did not get incensed. I told them that I would best any two of them with no problem, but that I cared not to battle three opponents alone.

At this time I was recuperating when a little red creature came to me. He introduced himself as Isaiah. He was a sorcerer. He offered his assistance in my fight against the Gypsies. I of course being without a large number of allies graciously accepted. The gypsies had said they will await me at the Market Square. This time it is I with the surprise. I and my new companion proceeded thusly to their location. The young one appeared again to be alone. I knew his companions would follow shortly as before. I struck. He bled. He bled some more. He bled some more. The sorcerer cast spells of great power at the young gypsy. My cloven hooves struck him across his chest, he was near defeat. Isaiah uttered some words and an intense bright, unbelievably hot light struck the gypsy. He gave one last shout and was no more. Even though the young one’s companion had joined with him, he was too late. He began to falter and fall to our strength as well, but being wiser then the fallen gypsy he quickly fled. It was a very wise choice on his part.

The sorcerer and I celebrated! We drank until our vision was groggy, our words broken, our walking stumbled. We cared not for any retribution, for they were the ones to attack me three on one to begin with, and the sorcerer joined me only as he said, “To keep balance.” The young gypsy haunted our celebration however, complaining that the fight was not fair. I ignored him. It was fair. He fell. He was weaker. He deserved what he got. His companions escaped perhaps he should bring that up with them, for not helping him more. When next I see his companions I will strike without hesitation. I remember their faces.

The sorcerer and I exchanged congratulations. We parted ways. I thanked him for his services and offered mine in return whenever needed. I have not been long in town, yet I have made some contacts and already had some adventures. I think I will stay for a while, as I expected.