Chapter 13: CHAPTER 13 RAVEN
Mark sighed, shaking his head as he picked up his VIRTUAL helmet. Celeste and Daniel were still at it, voices rising over some ridiculous argument about—what was it this time? Who got the best starting gear? Who had the best reflexes? Something equally dumb.
Ana was hyping them up, of course, throwing in exaggerated gasps and dramatic commentary. Liz sat on the couch, smirking as she sipped her soda, clearly enjoying the chaos.
Mark, on the other hand, was done waiting. The game was starting. He placed the VIRTUAL helmet on his head, the interface flickering to life.
"Y'all can keep fighting," he muttered, lying back. "I'm logging in."
And just like that, the world around him faded, replaced by the endless possibilities of Mortal Online.
As Mark disappeared into Mortal Online, the room fell silent for a moment. Then, Ana gasped dramatically.
"Oh no! He went in first! He's gonna steal all the good starter quests!"
Daniel's eyes widened. "Oh, hell no."
Without another word, he grabbed his VIRTUAL helmet and shoved it on. Celeste, not about to be left behind, followed immediately.
Liz stretched lazily. "Well, if they're all going in, I might as well." She placed her helmet on, the sarcasm in her voice not hiding her excitement.
Ana was the last, grinning as she slid her helmet on. "Here we go!"
One by one, their bodies went still as their minds dove into the game. The real world faded away—Mortal Online had begun.
Mark's Rebirth – The Angel's Question
Darkness. Cold, endless darkness.
Then—light. A searing, blinding radiance tore through the void, pulling Mark back into existence. He gasped, his body jolting as if waking from a long-forgotten dream.
When his vision cleared, he stood in the center of a vast celestial hall. Towering white walls stretched toward an endless golden sky, glowing with divine energy. Stained-glass windows cast colorful patterns across the marble floor, depicting legendary battles of warriors, assassins, and mages.
A flutter of wings echoed through the chamber. A being of light descended gracefully before him—an angel clad in silver armor, its massive wings folding behind its back. Piercing blue eyes studied him with an unreadable expression.
"Welcome, lost soul," the angel spoke, its voice both powerful and serene. "You have returned to this world. But before your journey begins, you must choose the path you will walk."
A glowing interface appeared before him:
---
[Select Your Class]
1. Assassin – The Shadow's Fang
"Strike first, strike last. The world belongs to those unseen."
High Agility and Dexterity
Stealth-based attacks
Deadly critical strikes
(Advanced Subclasses – Locked, Unlockable via Special Quests)
Phantom Dagger – Masters of dual-wielding, striking unseen.
Nightblade – Uses shadow magic to enhance speed and deception.
Soul Reaper – Assassin who steals life force with each kill.
---
2. Warlord – The Battlefield King
"To lead is to conquer. To conquer is to rule."
High Strength and Endurance
Heavy armor and two-handed weapons
Leadership abilities in battle
(Advanced Subclasses – Locked, Unlockable via Special Quests)
Berserker – Trades defense for unstoppable offense.
Champion – A defensive warrior who can command NPC troops.
Doombringer – Infuses attacks with dark energy for massive destruction.
---
3. Arcanist – The Scholar of the Unknown
"Magic is limitless. It is the wielder who defines its purpose."
High Intelligence and Mana
Masters multiple schools of magic
Complex spell-crafting system
(Advanced Subclasses – Locked, Unlockable via Special Quests)
Elementalist – Controls fire, ice, wind, and earth at will.
Chronomancer – Manipulates time, slowing enemies and speeding up allies.
Voidwalker – Draws power from forbidden magic, risking sanity for unmatched strength.
---
4. Trickster – The Master of Deception
"Why fight when you can trick your enemies into fighting for you?"
Illusions, mind control, and escape abilities
High Charisma and Luck
Specializes in confusing and controlling foes
(Advanced Subclasses – Locked, Unlockable via Special Quests)
Shadow Puppeteer – Manipulates enemies like marionettes.
Fate Gambler – Uses random chance-based attacks with massive payoffs.
Jester King – Turns battle into unpredictable chaos.
---
5. Shadow Stalker – The Silent Archer
"A single arrow in the dark ends wars before they begin."
Precision-based ranged attacks
High Dexterity and Perception
Silent movement and tracking skills
(Advanced Subclasses – Locked, Unlockable via Special Quests)
Ghost Sniper – Can fire arrows from impossible distances.
Venom Ranger – Uses poisoned arrows and traps to cripple foes.
Storm Archer – Calls down lightning with each shot.
---
Mark's eyes scanned the options. Each path promised power, but only one truly suited him.
He smirked. "I choose the Assassin."
The angel nodded, raising a hand. A cold energy surged through Mark's body—his muscles became lighter, his senses sharper. A pair of daggers materialized at his sides, perfectly balanced for speed and lethality.
[You have chosen the Assassin class. Speed, stealth, and deadly precision are your greatest weapons.]
The angel's gaze deepened. "The path you walk is dangerous, but greater power awaits those who seek it. Your true potential is yet to be discovered."
A list of [Advanced Subclasses – Locked] briefly flashed before his eyes before vanishing.
Mark exhaled, excitement building in his chest. He wasn't just here to play—he was here to uncover every secret this world had to offer.
With a deep breath, he stepped forward as the grand golden doors of the castle creaked open, revealing the vast unknown beyond.
His second life had begun.
Mark's Rebirth – The Name and the Face of an Assassin
The golden doors remained shut as the angel extended a glowing hand toward Mark. A new interface materialized before him, shimmering with ethereal light.
[Character Customization]
"The world must know you by name and form," the angel said, its voice steady. "Decide what face you will show, and the name by which you will be remembered."
Mark exhaled. He had expected this. No MMO let you jump in without designing your character first.
[Appearance Customization]
A 3D projection of his character floated before him—currently a blank, generic human model. He flicked through the customization settings, smirking at the ridiculous options.
Hair: Long, short, spiky, shaved… Nah, let's keep it simple. He selected messy black hair, slightly unkempt but sharp enough to match an assassin.
Eyes: A variety of colors—normal, glowing, slitted pupils… Tempting. He settled on deep crimson—intense and striking.
Skin: A natural tone, slightly tanned. He didn't want to stand out too much in the shadows.
Physique: Slim but toned. An assassin wasn't meant to be bulky. Agility over brute force.
Satisfied, he nodded.
The angel's voice cut through the silence. "Now, choose the name that shall mark your legend."
A new prompt appeared:
[Enter Character Name]
Mark paused. His real name wasn't an option—too boring. He needed something sharp, something with weight. Something that fit an assassin reborn into a world of gods and monsters.
His fingers hovered over the glowing keyboard before he typed:
RAVEN
The system chimed in acknowledgment.
[Name Accepted: Raven]
The angel nodded. "Raven, the path of the Assassin is yours to walk. May your name be whispered in fear and respect."
The grand golden doors creaked open, revealing a vast world beyond—a sprawling kingdom of towering cities, endless forests, and distant mountains shrouded in mist.
Mark—no, Raven—grinned.
His legend was about to begin.
Mark's Rebirth – A World of Kingdoms and Empires
The angel did not move aside. Instead, it raised a hand, and before Raven, a massive glowing globe appeared, slowly rotating in the air. The continents shimmered, marked with different empires and kingdoms, each pulsating with distinct auras.
"This world is vast," the angel spoke. "It is shaped by war, alliances, and ambition. You must choose your home wisely."
The globe zoomed in, breaking into territories.
---
[Select Your Kingdom]
1. Solaris Empire – The Land of Divine Order
"Where the sun never sets, and the righteous rule."
A vast empire ruled by an immortal emperor, blessed by the gods.
Home to noble knights, disciplined warriors, and holy mages.
Cities of marble and gold, but strict laws govern all.
Major Cities:
Imperius – The imperial capital, home to the Emperor's court.
Dawnspire – A city of scholars and paladins.
Valkenhold – A fortified stronghold on the empire's northern border.
---
2. Drakos Dominion – The Land of Fire and Blood
"Only the strong deserve to rule."
A brutal warrior kingdom where might is law.
Ruled by warring clans, each vying for supremacy.
Home to dragon-worshippers and berserkers.
Major Cities:
Drakgor Keep – The throne of the Dragon King.
Skullhaven – A fortress where mercenaries and gladiators train.
Emberfall – A city built atop a dormant volcano.
---
3. Eldoria – The Land of Ancient Magic
"The arcane is limitless, and so is our knowledge."
A kingdom of mages, scholars, and hidden secrets.
Floating cities, arcane towers, and libraries of forbidden knowledge.
Dangerous magical beasts roam the land.
Major Cities:
Azrathal – The city of archmages, home to the Grand Academy.
Moonveil – A mysterious city shrouded in eternal twilight.
Runeshire – A town where magical artifacts are crafted and sold.
---
4. Darkwind Kingdom – The Realm of Shadows
"Gold, secrets, and death are the true rulers here."
A land of assassins, thieves, and mercenaries.
No central ruler—power shifts constantly.
Dark alleys, underground markets, and hidden guilds.
Major Cities:
Nightshade Keep – Headquarters of the Black Hand assassins.
Shadowmere – A mist-covered port city where smugglers thrive.
Blue Whale City – The largest trade hub, where anything can be bought or stolen.
---
5. Free Cities of Valmere – The Land of Anarchy
"Laws are chains. Here, we are free."
A collection of independent city-states, constantly in conflict.
No kings, no rulers—only power and gold matter.
Ideal for mercenaries, traders, and bounty hunters.
Major Cities:
Blackreach – A pirate haven, home to the infamous Corsair King.
Ironwall – A fortress city controlled by warring mercenary factions.
Gilded Bay – A thriving trade city ruled by the wealthiest merchant families.
---
Raven smirked. He already knew where he belonged.
"Darkwind Kingdom."
The globe shimmered, zooming in on the shadowed lands of Darkwind.
The angel's voice remained neutral. "Darkwind is a land of shifting alliances and silent daggers. Few survive without wit and cunning."
Another selection screen appeared:
[Select Your City]
1. Nightshade Keep – A fortress hidden in the mountains, home to the world's deadliest assassins.
2. Shadowmere – A city of fog and whispers, where deals are made in the dark.
3. Blue Whale City – A massive trade hub, ruled by crime lords and mercenary factions.
4. Ashen Hollow – A ruined city, now home to exiles and outcasts.
Raven's eyes narrowed. Blue Whale City. A place where information flowed like water, and survival depended on wit and skill.
He selected Blue Whale City.
The angel's wings spread slightly. "Then your fate is sealed."
The globe vanished, and a pulse of energy surged through Raven's body. Before he could react—
Everything went black.
Then—
The scent of salt, smoke, and unwashed bodies hit him first. A chaotic chorus of shouting, laughter, and the clinking of gold filled the air.
When Raven opened his eyes, he stood in the heart of Blue Whale City—a sprawling, lawless metropolis where fortunes were made, and lives were lost with the flick of a blade.
His second life had officially begun.