NPCs
1327 Words
The people of the Cayuga tribe welcomed back their women and laid their chief to rest inside the Cave of the Ancestors. His body was buried by his 2 sons: Kawasha and Oran. The tribesmen held a solemn funeral for their leader under the guidance of the last surviving elder. Every Cayuga man and woman offered their prayers for the old chief and then the mantle was passed to Kawasha.
After becoming the new chief of the Cayuga tribe, Kawasha’s first job was to extend his gratitude to Aaron and Zach. Only because of them had they been able to destroy the Dark Orcs and free their women. Kawasha formally welcomed them to their humble settlement and even ordered his finest gatherers to build them a shack according to their liking. What seemed really strange to Aaron was that Kawasha didn’t question how Zach had suddenly come alive again. He wondered if this was a part of his program. Perhaps the NPCs didn’t have complete self-awareness and acted according to a preset code. It was the same in every survival game—no matter how many times the player re-spawned, the NPCs continued as if everything was normal. Though the NPCs in this settlement possessed some degree of morality and exhibited realistic emotions, they were far from being actual humans.
Aaron still felt unsure about his own feelings about all these people. He pitied them for being thrust into such a dangerous world. Even though they were NPCs, they all had their own lives and individual traits. Many things which were quite normal in most games, now suddenly gave rise to several moral implications. Aaron’s every choice would have an effect on the lives of those around him.
While their shack was being prepared, Aaron and Zach were requested to stay at the chief’s home. Nashoba’s wife had passed away many years ago and only his two sons lived there now. It wasn’t the most luxurious place, but it was certainly spacious. Aaron left Zach inside the shack and walked outside with Kawasha. Left all alone, Zach focused on running the special program to activate the anti-cheat.
Kawasha walked beside Aaron, wearing the mantle of chief upon his head. A heavy burden rested on his shoulders, but he was just a teenager. In this time of need, he sought guidance from his ancestors and looked upon Aaron for counsel. Though Aaron was not a member of their tribe, he had shown him what it meant to be a true warrior. Unlike Zach, he was level-headed and always put others before him.
As the two took a walk around the settlement, Kawasha finally mustered the courage to ask Aaron more about his life.
Aaron knew if he told Kawasha about his world, it would only make him more confused. So, he chose the easier option and explained that he was a human gifted with special powers by some mysterious entity.
Instead of quenching Kawasha’s curiosity, this reply sparked even more questions in his mind. “How can a man obtain such power? Can we too wield the power of the elements?” Looking at Aaron’s muddled expression, the young chief realised he might have said too much and quickly rectified himself. “I did not mean to offend you. This power must have been passed on to you by your ancestors.”
“Aaron stopped in his tracks and answered, “I am sorry, Kawasha, but your people can never obtain this power. No matter how much you pray or how hard you train. This is not what you were created for.”
Kawasha seemed a bit dejected by his answer, but he consoled himself with the wise words of his elders. “Every ant, every fly and every blade of grass has a role to play, just like a mammoth, a tiger and a rose in full bloom. No matter how large or small, every creature has a purpose to serve.”
Aaron was surprised to hear this from a teenager. This boy was barely older than him, but he had a wealth of worldly knowledge. He attributed this to his upbringing in a tribe constantly trying to fight for survival. At that moment, he didn’t look like a mere NPC, but almost like a real person. Aaron took out the level 10 egg from his inventory and gave it to him. “I want you to keep this. I think you need it more than we do.”
“What is this?” Kawasha asked, amazed by the large blue egg which shone brilliantly in the moonlight.
“This is an elemental egg which will hatch into a powerful elemental being. Once it is hatched, it will treat you as its master.”
“I...I cannot take this gift. This is far too precious.”
“You and your people have done enough for us. It’s just my way of showing gratitude.”
Kawasha put the egg in his satchel and secured it with a top knot. He then turned to Aaron and asked, “Does this mean you will be leaving us?”
“You are all very kind and hospitable. I really wish I could stay, but I have my own battles to fight. Our journey will take us far beyond this island. But, maybe I’ll come back and visit you guys someday.”
“Thank you for protecting my people. We will remain grateful to you forever.”
Deep down Aaron felt like he hadn’t really done anything for them. If Gilbert hadn’t given them this quest, he would never have attacked the Dark Orcs just to free some random NPCs. He felt like he had used them to fight his battle and that terrible thought kept gnawing at his heart, till he could no longer contain it within himself.
“I’m sorry about your father. I should never have gotten him involved in this,” Aaron said, lowering his eyes. “It’s alright if you want us to throw us out. We have only caused you misery.”
“I would never dream of turning my back on you!” Kawasha exclaimed. He pointed to the shacks all around them and continued in a subdued tone. “Those women are finally home now because of you. We were too weak to protect our own, but you saved them. Back at the camp, you had the chance to abandon them, but you told us to rescue our people first. My father died like a true warrior, fighting for those he cared about. I do not weep for my loss; I only pray that one day I might find a place beside him.”
Hearing Kawasha’s words made Aaron even more unsure about everything. He couldn’t think of him as a mere NPC. All these people in the settlement went on with their daily lives without ever doubting their purpose. They may have been programmed to act in certain ways, but they were no longer limited by their coding. These people weren’t disposable characters, just placed there to fill up the open world. Aaron had only spent a few days in the Cayuga settlement, but he had already developed an attachment to them.
“This island isn’t a very safe place. You need to learn how to defend your people,” Aaron spoke at last. “Train your fighters and build up your walls. Always remember, nature has a tendency to eliminate those who are weak.”
Kawasha nodded in agreement and promised Aaron that he would follow his father’s path and become a strong chief. The two of them spent some more time gazing at the beautiful night sky, before heading back towards the chief's house.
At the stroke of midnight, Aaron’s Z-band suddenly started buzzing loudly, making his whole wrist shake from the vibration.
“The anti-cheat has been activated. Gilbert can no longer modify the game files,” Zach announced triumphantly.
- Writer
