#6 Starting line (Part 2)

[ Are you sure you want to select the race: Elementalist? ]

Daniel pressed [ Yes ].

"Elementalist, hm? Why did you choose that race?" James asked with a frown on his face. He had thought of a different choice, fitting to Daniels' old playstyle.

"I currently really have no idea of what I can expect from this world and I don't really want to commit to anything yet. The Elementalist is a balanced choice, as he has access to all the elements. I could imagine that he has a few advantages over other races if the sectors really have their own attributes. With mastery over four of them, I should be able to access at least those freely".

"An interesting choice. There are only a few elementalists out there, so it could be hard to find fellow adventurers to learn from, but you will manage". James looked Daniel deep into his beautiful eyes, proud of his analytical judgement. "Alright, Mr. Elementalist. Let's get to your looks".

A common character creation interface popped up.

"To not startle the inhabitants and myself, I based all the races on a human look. However, you can change your stature, eye and hair colour, height etc." James explained. "Nonetheless, changing the proportions of yourself won't change the amount of muscle mass, if that's what you thought. Those you will have to gain by working hard!" James said, with a grin on his face.

Daniel nodded. This was where the fun part started.

After clicking through the menu and checking all the options, Daniel decided on white hair, fitting to his unchanged grey eyes and styled his hair to an undercut with short hair on top, making him look sharp. He had made himself a little taller than he had originally been. With 1,80 metres, he was now able to look on his father's head.

His hair really had grown thin. 'Must've been due to all the stress he had lately' Daniel thought.

However, he didn't change his face structure itself, as it reminded him of who he had originally been. Also, he liked his old face. Oval, slim, with a longer, but thin nose, contrasted by big red lips and strong eyebrows. As he was done, he turned to his father.

"Excellent. A brilliant choice" his father replied upon seeing his son's selection.

James was glad that Daniel hadn't changed much. Obviously, he first and foremost thought of son's happiness, but he had always judged his son to be a handsome fella anyways and this way he could still recognize him.

"Alright, ready for your next step?" James asked.

"Always", Daniel replied. Even though that was not quite true, David really was quite curious about what expected him next.

"You will now have to select your guide. The guide will follow you, lead you and be an important companion through the starter areas. Your first irreversible choice! A guide you won't be able to change, even with your star system. So choose wisely!".

This time, four short introductions popped up in front of Daniel, showing the names, races and additional buffs the guides could provide.

[ Dargon, the glowing light

Race: Spirit Animal

Buff: 10% increased healing (20 minutes cooldown duration) ]

[ Ivera, the burning flame

Race: Phoenix

Buff: 20% increased burn damage (30 minutes cooldown duration) ]

[ Medina, the poisonous

Race: Ancient Snake

Buff: 10% increased affliction damage (25 minutes cooldown duration) ]

[ Doran, the iron shield

Race: Golem

Buff: 15% increased environmental damage (30 minutes cooldown duration) ]

As Daniel read the stati of the companions, his father started talking again.

"An important piece of information I should tell you about before I forget is that all the companions that are listed are actually living beings from different worlds. They serve as guides, as they have made their own experiences and know more about the practices of Elisa'a, but they won't be able to give you any guidance about topics they haven't had any experience with themselves".

"That really is an important piece of information" Daniel mumbled, a little torn between the choices. "Something general would be good to fit my race. Something that is adaptable in the later stages of the game and could have valuable information".

He started to rank the companions by the buffs they could apply, according to his opinion.

1. Dragon

2. Medina

3. Ivera

4. Doran

"Hmmm… this is a hard one. I don't know to be honest. What do you think, Dad?".

"I am not allowed to help you, unfortunately. However, how about some personal experience? I've always thought that the light that burns the brightest is the first one to struggle and go out".

Daniel didn't understand immediately. "Yeah, but it has the most power!".

James didn't answer.

Daniel looked back at his options. "Can I see a preview of what their races look like?".

A blue preview came up next to every single one of his choices.

The first one showed a bright ball of light, floating around.

The second displayed a small phoenix, diving into magma.

The third had trouble capturing the body of a giant snake with razor-sharp scales of black colour, appearing to spread poison after cutting their prey open.

The last showed a gigantic golem, built out of mechanical parts. He looked like a cultist, measured by the heavy black robe with golden stripes it was wearing. Apparently, he was powered by a giant blue stone, because all his pieces were spinning around it. Daniel counted four arms originating from the sides of his body. Engravings were lighting up all around his mechanical body whenever he took a step.

'So that's what they look like…'. As he looked at them again, one after another, a question formed in Daniel's head. "Dad? Are occupations as important as in the other games you've built?"

"Indeed, they are".

Just what he had expected. Without further consideration, Daniel logged in his selection.

[Congratulations! You have acquired "Doran, the iron shield" as your personal guide and companion! I wish the two of you the best of luck on your journey! ]

"I?". Daniel was confused.

"Oh, that must've been Elisa, who edited your system message", James explained, who had by now walked over and looked over Daniel's shoulder. "She was quite excited that the reason she was born now finally joined her world. Seems like she is taking care of the administration process for you".

"I see", Daniel said, still staring at the message.

"Alright, a solid choice as I can see" James continued. "Onto the last part! Your starting region. Although it isn't much of a choice, you still need to select something to start your journey at last".

The window, Daniel had just intently stared at, vanished and instead a giant map popped up. He could see mountains and seas and the giant tree he remembered from the beginning.

"You will start your journey riiiiiight here", James said and tipped on the giant tree.

"There? That's a tree. What am I supposed to do there?" Daniel asked, sceptical about his father's statement.

"Hahaha, no that's not a tree. That's a big dungeon with different levels. It just looks like a tree, because it's been here for so long, that it's now overgrown by trees" James explained, giggling.

"What do you mean "so long"? It's only been two years since the creation of this world!".

"Not for that dungeon", James replied. "After all, there needs to be some kind of backstory" and he winked. "Your choice will be the difficulty level of the dungeon. Depending on the difficulty, obviously, there will be different rewards".

Daniel stared at his father in utter disbelief, astounded by the fact that he even asked.

There was a saying in their family that went around and was taught to each generation.

"Life is never easy".

"Hard - obviously" and he laughed.

"Obviously" and his Dad joined in.