The Cat Shall Rule

"You want to make a guild? I thought we would join a guild like most games." Ashfire stated in surprise. Creating a guild required more work, and their efforts always ended up overshadowed by other guilds. "So, who is going to be our guild leader?"

Detrix pointed to Fluffles, "She's our guild leader."

Fluffles tilted her head and smiled. "We'll make everything my territory."

"Fluffles is a cat, and it's her first time playing a video game. You think she can create a guild?" Ashfire questioned.

"Fluffles would be a great guild leader because she is a cat. Everyone will want to join for the fun of helping a cat take over the world," Detrix explained, her mind thinking how funny it'd be to have entire cities waving a giant cat face flag.

"Before we continue talking about making me a great leader, we need to find more members," Fluffles interrupted, going between them. "Also, we should leave before enemies start respawning.

"Yea, I also need to hand in my quest to reach level twenty like you two," Ashfire stated as the group headed back to the safe area.

While heading to the safe area, some players started shouting to Ashfire, "hey bomber, you found a party? Try not to blow them up!"

"You found people who want to join you? Hahaha."

Fluffles looked over to Ashfire, "what are they talking about?"

"Well..." Ashfire didn't want to say. She was a bit embarrassed about how she got the name.

"Don't be shy. We already saw how you almost blew yourself up earlier," Detrix joked.

Ashfire looked to the side as she felt more embarrassed, "well, about that. You don't get any penalties for dying below level twenty, so-"

"You didn't. You actually killed yourself to earn some quick levels?" Detrix asked in disbelief.

"Yea, I just had to rush back and collect the quest items from the enemies before they disappeared," Ashfire admitted. "Though I'm not the only one with a horrible nickname around here, there are quite a few.

Fluffles hissed at Ashfire, "I hope you don't blow us up."

"I won't, I won't," Ashfire repeated, regretting she ever brought it up.

As they arrived downtown, Ashfire ran to the NPC and handed in her quest, allowing her to reach level twenty. "Alright, so what should we do from here?" she asked.

"We need to complete one of the world's main stories to build a guild since guild building is a part of the story. We should focus on the world we want our guild to be in," Detrix explained. "I feel it could take a while, so we should find somewhere else to talk."

"There is a cafe nearby. We can chat there and order something." Ashfire suggested.

"Do they sell milk," Detrix joked as she received a glare from Fluffles.

"I do want the milk, but I haven't forgiven you for putting the milk in a glass and making me learn how to drink it!" Fluffles huffed.

Ashfire looked at the two of them, wondering what happened between them. The group headed to a cafe downtown and took a seat inside. Ashfire was the one who ordered milk for Fluffles, hoping to see what Detrix meant.

"So, which world should we have our guild?" Fluffles asked, slowly picking up the glass of milk with both hands.

"We gotta pick one with the best atmosphere," Detrix stated as Ashfire slammed her hand to the table, as Fluffles almost spill her milk.

"Got it, we should stay in steampunk and have our guild on an airship. Looking down at everything we own would be pretty cool," Ashfire suggested, pointing to one of the ships in the sky.

Fluffles looked where Ashfire was pointing and saw a boat floating in the sky, with propellers and a giant balloon attached to it.

"You want to stay in this world because you love steampunk's macguffinite," Detrix mocked.

"It's not macguffinite! It's a gem created from coal and energy similar to the gateways. The smog dissipates over time and doesn't harm people's lungs," Ashfire corrected.

"Yea, Macguffinite," Detrix continued.

Fluffles didn't know what the two friends were talking about and decided to distract herself. "Let me know when you talk about something I actually understand." She states as she notices some milk at the bottom of the glass.

"Sorry, we got carried away," Ashfire apologized, as Detrix only shrugged.

"Anyway, what about a castle so we can call her Lord Fluffles," Detrix joked as Fluffles tried to lick the milk at the bottom of the glass. "What do you think, Fluffles?"

Fluffles yanked her head from the glass, looking over to Detrix, "Hmm? What were you saying?"

"What do you think of our base being a castle?" Detrix repeated.

Fluffles thought about it for a few moments, "what's a castle? I think I've heard of it before, but I'm not sure."

"Well, a castle is, hmm, how do we explain it." Ashfire pondered, looking over to Detrix for answers.

"It looks like a bigger version of a mansion made out of stone. The most important thing about it for guilds is the giant chair called a throne," Detrix explained.

"If it's the most important, why not just take the throne and add it to another guild location," Fluffles suggested.

Ashfire smacks her own head with the palm of her hand, "Duh, why don't we just mix and match the best stuff from every world."

"We still need a location first. I think the Urban city is best. We can take an airship from Steampunk, the throne from one of the fantasy worlds, and whatever else we want," Detrix suggested as she smiled.

"Can we take the airship to other worlds?" Fluffles asked, liking the idea of being in an airship.

The three of them continued to discuss their plans as Fluffles heard a ping sound causing her to leap back from the table. "What was that!"

"Check your inbox," Detrix suggested, as she and Ashfire also received the ping.

"I just got a message from someone called Infinite Skies? Wait, isn't that the name of this place? How are they messaging me?" Fluffles asked, looking at the UI with confusion.

"This place? Oh, Infinity Skies is the name of the game. This town is called Crowstead," Ashfire explained.

"We all got this message. Some event is going on in this world," Detrix, read through the message. "Each team gets one chance to defeat a powerful enemy for a prize."

Fluffles would crouch down on her seat and smirk, "help system, could you explain this event."

"Certainly" as the orb appears, Fluffles eagerly pounces towards it, swiping her claws at the help system. The orb moved underneath Fluffles, avoiding her attack. "We kindly remind you to avoid attacking the help system."

"What's she doing?" Ashfire asked, seeing Fluffles pouncing at the orb.

"Don't mind her," Detrix giggled.

When Fluffles finished chasing the orb, it would close in and begin speaking. "This is the first of many events where powerful creatures will appear for players to earn special rewards. It's to encourage an active player base and for players to gather potential party members."

"Think we should give it a shot?" Fluffles asked, turning to Detrix and Ashfire.

"It could be fun," Ashfire agreed.

"We'd just lose if we gathered two random people. We need a dedicated healer at least." Detrix pointed out.

Ashfire's face scrunched up, "how desperate do you want a healer."

"How desperate? We can't do much in this game without one." Detrix pointed out.

"There is a healer no one will ally with. She's a real loony, but if we need a healer that badly, I'll take you to her."

"What do you mean a real loony?" Fluffles asked curiously.

"She nearly got suspended for attacking players. I was one of those players," Ashfire shudders.

"Attacking players outside of town is allowed, and inside town requires a duel, so what's the problem?" Detrix asked, becoming curious about this player.

"She attacks people with heals and buffs. The system doesn't stop it since it's technically not an attack. The problem is she uses needles, stabbing people with them. Sure, you get a boost in health or gain stats, but it still stings, and it's terrifying having her sneak up behind you with needles in her hands." Ashfire explained, but as she recounted her experiences, she realized Fluffles had disappeared. She started looking all around since Flufles couldn't have gotten far.

Detrix shook her head, realizing Ashfire was looking for Fluffles and pointed under the table. Showing the cat underneath, clinging to its legs, refusing to let go. "No needles, we're not going to a vet. You can't make me!" Fluffles hissed.

"See, just by explaining this person, Flufffles doesn't want to meet her, so let's not," Ashfire pleaded.

Detrix stood up, grabbing Fluffles and Ashfire. "We need her, and we're going!"