Lost Myths - Chapter 1: Enter the Hero?

Tempted by fate, many of us do dangerous things. I myself was somewhat tired of everything and everyone around me. Things generally ended up shot and broken, my enjoyment of life constantly hindered by cruel reality. Luckily, this tale is not to delve into such devestation.
I never thought myself to truly be in tune with the world around me. Almost always would small tokens of it escape my grasp. I would relinquish my sorrow and hopelessness in virtual worlds where I was a simple, yet robustly complex, hero who grew usually out of a shadow of greatness.
I would imagine myself often as these heroes and heroines, my achievements known by all and loved by many. Yet as the years lingered, the link between these worlds would fade and perish one by one. Every so often I could collide and savor a few cherished memories of saving worlds, thwarting monsters, and helping people. But oh how I never knew that all the knowledge I had would soon mean nothing.
After a long day's work, I settled to glance through what tasks I needed to accomplish. Glancing into my mail, I noticed several bills peppered throughout. It was perhaps the perfect climax to such a long day. A small brown package soon grabbed my focus, as I was not expecting any gifts as of late. I fished into my jean pockets for my pocketknife, a little curious to where it might have gone. After a short fight with my pockets, I retrieved the makeshift box cutter and began to carefully examine the package.
It appeared normal enough, addressed to me with proper locale noted. On one side was an emblem I had recognized from other purchases in the past. I shrugged and began to cut off pieces of tape cautiously. Flipping open the flaps, I revealed a note with a very generic letterhead for LotsaMart.com and a run of the mill "Dear Valued Customer" letter.
It read, "We are very glad for your many purchases at LostaMart.
Please accept this quantity: 1 product: Magic Flute as a gift based off your purchasing records.
Thank you for choosing LotsaMart for many of your purchasing decisions." I had recently been buying several shirts and paraphenalia based around my favorite fantasy adventure game, Lost Myths. I had never knew there were reward programs that were so particular giving out otherwise unbuyable items.
I looked back into the box and saw the replica Magic Flute of the Reeds. It was an item used in two of the many games for when the hero needed to summon a warp between one place and the next. Each warp was a different song, all of which I thoroughly enjoyed. Lifting the flute, I fixed it soundly into both hands.
"I wonder..." I whispered, putting the flute to my lips. Blowing, a shrill high-pitched squeal escaped from the flute. I jumped a bit, laughing to myself. Attempting a second time, I made the flute sound more as it would from the game. "So it is playable...."
Looking back into the box, I noticed a card that was lying under the flute. It read, simply embroidered and printed in the game's handwriting text "Enjoy!" I laughed, flipping the card in between my fingers a few times. I soon came to notice a melody comprised of letters and basic fingerings scribbled on the back.
Taking the flute in hand I went to my couch, relaxing across all the cushions. Flute in mouth and card in lap, I began to erradically attempt the song scribbled hastily on the card. Notes fumbling, random melodic pitfalls occuring, I began to recognize the song. "Hrm, the Roserdale Ballad..." I concurred, now attempting to play the melody in full.
This time I didn't miss a note, playing the song in perfect tempo. Upon completion of the melody, I had a moment of self-praise. However, this was cut short by the flute vibrating in my hand. No sooner had I begun to utter a random obscenity was my whole form engulfed in a green glow, my living room disappearing around me.
At first I began to panic, fear enveloping my mind. I closed my eyes, wishing it all to be some sort of hallucination. Colors swirled, flew, and danced as I once again took focus around me. I figured this to be some joke of my mind, it bothered with my lack or care towards it and producing this wild nightmare.
Allowing this to now happen, I contemplated what my warped but exhausted mind would conjure. My first sound thought was knocked promptly from existance when my hindparts roughly contacted ground. Vision blurred from the insane kaleidescope, I could not see anything around me. I could hear the bustle of a town, the chatter of people, and random minstrel music. Eyes beginning to focus, I was soon met face to face with a large silver helmet.
I shouted and dove back a few feet, hitting my back against stone. "Hail, newcomer!" the helm, yet muffled, shouted. "Welcome to Roserdale." I almost figured that as soon as the shock began to settle. The flute, I thought, it still resonated slightly in my hand.
"Good day, sir," I said, taking the guard's hand to help myself up. "Roserdale seems to be bustling more than usual. What is the ocassion?" With the guard's aid, I nearly fell in the opposite direction. He gave a hearty chuckle at my brief misfortune.
"It's the Festival of D'Klic, honoring years ago when the legendary hero defeated the abysmal evil which threatened these lands." I almost laughed, remembering that particular game and the amalgam of creatures to create the final hideous demon boss. "What brings you to Roserdale, newcomer?"
I was somewhat shocked the guard did not see my teleportation, nor did anyone else outside the city's gate. "Just visiting at the moment. Planning on moving out this way in the future," I smoothly lied. He nodded at my response.
"From where do you hail?" the guard questioned, him now glancing confused over my form. I now realized I was still dressed in my jeans and t-shirt from changing after work.
"I'm from the western providence, just beyond the Ja Del desert. I live with a small nomadic village."
"And your name?"
I stared at him. "My name is...."
"There's been a theft from the palace!" shouted a female guard running from within the gates. The male guard somewhat shoved me aside and ran towards her to inspect the situation. "The Flute of the Reeds is missing from the Shrine of D'Klic. The ceremony cannot go on if we do not reveal it to the townspeople."
"Any suspects?" the male guard questioned. I soon began to worry about my own well-being.
"There was no sign of a break-in. We suspect a high-level thief or mage is behind this. Possibly someone with knowledge of the ceremony." The female guard soon noticed my uneasiness around the two of them. "You, newcomer, have you noticed... wait a moment. That instrument you have. Let me see it."
I wasn't about to simply hand over the only familiar item I had. Plus if my mind was thoroughly attempting to test me, I was sure I'd need the flute at a later time. I then made the worst decision I could have possible done.
"Stop! Thief!" echoed in my ears. I didn't pause to think about the consequences of my actions. Dashing away from the gate, I dove off the main path and rushed sprinting across the grassy knolls. Diving into a field of tall wheat, I began to crawl to elude my persuers. I then held my breath and attempted stillness.
"The thief ran this way," I could overhear. "Any description on the suspect?" stated a second guard. "Captain gave a vague description and almost no help on the target. Said the thief was dressed very strangely and had extensive knowledge of Ja Del," mentioned a third.
"It's the Festival! How are we going to find a thief with the Flute of the Reeds if almost everyone is dressed weirdly and has those stupid little flea market flute replicas?"
"Let's just report back. It's not like anyone ever figured out how to use the flute anyway. What real use is it?" Their conversation continued yet faded out of earshot. I began to chuckle at their ignorance, relieved not to be locked in Roserdale jail.
I felt exhausted, every ounce of energy drained from my body. Figuring the Captain and whomever was guarding the flute would not give up pursuit so easily, I debated my options. I would live out this fantasy as long as my hallucination allowed. First and foremost, I needed to regroup after this chase.
Crawling through the wheat field, I could hear running water in the distance. Being drenched in sweat, I was glad to come closer to the source of this sound. The edge of the field merged against the forest almost seemlessly. Bending into this peaceful part of the forest was a stream flowing from a waterfall and pond just within sights.
Traversing against the bank of the stream, I crossed over folliage, overturned and fallen logs, and various fungi. The pond was large enough to rival most hotel swimming pools. I couldn't resist the call the cool crisp water made. My only concern was the Flute of the Reeds. I just risked my life to keep it and now had no where to safely leave it.
Ideas slid through my grasp, not taking much haste in trying to solve my dilemma. Juggling the flute from one hand to the next, I soon decided that disrobing and enjoying the water was my current mission. Shirt off, I placed the flute between my teeth to help free my hands for my jeans.
No sooner had I begun to pull my pants down had an arrow flown by me, causing me to simultaneously lose balance and utter a muffled shout. I soon found myself flailing in the shallows of the pond, my pants around my ankles and my underwear soaked. In the distance was a shadowed figure with bow outstretched. "The first shot was a warning," the figure called.