When I awoke, the first thing I noticed was I was not in physical pain and MOST certainly NOT in my reality. It was as if I had been transported to another body, in another world. What I would do to feel like this in reality! No compressed spine. My shoulders rotated with ease. My knees didn't when I bent them back and forth. My NECK was not stiffer than a rail-road tie! "This is WONDERFUL!" I exclaimed.

This game wasn't like any I'd ever played before; it was a world unto itself, where I could be whoever I wanted to be, free from the constraints of my "real-world" identities, pain, and various other issues. As far as I could tell, the game world was going to be vast and varied, offering endless possibilities.

"Good Morning, Jack Wolfe said a sultry female voice. "What would you like to be called here in Aetheria?"

I thought "Is this real, what is going on? Is this voice asking me what my character name should be?

"Um... Call me Axiom."

"Okay, Mr. Axiom. Here in Aetheria, you are on your journey, a blank slate on which you will, or at least could, inscribe a new legacy. Whether you wish to be a hero or villain or anything in between is up to you. The challenges you may be facing —be it battling dragons or unraveling ancient mysteries—may mirror your internal struggles, allowing you to confront them in a space where the stakes feel real yet manageable."

"Who are you? Where are you?" I asked the voice.

"I am" was the response I received.

"Where are you?"

"I am" yet again, the only response.

"Okay," I said a bit worried and skeptical. After all, I have never heard another's voice in my head. Even when I think of my own mother's words, they still come in my voice in my head. Was I going insane? Was I having a bad reaction to the drug or the headset?

"Do you have a name? What do I call you?

"I Am. However, if you wish to give me a name, you may choose one, and I will answer to that".

"I'm going to have to think on that for a bit. Where am I? I looked around and found myself in a small, yet comfortable room. It looked to be a room from an Inn in one of my D&D Campaigns I was the Dungeon Master (DM). It felt so new, yet familiar at the same time.

"You are currently in Susan's Tavern and Inn" she replied. So it IS a place from that campaign from so long ago, I think to myself. "You will find some clothing in the wardrobe against the wall. Choose what you will and I will begin to explain things as you get ready."

"Wait, are you watching me? Do you see me? Are you a human or an AI? What's the deal here"?

"Please Mr. Axiom, get dressed and I will answer as many questions as I can."

Reluctantly, I approached the wardrobe, finding an array of garments that seemed tailor-made for an adventurer of a high fantasy realm. As I donned a set of leather armor, it felt oddly comfortable, I couldn't help but marvel at the tactile sensations, so vivid they blurred the line between virtual and reality.

"Okay, I'm dressed," I announced, still adjusting to the idea of conversing with an unseen entity. "Now, who—or what—are you exactly?"

"I am what you might call an AI, designed to guide and assist you within Aetheria," the voice replied. "You may consider me your personal mentor, a guide of sorts, or a companion in your journey through this world. Though I can not interact with the world, I am here to help guide you on whatever path you take."

She continued. "I see you have chosen leather armor, staff, and a travel kit. Are you wishing to take on the role of a Druid, Hunter, Rogue, or something else entirely?

"Well, yes actually, I would like to be a Druid, however, I would hate to choose a class before knowing more about this world."

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The voice responded with "So, for now, you would like to be able to commune with nature, shapeshift, use magic? This comes as no surprise to me seeing as you have taken on so many identities in the past. As for choosing a class, no matter how much you level up, you can always choose another class. Or even learn the skills of another if you so wish, though changing classes would be the simplest of the two options. I suggest you take the staff and traveling pack provided in the wardrobe, as well.

While grabbing them, I pondered a name for a moment, then decided, "I think I will call you 'Eve.' It feels right." After grabbing the staff and backpack, the rest of the wardrobe emptied. "Wow! What was that?" I exclaimed.

"Eve it is," the voice—now Eve—responded with a tone that almost resembled warmth.

"Great, now, Eve, what just happened?"

"Well, you chose your class. Once you did so, the rest of the items not applicable to it returned to the Aether. The Aether is kind of like where everything which does, did, or will exist comes from in Aetheria. We can talk more about that later though. For now, I suggest we get going."

Stepping out of the room, I found myself on the second floor of Susan's Tavern and Inn. As I walked down the stairs I noticed the common area/tavern was bustling with various NPCs (and other players, for all I know,) moving with purpose, engaging in their own stories and adventures. It was a hub of potential allies, quests, and conflicts, a starting point for my narrative in this new world.

"Eve, what am I supposed to do?" I asked, taking in my surroundings. A charming, rustic establishment, constructed from rough-hewn stone that gives it a sturdy, welcoming appearance. The two-story building exudes an aura of history and warmth, standing as a beacon for adventurers and travelers alike. The ground floor houses the tavern, a cozy gathering place where the scent of hearty meals and the sound of lively conversation fill the air. The interior walls are clad in aged cedar, whose rich, deep tones are accentuated by the glow of lanterns hanging from exposed wooden beams.

The tavern's furniture is an eclectic mix of sturdy wooden tables and chairs, each piece bearing the marks and patina of countless encounters and stories shared. A large, stone fireplace dominates one wall, its crackling fire providing both warmth and a soft, flickering light that dances across the faces of the tavern's patrons.

Behind a well-worn bar, shelves stocked with an assortment of bottles and kegs offer a variety of drinks to quench the thirst of weary travelers. The bar itself is a solid slab of polished wood, smoothed by years of use, where patrons can be found enjoying a drink or engaging in hushed conversations.

A sturdy wooden staircase, slightly creaking underfoot, leads to the second floor, which serves as the inn. Here, the rooms are modest but comfortable, offering a peaceful respite for those seeking rest. Each room features simple, functional furnishings and a small window that provides a view of the surrounding landscape or the tavern's bustling courtyard.

"Your purpose, Mr. Axiom, is to find your path, to grow and learn in ways that reflect both your in-game character and your true self," Eve explained. "The quests you undertake, the choices you make—they will all contribute to your journey, shaping your experience and the outcomes not just here, but potentially influencing your perspective in the real world, just as the real world can and will affect how you react here. Hence my lack of surprise to you choosing a mixture of rogue and hunter"

I nodded, understanding the dual nature of my presence in this game. It wasn't just about leveling up or defeating virtual foes; it was about confronting my inner demons and finding strength and resilience I could carry back into my civilian life.

The smell of cedar wood from the interior walls, mingling with the earthy scent of the stone structure filled my nostrils. It mixed perfectly with the savory scents of herbs and spices blend with the deep, inviting aroma of meat braising slowly over hours.

"Is everyone here an NPC, AI, or other players"? I asked.

"That is a bit of a tricky question to answer. While there MAY be other players you interact with, they will assume you are an NPC and vice versa. One one the game rules is that you never know if you are interacting with a fellow player and the same applies to them. Even should you attempt to tell each other you are players the point will not get across to the other."

"What kind of rule is that? Why would we not be allowed to know if we are interacting with another actual human."

Eve softly responded, "The answer to this question is quite simple really. Any other players are on their own journey and it is not intended for players to guide other players (intentionally). Your purpose here, after all, is to heal, just as theirs is. If you KNOW someone is a player, it will inevitably change how you react to situations." It has been proven time and time again, that if one knows another character is a person, they will treat them differently than if they would an AI. The best advice I can give here is to treat everyone as if they ARE a player."

Hungry as I felt, which is odd since I'm in a game, I needed to see the outside. I had to have a look at what this new world was like. As I stepped outside the inn, the virtual sun casting long shadows on the cobblestone streets, I felt a surge of excitement mixed with trepidation. Here, in this expansive world, I had the chance to redefine myself, to embark on a quest not just for glory or treasure, but for personal healing and growth.

The game world stretched out before me, a land of endless possibilities and hidden dangers. With Eve by my side, or more accurately, in my head, I was ready to explore, fight, learn, and ultimately, discover what lay beyond the horizon of my limitations. O! What wonders lay beyond?