"Ow..." I coughed harshly as my vision began to adjust. "That was one hell of a," I winced as another cough shot out of me. "f-fall."
I raised myself into a pushup position and started a rhythmic breathing to soothe my nerves. In through the nose, out through the mouth and vice versa every five times.
My vision came back and with it, a set of black hexagons. Midnight black hexagons outlined with a vibrant, glowing orange. I looked up, and that was all that existed. Black and orange for miles... but no life.
"Where did everyone go?" I whispered as I got to my feet with caution.
I placed one foot forward and out came a ripple of white through my surroundings. One with each step as if to suggest I was a stone skipping across water. I knew that wasn't true. This floor, it's something metallic. So this is purely aesthetic.
"Hello?!" I shouted only to hear my voice echo back for a few seconds before silence struck.
Did they vanish? I can't remember much from when I was pulled through. All that's coming to mind is Dani's last-ditch effort to pull me up until nothingness consumed me. And then, extreme pain from slamming into the ground. I'm relatively confident I passed out when I crashed into the floor.
I guess I'll start walking. It beats standing around twiddling my thumbs while I wait for something entertaining to transpire.
And so I did. My journey began in unison with a high-pitched whistle to keep the quiet at bay. I wasn't sure where I'd end up, but I'm not sure it matters at this point.
"Hm." I nodded in confirmation as another feature of this place revealed itself. The ground looks to be pressure sensitive. When I walk, it ripples white. Stomping, yields yellow.
Leaping through the air, I brought all of my weight down, "And jumping gives me red!"
I wonder what else I can do.
I must've tried everything I could think of. Crawling, crouching, even a belly-flop, but no new colors or results.
Massaging my abdomen, I winced in my rise to my feet, "that might not've been worth testing."
Wait, a menu? A menu with glowing yellow text. Was that there the whole time?
Class Selection
I pressed my finger against the box, mumbling, "Class?" As it grew bright green and burst open into ten smaller wooden boxes.
Arcanist: Knowledge both torturous and forgiving flow through an Arcanist for not do they care about what others loathe or adore, only that the mind remains intact at day's end.
Blademaster: Forge what ravages your flesh and unleash it ten-fold upon your foes.
Graverobber: Not a hindrance nor a boon, a Graverobber merely exists within a party, the only commonality among allies being the gleam in their eye as opportunity presents itself.
Hunter: One that wishes to perform with nature, and even outsmart it, must heed her children's message. (Hey, Aria. You should pick this one!)
Jester: The best distractions make for strikes of the utmost lethality.
Keeper: Their beasts are both docile and kind, unforgiving and unrelenting.
Leper: A child cast out and left to face winter's cruel touch alone will burn down the village to feel its warmth one final time.
Revenant: The dead will never be forgotten, for their unsung dreams, both pure and tainted live on within your blade's whisper and sing during your swan's song.
Twilight Knight: Their presence, a serene glimmer of hope within the onset of dusk's oppression.
Void Watcher: Day by day, hour by hour, the longer one stares into the silent void, the longer its shadowed gaze peers back.
It really is a game. I had a pretty good feeling about that, but I wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt. Mainly because why would someone make a game under our school? As a matter of fact, why is any of this under our school?
I'll play along. Worst case scenario... actually, I'm not sure what the worst scenario would be. But what other choice do I have right now? This void isn't getting any smaller. I haven't the slightest idea of how to escape this place either.
I scrolled down to the bottom and pressed on Void Watcher only to have the menu jump to Hunter.
I said, you should pick Hunter!
I tried again, this time choosing Twilight Knight, but no, it just jumped back to Hunter. Every single class without exception did this. Needless to say, it was getting annoying.
"Hunter, it is..." I let out a sigh drenched in irritation as I selected it. I would've at least liked the illusion of choice.
Let's look at the positives, Aria. It mentioned nature, so that's something you can get down with. You were always spending time outdoors when you were younger. Plus, these classes are a bit vague in their descriptions. You're entirely in the dark about what they do, so it might not matter what you pick in the end.
You've selected Hunter.
Starting Trait(s): Wildlife Whisperer 1 of 4: You can talk to animals. Did you really need that explained? Oh, right. I'm supposed to be overly enthusiastic. Ahem, wow! You can talk to animals! Isn't that super neat?!
Hawkeye: All right! Stick with me here. Picture a rifle. Whatever you prefer, I ain't picky. Now attach like an eight times scope to it, and that's what this does except it's not as cool. So picture a makeshift sight just appearing out of thin air on a ranged weapon. That's what we're dealing with. Oh, make it thematically relevant with nature too or something.
Items Added: Makeshift Bow. Condition: Laughable. Flimsy Blade. Condition: Calling it a blade would reaallly be pushing it.
????'s Ring. Condition: Those question marks aren't there for funzies. Funsies? Meh.
My brow scrunched up in concern as the text continued to cycle. "Can I change the narrator?"
You may not. And yes, I can hear you. Unfortunately, we're stuck together, kid! And guess what? We're gonna see shit! All sorts of shit! There's gonna be a dragon somewhere! And we're gonna fight it! I'm not sure where, but I'll find some way to get you to agree to that dumb idea, mark my words!
This game has dragons? So it's fantasy then. I'm praying it's not dark fantasy because I'm confident my stomach can't handle that. Let it never be said that something beneficial comes from being squeamish.
Okay! Onward to them, sweet deets. Oh, I... I seriously just said deets instead of details. Welp, I'm going to act a bit more serious for at least the next few minutes while that cringe filters it way out of my head. Nevermind, that's probably a lie on my part.
Open your menu, puhlease.
I obliged and swiped to be greeted with the familiar wooden menu, except this time, the skills/class tab in the third row was lit. I selected the newly lit tab and watched the wood menu go up in flames to reveal four medium diamonds connected to one another to form a single large diamond.
Well well! We are on a roll today! Now let me strike while the iron's hot! I, in my infinite wisdom, 'persuaded' you to pick Hunter, so you don't have to jump through any necessary hoops thanks to me! Onward! To the, in my opinion, over the top descriptions! And no, I won't be sticking around the whole time. I have a life to live people!
Class: Hunter.
Starting from the top, they read:
Nier's Nurture
Nier, a woman not without purpose. She sought not to take life but to preserve it when, and if, at all possible. Never did her friends feel defeat's touch with her backing. She kept their spirits high and their vitality higher. Her actions carved a permanent love within her companions. When she inevitably succumb to time's cruelty, her friends commemorated a tree in her honor. A tree just as loving and motherly as her touch.
Requirement: Nier's Nectar
Yuul's Yearning
A hunter is rarely much a threat when stacked against the vicious dance his allies perform in the maw of combat. Yuul yearned to change this. He succeeded. When his end fell upon this land, Alcerians far and wide sang tales of his valor. The creatures he slew? They took refuge, whimpering in anticipation for the return of his blade's violent whisper.
Requirement: Yuul's Admiration
Dismas' Duality
Dismas, an altruistic maiden, if one was ever witnessed. Her selfless acts were ones to inspire even the most stubborn of children. She, in the end, dawned the bow not out of defense for her wounded. She adorned it with the passion of felling her foes with such vindication that never would the thought of her allies raising their blade come to pass. By her life's close, she was known as an archer that would feed her bow's hunger with such voracity, one might think she'd fire twice within an eye's blink. What inane drivel. Others? There exists a rumor she merely wasn't fast. Rather, that she struck from another realm entirely.
Requirement: Dismas' Drawstring
Respec: One Available.
Pressing my finger on the forest green diamond known as Nier's Nurture, I murmured, "Skill trees."
"Damnit," I cursed in frustration as a set of chains barred the diamond away from me, a lock's rattle cementing the results. I tried the same on Yuul's crimson red diamond and Dismas' cosmic blue, but nothing. I wanted to at least see what was in each tree.
And now that you're done ignoring the item requirements that were blatantly spelled out before you, we can move on! It's a questing time! Specifically, the tutorial quest! The second one mainly. We're skipping the first one because I'm about forty-five percent positive (fifty-five percent margin of error) you know how to walk and look up and down. We good? Yes, we're good. So here ya go!
Stolen novel; please report.
I didn't get a chance for input. Square by square, a contract of crisp white paper came to fruition complete with a quill dripping fresh blue ink.
The contract read as follows;
Contract (duh)
Quest Title: Escape (or die trying, you do you.)
Description: No, seriously, escape... fine! I'll describe it somewhat. Beaten and battered, you've awoken outside of the betrayed king's domain. Trying to escape would be ideal.
Difficulty: You. Will. Die. (Seriously.) Good luck have fun!
Do you accept? Yes or Yes. There's no way out of this.
Massaging the bridge of my nose, I circled yes with a groan, "yes, it is. Gotta love my options."
As soon as I circled yes, the contract burned to nothing along with the floor. The floor started to progressively dissolve, almost as if someone were dripping acid onto it.
I was expecting to fall again when my section of flooring's time came, but no. It merely changed to a cracked stone floor.
"Aria?" Dani's voice brought me back to wherever we were.
I shot my eyes up to her and started frantically scanning the area. She was looking at me with pure relief while Ash was rubbing her eyes, insinuating she just woke up. Gael, on the other hand, was missing?
Behind was the remnants of a section of the ceiling. Its appearance signifying its collapse some time ago. It was thorough as well, my eyes couldn't hope to pierce the rubble's veil. Add to that the cracked floor in various areas thanks to thick tree roots penetrating them.
I turned and felt confusion swallow me whole. A large gate existed before us, one composed of black sludge. The muck swelled and moved in a manner similar to that of dripping tar.
"Gear?" Muttered Ashton. I glanced over and saw it, a loosely bound burlap sack with leather armor pieces poking out the top.
"Huh," Dani said, inching closer to the gate. "Maybe that quest lied. We might not be screwed if we're getting free armor."
"Any weapons?" I asked as a bubble on the gate popped. Dealing with my starter weapons is something I'd rather avoid. Based on their descriptions, I'm not too keen on them.
"No," sighed Ash as she pulled open the bag. "We aren't that lucky."
She reached for a chest piece only for it to burst into a bright blue flash. Before I could ask what happened, a light menu, one just barely visible, appeared before me with my new items.
Leather Armor Set (Complete) Condition: Well, it's not garbage.
Swiping downward, I opened my menu and navigated to my armor. Within moments my body was enveloped in bright green light, revealing a suit of scratched leather armor with the occasional chink on my person.
My legs and arms were still exposed for the most part, but my center was covered, so better than nothing.
Expecting a stiff welcoming, I stretched each of my limbs only to have my equipment spit in the face of my doubt. The armor, it bent with me entirely. I didn't need to break it in. It's like it was made for me. As a matter of fact, there's nothing uncomfortable with it either. It feels like regular clothing, just thicker. I never expected armor to feel so comfortable... is everything going to be like this?
Dani and Ashton followed suit, and their faces spelled it out for me. They're thinking the same thing.
Wasting no time at all, Ashton shuddered at the sight of the gate. "Guess it's time to go fetch, Gael." She made contact with the entrance. Slowly, the tar-like substance extended forward and wrapped itself around her as she pushed herself through.
"Would it have killed him to wait for us?" Dani tossed a rhetorical question my way, one laced in annoyance.
Stopping just before the gate, I replied with a smile, "you know how he is."
"Did he even read the damn quest description?" She massaged the bridge of her nose as she pressed against the tar.
"Probably not," I answered with a dismissive shrug as I joined her. "You know he prefers gameplay over story."
"Yes, but he cou-" Dani was silenced as her face phased through with a sickening pop, her body following in an instant.
I was alone now. No people, animals, not even insects.
Perfect.
I slammed my hand against the barrier and gave it my all to escape. The tar started to solidify around me as I wrenched my other hand free, finger by finger.
Unlike my arms, my body was pulled inward an inch. I retrieved my lost distance, but the tar was getting aggressive(?) I'm not sure how I know, but it feels like a predator stalking prey.
Aria, relax, it responds in tandem with your emotions. Being calm allows a smooth withdrawal.
"Relax?" I questioned as the gate consumed my other hand once more. "Alright." I nodded with a deep breath.
It happened in real-time. As soon as I started soothing my nerves, the wall changed to the viscosity of water. It was so easy to remove myself that I ended up stumbling backward.
Staggering to a stop, I caught myself and said aloud, "Okay, Now, let's talk. What is this place?"
The narrator's my best bet for answers. They would know best.
Hm? You're outside of a boss arena. I told you already.
"No," I shook my head as I tapped on the dimmed Map section of my inventory, biting back a sigh. "This world. What it is? Where is it?"
Oh, that? Sorry, Aria. I don't answer stupid questions... personal gripe of mine.
"How was that stupid?" I shot back, scarcely biting back a scowl. That was unnecessary. "I'd say that's pretty standard."
If you were almost literally anyone else, then yes, you'd be correct. But under these circumstances. Well, you five should know more about Alceria than most. You specifically... tell Zayden I said hi by the way.
I choked on my words. What the hell was that? Alceria? I don't know a damn thing about this place, hence my asking. It has to be screwing with me... but even if it is, how does it know about Zay? Did it hear me mention his name earlier?
"You can stop messing with me." It heard me earlier, that has to be it. "I'm not buying it. You heard me say Zay's name when he talked to me earlier."
Hey, you do you boo! Denial's a fun thing to a lot of people... but, because I quite enjoy shattering delusions. I'll leave you with this;
Book One: Initial Draft
Date of Inception: 10/17/09
Motive for Writing: The owner should know.
Page Seventeen
Time of Writing: 11/14/09
Depictions: Faemon. Zone(s) 1 of 4. Alceria's Capital.
"Look," I exhaled as my annoyance spiked. "I'm not in the mood for books. I don't care if they're stupid, just help me find some answers."
Yeah yeah, whatever I gotta say this before I forget, so a bit of a tangent here. Equip your ring, and break the gem in it if you end up fighting anything.
Navigating to my equipment tab, I selected the ring with a murmur. "Okay, thanks, but will you please answer my questions or help me find some?"
Who said I wasn't?
The menu dissipated in that instant, leaving me to my thoughts.
"Who said I wasn't?" I muttered, turning to face the gate.
I pressed myself against the gate and was embraced in moments. My vision went as black as the gate. The inside of the passage felt warm and damp, uncomfortably so.
What book is it talking about? It never specified whether it was a part of real-life or in-game. I haven't seen anything pointing to this game having readable books in it. I imagine it does, but that still doesn't guide me in any way, shape, or form.
I burst out of the gate, narrowly avoiding a fall.
Glancing up, I noticed Dani and Ash.
"That's still disgusting." Ash shuddered and started trying to shake herself off. From what, I haven't the slightest clue. She's completely clean.
"What happened to you following me?" Dani asked
"Um... the gate wasn't letting me. The game told me it was something about me being nervous, so I couldn't pass all the way through." I lied. Should I tell her? That tangent was concerning to keep it brief.
"Oh," she nodded, taking in the environment. I joined her gaze as Ashton continued shaking off whatever phantom substance was on her.
The floor, walls, even the ceiling was a dark purple crystal mixed with white marble. Rows of wooden seats dotted our flanks while the marble beneath us seemed to represent a path. At the end was darkness. All I could make out was a flight of stairs beginning before darkness consumed it. Midway to the ceiling were booths ingrained in the wall with railings.
Before more words could escape my lips, the darkness ahead lifted to reveal him, Gael. He didn't seem to notice us, because he was walking through a sea of bones toward a slouched over skeleton. The skeleton was sporting tattered gold and purple clothing with a rusted dagger in its hand.
Cocking his head to the side, Gael stopped just before the skeleton with a reach for its blade.
Wait, did that skeleton just? Did it just twitch?
As soon as the pieces clicked into place, I shoved Dani aside and started sprinting toward Gael.
That's our enemy, it has to be.
"Gael," I shrieked right as the skeleton seized his hand, yanking him closer. "Move!"