Higgins’ world dissolved and reality shattered, crumbling into thousands of pieces like tiny grains of sand. He felt an incredible pressure upon him, forcing him to his knees. His vision blackened, the harrowing sound of the Seacrest breaking apart immediately - stopped as if put on mute. He felt an unerring sense of weightlessness as if the artificial gravity arrays had malfunctioned. The looming pressure subsided slightly.
A golden green, floating box filled Higgins’ vision.
[Message: Greetings anomaly; you have been integrated into the Galactic Realm of Infinite Domains (GRID). Your presence has been sanctioned and approved by GRID.]
[Message: Error. Unplanned integration detected]
[Message: Error overruled. Anomalous being accepted]
[Message: Anomaly, choose your race]
“What the fuck?” Higgins tried to exclaim. However, no words came out of his mouth; at least no sound reached his ears as if he was trapped inside a vacuum. Panic rose inside Higgins’ chest as his heart rate increased thrumming rapidly against his chest. Sweat began to form on his temples and his royal blue engineer’s uniform stuck uncomfortably to his back.
What the hell is happening here? I must be in some sort of training simulation back on Earth. There’s no way this is real. Reaching out in front of him, Higgins tried to interact with the boxes floating in his vision. His hands phased right through as if poking at the air. Ok, perhaps this is some training and I just need to get through it. I will pretend as if this is normal… this isn’t normal. Having taken deep, calm steadying breaths, Higgins got his heart rate under control accepting the situation.
Galactic Realm of the Infinite Domains? That sounds… terrifying. Higgins’ head swam with thoughts and ideas. He convinced himself that he was taking part in a training exercise on Earth before the Seacrest departure. Let’s just assume this is a training exercise and UNIT has implemented this as a module, why can’t I remember starting training? Why can I remember travelling across the solar system. Why does this feel real? Too real. Ok, let’s do this. Higgins mentally accepted his situation and braced himself to confront anything this surreal experience provided.
As if sensing his Will, the golden green text box changed to show an unending list. Holy shit. The scroll bar on the right-hand side was tiny which indicated the choice of ‘race’ was ridiculous.
[Aardvarkian
Abolisher
Absynonian
Absynoniaz
Acallodro…]
It looks like this list is in alphabetical order. Aardvarkian? Is that a joke? What the hell is an Aardvarkian?
[Aardvarkian: Aardvarkians, also known as earth diggers, hold an innate affinity to earth and shadow. Their vast underground networks are praised throughout the cosmos and are renowned inventors. Although generally a solitary community, Aardvarkians will often trade with other species in order to enhance their underground cities and will employ Molemen as groundskeepers and servants. Legends among the Aardvarkians speak of ancient tunnels leading to mysterious chambers filled with untold treasures and dangers. Many young Aardvarkians embark on quests to explore these legendary tunnels, hoping to uncover the secrets hidden within the depths of their subterranean realm.
Stats:
Strength +4 per level
Dexterity: +3 per level
Agility: +2 per level
Stamina: +4 per level
Intelligence: +2 per level
Wisdom: +2 per level
+4 free stat points per level
Affinity: Earth, Shadow
Race trait: Digging proficiency, Nocturnal adaption, Scent detection]
Wait? So, I just think and it reacts to my will? Also, stats? Is this some sort of game? How do I even know what’s good? Also, if I chose Aardvarkian, would I turn into an actual Aardvark? With a mental command, Higgins closed the Aarvarkian window and returned to the list of races.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Images of the last moment on the Seacrest filled his mind’s eye. He remembered seeing his colleagues and officers staring blindly into the holoscreens at the huge rift in space. He reflected on those moments and realised just how strange the whole situation was. Why was I the only one who was able to resist or pull myself away from my screens?
Higgins shook his head and brought his focus to the problem before him. There’s no way I am turning into an Aarvark. With his Will, Higgins commanded the screen to only show humanoid races. The tiny scroll bar on the right-hand side of the hovering golden green window barely moved. With a sigh, he scrolled through his options.
[… Earth Elf
Earth Elfantis
Earth Elfantos …]
Thirty minutes later he had only managed to reach the ‘N’ category. He noticed that there was a plethora of ‘races’ named. Some he recognised from games and books he’d read at home and others were outright crazy. I am going to be here all day. I wonder if I can trim down the options. What do I want? I want the best stats and best starting position. If this is a training exercise, I need to make sure I come out on top. I want to be human that’s for sure. I also want a race that will relate to what I already know. I don’t want to fight hand-to-hand, if this is a VR simulator, I don’t like how realistic that would be.
Having agreed his own criteria, Higgins whittled down the list significantly showing only three options.
[Harrier
Human
Paragon]
Wow. I didn’t think that it would show anything. I guess it’s pretty obvious Human would be there we are pretty versatile. I’ve never heard of Harrier, though. Is that some sort of bird? With a thought, a new prompt showed in his vision.
[Harrier: Harriers, are an ancient species that have long been extinct. There is not much known about the elusive Harrier. However, it is widely known that their vast empire spanned many light years across the multiverse. Harrier ruins are regarded as a spiritual centre by many cultures and revered as great ancestors.
Stats:
Strength +10 per level
Dexterity: +9 per level
Agility: +10 per level
Stamina: +8 per level
Intelligence: +4 per level
Wisdom: +4 per level
+5 free stat points per level
Affinity: Metal, Earth
Race trait: Tinkering, Invention, ???]
Wow! Those stats are incredible. That’s almost double of the Aardvarkian. Also, if they’re long extinct, does that mean that I would be the only one? I’m not sure about that. Not sure what I think about with the unknown race trait either. What if it’s a reaction to sunlight or something and I have to become some sort of vampire. The stats are awesome, though!
Next, Higgins focussed on the Paragon race.
[Paragon: Paragons were the rulers of the multiverse for millennia. Their mastery over all technology, space and reality thrust them to the pinnacle of existence. Evidence of the Paragon’s empire has been identified in newly integrated universes which only raises more questions amongst scholars of the multiverse. The ultimate demise of the Paragonian empire is unknown, some believe they have evolved and ascended to a new realm, others believe that they were the victim of their own creations. The void left in their disappearance allowed numerous races to grow and thrive.
Stats:
Strength: +7 per level
Dexterity: +10 per level
Agility: +7 per level
Stamina: +8 per level
Intelligence: +11 per level
Wisdom: +11 per level
+5 free stat points per level
Affinity: Space, Shadow, Metal, Earth
Race trait: Tinkering, Invention, Manipulation]
Higgins’ eyebrows rose further up his forehead the more he read. These guys sound awesome. Their stats per level out strips the others for sure. He reviewed the Harrier, Human and Paragon races and made his mind up. He’d known since he saw the screen. There are too many unknowns around the Harriers, that race trait really gives me a bad feeling. Using his Will, Higgins confirmed his new race. Paragon.
[Message: Welcome, Paragon.
You have chosen an extinct race, new title.]
Titles?
[Message: Choose class]
As before, the golden green box before him changed to a never-ending list. The scroll bar was impossibly small this time. Using his Will again, Higgins scrolled through the choices.
[… Baker
Bandit
Bar keep …]
I am going to be here forever. Like my race, I am going to need something that doesn’t deviate from my own skills and proficiencies. I’ve never cooked or baked anything in my life. Higgins focussed on Baker to bring up the details.
[Baker: Bakers have the ability to imbue their baked goods with mana and affinity. Although the learning curve his tough, expert and master bakers are sought after by many leading empires across the multiverse.
Stats:
Strength: +5 per level
Dexterity: +5 per level
+3 free stat points per level
Skills:
Cooking (Common)
Bread making (Uncommon)
Camp fire (Uncommon)]
That isn’t too bad. So, it looks like that not all classes give all the same stats or type of stats per level. I guess it makes sense, a baker needs a decent amount of strength to work the dough but I suppose they don’t need intelligence. After another 15 minutes of scrolling, Higgins decided to trim down the list once again. Focussing on his requirements he was met with just one option.