Chapter Thirty Six: The Way You See Through Me
November 6, 2010
Salt Lake City, UT
“Hello, everyone. My name is Sandra Olsen, and I am so excited to share with you what you can expect from Awakening at launch. The whole team has been working without rest for months to hit this target ,all to ensure that the final product meets the high expectations of our fans.”
“Hey, are you okay? You’re looking kind of sick,” Ryan grabbed Marc by the elbow to steady him.
After seeing Mary, portals, and even beasts appearing in this world, Marc should have expected that this might happen, yet it was as though he had walled off that hope within his heart.
Marc had spent decades in the other world. That was nothing compared to the thousands of years he had been sequestered in the Tower. He had made friends, allies, and enemies, fought in wars, and challenged the very foundations beliefs in that world. Throughout it all, there was only one constant in his life there. One North Star, tethered to his soul to give him a place to hold onto, even when the entire fabric of reality buckled and crashed around him.
His interface; a gift from Mary when he was sent to live a second life in another world. Like a computer program, but far more, his interface was his guide, his therapist, his family, and his only true friend.
Kira knew everything about him, including the things that he even hid from himself. Without her, he had no control over his powers. Without her, he couldn’t even communicate or understand the world that surrounding him.
Throughout all those years, how many thousands of times had Kira been there to give him perspective, to push him to better himself, to keep trying, even for one more day?
Kira was built from the information in his own brain. She knew every detail of his past and every thought in his head. No one would ever be able to understand him as she did, and losing her presence in his mind when he came back was the greatest loss he had ever experienced. It was even worse than losing magic.
The woman on the screen, talking about features and specs for a video game, did not just look like her. It was her. Not like the golem she cobbled together from the primal materials they found in the Tribulation of Causality. This was her original virtual avatar. The form she had created back in Glenn’s house when he had leveled up the interface high enough to give her independence.
She had stopped using it along the way, preferring to keep consistency with her various physical homunculi, but of course, he could still remember every detail. Every strand of hair. The way she would shift her body. Her unique facial expressions. The inflections in her voice.
No incarnation she had ever made was this perfect, this true to her original image. But now, that is precisely what he was looking at.
Or was it? Was it real? Or was this a simulation, a computer-generated deception? Somehow, that seemed more possible. Maybe there was no Sandra Olsen at all. Could the image on the screen be fake? But why? Why use her image? Her voice? How did that even make any sense at all?
He wanted to rush onto the stage and grab Ann, demand answers, and be taken to where Mary and Kira were located. He knew that the idea was ludicrous; but standing there like a fool, just watching this presentation talking about video games and platforms and device specification, was pointless to the point of obscenity. He was shifting in place, losing control of his own extremities.
“Dude! Calm down. Breath!”
Ryan was not gripping him firmly,
“Look at me. Look me in the eyes…” Ryan whispered to Marc in a calm, but firm voice.
Marc turned to look at Ryan. He usually avoided looking directly at him like this. He knew the man was self-conscious about the scars that streaked across the right side of his face.
Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself. He nodded so that Ryan knew he was okay.
“If you pass out in the middle of the press conference, I don’t know you,” Ryan warned, removing his hand from Marc’s elbow and giving him a wry grin.
“Thanks. I’m good.”
Marc kept his eyes off the screen, ignoring the rest of the presentation. He focused on the crowd and the other betas around him. He clapped when they did and forced out cheers when appropriate.
Internally, he tried to organize his thoughts. He had not been prepared. Still, just the thought that Kira was here in this world made his heart race.
Forcing himself to stay calm, to stay rational, Marc tried to reason why he had reacted so strongly.
Kira was like family. No, she was more than family. She always played the part of a judgmental older sister. Berating him but also supporting him unquestionably. He realized that she had been the crutch that had got him through everything. A constant to a universe that repeatedly broke its own rules.
Losing that had been like cutting off his air supply. He had to relearn how to survive without the necessities of life. Then, just as he was gaining his balance, she appeared once more, but not in the way he had known her, not as the constant voice and companion, but as a separate and real person.
But was it really her? He had to find out. But how?
The applause indicated that the presentation had ended. Kira had been replaced on the screen again with Mary. He hadn’t even noticed the change.
“…the app will be free. Forever. No micro-transactions or subscriptions. No ads. Ever.”
Huge applause and shouts from the betas.
“There is more to come. Thanks to our new strategic partnerships, you can expect even more amazing announcements as we lead up to the full launch this summer. Until then, we hope to see you all in Awakening. Servers go live on Monday at noon!”
Marc could see that many reporters were also participating in the applause.
“Oh, and there is one more thing…”
The room quieted down immediately. They were used to this common ploy at tech events.
“I want to announce today that to commemorate the launch of the Awakening platform, there will be a tournament this summer, scheduled to coincide with the full launch event. Every player and team in the game will be able to participate, from anywhere in the world. We are still working on the details, which will be announced soon, but thanks to some generous sponsorship opportunities, I can share that the finals of the tournament will take place here in Salt Lake City this July, and will feature a winner’s cup with a five million dollar cash prize!”
This announcement brought the largest reaction so far. Reporters were screaming into phones with editors or other parties to get the news online as quickly as possible. The imminent release of the most anticipated game in the world was big news, but a five million dollar tournament, that anyone could enter, this was going to be the biggest story in the world in minutes.
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Marc continued to watch the festivities, detached from the world around him. He was still clapping and yelling, but it was all a show, mimicking the people around him. He couldn’t care less about the contest or the money. There was something big happening. He could feel the movement of destiny. The pieces that, when put together, would tell a story very different than the one everyone around him saw. He just couldn’t see it yet.
Marc had been in the position before. Thrust by coincidence or design into a path that would lead to repercussions that could change the world. It had left him broken and cost him more than he could have ever imagined.
Now, once again, he was standing adjacent to world-changing events. He could feel the cold tendrils of fate pulling at his limbs, inviting him to take part in another fight to change the destiny of an entire world.
But this time he wanted none of it. He was no longer an immortal traveler, possessor of the most incredible magic in the world. He was nobody. A loner who lived out in a cabin in the desert, forgotten and unimportant. He wanted to live the rest of his life like that. Crafting lawn statues like Professor Maeda. Swapping recipes with Cyrus. Sitting in front of the fire with Torren.
He knew that was not the story of the rest of his life, no matter how much it had seemed like a possibility just a short while ago. The reappearance of Mary and now Kira, the portals and beasts for the other world, this was all preparation for what comes next.
If only he could talk to Kira. Ask her what was happening.
He longed for her advice and guidance. Even her sarcastic ribbing and nagging. He wished for it more now than anything he had ever wanted in his life.
Ann was back on the stage. The press event was over, and already staffers were leading them to yet another room.
This room brought all the betas back together. There were also several large banquet tables and dozens of large round tables that could accommodate small groups.
As the betas filtered in, Ann was directing staff around. Another door opened, and a second group came in. There were a few dozen of them, a mix of mostly older, eclectically dressed individuals. The staff guided them in to fill out the room.
“Well, I am sure you are all excited by the announcements, but before we continue, let’s take a break to process. We have some light refreshments and drinks, and have invited select members of the press to join. You are welcome to share your honest experiences as advanced users of the game, provide interviews, and even demonstrate the game, although you are under no obligation to do so. The press is reminded to treat the gathered volunteers here with respect, and for the time being, no photographs or videos of individuals, or captures of gameplay are allowed. The media links are now live, and you can download any of the videos used in today’s presentations, as well as additional content provided by I.S.K.’s marketing department, whose contact information is included in your press kit.”
Ann had been speaking into a microphone that was connected to a large speaker near one of the room entrances. As she spoke, trays of sandwiches, fruit, and pastries, were brought in and placed on the large tables alongside enough coffee, tea, and juice to power a newsroom.
Instantly, the room filled with the buss of conversations. At first, groups of betas formed as they finally had a chance to discuss the news that had been announced, but it didn’t take long for the press to start approaching them, trying to strike up conversations and arrange interviews and demonstrations.
Marc stood there, spacing out for a minute, until Ryan grabbed his arm again.
“Hey, what happened? Why were you freaking out like that?”
“Uh, yeah. Thanks. I just kind of spaced out for a moment. Not sure what that was,” Marc tried to gloss over his panic attack.
“Like hell, I’ve seen that before at the VA. Guys would freak out like that after they came back from… you know. They say it’s some post-something syndrome.”
“Post-traumatic stress disorder,” Leeroy corrected with concern on his face.
Their party was gathered near a wall, away from the center, and not attracting much attention yet.
“Who gets a panic attack just by watching a press conference about a video game?” Selina demanded bluntly.
“Seriously,” Ryan piled on. “I mean, I get it if they turned the camera on you, but what’s the deal? You have some video game-related trauma we should know about?”
Ryan grabbed Marc around the shoulder and forced his head down.
“Breath! Breath man! It’s going to be fine!”
Marc threw the other man off, and the group started laughing.
“I don’t know. Maybe it was that sandwich I ate for breakfast. I think the pineapple might have been bad.”
“What?” Ryan yelled in mock shock, grabbing at his own midsection.
“You trying to poison me, man?”
“Come on, guys. What do you think? About the money, and… everything?” Leeroy moved in closer and whispered conspiratorially.
“Seriously, I might quit my job. Maybe I can start a YouTube channel or something. It sounds like this might turn into something big.”
“Five million,” whispered Selina.
“Huh?” Marc asked.
“Five million! Weren’t you listening? That tournament. There’s going to be a big prize for the winners.”
“Yeah, but that’s for, like, the number one team, right? In the whole world, and anyone can compete. What kind of chan-“
Selina cut off Leeroy in mid-speech.
“¡Híjole! Barbosa, think! There are less than five hundred betas left. We have months of practice already. This is a gift to us, you know?”
Leeroy looked offended at first, but then her words sunk in.
“Damn.”
“Should we go for it? But is our team enough?” Ryan looked at Marc.
That question snapped Marc back to reality. He contemplated it for a moment.
“No, I don’t think so. We have a SHIELD, a HEALER, a sniper, and a FORCE. We are still shorthanded.”
Marc looked at the party. Selina did a decent job, but neither she nor Ryan could do enough damage. They needed more firepower. At least one more damage dealer. Maybe an offensive mage? They also needed more support. Perhaps they could get by if Leeroy learned more buffing spells and Ryan added some DOT afflictions.
“I think we need at least one more. Another damage dealer.”
The others gave it some thought. Ryan and Leeroy both nodded, but Selina was not convinced.
“Where are we going to find someone? They have to live nearby, right? Besides, I think we are strong enough…”
“We don’t have to change things right now. But keep your eyes out for a good candidate. Someone we can work with, too. Team dynamics are important.”
Marc had learned long ago that power balance was far from the most important aspect of party formation.
“Excuse me. Would it be possible to introduce myself?”
They all turned to see a small pale woman standing behind Marc. She almost looked like a high school student until you got a closer look.
Before they had a chance to respond, she continued.
“I’m Jessie Crenshaw, with BenchNews. The gaming blog. Have you ever heard of it?”
“You’re The Jessie Crenshaw?” Ryan blurted out.
“Uh, yeah.”
“Shit, yeah. Sorry, I mean. Of course. You’re famous.”
Marc had not heard of her, but judging from the looks of the rest of his party, he was the only one ignorant of her identity.
“Hardly. Not like the others here. There are people from CNN, BBC, and even TBC. I just blog for a video game review site.”
Marc had to agree that she hardly looked intimidating. Unlike some of the other reporters there, she looked more like a librarian. She had curly shoulder-length hair, thick round glasses, and was dressed in simple, casual clothing. The one remarkable feature he noticed was the intense look in her grey eyes.
“I have all your personal RSS feeds tracked. You write the best tech reviews,” Ryan gushed.
Everyone else nodded along, so Marc moved aside, inviting her into the conversation.
She smiled and started to pass out her business card to each of them.
“That was quite a press conference. I don’t think I’ve been to a more exciting one before, and I was at the iPhone launch.”
She had a calm and straightforward demeanor, and Marc thought he understood how she might be quite successful at getting information from tech types and video game companies. She spoke confidently, but was also patient, seemingly waiting, silently encouraging others to speak.
“Really? I mean, yeah. We didn’t even know what they were going to announce,” Leeroy filled in.
“Yeah. I mean, we already knew about the company changes, but… wow.”
Even Selina seemed to be a bit star-struck.
“Definitely! I’m sure people are already freaking out online.”
Already, Jessie had maneuvered a space to fit into their discussion.
“What are you most excited about then?”
“The tournament! Five million! Can you believe that? That’s like more than you get for winning the Superbowl!” Selina exclaimed.
“Way more, I think,” Jessie nodded along. “It’s going to be a big motivator. Are you guys going to try out for the tournament then?”
Before Selina had a chance to keep going, Marc stepped up.
“That’s what we were talking about just now. We’re giving it some thought. There are a lot of people here who will be interested now, I’m sure.”
Jessie turned to him and smiled, but for a fraction of a second, he caught a look in her eyes. It was the same look a predator gives you as it decides what the best approach to take for its first attack.
“So, have you been together the whole time? Where are you based?”
“Yeah! We formed the team on the first day. The only group operating out of Grant County. That’s down in New Mexico, near El Paso.”
Marc almost laughed at how Ryan had shifted into his bragging mode.
This was good. He could feel his chest relaxing. The adrenaline that had flooded his bloodstream earlier had worn off, and he was feeling more himself again.
“New Mexico, huh? That’s great! I’m actually based out of Phoenix. If it’s okay with you, why don’t we grab a table? I’d love to hear more about your experiences.”
Everyone looked at Marc, and he just shrugged. They walked over to an empty table and sat down.
“I guess we should introduce ourselves as well. I’m Marc. I’m the FORCE for the party.”
“FORCE? That’s like the DPS, right? By the way, what’s your party name?”
They all looked at each other with a mix of confusion and panic on their faces.
“Party… name?”