Allan lay hyperventilating on the ground for a good ten minutes.
“Don’t worry,” John tried to console him. “The shock to your system caused by the transport will wear off soon, although you might also experience some jetlag later. There’s roughly a six-hour time difference between here and your hometown.”
Allan’s eyes widened as he continued to shiver uncontrollably. Thousands of voices were all clamoring for attention inside his mind.
“The voices…” Allan gasped.
“You must fight off the voices in your mind.” John said. “The Leviathan has a great hold upon this land. It desires to consume your soul.”
John knelt, staring into the distance with a remorseful frown. When Allan finally regained his composure, John helped him to his feet.
Allan’s eyes darted around in fear as he took in their surroundings. No longer were they in the damp chambers under Buckingham Fountain, but at the edge of a forest that sprang from the foot of a steep mountainside. Far in the distance loomed a cluster of charred buildings teetering on the edge of collapse. A little ways off, a wide dirt path wound its way toward the ruinous city.
“Alas, the Great City of the Ancients has fallen.” John spoke solemnly, a tear sliding down his cheek. “The prophecy of old stands fulfilled.”
“That...” Allan spoke hoarsely, “...is the Ancient city referred to in the message on the wall?”
“Indeed, my friend.”
“How did we get here? Where are we? What are these loud voices inside my head?”
“You probably have a million questions. Let’s tackle them one at a time.” John placed his hand on Allan’s shoulder. “We are in the Land of Enoch.”
“Wait…” Relief swept over Allan’s face. “You mean we’re inside the game?”
“Game?”
“Conquest.” Allan pressed on his right temple. “But I thought my microchip fried…”
Allan pressed on the indent of his right temple several times, but nothing happened.
“That’s odd.” he mused. “I can’t pull up my HUD. And where is my gear? Did it get plundered while I was out?”
John stared at Allan in bewilderment. “This Holy Land was taken from Earth over five thousand years ago. It was at a time when Earth had grown very wicked, similar to the wickedness of the people on Earth today.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know.” Allan waved his hand in annoyance. “I’ve seen the in-game videos a million times.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
“In-game videos?” John raised an eyebrow. “Whatever do you mean?”
“The backstory of Conquest.” Allan smacked the side of his head a few times, but the microchip stubbornly refused to activate. “Surely you’ve watched the footage too?”
“I’m afraid I haven’t…”
“Oh?” Allan’s interest was piqued. “It’s important to know before you begin playing. I’ll send you the video links if I can get my virtual screen to appear.”
John stared at Allan as if the man had sprouted a limb from his forehead.
“You know what? Don’t worry about it. I know the stories by heart.” Allan smiled. “Long ago the lands on Earth were formed in a solid mass called Pangaea, divided into three kingdoms: the Land of Seth, the Land of Nod, and the Land of Enoch.”
“My, my.” John said, thoroughly amused. “It seems you know a lot about this world.”
Allan continued, “Enoch was a very righteous man in God’s eyes. He was a seventh-generation descendant of Adam, having been born six hundred years after Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Eden. Enoch was a prophet in his day who taught the people how they should live, and many people followed his teachings obediently. He preached to them the truth of their divine origins, but there were still many who rejected the traditional beliefs of their fathers. Despite the thousands who doubted the validity of his teachings, Enoch gained a following so numerous that together they built a great and glorious city in the east called Atlantis.”
John let out a remorseful sigh and pointed at the charred remains of the city in the distance. “And there she is.”
Allan shook his head in disagreement. “No way. What happened? I was there in the city with my buddy James just yesterday. That giant heap of ash can’t be Atlantis.”
John’s eyes bore into his. “Don’t speak so rash. Hundreds, if not thousands of righteous people have died in that forsaken city.”
“I’m sure hundreds of players have!” Allan chuckled. “You’re laying it on a bit thick, aren’t you?”
“This land upon which your foot defiles is the Holy Land of Enoch!” he spoke indignantly. “This great kingdom was established by Enoch and his followers over the course of four hundred years!”
“Yes, yes. I know all that already.” Allan stared at him with defiance. “If you don’t want to know the game’s backstory, that’s your problem.”
“I don’t understand why you keep referring to players in a game.”
“You’ve never played Conquest before, have you?”
“I have no idea what you’re referring to.”
“Wow.” Allan shook his head. “How did I get saddled with a noob?”
“We must make haste.” John ignored the comment. “It’s time we began your training.”
“My training?” Allan jeered. “Didn’t we just establish that you’re the one who’s never played before?”
John stared into Allan’s eyes for a long minute, and then a look of understanding crossed his face.
“Allan.” John sighed, struggling to keep the condescension from his voice. “This is not a game. There are no stats. You have no gear. This is real, and if you don’t listen to me carefully a lot of innocent people will die.”
“Not a game?” Allan looked confused.
“I can understand your skepticism, but I assure you that what I am telling you is true.”
Allan stared at him in confusion, and then cast his eyes heavenward at the sound of a loud screech. He recognized Conquest’s classic twin suns blazing overhead, and several large, menacing creatures circling the sky in the distance.
“We are no longer upon Earth.” John faced the distant mountains. “Follow me and I’ll tell you more about the history of both worlds. I recommend that you come quickly before the dragons spot you. They’re often hungry.”
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