Chapter 2: A New Reality
Jason Morrow awoke with a start, his heart racing. For a moment, he lay still, staring at the ceiling of what looked like his room. The familiar sight of his posters on the wall, the pile of clothes on the chair, the soft morning light filtering through the blinds — it all seemed normal. But as he sat up, a wave of disorientation washed over him. "Was it all just a dream?" he wondered, rubbing his eyes. He swung his legs out of bed, half-expecting to feel the familiar carpet under his feet. Instead, his toes met a floor that was subtly different — smoother, almost warm to the touch. Jason frowned, a sense of unease creeping up his spine. He looked around, noticing small discrepancies that confirmed this wasn't his apartment. The dimensions of the room were slightly off, and where his computer desk should have been, there was an unfamiliar console, its surface sleek and emitting a soft glow.
Curiosity overcoming his initial apprehension, Jason approached the console. It was unlike any technology he'd seen — no keyboard, no mouse, just a smooth, touch-sensitive panel that lit up as his hand hovered over it. Hesitantly, he touched the panel. The room filled with a soft, ambient hum, and a holographic display materialized in the air above the console. Images and symbols, none of which he recognized, floated in front of him. Jason reached out, touching one of the floating symbols. Instantly, a voice filled the room, speaking in English with a strange accent. "Welcome to your orientation, Jason Morrow. Your journey in the expanded universe begins now."
A rush of memories from the night before flooded back — the alien creature, the conversation about Earth's integration, the role he was supposed to play. He felt a mix of excitement and overwhelming responsibility.
"What have I gotten myself into?" he muttered to himself.
The holographic display changed, showing a map dotted with various symbols. "Your first task," the voice continued, "is to familiarize yourself with the basics interactions of your new world. This knowledge is fundamental to your role as a guide. Simple say the word ‘Status’." Jason stared at the display for a long moment before he sighed and said “Status”. In a blink a window was in front of him, the same blue as the message he received early this morning.
Status
Name Jason Morrow Race Human Level 1 Strength 13 Intelligence 16 Constitution 15 Agility 12 Dexterity 12 Charisma 9
Jason stared at the status window, his mind racing. "Is this... for real?" he murmured. The numbers and terms felt eerily like a character sheet from a game, yet here they were, apparently defining aspects of his own reality. He ran a hand through his hair, a mix of amusement and disbelief on his face. "Charisma at nine, huh? Sounds about right," he chuckled dryly.
As he continued to look at the display, Jason's initial shock gave way to a growing curiosity. "So, this is my status, Am I good or?" He thought back to when he use to play a game about slaying dragons and exploring dungeons. Back then he would make characters who were evenly spread. He tried to remember how many points he’d give each stat but right now he was unable to recall. He pondered the implications, wondering how this new perspective would affect his understanding of the world and his role in it. He turned his attention back to the console.
"Okay, let's see what else you can do," he said, his voice steady with a newfound resolve. Experimentally, he uttered, "Next task?"
The holographic display shifted, presenting a new set of instructions. "Task Two: Basic Interaction and Environment Adaptation. Familiarize yourself with the fundamental mechanics of your new reality. Interaction with the environment and other entities is key. Begin with exploring your immediate surroundings."
Jason nodded, a sense of purpose steadying him. He was in uncharted territory, but the gamer in him couldn't help but feel intrigued. "Basic interaction and adaptation, huh? Sounds like level one stuff," he mused, stepping away from the console to explore the room. Just as he turned from the console the room shifted and he was in a jungle, the sudden shift left him a bit disoriented, and he stumbled slightly before steadying himself.
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“what the fu…” he started to say then promptly threw up all over the ground.
“Teleportation can be disorienting the first few times; you will get use to it.” A voice echoed from all around him. “Explore the area and learn how this new reality works, good luck Jason” the voice trailed off with those last words.
“That didn’t sound ominous at all” Jason thought to himself as he wiped his mouth and looked around. “Okay so I’m in a jungle, I’ve got a status page and a task to complete. Looking at this from a game’s point of view this is a simple exploration quest. In theory I should walk around a bit to get a feel for the area then another task should appear pointing me in a direction.” And with that Jason picked a direction and started walking, all while looking over the environment and trying to find anything that might point him in the right direction. As Jason began to explore, the dense foliage of the jungle pressed in around him. Each step was cautious, his senses heightened. He noted the vibrant colors of the plants, the unfamiliar calls of hidden creatures, and the heavy, humid air that clung to his skin.
He tried to recall any survival tips from the games he had played, realizing the irony of depending on virtual experiences for a very real situation. "Stay alert, avoid unknown plants, and... well, don't get eaten by anything," he muttered to himself. As he moved, Jason noticed something peculiar – a faint luminescence on some of the plants, pulsing gently as if in response to his presence. Curious, he reached out to touch one. The moment his fingers brushed against the glowing leaves; a small holographic screen popped up in front of him.
New Skill acquired, "Analyze"
Flora Analysis: Luminous Fern. Non-toxic. Mild healing properties.
"Useful, Analyze is a pretty standard skill for exploration games. This should help me avoid eating or touching anything dangerous to me. I’m curious though if this skill pulls from my knowledge or from some fountain of knowledge, I’m not aware of. I’m leaning towards the fountain theory because I have no idea what a Luminous Fern is." Jason noted, impressed.
This was like having a real-life encyclopedia at his fingertips. He continued, cataloging various plants, and trying to piece together how this ecosystem worked. Suddenly, a rustling noise caught his attention. He froze, watching as a creature resembling a cross between a lizard and a bird emerged from the underbrush. It looked at him with intelligent eyes, then darted away, leaving behind a shimmering feather. Jason picked up the feather, and another holographic screen appeared.
Fauna Analysis: Unknown creature feather. Interact with the creature to gain further knowledge.
“Hm okay so it’s not an end all be all, it can give me information, but it seems like I still have to do some work to get all of the knowledge.” He thought. He tucked the feather into his pocket, feeling a bit more confident in navigating this bizarre new world. As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, Jason spotted something in the distance — an ancient-looking structure, overgrown with vines, yet unmistakably artificial. Curiosity piqued, he headed towards it. This could be the clue he needed to understand more about this world and his purpose within it. Another screen appeared, this time it was lower, not blocking his view, but within it enough where he could read it easily.
Task updated: Explore the ruins.
With a though he closed the menu. “Well there we go, onward and up.. well downward I guess.”
As Jason ventured deeper, the jungle's alien nature became increasingly apparent. The trees towered above, their canopies a mosaic of colors unknown to Earth. Every so often he would brush his fingers along some of the trees and bushes, He got prompts telling him he found a tree, with a strange name or a bush with a strange name. Nothing else like the Luminous Fern could be seen or found just yet. The air was thick with the scent of unfamiliar flowers and the distant calls of unseen creatures. The discovery of the ancient structure loomed before him, a stark contrast against the lush greenery. Its walls were weathered and covered in vines, but its architecture was undeniably deliberate, geometric, and unfamiliar. Jason felt a mix of awe and apprehension as he approached. What secrets did this ancient place hold? Was it a relic of the expanded universe he was now part of? The fading sunlight cast long shadows, making the structure appear both foreboding and inviting. Jason hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath. "This is it," he thought. "Maybe I'll find some answers here."
He stepped forward, his hand brushing against the cool, moss-covered stone. The sensation was real, vivid, yet something about it hinted at underlying mechanics he had yet to understand. His "Analyze" skill didn’t trigger, suggesting that there was more to learn through direct interaction. As Jason crossed the threshold into the structure, he felt a palpable shift in the air. A faint glow emanated from within, illuminating intricate carvings on the walls that depicted scenes of celestial bodies and unfamiliar beings. It was a story, a history perhaps, of this universe he had become a part of. His heart raced with anticipation and a touch of fear. What lay ahead was unknown, but Jason knew this was only the beginning of his journey.
Inside the ancient structure, Jason navigated through narrow corridors, his steps echoing softly. The glow intensified as he delved deeper, revealing murals and etchings that spoke of a civilization that once bridged stars and planets. In the heart of the structure, he found a chamber with a solitary pedestal in the center. Atop it rested an object that pulsed with a light that seemed to beat in sync with his own heart. Cautiously, he approached, his Analyze skill remaining silent, enhancing the mystery.
As he reached out to touch the object, the light flared, and a rush of images and sensations flooded his mind — visions of distant worlds, the rise and fall of alien civilizations, and a cryptic message about a forge that shaped the destiny of galaxies. Reeling from the experience, Jason stumbled back. The chamber's light dimmed, leaving him in near darkness, save for the faint glow of the exit. His mind buzzed with questions: What was the forge? How was Earth, and he himself, connected to it? As he turned around preparing to leave the area shifted and he was back in his room, or at least the one in the alien structure. He sat on his bed, only a bit nauseous this time, and began to ponder what he had just discovered.