Chapter 2 – Welcome to the New World

Time had lost all meaning. David floated in the blackness, feeling nothing, seeing nothing and hearing nothing, except for what sounded like an occasional sob or moan. So this is what it’s like to be dead, thought David. It’s not so bad I guess. It’s peaceful at least. And I still have my memories. It could be worse. Suddenly out of the nothingness came a calm, professional sounding male voice. “Mr Peterson, I’m Dr Patel. I’m part of the team that has been monitoring you since you came to the hospital, over fifteen years ago, and we’ve noticed that recently your brain activity is showing a small change. This is very unusual after such an extended period of time, and as a result, we’re going to try a rather unorthodox procedure. Your mother has already signed the relevant paperwork, and as of later today we’re going to be hooking you up to a Virtual Reality gaming pod. Now, don’t worry, the pod has been modified so that it can be used with all of the medical equipment you need. Most of it has even been built into the pod, as this specific model is only used in hospitals, for patients with terminal diseases, and those that are unable to leave the premises. Now, the patterns that we found in your brain waves suggest that you are still in there. So, to try and prevent you becoming a prisoner in your own body, we’re going to introduce you to a game. The game you’re going to be playing is called “Age of Immortals Online”. It’s a VRMMORPG that takes place in a medieval setting. Hopefully, this will help to increase your brain’s activity, and there is no risk of any harm coming to you while in there. Good luck!

The doctor’s footsteps faded away. Fifteen years… Seriously? How could I possibly be in a coma for 15 years? I was braindead? How could they keep me alive for that long? I’m surprised that the machine wasn’t turned off after a few weeks.

Sobbing interrupted David’s quiet reflection. “Oh David, I knew you would come back to me!” wailed a familiar voice. “They tried to shut off the machines, but I wouldn’t let them! I knew that you would come back! I knew that you wouldn’t leave me!”

Well, it looks like that’s the answer to that then, thought David. No wonder they gave up on shutting off the machines. If my mother was wailing like that, I’d have given up too.

“Excuse me Mrs Peterson, we’re here to set up the virtual reality pod. Could you step outside for a moment while we install it and relocate your son?”

“Y-yes of course”, hiccupped the plump middle aged lady, “David honey, I’ll be right outside! I knew you’d like this; you always used to tell me how you liked to play with swords. Well, in this game, you can play with them all you want!”

Jeez mum, still embarrassing me, even now huh? I mean, it’s true I wondered what it would be like to be a warrior, and live a life based on strength and skill, but that was a long time ago. I know the real world. I’m totally aware that something like that is just a dream, it’s not like I’m a child.

Tuning out the sounds of the people in his room, David began to ponder exactly what he was going to do. So a VRMMORPG, huh? And there’s even something called a gaming pod now? Technology really does advance quickly. Last I heard, they had only just managed to make Virtual Reality headsets, and those were full of problem bugs and glitches. Yet, in only fifteen years, they’ve somehow managed to make something that someone in my condition can use? It’s truly incredible.

“Welcome to Age of Immortals Online, please select your username” chirped a young female voice.

David had been so distracted by his thoughts that he hadn’t even noticed that the nurses had finished setting up the large silver machine, and had gently manoeuvred his body from the bed, into the pods soft interior.

“What the hell?!” This is what she meant by her world? “Or was that just a dream after all?”

“Hey, you know it’s not every day that a guy like you gets spoken to by a girl like me, ya’know?” The least you could do is pay attention!”

“Oh, sorry I- Hey, wait. What the hell do you mean by a guy like me?!” David replied indignantly. Turning around he noticed a young woman of 20 or so stood before him. However, what made this woman unusual was her bright blue hair, and the tiara that was seemingly made of a bright metal perched upon her head. In all other features, she appeared to resemble a human, except for one thing. She was hovering a few inches from the ground.

“Oh, nothing, nothing calm down. Anyway, I’m the beautiful and benevolent Aphrodite, the goddess of this world! My creators gave me free reign over everything that happens here; so don’t be surprised if you find something different to other, more traditional games!” the girl stated smugly, noticing David’s stunned expression.

“Aphrodite. So, it is you. You were that old woman I met?” Asked David in amazement.

“Old, who the hell are you calling old brat?!” screamed the girl enraged. “I remember every single person that entered my world, and a worthless shut in like you definitely wasn’t one of them!”

“Well then, who the hell are you?” Said David exasperatedly.

“Helloooo, genius? It’s a VRMMO, I’m the AI in charge of everything. What kind of rock have you been living under?”

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“For your information, I haven’t been living under a rock, I’ve been in a coma for over 15 fucking years, so excuse me if I don’t know anything about this stupid game!”

“Woah, seriously? Exclaimed the girl in amazement. I’ve met a few people that have been in a similar situation, but never for longer than a few months!

“Yeah, well. Lucky me...” muttered David to himself. He was really starting to get sick of this girl’s preppy attitude.

“Ok, since it’s your first time in a virtual world, let me explain how it works! I am the AI in charge of this world. That means, for all intents and purposes, I am what you would call a god!”

“That’s funny”, grumbled David, “you’re the second woman called Aphrodite to tell me the exact same thing recently.”

“The second to…? Never mind. Anyway, I am the god of this world. Now, in the older games that you’re used to, NPCs were simply lines of code that could only give automated responses, or perform scripted actions. In my world, one NPC is infinitely more complex than an entire game, at least that you’re familiar with. Any NPC in my world is as unique and intelligent as any human beings in yours.

“Probably more intelligent than some,” remarked David, remembering a certain boyfriend his mother had once had.

“Exactly so,” said the girl beaming at him. “I’m glad you understand. Well, now that that’s out of the way, let’s get started. So, what is your username?

“Ah, Hell. Let me think a moment.

Ok, the username Hell is available. Secondly, pick a starting location.”

“Wait, hang on a moment. That’s not my username, I was thinking! And what do you mean a starting location? Shouldn’t I be picking a character first!?”

“Oh, don’t be silly. You don’t get to choose your character. What would be the fun in that? The pod automatically scans the dimensions of your body, so you will simply start with the body you’re used to. And you clearly told me your username. I’m sorry, but it can’t be changed once chosen. Please contact customer support if you have a problem”

“And how exactly am I supposed to do that in my condition?! Screw it, I can live with the name but how do you expect me to do anything? I’m 330lbs for crying out loud. The most heroic thing I can do is walk to the supermarket and back!” cried David in frustration.

“Really? It says here that your body is only around 180lbs, although your muscle is a significant percentage below the rate for an average male of your size.”

“Of course,” David groaned. “I’ve been lying on a bed and fed through tubes for a decade and a half. My body may have shrunk, but I have no muscle whatsoever.”

“Well, if that’s the case, I would suggest that you pick a starting point inside of a city. You don’t want to become a meal for a hungry monster out there, without even having a chance to fight back!”

“Gee, thanks for the advice,” David responded sarcastically. “So, if everyone keeps their own body, then that means everyone in the game is a human?”

“Don’t be silly, that would be no fun!” smirked the girl mischievously. “There are ways to change your race, but only three people have found them so far. The classes that have been found are dwarf, elf and goblin, but trust me, there are hundreds more to be found!”

“What about classes?” asked David curiously.

“Classes can also be found. There are thousands of different classes available in my world; all you have to do is find them! So, choose a starting location already. I don’t have all day ya’know!”

“Ok, ok. Fine, I’ll choose this town here. It seems nice enough.”

“Ok, great choice! So, are you sure you want to begin in the country town of Dawnside?”

“Yes”.

“Ok. You adventure will begin in a moment. Here, because I feel bad for you, I’ll give you a small gift. Something that might mean the difference between life and death in the future!”

David stood in silence as the idiotic girl babbled on and on about her gift. He’d had enough. It was bad enough that people used to pity him for his size. Now, the only two people he had spoken to in 15 years had decided to pity him too. He would not be an object of pity. He would not let other smirk and laugh at him behind his back. So, his name was Hell, huh? Perfect, he thought to himself with a laugh. Hell he may be and Hell he would bring with him.

The last thing the girl noticed as she transported her new citizen to his chosen city, was an odd red tinge to his eyes, that for some reason, shook her to her very core.

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Well, the writing might not be my best, as I've written chapter 1 and chapter 2 between 1:00am and 6:00am, which is the time now, but hopefully it's ok! Please let me know of any mistakes, or feel free to leave feedback on the story! I would appreciate it!