A black hooded figure sits along at a paper-filled desk writing. The room’s wall is filled with bookcases that reach to the ceiling with many books, scrolls, and a few mysterious items here and there. A small chandelier is hanging from the ceiling illuminating the blue carpet that is riddled with stars and other astral images. One might think this room belongs to a wizard of high rank. Perhaps you are right, perhaps you are wrong. He stops writing but doesn’t look up. “I don’t know who you are or where you are from, but I know why you are here. I have been expecting you. Who am I speaking to? That was a question that came to your mind right? Well, I am speaking to you. Don’t look confused. You are here to learn the story of the Guardians are you not? Well, get comfortable and I will tell you their tale.” The figure stands and goes over to a bookcase and starts searching its contents.
“Our story begins in the year 3025. A virtual reality game called Awakened Life has been out for years now. Its popularity spread like a forest fire. Burning up the world with its unique gameplay and 99% realism. But that’s not where our story begins.” He takes out a worn black book covered in gold swirl markings and sits back down. “No, our story begins here. On the last day, Awakened Life will be open to the public. They day the game shuts down and a new one will begin. A game where virtual reality becomes reality….” The hooded figure opens the book and begins to read.
Year, 1250(In game), Maius 28th, Pralatarra (name of the game world)
On the borders of a bustling and prosperous city called Fairwater in the Nafar continent, there is a large stone building surrounded by the most beautiful scenery. A flourishing forest to the back, a hilly grassland on the sides, and a dirt road leading to the city. This building was a guild. And it was called Humanities Legion. It contained a variety of people. From NPC’s to actual players. No matter how weak or how strong, you were always welcome with open arms. All that was required to join was to have a sense of adventure and the will to protect. But above them was the guild’s founders, famously known as, The Guardians. There was AtlasFlame, Guardian of Protection. Mad_JesterJack, Guardian of Fun. Titan, Guardian of Loyalty. Deus, Guardian of Health. MusicalApostle, Guardian of Faith. Saint Knowl, Guardian of Knowledge. Lotus-Samurai, Guardian of Discipline. ArmoredRose, Guardian of Friendship. They were called the best and kept other players in check. Everyone respected them. They were loyal, fair, merciful, honorable, and brave. But now, everything is quiet and empty. No more loud noises or random fights in the training rooms. No more idle chatter throughout the halls. Just….silence. The only noise left are the still moving NPC. Technology in VR has come a long way. Every NPC has and AI which gives it its own personality and history. Meaning that they are so advanced that you can consider them actual people. Not like in other games where everything they do and say is scripted for them. They can adapt, grow, and make their own mark in the world.
At the top floor is a large round room. A grand round table of marble was in the center, surrounded by 10 luxurious seats with somewhat high backs, but most of them were vacant. Only two silhouettes were visible now where all the members once sat. Each seat has its own unique design. In two of these seats sat the last of the Guild’s Guardians. The head chair is made out of a metal that’s black in color. It has a large 12 pointed star that sits atop of it painted in gold. All over the chair are painted signs of the 12 zodiacs in white, and in a silver gray, multiple lesser known constellations. In it sits a woman in black and red clothing. Her top is a black leather corset with a little bit of a red frilled trim at the bottom and breast area. A bit of gold armor is placed along the edge of her breast and at her sides in a ribcage fashion are golden chains that dangle loosely. She wears long sleeved black gloves that reach inches below her shoulders. On her hands is scale mail gloved armored bracers in a dull gold color with some black mixed in. Her skirt is black with shimmering silver sparkles and reaches a couple of inches below the knees and has a large faded gray astral compass on the back. She also wears black knee high boots with red laces. She has fair skin, long black hair with gold and silver highlights and violet eyes that shows much kindness. On her head sits a golden multi-starred crown embedded with jewels. Her name (username) is Ourania (Her name comes from a Greek myth name of a muse of astronomy, derived from the word ouranios, meaning “heavenly”), Guardian of the Stars. The first founder and Guild Master.
Next to her is a long green haired male with green eyes a scar that crosses the bridge of his nose along with the body of a lean athlete. He sits in a chair that has three swords carved from wood attached to the back painted in silver and black. Only the hilts and a few inches of the sword can be seen unless you are standing behind the chair. Two of the swords are silver and crossed to make an X. The third is painted black and is straight in the center of the others. He wears strong sleeveless leather armor. Under the armor is a soft long sleeved green tunic. Over it are layered plates of leather around his shoulders and chest that continues down a little ways past his waist and is trimmed in brown. His gauntlets are the same in style. Attached to his waist are three blades. He sits with his eyes closed and arms crossed behind his head. His name (username) is Saxen (which means swordsmen), Guardian of Honor and Co-founder of the guild.
Ourania looks over at him in appreciation and fondness.
“Thank you for being here. It means much to me that you are willing to stay here for this server’s final moments. Although it is unfortunate that the others could not be here.”
Saxen looks over and gives a small smile. “It’s no problem. I figured since it’s the last day I might as well make the most out of it.”
“I really mean it. Out of everyone who couldn’t come, I am grateful that you had shown up.”
He gives a smirk. “I am not the Guardian of Honor for nothing. I will honor my last day as a Guardian with pride.”
“I might as well start the countdown now.” Ourania pulls up a screen and sets a time to 10 minutes. Afterward, it disappears. “Feel like taking a stroll through the guild one last time Saxen?”
“Why not? Reminiscing isn’t really my thing but, I can make an exception this time.”
Stolen novel; please report.
She smiles at him in thanks. They both stand and head out a door to a long corridor. A long red carpet covers the floor and unlit golden chandeliers hang from the ceiling. The right wall contains large arched windows that allow the sunlight to naturally light up the place. The left wall has pictures of the Guardians. Some solo, some not. Some even contain pictures of events that have occurred in the past with everyone having fun, Guardian or not. She stops at one of the oldest ones and looks at it fondly. It shows a group of 10 standing together and smiling in front of a new building.
“Do you remember this?” She asks her friend.
“Of course.” He replies while looks at the picture. “It’s the day this guild and the Guardians were established.”
“I remember when this game was first released. It was just me and you at first. Then we met the others later. What a hectic day that was.” She smiles reminiscing.
“Yeah, Atlas would not hold still for anything. It took forever to keep him still.” He chuckled.
“Don’t forget that Lotus and Titan wouldn’t stop fighting. Even so, it was very fun.”
She continues to move forward with him following until they reach double doors made of metal and painted gold on the level below the Guardians room. A carving of two elven looking fairies facing each other covers the door. They've reached the Throne room. Walking up to the doors, they nod to the two guards that guard the throne room. They salute and open the doors. Upon entering, they immediately face a large room covered in black and white marble flooring. Greek styled stone pillars that form two parallel lines straight to the Throne. A rich red carpet sits between them. The walls are made of stone with banners of all the guilds each Guardian symbol. The roof is made of stained glass, lighting up the place with natural colored sunlight that somehow fits the setting. Chandeliers hang down with unlit crystals. There are some plants and other statues here and there filled the room to give it a royal and fantasia-like feel. The two walk to the front where a black throne chair with grey-white cushioning is placed. The Guild symbol itself is placed above the throne on a large banner. Unbeknownst to them and the guards, when the doors closed they become magically sealed and trapped inside. On one side of the throne stands a mannequin that had a hooded mantle placed upon it. Its color is black with the inside being sapphire blue. On the back is the logo of the guild in white. They stop at the foot of few steps that lead to the throne. They look at it longingly. Ourania looks at the timer and it reads that there are 2 minutes left.
“You should go up there.” Saxen suddenly says.
“What? I can’t…I mean, this was only used for certain occasions like planning a large-scale raid or something.”
“It’s the last day. Just do it. What’s the harm?”
“I don’t know….if feels….off, without the others here.”
“…..” He sighs. “I get it. I’m the same. But it’s the last time we get to be here.”
She looks at him, then at the mantle and throne. She takes a deep breath and exhales before taking the first step. Saxen smiles as she walks up the few steps and turns to the mantle. She takes it in her hands and looks at for a few moments before donning the hooded cloak. It shimmers for a few seconds as it recognizes its owner before fading. Ourania gets a notification.
Equipped: Cloak of the Guild Master Item Type: Cloth Mantle Rank: Legendary Description: When wearing this cloak, the user shall have absolute control over the forces of Humanities Legion. Requirements: Being the guild master of Humanities Legion Effects:
+ 20 to all stats
Total authority to command all members of the guild.
50% Resistance against the elements
She then steps in front of the throne and sits. She looks around the room once again from her position and recalls the pleasant memories that were created here. “I really am going to miss this place.”
“I agree. It’s a shame. But what can you do? It’s not like we can be here after the servers stop. I wonder what it would be like if all this was real?”
“That would be….actually, I don’t know what it would be like.” She looks at the timer, 30 seconds.
“30 seconds before the force logout. When we leave, let’s meet up with everyone again.”
20 seconds.
“That doesn’t sound too bad.”
10 seconds.
“It’s a plan. Let’s all go out for karaoke.”
“And have everyone embarrass themselves? Definitely.”
5 seconds.
“This is it then. I guess I will see you later.”
“Yep, see you later.”
As the timer reaches zero the two friends close their eyes, ready for the logout. Only nothing happens. After a few moments, they look at each other with confusion and a clear question on both minds. What happened? Saxen, being the first to break the silence, speaks.
“Maybe there is a lag?”
“I don’t think so. Let me try to log out.”
She opens up her status screen and looks at the logout button. She presses it and a notification text pops up.
Logout unavailable
She frowns and tries to contact a GM when another pop-up appears.
Attempting to contact a GM is not possible at this time. Sorry for the inconvenience.
She looks at Saxen in worry.
“I can’t log out. It says it’s unavailable.”
His eyes widen in surprise. “The hell? What about a GM?”
She shakes her head. “Not possible.”
“What do we do now?”
“I…… don’t know.”
He ponders for a moment before letting out a slight smile. “Hey.”
“What?”
“I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.”
She looks at him in bewilderment before connecting the dots. She shakes her head smiling at him. “Shut up. I can’t believe you just said that. ” He shrugs in response. “Anyway, let’s see if we can find out anything.” She gets up and starts to head out the room. “Come along Toto. We have work to do”. She says while grinning.
“Who the hell are you calling Toto!?” He shouts after her before quickly catching up.