The glare of the morning sun strut it's way through the small gaps not covered by the curtains. It's golden rays slowly dancing along the tips of my skin, warmth, so much pure natural warmth.

In my close to 30 years of life, I feel like I can say I've never truly appreciated the sun. Yet here I lay on the last day this body will draw breath smiling with the light of the sun waking me from my restful night of sleep.

No worries, no doubts.. relatively no cares. In thirty years when was the last time I was ever this relaxed?

With a slight yawn I peel the covers from me, disrupting my comfort and peace.

“Today's the first and last day of the rest of my life.”

Okay maybe not in that order, but the statement still stands.

As I look around the hotel room I can't help but think about the tiny apartment I lived in for the last few years.

Dark, stuffy, and lacked that homey feel to it. Maybe if I was allowed to have pets like I wanted, it may have been filled with a light but lively energy. A few cats and two dogs, yeah that definitely sounds nice.

Unfortunately the landlady was allergic to animals, at least that's what she told us tenants.

I never got many visitors, although I have a large extended family I decided earlier on to move far away.

As I go to take my last shower here and brush my teeth I can't help but find satisfaction in the fact that I won't have to go into that dingy office anymore and sit at my desk that has been overcome with paper since the first day I started years ago.

Giving this tattered body a once over as I pass the mirror I run my fingers along the scars that have been permanently etched into my skin. The feel of them each taking my breath away as I'm overcome with flashbacks of past traumas.

The lamenting doesn't last long as the fact that I'm finally a winner had resurfaced itself making me glow lightly with confidence as I take my steps out of the room.  

I was always a mediocre child, just barely average in some areas while being beyond lacking in others.

The only thing I was semi good at was writing, I had a deep passion for taking the thoughts in my head and putting them to paper.

Dragons that swallow star's, princesses that save kingdoms, and animals that overcome tribulations.

Unfortunately the market was flooded with aspiring authors, many with outstanding and brilliant ideas that are continuously overlooked for less qualified individuals but with better connections.

A year ago I applied for this writing contest sponsored by the scientific nation of research and development.

Each contestant was charged with coming up with some in game plot. There would be a hundred winners who would have their plots added to the game's AI for quest references.

There was also the chance of fifteen people becoming a grand prize winner. The country kept especially secret the reward, doing everything to make sure the information doesn't leak.

6 months ago surprisingly enough I had a man in a suit standing outside my small door claiming to be a representative of their country.

After checking his credentials and inviting him in he broke it too me plainly that I was a grand prize winner.

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He told me that if i accepted the prize I would be leaving for the main research department in charge of the game within a week's time.

He couldn't tell me what the prize was only that if I accepted I had to say my goodbyes to my family forever and be prepared to leave within the week.

After the shock I received about finding out I was a winner, with hardly any questions asked I told the man I could have letters written within the hour and we could leave today.

Now you have to know, the scientific country hardly lets anyone without a certain pedigree into their floating country.

I'm a middle management office worker, with hardly any friends and a family I haven't seen in over a decade.

Without any hesitation the letters were written and handed over, bags packed with a few clothes my hard drive and a few momentos and I was ready to go in only three hours.

It was only when we were on our way to the airport that the man, after deactivating my cell service, while handed me my phone back mentioned that the scientific country will be taking care of my contracts and debts so I won't have to worry about them later.

Now don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm unreasonably naive, it's just that I knew deep in my heart I've already become an empty shell of the man I use to be, resembling nothing of the man I had always aspired to be.

After two flights and a helicopter ride I successfully arrived on the artificially created country that floats on the sea.

It was a city right out of a fantasy novel, shiny buildings outlined in sea plants, floating lights, and even holographic screens projected everywhere.

throughout the city you could see different techniques used to harness natural energy. Capturing the sun, taming the winds, even rolling with the waves.  

Little robots going around checking on citizens was taken as a common occurrence, cleaning up trash, and insuring the safety of each resident were the tasks filling their daily lives.

During the first few days the assistant in charge of me had me do physicals and psych tests. On the fifth day they finally broke their silence and told me my prize.

“we would like to offer you a permanent job working at this company…”

I couldn't even hear the rest of the statement because I froze up. Overwhelmed with a feeling of angst, dread started to creep in.

“Will they be disappointed too? Will my incompetence drag me down even here?”

I couldn't help thinking to myself. Before the dread could take root my fist balled up and I clenched my teeth.

Rage! Pure heat rose from my chest I could feel my nails cutting into my flesh, the feeling of my palms growing more wet was all the confirmation I needed. I was bleeding, so filled with rage at myself for already preparing for failure.

“this isn't the same as the past, I will definitely grasp onto this opportunity with my life on the line!”

I screamed these words to myself, the inside of my mind becoming a vortex completely tinted in red with only these words repeating over and over again.

Within the few seconds that all of this happen, neither the manager nor the assistant had taken noticed of my internal battle.

Abruptly slamming my hands down onto the table, I stood up and said very clearly.

“the paperwork, contracts, non disclosure forms, everything! Bring everything, I'll sign it all today!”

Clearly startled and a little unhappy about my outburst, the system manager leered at me slightly, did a quick cough and spoke.

“Sir are you sure about that? We've already prepared a reputable lawyer to help you completely look through the paperwork?

There's really no need to rush."

Taking a deep breath I sat back down and calmed myself a bit.

“No, no I do apologies for the inconvenience you've gone through at length for me. But whatever it is i'll do it. I won't give up on this.”

With a slightly surprised look the manager gingerly smirked and didn't ask again with a snap the young assistant brought out several stacks of paper from his briefcase.

With ink and blood I signed over all my rights to this company backed by one of the most powerful nations in this world.

In that moment it was decided I would allow them to transfer my consciousness into their game that will debut soon.

Sixth months of collecting biometrics, brainwave activity, and a bit of physical exercise has lead up to this moment of me strapped into and laying up against this machine.

A voice over the intercom broke into my monologue.

“on behalf of the company and the many nations involved in this project we sincerely thank all the participants that agreed to our slightly pushy and unreasonable terms.

The character outlines you've all submitted have been thoroughly analysed and synthesized by the leading AI in charge of the mainframe maintenance.

Once you are uploaded you'll be able to pick your classes and will all be randomly transported to a town based on your luck.

We wish you all the best, whether you become a ruler of the people or help stave off the players allowing the darkness to extend its reaches.

Upload will be complete in 3.. 2.. 1.”

And like that everything went dark.