A virtual reality game so realistic that it is practically indistinguishable from reality. It had been critically acclaimed by many newspapers and articles and was the biggest headline in internet history to date. There was only one game. It was the first of its kind and decades ahead of its time. Its name was Reality Virtual: ReLife.
Inside a modest and tidy apartment, there were two people who dwelled there: a brother and sister. They were putting on their shoes, just about to head outside to purchase the game and gear.
“Ulima, don’t forget… our face….”
“I know, Adam.”
Ulima and Adam, the girl and the boy, both put on their masks.
Ulima sighed. “It’s almost like we’re vampires. How long has it been since the sun touched our face?”
Adam opened the door and waited for Ulima to step outside. “I mean, we don’t exactly have a choice, do we.”
It was a sizzling hot day, and the heat mirages radiated off the urban street like hell was just a few feet under. Yet the streets were bustling with more people than ever before, and that was due to the release of the new virtual reality game. The excitement was warranted, however. It gave a chance at a new life and to escape the mundane--who wouldn’t get excited!
Adam and Ulima had to walk just two blocks down to reach the store that sold the gear and game, yet those two blocks felt like an eternity with the amount of stares and attention the two received. The people started murmuring.
“What’s with the mask?”
“Are they hideous or something?”
“They’re hella sus.”
“I’m dialing 9-1--”
“-Wait, I don’t think you have to go that far.”
“Bah,” Adam snorted. “At least it’s better compared to without the mask on, but I could still do without the attention any day.”
When they finally walked the two blocks enduring the gazes, they reached the end of the long line of people waiting to get their taste at the VR game. Tragically, it was burning outside, and there was an ice cream dispenser right beside them. That was even more tragic.
“Adam, that thing…. It’s calling for me….”
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Adam grimaced. “I feel you.”
It was the void’s calling--except the thing doing the calling was the ice cream. There was the temptation to just take off the mask and bite into the juicy and seductively cold piece of--
“--Oh hey, I forgot to mention. What username will you pick?” Ulima asked. “After all, you won’t be able to change your name once you register.”
“Hm, how about… Adam.”
Awkward silence ensued.
“H-how innovative.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
Soon enough, it was Adam and Ulima’s turn to purchase their game and gear. They entered the store, and as soon as they stepped in, the clerk at frontdesk, noticing the mask on the two’s face, jerked back just a millimeter in surprise and then quickly regained her composure, smiling like the radiant sun. Indeed, she maintained her professionalism despite the suspicion the masks would typically induce.
“Hi, I suppose you two are here to purchase the new game?”
“Yes,” answered Adam.
“Alright, then please stand on the identity scanner for just a moment. This is just to enforce the one account per person rule and to establish the character appearance inside the game. Make sure to take off your mask when you’re being scanned. You can close the sliding door if you desire privacy.”
While Adam stepped up to the identity scanner, Ulima took the time to look at the gear. It was just a small black circular-shaped device worn like a crown around a person’s head. It was a technological marvel, and only one game was compatible with the gear, and the creator of the game was the creator of the gear itself, monopolizing the entire industry.
Adam finally stepped down and Ulima stepped up to take Adam’s place. Soon they were done.
“Alright, I finished updating your gears, so here they are. The server opens at 3pm, so be there or be square. Thank you for visiting and have a fantastic day.”
Adam and Ulima left the shop.
“That was surprisingly quick,” Ulima commented.
Adam, being unable to disagree, gave a grunt to affirm.
The two of them headed back home and finally made it to their living room couch, collapsing with a sigh. They took off their mask, feeling a sense of relief and release.
Adam sat up. “Hey, let’s eat lunch. What do you want?”
Ulima brightened up instantly. “Oh, you’re going to cook today? What about spaghetti? It has a lot of carbs, and hopefully it’ll keep us running while we’re in the game.”
“Sure, I’ll cook just enough so the food coma doesn’t hit us today.”
“Alright, that sounds good!”
While Ulima grinned away happily, Adam retreated to the kitchen and started boiling the water. He reminisced the past, invoking the memories of Ulima and him receiving an order to establish power within the game, along with the other memories of pain and hardship. Adam’s heart turned cold and muttered, “for the great change.”
Adam smiled and called to Ulima. “Di… Lunch is ready!”
“Sweet! I’ll go get some ice cold lemonade for us to drink!”
Adam and Ulima ate and drank, and soon it was time to dive into the VR world and create their character.