Chapter 1: Awakening
Sincere awoke with a jolt, his eyes snapping open to an unfamiliar darkness. The last thing he remembered was the cold metal of the stasis pod closing around him, the hum of advanced technology singing a lullaby of suspended animation. The sickness that ravaged humanity, tearing apart families and civilizations alike, was supposed to be a distant memory when he awoke. But the sensation of damp earth pressing against his face and the distant rumble of shifting soil suggested otherwise.
Disoriented, Sincere pushed himself up on unsteady limbs, blinking against the faint light that filtered through the cracks above. His pod, once a marvel of modern engineering, was now a twisted ruin, half-buried in a muddy landslide. The sleek surfaces were covered in grime, and the once-bright control panels were dark and lifeless.
He took a deep breath, coughing as the earthy scent of wet soil filled his lungs. Panic began to claw at the edges of his mind, but he forced it down, focusing on his training. Sincere had been a technician, part of the team that ensured the stasis pods functioned correctly. He knew how to handle a malfunction, even one as catastrophic as this.
"System, initiate emergency protocols," he commanded, his voice rasping from disuse. Silence answered him. He tried again, but the system that had monitored his every breath for centuries remained stubbornly inert. It was clear that technology had failed him.
With a grunt, he hauled himself out of the wreckage, his body protesting the movement after so long in stasis. As he emerged from the pod, the world around him came into view—a lush forest teeming with life, bathed in the soft glow of a strange sun. This was not the Earth he had known.
Sincere’s mind raced as he tried to comprehend the sight. The towering trees, the vibrant flora, the strange calls of unseen creatures—it was like stepping into a fantasy. His thoughts were interrupted by a soft chime, followed by a translucent blue screen appearing before his eyes.
Welcome, User. Initializing System…
"System?" he echoed, eyes widening. The screen flickered, displaying lines of text that seemed almost whimsical in their design, with ornate borders and a mystical font.
Name: Sincere Race: Human Class: Unassigned Status: Awoken
Welcome to the world of Aeros. You have been granted the following starter abilities to aid your integration:
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
System Integration: Basic understanding of the System interface. Language Comprehension: Ability to understand and speak all common languages. Basic Survival Skills: Knowledge of essential survival techniques.
"Integration?" Sincere muttered. "What is this, a game?"
As if in response, the screen shifted, displaying a small map with a blinking dot indicating his location. Next to it, a quest log appeared.
Quest: Awakened in a New World
Objective: Explore your surroundings and find shelter. Reward: 100 Experience Points.
A game, indeed. But there was no denying the reality of the dirt under his nails or the ache in his muscles. He had been thrust into a world that seemed to operate on rules very different from those he had known.
He glanced around, spotting a path that seemed to lead deeper into the forest. With no other options, he decided to follow it. The System’s interface hovered just within his peripheral vision, waiting patiently for his next move.
As he walked, the gravity of his situation began to settle in. Thousands of years had passed since he had entered stasis. Everything he had known—his family, his friends, his world—was gone, victims of a relentless plague and the passage of time. The weight of loss pressed heavily on his shoulders, a reminder of the world that had failed.
Yet, amidst the dread, a spark of determination ignited within his chest. Sincere had always been a problem solver, a man who thrived on challenges. This world, with its magic and mysterious System, was the ultimate challenge. He would learn its rules, master its secrets, and carve out a place for himself.
The path wound through the forest, leading him to a clearing. In the center stood a small, abandoned structure, its roof partially caved in and vines creeping up its walls. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.
As he approached, the System chimed again.
New Objective: Repair and secure the Base.
Reward: 200 Experience Points.
Sincere smiled despite himself. A quest, a goal, a purpose. It was more than he had expected when he first opened his eyes in that dark, broken pod. With a deep breath, he stepped forward, ready to face the challenges of this new world.
Aeros had its mysteries, and Sincere was determined to unravel them all.