Motes of light danced across the black canvas behind them. The vast expanse of space laid bare, with countless stars painting the view a dazzling spectacle.
However, the picturesque scene was disturbed as a point in space was violently shorn, ripples of luminescent purple energy crackling into place. Where once was the majesty of the nebula, a partial view of some distant world appeared.
From this spatial disturbance, a small ship flew forth, followed shortly by a larger vessel, before the anomaly closed with a violent shower of sparks.
The smaller ship rolled to the side as a barrage of green-colored bolts shot from the other. The camera panned backwards, the view of the ships dogfighting shrinking, before characters appeared across the screen -
“STARFALL ONLINE.”
I looked towards my friend, Jace, as a smile crossed my face. My pudgy hands wobbled with the effort of holding my phone in front of his face, but the expression he wore made it worth it.
“Dude!” Jace said, as he looked at me with wonder.
“Dude.” I replied sagely.
Jace shook his head, before saying, “I can’t believe they shadow-dropped something this huge.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this hyped for a game before,” I replied, and looked towards the trailer playing on my phone.
“Right? Real full dive VR, and they just announced it like it was nothing. This company is crazy, Austin.”
Jace looked at me with devilish smile. I returned one back, before staring at my phone in thought.
I had known Jace for years now, having become friends in middle school, and we were inseparable. My eyes flickered over his face for a moment, and I felt a twinge in my chest. He had pride in his appearance, and it was no wonder why. Despite being an avid gamer like myself, he took a surprising amount of care in maintaining the sharp, handsome features he inherited from his parents, and encouraged me to do the same.
His insistence was a point of contention between us, and sometimes I thought he cared about me more than I cared for myself. I had never seen the point in counting calories or using any of the various products I’d seen when I stayed at his place. My feelings for my body had never been positive, and I envied Jace for his easy confidence.
I glanced back at my phone, reading the various comments on the video.
This looks awesome!!
My body is ready
Another space game? Sighh
Space waifus where
I shook my head, turned my phone off, and looked towards Jace. We stood from the lunch table we’d been sitting at, and I slung my backpack over my shoulder.
“Last day of school and the game of the century drops. Can it get any better?” I ask, sighing dreamily.
“I’m afraid you won’t see sunlight until next year,” Jace retorted, shooting me a grin.
“Of course I will,” I retort, “It’ll just be from the deck of my new spaceship.”
“You’re hopeless,” He sighed, giving me a pitying look.
The school day ended with a movie in the auditorium. Jace and I began our walk home, and I took in the spring air. The journey was accompanied with a comfortable chatter, before we arrived at my front door.
“Looks like Mom’s not home yet.” I said, before opening the door and leading us inside. “Want to order something?”
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In its usual spot, two twenty dollar bills sat on the counter. Funds for dinner.
“Sure. Pizza?” Jace replied, settling in to his favorite part of the couch.
With familiar ease, I whipped out my phone and ordered our usual. I then settled in on the couch next to Jace. The next few hours were spent debating theories on Starfall Online, eating pizza, and cracking jokes until my mom returned.
I stood up as the door opened, and rushed to help with the numerous bags she was carrying. Her slender frame was weighed down by the sheer number of groceries.
“You could’ve asked for help,” I scolded, as I took most of them from her hands.
She shot me a tired smile, and gave a quick thanks.
“And interrupt your ‘post-junior-year-party?” She replied, shooing me away from the counter before putting up groceries. “Go sit down, I can do this.”
“You never know when to rest,” I grumbled, but begrudgingly sat at the kitchen counter. I pulled the change from the night’s dinner and slid it onto the countertop.
Mom looked back for a moment, her expression softening, before saying, “Keep it, Austin. You can use it for that new game, Star-whatever.”
“Are you sure?” I asked.
She slowly put the last item in the fridge before turning towards me. She gave me a warm smile, and attacked me with a side hug.
“I don’t know how I raised such a good child,” She teased.
“Mom, please…” I said, embarrassed as I looked over at Jace.
He looked up from his phone and gave a thumbs up with a smug smile.
“Don’t mind me, Ms. Green. This might be the last chance you have to see your son.”
I pushed out of the hug, pouting, before I subtly flipped Jace off. Ignoring his glare, I looked towards mom and gave her my best puppy-dog eyes.
“Mom, I know tomorrow I’m supposed to do my chores,” I began, channeling my best lawyer abilities, “But I swear I’ll do them all later! I just really want to try that game with Jace tonight.”
She looked me over with a discerning gaze, before nodding her head slowly.
“As long as it gets done, I don’t care. I know you’re excited about your game, just make sure to do it before the house turns into a jungle.”
I looked at the best mom in the world as a smile stretched across my lips. I stood up, gave her an awkward hug, and walked back over to Jace.
“Just 10 minutes,” I said, looking at the clock, now displaying 11:50pm. “I’m gonna go set up our gear.”
“I’ll help,” Jace said, standing up.
It didn’t take long for us to make our way upstairs to my room, and set up the VR headsets we owned. Jace had left his equipment at my place from our last hangout, and I was feeling quite glad for that mistake. Jace sat in the recliner while I laid in my bed, both of us pulling the VR displays over our faces.
Time had never moved slower than in that moment, and I watched the clock tick down.
11:59:57
11:59:58
11:59:59
12:00
My vision faded as the headset whirred to life, and I booted the game.
STARFALL ONLINE
The game’s banner displayed, rendered in full 3d due to the VR equipment, and I could see the dazzling display of stars around me, as if I were floating in the vacuum of space.
The same cutscene from the trailer began to play as the title faded, but it was an incomparable experience in VR. I could see the ships fighting as if in first person, and my heart began to beat in excitement.
Finally, like the trailer, my point of view panned away from the action, and my vision was filled with myriad colors.
I found myself in a dark room, decorated with dazzling neon lights, holograms of alien creatures, and the large figure of a woman.
She had fair skin, long, snow-white hair, and red eyes that looked more mechanical than biological. She was dressed in a skin-tight suit, reminiscent of hackers I’d seen in other media.
She gave me an angelic smile, and said, “Welcome to Starfall Online. I am Aegis, your personalized assistant.”
I looked at her in shock, before responding, “Personalized? Does that mean everyone gets someone different?”
She nodded patiently, as if expecting me to question her relentlessly.
“Yes, each person is assigned their own AI attendant. We were created to help you on your journey, starting with character creation.”
I nodded thoughtfully, considering her words. AI? What insane tech did this company just drop? Full dive VR was impressive enough, but did they just introduce world changing technology in a video game?
Aegis lifted her hand, and a holographic version of myself appeared in front of me. An expression of unease crossed my face as I viewed my pudgy body. I tried not to think about it.
I never liked the view of myself in the mirror. Jace had always modeled his game characters after himself, something I would never consider doing. I had always played as girls in games, justifying it with their improved options in fashion. Jace had never given me a hard time about it, which I had appreciated.
“Can you, um,” I started saying, nervously, “Change the gender? Please?”
My face flushed as I rubbed the back of my head awkwardly, but Aegis simply gave a kind smile and complied.
The figure in front of me changed from my carbon copy to someone that could have passed as my sister. Her dark brown hair and eyes, soft nose, and smaller frame made the breath in my chest catch.
“Show me customization options, please.” I said, swallowing nervously.
A vast array of options appeared before me, showing that I could customize her from where individual hairs would rest, to a plethora of body modifications I could make.
Overwhelmed, I simply made her hair about shoulder length, changed its color to white, and messed about with eye colors before, feeling inspired, I settled on the same red Aegis had. After a few changes, she could have passed as Aegis’ little sister.
For a moment, I just stared, taken by her beauty. A comfortable tug in my chest made me smile, as I considered I would get to play the game as her. Aegis, looking over my creation, subtly smiled.
“Are you ready to try your avatar?” She asked, warmly.
“Yes,” I responded, still nervous.
Immediately, I felt a sense of vertigo as my height was altered. The soft feeling of hair tickled my shoulders, and on instinct, I glanced towards the mirror and gasped. I was her. She was me. I lifted my hand to my mouth in surprise and watched as she followed. I raised my hand to the mirror, and saw the delicate, thin shape it had.
For the first time in my life, I didn’t hate looking in the mirror, and I couldn’t stop smiling.
“Aegis.” I said, not looking away.
“Yes?” She asked, ever the patient saint.
“Why am I so happy?” I asked, not really expecting an answer.
She walked up behind me, her reflection visible in the mirror. To anyone watching, the two would appear as siblings. She enveloped me in a tight hug, and I stood stiffly, belatedly realizing tears were rolling down my cheek.
“Are you ready?” She asked, gently.
I nodded, enjoying the familial warmth of the hug. I had no idea what emotions I was experiencing. It was like feeling your leg wake up after spending a long time numb.
Aegis gently stroked the top of my head, before letting go. The mirror disappeared, and knocked out of my stupor, I turned towards her. In front of me, a 3d holographic button appeared, saying “BEGIN”
She gestured towards it, before saying, “If you need me, call my name. I will be at your call at all times.”
I had only known Aegis for minutes, but I felt a connection to her stronger than seemed reasonable. Outside my mother, I had never been shown such compassion in vulnerability.
Hesitantly, I lifted my hand.
“Thank you, Aegis,” I said.
The world disappeared as I pressed the button.