David turned from the window, the fading light casting half his face in shadow, half in the light, “Then you know your parents secretly worked for the government. When the energy source was discovered, your mom and I served on the secondary research team to study the energy’s military capabilities.

“At first, we saw the energy sources as a beacon of hope, a chance for a renewable energy source. My research focused on programming a data bank to categorize the analysis. Only later did I discover the energy source could be programmed itself. That opened the range of useful possibilities,” he said, his voice tinged with regret. “But ambition, fear, and greed in the government sought my discovery for their own machinations.”

Lindsey balled her fist, “I discovered the energy source could be used to dilate time in brainwaves.” Her voice was clear and full of determination, “I wanted to use my discovery to revolutionize education. Imagine a person being able to learn new information in a third of the time. A scientist could research or experiment three times faster. But instead, the military used my discovery to improve the combat efficiency of soldiers.”

David sighed, a sound of weariness but also resolve, “At Norfolk, we were constantly surveilled. That was the impetus for our move to the university, that and your mom was pregnant with you.”

“We were so happy when you came along, we couldn’t imagine raising you on a stuffy naval base. During our time at the university a group, a group of us got together and made a pact. That our research would only be used for the good of humanity. I believe Thomas was the one who said we’d bring our research out of darkness and into the light, for the good of all humanity.”

“Do you mean? Dr. McElvaney?” Henry asked confused.

“Yes.”

Henry, processing the magnitude of their words, “Is that how Twilight was founded?’

“Yes and no. Three years later we discovered the transportive properties of the energy source. Around your fifth birthday, we finished the human trials and confirmed the existence of Xenia and a host of other planets. Imagine confirming space travel, oh boy did we celebrate that night. After all, your father and I developed the capsules, by combining our research,” Lindsey added, her voice a mix of caution and hope. “While celebrating at the bar, the military misused our discovery and sought to control various worlds. Not only did failed miserably, they upset the gods.”

Heather, who was listening to the conversation, could hardly blink. She could hardly believe such radical information was being discussed so relaxed. The intake of such groundbreaking news gave her a migraine.

“I’m sorry I lied to you,” Henry said telling her about his invitation to Ordo Raven and Twilight Family.

“I can’t believe this is real?” She said wincing as the migraine drummed harder.

“How did Heaven’s Gate come about?” Henry asked.

“Oh, that was the name of the project,” David explained.

“I thought the project’s name was Project X?” Henry asked confused. In the Twilight House, during orientation, Sun told him the project’s name was Project X.

“There were several iterations of projects. The initial project was called Project X. But once we discovered space travel, the military created a new project, Project Heaven’s Gate,” Lindsey clarified.

“Excuse me, I need to lie down,” Heather said the weight of the conversation getting to her.

“The guestroom is down the hall and to the right,” Lindsey pointed.

“Sun told me, you and Dad, were the Twilight Family founders.”

“Remember our secret pact? We built a secret base on a planet and recruited others who wanted to use the technology to benefit humanity. However, due to a disagreement, our group splintered. The people who split apart didn’t think we were radical enough and wanted to use technology to build a better place for everyone. The new group used Thomas’ comment from earlier and called themselves ‘Light.’ Unfortunately, after, that we couldn’t keep our secret, a secret much longer, and the military found it. The military created ‘Operation Night’ to covertly identify group members and silence them,” David explained, regretfully.

“When the operation was exposed, ‘Light’ changed their name to ‘Daylight,’ and elected a leader Sun to manage the organization, aligning themselves in confrontation with the project’s supervisor, General ‘Charles’ Yuè, but everyone called him General Moon. To stick with convention, we named our organization ‘Twilight.’” Lindsey elaborated.

“Then how does the apocalypse fit into all this? Henry wondered.

They turned to face each other in confusion, then looked at Henry curiously, “The apocalypse?”

“Yeah,” Henry looked at his parents quizzically. “During the selection ceremony, one of the leaders said the goal of all three was to bring the virtual into reality.”

“Son, it has been 18 years since we had anything to do with the factions. Back then, there were no induction ceremonies. It was just us researchers and the military,” David explained.

“But that phrase is curious, ‘bring the virtual into reality.’ Where have I heard that before? Lindsey thought pacing around the room. “Did they say anything else?”

“They exist to expand the possibilities of reality.”

Once again David and Lindsey turned to face each other, their eyes darting back and forth. “We wrote that,” they said in unison. “We wrote our goal was to bring our research into light to expand the possibilities of reality. It was the central tenant of our organization.”

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As night fully enveloped the world outside, the family continued to talk. Henry filled them in on this life from adolescence to college. He talked about Dustin, Heather, his job at Heaven’s Gate, and his adventures in-game. And David and Lindsey explained how they transmigrated into a noble man and bear priestesses. Since there wasn’t a direct comparison, a neurologist became a priestess because they were both healers. And a computer scientist became a royal engineer. Demeter captured their souls and transmigrated them into the bodies of two deceased lovers. The betrothed died of suicide because of their families’ disavowal.

The pair traveled around, searching for clues. But they ran out of money quickly, and human settlements did not care for Bearwoman priestess. Begrudgingly, the Bearington Patriarch allowed his daughter and human husband to live and work in the clan basilica. But disinherited her, to hide the shame of the mixed-race couple. Furthermore, they were forced to live hidden away in the back of the estate. To make sure they stayed hidden, away from society, housekeeper service was reinstated, and the clan promised to search for her missing son.

It was late in the evening when they finished catching up. As they were preparing to head to bed, there came a knock on the door. Lindsey and David looked at each other knowingly and opened the door. Standing outside the apartment, was a refined-looking Bearman wearing a butler uniform.

“Good evening, Baron Henry Brown is summoned to appear before the patriarch at half past ten. The patriarch wishes to learn your plans...” he announced haughtily.

The next morning, Henry awoke to the smell of pancakes. When he got to the small kitchen his parents and Heather were eating pancakes around a round table.

“Rise and shine son, you have a big day today. You get to meet patriarch,” David smiled putting a plate of pancakes, eggs, and bacon on the table.

As he ate, Lindsey gave him a crash course on etiquette. She told him how to greet the patriarch, how to bow, where he should stand, and how to reply. “Remember, son,” Lindsey said, adjusting the collar of Henry's shirt, “the patriarch has his agenda. Listen more than you speak and weigh your words carefully.”

The walk to the main family’s palace was short, but it felt like a journey. As they walked across the estate families of Bearmen, women, and children stared at them. The grand, imposing, powerful, and prestige of the Bearington clan eyed Henry suspiciously.

When they arrived at the central palace. The butler, his posture rigid and expressionless, led them through hallways adorned with portraits of ancestors, to a grand door that opened into the throne room.

The throne room was large and lavish and matched the estate. The room was packed with courtiers, who stared at Henry like he was an animal on display at the zoo. Despite being polymorphed, and wearing his dæmon armor, the court acted as if he was contagious.

Sitting on the throne, the patriarch was a formidable figure whose aura filled the room. His giant russet fur bristled as Henry stopped 30 paces from the throne and bowed, not as a descendent but as a Baron.

“You would greet your grandfather with your human title rather than as a blood relative?” the patriarch asked his rich baritone voice full of criticism.

“I greet you as a warrior who’s made a name for himself abroad. I have won battles and governed a territory built with my own hands and blood,” Henry jabbed. Brax had taught him Bearman conversations were more like battles than sophistry.

“Did that Bearnhardt brat teach you, our ways? Ha-ha. Although you are short in stature and weak-blooded, you do resemble a Bearman. However, the test of a real Bearman is only learned through battle. Tell me, grandson, what do you wish? Do you wish to return to your settlements with your newfound parents? Do you wish to earn experience in battle? Or do you wish for your birthright?” the patriarch asked.

“I wish for nothing; I can’t earn myself. What I demand is my mother’s reinstatement.”

“You mean her direct lineage title? How do you plan to enforce your demands? the patriarch smiled. His gaze, sharp and assessing, landed on Henry.

“Tell me what it requires, and I’ll earn it.”

“Accomplishments, it’s possible, if you have enough, but it’s not as simple as it sounds. It’s nearly impossible, it’s like sifting through the desert with a tweezer. Regardless of your mixed parentage, you are a priest and warden of Demeter, a prestigious honor for our clan. Moreover, our clan is not so bold as to spite the gods. Therefore, out of fealty to the gods, I will allow you to reinstate your mother’s inheritance. First, you must triumph over an opponent in a trial by combat. And following that, you must distinguish yourself with valorous deeds in the war to come. Do you accept?”

Determined, Henry nodded, accepting the terms laid before him. “I accept,” he declared, his voice steady with resolve.

The patriarch, observing Henry’s unwavering determination, gave a nod of acknowledgment. “Very well,” he said, “You will fight Little John in a trial by combat. Succeed, and you will have proven yourself worthy of your birthright.”

The clan members murmured among themselves, some skeptical of Henry’s chances, others intrigued by the prospect of witnessing a warden’s combat ability. The trial by combat was a tradition steeped in the clan’s history, a rite of passage.

“Little John, do you accept?”

John stepped forward and cracked his knuckles, then his neck. “Patriarch I accept. I will never accept a mudblood for a nephew! Warden or otherwise.”

“Then it’s decided, tonight in the coliseum you two will battle,” the patriarch laughed approvingly.

News of Henry’s upcoming battle quickly spread. Heaven’s Gate TV interrupted their broadcast with breaking news to follow the battle. Henry’s name quickly rose until it reached number one on the Heaven's Gate Forum.

Having his real name plastered on headlines and forums made him wince. It was taboo to use your real name while gaming. That’s why he named his avatar Thaddeus. But his parents and Bearington Clan knew him as Henry. He had no choice now, but to go by his real name.

Moreover, the reporters did not take long to find his personal information. His background, education, and employment were all being discussed. Worse yet his affiliation with HG only created more problems.

Outed as an HG computer system analyst, Henry decided to change his avatar name to his own. Life had a way of blurring realities, now on Earth and in Xenia, his name was Henry Brown. After officially changing his name, he watched as the Settlement Scoreboard updated to reveal his real name in second place.

The response from the gaming community was swift and multifaceted. While some rallied to his defense, appreciating the skills and dedication that had earned him his place on the scoreboard, others were less forgiving. Accusations of unfair advantages and conflicts of interest were rampant, fueled by his involuntary outing as an HG employee. The forums and social media were ablaze with debates about Henry's legitimacy as a top player and the ethics of his involvement in the game's development.

However, Beastkin players were the most furious that an HG employee would be the first player to join a Beastkin Clan. Guilds playing in the Beastkin Kingdom were the most vocal.

Amidst the turmoil, the company put out a statement saying they were looking into the situation. A day later, marketing and public relations summoned Henry into their conference room to scold him. The company worked hard to project an image of fairness and integrity. And in one day, Henry had jeopardized them. Now the company was forced to rebuild trust within the game.

After chewing him out, the public relations department subsequently promoted him to the nonexistent Beastkin Clan Group, erased his name from the scoreboard, and promised to bring in Beastkin guild leaders on the beta test.

The removal of “Thaddeus” from the scoreboard felt like a final nail in the coffin for his in-game persona. The distinction between his real life and his gaming life, once clearly demarcated by Henry/Thaddeus, was gone. As Henry logged off for the night, he felt the weight of his new reality settle around him.