Chapter 1
As the spectral figure before me shifted form, the glowing markings on its body shimmered with an ethereal light. I struggled to focus, my temples throbbing with each attempt to decipher its ever-changing shape. It felt like trying to pinpoint a specific cloud in a stormy sky—every time I thought I had it figured out, it morphed into something new.
“Salutations, Maura Everhart," the figure intoned, its voice a melody that was both comforting and unsettling. “You have been chosen as a new initiate of the multiverse. Prepare yourself, for the class selection will begin momentarily.”
Disoriented and overwhelmed, I rubbed my temples, trying to process the whirlwind of events. "What’s happening? Did I die? Are you…”
Before I could finish, the figure gently cut me off. “No, you did not die, and I am not what you might think. You are now part of the 33rd initiation, where Earth and sixty-one other life-inhabiting planets in the Milky Way will undergo a transformation to integrate the inherent mana of the multiverse. This is not merely a transformation of space but of essence, aligning your galaxy with the others in our multiverse.”
The words hit me like a wave, leaving me to grapple with their monumental implications. Everything I knew—or thought I knew—about the universe was expanding before my eyes, stretching beyond the bounds of my understanding.
The figure continued, explaining the cosmic alignment and the role of the initiates. “Once the tutorial is complete, everyone will be transported back to their respective planets to begin re-inhabitation. It’s survival of the fittest on a cosmic scale.”
A holographic display materialized in front of me, filled with floating icons representing health, mana, and more—like a dashboard for my very existence.
Name: Maura Everhart
Race: Human
Race Skills: Identify, Multilingua
Level: 1
Base Stats:
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 12
Intelligence: 15
Wisdom: 11
Constitution: 13
Charisma: 14
Mana: 40/40
Class: [Empty]
Class Skills: [Empty]
Blessings: [Empty]
Titles: [Empty]
Achievements: [Empty]
Profession: [Empty]
“To navigate through your journey, access your HUD by concentrating on it,” the figure instructed, bringing me back to the present.
I focused, and the HUD expanded, revealing a depth of options that made my head spin. I had to choose a class now—a decision that felt as weighty as choosing a career path back on Earth, but with even higher stakes.
“Now, let your mind guide you as we delve into the classes currently available for your race initiation,” it said.
Anxiety clawed at my throat. “Wait, did you say other planets? How many planets are there? Are there aliens? What happened to Earth?”
The figure adjusted something unseen, and a wave of calm washed over me, smoothing the sharp edges of my panic. Yet, a prickling sense of unease lingered, like a distant echo of my suppressed fears.
“There are other species, yes. After this initiation, there will be 2,159 unique life-supporting planets in the multiverse,” it explained. “Now, please focus on selecting your class. We don’t have much time.”
The options for classes appeared in my HUD, and I stared at them, each one representing a different path, a different life. The base classes were familiar enough, reminiscent of characters in video games I used to play:
Warrior, Fighter, Rogue, Archer, Healer.
But it was the unique classes tailored to my inherent abilities that caught my attention. They felt more personal, more daunting.
Spellblade, Technomancer, Shadowdancer, Arcane Scholar, Battlemage.
My hand hovered over the selections. Each class beckoned with its own allure and mysteries. The decision was overwhelming. It wasn’t just about picking a role; it was about choosing who I wanted to be in this new, expansive universe.
As I concentrated on the classes they expanded before me:
SpellBlade
Description: Masters of both sword and sorcery, Spellblades blend martial prowess with magical finesse.
Starting Inventory:Enchanted sword, basic spell book, padded armor.
Abilities: [Sword Mastery], [Elemental Magic of choice]
Stolen novel; please report.
Skills: [Parry], [Fireball]
Technomancer
Description: Masters of technology and arcane arts, Technomancers manipulate gadgets and magic alike to bring creation past the limits of imagination.
Starting Inventory: Technomancer suit, multitool, energy sword, robotic companion.
Abilities: [Gadget Manipulation], [Arcane Tech Mastery]
Skills: [Companion Summoning], [Electric Surge]
Shadowdancer
Description: Stealthy and elusive, Shadowdancers thrive in the shadows, striking swiftly and silently.
Starting Inventory: Cloak of Shadows, silent daggers, leather armor.
Abilities: [Shadow Step], [Invisibility]
Skills: [Backstab], [Smoke Bomb]
Arcane Scholar
Description: Devoted to the pursuit of knowledge, Arcane Scholars wield the power of ancient secrets.
Starting Inventory: Grimoire, enchanted quill, basic wand, basic robes
Abilities: [Teleportation], [Glyph Creation]
Skills: [Summon], [Haste]
Battlemage
Description: Melding raw power with magical prowess, Battlemages unleash destructive forces on the battlefield.
Starting Inventory: Warstaff, elemental crystal, Infusible garments
Abilities: [Elemental Shield], [Create Water]
Skills: [Thunderstrike], [Elemental Fusion]
The weight of the choice settled on my shoulders like a mantle. I could be a Warrior, embracing the straightforward path of strength and honor, or a Rogue, navigating the shadows of this new world. The Technomancer, with its blend of magic and technology, promised a fusion of creativity and logic that appealed to my problem-solving nature.
As I hovered between choices, I realized this decision would define my place in the cosmos. It wasn’t just about survival; it was about shaping my destiny in the multiverse. The pressure was immense, but so was the opportunity. I took a deep breath, letting the possibilities swirl around me.
"Technomancer seems very up my alley," I finally said, my voice a mix of resolve and trepidation. "I like the idea of magical gadgets and creating things. Plus, I've never been in a fight, so a combat-heavy class might not suit me. And this way, I won't have to worry about setting anything on fire."
"The figure paused a moment, eyes narrowing, 'Did you say Technomancer?'"
I nodded. "Arcane scholar sounds very interesting as well—ancient knowledge and arcane insight, who wouldn't want that?"
Across from me, the figure had stopped everything it was doing, including shifting its shape, and focused its attention solely on me.
“Are technomancers programmers, or is it more engineering focused?" I asked, noticing the figure staring at me. "What? Is everything okay? Is that a bad choice?"
The figure shook its head. "Technomancers are very unique. They do both engineering and programming in a sense. They can create artificial lifeforms. I’m told they require a deep connection with vital energies in order to breathe life into their creations. A balance between logic, creativity, and magic." The figure was tense, and noticeably only after I had made my selection did the entity appear to relax.
The figure nodded, acknowledging my choice. "A fitting decision, Maura. Your affinity for the technomagical arts shall prove invaluable in the challenges that lie ahead. Embrace your chosen path, and the multiverse will unfold its wonders for you. If you have any queries, feel free to ask now, Ms. Maura Everhart."
I flashed a nervous grin. "You can just call me Maura. Keep it casual, you know?"
"As you wish, Maura," the tutorial guide spoke melodically. "Before you lies your equipment. I recommend you put on your gear and begin to become accustomed to it. I cannot guarantee where in the tutorial you will materialize, and it is always good to be prepared for anything."
As they spoke, the holographic interface responded, Knowledge seeped though me and guided me through equipping my new suit. ”What is actually happening here? I should be terrified. I should be in disbelief of all of this, but it all feels so natural that it’s almost unbelievable," I looked up as I slid the jade suit on and tucked my polo away.
"Right now," the entity explained, "your parasympathetic nervous system is reducing your anxiety so that you can navigate this introduction with a clear head. What is most peculiar, however, is that you recognize this. In 32 initiations, very few ever question this part of the tutorial. When you rematerialize and reality sets in, sure. But here in this controlled environment, fear and anxiety are suppressed for ease of getting through this in the allotted time.”
"As far as feeling natural, this feels natural because, in a way, it is. We’ve been preparing Earth for integration for centuries through media and stories. While magic and the system were suppressed on Earth, it was still there, so being among it will begin to feel more and more natural. This will become increasingly apparent as you level and begin to reach physical and mental levels that humans prior to this had only seen in science fiction. Speaking of fiction, while this may feel like a movie, comic, or game, I must stress, this is very much real and dying is not something that can be undone. There are no extra lives."
As the spectral guide confirmed my new path as a Technomancer, the vibrant green suit I was now wearing seemed to pulse with life. Its circuitry patterns glowed, faintly at first, then steadier, as if syncing with my heartbeat. The subtle warmth that spread through me was not only from the suit but also from the decision itself—a confirmation that this was the right choice.
“Your primary tool and companion in this journey will be your energy sword and a robotic ally designed to assist you,” the guide explained, motioning toward the objects materializing in front of me. The sword, with its sleek design and a core that hummed with contained power, floated gently within reach. Beside it, a small, spherical robot awaited activation, its surface a patchwork of steel panels and soft blue lights.
With a deep breath, I reached out and grasped the energy sword. It felt surprisingly right in my hand, perfectly balanced and lighter than I expected. As I held it, a surge of information flowed into me—schematics, combat techniques, and a deep, almost instinctual knowledge of how to use it. The rush was intense, like a rapid download directly into my brain.
“It's dangerous to go alone,” I murmured, echoing the old wisdom of a favorite game from what felt like another life. The phrase brought a smile to my face, grounding me in this surreal moment.
“Your robotic companion will aid you in various tasks and can be upgraded as you progress. Its initial form is basic, but it has the potential to evolve,” the guide explained.
I turned my attention to the small robot at my feet. I reached toward the dormant robot cautiously, intrigued by its appearance. It resembled an amalgamation of a chain chomp and a Pixar character—round and robust with a big led panel with upside down ‘U’s suggestive of closed eyes that added a touch of whimsy to its otherwise formidable metallic body. Its legs, sturdy and compact, suggested it could maneuver with surprising agility. The robot's surface was a patchwork of steel panels interspersed with soft blue lights that blinked slowly in a resting state.
The moment I touched smooth cool surface energy transferred between us and from the robot’s LED panel two large expressive eyes opened and blinked at me.
An input appeared before me with a blinking cursor below ‘Name:’ Realizing I was going to get to name this guy I looked at him as he gnashed a whole mouth of razor sharp teeth and a smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I thought the name and it instantly appeared in the input before me. “Byte”.
At the mention of its name, Byte stirred to life. Its eyes brightened, and a series of soft, melodic beeps filled the air—its way of acknowledging its activation and new identity.
I looked back up toward the entity. They were no longer shifting in appearance and seemed to be looking at me with almost a sense of awe. Noticing my glance they began shifting their form again and I realized now it was some sort of filter being projected over them.
As the count down approached thirty seconds I asked the guide, “What is your name, and will I ever see you again?”
The guide opened their mouth and just as the countdown reached zero they vanished from sight.