The year is 2029 and Alexander Mercer was no stranger to the thrill of virtual realms. His life, consumed by the boring sadness of the real world, he however found solace in the vast landscapes and epic adventures that unfolded on his computer screen. The world had become a place where it was easier to simply make money online and play games honestly. Alexander had a boring job sadly, not exactly what he wanted in life but sometimes you have to get what you can get.
One fate-filled evening, as the spring rain tapped gently against his bedroom window, Alexander sat hunched over his SquareBox One with Game Station cross-platform play gaming console, ready to delve into the familiar world of "Dungeons And Towers: The Endless Climb." The first release of the game spawned a cult following and with its sequel an even bigger player base. For Alex and millions of other players, this was more than just a game to him, more than a collection of pixels and data it was a way for him to escape from the real world. Trouble, depression, heart ache, and pain are the only things the real world has to offer. However, the game of Dungeons and Towers is a place where he could be free of the troubles of life. He eventually found himself however pulled into this world by a strange force.
When Alexander regained his senses, he found himself standing at the entrance of Dungeon Tower. But this was no longer a pixelated version on a screen; it was a tangible reality, with the scent of damp stone and the chill of a mysterious breeze. Where am I? He thought the world around him was no longer like it was before.
How is this possible, and is there a way out are all the questions he asked himself, however, the voice that spoke back had no answers. It simply said.....Welcome To The World.....of Dungeons and Towers...
In the heart of the video game's starting area, a sprawling expanse unfolded before Alexander Mercer's eyes. Towering trees, their leaves adorned with shades of iridescent blue and green colors, framed the edges of a vibrant meadow. From the west, a gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of flowers, and the distant murmur of a crystal-clear river added a soothing melody to the air that tickled the ears of those around.
In this lush area groups of people gathered, many confused as to what exactly was going on. Many were dressed in what looked like pajamas, and some business suites somewhat looked like village clothes. And in an instant, everyone's clothes changed even Alex's, until rather plain clothing, brown pants, dingy shirt. The ground beneath their feet was a patchwork of vibrant colors, shades of green, bluegrass, and in some places gravel.
A voice would call out to the crowd. The origin of it was a short and stubby white-haired man with a long white beard standing on a rising stone pedestal. His voice and overall presence demanded attention, and as he raised his arms, a hush fell over the assembly. The man's eyes, a piercing shade of silver, scanned the large assembly of people below him as he began to speak. His voice sounded familiar and then it dawned on Alex just exactly who this man was.
"Welcome, brave souls, to the gateway to endless possibilities," the all-white-haired man proclaimed, his voice imbued with a sense of both wisdom and mystery. "You stand at the threshold of your very life. Today you will pick your classes that you will embark on a lifelong journey to master until the end of days!"
Alexander knew exactly who this was, but he couldn't believe his eyes. it was Galfang, the Elder Raikai Elders. Alexander couldn't believe himself, he was standing before Galfang, but how is this possible? As the man spoke, Alexander observed the diverse reactions of the players. Some were engrossed, hanging onto his every word with wide-eyed enthusiasm, while others appeared bewildered, their brows furrowed in confusion. However, a palpable energy of excitement enveloped the crowd, binding them together in a shared sense of adventure.
"Hey what the hell is going on, is this Dungeons and Towers? What the hell gives, I was in my bed, and now this?" He tried to speak but soon found himself silenced as if he was being choked by an unseen force. Another tried to speak out as well, but they were silenced. Panic soon fell on the faces of many who were here.
The dissenters, their faces etched with skepticism, continued to voice their concerns, Alexander was not amongst them, he noticed something they didn't. The Danger that was radiating from one man. The air crackled with tension, and unease spread among the players like a contagious ripple. Many were confused as to what was being said, some even looking at these certain people as crazy.
Suddenly, the older white-haired man, standing on the stone pedestal, raised his arms with an arcane grace. A surge of magical power radiated from him, seizing the protesters in an invisible grip that tightened with every second. Panic swept through their ranks as they struggled against the unseen force, their attempts to escape futile in the end, they were all choked to death it seem by an unseen force.
A wave of terror spread through the crowd as the rabble-rousers fell to the ground, lifeless avatars frozen in expressions of shock. The magical power that had taken hold of them left no room for mercy, and the collective gasp from the onlookers was audible in the air. Everyone else was silent if there were others they hid it well. Alexander didn't move, he didn't so much as blink or respond to this. The true Dungeon Tower game had a similar scene but those people were demons, not from another world like him, he thought to himself but he showed no emotion, even though part of him wanted to scream.
The all-white-haired man's gaze remained unyielding, his silver eyes scanning the remaining players. "Unclean demons have infiltrated the minds of these dissenters," he announced with an air of authority. "To protect our lands from these most unclean, they have been purged from our midst. Destruction is the only path for such evil spirits, for they will taint our world with ideals of grandeur and lust. To each of you, I say this, if any more demons are found among you, like those before you shall be purged. We do not tolerate the unclean spirits here."
The purge came and went, and before Alexander knew it several people were around him dead. In the aftermath of the purging, a heavy silence hung in the air as the old man announced a final check.
"Because there are obviously those in your group who are of the unclean tongue, we must check your home of origin. We know many of you have traveled far to participate in our elevation process and we apologize for the delay but this must be done." He said.
The weight of judgment bore down on the remaining people who were from the real world were few and Alexander was one of them. He could only feel his fear slowly build as the old man went one by one, asking people what their name was and their home of Origin. Many in fear and nervousness spoke the truth and were quickly killed. Arizona, Japan, Egypt, all places Alexander knew him his world, and many people were killed who spoke those names.
As the old man's fiery gaze fell upon Alexander Mercer, his heart quickened. The nervousness seized him, manifesting in beads of sweat that gathered on his forehead. His hands trembled slightly as he stuttered trying to find the right words.
"I am... I am Ghaleon Alexson, son of Alex the Conqueror of Ilse Sorna," he stammered, the words escaping in a loud tone. The air itself seemed to still as he awaited judgment, maintaining a firm stance despite the obvious signs of unease. The old man's silver eyes glowed brighter, scrutinizing Alexander with an intensity that seemed to pierce through his very essence.
"Alexson, you say?" the old man echoed, his voice carrying a weight that resonated in the hushed surroundings. "Then Alexson, you will move forward."
In an instant, a blinding bright light enveloped Alexander, and he found himself teleported into a deep dark void. The sudden transition left him disoriented, the echoes of the purging still ringing in his ears. Ilse Sorna was an area from Dungeon and Towers he remembered. it was a small island in the game, the people were considered savages for their aggressive fighting style. It was one of the few places he believed his origin would not be questioned. In the game, many refugees running from war came from this place. Strangely enough, Ilse Sorna was taken out of the game for travel and could only be glitched to.
Within the void, a status window materialized before him, its interface hovering in the emptiness. A commanding voice echoed through the void, cutting through the silence. "Allocate your stats!"
Race: Dracul (Dragon Born)
Level: 1
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Class: Fighter
Strength: 4 (+3 for Dracul race)Agility: 1Stamina: 1Intellect: 4 (+3 for Dracul race)Wisdom: 4 (+3 for Dracul race)Charisma: 1
Merits:
Son of the Dragon: You are born the son of a Dracul leader. With the same conqueror's spirit as your father, Alex the Conqueror, you are on the path of the dragon, granting a bonus to strength, intellect, and wisdom.
Dragon's Sight: Draculs can temporarily gaze into the future for a few seconds, allowing them to react to danger with heightened awareness.
Flaws:
Enemy of Crown: Most kings and queens know you as either famous or infamous. Depending on the town, you will face increased scrutiny or decreased scrutiny if your identity is ever found out.
Allocation Points Remaining: 10
Merits and Flaws Page: (Pick one more Flaw and Merit)
As Alexander stared at the translucent screen before him, the weight of the decisions he was about to make hung in the air. Dungeon and Tower wasn't just a game; it was a realm where choices held consequences, where merits and flaws weren't just for show but shaped the very fabric of one's journey.
"Dungeon and Tower isn't like most games," he muttered to himself, the realization settling in with every passing second that the world he was in, is no longer the world he is in. Thinking back he missed when this world was just some show on KBO based on the book. "Merits and flaws matter. They can make the game easy or nearly game-breaking impossible to play."
His eyes scanned the list before him as fear was slowly building up. if this was like the game the choices he made now would have a wave-like effect for his duration here. Uncertainty clouded his thoughts. The Enemy of the Crown flaw nagged at him, a constant reminder of the challenges he would face in this unfamiliar world. In the game Draculs were disliked because of what they stood for, being the descendants of dragons. It was something that could see a person behind bars easily just for panhandling and being a Dracul. But then, there was Dragon's Sight, a merit that could grant him glimpses into the future, an advantage that could prove invaluable he thought to himself. Damn, I didn't know Dracul could do that, I wonder if it's something only I can do or all Draculs, thinks to himself.
"In-game dragons could see all forms of timelines and shifts in it," he recalled, "they are the oldest and wisest of all creatures, often remaining hidden. Dracul race were said to be descendants of dragons. So I guess this makes sense." He says to himself.
A sense of urgency gripped him as a message flashed on the screen, reminding him of the limited time to allocate his stats. Panic set in, and Alexander hastily scrolled through the list of merits and flaws. His cursor hovered over Enemy of the Homeland, the weight of exile settling on his shoulders. He hesitated but ultimately selected it, recognizing that challenges were an inherent part of this new reality.
For the merit, he chose Ancient Knowledge. "The more I know about this land, the better," he thought, rationalizing his decision. "Being able to tap into the dragon paths will have its uses. I wonder if is it the same as it was before."
Race: Dracul (Dragon Born)
Level: 1
Strength:5Agility:4Stamina:4Intellect:4Wisdom:4Charisma:4
Merits:
Dragon's Sight: Glimpse into the future, allowing for heightened awareness and reaction to imminent danger. Damn, this is a good one he thought, the ability to see in the future even a few seconds is a big help. He thinks about scanning over the other merits.
Ancient Knowledge: Tap into the ancient wisdom of dragons, gaining insights into history, magic, and arcane lore. Good thing I could select this, it will open the paths library, knowledge is power and anyone who can get into the paths early on is gonna have it easy I should think, but I wonder will I also need the sacrifice requirements?
Son of the Dragon: You are born the son of a Dracul leader. With the same conqueror's spirit as your father, Alex the Conqueror, you are on the path of the dragon, granting a bonus to strength, intellect, and wisdom. This is new, this wasn't in the original game, I wonder what all it allows, just stats? and what is this path of the dragon?
Flaws:
Enemy of the Homeland: You are branded as an enemy of the homeland, making return impossible and interactions fraught with peril. Damn, this will make things interesting, with this and the enemy of the crown, I may never have a home I can call my own.
Enemy of Crown: They know who you are if you tell them. Most kings and queens know you as either famous or infamous only because you are a Dracul and they are seen as savages and beggars. Depending on the town, you will face increased scrutiny or decreased scrutiny if your identity is ever found out.
Allocation Points Remaining:0
**************************************************************************************
A loud voice rings out shaking the very core of the area, "10 second left!"In the wake of the announcement, Alexander frantically allocated his stats in a world that seemed to blur the lines between reality and the virtual realm. I know I am dreaming, this cant be real...This is what happens when I get cheap pizza for dinner... He constantly said to himself while allocating the remaining points.
A voice echoed, proclaiming the completion of the process. A radiant light consumed the darkness, and in an instant, he found himself standing before an imposing door. It was at this time he noticed others were near him, it was as of the darkness consumed them all in a single area. He had not noticed them before, and barely could now, but that soon changed. With a creak, the large stone doors slowly parted, releasing a flood of people into a city-sized village,
Alexander couldn't believe his eyes, the scene before him couldn't be real, but it was. The taste of fear lingered on his tongue as he realized, little by little, that this wasn't a dream. The gust of winds that hit his face, was cold to his bones which quickly warmed up the more he got into the sun. The aromas of diverse foods wafted through the air, and he couldn't ignore the pungent scents that surrounded him. The bustling village was alive with the hustle and bustle of families reuniting, friends embracing, and laughter echoing against the towering structures. It was a vivid panorama of life, vivid enough to shatter any illusion of mere imagination.
Running to a container of water he gazed upon himself, as shock immediately came over him.
In this unfamiliar form, gone were the familiar traces of a somewhat chubby physique and the usual burden of glasses. He now stood taller, more imposing, a stark contrast to the self he once knew. Confusion and disbelief gripped him as he struggled to reconcile this altered reflection with the identity he had carried for so long.
Attempting to recall what he knew about Draculs, the mysterious race he had chosen, Alexander pondered. Most were tall, nearly giants compared to other races, but the details were elusive, as they never made it to the final game. The uncertainty about this sequel world gnawed at him – how did it differ from the original game? He chided himself to keep such thoughts to himself, aware of the need to conceal his heritage.
As he strolled through the vibrant village, Alexander pondered the necessity of secrecy. Should he reveal his Dracul lineage, or would it be wiser to navigate the challenges in disguise? Then, a sudden realization struck him – if he was in this game, did that mean the father he had created was here as well?
A surge of panic coursed through him as he recalled one of his merits – "Son of the Dragon." The mere thought that the conqueror he had conceived might be a reality in this world sent shivers down his spine. Did the digital entity he had designed now walk among the virtual denizens of this mysterious realm?
With trepidation and a growing sense of unease, Alexander continued his exploration of the bustling village. Every step, every interaction, felt like a tightrope walk between the known and the unknown. The echoes of laughter, the smell of street food, the vibrant colors of the surroundings – they were all vividly real, reminding him that he had stepped into a realm where the consequences were tangible.
Damnit, I wonder how many other people from the real world are also trapped here? I wonder if it's just me, what about the ones killed earlier?
So many thoughts swam through his mind, but the most important one was who he was now. Was he still Alex, or was he Ghaleon? Figuring it was best to continue to assume his new identity in the event there were others like the crazy man with the beard. Ghaleon, still grappling with the reality of his altered identity, sought refuge in a hotel as he navigated the bustling village.
Ghaleon stepped into the inn a powerful mix of scents hit his nose. Everything in her smelled delicious savory meals and exotic spices, creating an intoxicating blend that teased his nose and caused him to salivate which he found odd. The lively chatter of patrons, some clad in armor, others in robes adorned with mysterious symbols, filled the room.
Damn, this all just feels way too real, I can't believe this. The smells, the conversations, this is all too much.
Behind the front desk was a beautiful innkeeper. Her buxom figure, sensuously accentuated by the cascading folds of a deep indigo gown, promised a captivating allure that left little to the imagination. The fabric clung to her curves as if caressed by an unseen lover, hinting at the untamed power that resided within her. Ghaleon took a deep gulp, as he soaked in her beauty,
Damn, she looks like a nice snack, if this wasn't a game I am sure she would be number one on someone's list of ladies that are fine but out of my league.
And then the reality hit him, this isn't a game, he is truly here, wherever here is. This is his new reality.