The Programmer sat back in his chair, a subdued snap from his lower back echoing throughout the room. Pushing the chair back, he stood up and quickly glanced around the room. The walls glimmered with the light of a million stars. The screen in front of him was filled with code that no mortal could ever decipher.
“It’s finally finished, Universe 2.0 is ready for launch” he exclaimed. Reaching forward he pressed ENTER and the Universe changed. A wave expanded from the room and went forth. The wave passed through worlds without count. In the wake of the shock-wave, each world was left forever changed. The very laws of the Universe were forever altered. “It’s complete, now to watch the show.”
Stretching my hand out, I fumbled for my phone to silence the default ringtone of my alarm. Slipping out of the warm blankets without waking my partner, I made my way to the restroom. Looking back at the bed, I got a glimpse of his form. He was just shy of six feet, with skin the shade of midnight and a firm athletic body from a lifetime of sports. While I did not have enough time to start another round, I was content with memories. I headed to the restroom to continue my morning routine with a slight smile on my lips.
As I quickly finished the shower, with a longing glance at the hot water, I stepped out and dried off. Getting my shaver and toothbrush from my travel bag, I trimmed my goatee and brushed my teeth.
With my morning routine over, I finished dressing for the day, in a black polo and dress pants. We had a deadline at work to get a project finished, as such my boss had been breathing down our necks to ensure it was completed on time. On the bed, a leg pushed from underneath the sheets and a head moved from the pillow. Walking over to Jeremy, I lightly brushed my hand over his body and leaned down to give him a kiss. “See you later, thanks for last night. I needed that.”
Jeremy looked up at me and completed the kiss, his eyes where still glazed over from being half asleep. He mumbled to me “You’re welcome, I had a fun time as well. I only wish you would stay longer.” Resting his head back down, he covered himself back up with the blankets.
Grabbing my bag, I headed over to the window and took a quick look out. Seeing the coast was clear, I hustled to the garage and started the car. Pulling out of the garage, I saw the streets where crowded as only those in larger cities can be. Dodging cars and flinging words of filth, I finally made it to my office building. A 30-story tower in the sprawling downtown area of the city. I worked for a small engineering company to produce a computer-human interface. The tech was advancing quickly. It would make the company a world-wide name, if we could get it to work. I was a Senior Programmer, responsible for creating code and herding the Junior Programmers along.
I reached my desk with minutes to spare and plopped down into my office chair. Grabbing my laptop out of the drawer, I flipped the screen open and entered my login information to boot it up. As I was preparing to start my workday, a figure appeared in front of me, the back of my chair sprung backward as I stood up. The hairs on my arm were raised and with a slight hesitation in my voice I asked, “Can I help you?”
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The figure was wrapped in shadow of the deepest sort, yet clearly visible. Standing at least seven feet tall, it wore a robe of violet, the same shade as an Eggplant. The robe covered him from his neck all the way to the floor. The eyes of the figure glowed a gold so intense, the Sun itself was put to shame. The figure was humanoid, though its face was not clearly discerned.
In a voice that could be heard in the loudest bar the figure boomed, “Greetings, I come before you today to announce that the laws of the Universe have been changed. Through tireless effort I have finished my greatest creation. In the coming days, all beings will be put through the greatest test of their lives. Each world will have a Tower placed forth; this tower will present both opportunities as well as difficulties. Those who rise to the challenge and successfully complete the Final Floor, will unlock access to all other worlds for their race. Be warned, the tower is not the only challenge that will be presented. Each world will now have access to Mana, and creatures will be born. These creatures will reap the weak and reward the strong. Those who defeat the creatures will absorb their Mana and be strengthened for it. Those who are reaped, will in turn strengthen the creatures.”
As the figure spoke, I glanced around the office to see how the others were reacting. This had to be a practical joke of some kind, an office prank by one of the new programmers. Someone fresh out of college who had not left behind their childhood. What I saw, was even more confusing, the figure was not only in front of me. It stood behind every person in the office. Glancing back at the figure, it began to speak once more.
“With the launch of Universe 2.0, I will be leaving you with a manual. Inside you will find more information to aid your survival. This is no game, your very life will be put on the line. Those who prove themselves worthy will have the chance to speak to me once more. Those who fall will strengthen those who come after. You must unlock the abilities that will guide you on your path to greatness. Each being will have a different path, yet all paths lead to the Tower and the Tower will lead you to the stars.”
Once the last syllable had left its lips, the being disappeared. At the same time a shock-wave affected the building and the foundation itself seems to rumble. My body trembled, as a foreign presence invaded. In its wake, nothing was the same. Through my arteries, a river of lava gushed. My heart beat with the force of a jack hammer, the blood flowing like a white rapid. My skin withered away and was reborn, the invader reached my brain, and an explosive force rocked my skull.
Falling to my knees, my lungs released a screech that would do a banshee justice. As quick as it started, it was over. Taking a gasping breath, I rose from the familiar position and looked around the office. Everywhere I looked the same scene was played out. Not all my fellow coworkers were able to get back to their feet, at least a dozen, had passed out from the pain. Others stood looking around the same as I, trying to understand what had happened. Some even shouting their frustration and anger to the world.
I placed my hand on the back of my chair, the familiar equipment acting as an anchor to steady my body, while my mind was in turmoil. At my feet was a book I had never laid eyes on before. The cover had a golden sunburst on it. The cover material was unknown to me. I reached down and picked it up. It felt like old leather, though there was no wrinkle seen. The book felt weightless, my eyes glanced at unfamiliar symbols, and they quickly morphed into words that I could understand. An Instructional Guide to Universe 2.0.
Flipping to the first page I began to read. Mana is the building block of the Universe. Now that Mana has been restored, all beings and creatures will be able to use Mana in one form or another. Mana may be infused in beings, creatures, or objects to increase the body, mind, and power. It may also be used to control the world around you. There is no limit to what Mana can do, the possibilities are what you can imagine.
At that moment I heard a crash off to the side of the room.