Cal sat at his desk, engaged in a new game his brother had bought for him. His PC was flaring up in an array of colour as it alternated between different lighting effects. An orange icon on his display indicated the game he had just minimised to check the time. It was the latest RPG that had just come out, needless to say, it was the most engaging game he had ever played and a genre he seemed to specialise in. Sadly, there was a limit to how immersive games like this could be without the technology to completely engage all senses.
Cal stretched back on his chair and stared at the time.
15/1/2030.
4:50 pm
‘6 hours straight and It only felt like 1. Not bad’
A relentless deep grumble suddenly rose up to fill the tight room. Cal’s stomach had spoken. It was time for food!
In silent agreement to the demands of his stomach, he pushed himself up off of his chair to get up. Cal was halfway off his chair when a peculiar noise filled his ears. This time it was not his stomach. It was a noise that sounded very far away, yet was right in his ear. Thinking it was merely something from his computer, he ignored it, preferring to begin stretching his cramped legs. That was when the noise in his ear sprang to a crescendo. “Attempting transportation…”. Not even afforded the time to think about what was going on, his body quickly flashed with light. Blinking his eyes down, Cal saw his arm completely dissolving into the air! His mortal brain struggled to process the situation, and after a long pause, his eyes promptly rolled back, he fainted.
Around the world, the same situation was happening to a tiny percentile of the population.
***
Cal cracked his eyes open and found himself lying on a hard grey floor. Just not his floor. ‘Where the fuck am I..' Cal trailed off mumbling. Standing alert, Cal took in his immediate surroundings. Everything looked rather bland, doing a full 360 revealed nothing in sight, but a mist cloaked, flat plane with grey wisps of smoke slowly curling as they rose. Most bizarre of all was the absence of fear or worry that he felt about his situation. That was, namely; waking up in an unknown location in the middle of the impossible. That aspect of Cal’s emotions felt clouded, and while he knew he should feel some sort of anxiety about the situation that did not change the fact that he absolutely did not mind.
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“First time teleporting, huh?” a deep voice rasped out. Floating above Cal's head was a tall, solidly built figure. Grey hair and heavyset wrinkles framed golden piercing eyes.
Cal’s mouth dropped open. Originating from the figure was an indescribable pressure; an aura of unstoppable power suddenly suffocated the atmosphere. Contrary to expectations; however, the man just offered a grandfatherly smile at Cal before proceeding to speak.
“Greetings Candidate. You may call me Aldren.” Cal could only gulp and stare as Aldren continued with the next part of what seemed to be a formal exchange.
“I am sure you have many questions, but that will have to wait until after you finish your Choosing.” Not even drawing a breath to see if Cal would remain silent, Aldren continued.
“Every 500 years, the entity I serve triggers an event called The Choosing where human Candidates are gathered from various worlds to ascend and enter the real universe. You see, the universe you have been residing in till now can be considered cannon fodder for the one you will be ascending into; you are quite fortunate. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to gain a great reward.”
Already Cal’s mind was spinning, ‘Triggers an event? What was being chosen? Candidates for what?’
Yet the voice droned on. It was frustrating having to wait to ask this impressive figure the questions he needed answered, yet as Aldren continued, they seemed to be getting resolved on their own.
“During The Choosing, a lucky few Candidates will also be chosen as Champions by the Gods. These individuals will gain great advantages related to the God they serve. The Gods are limited in how much they can influence your new world; however, through their Champions, they can alter fate itself. In return, Champions gain special gifts related to the God they serve. Not only are these benefits greatly appreciated by the Champions, but are actually necessary to prolong their survival. Being a pawn *cough* Champion of the Gods is generally highly dangerous as it involves plotting against other Gods and in most cases, running from demons and the like.”
At this point, it was already clear to Cal that this new world he would be entering offered a path to great reward at the risk of personal harm. He knew becoming a Champion would be like winning the lottery in some cases, but there were simply too many drawbacks. He definitely did not want to be the prey of some hell creature.
Aldred's next words brought a spike of fear to Cal’s heart.
“Unfortunately for you, you are no regular Champion. No. You are the hand that will strike down those which dared to move against The System. You are The Universe's Champion.