[Capital City, Lunaris
Slivermoon Villa,
Kingdom of Celestria, Earthia]
In the heart of the capital, deep within the grand Silvermoon Villa, Lady Elara Slivermoon sat in her study, the air around her charged with tension. Known for her cold, dignified presence, she rarely showed emotion, yet tonight, the weight of her thoughts pressed visibly on her. The silence was broken as she pressed a small button on her desk, summoning her most trusted aide.
From the shadows, a cloaked woman emerged, bowing low before Lady Elara.
“Have you found him?” Elara’s voice was calm but laced with an edge.
The woman kept her head down as she answered, “My Lady, we tracked his last movements to the outskirts of the capital. It appears the young master, along with his maid Mia, may have had outside help. We believe they’ve already left for another city.”
Elara’s expression darkened as she absorbed the news, a slight tension creasing her brow. “Outside help? He didn’t trust us enough to stay, and yet he places his faith in a stranger?”
Standing nearby, Valeria, her eldest daughter, remained poised, her face expressionless as she spoke in a low, bitter tone. “Mother, Ray always looked for an escape. And now, he’s chosen someone outside the family over us. Instead of facing us and admitting his mistakes, he ran. After everything we did to shelter him, he… abandons the family name.”
Beside her, Lila, the younger sister, frowned, biting her lip as she listened. There was a flicker of worry in her gaze, a subtle vulnerability hidden behind her outward calm. Though she had often been frustrated with Ray’s choices, they had still grown up together, sharing a lifetime of memories. “It’s true he made mistakes, but… we were still his family.” Her voice softened, almost as if she were speaking to herself.
Elara’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she turned her gaze toward the shadowed woman. “And what of this maid, Mia? She left everything to go with him—who is she, really?”
The shadowed woman shifted slightly, hesitating. “When the young lord was a boy, he found her alone on the streets and took her in. She’s been his personal maid ever since, loyal to him above all.”
Elara considered this, her lips pressing into a thin line. “So, he has her loyalty—something he never seemed to find here.” For the briefest of moments, there was a flash of something softer in her gaze, though it quickly vanished.
Valeria’s cold gaze stayed fixed on her mother. “If he had any courage, he would have admitted his faults to us. To rely on someone outside the family… it’s like he’s turned his back on us entirely.”
A tense silence settled over them, broken only when a resonant chime suddenly echoed through the villa, the sound foreign and unsettling. The low hum grew into a loud, ominous toll that seemed to vibrate through the walls. In unison, they all turned toward the window, where a strange, shimmering light now spread across the night sky.
“What is that?” Lila whispered, her earlier coldness melting into fear as she clutched her arms tightly.
Elara moved to the window, her expression faltering as she looked up at the sky. Above them, an enormous, ethereal barrier seemed to materialize across the heavens, etched with hexagonal patterns that gleamed like distant stars. It spanned the entire galaxy, glistening, yet already beginning to crack.
Valeria’s face remained composed, though her eyes showed a flicker of uncertainty. Lila gripped her sister’s hand as the cracks grew, casting faint lines across the expanse of the night.
For a rare moment, Lady Elara’s mask slipped, her own expression haunted as she watched the shattering sky.
“This… is beyond us,” she murmured, almost as if speaking to herself. In that moment, the family’s judgments, doubts, and bitterness toward Ray gave way to a shared, unspoken fear—one that stretched far beyond any personal grievances or misunderstandings, touching something much darker and unknown in each of their hearts.
---
Across Earthia, the sound of the bells intensified, resonating with a haunting clarity in every city, town, and village. Workers halted, merchants paused mid-bargain, children stopped their games, and the entire planet seemed to hold its breath as all eyes turned to the sky.
Above, in the cold expanse of space, a shimmering blue barrier surrounded Earthia’s galaxy, gleaming with intricate hexagonal patterns. The galaxy appeared like a jewel trapped within a delicate, crystalline shell, suspended in the vast darkness of the cosmos. It was a sight both beautiful and terrifying, and one that no one on Earthia had ever seen.
The barrier began to fracture, spreading cracks across its surface like a shattered mirror.
*Creek… krak…*
The sounds of breaking glass filled the air, reverberating across continents. Fear settled heavily on people’s hearts.
“What’s happening?”
“Is this… the end?”
“It’s like the whole galaxy is falling apart…”
Terrified whispers rippled through the crowds, while others shouted in confusion, trying to make sense of the cataclysmic sight.
---
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
[Mirage City, Ethereal State, Earthia]
In the quiet outskirts of Mirage City, Ray Slivermoon sat in his wheelchair on the front porch of his small, rural home, staring wide-eyed at the spectacle unfolding above.
Beside him, Mia gripped the handles of his wheelchair, her knuckles turning white. She looked up, her face a mixture of awe and terror. “Master… what… what’s happening?” she stammered, her voice trembling.
Ray’s heart pounded in his chest. “I… I don’t know.” But even as he spoke, a strange sensation stirred in his mind, like a distant echo calling his attention. Instinctively, he looked down at his lap.
In his hands lay the ancient book he had discovered only a short time ago. The countdown on its cover had vanished, replaced by a gleaming zero:
**[00:00:00:00]**
Without warning, the book pulsed with light, emitting a bright beam that shot toward the sky. The light intensified until everything around them turned a muted gray. The wind stilled, leaves hung frozen in the air, and even birds in flight seemed to be caught in an invisible snare, suspended mid-flap.
Ray felt a strange calm settle over him, the entire world frozen as he stood at the center of an impossible, celestial stillness. He glanced at the book, which was now floating before him, pages flipping open of their own accord. Strange symbols glowed on its cover, shifting and changing, as if the book itself were alive.
“What… what is this?” Ray whispered, reaching out instinctively, his fingers brushing the cover. He felt a surge of warmth as the symbols shifted one last time, turning into a language he couldn’t comprehend.
Suddenly, the book dissolved into particles of light, which flowed into him, merging with his consciousness. A surge of knowledge—no, a flood of information—filled his mind, too vast and incomprehensible to make sense of all at once.
Gasping, he found himself back on the porch, Mia staring at him, her eyes wide with worry. “Master, are you alright?” she asked, her voice shaking.
Ray blinked, gathering his bearings. “I… think so.” But before he could say more, Mia gasped, pointing to the sky.
“Look!”
Ray followed her gaze, his eyes widening in shock. High above, words and symbols glowed in radiant gold, visible to everyone across Earthia. Even though he could see them clearly, he couldn’t understand their meaning. But then, beams of light rained down from the heavens, striking people across the land. Those struck by the light glowed for a brief moment before returning to normal.
As he and Mia watched in shock, the same light struck them, illuminating their bodies in a faint, warm glow. The light faded, leaving a sensation of calm and alertness in its wake.
Before Ray could say a word, a deep, emotionless voice resonated in his mind, cold and mechanical, as if it came from some vast intelligence.
---
The voice that echoed through the vast expanse of the planet was devoid of warmth, inflection, or any trace of emotion. Its words, though mechanical, carried an air of solemnity and inevitability, like a decree from an unseen force. The announcement that followed would reshape the destiny of every human on Earthia, and the weight of that truth reverberated in the stillness of the air.
"Welcome to the Universal Ascension Game. Earthia has now crossed the threshold into a new era. The game you are about to partake in will define your future, and here are the laws that govern it."
The voice paused momentarily, allowing its words to settle in the minds of all who heard them.
"Eligibility: Only those who have attained the age of fifteen or older may enter the game. Upon entering, every player will be granted access to the System Panel, an interface through which you shall track your progress, interact with the game world, and communicate with other players."
A moment of silence passed, as if the weight of the next statement demanded full attention.
"Time within the game flows at a different rate than in the physical world. Each player will have 12 hours per day to spend within the game’s confines. However, the time dilation effect ensures that for every 12 hours spent within the game, only 6 hours will pass in the real world. Should you fail to utilize your time within the game, no grace will be granted; missed hours cannot be reclaimed."
The voice carried on with a calm, almost clinical precision.
"Upon entering the game, each player will be randomly assigned a Profession—an essential aspect of your identity within this world. Your Profession will define your role, your abilities, and your destiny. Professions may be Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Special, Unique, or Hidden, with each offering different paths of power and potential. Alongside your Profession, a Talent will be assigned—this is intrinsic to who you are, and while it may be upgraded, it cannot be changed. Talents are rated from F to S, with those at the highest tier being exceptionally rare."
A chill lingered in the air as the voice continued:
"Your Profession may evolve as you level up, opening new avenues of growth and power. However, remember this: while your Profession can change with effort, your Talent remains immutable. It is the foundation upon which your strength is built. Some Talents may be unlocked under special circumstances, but they are fixed. You will not be able to alter or abandon them."
The voice shifted slightly, as if contemplating the next segment of rules with a certain gravity:
"There are no restrictions on Player versus Player combat. Players may kill each other at will, and may form alliances or betray one another at any time. The game will not interfere in the pursuit of your goals, whether that be through cooperation or confrontation. Trust no one, for betrayal is as much a part of this world as victory."
The voice did not pause, continuing with relentless clarity:
"Certain areas, marked as Monster Zones, will spawn creatures of immense power. These zones are the only places where monsters will manifest. Outside these locations, the land will remain devoid of such threats. However, beware: Special locations will occasionally appear, where the most dangerous of monsters gather. These areas are constantly changing, and their locations will not be known until they materialize. Only those who are truly prepared should seek them."
The next series of rules arrived with a quiet but undeniable sense of progression:
"As you ascend within the game, you will unlock new system functions. With each level gained, new abilities, features, and functions of the game will open to you. Some abilities are restricted until you achieve certain milestones. Do not expect to unlock everything at once—progress is earned through effort and sacrifice."
The voice seemed to hum for a brief moment before continuing with a sense of finality:
"Once the average player level across the planet reaches level 10, the Weekly Ranking System will be activated. This will introduce a competitive element to the game, where players will be ranked based on their power and achievements. The top-ranked players will receive special privileges, including access to rare resources, exclusive quests, and even unique skills. The higher your rank, the greater your influence in the world of the game."
A slight shift in tone occurred, adding a touch of warning to the voice's delivery:
"In this world, appearance is not fixed. Players are allowed to alter their physical form by up to 50%. However, bear in mind that these changes are cosmetic and will not affect your innate charm or the core value of your being. Though you may alter your outward appearance, your charm value remains the same—it is a constant, an immutable reflection of your essence. Also, if you choose to reveal your true identity to others, the game will bear no responsibility for the consequences. Privacy is your own concern."
The voice paused, and the air seemed to grow heavier, as if the final rules were to be etched in stone:
"At regular intervals, World Events will be triggered, impacting the entire game world. These events will range from catastrophic monster invasions to global natural disasters. Participation in these events is voluntary, but those who succeed will reap unimaginable rewards, while failure will bring devastating consequences."
The voice now lowered its tone, becoming final, resolute:
"Lastly, all actions within the game have consequences. Your real-world body will feel the effects of your progression in this game. The stronger you grow, the more your body and mind will be shaped by your experience. This is not just a game—it is a crucible in which your true potential will be forged. Ascend, or be left behind."
There was a long, ominous silence, and then the voice's final words echoed:
"Your journey begins now. Strive for ascension, for it is the only way forward."
---
As the voice faded, Ray’s mind reeled, trying to process the overwhelming information. Before he could think, the light around him intensified, and he felt his body grow light. He barely managed to reach for Mia’s hand as the world around him dissolved.
The same phenomenon occurred all over Earthia. Adults and teenagers alike, those over the age of 15, vanished from the physical realm, drawn into the unknown realm of the Universal Ascension Game.
Ray’s last thought as the light engulfed him was a mix of dread and excitement.
“What have I gotten myself into?”