by Matt Moss
“They still apply, but they are able to be bent.”
“How did it become this way and why haven’t I heard of it before? Surely this information would have been all over the forums and social media. There’s no way this place could have been kept a secret for this long, especially with how many players are living here.”
We reach the end of the bridge and are barred by a golden gate. Giology waves a hand and it opens. We stand in front of the palace. “I will help explain inside. First, allow me to show you around my home,” he says with pride and walks down the paved trail that goes straight through lush gardens filled with beautiful, aromatic flowers and trees. On all sides, the majestic waterfalls add motion to the grounds, wiping away any feeling of static that such an archaic place might hold.
NPCs greet us with kind bows as we walk through the grounds, each of them young and beautiful to the eye. Dressed in scantily white rags that barely cover their tan skin, they go back to doing whatever it is that they do after we pass.
“These are my friends. I trust you to treat them with the same respect as you do me,” Gio tells me, referring to the NPCs.
“Of course.”
And the strangeness of this man and this place grows.
Is it so strange to be friends with artificial intelligence?
Yes.
Why? Because they lack the emotions and agendas that humans have? Those are often the qualities found in people who aren’t really your friends.
Inside the palace, it’s as grand as many of the middle-eastern palaces are. But once you’ve seen one through augmented reality, you’ve seen them all. For twenty bucks at a kiosk, you can go anywhere in the world for five minutes. Maybe that’s the problem with the world today—unlimited knowledge and the ability to virtually touch anything on the planet. The sense of wonder and adventure has been calloused. No longer do we reach for the stars, because the stars become dull when gazed upon for so long in the palms of our hands.
More human NPCs greet us inside, five of them in total, all with different colors of hair, skin, and eyes. Three females and two males. So far, I can’t really tell what their roles are here.
Gio leads us up a set of stairs on the left side of the palace, towards the second floor. “You must see the view of Atlantis from the balcony of my chamber. It truly is something to behold.”
Inside his chamber, there’s a bed directly in the center of the room; circular and shrouded in lace drapery.
Other furniture around the room provides lounging for at least twenty. Through the open balcony, the crashing sound of the waterfalls can be heard from outside.
“Nice place. Very… relaxing.”
“Indeed.” Gio walks to the balcony and overlooks the jungle city. “But it is just a room. The real beauty and tranquility lies in Thannadas—in Atlantis.”
“Tell me more about the city,” I inquire, standing beside him.
He takes a deep breath, closes his eyes, opens them and smiles. “The Creator made Thannadas special compared to all other places in Alterlife. Your country does not have a name, it is simply referred to as Alterlife and has numerous cities and towns. The Creator made it that way so there wouldn’t be any division between players or nationalities; separation and wars between countries like there are in the real world.” He pauses, a rueful look suddenly appearing on his face. “Though darkness, as it seems, has a way in all things.”
“So he made Thannadas in secret. Why?”
Giology turns to me. “To be the light against the darkness.”
Keep talking. “I don’t understand. What darkness?”
“Do not speak as if you do not understand what is going on in Alterlife. You, of all people, should know.”
The virus.
He continues. “Having seen the virus coming, the Creator breathed Thannadas into life. I was the first to be born here. He told me to build a city, and that He would send others to help me. So that’s what I did. Atlantis is safe from the virus, but it is not the Creator’s will for us to remain idle while the rest of the world suffers. It is His will for us to combat the darkness. I believe that is why Deakins sent you to me. Together, we will eradicate the virus, bring light back into the world, and fulfill the Creator’s desire.”
Faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains...
This guy is one of the most devout individuals I’ve ever met. Alterlife is his church. He sees himself as some prophet, or messiah, doing the bidding of the ‘Creator’.
I’ve never been a fan of radicals.
I break away from his gaze and look across Atlantis. The players look like ants amidst the jungle city—a hive of chosen ones. “How were people selected to spawn here? What made them special?”
“Multiple variants went into the selection process. What kind of person they are, how they present themselves on social media, whether or not they pay their taxes, credit scores, personality tests; the list goes on. Of course, these were all determined by an artificial intelligence program that the Creator wrote himself, so I cannot explain to you why those are the credentials He chose.”
“He wanted upstanding individuals that played by the rules.”
People just like you, John. Those who go to work, go home, pay their bills on time, say yes sir and yes ma’am, and keep their mouths shut. Part of the machine. Content with being told what to do. never going against the grain.
Gio rubs his chin. “Perhaps. But no matter what we’ve all laid claim to in the real world, our resolve in Alterlife is the same. We are all children of the light. And we are going to fight the darkness that is spreading.”
Yep. This is a cult.
I don’t care. I need their help to destroy the gods. If I have to surround myself with a bunch of crazies to do that, then so be it. After the job’s done, I’m out.
I feel him eyeing me.
“You have more questions, I am sure. Ask.”
“How did you obtain Grandmaster so fast? And how did you do it in multiple classes?”
“Thannadas, as I said, has miraculous waters. In this place, experience points can be raised much faster than in your part of the world, similar to what I imagine Thal’s Amulet did for you before it was broken.”
So he knows that the Amulet doesn’t work. Guess word spreads even to this part of the world.
He continues. “In Thannadas, there is no limitation to how many skills can be chosen, or how many skills a player can max out. What a player can achieve is only limited by lack of ambition.”
Incredible. So that’s how he leveled so fast, and how the guild here has more Grandmasters than any other guild in Alterlife.
“Aside from the darkness in Alterlife, it seems like you have everything a man could want here.”
“It would appear that way. But the one thing that I truly want is unattainable.”
“I thought anything was possible here.”
Gio quickly becomes frustrated. “I want to know how you can stay logged in.”
“I don’t really know. I guess it was the virus that made it possible.”
He looks to me in earnest. “But the virus did not kill you. Didn’t even make you mad with bloodlust like it has everyone else who contracts it. Are you saying that you were afflicted with something else?”
Good point. My experience with the virus was different than everyone else’s. I’ve known this, but haven’t paid it much mind before. Maybe Gio is onto something.
What if I never even had the virus? What if it was something else entirely?
I shrug. “Call it what you want. Ever since the crazy old man in the cells gave me the mark, I’ve been able to stay logged in for as long as I want. He called it a gift.”
“Indeed,” Gio says and rubs his chin, deep in thought, his eyes vacant as he stares at the ground below.
A tamed Drake roars and flies by with its master riding it. Over the city it soars and lands inside a newly constructed arena near the ravine. It must be new for the lack of foliage that ha
s yet to lay claim to the structure.
I point to the arena. “What’s that over there? Looks like the Roman coliseum.”
Giology grins. “Good eye. Modeled after the same in Rome, actually. Its purpose is much the same as well, minus the bloodsport and entertainment for the masses, mind you. It was built to be a training ground. A place to raise the skills of combat.”
Now we’re talking. Just hearing him talk about how skills can be raised here has me chomping at the bit. “I would very much like to see that place.”
“And I would very much like to show it to you, Commander. That is where you will train the guild and prepare them for what’s to come.”
We both look over the city and to the coliseum, each of us knowing that a great war is coming, but neither wanting to speak of it now. There will be a time, soon, that war will be the only thing we talk about. We let the silent understanding of it speak for now.
He turns to me. “Let’s make our way there and you can see it for yourself. That is where I am to announce you to the guild that will be waiting. They’re expecting us in a little over an hour.”
I’m not so sure about all of this right now. It’s too much to take in at once, and I need some time to process all of this new information. I must speak to Deakins to get some answers before I go any further.
Rubbing my temple, I speak to Gio. “Ugh, there’s that headache again. I think I’m going to need a break first. Can I meet the rest of the guild later? Tomorrow?”
I can see the faintest sign of irritation in Gio as his eye twitches ever so slightly at the mention of the change of plans. I’m sure he’s not used to taking direction from somebody else and probably has everything go his way all of the time. Still, he takes a deep breath and maintains control of his resolve. “They’re expecting you today. But since you’re not feeling well, I suppose we can put off your announcement until tomorrow.”
“Great. I’m sorry to keep putting this off, but these damn headaches…”
He waves a hand. “It’s quite alright. There’s always tomorrow.” Guiding me to the door, Gio bids me to log off outside of his palace grounds. “You can log off anywhere in the city, and you will be respawned at the bridge.”
“Thanks. I’ll be back in the morning.”
Guess I won’t be going back to the job site tomorrow.
I knew that job was going to be short-lived anyway. This is what I was born to do.
Making my way down the stairs, my mind is full of questions that only Deakins can answer.
I just hope he’ll talk to me tonight and give me some more information before I log back in tomorrow.
On the first floor of the temple, three of the NPCs are engaged with one another, rubbing and kissing in the middle of the hall. Curious to their behavior and finding it strange, I try not to stare as I go past them.
I make my way onto the steps outside of the palace and am disturbed when one of the male NPCs walks to the female and grabs her by the throat. She doesn’t contest, doesn’t cry out as he holds her there.
Walking towards them in an attempt to break them apart, I stop when the female grabs the male by the groin. He pushes her up against a palm tree—hand still wrapped around her neck—adjusts his loincloth and begins thrusting himself into her. The look on both of their faces, and the sounds that they make, is one of pleasure, both locked in the heat of the moment and submitting to each other’s will.
What the fuck is this place?
I take a few steps and steal a glance up to the second-floor balcony and find Giology watching them intently.
Overwhelmed by it all and a bit creeped out, I run across the bridge and back into the city of Atlantis.
Safe behind a building that’s pressed tight against the forest foliage, private from the eyes of the streets, I find a secluded place to log out.
Before I leave, another monkey screams at me.
The same monkey?
I shake my head and flip it off as I log out, disappearing from Alterlife.
Back inside the room, I regain my senses.
Press the button on the wall and see that Gio’s still logged in to the game.
I take the pistol from behind my back and place it into my duffel bag. The NueView goes in as well. Zipped up tight, I throw the bag over my shoulder and go for the door. Before I leave, I press the button on the wall again so that it looks like a normal wall and not some perv window.
Get me the hell out of here.
“Ace,” Giovisi calls out over the comms.
His voice startles me, and my hand pauses as it reaches for the handle on the door.
“Yes,” I reply, hoping that he doesn’t know that I know about the wall. I’m tempted to go press the button again so I can see what he’s doing, but don’t want to risk it.
He could be standing and looking at me from his side right now.
Gio speaks. “Perhaps together, we can unlock the gift that you possess. I’m sure that we will figure it out if we work together.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
“Imagine the possibilities if there truly were no limitations in Alterlife. Without the chains of time, we could be immortal.”
“To be honest, I’m not so sure I’d want to be immortal. If I could transfer it to you, I would.”
Silence for a moment.
“Okay, I’m going to go now.”
“Is it true that you wield both of Thal’s Swords of Eternity?”
“Yes.”
“I would greatly like to see one of them. Just for curiosity’s sake. If you don’t mind, that is.”
“Sure.”
“Take care, Ace. See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow.”
I swing the door open and make my way out. The lobby is empty again, or so it would seem. Yuna bids me farewell, appearing from behind the wall as I open the front door and her voice makes me pause. I turn back and find that her stone-cold stare is fixed on me. Red marks still linger on her chin and neck that are bound to turn a violet hue before long.
“See you tomorrow, Yuna.”
Walking outside, I look to the left, right, all around. Ever since the thugs tried to jump me in the parking lot, I’m on edge. For some reason, I feel safe inside the cleaners.
Inside my truck, I breathe a sigh of relief. Thankful to be alone again and grateful that I don’t have a headache.
“Alright, Deakins. I’m accepting the fact that you are real now. I’m ready to talk. And I’m going to need some answers from you. You hear me?”
I hear you, John.
And I’ve been waiting for you this whole time.
Now that you’re finally ready, it’s time to reveal the truth.
All of the truth.
10
X12
Walking into the kitchen, I toss the keys on the counter and greet my wife who’s doing a crossword puzzle at the kitchen table. “Hey babe. How was your day?”
She taps the pencil on the table and chews on her lip as she stares at the page. “I need a seven-letter word for Daring Adventurer.”
“Jackass.”
She gives me a look.
“What? Aren’t we talking about me?” I lean in and give her a peck on the lips.
She grins. “No. But I suppose the shoe fits. How was your day?”
I go to the fridge for milk, fetch a glass, bring both back to the table, and take a seat. Meet her gaze with tired eyes.
“That bad, huh?”
I reply while pouring. “It’s a lot to take in at once. After being gone for so long. And so much has changed there.”
“Like what?”
I take a drink and shake my head. “Not entirely sure. Lots of things, I suppose. It’s just… different.”
“But nothing that you can’t handle, right?” She places a hand on mine. “I know you believe the world needs you—and after everything that’s happened, I believe that, too—but you know if it becomes too much that you need to stop and talk to someone. That’s wh
at the group is for. That’s what I’m for.”
“I know. I’ll be fine.” I grip her hand and stare into her eyes. “I thought you would have left me after what happened before. How can you still believe in me after what we’ve been through, let alone forgive me?”
“We’re a team, you and I. Always have been and always will be. All we can do is try our best and fight for what we believe in.” She leans close to me and speaks in earnest. “And I believe in us. I believe in you.”
I lean in and give her a long kiss. “You don’t know how much that means to me.”
We sit in comfortable silence for a moment, and I point at the crossword puzzle. “Pioneer.”
Jenny picks up her pencil and writes the word. Cocks her head, pleased. “That works.”
I stand up and kiss her on top of the head. “I’m going to mow the lawn before it gets out of hand.”
“I’ll have lunch ready when you’re done,” she replies.
As I go to the garage, I can’t help but think about how lucky I am to have Jenny in my life. A woman like that who stands by your side through thick and thin—through unimaginable trials—is the greatest treasure a man could have.
I don’t deserve her love.
But I’m going to fight for it. Because I can’t live without her.
And part of fighting for it means that I’m going to have to fight in Alterlife; to make amends for everything I’ve done. The sooner I finish this war, the sooner I can get back to my life and leave the game behind.
It’s time for some answers.
I pull the string to start the push mower and it growls to life. The noise will be enough to drown out the conversation I’m about to have.
As I begin to cut, I summon Deakins. “Alright. Let’s talk.”
Silence.
“Deakins?”
Nothing.
“Deakins, can you hear me? Quit playing around and speak. We both know you’ve never had a problem with talking someone’s ear off before.”
I hear him laugh as if he’d been playing with me the whole time.
“Very funny.”
How does it feel to be ignored?