by Eden Redd
Will’s heart began to beat a little faster as he moved to the edge of the white table. Not wanting to dwell, he stepped out of his slippers and onto the table. Hands touched him, guiding him down until he was on his back and he stared at the black cables above him. Devin stayed at his side as the techs took hold of the cables and gently pulled them down. Clamps at the ends were secured to his limbs. One was secured to Will’s neck while one tech lifted his head and another placed the helmet onto it.
“I’ll stay with you till the end,” Devin said with kindness in his tone.
“Don’t bother. I may just become a piece of dead meat when they flip the switch,” Will said with a gloomy edge.
“We believe in you even if you don’t believe in yourself,” Devin reassured.
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Will grinned, “I believe the only person you can ever truly rely on is yourself. Remember that when this experiment kills me.”
The last cable was secured into place and the techs stepped back. Bodies moved, taking positions at their stations as all eyes fell to Will and Devin. The man in white looked down with soft eyes while Will looked up at the mass of black cables blooming out and attached to his body like some tentacle monster from the deep.
“Is there anything else you want to say before we begin?”
Will turned his gaze to the one-way glass, “I want you all to know, I’m doing this not for humanity, but for me. I want to be as far away from you assholes as I can go and if that means spending my life in some virtual world, so be it. Humanity is a fucking curse. I hope that whatever happens, you fucking learn from it.”
Will let a sinister smile shine. “But, you won’t. We never learn from our mistakes. I hope the cataclysm kills all of us so Nature can recover without us fucking it up.”
Devin touched Will’s shoulder, “I hope we do learn.”
“That will be the day we are no longer human,” Will said with a sardonic grin.
Devin pulled his hand away and took a step back. Weary eyes stared down at the man as a visor covered Will’s eyes. Machines hummed to life as technicians began procedures. A dozen eyes stared through the one-way glass, watching with intense curiosity as displays around Will lit up with information. The hum grew louder as lights glowed above the mass of cables connected to the man on the table.
Will tried to clear his mind, but his thoughts and fears needled at him. He stood at the edge of the abyss, ready to step or jump off into oblivion. Images swirled of a paradise he could explore, but the tendrils of death coiled around his beating heart. They had gone over the procedures again and again for months, but only now did it strike him how his entire existence was going to change.
This is it, the moment of truth.
The specter of death grinned and Will mentally spit in its face.
The white lights in the room turned red. Devin stared, his heart in his throat while the techs continued to work. Fingers tapped at screens, the pulse of power growing with each passing second. Doubt lingered in Will’s core while the hum grew louder. Lights glowed to life along the cables, traveling down until they lit up the edges of the clamps secured to Will.
“What are you waiting for? Do it!” Will shouted.
Devin looked to Will before turning his gaze up to the glass. He stared for a long moment before turning his gaze to the lead technician. The man in white gave him a nod and the lead technician pressed the command.
Lights surged as power hummed to a deafening roar. Will’s eyes widened behind the visor until power blasted his body. Nerves flashed like mini-explosions, rippling along his frame. A scream pierced the air as Devin and the technicians looked on. Body vibrating, thoughts were blasted away as Will’s entire being touched a growing light. There was no room for anything but the light. Will stared as pain and anguish cut at him like doctor during surgery and he was wide awake. Time lost all meaning as the cutting and slicing at his soul churned on.
Will stared as the light consumed him, snaking into every cell and mimicking it like a demented play on some forgotten stage. Something died, but something else glowed with growing power. It pulsed and burst, flopping on the floor and crying out against the world.
Will smiled as the light turned to darkness. Gravity sank its claws into what was left and pulled it down the drain until he swirled into nothingness.
Two
Darkness gave way to a growing light. The sound of waves crashing on the surf filled the air with a comforting white noise, ebbs and flows soothing the spirit as eyes slowly blinked open. A deep blue sky greeted the figure as they lay. Fingers curled into the sand, the sensations wondrous. A small moan rose up as the figure tried to move, the rest of their body not responding.
After a long pause, the figure tried again as the sounds of gulls rose up in the distance. Arms and legs jerked slightly before becoming still again. With a huff, the lone man tried again, one arm rising up as if to touch the sky. A cool breeze washed over warm skin as the man lifted up another arm, caked sand falling from his palms and in between his fingers.
A warm smile formed as Will put his arms down, fingers digging once more into the sand. Legs shifted and nerves along feet rose up to the grainy touch of the sand underneath. The young man turned his body to the side, an odd feeling coming over him like this was the first time he had used his body in centuries. Sensations curled along nerves, each slight movement becoming more and more normal.
With a mental push, Will sat up and was greeted by a deep blue ocean, white waves cresting and falling in a perfect rhythm. A gull swooped down, hit the water and flapped its wings, rising higher and higher with a small fish in its beak. The lone man on the beach watched with a calm interest as the world around him moved to natural patterns.
“Beautiful,” Will whispered as he brought his knees up and leaned back on his hands.
Eyes scanned the horizon, a warm sun rising up and a few dark shadows of islands in the vast distance. The young man stayed sitting, the sea scent filling his nose with primal longing calling out like a siren on the rocks. Light glimmered along the water beyond the waves and Will felt like he was as light as air, as if some ancient chains were pulled from his body and tossed into the great deep.
Time ticked on. Will enjoyed the view, but soon his gaze looked down at his body. He quickly noticed he was mostly nude except for a simple white loin cloth. Legs sliding under him, he slowly stood up. Shaky legs trembled as he gained his balance. When he felt sturdy enough, he turned around to take in his surroundings.
The man’s gaze fell on a chest that was directly behind him, made of brown wood with gold bands running along the edges. Sun glittered off the gold before he turned his attention to the cliffs opposite of the ocean and the hint of treetops high above. Hand up, he let a shadow cover his eyes from the morning brightness, scanning the high cliff edges before looking back down to the chest. Stepping closer, he stood before it. A hand reached down and unlocked the simple latch. With his other hand, he took hold of the lid and opened it.
Will took it in the chest’s contents. Several scrolls lay in the chest, alongside a leather tunic, leggings, leather boots, an axe, and a single note folded in half with the words “Read Me.” Will picked up the folded note and opened it.
Dear Will,
If you are reading this, we have succeeded. Your memories may be a little fuzzy, but that is part of the process.
We would never let you enter Jova without some supplies and tools. The clothes, axe, and scrolls are yours to help begin your journey here. Please take the items with our blessings.
This will be the only letter from me. We thank you for your bravery and your sacrifice.
The world is yours to explore. We wish you the best.
~Devin
“Thank you?” Will said, unsure what it all meant.
The young man’s brow wrinkled as he tried to remember anything before today. Hints and whispers touched him, talking of great pain and darkness, but beyond that, there was nothing. He
could not recall a childhood or any memories for that matter. Deep down, he knew he should have something he could recall, but a quiet darkness filled his mind, devoid of anything from his past.
A second later, the letter he just read turned to ash and blew away on the wind.
Shrugging, Will reached into the chest and picked up a scroll. Unfurling it, his eyes glimpsed arcane writing when the words glowed with white light.
You have learned, Crafting Work Bench! You may construct, craft, and build items and weapons with the proper components!
The light from the scroll died as it turned to ash and blew away. Will scratched his head before reaching in and pulling out two more scrolls. Opening one by one, they behaved just as the first one, alerts filling his vision.
You have learned, Basic Tools. You may build tools to farm, dig, or mine!
You have learned, Basic Weapons and Armor! You may build weapons and armor!
Ashes blew away as Will looked down at the last two scrolls. Picking them up, he opened one, light glowing.
You have learned, Soul Casket! You may build a Soul Casket to craft Guardians or Awaken Soul Stones!
Will watched as the ashes faded into the breeze when two 2-D screens appeared before him. The transparent screens floated about two feet away, information filling their top halves. Will looked to one, a list of three items appearing indicating the crafting recipes he had just learned. Eyes turned to the right, seeing a smaller version of himself in a loin cloth and square slots throughout the floating screen. Seven slots appeared just under his feet while Hearts, Armor, and Attributes were to the left. Below the seven slots was another grid of thirty slots. The slot boxes were empty and the only information he could see was his Name, Hearts, and Armor.
William Asher
Hearts: 10
Armor: 0
Primary Weapon:
Secondary Weapon:
Strength: 5 (Novice)
Intelligence: 5 (Novice)
Agility: 5 (Novice)
Will: 5 (Novice)
Mana: 5 (Novice)
The information floated until Will turned his attention back to the chest and it faded from view. In the corner of his vision, a small version of him and his attributes stayed. Ignoring the image, he reached down and picked up the last scroll. The player wondered what else he would start with as he unfurled the parchment.
Will’s eyes narrowed as he saw it was a map. It was drawn and highly detailed. It showed the beach he was on and it stretched on to the edges. The cliffs and forests were there and they stretched to the top of the map. Three black rectangles were scattered at different locations in the massive forest while two hollow stars marked parts of the forest close to the top of the map. One was closer than the other while the closer one was to the left of his location the other one was right and near the edge.
Seeing that the map was not turning to ash in his hand, Will rolled it up and his character screen appeared again. Looking to the 2-D floating screen, a strange instinct took over as Will held the rolled-up map to an empty slot in his Inventory. The map disappeared and a small version appeared in one of the empty slots.
“That’s handy,” Will smirked before turning his attention to the chest again.
The 2-D screen faded away as he reached in and picked up the tunic, leggings and boots. Not sure if he wanted to walk around a forest nearly naked, he began to dress. In a matter of moments, he was dressed in the leather tunic, leggings, and boots. The small avatar on his stat screen was also dressed and his Armor now had a 4 next to it. The last thing Will did was reach into the chest and pick up the axe. Glancing to his belt, there was a leather loop and he slid the axe handle into it. Next to his Primary Weapon, Axe appeared.
Glancing down at himself, he seemed well prepared for anything that might come his way. Looking to the chest, it glimmered for a few seconds before it turned to dust and blew away with the wind.
Will stared at the spot where the chest was a moment ago. Many things seemed to come to him naturally. There was an odd disconnect, like it should be new, but it didn’t feel new. Nagging thoughts pressed at the borders of his mind, but they could not cross over. It made sense and didn’t make sense at the same time. Gaze shifting to the cliffs, a new challenge touched his heart.
“As nice as it is on the beach, I better explore my surroundings,” Will said to no one.
Will started walking toward the cliffs, the sound of the ocean to his back. The craggy vertical wall of stone rose up at least a hundred to a hundred and fifty feet into the air. When Will reached the base, he scanned the rocky surface, noticing hand and foot holds he could utilize. Without a second thought, he stepped up to the cliff base, took hold where he could and began climbing.
A thrill filled the climber as he slowly made his way up. Will found it moderately difficult but was quickly getting the hang of it. Fingers curled into cracks and boots gained purchase on small jutting stones. Limbs moved with liquid ease as Will slowly made the climb up.
Thoughts touched his mind as he climbed up a foot at a time. The letter he just read spoke of things he wasn’t sure he understood. Devin knew his name and talked of success, but a success of what? Try as he might, he couldn’t figure out what the cryptic message meant. Devin was clearly looking out for Will’s wellbeing, but why leave just a chest and not be there when he arrived? He must have known he would arrive there, but no soul greeted him except for the gulls flying over the waves.
Will was so lost in his thoughts, he barely noticed he had reached the top of the cliffs. Crawling over the edge, he huffed until his entire body lay on emerald green grass. Breathing heavy, he turned his head to the forest just thirty feet away. Thick trees and green leaves rustling in the breeze sent another calming touch to his spirit.
Muscles burned before the feelings melted away. Will was slightly taken aback when the acid fire in his body vanished and he slowly stood up. The primeval forest stretched out farther than he could see. Energy returning, he gave the forest a quick scan before stepping toward it. Reaching the edge, he stepped into the shadows, cool air touching the exposed skin along his arms.
Birdsong greeted the lone young man as he walked between the trees. Shafts of sunlight penetrated the canopy, giving the forest a mystical glow. Will’s eyes widened as he took it in, each breath cleansing his spirit. He couldn’t tell if it was the world or simply how he felt, but the place exuded magic. Every nerve fired along his body in a soothing symphony and the thrill of wanting to explore took root.
The walk through the forest slowed as Will’s mind spoke up, his thoughts bleeding into the beauty around him. Basic survival kicked in and the young man wondered where he was going to sleep, what he was going to eat, and how was he going to make a fire. Every step deeper into the forest made those thoughts grow larger in his head. As beautiful as the forest was, there were practical things he needed to attend to.
“Just find a spot,” Will whispered to himself as he walked on.
Nearly an hour into his walk, he reached a small clearing. Wanting to know more about his surroundings, the young man stepped up to a tree and began to climb. Fingers grasped at low hanging branches as he made his way up along the trunk. Muscles strained, but not as badly as when climbing the cliff face. When he reached the top, he poked his head through the canopy and stared out.
The forest stretched for miles in every direction. Will noticed some clearings and a big one where water glimmered in the morning sun. Beyond that, there were forest covered mountains, a short mountain to the left and miles away and a taller, thicker one to the right. Calling up his inventory, he tapped at the map and it appeared in his hands. Looking to the map and then back to the landscape, he saw the same mountains that were marked on the scroll. Mentally filing it away, he knew he couldn’t explore much further if he didn’t have a place to stay the night.
Climbing down, Will thought about the axe at his belt and the dark forest around him. When he reached the bottom, he pulled out the axe a
nd eyed the tree.
“It’s either you or me,” Will laughed as he lifted up the axe.
The axe head gleamed in a shaft of sunlight before it blurred forward and into the base of the tree. Arm swinging, Will watched as chunks of wood went flying to the ground. By the fifth swing, the tree rippled and burst into shards. An annoyed sigh fell from Will’s lips as he thought he destroyed the tree with nothing to show for it when he noticed several wooden blocks floating in the spot the tree was. Taking a step, the blocks spun slowly before they darted toward him as he moved closer.
You gained 5 blocks of wood!
Will smiled to himself before moving to another tree. Axe up, he began chopping at it until the tree burst into shards, several blocks of wood floating at the base. The player eyed the floating blocks before they appeared in his inventory. The number of blocks rose to 9 and Will knew he would need more.
Another hour ticked by as the player chopped down trees and collected wood blocks. During the work, he noticed that saplings also fell from trees as did apples. Taking one of the bright red apples, he bit into it and savored the sharp taste. Energy poured into his muscles and he returned to his work. At the end of the hour, he saw that he had ninety-nine blocks of wood, ten apples and ten tree saplings in his inventory. Turning his attention to the small clearing, he tapped at the wood blocks and a square block appeared in his hand.
Will smiled as he moved a little deeper into the clearing and placed a block down. In a blink, the wood block was three feet tall and wide. Considering the block in his hand was only about twelve inches, it was remarkable that it changed so instantly. Placing another block next to the one on the ground, it blinked to a larger size and snapped into place next to the previous one.
Will’s eyes remained cool as his heart beat a little faster in excitement. The physics of the world were a little strange, but familiar at the same time. Not wanting to waste any time, he began laying down wood blocks until he formed a rectangular shape. He pictured it in his mind that he could build up, but other thoughts floated in. What use would a wooden home be if he had nothing to put inside it?