The rooms to the right and left were filled with men and women in white lab coats each working at a separate grouping of six upright tables with the same VR gear from the brochure sitting beside each one. On the very far wall of each room were monitors, all black.
“Guess that’s where they watch us play,” Harrison murmured, more to himself than to Jimmy. “They set us up in groups of six?’
“Looks like it. Didn’t read anything about teams.”
“Teams, right.” Harrison was hoping to get through this next month on his own as much as possible. Especially if he was going to have to sneak information out of the game somehow. Bad enough if he got caught; he didn’t want to drag anyone else down with him.
“So you a hero or a villain?”
“Hero actually.”
“Actually? You sound surprised,” Jimmy said and nudged his arm.
“Nah I just, you know, wasn’t sure how they picked who was who.”
“A lottery I’m sure,” Jimmy said sounding like he didn’t care. “I’m a hero, too. Do you know anything about the classes? What do you usually play?”
Harrison thought back to all his previous characters. “Normally just DPS, every now and then I was a tank, but haven’t heard anything about the classes for this game.”
“Me neither and I was always a healer myself.”
The crowd of people ahead of them disappeared through a large set of double doors and they found themselves in a large auditorium. A stage sat at the far end with a large screen with a floating Valen Games icon. The people slid into the open seats and Harrison and Jimmy followed their lead, choosing two fairly close to the rear of the room. Once everyone was in their seats, the doors behind them closed and a man stepped out onto the stage as the lights dimmed around the audience.
“Good evening everyone,” the man said loudly, speaking into the mic in his hand. “If we can all settle in, we’ll get started on this next great adventure.”
Harrison watched everyone take their seats, and silence fell over the auditorium. Felicity along with several others stood on the stage off to the side. She smiled as did the rest of them. There was still something off with her face and with the way she stood, yet he couldn’t put his finger on what.
The man with the mic smoothed a hand over his black hair speckled white and pushed up his glasses. He grinned out at them all and waited until it was completely silent before he lifted the mic to his mouth again. “Hello all and welcome to Valen Games. You are currently staying in our high tech testing facility for all things virtual reality.”
A few people applauded politely, but Harrison was more focused on the screen changing behind the man.
“Every day our world is changing,” the man went on. “Our tech is advancing and so are our experiences in the gaming world. All of you have been chosen because you share the same passion as we do for creating a perfect game that gives you an escape from the real world and lets you become someone else. Let’s you become the hero, or the villain.”
The screen darkened completely as the men stepped to the side. A bright red flash lit up the auditorium and images slid across the screen one after the other. Harrison’s heart beat faster as the world they were about to be a part of came to life. Each picture highlighted a different race, a different character, a region of tropical jungles, old castle ruins, and a ripped open chasm in the ground with demons crawling out of it. He missed having the chance to run away from the world and become that alter ego, the hero that saved an entire race, or defeated the last boss in the final dungeon. Now he was finally going to get the chance to do it again.
The images faded and words appeared instead alight with green flames as they filled the screen.
“Welcome everyone to our first round of beta testing,” the man said into the mic. “My name is Dennis Crawford and it pleases me to present to you The Wraith of Valenastrious.”
Chapter 3
“Left hand, Mr. Harper,” the man said.
Harrison held out his hand and watched as the man attached several different monitoring systems to his fingers. “What are these for again?”
“Heart rate monitor,” the man explained. “And the rest of your vitals. Mostly we’re going to be recording how harsh the environment is on the human body. All the risks were explained last night at orientation.”
“Yeah, yeah, I remember,” he mumbled and tried not to sound so worried.
The beginning of orientation had been thrilling and Harrison managed to forget about his troubles outside of the game. He was going to be part of an awe inspiring world, but with the fun game dangers, not real life dangers. That was what they were told anyway. The game was tested for safety, but there was still a chance something could go seriously wrong once they went inside. Their mind would be linked with the server and projecting them into the virtual world. The chances were slim, but the risk of mental damage did not equal zero.
“Mr. Harper? Are you sure you’re ready to do this?” the man asked.
“Wait, Harrison Harper?” Jimmy exclaimed as he was stationed right beside Harrison in their pod of six. “Dude! Why the hell didn’t you say so last night?”
“I’m not that big of a deal,” Harrison argued.
“Yeah you are,” another one of the young guys said close by. “You used to be the top player in every MMO game. What happened, man? You fell off the face of the planet.”
Harrison puffed out his cheeks not wanting anyone here to know the truth. “Life happened. That’s all there is to it really, but don’t worry. I’ll take it easy on you,” he added lightly, hoping to steer the conversation away from his personal life.
“Life happens to us all, but that is not a good reason to disappear from such a promising career,” a man said from behind Harrison. A moment later, Dennis Crawford stepped into view, hands clasped behind his back and a curious smile playing at his aging face. “I hope whatever happened was not as negative as your eyes say it was.”
“Mr. Crawford, I’m honored to meet the mind behind such a game,” Harrison said and tried to offer a hand, but they were all bound up with wires.
“Dennis is fine, and I’d like to say the same about you. An astonishing career you had. Undefeated in many arenas. I will say I am interested to see what you make of my little game.”
“Wouldn’t say it’s little.”
“No, no I guess not. Still, I would love to pick your brain sometime later this week. Until then, enjoy your experience, Harrison. I hope you find all you’re looking for in the lands of Samar.” Dennis nodded to the man hooking Harrison up before he walked away.
“Dude, you’re going to have one on ones with Crawford himself!” Jimmy said, shaking his head. “Damn, promise you’ll teach me some tricks in the new game?”
“Not sure my tricks will work here.”
Harrison stared intently at the helmet as it was placed over his head. Several tendrils of wires hung from the back and hooked up to the server in the center of him and the other five players. The helmet was lighter than he expected and fit comfortably on his head. The black visor slipped over his eyes as he leaned back and his attendant buckled the single strap against his waist to hold him upright.
He couldn’t see much through the visor, but listened as Jimmy talked to the other players about what class and race he was going to pick. Harrison tuned them out as he sucked in several deep breaths to steady his nerves. This was not like starting any other game. This was a new world, a fresh start, a fresh version of himself.
The version where you’re the hero again.
“Players ready.” Dennis’ voice came through a mic in the helmet startling Harrison. “The game will begin in thirty seconds. Lay back, relax, and enjoy the world of Samar.”
The visor darkened and a countdown timer appeared in the center. With each number that appeared, Harrison’s body relaxed and his mind drifted closer to the land of Samar. They explained in orientation what would happen when the game started up but, when the number
hit one, Harrison realized how far off their words were. There was no way to describe the sensation of his mind flashing through space and time, and landing in a room with what felt like his actual feet touching down on an actual solid service.
“Holy shit,” he whispered as he held up his right hand, watching his fingers move. “This is crazy.”
He stood in a circular room in black pants, shirt, and barefoot. Around him were five different doors each carved with intricate details. Above them were plaques.
He stepped closer. Starting from the left they read: Human, Shifter, Dwarf, Half-Breed, and Elf. They were given very little information yesterday about each race. Dennis explained he wanted the players to be able to learn everything in game to get the full experience, make it more organic.
Harrison stared at each entrance. The human door was a gilded gold and silver door with swords crossed over it. The Shifter door was solid black with claw marks running down it in random patterns. The dwarf door was built out of whirring gears and copper. The half-breed door had one door as the humans and another etched in green flames. The final door for the elves was delicately carved with vines and flowers running across each wooden panel.
All of them were intriguing and Harrison scratched at his chin while he debated which route to go.
In his old gaming days, he tended to go with the human or elf, but this time around he wanted to embrace something unique to this game, something different. As mist swirled around his feet, he walked towards the door for the Half-Breed race and placed his palms on either door.
The rough texture of the wood scratched at his hands as he pushed, and the doors swung inward revealing another circular room, even more interesting than the previous.
There were five more plaques placed along the wall over each alcove boasting the gear and weapons specific for each class they represented.
“Wicked cool,” Harrison whispered, and he grinned as he stalked closer.
The first he reached was a Priest, but he was never much for healing. Taking a moment to admire the shimmering dark blue robes and detailed hand carved staff of power, Harrison pictured Jimmy rushing straight towards this class without hesitating.
He moved past the alcove for the Knight displaying full plate and chain mail armor, two-handed sword, two short swords, or two axes. Harrison was tempted, but the next alcove drew him more and he paused before it.
“Hello beautiful.” He stepped into the alcove and stared wide-eyed at the curved black and bone bow hanging from the wall. Hunter class. “I’ve never seen a bow like this.”
Harrison picked it up from the wall and held it, drawing the string back. He had shot a bow in real life a few times but had struggled with the tool. Now, he drew back the string with barely a grunt of effort.
A quiver hung close-by, filled with black fletched arrows. On a mannequin was a black, hooded cloak, gloves, knee high leather boots, leather breeches, and a black shirt and vest. He looked for instructions on what to do, but figured he chose his class by donning those items in question.
Adrenaline flooding his veins as he dressed quickly and the role of a Hunter settled on his shoulders, Harrison sensed a shift in his body, deep in his very center. This was definitely not like a regular game.
When he stepped out of the alcove, several messages popped up around him and the room spun, the alcoves with the class items disappeared and new ones emerged. Each one showed a picture for hair, body type, accessories or body markings, and lastly name.
Heart pumping even faster, he stepped up to the first one and stared into the mirror. One of the messages floated closer with arrows for left and right. Harrison brushed his finger over the right one and burst out laughing when his short black hair suddenly became long and blue.
“I think not,” he whispered, and he hit the button again.
He went through several different styles of long, longer, short, Mohawk, and even pigtails before he finally found a hairstyle that suited him. The white hair pulled back in a plait, half up and half down. It contrasted great with his black outfit so he stuck with it and moved to the next alcove.
With each change, the old Harrison Harper washed away and the hero emerged with pale blue eyes so light they nearly matched his hair. The tribal markings he picked for his face were also shades of blue and white, etched under his eyes and onto his cheeks and neck. He chose a piercing for his left ear, one that appeared to be a tooth from some beast.
By the time he reached the place where he wrote out his character name, his hand froze with the feathered quill in hand.
What did he call himself in this new world where he could be a hero? Where he might actually be able to remember what he liked about himself as a person. He tapped the point of the quill on the parchment hard before he grinned and scribbled the name out. The letters glowed and rose up into the air hovering before him: Bishop. If he was going to be a hero, a protector, he needed the right name to suit him.
The letters vanished in a puff of smoke and the parchment and quill along with it.
“Ok then,” he said slowly. “Guess that name has not been taken yet.”
A door opened behind him. He turned to see a bright white light and beyond he assumed his starting point. When he neared it, a message flashed to life before his eyes and he flinched. The message read: You have chosen to play a Half-Breed Hunter. If this is correct proceed through the door. If not, please return the items and reselect.
Harrison gripped the bow tighter in his hand, drew in a deep steadying breath, and marched through the words. They faded before him and his body was consumed in the white light.
The moment his feet hit solid ground again, his body shifted and changed, becoming the character newly created by him. Squinting against the harsh sunlight, he held up a hand and took in his new surroundings. Happy voices met his ears, some sounding formal with rough accents and others whoops of joy.
“Guess I’m not the only half-breed,” he told himself as he managed to open his eyes all the way. “This must be Harborage.”
The excited voices did little to detract of where Harrison, or rather Bishop, stood. He slung his bow over his body before he started walking.
The mud sucked hard at his boots and the air stank of rotting fish and meat. He gagged and grinned at the same time amazed to have everything feel so real. The sky was only blue away from the village. Overhead, dark clouds gathered and the chill wind swept across his face, blowing his hair and ruffling his clothes. The stone structures were all decrepit with collapsed roofs and even whole walls missing. Vendors stood near booths offering weapons, food, or other items. Horses whinnied penned in the stable just a few feet from him. An NPC passed him and he reached out, resting his hand on the man’s arm before letting go.
“Are you new to town?” the man asked as he came to a stop, leering at Bishop.
“Yes I am,” Bishop replied slowly. “Just arrived.”
“Do you have your letter from the trainer?”
“Letter?” Bishop patted down his pockets and shook his head. “Inventory, idiot.”
He thought of his inventory and swiped his hand from left to right before his face. A list appeared, floating in mid-air, and he used his finger to scroll through his few items before he found a letter and pushed it. The letter appeared solid and real in his hand. “Letter, here you are.”
The man took the letter and read it over. “Very good. Report to Master Finnegan near the tavern. He will have your orders.”
The man tucked the letter away and Bishop watched as XP points burst to life before him and he sensed his character grow closer to his next level. Several coins clinked into his pocket and he realized he earned his reward for his first quest.
“Not too shabby,” he told himself as he patted his pocket. “How do I track a quest?”
A question mark blinked in front of him and he pressed it. A list of instructions on how to access various menus floated around him and he skimmed through each one briefly before finding the one th
at showed him how to track quests and give him directions on where to go. Once the quest was tracking, the same lighted arrows from the facility building guiding his way on the ground, he moved through Harborage wanting to take in every last detail.
Several other players rushed about, running and hollering as they used their weapons on dummies nearby and talked to every NPC wandering around.
Bishop focused on his one quest and reined his curiosity in. His first day in the game and he wanted to take it slow, stay focused, and figure out how the mechanics worked. His muscles flexed with every move he made and he even breathed regularly. He lifted his fingers to his neck and the steady rhythm of his pulse almost seemed crazier than being able to actually feel the virtual reality characters filling the village.
“Oh my God! This is incredible!” a woman called out whistling.
Bishop glanced over his shoulder to see a woman in the dark, tight fitting clothing of a Shadow Rogue slink through the town square. A green and blue bar hovered over her head along with her name, just like in a regular MMO. She moved her hands and suddenly she disappeared, cloaked by some skill or other. A male character stopped short of where she disappeared, his hands on his hips, and glowered. He wore the heavy armor of the Knight.
“Damn it Tess, where the hell did you go?” he complained.
A few other newly created characters emerged from a doorway in the middle of the town square, bright light pouring from it as each new person entered the game fully for the first time.
“You appear lost, my friend,” a man said, clapping a hand on Bishop’s shoulder.
“Lost no,” he replied as he turned to face the NPC. “Merely admiring the town.”
“Admiring this place? Well now, if you can see beauty here then you might be just the man I was looking for.”
Bishop glanced upwards at the name floating over the man’s head and the exclamation point beside it, but no life or mana bars. “Ah, quest giver. Interesting.”
“Do you accept my challenge, good Hunter?”
“You know, I think I will. What is it you ask of me?” he replied, easily falling into the role of his character in this new world.
The Wraith of Valenastrious: A LitRPG Epic (World of Samar Book 1) Page 3
