by R J Triveri
Hello, Athos Aramis.
The voice came from everywhere, but nowhere at the same time. As he looked around, his first reaction was to drop his hand down to cover himself the best he could. Then his mind started working a little faster. There was nothing around him. Another glance around the room confirmed that there was nowhere the voice could be coming from either.
Don’t be embarrassed. Do you know how much pornography exists on the Internet? Modesty is not something you should worry about here. In fact, if you worry about it that much, I suggest staying away from the eastern lands of Bru’Dea. The climate there has drawn many of both our people there as a vacation destination. I’m Gama, Profession Administrator of Incipere, English Language Division.
Would he really have to get used to the voices in his head being real? Well, it had to be better than the alternative. Didn’t it? It took a moment for Athos to adjust, but at least he wasn’t going crazy. He tried to conjure up a smile to make a better first impression, but it just wasn’t in him. “Hello, Gama.”
I understand you aren’t in the best of spirits. Some people have killed to get this far, well, before the test. Ferris filled me in during your download as to what was going on, and she assures me that you will be given an exception to make contact with your family as soon as you are settled in. It’s critical at this junction for you to let your mind adapt to your new environment.
For him to settle? An exception? Emotions were boiling over, and he wanted to scream. He wanted a better reason, but all he could manage was, “It didn’t say that in the manuals.”
The voice was silent for a moment before answering, Well, most people aren’t brought in during their own death either. Did Ferris lie to him? Could individuals from the Singularity, from Incipere, even lie? Anyway, I’m here to give you the options of your profession based on your individual intelligence and aptitudes. As you know, from near the beginning of our world, there have been dangers, and we have been given hundreds of options to defend ourselves. That ability was passed to your kind once the test was conceived.
It was like reliving the test all over again, and he was getting a little tired of hearing things he already knew. His mind was already reeling from his loss, but he managed to nod. “When will I be settled in enough to make contact with my family again?”
Gama sounded rather bored as the explanation continued. Well, that depends on how well you adapt. It could be days, weeks, longer… some people never get over the log in process. They simply wander off to be eaten by the local wildlife when they realize what they’ve given up. It hesitated. Or in your case, forced to give up. In the end, everyone here made the choice. Accepting that will be the fastest route to becoming a productive member of our world. When that happens, you will be given the chance to make your contact. Can we continue so you can get some clothing and stop trying to cover yourself? It’s distracting. The more you cover it, the more anyone will want to look.
“So, the sooner I adjust to staying, the sooner I can say my goodbyes?”
Exactly. Correct. Wizard. Whatever affirmation you would like to hear.
His arms relaxed a bit and, finally, came to his sides, but only for a moment. His left hand reached across to rub his forearm a bit nervously as he talked the disembodied, electronic voice. “Then I’m sorry for interrupting you.”
It’d be easier if you didn’t do it in the first place, but apology accepted. Now, as I was saying… according to our records, you studied chemistry and literature with a focus on old English texts. However, your aspirations were still undeclared.
“I was going to declare this year,” Athos argued, but quickly realized he was interrupting again when the silence got louder.
Now, we have four classes that might be of interest to you. First up is the warrior class tree. Typical brawn and brains over foes, but from your professor’s recommendation after taking medieval British literature, it would be right up your alley.
He shook his head, “I loved the lore, but I don’t think I’d be a good knight. I have a problem with sharp things.”
The voice dropped just a decibel as something like static filled his ears for a moment. Then that eliminates the two other choices. Are you sure I can’t interest you in a nice pointy object today?
Was Gama getting an attitude or just trying to annoy him? His hand left the comfort of its supporting arm to cautiously rub against a spot on his lower back. Of course, nothing was there here. “No, sorry. Honestly, I’m not a fan of knives, swords, anything sharper than a spoon really…”
Alchemist it is then. One of the support and research professionals of Incipere. Specialties are nature and creature lore, medical and combat brews, and of course, alchemy. I trust this is acceptable. No knives to speak of, just mortars and pedestals. Well, the same basic principles of one anyway.
Well, it was better than the alternatives. Athos nodded as the glass in front of him began to spark to life. From a small glimmer of light came a full body screen reflecting him and a plethora of options, some of which he couldn’t even identify as anatomy.
Now, Athos. This is the fun part! What you see is you as you were. After you leave this room, your avatar will be set and you will not be able to make the kind of changes you can here. Don’t like yourself? Change it! Male, female, ungendered, unidentified… Long hair, short hair, red hair, blue hair, it’s all up to you there! Everything and anything you could want to change can be done here. Might I suggest a few inches shorter, a red coat, and blond hair? I hear blond is very popular right now.
“No, thanks though,” He really didn’t mind his black hair. His eyes though… he always thought brown was so dull. With a touch of the screen, a hexadecimal chart appeared and he began scrolling through the colors until he reached a frosty blue and selected it. On screen, his eye color changed to match.
Nice choice! Can I interest you in…
“No, thank you. I can make the changes myself. Could you please wait until I’m done? I just need a little time.”
The voice didn’t respond, but he got the feeling Gama wasn’t happy. Still, this was a major decision. Looking over the rest of the facial options, he decided to leave it mostly alone. Just a bit longer sideburns, he never could grow them. Well, them or a beard to go with them. Already six foot, he didn’t want to be any taller or shorter, and he didn’t mind being a little on the scrawny side. Definitely staying male; he didn’t want to find out of Incipere women had to put up with the same problems as Earth women.
Click, click, click…
All that was left was the wardrobe, but his mother had told him more than once that he had no sense of style. “Gama, could I have some help?”
I don’t see why I should. You seem to be doing well on your own.
“I’m sorry. I’ve had a long day, and I don’t have much patience left. I just want to rest.”
I wish I could understand that. All my days are the same length, but I will take your word for it. What do you need, Athos?
“What do alchemists wear?”
Gama took a moment and then began displaying multiple images of what Athos assumed other Incipere alchemists wore. Most wear multi-pocketed coats of holding for reagents and extra inventory space. Some carry satchels or other side bags. Most wear some type of headgear. Otherwise, it seems pretty standard with pants, a shirt, and the rest depending on what their specialty or weapon type is. For your body type, I would suggest a little longer than a thigh length coat in black, trimmed with your new eye color and silver buttons. We can go with the reverse for your shirt and pants. Each time Gama spoke, the reflection changed to reflect its ideas. Athos was beginning to suspect that Gama had quite a flair for its work. Maybe a satchel in leather? No, a lighter black all around... not that shade. Perfect! That matches your hair, and it’s not too dark. Let’s move the satchel over the coat and make its trim blue as well. What do you think?
Looking at himself from all angles, Athos had to admit it wasn’t bad. A coat with two large side p
ockets and more on the inside, a nice bag, nice clothing, and it all felt like nothing at all. “It’s the first good thing that’s happened today. You do good work, Gama.”
I know. Are there any changes you would like to make, Athos?
He shook his head, “No, I really like it. It feels so light.”
Then please pick your home city. For Alchemists, I always suggest starting in one of the larger cities. The best recipes to learn, the biggest shops, everything you need to get started.
He shook his head, “I want the smallest city you can find that has someone that can teach me the ropes.” He knew he would have to get used to being around so many others, but if he could put it off for a while longer...
I see. Well then, do you care about the population?
“Just that it’s small enough for me to get my feet wet.”
Well, it isn’t near the beach, but there are streams and rivers nearby. Are you ready then?
Feeling around his coat and seeing himself in the mirror, Athos smiled for the first time since he had arrived.
“I’m as ready as I’m going to get. Upload me.”
With pleasure. Good luck, Athos Aramis, Alchemist of Incipere.
Tutorial
Uploading wasn’t nearly as bad as being downloaded. Sure, the feeling of being thrown into the air was almost as bad as falling, but the lack of a drop and disorienting loss of momentum wasn’t quite like the feeling that you almost threw up through your nose and ears, but only just.
As his body lurched towards the ground, Athos’s entry into his new world wasn’t nearly as gentle as he had hoped. His hands had to hold him as his legs collapsed under him. His head tried to lift to get a better view around his area, but the grass in the shadow of his torso was much more enticing, not to mention less likely to make him throw up if such an action was even possible. As he settled for sitting rather than standing, his hands brushed the small green plants that his eyes were fixated on. Each blade of grass gave way as it should, gently shifting and brushing before returning to its upright stance.
Finally raising his head, the expanse of the new area gave way to a new kind of sickness. Plains and hills spread in all directions under a beautiful sapphire sky. Spots of color danced in the grass as the wind made the green sway like an ocean. Each wonder from the old world was a new experience, triggering an array of emotions, good and… less than good. If it wasn’t for Ferris telling Athos that his body had been continuing its life in about ten other bodies as donor organs, Athos would have been as sure as the ground under his feet that he had just been dropped in the middle of a more temperate, less polluted Virginia. At least until something popped up in his eyes with the world’s loudest ping. He would have yelled at the avatar if the image hadn’t been a small, slightly cute, cat-eared, fuzzy creature with eyes large enough to dwarf most stars.
It was even wearing a small suit of armor! How could he be mad at that?
Welcome, Athos! You have two new items in your inventory. Please access this by raising your right middle and index fingers in the air and pulling down. You have no unread mail, and you are currently at 100% data integrity.
He seemed to be getting welcomed a lot lately.
“Umm, hello. Thank you.” Data integrity?
You’re welcome, Athos. See you soon! The image smiled before popping back into whatever area of his new program it came from. Nope, not the least bit disturbing at all. Yet another thing the guides and reading material didn’t prepare him for. Still, it wasn’t enough for him to really begrudge anyone. Ferris gave him a chance at life; Gama helped dress and employ him. What was there to really be mad about? If anything, he wished he could do something for them.
Moving to his feet, Athos let himself smile and did as the small creature had instructed him. Thinking back to the instructions he had been given, he raised his right hand, extended his middle and index fingers, and pulled them down. Just like he had seen with Ferris, a small floating screen appeared at chest level with multiple tabs on the side: status, inventory, skill, map, and friends list. It seemed simple enough. Out of instinct, he pressed the inventory tab and watched as multiple empty boxes appeared. Sure enough, two were flashing a soft blue. Pressing one, he was rewarded with a small book.
“Splendor Solis: The Book of the Sacred Magic. Magic, huh?” With a shrug, he pressed the inventory slot again, and the book vanished from his hand. The smile on his face almost lit up again. It was so simple but so great at the same time. Would that work for anything he owned? As tempting as sitting down to read in a beautiful field might be, there was something else flashing. Another press revealed a rather large box, about the size of his old nightstand. The large, not quite brown box was wrapped with twine and had a small note attached. Pushing his hand against it, the sensation of weight and force pressed back. It was too heavy for him to move on his own. Pressing the flashing symbol again, it returned to his inventory leaving a soft depression in the green grass.
Wasn’t he supposed to be in a town? Without a single sign, he shrugged. Maybe the town was long gone, and Gama just didn’t have updated information? People moved and buildings crumbled; it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to think a digital town could do the same. The question was which way looked the most promising? Using his finger again, Athos pressed the map button. This time, a second screen grew further out and expanded in every direction. A face with icy blue eyes stared back from a northern part of the map; he assumed that was his location. In all directions, the map expanded into a perfect disk shape. The small screen in front of him became something of a legend as symbols appeared to give meaning to the map. Just like his optics in the real world, a simple hand gesture allowed him to zoom in and out. Sure enough, the city symbol was right on top of where he stood. His finger hovered over the spot on the map to see two names: Athos Aramis and Tenebrae.
Running his hands through his hair, he let a grunt of frustration erupt from him as he let himself plop back down on the grass to stare at the sky. Sadly, plopping down is not what nature had intended. Athos only had a second to react as the ground gave way under where he had allowed himself to fall. In one fell swoop, Athos, soil, grass, wood, and other materials rushed into a rather hollowed out hillside. With a scream any small boy would be proud to call his own, Athos learned just how real Incipere was.
“Martin!” cried a feminine voice as Athos stumbled in a pile of dirt and wood, light streaming down like a spotlight on him as dust danced into a settled position.
“I see it, Auxi,” came a second, heavier voice. With the light and dark playing off each other, all Athos saw was the gleam of metal and the outline of a heavy-set man.
He stumbled up to his hands and knees as wood shrugged from his shoulders. “What happened?”
The form moved closer, but it kept its distance as it examined Athos. The shadow of a head moved up, then down, then back to Athos before he spoke again. “You fell through the roof, Earther.” The deep-voiced Martin said with his gleaming metal playing just outside the ring of the light.
“Earther?” Was it that easy for someone to tell where he had come from?
“Who else but one of your kind would you be wandering on our roof instead of coming to the city gates?”
Athos pushed a mound of dirt from his coat as he sat up. So, the map hadn’t lied to him. “I wasn’t there on purpose. Gama sent me here.”
“Gama sent…” Martin said in disbelief, “Why in the name of the Unum made it think to send you here!? Of all the corrupted, self-depreciating…”
“What Martin means to say is welcome, sir,” the second, he assumed Auxi, interrupted. “We don’t get many of your kind around here. Do you need help getting up?”
She looked familiar, but how? The thought bothered Athos before he realized the awkward silence and stopped staring at her. “Sorry,” Athos managed after a moment. In his mind, he had come this far on his own, so Athos shook his head and stood up, brushing himself off in the torchlight. “No, I’m fine.
I think. Call me Athos.” Looking up at the sky and back to the two in the shadows, he continued, “I asked her to send me somewhere quiet.”
“It doesn’t get quieter than Tenebrae,” Martin sighed. For the first time, Athos noticed the gleam of metal wasn’t just coming from their weapons. Both were fully equipped with almost seamless armor. “Gama hasn’t been at ground level since creation.” His voice practically dripped with sarcasm as his hand motioned to the darkness beyond him. “Tenebrae, the City in the Hills, has been under siege since last year.”
Under siege? Athos looked around, stepping out of the light and into the shadows to let his eyes adjust to the new environment. “I didn’t see anyone out there.”
“They aren’t out there,” Auxi explained as she motioned downward. “They were expanding the city towards the base level and well… We don’t know what happened, but the dig program collided with a wall, and the next thing the city knew, the Wild Ones began to, well, go wild.”
Go wild? Weren’t they all wild?
“Why can’t you just kill them?”
In the darkness, Martin studied his blade as he thought about what to say next, “What is your class and rank?”
“Gama said I was best suited for an alchemist, but I don’t know what my rank is.” Another detail left out of the reading material.
“I assume one then. Rank determines your skill level with your profession. Auxi and I are each rank twelve wardens. Together, we can work together with a higher efficiency than we could apart. Those things are dwellers and are meant to fight in the darkness. The darker it is, the higher the rank they can spawn at. Even if they are only rank four alone, with the number of them down there, we would be overwhelmed.”
Seemed simple enough, “Then why are you here?”
A rumble from below did more than enough to grab Athos’s attention as a few blob-like black creatures bounded from the tunnel leading down. Auxi was quick to dispatch two with a swing of her sword while Martin drove his foot into another. Athos watched as the creatures pixelated and burst into the arcana from whence they came.
