In the year 2025, advances in technology and other field were starting slow at a visible rate. This made the upper echelons of humanities most prominent nations and organizations start to get nervous.

'If technology stoped evolving, then how would humanity survive?' This was an important matter because they relied on new discoveries in space exploration and medicine to encompass the worlds growing population.

To counter this, most of the major powers started to increase funding to researchers and independent inventors significantly in hopes of even the smallest of breakthroughs.

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In the year 2036, a mysterious independent group of genius scientists, engineers, technicians, programmers, etc that go by the name 'Monolith Technologies,' had an earth shattering breakthrough.

Using the foundations of the humans brain and soul, they successfully created an AI that could emulate a humans emotions and ability to learn. Although it was truly groundbreaking, it was only the tip of the iceberg.

They then proceeded to create multiple virtual worlds that were nearly identical to Earth, both historically and scientifically. Once this was done, they populated the many simulated realities with the special AI's and increased the amount of time that passed.

Although most of the virtual worlds failed, the ones that worked started producing advanced technologies and ideas at frightening speeds. Monolith hired armies to protect their research, and an independent marketing company to sell their technologies to the major powers of the world. The once small group of geniuses changed their name to the 'Monolith Foundation' and became a large powerhouse in no time at all.

Due to this breakthrough, the worlds economy, population, and technology boomed like never before in history. News outlets called them the "Guides to the Future" and the "Greatest group of geniuses humanity has ever seen," singing nothing but praise.

.....

Once 2040 hit, humanity was making so many advances that they could start colonizing other planets no matter the atmosphere or terrain. This furthered the population by billions. Due to advances in medicine/health, food production, and energy efficiency, the countries of humanity could easily look after everyone and more.

As soon as the year started, something strange happened though. The backbone of the Monoliths upper echelons and potential geniuses all moved to the Obelisk.

The Obelisk is an absolutely massive space station that orbits around the moon. It has the shape of a crystal with orbiting halos and mini satellites. The chic black finish and a gold accent made it look luxurious and futuristic. Its purpose was to be the brain and computing power for the Monolith Foundation, using mega computers the size of mountains. It's two third the size of the entire moon and is considered a galactic monument of humanity. Any on the surface of Earth or the Moon could see it in the day or night.

When the Pillars of Monolith (original team of geniuses) and their new members arrived at the Obelisk, they disappeared and cut all ties with the outside world. The production of technologies didn't stop, but their absence confused the majority. This generated many questions and rumors, but Monolith stayed silent.

"What are they doing up there?"

"They could be hiding?"

"What could possibly scare Monolith into hiding, not even entire countries can compare to it!"

"What if they're inventing something else revolutionary?"

"That sounds more realistic, but how long will that take?"

"Does it matter?! The longer they take, the better the thing they're making right?"

"Thats exciting to think about!"

These kind of conversations plagued the world and anticipation grew.

.....

It's the year 2084, and Monolith continued to grow despite the absence of the Pillars. Life on Earth and in the colonies were reaching new height. By now the world would only occasionally mention the Monoliths "secret project" but interest in it never seemed to die out.

On the 14th of September (earth calendar), every single news channel displayed the same headline... "Monoliths Return."

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News reporters of different origins and nationalities flooded into the massive conference room. Seats were taken quickly and most were left to stand. No one complained though, they were all beyond excited to get the scoop of the century.

After waiting for half an hour, about three dozen figures walked into the room and took their seats facing the flashing cameras. Every one of them looked to be in their 40's to 50's with exhausted and weary looks on their faces.

"Are those the Pillars of Monolith!?!" A reporter yelped in shock not because they were legendary individuals, but because of their appearance, "They look like they've only aged 10 years over the past 44 years!!!"

When the Pillars first came into the spotlight, they were in there 20's to 30's but that was 60 to 40 years ago. This baffled everyone present, even the employees holding the press conference. Another wave of flashing cameras and excited talking erupted.

Advances in the field of health have made it possible for humans to live far longer than they've used to. The Pillars of Monolith are partnered with the Longevity Corporation, and the pillars were able to use the most advanced of treatments to stay young.

A man with a bald head, bushy beard, and soft features raised his hand to stop the commotion. It went dead silent and most of the reporters forgot how to breath. There was something about the man that made the people feel as though he's lived for hundreds of years. This ancient and mysterious feeling was imprinted onto the bones of everyone present.

"I am Anthony McBell, leader of the Pillars of Monolith and one of the founders of the Monolith Foundation," he looked around the room slowly, seemingly staring at each individual, "I thank everyone here for being present and I hope you will save any questions till I've finished my part....

Me and my colleagues had a dream that one day, our small group could live in another world. Of course this was when we were children but we never gave up on it.

Sadly that was only a pipe dream so we improvised. In our absence, we decided to create another world, in the form of a full dive game."

Full dive technology was one of the first technologies released by Monolith and it dominated the gaming market. When someone entered the game, it's as though they are being sent to another place entirely with all of their senses intact.

"We call it Allos Kosmos Online or AlKo online for short..." he paused for second with a hint of pride shining in his tired eyes "... any questions?"

Hundreds of hands shot up and he picked one that was relatively close to the front.

"Did it actually take 44 years to complete the game?"

Practically all the pillars glared at or threw disdainful glances at the reporter, making her flinch.

"No it did not take 44 years to complete the game. We actually used an advanced full dive technology that would slow down time while we're in this work space.

So five days in our work space world would go by, but only one day in reality would pass," his expression turned old and worn "In reality we spent around 200 years to create the game and proper equipment so that everyone may play... this is why we look so tired. We only just stoped working. There were vacations, but we were determined to make this game the best ever so we worked extremely hard."

These words sent shockwaves throughout humanity, stunning every viewer and reporter silly. Although it was unbelievable to mentally live for two hundred years, not a soul doubted these words. After all, this wasn't something they would lie about and everybody knew they had the technology to pull off such a feat.

After a moment of deafening silence, Anthony continued to answer questions. Although each answer was somewhat vague, it portrayed the game as thought it was a real life place, greatly exciting everyone.

Two hours flew bye and the reporters hungered for more. Sadly they started to wrap up with some final announcements.

"On September 1st of next year, a five day event will be held on the Obelisk bye the Monolith Foundation in celebration of AlKo online creation. A lottery event will be held live during the last day of the event for people to win some prizes related to the game. We will give random people who sign up the remaining slots for the private beta. On September 14th next year, the private beta will launch and I hope to see you there soon."

After giving some honorable mentions to the Pillars and other helpers that aided them in their endeavor, they walked out of the conference room to go "rest for a while."

The anticipation that's been plaguing them for years, finally exploded making everyone excited for the future.