He turned on his heel and left whistling a tune and locking up the school, ignorant to the strange sparks coming off the computers and the bodies lying unmoving.
Esmeralda shifted, roused from her slumber by the sound of something buzzing. She looked up, noticing her changed surroundings
What the... wasn't I in the library?
She was in a kind of forest, the dense trees surrounding her. It suddenly dawned on her that she was alone, Vincent nowhere in sight. She got on her feet, leaning her weight on a thick tree when the same voice from the library rang out again
Player recognized, synchronising gameplay.
The forest around her began to disperse, everything becoming pixelated till she was standing in a pure white room, no door in sight. An old man pixelated into view, his monk robes blown by unknown winds
'Welcome brave warrior! who might you be?'
A voice different from that which she heard before echoed all around Esmeralda, this one more fierce and dominant
"E-esmarelda Reinhart, don't mind me I'm just passing through. Um... how do I get out of here please. This is all a mistake "
'Once the game is initiated, the only way out other than death is to win'
"So if I die here I'll go back to my normal world then?"
'No! Death in the game means losing one's very life essence, you cannot be revived'
"What the hell?! What kind of a fucked up place is this?! So how do I win then?"
'All will be revealed in time, for now choose your base ability. You can only choose this once so think deeply before making a decision'
The old man spread his hands out and four tablets came floating towards her, the words Mage, Warrior, Archer and Berserker written boldly on each one
'Place your hand on the one which you desire'
Esmeralda hesitated, looking back and forth between the berserker and the warrior before she finally placed her hand on the berserker tablet. It glowed before her attire changed. From the corner of her eye, she noticed a small dot
"Hey what's that?"
'that is your stats menu, will it towards you. It will show your current level and abilities'
Esmeralda focused on the tiny dot and watched it enlarge into the same kind of menu that shows in games.
"LVL:1
HP:10
ATK:3
DEF:3
EXP:0
CRT:0
WEAPONS:nil
BAG:empty
I'm practically useless!"
'All players start weak but you will be granted a weapon at the start of the game'
"Ok great, now that I'm actually playing your crazy game I need explanations"
'Hmmm, I suppose you do need to understand what's happening. Many eons ago, this land was the dwelling place of the immortals. It was a beautiful haven which thrived on pure mana. They honed their abilities on a special island that normal beings could not access .Among the immortals were five notable ones who rose above the ranks in both power and presence. They were Alitheia, Tachytita, Kalosyni, Neró and Fotiá, each wielding immense power. But Fotiá was greedy and unsatisfied with the level of her power, she sought more. She began to study the dark arts, seeking a way to obtain more power...'
"Well, did she find a way?"
'Yes, through dark and twisted means, she devised a way to slay her fellow immortals and use their blood to refine a power source far beyond our abilities. She had almost succeeded but was stopped by a single mortal at the core formation, the ingredients for her power source scattered far and wide. That was a long time ago and now she has been reborn and we fear she is stronger than ever. The location of the island which once aided the honing of immortality has been lost for ages. Your duty is to find the reincarnation of the mortal who stopped Fotiá and help them ascend to the level of immortal on the island in order to stop Fotiá once more.'
".....well that's just perfect, how do I find the mortal's reincarnation and help him ascend to an immortal." Esmeralda groaned, running her hand through her hair as she cursed Vincent for getting her into this mess
"And wait, you said Fotia planned to use the blood of other immortals right? How do you even kill an immortal, doesn't that defeat the whole immortality thing they got going on?"
'She crafted a weapon, a single dagger from the essence of fire. This alone was powerful enough to end an immortals life, it is currently being guarded in a safe location. Your friend will meet you when the game begins. In regards to how you find the mortal, a star shaped birthmark will be found on its thigh. Choose your weapon'
The old man spread his arms once more and it was four weapons that made their way to Esmeralda. A katana, scythe, bow and arrows and a spiked club
'Each weapon has its uniq-'
"I'll take the sycthe" Esmeralda cut him off, picking up the big weapon
'Are you certain?'
"Well, I'm as sure as I'll ever be in this crazy place. See ya gramps" she turned and walked away, the forest she was once in materializing around her. She suddenly stilled and looked back at the old guy
"Hey gramps, as I'm here, does time like stop in my world?"
'No, the time goes on in your world but at a much slower pace. A year here is only three months in your world. Your bodies are currently in a state of rest, you'll return after you complete your mission'
"Three months?! My mom's gonna be worried sick!!"
'Then I suggest you hurry and complete your task. Goodluck young berserker'