In the future there was a term: DMMO-RPG.
That word was an acronym for "Dive Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game".
These games were played by connecting a dedicated console to the brain via a neuronal
nano-interface — an intracerebral nano computer network, created from the fusion of
cyber- and nanotechnology.
These were games that allowed one to enter a virtual world and experience it as though it
were real life.
And among the myriad DMMO-RPGs that thronged the market, one of them stood head and
shoulders above the others:
RENCARNIA.
This game had been painstakingly developed by a company called CREATIVE WORKSHOP,
and released about a decade ago.
Compared to other DMMO-RPGs of the time, RENCARNIA's selling point was "player
freedom".
The amount of basic and advanced job classes was uncountable.
No class was the same, as every class had a different cap of levels. For example: The
magician had nine, a swordsman five, while an alchemist only gad three. However, players
could take as many classes as they wanted as long as they met each class's prerequisites. A
player could even take a hundred classes at level one each, although that was very
inefficient. As such, in this system, it was almost impossible to make two identical characters
unless one was deliberately trying to do so.
In addition, one could use various creator tools (sold separately) to fully customize one's
armor, weaponry, flavor text, appearance, and other cosmetic settings. The only thing it did
not allow you was changing your race.
And the greatest thing of all is that it was that the players game avatar had no level cap.
There were many times where players became so strong that they could technically become
gods. At least in the game.
When they became gods, they could create their own NPC's and races, if they so wished.
But the game wouldn't stop here.
If by some reason the player wishes, he could always pick a new race if he fulfilled special
requirements.
The other avatar would then become an NPC.
Sometimes players would try making an almost unbeatable character, only then to try
beating him with a new one
And the player would always be able changing to his old character if he so wishes.
Except if the avatar was killed or died by some other reason.
Then it would be gone forever.
The developers tried making the game as real as possible, and sadly, if you haven't become
in some way an immortal, an avatar would have only one life.
The players have pleaded to CREATIVE WORKSHOP many times to change that mechanic.
It never changed.
It boasted a massive world, numerous classes, and freely customizable appearances.
These features ignited the creative spirits of its players, and sparked what would later be
known as a stylistic revolution. So popular was it that whenever the word "DMMO-RPG" was
mentioned, listeners would immediately think of RENCARNIA.
-And this is where the story begins.
♦ ♦ ♦
Alexander Troesch was filing the tank of his car with gasoline. He wanted to make sure that
everything was in order. Before starting his plan, he and his brother made sure that the gas
station was powered down for the night. That made most of the interior lights shut down.
The only thing that made anything visible at all was the flashlight held by his brother.
"So, are you done?", he asked.
"No matter how many times you repeat that question, little brother, my answer stays the
same. I will be done when I'm sure that everything is in it's place. Have some patience."
"You said that ten minutes ago. I am bored just standing here. I want to do something."
"You are doing something. You are making sure that I can see in this place by holding the
flashlight."
"But it's boring. Can we switch?"
"You do realise that we are technically stealing some government belongings, right? I don't
know about you, but I don't want to spend the rest of my life in prison. That's why I am
preparing the car, and you are making sure that no one sees us."
"Alex, don't you see that this place has been abandoned? No one ever comes here."
"That doesn't mean that there are no cameras that could detect us. I remind you again. We
are on private territory right now. And the owner of this place is a really big asshole, so I
don't want to target us. We already are on bad terms with each other."
"And yet we are stealing his gasoline. Isn't this like super rare these days? No one uses our
tipe of cars since the late 30 ties. All started using electric cars."
"All rich people are using electronic cars. We are not. That's why we need this gasoline if we
wish to get to our destination."
"But what if it fails."
"Well, then we would most likely be dead."
With the conversation now over, Alex finally done.
They went into the car.
"Do you have everything Lucas?"
"Yeah, yeah, I do."
"The ID cards?"
"You mean the fake ID cards? Here they are."
Lucas pulled out his small leather wallet out and the showed the fake ID-cards to his brother
"The clothes?"
"We don't have any other except for those that we have on."
"The money?"
"All with me."
"What about our supplies?"
"In the back of the car. Brother, don't worry, I have packed everything beforehand. Even if it
pains me to leave this place, I still understand that we can't stay here any longer."
Then they became silent once again.
...
"Alex?"
"Yes?"
Before continuing, Lucas thought about his question that he was about to ask.
"Won't you miss this place?"
Alexander had no answer. At least not yet.
He looked out of the window of his car into the horizon.
Some lights were still seen from their little city.
He didn't say anything.
Lucas watched his brother with a little expression of wonder.
He wondered what was going on his brother's head in that moment.
He remembered him saving his life on numerous occasions during his life.
And he thought of what their parents would say if they were still alive.
Lucas never met them, and the only parenteral figure that he had was his brother.
His thoughts were cut shortly after when Alex asked him another question
"Do you have the coupons?"
"Oh that, yeah they should be in my… wallet."
Lucas looked through his wallet with unease.
And his unease changed to horror when he realised they werenßt there.
"I… I forgot the coupons. I forgot them. Oh no. Nonononononononoonon"
Lucas was now holding his his head in his hands, not knowing what to do now.
But Alex was not worried. His mouth showed a small smile.
"Why are you smiling?", asked Lucas at a loss of words.
"I knew you would forget them. So, I took them with me."
After that, Alexander started the car, and they slowly moved towards the rising sun.
Lucas was, at first, irritated. If Alex had the coupons already, why ask him the question if he
already knew the answer?
"Sigh"
"You know, brother. I truly will miss this place."
Lucas looked at his brother for again at his brother, who now had a little smug on his face.
Lucas answered him with the same smug smile, while they where leaving to a new, possible better future.