The morning was bright with large dark clouds on the horizon giving rise to the saying the calm before the storm.
Richard awoke from his sleep with little to no energy left only his bright eyes showing he was still alive.
He moved to get ready for the day, however unlike other days he got dressed into special clothing made for the outdoors.
Made up of three parts, a one piece, boots and a special tactical belt. It was actually designed for soldiers and defense force to be worn under their battle armor to give them protection from the elements.
After putting it on Richard put clothes on over it to hide it, moving over to the only chair he sat in it and started to pull the wheels of off it only to replace them with wheels made for the outdoors and muddy ground.
Satisfied with his work so far he looked at the time only to smile.
"2hours huh, gotta hurry then.." Going back to his work he moved about his apartment checking everything making sure he didn't miss anything from his list.
After making sure everything important to him or needed was packed and he wasn't missing anything he strapped the two massive backpacks to his wheelchair and looked at the time..
"11:57am three minutes to go.." Richard grabbed his wheelchair and the handles on the backpacks tied to the wheelchair making sure to hold on with all his might while counting down.....
_
All around the world people where going about their own business as the talked, worked or studied as they went about their day just liked any other day...
That was untill a blinding white light appeared, everyone covered their eyes as the light became brighter and brighter...
When they opened their eyes once again they found their were in a different place.
Looking around they would find themselves and everyone else had been transported to a strange world made of white and blue.
The ground expanding into the horizon a white like marble reflective and stainless, the sky completely blue with large white fluffy clouds over head.
Everyone looked around and had shocked expressions as they and everyone were confused to why they had appeared here. Some screamed and started to run around, it was like a siren went off inside their head.
While everyone was ever panicking or confused a massive projection of man with four white wings on his back, flowing white hair and blue eyes.
"Mortals..."The sudden appearance of the voice caused everyone to stop, it's voice so powerful and profound it caused everyone to be drawn to the voice's origin.
"I happily have the greatest pleasure to greet you all and inform you all of the most wonderful competition, The Gods Faith.
Each and everyone of you will be contestants, each of you struggling to the top, you all trying to become the highest and most influential and powerful...
Cough.. so any way I am Zelus a god of competition, rivalry and envy among others..
It is my job to make sure you know the basics to give you all a chance to.. well survive..."
The projection smiled full of malice as he spoke taking in all of the emotions of mortals present.
"The New World is where all of you contestants will be taken to, It is world full of magic, mystery and unknown. New metals, stone, plants, animals and dangers.
Their not only will you be fighting amongst yourselves but also against other races such as Elves, Orks, demons and more...
But don't worry you all have your own advantage over them... anyway let's get started.. Each and everyone of you bar children with guardians at the age of 14 and lower will receive a development keeper."
A book appeared in his hand, the book made of an unknown wooden material the book had all sorts of designs imprinted along the surface.
Light and dark brown the book glowed slightly as if it was made of magic itself.
"This is the lowest level development keeper or a wooden tier, they are broken up into different tiers from wood, stone, bronze, iron, silver, gold and more.
The Development Keeper or keeper is a book that records all information about your Territory from population, citizen happiness and other important information about your Territory.
It also keeps track of your quests you have taken or progress and luckily for you we have all come to agreement that for the first 5 months you will be able to communicate through it.
So remember it is probably the most important thing to you for the rest of your life because with out it you will not be able to manage or properly advance your Territory...
Next, quests... they are going to help you get new resources, knowledge and items to either advance yourself or your Territory.
Ah yes, if you truly wish to become a top power then I suggest you pray to your gods other wise..." He smiled creepily.
"Or you won't even be able to survive ha ha..."
Zelus started to laugh at the horror everyone was experiencing.
"Now on to the trial but first.... all of you are broken up into different districts depending on where you lived on earth, depending on which district you are in will depend on where on The New World you will be transported to..." A projection of a massive planet appeared next to Zelus.
The planet's continents and Islands were broken up into different marked districts. Soon a letter and number appeared on the back of everyone's hand.
"On the back of your hand is your district, you will be sent to anywhere in that district, I do wish 85% of you the best of luck as most of you will be sent to a desert, snow lands and other... uninhabitable areas...
But before you despair you each have a chance to fight for the ability to choose your own starting location..."
The planet projection disappeared.
"You all will take part in a trial, you all will be scored on how well you do and how long you take. Your score will affect if you get any rewards, for example the top thousand people will be allowed to pick their own starting location in their district.
Where the top 10 will be allowed to pick any location on The New World to start...
You will also be given other rewards depending on your score..."
A projection of a long bar appeared, the bar had different numbers long the bottom starting from zero all the way up to one thousand.
Everyone was confused as to why the bar had appeared.
"This here is the rewards bar... when you points reach a milestone on the bar you will get the corresponding rewards for it.
But what you want to know is..."
The bar appeared in front of everyone, however this time it had the rewards for each milestone.
Some of the rewards were very straightforward like resources, food, weapons and armor. Other rewards no one could understand, however everyone could tell that they would be useful and they would need them.
Soon everyone's attention focused on the last ten rewards, although they couldn't understand what some of the rewards were they could still see they were useful and rare.
But when they saw the required points to reach the rewards they froze.
"To obtain points you must complete one of the ten trials, you will also earn points depending on your performance and how well you did..."
Ten different colored orbs each made of a different material appeared in front of everyone.
Wood, stone, bronze, iron, silver, gold, platinum, crystal, diamond and sapphire. Above each projected a different maximum amount of points you could earn as well as different penalties.
Wood - max 100p - no penalties
Stone - max 200p - no penalties
Bronze - max 300p - no penalties
Iron - max 400p - no points upon trial failure
Silver - max 500p - no points upon trial failure or death
Gold - max 600p - no points upon trial failure or death
Platinum - max 700p - no points upon trial failure or death
Crystal - max 800p - Death upon failure
Diamond - max 900p - Death upon failure
Sapphire - max 1000p - Death & destruction of soul upon failure
"Each trial is more difficult than the last... especially the last three and if you fail you will die..." A creepy smile etched it's way across his face as he spoke.
"I Wish you all luck.. you're going to need all you can get.. mortals."
The projection of Zelus faded, leaving everyone to to make their choice of trial.....
:)