**Beep Beep Beep**
**Heart Rate Lowered To Optimal Range**
**Biometric Scan Confirmed**
**Welcome Back Player**
Sil's eyes popped up, sweat poured off his body, his breathing was ragged. He was sure that if the machine hadn't adjusted his heart rate it would be beating out of his chest. Turning the headset off and removing it from his head, Sil looked around and breathed deeply, calming his mind and body. He needed to think with a clear mind.
After calming himself he noticed the notifications flashing on the screen of his cellphone. He unlocked his phone and found multiple missed calls from an impossible number. The number read +0-000-000-0000, but no voicemails were left. He also had a few missed text messages from a number that simply showed up as unknown without a number. Memories of his past flooded his memory, but he forced them away.
His heart pounding he opened the text thread.
"Dear Mr. Marx, what ever you do you must stop playing the game. It won't bode well for our realm of existence if you don't."
"Mr. Marx, I need you to understand how dire this situation is. Do Not Log Back In!"
"Mr. Marx, please, we need to talk. If only you'd answer your phone."
"Mr. Marx, log out and answer your phone!."
Sil read at least ten more messages with similar content before the thread has ended. Who was this guy? And how did he know who Sil was? By all paperwork from government files he was presumed dead. Nobody should know of his existence, let alone get a hold of his number. He had even changed his entire identity with the money he had gotten from his final contract.
His phone dinged as he receives another text message.
"That creature you met in the game...one G'Nek the Evolved Ancient Ogre of Chaos...he is as real as you and I. You should answer my next call..."
Sil took a hot shower to wash away his sweat and relax his muscles. After throwing on a pair of shorts, sandals, and a t-shirt, he made himself breakfast.
After finishing his breakfast and washing up he stepped out onto his back patio, facing a magnificent ocean. Even with the waves breaking against the sand, he could see clearly under it's surface from where he stood.
Sil lived on a remote island in the Caribbean. The island itself wasn't on any map and private property signs dotted the perimeter of the island to ward off unwanted guests. He had to move somewhere far enough away that he'd be safe. So he chose a spot the was not alone secluded, but surround by shark infested waters. He had the money to have supplies shipped in when necessary and live out his days in peace doing the thing he loved most, gaming, and getting paid for it wasn't so bad either, he laughed internally.
Sil's phone rang with same number as before and this time he answered it.
"Hello?," Sil answered in a deep and slow voice.
"Yes? Mr. Marx?," a voiced asked hurriedly on the other line. The sound of traffic could be heard in the background.
"What is it you need of me...Mr?"
"Montego...Dr. Montego. But pleasantries aside. This is call is urgent. That game is no normal game. It's creators made it so that they could send people from our own world to invade another..."
"How is that even possible?!," Sil interrupted. "That kind of technology shouldn't even exist!"
"But it does Mr. Marx, it surely does! When the machine you put on your head biometrically scans you, it transfers your soul into the other world and gives it an exact copy of your body there. Though the skills you acquire there were not able to be transferred back, until now," Dr. Montego continued. "There should be a package at your front door containing a USB storage device, on that device are the necessary codes in downloadable format for the game, which will allow your skills and strength to be transferred back with you when you log out. Should you consider playing the game again that is. Though I still heavily advise against it. We shall be in touch Mr. Marx."
He finished at last and promptly hung up, leaving Sil with more questions than answers. He felt very very tired now, even with it being only mid day. He went and retrieved the package from his front step and headed back up stairs to lay down. He needed to think and he needed rest.
-------
G'Nek was beside himself with anger as he slammed his fist on the giant stone table. The little mortal had not only escaped his impending doom, but also managed to humiliate him in the process by leaving a scar across his left eye. One day soon, he'd make sure he got his revenge. His eyes lifted and looked across the table at the other god seated across from him.
"So what do you think we should do about this Oracle?"
"The invasion will happen from one side or another, as I have seen both futures, this is inevitable. Though in a third vision, a hero of light appears and stops both sides," a snake like voice came from the god.
"This must not come to pass Morgana!," G'Nek said angrily.
"I see the future! I do not hold sway over it Ogre!," the feminine voice hissed back as she rose and walked slowly into the light, yellow snake-like eyes staring deeply into his.
Morgana was attractive for a Gorgan. She had a tall slim body, though very curvaceous in some areas. When her eyes weren't yellow, they were a beautiful crystalline blue, and she had a perfect smile. Though as stunning as she was, she was dangerous, and her ability to see the future was top notch.
"I meant no offense Morgana," G'Nek apologized while shielding his eyes from her stare. "I'm still frustrated from the events that took place earlier. That little mortal will get what he has coming to him. Defy a god will he?!"
"That Mortal will be the death of you, for he is indeed a God of Death. This I've seen and I promise you!," she hissed out between her teeth. "If I were you I'd steer clear of that mortal, lest your fate be sealed G'Nek!!"
G'Nek stood angrily and made his way out of the Gorgon's house. This day had not gone as planned, and seemed to still be getting worse. He should have never come here. He could be eating and drinking in his halls. Instead, he got told things he didn't want to hear, and from her, he knew they held some semblance of truth.
God of Death?, he thought to himself as he traversed the path leading back to the Crimson Mountains. There was no way that that puny little piece of mortal flesh was a god, let alone a God of Death. If he could not touch him himself, he send another creature to do his dirty work. G'Nek laughed out loud, the sound echoing through the nearby mountains.
The mortal would be back soon enough, and he'd have him killed, simple as that. He grinned broadly and evilly as he made his way into the mountains and towards the castle nestled into the side of the largest one. He would sleep well tonight.