Prologue: All is Forgotten
Volume 01: Another Life
"Why did they call us in today? We usually just met in Forgotten. With running the guild and having my 6th anniversary tonight I hope this meeting does not run long. Even Sarah could not come in today as she was getting ready for tonight having to miss this meeting."
Two men in luxurious suits stood side by side in the elevator heading to the 50th floor of the Noble Nite Corporation works solely within the second world of Realm of the Forgotten a VR MMORPG that came out 6 years ago changing the world economy after only a couple of months of being released. Pushing the world's population of over 12 billion people into a new world of possibilities.
*Ding*
The glass elevator doors open onto a secured waiting area where multiple people were speedily walking back and forth as the elevator lye between two separate wings of the large corporation that were marked Guild and Corporation. Large bulky men stood in black uniforms that were embroidered with the Double NN logo of the Nobel Nite organization on their shoulders as they checked everyone's credentials before they were able to enter the waiting area.
"I have no clue Isaias. The Board of Directors called everyone for a meeting today, but I have a feeling it should not take too much of our time."
Both men stepped out of the elevator walking past all the hurried workers as they waited to be checked by the large men. Everyone in the line looked over at the two men who were passing by the line, and they all bowed to them as they walked past. The large men bowed as well allowing the two men to pass by into a large glass hallway.
Behind the glass down the long hallway were where thousands of people in capsules were housed not moving as they live their second lives working for the company. Both men stepped into a large room with an enormous table stationed in the middle of this well-lit room as the sun shined in from the glass windows showing the different distinctions of the people within the room.
"Ah, Isaias and David we have been waiting for the both of you to start the meeting. Why don't you both have a seat." The older gentleman motions both men to grab their respective seats on the large glass table.
"Why has everyone come together today? I was not given any warning ahead of time for this meeting of the board. As CEO, founder, and guild leader of Noble Nite these are things that should at least be shared with me." Isaias from the head chair on the table overlooking all the directors of various ages and sizes spoke out.
"We have gathered here today for maybe that exact reason Mr. Serin. The board of directors overlooks the guild and its members that want to head in a new direction going forward. We will be electing a new active CEO and Guild Leader here today." The sound came from the older man from before who was now giving a sinister smile.
"A new CEO and Guild Leader, but why we are just outside the top 10 guilds within Forgotten? We are also projected to move into the top 3 by next year in the Bwolk Empire. Why this sudden change?"
"The board and I think there is a better path to be taken that will better rise to a stronger company. We will be voting now Isaias I am very deeply sorry as we must think about what the best for all of us is. Everyone in favor of choosing a new CEO and in turn a new guild leader please raise your hand."
One after another everyone in the room began to lift their hands. Everyone in the room besides Isaias and David both left their hands down.
Isaias began to look around the room at all the people who raised their hands. All the comrades he had once risked his life with and all the late nights they had spent working together to make this company successful. He was utterly dumbfounded by the quick actions that had just transpired in the short amount of time he had entered the room.
"The motion passes for a new active CEO and guild leader. We will now start by stating our recommendations for the new positions. I will start us off by nominating David Moore the current Vice President and Vice Guild Leader. Are any opposed?"
Everyone turned to look at Isaias who was sitting beside David seemingly waiting for his response.
Isaias began to think to himself of all the implications that may happen if anyone else were to become the head of the company or guild leader.
'At least the guild will fall into the hands of someone who has the same vision as me.'
"I second the recommendation for David. If anyone deserves to lead it is him. We have been best friends and brothers of arms for 6 years now. I trust he will do right by our company and guild." Isaias spoke out seemingly agreeing with the recommendation.
"Well let us get to voting then. Everyone in favor raise your hands please."
Everyone once again raised their hands and slowly Isaias raised his hand as well.
"The motion passes David Moore now becomes active CEO and Guild Leader of Noble Nite." After being said only silence filled the conference room as if the start of a new era.
A large cloud began to roll over and began to block the sun who was previously ever so vibrant making the room darker as the light was no longer able to reach the board room.
"Isaias if you would not mind can you switch seats with David."
Hearing those words from the older man sitting to his left he could not help but grimace. Slowly getting up from his seat he stood to the side and watched as David stepped before him and sat in his seat. Moving to sit in David's old seat Isaias began to look over at David.
"You may enter now," David spoke out seemingly speaking to the doorway.
*click*
An older man followed closely by four others who stood behind himself stepped into the conference room after him.
"As the new active CEO and Guild Leader we will now be partnering and operating under the Shadow Monarchs from today forward. I believe no one has any objections against this arrangement." David said as he stood up to walk over to greet the people who had just walked into the room.
Isaias now had a rather uncomfortable look in his eyes having thousands of thoughts rushing into his mind seeing these new figures walking into the room. Thinking back to the elevator ride and the irregular timing of this board meeting. Isaias could not hold in his despair any longer as those seconds felt like years being shaved off his life. As the words of David seemed to echo within his mind.
"David, what is this? The Monarchs are from the underworld factions they are the hound dogs for the top guild trying to rule over Forgotten. They have been oppressing us for years and have been suspected of many players' disappearances in our guild even suspected of killing them in reality as well."
"Isaias none of those things are confirmed to be true. Also, our partnering under Shadow Monarchs is for our future and our ticket into the graces of the top guild can you not see we can now be a part of the ruling forces? We no longer must try so hard to look for quests or be afraid of other organizations standing against us on our way to the top. We can now stand above everyone else."
"David, everything we built will be gone if we go down this route. I cannot sit here and watch as you throw away all the hard work our people have put into this. What happens to our regular players now? Do they become the Shadow Monarchs' lackeys or slaves?"
"Sadly, Isaias you no longer have the final say about what happens in this guild. I do and if you keep making a ruckus in front of our partners you will have to be escorted out."
"No need I will be leaving myself. I cannot watch as you throw everything away. I will not be coming back I quit." Isaias got up from the seat and began to walk past the five standing guests on his way out the doorway.
"Mr. Serin do not forget to turn in all your items to the guild and restart your account as per breaking your in-game contract. Everything will be transferred immediately from your account." A triumphant voice dwelling from the youth that was among the group of five who stood behind the older man leading the group.
Isaias's eyes in the form of slits began staring at the cluster of people that seemed to want to take almost everything from him. He gave David one last look with hatred and betrayal filled deep within his eyes before stepping out of the room not even responding to the young man from before.
'I should get home to tell Sarah what happened and how David betrayed us, but first I need to stop to get some flowers for our anniversary this may be one of the last times we can splurge for a while as we figure out what to do now.'
*Ding*
"Welcome, sir. Anything I can do for you today?"
"Yes, it is my anniversary today can you get me an assortment of dandelions."
"We have just the arrangement. Will that be card or cash today?"
"Card."
*beep*
*beep*
*beep*
"I am sorry sir, but it says your card has been declined."
"It shouldn't be this is my work car... Okay, I got it here this is all the cash I have on me. This should be enough."
"Yes, thank you, sir."
'I am going to have to walk home today I won't have enough to cover the train fare.'
*ding*
…...
*click*
"Sarah, I'm home!"
'Where is she? Usually, she would be lying down in the living room. Maybe she is taking a shower for when we go out a bit later good thing, I paid for the dinner ahead of time. I should probably go change before she gets out.'
Walking into the apartment Isaias kicked his shoes off and walked past the kitchen placing the dandelions onto the counter that held two plates side by side.
"Mmmmm"
'What the hell was that sound? Where is it coming from? Did she leave the monitor on again?'
Walking further into the apartment Isaias could see his bedroom door open slightly allowing for the light to peek outwards. As he approached the door a shocking scene was unfolding before his eyes as he stared into his bedroom. Two figures were embracing each other in his home on his bed.
"What is going on here!" Bursting forth through the door emitting heavily taxed breaths from his crazed demeanor staring at the two before him.
"It seems like you finally showed up. I thought you may show up after we were already done." A familiar figure came to as they turned their face to him from the top of the blanket.
"David? Wait the both of you? H... How?" Trembling and squeezing the knob of the door within his hand.
"Isaias calm down this is not what it looks like!" Cried out the woman half covered under the blanket covers of their bed.
"Don't worry Sarah we already have control of the company we don't need to keep this little show going any longer."
Immediately Sarah's demeanor changed as she wove her body closer together to David's.
"I know this is just too much fun, isn't it? But I do admit it was getting tiring doing this after all these years. Always having to take care of him acting like I loved him and pretending to care about his vegetable of a sister."
"Years? You both have been just taking advantage of me? Why? I don't get it. I had nothing back then and only wanted one thing and that was to help my only family left?"
"Exactly, The Heavenly Order and Shadow Monarchs noticed you early into the opening of Forgotten trying to pay for your sister's hospital expenses all by yourself after your parents passed away. You were just the person they needed who needed affection and money someone who was easy to manipulate. Are you an idiot or are you stupid? Why do you think your sister's hospital expenses have been increasing and your sister is not getting any better after all these years? HAHAHA!" Sarah snorted now exposing her naked body from under the bed covers.
"Ah, Sarah don't be too hard on him. He is still like the lost puppy from 6 years ago when we first found him. Now that the guild is of use like we predicted, and he is no longer of use we can just get rid of him. His sister is probably long gone by now anyway so we should probably reunite the family." Getting up from the sheets exposing his naked lower body and opening the drawer he pulled out a small handgun.
"What did you say about my sister? Gone? We visited her yesterday and she was doing fine."
"After today's meeting, you are no longer needed so neither is she. Something was easily done by the Monarchs."
"To think the two people who I treated like my own family would do this to me. All those memories we had together after these 6 years were all a lie. All those smiles and laughs were fake. You both better hope ghosts and second lives aren't real because if I ever see you again you will become worse off than I am now. Shoot me!" Isaias madly dashed at David who now had a hint of terror in his eyes seeing Isaias running without thinking of anything that could happen.
"Aaaaaaaaah shoot him!"
*PAH* *PAH* *PAH*