Aaron stood tall in the center of the South Korea Dome, surrounded by a sea of cheering fans. Despite his failing body, he knew he had to make one final appearance and speak his truth. For ten long years, he had poured his heart and soul into Infinity Esports, a team he had founded to win the World Championship for Astrala Online. Most people couldn't last five years in the world of e-Sports, but Aaron had persevered for a decade.
As he approached the podium, Aaron's eyes roamed over the crowd, taking in the thousands of faces that had supported him throughout his journey. "Thank you," he began, his voice carrying the weight of a lifetime of memories. "I'm humbled by your presence here today, as this marks the end of an era for me. But before I go, I want to share something with you."
With a deep breath, Aaron turned to his team, a group of talented individuals who had carried the torch alongside him. "I couldn't have done this without them," he said, his voice ringing out with genuine gratitude. "As a player, a manager, and a CEO, I've watched the e-Sports industry grow and evolve. But now, as my sickness takes its toll, I have one final announcement to make."
The anticipation in the stadium was palpable, as if everyone was holding their breath, waiting for Aaron's following words.
"I am thrilled to announce that we will be expanding our vision to other games, specifically in the upcoming VR space."
The crowd erupted in an explosion of sound, cheering louder than ever before.
But despite the uproar, Aaron's voice cut through the noise. "I want to thank everyone who has been a part of this journey with me," he said, the emotion evident in his voice. "It's been an incredible ride, but now it's time for me to bid farewell." His eyes swept over the crowd one final time, and he promised them that his successor would be more than capable of handling the e-Sports scene.
As Aaron left the stage, he felt a sudden exhaustion wash over him. He knew that his time was coming to an end, and he had accepted it. He retired to his home, a mansion that had seen its fair share of victories and defeats. Though the moment was bittersweet, he knew he had lived a full and rewarding life. Despite the fact that his sickness was incurable, it no longer held any power over him. For Aaron, the memories of his journey were all that mattered now.
A cough escaped his lips, leaving a smattering of blood on his hands.
"If only technology could advance as rapidly as video games," he thought ruefully.
Oh well. It was pointless to dwell on it further.
He sank into his computer chair, resigned to the fact that the era of computer games had come to a close. Astrala Online, the last of its kind, had offered the grandest possible world, but now it was nothing more than a distant memory.
Would he miss it?
He didn't know.
What he didn't miss was the frenzied uproar that had erupted in the online community. Articles were being churned out left and right without a moment's pause for editorial reviews. He grinned widely at the sheer speculation that was flying around, but his amusement was short-lived.
Suddenly, he heard a faint whisper, almost as if a voice was speaking to him, urging him to let go and embrace the next chapter of his journey.
At that moment, it was impossible to tell when it had happened, but Aaron Vanguard - the CEO of Infinity E-sports - had passed away peacefully in his home.
...
White room.
Endless expanse.
Aaron knew immediately where he was.
"Why am I here?" He looked ahead.
And there she was -A strikingly beautiful goddess. Her features were flawless, her skin glowing with an otherworldly radiance. But it was her wings that caught Aaron's attention. Majestic and ethereal, they unfurled from her back, the feathers shimmering like molten gold in the light.
He chuckled, "Really?"
"Welcome, great hero," Sinara greeted him. "I have been tasked with shepherding your consciousness to the Lands Between."
Puzzled, Aaron raised an eyebrow, "Can you explain what that means? Where am I?"
"You're in the Journeyed Lands," came the reply.
"So, this is the afterlife?" Aaron asked, surprised.
"Correct," Sinara confirmed.
"I had no idea the afterlife existed like this. It's pretty cool, I guess," Aaron said, amazed.
Gently shaking her head, Sinara interjected, "I now ask that you save your questions for later. We have much ground to cover."
Aaron frowned. "Is this heaven?" he asked.
Sinara regarded him with a patient look. "Please try to focus."
"Sorry," Aaron apologized, feeling overwhelmed by the suddenness of it all. "It's just that everything's happening so fast."
"This is the waiting room for the Land of Heroes," Sinara explained patiently. "It's where great heroes from across time and space gather to embark on a journey to climb the Tower - a colossal structure with one hundred floors, each as large as a continent."
Aaron furrowed his brows in confusion. "Wait a minute, where have I heard this before? Wasn't this from an old game?"
Sinara smiled. "The first guild to successfully conquer the first one hundred floors of the Tower is granted a second chance at life, with their memories intact. They can choose to stay in the Land of Heroes as a reward for their achievements, or return to their own timeline to complete unfinished business."
"So it's like a pseudo-heaven?" Aaron surmised.
Sinara hesitated for a moment. "Erm, I suppose you could look at it that way," she said.
"So god does exist?"
"Well, in a way," She replies, "Just imagine your existence is also a video game. Treat it like that, and you will have a much more enjoyable time."
Aaron frowned. "Are you saying that God created us like a video game?"
Sinara tilted her head thoughtfully. "Don't you create artificial intelligence?" she asked. "It's not so different, is it?"
Aaron shook his head. "I mean, we're not quite there yet..."
Sinara smiled enigmatically. "Oh, but you'll get there, don't you worry. Heroes come from every time - the future, the past, and the present. I've seen your timeline, Aaron."
"Do we not have free will then?" Aaron pressed.
"You do," Sinara confirmed. "But remember, each iteration tends to have a certain resemblance to the one before it. So let's focus on the task at hand - how you will enter and navigate this new world."
"I see," Aaron said, understanding her point. "Forgive my curiosity."
"No need for apologies," Sinara replied with a gentle smile. "It's only natural to question things when faced with the unknown. But now, let us move forward."
"Very well," Aaron said, "Please give me the full spiel. I have a good memory."
"Remember, the Land of Heroes exists outside of your timeline," Sinara began. "It's a place where you can treat your life like a video game, where you become stronger by clearing floors and battling monsters. Each floor has its own unique ecosystem and world, where you will encounter characters who are just as real as you are. Your accomplishments will be magnified, and you will be granted blessings based on your achievements in life. But it's important to know that only a select few become true heroes, and even fewer attain the status of a legend in the Land of Heroes."
"Whether you decide to settle down on the lower floors or attempt the perilous climb to the top, we wish you the best of luck on your journey," she continued. "You have earned this opportunity, so make the most of it."
"I suppose that's not too bad," Aaron chuckled. "But is there such a thing as hell?"
"In a way, yes," Sinara replied gravely. "It's the thought of dying without fulfilling your true potential - the fear of never becoming what you were meant to be. But even in those cases, we reset their memories and give them another chance to become heroes. Some succeed, while others never do."
With a snap of her fingers, Sinara summoned a door beside her. It was a magnificent double-gated door adorned with intricate designs of angels and trumpets. The colors flowed beautifully, and a banner of light blue adorned its front.
"Beautiful design," He smiled.
"We made it kinda cool, right?" She smiled, "Continue on your journey, Great Hero."
Aaron stepped forward, reaching out to push open the door. As he did, he felt a strange sensation coursing through his body, as if he was being lifted up and transported through time and space.