15th February 3023, Saturday
Beep.
"Abnormal activity detected. No visual malfunctions found." From the frozen and desolate expanse of Sedna, an investigation probe quietly transmitted its report back to Earth.
***
17th February 3023, Monday.Earth, Zone C, First People's High School.
"How did it go?" Liam asked as they exited the examination hall. A slight smile could be seen on the face of this 17-year-old.
"It was fine," replied Aidan his thoughts elsewhere. His ice-blue pupils showed his eagerness to graduate and move on to his future plans. He wasn't nearly as concerned about the results of the exams.
"Are you sure? It was so hard that I'm not sure if I'll get a decent grade." Liam feigned concern."That's what you always say, but we both know who consistently earns the highest grades in the zone," Aidan couldn't help but roll his eyes at Liam who acted like the world was going to end."Aren't you worried at all though?" His curious brown eyes focused on Aidan. Liam had long known Aidan wasn't one to care about his grades but being his closest friend he couldn't help but be concerned.
"Well, no. " Aidan replied curtly. It was clear he wasn't interested in the topic, and his rushed footsteps making his way out of the school grounds, showed his mind was occupied by something else.
"Gonna play Aestra again? Don't you get bored spending your entire day there? Wait slow down!" Liam struggled to catch up to his pace as he ran after Aidan.
Aestra, or as it was actually named, Palaestra, was a virtual combat arena game where the players could fight against each other till one was left standing. The game was named in commemoration of the battle arena Ancient Greeks had in their time.
"Well, maybe you should try it for once and then see. Wanna join?" A look of expectation could be seen on Aidan's face. He had extended this invitation to Liam in the past as well but there was no luck in getting him to be on board with the idea.
"I'm not sure, after all, I don't think hyper-realistic violent combat is my cup of tea. I sure as hell don't look like a fighter you see. I have to say I am intrigued this time though, after that last update. I heard they added magic and mana, and you can learn and use various abilities and skills, just like those fantasy games." His voice shook in excitement and for a moment he was swimming through an imagination of thoughts. "Maybe I can be a magician casting fireballs left and right."
Aestra was first created by the Dusk group in preparation for the Unification War before the establishment of the Federation took place. It was initially designed as a means to train soldiers effectively, however, after the Federation formed it was discontinued until they made the decision to re-release it to the public a few years ago. Although it functioned as a game now, most fans of Aestra took it much more seriously than a simple game.
"Let's go and see if your fireball can get me before my sword reaches your neck."He was one of those people who took Aestra far too seriously, spending most of his time training or in battles. Despite his young age, he had already made a name for himself with his combat abilities and his name was one that almost everyone experienced in the circle had come to know of.
"Hey, stop being so serious. You always get too worked up whenever it's a conversation that involves Aestra." Liam saw the glint in Aidan's eyes and he wondered if he had made the right decision.
They soon reached Aidan's home. As Liam stood before what could only be described as a small mansion, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder at the sight before him. Its sleek silver exterior gleamed in the evening sunlight. The sharp lines and angles of the building give it a futuristic feel. Even if it meant seeing this place for the hundredth time, Liam still couldn't help but be awestruck.
"I wish I was adopted too." He lamented, envy visible in his eyes. "Aidan, do you need a brother?"
On this small mansion, what stood out most was the small observatory that sat atop the roof. What could only be described as a marvel of engineering, with large windows that provide an unobstructed view of the sky. The huge telescope and other advanced equipment within made it clear that this wasn't just a simple decorative addition to the mansion, but a functional observatory that could be used to study the stars. Land on Earth had become an extreme luxury, and being able to have a home like this showed the status one must have.
Aidan shot him a glare. "Should I tell Uncle and Aunt to disown you next time I see them? Perhaps you can try your luck at the orphanage and see where that takes you." He looked dead serious.
"Sheesh, can't even take a joke. I can definitely picture you actually doing that" Liam rolled his eyes, with a helpless expression as they entered the house.
"Aunt, I'm home!" Liam announced as soon as he took a step in.
"Neither of my parents are home at the moment," Aidan couldn't help but burst his bubble.A sigh escaped Liam's lips "Well, that sucks. They're my role models, you know," he groaned, his voice heavy with dissatisfaction.
He really meant it when he said that. There were few people Liam looked up to, especially excluding the ones that weren't just in history books now. Aidan's parents were especially notable among them.
"Yeah, yeah, now hurry up and put it on," Aidan urged as he jumped onto what looked like a heavily cushioned recliner. He took off an elastic white wristband-looking device on his wrist and stretched it to put around his head. It gently wrapped and tied down his messy black hair. On the front of this, headband one could find what looked like a glowing rhombus shape shimmering blue.
The wristband was one of the main indicators of how far technology had come. This small device, named 'Link', used by everyone was what still connected humanity together despite people now living on different planets. It acted as a replacement for almost all the smart gadgets that had been used in the past.
Link was connected to Ophelia, the virtual network that had evolved from the whole of the Internet, and its functions ranged from basic things like communication with holograms and browsing the Internet to even things on the other end of the spectrum like playing virtual games.
"You got to teach me how to play, I have never tried this you know." Liam examined the Link in his hands before he put it around his head centering the blue rhombus to align with the center of his forehead. "I still find it fascinating how just this is able to simulate a fully virtual environment with almost complete likeliness."
"Yeah yeah you find everything fascinating anyways. Let's just log in and fight and I'm sure you'll learn easily." Aidan urged with impatience in his voice. He was never someone that liked wasting time unnecessarily and wasn't fond of wondering or asking questions that didn't seem necessary for his direct goals.
On the other hand, Liam was a passionate researcher and scientist to his core, with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Even though hadn't graduated high school, he had received an offer from the Federation's highest scientific research facility, Alexandria, to join them.
It also happened to be the same facility Aidan's parents worked at. They were renowned researchers, with remarkable achievements in their fields to be considered some of the most gifted individuals since the establishment of the Federation and they played a pivotal role in creating the "last wormhole" as well. 'Great scientists but terrible parents', were the words Aidan felt most apt to describe them.
"Let's go" Liam got comfortable in his chair and logged on.
Aidan didn't waste any more time. He lightly closed his eyes, to reopen them back in the virtual world of Aestra. In front of his eyes awaited the main menu of the game, giving him several options on what action to take next, from creating a new arena or joining one to spectating matches of others.
Without wasting time, in swift familiar movements, he created a new arena for them and invited Liam. Aestra arenas focused on one-on-one individual fights to the death. There was no physical pain but, being almost realistic, the visuals were still as gruesome as one could imagine.
However, it was still immensely popular, not only among the players who sought the thrill of the battles but also among the loyal spectators who cheered for their favorite fighters. But it was plain to see that this wasn't a community that the general population would find themselves in.
As soon as Liam accepted his invite and joined the arena, Aidan noticed the commotion in the zone chat.
"Mockingbird is online!"
"Everyone, let's spectate his match."
"I wonder who he's going to be fighting today."
"It's been so long since he joined a match. If I remember right, he hasn't fought since the magic update."
"Now the top ranks are filled with magicians, and the old-school brute fighters have been pushed out of the rankings."
"Is it the end of Mockingbird, or will he be able to recover his lost ranking?"
"Hey, guys, do you think maybe he changed his fighting style to use magic as well?"
Aidan shook his head. "These guys are still as restless as ever." His lips formed a slight smile. He couldn't blame them; they were his loyal fans that had followed him since his first days starting out years ago, and it had been a long time since he fought a match with anyone recently. 'Not since that fight against her...'
However, he shook his head. 'Sorry guys.'
"Ugh, no, we can't join!"
"He's in a private match that doesn't allow spectators."
"Now that's just making me even more curious."
"Guys, who do you think he might be fighting against?"
"I heard his last match was also a private match against an unknown opponent, and rumors are that he lost, and that's why he disappeared for so long."
"Do you think maybe he's fighting the same person again?"
"It seems we won't be able to find out today."
Aidan focused his gaze away from the chat and looked in front of him.