In a small rural apartment located near the outskirts of provincial Anchorage, a lone man sat in front of a computer screen. He had long, unkempt hair tied back into a ponytail and wore a pair of faded jeans and a black T-shirt. A cigarette dangled from his mouth as he stared intently at the monitor, mumbling to himself.
The man's name was Exavier, and he had been grappling with the mundanity of his daily routine. Eat, sleep, work, repeat—it felt like a never-ending cycle that offered little excitement or fulfillment. His growing obsession with the internet had caused strain in his relationship with his wife and young daughter, leading to a heated argument that drove them apart. He hadn't heard from them since, and the weight of their absence weighed heavily on his heart.
As he continued to search through chat rooms, online forums, and social networks, Exavier couldn't help but feel a certain degree of satisfaction. The online world had become his refuge, a place where he could escape the monotony of his existence and engage with a diverse range of people and ideas. However, deep down, he knew that this virtual solace was no substitute for the genuine connections he had lost.
After a few years, his love for the digital realm had begun to manifest itself in strange ways. He began to experience vivid dreams filled with images of fantastical lands and wondrous beings.
Though he wasn't quite sure how to describe them, he knew they were unlike anything else he'd ever seen. These dreams were more than just simple fantasies; they had an air of authenticity about them that made him yearn for more.
And so Exavier would return home from work each night, turn on his computer, and dive headfirst into the endless ocean of the net. In the beginning, he kept his habit secret, hoping that it might fade over time. But after several months of hiding his passion, he eventually grew tired of denying who he really was.
So, instead, he decided to embrace the unknown realms of cyberspace, reveling in his newly acquired freedom and sense of self-discovery.
Exavier was fascinated by everything he encountered, devouring the pages of message boards and news articles as if his life depended on it.
He even created his own forum page dedicated to the subjects most important to him: mythology, fantasy, sci-fi, and video games.
Over time, however, he became restless with his solitary lifestyle. For someone who craved interaction, the anonymity of the web simply wasn't enough.
This need led him to frequent real-life gatherings, where he could connect with other enthusiasts face to face. As he slowly met more and more people, his thirst for knowledge and adventure increased.
One day, while browsing the internet, Exavier came across something incredible: an old photograph taken during the 1920s, depicting a young boy holding hands with a mysterious woman.
Despite having no idea where the photo had originated, Exavier instantly recognized the child as himself. The resemblance between them was uncanny, and he soon realized that this must have been a picture of him when he was a toddler.
With this revelation came another, equally intriguing question: What happened to him? Was he kidnapped? Did he run away from home?
Or did he fall victim to some terrible accident? All these possibilities flitted through his mind as he scoured the image for clues. As he studied the faces of both the boy and the woman, he noticed there appeared to be some sort of mark on the boy's forehead.
But before he could investigate further, Exavier abruptly awoke, his heart pounding in his chest. The remnants of the dream clung to his consciousness, leaving him disoriented and unsettled. He sat up in bed, his thoughts swirling in a haze of confusion.
"Another dream... they appear to encroach ever closer to reality," Exavier muttered to himself, trying to make sense of the images that had invaded his sleep.
He couldn't shake off the lingering feeling that he was missing a vital piece of his own life—a wife and child he couldn't remember. Since when did I have a kid and a wife? he wondered, his brow furrowing in deep thought.
As he gradually regained his composure, Exavier realized that his dreams were becoming increasingly vivid and detailed. It was as if they were trying to tell him something.
Wiping the perspiration off his brow, he stumbled out of bed and found himself lying on the grimy, debris-covered floor. A surge of determination coursed through him as he realized it was high time for a transformative change.
"Finding a girlfriend won't be easy in this state," he murmured, acknowledging the need for self-improvement.
With resolute eyes, he straightened his posture and vigorously brushed off the accumulated filth from his clothes.
Driven by the desire to present his best self, he embarked on a mission to locate the elusive restroom, navigating through mountains of trash. After a persevering search, he finally discovered the sanctuary he sought.
Within the restroom's confines, he diligently washed his hands and splashed cool water on his face, relishing the refreshing sensation that enveloped him.
Each droplet cascading down his neck, arms, and legs revitalized his spirit, renewing his determination to forge ahead.
Caught in a moment of introspection, he couldn't help but marvel at the surreal nature of his recent dreams.
"Dreams within dreams, an enigmatic maze of the mind," he pondered, profoundly captivated by the concept of dreamception.
The sheer intricacy of this phenomena left him awestruck, inspiring him to delve deeper into the mysteries of his own consciousness.
The next few days proved to be among Exavier most productive yet. With renewed vigor, he plunged headlong into his studies, immersing himself in the world of myth and legend.
From books about Norse mythology to those concerning ancient Greek culture, he absorbed every bit of information he could find.
His research delved not only into the legends themselves but also into their origins and evolution over the course of thousands of years.
In this way, he learned all sorts of interesting tidbits about the history of mankind's myths and legends.
His dreams were often sprinkled with vague references to old religious from around the world—particularly those connected to the Catholic Church, whose doctrines were still largely held dear.
At first, he dismissed these notions as nothing more than bizarre dreams brought on by his excessive gaming habits. But as time passed, and he began to recall certain details, he felt sure that some of them were far too specific to be mere figments of his imagination.
He found himself pondering the enigma of his true origin, questioning whether he had experienced multiple lives and deaths in diverse realms.
Was it conceivable that he had been born in another place altogether and traversed through time using an elusive mystical force, assuming it existed?
Or perchance, he was merely a deluded soul teetering on the precipice of mental collapse.
Undeniably, he felt increasingly debilitated, likely due to the excessive intake of unhealthy junk food that had become a regular part of his daily routine.
As the days preceded like usual, Exavier, a 29 year old college dropout, sat alone in his dingy apartment, eating junk food and watching anime.
His surroundings had become so familiarly squalid that he no longer registered the filth and dilapidation that permeated the place.
Having exhausted the realms of console and PC video games, Exavier contemplated delving into the realm of mobile gaming.
"Why not give it a try?" he pondered. With a sense of curiosity tinged with a glimmer of hope, he resolved to explore the vast universe of mobile games, seeking a new avenue for entertainment and perhaps a temporary escape from his disheveled reality.
As he scrolled through the never-ending carousel of videos and movies, he eventually landed in the captivating realm of gaming.
The alluring visuals and enticing descriptions of numerous games greeted his eyes, spanning a vast array of genres—Strategy, Action, RPG, Adventure, Sports, Puzzle, Racing, Card, Casino, Fighting, War, and more.
Lost in thought, he pondered over the abundance of options, contemplating the perfect game to satiate his desire to play.
"What do I really want? Action... hmm, maybe not.
Puzzle? Absolutely not! Who wants to spend hours on what feels like a tedious task?" he mused, dismissing the options one by one.
Eventually, after much deliberation, he stumbled upon a title that seemed just right: "Dreamscape: Chronicles of Elysium."
The description intrigued him greatly, and the screenshots displayed a veritable cornucopia of eye candy.
It read:
***
"Dreamscape: Chronicles of Elysium beckons you into a thrilling, adrenaline-fueled fantasy adventure, immersing you in a vibrant world like no other. In this realm, the fate of the kingdom of Elysium hangs upon the precipice, guided by the weight of your choices.
Every decision you make bears the potential to reshape the destinies of its inhabitants, leaving an indelible mark upon their lives. Will you rise as a valiant defender, warding off encroaching darkness with unwavering resolve?
Or will you delve into the depths of malevolence, embracing a path of calculated villainy?
As you traverse the realm of Elysium, be aware that the incredible might you wield holds the power to shape mountains, illuminate hidden paths, and manifest miracles in the tapestry of existence.
Remember, your choices reverberate across every corner of this realm, influencing the lives of all who dwell within, for your power is both profound and far-reaching."
Exavier experienced a strange sense of déjà vu as he encountered the name, as if it had resonated with him in the past.
The picturesque landscape before him stirred distant memories, as if he had glimpsed it in a dream or a long-forgotten painting.
The game's art style captivated him immediately, evoking a striking resemblance to the masterpieces of the renowned Renaissance artist Michelangelo Buonarroti.
Eager to delve into this enchanting world, Exavier eagerly clicked the "Install Now" button, his anticipation growing with each passing second of the download.
Finally, the progress bar reached its completion, and with bated breath, he opened the game, immersing himself in the virtual realm.
As the home screen materialized, Exavier was instantly spellbound by the exquisitely crafted landscapes that sprawled before his eyes.
Lush vegetation swayed gently in a virtual breeze, and awe-inspiring vistas stretched as far as the eye could see.
The meticulous attention to detail brought each pixel to life, as if the game had breathed existence into a vivid tapestry of dreams.
As his character materialized on the screen, it appeared to effortlessly blend with the surrounding clouds, a manifestation of Exavier himself within this ethereal digital realm.
His eyes widened in awe as he followed the billowing clouds, seemingly stretching into infinity across the sky.
The world that unfolded before him surpassed any digital recreation he had encountered before, transcending the boundaries of imagination.
A peculiar thought crossed Exavier's mind, overshadowing his initial excitement. The realism of this virtual environment was so astonishingly vivid.
It almost seemed too perfect, like a deceptive ploy concocted by unscrupulous scammers to exploit the unsuspecting He couldn't help but recall tales of fraudsters peddling dubious games, preying on the naivety of their devoted followers.
However, even as skepticism lingered, Exavier couldn't deny the sheer beauty and intricacy that enveloped him.
The landscapes were a symphony of realism, surpassing any expectation he had. Every detail, from the play of light upon the foliage to the nuanced textures of the terrain, was rendered with such precision that it felt both tangible and surreal.
As Exavier gazed upon this mesmerizing digital realm, he felt compelled to set aside his doubts and embrace the wonder and possibilities it presented.
It was an invitation to embark on a journey of exploration to unravel the hidden secrets interwoven within this seemingly too-perfect world. With determination in his heart, he resolved to dive deep into this enchanting realm, eager to discover what lay beyond the beguiling facade.
With a click, he began his adventure.