Chapter 1:
"Attack~! Keep the pressure on, we've almost to the end! Keep partying on~!" Clashing exotic weaponry and explosions of different magnitudes rang out in the air. As well as the sounds of flashing camera lights and cheers in the distance. Here in the late 25 century deep within the depths of the Grand Canyon of the territories once known as the United States of America. There was battle happening within the caravans below the sounds of battle echoing off the canyon walls.
High above gathered close to the edge cameras and drones flashing their light. Taking pictures and streaming live on the carnage and chaos happening below. Cheers of jubilation beam through the cacophony of explosions. However, something was admis. Despite the astounding amount of devastation happening the grounds and surrounds seemed unafflicted in contrast to the desertion projected in the ground.
Before suddenly a multitude of debris and hack off limbs came flying out of the dust clouds, towards the direction of the crowd. Many had flinched and recoiled at the incoming danger. Yet still that wasn't swift enough to avoid the incoming projectiles. Onwards the flew passing through the spectators harmlessly, though much other debris collided with the surroundings bouncing off the surfaces of the stone cliffs. Along with the surrounding yet no visible harm or devastation has occurred to the terrain. Before the debris of scattered bodily limbs and parts Fizzed and warped out of reality and existence itself.
"Will the peanut galleries just move away somewhere else or better yet get lost already! They're such a distraction! What do they think this is? An entertainment show for them?!" one of the fighting souls deep in the pits of battle exclaimed. The figure a young male no older than his late teens in an attire resembling that of a sci-fi military armor of the future. Frustration and annoyance oozed from the tone of his voice. Holding two equally sci-fi in hand, his right hand held a weapon resembling that of a large sword. His left held a heavy large pistol to which he aimed down the sight and domed one of the enemy adversaries they were contending with.
"For them yes, it is." Another responded flatly. This one came from another youngster, this one wearing thick heavy armor wielding a two-hand cannon. To which he seemed to carry around with ease unbefitting of his stature.
"Shut up Mid Dawn that was a rhetoric question." The former shouted back, his sword cutting down another enemy one that tried to snake attack him from a blind spot. Then domed another who also try to jump him.
"Oh, relax it's not like they can get hurt Ravaging Wind get over it this isn't new to us." Mid Dawn replied nonchalantly to his companion's ranting. His weapon firing away blasting a swarm of enemies away in a fiery blaze.
"Well, their chattering is still annoying." The former youngest whose name is Ravaging Wind grumbled. Hs weapon still at work hacking and blasting apart his foes with ease. The tide was endless, he couldn't see anything else but the foes before him.
"Kyah~! Ravaging Windyou are so cool~!"
"Ravaging Wind you are the best~!"
Among the crowd up above, there were () of cheer girls squealing and shouting among the suffocating sea of noise. Yet still their squeals reached the ears of the fighting souls below.
"Grr~." Ravaging Wind groaned silently at his fan clubs. His spine tingly not out of soothing sensation, but out of a cold chill that sent shivers throughout his incorporeal form. Like a horde insect creeping down along his back, itching and revolting.
"Sometimes I just wish the realism of the game wasn't so on point, so natural~!" Ravaging Wind complained in the back of his mind. Is this what females feel when their being stared at.
"There's more coming~!" Another cry amongst the cacophony of noise drew his attention from his thoughts. Looking around he saw the person who shouted pointing towards a certain direction
Overlooking the canyon walls that surround the raiding party on both sides. From the direction of their destination. A fresh wave of enemies was swarming towards them. This caused his nonexistent heart to drop to his stomach. They'd barely made any progress in the last hour, now more obstacles were coming, this was a battle of attrition they were not going to win. Looking around quickly their own numbers were dropping rapidly. Even if Ravaging Wind couldn't see it personally with his own eyes the bright flashes of light shooting up into the sky, resembling pillars. Was more than an indication of fallen comrades.
"Gah~! Fall back! Fall back! We need to regroup retreat to point 9! Three and fourth squad hold the rear everyone else fall back!" Ravaging Wind cried out, taking his position intending to hold the line.
Before another voice cried out vetoing his orders.
"Hold your positions~! Hold your positions!"
Suddenly a flash of a silhouette's shadow overhead. This figure was crimson, fire danced on the figure's body. leaving a trail of illuminated beams of light. That glittered and glowed almost bright gold in the sun's rays, almost resembling wings in the trails paved through the path forward.
"Ten Thousand Swords~!" came the cries of others. The name echoed among the booms and exchanges happening. Yet all knew this figure and like a month to a flame, all held their gazes to him.
"Rush them~!" with those words came the unified cries of multiple young male voices. Roaring in fury and conviction. Jumping from on high from both sides of the canyon, like a landslide came the leaping forms of more armored warriors. Directly jumping into the oncoming wave of enemies, barreling into the fray without any hesitation.
Gun shots range, cold steel weaponry sang. Bodies fell, limps flew through the air. Yet amidst the chaos one soul stood out like a sore thumb. Ten Thousand Swords soar through the waves of bodies before him before finally ending upon a massive boulder situated near center of the mayhem around him.
"It's about time~!" Ravaging Wind posture relax slightly upon seeing that figure before him. Standing on high elevated by the boulder Ten Thousand Swords stood upon.
Ten Thousand Swords gazed rested upon Ravaging Wind for a moment before setting his eyes back towards his goal while barking out.
"Keep the pressure on, the targets just up ahead don't stop moving!" The one known as Ten Thousand Swords before he rushed forwards again.
"Affirmative~!" The unified affirmation of all who still stood around Ten Thousand Swords responded before squirting after him. Though they were not alone. More figures rushed alongside them. Some just behind them, others overtaking them. All of whom rushing towards the same destination as a rushing tide onwards they went. Unrelenting, unyielding they went as one. The opposition didn't wait around because they too rushed towards the opposing tide. The two waves rushed towards one another before finally the first line clashed yet again.
The onslaught continued, cries of the dead and burst of light mixed together with that of the furious roars of those still fighting.
"There~! There~! Theres the Gate Keeper its right there~!" someone cried out amidst the carnage. The young lad pointed his finger towards the opposite side of the humans. Towards the single massive figure hanging back near the rear of the enemy formation.
Cover me~! Ten Thousand Swords shouted out his command. Those closest to him rushed ahead, due to the actions of those brave warriors. Soon a path was opened just enough for Ten Thousand Swords to sprint forward his sword dance around him keeping the lessor foe away, while simultaneously cutting down those who gotten close to him.
"Hell, yeah Thousand Swords kick his ass~!" The crowd up above cheered and their exaltation skyrocketing at the spectacle before them. As though they were in the front row seats to the latest exciting movie trend.
Jumping upon the obstacle that stood before him. Using the momentum, Ten Thousand Swords leaped into the air like a bird taking flight into the sun.
"It's over~!" Ten Thousand Swords shouted falling from the sky, sunray following his back. His blade held high posed to strike down. In response the Gate Keeper retaliated by striking out itself at the offending soul that sought its doom.
With the clash of the titans the battle was finally over after a long hour.
It had been several months now since the fateful event that changed everything. The cause of life changing situation that affects the world now. A game. a simple video game that was a lie.
"Are you willing to play a game?" That was the start of the advertisement. Like any video game it attracted the attention of many young men to it. Strangely it was strongly advertised towards that specific audience. Nothing about it was strange at all. Maybe people should have been suspicious about it. A VR game catering only to the male population is nothing new, however solely only allowing males to participate in the beta testing.
The first initial testing phase processed smoothly. Nothing seemed out of the norm, though one should have been questioning, the moment the brain scans along with the various other tests that were done. Even for a VR Simulation system there shouldn't have been a need for such an intrusive scan. The world found out the reason less than a week later when the game hit the market globally.
During the initial phase of the games launch, during its highest peak of gamers logged in, the event known as the Merge. The day when fiction and reality mingled together into one entity. Those within the game appeared in the real world, not just in their game avatars in holographic projection forms. The game itself had projected itself throughout the entire world encompassing large territories within many countries. The world was thrown into turmoil, the sudden upheaval caught the whole world off guard. Reports of massive mythical creatures, unexplained structures of unknown designs appeared. For the first few months it was chaos, no one understood what was happening, no one knew how it was happening.
The fact remained it has happened fantasy has now merged with reality. People still received no answer to their cries, none more so than the gamers themselves. Those who were the true victims of the event, found themselves encased within their new selves. Their minds or even their souls no one truly knows, were ripped out from their mortal bodies. Then intruded within their game avatar bodies, now made of holograms of energy and light particles roamed the world in place of their flesh. Unable to 'log out' they were trapped in their new bodies.
The game had now become their reality, finding themselves in the real world not a simulated one. Now the world finds itself in the new norm. Which had truly become part of everyday life, the game had integrated into human society. The everyday battles were becoming almost routine commercials shows, in real time. In fact, data collected showed that the everyday common citizen preferred it. Reminiscent of the old blood games of the ancient roman empire of old.
Sometime later late evening 2200 hours. VR Town safe zone New York City Manhattan.
Within a busting building resembling that of a tavern bar. Loud chatter and laughter could be heard from the outside. Multiple figures can be seen shuffling about within and outside of the building. Inside like any standard restaurant
"Good job everyone, well done~! We have done it, after two long weeks the () raid was a success!" a cheer erupted, and everyone toasted to each other. Before everyone present within the bar downed their drinks and near slams down near as one in unison.
"Eat up~! The tabs on me tonight don't hold back enjoy!" the speaker shouted as a new wave of cheers boomed and echoed through the air. The place was crowed with people, each table finished and occupied by several people. Before them laid an assortment of colorful dishes. To which the table occupants happily gorged upon. Small minor chatter happened here and there, among the crowd, () strode through the sea of people around him. many of whom gave him a playful slap on the shoulder or back, cheering him on. He responded with a polity quick gesture within a slight tilt of his head, or his chin.
"Hey Ten Thousand Swords over here!"
Hearing his name, Ten Thousand Swords headed towards the one who spoke out to him. Arriving at one of the far corner tables, an isolated section of the bar. Three souls sat at the table one was waving towards Ten Thousand Swords, guiding him to a seat.
"Here-here the hero of hour finally decides to grace us with his presence." One of the young guys sitting spoke. Cheerful in his tone of voice, along with the hint of sarcasm.
"Well next time I'll be sure to leave some action for you Cracker Jack." Ten Thousand Swords responded back. The duo then laughed at that. It was a heartful laugh.
"Well, its taken awhile but we're once again making progress that's good. Shouldn't take too long now before we can finally trigger the final event and 'log out' yeah." The second seat figure spoke up before sipping his drink.
"Maybe Deadlight, maybe."
At the words the mood seemed to dull just slightly as Ten Thousand Swords fell into deep thought. As well as Deadlight, reacting in a similar manner as Ten Thousand Swords.
"Ha~, alright, alright no need to get all depressed now it's not like we lost anyone or something we don't truly die, not in this game at least."
Cracker Jack said downing his drink before ordering more.
"Still doesn't set right with me that we just come back. I mean experiencing the real deal compared to seeing it on screen is just so different. I still can't get used to it."
Ten Thousand Swords said softly his gaze rested upon his hand, as if on cue his hand twitched slightly, barely noticeable unless one were to focus upon the limb. He ignored it pulling his fingers inwards toward his palm closing it into a fist. Before taking his sight away from his hand and back at Deadlight and Cracker Jack before him.
"True to that experience death more than once isn't something I think anyone would be getting all cheery over. Still feels unreal to die and come back to life."
"Ha~, alright-alright let's turn in for today we've got some time before the next raid. We've got an early morning tomorrow"
Cracker Jack said letting out a sigh, sensing the change in atmosphere looking at the time display before his HUD, to which he pulled up with a thought command. Before standing up from his seat. Ten Thousand Swords and Deadlight followed suit. They weren't alone, others had long left the bar, the party hade go on for while now. The last few remaining have also started to leave.
"Ah, ha man time just flies when you're having fun doesn't it, you just never realized something until it becomes unavoidable."
"Indeed." Ten Thousand Swords said solemnly as if reciting the words of another, his tone shrouded with a dark foreboding premonition. "Indeed, something just aren't noticeable until it's too late.