Alex wakes up in the morning, feeling refreshed and energized. While he is still on his bed, he hears a soft voice saying,
"Congratulations, Host has successfully awakened the Desire Matrix System."
"Huh? Who is that?" Alex asks, rubbing his eyes, wondering if he's still dreaming.
His room is quiet, the only sound being the soft hum of his alarm clock. He looks around, but there's no one in sight. The voice seems to come from all around him, yet from nowhere at the same time.
He hears the voice again, this time it said, "Brace yourself, Host! System initialization commencing. This may sting a bit... or a lot. Hold on to your sanity, if you can!"
As the voice finishes, Alex's body is enveloped in a blinding light. His senses are overwhelmed by a cacophony of sounds, like gears clicking, wires humming, and distant whispers. The air around him seems to vibrate, making his skin tingle.
"Initialization: 10%... Your mind is being rewired, Host. Thoughts and memories are being rearranged."
The light intensifies, and the sounds grow louder. Alex feels his body being reshaped, his mind reconfigured.
"System Initialization: 30%... "
"50%..."
"70%..."
"90%... Your transformation is almost complete, Host. The Desire Matrix System is almost online."
"Initialization complete. Welcome, Host, to the Desire Matrix System."
Alex exclaimed, "What the hell is going on?! Who are you?! What have you done to me? And where is Lyra?"
The voice responded, "Greetings, Host. I am the Desire Matrix System. I have merged with your consciousness. I exist to amplify your desires, to help you achieve your deepest longings."
The voice paused, then continued, "And as for Lyra, she has left a message for you."
A holographic screen flickered to life in front of Alex, displaying a recording of Lyra's face. Her expression was determined, with a hint of sadness. "Alex, my mother... she came to me while you were asleep, she wants to protect me. She also warned me that my presence with you now would only bring you problems. You're not strong enough yet, Alex. If we're together, it will put you in danger. I have to wait until you're ready, until you can protect me and yourself. My mother believes in us, Alex. She fused you with the system to help you grow stronger so you can come for me and we can be together again. I'll be waiting for you. Get stronger, Alex. Come for me when the time is right." The message ended, leaving Alex with a sense of purpose and determination.
Alex's eyes narrowed, his attention now back on the system "What does she mean, I'm not strong enough? What do I need to do to get stronger?" he asked the System, his voice firm and determined.
The system responded, "The reason Lyra's presence in the mortal realm is dangerous, Host, is that she is a creature of the divine realm. Her existence here disrupts the balance of the worlds. If she remains in the mortal realm, it could have catastrophic consequences, unraveling the very fabric of reality. Your connection to her makes you a liability, and your weakness puts the entire realm at risk."
"And as for your weakness, that is why I am here, Host," the System continued. "To help you get stronger, to protect yourself and those you love."
Alex's curiosity was piqued. "Wait, what is this divine realm?" he asked, his eyes narrowing in concentration. "What does it have to do with Lyra?"
"The divine realm is a plane of existence beyond the mortal world, Host," the System explained. "It is the domain of powerful beings, gods, and goddesses. Lyra is a creature of this realm, a being of great power and magic. Her presence in the mortal world would disrupt the natural order."
"As you know Host, In the mortal realm, power is measured in tiers. The lowest tier is the Mortal Tier, which includes ordinary humans. The other tiers, in order of increasing power, are: Proficient Tier, Elite Tier, Paragon Tier, and Hero Tier.
"Each tier is subdivided into four sub-tiers Lower, Great, Legendary and Peak. Each representing increasingly higher levels of power and abilities.
"The Proficient Tier comprises individuals who have honed their physical and mental abilities through dedicated training and experience. The Elite Tier includes those who have refined their skills to an exceptional level, demonstrating mastery in their chosen fields. The Paragon Tier is reserved for those who have surpassed excellence and embody the pinnacle of mortal potential. The Hero Tier is reserved for those who have demonstrated extraordinary strength, courage, and wisdom, capable of shaping the course of history.
" Those who have reached the Peak of the Hero Tier and have comprehended a law, have the opportunity to ascend to the divine realm, transcending their mortal limitations and achieving godlike status. This ascension is not a privilege granted to all, but a right earned by those who have demonstrated the utmost dedication and understanding.
"The divine realm is divided into tiers, each representing a significant increase in power and abilities. The divine realm tiers are:
"Divine Tier, Transcendent Tier, and Omnipotent Tier.
"The Divine Tier is the entry point into the divine realm, where individuals have transcended mortality and achieved godlike status. The Transcendent Tier is a realm of immense power, where individuals have surpassed the limits of the divine realm and achieved a state of supreme enlightenment. The Omnipotent Tier is the pinnacle of power, where individuals have attained absolute dominance over the cosmos.
"Each tier in the divine realm represents a significant increase in power and abilities, and is divided into the same sub-tiers as the mortal realm: Lower, Great, and Supreme."
Alex's eyes widened in awe, his mind struggling to comprehend the vast expanse of possibilities before him. "Wow... just... wow," he stuttered, his voice barely audible. "I... I had no idea. This is all so... so... immense!" Alex's gaze drifted off into the distance, his thoughts reeling from the revelation. "Divine realms, tiers, laws... it's almost too much to take in." He shook his head, trying to clear the mental fog. "I feel like I've only scratched the surface of something much, much bigger."
The system's voice echoed in Alex's mind, offering a reassuring guidance. "Host, do not worry about the complexities of the divine realms and tiers for now. Your priority is to focus on your own growth and development. Concentrate on becoming stronger, and the rest will fall into place in due time. The path ahead will reveal itself as you progress."
Alex gradually regains himself and asks the system, "What tier am I now?"
The system responded promptly, "Host, you are currently at the Mortal Tier."
"So, what do I do now?" Alex says.
The system's response was clear and direct: "Host, to progress, you must accumulate experience points and reach the required amount to advance to the next tier. But first you should view your status ."