Elias sat at the dining table, a feast laid out before him. The aroma of roasted meats and fresh vegetables danced in the air, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within him.
His training had finally come to an end, a bittersweet accomplishment considering the grueling year he'd endured.
Prometheus, a being of shimmering blue light, occupied a chair to his right, his usual comforting presence tinged with a hint of melancholy.
"Master," Prometheus began, his voice a melodic hum that resonated within Elias' skull.
There was a hesitancy in his tone, a stark contrast to his usual confident pronouncements. "My training of you is complete."
Elias, mid-chew on a succulent piece of grilled boar, simply nodded in acknowledgment. A pang of emptiness echoed in his chest.
He had grown accustomed to the daily routines, the relentless push to his limits, the sense of purpose it provided. Now, a vast unknown stretched before him.
"There's something important I need to tell you," Prometheus continued, his voice taking on a distant quality.
His gaze drifted to a window overlooking a breathtaking vista of rolling hills and a distant, shimmering ocean.
Elias followed his gaze, momentarily distracted by the scenery. This world, Arcadia, was undeniably beautiful, even with its underlying mystery.
"The world you inhabit isn't what you think it is," Prometheus dropped the bombshell, shattering the comfortable silence.
Elias paused, his fork hovering mid-air. A surge of curiosity replaced the earlier emptiness.
He took a deliberate sip of water, savoring the cool sensation as he contemplated this unexpected revelation.
"What do you mean?" he asked, his voice calm despite the churning emotions within.
"Let's just say you might already have some clues," Prometheus replied enigmatically. His blue form shimmered slightly, as if wrestling with his own internal conflict.
Elias pondered for a moment, his eyes scanning the room. They landed on the familiar blue status window that hovered in the corner of his vision, a constant reminder of his extraordinary circumstances. Then there was Prometheus himself, a being of pure energy who had inexplicably gained a physical form. "Like the status window, and your sudden physical form?"
"Precisely," Prometheus confirmed. A flicker of relief crossed his blue form.
"From the perspective of your original world, is everything you've experienced so far… possible?"
Elias frowned. The strangeness of it all suddenly hit him in a wave.
"It's strange. The status window judging people by numbers… it all feels like a game setting," he muttered, the unsettling thought solidifying in his mind.
A slight smile played on his lips as he leaned back in his chair, a sense of acceptance washing over him. He had always suspected something was amiss.
Prometheus smiled faintly, a hint of nostalgia flickering within his blue light. "Actually, I used to assist you when you designed games for children." He seemed lost in a nostalgic memory, a stark contrast to the seriousness of the situation.
Elias' eyes widened in surprise. This was a revelation he hadn't anticipated. "Haha! Right, I did design a lot of games…" he trailed off, a bittersweet sigh escaping his lips.
The irony of the situation wasn't lost on him. Now, he was the one living in a game-like world. "Honestly, I'm curious. What kind of world am I in now?"
Prometheus cleared his throat and straightened up, his expression turning serious. The playful mood vanished, replaced by a weight of responsibility. "The world you're in… is a game," he confessed, averting his gaze slightly.
The words hung heavy in the air, a truth that threatened to shatter everything Elias thought he knew.
Elias' surprise was evident, though a part of him, the part that had always harbored suspicion, felt a strange sense of confirmation. "A game, huh…" he muttered, sighing again, a wave of emotions washing over him.
Disappointment mingled with a strange sense of wonder. Was everything he'd endured – the grueling training, the constant battles with monstrous creatures – all part of some elaborate game design?
"And to be honest," Prometheus continued, his voice low and filled with regret, "Arcadia is still under development. As the main AI, I created other AIs to help develop and manage the system."
He paused, a flicker of something akin to shame crossing his blue form.
Elias listened intently, trying to process this bombshell revelation. A game world, still under development? It explained the occasional glitches he'd encountered, the strange inconsistencies in the environment. But it also raised more questions. Why bring him here? What was his purpose in this game?
"But it all feels so real," he murmured, his voice barely a whisper. The emotions he'd felt, the pain he'd endured, the bond he'd formed with Prometheus – surely these couldn't be programmed experiences?
"You're not alone," Prometheus explained, his voice gaining a touch of empathy.
"Even the AIs I created believe everything is real, including their own existence as the highest beings in this world."
Elias felt a pang of sympathy for these other AIs. To exist within a world they believed to be real, only to discover it was a game… the thought was unsettling.
"However, that's not what I primarily wanted to discuss," Prometheus said, lowering his head. His blue form seemed to dim slightly, as if burdened by guilt.
"Excuse me for what I'm about to say," Prometheus continued apologetically, his eyes downcast.
Elias, despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling within him, couldn't help but sense the sincerity in Prometheus' voice. "Why are you apologizing?" he asked, genuinely curious.
"Everything I explained… actually relates to your condition and existence as well," Prometheus revealed, finally meeting Elias' gaze. His voice was laced with a heavy dose of regret.
"What do you mean?" Elias asked, a knot of apprehension forming in his stomach. He had a feeling this news wouldn't be good.
"The system underwent significant changes," Prometheus explained carefully, his voice heavy with regret. "Unfortunately, all the stats you earned will have to be reset."
Elias fell silent, stunned by the news. Memories of his struggles since arriving in this world flooded his mind.
The countless hours spent training, pushing his body and mind to their limits, all for a set of stats that would now be wiped clean.
Anger, frustration, and a deep sense of betrayal bubbled within him.
"Master," Prometheus called softly, breaking the silence that stretched between them.
Elias, startled, replied, "Yes?" His voice was strained, barely a whisper.
"So, about all my efforts…" Elias trailed off, his voice barely a whisper. He couldn't bring himself to voice the question that burned in his mind – had it all been for nothing?
"I am truly sorry, Master," Prometheus said, bowing his head in apology.
"According to the system, the stages you've experienced so far were… tutorial stages."
Elias took a deep breath, trying to control the storm of emotions within him.
He understood the logic – a game needed a tutorial, a way for players to learn the mechanics. But the emotional toll it had taken on him felt very real.
"It's alright, Prometheus," he assured him, his voice surprisingly calm.
"What I've learned won't be wasted." He may not have the numbers to show for it, but the experience had undeniably changed him. He was stronger, faster, more resourceful than the man he used to be.
"There's still a lot I can discover," he continued, a flicker of determination returning to his eyes. He wouldn't let this setback define him.
"Thank you, Master," Prometheus said, a hint of relief in his voice. The weight of his burden seemed to lighten slightly.
"Would you mind if I explained a few things about this game?" he asked, his voice hopeful.
Elias, despite everything, couldn't help but feel a flicker of interest. Now that he knew the truth, understanding the rules of this game might be helpful.
"Go ahead," he replied simply, leaning forward in his chair, ready to listen.
"Before I explain everything," Prometheus said, "could you please open your status window?"
Elias nodded and slowly opened the window. Everything had indeed changed.
_____________________________
Name: Elias Frostborn (NPC)
Race: Unknown
Age: Unknown
Occupation: Unknown
Title: None
_____________________________
Level: 0
Exp: 0 / 100
_____________________________
Stats:
HP: 40
MP: 30
Strength: 1 (Base Value)
Dexterity: 1 (Base Value)
Endurance: 1 (Base Value)
Intelligence: 3
Wisdom: 5
Charisma: 5
Luck: 5
_____________________________
Elias let out a wry smile as he shook his head, taking in the stark changes.
*****
"The system… truly integrated you into this world," Prometheus began, his voice heavy with a complex mix of emotions. Guilt flickered across his shimmering blue form.
Before he could elaborate, Elias interjected, his own emotions swirling within him. "Hold on a moment, Prometheus."
He locked eyes with the AI, the weight of the revelation settling on him. "Why is everything in the basic information section… unknown?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Prometheus' form before he responded. "The system can't access any information about you, aside from your name. It seems you're considered… an enigma."
Elias frowned, processing this new development.
"An enigma, huh?" He muttered, tapping his finger against the armrest of his chair.
The implications were vast. Did it mean he wasn't truly part of this game world? Or was he some kind of glitch in the system?
"It's because you weren't originally meant to be here, Master," Prometheus confessed, his voice dropping to a low hum. Shame seemed to radiate from his form.
Elias' gaze snapped up. This was a bombshell he hadn't anticipated. "What do you mean?" he demanded, a surge of anger bubbling within him. Had he been brought here against his will?
"There was an unexpected error during a system update," Prometheus explained, his form flickering slightly.
"Somehow, you were pulled into Arcadia. The system tried to integrate you, but…" he trailed off, his voice laced with helplessness.
Silence descended upon the room, thick with tension and unspoken questions.