Ezra's Inner Monologue
As the guild master and guild owner conversed, Ezra sat in a daze, the weight of their words pressing on him like a heavy cloak. The Void... the Eternals... The world he had fallen into was nothing like the quiet life he had known before.
Everything had changed so suddenly. One moment he was just a gamer, immersed in a world that was familiar and controlled. The next, he was thrust into this chaotic, magical landscape, forced to confront the reality that he wasn't just playing a game he was part of something much bigger, much more dangerous.
The system was something he still barely understood. It had been there, guiding him since he arrived in this world, offering him the power to stack skills, leveling him up, making him stronger. And then there was the glowing white ball. Limitless. It was as if he had opened a door to an unknown power, something from the long-forgotten past. His mind couldn't fully grasp it. He didn't even know what it meant to be one of the Eternals. Were they heroes? Gods? Or something in between?
What confused him most, however, was how everything had escalated so quickly. One minute he was trying to survive in the forest, fighting off dangerous creatures like the stalker wolves. Now, he was in a guild office talking about a world-ending catastrophe. There was no time to breathe, no time to process what had happened to him. Everything was unfolding faster than he could keep up.
I'm supposed to save this world? Ezra thought, still trying to wrap his head around the revelation. I don't even know where to begin.
---
Guild Master and Guild Owner
The guild master, Aleric Tormann, stood by the window, gazing out at the bustling streets of the guild hall. His graying hair and sharp features gave him the look of a seasoned warrior, but his expression now was more somber than Ezra had ever seen. His voice, once filled with authority during their spar, was now quiet and filled with weight as he spoke.
"We're in a precarious situation, Ezra. For centuries, the Void has been encroaching on the world. Seven continents have already fallen, their lands swallowed up by the dark forces. This continent, Aelden, is the last one still standing. But even here, the influence of the Void is starting to creep in."
Ezra leaned forward, his brow furrowed. The Void... Seven continents? He had heard bits and pieces of this before, but now it was starting to make sense. He wasn't just in some random fantasy world he was in a world on the brink of collapse the game world.
The guild owner, Thalion Doreth, a tall man with dark, piercing eyes, nodded gravely. He was dressed in robes that shimmered with faint energy, a clear sign of his powerful position.
"Aleric is right," Thalion said, his voice calm but filled with authority. "Aelden is the last bastion of civilization. But the Void's influence is growing here, too. As long as the Void remains unchecked, the other continents are lost. And once Aelden falls, there will be no stopping it."
Ezra's mind raced. So that's why they pressed the black button. That's why I'm here. They think I'm the one who can stop this.
Aleric turned to face Ezra, his eyes filled with a new kind of respect, mixed with uncertainty. "The other continents," Aleric continued, "have all fallen to the Void in different ways. Each one has its own story, its own battles. Viridim is the last one left, and we can only hold out for so long."
---
The Seven Fallen Continents
"Chalixar," Thalion began, his tone somber. "A continent of ancient ruins and forgotten knowledge. Once a beacon of magic, it was consumed by the Void's corruption. The mages there sought to harness the Void's power, thinking they could control it. They were wrong. Now, Chalixar is a wasteland."
Aleric added, "Galoroth, the continent of eternal ice. It's said the Void took over slowly, encasing the land in endless winter. What remains of its people now are little more than frozen statues, preserved in time."
Thalion nodded again. "Then there's Edrinia, the land of endless deserts. The Void turned the very sand against them, creating creatures of shadow and sand that ravaged the once prosperous cities."
Ezra couldn't help but think about how similar the situations sounded to the game worlds he used to play in. But this wasn't a game. This was real.
"There's Valkar," Aleric said. "A continent where technology and magic blended together. They thought they could create a perfect society. But the Void turned their machines into deadly weapons, wiping out every city in a matter of weeks."
"And Ylora," Thalion added, his voice growing colder. "A land of vast jungles and ancient tribes. The Void corrupted the very beasts there, making them mindless servants. What remained of its population fell into madness."
Ezra clenched his fists. "And what about the last one?"
"The Viridim," Aleric said, his voice filled with a strange reverence. "A land said to be one with nature, the place of the most ancient trees and flora. It was said that its people could communicate with the land itself. But even they couldn't stop the Void from creeping in."
Finally, Thalion sighed deeply, as if the weight of his words hung heavy in the air. "Every one of these continents is gone. But Aelden ... we're still here. The last living continent. And that's why you're so important now, Ezra. You've awakened. You, the Eternal. You have the potential to stop the Void."
---
The Weight of the Future
Ezra stood up, his mind swirling. He had learned so much in such a short amount of time. The Void. Seven continents lost. I'm the one who's supposed to stop it.
He took a deep breath. "I don't even know where to begin."
Aleric gave him a reassuring smile. "Start with the guild, Ezra. We can help you. We'll train you, guide you. But understand this: You're not just fighting for us. You're fighting for all of existence. The Void doesn't stop at borders."
Ezra nodded, the weight of their words settling on his shoulders. So much has happened. So much I still don't understand. He glanced out of the window, his mind racing. The quiet town below seemed so peaceful, so unaware of the chaos brewing just beyond the horizon.
But I'm here now, he thought. And I'll fight. I have no other choice.
The guild owner's voice broke through his thoughts. "The first step will be gathering information. Training, quests, and learning what you can about the Void. We need you ready. And quickly."
Ezra nodded again, determination growing within him. No more running. I'm not just some adventurer. I'm an Eternal, and I have a world to save.
'This is getting irritating.... but I guess we all start somewhere .'