Aetheric Chronicles was an VRMMORPG game that came out during my college days.
It was a game that took the gaming community by storm. It was a multiplayer game with a damn good story mode.
In the story mode, you play as the protagonist, Jason Hunt in the planet Eridoria.
A planet once similar to Earth. It had seven continents and was a normal world.
That is until the dawn of the catastrophic era, approximately three millennia ago, rifts materialized globally, catching humanity off guard.
The skies unleashed unholy terrors: gargantuan, winged leviathans with lion-like bodies; three-headed, ravenous wolves; and colossal, nine-headed reptilian monstrosities.
These creatures, once confined to myth, now ravaged the world. This cataclysmic event became known as the "Great Transgression."
Humans fought valiantly, deploying cutting-edge armaments.
However, their arsenal proved ineffective against the more formidable beasts, whose hides deflected even the most potent projectiles.
Every moment was a desperate struggle for survival. As the population dwindled, militaries crumbled, and ammunition dwindled, all hope seemed lost.
The deployment of nuclear armaments only accelerated societal collapse, regressing human civilization to the Dark Ages.
Yet, a glimmer of hope emerged years later with the discovery of the first transcendent human.
A child born after the rifts appeared, this youngster possessed abilities that defied explanation – powers that bordered on the divine.
Soon, another exceptional individual emerged, and then more.
Humans born with supernatural abilities, each unique yet collectively referred to as "The System."
Humanity rallied to safeguard these gifted individuals until they could master their powers.
Millions of soldiers and civilians laid down their lives to protect the beacons of hope, ensuring the survival of their kind.
Two continents lay in ruins, but their sacrifice was not in vain.
Years later, the tide of war finally turned, and though the world was far from saved, the progress was palpable.
With the aid of System Holders, humanity gradually reclaimed their cities. However, the portals remained, a constant reminder of the monsters that lurked beyond.
It wasn't until a brave System Holder ventured into a portal with their comrades that they discovered the true extent of their task.
The portals were not just gateways to monsters, but also to entire realms that needed to be cleansed.
Thus, the role of Explorers was born – System Holders who dared to delve into the unknown, battling beasts and claiming new territories.
As the centuries passed, humanity adapted to their new reality.
The portals, the creatures they spawned, and the System Holders who fought them became an integral part of their world.
The remnants of the old civilization crumbled, their technology relegated to dusty relics.
A thousand years went by, and humanity slowly rebuilt.
But on the cusp of that millennium, a sudden and mysterious event shook the foundations of their world.
A new, powerful race emerged: the djinn. With scaly skin, horns, and the ability to wield divine strength, they posed a formidable threat to humanity.
Their intentions were clear – conquest or destruction.
War erupted once more, and amidst the chaos, new intelligent races appeared.
Elves, with their pointed ears and affinity for nature, stood alongside humans.
Dwarves, stout and proud, fought with unyielding ferocity.
Beastmen, with their hybrid forms, brought their unique strengths to the battlefield.
Unlike the djinn, these new allies sought coexistence, not domination.
As humanity struggled to recover from the devastating losses, their society slowly regressed to a feudal era.
Kingdoms rose and fell, with System Holders at the pinnacle of this new hierarchy.
Might made right, and the strong ruled with an iron fist. The world had forever and irreparable changed.
Over two millennia have elapsed since then, and the world has undergone a profound transformation.
The human race, once fragmented and disparate, is now unified under the auspices of the United Human Empire: Heidal.
The imperial Heidal family, revered for their wisdom and leadership, has guided humanity toward a brighter future.
The legacy of the explorers continues to thrive, with brave System Holders venturing into the unknown to safeguard the empire.
To ensure the continued prosperity of Heidal, the imperial family has established a network of esteemed institutions.
The Academy for Gifted Children and System Holders, affectionately known as the GC Academy, is a beacon of hope for the next generation.
Within the GC Academy's hallowed halls, young System Holders are nurtured and guided, their extraordinary abilities carefully cultivated.
The academy's curriculum is designed to foster not only their unique talents but also their intellectual and emotional growth.
Beyond the specialized training, the GC Academy provides a well-rounded education, reminiscent of the traditional schools of the Old World.
As the empire's future leaders and protectors, the students of the GC Academy are entrusted with a profound responsibility.
*************
A soft, melodious voice pierced through my slumber, coaxing me awake. "Your Highness, it's time to rise." I groggily protested, clinging to the warmth of my bed.
The blanket was swiftly pulled away, leaving me exposed to the gentle scrutiny of my wakeful visitor.
As I reluctantly opened my eyes, I was met with the poised figure of Sarah, our household's head maid.
Her elegant features, accentuated by a small mole and luscious eyelashes, seemed chiseled from a fine porcelain doll.
Her raven tresses were styled in a impeccable bun, exuding an air of refined sophistication.
"Dinner is served, Your Highness," Sarah announced, her voice a gentle breeze on a summer's day.
The title, though unfamiliar, sent a thrill through me. No one had ever addressed me with such reverence before, and I must admit, it was a pleasant sensation.
"Could you bring my dinner here?" I requested, feeling a pang of lethargy. "I'm not quite in the mood for a formal dinner."
I made the request, hoping to avoid the inevitable awkwardness of meeting my new family.
The imperial clan's reputation preceded them - ruthless, cunning, and power-hungry.
I knew that some of them would play a significant role in Ryuk's downfall, and I wasn't eager to face them just yet. So, I opted for plan B: avoidance.
Sarah's expression remained impassive, her voice firm but polite.
"I apologize, Your Highness, but His Majesty has specifically requested your presence in the dining hall."
I sighed, realizing I couldn't dodge this bullet forever. "Fine. Just give me a minute to change."
I swiftly retreated to the bathroom, the door clicking shut behind me.
The mirror reflected a stranger's face - a face that was both familiar and foreign.
My new physical form stared back at me: 5'4" with an athletic yet slender build, pale skin, and silver hair that cascaded down my back like a river of moonlight.
My eyes, an unsettling shade of red, seemed to gleam with an inner fire.
Despite the changes, my features still retained a hint of childhood innocence.
Haaa. Let's go meet my new family then.