A flash of light streaked through the sky as it suddenly descended to the earth's surface with a loud thud.
An eruption of spoke and energy emitted as multiple streaks of light mirrored its pattern, crashing down upon the earthen surface of a dark-toned world.
The skies were a canvas of black with crimson light permeating through a turbulent mix of colours.
It exuded a fearsome aura, as it cascaded down on the rocky earth of a world unknown to man.
Multiple streaks of golden light ran through this mixture of black and crimson, causing a drastic illumination that was a contrast to the world.
It was like specks of light in the night sky, only the night wasn't so tranquil or peaceful.
No, in fact, it was rather ominous and strange, like stale black water unmoved by the elements.
As these beams of light struck the rock-hard earth of the unknown world, it suffused, revealing human lives, confusion etched in their expressions at the sight before them.
"Wha–What's going on?!"
"Mummy?!"
"Where am I?!"
"I knew it! I told them in church! I told them today was the day!"
"What is this place?! Why are we here?!"
The confusion was palpable in the air with the chaos that ensued as the people looked around, the unfamiliar humans growing their panic even more.
Despite their frantic efforts to exude their confusion, one figure remained unperturbed by their noise.
Paxton lay on the hard ground, his breath ragged as he gasped for air. His blurry vision gradually cleared, and with a strained effort, he pushed himself to his feet.
"My injuries are gone?" he muttered, pressing a hand to his abdomen. Surprise flickered across his face, but only for a second before the gravity of his situation dawned on him.
'This place? Mass teleportation? This doesn't usually happen unless it was….'
It clicked right then and there; he's a one-way ticket to obtaining power.
His lips curled upwards and dark shade exuded in his gaze as a grin plastered on his face.
'Hah….the Server Test!'.
He cried out in his head in excitement as he placed his right hand over his face.
The Server Test is a test carried out by the Server for Challengers who are chosen to become Players.
Players are granted inhumane abilities and character transformation skills.
A skill made for Players which enables them to transfer into game-like characters.
'Hah…the heavens are finally smiling at me! After years of hoping and praying….I was finally chosen as a challenger'.
It was a difficult process, mostly because no one knew of the phenomenon. It occurs once in a season and teleports a large range of people throughout the world. Gametopia is the cornerstone.
'Hah….finally, I can get back at them…those bastards'.
The images of the woman, husband and children flashed through his head as a burning warmth grew within him.
It spread like wildfire, his anger brewing with it as he clenched his fists hard.
'Death….they don't deserve death! It's too quick. Just wait for me to get there! I swear on it! You all shall be under my mercy'.
His thoughts seemed to have sparked a sudden reaction as the people gathered screamed out in panic.
Not because they could hear his thoughts or see the bloodlust that exuded from him, but rather because of the mystical figure that floated in the air.
Paxton raised his head in the sky, his anger suppressed as a smirk formed on his lips.
'I will succeed even if I have to cut a limb for it'.
Above the panicked crowd was a pristine figure in white cloaks, two pairs of giant golden wings cascading through the air from her back and a halo hovering over her head.
Her golden, lush hair fell down her back like a water fountain, smooth and devoid of filth, a testament to her godly features.
She was basked in a golden, warm light and a white cloak adorned her gorgeously shaped body.
Her face was hidden behind a black veil, and on her right arm, adorned with silver bangles, was a black trident, in contrast to her angelic figure.
"Quiet, you filth".
Her words exuded a superiority that lacked control as the crowd was forced silent by an unknown force.
Their fear had grown to an all-time high, and it had become apparent in their expressions.
A man with brown hair and a goatee had even fallen to his knees, a salty liquid running down his pants to the floor as tears streamed down his eyes.
Paxton was unperturbed by this. He couldn't give a damn who appeared, be it an angel, devil or even a hybrid.
Why did he care? All he wanted right now was a path full of revenge. Of all those who betrayed him and his father, he was going to deal with them.
He couldn't care less about a mythical being floating in the air; what he cared about, however, was the Test.
"Good" the angelic figure stated, her black veil showcasing crimson pupils that glowed with malevolence.
She pointed her trident at the crowd below, her pink lips widening into a tight grin.
"I am a messenger of the Server! Here to grant you the test of humanity!"
"Test?" One spoke out in surprise, but the surprise was rather one of understanding than confusion.
Many others looked around, their gazes eased by her statement.
Many had heard of the test of humanity or the server test but no one knew what it entailed.
This was because, for many years, all those who went through the test were bound to forget it after they passed it, leaving those who had failed forgotten in time.
"Did someone speak?" The angelic figure clicked her tongue, her rage palpable as her crimson gaze pinpointed the woman who had spoken up.
A dark-haired figure with pink eyes. She shivered to the intensity of the angelic figure's gaze and bowed her head apologetically.
The angelic figure scoffed.
'None of these foolish species are good enough! Why does the lord keep trying'.
She thought to herself as she looked away.
'Spineless fools. All they do is bow to the one on top and suppress the one at the bottom. Humans are known as the least intelligent sentient beings for a reason…..but even so….the Lord still chooses them'.
She scoffed bitterly, her trident swinging through the air as a lightning bolt streaked through the skies.
The sound of thunder cackling followed suit, and the dark-haired girl yelped in shock.
"Do not speak until spoken to".
She announced before she continued.
"You will be given three tests of which you are expected to succeed. Survive and become the Players of the Sever and protect your land from the forces that are bound to seize it! Earth is in danger from the sight of the other sentient beings in the world, so struggle to your heart's content and win".
Her words, though harsh, contained some warmth that eased up a few people in the crowd.
They were aware of the server test and the benefits. They were also aware of the risks…..but did they know what those risks were? Maybe not.
"Your first test, Test Of Survival shall begin".
A sudden silence followed, but it was too confusing and sudden to remain silent after that.
"Enh?"
"Test Of Survival? What's that?"
"What do you mean, angel of God?"
"I thought this was the Server Test? Why are they telling us to survive?"
"Hah….was there a mistake?"
The chattering only continued and the angelic figures' rage grew with the noise.
'Every time! Every damn time! I do not understand these humans! I made them fear me so how dare they speak up now?!'.
She wondered, but no matter how many times she asked herself, she never figured out the response.
Humans are sometimes unpredictable, emphatic, and even daring, but doesn't their flexibility have a limit? Why are they never one thing?
'Perhaps this is why the lord has chosen them for so many years'.
"Enough".
Her voice was a bell that ended their chattering in a second.
She sighed, her gaze closing as she stretched her staff in the air.
"You have been given one human hour. The Test Of Survival begins now".
Suddenly, a sudden vibration like that of a static television projected in the air.
A patch of the skies vibrated and shook violently, tiny particles encroaching onto its malevolent canvas. It suddenly cracked through the skies, spreading like cancer and shaking violently like a static glitch. A fissure was formed, hiding a dark void within.
The people alarmed by the sudden sound looked up in shock, but the sight they gazed upon did nothing to explain what occurred.
Until a loud thud echoed in the air.
The people turned towards the direction, their gazes lingering at the sight of the figure that stood up to its feet.
It was a small brown creature with a round protruded tummy and sickly elongated arms.
Its feet were short and stout, and its ears were just as elongated as its arms.
Its large eyes were devoid of light as it was black and it showcased a cute smile.
The people were taken aback by the sight, one of them even grew the courage to walk up in front of it.
"Aww….it's cu–
She was cut off as her body split vertically into two halves, the sound of blood and flesh splattering in the silence.
The people glanced at the dead body in shock, their gazes tracing it down to the creature.
The creature's long arms were stained with blood and its cute smile had turned into a devious grin.
Another thud echoed in the air, and then another, and another, and another before a cloud of them descended from the skies in dozens.
What followed next was a rush of adrenaline and fear that caused chaos never seen before in human history.
"Ahhhhhhh!!!!!"