Prologue

I am afraid.

I’ve been confronted with death so many times, but it took until now for me to understand the depths of it.

A simulation, they said. A way to enjoy an adventure without fear, or so I was told.

Now here I stand on the precipice. Afraid as I have never been. Death almost definite, a choice presented to me.

A world of nothing, a dead world to live out the rest of my days, for however long I can survive at the mercy of false gods. Or… take a risk for something more. For me. For her.

I shouldn’t be forced to live at their whims, but I don’t see any reason to hurt or destroy! Especially not when it’s permanent. When endings are final.

What should I do? Thorn? Tatiana… What would you do?