From the journals of Yoren Falbron, Leading Scholar of the 3rd Wave

The nature of Genesis is debated even to this day. Those of the wave before us seem to passively accept its appearance and absolute control, never questioning the entity that controls all of our lives. My wave, however, has more scholars and thinkers. We discover secrets, methods of improvement, and new abilities that do not rely on the brutalization of our souls. We are the natural born intellects that eschew the violence of this so called “system”.

System. This word is the heart of a fierce debate within the study of Genesis. Some believe that it is a cover, allowing the true entity to hide behind the seemingly orderly nature that has been imposed upon us. They hypothesize that, while low importance jobs are automatized, a thinking entity lies at the heart of Genesis. Others, like myself, believe that system is an accurate description. Unlike those others, however, I believe this not for any scientific reason but because I must.

I must believe that the single cause of my people’s misery is a cold and unthinking series of protocols. To think that a being capable of empathy, hope, and love watched as creatures killed millions of my people is to lose hope in our new world. I must believe that this system is here for a reason, a greater purpose that will justify the loss of my family and friends. Only with this belief held tightly around my heart am I able to carry onward.

You may think that this is an unscientific reason for believing that Genesis is truly a system and not a thinking entity. I think it is the only way to survive in this new world.

Chapter One:

The words on page begin to blur, exhaustion threatening to overtake me. I shake my head back and forth to try and reset my eyes. My body threatens to collapse into the chair and I decide that perhaps it is time for a short break.

Holding back my yawn with one hand, I stretch up out of the uncomfortable wooden chair that has been my home for the past 8 hours. My eyes drift around the familiar sights of the old library. Despite its lack of a heating, this building has served me well the past four years. The sight of the turquoise carpets soothes me. It may be worn down and, sure, I occasionally trip on a rogue thread, but it feels as comfortable as an old yet worn blanket. The ceiling above has a few holes that occasionally drip water but the dark holes above fill me with a sense of adventure. My breaks are often filled with daydreams of studying under portals to other worlds, away from the monotony of regular life. The bookcases hold ancient and forgotten books, tomes filled with useless and archaic knowledge. It is a forgotten place and that is why I love it. The world may move on to newer and better things but I am able to remember the past and keep it alive.

As I walk down to the restroom, I hear a light beep and my vision is flooded with the appearance of words.

Greetings Planet [AD132Z] of Universe [61321SX]. You have been selected to integrate with System “Genesis”. Initiating scan of planet rank.

Processing…

Processing…

Completed. Planet “Earth” has been classified as a Rank 3 Civilization. As a bonus for low Civilization Rank, 10,000 individuals will be seeded across different planets. Upon completion of Quest, individuals will be allowed to return and assist with Trials. Chance of return: .01%. Initiating Random Selection now.

I stare at the words in complete shock, trying to wave my hand through them and watching as nothing happens. Letting out a sigh, I look down at the floor and continue walking towards the bathroom. Hallucination was certainly a new symptom of the exhaustion. I’d passed out in strange places before but this was an entirely new problem.

Finally making it into the restroom, I carefully avoid the words that follow in my vision. The mirror in front of me just confirms my worst nightmares as I look into it. Tall, brown disheveled hair, and a thin build, the stereotypical quiet nerd stares back at me through the mirror. Most importantly, there are no words.

Just as I lean down to the sink, intending on splashing some water on my face, another ping occurs and more words begin to fill my vision.

You have been Randomly Selected to be seeded to another planet. Transport will occur in 1 minute.

I begin to laugh as comprehension finally sets in. Not only am I hallucinating, but I’ve been selected as one of 10,000 humans. A few seconds of quick mental math follow and the laughter continues as I realize that my hallucination thinks I am lucky or unlucky enough to fall under the .0000013% chance of being randomly selected. Even in my dreams my own self of sense worth isn’t that inflated. A ping quickly follows.

To ensure proper culling of weak elements, Geographical Reorganization will commence.

Genesis implementation in 20 seconds.

The ground beneath me begins to shake violently and, for the first time, doubt begins to creep in. I'd never heard of hallucinations that were able to simulate an earthquake. This doubt is only solidified as tiles begin to fall from the ceiling, old and cheap plaster snapping in half and raining down on my head. The mirror cracks suddenly and a few stray pieces fall down into the sink, which begins to sputter out a strange brown water.

Genesis implementation in 10 seconds.

I look around quickly and then run out of the door, trying to return to the safety of my familiar library. What greets me is anything but familiar. A large crack lies in the heart of the turquoise carpet, exposing the churning ground beneath. Books fall to the floor as the shelves rumble and shake with a terrifying intensity. I begin to take a few steps forward and am violently thrown onto the floor.

Genesis implementation in 5 seconds.

Managing to stumble forward slightly, I trip once again and land on the familiar carpet. Needing to hold onto something tangible and real, I grab it in both hands. I then hear the old building begin to creak and look up to see a massive beam of timber beginning to fall towards me. Time seems to slow down as I watch my impending death inch closer and closer.

Just as I’m about to be crushed, a bright light encompasses me. It seems to originate from everywhere and nowhere. The light then completely envelops me and pain more intense than anything I’ve ever experienced rushes through my body. It feels as if every atom within my body is being ripped apart from each other. I try to open my mouth to scream but before any sounds come out I feel my eyes roll into the back of my head and I pass out, unable to handle the pain for a second longer.

Genesis – Begin.