Slipping out of the capsule, I felt a tremendous relief at reaching this point in the game. Doors of opportunity were opening up and finally I could dedicate myself to one singular goal.

Too much time had passed since I had spent any real amount of time outside of the capsule. Despite it being close to 10 pm I really didn’t feel any urge to sleep. Maybe I was just too excited. “You know, maybe I should celebrate by cooking something nice.” I said to myself.

In the kitchen I pulled out all the necessities for a really good chicken stir-fry. Grilling the 2 precut chicken breasts on the skillet, I lightly seasoned it and waited till it caramelized into a beautiful golden brown on the outside. Then setting it aside I used the olive oil that was left in the pan to fry the frozen and pre-cut vegetables, being very free with the teriyaki, soy sauces, and several seasonings. Setting up a pot to boil, I threw in some egg noodles and some chicken bouillon. Soon enough the whole conglomeration was complete and I had my first healthy tasty meal in a long while.

I knew the dangers of exercising so soon after eating but I figured I could handle it this once. After cleaning up the dishes I headed off to the Gym to go for a swim. This time I pushed myself to swim for 3 straight hours.

I . . . should not have done that. As I dragged my body out of the pool, I felt as if my blood was infused with acid and I had to sit there and shudder at the pools edge using all my will power to keep from throwing up my meal. That was hard earned food and I was not going to give it up!

After rushing back home for a comforting shower to calm myself down, my muscles and my intestinal tract finally began to stop screaming at the abuse that I had heaped upon them. Next stop was my paper mail and e-mail. At least once a day that I came out from the capsule I would always check for any paper mail, but those came far and few between. Now with more time to focus on worldly things I checked to see what the latest in the news was.

There had been a massive explosion of information regarding the new Virtual Reality. Apparently they had now sent out a little over 40 million winning invitations to individuals throughout the world. Once they had reached 200,000 accepted invitations for free gear and lifetime memberships, all the future invitations began to increase in cost and become restricted to monthly installation payments.

Strangely, with all the hype, there was very little information of actual game play. No uploaded videos, quite a few rants of disgruntled players, and a few positive accounts of players impressed by the realism of it all. They said it was more like being transported to a whole new world rather than being immersed in a virtual reality. I totally had to agree with them on that part.

Finally the thing I had dreaded the most. Checking up on my e-mail. Going to the oldest ones first in case I had missed some important message from my old friends and co-workers I skimmed through message after message. After a while they all seemed to say the same thing. Then I came across the first message that I had seen the last time I check my messages. It was from a user name EX Reich. Opening up the mail it had a simple message.

To Scott Anderson,

We have been notified that you have been chosen to participate in the use of the new Virtual Reality world from Millennial Enterprises. It is our desire to recruit you into one of our elite gamming groups. To look further into the benefits of becoming a member of our group please click on the following link.

Thank you and kind regards from,

EX Reich

A hyper link to some other website glowed on the message I received. I decided to ignore it for now, opting to look at future messages from them.

Next message from EX Reich

. . . We implore you that it is within your best interests to look into our offer. . . .

Another hyper link

Next message from EX Reich

. . . You will regret the choice of letting this opportunity go . . .

Another hyper link

Okaaaay, this is getting weird as I saw two more messages left from them.

Next message from EX Reich

. . . You have been warned! Do not let this chance pass you up! . . .

Another hyper link

Last message from EX Reich

As I opened it my screen flashed white and then a series of colored flashes with opening and closing command windows. My eyes widened at what I knew to be happening. This was a huge virus that my anti-virus software just could not handle. Too late I went for the power button that refused to turn of the computer. Finally I pulled out the power cord and my computer went dark. “Holy Cr*p!” I yelled out.

What the hell was all that!? Looking more closely at the hard drive I noticed trails of smoke coming from the enclosed assembly. With a doubting heart, I plugged the computer back in, pressed the power on button, and waited for it to reboot. . . . . . . . . .

Nothing.

In frustration I wanted to hit something, anything, but from previous lessons I learned that hitting things really doesn’t seem to help me feel better. Finally after taking a moment to calm myself down I felt my eyes narrow as a thought filled my mind. Surely there would be players that had agreed to become members of whatever group this was and tracking them down would surly lead me to players that would be part of the core group responsible for my current situation. I made a silent promise to myself that I would make them regret the day that they joined this EX Reich.

Angrily as I mentally budgeted out the money that I’d need for a new computer to replace my now toasted one, I decided on texting my liaison with Millennial Enterprises to see if they had any super powerful anti-virus software that I could get to protect myself in the future.

Setting aside my phone I began pacing my room trying to think of a store that would have the kind of computer that I’d need that might be open at 3 am. “Argh! Damn my luck!” I screamed out in frustration. Just then I happened to see out of the corner of my eyes the light on my phone saying I had got a message.

Puzzled at what I hoped to be a quick reply I looked at the screen. Your liaison with Millennial Enterprises would like to initiate video chat with you. Do you accept?

Yes!

The face of an attractive young woman who looked to be a new college student looked back at me from the screen of my phone. “Hello Scott. My name is Melissa. I’m calling you because the contents of your message raised some red flags in our system. Could you tell me the reason for your inquiry into getting some as you phrased it ‘Super powerful anti-virus software’?”

I shook myself out of my revelry since in my heightened state of frustration I was easily distracted by her distinctively beautiful face. “Um yeah, sorry, I was uh . . . my mind was wandering,” I replied somewhat awkwardly. “Yes, the reason is that I had been checking through my e-mail about an hour ago and I had several messages from a sender called EX Reich. I didn’t want to click on the hyper link at all until I had read all of their messages to see if there was anything more to be gained from them, but they continued to get weirder and weirder. Finally after I clicked on the last message my entire computer went blank and then got fried.”

Nodding her head in commiseration Melissa spoke up. “Well I am sorry for the state of your computer. I am told that because of the circumstances, Millennial Enterprises will send you an entirely new computer due to the unfortunate demise of your current one. A competitor of sorts has been targeting any and all recipients of our new Virtual Reality. As being a victim to their cyber-attack you are entitled to a state of the art model of our latest design personal computer. It will be made available for you at the nearest Millennial Enterprises affiliate in your area. Unfortunately we cannot deliver it directly to you due to the requirement of needing you there in person to set up additional security protocols on it to prevent future cyber-attacks.”

Pausing a moment as if to let me take all of that in I nodded my head in understanding. “Okay, then can you send it to . . . . .” I read off the name and address of what I believed to be the nearest business that was an affiliate of theirs.

“We will have it ready for you starting later this morning for whenever you decide to come and pick it up. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

*Chat ended*

I lay back down on my bed with a sigh. . . “Well that’s good news.” I said to myself. Feeling somewhat mollified about the situation I decided that I should for once sleep in my own bed. Thinking of my poor computer I had to admit that I was probably getting a really good deal here. I didn’t really have anything important on there since I had already finished the spring semester of my classes so I only lost a few movies I had downloaded and some other pet projects I had been working on. I thankfully had the presence of mind to keep a copy of all my songs and other super important data on a separate memory card. Yes, this should turn out very well.

With a feeling of relief I turned off my light and fell promptly asleep on my very comfortable bed.

* * * * *

Waking up the next morning I took a look at my clock and realized it was just barely morning still. Getting dressed and heading out the door to the nearby shop I was on the road by noon. Once in the store, I told them who I was, and gave them proof of my identification. Honestly though, this company was a stickler for DNA verification. Most places just took an identification card or signature. Following the technician to the back, my sight was greeted by what amounted to a very sleek and hi tech looking computer sitting on the back room work space. Following the techs instructions I placed my hand on the ID pad and opened my right eye for the iris scanner. Wasn’t this overkill I thought to myself?

Soon enough though I had a re packaged brand new computer in tow as I made my way home. Once set up I wanted desperately to turn it on, but I had more pressing matters to attend to in game. Putting aside the set up for now, I once again stripped down, lay in the capsule, and entered the game.

* * * * *

Current time in game about 12:30 am of the 1st of October. Day 31 in game time. 50% pain level. Real Life May 28th about 2:10 pm.

* * * * *

Getting up out of the cot I stared around at the darkened room. I had no idea what time it was here in the game but I decided that since I was here and wasn’t tired I should go out and see what I could do with my free time now. Realizing the air was a bit chilly, I grabbed an extra coat that I had gotten several days ago once the weather started getting colder. Being as quiet as I could, I stepped out of the apothecaries shop being careful to lock the door behind me. (Yes she trusted me with a key to her shop).

Taking a deep breath, I let the air pour out through my lips watching as it formed into a white mist in the chill night air. Oh how I missed this kind of weather. With a shiver that had more to do with happiness than the cold I looked up at the night sky. Oddly enough, I really hadn’t taken the time to stare at the stars of this world. When you know that something is not real, it is too easy to forget to take everything in and just enjoy it. My gaze was caught up in the familiar constellations. I wasn’t an astrologer by any means, but I did enjoy star gazing when the weather was cooler back at home. Standing there to just take in the moment I just enjoyed the feeling of it all.

Too soon I made my way to the guarded exit leading to the falls. Inquiring me about my need to leave at this time of night, I told them that I needed to think about some important things. Nodding their heads in understanding they let me pass.

As I strove to keep my steps muted, I made my way down the silent path to the falls which to my joy was completely free of any sightseers. Having talked with Victoria about her date with Monroe I learned that the creature that lives beneath the falls was nocturnal, meaning it slept during the day. Since I had no intention of getting within reach of that scary thing I found a secluded spot that offered me some protection from the wind and sat down to begin my training.

* * * * *

All throughout my life, as far back as I can remember, I had this feeling inside that would well up in certain situations. When I was in kindergarten, I believed that it was some amazing untapped potential within me that would lead me to a land of magic and dragons. Later as I got a few years older, I thought it was a power that could be mentally stored into a glowing sphere of energy to be used when in need. As I continued to get older I made newer and seemingly more correct assumptions about this feeling inside of me. Even now I’m sure that I will learn new truer things about it as I shed older and incorrect assumptions. The latest revelation that I came to regarding it, was that it was irrevocably connected to my emotions and my passionate drive in reaction to life that happened all around me.

Whenever I heard of or saw some of the atrocities that happened in the world around me, a burning/freezing sensation would well up inside of me as I sought to wish ill upon those that would instigate such terrible affairs upon the innocent of the world. Also whenever I listened to a song that empathized deeply with some painful or hopeful emotion inside of me, I would feel a cascade of warmth and chills as it rushed through my very soul and body. So many things could trigger these feelings inside, but just as I had learned so long ago, Nothing ever manifested. All that was felt was only felt inside, remaining to this day invisible and incorporeal, never leaving my body to show itself.

Finally, as I closed my eyes and opened my mind, I reached into that place of unknown origin that held that otherworldly power, waiting for the warmth to come rushing through me . . . . . . . . . . . .

And nothing happened. Putting more effort into my endeavor I concentrated harder upon reaching that place of power and yet, it almost felt as if I was pushing against a wall of some sorts.

This was different. In all the other games I had been in, I could find the feeling, but in them it felt sluggish, tainted, like it had no real purpose and came just because I knew how to get it. Though in the end, it never amounted to a skill in those games. Here, in this world, there was nothing.

Seconds and minutes went by as I struggled to reach what I knew to be there. But to no avail. Finally I took a moment to relax and think of why I was doing this. I wanted so desperately find a meaning for the feelings I had in real life. Imagine, having something inside of you that you felt either no one else had or that was just well hidden in a select few individuals and that it made you special. Wouldn’t you want to exercise that which made you different, that made you into someone unique in the world, someone that mattered?

Why was I searching for answers in a game? The reason was simple, I had nowhere else to go for answers, for all other sources were tapped out, with nothing to show for it. With a greater effort, I began to wrestle with the part of me that I knew had to be the source of that energy. Forcing my will upon it to make something happen, I gathered up my emotions of sadness, despair, anguish at being alone, and lastly anger. Anger not aimed at the world, but at myself, for my inconsistencies and shortcomings. My inability and failure to have made anything of myself when I had been granted access to such an amazing and beautiful power.

So many times in my life I had been graced with moments of utmost purity and beauty contained in shattered moments in time, only to be understood as the wonder that they were as my emotions and that power had combined to show me the truth and cause tears of agony to pour out of me. Anyone who says beauty can’t make you cry and hurt inside has never experienced true beauty. But beauty and life isn’t always happy. It can be sorrow, fear, joy, love, anguish, and even passionate anger.

After what felt like an eternity I felt a small shift inside of me. A crystal clear drop of chill, as if it were a tear trickling down through my soul ran through me, causing a wave of goose bumps to seize upon my arms and legs.

There! I cried out inside. There it is. . . With redoubled fury and determination I threw my entire self against those binds that kept me from moving forward in life. The single drop seemed to become a trickle of sensation which soon enough become a whirling, cascading affair of emotions of coldness and warmth. Finally as if all of my energy had be consumed in that lasting moment of desperation, I let go and opened my eyes.

*ting*

A new Skill has been recognized by the system. Do you wish to name this skill?

Yes!

Please speak the name you wish to give.

“Please call it Soul Manipulation.” For that is what it felt like. Like I was moving my very soul.

*ting*

Soul Manipulation: (Mythical) Has been created. This Mythical Skill has been discovered and created by an unknown Traveler. The Soul of an individual has had many names in the past and present, some of which include Spirit, Aura, Life Force, and Essence, among others, but none of those words can truly describe what it is. For it is the very embodiment of power and emotion that makes and sustains an individual’s life. Unlike magic, the soul can only be wielded by the one who it originally comes from. Weakening in times of uncertainty and strengthening in times of conviction this Primal Energy usually just exists. To truly become capable of manipulating this power by itself is a feat of incredible proportions. Fed and strengthened by Emotion, Willpower, and Perseverance, this is not all that sustains and strengthens the Soul of an individual but more is not known at this time.

For creating a new skill with high potential you have increased the reality factor of this game by 0.001%. In recognition of this event would you like to register this skill in the Hall of Fame to receive 5000 Fame points and be known as the creator of this skill?

“Uh NO!” I cried out in a panic.

*ting*

A special action is available with the creation of this Mythical Skill: Over Millennia, powerful beings and mythical creatures have been able to retain their place in the universe by hoarding skills and keeping secrets, thus remaining an unknown factor that others are afraid to challenge. You are able to lock out all other Travelers from discovering and using this skill if you so choose. Do you wish to do so?

‘Oh, that is a tough choice’ I thought to myself. I really wanted to make this skill mine exclusively, but I didn’t want others to continue to suffer what I have suffered up to this point to realize my potential. “NO, let them learn it if they have the natural tendency to do so.” I replied.

*Ting*

For your kindness and generosity, yet refusal to accept fame, the system has created a new option for you. Direct Administrator Access! To be used only in the developmental assistance of your Mythical Skill Soul Manipulation and any skills associated with it. If Access is used to seek information and support outside of the specified area(s) then you may be at risk for losing your access.

My eyes shot up at that. WOW! That had to be a rare option that was given out!

Slowly I made my way to a standing position. My legs had long since grown numb and were tingling from lack of circulation. Though I felt exhausted inside, I was elated at what I had just accomplished. Just to make sure it wasn’t a fluke I reaffirmed what I had just done with a simple questing at my soul and was rewarded with a gentle cascade of inner warmth and chills. I swallowed a knot in my throat and fought back the tears of joy that threatened to overwhelm me. Finally, someone has recognized my worth.

As I gazed out at the crashing falls that had been the only witness to my success, I watched as the morning sun began to peak at the horizon. I had no idea that I had been at this for over 5 hours.

Returning back up the pathway to the city walls I was stopped by the sentries that were posted there. “Are you just now returning?” One of them inquired.

“Sorry.” I replied. “I needed to discover something important about myself.”

Looking at me quizzically they let me pass without another word. Making my way through the city back to the apothecary shop I happily stepped through the door into the marginally warmer inside air. Once back in my cot I had just barely pulled the covers over me to get take a brief nap when Victoria came rushing through the back door.

“Jade!” She exclaimed. “You’re back!” It seemed like she was excited to see me. Being completely done with her hellish training methods, I too now was happy to see her as well.

“Yep, I’m back.” I sighed as I realized that a nap was not going to happen. “Would you like some help with breakfast?” I inquired.

Soon enough I was in the kitchen with her as we pulled out and worked with the various materials that we needed for one of her amazing meals. As we worked, she told me about everything that had happened in the 2 days that I was gone. It seemed that as soon as I left for my break that Traveler after Traveler had begun to just suddenly appear in a white light all over the city. As of now they have had 37 verified Travelers that had arrived at the city.

“Wow!” I exclaimed out loud as I learned this news. “Yeah, many of the city elders are thrilled with their new acolytes who seem to be desperate to do anything that they request of them.” Then she paused. “It’s seems only Monroe has refused to taken anyone under his wing. I wonder why.” She said that as she gave me a meaningful look.

“Well, we did make a deal that if I did a certain something for him, that he would teach me his style of fighting.” I admitted. “Oh.” She seemed to perk up at this bit of information. “Please do tell.” She encouraged me. Though with her intent stare it felt more like an interrogation.

“I’m really sorry but you’ll have to ask Monroe” I replied. Then, as an afterthought I added, “Just so you know, I do believe it is something that you will like. So please let it be a surprise.”

At the word surprise a bright red flush suddenly bloomed in her cheeks while her eyes lit up with excitement. If she weren’t wearing shoes, I could have sworn that her toes were wiggling in suppressed jitters. “Oh. . . !, Um . . . Yes! Let’s not bother you or him with my questions.” She finally said. ‘Oops I probably said too much already.’ I thought to myself.

Steering the conversation to safer topics I inquired about what the other Travelers were like. I learned that they came in all types. Some were polite and respectful, others came acting as if they were Gods while everyone else was just there for their whim and entertainment, there were also a few shy ones and silent types.

Victoria continued to talk about their interesting antics. “Oddly enough, the majority of them asked for a weapon of one sort or another as a gift when offered a small boon by the city. Then, next thing you knew, they were headed towards the forest saying they were going hunting for monsters. A pretty weird bunch that was.”

I laughed a bit at the stereotypical nature of gamers. “Oh Victoria, I hadn’t had time before now, but I need to check something out, is there a Library of sorts here?” I asked. “Yes, in fact we have quite a large selection to choose from. Here I can mark it on your map so that you can more easily find it.” Saying this she simply circled a largish looking building that was on my map. “If there is anything else I can help you with then please let me know.” She called out as I excitedly ran off to the library.

Once inside the large structure I stared in amazement at the great assortment of books. “Ahem!” An annoyed sound came from the lady at a circular desk near the entrance. “Is there something I can help you with?” She inquired of me.

“Yes I was looking to see if you had any books the dealt with the manipulation of inner energy.” I asked her. “You mean magic right.” She clarified. ‘Um yeah something like that.” I agreed half-heartedly.

“Hmm, you are one of those Travelers, aren’t you?” She seemed to be glaring at me for some reason. “Yes, yes I am mam.” I replied. I was trying to find out how to get on this lady’s good side so that I could get on with researching the information I needed.

“Well I’ll tell you what I told the others. You Travelers seem to be having a hard time understanding the words in some of our books on magic. You see we have 3 main types of written language, Common which everyone uses, High language which is used for magics and various incantations, and Divine that only Clerics and religious leaders can read. So unless you have a translator stone then you can’t understand High language without proper training.” With that she turned away from me and went back to her work.

‘Hmmm, a translator stone’ I thought to myself. Then an idea popped into my head and I pulled out the polished jade dolphin that Gertrude had given to me. “Is this a translator stone?” I inquired to the librarian.

“Son, why in the world would you have . . . ? Oh!” She exclaimed as she stepped around the counter to look more closely at my necklace. “It seems Gertrude actually gave one of her precious stones to one of you Travelers. But why when I’ve seen nothing but insufferably arrogant and insufferably silent ones that come to this library, why would she do such a thing for you. You all just seem to come for an hour or two and then leave in a huff anyways.”

“I’m sorry that you’ve had such an experience with the other Travelers. I myself had only just learned that I wasn’t the only one here just this morning.” I commiserated with her. “Then you are the famous Jade!” She cried out with evident relief. “At least you have made yourself useful and now I know why you got that necklace. A friend of Gertrude is a friend of mine.” She proclaimed.

Escorting me over to a private table in a secluded corned of the library she promised to be right back with the necessary books on magic. 5 books in total were in her arms as she carefully set them on the table in front of me. “Whenever you are done with these, then please return them back up front to me.” I nodded my ascent and thanks before beginning my research.

The first book titled ‘Gaining your Magic’ began with an interesting idea, it said that magic was only able to be obtained through the consumption of certain magical stones. The Magic stones themselves were fairly easy to find as they seemed to exist all over the place. However, once consumed, that was but the very start of your journey to realizing your magic potential. One had to search and consume Elemental stones to then gain a specific elemental affinity and thus ability to manipulate that specific element. The higher the grade of elemental stone then the greater the magic that the consumer could potentially wield. It went on to explain that magic ability and capacity was not automatically gained with the simple consumption of an elemental stone. One had to train their body and mind to be able to assimilate that stone. An example would be that an individual that was new to magic would be unable to eat a good quality stone till they had first consumed and mastered the abilities gained from a stone of poor and then basic quality. To reach beyond their ability would have disastrous and often deadly consequences. At the best, they would burn out their ability to ever use that element again.

‘Wow’ I thought to myself. This is some heavy reading. Maybe there was a way that I could combine my Soul Manipulation with magic. Walking over to the librarian I waited till she looked up from her work.

“Mam, I was wondering if you knew where I could get a magic stone to start me on the path to magic.” I inquired. Without a word she reached under the counter and pulling out a soft white looking stone that looked almost like an opal except it was much lighter and a soft glow seemed to come out of it. She then simply handed it to me.

“Um just like that?” I asked. A genuine smile found its way onto her face. “These are really common and we just use them in the lamps of the library to provide light at night time. So yeah, enjoy.” Then she paused for a moment. “However, you may want to go in one of the private rooms, because I hear that the assimilation of magic stones can be quite painful.”

With resolve in my eyes I went to the most secluded private room of the library before firmly shutting the door behind me. Holding the small harmless looking stone up before my eyes I felt a brief pulse of strength from my now active soul as if saying that it was going to be alright. With that I simply put the stone in my mouth, chewed it up as finely as I could and then swallowed it.

Seconds ticked by but there was no reaction, “huh” I muttered to myself.

*ting*

An error has occurred while attempting to gain the ability magic affinity. Please contact administration.

“What?! Why?!” I screamed out loud. It figures that it wouldn’t be this easy. Thankfully like it suggested I did have Administrator access, so that is what I did.

*ting*

Whiteness flooded my vision as the room around me disappeared. As my vision returned I found myself in familiar surroundings. Once again I was in the room I had been in when starting the game for the first time. “It’s nice to see you again Scott.” I quickly turned around at the familiar tone of the voice. Sure enough it was the man of shadows that I had met the first time around.

“If you want, I can call you Jade but it doesn’t really matter to me since you are both.” I shook my head in negation. “It doesn’t matter to me either. However I came here with a problem that is worrying me.” Before I could speak further, he raised up his hand asking for silence. “Of course, you are talking of the magic stone not working on you right?” He stated.

Motioning to the wall on my right, a display of my Character Profile was shown on it. New information was now revealed.

¼ Human ¼ Moon Elf ½ UnknownCharacter traits:This unique combination, attributed specifically to Scott Anderson, is made up of 3 beings of which little is known of the third. Special character traits have now been unlocked in regards to the unknown being. In addition to having skin that becomes darker and lighter in times of strong emotion, it has been realized that this being is incapable of using magic. However a new source of power, the power of the soul, has been realized and can be explored. Other characteristics may be revealed through further gameplay.

“Oh.” I was torn between being excited and dejected that my specific character had that kind of limitation but also that affinity.

“Don’t be so sad.” The shadowed man said to me as he placed a hand on my shoulder. “I’ve been instructed by the system to tell you that with your ability, although you don’t have the ability to use magic, you can however use some of the same and other methods to gain similar results. That is all it has been able to discover so far.” With a self-depreciating smile he continued. “This will be a learning experience for us all as you discover what you are capable of.”

As he seemed to smile again, I was transported back to the private library room in a flash of light.

* * * * *

Current time in game is Mid afternoon of the 1st of October. Day 31 in game time. 50% pain level. Real Life May 28th.

* * * * *

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