Initially, Roxi had felt that she needed to go alone, but instead decided to bring Baron along. Her great grandad wanted to see him, for some reason she did not understand. Plus, it would be good if she had some backup. She didn’t know it at the time, but she felt that she wasn’t really in control of her body all those times. There was just something that seemed off. Almost as if she was just going through the motions and her body was under someone else's control.

Roxi explained the situation to Baron and he was immediately hooked. The two of them plunged into the simulation where they were certain Cornelius would be present and easy to find.. It took a day, but they were able to locate him. He turned out to be in a minor leadership role in the American forces. That was why he was given the plans for the frontal assault, but not the top-secret flank maneuver in the simulation in Saipan Island. Baron felt a little out of place talking to an NPC like this, but he would soon forget all that. All 3 of them met in an emptied war room.

Cornelius Victor Blaze took one look at Baron and smiled, then he took a long look at Roxi and said, “ah, you’re one of mine, aren’t you.”

“Yes I am,” Roxi responded, her feeling of being absent-minded began to return..

“So, what is it that you have come to me for? I assume you already know who I am since you have come to me.”

“Could you tell us more about yourself? I have heard a bit about you from Roxi, but out of everyone I have met post-death, you seem to be the most interesting,” Baron quickly got to the point.

“Why don’t you introduce yourself first?” Cornelius spun it right back to Baron.

“I am Baron Magellan, a rising star in the Chinese community on Planet 4. Roxi tells me you originated from one of the other planets?”

“Yes, Planet 2 to be exact.”

“How-how did you get back to Earth?” Baron asked the question that was on his mind ever since Roxi had told him about her great grandfather.

“Well, I suppose you’d encounter it eventually even if I didn’t tell you. It was Luca’s challenge.”

This immediately shocked Baron. Not because he was also invited to try Luca’s challenge, but rather, the information Biao Gong had told him about the challenge. Mainly that only a handful of people on the planet had ever managed to not fail it. “Did you succeed in the challenge?” Was his first question.

“No, no, no. I just did not fail is all. For anyone to pass the challenge, well, they would need one hell of a mind to withstand the punishment. I nearly lost my mind and I only completed a fraction of a thousandth of a percent of it.” Cornelius said, scared out of his mind.

“Alright then, I won’t ask anymore on that subject since it pains you so. Now, how about an introduction of yourself?”

“Oh very well. I’m not sure you’ll believe me even if I tell you. So, I’m not sure if you have noticed, but my facial features aren’t exactly what you’d typically see anywhere in the world at this time. That’s because I have lived and died a long time ago. How old, you ask? It would have to be close to the start of when modern humans began appearing on Earth, I suppose the term would be Homo Sapiens. So I would estimate around 40,000 years ago.” As Cornelius explained, he gauged Baron’s reactions. So far, Baron’s expressions teetered between disbelief and wonder.

“40,000 years? How long did it take you to do the challenge?” Baron asked.

“That is my best guess anyway. As for the challenge, I tried, and I tried, and I tried. Each time losing more and more of myself, but the results did improve, if only marginally. Eventually, I managed to get to the point that I was given the chance to return to Earth. It took me tens of thousands of years, perhaps longer, I mean who even tracks time past 100 years? No one.”

“It took you that long?”

“Yes. And I was one of the luckier ones, over the course of my afterlife, millions tried the challenge, only a couple hundred people did not lose their minds. That should speak volumes of the difficulty. That isn’t the most terrifying part of this entire experience, it is what happens after you reincarnate back to Earth. You will face a civilisation ending catastrophe. When I reincarnated, the catastrophe I had to face nearly made the entire near east civilisations crumble.”

“Hang on, are you referring to the Bronze age collapse of Egypt, the Mycenaeans, and all those areas surrounding it?”

“That’s the one. My rebirth set humanity backwards a hundred years. Along with the destruction of multiple great empires at their peak. Ever since that catastrophe, I have spent thousands of years accruing my wealth and influence so that such a thing could never happen again.”

“How many more people have reincarnated after you?”

“A handful, the most recent one is the world I am living in right now. What we call the Second World War is another catastrophe caused by someone’s rebirth. Except this time, it could cause the extinction of humanity.”

That is some...hard piece of news to swallow. Then, what do you know about Luca? Who is this mysterious being that issues challenges with life as a reward?” Baron was now on the edge of his seat.

“Baron, my boy, I have told you that I am several tens of thousands of years old, correct?”

“Correct.”

“Luca, is something far more ancient. I am not exactly sure what it is, but it is not human. My best guess is that it has lived for at least a couple million years, and that is a conservative estimate. Beware of Luca, for it...is not something just anyone can go up against.”

Baron stopped to take in all of the information that Cornelius had just given him. If everything was true, then the mystery of Luca went deeper than he thought. For once, Baron was stunned into silence.

Cornelius Victor Blaze turned to look at Roxi, “how about you? Don’t you have any burning questions for me?”

“How can you recognize me? In this setting, I will not even be born for another few decades. How is it you can sense our blood relation?” Roxi questioned, still feeling a little drowsy.

“You see, there are many perks to Luca’s challenge. If you survive. I received 1 wish and the option to return to Earth after that challenge. I won’t tell you what it is directly, but I will say that it is a binding that transcends lifetimes.”

“How is that possible?” Baron demanded.

“Boy, your worldview of this universe is still too narrow-minded. I’m certain that mine is too, but why don’t you come back to me when you’ve lived a little more, huh?” Cornelius got up and took out a small military knife and threw it to Roxi.

Roxi caught it like it was no problem and stared at the blade blankly.

“What’s that for?” Baron asked with concern starting to form in his mind.

“Why, it’s to end this conversation of course. Sweetheart, activate command sequence 60.” Cornelius smiled as he sat back down to enjoy the show.

After the words left her great grandfather’s lips, Roxi flashed towards Baron. In a split second, she had already restrained him and had the knife to his throat.

“Roxi! What are you doing?” Baron cried out with fear, something he had not felt in a very long time. There was no response. He looked to Cornelius.

“My boy, I have already told you before. A binding that lasts more than one lifetime.”

Baron struggled to get free, but he was no match for Roxi when they were both in the army on Earth as young adults. After Roxi’s lifetime of covert ops, training, and god knows what else, few people could overpower her. He looked in her eyes, but they were as dull and unfocused as a doll’s.

“Well, it’s about time to end this conversation, but tell you what, Baron. It is your fortune that you have one of my children as an ally. Call on me in any of your simulations, and I might help. Oh yes, one more thing before you two take your leave. If you want to do a bit of traveling, use the portals that each community has, I assume that is still in use. Say access code, then my name, then the destination you want to reach. Completely free of charge. Haha. Ciao.”

Not a moment after he said the last word, Roxi killed Baron. No hesitation, no thought, just one swift action.

“Sweetheart, you can go now too. I don’t think there is really anything more to say.”

Roxi flicked the knife to her other hand and offed herself, thereby ending the simulation.

“You could have also just quit the simulation. This works too, but now I have blood all over my coffee and papers.”

Thus, the simulation ended. One that changed Baron and Roxi’s afterlife forever. Naturally, as soon as they got out of the simulation, they had to talk about what had just happened.

“Your great grandfather is one powerful person. I knew your family was rich, but not accruing wealth for thousands of years rich. But I’m guessing you had close to no clue either,” Baron said.

“No, no I did not. I’ve only ever met him once in my entire life. And that was on my deathbed. He remains as much of a mystery to you as he is to me,” Roxi confirmed.

“That whole thing about killing me, I’m guessing you had no idea about any of that either?”

“Of course not. It’s like I wasn’t in control of my body. Something else was. That binding that transcended lifetimes thing, really creeps me out. For such a thing to be possible, it must be technology that are eons ahead of what we are capable of. It scares me, also, I’m really sorry for killing you.”

“Don’t worry about it. For now, all of our matches have concluded. Do you plan on staying for the solo match?”

“No, I think it is finally time for me to explore the world. I have cooped up here for long enough,” Roxi concluded.

Baron did not show it, but he was feeling a mix of emotions. Though he did not feel any romantic love for her anymore, it still hurt him to see her go. She’s a fine ally and a wonderful friend, he would truly miss her. But he knew that they would meet each other again. It might take a thousand years, but they would meet again. Roxi and Baron said a few more pleasantries to each other before they split.

As leader of their group, Baron needed to be present when the announcements would be made about who was currently at the top. Alternatively, Roxi did not feel the need or want to stay any longer, she packed what little belongings she had and set off for the community teleport center. Normally, it would cost a small fortune to operate it and get someone to another community, but Cornelius had given them a way to travel without such a steep price. Many of the people who worked around this machine had been temporarily given a job doing something else for the Sun Tournament.

She entered the teleport room and stepped inside. The light of the machine flicked on as soon as she did and was awaiting instructions. Roxi decided to think for a moment before repeating what Cornelius had told her. Which community did she want to go to? Much thought had been given to it the past few days, but she never quite decided on one location. However, now that she was about to go, she had to make the decision.

After taking a deep breath, she spoke aloud, “Access code Cornelius Victor Blaze, bring me to the Korean community.” A strange sound emitted as soon as she uttered those words and a brilliant flash soon after. Before she knew it, she was no longer in the Chinese community.

Roxi looked around, but there was no one around either, perhaps they were watching the Sun Tournament as well, who knows. One thing was clear. This was the real start of her journey on Planet 4. After gaining more experience in all things weapons development, she would answer to nobody but herself. Now, where to begin?