The Initialization : Phase 006

Black

An eternal void encompasses him when he opened his eye after feeling as if he was being spirited away. The darkness stretch out as far as his eyes could see. Wait, is his eyes even opened in the first place? He tried blinking but it still the same and a growing apprehension builds up within him. He found new respect for blinds and the sightless all around the world cause this feeling of hopelessness is pretty damn mortifying.

Aizen tried walking but he couldn't feel his legs. Now that's a shocker. he tried to move his arms but to no avail, the sensation of limbless put a damper in his mood. He began to think that something may have gone wrong and instead of going to NOIZ, he was sent to hell instead.

He was about to shout but the floor suddenly lit up emitting a yellowish glow and a mechanical feminine voice envelopes the area.

"Greetings, i am Yvina, a sentient being artificially created by the goddess Ferlistine to guide you seekers into the realm of Estios." Said by the voice as a feminine figure emitting a faint yellowish glow materialized in front of him.

A pale skinned elf that's wearing a golden skin tight body suit that has futuristic designs as if it came to the 30th century appeared in front of him. She has a stoic look with white tattoos that looks like circuit board lines embedded all over her body.

However, the most notable feature the girl have is her seemingly glowing knee length hair. it glows a golden tint and it seems to sway even if he can't feel wind breezing around.

That's virtual world for ya. Aizen whistled, awestruck by her appearance. It's really hard not to stare especially if your on the opposite sex. All he can say is that goddamn sexy futuristic skin tight leotard the girl is wearing really is tight.

Aizen briefly wondered if a sexy male elf wearing the same leotard would appear for female players.

Now that's a disturbing thought. Aizen shook his head to erase the image off his head.

"Would you like to hear the lore of Estios?"

The teen was tempted to skip it but Zenix caution him not to so he gestured for the a.i to continue her introductory shenanigans.

"In the beginning, there was only one realm," The sentient being started as his surroundings changed from voidness to a vast endless skies with floating islands and mythical creatures flying around.

"Valkyrium, the realm of the gods. Herein live the gods that govern the lands and lesser beings. For aeons harmony prosper through the realm and neither strife nor chaos existed among the celestials."

The scenery changes again showing this time, an inside of a castle where dozens of people gather seemingly cosplaying either as romans or people on luxurious kimonos.

"However, a sudden birth of a twin would threaten the foundations of Valkyrium to its core." The sentient continued albeit in a sober voice while the scene zoomed into a particular two children at the center of the crowd.

"Helweh the chief god of power together with his wife Akamae the goddess of dawn gave birth to a twin. Ferlistine the goddess of progress and Invictus the god of affliction came into being."

Aizen got a sudden motion sickness when the scenery seemed to have fast forward and stops on a scene where there was two people riding on top of stallions.

"Ferlistine grew up to be the most beautiful celestial of all. With grace and elegance, she quickly rose to being one of the most revered celestial throughout Valkyrium."

It pan first on the female rider with a long silver locks in a golden full plate armor while riding a black horse. Aizen's can't help but be mesmerized by her looks. She's more like the goddess of seduction in the teens eye. There was no contest that the sentient was no match for this celestial nobility before him.

Oh my goddess.

That's all he could say.

It then zoomed to the other rider, a man whose wearing an onyx cloak who rides a white horse and our hero's face turned sour. He was still not finished ogling the goddess of progress after all.

"Where's the fucking repeat button!" He whined but the narration continued.

"Invictus more intelligent than any other being in existence like his sister swiftly rose into ranks for his brilliant mind."

The scenery dramatically shifts again and it turned into night time and pans to a particular bedroom with two people on the bed. it looked as if they're naked but any of the unmentionables can't be seen since the couple was under the cover of sheets.

Aizen made a stoned look when the faces of the two were revealed.

"Damn, is this for real? I mean—what the fuck? seriously!?"

The A.I seemed to ignore his outburst and continues her tale.

"The twins have committed a taboo and fell in love with each other. There is a law in Valkyrium that forbids such union and so when Helweh found out, he banished Invictus and punished Ferlistine. But it was already too late and the forbidden union had already bore fruit."

The sentient changed the scene again. A black skinned baby with tiny horns was shown in the arms of the goddess of progress.

"Valderion the god of corruption and discord was born."

The scene then rapidly shifted like a panorama. Swiftly showing the baby's childhood up until he reach adolescence.

"Ferlistine, hid his existence into a remote island on the farthest corner of Valkyrium. However, being a curious and intelligent child that he was, Valderion one day followed his mother to the capital right after she visited him on his island without her knowing."

The scene shows a black skinned teen wearing a brown hooded cloak in the middle of the plaza crowded with celestials. It seems that the boy has lost his way and wanted to ask someone for directions. However, some guy suddenly bumped into him and upon contact, the guy suddenly started shouting as his skin suddenly turned black. Cracks started to show into the guys body as his body slowly breaks down and then exploded into many pieces.

Chaos ensues as rain of blood fell into the plaza. Anyone who touches any part of the affected victims suddenly showed the same symptoms like the first guy that bumped into Valderion. In less than an hour, the whole place was filled with countless of dead bodies and rivers of blood as Valderion hid in a street corner asking for his mom repeatedly.

A hand was then placed in the shoulders of the boy.

Helweh stood before the teen with an impassive look as he unsheathed his sword. Without saying anything he brought down his fury fully intended to kill the boy but then a sudden figure stood in front and took the blunt slash head on.

Valderion stood impressively as he watched his mother be butchered in front of him.

A loud cry was then heard as the whole Valkyrium realm was enveloped by total darkness. Everyone that was inside the void turned into dust and soon the realm of the gods crumble down towards the ground. Floating islands fell one after another as the world plunged into catastrophe.

"And thus the age of gods has finally ended." The sentient narrated as islands rained down on the ground while leaving a mushroom clouds on its ground zero akin to a atomic bomb explosion.

The scene pretty much look like a nuclear apocalypse, Aizen mused as he watched the final moments of Valkyrium.

"It was unknown whether the boy died or not but out of all the celestials, only Twelve survived. Surprisingly, Ferlistine was among those survivors. However because they were tainted with corruption, distrust brew on everyone's heart and each decided to separate ways."

The scene changes showing Twelve celestials going off on their own. Aizen noticed each celestial survivor drew certain looks akin to those races you can choose in NOIZ.

"With their powers severely weakened each celestials decided to take a rest but before they do so, have made lesser beings to fix and prepare the land for their reawakening."

Different types of races sprang forth from the land. Beings with elongated ears, green skinned beings with hideous faces, beings with lower fish bodies, it's only few of the races Aizen seen on this particular panorama.

"And the age of men started. Some of noticeable beings are Elvens who live into the woods and forest. Dwarvens by the mountains, Sirens by the oceans, Draconians through volcanoes and finally, humans by the grasslands. However, all races have also inherited their makers corruption making them unable to coexist with another being which led to skirmishes up to the present."

The scene finally fades out into the blackness just like in the beginning. The sentient then waves her hands as a inferace system suddenly appeared in front of Aizen.

"Now seeker, which race do you choose to be?"

The first column of the interface then made a ping sound as if unlocking something. The teen looked into it and the 'Races' column on the top row slowly blinked. Aizen pressed onto it and another interface tab appeared beside the main panel.

It seems that you can only choose eight out of the total twelve races at the beginning. The only available options that have descriptions are;

Humans - Governed by the Goddess of progress Ferlistine.

• Tool Proficiency -

• Magic Proficiency -

• Rune Proficiency. - ★★★

• World Population - 1,362,768.00

• Culture Value - 6,780

• Notable features. - Most balanced race of all. Able to progress faster at the start.

Elvens - Governed by the Goddess of Nature, Elhaymn

• Tool Proficiency - ★★★

• Magic Proficiency - ★

• Rune Proficiency. - ★★

• World Population - 535,981.00

• Culture Value - 7,863

• Notable features. - Magic Masters. Able to condone and manipulate nature.

Dwarvens - Governed by the God of Inventon, Thybore

• Tool Proficiency - ★★★

• Magic Proficiency -

• Rune Proficiency. - ★

• World Population - 731,835.00

• Culture Value - 6,351

• Notable features. - Master Craftsmen. The only race that can craft legendary class items.

Sirens - Governed by the Goddess of Seduction, Erosleine

• Tool Proficiency - ★

• Magic Proficiency - ★★

• Rune Proficiency. - ★★★

• World Population - 325,681.00

• Culture Value - 6,861

• Notable features. - Master Enchanters. Able to command and tame underwater creatures..

Beatials - Governed by the God of Freedom Pyglerian

• Tool Proficiency - ★★

• Magic Proficiency - ∅

• Rune Proficiency. - ★★

• World Population - 915,621.00

• Culture Value - 5,876

• Notable features. - In exchange of slow proficiency growth, the race get boosted health, additional stats and quick experience growth.

Draconians - Governed by the Goddess of Passion Xenavie

• Tool Proficiency - ★★

• Magic Proficiency - ★★★

• Rune Proficiency. - ★★★

• World Population - 145,641.00

• Culture Value - 5,876

• Notable features. - A race that can shift into Dragon form. Increased boost in Stat growth.

Vampiral- Governed by the Goddess of Fertility, Melzaur

• Tool Proficiency - ★★★

• Magic Proficiency - ★★★★

• Rune Proficiency. - ★★★★

• World Population - 35,981.00

• Culture Value - 3,531

• Notable features. - Masters of the night. Able to tame nocturnal beings.

Wraithens - Governed by the God of Atrophy, Deucalion

• Tool Proficiency - ★★★

• Magic Proficiency - ★★★★★

• Rune Proficiency. - ★★★★★

• World Population - 315,071.00

• Culture Value - 5,341

• Notable features. - illusion Masters. Able to summon an undead beings.

Aizen noticed that the population constantly increases and decreases as if it was updating in real time while the proficiency also do the same albeit in a much lesser rate. It seems it's not a fixed numbers and heavily depends on the actions of the players.

"Hey what does proficiency mean?" Aizen asked as he tried to compare each races.

"Proficiency is the rate and limit in which how can one learn and master a skill." The sentient guide responded mechanically. "For example, a race with high magic proficiency can learn and master magic skills faster than a race with lower magic proficiency. Furthermore, a race that had maxed a proficiency which is five star can finally learn the forbidden skills."

"Can proficiency be increased?"

"It can if you aid or contributed something for your race. for instance, finding a relic can increase the races proficiency greatly depending on what type the relic is."

"I see," Aizen nodded as he inspect the panel.

"Have you already decided on what race do you want to start with?"

"Uhh not yet but let's just say, i picked one now. can i still change it later in game?"

"Mostly through special quest may one had a chance to change his or her race later in the game. You can also change your default religion and petition for an asylum if you wanted to serve under a celestial that's not the governing god of your race. If you gain enough 'Faith' then you may ask for a blessing and change your race to the Celestial god your serving."

The black haired teen thought for a moment and pressed the 'Human' label. His astral form then started to have a physical body with light brown skin and black hair. A mirror like panel then materialized in front of him showing his actual look in real life.

"Ohho, did he also calibrated the pod to create a digital copy of myself?" Aizen asked no one in particular as a blinking question asking 'Do you want to remodel yourself?' appeared but the sentient suddenly responded to his earlier question making him jerked up and accidentally pressed the 'No' button.

"Your corporeal body is scanned and calibrated as you entered the Virtuodrive pod."

"Shit! Go back go back i still haven't modified anything!" Aizen said in a slight panic as he searched for the 'back' button.

"Going back to the modification panel requires the seeker to pay an additional fee of one million yen, do you wish to proceed?" The guide responded on a monotonous voice but Aizen could have sworn there was a slight joy in that tone.

"This is a total fucking rip off! why do i have to pay one mil just to go back eh?" The dirt cheap inmate grumbled as the Artificial Intelligence just tilted her head in question. Like hell would he waste his precious money for such silly matters.

"I don't understand. Please rephrase your question seeker." The guide replied as if mocking him further by acting all innocently.

"I said you're a fucking money opportunist."

"Please refrain from using foul languages seeker."

Yup, definitely mocking him.

Aizen sighed.

"Nevermind, It's not like I'm discontented of my real looks anyway."

"Do you wish to cancel your request then to go ba—"

"Yeah yeah i do. Just proceed to whatever shit procedure is left so that i can finally start this damn game."

"Very well then please answer this few inquires of mine."

"What kind of inquiries?"

"It's to determine what kind of a person the seeker is." The A.I plainly stated as she hovered slightly into the air.

"Does that have any relevance when playing the game?" Aizen asked as he folded his arms together.

The golden being nodded. "It does since the system optimizes what kinds of quest will be available for the seeker to partake on. For example, a user with 'Good' Alignment can never accept certain quest that requires 'Evil Alignment' and vise versa."

"Can you name all the alignments?"

"Certainly. Noble Good, Lawful Good, Chaotic Good, Neutral, True Neutral, Noble Evil, Lawful Evil and Chaotic Evil is the list of all the available attribute titles recognized by the system."

It reminds of a certain retro game which uses the same schematics, Aizen mused.

"Seeker, can i proceed with my inquiry?"

"Yeah sure."

"Very well then, for my first question, You were suddenly spirited away to a fantasy world, with no money and no clothes and anything else but your self. how would you proceed? please pick two answers the first one being your main while the second is you sub pick on the digital panel that would materialize momentarily."

A floating window with six set of options in alphabetical order appeared as if on cue.

Aizen instantly picked 'D' as his first answer. To hell with modesty. Money makes any world go round he surmised. Although 'F' and 'E' was rather tempting but there's just too many risk factors in that route so he choose 'B' as his second pick. Having connections with different people would do you wonders in the long run.

"Now that you're all geared up, how will you proceed?"

Aizen took a minute to answer. He agreed that making oneself powerful fast is the right route but so is seeking information. He also think option 'D' was a good choice but in the end, he opted for 'E' as his first choice and 'C' as his second.

You can't start peddling and hunting mobs without proper knowledge of the world you were whisked away after all.

"You heard that the village chief is a corrupt leader and is oppressing the villages citizen. what would you do?"

Another tricky question but option 'F' seems the answer with most you can gain so he opted for it.

Nothing beats having your own militia at your beck and call after all.

For his second choice, he pressed on 'E' since it's his nature to properly prepare and plan his every move.

"The village leader was finally booted from his position. However, the town is in chaos due to the rebellion and the remnants force of the previous chief. Looting, fire and other crimes are encompassing the town. How will you proceed?"

He choose 'F' and 'B' since it seems to be the most logical answers if you want the triple M's of life which are might, money and maidens. Being in a government position may seem problematic but with proper handling of funds and management, a town can prosper. and when the town prosper, so are its leaders pockets Aizen thought with a wicked evil grin which makes the sentient being back away from him.

"That's the last of my inquiries." The sentient stated, staring directly onto him with her narrowed eyes which kinda unnerved the teen abit. "Now i have an idea on what kind of a person you are seeker."

Aizen highly doubt that a few questionnaires could define his personality but he played along nonetheless. Truth be told, he was kinda curious of the result of the personality test.

"So? what is my attribute then, not that it matters to me whatever i get." He asked with feign reluctance.

The artificial guide coughed as she raised her left index finger and pointed upwards.

"You are a 'Lawful Evil' You have no inhibitions with doing wrong deeds as long as it aligned to your agenda. However, the seeker is not heartless enough to enjoy inflicting pain and chaos to people. You value wealth above anything else but is willing to spend money for a good cause. You are more of a tactician than a pure fighter and prefers to analyze the situation than head straight on without a sound plan. You might be evil but you follow a set of notable principles and seems to take your promises seriously in which differs you from a chaotic person who simply do whatever he or she wants."

He had to admit, the answer was almost spot on considering it only has twenty six options. Aizen briefly wondered if he was really that easy to read but dropped that line of thought as the Sentient started talking again.

"Please proceed into allocating your starter stats dear seeker."

A blinking question appeared asking him if he wanted to change his stats. This time the teen made sure to be silent as he slowly pushed the 'Yes' button.

A panel showing five columns then materialized before him.

• Primary Status •

• Secondary Status •

• Occupation Status •

• Reputation Status •

• Financial Status •

He clicked on the 'Primary Status'

"Please name your Avatar." The guide stated as the Name section blinked and a keyboard appeared in front of him.

Aizen shifted into a thinking pose as he thought of a good name to use. However, nothing good came into his mind even after a minute of pondering so in the end he just opted for an abridged of his real name and typed in 'Zen' and hit the enter key. NOIZ uses an systematic ID coding system which is encrypted into ones account so players can still use an already existing username.

You have '15' free stat points to allocate

He put the first five points to strength then put the remaining ten into agility.

Strength has risen '5' points!

Agility has risen '10' points!

Aizen may not be a hardcore gamer but he knew that allocating a point on every stats is a novice mistake and it's better to opt for a specialized build up depending on what type of character you want to make.

The teen smirked.

He really should thank his sister and her gaming knowledge. Who knew that he would use her advice's that he deemed as useless before.

He wanted to check the other panels but the guide started to talk again.

"Please choose your starting town."

Aizen wanted to make a witty retort but he remembered that he was just talking to a cybernetic entity so the teen just grumbled and pressed the drop down list.

Only one name came to view though.

Reluctantly, he chosen Genosia the lawless city as a starter town.

"Now seeker, close your eyes as i transport you to the realm of Estios." The glowing guide stated as she raised her hands and started chanting some spell of foreign tongue.

As Aizen reluctantly closed his eyes the parting words the sentient said to him was,

"Godspeed, may the blessing of the gods aid you in your journey."

A magic circle appeared in his feet as he was blinded by a sudden burst of light.

He felt his body being whisked away through his closed eyes. Soon after the motion sickness like feeling drifted away from him, Zen cautiously opened his eyes for the very first time.

The vast azure sky sprawled endlessly above him.

Different kinds of avian beings flies freely as if dancing with the wind.

Sounds of crowds penetrate his ears.

And the most surprising of all, a tip of a sword is slowly inching towards his head.

"Ahh~ the sky here is so beauti—wait what the–"

Splat!

A sudden sensation of lightheartedness attack him as he felt his avatar fell to the ground.

A several notification bubbles making a ping sound appeared in front of him.