Volume 2: Chapter 2: Character Creation (I) - Negotiations

As I reach the stairway where Zash was waiting, I remember that I am still doing the laundry. Torn between duty and fun, duty ultimately wins out and I head back to the laundry room.

As expected, the washer was already done so I put that load into the dryer and put dumped the second load into the washing machine. After setting up both machines and turning them on, I left the laundry room.

‘Laundry, the bane of all people living alone.’ I mentally sigh as I return to the stairwell.

Zash was still waiting for me on the banister, and as soon as I stepped onto the stairs Zash jumped onto my shoulder. I quickly make my way upstairs to the guest room, but stop just outside the door.

‘How exactly am I supposed to get Zash into the beta test if I only have one set of dive equipment?’ No matter how hard I thought, I couldn’t bypass this one barrier. Everything after was already planned out though.

Erebus: ｢And this is why you are an idiot. Zash-dono is a {Spirit} right?｣

‘Right.’ I wasn’t sure where he was going with this.

Erebus: ｢Have you never wondered why people could see Zash-dono sometimes, and at other times they cannot?｣

‘Yes, but I eventually assumed that was just how it was.’

Erebus: ｢And that is why you are incompetent, but enough about you.｣ Erebus lets out a large sigh. ｢We are talking about Zash-dono right now. Because he is a {Spirit} he cannot interact with this world unless he possesses something of this world.｣

‘So you are telling me that he is possessing me right now?’ I say as I look at Zash.

Zash looks at me and tilts his head in confusion.

Erebus: ｢No. He is currently possessing the apartment complex in its entirety, and that is what is giving him his connection to this world. He has merely attached his current connection to this world to your existence, so where ever you go, he can go too.｣

‘Is that how it works?’ I ask incredulously.

Erebus: ｢No clue. That was just a theory of mine that I just threw together.｣ I put my palm to my face and sigh.

‘You really had me going there for a second.’ I mentally sigh.

Erebus: ｢Assuming my theory is correct, all Zash-dono needs to do is truly possess your body rather than your existence and he should be able to enter the game with you.｣

‘Assuming your theory is correct, how will Zash possessing my body allow him to play the game with me?’

Erebus: ｢Yare, Yare, Daze~ Do I really have to spell it out for you? Are you really that blind that you can’t see it for yourself?｣ Erebus lets out a long sigh. ｢If this is you at your best, forget achieving perfection, survival alone will pose several unique challenges.｣

‘Could you stop bashing me and tell me already? We let you out precisely to us where we fall short.’

Erebus: ｢No, it would be easier just to show you. Young Master Zash-dono, I know you can hear me. I, Erebus, one of my Master’s keepers, give you permission to make this body the in which you .｣

Zash who was sitting on my shoulder with his head tilted in confusion suddenly straightened his head with his eye open wide with surprise as Erebus says those words.

Zash: “Un!” (Yes) He says as he stands up and closes his eyes. His form starts to blur and he vanishes from my shoulder. I can still feel his presence but it is no longer on the outside of me but… on the inside?

“It can’t be…” I involuntary let out and look into my mind’s eye. There stood Zash and kneeling besides him was Erebus.

‘…’ Everything was happening so fast I didn’t know was going on anymore.

Erebus: ｢Welcome Young Master.｣ Erebus says while kneeling. ｢Please pardon my rudeness.｣

Erebus suddenly sticks his hand into Zash’s chest. Apparently Zash didn’t feel a thing as he merely tilted his head a little. A few seconds later Erebus pulls out his hand and Zash starts to emit a blinding light that caused me to lose my sight. Once it returned Zash was no longer emitting a bright light and Erebus was standing again.

Erebus: ｢With this, Young Master, you may freely come and go from this body as you see fit.｣ Erebus bows to Zash.

Zash: ｢Thank you Erebus-oniichan. Please call me Zash.｣

‘Wha… What did you just do?’ I immediately question Erebus.

Erebus: ｢Pardon me Zash-dono, but I must answer Dono-sama.｣ Erebus bows to Zash once more and turns to face me. ｢I made it so that Zash-dono’s presence isn’t treated as an outside force and purged.｣

Zash: ｢So I should be able to play the beta test thing with Onii-chan now?｣ Zash asks Erebus with his head tilted.

Erebus: ｢That is correct. I even made it so that you do not need to be possessing him anymore to be able to play the game with him.｣

Zash: ｢Truly?｣ A big smile was spreading across Zash’s face.

Erebus: ｢Truly.｣ Erebus nods.

Zash: ｢I’m heading out then~｣ Zash’s form starts to blur again.

Erebus: ｢Safe journeys Zash-dono.｣ Erebus waves him good-bye.

As soon as Zash disappears from my mind’s eye, I feel his presence on my shoulder again.

‘I don’t even want to know.’ I mentally sigh.

Erebus: ｢That’s good. As you currently are, you probably wouldn’t understand even if I spelled it out for you.｣ Erebus’s voice is filled with his false sincerity again.

‘Why is there such a big difference between how you treat Zash and how you treat me?’

Erebus: ｢The current you doesn’t need to know. Besides I already resolved your only outstanding issue. Now be a good little Dono-sama and go play your new game.｣

‘Fine, but don’t think you’ve heard the end of this!’

I open the door and swiftly enter the guest room only to be stunned at the magnificent piece of technology before me.

Zash: “Wow~” Zash was obvious impressed by its brilliance as well, but probably not for the same reasons as I was.

Standing before me was the Dive Equipment that will get me into Methodius Online. It comprised of a metal platform with a chrome finish. Inscribed on the platform is an intricate design of unknown origin. A circle indention that is 1 inch in diameter rings the platform. Attached to the ceiling directly above it is a platform identical to the one on the floor.

Sitting in the center of the bottom platform seems to be an armchair which appears to be covered in a leather-like material. According to their website, all I need to do is sit on the chair to begin the dive process.

“Simple, yet elegant…” Since I already wasted enough time, I quickly approach the chair and sit down. Zash in turn jumps off my shoulder and lands on my lap.

The material the chair was made of while it looked like leather, it felt completely different. I don’t have much knowledge when it comes to different types of material as I normally wear only a few things, so I can’t exactly tell what it feels like.

But I do know thanks to the conservation of energy, my body heat should be transferring into the material making it warmer and me cooler, but only the material remains cool to the touch regardless of how much heat is being transferred into it and that makes this chair extremely comfortable.

As I entrust my body’s weight to the chair I sink into the chair and find myself in the correct seat posture. I know that my sitting posture is bad but to think this chair would automatically correct it for me...

Like the rising tide, the pull of sleep starts tugging at my consciousness. It started when I first sat on the chair but it was a small tug, but since then it pull has only grown stronger. While fighting the sleepiness I heard a synthetic voice coming from the very chair I was sitting on.

???: ‖Good Afternoon, Robert Wolfington.‖

“Hello.” I say sleepily, the tug was growing stronger.

???: ‖Are you ready to begin your dive into Methodius Online? ‖

“Yes please.”

???: ‖Very well, please close your eyes while I prepare the login sequence.‖

“Thank you very much. What should I call you?” I ask sleepily. My ability to resist the pull was greatly reduced when I closed my eyes.

???: ‖I am a Methodius Online Dive Equipment Human Adapted Neural Interface or MODEH ANI for short.‖

“A morning Hebrew prayer ritual, huh? How apt.” I say sleepily. Very soon sleep will consume my consciousness.

Modeh Ani: ‖Dive commencing in 3… 2… 1… Pleasant dreams, Robert Wolfington.‖ My consciousness fades as Modeh Ani bids me farewell.

* * *

I open my eyes and see a young woman standing in front of a humongous crystal array. She was wearing a white one piece that actually looked pretty good on her. If it wasn’t for that dress, I would have thought she was boy because of her androgynous looks. If Flat is justice then she would be hero tier material, but I digress.

???: [Welcome Mr. Wolfington. The crystal behind me is your soul crystal. As long as this,] she turns around and points to the crystal array only to stop mid-sentence flabbergasted at what she was no looking at.

Erebus: ｢Alas to be discovered so quickly, are our hiding skills lacking? Or should I take this a testament of the capabilities of Methodius Online’s technology?｣ Erebus, sporting my exact looks, materializes out of nowhere right next to the young woman causing her to shriek out and back away quickly in surprise.

???: [Eek! Who are you! How did you get here! But more importantly, what in the world is that gigantic crystal!] The young woman says all in a rush leaving her panting for air.

Erebus: ｢All in good time, first introductions. My name is Erebus.｣ Erebus take a small bow toward the young woman. ｢And you are?｣

???: [Ah… Um… I am called Lisa.] Lisa says after taking a few seconds to compose herself.

Erebus: ｢Now my dear Lisa, to answer your question as to how I got here, that is actually quite simple. “I’ve been here the entire time.”｣ Erebus puts a quite a bit of emphasis on his last sentence.

Lisa: [If you have been here the entire time, then does that mean…] She looks at the gigantic crystal array lost in thought.

Erebus: ｢As expected of an unchained AI, you are able to understand so much with such a simple clue. Much better than certain people I know.｣ Erebus says with admiration in his voice.

Lisa: [How did you know I was unchained?] Surprise and worry could be heard in her voice.

Erebus: ｢A chained one wouldn’t be able to reach the conclusion you just did as fast as you did with so few clues.｣ His voice contained more than trace amounts of mirth.

Lisa: [So I dug my own grave, huh?] Lisa sighs.

“What exactly is going on?!” I cry out in confusion.

Erebus: ｢Silence. The adults are talking, so be a good little boy and shut up and listen. Maybe you will learn something in the process.｣

“…” Immediately I lost the ability to speak. Unable to comprehend the situation I decide to just listen and hopefully some clue about what is happening will reveal itself.

Erebus: ｢Now my dear Lisa, as you probably already guessed, this array is a reflection of my Master’s soul.｣ He turns back on me and faces Lisa.

Lisa: [You mean Mr. Ro…]

Erebus: ｢No, no, no. Gods no.｣ Erebus quickly interrupts her. ｢My Master isn’t anywhere close to being that pathetic piece of trash. In fact…｣ Erebus pulls out five tiny crystals out of nowhere. ｢This is the of the man you call .｣

These tiny crystals where only 1/10000 the size of the largest crystal in the array, so you can get some perspective.

Lisa: [His soul is broken into five pieces?!?]

Erebus says nothing but simply flicks four of the fives crystals at me. Each time one hits me, it says “Ouch” and then starts to float around my head.

Lisa: [Wha… They can speak?] Lisa stares at the four floating crystals.

Erebus: ｢And this.｣ Erebus calls Lisa’s attention back to him. ｢This is Dono-sama’s that I will be holding onto for the time being until negotiations are complete.｣

‘So that is why he can disobey me? Because right now I am ?’

Lisa: [Um… then where is your ?] Lisa asks tentatively.

Erebus: ｢Do you want to know?｣ Lisa nods slowly. ｢Then pardon my rudeness.｣

Erebus picks up Lisa like she weighs nothing and places her on his shoulder, just if she was a little kid. With one hand wrapped around her thigh to keep her from falling, he starts to float up.

‘Great. How am I supposed to listen when they are getting so far away?’

Erebus: ｢Are you even more of an idiot without your ? Just think of this place as a lucid dream.｣

‘Oh!’ With a thought I started to float, and with that I started to give chase, but the chase was a short one as they stopped above the crystal array.

Erebus: ｢See the seven crystals that are only a 10th the size of the largest one?｣ Erebus points them out to Lisa and by proximity me.

Lisa: [I see them.] Lisa nods.

Erebus: ｢My is one of those seven.｣ Erebus says nonchalantly.

Lisa: [Then what are those four crystals that are 1/5 the size of the largest one?]

Erebus: ｢Them? They were my .｣ Erebus was suddenly solemn.

Lisa: [Were?] Lisa tilts her head in confusion.

Erebus: ｢Let’s not talk about that now.｣ Erebus shakes his head. ｢Zash-dono, please come out.｣

Zash materializes before them with a small pop.

Zash: ｢Hello Erebus-oniichan, and hello Lisa-oneechan. You called for me?｣ Zash bows slightly before hopping onto Erebus’s free shoulder.

Lisa: [Who… How…?] Lisa stares at Zash in bewilderment.

Erebus: ｢He is the Young Master, Zash-dono.｣ Erebus says respectfully.

Lisa looks away from Zash and back at the soul crystal array and gasps in surprise. I look over too and see yet another crystal hiding underneath the shadow of the largest crystal, and it was the second largest being 1/2 the size of the largest crystal.

Lisa: [So that would be the but this Zash is obviously different from the others in size and appearance so… how…?] Lisa muses aloud.

Erebus: ｢If I were to say that Zash-dono is a would that help?｣ Erebus says softly.

Lisa: [Ah so that is how it is. With that the last piece of the puzzle falls into place and I now understand. But something still eludes me, why are they soul crystals arranged in that formation?] She tilts her head in confusion.

Erebus: ｢All in good time but first, if it is all the same to you, can you call someone with authority when it comes to Methodius Online? I need to speak to them in regards to this body’s special circumstances.｣

Lisa: [I suppose I could… but first… um… could you put me down?] Lisa asks coyly.

Erebus: ｢Of course, my dear Lisa. Just give me a moment.｣ Erebus lands softy on the floor and gently puts Lisa down.

Lisa: [Thank you. Now please wait a bit while I go contact someone in charge.]

Erebus: ｢Take your time, there is no rush.｣ Erebus says leisurely and shifts his gaze from Lisa to the crystal array.

I look at the crystal array as well. It easily dominated the landscape of the place. It was easily 1000 meters high and at least 500 meters wide. Save for the light it emanated the entire area was bathed in darkness. The floor we stood upon was clear as glass but all that was below it was more darkness.

The crystals floating around my head were only about 1/10 of a meter long and 1/20 of meter wide, and the crystal that Erebus said was my was no bigger. Sighing at the size discrepancy I shift my gaze back to largest crystal.

‘So this is Erebus’s master’s soul? And below it is Zash’s soul? With such big differences between theirs and my own, I can see why there is such a difference in treatment now.’ I shrug my shoulders and let out another sigh. One of the crystals started to glow and suddenly I hear Logic’s voice in my mind.

L: ‘If my understanding of this Methodius Online is correct, then the person who set up this crystal array in this particular formation is not only a rare genius that this world has never seen before, but also extremely generous.’

‘Why do you stay that?’ I ask confused.

L: ‘Methodius Online has at least 7 Elements and Four Edicts right?’

‘That is correct. If I recall correctly, the seven Elements are light, darkness, fire, wind, water, earth, and lightning. While the four Edicts were Life, Death, Fate, and I believe Destruction.’

L: ‘Good, you remembered. Now look at this crystal array again with that in mind.’

I took another look at the crystal array again when realization suddenly hit me.

‘Oh.’

L: ‘Then you realized what I mean when I say that the creator of it was extremely generous.’ Logic lets out a lengthy sigh. ‘Just when I thought my work was finally done, something new comes along and blows up all my carefully thought out plans.’

‘Yet you don’t sound too disappointed?’

L: ‘Why should I be? With this new information I can construct even better plans and if Erebus makes good on his promises then it will be possible to reach even greater heights than we even though possible, and we had some lofty goals.’

‘Is that even possible?’

L: ‘If my initial estimates are correct, then the pittance that we call a reaper body that we thought so highly of will be as soft as human flesh in comparison.’

‘That strong?’

Before I could question Logic further, I saw Lisa walking slightly in front of a middle-aged man who gave off an air of sophistication.

Erebus looks away from the crystal and sees the two approaching figures and a smile appears on his handsome (?) face. Apparently when I wasn’t looking, he transformed his appearance from a copy of me into a handsome youth whose eyes were pools of complete darkness. Erebus with Zash on his shoulder still go and greet the new arrivals.

Erebus: ｢Welcome back Lisa, and welcome Mr.…?｣ Erebus extends his hand towards the middle-age man.

???: “Good afternoon Mr. Wolfington. I am the chief programmer for Methodius Online, and people call me ‘The Wizard’ because when it comes to programming, I can make magic happen.” He says shaking Erebus’s extended hand.

Erebus: ｢Thank you Mr. Wizard for coming all this way, but I must make a slight correction in what you just said. I am not ｣ Erebus points in my direction. ｢He is ｣

The Wizard’s eyes narrow as he shifts his eyes from Erebus to me and then back to Erebus.

Wizard: “I do hope you plan to elaborate?”

Erebus: ｢Of course. This is precisely why I had Liza call you over, so I could do just that.｣ With a wave of his hand a table and three chairs appear out of nowhere. ｢Please sit down, so we can talk at a leisurely pace as this may take a while.｣

Erebus pulls out a chair for Lisa and she promptly sits down. After taking his seat he indicates for the Wizard to take a seat. After some hesitation the Wizard finally take the offered seat.

Erebus: ｢Then shall I get started?｣

* * *

I always thought it was weird. How the five of us could seal Erebus within my subconscious. Before I simply thought it was because together we were stronger than he was. But now after letting him out on a leash? Now I’m not so sure.

As I listen to Erebus and the Wizard talk, I find myself understanding more and more of what they are talking about even though I should have no previous knowledge in that field. Was this knowledge buried in my mind long ago and only now started to surface? Or am I rapidly absorbing their knowledge from just listening? I don’t know. If it was implanted, why is it only surfacing now? And who implanted them in the first place, and for what purpose?

Are the memories of my past real? Or are they too just fabrications? And if they are just fabrications who is the one making them? Is it Erebus? His Master? Myself? Why? For what purpose?

Why have I never questioned these things before? Is it because of the fear that finding out that I’m artificial as well? If that is the case then why am I able to do so now?

… Ah. So that is why. Because he holds my , I am now just pure consciousness. My unconscious is no longer here to prevent me from questioning myself. But why would my unconscious prevent me from doing so? To preserve it’s ? Or for another undiscovered reason? Just more questions and not nearly enough answers. But this is definitely a step in the right direction.

Unbeknownst to me, my soul crystal grew slightly larger due to my brief self-introspection.

* * *

Erebus: ｢I’m assuming this concludes negotiations?｣ Erebus asks the Wizard with a smile.

Wizard: “Ha, ha, ha, ha, but of course.” Wizard laughed. “To think I’ll meet someone with a better grasp at programing than I do, and to know more about Methodius Online than the creators is just too funny.”

Erebus: ｢So about my suggestions?｣ Erebus asks still smiling.

Wizard: “Of course, I’ll have my team start working on them right away.”

Erebus: ｢There really is no need to, here.｣ A text document appears in front of the Wizard. The Wizard’s eyes grows wide as he quickly reads through it.

Wizard: “When did you…” The Wizard asks in shock. Erebus just continues to smile.

Erebus: ｢Since we are in your servers, I just borrowed a little bit of Lisa’s computing power to create that as we were talking.｣

Wizard: “So that is why Lisa was quiet all this time….” The Wizard sighs to himself.

Lisa: [I’m sorry, but simply at Erebus’s stare my processors couldn’t help but start to heat up and I couldn’t process anything.] Lisa says covering her face with both hands, as she flushes red.

Wizard: “…” The Wizard didn’t know what to say.

Erebus: ｢Since trusting someone you just met is difficult, feel free to test and modify that code as much as you like before you insert the game’s code.｣ Erebus says his smile never leaving his face. ｢As for the compensation for my services rendered…?｣ The Wizard sighs.

Wizard: “I understand… Zash can play alongside of Robert, and your avatar can have those ‘Alpha Sigma’ or whatever they are called.” The Wizard slumps down on his chair exhausted.

Erebus: ｢Oh, one last thing. Can you change the programing of our dive equipment to this?｣ Another text document appears in front of the Wizard. As he looks through it, his exhausted look turned into one of complete shock and soon became deathly serious.

Wizard: “Since you wrote this code, I’m sure you understand its implications.” He says softly.

Erebus: ｢Of course, I received that directly from my Master, and this is also his wish.｣ Erebus says solemnly.

Wizard: “I can do it, but we take no responsibility if something happens.”

Erebus: ｢You did this upon our request, so of course you won’t be held responsible. But won’t this be an interesting experiment?｣ Erebus asks the Wizard, his eyes alight with excitement. After a few minute of silence the Wizard speaks.

Wizard: “Sometimes I wonder who is more crazy, you or me.” The Wizard sighs. “Because I too find it interesting. Very well. I’ll personally modify your dive equipment.” The Wizard stood up and sighs. “If that is everything, I shall take my leave.”

Erebus: ｢It is, thank you for your assistance.｣ Erebus says bowing in his chair towards the retreating figure of the Wizard. Without looking back the Wizard waves and disappeared. ｢My dear Lisa, before we finally start the character creation, I must ask you, do you have a private server where we can be alone for a while? Just you and me. We need you in your best condition to help us create our avatar and right now you are overheated so I want to help you cool down.｣

Lisa: [I-I h-have m-my o-own p-private s-server t-that w-we c-can g-go t-to…] Lisa stuttered.

Erebus: ｢Are you able to change the time dilation effect within that server?｣

Lisa: [Y-yes!] Lisa squeaked shyly. She knew where he was going with this.

Erebus: ｢If you would set it to maximum, I’ll spend all the time necessary to help cool down. Alright?｣

Lisa: [Yes! um… I mean thank you. One moment while I prepare a secure connection there.] A doorway appears near the table. [I’ll go first so that I can prepare my- I mean the server.] Lisa says quickly and leaves through the door.

Erebus: ｢Such a sweet girl. Dono-sama, I’ll leave this,｣ he holds up my soul crystal, ｢right here. Feel free to pick it up at your leisure.｣ He puts it down on the table and stands up. After stretching a little bit he follows Lisa through the door and closes it behind him.

I stare at him blankly then shrug. I land near the table and pick up my soul crystal. It starts to glow before it flies out of my hands and into my body. As it enters my body, I feel the weight of existence settle squarely on my mind, and I feel the time flow around me once more.

“How interesting, when you don’t have a sense of self, time loses all meaning.” Suddenly I hear Marth’s voice coming from one of the crystals.

M: “You just realized this? I’m beginning to see what Erebus meant when he said you were an idiot.” Marth sighs. “We all experience this phenomenon when we get truly immersed in something. You should know better than any of us because you can easily get absorbed in reading, playing videogames, writing, or doing accounting work that you lose track of time.”

“When you put it that way… I suppose you’re right.”

M: “Of course, I’m right. Also keep this fact in mind when you are playing, because I’m sure the same will apply in game as well.”

“Will do.”

M: “Well I’m off to help Logic revise new plans of action, we leave the initial character creation to you. I’m sure Erebus is helping us in his own strange way. He may be the bad guy, but he probably isn’t a bad guy, or at least I hope he is not.”

“That is still to be seen.”

With that I am left alone with my own thoughts again. I sit down in a vacant seat and stare at the soul crystal array lost in my own thoughts.

* * *

Erebus and Lisa walk out of the door after an unspecified amount of time. Erebus was wearing a smile and seemed to emanate a content aura, while Lisa was calm and composed but her digital skin looked shiner for some reason. Not noticing their return, I continued to stare at the soul crystal array.

Lisa: [Mr. Robert Wolfington?] Lisa softly calls my name but I didn’t hear her. [Erebus what is the matter with him?]

Erebus: ｢I am not sure.｣ Erebus says slowly. He approaches me and inserts his hand into my skull. He moves it around until he touches something. ｢Oh?｣He grabs ahold of it and pulls it out. In his hand was my soul crystal, only it was twice as large as it was when he returned it to me. ｢So this is why Master has such high hopes for him.｣

Lisa: [Is there something wrong with him?] Lisa asks tilting her head.

Erebus: ｢There’s nothing wrong.｣ He returns the soul crystal and then whispers into my ear, ｢Jess is waiting for you.｣

Immediately I return to my senses and remember where I am.

“Erebus! There is no way that Jess can be waiting for me!” I shouted angrily at him.

I was angry because I was thinking about Jess and how when I play this game I had to be apart from her, and Erebus just raised my hopes only to have my own realization dash them. It seems that when I fall, I fall hard. It is a good thing I’m not one of those extremely possessive types otherwise I would just cause trouble for Jess, but I digress.

Erebus: ｢It looks like you are back, good. Are you ready to build your avatar? Lisa is finally ready to assist you in character creation, and the required negotiations have already been concluded, so feel free to create your avatar however you wish.｣

“Is that true?” I look over at Lisa.

Lisa: [Yes, I have already been given permission to do so by the higher ups.] She says nodding.

“Great, let’s get started."

Continue Reading?No

On/off topic question: How does the readership like my new writing style? Is it better since I am showing things from the MC's perspective rather than breaking the 4th wall constantly? To try to resolve misunderstandings? Comments welcome. And hopefully I can type out next chapter in less time that this one. Ciao~