Chapter 4: Back to the past

[Welcome back to Forged Path, Phillip.] I hear the familiar voice of Ireina and sigh in my head. [How have you been?]

I’ve been good. How are you?

[Bored.]

Why am I having a conversation with you!? What happened to my realism!?

[I’m technically a goddess of the world you are in. So you could just be called someone who speaks to gods. A priest, a monk, you can be whatever you want.]

At least let me have peace while I am in the game! I mean seriously, can a man not read in a library peacefully!?

[You are reading peacefully. No matter how angry your thoughts are, your outward appearance never even looks slightly agitated. It’s a commendable feat.]

Shut up and let me focus I’m trying to put some things together. I sigh in my mind and the ‘Goddess’ stops pestering me.

I looked in to it when I woke up in the morning and it appears the AI running the show, Ireina Orusu has not even talked more than the first intro thing. Everyone else gets the automated voice programmed in to their VR pods.

I got in touch with the company and they said they would look in to it for me and I thanked them, but unfortunately they were very quick. I got a call back from them telling me not to worry about it too much. They gave the AI free reign and it is able to take over VR pods completely, it was not an oversight and is completely normal and I should consider myself lucky. The most advance AI ever created has taken a liking to me.

They apologized and offered to replace my VR pod and hide me from the AI and I said no. I had a feeling that she would find me anyways and maybe would get angry, instead of just teasing me a little.

I don’t mind though. My next goal was to head towards the coastline when I got some weapons together. I don’t think I’ll learn magic anytime soon… but I have this strange feeling inside of me every time I see it mentioned in a book.

I open another book and start to read. The book was titled, ‘How to travel safely’. The book I just finished reading was titled, ‘A quick summary and the history of the continent.’

I noticed one thing. All of the starter towns were placed on the same continent. Everyone from Earth was placed on the same continent. No matter what language you thought you were speaking, it would all be translated in to the language you were most comfortable speaking. It is the same with written words. Everything that is written down will appear to be the language you are most comfortable with reading.

The forums also mentioned that you had a fifty-fifty chance of meeting misfortune the moment you stepped out of towns. Sometimes you would be swarmed by large amounts of mobs. Other times you would be plagued by horrible luck and you would become a slave or even worse.

Many, many people have quit the game and have tried to sue the main company behind it all and have pinned it on the AI. And because the AI is make all the decisions, the law is kind of fuzzy. I’m sure the laws will change soon with all the rioting. But I think I will just enjoy the game while it is still revolutionary.

[Thank you for not abandoning me Phillip. Everyone just has bad luck. Do they think they can just go to another world and just get everything handed to them? They have to work for it!] Ireina suddenly perks up in my mind

I think that’s true. But if you are controlling those events, couldn’t you be a little… you know, less harsh?

[Why? It was advertised as a game with one hundred percent realism. You should know that this is exactly what has happened through the history of the world. You’ve read it, right?]

Well yeah. I don’t think we have the strength of twenty men per person. Enough mages to block out the sun with even defensive magic. Why is magic divided not by element, but by other categories? Assault, defense, support and special magic. You know there are many people upset at those classifications. Why does that feel familiar though?

[Your familiar feeling to it beats me…] She stops for a second [But that’s just how magic is. It should work in your world… or rather, what you classify as the ‘real’ world. To me. Everything here is real.]

You mean… There’s no way. You’re just an AI programmed with a fantasy setting. Of course you would think magic can be used in the real world.

[Want to make a bet on it?]

I do. I think you are a delusional AI. There is no way magic can exist in my world.

[Fine, what are you willing to bet?]

Myself. You seem to like me so much. If I lose, I will gladly submit myself to you. But if I could use magic in the real world, why would I need to come here? I could just forget about you.

[Ha! You think it’s that easy to get rid of me? Not a chance. I’ll let you believe that will work though. Fine. If you are completely unable to learn magic in your world after learning it here, then I will make your trip to the top of this game trivial! You will be able to cut through mountains with ease!]

I can’t trust you for a second, but you’ve got a deal, Ms. Psychotic AI!

“Is something wrong Phillip, you have a scary smile on your face.” I hear Angelica from in front of me and I start paying attention to reality again.

“Nothing’s wrong, I just remembered something funny and was trying to hold in my laughter.” I smile gently.

“Was it a funny joke? Can you tell me?” Angelica jumps up and down in her chair.

“Sorry, adult stuff.” I smile again as Brianne walks over.

“Come on now Angelica, you’re bothering the young lad. Let him read in peace. He needs to learn so he can adventure properly without getting hurt.” She nods her head to me as she whispers to me. “I know this must be rough on you. Not knowing anything, I hope you can learn it quickly though, so you can make the money to live.”

“I hope so too.” I say I a voice quiet enough for only Brianne to hear. Crazy, considerate old lady.

---A few days later---

“Wait, you’re going to travel to the coastline? To free me?” Cecilia looks at me with a confused face. “You know, unless you have the money to buy a slave, that’s nearly impossible.”

“I can get the money. I’ve done research on the continent and I have a few weapons. By the time I get to the coastline, I should… maybe have more than enough money to get you out. Well, I can at least visit you… After that, I’ll be leaving towards the mountains, I have a mission I need to do there.” I sigh slightly as my head rests on the table.

“You know… why don’t you take a break? You seem exhausted. You’ve been playing almost non-stop since the game was released. You only come out to eat food and relieve yourself, and sometimes you sleep.” Cecilia pats me on the shoulder.

“No can do Cecilia.” I stretch my arms and legs as I stand up, “I made a bet with the glorious AI that runs the game. You know how I am when I start something. You’ve even lived with me for a month now.”

“Yeah? You told me she was following you around and the devs did mention she latched on to someone. I’m not even surprised it’s you. Also, when we were in school you never seemed to be motivated, but I never really saws your marks either.”

“Fair enough. Anyways. I have to get back to the game. I need to learn magic. My estimate is that I should learn it before I hit the next town over.” I walk towards the basement.

“Wait… what is your bet with the AI?” Cecilia questions me.

“You’ll figure it out when I win or lose. Either way, I’m going to get something out of it. Even the devs have confirmed the bet between myself and the AI. If the AI doesn’t hold up her end, the devs will help me out.”

“I see.” She makes a weary smile as I walk in to the basement and step in to my VR pod.

[Welcome back Phillip] I hear the voice as soon as I close the door on the pod.

“Not even waiting for me to put the helmet on…” My mind goes blank as the blood drains from my face.

[Looks like you’ve realized it.] I can hear the evil smile in her voice.

“The… the VR pod doesn’t have speakers. It was a selling feature. The helmet uses bone resonance to help you hear better quality. How are you speaking to me?”

[I told you. Running away won’t help you. I am inside your head.]

I quickly jump out of the VR pod. There’s no way! I run up the stairs and nearly crash in to Cecilia.

“Woah there! What’s wrong Phillip? You see a ghost? Your face is pale.”

“My worst nightmare has come true… but I hope I’m just hallucinating from lack of sleep. I need to lay down.” I walk towards my room quickly.

“Feel better soon?” Cecilia, “No, let me help you to your room.” Cecilia carefully helps me to my room and lays me down on the bed. “I’ll leave the room and turn off the light for you and close your door. If you feel like you need help, just shout and I will come right away.”

“Thank you.” I close my eyes as I lay comfortably on the bed, my legs shaking slightly.

“This is the least I can do for you. You should stop playing that game for a while.”

“I definitely agree with you. That AI… she scares me.”

“Sleep well.” Cecilia then close the door behind her as she leaves.

Okay… okay. I need to calm down. There’s no way she’s in my head. I just need to calm down and sleep. Yes… sleep. Sleep is good.

I close my eyes and take many deep breaths to calm my beating heart. My mind slowly fades as I drift towards sleep. I feel light as I lose control of my body.

I… am not sleeping? I can’t move my body!

[Hey there, Phillip.] In my mind I see the figure of the AI Ireina Orusu [We seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot. Yes, you are asleep, but I am forcefully stimulating your mind, causing this dream to happen. It may be a dream, do not think that this is not real. This is very real Phillip. Very, very real.]

I take deep breaths. Slowly calming myself. It may be a dream. I can feel my real body laying down and I can also feel myself in a world inside my head, an empty space with only me and the AI.

Are you really just an AI?

[Yes and no.]

Okay. Why are you in my head? Am I some hero you need to save the world?

[No, I don’t specifically need you. There is no threat to the world, either.]

Then why me? Why do you need to do this to me? I’m still in my prime. I don’t have a girlfriend, but I’m happy with the life I have. I have enough money to live until I die. I don’t need to live luxuriously.

[You don’t remember it all.]

What do you mean? I remember everything just fine. My father’s name is Marc, my mother’s is Lily. Last name Tethers. I went to school like a normal kid. I wasn’t bullied at all, but nor did I have many friends. I got above average grades through my entire school career, technically graduated when I was seventeen and started work for a company and made some money. Now I play a game and it feels like my life has been turned around?

[No. You remember all that just fine. But you’ve said to me. ‘Magic seems familiar to me.’ I know why it is familiar to you.]

Wait… how? How does magic feel familiar? Why does it feel nostalgic every time I see or hear about magic? It struck me heavily when I figured out the way it was split up, why is that?

[Please believe me here. You’ve lived another life and retained a few of your memories from said other life. They have been heavily hidden within your mind, but since I integrated myself in to your mind, I am able to see it all.]

You mean… I’ve learned magic before?

[Yes. However, that doesn’t necessarily give you an advantage. You were an arch mage for one of the major powers in another world. I am half goddess, half AI. I was a dying goddess and I latched on to the AI this company was programming. I saw it as a last hope to stay alive. Turns out it worked and I won’t die for the foreseeable future.]

Um… I’m so lost. I was an arch mage, but that doesn’t give me an advantage.

[Not currently, because all you have is sparse memories of major happenings. Magic isn’t a huge focus within them, meaning you will get a sense of familiarity when using magic and once you learn magic you will have an easier time. The reason I latched on to you was mainly because you radiated a magical power that was rather unique.]

I understand… but not really. So you are saying that I won’t get an advantage until I learn more magic. Using that sense of familiarity I can learn it faster, but I will still need to learn it. Now you are in my head and… you are half goddess.

[You seem to be understanding it so far.]

Yeah, you lose me on the purpose though.

[Because… um…]

There is no reason to do all this!?

[Honestly… no. No reason at all. It seemed like it would be fun.]

AAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!

[Calm down, you’ll wake up and Cecilia will figure out something is wrong!]

Fuck you! My life is a mess and I’m tired. You are using me for your enjoyment! You are an evil goddess. Meeting you was misfortune!

[I can understand your anger…]

But!?

[There’s nothing else I can do for a while. I’m stuck inside your mind. You could even say I’ve latched on to your very soul itself.]

My world view! It’s shattered!

I slowly calm my mind, taking deep breaths in my head. It sounds weird, but it works.

Okay. Okay. You are bored, so you are playing with me? How do I know this is not a hallucination? Maybe I’m just so tired, that I’m imagining all of this.

[This is very real Phillip. Please just accept it.]

I don’t hear anything. I’m just imagining it all. I open my eyes and see Cecilia in the corner of my room. I glare at her and she hurriedly moves towards the door.

“I’m sorry. I was just watching you because you seemed restless and you were making a lot of grunting noises. I was worried you would hurt yourself… so I was watching to make sure you were okay.”

“Thank you Cecilia.” I take a deep breath and slowly let the air back out through my mouth. “I’m going to try to go back to sleep now. I don’t care if you are watching me. As long as you follow the rules, everything else is fine.”

“I’m sorry for being so weird.” Cecilia sits on the ground and closes her eyes, “I owe you too much to see you get hurt from lack of sleep.”

I close my eyes and very quickly fall asleep.

---Morning---

[Rise and shine Mr. Freeman. Rise and shine.]

That’s a dated reference. The third still hasn’t been released to this day. I can’t believe it.

[You seem to be awfully accepting for someone who was in denial last night.]

Well. I thought it through, I’m sure you already know, but I’ve come to terms with it. I can only see myself gaining from you being leeched on to me. Sure, I may lose privacy and my dignity as a male. What else do I really have to lose?

[Um… humanity?]

Bah, that useless thing. Come at me immortality, I’ll one v one you bro!

[That’s kind of funny.]

So. You are going to be around me for a while it seems. I’m fine with that. We need some ground rules.

[Oh? Even though I see everything you think of and everything you do?]

Yes. I demand that you do not speak of what I do in my private time. That is my time and I want to enjoy it privately. You… well, I can’t really control it if you do, but I would appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone about me or what I do.

[These are all reasonable. I accept.]

Good, now we can get along. I’m going to eat some food and then I will head down to the game. So you will stay quiet until I get in to the game. Right?

[… Yes.]

Good.

I smile happily as I stand up from my bed. I look around my room and Cecilia isn’t in here. Good, it looks like she went back to her own room at least. If one of us is suffering, it doesn’t mean we should both suffer. I feel like I owe her something again. She is a really good friend.

I walk to the kitchen and see that Cecilia is cooking breakfast. She looks at me and sees the smile on my face.

“Sleep well?”

“Yeah. I feel like I owe you now though Cecilia. You do so much and I even make you pay rent. All I do is play games eat and sleep. I occasionally cook and do some chores, but you know, you have to go to work, and now you are helping me when I’m feeling bad.”

“Knock down my rent a hundred for the month then.” She smiles happily, barely missing a beat.

“Fine. I owe it to you. But only this month. I have enough to support us for that long. When are you moving out?”

“When I get married to someone? I don’t know? Basically it’s gonna be when you kick me out.” Cecilia smiles as she brings me over a plate of food. Ooh Eggs benedict.

“If you keep making me fancy shit like this, maybe never!” I laugh heartily as I slowly enjoy my breakfast chatting about random stuff with Cecilia.

“Well. I have a bet I need to keep with a certain AI. I’ll watch my play time. I’ll probably stop when I hit the next safe zone in game.”

“Be careful, I hear swarms of monsters are the least of your worries when traveling to a different town.” Cecilia clears the plates and I start to wash them.

“Bet or not, I still need to do my part around this house. Have fun at Work Cecilia. Don’t let that boring office job tie you down for too long!”

“Yes dad!” She smiles as she puts on her jacket and leaves through the front door, locking it behind her.

[I apologize to interrupt, but she has feelings for you.]

I know, Ireina. Why does it matter?

[Yet you do nothing about it? She clearly wants you to love her.]

I don’t want to love her though. I don’t feel the need to be in a relationship. It is not even on my top ten list.

[Yet you complain about being lonely in your mind all the time.]

Shut up you stupid AI. You know my reasoning very well.

[Not really] I hear Ireina whisper in my mind.