A shimmer of violet fractured the air.
With the sound of a chime, Sapphire materialized upon a glowing sigil at the center of the Arrival Plaza, the heart of the City of Origins.
The light faded around her, revealing a girl in the Common Grade Adventurer's Outfit all new players recieved. It wasn't anything special. A slate-gray tunic with dark, cross-wrapped belts over a lightweight bodice. Fingerless gloves. A weathered leather mantle that sat loosely on her shoulders. Her boots were plain but sturdy, made for running, not beauty. A frayed hem danced around her thighs in the soft updraft of the floating platform. Her midnight-violet hair shimmered faintly under the skylight, tied back in a practical braid. Only when she turned did her eyes catch the light—those haunting, pale amethyst irises framed by long lashes, as emotionless as a quiet storm.
[Welcome, Sapphire | Class: N/A | Weapon: Longsword]
[Synchronization: Complete.]
[Tutorial Objective: Speak to Archivist Dorian in the City of Origins.]
Sapphire blinked once.
All around her, players flickered into existence like falling stars, light and sound erupting in chaotic beauty. Cries of amazement. Laughter. Shouts of recognition. Thousands of voices. Thousands of bodies. It was overwhelming.
A boy nearby nudged his friend. "Wow… check out that girl with the dark blue hair."
His friend followed his gaze. Sapphire was standing rigidly, clearly unaccustomed to crowds. Her arms hugged her sides, posture stiff, eyes darting between groups like she was calculating an escape route.
Both boys stared, slack-jawed.
"She's like… an angel," the first whispered.
"Yeah," the other breathed, eyes wide with wonder.
Unaware of the sudden attention she was gathering, Sapphire tried to steady her nerves.
'It wasn't like this during beta,' she pouted inwardly. Her gaze lifted toward the horizon, where the colossal Horizon Spire pierced the clouds, glowing blue against the perfect sky. 'Better head to the Archivist's shop. Really hope it's not crowded too…'
Sapphire took a cautious step forward, the soles of her boots echoing faintly against the polished white stone of the plaza. The Arrival Platform sprawled outward like a massive disc suspended in midair, its edges guarded by elegant obsidian railings and patrolling skyward sentries—non-hostile NPCs clad in silver-blue armor, their capes fluttering in the ever-present updraft.
All around her, players were reacting in their own ways. Some marveled at the view beyond the platform—floating islands drifting lazily in the vast blue sky, airships coasting along invisible ley-lines, and streaks of birds that shimmered like constellations. Others were sprinting off without direction, their laughter trailing behind them, weapons drawn just to test how it felt. A few sat cross-legged on the ground, still messing with their menus.
Sapphire, on the other hand, kept to the outer edge, slipping between people with careful, calculated steps.
"Inventory," she muttered under her breath.
A transparent panel bloomed into view. Empty, aside from the starter longsword—Common Grade, standard weight, zero enhancements. She summoned it anyway. With a flicker of light, the blade appeared in her hand. It wasn't glamorous—just a simple steel weapon with a leather-wrapped grip—but it felt real. Balanced. Familiar.
She tightened her hold, then dismissed it with a swipe.
"Focus," she whispered.
She moved through the crowd with growing urgency, weaving past a boisterous group of twin dagger users arguing over build paths and a tall girl with Drakkenblood horns posing for pictures. Sapphire didn't stop. She didn't wave back at the curious Glacien child avatar who tugged at her cloak or respond to the flirtatious wink of a spear-wielder lounging by the fountain.
The City of Origins unfolded around her like a dream rendered in divine geometry—buildings of pearl and crystal, winding walkways carved with glowing runes, lamplights suspended by mana threads, and ethereal trees that whispered in the breeze. Everything felt ancient and new at once.
At last, she spotted the small domed building near the library tower. A crescent-shaped sign hovered in the air above it:
[Dorian's Repository]
She approached the arched doorway, heart beating a little faster than she liked. The crowd thinned here, most players hadn't realized yet that their next step was talking to the Archivist. That meant—
Perfect.
She reached the door and stepped inside.
The interior was surprisingly quiet, lit by slow-turning orbs of light. The air smelled faintly of parchment, ink, and drifting mana dust. It wasn't large, but it felt vast. The ceiling stretched higher than seemed architecturally possible, vanishing into an indigo mist, where constellations pulsed faintly in the gloom above.
Bookshelves curved like ribs from floor to ceiling, filled with glowing tomes, suspended scrolls, and magical tablets that rearranged themselves when no one was looking. Floating lanterns bobbed like sleepy fireflies, and spectral quills scribbled endlessly on translucent sheets that shimmered out of existence the moment they were filled.
A large, circular counter made of dark blue glass dominated the center of the room. Behind it stood Archivist Dorian, tall and lean, his gray robes embroidered with shifting script that changed languages every few seconds—ancient Elari, Drakken runes, Forgotten Glacien glyphs. His beard was short and neatly trimmed, and his silver eyes were ancient but unclouded.
Dorian studied Sapphire with a look that was both curious and quietly amused.
"Excuse the intrusion," she said softly. In Blade Horizon Online, NPCs weren't just scripted quest-givers, they feel and act startlingly real. Built on Dr. Kurenai Aika's Eidolon Framework, each one had emotional mimicry, memory recall, and evolving behaviors that adapted to player choices. They remember a player's kindness, react to a player's silence, and sometimes even question their own existences.
"You arrived quickly," he said. "Most linger outside, starstruck and confused."
"I don't like crowds," Sapphire admitted, keeping her voice even. "And I figured coming early would relieve me of dealing with waiting in line."
A faint smile touched Dorian's lips. "Smart. I like that. So what are you here for, newcomer?" His voice was warm, yet measured. It resonated softly, despite the vast quiet of the room.
Sapphire didn't answer right away. Her gaze flicked to the shelves, to the glowing glyphs still shifting across his robes.
"I was told to find you," she said finally, tapping the corner of her translucent quest log. "Something about... lessons?"
"Ah," Dorian nodded, the lights above him flickering like stars at twilight. "Yes. The First Few Lessons."
He gestured with a single finger, and one of the magical sheets floating above the counter fluttered down between them. It shimmered with text that adjusted as she looked, shifting into her preferred display language.
❖ Lesson I: Mana in the Dust
Objective: Discover the fragments left behind by those who came before.
— Speak to Dorian, the Archivist (✓)
— Visit the Wyrmlight Archive Ruins
— Locate and collect (5) Lumishards
— Speak with Zayla, the mana-touched girl among the Lumi-flowers
— Craft a Mana Core (Requires: Lumishards + Chant)
— Return the core to Dorian
Quest Rewards:
• 450 EXP
• 500 Col
• 5 Crafting Materials
• [Mana Sigil Ring] – Common Grade
• +Affinity with Zayla
• +Familiarity with the native citizens of the City of Origins
"First steps matter," Dorian said as the paper dissolved back into light. "They shape the lens through which you see the world. This task will not teach you how to fight. It will teach you why you fight."
Sapphire arched a brow. "And the ruins?"
"Once part of the Old Archive," he replied, turning to fetch a small, leather-bound guide from beneath the desk. "Destroyed in a mana surge. Now haunted by negative mana wraiths—residual memory specters. The Lumishards you seek grow where mana pools thickest."
"And the girl?"
"Zayla?" Dorian's expression softened. "She's... unique. A creation of the Archive itself. Most overlook her. Don't make that mistake."
He handed her the guide.
"Thank you," she murmured.
"Go carefully, newcomer," he said, eyes lingering on her just a moment longer than they should have. "The City of Origins is a beautiful place. But it can also bring danger to those who underestimate it."
A system prompt blinked softly at the edge of her vision.
[Quest Updated: Mana in the Dust]
Objective: Travel to the Wyrmlight Archive Ruins.
Suggested Party Size: 1-3
Difficulty: Novice
Recommended Action: Proceed with caution. Eidolon-level NPC activity detected.
She turned to go, her grip tightening slightly on the guidebook.
Just then the entrance chime rung through the shop, alerting of two girls stepping inside with a burst of warm energy.
The first was a Sylvarin with vibrant red hair that fell in loose curls, silver eyes wide with curiosity, and a dusting of freckles across her nose. Her starter gear was accented in gray and red, simple yet sharp, and the wooden bow slung across her back hinted at an archer or hunter build. She moved with a spring in her step, practically bouncing with excitement.
The second girl was an Elarion human, walking a pace behind. She had shoulder-length brown hair tucked behind one ear and piercing blue eyes that carried a calm confidence. Her bronze and blue starter gear was clearly designed for a warrior class, and the sword at her hip gleamed with a subtle enchantment, catching the room's light with every step.
Sapphire froze for a breath. Her eyes flicked over them with unspoken calculation—automatic, instinctive. She didn't mean to analyze people, but she couldn't help it. It was how she survived in beta.
The redhead gasped. "Oh my gods, look at this place! It's like... some magical Hogwarts meets a celestial archive!" Her voice echoed slightly in the vast chamber, unbothered by the silence she'd broken.
Her companion sighed with the patience of someone used to this. "Let's focus, Mae. We're here to find the Archivist, not get distracted by shiny things."
"Ugh, Lynne, don't be such a buzzkill," Mae pouted dramatically, hands on her hips. "Let me enjoy the vibe. It's vibing in here."
Sapphire stepped aside to let them pass, hoping to melt back into the shadows. She was used to being overlooked, and preferred it that way. But as Mae's eyes swept the room, they landed on her.
The Sylvarin stopped. Her grin widened.
"Oh wow," Mae said, taking a step closer. "You're gorgeous. Like, seriously. Did you spend hours on character creation or something?"
Sapphire blinked, startled by the blunt compliment. Her expression didn't change, but internally she fumbled.
"…Thank you," she said, voice even. Then, dryly to herself: I barely changed anything. Just hair color and eye tone…
"Totally working for you," Mae added with a cheerful thumbs-up, before spinning back toward the counter. "Hi, Mister Archivist! We're here for that tutorial thingy—the one with the mani…dust...what was it?"
"Mana in the Dust," Lynne corrected under her breath, already scanning the shelves with an experienced gaze.
Sapphire turned and left before another conversation could catch her. It had been a brief encounter—a flicker of interaction in the static—but she already felt drained.
Outside, the world had shifted again. The light above had softened, the sun dipping behind a drifting islet. Shadows swept across the plaza like the tide. The air shimmered with faint traces of mana as she stepped back into the heart of the City of Origins.
She paused, staring down at the guidebook still clutched in her hand. Then, her gaze lifted toward the distant ruins silhouetted beyond the city's edge.
"Wyrmlight Archive," she murmured.
Her boots tapped softly against the cobblestone tiles as she made her way into the plaza. It was a vast, circular space that pulsed with gentle light, etched with runes and inlaid with silver veins. At its center stood a towering tree of glass and crystal, its translucent leaves chime-like as they danced on the wind. Dozens of mana-threaded walkways stretched outward like spokes on a wheel—leading to training halls, sanctums, merchant alleys, and resting zones.
Sapphire moved quietly, unnoticed, her cloak drawn close as more players poured in from other lifts—some shouting in amazement, others checking menus or testing emotes. She kept to the edge, away from the crowd.
Then, the platform behind her flickered.
The last player had stepped off. A brief pulse of blue light rippled through the Arrival Platform—and then, without warning, it vanished in a blink.
Above, the clouds twisted. Once soft and placid, they began to churn—coiling into a spiral of unnatural color and static. Birds froze in place mid-flight. The wind died. Even the air seemed to thicken, growing heavy with pressure.
A deep hum vibrated through the plaza—low and resonant, like the pulse of a living machine. Players looked up in confusion. Conversations trailed off. Weapons lowered. Laughter died.
Above the City of Origins, the sky cracked.
It began as a thin fracture of light across the swirling clouds, a jagged line that split the heavens. Then the fracture widened, splitting like broken glass, bleeding aurora-like tendrils of violet and gold. Static rained down in glimmering threads, and with it came a sound, not a chime this time, but a voice.
The clouds above started twisting unnaturally, spiraling into a massive vortex of color and static. Birds froze in mid-air. The air itself grew heavier.
A voice rumbled across the entire world.
[SYSTEM BROADCAST – GLOBAL ANNOUNCEMENT]
"Attention Players. This is not a tutorial."
"You have entered the full-dive simulation: BLADE HORIZON ONLINE."
"As of this moment, all external logout functions have been disabled."
"Death within the game will result in the complete cessation of your consciousness."
"There is no escape, save for one."
"Ascend the Horizon Spire. Reach the 100th Sky Domain. Defeat the Final Warden and reclaim your name."
"Only then will the gate to reality reopen."
"This is your only path."
"Good luck, players."
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION – GLOBAL ANNOUNCEMENT]
"Identity Initialization Complete."
The Horizon Codex has sealed your true name.
From this moment forward, you will be known only by your chosen character name.
Real-world names are incompatible with this world and have been classified as Unrecognized.
Associated memory fragments will fade to preserve system stability.
❖ Attempting to recall sealed names will result in memory interference.
❖ Attempting to use a real name during future interactions will trigger auto-filter.
❖ True names may only be reclaimed by reaching the 100th Sky Domain and accessing the Horizon Codex Core.
"Let the past remain behind. Let the ascent begin."
The message burned across the sky, etched in celestial light, visible from every floating island and every shard of the skybound world.
Silence fell over the plaza.
Players looked around in disbelief. Some laughed nervously, hoping it was just a prank. Others began to panic. A few dropped to the ground and tried to log out manually, only to find the logout button missing from their menus.
Sapphire instinctively reached for her name. The one she had in the real world. But the moment she tried to recall it, something snapped.
A violent spike of agony speared through her skull like a blade of pure white fire. Her vision fractured. The world twisted sideways. She stumbled, clutching her head as her knees buckled beneath the weight of the sudden, searing pain.
It was as if her own mind had turned on her, frantically clawing away the memory before it could surface.
Static roared in her ears. Her thoughts splintered.
And then nothing. There was only silence.
Her name forgotten. Around her, others were screaming.
Cries of pain echoed across the plaza as players fell to their knees, some clutching their heads, others frozen in wide-eyed terror. The system had not been lying.
Anyone who tried to recall their real identity was met with the same punishment.
A girl nearby collapsed with a strangled sob. A boy staggered into a bench, eyes glassy, blood trickling from his nose.
Sapphire stayed down, jaw clenched, fists pressed to the cold stone. The pain faded slowly, but the fog in her memory remained. No matter how hard she tried, there was only a void where her true name should have been.