The sun shone bright upon the city of Tokyo, a fresh, dewy breeze drifting in the morning atmosphere. Truly a beautiful day, a perfect day to head to work in.
"I think I'm actually starting to feel it now." Kuro muttered, before letting out a sigh.
As usual Xander was standing at his usual meeting spot, waiting for Kuro to arrive so they could walk together, his gaze landed on Kuro when he was in sight.
"Oh, there you are, Kuro. I never thought I'd see the day you're actually late to meeting up with me." Xander teased.
"I think all the late-night working has finally caught up with me." Kuro replied, rubbing his neck.
"Told ya to watch your health, dude." Xander said, facepalming with a sigh. "You got a proper lunch?" he followed up with.
"Of course I do, why wouldn't I?" Kuro responded, face as neutral as always.
"I really do wonder why." Xander replied with a sacarstic look. "Anyways, besides that we should probably start walking before we end up late."
"We won't be. However, I suppose your right." Kuro added.
The two then casually walked towards their work building as they chatted, before they were interrupted by a sudden horde of people.
"Was there some sort of event here?" Xander asked.
"No, not as far as I'm concerned anyways." Kuro replied shrugging.
The large amount of people was blocking their path, so Xander went fowards nearing one.
"Huh, what's happening?" Xander asked.
"The Lily Princess is here! She'll be coming out of that restaurant any time now." The guy replied.
"The Lily Princess stuff again?" Kuro said, a bit annoyed.
"Dude! She's here! We have to see her!" Xander said, his face practically screaming excited.
"Work?" Kuro asked, clearly not interested in the idea.
"Dude, we're always about thirty minutes early. What's wrong with being twenty— or ten—minutes early for once." Xander reasoned.
Kuro sighed before nodding, he had simply just resigned from arguing it further.
"She's coming out!" A woman shrieked excitedly.
Xander grabbed Kuro and pushed through a bit of the crowd to get a better view. Obviously most of the people shouted "Hey!" or "Watch it!" as they made it ahead.
"You know you didn't have to bring me in the front." Kuro muttered.
"Shhh! She's coming out!" Xander hissed.
Just in that instant two buff and well-built guards opened the door allowing the Lily Princess to walk out. Her heels could be seen in view, they clicked softly against the pavement as she walked. As she fully came out her appearance was in full sight, the railings keeping all fans from being able to touch her suddenly.
She was wearing a light, high neck sweater, the sleeves long and the sweater form-fitting, under that was a long white asymmetrical skirt. Her hair a pastel light blue in color and styled in a high ponytail at the back of her head, with some strands of hair elegantly framing her face. Her skin was fair, practically glowing under the sun's gaze. Adorning her ears were small elegantly designed white lily earrings that swayed gently as she moved.
Her face breath-taking, her eyes a nice grey framed by her black glasses that rested on her face. As she walked further outside, in a straight line a black limousine drove up near the curb. The crowd roared with screams and support along with paparazzies taking photos, the guards walking down with her.
"Haruka!" Xander shouted, as she kept walking towards the limousine.
The moment she heard her name her attention was brought right upon Xander and Kuro who was right next to him. Everyone knew her name; after all it's not hard to find out an actor's name now is it. However, most people wouldn't use her real name especially not her real first name.
Kuro was also surprisingly shocked as well—what idiot shouts out a celebrities name like that. However, that name did somewhat ring bells in Kuro's head stirring old memories he couldn't quite remember.
She looked at Xander and Xander looked back at her, a strange interaction. A few of the fans stopped their shouting and noticed the situation. Haruka Kana knowing she had to be professional gave a warm smile to their direction before continuing to the limousine.
"Did you see that? She smiled at me!" A man behind them exclaimed.
"No, it was clearly me!" Another shot back.
As she entered the limousine and the guards closed her door, before entering themselves. The limousine then started to pull away as the crowd continued to be the supportive fans they are.
"She just smiled at us didn't she..." Xander muttered.
"Yup, thanks to some idiot's loud mouth mistake." Kuro said, dragging Xander through the crowd so they could finally go back to walking to work.
"She remembers us!" Xander exclaimed, as they kept walking.
"What's it matter? Wanna date her or something?" Kuro asked, one of his brows raised slightly.
"Huh? Not at all. Even if I did I'd have zero shot with her." Xander admitted.
"Wow, that's a surprise. Giving up on a girl, Xan my boy?" Kuro replied, teasingly.
"I wasn't ever trying to win her heart to begin with, I'm just a big fan of hers and since we were childhood friends... I just wanted to reconnect." Xander said, his voice trailing slightly.
"Haruka Kana right?" Kuro asked, trying to confirm. "I'm starting to remember her now, after you said her name."
"Yup, the shy innocent girl who used to follow us everywhere... until she had to move." Xander confirmed.
"Oh! Yea, I definitely remember her now! She used to cling on to my arms whenever we went anywhere scary right." Kuro said.
"Yea, now your remembering things, dude." Xander grinned. "Hopefully one day us three can finally hang out all together like the—good old days." He continued, nostalgic.
Just then, someone who had been approaching them from behind suddenly spoke breaking their conversation.
"Hey guys, nice day, isn't it senpais?" Kumari chimed in, surprising the both of them.
Kuro didn't flinch in the slightest but Xander very much did.
"Oh—it's just you Kumari-san." Xander said, relaxing himself.
"Hey, Kumari. Yea I quite agree." Kuro added, clearly unfazed.
"Did I scare you guys? If so my bad." Kumari said, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly.
"N-No, not at all." Xander replied quickly. "We were just thinking how good it would be if us childhood friends were to have a good meet-up like the good-ole days. Of course that include you, your practically a part of the crew even if you aren't a childhood friend."
"O-Oh really?" Kumari said, visibly flattered a bit.
"Of course, your practically like a daughter to me—not to sound weird or anything." Kuro said, with a smile.
"Hehe, I know what you mean Kuro-senpai don't worry. I'm glad to know you two feel that comfortable around me though." Kumari responded warmly.
"We made it... and we're sixteen minutes early." Xander said checking his phone. "What do you guys wanna do?"
"Oh! Let's check out that new drink bar part on the fourth floor!" Kumari suggested excitedly.
"I don't mind, whatever is fine with me—as long as it isn't dumb." Kuro added casually.
"Great, to the fourth floor we are going!" Xander declared, as they entered the building to head towards the elevator.
As time fluttered by it had now been time for them to start their shift. Kuro and Xander were now at their cubicles working on the game project.
"Hey Kuro, did you already model all rough drafts of the enemy sketches?" Xander asked over.
"Yup, in the shared folder." Kuro replied.
Xander clicked through the folder, eyes widening and a smirk forming.
"Woah—you even fully fleshed them out, these look a lot better than the sketches. I thought we'd might have to overhaul the designs entirely. Guess that's why your our companies secret weapon aren't you." Xander joked.
"I just like the craft, what can I say." Kuro responded with a smirk, focused on his work.
"When's the open beta test date again?" Xander asked, swiveling in his chair slightly.
"Next month on the fifteenth." Kuro replied, focused on writing some code.
"Gotcha." Xander said, focusing on his own work.
Xander wasn't as skilled as Kuro was, but he wasn't average either. He in his own right was incredible. Kuro by far however, was an efficient and good worker though that comes with a slight lack of his own well being. These two were nothing more than perfection when given a task, like bread and butter.
After all was set and done, another day of work had come to an end.
"You staying tonight again dude?" Xander asked, slinging his briefcase over his shoulder.
"Yup." Kuro replied. "Last time for this project anyways."
"Alright, fine—just watch yourself ok?" Xander said, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"Alright, alright. You got it." Kuro smiled faintly, his face showing genuine gratitude.
Kumari then came up to the two, titling her head to side slightly. "Ready to leave guys? Oh, is Kuro staying here again?"
"Yup." Xander replied shrugging. "Shall we head out?"
"O-Oh, ok... have fun Kuro-senpai." Kumari said, giving a small wave.
"Bye, guys." Kuro replied, waving his hand as the two exited.
It was already started getting dark outside, yet at times like these, it was best to keep working. So Kuro kept working, a bit too much so. While he had enough food and drinks to keep him sustained he had already reached two o clock am. The building in pure silence, the only light being his desk light.
Kuro yawned.
"Hm? What time is it? Two already?" Kuro muttered groggily, before stretching in his chair.
"I should probably pack up huh? Man guess even coffee can't keep me up, I'm getting real sleepy." Kuro thought.
However, Kuro's body simply rejected his wishes to pack up. For his eyes were already fluttering to sleep. Suddenly something flickered across his vision rousing his eyes slightly open. It had sound, it sounded like static, and in his vision lied glitching as if it was right in front of him. Clearly though it wasn't, it was just in his vision.
"H-Huh? W-What?" Kuro muttered to himself as he stirred up, reaching for his face.
He blinked, rubbed at them, even sat up straighter—but the glitching didn't fade away from his sight. His vision was slowly obscured by the sight of glitching squares and in mere moments the very sight that saw his desk, his computer, and all his other things on his desk was gone, replaced with the sight of glitching. He hadn't had anytime to do anything more or think any further.
-----------------
"
"Huh... Where am I?" Kuro thought as his consciences drifted through a realm completely green, filled with binary code.
"
"Did I just die?" He continued to ponder in his formless mind.
"
"What's that robotic noise? Just let me enjoy the silence a little longer."
"
"
"Am I moving somewhere? I can't feel my body, yet I feel like I'm moving somewhere."
"Transport in 3..."
"2..."
"1..."
"Complete."
-----------------
Suddenly a rumble occurred, disrupting their chat. It felt as if the entire forest shook and the very earth.
"W-What was that?" Alena said, visibly shaken.
"I'll check it out." Aedis said, standing up from his seat.
"I'll come along." Zyro added.
"If you two are going, I might as well." Alena said.
"Same here." Kuro said without hesitation.
Cecelia sighed. "We're all going! Me and Father will stay here for a short while to get some extra items just in case this turns into something serious, you guys go on ahead."
As the four rushed outside, just in time to see a streak of blue light descend into the depths of the forest. After a few short seconds the light disappeared, returning the sky to it's clear state.
"Shall we go?" Aedis said, turning to face the three.
"Yup." Shiro, Kuro, & Alena replied simultaneously.
So they started their walk towards the strange beam of light from the sky.
Meanwhile, as Kuro gained consciousness he realized he was standing—alone—but straight in the middle of a forest.
"H-Huh? Where am I now? First that strange digital place, and now a forest?" Kuro muttered.
Suddenly a green panel appeared in front of him.
"
"...The what now?" Kuro said, confused.
"
"
Now on the green panel lied a progress bar that appeared beneath the warning text and a timer ticking down second by second starting at ten minutes.
"Waitt—what? Is this thing going to delete me?! I just got here, what is going on?!" Kuro said, surprised yet still calm.
"Gotta think, I'm in another world right? T-There's got to be some sort of system right? How do I bring it up, though... Uh, system?" Kuro said.
At that moment a blue panel opened to the side of the green one. It displayed detailed info about the user, complete with a scroll bar.
"Name: Caelis Vaelmir"
"Age: 23"
"Species: Elf"
"Type: Anomaly"
"Abilities:
"Who's Caelis?" Kuro said before looking at his body. "Holy shit, now that's just great..." He added sarcastically.
"This is information is useless... it doesn't even tell me my abilities." Caelis muttered, facepalming.
Eight minutes and fifty-nine seconds remained left, on the clock as it continued to tick down.
"Times running out and I'm about to die. Would this be the second time?" He thought before snapping back to reality. "Ugh what's it matter right now—anything, absolutely anything... Isn't there some way I can mess with this thing?" Caelis said, calmly yet quickly tapping the green panel in quick succession.
"If only I could actually manipulate the code this damn thing, if that even could affect it." Caelis grumbled.
At that moment a bright blinding flash of light appeared, engulfing the area slightly.
"Augh!" Caelis said, closing his eyes.
As the light fades, what came after the bright light was a black panel, completely empty.
"What now? This is the most chaotic thing that has ever happened to me!" Caelis groaned.
"Huh? It's empty? Can I do something with this?" He thought.
Seven minutes and thirty-eight seconds remained left, on the clock as it continued to tick down.
"Can I even do anything on this?" Caelis thought, before cautiously tapping on it.
A black theme digital keyboard appeared, underneath the black panel.
"Is that a keyboard? Wait... don't tell me—is this a terminal window?!" Caelis said, in surprise.
It was indeed a terminal window, so Caelis tested it out and typed out a line of C code.
"#include
int main(){
printf("Hello, World!");
}"
After that was inputted, a tab appeared on the black panel named output and console. When Caelis pressed on output, the text: "Hello, World!" was written right there with a button saying "confirm?".
"Well, bless me by the heavens. I can code, even in this world. However, what is this thing's programming language? C? C#? C++? Python? JavaScript, or anything else for that matter." Caelis thought.
Just then the blue panel with his information let out a ping letting him know it had updated.
"Huh?" Caelis said, in confusion.
"Abilities: Programmer's Terminal & Universal Translation."
Five minutes and forty-six seconds remained left, on the clock leaving the situation more dire.
"Shoot—System tell show me what my abilities do!" Caelis said.
The blue panel then switched to show the description of the abilities.
"Ability: Programmer's Terminal
Origins: Anomaly ability, does not naturally exist in this world. Description: A console for a skilled person of great programming prowess or someone who's decently learned."
"Ability: Universal Translation
Origins: Natural ability, commonly granted to the individuals who have reincarnated or have been summoned to this world.
Description: Automatically converts the user's speech, writing, and all other forms of communication to that of the native language(s) of the current world."
"Does that mean I can use my code without any problem? If so I better hurry I only have five minutes and two seconds." Caelis said.
So he got into action, and started typing away. So he started with #include
Code[1] (<- Press to see the code he inserted, if you'd like.)
"> Compiling...
> Source detected: Language = C
> Initializing interpreter...
> ERROR: Line 27: expected ';' before 'if'
> >> Compilation halted. Syntax error detected.
> >> Help: Did you forget a semicolon at the end of the statement?
> >> Suggestion: Insert ';' at Line 26.
> > autoDeleteSafeguard = true ^
> Execution failed. Please correct the error and reconfirm."
Forty seconds remaining on the clock, clearly not a good sign.
"Wait... I made a mistake? A semicolon, at a time like this?!" Caelis muttered, slightly frustrated before going back to the terminal tab and fixing his mistake.
However, the moment he recompiled the program the console opened back again but with a different message.
"> Compiling...
> Compilation successful: 0 fatal errors, 1 warning.
> WARNING: Line 16: assignment used in conditional expression.
> >> Warning: 'if (anomalyFound = false)' assigns, not compares.
> >> Suggestion: Use '==' to compare values.
> Running program...
>> Attempting to override anomaly deletion sequence...
>> Deletion sequence deactivated.
>> Error: Anomaly detection logic flawed!
>> Safeguard enabled: Self-deletion prevention activated."
"Another one?! It skipped my conditional due to it being a = instead of ==. Caelis then sighed. "Get it together, you got practically no time, and your doing beginner mistakes."
Twenty seconds remained.
After one last tweak he was finally done, only ten seconds were left however. This was the moment of truth he either did it right or made one more error and would be eliminated, so he ran the code.
The console didn't pop up this time, however the timer continued. Nine... eight... seven... six... before it suddenly stopped at five on then did the console appeared again.
"> Compiling...
> Compilation successful: 0 warnings, 0 errors.
> Running program...
>> Attempting to override anomaly deletion sequence...
>> Deletion sequence deactivated.
>> No anomaly found. Skipping deletion.
>> Safeguard enabled: Self-deletion prevention activated.
>> Emergency override complete."
The output tab, now having a glowing green dot on it. Most likely signifying that the code was run successfully. The timer and progress bar then disappeared completely from the green panel leaving it blank.
"YEA! Thank god... holy shit, that was stressful..." Caelis exclaimed.
Just then a voice echoed as if from nowhere yet everywhere.
"...How? This is strange... Did you just stop your annihaltion?" It said.
"Who is that?!" Caelis asked, clearly cautious.
"I'm in front of you, I am the young—or rather the younger—system either name works." The green panel said.
The green panel then started pulsing as it shifted and morphed into a floating digital orb, glowing with a green light with an audio visualizer on it.
"...I would say I'm dreaming." Caedis said closing his eyes. "However, this is far to surreal to be one. So why'd you try to kill me the moment I appeared."
"You are an anomaly, something that's not supposed to exist and as such should be eliminated on the spot." The system said.
"Do you do this to every darn person that comes from another world or am I the first?" Caedis asked.
"You are from another world? Do you perhaps mean earth or another planet?" The system asked, it's voice laced what slight confusion.
"Earth, of course." Caedis replied.
"Your a human from earth?! Truly an anomaly indeed, humans have only ever been reincarnated or summoned into this world, but never the way you were brought here." The system continued.
"I guess this would be considered transmigration? So never by transmigration, that's strange..." Caedis mused. "Wait does that mean other people from Earth are here?!"
"Indeed, and as we speak I will continue my attempt to end your existence." The system continued.
"...Very honest aren't you?" Caedis replied, shaking his head.
"Whatever you have done, has physically rendered me unable to destroy you." The system asked, almost as if scared. "What have you done to me, otherworlder?"
"I stopped your termination process, all you need to know." Caedis answered.
The system merely let out a synthetic sigh before speaking once again. "I understand, I will be here if you need anything as I try to understand this curse you have placed upon me."
"Oh. Uh... okay." Caedis replied, somewhat baffled.
Now Caedis was alone in the middle of the forest with no whereabout about what to do next. In the meanwhile, elsewhere a conversation was occurring in the castle of the dark lord.
"You felt that did you not, Vert?" A red-haired man said, sitting on a fancy couch.
"Of course I did, I never thought an anomaly would have broken through the Anti-Anomaly Equation." A green-haired elderly man answered, adjusting his robe slightly.
"Should I inform the lord of this... unique one?" A white-haired mistress asked, playing with her hair elegantly as she leaned against a pillar.
"Do as you please Blanc." The red-haired man replied. "There's no need to ask us."
"My, my, your no fun as always, boys." Blanc purred, before leaving the room.
Vert's eyes glowed as he looked in the direction of the Illusionary Forest. "I look forwards to seeing this one, I have many questions. A key has just fallen in the prisoners hands, wouldn't you say Rouge?"
"Indeed." Rouge said nodding his head. "However, they're in that despicable forest which even us Primordial Demons—find it's depth elusive."
"True, however time is a luxury which he can afford currently. This indeed looks like the perfect spark for preparation for war does it not?" Vert added, with a smirk.
Rouge chuckled darkly. "Yup, all we'd just have to do is break Noir from her seal, convince Bleu to join us, get that stubborn Jaune to join us, find that ever-elusive Violet, and somehow manage to bring Gris onto our side."
"Truly things for the future, lets leave it at that shall we. All in due time we shall thrive." Vert ended with, heading towards the door of the room.
Rouge stood up and followed. "You got that right, all in due time."
Then the door shut.
[1] #include
#include
bool anomalyFound = true;
bool deletionInProgress = true;
int countdown = 300; // 5 minutes in seconds
void stopDeletionSequence() {
deletionInProgress = false;
printf(">> Deletion sequence deactivated.\n");
}
void patchAntiAnomaly() {
if (anomalyFound = false) {
printf(">> No anomaly found. Skipping deletion.\n");
} else {
printf(">> Error: Anomaly detection logic flawed!\n");
}
bool autoDeleteSafeguard = true
if (autoDeleteSafeguard) {
printf(">> Safeguard enabled: Self-deletion prevention activated.\n");
}
}
int main() {
printf(">> Attempting to override anomaly deletion sequence...\n");
stopDeletionSequence();
patchAntiAnomaly();
printf(">> Emergency override complete.\n");
retu