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LOCATION: VOSS TOWER
CITY: SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
DATE: OCTOBER 15, 2026 | TIME: 6:00 AM
Ancient myths tell us that gods walked among men. That they would communicate, commiserate, and fornicate with humanity as they pleased, then retire to Mount Olympus to watch the results of their actions unfold.
Grim wondered how far ahead this Trial would make him feel. 99.99% of humanity was still ignorant of the System. He already felt like a god among men. What would happen when he completed his Trial?
Aria was fond of reminding him that was 'god' with a lower case 'g' though. There was a difference, she said, especially for those of faith. Which, Grim had to admit, he was not.
At any rate, he had reached Level 50 weeks ago, but in the end he decided to wait for Vanessa (Rogue), Elise (Healer), and Ronan (Mage) to all reach the first threshold before he began the Level 50 Trial.
As a Warrior, he felt a responsibility to go first into the unknown and provide advice to everyone, but Ronan assured him that, as with Level 10, the Trials were unique to each person.
Each archetype: Warrior, Healer, Mage, and Rogue, would have their own flavor, but the details would be completely personal.
Knowing what Grim went through wouldn't help anyone else prepare, and so the four decided to meet at Voss Tower on October 15th and go through it at the same time.
It felt like a full-circle moment. It was September 25th, 13 months prior, that they all had entered the first Tutorial together.
They knew they wouldn't need medical monitoring this time. Mallory simply set up comfortable lounge chairs in a room where they wouldn't be disturbed.
She and Darian talked quietly with Vanessa, while Aria hugged and kissed Grim.
"Come back to me safely," Aria said.
Grim simply nodded, gripped her hand, and closed his eyes.
He brought up the System notification that had been pending for weeks.
---
System Message
Name: Graham Thorne
Race: Human – Augmented
Class: Interplanar General
Level: 50
Profession: Peacekeeper Force Co-Leader
Level: 48
Congratulations.
You have reached the first threshold.
Further progress is blocked until you complete your Level 50 Trial.
To commence your Level 50 Trial, you must meet the following requirements.
Attain Level 50 in your class: COMPLETE Primary stats must be at or above 100: COMPLETE Secondary stats must be at or above 85: COMPLETE Demonstrate leadership under fire: COMPLETE Demonstrate moral integrity beyond reproach: COMPLETE [REDACTED]: COMPLETE
You have met all requirements to proceed.
Your Level 50 Trial will test your limits in different ways. Your body and mind will move from scenario to scenario without warning.
Once a baseline is established for each area tested, you will be given a choice.
Good luck, Interplanar General.
Do you wish to proceed with your Level 50 Trial? [Y / N]
---
"Here we go…" Grim said aloud as he selected Yes.
The world around him shifted, and Grim found himself on the bench in his high school locker room. He looked around.
The room was empty and quiet. Unusual.
He glanced down, and found his lower half wrapped in a white cotton towel. That was when he noticed the lack of chest hair.
He chuckled. Stood up and opened his locker. Number 32. Same number he wore on his jersey in those days.
"Man," he muttered, "some things you just never forget."
He pulled the locker open and looked at himself in the magnetic mirror hanging inside the door.
Yup, he thought, still a kid.
That was when the notification came.
---
System Message
[The Path Not Taken]
Explore choices that shaped your life.
---
Graham grew up in the Birmingham suburb of Hoover in Alabama. Hoover High School's football program was well-known as a gateway to Division I colleges, and from there, one step into the NFL.
As captain and quarterback of his team, Graham had many options. Scouts came to every game. Even some of his practices.
But back in those days, Graham had his eyes set on only one thing: military service.
In this scenario, however, it appeared he was leaning the other way. The locker room shifted, and he was home eating dinner with his mother. The small kitchen table was dark, with only a single light illuminating the room.
"Your father's funeral is Saturday," she said. "Don't forget to let Coach Brock know."
Grim was shocked.
In his own life, his father had narrowly avoided this fate. Grim's father had finally given in to his mother's constant nagging to get a colonoscopy, where they detected and removed dozens of dangerous polyps.
In recovery after the procedure, the doctor told him that had they not been caught, he would have been dealing with a particularly aggressive form of colorectal cancer.
Grim's mother put a forkful of meatloaf in her mouth, and a tear streaked down her cheek.
"I just wish he would have listened to me…"
Suddenly, Grim's vision went dark. He felt a rush of air, and when he opened his eyes, he was in Coach Brock's office.
The door was closed, and the room stank of coffee and cigarettes.
He winced at the familiar surroundings. He always hated when Coach wanted to talk to him in private. Closing the door in that office with such poor ventilation was always…
"Personally, I think you should go with Georgia," Coach Brock said, interrupting Grim's thoughts.
Coach took a sip of his coffee.
"Although you can never go wrong if you go with 'Bama, obviously. Roll tide! Where are you leaning, son?"
"I… I'm not sure if I want to—"
Coach Brock set his coffee mug back down. A Georgia Bulldog graced the front of it, always a source of criticism from the Coach's colleagues.
"Not with the military bullshit again," Coach said. "Georgia and Alabama are both offering signing bonuses and full rides that would save your house. Your mother—"
"Wait," Grim said, "what about my house? What's going on?"
Coach looked at Grim and cocked his head to the side.
"You take a hit to the head during the game last night, son? Since your Dad passed last year, your Mom hasn't been able to keep up with the bills. You know this. You need that scholarship money to keep her and your brother safe."
Coach stood and walked around his desk, placing his hand on Grim's shoulder.
"It's not like you hate football. This is the start of a great career. Let the other guy die for his country."
"That's not how that phrase is—"
"I know, I know. I'm just saying, the money you could earn by playing football will save your family. Not to mention, I've never seen a quarterback with your instincts before."
Grim looked at the floor.
"Come on," Coach Brock said, "It's time to make your decision."
The scene shifted again.
Grim was in another locker room. He was dressed in… what do they call this? Honolulu Blue? He looked down at the helmet in his hand.
A gray lion was on either side of it.
The Detroit Lions… Not bad.
"Grim! It's time to shine!"
He stood and followed his teammates out onto the field. The fans at Ford Field cheered so loudly, he felt his ears pop.
It was the divisional round of the playoffs, and the Lions had earned a bye for the wild card round. Now they had to take on the Minnesota Vikings. Again.
Grim felt the excitement surge in his veins.
After the game, he went back to his locker. A picture of his mother hung inside, and his instinctively kissed his finger and pressed it to her forehead in the photo.
"This one was for you, Mom."
Grim showered up and hung with the team for a while. Then he took his Ferrari home.
His house in Northville was gorgeous. Modern, minimalist style. But when he got home, there was one thing he couldn't help but notice.
He was alone.
This big house was far too quiet.
"All the money in the world, and you're alone?" he muttered.
His phone rang. Three girls were on the other end, already pretty drunk.
"Are you ready for us?" they asked.
"Sorry, girls," Grim said. "I'm not feeling up to it today."
"What? You always want us over after a game. We canceled plans for you!"
"I don't know what to tell you."
"Well, fuck you, Graham! Don't ever call us again!"
"Whatever," Grim said, hanging up.
He looked around the quiet house and sighed.
A football career sounds fun, but I definitely made the right choice…
---
System Message
[The Path Not Taken]
Scenario complete.
You have ten minutes until the next scenario commences.
Countdown: 00:09:58
---
As the timer was just about to expire, Grim saw a van pull up outside. He stood and looked out the windows.
Four men dressed in black exited the vehicle. They were armed to the teeth, and they began stalking forward toward his house.
A football player wouldn't stand a chance against this.
"Yeah," he muttered, "I chose the right path, alright."
The men breached the front door and leveled their guns at Grim.
Four red dots appeared on the front of his shirt.
"This is for—"
Grim laughed loudly.
"You need infrared sights to hit me from four feet away? If you thought you had an easy target, you're wrong."
He saw the look of shock on their faces as he launched himself forward, crouching low. Shots rang out, but they went over his head.
His leg sweep connected with the first attacker, and a loud crack sounded out in the quiet house as the man's knee gave way to physics.
Just as the man screamed out in pain, Grim's world went dark again. He felt himself being pulled through space and time.