The sea reflected the sun's setting rays painting an aesthetic view on Vineshade town. The town was a small one but with a rich local. The aesthetic view , the sunny days almost all year with a moderate temperature made it the perfect tropical place and the rich people of Ankaret made sure to invest in the town. You were not truly rich if you did not have property in Vineshade.
Then there was the tourists. Vineshade always at least a couple dozen tourists even in low tourist seasons. Due to the demand there was a multitude of hotels on the beach. Then there was the poor locals , those who got hired as maids, butlers to the rich , hotel staffs for the tourists or were busy fishing or conning unsuspecting tourists.
Now one could now picture Vineshade well. The streets were clean , the road always taken care off , the gardens and beaches beautiful and clean. It seemed like a tropical paradise. Everything about it just screamed beautiful but nothing is ever truly what it seems. Vineshade also had the poor that were cramped up in slums and dilapidated houses. These were the riches' gardeners , their plumbers , their barely noticeable but valuable people. They weren't paid enough and now the rich were about to take their homes. Tensions rose but the rich never truly cared.
On the Tarmac road towards the beach , a lone person walked downhill. He wore a lavish school uniform with an insignia of 'Vineshade elite' . As the name suggested, his school was truly for the elite.
He was of average height, a bit skinny when wearing clothes but beneath it was lean muscles forged by his late Veteran Grandfather.
His steps were slow , defying a bit of gravity while walking downhill. A normal person would be tired and sore after walking especially slow downhill at a bit of steep angle but not him he was used to it and the view was especially beautiful. To his left he could see the beautiful see stretching as far as his eye could see. A giant lighthouse blocked part of his view but in a way it added to its charm.
The lighthouse, that was his destination. That was his home for the past half a decade, living with his late demented grandfather. This lighthouse was privately owned under his grandfather who had bequeath it to him. Normally it would fall under a reasonable adult but since the court ruled despite his below legal age he was of sound mind and as certained by the schools and his father that he was responsible enough was allowed to keep it. Of course his ever absent father paid some hush hush money below so as for him to remain custodian of it. Anything but to publicly raise him.
The walk took him 1 hour while it would usually take him 20 mins. His slow walks as much as he wanted to absorb nature he also was partially fulfilling his half-sister's wish of acquiring photos of the beautiful scenery. Their similar aesthetics is why they bonded so well.
The wifi linked to his phone and he immediately sent all the photos and short videos to her. After that he switched off his phone , he wouldn't pick it up until 8 pm. For now he needed to shower , clean up , cook and finally settle down for some him time.
For the next hour and a half he did exactly that. Cleaned up , showered then cooked a light dish for himself. Finally he sat down by 7:00 pm facing the small samsung tv to watch Supernaturals. He was currently in Season 3 and he was hooked to say the least. He placed a pillow on his lap then put his bowl balancing it with one hand as the other hand reached for the remote. He switched it on and it automatically switched on to the cable where news was on.
He was about to switch it to Prime when he saw the headline.
[ Breaking News: The world in Shock as a devastating news was delivered to everyone's phones ]
His curiosity had risen which led him to increase the volume. A man and a woman sat in front of the camera their posture was professional and so was their manner of speech , they were the news anchors
" The message has sent worldwide panic to everyone. An elaborate prank or something else ?"
They continued speaking but it seemed they had uncovered the message which prompted the boy to check his phone begrudgingly.
Once his phone was on a stream of notifications flooded it.
Most of them were from Luna his half sister , some from his father which was rare in itself and another from Moe
He ignored the messages first and went straight to the unknown message. It was on his messenger. The number was unknown.
[ Denizens of Earth. Stand proud for your planet has met the qualifications to join the All Mother's embrace. The process will begin in 1 hour 27 mins 02 sec ]
The number slowly descended.
This was strange . Before he could recollect his thoughts the phone rang. It was Nek.
He picked it up .
" Yo Kals have you seen the news, crazy work that person. Whoever this hacker is props to being able to accomplish that level of awesomeness. Every mobile phone can you imagine ?" Nek excitedly chattered.
" I've seen the news Craig " Kal deadpanned.
" I doubt this was why you're calling me " Kal continued
" Geez you're no fun. I sent you a link to a game. You'll definitely love it especially since I tailor made it for you. Best of luck bro " Nek said before cutting the phone.
Kal was a bit annoyed by his extravagant friend. But he couldn't deny that all of Nek's indie games were just his cup of tea. He would check on it after looking at the other messages.
He went to Luna's chats . All of them were just her commenting on the photos and videos.
[ Oh and Dad wants you to come, he has been pushing it. But you know my mom. She really hates your guts. I will try talking to her to reason with her. She's going to Huwaii with her friends for like 2 weeks so you can come during that time then I come back with you ]
Kal smiled. Luna was the only person he could withstand in that godforsaken family. It helped both of them were 17 and most of the holidays since they were 12 they have been together. Still he would respond to that later on . He ignored his dad message and went straight to click on The Grand Quads group where he got Nek's link. There were messages following that showing he was the last person to click on it but he was never in a rush.
It directed him to a website.
[ Welcome Welcome It's your boy Nek with my final banger. To My Best Friends Kal , Ani , Voldie ]
Nek had many ' friends ' he was rich , handsome and popular of course he was going to have many friends but he had mentioned a lot to Kal how lonely he felt with them. His real friends were Kal and Jun who right now was back in Honshu. As for Ani she was a disabled girl staying on Valin. Ironically all for had met gaming and now they were inseparable. Jun, Kal and Nek went to the same school and there was even a point Jun and Nek were dating, it did not work out but that did not hinder their friendship.
As for Ani she was never really left out. Despite living 700 km away she got monthly visits from the group. Her mother loved and doted the three and when they came they slept for a few days before living. Nek always the kind one always made sure to leave generous gifts.
Kal scrolled down and slowly reading the contents of Nek's long message.
[ And now You get to make you own character ]
There was a mini Nek just waving his hands at an Icon.
Kal tapped it where the site jumped him to a character that looked like him.
' How did he ? Oh its Nek better not to ask ' He thought.
Race was already predetermined and so was age and Name. He just had to modify his class , allocate his attributes and choose a special power which he had to input. Kal made a guess the game utilized AI.