Welcome to Gaia! ::

Chapter One: A New Game

A pop can flew across the room into a bin. Sigil Odin was going to enjoy his summer vacation even if it killed him. He had spent the last few weeks inside because of the seemingly never-ending storm. He sat and watched his television as the commercials continued to roll by.

“There’s never anything on this damn thing.” Sigil announced to no one as he tossed a crumpled empty bag of chips into the garbage can in the kitchen. Just as he heard it swish, a commercial came on that he didn’t recognize.

“Are you tired of those rainy days during the summer months? Want to actually get out and do something with your life? Well do we have something for you! Allow me to introduce Live and Learn, the new virtual reality game for all ages! This game puts you in a visual representation of what is Earth! You can do anything! Be a scholar, fight the local area leaders to learn new techniques; anything you want! Just come down to the main plaza in your local town today to start playing.

“And remember folks, you can’t live without play, and you can’t learn without life, so come play this revolutionary game! It will change the world!”

Sigil stared in amazement at the television. He had never seen anything like it in his lifetime. He was, for the first time in weeks, excited.

“I have to call Herran and get down there! Right now!”

Sigil picked up his hat and wallet and dialed Herran’s number on his cell phone as he walked out of his room. Running down the stairs, he finally answered.

“Hey Sigil, whatcha need?” Herran said quietly.

“Herran, have you seen the new Live and Learn commercial? We should totally give it a shot! Come on I’m outside your door now.”

Sigil began to pound on the door with his foot, laughing. A girl screamed in shock as his foot connected with the door. Sigil seemed confused, as the girl finally stopped screaming. Herran came to the door and opened it slightly.

“Uh, hey man…I’d like to come with you and everything, but I’m a little busy. Can I just meet you up there in an hour or two? I already have an account made there and I was going to call you and tell you to come too. It’s a lot of fun man, too much fun.”

Herran said all this very quickly; something seemed very off in the way he spoke.

“Oh, alright man. I’ll just see you down there later then. Tell la chica that I’m sorry if I scared her. See you!”

Sigil did a backflip off the front steps and continued to run towards the huge new building in the main plaza. He was totally excited to actually make something out of one his summer days before college.

High school was always easy for him. Schooling, athletics, theatre; everything just seemed to be too easy for him. It was all fun and games, and he was hoping this game would be able to handle his abilities.

He quickly made an account and was lead to the transfer chamber. The receptionist there looked at him fondly and smiled.

“Well, well, well, aren’t we the cute one. The transfer system is prepared to take you into Live and Learn. You are restricted to only the Milky Way Galaxy, as the rest of the galaxies have not yet been completely configured.”

Sigil laughed, “Lady, I don’t know a damn word you just said, but if you can get me in this game on Earth, I’d very much appreciate it.”

She smiled in return. “Please step on the platform and begin the customization process.”

He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and hopped on the platform. Suddenly, he felt as though he was just knocked off his feet. His eyes felt sewed shut as he tried to stand straight. Then as suddenly as these sensations came, it vanished. He stood and saw a figure standing before him.

“You’re not like the others…you have much more power inside you than any of your predecessors . The tight build, the fire in your eyes. Yes, I’m sure of it now.”

Sigil took a defensive stance. “Sure of what? Who are you?”

The figure stood up a little straighter. “I’m the Sun God, Helios, and you might want to lower those fists of yours. I’d hate to see the Ultimate Warrior of Earth die because of a beginner’s mistake.”

Sigil stood straight. “Ultimate Warrior? What are you talking about? Am I in the game now?”

Helios laughed. Hard. It echoed throughout the void where they stood. “Is that what they call it? Interesting. I should confirm my results before making any decisions. Do most things in life come easy to you boy? Such as, oh I don’t know, soccer? Fighting? Things of that nature. Any type of competition. I bet they do. Such activities are mostly unexplained, told that they’re just “natural talent.” It’s anything but. It is, first and foremost, a sign of power in this world.”

“Whoa, slow down there fire guy. What does all this mean?” Sigil asked.

“It means you are stronger than all of the other people on this planet. You were born into a line of defenders. It’s going to be your job to defend your planet and it’s inhabitants. Such is the Code of the Ultimate Warrior. In order to make you understand your true potential, I give you this.”

Helios waved his arm and a sheath appeared out of thin air! He handed it to Sigil and pulled out the blade. The hilt was made of what seemed to be solid gold, with rubies embedded right before the blade. The blade was pure silver it seemed, razor sharp and keen. With all of this, however, the blade seemed to be almost weightless in his hands.

“If you can even lift that blade, then it must be true. You are the Earth’s Ultimate Warrior. I’ll come back to you in time to teach you more of what this all means, my boy, but for now I must take my leave of you.”

Helios produced a bright orange-red aura as he turned around. “I know you must have many questions, but for now, proceed with life as per usual. I will be back to you when the time is right. For now, the Sun Blade can help you unlock your hidden potential. Time will have all the answers, but for now, live and learn my child. Farewell.”

Then, Helios disappeared. Sigil was standing in what seemed to be an olden town, something he would’ve seen in his history books.

Sigil unsheathed his blade again to stare at it’s beauty, and sheathed it once more. He was now in the game and everyone looked almost alike; same armor, same weapons. Only their faces differed. Except for him. He was the only one carrying this decorative blade.

I can’t believe this. Sigil thought to himself. What if what that guy…Helios…what if what he was saying is true? I’ll need to talk to Herran about this. Maybe it’s just part of the game.

Sigil found something on his wrist. When he pressed it, a list of commands appeared. He saw “Log Out” and pressed it. Next thing he knew, he was standing on the platform, and the receptionist was smiling at him again.

“Did you have a good time…Sir Ultimate Warrior?”

'Tis interesting. Keep up the good work =)