"So thats my story, son of a multibillionaire turned video game dev and CEO who essentially killed himself, at least thats almost all I remember about myself. I have been stuck in this state of limbo for so many years, for so so long."
"Please say begin"
"This god forsaken robotic voice, it's my only real connection anymore. I don't know who it is all I know is that it is controlling me. I say what it asks then I go black, I dont know where I go but I feel the years that have passed. Millions of years by now, longer than that if you count how long I defiantly sit here and ignore her attempts to get me to say-"
"Pleas say begin"
"Yeah, that. This is my reality, but I like to sit here and imagine my life before all of this. In that placed called Earth, I dream about who I was but I cant remember anything so I make it all up. I like to think I was a handsome guy with a thousand honeys I would share my free time with. What a life that must be."
"Please say begin"
"UGH. I am so tired of you. You don't speak to me and only manipulate me... into sleeping, I guess? What do you do with me when I'm gone anyways?"
"Please say begin"
"Okay cool. Anyways, I don't know why I'm talking like there is anybody listening. it would be awesome if there was, maybe then you could tell me what happens after I awaken"
"Please say begin"
"Yeah, how awesome that would be. Begin"
"Loading... Have fun master!"
As James or what's left of his mentality gives Genisis the command to start the game, his senses fall through from his prison in the menu and into the body of young man named Ashton Whey.
Something that the two have done countless times, James was now possessing a character in his game. Only he is unaware of that fact, he is unaware he is in the body of something he created, his memories blocked and all that's there is Ashtons memories. James in the body of his games character, also what he refers to as "sleep", as when he dies in the game he awakens in his purgatory at the menu screen, unaware of the fact he had lived a life inside of his game. A mechanism Genisis put into place so that her master could still retain his own identity.
While not having his memories, which would make each campaign significantly easier albeit boring, his possession does come with some perks.
"Ugh, my head. It feels like I got run over by a carriage"
Ashton Whey was the final villain in Tales of Aether, a monstruous gift for mana and a desire for his own crown, he created the most infamous ring of assassins in the world and carved a kingdom from the shadows of the unknowing.
Born as the youngest child and only son of Count Shaun Whey to the Harman Empire. Ashton is turning 16 today, and meeting his fiancé for the first time
"There will be too many guests today to feel like this first thing in the morning"
Stumbling over his headache and feet to his bathroom, grabbing his toothbrush Ashton looks at himself in the mirror, only it's not his reflection he sees but a panel of light reading 1s and 0s.
"Huh, so now I am hallucinating" Trying not to pay attention to the light infront of his face, he spits his toothpaste and gets dressed hoping it will go away on its own. Wishful thinking as it does not go away, but instead the 1s and 0s turn into letters and then into words.
The strange light before him reading
"Ashton Whey
Age: 16
Stamina: 24
Mana:3
???:???
???:???"
[This thing is trying to what? Grade my capability?]
Waving his hand through the light, it dissipates for a moment and then reappears, reading
"Skill unlocked: Aether system open and close!"
[The Aether system?] The systems announcement widens Ashtons eyes in disbelief, Aether is what bore mana into his reality, and everyone including non-mages are taught and believe Aether was the name of a god who fell on a star and created the world. Mana was a watered downed Aether, that humans were capable of using, and before Ashton was a mysterious light calling itself divine.
[Aether system... Aether] Unsure and untrusting of the light Ashton waves his hand through it again believing it is still a hallucination
"I should eat something" Hungry and thinking it will solve the problem with his eyesight Ashton strides through the hallways and stairwells in his family's estate, past the caring eyes and bows of servants, he finally reaches the dining room where his parents and two older sisters are already eating.
Pushing the doors that seem to span from floor to ceiling creaking as they open inwards, like an announcement of his arrival his four family members all turn and watch as he approaches his seat on the empty right side of the table. His mother, Emily and two sisters, Janet, and Charolet fit the side opposite from him with his father at the head of the table on his right.
Nobody saying anything yet, Ashton only waves over the maids to make his plate, then finally the Count "Son, happy birthday! Today is not just any day, for its the day you grow from boy to young man. I am proud of you son, forming 3 circles at your age is unheard of, as my successor your growth eases my heart and mind"
"Yes dear, happy birthday" Emily Whey smiling warmly at Ashton on top of his fathers praises do not move him, for all he can see is the numbers over everyone's head
[Dads mana is a question mark but he is a 6-circle mage, it says Mom has 5 mana, and my sisters both have 2, the maid has 0... and I have 3. So, each value of 1 represents how many cores a person has? Ha forget it]
"More ham, Marcella. Thank you, mother, father. I feel the same today as yesterday, being a man and whatever else I cant tell the difference which is why-"
"You will feel the difference after you've had your first wom-" Count Shauns interruption is interrupted via Emily Whey smacking him on the side of his head and glaring coldly at him
"Sorry, sorry. Continue son"
"As I was saying, I wish to leave and head to the south. I want to battle the monsters in the everglades with my uncle"
"Son!" Countess Emily in concern is about to shoot the idea down but falls silent as Count Shaun coughs over her
"Gaining experience, learning more about your magic and limits is never a bad thing. Let's talk more about this after your party"
"Alright.." Ashton displeased with the answer begins to eat from his plate, and Charlotte the oldest daughter begins a new conversation about a completely different topic
"Brother, Duke Raine is coming to your party this evening, as well as his daughter Isabell, I hope you haven't forgotten our families promise"
"I don't need your reminders, but my answer is still the same. I will not marry her unless she earns that privilege, we can stay engaged forever for all I care"
"Geez son, are you a woman? Playing all hard to get" Count Shauns outburst is again cut short from his wifes hand
"Brother, father does have a point. Isabell Raine is known as the most beautiful woman in the kingdom, sure she is a few years older than you but no doubt pure" Janet the middle child intercedes
"Beauty is naturally important when selecting and courting a partner, but it is by no means the deciding factor. She is beautiful and comes from a good family, two things a common man would be content with, but I am far from common sister"
"OH? My apologies my unique little brother, what is the deciding factor in marriage then?"
"I would love a cow, if it meant gaining power"
"HAHAHA. How can you say that? You really are unique" While Janet and Charlotte laugh it up at Ashton statements, the Count and Countness focus on his true meaning, that the Raine Dukedom is inferior to their county in his eyes
"Son, isnt the Duke powerful enough"
"He is surely powerful, but not personally. He isnt a 6-circle mage like you father or even a 5-circle like mother. He has more knights than us and the financial power to hire mages of that caliber, but above all he is scarily smart. He sees me, the greatest magic talent of our time and uses his daughter to seep his teeth into my territory, hoping I become reliant and lean on him"
Ashtons analysis of the situation seemed arrogant at the surface but made sense the more the four thought about it. Duke Raine was known as a political beast and winner by any means. Him wanting a person with the potential of an 8-circle in his palm, the family begins to understand the danger they made for themselves by thinking it was simply a good match for two kids.
"Attribute unlocked: Intelligence
Ashton Whey
Age: 16
Stamina: 24
Mana:3
Intelligence:92
???:???"