Three figures stood in a pristine white room.
The first was an older man with a muscular build, clad in a dark blue military uniform. He had thick white eyebrows, piercing brown eyes, and a thick mustache. A scar ran from his left cheek to his ear—evidence of a bullet that had missed him by pure luck. A cigar hung loosely from his mouth. This was General Geralt, the Leader of the Human Federation.
To his left stood a woman in her twenties with pale skin, a curvaceous figure, and black hair. She wore glasses over her silver eyes and a white lab coat over a black floral shirt and trousers. This was Elena, Humanity's "Second Genius," General Geralt's daughter, and the Vice Head of the Aether Research Facility.
To his right stood a muscular black man in his thirties with a high-fade haircut and a black military field uniform. The latest model R019-Aether Gun rested on his hip. The most striking feature about him was his shining blue eyes—a side effect, most said, of the Aether. This was Derrick, the Leader of Humanity's Army Forces and Geralt's disciple.
The old man checked the time on his wrist and raised an eyebrow.
"It has been three hours since Mr. Malkov entered the Vault," Geralt grumbled."Whatever beings or things are in 'It,' I just hope 'they' are on our side."
As the old man finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room grew tense.
"They probably are. Otherwise, why would they contact us after a hundred years?" Elena said, adjusting her glasses confidently, though she couldn't hide the bead of sweat trickling down her forehead. "They need something that only we can provide, General Geralt. That is my conclusion after everything that has happened since this object landed on Earth."
Elena was afraid. She was afraid of the unknown.
Since the beginning of life, it has been the most primal fear of humanity. Do we fear darkness? Do we fear surgery? Do we fear venturing into the wilds? No. We fear what roams in the darkness; we fear the uncertainty of a failed surgery; we fear the unseen dangers lurking in the forest. If we knew the darkness was empty, or the surgeon's success rate was perfect, we were Certain we can Survive in The Forest, Dangers still remain but the fear dies.
In the 2100s was the time where human thought They know Alot when in reality they Knew nothing, humanity had progressed enough to prepare its first colony on Mars. But during the preparations, scientists detected a meteor heading toward Earth. The energy readings were off the charts, and it was moving impossibly fast. Calculations suggested it was large enough to destroy half a continent.
A mission was formed by the top space agencies to cut the meteor in half before it reached Earth. But when they intercepted it, they found it wasn't a meteor at all. It was a cube, small enough to be held in a hand. It fell into Antarctica. upon impact, it shot out a shockwave of energy that traveled the globe,short-circuiting all existing technology.
This led to the "Dark Apocalypse," one of the darkest ages of humanity. As if the destruction wasn't enough, the object in Antarctica began emitting a strange energy that mutated animals, plants, and aquatic life. The most horrifying mutations were the insects—abominations that became humanity's greatest horror.
Yet, humanity's will to survive prevailed. They formed 12 Stronghold Cities. When they were ready, they created new technologies using the very energy that had caused their destruction. Once strong enough, they ventured out to find the source of the chaos. A team of forty of humanity's strongest talents went to Antarctica; only three returned. Geralt was one of them.
When the Cube was brought back, they realized it wasn't a solid block. It was shaped like a cage in the form of a book, crafted from an unknown metal. The front was filled with intricate runes symbolizing Earth, Moon, Space, Sun, Blood, Night, Day, Sea, and Storm, all surrounding a horned skull. In its center was a vortex, similar to the concept of Yin and Yang, with light and dark rotating in an eternal cycle.
The Cage was secured in the top-security vault of the Human Federation's research facility in the city of Lumenor. Now, after 98 years, it had started emitting energy again. This led to the current predicament: Aaron Malkov, the top researcher and First Genius of Humanity, had entered the 5-dimensional caveat as a representative of the Federation.
===============
"Sir, he is out..."
Derrick's voice broke the silence as the Vault's doors began to open. It was a ten-step locking mechanism, so the process was slow and heavy.
A young man stepped out. He had white hair, silver eyes, and a thin but chiseled body, dressed in a white tunic and leather sandals.
As Derrick took in the man's appearance, he instinctively raised his gun and took a step back.
"Who are you... and what did you do to Aaron?" Derrick demanded.
"Aaron..."Elena muttered, shock and Worry evident on her face.
Geralt raised his left eyebrow.
"Yo, chill, it's me," Aaron said eccentrically, raising his arms. "It seems you all don't like my new look."
Geralt took a step toward Aaron. "What was the first interaction between us when I requested you join the Human Federation?"
"Really? Okay..." Aaron raised his arm, flashed a cheeky smile, and extended his middle finger. "Fuck off!"
General Geralt smiled. "It is you! What happened to you in just three hours? And what are these changes?" He stepped closer, scanning Aaron with a questioning gaze.
"Three hours? I thought I was in there for months."
"Let's go. Tell me everything," Geralt instructed. "Elena, summon the leaders to the Conference Room."
"Yes... fa...Sir." Elena gave a side glance to Aaron, who winked at her in response. A small smile curled on her lips. Idiot.
________________
They call Themselves Gods of Nexus pantheon.," Aaron explained to the assembled leaders. "And I've become… an avatar, I guess. That explains the changes." He shrugged,
as if turning silver-eyed and white-haired were perfectly ordinary.
"Hold on a minute! Don't half assed it Tell me Everything From Beginning.Kid!" Geralt said sternly.
=================
6hrs later,
"A 'Game,' you say? And you have become an Avatar? It is a lot to take in, but if humanity gains the strength to retaliate against those abominations..." Geralt rubbed his temples as he addressed the 12 City Leaders seated on both sides of the long conference table. Elena and Derrick stood to Geralt's left and right at the head of the table, while Aaron sat at the opposite end.
An old man with shoulder-length white hair and dark eyes stood up. "Their proposition seems to be in our favor, but I think there is a lot they are not telling us. What if they have hidden motives?"
"It is possible," a fat man with a thick mustache and a half-bald head argued, standing up. "But we don't have time. Monster movements have increased in the surroundings, and they are becoming smarter. We need strength to retaliate. 'They' need us as we need them. Why would they put us in danger if they said they can't live long without followers?"
The two leaders eyed each other scornfully before sitting down.
"I hear you," Geralt said. He turned his gaze to the end of the table. "Aaron, will you be able to make it? What they have proposed?"
All heads turned toward Aaron.
"Ofcourse," Aaron said cheerfully, as if he knew they would agree. "They created everything we need to make the Game while I was in there. We just need to make it public in a way that doesn't raise suspicion, so everybody has a chance to participate."
"Okay. Then it is settled. We will start the implementation immediately. Meeting
adjourned."
After a little discussion and chattering, the leaders walked out, leaving only Geralt, Elena,
Derrick, and Aaron.
"A lot is going to change..." Elena muttered. She looked toward Aaron and thought, Just
like him... Without realizing it her eyes Checked His body and her teeth bit her
lower lip, when she realised what she was thinking she start Blushing.
"Sir... there is something I need to talk to you about," Aaron said.
"What is it?"
Aaron didn't speak immediately, glancing at the others. Geralt understood. "You two, go ahead. I need to discuss something with Aaron alone."
"Yes,Sir," Derrick answered, walking toward the door.
Elena exchanged glances between the two men before walking out. She couldn't help but feel tension rising due to Aaron's sudden request.
Once they were alone, Geralt raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"There is a message which I can't seem to understand. I asked 'Them' what it means, but they said only you will understand," Aaron said, looking perplexed. He couldn't help but wonder why the beings would tell this to the old man.
"Is that so...What was it?"
"They said to tell you That They both are alive."
As the words left Aaron's mouth, Geralt stiffened. He quickly tried to compose himself, but Aaron noticed the reaction due to his abnormal Sense , Geralt's heartbeat sped up, sweat drops formed on his forehead, and his breathing grew heavy.
"Oh... and what would that mean?" Geralt asked, trying to maintain eye contact.
He doesn't want me to know, Aaron thought. It's the first time I've seen the Champion of Humanity shaken so much. Well, if he doesn't want me to know, so be it.
"Well,whatever. That's all. I don't care what it means. I will find out myself when the time comes," Aaron said with a shrug." I will be going." He smiled and walked out.
Geralt stood up and punched the table in anger. "What do you mean 'alive'? It can't be. They died in front of me!...
They think this is funny?....
Hah....It is impossible."
After calming himself, he thought... 'Well, God Seems eccentric in most scenarios. They too must be pulling my leg.'
Then, as if remembering something specific, he whispered, "Walker..."___I am Sorry kid.
A look of profound sadness and regret filled his eyes. Then his gaze turned to anger 'and That Bastard' .
Shrugging he composed himself and walked out of the conference room.
============°^°==============