The first breath Auren took inside the game felt... Thin. It felt suffocating and most of all lacking.
Auren breathed again and he really couldn't feel the thick, Primis charged air of Caethiria, he couldn't feel the heady current that ran through every Therion vein. This place was bland, ordinary and suffocating in it's lack of depth.
[ Game AI: Welcome, player. Please do not panic. You are not trapped or injured. You are mortal. If the user faces disturbance within the game kindly contact support for assistance.]
The voice was cheerful, too cheerful. It sounded like a flimsy noble girl who collects fame as trophies.
Auren flexed his fingers and felt no surge of Primis answer his call. His bloodlines did not hum and his body felt heavy, clumsy and weak.
He looked around and found he was in just a blank polished space. He was sure that he finished creating his avatar and clicked continue. As though sensing his thoughts the game AI spoke again.
[ Dear player, please note that you are not the protagonist of this world. You may choose to assist the destined Hero or aid the emerging Villain. There is also the option of being a wanderer. Please select.]
Auren stared at the holographic interface in front of him and chose wanderer. After the selection, he was deeply intrigued.
"Interesting, I choose Wanderer." Auren spoke, looking at his hands. They were calloused but ordinary, wrapped in taped knuckles.
A quick glance at the reflection on the polished floor confirmed his avatar was identical to him, silver hair and cerulean eyes but they appeared thinner, even as a mortal, his bloodlines shine through.
[You have selected Wanderer. Please note your character's fate cannot be changed. All player information can be accessed through the status. Storage backpack opens at level 5.]
Auren called out the status and the hologram appeared. A dossier unfolded like a fighter's card.
Name: A.F (Player Avatar)
Role: Mixed Martial Arts Champion
Background: Fighter. National Icon. 2 time World champion with a loyal fan base known for his stubborn resilience and clean knockouts.
Auren raised an eyebrow. "An MMA fighter?"
The blank polished space transformed and crowd noise around him swelled. Suddenly Auren's world roared alive and he stood in the center of a cage.
It is an octagon of metal mesh and harsh lights. People screamed his player name, banners waved and fists pumping in the air.
[Dear player, please note as an icon of fighters, your choices will influence the fighting pop culture. A warning, Fate is not under your control in this world.]
Auren took the warning but he was surprised his choices could influence a number of people. "Powerless, yet influential." He mused. "A good balance."
For most Therions, the lack of ability was a nightmare. Therions are born wielding flames, illusions, storms or pure raw power. To feel mortal weight was suffocating and also a new experience.
This is why the game Mortal's Heaven was anticipated for months by many Therion gamers. Auren who just stepped into the gaming world had dived into the gem.
Mortal's Heaven had over ten million pre registration and over 15 million logins. It might seem like a big number but Therions number in the billions.
All the gamer Therions and even the curious Therions logged in at launch, they were all hungry to taste weakness because weakness was alien and alien was exciting.
For Auren, though this wasn't an alien feeling, it was a memory. Auren remembers being weak, grasping at survival without divine blood to shield him. And now, he could control that weakness shape it to his desire and this very thought thrilled him.
In the cage, the announcers voice boomed:
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE CHAMPION OF THE RING, A.F !!"
Auren smirked. His muscles felt sluggish but there was a rhythm in his stance. He raised his fists and paced toward the center as the referee barked the rules.
"Alright, fighters, we've been over the rules in the back. I want a good, clean fight. Protect yourself at all times. Listen to my commands at all times.
"If I say 'Stop,' you stop. If I separate you, you go to your corner. Follow the rules of the [Name of State/Province] Athletic Commission." The referee stopped, taking a breath before resuming.
"No grabbing the fence. No shots to the back of the head. No groin shots. No fingers or toes in the eyes or mouth. If you get knocked down, you must defend yourself intelligently. Any questions?"
The referee paused for a second. He had to make sure the fighters understood. Upon receiving a nod from both he proceeded.
"Touch gloves if you want to, and go back to your corner."
Across from Auren, the hulking opponent bounced on his feet. Sweat glistened on his brow and his gloves cracked against each other. The crowd screamed louder as the referee exited the cage, waiting for blood.
Auren rolled his shoulders, the immersion was so good, he could almost forget that he wasn't in the real world. In that instant the game AI chimed again in that annoyingly cheerful voice,
[Dear player: As a mortal you will bleed, you will get tired and you can also die. There are no respawns so once you die you will be assigned a different role within the game.]
"Perfect. Mortal's don't come back to life afterall." Auren's grin widened as he took bounced on his feet.
The bell rang.
The opponent charged lifting his right leg for a hook pivoting smoothly on his left. Auren's body reacted instinctively, his guard was up he dodged left and met the man's jaw with an uppercut but the opponent blocked.
The crowd went wild and chanted their names. As Auren fought the opponents fist grazed his cheek. Pain bloomed sharp and raw making Auren question the pain sensitivity of the game.
Auren's heart pounded, he could hear his ears ringing with every beat of his heart. Blood rushed to his head and hands in pure adrenaline even as a hologram showed him that one cannot change the body sensitivity settings.
Auren quickly ducked and countered with a hook. He felt the solid impact against bone making him grin wider. His opponent stumbled then recovered with a savage knee. The blow sank into Auren's ribs, whit hot agony exploded across his side making him fall to his knees.
Auren was a bit dazed with all the blood and adrenaline but he laughed out loud in the middle of the fight.
"This... this is good."
The opponent and other NPC among the crowd looked confused. The opponent quickly became furious from Auren's laughter. Another furry of strikes came raining down.
Auren blinked and evaded while striking. Every single sensation reminded him of fragility and it was exhilarating. The game is so intricate that even the NPC reactions and very detailed.
The announcers voice was drowned by the roars of fists and heartbeat and just when Auren was about to kick the opponent and claim the price,
Darkness.. then a flash of light.
The VR headset was ripped away from him, sound collapsed into silence and the game's reality was gone. Auren's eyes shot open to his real room.
He was angry. The feeling of rage bubbled in his chest after having his time interrupted. Auren was about to speak when he looked to the side and met his mother's eyes.
"Auren Fenrir !"
Like a bucket of ice cold water thrown over one's head, Auren's fury diffused into frustration. [Shit. It's mom]
Seraphina stood above her son, silk robe flowing, eyes glowed with motherly wrath. "Do you know what time it is? You missed breakfast and family time for what?! Some toy?!"
Auren looked at the clock and saw that it was 12 pm. He opened his mouth, then closed it. Of all battles he could face, this was the one he could never win.
".... The immersion was.... impressive?" Auren tried weakly.
His mother's hand arrived to fast for him to react and smacked the side of his head. It was hard but it was sharp enough to remind him who ruled the Fenrir household.
"No excuses. Up. Now. Your father may tolerate your little games and defiance but I will not let my son become some gaming addict."
Seraphina walked out the door with his headset and he could only watch. Auren groaned but pushed himself off the bed. The aftertaste of mortality still buzzed in his veins. Auren glanced at Han and smiled softly.
He will get back the headset by evening and his butler will help him.