NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 1: Changes
'This was no longer a game, it is my reality, one in which I have been ignorant of my surroundings, this life is not a blessing nor a curse, it is both,' A young man named Nova Axilion thought as he stood before a glowing crystal ball of rare artifacts from the divine to awaken his abilities, as he remembered who he was and how he first came to a world in which he did not belong, not more than a month ago, before it all happened.
Life on earth was no longer the same after the first wave of the apocalypse had hit mankind a few years back, causing many things to change, monsters beyond humanity's imagination appeared through portals formed within areas, coming from where no one knew.
However, one thing was certain: the gods had a different plan. In a way, mankind was dying, and they needed to evolve in order to survive in a world now overrun by magic.
The gods did not care or to be precise one god, the one they looked up to did not care about the consequences of his actions, he did not do his duty to protect the humans who looked up to him, and depended on him.
As time went by, things began changing when mankind began evolving after the first wave of the apocalypse, guilds began forming, some began gaining new abilities, new occupations were formed, as they began to coexist, to survive and the world developed much more into something they had not ever imagined before.
Technology, being the main source of one of the many reasons they survived, evolved beyond comprehension, but despite it all, there was a downside.
How long would it all last until they were overrun and possibly wiped out of existence? This was the question on the minds of most of the younger generation, and they were worried about the future to come.
But everything changed one day, when the second and final wave happened, killing hundreds of people, when it was concluded, those who survived which were millions, quite a few among them began gaining abnormal abilities.
They were able to do things they could not do before and use elements that would have been possible only in books or games.
It all became a reality and society was never more different.
Everything had changed, people were separated into classes, giving those who had abilities more privilege than those who were normal and worldwide status began changing as long as you had an ability they deemed worthy.
The world had become unrecognizable, and the cities were futuristic, looking as though they came right out of the movies. Anything was possible by then, the changes that took place engraved itself within the planet and into everyday life.
Until one day, a game was created, one that took the world by surprise, making the impossible possible and the future of technology brighter than ever, one that many awaited its official release, after seeing the beta tests, over the years, a game which its players would be able to venture into it, to experience it for themselves or so they thought.
One day, within the walls of a grand mansion of one of Liven City's high-class families, Zade lay in a king-size bed, staring at the ceiling of his room. His disheveled dark brown hair framed a face etched with exhaustion. Tears pricked the corners of the young man's eyes, thinking about all the wealth and luxury surrounding him yet his life was hollow, there was no dept.
In life, people thought the rich would have it all, however in his case, in which, he wished he was born into a lower-class family, one where he would at least have the love of those around him, to push him to live his life, unlike his current one, in which people only cared about the status he had.
Among his siblings and other family members, he alone bore the label of a disgrace. Unlike them, he had not awakened an ability. Even worse, a childhood accident had left him with a disfigured limb, requiring a cane to walk.
He was an heir in name only, tolerated for appearances but treated with contempt, behind the wall of wealth and power. His family's coldness fueled a deep admiration for the lower-class families he sometimes glimpsed at from afar.
They seemed to have something he lacked: love, warmth, and a genuine connection. Yet, amidst the darkness within his life, one light shone brightly always managing to bring a smile to his face—his nephew, Ken.
Ken, a spirited teenager, who often defied the family's disdain for Nova. Despite warnings to stay away, Ken sought him out, offering kindness and warmth where others gave disdain. Nova cherished those moments, small as they were. They were his anchor in a sea of loneliness and heartbreak.
"Uncle! Uncle!" Ken's voice rang through the room as he burst in through the door, clutching a handful of advertisements and his eyes gleaming with anticipation. His excitement was infectious.
"What is it, Ken?" Zade asked in surprise, as he blinked and sat up on his bed, looking at the boy intently.
"Etarion Online will be released today!" He announced in a cheerful tone, his enthusiasm lighting up the once-dull room.
Upon hearing that, a bright smile tugged at Zade's lips , his heart thudding in anticipation, he slowly got up from the bed, grabbing his cane from his nightstand as he switched on the television to watch the announcement.
"Good morning, Liven City. It is a very big day for all of us as we announce the live release of the long-awaited Etarion Online, a game in which your fantasy could come alive," the announcer said, and his eyes lit up.
Ken immediately handed Zade his coat, practically bouncing with excitement and there was a gleeful smile on his face. Zade took it, glancing out the window of his room. His heart was racing against his chest, the game offered a promise he could not ignore. It was not just an escape from his somber reality—it was a chance to experience something different, perhaps even to find a place where he truly belonged, where he could truly find happiness.
Games were one of the many ways he used to escape the reality he lived in—a life he never wanted, a family that was no different from strangers in which he knew nothing of love or warmth. Those were just words to him in the cold darkness of his life, yet he still managed not to hate and find little bits and pieces of happiness.
"Hey, shall we go get the gaming system? I already made an order, if we get there in time, we will not have to wait long, will you come with me?" The boy asked him eagerly and he glanced at him hesitantly.
"Alright, let's go get you that game," He relented.
A genuine smile spread across Ken's face, making Zade feel lighter. Together, they walked out of the room, Zade walking purposefully while leaning on his cane. He felt a glimmer of anticipation for the first time in a long time. This game might be more than a mere diversion. It might provide him with a fresh start, which was something he needed to not lose hope.
Seeing the excited look on his face—an expression he never had before until today—made it difficult for him to refuse the boy's request as well. He did not want to be the reason the boy lost that smile. Curiosity also played a part; he wanted to understand what made this game different from the others and whether the claims about it were true or not.