Rebirth [Open]

[Siegfried]

Light, bright light. All of it hit the boy in an instant as he stared around him in momentary blindness and confusion. He wasn't inside his small apartment room with the dimmed light emanating from his monitor, hands on his sleek keyboard and mouse, feet snuggled at the bottom of his wooden desk, bottom to his wooden stool. No, he was suddenly standing, outside where the breeze blew against his clothes, except, they weren't his clothes. Trousers, torso, arms, they were all covered in what was some kind of iron, and then there was the sudden sense of weight crashing down on him, especially from his back. It almost made him fall straight to the ground, but he quickly picked himself up right up, gasping for air immediately. Blinking rapidly, regaining his vision, shaking his head, the boy looked down at his hands, then his clothes, and finally the environment around him. The greenery, the damaged buildings, the people all around him, they all shouted at him over and over that he wasn't in his home, with his family, enjoying his first ever computer. No, he was in the game, Elder Tale, the game that he was just preparing to play. There he was, in the armor he chose, with the weapon on his back, but all of it was so unrealistic, so unbelievable. At first he thought it was just a dream, it was all just a dream, but then he was just lying to himself.

"This can't be real. It just can't be. This has to be a dream, this has to be. There's no way I could be in a game. The technology shouldn't be possible at all," the boy continued to mumble to himself as he walked around the city, staring at each individual building and every person he passed by. He didn't know if he wanted to talk to any of them, out of fear for one part. Did he seem strange? Was he an outsider? Was this normal for everyone who played the game? With his head down to the ground, to his hands, the boy continued on his way to nowhere, wondering what was going on and how he came into existence. Absolutely nothing made sense to him there and then, so all he did was walk, and so he walked for a while, and then he walked some more; he walked to the point where he walked the entire city, harboring strange looks from those who saw him again. But the boy didn't care, he simply just wanted the dream to end so he could go home to his family. He thought they were worried sick about him, about what happened to his body that he left behind, if there was even still a body behind.

Eventually, after about half an hour, or what seemed like an hour or two to him, the boy finally sat himself down where he appeared. He simply didn't know what else to do, other than ask someone -which was obviously the most logical answer to his predicament. Still, the boy continued to sit and wait, remaining in his thoughts on how to tackle his problematic situation. It's how he often dealt with things on his own time; most of his friends would be talking about games, what they'd do for the weekend, but he'd be planning out his schedule: what jobs he had to do, how much time he had to focus on his homework, etc. So, there he was, on his own: one arm across his legs and the other raised, holding his head up by the chin, hoping that some kind of solution would come to him at one point, either through a messenger sent from the heavens or through his own thoughts, most likely neither.

---

W/C: 632

[Josuaku]

Josuaku is walking around the Londiniun with blurred vision “What happened there? Last thing I remember is climbing up to this spot and then, I woke under this spot almost blind. I tried to climb there again, but I couldn’t force myself to do it. I hope soon I will recover."
After half of an hour when he almost recovered, he felt Powerful headache, and when I say powerful I mean that he could feel only pain. He have taken his head in hands, and then he curled himself in fetal position. For some reason tears were leaking from his eyes, but he could not even sob. Some of people around him tried to help him, but he couldn’t response at all, no one was able to change his position, or help him in any way. People decided just to leave someone to guard him, until he will recover.

After 1 hour Josuaku woke up, with acute vision. After a while he paid attention to his guardian. For the irony he had Guardian class, he was tall and in high lvl plate armor. He had bright blond hair and blue eyes. He smiled to Josuaku, and asked him “Hey boy, you have finally woke up, how are you feeling? “ Josuaku stood on his legs, even though that was painful and hard “Uhm, better than in last moment I remember. What happened with me?” “ Well, you lost your consciousness , probably. Personally I think that you fell in some sort of catatonia” “ Oh, really? Well, I will just go now” “Are you sure?” “Yeah, Bye and good luck!”
Josu had problems with walking on his own, but he didn’t want to bother other people with himself. He began to think again about what happened in this “secret spot”, and sonly after he began to think he lost himself in thoughts. After about 5 minutes of this state, he stumbled on 1lvl Guardian legs, and fell down, with his face landing directly on ground.
(It’s you puppy)
335 Words.

[Siegfried]

Okay. So, this world in Elder Tale is practically identical to the real world sans a few features such as the buildings, weaponry, and other such things. I assume everyone's another player from the real world that's adapted to this new world, but does that mean that there's really no way back? Are we all just stuck here for the rest of time? The boy lingered in his thoughts for what could seem like an eternity. For those who would even dare watch him from the moment he sat until this instance they would know that he didn't move at all. The boy simply sat, thought, and waited, until what could be considered something similar to a lesser messenger sent from another messenger of the heavens came.

With his eyes closed and his mind focused solely on what he was going to do, the boy completely ignored the telltale signs of a being approaching his way, only to feel the legs of that same being bump into his own, causing a sudden thump on the ground right next to the boy. Opening his eyes and standing up in sudden alert, the boy was sorry to find that he tripped someone, on accident of course, but he took it as his fault nevertheless: if he wasn't sitting around in his thoughts, then such an incident wouldn't have happened. Scratching the back of his head worriedly, the boy approached the fallen man with an outstretched arm, wanting to at least mend his mistake.

”Are you alright? I'm sorry about tripping you, I honestly didn't know,” the boy stated worriedly to the man, waiting for his response. Even if the boy was worried for his life, potentially stuck in a video game for the rest of it, the boy was worried about the lives of others as well. After all, he was raised to value and care for the lives of every single living being, so he casually believed that the same applied in that new world.

---

W/C: 334

[Josuaku]

Josuaku slowly stood up. His appearance resemble living corpse. Actually, his look haven’t changed at all, just his slow behavior suggest this look. „Hey, first of All, that was my fault, I wasn’t paying attention, second of all, nothing happened”. Those words sounded like he had to die after he say it. Siegrfried can see that Josu’s eyes are a bit blurred, like if something bother him. After a while he can see that Josu's face is terribly pale. Surprisingly, soon those eyes became more “Living”. Josuaku begin to think a bit more socially.

“Hey, To be honest, I should introduce myself, even though you can see mine nick. I am Josuaku, Josu for friends, as you can see I am newbie too. Since we both are new here, and we want to apologize each other we should became buddies, don’t you think that its good idea?”

Now those words sound much better, but still like he would be very ill. Also, he’s no longer “Living corpse”, after he straightened himself, Siegfried can tell that he resemble 16th century young aristocrat, there is something that make him look. . . Noble. On first glance he could be easly confused with noble NPC.It's hard to belive that he had so poor look before.Josu give’s to Sieg weak, but bright smile, and gives his hand to shake Sieg one.

227 words.

[Siegfried]

Retracting his arm from its awkward straightened form, a bit embarrassed at his own friendly gesture, the boy scratched the back of his own head and listened to what the man had to say in reply, but the boy's attention turned towards the soulless eyes and face the man possessed. They seemed truly abnormal, but before the boy could even comment on the appearance, let alone form a word, the man's eyes started changing abnormally into a more natural look. Just the mere look of it caused the boy to stop and continue to listen to what the man had to say, but the boy knew that there was something clearly strange with the man.

Regardless of the man's soulless appearance and less-than-living words, the boy found what the man said to be quite strange, however. Wait, I can't see his name though. If he assumed I could see his name, then can he see mine? But how? Befuddled at the statement, the boy took one more look at the man before replying on the matter, only to notice the man's sudden increase in health: the man did seem far much better than before when they first traded words, only moments ago, but the boy was still in wonderment concerning the man's health.

“My name's Siegfried as I believe you already know. It's a pleasure to meet you Josuaku, and I'm sure we can be friends, but I'm rather, confused on something you said. You said something about me being able to see your name, but from where I'm standing, I don't know what you're talking about. Do you care to explain?” Siegfried asked calmly, remembering only at the end that his character name was the same as his real name, not that anyone knew, but it saved him from explaining quite a bit afterwards. Nevertheless, with one hand raised in curiosity and the other by his side, Siegfried inquisitively stared up at his acquaintance, knowing that this was his chance at learning more about the new world he resided in, possibly forever.

---

W/C: 343

[Josuaku]

Josuaku turn’s his head In surprise. “You don’t know how to check someone’s name? Well, it’s just right above health bar. Thanks to you I feel I bit weirdly, am I only one here who understand this world with ease?” Josuaku had a while of thinking, and then asked Siegfried “Hey, don’t tell me that you don’t see health bar? I hope you know at least how to open menu.” After Josu said what he had to say he didn’t even waited for response. He turned himself to the sun. “This world is beautiful Isn’t it? You know, I always dreamed of waking up in game that will become my life Forever, I was envious of all these characters in anime who was trapped in game. “ He turn himself back at Siegfried “You know, you may call me weirdo, but I really enjoy this world, I find real world as boring, I had joy only in fantasies, and music. Wait, now this is “Real World” so how should I call That world? I know, from now, it is “Old Life””

Josu behaviors is really creepy for Siegfried, how someone can enjoy world like this? Well apparently, he can. And for the hell, his expression really show’s it.

“You know, I had only 2 friends in my whole life, and I was really anti-social, so if I would be annoying for you just tell me. Hey, I got an idea!”

Josuaku takes Siegfried hand and take’s him without his approval somewhere.

“If you want to ask, I want to show you 1 beautiful spot. If you aren’t convinced to think that this world is great, after you will see this spot you will be convinced.
285 words.

[Siegfried]

Tilting his head in response to his compatriot's beginning statements, Siegfried wondered if everyone was also suffering a similar situation comparable to Siegfried's. There was the certain possibility of that being the case, but after the moment of silence that the two had to themselves, Siegfried omitted it, noting the different apparel of several other players he met on his walk around the city, some more impressive while others less distinguishable. With such a conclusion certified and proved to himself, the boy continued to listen to what Josuaku had to say before replying to clarify the man's assumption.

“Actually-” the boy started and then stopped, allowing his compatriot's time of day. In a way, Josuaku was weird, simply strange to Siegfried. His impression of the man came from the way his body color was so quick to change as well as the man's demeanor. Josuaku enjoyed the world they were in, so much that he seemed to ignore Siegfried's condition, a condition of unknowing. The boy himself thought it was clear when he stated he couldn't see his compatriot's name, but his friend apparently shrugged the notion off as if it was nothing. Overall, Siegfried simply didn't understand.

Then, out of the blue, when Josuaku suddenly took Siegfried's hand, Siegfried stepped back almost immediately, withdrawing his hand and listening to what his compatriot had to say. The sudden action only further solidified Siegfried's impressions of the man, although with good intent of course. Josuaku was kind and slightly oblivious to the outside world, and any annoying note emanating from the man was simply caused by his introverted nature. Siegfried himself knew that if Josuaku was to grow, then one day he'd be able to grow out of his awkwardness and become an acceptable person. At least, that's how the optimistic boy thought in most cases.

“Well, I think that's lovely and all that you've found a great spot. But, I don't understand anything about this new world we're in. I don't know about this menu, health bar, or even how to see your name. If you don't mind, then could you step me through this first before we move on?” the boy stated calmly as to not startle his compatriot. Siegfried knew that all of Josuaku's intentions were from the heart, but first and foremost, the boy needed to know more about the world he resided in before they headed out on a trip.

---

W/C: 404

[Josuaku]

„Right! I totally forgot you don’t have experience in this game at all. Wait a second, I’ll prepare “Training” for you to learn game basic’s”
Josu began creation of training spot, he placed few small items on ground ,drew few marks on wall and found something what could be training dummy.
“Okey so, now I’ll tell you what you have to do. Look at those items on ground, one of them is bound to me, one of them have stats, one of them is an stack. By stack I mean item which contain more than 2 same items. You have to concentrate and tell me which item is which. Next! You see those marks on wall? You have to aim them if you have any ranged or precise offensive spell. To use spell you just have to say its name, it doesn’t require concentration at all. Now we have training dummy, just hit with any Spell or attack it with sword, here you have to see numbers which will show you how much damage you inflicted.”
Now Josuaku look at the training spot for a while and think loudly
“I know I forgot something. . . But what? Oh yeah, I know!”
He turned to Siegfried
“So, before you do all this, I should tell you how to check menu ,EQ and Players. In case of EQ and Menu just imagine it, it should appear in front of you. In case of players, focus on them and their status, including name, effects they are under and MP and HP Bar, will appear above them. I still feel like I forgot something, Oh, If you are inside the city you don’t have to worry about being attacked at all, if someone attack player in city, there appear city guard which restrains attacker.”
301 Words

[Siegfried]

With both his arms loosened down by his side, Siegfried attentively listened to his compatriot Josuaku, wanting to insure that everything the man spoke would be understood by the boy's willing mind; however, attention to detail came first. First, there were the few items that the man placed on the ground in front of the two of them, proceeded by the specific marking on the wall and the appearance of a dummy figure. Then came the rough explanation about the set of items from Josuaku, detailing, however inappropriately, the process behind examining items; Siegfried's desired result was to learn how to access the menu first, but, nevertheless, the newcomer was bound to learn about the examining sooner or later, so he accepted the lesson without fault.

Staring at each of the items, concentrating solely on their individual appearance, Siegfried was immediately taken aback when their descriptions appeared as text boxes right in front of his face, even having to step back to understand the situation. “Is that a text box?” the boy asked in slight confusion at the floating box displayed before him. With just one sudden change, Siegfried was already bewildered by the world he was in; he almost slipped back into his earlier mentality, but he knew better after all that happened.

Easing himself back into the teaching session, Siegfried did as asked by Josuaku, repeating the name of each item and the descriptions that were available to each of them, simply repeating what was before him from top to bottom of the box. Once Siegfried finished the first lesson, then came the next lesson, learning about what was the combat system. Stepping in front of the wooden dummy, the boy slowly grabbed the sword from his right side shoulder and withdrew it slowly, feeling the sudden weight transfer from his body to his arms. Back in the real world, the boy never wielded any weapon of considerable size, let alone a weapon; however, with the large amount of lifting work he performed, adjusting himself to the weapon's weight wasn't so hard. As for attacking anything though, that was a different story for Siegfried.

“I just swing at the dummy, right?” Holding the sword with both of his hands, the tip of the blade against the ground with the sword near his right leg, Siegfried raised the weapon and gently slashed down on the dummy, making a small thump on it rather than a full attack. There was a small change in the object's health although considerably negligible. “I think I did it? Maybe, I'll come back to it later.” Arduously sheathing his sword, having to move the sheath to his side to combine the two parts, Siegfried decided to move on to the assumed final part of the project, the menu.

Stepping away from the wooden dummy, Siegfried simply stared at the air in front of him, not sure what he was supposed to think about. He tried thinking about the “EQ”, “players”, and the “menu”, but there was little success. He knew what players were, but Siegfried was simply just confused at Josuaku's sudden explanation. The situation was almost frustrating for the boy. He almost gave up entirely on trying to open the menu, until at the last moment the thing suddenly just appeared before him, enlightening Siegfried's presence with the multitude of boxes to look at. From there, the boy simply examined the options at his disposal, going through the entire menu as best he could while, unintentionally, ignoring what Josuaku said from that point on.

---

W/C: 591