Alex unlocked his nondescript apartment door, gesturing for Emma to enter the dimly lit studio first as she gazed around curiously. His bed, desk and overcrowded bookshelves occupied most available space not taken up by his prized gaming computer rig.
"Cozy! And way cleaner than your dorm room used to be," Emma noted wryly, poking Alex in the side. He batted her hand away good-naturedly, moving stacks of textbooks for her to perch on the scarred oaken desk.Alex grinned ruefully. Clearing his throat, he said "So, talking magic swords is one thing - want to see real magic manifestation instead?"Emma's eyebrows shot up, but she waved a "go ahead" at Alex's dramatic pause. Taking a deep breath, Alex closed his eyes, mentally navigating the familiar fantasy environment of Elysium Quest. With intense focus, he unequipped his avatar's ornate greatsword and then it suddenly appeared in his hand.Emma yelped in surprise as a glinting blade abruptly winke"You better explain yourself, NOW," Alex demanded, glaring furiously at Nexus hovering interface while checking Emma for injuries. "That unprovoked attack could have killed my best friend!""I am deeply regretful, but per my erroneous threat assessment, she aligned flawlessly with an extremely dangerous profile in the newly integrated databases," Nexus replied.Noticing Alex's uncomprehending frustration, it quickly clarified. "Here, observe evidence leading to my catastrophic misjudgment." Nexus streamed images and DNA models lighting up augmented reality displays in Alex's visual cortex.Flashing security footage showed a stern woman in a dark military uniform - undoubtedly "The General" Nexus referenced - torturing prisoners for information. Alex reeled at stark similarity to Emma in the footage. Another DNA map flipped out, highlighting insane 98.6% shared genetics."Holy crap," Alex gasped under his breath. He force closed the damning concord
Emma took a deep, bracing breath as she pushed open the front door to her childhood home, an upscale two-story in the peaceful suburbs. Alex followed just behind, surveying the graceful architecture and manicured lawn briefly before focusing back on his friend. Her body language telegraphed knots of tension that had nothing to do with the early hour.Striding down the foyer, Emma called "Dad? Are you awake yet?"Heavy footsteps echoed down the stairs as Emma's father emerged - Aaron Ross, late 40s with salt-and-pepper hair and a tidy beard framing kind, weathered features well known to Alex. Aaron's gray eyes crinkled happily seeing his daughter unexpectedly."Emma, sweetie! This is a surprise so early," he exclaimed, hugging her in fatherly affection. His gaze landed on Alex hovering by the door. "And Alex too! Sorry I haven't come by recently to check on your mother...""No need to apologize, Mr Ross," Alex demurred politely. "I know you would v
Exhausted silence hung between Emma and Alex as he drove them back towards campus after the intense emotional revelations. Noticing a cafe still open, Alex pulled over, suggesting they recoup with some coffee. Emma numbly agreed.Settling into a shadowy back booth cradling warm mugs, Alex studied his friend's raw expression, eyes still puffy from earlier tears. He reached across the table to grasp her hand."How're you holding up after...everything?" he asked gently.Emma inhaled shakily. "Honestly? Kind of a mess trying to process it all logically..." Her composure crumbled once more."Aw Em..." Alex moved quickly to her side of the booth, wrapping a supportive arm around her shoulders as she cried again into his s
Taking a deep, centering breath, Alex planted his feet in the lush grass of a wide meadow, peering ahead at the treeline marking the threshold into the untamed wilderness. Nexus had directed him here, to a high-risk area of Elysium Quest called The Overgrowth - perfect for rapidly accumulating combat experience from ruthless plant and beast creatures dwelling within the sprawling forest.According to Nexus, successfully battling through the dangerous mobs and completing resource harvesting objectives in the Overgrowth's depths would provide the last push Alex required before hitting the necessary prerequisite level to attempt the Guardian Ascension promotion class quest."Remember, utilize your augmented sensory capabilities I unlocked to remain vigilant for threats," Nexus reminded Alex through his neural interface. "Channel instinc
Golden afternoon light slanted into Alex's studio apartment as Emma blearily opened her eyes, confused momentarily by the unfamiliar surroundings. Then realizing she had crashed at her friend's sparse apartment, everything that had happened rushed back into her mind making it heavy once again.Now glancing at her phone, Emma jolted fully awake seeing the time. "Whoa, I conked out for almost 12 hours?" she exclaimed. "Why didn't you wake me up earlier?"Alex looked up from the notebook he was scrawling formulas into. "You seemed like you could use the rest after all that had happened yesterday," he chuckled while retrieving leftover soup from the mini-fridge. "Here, eat something first before interrogating me."Emma smiled affectionately through her bed-tousled mane accepting the food. Same old Alex, always trying to take care of everyone else even when his world crumbled unrelentingly.Between grateful spoonfuls of hot broth and rice, Emma's gaze
When the recording died, the room was totally silent.Emma sobbed quietly. Alex on the other hand was confused because he couldn't piece the information together.“Nexus, can you verify the authenticity of what we just heard?" he asked.“Analyzing data now" Nexus replied.After a few seconds it replied “93% authenticity. I could not analyze any further than that, my apologies"“93% is more than enough to know what Rosaline said was the truth"Still something bothered Alex more. Rosaline told Emma to find a host for Nexus, was it because she needed the Nexus to be activated in a living host before they can be able to locate the Accession System Codex?“Nexus, while you were in the room I met you, were you given any command?"“Command, please rephrase"“Okay, like were you told to find a host based on instructions? Like you were to come out with me or you were, come on you are an intelligent supercomputer you know what I'm talking about" " I have no command whatsoever to follow you, I f
The ride from Alex's studio apartment to the South Side of Metropolis took roughly 25 minutes.Alex gazed up at the charming two-story house nestled amongst swaying trees and couldn't believe his eyes. This serene property on the rural outskirts of Metropolis finally offered a chance for a new beginning." Alex, it's perfect!" Emma exclaimed, squeezing his hand excitedly. A quaint stone pathway led through lush green grass up to the front porch lined with pots bursting with colorful blossoms. The aged white siding and dark blue shutters gave the place a cozy, homey feel, like visiting a beloved grandparent's house.Emma was delighted at the open and airy space warmed by golden evening light. This place was ages away from the cold sterility of cramped city apartments, this house wrapped its occupants in comfort. It was a rare luxury.Outdoors, Alex spotted a glittering stream marking the far edge of the property. He grinned, picturing lazy summer days resting on its waters. Nestled on
The rich aroma of expertly brewed coffee filled the building as Emma and Alex groaned awake.Entering the quaint kitchen, Alex discovered Nexus by the counter proudly preparing breakfast. “Wow, something smells nice" Alex said as he got down stairs.“Morning Alex. Brush and have a bath before breakfast"“What? Who does that these days? Come on Nexus, just a slice of toast. I'm famished” Alex begged." No, rules are rules. Get yourself clean and you can have breakfast” Nexus replied." Just go take you bath” Emma's voice softly came from behind him "Nexus would not allow you take a bite until you are cleaned up”" Damn robot, I would fry your circuits, loose your bolts and toss your scrap metal into a grinder” Alex said as he rushed back up to have his bath.A hot piping bath after, Alex rushed down refreshed."Wow, Nexus! Everything smells incredible," Emma said, eyeing towers of golden toast and a steaming pot of coffee. "That was pretty fast,” Emma said with a laugh." What? Fast?
Despite the dozens of armed militants encircling him, weapons aimed squarely at his center of mass, Alex refused to be cowed. His expression hardened into a mask of determination."Enough of these games!" he shouted, voice reverberating off the warehouse's steel rafters. "I want to see the one who set me on this merry chase. The so-called 'Agent Three' who's been jerking me around from the start."His words hung heavier in the air than their seeming bravado might imply. The combat-garbed soldiers shifted uneasily, tightening their firing grips in response to his overt demand.Then, that same electronically distorted voice crackled over the PA system once more."Stand down." The words may as well have been etched in permafrost for the glacial chill of authority they carried.Instantly, the agitated perimeter detail froze, their aim wavering fractionally. Alex didn't flinch, eyes locked dead ahead as a solitary figure detached from the shad
The next two days passed in a frenetic blur for Alex as he poured over every permutation and variable surrounding their imminent infiltration of the Crypt Keeper's inner sanctum. Scouring the sisters' reconnaissance data, he meticulously mapped out contingencies for any obstacles or hostilities they may encounter.Infiltration vectors, aerial approach trajectories, fallback rendezvous points in case they were split up - Alex left no contingency unaccounted for in his operational plan. He would allow for no untamed variables that could jeopardize their chances of success and survival.Only once he was satisfied with the tactical framework did he finally turn his focus to the long game - the delicate situation involving their other...competitors angling for possession of the mythical Crown of Asteria.Leaning back in his chair with a weary sigh, Alex picked up the phone which Agent Three had initially given him and dialed the only number on it. It took a few
Kalthia's bold declaration rang with an edge of thinly veiled menace that sent a subtle thrill down Alex's spine. He couldn't help but allow a confident smile to spread across his features. With these two ancient draconic powerhouses united alongside him, mustering the unstoppable force necessary to overcome any obstacles suddenly seemed well within their grasp. All the pieces were falling into place."Good, I'm counting on that." Alex glanced between the sisters meaningfully. "Because after reviewing these reconnaissance reports, I'll need to implement the next phase of my stratagem sooner than expected."Extending his senses inward, he focused on a data connection he had carefully constructed to code manipulated data concerning a certain interested party. A few complex subroutine commands later, and an encrypted packet of randomized reports and map imagery began generating.With this, the data for the Seekers operatives was prepared and with this they would think they were getting a
Alex looked between Kalthia and Kelthia, seeing their attentions fully locked on him now in anticipation of his plan to infiltrate the Crypt Keeper's Mountain Temple and steal the legendary Healing Crown of Asteria.He took a deep breath before laying out the initial stages. "First thing's first - I need for us to do is pinpoint the exact location of this temple for me. Provide any details you can about its defenses, the terrain around it, everything."The sisters exchanged a look. Kelthia gave a slight nod. "That much I can readily supply. The Crypt Keeper's domain is a treacherous region, wreathed in obscuring mistrals and guarded by wards most foul.""But for dragons such as ourselves, piercing its veil of secrecy is well within our abilities," Kalthia added, a note of confidence edging her tone.Alex nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Once I have that locational data and mapping, I can start planning out the safest route for approach and infiltration."He fixed them both with a resolu
Kalthia seemed to seethe silently at Alex's boldness in the face of the dragonslayer threat. He seemed to undermine the abilities. The dark shadows writhed more intensely around her human form."You dismiss their danger far too lightly, boy," she said in a low, dangerous tone. "These are not mere obstacles to overcome, but an extinction-level peril to everything we are. Don't you understand that?"Alex held her smoldering gaze, undeterred. "Then we'd better be prepared to face them when the time comes. Because they won't be the ones to stop us from our quest - and I repeat, not if I have any say about it."An icy pause lingered in the grand hall after Alex's defiant declaration. Kalthia stared at him like she was looking at a totally deaf fool seemingly dumbstruck that he would still push forward with their plans after learning about the dragonslayers and the other dangers it posses to them."You cannot be serious," the Umbra Dragon said at last,
“Now that we have taken care of the in-house fighting, there are some things we need to get done.”Alex looked the sisters deep in the eye. He needed to know if they were ready for what he was going to say next.“I would need you both to help me out with something and once this is done, we would start our journey, it's going to be a very long road but I have this hope we would get there" Alex couldn't just tell them that he had almost all the information from millions of dragons who had lived and died. He was like a walking data bank for dragons and the system made it far easier for him to process things.“Leave?" Kalthia asked, “We just can't do that," she said with a dull expression.Alex was surprised, “We just agreed that we were going to go on a journey that would change our lives and you say you can't leave this area? Then why bother agreeing in the first place?"" Don't get agitated” Kelthia stepped in "I would explain in a rather
"It's about your longevity," Alex began. "I realize even as powerful dragons, you can only live so long naturally."This piqued Kalthia's interest as well. She leaned forward slightly in her shadowy chair. "Are you implying you know of a way for us to extend our lifespans beyond what is possible?"Kelthia's expression was more guarded, but she gave a slight nod. "The strongest of dragonkind may only endure ten to fifteen thousand years before our essence fades. Kalthia and I have already experienced over six millennia.""Which leaves perhaps two or three thousand more years, if we're fortunate enough to live in peace," Kalthia added, somewhat wistfully.Alex nodded seriously. "I understand. But what if I told you there's a way to naturally and safely prolong your life spans much further - without any detrimental backlash?"The two sisters exchanged a startled look. Even for beings as ancient as them, the prospect of cheating their impending demise piqued their curiosity intensely.“No
“Can't you just go see her alone? Whatever you both discuss you can let me know about it later" Kalthia came up with an excuse.Alex paused and looked at her with a side eye. “If I remember clearly, you proudly said there was nothing impossible for you to do, so why are you scared of meeting up with your sister? Moreover, you promised that there was no request you would not answer to and here you are already trying to jump bail over my first request. Tell me how I can trust a word you say in the future?"The words Alex spoke hit Kalthia's pride so hard that her pale skin showed signs of redness in response to his provocation.“You think I'm scared of that Icy lump? If it comes to a fight, I would pin her down over and over again" Kelthia expressed her anger, “In fact, let's get going, even if she has grudges higher than the universe itself, there is no need to be afraid of her”.“Perfect, then I would open up a portal right now" Alex smiled.Seeing Kalthia's reluctance to involve her
Kalthia's booming voice washed over Alex, but he paid it little mind. His eyes were wide, hands patting over his body in disbelief. The dragon's remarks about being flesh and blood barely registered."Legs? Check. Arms? Check. Head? Still attached," Alex muttered under his breath, wiggling his fingers and toes. A broad grin spread across his face as the tingling warmth of draconic essence flowed through him. He could feel every muscle, every hair on his skin. He was here - truly present in this fantastical world in a corporeal form."I...I made it. My actual self is in Elysium!" he exclaimed, clenching his fists in excitement. Kalthia watched him bemusedly as Alex stretched and bent, testing his physical mobility and sensations. Her prodigy seemed utterly absorbed in marveling at his own tangible existence here."This is amazing! If I can travel between realms like this..." Alex's voice trailed off as the implications dawned on him. He looked up at the dragon determinedly."I just n