The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 32: Power over. (Part 1)

Chapter 32: Power over.

???? days before/after the Fall?

"So, dear Ardent, what do you think it means to be powerful?" the voice asked solemnly with almost no tone.

"Oh, come on," I replied exasperated as I looked about the pitch-black space, not even able to see the source of the voice. "This again? Where even am I? When even am I?"

There was a pause and the voice spoke, "I simply want to know your answer. You do not have to think hard on it. I want 'your' answer."

I didn't want to reply. What I wanted was to leave. Unfortunately, as I said nothing, nothing also happened and from there my mind began to stretch unable to comprehend even how much was passing.

I sighed, "I think being powerful means to have something that others don't."

"Elaborate," the voice prompted me to continue.

"Power is relative. If you're stronger than someone, you could be said to be more powerful than them. Then again you could be smarter, or richer, or whatever. To have more power means to have more of whatever that is."

"An interesting response. Now let me ask you, should power be feared?"

"It depends on what you would do with it."

The voice continued coldly and without emotion, "Perhaps. But think of this dear Ardent. If there was a bomb beside you, would you remove it?"

"Yes, isn't that obvious?"

"And what if that bomb was a person?"

"Well that wou-."

The voice interrupted me, "What if it said it wouldn't explode?"

"Then it-."

"What if it wanted to be left alone?"

"Then-."

The voice grew stronger, "What if people pushed it too far. What if despite all the good it could do, it couldn't do it. What if no one gave it a chance? What then Ardent!? What then? What if that bomb, that person, never wanted to be what it became?"

I was silent, unable to speak as its words reverberated in my head.

"That dear sweet Ardent. That is a question, isn't it?"

**

Side Story: This is my stream

Erin Storm.

Erin took a deep breath. She was in her virtual self, her stronger self. She had been on break for over a month now, really it was closer to two than one. Every day she would receive messages from her fans wishing her well, hoping to see her on stream soon. They were a good community and until recently Erin thought of them as the best community.

Erin started streaming in high school as part of a communications project. She was in her final year at the time and started by streaming a collection of niche games that her friends had made. Her expressive and energetic personality slowly drew more people and by the time she graduated, her project had become a hobby. Erin had a choice to make. Go to university or try full time streaming. She wasn't making much money, not enough to get by, but with a part time job she could do it. It was a difficult choice as she had heard about plenty of people who failed. In the end, Erin chose what she enjoyed.