The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 44: The Dark Side of Home. (Part 1)

Chapter 44: The Dark Side of Home.

10 Days after the Merge:

"Mr Friend, do you know why we've contacted you?" a man in a fine grey suit smiled across the desk from me.

"Is this about my status as a Player?" I asked apprehensively. While they hadn't dragged me in, they had been quite forceful about the invitation.

"Yes," the man smiled. "My name is Samuel Taylor. I work for the government and in these strange times we're trying to do our best to sort things out. A part of my job is to recruit Players with potential and your Player report was quite detailed."

I laughed awkwardly, "Well, it said to write down what we did in the game as best we can. It was fun remembering all we went through. It's a shame the game's no longer around. Though I guess now it's real."

"As for your real work. You graduated with a Master in Engineering and are currently working as a researcher. From what I could tell, your course also included a variety of leadership and business related skills. Is that correct?"

I nodded, "The University wanted us to be well rounded engineers."

"I'll get to the point Mr Friend," he pulled out a thick stack of papers. "We want to recruit you as a diplomat. The country of Crysis has quite suddenly appeared in the middle of our nation. We believe your skills will be suitable for the job."

"R-really?" I couldn't quite believe what he was saying. "There are Players way stronger than me. Why me?"

"We're not looking for just strength but social skills as well. You do not have to accept the job but if you do, you will still need to undergo a test to fully qualify. Personally, I think you are one of our best options."

"I see...," I paused to think. It was a frightening opportunity. I wouldn't just be leaving home, I'd be journeying into almost an entirely different world. The world, both ours and theirs, was rife with problems at the moment. More than the foreign world merging with our own, the sudden birth of mana in our world was causing rapid mutations in the wildlife. Areithia's System had become real and suddenly people could use magic. In some countries, governing bodies were barely hanging on to keep control.

"We can give you some time to think," Mr Taylor began to stand.

I quickly stood as well, "I'll do it."

"You will?" he was surprised at my sudden insistence.

"I love Areithia. I spent a lot of my free time in that world." I smiled, "I want this Merge to work for everyone and if you want me to help with that, I can't say no."

Mr Taylor smiled amused, "Then welcome on board Ardent. This is a new world. I'm glad we found someone like you to start the journey with us." He offered his hand, and I shook it.

**

Aria Friend:

The figure of me shook her head. I frowned. The others were still unconscious but by how much time had passed they should wake up soon. We were being driven in a large truck, transported to whoever it was who had paid for our kidnapping. There were so many moments I could have attempted the escape but each time the figure of me appeared, shaking her head. What was she waiting for? It was true I had no clue where we were, but I could still feel the space around us. There weren't that many people. Again, however she shook her head. Her eyes, my eyes, they looked wiser, older and stronger than I was. The look pleading me to wait.