The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 85: Alone and Awake (Part 1)

Chapter 85: Alone and Awake

James Thatcher:

James stood in the shadows of the stage, in front of him a decent sized crowd of suits and cameras. He shook, swallowing the nerves that had risen in his mouth. He was used to speaking in front of a crowd. Streaming his gameplay was one thing but with all the conventions he had attended, he had built up quite a resilience to pressure, or so he thought. The crowd today was different to his usual. The energy of crowd wasn't comforting but demanding, as if they were just waiting for him to screw up.

"Relax, we've got this," Erin spoke from beside him. "We just need to say it like it is."

James smiled wryly, "How are you so calm?"

"Because I have to be," Erin smiled softly. "Aria left this to us. The reason the system unlocked early for us, the reason she sought us out and trained us, it was for this. We need to help them where we can... because we're not strong enough to follow where they went."

"Umm, look," James began awkwardly. "I'm sure she's fine. She's pretty strong you know."

"I know," Erin nodded. "Aria will come back."

A suited woman signalled to the pair, "We're ready for you. Please take the stage."

James nodded and took the final steps up the stage together with Erin. The two of them were responsible for North America, to act as ambassadors between Earth and Areithia. All across the world, their friends would be making similar speeches of Areithia's intent now the Merge had truly finished. They had already released a slew of videos and guides across the internet in preparation, what to expect, what the system could and could not do. Behind the scenes, even more had happened with the ISPA. He was thankful he didn't have to think too hard about the finer details, but right now, upon the stage, he had never felt a stronger pressure.

The click of camera's was continuous and upon the podium was a number of microphones he had never experienced. The pressure in his chest turned to a panic. He imagined the worse that could happen. What if he said the wrong thing and turned the worlds against each other? What if his words started a war?

"Greeting everyone, thank you for coming to today's press conference," Erin's voice broke him out of his mind. "My name is Erin Storm, a popular streamer and currently an ambassador of Areithia."

James' mind woke up and he put on his usual smart smile, "And I'm Crozen, number 1 streamer and now working with Areithia to bring our worlds together." As soon as the words fell from his mouth he began to calm down. He didn't have to expose himself. All he needed was to put on the act. He was Crozen now. "Not half an hour ago the final step of the Merge took place and the fog wall that separated Areithia and Earth have disappeared. This event may just be the biggest event in all human history. Not only has the map of our world changed but with Areithia our Earth has changed forever."

"Yes," Erin continued. "We have worked painstakingly over the past week to release as many informative videos as possible online. Please refer to the Areithia Online website for more details. What we speak of today are the main points and for the opening of Areithia's people to discourse with ours. In the next 24 hours expect to hear news from the leaders of Areithia themselves."

James smiled and put his hand above the lectern, a ball of light appeared above his hands, spinning in various colours, "One of the main points of today however is this. Magic." The cameras began to flare again. "Our world now has new energy resources, the greatest one being mana. The application and conversion of mana creates magic. The study of this energy is ancient and complicated, however with the blessing of Areithia, people have been granted access to the System, a way to use mana similar to that of Areithia Online."