Elysium

Level 1

MAREN

One

“Please enter character name: First name, middle name, family name. Thank you.”

I –that is to say, my ‘ego’– stood in a dimly lit chamber talking to an invisible GM. This is my first time playing this game so I’m not quite sure what to do yet. I just know that Elysium is the hottest new game on the market which was released about a month ago.

A rich uncle of mine gave it to me as a Christmas present, hoping to take my attention away from books and make a deviant out of me. He thinks studying makes robots out of people and is already suspicious about the deteriorating level of my human-ness.

I only opened the package two weeks after receiving it, just to quench my curiosity because everything my friends talk about is this ‘awesome new game’ that you could play even when sleeping.

Yes, you could play it while sleeping. It’s actually the objective of the game before powering it up. You must be unconscious to play.

Just attach the main panel which would cover your eyes up to your forehead, press the ‘Activate’ button on the console and lay peacefully on your favorite pillow. Voila! Your ego –the You inside the game– will take care of the rest.

I’m not a hardcore gamer but when I do engage in gaming, I make sure I kick ass. I wouldn’t expect less from myself with this game.

“Maren Ely Roth,” I answered after much deliberation. It’s an anagram of my real name: Erlyn Mae Thor.

“Generating avatars. Please wait a moment.”

After around two or three minutes, five life-sized holograms appeared before me in a semi-circle. I was staring at five copies of me. The only differences among them were the clothes and posture.

“Please choose an occupation.”

“Uhmmm… Occupation?”

“Yes. You may choose among five jobs: Champion, Mage, Shaman, Artisan, or Mercenary. Later, you may choose a specialty under each job.” This time the Game Master didn’t sound too mechanical. “Each job has two disciplines: one may specialize in offense and the other, in defense.”

“Oh, could I see each of those? I don’t want to regret my choice later on.”

“Of course. As you wish.”

The first hologram stepped forward and wielded a long sword. Huh, I actually look cool in a chain mail. The other holograms seemed to dim into the background.

“The Champion,” declared the GM. “She is a powerful weapon-user; attributes lean toward strength.” At this, the hologram swung the sword above her head then made a quick motion to sheathe it in its scabbard. “A champion may later choose between two specialties. The first, for offensive, is the Knight – specializes in melee weapons. The second is the Warden – specializes in long-ranged weapons and defense.”

“That’s nice. How ‘bout the next job?”

“The Mage.”

I watched in awe as the knight stepped back and turned hazy while the second hologram stepped forward. With her left hand, she made an arc above her head, leaving a trail of flames and with the other she made a downward arc made of ice. Finally she lowered her hands, making the fire and ice vanish in a shower of sparks.

I heard giggles in the background.

“Mages, always flashy. She is an excellent user of magic. Attributes lean toward intelligence. A mage may later choose between two specialties. The first, for offensive, is the Sorceress who could make use of earthly magic and manipulate it into any form she wishes. For defensive is the Necromancer who could also use earthly magic but focuses on summoning the dead for him to manipulate.”