Vesity

[3]

Adler’s POV

I wandered through Central Vesity. God, I loved the Vesity. I knew I wasn’t supposed to be there, I wasn’t supposed to exist, and yet I did.

The roads in the central part of Vesity, all made of blue light, were filled with people wandering through the sites, or just chatting openly. There were private chat rooms for people to have discussions in, but unless you wanted to be completely alone, or were willing to have people listen or join your chat, you could just speak in Central Vesity.

“Get off the internet!” exclaimed a man, standing on a platform. “The Vesity is taking over our lives! We mustn’t allow it to control us!” Nobody paid him any attention. There were always some people protesting the Vesity. People called them IRLers.

Three capers marched up to the man and held up squarish hands to silence him. The man was escorted away, and people continued on.

In the Vesity, I made sure to wear clothes like other people did. I wore a simple sweatshirt and jeans, casual clothing. Some people went all out, wearing armor and weapons at all times. It didn’t matter to me. I didn’t fight anyone.

I was a… what is it called? A pacifist? Yeah. A pacifist. I had all the information in the world at my fingertips. I didn’t want to fight anyone. Even if someone tried to kill me, they couldn’t. The #YOLO policy didn’t affect me. I was just part of the game.

As I looked around Central Vesity, my eyes landed on an avatar, walking through the crowds. It was a female, with (h.l) (h.c) hair, (s.c) skin, (e.c) eyes, and (f.c) markings on her face and arms. She wore (f.c) armour covering most of her body. A war scythe clung to her back, and a dark (f.c) lasso hung at her side.

I don’t know why, and I don’t know how, but the avatar was mesmerizing. She walked proudly, her enchanting (e.c) eyes searching for something in the crowds. I followed her, a few meters behind.

The way she moved was unlike anyone else. There were suits made so you could control every single movement of your avatar by moving yourself. That’s how most people played. Clearly, she had a suit and a chamber. I smiled gently at the thought. She loved Vesity as much as I did.

I continued to follow her. She didn’t notice, or so I thought. She turned and entered a public common room. I followed soon after. I was met with the sight of a digital bar. People were everywhere, talking, chatting, waiting for someone to arrive. The female sat at a table in the corner where a candle was lit.

The entire room was dark, save for candles on each table and the glow of the avatars’ eyes. I walked to the bar, attempting to not look suspicious. The bartender was a NPC, a No Player Character. He was just part of the game.

Unlike me, he had no personality. He had to do what you told him to do. He couldn’t think. All of his movements were robotic.

“Hey,” I said to him in a low whisper. I leaned against the fake wooden bar. He looked to me with a glass in one hand and a rag in the other. “What can you tell me about the avatar over there?” I jerked my head in her direction. The Bartender glanced at her, then turned back to me.

“(U.N),” he said in his monotone voice. “Female, Level 194.” I raised an eyebrow. That was all the information I was going to get from the Bartender. If she was at level 194, she spent a lot of time in Vesity. I turned to look at her over my shoulder, but saw her seat was empty.

The doors of the bar swung closed, and I saw (h.c) hair on the avatar leaving. I raced after her. As soon as I was outside, I couldn’t see her in either direction. I sighed and turned around once again, ready to walk away, when I found myself with a war scythe pressed against my neck and a (e.c) eyed avatar glaring at me.

“Who are you?” she said. Her voice was smoother than I thought it would be, even through the microphone.

“Um…”

No POV

You stare at the strange boy in front of you. His skin was a light green shade. It was not uncommon to have strangely coloured skin. His hair was shaggy, but not uncontrollable, and also green. Everything about him was green, even his clothes. He looked like an average teenager. He wore a light green sweatshirt that was too big, darker green jeans, and converse that were multiple shades of green.

“I’m Adler,” he said, stretching a hand towards you. You pressed your war scythe harder into his throat. He gasped for air and took a step back. “Okay, okay, okay. I’m sorry.” His voice threw you off.

It didn’t sound like he was using a microphone on his end. It sounded as though he was sitting right next to you. You knew he was different from the start. You just didn’t know how.

“Why are you following me?” you ask, threatening him even more with your war scythe.

“Oh gosh, I just- woah! I’m sorry! I’m not-”

“Are you trying to kill me?” His eyes widen, as if he was shocked by the question. Just who the hell was this kid? You couldn’t tell.

If only you knew…