Hymn of Elys

Chapter Two

Time seemed to turn for an eternity as she stared at the snow white skin of the woman's extended arm. Even though she knew it was too good to be true, Alice could never turn away such an opportunity. Though, she would probably regret it in the future. Somehow, she knew this for sure. Knowing she was making a deal with the metaphorical devil, she placed her hand into Freya's.

"Thank you for trusting in me, daughter." Freya's voice filled with warmth as she claimed Alice for her own. Power rushed from Freya's hand into Alice's body suddenly. The explosive rush of warmth was almost addicting. It was just like the empowering rush she received from singing.

"What is this?!" she demanded. Her dress started to flutter in the mystical swell of air. The earth seemed to crackle from the exchange of power. At any moment, she expected the power to suffocate them with how much it pressed it on her.

"This is your power, young one. Make of it what you wish, for it will bend to your will." Full white wings burst from the back of Freya's gown; both women's skin begin to glow as if filled with moonlight. "I will watch you on this journey."

"Journey?" Alice's clothing started to mirror Freya's, becoming more complex in design. The white gown became asymmetrical, the front shorter and coming up just above her knees. The train flowed outward, and bright blue ribbons adorned the back of the bodice. The sleeves of the dress were short and left her arms bare. With her blonde hair, Alice gained an almost ethereal appearance that most maidens shared. Other changes would also become evident, but she would only see them as she continued to play the game that Freya had set in motion. "What kind of journey?"

Freya giggled, her multicolored eyes flashing with mirth. "A journey for the ages, dear one. Where all your dreams may come true, or you may drown in your despair." A chill washed down Alice's spine, and she almost wished she could snatch her hand away from the angelic presence.

Freya pulled her hand away from the young girl's, leaving her bereft. "Now, go. Show the world that my daughters still walk this plane. "

The woman's form started to fade away, shimmering in the bright daylight. "May you always hear my song, dearest daughter." With those words, Freya fully disappeared. Soon, she was left alone in the field of daisies. Alice stared at the spot that she had been, as if in a daze. All that was left of her visit were darkening feathers that had fallen from Freya's alabaster wings.

With her gone, it seemed as if the magic around her begin to fade as well. The field of daisies she had once been in started to morph and change around her. In its place was an open pass of jagged rocks. She could tell it had been the site of a recent battle; ash and twisted metal littered the ground around her. The smell of acrid smoke burned her sensitive nose.

Alice found herself wondering if she had imagined meeting Freya. Had she been zoning out this entire time? Had the game been playing tricks on her?

She had no answers. Only an icon bouncing in the corner of her vision was any indication that something had changed. Her hazel eyes watched the bouncing silver star out of the corner of her eye. After a few seconds, she finally held up a dainty finger in the air and pressed the button.

At the brush of her fingertips, it opened two windows. For some reason, it took her off guard that the script was in a flowery cursive. 'That... Is different.' It didn't match the scenery around her at all. In fact, it was almost jarring.

One window was labeled 'Song Tree'; the other 'Status'.

Of course, she had researched the basics of most video games before her purchase. She wasn't completely ignorant. Using a couple strokes of her fingertips, she navigated and scrolled through the screens, soaking in the new information. However, one line made her stop.

Alice had accomplished what she had wanted, and was given what Freya had promised. Or, at least, the start of a promise. In bold letters, next to her class designation, was her hopes at her fingertips.

Class: Song Maiden

Butterflies filled her stomach. Alice felt revitalized, almost as if she had a newfound hope. As a song maiden, what all would she be able to do? How would she be able to shape this virtual world? Would she somehow be able to use this to advance her goals in reality?

All of the possibilities ran through her mind, and she was ecstatic. Is this why people played video games? It was a wonderful feeling.

Alice chewed on her bottom lip as she scrolled through the translucent menu, before finding an option labeled 'Journal'. She tapped it, and watched as it bloomed into two screens that took up her field of view.

On the left side showed a birds eye view of the areas around her, the terrain marked with different symbols to indicate obstructions. About a mile away from her was a small village, most likely the 'starter' town. A solid dot pin pointed it's location, the small circle echoing; symbolizing that it was the next destination for her newest quest.

On the right side, the journal laid open. After experimenting with the window, she realized that she could turn the pages, almost like a book. By doing so, it showed flavor text and previous actions she had taken. 'Current objective: Meet with Grim for registration'.

Alice was given the option of setting a waypoint, which would give her a guiding line of light that only she could see. It would navigate her, but she decided against it. If this was going to be her first experience in a game, she wanted to do it as organically as possible.

Or, as her brother would most likely say, 'She would live this shit.'

She closed out of the windows and set her gaze towards the horizon. Where did the road lead? Her new sandals trudged through the ash and dirt, soiling her pristine attire. However, it didn't give her a pause. Alice focused on the task ahead, doing her best to continue on. She ignored almost everything else, and set her sights ahead.

Her determination to continue burned bright, and to unravel any secrets that she could about the mysterious Freya; Alice also sensed that there would be many more adventures ahead.

If Freya was watching, she would show her how strong she could be. It was the only way to repay the gift she had been given, even if she didn't know how to harness her power as of yet.

~//~

Another person had started the game the same time as Alice. A man by the name of Manuel, who understood the power of a true adventure. He had been selected as the paladin class, based on his values. Unlike Alice, he had been challenged about his beliefs and his strength. The evaluator had been amazed at his prowess, but mostly by his willingness to help others.

As Alice was given power so that she could stride towards her dreams, Manuel was the opposite. Though Alice may have been gentle in spirit and soul, Manuel was of the more altruistic sort. The power Manuel acquired had come from within himself, with no help from an immortal power.

The evaluator had asked the young man what he sought, and he had answered with confidence: He wanted to protect the powerless. Though it may have been just a video game to him, he had the mindset and the background to courageously and truthfully answer with his feelings.

Far away from Alice, in a barren grassland; with his sword and shield at his side, he continued towards the village marked on his map.