03 | Exe.// Aoide_System The Basics

Awaiting in an empty and blank void, was this what his personal hell was like? Just nothing? Perhaps, his Boss wasn't so heartless and spared his life ... No, he would be kidding himself if he believed that.

Maybe this is one final trip for his hallucinations to act up before he really dies ... Did he fear death? Of course.

Gazing around himself, his eyes leaped onto anything that would catch his attention in the dark.

Nothing. Not a single thing could be found within the abyss he was in.

Just as he was about to close his eyes, to sleep until he would eventually pass away, a small purple light lit up with a few embers floating from it, it was cute in a silly way as the embers looked like it resembled fluffy ears of an animal.

He eyed the very thing warily looking closely at it, not able to comprehend what it was or what it had wanted, but it did nothing but stay still with the embers twitching every so often.

He hadn't even noticed when he had reached close enough that the purple light was reflecting onto his skin. Now that he was up close and personal, the purple light dimmed noticing the light had shaped and formed into an animal, a cute little fox with big ears, a Fennec it had shaped itself.

His lips curled into a half smile, he couldn't remember the last time he had even tried to smile. He reached his hand out wanting to touch the shape of the purple ember and his fingers barely brush onto the top of the animal before it raised its head and stared straight at him.

He felt his breath hitch, an ache in his chest and a sudden banging at his head rushed him all at once and almost overwhelmed him with the pang of pain. He yanked his hand away from it and clutched his head, closing his eyes.

A few moments after, the pain stopped.

He slowly let go of his head, after the throbbing pain stopped and taking in heavy breaths. He opened his eyes to look around him, startled.

The void that he was in before had changed, the abyss had stayed but now there were countless glittering lights in different colors within the sky. There was barren terrain of solid land below him covered in fields of flora, stretched out across his eyes. He hesitantly looked around him for that purple creature that caused this down below on the ground, at least he assumed it was that creature.

He slowly felt himself descend down onto the ground, feeling the plushness of the grass take his weight like a soft landing. He looked around him for a sign, anything, just something to be there with him.

He saw a flash of purple zip past him quickly, almost ramming him over as it zoomed past him, turning around and coming face to face with the little creature from before. Only this time it was the only one floating out of the two. He could see the features of the animal with its eerie eyes, it's coat was flaming with dark purple like embers drifting off into the air.

" ... Hello?" He hesitantly spoke, this time he knew not to reach out and touch it in fear of the pain from before once more attacking him.

He saw in the corner of vision that something was flashing, blinking at him.

=== 1 new notification ===

He focused on it, not a clue in mind on how to actually open it, only for the bar to close and appear in front of his vision with a new interface opened up.

[MISSION — The Basics]

Open Notification Interface …

Difficultly : Tutorial-based

[Reward : None]

[Congratulations Host #2! You have been selected by the Aoide System to participate in our trials of changing the world's fate. You are currently stationed in the Rift.]

[You have successfully opened part of the main interface. Please continue to work hard.]

[MISSION — The Basics 2]

Open Mission Interface …

Difficulty: Tutorial-based

[Reward - None]

'Interface? This seems more like a game than anything ... even a tutorial based difficulty is within this section.'

He attempted to reach his hand out and try to touch what was in front of him but he didn't feel anything nor did anything trigger on the screen.

'How do I even get to the main interface?'

This time the interface layout had changed and multiple icons appeared in his vision.

[Host Stats] [Second Life] [Rift] [Shop] [Notifications] [Missions]

He blinked multiple times, 'So .. It is linked to my thoughts. Missions.'

The tab zoomed into the mission section and opened the interface.

[You have successfully opened part of the main interface. Please continue to work hard.]

'These missions seem easy enough.'

[MISSION — The Basics 3]

Initiate bond with Aoide Guardian …

Difficulty: Highest Difficulty

[Reward - Aoide Guardian, Basic Chest]