Chapter 5: Real and Unreal

After throwing a ledder down the cliff Grace logs off. Returning to reality. ''And what did he tell you?'' Asks Becca from behind a monitor the exhausted therapist. ''Whe have a problem. He thinks that this game world is real.'' ''What do you mean?'' ''Realy simple. This world is to real. The experiences are to real. You can even swim in the sea near Majula.'' Elaborates Grace Drakes view to Becca.

''Swimming?! I don't think that is programed into the game?!'' Tells Becca her while typing in some console comands.

''Who could that be? I have seen him swim in the sea...'' Grace asks highly disturbed. ''... what kinde of place is he in if not in a game?'' ''I can't find code allowing one to swim. You will have to test it out, so we can figure out if it is a bug or hidden code.''

''Ok. What do I have to do?'' ''I would be best if you go to [Heide's Tower of Flame] it is an entire area surrounded by water.'' ''Ok. How do I get there'' Asks Grace. After hearing a detailed description she puts her VR helmet on and returns into Souls Reborn.

After arriving in Majula Grace easily finds her way. To the left of the cliff where the company of heroes is located, there is a large stone archway, with a staircase going down a tunnel. Going through the archway Gracw comes into a circular room, there is a pillar in the center with a symbol on it. Examining it mentions that the the contraption does not move. Not thinking more about it she turns right going down the hallways to a spiral staircase, on the left there is a chest with Crimson Parma. Equiping the Parma and drawing her Katana Grace continues down the stairs taking her to a tall two floors high room with a large closed gutter door. After entering she stays on the ledge going left there on the opposit side from entry she finds a chain. Pulling the chain Grace opens the gutter door. Going through the door she follows the waterway where she again finds a closed gutter door. Suddenly the just jet opened door closes shut behind Grace. Closed in between gutter doors Grace finds the another chain. Pulling the chain the gutter door reopens. Looking arround she finds a stone archway in the corner of the waterway. Going down the hallway takes Grace reaches the entrance of Heide's Tower of Flame. As she exits the waterway, she is greeted with a beautiful view of the flooded towers and collapsing walkways. Straight ahead she sees a round platform with a large sentinel wielding a large greatsword and a Heide Knight sitting in on corner of said platform. Walking down the half colaped walkway Grace begins to sprint just before the sentinel, where she takes a sharp right turn. Going down the staircase she activates the bonfire resetting the sentinel that follows her.

... [Heide's Ruin] Bonfire lit...

Now sitting at the bonfire Grace looking out into the perfect sunset above the sparkling sea. ''If this is all real?!'' Murmers Grace to herself before undressing. Now closed in her linen underwear she tips her her big tow into the water. Experiencing the sensation of water comming incotact with her body she closes her eyes savoring every minute. Feeling the warm water Grace just jumps head first into the sea, diving deep into the cooling water. Feeling the water rush by her and the water pressure down on her eardrums. By arching her back Grace slides back up to the water surface, heavily breathing out. ''It is real?!'' Shocked by the gravity of her experience she swims back in the direction of the bonfire. By diving deeper into the sea she sees the sunken structures and broken down stone walkways. Swimming around the towers rising out from the water the therapist finds a shallow walkway leading up to the second floor of Heide's Towe of Flame. Gutting her clthes back on and drawing her weapon she goes up the stairs. There on the second floor Grace finds a new bonfire. By pressing down the swort hilt the fire lights up and a warm aura spreads out.

...[Tower of Flame] Bonfire lit...

Looking out now over the sea and ruins Grace suddenly hears a calm clerical female voice. ''Are you from these parts? My name is Licia. I have come to spread the art of miracles, a practice of which I am a disciple. I can see that you are well suited to comprehend their wondrous power. But the cost of it? That's for your heart to decide.''

Turning around the therapist finds a young woman clad in ornamental cleric robes. ''You are a clerice?''

'' Yes. Just speak up if you're in need of miracles. That's why I'm here, after all.''

''What kinde of place is this? It is so peaceful.''

''I'd heard awful rumours about this place, and I'm afraid they were all true. The king, gone. The earth, ravaged. The burden on the people weighs heavy. I fear that by now, they may have scarce room in their hearts for miracles...'' ''If this is such an awful pace why are you still hear?''

'' Why did I come here? Well… Do I need any other reason, than to spread the gospel of miracles? My preceptor always said this art should be shared with the world. And such is my only wish.''

Grace spents hours just talking to Licia of Lindelt an beeing amazed by how real the NPC looks like. In the end Grace is gifted some miracles from the cleric woman.

''You deserve to have these. For your faith has truly deepened. With your faith, you deserve to have these. For your faith has truly deepened. Go on, and seek greater miracles. With your faith, you deserve no less!'' Says Licia when saying goodbye to Grace. Sitting down by the bonfire Grace logs out returning to reality.

''And were you able to swim?'' Is Grace asked by Becca when taking of her VR helmet. ''Yes I was able to. I even met an NPC named Licia of Lindelt. I haven't done any in depth tests with her but I could swear that she is a real person.'' ''I know that one!'' By tiping some comands Becca shows Grace the programme files of the NPC named Licia. There on the screen Grace reads most of Licias conversation options. ''Is this for real?'' Grace asks Becca. ''Yes I think so. Licia is a highly advanced AI like every NPC in spuls Reborn.'' Unsure of what to believe Grace gives the Licias conversation options a closer look. Some bits and peaces of the fixed fraces that she reads are mirror images of what she can remember to have heard. By reading more and more of the programed lines the world seams to make sense again. ''You can't believe how glad I am that they are only very advanced AIs. Have you figured out how it is possible to swim in Souls Reborn?''

''No, I haven't. It could be a bug that is a result of us impoting old files into a new system. So do you have a plan to get my father out?'' Asks Becca still looking concerned.

''I have no concrete idear. Therapy is a long process...'' Answers Grace but abruptly stopping her sentence when reading a specific line of AI code. ''... What is that... Licia is not supposed to gift the player any miracles only a talisman to cast miracles.'' ''What fo you mean?'' ''How can a program do things like gifting miracles to a player when there is a specific line of program against exactly that?! Is Souls Reborn really just a game?'' ''I don't know. What is real what is unreal? I only want my father back in this reality.'' Answers Becca Grace deeply concerned. ''And to do exactly that I have to return to Spuls Reborn and talk to him.'' Says Grace while putting the VR helmet back on.