5 The Day Before The Release II

The moving truck follows us as we drive back to my house. Jessica has a worried look on her face. She is staring out the window at the passing scenery and cars. "Do you ever wonder if life is predetermined by something greater than us? I like the thought that my fate is in my own hands, but sometimes it doesn't feel that way, you know..." She starts talking out of nowhere, and her subject is an interesting one.

Many theories about life and fate exist, but I've always believed we are the makers of our own destiny. We are the most intelligent life, and with 20 billion people, there are bound to be conflicting ideas. Religion and race are examples of this. Such conflicts have been a focus on human history. Who am I to say what's right or wrong.

I think about my response and understand why my sister asked this. "You don't need a college degree to be successful. You don't need to sacrifice so much for so little. I didn't spend a day in college, and I'm living a dream life. Some luck is required, but smart decisions and calculated risks are what get you places. I'm not going to say this is the answer, Jess. It's just my answer. The one that worked for me. It might not work for you, and that means you gotta find that answer. Isn't free will a beautiful thing..." She chuckles as I say those last words.

Everyone I have ever known always struggles in the beginning. The only ones who don't struggle hard are the ones born into wealth. Not the same struggles the lower and middle class go through. I know exactly where this is coming from. When I first decided to make my living through games, I started with nothing. No one believed I could do it. Only my family supported my choice. I had the same doubts far earlier than she is now.

Once I sold my first item, I saw for the first time my life is my own, and I control it. "I bet mom and dad have some story's to tell you, Jess. Before we were born, they didn't live in that nice house in that safe neighborhood. They lived in a tiny apartment like your old one. Remember the story they told when they used their food money to repair the car only to break down forever the next day. You never know what life can throw at you." It really helps to hear your parent's struggles so that you can learn from them. I certainly did. They have endless advice for you if you ask.

She has a reminiscent look on her face as we both recall the many story's mom and dad have told us. I bet there are hundreds more that they have yet to tell. "How much did it cost to hire the robot movers? I swear I'll pay back every single cent, and I'm also going to pay rent to." I give her a sideways look as I grin. I don't doubt her ability to do it, but what's the point with living with family if you have to pay rent. "I hate it when you look at me like that... Fine, have it your way. I hate feeling like this, though... Like I'm a charity case..." She has been going through a really hard time. I won't say anything else. I should leave her alone with her thoughts. We continue the drive in silence as the robot movers follow us in a truck behind us.

We get to the house after 15 minutes of driving, and Jessica is the one to order them around decorating her room. Her new room is the same size as her tiny apartment. As she handles all that. I head to the couch and switch to my favorite programs.

The same lady is doing reports, and a new segment I haven't seen is about to start. I turn it up so I can hear it. "The official first-day launch of The Aeternus Universe is less than 12 hours away at this point. For the western coasters watching today, it'll be releasing at 4 am sharp." So that's the time I gotta be up. The ZSR-10k allows people to play without having to come out for sleep. So that means much more game time. I'll still have to come out for food and bathroom breaks, though.

The segment continues as the female reporter speaks. "There has also been a small boom in the latest and greatest DDVR tech on the market. The ZSR-10k's price has dissuaded many potential customers. Now that a new game with great potential is coming out, an increase in sales has risen from 32% to 68%. This is a strong sign that many have very high hopes for The Aeternus Universe and its future in the gaming industry. Many billion-dollar non-gaming companies have invested in The Aeternus Universe stock as well." The ZSR-10k's price is on the heavy side of 120,000 UWD's. That huge spike in increase has to be from hardcore gamers spending some of the money they have earned through selling items. I purchased it the day it came out. Smartest purchase I ever made too. I'm definitely buying the next one they release.

The segment continues talking about things that I've seen on the forums here and there. The forums are where I also find the newest information right when it comes out. The instantaneousness of the internet has made most common media obsolete. T.V. has been slowly dying for the last 100 or so years. "How much does a ZSR cost anyway? I saw the one on T.V. in your room when I passed it." My sister slightly startles me at her sudden appearance. She is a quiet walker, and that's both good and bad.

I point at the little price tag the news bar is showing. She must have missed it. I watch her entire demeanor sink, and I see some color fade from her face. "You paid 120,000 UWD's for a toy... I could buy a nice little home for that amount..." She sounds completely defeated.

I look at her, and I feel some pity. I tap the seat next to me for her to sit down and join me. She does without any energy left in her body. "I'm sorry, Jess." I say this in a sincere and caring voice, and I hug her with one arm. It can really deflate a person after hearing something like that. "At least you have your health." I try to lighten the mood with humor, but she proceeds to give me an old-fashioned purple nurple.

We struggle for a few seconds, and soon her mood goes from sad and depressed to happy and energetic. We separate as we both laugh. She really needed that. We both relax on the couch, and I look at the news segment playing as more things I didn't know about will be discussed.

Jessica looks at the news segment with interest too. "In more recent news, UWD's stock has risen another two points today. The constant growth of the global currency is making the rich richer and the poor poorer. How does this relate to the gaming industry, you may ask? All in-game items that are worth a good amount are usually traded for real-world currency. This real-world change also affects the prices of items from Gaia's Awakening, Lost World, and Genesis Rebirth. It will most certainly affect The Aeternus Universe too. How it does is yet to be seen." This means that all the money I already have is worth more. The separation in lifestyles worries me, though. The poor are reaching a very shaky state. They work the hardest for very little, and that leaves bitterness in their hearts.

I see the time on the little clock on the T.V., and it's around the time I usually research the forums, but I think I'll head up to my room and go to bed early to get the 4 am start date. It'll likely be just a login and character creation time for the first hour or so. "You can have the T.V. all to yourself. I'm going up to my room. I have an early thing to catch. Just voice out what you want to watch, and the T.V. will find it." She nods her head, and I make my way to my room. Once inside, I take my phone out of my pocket and lay on my bed.

I look at recent posts from the devs, and nothing about the game has been leaked or revealed. They have done an excellent job keeping information about the game from getting out.

After an hour, my body begins to relax fully, and I place my phone on my bedside table. I set my alarm for 3:40 am to at least have some breakfast before I hop on and do whatever they want to be done before the game officially starts. I close my eyes and fall into a deep slumber. I have a deep and relaxing sleep on my soft and expensive bed. I'm awoken from my deep sleep as the alarm goes off—time to get up and start this first day on The Aeternus Universe.