4 Prologue of Prologue (Final Part)
Once I finished reminiscing our first 'true' meeting, I let out a chuckle.
"No matter how much I reminisce about it, it was just as funny as before. Hilarious"
I closed my eyes as I felt nostalgic.
"Aaron, are you okay?"
"Did you drink too much? We can order you some more water."
I open my eyes to their voices. Alyssa with a suspicious expression. Kei with a worried look. Iris was just smiling in the background….
Sometimes I don't know what she is thinking, even when we play together.
"It's nothing"
"You sure?"
"Positive."
"Hey, you guys. If you're startin' something without me, don't. Let me join in!"
As I evasively avoided their questioning, Clay started to force himself in the conversation.
As our party started to get a bit noisy, Alyssa chimed in with a question.
"Hey guys, weird question. If you guys were ever given a chance to become your Main....would you?"
All of us instantly gave Alyssa a weird look.
"For real. What's with the sudden question? You drunk?"
"Shut up. Yeah, I'm drunk. Got a problem with that? I just….felt like I need to ask that question. Like it's important....or something"
Clay with the typical interjection and Alyssa came back with the usual(?) rebuttal.
Alyssa was acting a little strange at the end but we just assumed it was the alcohol.
After being amused with the familiar sight we all started to think about Alyssa's question. For some reason, I too thought it was important. Must be the alcohol. No doubt.
"How about you Alyssa? Since you asked the question."
"I…..kinda want to reserve my answer after hearing about your guy's first."
"What's up with that?"
Iris returned Alyssa's question right back at her. However, with an evasive mood, Alyssa dodges the question and returns it back.
"What's with all the doom and gloom? Y'all probably just worrying about something stupid again."
Clay scoffs at them.
"Huuuuuh?!?! Okay, Brainiac. What's your great answer?"
"Easy! Of course, I would take Elwyn's place anytime. The main character always gets the ladies."
"Uwaaah…..as expected of you. Giving the creepiest answers."
"You're just jealous because my Elwyn is the de facto protagonist of VDS."
After looking at the smug Clay, Alyssa heaves a sigh and turns to look at both Kei and Tyrell next.
"Leaving this idiot here alone, how about the two of you?"
When I looked towards Kei, she seems to also be hesitant in giving an answer. Tyrell, on the other hand, seemed set, surprisingly.
"Not to say I am like Clay, but I too would, if given a chance, to become Theo. No matter what."
After saying this, we all turn to look at Tyrell with some surprise. It is highly unusual for Tyrell to so decisive like that.
"That's surprising. Do you mind if we ask the reason why?"
With Iris's question, we too all looked at Tyrell with anticipation. Unfortunately, it seems that he does not wish to comply.
"Sorry, it is a personal thing."
"I see…..too bad."
With that answer, everyone began to turn to look at me. It seems to me it is my time to answer.
"How about you Aaron?"
I close my eyes for a moment. When I opened them again, a determined glint appears in my gaze.
"I….do not wish to become Ashe."
Not unlike with Tyrell's answer, everyone else showed an unexpected expression.
"Are you for real?!"
"A different kind of surprising compared to Tyrell for sure."
"Why though? After all the time you put into raising Ashe….."
"Aaron, are you sure?"
"Is it okay to ask why? For you, an Ashe fanatic, to say that."
Clay, Iris, Kei, Tyrell, and Alyssa all expressed the feelings in turn.
"It was as I said before, I don't want to become Ashe."
"Yeah but, wh----"It is because I care about him"----huh?"
That's right, it's because I care about Ashe that I would not want to be him. Ever since I laid my eyes upon him, I knew he would take an important place in my heart. It wasn't anything like love or desire. I don't know how to explain it. However, it is my joy to see through Ashe's story as an observer rather than be the person himself.
"How do I say this? To me, Ashe is someone I would consider as part of my family. It might be weird for me to say it out loud, but isn't the same for the rest of you?"
[Vers Warriors]
While our beginning was full of rough waves, the reason why we still remained together all these years was because of one shared trait we all have. We all love the VDS and the characters we have chosen since the very beginning. Abnormally so. From their design, story, their fighting style, we considered them our 'second selves'. If there something that they need to get stronger, we even place our hard-earned money to buy that thing at any cost. That's how deep our love is.
"Just like as I would never want to take the place of my family, I would choose no matter what to be on the side of the support. Well, if I wanted to be greedy, I wish I could have some power to help Ashe in someway…."
After letting my deepest desires,I once again became silent.
Normally, if anyone else heard what I said, they probably pull back. However, these guys are different.
As if moved, the girls nodded in agreement with my decision.
"You're right….you are absolutely right!"
"...I also understand what you mean. I too wanted to become Arlette's support. Thank you, Aaron, for making me realize it."
"Mmhmm. Of course, I too would never want to take the place of what I consider my family. Thank you also, Aaron"
After being thanked so honestly to my face, I started to get a little embarrassed.
"No problem. I was just speaking my mind. It's a hypothetical situation aftera----hmm?"
It was at this moment, the sound of various phone alarms rang at the same time. It seems that all of our phones rang the notification for the same reason.
"What the fuck?"
"You too?"
"It seems to be an important announcement from Kami Productions."
"It really is! I wonder what it is?"
"There's only one way to find out."
I immediately opened the email and started to read the contents.
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Greetings Heroes,
I would first like to thank you all for playing Verstronia: Dreamless Story. If it were not for your
bravery and valor, our beautiful world will already be destroyed by the hidden dark forces. We-------
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As always, the update maintenance announcement emails for VDS are kinda stiff and highly embarrassing contents. Writing as though their a representative of the world of VDS is good and all, is there really a need to be laying on thick with thanks and compliments? At least I think so.
As I skipped through the familiar lines of words, I start to read the update maintenance list.
Scanning through it quickly, I instantly found a paragraph that made me instantly freeze. It was at that moment I saw something I could not believe would ever happen…..will happen.
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Due to the recent statistics and reviews we received from everyone, it is our deepest regret to inform all of you that on July 21, 2024, the character Ashe Daemon will be officially removed from playable character selection and will remain as NPC to preserve the continuation of the storyline.
Reasons for the decision are as followed:
1. Within all players in VDS, the number of inactive accounts using Ashe Daemon amount to 44%.
2. Within all players in VDS, the number of active accounts using Ashe Daemon amount to only 10%.
3. Within the 10% active, only 2% of Ashe Daemon users reached levels higher than lvl 40, and only 0.1% reached above level 60.
Due to the sudden decision, we feel that it is our responsibility to make up for all current Ashe Daemon players. For all current Ashe Daemon players who have finished the tutorial stages and reached level 10 can receive compensation of experience transfer to a new character of their choice along with one free legendary rank item of their choice. Once again, we are sorry and grateful for your cooperation in this decision and hope to see you return to the world of Verstronia once again.
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The moment I saw the first paragraph, it was as if my body became numb. As shockwaves traveled through my body, it took a great effort from me to even finish reading the message. Once I had finished reading, unable to continue reading the other updates, I slowly turned off my smartphone.
"…..This is a lie, right? Otherwise Aaron…"
"Why now?! After all this time. They had that many chances to do this before, but since they hadn't I thought…."
"Aaron….."
"FUCK!!"
"Aaron?"
"…"
As the other members of Vers Warriors express their surprise, shock, anger, and sadness, I could only passively look at my now black screen without expression.
What went through my mind was a mix of emotions that chaotically move inside me sending me into a spiral of despair.
Did I ever expect this? Honestly, yes! The unpopularity of Ashe was not a new phenomenon. It has started from ever since my days in the Beta Testing period. However, for some reason, Ashe had always been ignored by Kami Production. When there had maintenance periods, giving all characters updates and new power-ups, Ashe was not an exception. But for updates in making Ashe easier to play never was addressed not once... not ever.
No matter how many petitions that gathered in number over the years for the change, Kami Productions remained silent. While I too was puzzled, I had felt that this silence was a blessing in disguise. It was through my efforts that I was able to raise my Ashe to the highest level cap. If there was any update, it would feel like my efforts would become moot. It was with the current system that I could be unique amongst others. My personal blessing.
However….it seems that this blessing ends today.
"...Let's go back to the hotel. It's getting late and the last train is coming. That's okay you all, alright?"
"Ah? Yes!"
"That's fine with me."
"It IS getting late"
With Alyssa's suggestion, the others reacted in agreement and started to clean up.
"….."
"Aaron…..let's go back."
"…."
Seeing me in that state, the others told me they would pay for my portion of the bills. After paying, we left together towards the subway station.
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,
It might be due to the late hours, but apart from us, the station was unusually empty.
As we wait for the arrival of the train, I remained silent. The other, without knowing what to say, also remained silent.
It was at this time the subway finally arrived. After the doors opened, we all filed into the empty train.
The doors close and the train leaves the station.
"...Aaron, if there is anything we can do, just say the word."
"….eh?"
I raised my head to look at Kei who spoke, and to everyone else.
"Heh, what is with that stupid look on your face? It is a matter of course for a guild leader, such as myself, will lend a hand to my subordinates."
"While agreeing with stupid Clay is extremely vexing, he is right. We all together in this. You don't have to face this alone."
"You help me many times during the days we played together. No it is my turn to be of service to you."
"Aaron, you can depend on us."
As each person poured their true feelings out to me, I felt a rush of emotions I never felt before. I put my hand over my heart.
In all my 23 years of life, I never had felt this much care by anyone, even my parents.
Ahhh….hold back tears. Don't let me down now tear ducts.
As my heart fills with indescribable happiness, I felt as if the coldness from before slowly melts away.
"…..Thank you, everyone."
"Of course!"
"Don't be a stranger. We are all in this together."
"That's what friends are for."
"Hmmph, it's a guildmaster's duty if the guildmembers can't keep up the slack."
"There you go again, Clay. Even though you're relieved."
"Sh-sh-shut up!"
As I laugh at their antics, I once again thought back to the announcement.
To not to be able to use Ashe again truly wounded me. While it is not like the character disappeared, being unable to be him once again created a gap in my heart.
But, when I look back at the members of [Vers Warriors], I feel like I can get back up my feet again.
It was at this moment...the bridge that held up the subway railways began to give away.
"W-what's going on!!"
"What the fuck!!!"
An unnatural floating sensation overtook my senses. A split second later was when I finally noticed that the entire subway was falling off the tracks.
"YOU GUUUUYYSSS!!!!"
I immediately reached my hand out, but it was all in vain.
The next thing I felt was an immense pain for a split second before the darkness overtook me.
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On July 21, 2024, late at night, a train leaving from a Tokyo Station was mysteriously derailed as the support from the subway rail bridge gave away sending the train plummeting to the ground in a huge accident. In a twist of fate, the number of unfortunate victims from the crash is miraculously low as apart from 6 foreigners and the driver who were the only passengers, no one else was hurt.
