Old Building - The Library

I've referred to this place as a cabin in the middle of nowhere, and it really is, but I can tell you it's a cabin with style.

The building has two floors, and only the rooms are made of wood, the rest of the place is made of stone. Despite being old, it was well cared for, at least in the rooms we were using — which, for me, was limited to "my" bedroom, the kitchen and the pantry.

I can't say if Alexia was taking care of it even before I showed up, or right after I came here. However, as I understand it, one of his tasks given by old Arx was to keep the place in order.

Was she some kind of maid?

In addition to several rooms, many without anything of importance, the building has an area on the first floor that resembled a cafeteria. There is also a kitchen and storage room.

By the way, Alexia likes to cook and I can say that I have never eaten something so good in my life. That includes every life I've had, literally.

As I understand it, during my days in a coma, a small vegetable garden was prepared using magic, and through it one of the rooms was completely frozen and is full of meat and things that would naturally be perishable.

What surprised me was the fact that there was enough food for an entire army... when it's just the two of us here.

Anyway, outside the building, we have a courtyard with areas and targets for archery practice, wooden dummies - now destroyed - for sword fighting and a stable area, although it is as deserted as the building itself. building.

From the outside, the abandonment is more visible, the walls have cracks and the beams have fallen almost on top of each other.

Behind the building there is a small forest that gives access to the wall that I can see from the room where I am. From below, it is not possible to see the abyss, however, this does not diminish the idea that all this can fall and be swallowed by the Nothing and the Void.

On the morning of the third day I had a quick chat with old Arx who was about to leave early in the morning. That conversation was quick and without many details. I couldn't get him to explain as much more about this world as I would have liked, as well as my previous situation.

Even so, I found out that this was the 3020, about six years before the RPG began.

Of course, this didn't help me at all, as I don't remember creating situations prior to the start or any kind of reminder and note for players during this period. However, the fact that "I" fought Ktnulsk already made the difference between "my" scenario and this world clear.

Old Arx had left along with the only horse in the building and from that moment on, both Alexia and I were alone... in this abandoned building under the Sonnen Mountains.

She looked at me with a bit of shame, after all, before leaving, the old man had said "Take good care of him for me Alexia. You've done it before, now wouldn't be any different". Well, that was a bit embarrassing even for me listening, let alone Alexia who was beside me. Of course, she just nodded and quickly entered the building. As for me, I glimpsed the morning observing the courtyard and the structures of that place.

***

I was alone for a few minutes until Alexia came out again to find me.

I looked at Alexia and gave an awkward laugh.

"The ve—Arx said this building used to be a student retreat and that's why there's a library. And truth? I moved away a little, going down the stairs, just so I wouldn't be on top of her.

— Yes, yes — she spoke in a hurry, even so she looked at the door behind her and turned to me — It's on the second floor, but on the other side. I took a look there. There's a lot of dust, it's been a while since all those books haven't been read. Even so, they are in good condition.

"I appreciate you showing me around the building, but could you take me there later?"

"Are you interested in books, Wynan?" she asked, a little surprised.

"Well, why wouldn't you?" And, anyway, if I read some of them I can better situate myself where and 'when' I am here...

- "When"? Well, we're somewhere near the outskirts of Sonnen...

"Oh, I'm not referring to that...

- No?

"Also, but not the main reason."

— I didn't get to see the books, but by the amount, there must be books about many things. Maybe you can find what you're looking for." She perked up as she talked about it and clasped her hands together almost as if she was as interested in them as I was, if not more so.

Anyway, there was something that stuck in my mind. Who was that old Arx... and who was Alexia?

"Alexia? I asked.

- Yes?

"Can I ask you something... personal?"

— F—guys? She got defensive.

"Err, what's your relationship with the old... Mister Arx?" I had to ask anyway, because that whole conversation yesterday didn't ring true.

Even more so the way he watched me and Alexia and the fact that he had hidden his "unique ability" until now. That was very timely for me.

- I understand. Well...

"Look, like I said before, if you don't want to talk, don't worry," I had to interrupt so as not to sound like an intruder or an enemy.

- No. All good. As I said, Master Arx owns me — as she was still on the top step, she went down a few steps and sat down. I did the same, but sitting a little further away from her a few steps down.

"Aren't slaves forbidden in the Arkana?" — I already knew the answer, but hearing it from someone other than "me" would be truer, I think.

"Yes, officially yes. but an illegal market still exists where slaves can be bought and sold. Of course, all in the shadows...

— ... — I remained silent, waiting for her to continue, but when I saw that she seemed to be reviewing past memories that she didn't like, I tried to interrupt again — But, now everything's fine, isn't it?

"Oh yes," she nodded. "Since that day, Lord Arx has taken me to the Arkana Academy as an apprentice. All I know he taught me. So I'm grateful to him. If it wasn't for his courage in buying me at that auction, I probably would be...

"Thanks Alexia, more than enough." I believe she realized that while the information was helpful to me, this conversation would only make the situation a little awkward for both of us.

Then she nodded and smiled.

And we paused for a while until she asked:

- And you? Is there anyone who helped you?

- I? Oh well. In my world, I lived alone. Despite that, there wasn't much to complain about. But... leave the past to the past, right? — I couldn't risk making her as apprehensive as the old man was by wanting to know about my world, the real world. So I got up after that and looked at the horizon.

- It's beautiful, is not it? she commented, before I even did anything.

- Yes. I don't remember seeing a landscape like that in a long time.

"Sonnen is a very beautiful region. Its mountains and forests are enchanting. Before the pictures I already thought it was beautiful, but in person it is much prettier.

"Have you been elsewhere, Alexia?"

"I traveled a lot with Master Arx, to different places. However, I didn't leave much of the places where we were staying.

"I see." It was easy for me to understand the meaning of "not going out much." Even more so when hours passed just using PANS to play.

PANS, Server Neural Access Gateway. Despite being aesthetically horrible, it was capable of inserting our minds into the most diverse virtual fields, including chat rooms and the famous virtual reality games.

My parents worked as scientists and helped create the immersion system now known as PANS. Because of this, their schedules were full of appointments and events. And due to the accident with their plane during one of these trips, they were presumed dead although the remains of the plane itself were never found.

Anyway... I traveled to different places just using PANS, so this feeling was somewhat unique to me. After all, those other times were just illusions created by virtual reality.

I never strayed very far from my apartment which was located in an inner city neighborhood and the most I could see were other buildings from any window I looked at.

— Wynan.

- Say.

— Do you want to see something beautiful?

"Can't I see it anymore?" "What the fuck did I just say?"

Even more so looking at her in that way that, when he realized that she was wearing a skirt and that I was a few steps lower, he closed his leg almost immediately — Wait, it's not that, I didn't mean that...

"What a pervert!" — she huddled in the corner of the stairs — Why are you like that?

"I didn't see anything, I swear."

Then she opened her eyes, one of them only, and saw me turning the other way towards the courtyard helplessly. I could hear her smile and then her words:

"Well, I'll believe it then."

"And what would that pretty thing be?" I said without looking at her so as not to make myself even more of an idiot.

- The sunset. From this mountain we have a great view and even better... — when she said that, I turned around and she pointed to an area on the second floor of the building — From there it's even more beautiful.

- Serious? So we could see today, how about that?

- Yes. It would be amazing. I would like to share this view with someone.

"Around five o'clock?" — and when I asked that, she was looking at ships.

- Five o'clock? - she asked.

— Yes, five o'clock in the afternoon, to see the sunset?

- Oh yes. You mean the porsolar [por-ço-home].

- Sunset? That's what I said.

— Also, but, porsolar is the name — what a stupid name, I don't remember saying it once in game. And probably if I ever did, I'd be crazy to name it like that.

"And how are we to know?" Wait until it starts?

- I didn't understand. Do you think it will be tedious?

- It's not that. Don't you often see the time of day?

- Yes. We have four hours of the day, novasolar, solar, porsolar and mystara.

- What? Like this? — idiotic names alert. Alert! For the love of god, who created this?

"Novasolar is when the sun wakes up from its deep sleep, Solar is the name of the sun and its strongest and most powerful state, porsolar is when it rests beyond the horizon, and mystara is the time the moon takes over the heavens.

"Oh. I think I get it now — basically 6, 12, 5 and probably 6 to 5 am.

Then I looked at my wrist. Although it doesn't make much sense to wear a wristwatch when you have cell phones and electronic displays everywhere, I used to wear one.

It was a real rare find of the internet in those days. A classic Mondaine model in silver and genuine leather. Now I don't have it and I can't even tell the time.

It's easy to distinguish the time when we can see the stars in their specific phases, but what about before or after? Summarizing everything in four hours would be too radical, don't you think?

"In that case I'll call you, okay?"

- All good. Alexia, I have another question, but it concerns me right now. If you could answer me, that would be very helpful — another thing that's been scratching my head is the fact that this "aura" of mine that old Arx said... Is she still alive even in a coma? After all, if I was dead, it would already be something to discard as soon as I was found. If not, knowing Alexia's ability and how and where I was "killed" just makes me want to know more about it all.

— Hmm?

"Did you have to stay by my side during my coma?"

"Yes," she said with conviction, but then, remembering something, she looked away, all red.

"But, did you know about your ability before that?"

- No. Master Arx told me to take care of his body.

- AND? Caring, how so?

"Don't make me say these things!" What do you expect me to do? He told me that you... were special. And besides, I could see his aura, so... I didn't... I was against the idea of ​​doing that.

- Serious? Can you see my aura? — until that moment we were only talking about power in its raw form, or when it would already be released, however, it was the first time that I heard something about aura coming from Alexia herself.

- Yes. It's an energy unlike any other I've learned. So, I can say that I was also a little curious about the size of... your aura even in that state.

"... "wait a minute, she said she had to take care of my body... and the old man said I was naked... So... "Oops, wait a minute." How do I take care of my body? Now I'm interested.

"I won't say any more about it. If that's what you want to know, end of story.

"Oops… no, it's okay, forget it. Idiocy of mine. But come on Alexia, are you some kind of mage? I asked looking at her, trying to analyze something that would show that this was or was not possible.

- No. I can't actually use magic, but I can feel and see it as well, more easily than anyone else. That's what Master Arx says—when she said that, I looked into her face.

He was handsome and beautiful, but he was also different. I mean, those eyes were unusual and always intrigued me.

"Do your eyes allow you to see magic?" That's why they are that color, different?

- You can say yes. But if that's the case, so should you, shouldn't you?

"As a matter of fact, when you handed me that bell, I saw something different about it, but until then I just ignored it. A kind of aura, really... I think that was it.

"Interesting, it's very rare to notice these things. And are you a wizard?

- No. I think—my stomach rumbled like the world was going to end. She looked at me with a laugh.

— We've been talking all morning and we haven't even had or eaten anything. Are you hungry?

- Just a little...

- A little? She smiled and got up. She walked to the front door and looked at me again.

"If you can help that poor starving bastard," I tried to make a scene, only to keep seeing him smile.

- Yes, do not worry. I'm hungry too, so I'll make us something.

And after a moment in the kitchen she brought out a meal for both of us.

We talked about other things until time passed.

***

And it was a while after "Solar" or something like 2pm.

This was my third day in this world and I hadn't done much besides eating, sleeping and talking. Still, my body looked better and better than before. And I couldn't deny that my body was much more evolved, bigger and stronger.

Of the few things I did, they all turned out to be amazing.

I had an absurd reflex.

My eyes also revealed small details to me that I would easily overlook and I could hear countless noises from different places as if my hearing was beyond normal.

When Alexia went into the kitchen, I looked at the table and picked it up like it was nothing, maybe just a piece of paper.

Had I literally become a superman?

Funny was the following scene:

As I looked at my accomplishments and analyzed each one of them, I realized how muscular I was.

I looked at my fully defined biceps and moved them like someone who works out in the gym the first few days when we are surprised by post-workout swelling.

Alexia was probably looking past the archway to the kitchen and it was in her little giggle that I noticed her presence.

"Alexia! Err..." then I stopped doing whatever I was doing. "So, how's it going?" — and put my elbow under the table looking to the side and trying to whistle, something I suck at, even here.

Damn Fate, at least it gave me the ability to whistle.

- I am good and you? Still worried about your body?

"No, why do you say that?"

"Are you going to say you weren't having fun doing whatever?" She looked at me with a disapproving look.

- What? That? Ah well…" Then I returned to normal and looked at my hands and arms, stretching them and then looked at her.

- Yes. Yes, you are "perfect" - she said as if she didn't want to boost my ego, but obviously failed.

- I know.

- Serious?

- Yes! This is angry. Besides, I'm super strong too. Look at this - and I took hold of the table and lifted it a little off the ground with just one hand - Isn't that too much?

"Of course it is, you…well, it's an amazing feat. But for someone who fought a "dragon", wouldn't that be normal? —and she came over, pulling out a chair and sitting down at the table.

- Oh yes. In fact. I just don't remember well. In fact, I don't remember anything. So everything for me is new — and even in virtual realities where you could create a handsome, badass character, it didn't show as much realism or "feels" as what I was feeling.

"Yes, it could be. Only Wynan...

- Yes?

"Rumor has it that the Destroyer has finally woken up...

"Destroyer?

- Yes, you! I mean, not you "you". but, the person who made the Mark — And realizing that it would only confuse the situation, he sighed and continued — what I mean is, said Destroyer earned that title by being able to easily destroy everything around. Compared to lifting this table, I don't think it would be a big deal, would it?

"Yes, I understand your point…" With a pause, I looked at Alexia and then out the window. "Alexia?

- Yes?

"Mr. Arx said that if you focus, you can nullify a specific energy, right?" Also, you can see my aura. So... can I ask a favor?

"What would it be, Wynan?"

"I want to be able to see what I can do. Well, at least a small fraction. And given what happened yesterday and these rumors, it would be too risky to do this alone... So I would like you to be with me if something gets out of hand.

- Are you sure about that?

— Not quite a certainty, but a necessity. But you see, I don't want to put you in danger, not again. So you need to be honest with yourself whether you can help me or not.

"Fine, by me, yes. But, I still don't quite understand how it works. Then you would also be betting here, don't you think?

— Wait — and I took the bell out of my pocket — Here, you can see it's magic, can't you?

- Yes.

— That's great, so we can use it as a tester. Can you remove the tiara? she said pointing to the tiara on her head.

- Why would I do that? The bell will no longer be useful according to Master Arx.

"It's just the two of us here and your room is next to mine." So there's no need for that.