A FEW MOMENTS LATER
XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW:
The world around me shifts in a swirl of light and colour. My feet hit solid ground, and I stumble forward, catching myself just before I faceplant. I blink, disoriented, and look around. I'm standing in what looks like a town square, cobblestone streets, towering buildings with medieval architecture, and people milling about dressed in everything from armor to flowing robes.
"What the hell…" I whisper, turning in a slow circle.
This is… too real. The chill in the air, the distant chatter, and the smell of fresh bread from a vendor's stall nearby. My heart thumps wildly in my chest. VR games are good, sure, but not this good. I reach up instinctively to pull the headset off, only… there's nothing there. I pat my head, my neck, my temples. Nothing. No headset. No wires. Just skin and hair and my own, rapidly rising panic.
"What the hell?" I repeat, louder this time. I claw at my head, my hands shaking.
It's supposed to be here. I just put the damn thing on! My breathing turns shallow, and my vision blurs at the edges.
"Alright. Alright, just… log out. Yeah. Log out." I wave my hand in the air, expecting some kind of UI to pop up. Nothing. I swipe harder, practically punching the air. "Log out! Exit game!" I shout, drawing some stares from people walking by. They look at me like I'm insane, then just keep walking.
"No, no, no… this isn't happening." My voice is cracking, and I can hear it. I don't even care.
I pat my body, solid. Real. This can't be real. It's just a game. Just some VR simulation.
"Looking for something?"A voice asked.
Her voice is silk and moonlight, slipping into my ears and sending a chill down my spine. I whirl around, and there she is again, Selene, the Moon Goddess, floating just a few inches above the ground, her silver robes rippling like they're caught in an invisible breeze. She's smiling. Like this is all some big, hilarious joke.
"You!" I point, my hand shaking. "Get me out of here! I didn't sign up for this! I was just playing a game, I didn't want to be in it!"
Selene laughs, the sound like bells ringing softly.
"Oh, Xavier… it seems you misunderstand." She tilts her head, her long hair shimmering with starlight. "You are exactly where you're supposed to be. True omega's system doesn't have a 'log out' button. You're here to stay… until the game decides otherwise."She said.
My heart drops to my stomach.
"You can't be serious,"I said.
"I am always serious."She said.
A surge of anger floods through me.
"You dragged me into this without my consent! That's kidnapping! I want out! Now!"I shouted.
Selene sighs, glancing up at the massive moon hanging in the sky.
"There is no 'out,' Xavier. You have been chosen as an Omega for this world, and you will fulfill that purpose. Whether you like it or not."She said.
I clench my fists, nails digging into my palms.
"Screw that! I'm not, I am not playing your messed-up game. Find someone else!"I shouted at her.
Selene's smile fades, and she narrows her eyes.
"It is not up to you anymore." She raises a hand, and a flurry of silver light gathers at her fingertips. "But since you seem so eager to fight against your fate, I suppose you'll be needing this."
The light solidifies, compacting into a swirling sphere of silver energy. It shoots forward before I can move, slamming into my chest. I gasp, stumbling backward as a flood of information crashes into my mind. Words, symbols, commands all burning into my brain like brands. My vision flickers, and then a translucent screen appears before me, pulsing with faint light.
"Welcome to True Omega's System. You have been registered as an Omega. Complete tasks, manage relationships, and secure your fate. Failure to comply may result in penalties. Main Menu, quests, harem management, inventory."A voice said.
I stare at the screen, my hands shaking.
"This… this is insane…"I whispered.
Selene steps forward, that infuriatingly calm smile back on her face.
"You should be grateful. The system is designed to help you thrive. Think of it as… a guide."She said.
I grit my teeth.
"A guide for what? Being your damn baby making machine?"I growled.
Her smile widens.
"Exactly."She said.
I almost lunged at her right there, but I know it's pointless. She isn't even touching the ground. I ball my fists, glaring at her.
"I won't play this game."I said.
Her gaze sharpens, moonlight swirling in her eyes.
"Oh, you will. Because in this world, the only way out is through." She steps back, her body fading into glittering stardust. "Good luck, Xavier. May your choices be wise… and your Harem be plentiful."
And just like that, she's gone, leaving me alone with the glowing screen and a rage I can barely contain.
"Fine!" I snap, slashing my hand through the air. "Status!"
The screen flickers, reorganizing itself with a smooth ripple of light. Words and stats appear, neatly arranged and absolutely nonsensical.
"Name: Xavier Blackstone, designation: Omega, age: 20, orientation: Straight, compatibility: Low , bonding status: Unpaired, heat Cycle: inactive, special Traits: None Detected.
Physical attributes: Strength: 4, agility: 6, stamina: 5, charm: 8.
Unique skills: System adaptability: 5%, harem resistance: 95%, reproduction compatibility: 2%" System said.
I stare at the screen, completely dumbfounded.
"What the hell is this? Heat cycle? Reproduction compatibility? Harem resistance?" I bark out a laugh, harsh and humorless. "This is a freaking joke." I swipe at the screen like I can break it, but it just wobbles like jelly and snaps back into place. "Get this crap off me!" I yell, waving my arms wildly. People are staring now at passersby in medieval tunics and armor, whispering and giving me wary looks. I don't care. I'm too busy losing my mind.
I take a step back, breathing hard, eyes darting around for something, anything that looks familiar. But all I see are cobblestone streets and stone buildings that stretch up toward the violet sky. I'm trapped. Physically trapped in this... game. And there's no log-out button.