Amid a mass of gray buildings, people wandered through the streets, following their routines. The pollution was visible in the air, and the clouds in the sky bore a sickly black hue. Digital billboards announced news, until everything suddenly stopped for a few moments. The government's communication symbol appeared on the screens, every video service, streaming platform, cellphone, and computer began displaying the same image.
It didn't take long for a middle-aged man to appear on the video. His graying hair stood out, making him easily identifiable: Gustav L. Dubois, the president of the country. He was about to announce something that could change lives for the better... or for the worse.
"Dear citizens, today I bring you good news... A chance to change your lives! A game, directly sponsored by all the governments of the world, where even you will receive subsidies to play without worries. A game never seen before: EXODO. A virtual reality game with 100% immersion and an extreme level of realism. Do not worry about the equipment, basic-level helmets will be distributed free of charge. For those with better financial conditions, we will offer a catalog on the game's website, allowing you to purchase more advanced equipment. We even have a limited number of pods, which will allow sessions of up to 16 hours. All the information is available online. We wish success to everyone on this new journey. See you soon."
The president ended his speech by looking into the camera with an encouraging smile until the video ended and all devices returned to their normal functioning.
A brief statement, a bombshell announcement.
People, stunned, went on with their lives as the news quickly climbed the social media rankings. The idea of changing their lives began to take root in their minds. Some, more anxious than others, were already rushing out to secure their equipment.
The displays now changed again. Various advertisements about EXODO appeared on the screens, presenters announcing the game, specialists and famous players discussing the ramifications of such a level of realism. That was one of the calmest broadcasts. In more extremist countries, it was announced that citizens would live only for the game and the State would provide everything else they needed based on their progress within the game.
Far from there, in a cleaner and more organized area surrounded by several buildings and layers of security, was the president's residence. Gustav was still seated in his chair, looking at his advisors around him.
"We did everything we could, gentlemen. Now we just have to keep announcing and distributing the equipment"
He said before focusing on a man with glasses and a lab coat.
"Were the readings confirmed? Is there really no other solution?"
The man took a deep breath.
"No, Mr. President... the readings have been confirmed. Earth is doomed. Centuries of mining the planet's core have destabilized it. We have little time left before life on the planet ends..."
"So we have to trust a salvation whose origin we don't know... and believe our minds will be transferred to new bodies? Sounds like a story. Who would've thought it would be real. Do we know anything about EXODO from the testers' information?"
Gustav leaned back in his chair, his expression reflecting all the stress he had been under in recent days. Those present looked at each other until a chubbier man stepped forward, drawing attention.
"Mr. President, through the experiments we conducted and the reports from the testers, we found that there is no possibility of the equipment suffering cyberattacks"
He said, taking a deep breath.
"As for the game world itself, the name of the planet is Elaren. It seems to be in a medieval period, with battles fought using swords and magic. A real fantasy world, if I may say so"
He said, looking at Gustav.
"Go on, Olav, tell us everything you found out"
Gustav said to the now identified Olav.
"Its political geography appears to be divided among various kingdoms, empires, and large guilds. The appearance in the world is random for those using the helmets. We concluded that there are no benefits like those from the premium pods, that's all from my side"
Olav said as he returned to his position.
Before anything else could be said, a figure in military uniform stepped forward and stood at attention.
"General Amaranto ready to give his report, Mr. President"
Only a soft murmur from Gustav could be heard, telling him to proceed.
"Even using the immersion equipment, my soldiers reported that it's nothing like a game. We really have to work hard to learn things and train our bodies to withstand the adversities"
The general said, and some expressions fell upon hearing that they would have to work hard to learn things in the new world instead of receiving them on a silver platter.
"As for the process of leaving the game, some testers were lucky enough to find each other and try the process and... the body stayed after the player left"
Upon the general's statement, everyone took a deep breath and Gustav resumed his posture with a seriousness etched on his face and asked.
"What do you mean? After leaving the game, the body remained?"
Looking into his eyes, the General confirmed the horror forming in everyone's mind.
"Yes, the process is like fainting, the body just shuts down and falls to the ground, vulnerable to anything that might happen... and this point leads to another aspect of that world... as everyone must imagine, since it's a medieval setting, slavery is allowed, slavers roam around looking to kidnap people and unfortunately the agent who tested the logout was captured by a group of slavers"
Only the sound of someone taking a deep breath could be heard in the room before the General continued.
"The agent reinitiated the login process after completing the logout test, but the equipment informed him that he had been blocked and could not attempt again, he had spent his only chance"
"What happened to the agent after that?"
With his hands now clasped, Gustav asked.
"The troops don't know the real purpose of this game, so we managed the situation without a bigger incident. We retired the soldier with a large sum and bonus so there would be no chance of confidential information leaking if he remained in service"
The General's hands were clenched, remembering the loss of a good soldier.
"As for the agent who remained, he witnessed the whole scene with the slavers and how it ended... according to the report, they... they abused the unconscious body and accidentally broke his neck"
"So we'll enter an unknown world with an extremely high chance of death, no support, separated from our peers and we'll have to pray we appear somewhere safe... this will be chaos, we can't inform the public about this yet, there will be revolts..."
Gustav said while rubbing his forehead and looking at his General.
"Yes, Mr. President, we're already allocating troops to the most sensitive sectors so we can take precautions at the slightest sign of rebellion and we're preparing special and protected locations to shelter people of interest while they play, especially during the final periods, that way we'll avoid any danger for those who lose their chances"
The cold response was a relief to his concerns. For now.
After a moment to recover from the highs and lows of the meeting, another question from Gustav arose.
"And the other countries?"
One of the ministers stepped forward, eager to show his knowledge.
"Our neighbors and distant allies followed similar plans to ours, masking the truth with entertainment and promises of ascension. Those with whom we have little connection followed very different plans... some have even already abandoned the entire functioning of the country to dedicate themselves solely to the game"
Silence fell again over the room. The weight of the decisions to come pressed on everyone present. Gustav wiped his face with his hands, as if trying to wake up from a nightmare just beginning.
"And what about the premium pods?"
He asked after a few seconds.
"Are they really safe?"
Olav stepped forward with a tablet in hand, sliding through some screens before answering.
"The pods seem to offer more advanced support. Unlike the helmets, they keep vital signs stable, even simulated a type of neurological 'hibernation'. The brain remains active inside the game, but the body here stays suspended with minimal energy expenditure. With the pods, the return to the real world is uncertain, no one has returned so far... it's as if they've already started their new lives for real. And…"
He hesitated, looking at Gustav.
"They are limited. Very limited"
"How many do we have available?"
"Globally, around twenty thousand units. For our country... twelve hundred. All already reserved for military, scientists, high-ranking politicians and key investors"
"So we're throwing the rest of humanity... to chance"
Gustav said, the bitterness dripping from his voice.
"To chaos, sir"
Completed General Amaranto, bluntly.
The door to the room opened with a subtle hiss. An elegant woman, with dark hair tied in a bun and eyes as sharp as blades, entered without ceremony. Her immaculate black suit contrasted with the tension in the air.
"Sorry for the interruption. Ms. Elise Moreau, global intelligence."
Everyone present knew her, one of the few people with direct access to the EXODO Source Code, or at least what had been shared with governments.
"Ms. Moreau"
Gustav greeted her with a nod.
"Any news?"
"Yes. We discovered that the world of Elaren is already in motion. It is not empty waiting for players. There are societies, kingdoms, cults... and there are records of beings who are beginning to influence those systems. That means the longer we take to prepare the citizens, the more behind they'll be when they enter"
"And what about the origin of the game?"
Asked Gustav, directly.
"Still unclear. EXODO's technology appeared simultaneously in different laboratories, as if someone injected the data into their systems overnight. The best analysts suggest that the code's structure is not human. Or, if it is... it came from someone far beyond our current understanding"
That revelation silenced the room again. Something was in motion, something far beyond anyone's comprehension.
"And about the pods... there's more, isn't there?"
Asked Gustav, narrowing his eyes at Elise.
She nodded slowly.
"The pods offer a... deeper synchronization. Those who use them seem to 'feel' the world of Elaren more intensely. Not just as players... but as real inhabitants. Some testers reported visions, recurring dreams. As if that world is trying to awaken inside them. Of course, regarding the premium pods, we still have almost no information."
Gustav stood up. His eyes were dark, tired, but firm.
"So it's not just an escape. It's a leap into the unknown. We don't know what will happen to consciousness in the long term. We don't know if we'll survive here long enough for everyone to enter. And we don't know... if Elaren will accept us."
He walked to the armored window. Outside, the gray city continued functioning as if nothing was about to happen.
"Prepare the next statement. But nothing about risks. Only excitement, promise, hope."
He turned to Elise.
"You and your team will keep digging into EXODO's code. I want to know who gave us this gift."
Then he looked at the general.
"General Amaranto, begin mapping the sectors with the highest risk of revolt once the protected information starts leaking. Let's prepare containment camps and communication networks. Prioritize security—but make it look normal."
"Understood, sir."
Gustav looked at the clock. Less than thirty minutes until dinner time.
"If I'm not mistaken, one of the premium pods is assigned to me. I'll reassign it to my son. I'll use a regular pod."
His decision made his ministers and advisors rise in protest, but they were silenced by a single wave of his hand.
"There is no discussion on this matter, the equipment goes to him, and that's final. Now excuse me, I'll visit him and explain what I can about all of this. Send the team to install the pod in his room in the medical wing and have everything ready for transfer to the bunker once he's logged in."
Saying goodbye to his companions, Gustav left the room to meet his son, someone he could only touch once, at birth, and that almost killed him.
Remembering the whole situation, he clenched his teeth, more determined in his choices.
For the majority, it was the beginning of a dream. For those who knew... the beginning of the end.
And now, time was the greatest enemy.
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Hello, Krônios here, so... what did you think of the first chapter? The next chapter will be the first appearance of MC, I'm really looking forward to showing him to you. Please leave your opinions in the comments. This is my first time writing a story of this level, but after a long time I decided to gather courage and create the book and try to enter this year's WSA (even though there are about 2 months left until the end of the registration period). I don't know how I'm going to meet the participation requirements, but I'll do my best. If you embark on this journey with me, it will be even better!!! And of course, don't forget the power stones =)