1.hack//REFLECTION
Azure Thorn
ERROR ONE
I open my eyes. I cannot see. I reach my arms forward, feeling through the darkness. I become aware that I have a body. I have arms. Legs. Hips. Torso. I have a head. I have a mouth. A nose. Ears. Eyes. But these eyes cannot see.
I continue to feel my way through the darkness. My legs move, and my body travels through the darkness. There is warmth. Though I cannot see, I feel safe. But I am apprehensive. This is not eternity. Beyond this darkness danger exists.
As I think this, I suddenly pass from the darkness.
I reappear in ) Mac Anu.
ERROR TWO
Adept Rogue. Multi-Weapon. That is what I am. I appear to be human. I do not know. I do not care. I am free from the darkness. I see everything. So many colors and lights. And humans.
Humans are everywhere. They stroll blithely around the town, talking, interacting, shopping. These are humans. And I appear as one of them. But I do not know what I am. I turn around and face the Chaos Gate. This is a program that allows me to travel between different areas of this world.
As I study the device, a envelope appears above my head. I reach up and touch it. It disappears, and a message appears before me. I can read the letters and words, though I do not know how:
"Player BLUEROSE,
Welcome to The World,R:1! Your registration is
completed and everything is ready for you to begin
your journey! A number of tutorials can be found on
the BBS in the Start Menu. Have fun!
CC Corporation is not responsible for online
interactions."
The words bear no meaning to me. I have not registered. There is no Start Menu. I simply exist within this World.
ERROR THREE
"HEAL HEAL HEAL!"
"DAMN! Moro is down! Who has a resurrect?!"
The prone body of the Heavy Blade suddenly burst into light as he was pulled from the eternal sleep of death.
"I told you we should have done a lower level first!"
"Do you all have Speed Charms?"
"We'll have to run from this one!!!" one of the larger Heavy Axemen shouted as he lifted a Speed Charm over his head.
"COWARDS!"
A black form shot past the Axemen towards the monster. In one swing, the monster hit the ground and faded into nonexistence.
"You guys are pathetic. Seven on one and you're too panicked to even focus on strategy."
Before the silent party stood a truly intimidating figure. Haseo was not known as the Terror of Death for nothing. His character data was one of the world's many mysteries. He was a Multi-Weapon Adept Rogue. His body was completely covered in black, spiked armor. His red eyes almost glowed as he gazed defiantly upon group.
"If you're going to bother going to the trouble of asking me for help and putting together multiple parties, you might as well make sure you go to the proper field. But if you're going to go up against monsters of this level, as least fight until you're all dead. I hate cowards who run."
One Wavemaster raised his hand.
"What is it?"
"Well... Um... We thought you'd kill the monsters for us and we'd get the experience..."
This time Haseo's eyes did glow, as he glared at the now terrified Wavemaster.
"In other words you want to be as strong as I am without putting in any work."
The Wavemaster hung his head. Haseo did not relent.
"I spent months upon months playing alone working nonstop to get to the point I'm at! What makes you think I'd help you take the easy way out?! I'll help you, but I'm not going to let you NEWBS sit back and relax while I waste my time!"
The recently resurrected Heavy Blade seemed about to protest when he was suddenly stopped by a ringing sound that echoed throughout the field. Haseo sighed deeply and looked around, scanning the field.
"Okay, that's enough for today. Everyone return to the town. Next time I help you guys I expect better performance than this."
The parties hurriedly gated out of the field, leaving Haseo alone. A small ball of blue light slowly floated down from the sky and stopped at eye-level, a few feet from Haseo.
"What do YOU want?" Haseo growled at the ball irritably.
The ball exploded into a large blue fire. As the flames slowly died away, a figure stepped out and walked towards Haseo.