The day had started off so normally, too. University had ended for summer just the day before, and Alfred was curled up in bed to make up for the sleep he had missed out on during the rest of the year. He had no plan on leaving the comforting warmth of the covers, he didn't care how late it was, but the universe didn't seem to be on his side that particular morning.
There was a sudden knock at the front door, somehow reaching Alfred's sleep filled mind. His eyes fluttered open, and he pushed himself up slightly with some reluctance. He sent a glance to the other end of the room and was a little disappointed to see his room-mate, Kiku, had not been stirred by the noise. Though he could pretend he had imagined the sound and go back to sleep, he decided that putting off something that might have even been important was just plain laziness on his part—heroes weren't lazy.
He tried to climb out of bed and realised, a little too late, that he was completely wrapped up in the bed sheets. Struggling only made him lose his balance, and he fell and landed face first on the floor painfully.
A very loud groan could be heard from the bundle of sheets, and Alfred finally managed to loosen their hold and escape. Despite the noise, the only form of a reaction Kiku showed was to turn over and mutter something incomprehensible.
Alfred journeyed to the door, climbing over clothes and dodging towers of video games and somehow finding his glasses in all the chaos. To be fair, most of the mess was his fault; he just never seemed to have time to clean up the flat and neither did Kiku. Well, maybe now that it was summer he would be able to help tidy things away...
He quickly ran a hand through his blond hair once he reached the door, trying to make it look he hadn't just barely won a battle with his covers. He tried to force on a smile as he grabbed the handle, but it soon widened genuinely when he saw who was actually behind the door.
"Mattie!" he said to his brother, who was looking rather surprised and holding a package. "Hey, what's up?"
"Hi, Alfred. Sorry, you're not usually up at this time, are you?" Matthew Williams showed a sheepish smile. He held the box out. "Your post was accidentally mailed to me again."
"Oh, thanks, man." Alfred's eyes lit up the moment the package was pressed into his hands. "Oh my God, I know what this is!" He darted back inside without another word. Matthew, confused, hesitated for a few seconds before following.
Alfred practically jumped to the bedroom. He slammed the door open and tumbled in. "Kiku! Kiku!" he yelled. "It's here! it's actually here!" He waited a moment for Kiku to stir and threw a pillow at him when there was no response. "C'mon, wake up! It's here, Kiku!"
This time, Kiku's eyes snapped open. He shot up, blinking rapidly. "Wh-wha—?"
"Kiku, it's finally here!" Alfred grinned, hoping for a better reaction this time.
"Wh-what's here?"
"The game! You know, that Forgotten Shadows game!"
"Oh." Kiku's eyes widened. "Oh. I-it's here? Really?"
"Yep! Finally, after waiting and waiting..."
"Um." Matthew was stood in the doorway. "What's going on...?"
"The most important event in my entire life," Alfred said, completely serious. "That's what's going on, Mattie."
"I don't—"
"It's an RPG game," Kiku added helpfully, sitting cross legged on the bed. "A rather old one at that. I suppose you could say the game-play and graphics are similar to the older Final Fantasy games. Unfortunately, it went unnoticed when it was first released, so it wasn't distributed very widely and there were no attempts at making any sequels, which is a shame because the storyline is said to be amazing. It has been developing quite a following lately, so all RPG fanatics have been trying to get their hands on a copy."
"And. It's. Finally. Here!" Alfred almost sang for joy.
"But... but that must've been so expensive!" Matthew stared at him. "How much did this cost you?"
Alfred paused. Kiku looked away awkwardly.
"The important thing is," Alfred said, "it's finally here."
As if he thought this closed the conversion, Alfred turned to the computer in the corner of the room. He began carefully opening the box and taking off the packaging to reveal a small but somehow new looking plastic case. Matthew frowned at him, and Kiku jumped up and said, "I-I will get some ice-cream to celebrate. Matthew-san, would you like some?"
"No thanks," Matthew said, and he turned to Alfred as Kiku fled the room.
"Another video game, Alfred?"
"Well, yeah!" Alfred glanced back at him from where he sat. He had just turned the computer on and opened the case. "I swear, this isn't like all those other times. This one is really worth it!"
"But it must have cost a fortune!" Matthew sounded exasperated. "I thought you said you lost your job. How did you pay for it?"
"Kiku and I split it," Alfred explained. "I don't get why you're worrying so much."
"I'm worrying because you don't seem to do enough of it. How are the two of you going to pay the rent if you spent so much on this game?"
"We're not that broke, Mattie! We still have loads left. Besides, Kiku still has his job and I'm going to get another."
"You say it like it's all going to be so simple... You can't just expect everything to work out so easily..."
Alfred looked at him. "Yeah? I know that, Mattie; life's cruel or whatever. And with the way my life's been going, sometimes being optimistic's the only thing I have."
"Oh..." Matthew stiffened slightly. "No, I didn't mean—"
The screen lit up, taking Alfred's attention and stopping whatever would have been said next. Alfred smiled and happily clicked the 'New Game' option.
"Hey, Kiku!" he called. "Hurry up! It's starting!"
The screen was blank at first, then a tiny pixelated women appeared in the centre. Even with the graphics, long blonde hair and her white dress were pretty easy to make out.
"Welcome!" A text box popped up suddenly. "Please write your name."
Alfred quickly complied.
"Alfred? Yes, that is a noble name... Perfect for a hero such as yourself."
Matthew couldn't help but sigh when he saw Alfred's silly grin.
"My world," the text box continued, "is currently facing a great peril. A powerful sorcerer has sealed my power and filled the land with monsters. Because of this, tension has risen between the two great kingdoms—we are currently at the brink of war. Many lives will surely be lost if this continues, and the sorcerer's power only continues to grow. Please, Alfred, will you save us?"
A YES/NO option appeared, and Alfred laughed to himself. What kind of question was that? Of course he'd help! It wouldn't be much of a game if he refused, would it? He grabbed the mouse and went straight to 'YES'.
"Thank you." The women seemed to smile, though that might have just been a glitch with the pixels. "The journey will be dangerous, but I have the utmost faith in you. Thank you..."
Suddenly, the screen glowed a chilling white. The light was almost blinding, and it lit up the room. Alfred stumbled from his chair.
"Is... is this part of the game?" Matthew asked, backing away slightly.
"Um, probably?"
The light only grew brighter and brighter. Neither of them thought to leave the room; by then it was too late. There was a final flash and the world went dark, Alfred screaming as he felt himself falling...
Kiku returned a few moments later.
"I have the ice-cream! I hope I didn't miss too much, Alfr—"
He stopped. Blinked. Looked around. Both of his friends had vanished without a trace.
"...Alfred-san?"
—Chapter end.
I have always wanted to write a story like this! XD I've had this idea for a while, and I am so glad to finally find a chance to write it X3
Now then, updates to this may be a bit random since I am an idiot with too many ongoing stories to handle, and this will especially become a problem once school starts again 0-0 I guess I just wanted to write something before Christmas, though that's also weird 'cause this fanfic is based in summer XD
Well, merry Christmas everyone! And if you don't celebrate Christmas, then I hope you have a great day anyway XD
Please review and tell me what you think ^_^