Author's Note: This chapter is told from a different point of view than the last.
.hack/MEMORY
Login 2: Reality
Sometimes I wonder to myself…what defines the line between reality and the imaginary? When I went to look it up, it said that reality is something that is real; the totality of all things possessing actuality, existence, or essence. So by that definition, can't one argue that The World itself exists? The people you interact with here are real and the emotions and bonds you share are even more so. Even the thoughts and emotions that are far less pleasant are existent in this realm adding to the reality that is The World. The terror of death, the mirage of deceit, propagation, machination, fate, temptation, vengeance, and even rebirth; all of these factors are key elements that blur the line between this world and my world. Because these emotions, these second lives, have authenticity and dept of interaction, would it not be called a reality by the given definition?
I've played this game for what seems like an eternity now. Each time a new version of The World came out, I blindly set out to purchase one of the first copies and made a new character that same day. Three false lives now. That's my eternity, my inconsistency between a grand lie and the truth. For me the line between what's real and what's not has become blurred.
Maybe that's why I came here to the chamber of the goddess, ∆ Hidden Forbidden Holy Ground, Hulle Granz Cathedral. According to the history of The World, the human race captured the goddess Aurora during the war against the gods. After the war, the goddess was imprisoned here on this so called "holy ground".
But I know that's a lie. That goddess's name is Aura, the heart of The World itself. My reality slowly began to fall apart when I encountered her three years ago. Since then, my life has become The World in my attempts to find this missing goddess again. I've continued to follow every lead and every rumor but none have borne me any results. Maybe that's why I came to this place again. If that girl really is the heart of this world, then she would eventually have to return.
"I need answers. But more than anything, I need to know what it is that she wanted me to do."
As I confirm my goal silently to the absent goddess, the sound of the two heavy doors opening echoes throughout the cathedral. Not many people come to this place so I can't help but wonder who exactly it is. So I turn away from the goddess's altar to face the light spreading from the crack in between the doors. At that moment our eyes meet. The lost lamb who has stepped past the point of no return is a female Heavy Blade by the name of Mimiru. She gazes at me awkwardly before stepping further into the goddess's court and giving me a friendly smile.
"Oh? I wasn't expecting to meet anyone here," the female warrior steps closer to me, "I thought people usually tried to stay away from this place, but I guess things have changed a little."
I choose not to respond. The seemingly new player speaks in such a casual and general manner that there really isn't a need for me to respond. However, it should be understood by all that this area is "mine". I can't allow for anyone, new player or not, to enter so casually. So I turn to face the girl and equip my Sins of Hades.
This action speaks louder than any words. Mimiru stops in her tracks and keeps a position of approximately ten feet between us. She appears surprised by my sudden arming; however, much to my surprise she arms herself with the basic Heavy Blade weapon. There isn't fear in her reaction, but rather courage. Even though there is more than a substantial difference in our levels, this girl won't back down from a simple threat. I see now that I'll just have to PK her.
"Who are you?" the female Heavy Blade is direct with her words.
In a world where one can simple learn one's name simply by facing them, the true question is why I'm doing this. So all I can do if give her a simple answer.
"Chaotic PK, Light the White Noise. As someone who is attracted to this place, I'll have to defeat you here and now," I lift my blades and get into a combat-ready stance, "because there is a possibility you posses something I've been looking for."