"Oh, what's this?" The sound of rummaging filled a dust-layered room as a lone figure, sitting in a wheelchair, dug his hands into a dust-covered cardboard box. Boxes that housed a variety of odds and ends filled the room, all half-opened or combed through. There were multiple trophies, certificates, medals, and a large leather belt plated with gold among the litter created. He glanced at the belt as his lips shifted into a faint smile. The reminiscent sounds of cheer and applause roared in his mind as that smile widened to a grin. He shook his head, dispersing the memory before working on the task at hand.
After a few more moments of hasty searching, he soon located the object of his attention, a VR headset, its lack of use apparent in its dusty appearance.
"Ah, it's been months. Let's see if this still works." The wheelchair to a room beset with monitors and other electronic devices. The man installed the device, the last sigh escaping his lips as he held the neural jack in his hand.
"Jumping In." The lone figure stabbed the jack into the port behind his neck in one swift motion.
"Welcome back, Grisnir Heidrun!" An automated voice drummed in his mind as those words sprung right in front of his vision.
Grisnir took a moment to survey his surroundings. He rested underneath a tree that protected him from the glaring sunlight overlooking the rolling green hills before him. He stood from his resting spot, opening a panel showing a scaled-down reflection of himself.
"Let's see… still top end gear, no experience bar, still maximum level… no update in months since I last logged on? Ah, right, the game's about to shut down in under an hour." His musings spurred a hearty chuckle, his eyes scanning at the reflection.
"Guess it was luck that I hopped on. Let me see…." Clad in an amalgamation of technology and magic, Grisnir wore a towering set of heavy armor that obscured his actual appearance. It was a blue bastion of steel and circuitry, gears, and runic markings. Its craftsmanship was apparent as magic and metal melded into a singular, imposing fortress. His helmet was clean and rounded as two diagonal slits shining a bright blue made for his visor.
His fists clenched as coils of lightning danced around his arms. "Ah yeah, now I remember." He said to himself, pulling up another interface, scanning along and reading his skills, familiarizing himself with what would have been second nature a month prior. Grisnir glanced at the clock, sighing and taking a seat beneath the tree, his eyes closing for the last few moments he had left. "Well, I had fun. I got a doctor's appointment tomorrow, and these pills should kick in soon.." He stated. Grisnir sighed once more before shifting his back against the tree, eyes closing shut beneath his helmet.
Deep within the abyss of sleep, Grisnir's mind tossed and turned. Enveloping darkness crept from behind the recesses of his consciousness. His throat tightened, finding it painful to grasp any strands of air. He was shaking, gasping, unable to scratch out the frailest of breaths. He experienced an immense weight overcome his body. This suffocating agony continued for what seemed like an eternity before nothing. A ringing noise banged against his head, subsiding as Grisnir heard faint voices. One masculine, the other feminine, eyes still shut as he limped out of that nightmare of an experience.
"Albedo! Excellent news! I have found someone that may interest my fa- I mean our most gracious Lord Ains. Initial analysis shows this creature is otherworldly. The armor matches nothing we've encountered."
"My head…." A jagged, synthetic voice dripped out from his helmet. The slits were deactivated and without lights. Grisnir groaned, the volume of the masculine voice aggravating the pain throbbing against his brain. His back no longer against wood, he shifted, now met with a cold and damp stone wall. His neck hung weakly against the pain assailing his mind.
"Ja, ja, I shall take him to the tomb at once. One moment, it looks like he is waking up. Of course, I will bring him in alive. Goodbye!" A sigh followed soon after the conversation. "That Albedo, always one to sour the mood… she has more a chance with you than with our most glorious Lord Ains. Who does she think she is? I mean goodness…." The male voice continued muttering under his breath as long and slender digits grasped at the metal that plated Grisnir's rib cage.
The grasp on his chest caused him to stir even further underneath the probing feeling. His armor blinked, with dozens of lights sectioned in multiple areas. Again, a creeping sense clawed at him from the depths of consciousness, digging deep into his brain as that grip on his body tightened.
"Get...off...me!" He said, voice rising with each word. An out-pour of electricity caused those digits to retreat as leather boots shuffled backward along the hard floor. Grisnir's eyes regained their sight, the rest of his senses soon following. The dark and damp room resembled an abandoned crypt, with cobwebs cornering each side of the area and random bits of dirt and bone littering the stone floor. A tall figure stood before him, tall and skinny, with dangling limbs and a yellow coat reminiscent of a military uniform. A blank head with three holes like a bowling ball replaced a normal face.
"Apologies, mein freund, I am Pandora's Actor, a humble servant of the Sorcerer's Kingdom. It would be best if you followed the sway of my coat. I will take you to our most esteemed lord." Pandora's Actor offered Grisnir a salute, clicking his boots as he stood straight at attention.
"Look, buddy," Grisnir retreated. "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me where the hell I am." He stepped backward, palms flat against the wall behind him. Grisnir's arms shook, bringing his hands up before his eyes. "What the hell?" He picked up things that a VR device wasn't able to. The sterile scent of his helmet, the brushing of wind against the armorless parts of his equipment. Something he would not sense in a video game, all surging forth and throwing his mind into disarray. His legs rocked before a sudden realization dawned on him.
"Wait a minute, my legs. My legs, why can I move them?" His breathing turned ragged with fear as his skull slammed against the wall, cracking the stone upon impact.
"Oh, dear." Pandora's Actor pressed a finger to the side of his skull. "Albedo, requesting some help here. Are you sure this is an automaton? Ah- Lord Ains, hello! Right, of course. I will return at once." A dark red portal swirled behind him. Pandora's Actor nodded to Grisnir before stepping into the portal and disappearing.
The portal remained as a black-shrouded figure stepped forth. Grisnir could make out the glaring red eyes hidden beneath a skeletal visage. "Allow me to apologize for my subordinate's actions. Please, I mean you no harm." The portal behind him disappeared as he took another step closer to Grisnir.
"And allow me to apologize for finding difficulty believing a giant evil lich." Grisnir did not move, his back already against the wall.
"Trust me. I know what you are going through. Please call me Ains. Ains Ooal Gown, the supreme ruler of Nazarick." Ains said.
"Nazarick? Ains?" Moving with caution, Grisnir stepped forward. "Those names… they sound familiar."
"Oh?" Ains crossed his arms. "Tell me, does the name Yggdrasil ring any bells?"
"It does!" Grisnir's eyes widened. "It's a video game. I'm not sure if you're familiar with what those are. In a basic sense…."
"Yes, yes, I am aware." Ains scanned their surroundings before moving closer, voice lowering to a whisper. "Heed my words: We are no longer in a game, and this is no longer Yggdrasil."
"Holy… this is all a dream. I need to wake up. That's all there is to it."
Grisnir was silent, stunned as his helmet hid the horror surfacing on his face. Weighed with the horrific news, that silence turned to howls of unbelieving laughter. "There's just no way."
Ains looked on at the man in front of him, his skeletal stoicism obscuring the annoyance within him. He stepped forward and raised his hand before striking down. The slap met significant resistance. Despite this, the strike stopped the overflow of laughter coming from Grisnir.
"Once again, I apologize, but you need to get a grip. Look, at least tell me your name." Ains said.
"You can call me Grisnir. Heidrun. Grisnir Heidrun."
"Grisnir Heidrun." Ainz nodded. "This will be a long story, so take a seat."
