.hack/Polarized/First.Log.In
by
Chad 'Graeystone' Harger
XXXXX
Author's Note: Anything in italics is an event happening in the real world.
Dramatis Cast:
Chase: After winning a CC Corp publicity contest, Chase becomes the reluctant successor of the Kite and Shugo characters. Along with the famous Twin Blade character, Chase also gains the power of a Twilight Bracelet.
Annrika: An inquisitive Wavemaster, Annrika scours the history of The World to uncover the truth from within and outside of game. Little does she know she will discover more than the truth
Piotr Volk: Like all career Werewolves in The World, Piotr is always itching for a fight. His intense fighting style has earned him the nickname 'Rabid Wolf'.
Unknown: As the name implies, nothing is known about this player. No one knows if Unknown is male or female, a vagrant AI or an actual player. The only thing that has been confirmed is that Unknown is one of the most powerful Pole Arms in The World.
Aura: An AI who is the core of The World. Nothing happens within the game without her knowledge. She is aware of a growing threat. Because of her programming she cannot fight. She enlists the aid of Chase.
Zelphie: An AI who is Aura's daughter. She is learning from her mother and is also aware of the threat to The World. Like Aura, Zelphie cannot fight the new threat.
Basilisk: An egotistical Blademaster who becomes Chase's enemy in The World. He is aligned with the threat that Aura is aware of.
Kite: The .hacker of legend who saved both The World and the real world from the madness of the AI known as Morganna Mode Gone. Recently he has been showing irregular behavior.
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The character I choose is a Twin Blade with red clothes. The character was loaded onto my copy of The World. I was irked at first but after some consideration I decided to keep the character. I named him 'Chase' because Twin Blades are known for being fast characters. My only complaint is that the character's pants seem to ride a little high and is a little flat below the belt.
After reading the posts on the World's BBS, I logged into the game. I was impressed when I appeared in Mac Anu. The environment was true CG and the characters around me were true 3D anime style graphics. I begin to understand why The World is so popular.
I walk through the town taking in the sights. Maybe this won't be so bad after all. I stop at the bridge and look at the river below me. I listen to the river's flow.
After a few minutes it happens. The reason why I never bothered with The World and other video games. I sigh in a dejected tone of voice and turn away. My aunt doesn't know about this part of me and I don't like to think about it.
The next thing I know I'm flat on my back staring at the sky wondering what ran over me. "I'm sorry!" says a girl's voice.
I look up and that annoying part of my brain is rudely shoved aside by my hormones. A lithe dark haired girl with glasses stands over me. She wears a tight outfit with black knee high stockings. She is defined in a certain area. Not over the top but enough to get any guy's attention. "Let me help you up," she says.
"Sure," I say in a near squeaky voice. Good going stupid, I think to myself. Impress the good looking character by sounding like a geek.
When I'm on my feet she says, "I was in rush. I didn't mean to run you over. My name is Annrika. I'm a Wavemaster."
The annoying part of my brain overrides my hormones. I can think and act straight. "Its ok. My name is Chase. I'm a Twin Blade."
I turn to walk away. She grabs my hand. "Please don't leave."
I try not to get angry. I just want to get out here. "I have to go," I say diplomatically
"It won't take long. Maybe fifteen minutes," pleads Annrika. "Nobody takes me seriously."
Now I'm curious. My aunt says that I'm very curious. Even though the pressure of this place and my own mind is getting to me I have to know. "Why not?" I ask while trying to relax.
Annrika leans against the bridge rail. "I'm researching the true history of The World."
"Why not just look up the info on the net?" I ask.
Annrika lowers her voice to a whisper. "There's more than the official stuff. There are people who know about the truth that can't be found on the net or within The World. There's also stories and rumors that can't be proven or disproved."
I try to ask why when I'm interrupted. "Still chasing ghosts."
I look at the interloper and I'm taken aback. In my short time here I've seen all types of expressions on the various characters. This is the first time I've seen arrogance and I don't like it one bit. What makes it worse is that the intruder is a Barbarian Blademaster. (Think Orca)
"Basilisk, I'm not chasing ghosts!" snaps Annrika. "I know one story that's true and that's the one that says you're a bully!"
"What's the use of playing if you don't fight?" asks Basilisk. He raises his sword and points it at Annrika. "That's the lot of The World. To do the things we can't in the real world and where only the strong survives."
He looks at me and sees me for the first time. His sneer is replaced with surprise. "You. . .no it can't be." He grabs my right hand and looks at it closely. He lets go of it and gets nose to nose with me. "I don't know what kind of stunt you're trying to pull but if I were you I'd be very careful." He pushes me backwards. He storms past us toward the Chaos Gate.
I ignore him knowing I'll be long gone after I help Annrika. Even though it's just a game, Basilisk rubs me the wrong way. Reminds me of some soccer players I've met. "Is he always like that?" I ask.
Annrika laughs. "There's a theory that in the real world, Basilisk is an cranky old woman with permanent PMS."
"That's nasty," I reply. "Oh well, in fifteen minutes it won't matter anyway."
Annrika walks toward the Chaos Gate. I walk beside her. "You really don't want to play."
"If I was anybody else I would've been playing a long time ago. There are things about myself I don't understand. Even if I did understand it would probably take too long to explain."
I look at Annrika with an expression my aunt uses with me. An expression that means she would brook no more arguing. "The fifteen minutes I promised are ticking away."
"Fine," says Annrika. She activates the Chaos Gate. "Did you read the manual?"
"Yes," I answer.
"Good. You shouldn't have too much trouble if we get into any fights," she says. She sees the skepticism on my face. "Don't worry. It's a level one area. I'm level 15 so if things get rough I can bail us out."
"You're doing wonders for my manhood," I say with sarcasm. "We're we going?"
"Bursting Passed Over Aqua Field," answers Annrika. "I heard something important happened there a long time ago."
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We appear in a grassland field. "It looks empty," I say.
Annrika holds up an orb with countless lights moving around. She drops it to the ground and it breaks. The countless lights fly off in random directions.
"A fairy orb," she explains. "It shows the location of magic portals and treasures. It also maps out the dungeons." She looks at her map and frowns. "Not good."
"What's wrong?" I ask.
"There are no magic portals in the field," she says with concern.
"No portals means no monsters," I say.
Annrika readies her staff. "Portals keep the monsters trap. Fewer portals mean more monsters roaming around freely. I've lost count the number of times I went to an area only to into fights as soon as I appeared. Let's hurry to the dungeon."
We make it to the dungeon without incident. Annrika is more confused than relieved. "That's never happened before. No monsters, portals, or treasure chests in the field never happens."
"Maybe it's a glitch in the game," I suggest.
"I don't think so. CC Corp is quick to spot and fix glitches," replies Annrika. "Maybe it has something to do with the unknown history."
We enter the dungeon. We see two treasure chests.
"Open the blue chest," says Annrika. "You deserve at least one souvenir."
I open the chest and it explodes in my face. The smoke clears and I see that I only have a couple of hit points left. Annrika is laughing.
"Very funny," I mutter.
"It's a right of passage for newbies," she says. "Blue chests are booby trapped. You need a fortune wire to disarm it."
Annrika raises her wand. "Repth!" she says. My hit points are restored.
Normally I would be planning some kind of payback. Not today though. The way Annrika looks shows she never got the chance to pick on a newbie.
Annrika uses another Fairy Orb. The complete floor appears on the map. "There's a treasure chest to the right. Let's get it before going deeper into the dungeon," she says.
"What about your research?" I ask impatiently. I hope Annrika isn't this scattered brained in real life.
"Like the real world, research isn't free along with just about everything else in The World," replies Annrika in a low voice. Annrika points the way to the exit dungeon. "On top of that I invited you, not the other way around. Whoever does the inviting is the one in charge." She points her staff at me. "Unless you want to PvP, don't argue with me."
PvP, short for player versus player. According to the threat I read on the board, player killing or PKing was permitted in the early versions of The World. Things were getting out of hand and player killing was removed from the game. After some time passed people wanted a return to player killing. Just killing off monsters got boring for high level players. CC Corp came up with the idea of Player versus Player where two or more players would mutually agree to PvP instead of the old way of just walking up to someone and killing them without warning.
"Ok," I say in surrender. I'm level one and she's level fifteen. The words 'no' and 'contest' some to mind.
We go to the room with the chest. Annrika goes to the chest while I look around. It seems normal except for one thing. "Annrika, do the walls ever make ripples?"
Annrika looks up. "No, why?"
"The far wall is doing it. Like when you toss a stone into water."
Annrika walks over to the wall. "Where? I don't see anything."
"The whole wall is doing it," I say.
Annrika touches the wall before I can react. Nothing happens. "Probably a graphics glitch in your software," she says.
I examine the wall for a few seconds. "The ripples are making a pattern. Can't be a glitch."
Annrika laughs. I ask what's so funny. "Nice try," she says. "Trying to get me back for the booby trapped chest. Almost had me."
Annrika goes back to the treasure chest while I stare at the wall. Thinking this might have something to do with Annrika's research I attempt to touch the wall when Annrika screams. I turn around and my jaw drops.
A dark mirror of my character stands before Annrika. Basilisk has arrogance on his face. Whoever this is has madness. What's worse is the energy that is erupting from his body. He or it looks at me and hisses. "Mockery."
He moves toward Annrika who's paralyzed with fear. I quickly put myself between them. He stops and looks at me with the kind of curiosity that a bully has about a fly before pulling its wings off.
"Log us out of here," I say to Annrika. For some reason I'm becoming nervous. This shouldn't be happening. For once the annoying part of my mind is taking its time to kick in.
The bizarre creature raises its right hand. "Data Drain!" he yells. Something that looks like a bracelet appears on his wrist. I jump out of the way just in time. Annrika is not as fortunate. She screams as something happens to her body!
"Annrika!" I yell.
"He hit be bad!" she says. "I got every bad status!"
The twin looks at me. Energy leaks from the right side of its face. "You worse fate!"
The annoying part of my mind kicks in and it's not what I expected as full blown fear rips through me!
"Die!" hisses the doppelganger. "Ani Don!"
Rocks come out of nowhere and strike me. I'm down to a couple of hit points and something around my character explodes while in the real world my body starts to convulse. The part of my mind that I don't like is in overdrive. My perceptions seem to be amplified beyond human tolerance.
I hear the thing yell, "Maximum Data Drain!"
"No!" I yell at the top of my lungs.
My dark image also yells as I'm yanked backwards. For a second I can see the rippling wall. Chase passes through the wall and in the real world I pass into darkness.
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In the real world I groan. I'm on the floor on my back. I wonder what happened. For a moment I felt like I was being sucked into The World. I shudder with a feeling of deja vu.
The screen on the game's VR headset shows Chase lying face down in water. He has no hit points. He's dead.
"Chase," says a female's voice.
"Huh?" I say, my voice low. I realize I'm weaker than I thought. I can barely move.
Two shadows pass over Chase. A young woman floats down beside my character. A young girl is beside her. "Who are you?" I manage to ask.
"I'm Zelphie," answers the young girl. "This is my mom, Aura."
Aura takes Chase's hand and I feel warmth pass through me. My body relaxes and I start to feel better. First the nightmare in the dungeon and now whatever this is. "How can this be happening?"
"Our worlds are in danger," answers Aura. "You who are polarized must stop the threat."
"You mean that monster?" I ask.
I see anger on Aura's face for a brief second then it passes. It is replaced with sadness. "Yes."
Aura takes hold of Chase's right hand. It glows for a second. There is a bracelet like the one the monster has. "Now just a second," I say.
Aura puts a finger on Chase's lips. The annoying part of my mind kicks in and I swear I can feel the finger. "The bracelet's power can bring forth destruction and salvation at the whim of the user. Learn the secrets of The World. Search yourself and when you find the answers you will be able to stop the coming storm and its maker. More importantly you must close the borders!"
"Wait, why can't you two do it?" I ask. "You seem to have the power."
"We are incapable," says Zelphie.
"Polarized one, take control of Chase," instructs Aura. "Your first ally needs you."
"I have a lot of questions," I say.
"No time for that," says Zelphie. A wicket appears in her hands. She swings it and smacks Chase into the air. "Now get your butt back to you friend. I transported her to Mac Anu and she's waiting for you!"
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I reappear in Mac Anu. "Annrika?" I say immediately.
"Chase!" cries out Annrika. She looks like I feel. "Are you ok? Where did you go?"
"Through the wall," I said.
Annrika turns her head as if distracted. "What? Ok, just wait a minute." She looks at me and says, "I have to log out. I have chores to do. Sorry your first and last time playing wasn't great."
I hesitate before speaking. I still don't know what to do and I can't leave Annrika hanging like this. "Uh, listen. . .I might be changing my mind about The World. Give me a few days, ok?"
Annrika smiles. "Great! I'll e-mail you in a few days." She gives a salute with her staff and logs out.
I look around Mac Anu and try to absorb everything that happened. The invisible bracelet on my wrist and what Aura said about it. How the annoying part of my mind reacted to that thing and Aura. How Aura said that I would find answers about myself within The World. Most importantly and most frightening is that if the game can affect my mind and body like that could the same thing happen to other people.
I see players walk through Mac Anu. I sigh as the annoying part of my mind works it stuff. I see this place as it is. For now I have to ignore it. Now is the time act and to uncover the secrets of The World.
To be continued. . .