Novus Orsa Chapter 1

Chapter 1:

"Everybody deserves a little joy in their life, that's why you have me!"

--Childhood friend to Revan (ten years ago)

Sometimes life just sucks. That is what most people say when one little thing doesn't go their way. People have no idea what they are talking about. They should be grateful for what they have, and for what they don't have to deal with. What is wrong with people? Nobody realizes just how bad it could be.
In order to get through these bad times everyone is granted a gift. People are said to have one particular talent, whether it be incredible or petty. Some are lucky enough to have their skills shield everyone from their faults, while others may not be so lucky.
That guy that's always lifting weights and flexing may be empty upstairs, but he has the chance to become an amazing all-star. The over dramatic girl that randomly breaks into song has the makings of a talented actress or Broadway star. Everyone knows the kid with thick glasses and the intimidating intelligence. He may be shunned by his peers now, but in the future he or she will create something to change life as we know it. There are many more examples of how people can overcome their hindrances and make life work for the better. Unfortunately there are others that cannot see past their noses or flaws. They are blind. To only be concerned with the present casts one's possibly prodigious future into the shadows.
         I've tried to fit in, but to no avail. I'm a social pariah stuck in my ways. There may be a way for me to overcome such obstacle, if I so had the desire. By no means do I consider myself a misanthrope. I am just a quiet kid that prefers keeps to himself. Desperately, I try and fade into the shadows.
         My name is Revan, a high school senior with average height, weight and looks. Not to mention a social outcast. If I do have any particular talent, it's stubborn and remains hidden. I am not athletic in the slightest. Singing and dancing are things I prefer to avoid, and I coast through school with average grades. Maybe flying under the radar is my talent. That is, if that can be considered one. My classmates acknowledge me to the point of walking around me in the hall, if only to avoid collisions, while the teachers see me as just another face in the crowd. It's probably for the best anyway.
         For friends, well, let's just say that there aren't any. It's not that I haven't tried; it's more that I'm not considered "friend material" or even acquaintance material. Not many people wish to associate themselves with "that guy". As luck would have it, I don't have to. Luck has also granted me the honor of being that guy.
         Every day it is the same old thing. I drag myself out of bed in order to head off to another fun-filled day of school. I do my best to head off to school earlier, just in case I would run into any trouble on the way there. Leaving my house, I dart past my neighbor's house and walk to school nearby. Today is just another ordinary and uneventful day. Like every day my teacher forgets to call my name for attendance. The last test I took came back with a C on it. I proceed to eat lunch by myself, as usual. Walking down the hall, I see a freshman getting bullied. I guess that's one perk to going unnoticed. I've never had to deal with bullies. The best part of my day arrives when the bell rang to let out classes. Getting up to leave, I think I might hear something, but it was probably nothing, and continue with a monotonous walk home.
         At the end of the day, I walk home by myself to an empty house. It is usually just my mother and I. My father had left long ago for a reason I neither know nor care about anymore. In order to support the two of us and keep the house, my mother works multiple shifts. We may be living a decent life, but due to her work schedule we don't get to see each other that often. I've done my best to help in any way I can.  The work around the house is easy enough, and I'm at the age where taking care of myself is simple. I've tried to lessen the load on my mother by getting a job. Besides my aversion to people, my mother was the one that put a stop to my attempts. She believes that while I'm in school, I should focus more on my studies so that I could have a better future. It is hard to listen to her as the bags under her eyes grow with every shift she endures. Some days I beg for her to stay home, but the struggling only makes her tire more easily as she trudges out the door.
         In spite of her attempts, I have recently gotten a job as a beta tester for a new gaming system. I've played similar games on the system, so it should be easy enough. If all works out well, I'll be able to work from home with limited social interactions. I'll help out without her any the wiser. Hopefully she will be able to look back and appreciate my efforts. Besides, how else am I going to spend my time, it's not like I have anything better to do, or anyone to spend it with?
         As soon as I get home, I lock the front door and then barricade myself in the cluttered mess I call my room. Making sure the lights are still off I quietly search through the junkyard that is my room. With a few exceptions all I need is in here, if I can find it. I think I have a desk in here, but at this point I can't be sure. What can be called a bed is stripped of any form of covers, which are nowhere to be seen. I don't even remember if my floor is hardwood or carpet. The exception to my normal room is that everything appears to be positioned away from the window. Heavy curtains cover the window, leaving the room darker than to be expected. Behind the curtains, the window always remains latched, and I avoid it as long as possible. Avoiding a window may seem like a strange thing, but let's just say there is a very good reas-.
         Knock. Knock. Knock.
         Well if that isn't the reason now. A shadowy figure appears on the other side of the curtain. Some may shout in fear or go to confront the mysterious figure. I am different though. I just slowly start to back away from the window. How does it know I'm here?
         "Revan! Let me in." I freeze in my tracks. This noise comes from outside my window every day once I get home from school. I'll just ignore it and maybe, just maybe, it will go away. I try to hold my breath, but my racing heart is what worries me. Its hearing can't be that good, can it?
         Knock. Knock. Knock. Please let it stop. I start to tense up as I back farther away from the window.
         "I know you're in there, where else would you be?" continues the noise slightly more eager than before. There is no stopping it. "Just unlock it, Revan." There is no running away.
         "Since I haven't wanted to let you in before, what makes you think I would want to start now?" I moan back.
         Over time I've learned that ignoring that noise is completely useless. If I'm lucky, that noise will give up until tomorrow, granting me my much needed peace. As I've said before luck and I aren't on the greatest of terms. Nonetheless, the voice still comes from the window, pounding on my eardrums.
         "Come on Revan, hangout with me now or you'll be doing it at school tomorrow!" That noise continues with its not-necessarily-hollow threats. The latch on the window rattling from the continuing knocks.
         Like always, I regrettably pull back the curtains and unlatch the window. Along with the unwanted sunlight, she stumbles through the window. You'd think she would at least be a little graceful, but then again she never is. Hitting the ground with a grunt she glances around the room until I am unfortunate enough to make eye contact. Without breaking contact, she rises to painfully meet the windowsill. She falls to the ground once again, rubbing her head to soothe her aching. As I wait for her to once again straighten up from the jumbled mess on the floor, I prepare for the verbal onslaught that I am so used to enduring.
         "You know if you would just unlock the front door we wouldn't have to do this every day" she says, straightening up herself.
         I don't understand why she persists so much.
         "Did you ever think that I may just not want you here?"
         "Why wouldn't you, I'm all you got."
         "Maybe I don't need anybody."
         "Why do you always cave and let me into your room then?"
         "I don't want the other neighbors calling the police."
         "Why wouldn't you want that? You wouldn't miss me would you?"
         "Well, I-."
         "See, I knew you loved me," her eyes brightening with every word.
         Resistance truly is futile. What else am I supposed to do?
         This is Alexis. She is slightly under average height, short brown hair, and piercing green eyes. We go to the same school, and thanks to my good standing with luck, the same class. I said before that everyone has a particular talent. Aly is no exception. She is very athletic as well as irritatingly persistent. This is usually successful in hiding her ditzy nature. At the moment, it is failing quite well though. I do my best to avoid her at school as much as possible, usually with success. My accomplishment of avoiding her detection at school may be the better part of my day, but it only gets worse from there. She lives next door. Aly constantly reminds me that we are childhood friends. She has yet to understand that simply knowing someone for a long period of time does not make you friends.
After her father died of leukemia many years ago, her mother reached out to mine. In desperate need of funds, my mother was able to get her shifts working alongside her. I was "asked" to take care of Aly while our parents were at work, which was all the time. Aly was a very lonely and sad child. Tears flowed down her cheeks for the first week we were together. She cried for her father and mother while I did my best to not rip out my hair. Over time, she began to cling to me though. Each morning, I would wake to the doorbell, as Aly was dropped off and our mothers left for their shift. After that, I would make her breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In between meals, we did anything to keep us entertained. From board games to watching television, I had to spend nearly every waking minute with this girl. As we got older she continued to cling to me, but began to make friends at school. Her grades began to soar as did her athletic achievements. I watched from afar as the once fragile girl left me behind in her dust.  Once realizing that the helpless little girl I had taken care of was gone, I was relieved. I encouraged her to pursue other friends, but she kept coming by the house. I resorted to locking the front door and windows to push her away. She needs to stop clinging to me if she ever wants to have a future. Hanging around a misanthrope can do her no good.
After all of that, the closest thing I have to a friend continues to break down my defenses and force her way in. I guess I could consider her my only friend, but letting her think she won would only make matters much worse and I'm sure she would never want to leave. Some days I wonder if she knows that I may consider her almost a friend, but she deserves the challenge of figuring that out herself.
While I'm still in thought, she darts past me and out of my room.
         "What would you like for dinner, tonight?" Aly hollers down the hall insistently.
         "I'm not too fond of your cooking, you know."
         "But I learned from you, remember?"
         "I'd much rather just make myself a sandwich and have you get out of my house?"
         "Chef's choice?" she yells back, I can hear the refrigerator door opening.
         "Would you just leave, please?" I am down to begging, as I walk into the kitchen.
         "You like stir-fry right?" she is ignoring me completely while rustling through the cabinets, humming all the while.
         Sigh. "Top left cabinet," I give up, knowing that Aly won't be leaving of her own free will.
         "You know you're getting easier, right?" she smiles crushing the small amount of pride I have been saving for a rainy day.
         I pull out one of the two chairs at the dining room table and watch as Aly begins to dice the vegetables. I haven't prepared any meals for her in years. While I had cooked, I was unaware just how closely she had been watching me. Not until she asked if she could cook too did I realize just how fast of a learner she was. Aly quickly went from a novice to my rival. It was not too soon before she passed my level entirely.
         "Ouch..." she whispers as the rhythmic tapping of the blade on the cutting board halts.
         "First drawer on the left" I sigh. She pulls a bandage out and hands it to me.
         "Kiss it."
         "No. This'll do just fine" I wrap the bandage around her finger and give it a little extra pressure to make sure it sticks. She flinches, but her smile masks the pain.
"There's nothing better than a home-cooked meal. If I don't make something you'll most likely be eating instant rice or ramen."
         "Then why don't you cook at your house instead of here?"
         "Maybe I would if you ever came over to visit." Her chopping gets a little more vigorous. I wonder if she knows just how intimidating she is with that knife.
         I may not always think or speak that highly of Aly, but I have to give her credit where credit is due. Her cooking is truly something to behold. That is the only thing that lures me from the confines of my room and much to my chagrin, she knows it. I don't understand how normal looking food could taste like it was brought down from heaven. I try to ask her how she can achieve such perfection, but her response is never what I'm looking for.
         "It's a secret."
         So there she is, sitting across from me at my dining room table. She's eating away happily as if she has done nothing wrong. I'm trying to just sit and eat in silence, but Aly just has to break my cherished silence.
         "So how was your day, Revan?"
         "I'm sure you know already, so why do you ask?" Why can't I ever just say fine? She always goes off or pouts if I don't at least make an attempt. I look up to see her staring aimlessly down at her plate. The awkward silence is only broken by her sighs, this being her not so subtle sign for me to continue the conversation. During any other situation, like the one presented before me, I would simply get up and leave. Unfortunately, this is my house and I have nowhere to go. This conversation is almost like a mouse approaching a trap. The only difference being that my cheese is to get her out of my house. I guess that mouse is going to go for the cheese.
         "How has your day gone, Aly?"
         She stops pushing around the food on her plate and looks up. The trap has been sprung.
The depressed expression on her faces rapidly changes to one of pure joy.
         I am caught it the trap.
         "Where to begin?" she asks, truly delighted. I might as well just endure it. And so she continues. The cheese is completely out of my reach. I really should know better by now.
         "When I got up this morning I thought maybe today we would walk to school together, but I seemed to have missed you."
         I smile, nod and proceed to pushing my food around my plate as she had been doing earlier. Getting along with people may not be my forte, but pretending is easy enough. If I at least create the illusion that I care, she will talk to her heart is content and then leave. Well, I guess I should continue listening to her.
         "After class we could have walked home together. I tried to get your attention at school today, but you must not have heard me. I figured if we came together than your door would be unlocked for once," Aly said enthusiastically.
         I have tried to ask why she doesn't hang out with her friends from school, but she usually just says that is why she is here with me. I've encouraged her time and time again to hang out with some of her other friends, but I have yet to succeed at that endeavor. Her reply is usually her reflecting the question back at me.
         "Why don't you make friends and get out of the house, or do you just prefer my company?" she asks with a smile from ear to ear. It's almost like she is mocking me, which is probably because she is. Aly knows exactly how much I, what's the right word, enjoy spending such a great deal of time with her each day. Tonight may be the night that I have an actual excuse.
         "I don't have time to waste; I have a job right now." I respond, slightly proud of myself. Aly's face had a look that was a mixture of shock and happiness.
         "You're actually going to interact with people?"
         "Ha ha, very funny. I guess you just don't know me as well as you think." I say, looking up from my plate to see her confusion. "If I work from home, I can be rid of most unnecessary nuisances."
         "I could help you know."
         "What did I just say?"
         "Well, at least tell me what you're going to be doing."
         If I were to try and keep it from her, she'll just continue to press on. She may try to look for clues around the house if she gets too curious.  I don't need her searching through my room, or spending any more time in my house than she already has. If I do tell her, that will only encourage this much unwanted behavior. Oh well, what's the worst that could happen?
         "I'm going to be a beta tester for a new virtual reality game."
         Her expression changes from one of interest back to that stupid grin she wears so often. Sometimes I wish I knew what she was thinking. I'm sure that I am not the first guy in need of this information, for different reasons of course. To my surprise, she doesn't say another word. She simply goes back to enjoying her meal, occasionally checking her phone. This is not the response that I expect. Whenever Aly is quiet, it can't be good news for me. I'm going to be in trouble.
We simply finish our meals in silence, and afterwards I clear the table. Aly stands up from the table, and I hope that she would start to head towards the door like every other night. This was the end, I can finally have peace. She continues to walk towards the front door. Just a few more steps and I'm free. Aly reaches out to grab the doorknob and swings open the door. One more step. That would be too good to be true. And of course, it was. Her phone buzzes and she stops at the front door. After checking it, she turns around shaking with excitement. Sigh. So close.
         "Let's play your game together. We could always use more quality time," she says with what appears to be her last shred of hope for extending her stay. There it is. Her plan has come to the light.
         "It's not just a game; it's my job, which I have to start at eight. Besides, I only have enough gear for one person," I reply, while trying to drive her out the door. At least I'm being honest for once.
         "I know your mom got you an extra set on the off chance you made a friend," Aly's voice was calm enough, but there was enough force behind it to stop her in the doorway. "Lucky for you, you have me."
         Okay, I am not being completely honest with her. Before I could come up with an appropriate rebuttal, she dashes past me and back through the house. Why do things always turn out like this? I just want a little bit of peace, but it's always just out of my grasp. Well, I guess I should go check on her; it's not like I don't know where she is going. If there is one thing I've learned from being in Aly's presence for so long, it was that if she has her mind set on something, I might as well step out of her way. She'll run me over without a second thought.
         I guess there's no choice, but to see what see is doing. Walking back through my house to my room I wonder what I have ever done to deserve having her run amok in my house. If karma really does exist, I wonder what horrible thing I have done to deserve this, or what further punishment I will receive if I continue to try and push Aly out of my house?
         "You know, you won't be able to play if you aren't already registered, right?" I ask while entering my room. Only to see Aly with the virtual reality, or VR, helmet on, pressing anything that clicks.
         "I registered while we were eating dinner. That text I just got was confirmation. Now what am I supposed to do with this thing?" she sighs, an obvious sign that she has given up trying to understand how the strange device works. I should be surprised that she was able to figure my job out so quickly. Then again, she's always been full of surprises. That must have been why she was being so silent during dinner. I should have known better than to underestimate her. I blame myself for such misfortune.
         "How did you even know what the game was?" I ask wondering just how closely she has been spying on me.
         "When I fell through your window, I saw it lying on your pitiful excuse for a desk. It's almost like you wanted me to see it." That's what I get for not cleaning my room. Now I'm stuck with her and that dumb smile for longer than usual.
         "So, what type of game is this anyway?" she questions, her voice muffled from underneath the helmet.
         I hope she doesn't ask too many more questions or this is going to be one long night. I might as well get this over with.
         "Okay, I might as well start from the beginning. This is a virtual reality massively multiplayer online role playing game, or vrmmorpg. The virtual reality aspect allows you to feel as if you are actually there. The aspect that is left out is pain, for obvious reasons. The game is set during the medieval ages. It is pretty much an open world, but the goal of the game is something that I'm still unsure of. Part of the challenge is supposed to be to find the goal. This is more than a simple fighting game. You can do anything from running stores to purchasing a house."
I finish, but I'm not quite sure whether she comprehends any of it. Her reaction is shielded by the tinted visor or the helmet. All I get out of her is a nod. As I reach for the game she stops me, her hand shaking slightly. What does she have to be nervous about, it's just a game.
         "You have to promise that we'll stay together," she says almost too quiet to hear.
         "Why?"
         "Just promise me," she begs, her voice stern, but soft at the same time. Aly usually isn't like this, or at least hasn't been like this for years. She must really be worried for some reason. What's the worst that could happen? It's just a game.
         Sigh. She probably just has no idea what she will be doing. I guess I could just show her the basics before I go off on my own. I don't need to be backpacking her the entire time.
         "Fine, I'll help you until you can get the hang of it. I'm not sure how much help I'm going to be though, the server just opened today. I know the basics from other games, but you'll most likely know as much as I do. Besides you're quite the fast learner." Sometimes submission is easier than lying my way out of the situation.
         "I guess we'll be learning together," Aly says, her grip relaxing along with a lightening of her voice.
At least she seems to have calmed down. I could try to soothe some of her worries by explaining how the game works, but I guess it would help if I understood it myself. This is not a comforting thought to have as I slip on the black helmet over my head. If I was at all claustrophobic, this would be somewhat nerve-racking. The dark visor slides over my eyes. My breathing becomes noticeably louder, and slightly fogs up the inside of the helmet. This may be part of the reason Aly is so uncomfortable. As I start to set up the game, I notice that she is fidgeting.
"You know that you can bail out if you want, right?" I offer, trying to let her out of her commitment, which in turn would allow me to return to my solitude.
"No, I'm ready. Besides everything will be fine if you're there," she responds, unfortunately sounding more confident than she had been. I bet if I would have just pressed a little more forcefully, she would have opted out. Well, hindsight is twenty-twenty. Everything is about ready. Here goes nothing.
"So, everything is set up and ready to go," The sooner we get started the better. "All we have to do now is lie down and start."
         I have no idea how long we are going to be in this new world. If we don't get comfortable now, I'm sure we'll be feeling pretty stiff later. I'd rather not feel like I'm dying after this, what I'm sure will be a... wonderful adventure. I might as well just try to make the best out of this inevitable hell. I lay in down in my bed comfortably. Turning on my side, I am much less so. I am gazing at an identical helmet lying beside me. Does she not realize what personal space is?
         "Do you mind?" I ask, trying to situate myself on the opposite side of the bed. My attempt at separation begins to fail as she inches towards me, not at all getting the hint.
         "Not at all," she responds with what I am sure is a smile hidden behind the darkened visor.
         "Just stare into the visor and say 'begin program' to start."
         "Let's count down from three." For being one of the most mature people I know, she can sure act childish sometimes. Hopefully I won't have to babysit her the whole time. I may be hoping that, but I already know what will happen.
         "Fine, just start," I sigh, ready to get this over with.
         "Three." How did I get sucked into doing this?
         "Two." I can deal with her. Besides, the money from this should help out both of us.
         "One." I'm sure I would be fine on my own. I've been doing well so far.
         "Begin program." We said in unison.
The rhythmic breathing coming from both our helmets gradually fade. The clammy feeling of my breath against the visor no longer bothers me. Now that I think about it, I can't feel the helmet at all. The bed I had just been laying on was gone. I was no longer in my quiet and peaceful room. The warmth of my house no longer surrounds me. I begin to look around in the darkness, but can't see anything. Aly is nowhere to be seen.  I better try and find her or I'm sure I'll never hear the end of it. I attempt to yell out, but nothing is coming out. Nothing is more eerie than complete and utter silence.
         Suddenly a light appears below me. A strange sensation is coming over me. It's almost as if I'm falling. The darkest around me quickly fades as I begin to accelerate rapidly. I expect to hear the roar of the wind, but someone screaming drones out the noise. It must be Aly. Wait, that's my voice. The ground appears far below me. I'm travelling towards the ground fast enough that I'm sure I can make nice-sized crater. This must be how I am going to die. I close my eyes and wait to for my inevitable death. There's no avoiding it, so I might as well accept it. It's not like I've done anything important with my life. I've made no impact on anybody. Opening my eyes, I see the ground, ready to greet me. Right before I slam into the ground I stop a mere foot above it. As suddenly as I had stopped, I collapse onto the ground. Standing up, the thousand questions that had been rushing through my head disappear. This is a sight that I will never forget. At 8:01 pm Nov 1, my life changed forever because I am now in Renatus.