1 PROLOGUE

Arcadia.

That was the appellation given to the world in the game [Garden of Eden]. Containing various continents, towering cities, and a variety of races, the initial stage of the world gave the players a vivid and enjoyable grasp of what the game is about. Alas, along with overwhelming positivity, there will always be a hint on negativity, no matter how big or small.

['Typical. It's set inside a fantasy, medieval era where you will capture targets in the academy, saving the damsel in distress, and a bunch of other clichés. Not expecting much from the game']

Such was the comment of one of the reviewers who had played the beginning stages of the game, quitting without seeing how it develops. Whether it was due to their arrogance, or the amount of other games that used the exact same premise, they had left causing countless others to elude the game themselves.

However, never in their wildest imagination could they have expected the turn of events on a certain day within the game...

[The Epoch of Gods has begun...]

Along with the quote written on the second chapter of the game, a whole new world was opened. Dragging the ones who had left the game to come back crawling curiously, right before the very sight of the players that had stuck with the game.

Unsurprisingly, with this new addition of the event, a lot of newborn questions were born alongside it. 'Why on that day', 'does this hold some significance?', 'what will happen in the future?'.

The unceasing questions ravaged the Internet for a long time, each one more sophisticated than the last. However, even after a long time the most simple of queries could have never been answered properly:

The Eon of Gods.

What exactly was it?

Inferring from the name itself, you could comprehend it had something to so along the lines of 'gods coming down to earth' which was in fact partially true. Although, it is something entirely different at the same time.

Th Age of Gods.

The time when the world of Arcadia was plunged into chaos. Unrending mayhem with the addition of monsters with unknown origins. Brand new species alongside a world that grew instantly into a size incomparable from before.

Now, exactly where do 'Gods' - that were the rulers of the so-called 'Age' - come into play?

Well, in fact the alleged 'Gods' don't really come into the world but instead observe it intently. They sat upon their lofty thrones, looking down upon the world without lifting a single finger.

Without the interference of such beings, a question that plagued most of the new players minds, formed: why is it called the 'Age of Gods' if they don't intervene?

The answer to that was quite simple. If direct inteference don't work then surely the can use a loophole to affect the world so it leans in their favour. Thus, after a period of time the Gods finally discovered a way to break the system.

'If direct meddling doesn't work then we'll just have to do it indirectly.'

Shifting their divine manifestation into a different form. Powers more controlled, gentle. With the compressed exposition of their might, the Gods...vanished. Disappeared from wherever they were watching. However, that was what they had thought had happened.

It was sudden. A small, evolved, transformed into a colossal change happened beside addition of mythological creatures.

The once blank river of the skies of Arcadia was filled to the brim.

A thousand, perhaps even greater, sparks of ember rose on the canvas of darkness. Each one a drop of euphoria in an ocean of nothingness.

Reminescent of a beautiful painting. An everdistant utopia. Something you can see, gaze, but not touch.

An announcement was made to those who had thought the Gods had abandoned them. A message; aimed to the inhabitants with the manifestation of stars. Beings of power, who were eventually called a certain name:

Constellations.

The Gods each manifested themselves into stars. Objects of hope, for the ones who became homeless. All while giving faith to the creatures in Arcadia by giving their [Blessings]. Making them be depicted as the 'heroes' by the bards who had found hoaxed salvation within chaos.

Regrettably, only a few will ever know the truth. By giving their powers to the ones they had chosen, humanity and other races had fought together against the beings that came out of nowhere. [Apostles] were the denomination given to the ones wielding the powers of stars.

Countless praises and faith were given to the ones that lived in the sky, however as the saying goes - all good things must come to an end. The ancient beings felt the world go through a 'second awakening'.

Monsters that they never knew existed, or comprehend, rose from the darkest imagination of humanity. Creatures that not even the Gods themselves can fathom, wreaked across the lands whilst the stars that once looked favourably and affectionately upon their children discarded them.

Finding entertainment in the struggle of humanity, and everyone else. Depending through all the actions you chose, you could only end up with three endings.

True Ending - [Ruler of Salvation]

It was an ending that completely captures the essence of the game, and the supposed final end to the story of [Arcadia]. However, even to this day, the [True Ending] had never been grasped.

Good Ending - [Herald of Sacrifice]

The climax that results in you bringing all the opposing forces together, to unify humanity and battle against the [Constellations]. By sacrificing the hero, and villain you will be able to gain peace for the parched land. A fate, that undoubtedly encompasses: "sacrifice for the greater good" to the T. Alas, surprisingly, even this ending had never been reached. Which only left the final ending, that caused countless players to abandon the game they once treated with such care. Such joy.

Bad Ending - [Demon King of Damnation]

The only ending that had only been reached for the past three years. As well as the one that is expressed and gazed upon my very eyes.

An apocalyptic world, on the verge of crumbling.

Limbs were tossed and spread into different directions. Eyes were gouged out, as if to prevent the sight of perceiving the final remnants of the once life-ridden world. The gentle, benevolent smile of the sun had long been extinguished. Replaced by a stygian chalice. Drenching the world in darkness, with a sky so crimson.

It was a cataclysmic grounds that faced you to think of only one word: purgatory. A barren land that no life should be able to step on. To live on.

Yet, upon a throne of corpses sat a man who defied that logic. His sword embraced by amethyst flames that dances to the final hymn of winds. Eye's dulled by the battles and wars, as the heads of Gods hung from his belt like trophies.

The once joyful and determined man was reduced to nothing but a shell of his former self. Those bright emerald eyes, flowing like a dirty river. Drenched by blood, unknown whether it was his enemies or allies alike, that ravaged his handsome visage.

Cecil Xalvador.

The man, hailed as a hero. Praised as a child of justice, had betrayed the world and accepted the power to absolve the land he was born in. Destroying the beliefs and ideal, he once cherished. Adored. Becoming nothing like the saviour that the world so dearly loved.

The Demon King of Damnation.

The One who fells the End.

That was the identity of the man who lost himself, as well as the singular ending that could be obtained after these painstaken five years. Disregarding all the efforts, that the previous players had made to complete the game. Renouncing - relinquishing, the hours spent. The tears shed.

Now, gazing upon the game that had fallen from such unimaginable heights - I alone remained.

My sunken eyes perceiving the blinking display that relayed the amount of players that endured. The number [1] nictating periodically. As the encroaching tiredness finally caught up and engulfed my very being. My perseverance, for the first time, crumbling through the relentless beatings of time. Eyes closing, as I recalled the amount of times I restarted, despite my unwillingness.

999.

I had touched this game nine hundred and ninety nine times. My fragile hands, malnourished by the constant and determined mind that followed oasis that guided me. Continuing to play, thinking: "this time, I'll beat it." althought in the depths of my mind I wouldn't. It was simply the thought of a fool, who thought he could achieve something that millions of players couldn't.

Tilting my head against my tattered, shattering chair, I blinded my vision with darkness. Unwilling to see the [Try Again?] message that may enrapture me. To not go through that pain one last time. However, that was just the plight of a man who hadn't bathed with the water of addiction.

Even though those thoughts that I should have given up a long time ago appeared, I defied. I simply couldn't. No, rather it was I wouldn't. I was unable to part with a game that captured me so lovingly. Similar to a musician to his muse, or the flowers to the sun.

The only reason I continued, despite seeming like a moron, or an brainless idiot was to see an ending other than the desolate fate of the world. A destiny, where I could see that light at the end of the tunnel. That was my pride and will, even if it makes me seem witless to the people who held me dear.

So for one last time. I gathered myself, and played [Garden of Eden] for one final dance. Even if it is futile. Even if it is vanitous. I will trudge on.

I dragged my mouse, and place my pale fingers upon the keyboard. The cursor, travelling from the image of the tragic hero, towards the scarlet message that contained the blood of 999 retries. Moving, towards the [Yes] button, as I calmly and resolutely readied myself. To do things differently this time.

With the music that rang in my ears, and the air that kissed my face as if to bless me. The counter that once had the staggering number of [999] ticked. Reaching [1000].

With a sigh that relaxed my being, as well as light that filled my vision to the brim. I awaited. This time, determined to reach the perfect run -

I plunged into the world I hated, yet found so dear.

Arcadia.