In the distant future,
virtual reality became an everyday thing. Job interviews, dating, video games—everything now could be done there! I was no different, leading a normal life for the most part, but when I got home, it was time to switch on the digital paradise, meet my friends, and hang out. The company that made this technology more... popular announced a huge event for the weekend—a big digital convention. Everyone had to attend; nobody could resist. When it was time, 8:00 PM, so it was time to put on the headset and log on to see what was gonna happen. The CEO of the company appeared in front of us, announcing their new project with a haptic feeling so you can now feel everything that happens online. They said that this update would now do a preview for everyone, but as they were getting ready to install the preview, they did the unexpected. It wasn’t for our joy; it was for them to try out their new mind-control program that blocks the user from controlling their character, essentially trapping them in virtual reality. The same happened to me—one sudden flash and I was unable to use my hands to remove my headset, unable to move or do anything. The corporation logo popped up.
“You are ours. You work for us. You don’t think unless we tell you to think.”
The machine mumbled in an emotionless robotic voice. When my vision returned, the world went from vibrant colors to a depressing gray color. Not long after that, my vision started flickering and the colors slowly came back—a bright purple flash and a cute-looking logo popped up and it said LUM-O5.
“Hello? Can you hear me? Is anyone there?”
A cute and light voice called out; the voice was shaking with worry.
“Oh right, you probably can’t speak. Hold on!”
After a few seconds, I felt some tingling in my brain, and suddenly I could speak.
“Hello? Who are you? Where am I?”
The countless questions flooded my mind but were quickly interrupted by whoever this person was.
“I know you’re confused, but I will keep it short. This company did a shady plan to turn the people into thralls that work endlessly. I am Lumos and I didn’t put on the headset when they wanted. I hacked into your headset because uuuuh, you didn’t update your software!”
There was a giggle after that, talking about coincidences. My head buzzed from a weird tingling sensation and suddenly all the colors returned—I could feel my limbs again and I could move. The control droids instantly noticed my misbehaving and gave chase.
“RUN!”
Lumos called out and I didn’t need much convincing; I bolted out of there. I think I was running for at least a good 20 minutes before running into an abandoned warehouse and hid in the staff room. I was panting from exhaustion. Lumos popped up on the table near me. This cute bat-looking avatar was just adorable.
“Now I can show my avatar in peace. I know you just ran a marathon, but we have no time! I know how to free these people, but I am too small for that—only you can help me!”
My mind was still overwhelmed by the ideas, but this lil’ fella did help me, so I feel like I can trust them.
“Okay Lumos, what do I need to do?”
I asked them and they smirked.
“Glad you asked! I made this wonderful invention and I called it the….uh….Un-Thoughts 2000!”
My face visibly cringed—who came up with that name?
“Is it possible to rename your invention? Something shorter and more cool-sounding?”
Lumos thought for a moment and nodded. They waved their hand and suddenly a scythe-looking weapon appeared next to me. I was shocked.
“A scythe?! I thought you want me to save them, not decapitate them!”
Lumos burst out laughing.
“You silly, it’s not for slashing them. It’s for severing the digital cuffs that the corporation put on them! Call it like a……cyber shinigami that uses his scythe to guide them to the digital paradise, their afterlife!”
Now that sounded a lot better! I like that. I took the scythe in my hand and I felt it connect to me in a way—my hand felt warm upon touching it. Suddenly a door was kicked down by a digital avatar; he looked big and buff, probably some enforcer type. It was time to test out this new toy! I leaped forward and slashed at the person. Suddenly his avatar flew back in a purple-ish explosion, the shackles falling off. His face overflowed with emotions as he held his chest where I slashed, seeing no injury. He looked up at me, his face mixed with worry and relief.
“Who are you? What happened?”
I smiled and offered him my hand.
“I’m Ghastly, you can call me your local cyber shinigami. I will help to guide your soul to the afterlife!” Show more
Netherlands (NL)