Chapter 3

Initium

"In Initium, the first lawless planet, we will learn to fend for ourselves. We will be able to go through the available Guild Source and begin to live the true experience that is Allsium. But beware, there are many dangers waiting out there....".

Manual of the good player. Allsium Systems: Initium.

“I'm very nervous," said Dagon, "It's the first time we've left virtual Earth.

“What a bunch of shits you are, ragazzi. “Greek was much more determined than the rest and liked to play the role of leader. We've been working hard, but we've finally got everything ready. Initium, here we come!

The four of us were in virtual London, at one of the many control panels from where worldwide flights could be purchased to any part of the virtual Earth and also to the systems of illegality.

There, in Piccadilly Circus, our great adventure would begin.

“Zen Oda, Dagon Basel, Gunner Kid and Greek Marion," Zen read aloud, "do you wish to travel to Initium and are you aware and knowledgeable that on Initium you will not be able to enjoy the security available to you on the Earth of Allsium?

“Yes, we are aware. “It didn't need to be said out loud, but Dagon experienced it as a historic moment.

“Your journey will begin in five seconds," the Japanese man continued. Make sure you are well equipped and do not die.

“What advice," Greek blurted out, "as if in five seconds we have a lot of time to....

We were invaded by darkness until moments later everything regained color and we appeared in a square on the planet Initium.

I was just talking about recovering the color, because everything there was gray.

Initium was the place of passage for all users leaving the virtual Earth, but also a lawless place in some areas. We were in serious danger of being robbed or killed, although we had no valuables on us; no one could know that, at least not until we were killed and looted.

“We should take a walk, ragazzi," said Greek. This doesn't smell good. Let's go to the hotel in town and look for the damn Guild Fountain.

Greek wasn't messing around. Instead of inspecting the place for any items that might help us defend ourselves, he preferred to head for the hotel and have one of us go through the Guild Fountain.

The Source of Guild granted the power of a path, which would deploy a tree of skills that would grant supernatural powers to the subject who decided to enter it. In turn, they would also improve abilities such as strength or agility, always depending on the user's choice.

“Don't you think it's too quiet in here? “Zen was a typical person who thought too much of everything. He thought there were conspiracies against anything he was involved in.

But he got it right.

“Don't move, rookies! “a voice shouted.

The four of us were petrified and horrified.

We looked around until eight hooded people appeared and pointed simple but menacing bows at us. Rather better weapons, by the way, than a screwdriver, a hammer with a split handle and a rusty wrench. That was all we carried.

“Shit, guys," Greek cursed, tensing his jaw. It's an ambush.

“I won't say I told you so, but I told you so. “Zen would stick out his chest even on the most unsuspected occasions.

“Keep calm, we have nothing of value," I said between my teeth. We will give you whatever you ask, we have no choice.

Dying in Allsium meant never being able to return to the virtual world again and living in real life forever, so we had better be a little careful.

Zen and Greek nodded, both knowing it was for the best. Dagon tried, but he was shaking too much to move his head. From the puddle under his feet we could tell he had peed himself.

A true adventurer.

“What do we have here? “said the leader of the group, a blond with a haughty look that radiated contempt. None of his companions could see his face, they were hooded and dressed in dark gray, like supermarket ninjas. “Throw all your belongings on the floor and unblock them.

Unlocking was the same as letting anyone take our belongings. When someone got hold of an item, it was immediately transferred to the personal inventory and could not leave unless approval was given to unlock it. It was easier to do this than to explain it, since everything in Allsium worked just by thinking about it. It was as easy as breathing.

“Do as he tells you," I recommended sensibly.

“You think you're cocky, don't you? “Greek snapped at the blond with an angry look on his face as he threw his backpack to the ground.

The Italian was the thoughtless one of the group, he came in last and almost by miracle. Sometimes we didn't like his ways, but he was the most determined member of the team, the one who used to do what the others didn't want to do. And that, in a way, suited us.

“Well, here we have the pimp on duty. “The leader shrugged his shoulders and laughed. You've only just arrived at Initium and you've already put yourselves in danger. What kind of fucking rookies are you? “He didn't leave time for us to answer. Some come well”prepared and some think they're going on a field trip. In any case, you're all rookies and you're all on the losing side, so emptying your packs is a good deal for us. Unless, of course, you have no attachment to life. What do you think?

“It's a good deal," Zen replied almost immediately, stuttering a little. It was annoying to get off to such a bad start, but there was no other way out. Dagon tried to nod, but kept his head down and didn't move. The circle of urine under his feet was increasing.

“How long have you been here? “asked Greek.

“Enough to know you're amateurs, you idiot.

He was a petulant and obnoxious kid, maybe the same age as us, with well”groomed blond hair. The color of his eyes was peculiar, an unnatural violet, not a cheap virtual expense. That kid had been hanging around for a few months away from the safety of virtual Earth and seemed to have made a killing on petty heists like that one.

“You ain't got nothing but a lousy bow, asshole," Greek replied. You don't even carry a gun, who are the rookies now?

Before anyone could do anything, not even raise an eyebrow, Greek made a pistol appear in his right hand and fired. The leader dropped like a sack of potatoes when the bullet hit between his eyebrows and the rest of the group scattered, but one more was hit when Greek fired the Beretta again.

Dagon finished pissing his pants and threw his ass on the floor while Zen and I watched in amazement as Greek ended the virtuality of two users. Lives that were extinguished from Allsium, a system they would never access again. It was the payment for being free and not staying in the safety of the virtual Earth.