Host And The Soul System

7. Errors in the lobby

I'm jolted awake by the sharp pain in chest. I turn on my side, coughing and heaving. The pain subsides in a few minutes and a tab appears in front of me.

“Good morning, host” Spix says. “Your health vitals are stable. Unfortunately, they will deteriorate over time as the system battles to correct errors.“

“You're doing this?“ I ask Spix placing a hand over my chest.

“It is my duty to assist the player. Hence, i must eradicate every trace of energy belonging to System Ayra in your body”

“Are you saying that I'm not a host?“

“Based on last night's events, the error has been successfully detected. You came to Eden Bizarre as a player however, a rogue system has taken residence in your body. You have become her host. Her energy cannot contrast with yours because you have none. However, if you level up as a player both energy will fight each other as hosts and players are on opposite ends until they terminate each other. If you wish to level up as a player then you must forfeit the bond with Ayra” Spix says.

“But if i do that, I'll be vulnerable. This chamber is filled with predators. I've only survived because of Ayra's system powers” I say rising to my feet.

“I will try to expell the reminant energy so please endure the pain and refrain from using Ayra's system powers, level up as a player and rely on mine” She tells me and the tab disappears. The sharp pain resumes but the sound of someone hurling in the bushes keeps me from attending to it.

Spix said the soul system in Eden Bizarre is constantly working to erase errors. If Kara is a system error, that means the system is trying to erase her as well. I run towards the sound, ignoring the stabbing pain in my chest. As i suspected, Kara is clutching on to her chest and crying out in pain.

“Are you alright?“ I ask.

“Yeah I'm fine” she answers, standing up straight immediately. I don't miss the blood stains on her cheek when she she turns away.

“You don't look fine” Kara doesn't respond. She starts walking away instead.

“Don't come after me”

I don't. I sit by the rocks watching the sea waves, Dante's fortress doesn't seem as close to the shores as it did last night. I think of my current situation and host system Ayra. Is Ayra really inside my head? How do i find her and escape the system then? I try to call for her but she doesn't answer. Then i think of my player system, Spix. She sounded different today. Yesterday she had spoken to me like she was a robot. Today, she sounded…real.

I'm almost on the verge of going down the dreaded memory lanes of my previous life when i hear approaching footsteps.

“Let's go” Kara says.

“Where?“

“The lobby”

“What's the Lobby?“ I ask after we've walked for hours.

“The safest place for soul players. Hosts can't enter. It's in the lower chamber. There's someone i have to meet before we go to the capital” Kara replies. She looks up ahead and i watch a smile spread across her face. I look up to see what she's looking at. There's a giant arc in the middle of road with runes and symbols drawn all over it.

“Arcs are how we transport to different chambers.“ We walk to the threshold and Kara walks through it and disappears through the portal.

I take a deep breath. “Once you walk in there, you will become part of the soul system. A player and a host. This is where your journey through Eden Bizarre will officially begin. Are you ready?“ Spix asks.

I watch portal knowing Kara is probably waiting for me on the other side. It's not like i could go back. I needed to find Ayra and get the hell out of this system. With that final thought, i step into the portal.

Kara grabs my arm and pulls me all the way through. I trip over my feet and we both fall to the ground. She pushes me off her and i scramble to get on my feet.

“Don't ever do that again” she tries to glare at me but her face is too flushed to pose a threat.

I turn away from her and i take in my surroundings. It's a marketplace, packed with people running around and yelling for items to be sold and exchanged. No one pays us any attention as they go on about their daily business. I'm not sure what i was expecting but it wasn't this.

“Come on” She says, brushing past the crowd.

We push our way through and i can't help but stare. Every little thing catches my attention. They sell the most absurd things like sea spider venom and a map that sees all of Eden Bizarre. A few salesmen tug on my shirt to purchase a few things in exchange for an amount of my energy. It's all so mesmerising.

“How does all of this exist here?“ I ask, running to catch up with Kara.

“Soul energy levels determine how much success a soul will have in their next life. People in this chamber are called Dwellers. The weaker players who cannot participate in tournaments or level up. They'll sell anything for a few energy points so they can have a good future. You should consider it” she scoffs.

“You think?“ I actually am.

“Business is tough here. It will take you 300 years to gather up enough energy to be reborn not to speak of being reborn rich.“ She looks at me to watch my face shift to disappointment.

“Wait so these people—”

“Have been here for much longer than you think. And we're going to meet one of the oldest.“ She says as she pushes open the door to a shop.

The bell jingles announcing our arrival as we walk in. My eyes soak in the shop. It's a pawn shop with lots of artifacts and paintings. A clock ticks in an odd manner going in all possible directions at once. I move to get a closer look but a stick pokes out in front of me.

“Don't touch that unless you wish to lose the next 500 years of your lifetime. A soul can only live so long” I turn to see an old man with a walking stick and a long white beard. He reminds me of the overly exaggerated wizards i saw once on TV.

“OZ!“ Kara pops out from behind a shelf and the old man's face lights up at the sight of her.

“Kara. It's good to see you again!“ He says as he embraces her.

“You change companions like clothes. Where's Darach?“ He asks and Kara's expression sinks.

“Axel… that bastard” she croaks but Oz doesn't let her finish her statement before he hugs her again.

“Now, who is this curious fellow?“ Oz asks when they finally part from each other.

This must be the old soul that she spoke of earlier. I should probably pay my respects. He looks ancient.

“You must be the soul Kara spoke of. I am Knox, her temporary companion. It's an honor to meet one of the oldest souls in the system” i say with a low head bow.

When i look up, Oz and Kara are staring at me in surprise. They both burst into laughter and i wonder if I've told a bad joke then it hits me.

“Is he not—”

“The oldest soul in the system? No. That would be me” A voice says from behind me. I turn to see a young boy around my age standing on the stairs. He has white hair like mine but there are streaks of blue in it. He's wearing a cape like the one Ravena had but it's white and blue. A tab appears over his head and my jaw almost drops at his immense energy level.

Name: Reid

Power: illusions

Lethal move: Hidden dreams

Energy level: 999

Who the hell is this guy?

“Meet Reid, he's the reason the lobby is the way it is.“