A soft melodic sound softly chimed in a grey and teal designed room, In the room lay a boy in a levitating mattress that floated above a neon pulsing platform.
The soft melody gradually grew louder, filling the grey and teal room. Simultaneously, the recessed lighting brightened, casting an ethereal glow. The combined effect gently coaxed the room's sole occupant from slumber.
"Ahhhh…" Rex yawned as he stretched his arms, an attempt to stretch his drowsy muscles from the sleep-induced tension.
"You have a Visitor, Rex" the refined feminine voice of Home informed Rex.
Rex took a look at his wall, where a section of it was current displaying his visitor. It was Edward, his step dad. As if on cue, Edward eyes on the screen was directed at him, his brows raised to indicate his growing impatience. An expression so unlike him.
"Shi**, He must have been waiting for some time" Rex voiced loudly. Using his hand, he drew a gesture that prompted "Home" to open the door.
. .
"I did not think, you would be able to sleep, Knowing how excited you have been about finally been able to login to the world of Cosmic Ascendance"
Edward's face bore a surprised look as he made his way into the room, holding a briefcase.
Rex's mattress gently descended, allowing Rex to plant his foot on the floor as he smiled warmly, welcoming Edward. He respected him a lot.
Edward briefly glanced at a sleek white pod, large enough to house a fully grown adult, with no crease or break all across its surface. Its existence screamed of a technology so advance, even nature itself could not compare to its beauty.
The revolutionary cosmic pod, the console through which players could play Cosmic Ascendance. When it was launched, it had caused a global sensation. Virtual reality pods were already a very expensive luxury. The idea of a virtual reality game, that demanded its very own console, was mind-blowing.
Even though its cost was not as expensive as the already existing virtual reality pods, which cost 100,000+ Credits, it was still a luxury several could not afford at 25,000 credits. But the game developers, the elusive and mysterious Cosmic Corp, brought up a payment plan that allowed gamers to purchase the Cosmic Pod on credit and pay via subsequent debits on their in-game currency.
Most people thought it was some form of marketing strategy, where there was a catch hidden somewhere in between the line. But as time passed, the authenticity of the information was continually validated.
This resulted in a global craze for the world of Cosmic Ascendance, with the further discovery of its unreal beneficial effect of the body, Cosmic Ascendance had come to become a new recognized reality for the global population.
"How was training" Edward asked Rex as he sat beside him on the mattress, his eyes still strained on the Cosmic Pod, as his face bore a hint of worry.
Rex noticed Edwards worry as he recounted his experience at the dojo and his trainer's gifts and advice.
"Big-Boned likes you a lot" Edward said as he finally tore his eyes away from the pod, studying Rex.
His body had undergone a lot of changes in the past six months, since he registered with the dojo. He had always been a physically active kid, but his physical qualities had been at the peak of growth, since he started receiving training under Big-Boned. Then to gift him a D-Grade Cosmic Essence, the action was literally one stuffed with Big-Boned's value for Rex.
"You definitely should not, let down his expectations of you"
Edward said as he unlocked the suitcase, he had entered with, it revealed 5 pill shaped bottles, that contained a glowing sea-blue coloured liquid, their glow and colour seeming lacksture when compared to the D-grade essence, Rex had received earlier.
F-Grade Essence, each bottle cost 25,000 Credits, it was no small amount. Rex mouth formed an 'O'-shape as he looked at Edward with overwhelming astonishment.
"Your 17th birthday gift, from me and Ella"
"Its my best birthday gift, Thank you so much." Rex face was glowing from happiness as he took out one bottle to oggle at closely.
Very few 17 year old, could boast of such an abundant stock of Cosmic Essence.
5 F-Grade Cosmic Essence he had bought himself,
5 F-Grade Cosmic Essence gifted to him by his family and
1 D-Grade Cosmic Essence gifted by Big-Boned.
"Let me show you how to properly load it up" Edward knelt as his hand slid across a particular part of the pod. A gesture that opened up a compartment, where he slotted in the 5 Cosmic Essence bottles he came with, the bottles were made from a special material, that allowed the Pod to directly interact with it.
"Click" the compartment popped open again as Rex repeated the gesture, familiarizing himself with the gesture. Edward wouldn't always be around to help him replace the Cosmic Essence. He was also a Pro-level gamer of Cosmic Ascendance, even though he was not a combat-oriented player, his unique class allowed him to easily make enough money to comfortably care for Rex and Ella.
"You know its 7:23pm right" Edward turned with an inquisitive look on his face as he asked Rex.
Rex "...., Seriously!!!"
In response to the ongoing conversation, Home was already displaying a digital clock on the wall, that read the current time as 7:25.
Rex's countdown to 17 in Cosmic Ascendance, was scheduled to end at 7:15. He had slept for way longer than he planned.
"Must have been the Vanilla cake" Rex grumbled as he began to make his way to the bathtub. Every pore of his being pulsing with excitement.
"I CAN FINALLY PLAY COSMIC ASCENDANCE!!!"
"YESSS!!!!!"
Edward quietly excused himself from the room of the boy, who had totally forgotten about his existence, the moment he heard he could finally log-in to the world of Cosmic Ascendance.
"Shhhhhhhhh!!!"
Jets of water, caressed every single crevice of Rex's body as he showered. He fully intended on an extremely long debut gaming session. He wanted to feel as fresh as possible while he gamed. He wanted no possible distraction.
[7: 32 PM ]
His clock read as he made his way out of the bathroom, once his body was dry enough, he put on a brief as he made his way to the cosmic pod.
'Zzzzzzzzzz' With an almost imperceptible sound, the cosmic pod slid open revealing the player's colt. He was the only one who could unlock this part of the pod. It was directly registered to his biometrics and the level of encryption employed in the security of this player compartment was so high, that even 3 yrs after the launch, no one had been able to get past the biometric lock.
Inside the colt of the Cosmic Pod, A fluid mirage swirled, formed from high concentration of atmospheric gas, this was meant to help cater for the players body nourishment. Rex laid on the colt of the pod, his body felt extremely refreshed as he did so. Every pore of his body seemed to open up in response to the high-density gaseous atmosphere.
"Klip!"
A sharp clip sounded as the pod sealed back.
Rex barely heard the clip, when his senses were assaulted by a strong sense of grogginess.
Rex hands formed balls of fist as he tried to resist the sensation.