The Truth

It was raining heavily. Joe and Nick both looked outside the windowsill and sat quietly for a few minutes.

"So, Um- you were gonna tell me about the history of the game." Joe broke the silence.

"Yes, but I'm wondering if I should fill in the details for you. We don't know if you're the 'chosen one' yet ..." Nick trailed off.

"The Chosen One?" Joe asked.

"Alright, I lose. I'll tell you everything." Nick took a sip of hot coffee and continued.

"The Augmentation is a game which was developed by CEOs of multiple companies for the people who were ready to give up in the life. It was a medium of entertainment for them, to give them hope, to see them fight, and then watch their dreams being crushed. That is how it is. The first game had 10 volunteers."

"What happened to them? I mean, the volunteers?"

"It's evident, isn't it? They all failed. Except one."

"And they died, am I right? What happened to the winner?" Joe felt a shiver down his spine.

"The winner was named 'The First' who was made the leader of the faction."

"And there have been no winners since the arrival of the leader." Both Joe and Nick said in unison.

Joe clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

"I feel helpless! He must be laughing at my fate right now!"

"It's a woman."

"Pardon?"

"She's the prestigeous one. The First."

"Oh." Joe slumped back on his chair.

"Have you met her?"

"Yes. I met her at the day of my appointment as a guide, during 'The Oath ceremony of the Gaurdians.'"

"Your sole existence has me surviving up until now." Joe said, meaning it.

"I know. The people before me fought for the rights of 'The Guide Group.' Everyone deserves to be given a chance to improvise."

"So how's the leader like? Is she still there?" Joe inquired.

"Short hair, a perfect figurine with the perfect height. She's pretty and elegant."

"It makes me remember of my wife." Joe's eyes were almost filled with tears.

"But she's extremely cruel."

"What's her name?"

"Emily."

Joe's eyes widened in shock.

"PARDON? Can you repeat?"

"Emily ..."

Joe got up. He looked at the rain still pouring down through the windowsill. His heart missed a beat. He stared at Nick and murmured as if in a trance.

"It can't be -"

"What's the matter? Is something wrong?"

"Her description resembles that of my wife. My wife's name was Emily."

Nick got up in shock.

"What?"

Despair filled the room. The atmosphere became thick.

There was awkward silence.

"I need to uncover the truth behind this." Joe looked desperate, as if about to break down into tears.

He couldn't help but wonder about all the mystery revolving around him. It was time he found out what was going on.