Ellipse

Memory exists as an entity in a formless vast that only appears when summoned. In the sense that in as much as there was life, there will inevitably be memories to uphold, either sad or happy memories.

Why Dimm's own had to come at his death was inexplicable.

Maybe, because he was still alive, he thought so. He was more or less traveling in a vast dome of utter darkness, the only light he received being the history of his past. The memories of what had happened in his past–unfortunately for him, were sad moments.

The moments that flashed from when he was told "Leave here, you bewitcher. This is the reason you do not have a parent," to the moments when his main residence had been the slumps. He didn't know why all these had to be brought to light amid darkness.

But, he knew one thing. He should receive an appraisal for accepting that life fated to him, and not joining the majority who ended up committing suicide.

Life was really hard for him, especially as an orphan. He didn't get the chance to meet his parents or even have the advanced knowledge to acknowledge who had taken him in, until that day when he was thrown out into the streets.

If truly, hell existed, he should be given materials to prepare his coast of doom, because he has seen worse than hell.

This moment in darkness, however, seemed to come to an end with dizziness. The whirling force of the wind, which seemed to stir him in that dark entity that had enveloped him, now made him dizzy.

But, why was he feeling dizzy? If it was what it should be, his body now belonged to the vultures. But, it was not.

Dimm was jolted to consciousness by the unknown voice which he heard.

[Welcome to Ellipse. Candidate 160!]

"Huh!"

His eyes opened to behold a hall that was spacious and well-lit. Also, from his travel of the surroundings of inside the hall, he realized that it housed hundreds of young people who must have actually arrived through the same means as his. Except that they seemed to be prepared unlike him.

On a general note, his observation stated that every one of them was well-dressed, with small bags ducked beside their legs. In their hands, they all held similar cards, the one he brought out from the chocolate that had caused his existence here. He wasn't sure what the card served as, or where his was kept. But, this whole lot of teenagers here weren't hiding theirs.

He kept visiting different areas of the huge hall with his sight when he heard the murmurs that appeared to come from people very close to where he stood.

"Wow, these clothes are nice."

"I wonder what could have happened if I followed the other instruction."

"But, why did it have to be in all snacks? I was never interested in this shit."

"Did your clothes change as well as mine?"

With the last voice he heard, he turned his gaze to observe himself, and he was like the others too. Although his dress didn't change, his worn-out clothes were dazzling and repaired. Surprisingly looking anew.

Beside his leg on the right side, was also a small bag like that of the others, with the inscription CANDIDATE 160. He couldn't stop but wondering in what world he had appeared, and too, what is this Ellipse? Not until he heard the mysterious voice again.

[Welcome to Ellipse. Candidate 399!]

[Welcome to Ellipse. Candidate 400!]

"With the last candidate for the year, we shall now commence!"

Just like Dimm, every other person inside the hall shuttered, looking around to see if they could find the owner of the voice, but none of them could. Dimm suggested that when something like this happened, the empty podium should have been occupied by an Instructor. Instead, the podium in front of them was occupied by an object that glowed with faint light and flickered with every sound that came from it.

He didn't know what this world was about, but at least, to the best of his knowledge, that was one of the best ways to introduce candidates.

"I am Elios, the god of fate," the voice now took a guttural tone, as every candidate in the hall turned their gaze at the object erected on the podium.

"You have been transported into a virtual world, called Ellipse, where your survival will mean a lot for and as well, need a lot from you."

The crowd was overwhelmed with these words as they couldn't stop murmuring to each other. The only exception is Dimm, who kept his reserve but couldn't stop thinking.

'This usage of "For" and "From", what does it possibly mean?'

His hand mistakenly hit an object that was in the pants he wore, and upon bringing it to light, behold the same card he thought he left out in the world of the living. On the card was inscribed "Ellipse Game" before bellowing to things that were written afterward.

'Game Card? Is he in a game?'

But the voice once again interrupted.

"What I am trying to say in essence is that Ellipse is a game of virtual reality that is more or less themed survival, where all players are expected to undergo certain missions to ascertain future outcomes."

"What are those outcomes?" a girl from the crowd had mustered the courage to ask.

"That, cannot be revealed to you now, as you are not officially players of this game. You will indeed have to undergo missions similar to players, but yours will be as candidates."

"You can only be a fulfilled player when you succeed with the first mission hunts. It is called your recruitment test. That will be what will determine your place in this game."

"Are you trying to say that an unsuccessful hunt meant death?" a gray-haired boy, who stood inches not too far from Dimm asked.

"An unsuccessful hunt in this game meant death, but fortunately for the candidate, he will return to his real body on earth to live his normal life. Mind you, a purposeful laziness to the missions of this first hunt will be termed disrespect to the gods of this game."

"And that will attract an ultimate punishment–everlasting death, both in the virtual and real world. So, all candidates are advised to show their best out there during the missions. With this…"

The voice seemed to be trying to fade out in conclusion when Dimm revived it with a question.

"Since you said our death in this game will entrust us back to our real bodies, are you trying to say that we are illusions created by the game and that our real bodies are still alive?"

"No," the voice responded. "Your bodies are under what the gods of the game refer to as temporal death. So, you are not alive, and you are not ultimately dead."

We will keep his body safe until he either dies completely or returns to life. He remembered the last voice he heard before being transported into this game world.

The voice hadn't clarified the conditions of survival and death yet. If they died in the game, it meant survival in real life, but, what if they succeeded? The voice was not telling them something.

And to crown it all, it had clearly warned against laziness. Meaning that they must put in their best efforts to complete any mission they were assigned to, except if their efforts failed. He looked around him once again, every other candidate seemed to be an enthusiast of this game, except him, who knew nothing.

How was he going to strive? Will the game rules see his inability as laziness and grant him eternal death? Or…what?

"We have no time left," came the voice again. "There are two doors at the sides, upon your entrance into any of the doors of your choice, your test will begin."

"Your survival after this test will now tell, if you will be selected as a player, or will be thrust back to life," the voice paused. "Mind you, deception in any environment you find yourself in can be inevitable and realistic."

And with a final voice, it said, "You can now proceed. Good luck!" and the object shut down.