Everyone has once looked at the stars and thought "I wonder what's out there?" In the vast pitch black sky, spinkled with dots of stars, thinking of the place where we usually never reach. Wondering what beauty, horror, or mystery might exist out there. A journey to the great unknown where endless possibilities exist and only to discover.
Sora was someone who yearned for such a journey. Growing up in an orphanage, he would often wander off by himself into the nearby woods. Exploring and seeing different types of sites all over, and learning what he could that some would never take note of. Sora would often get scolded when he got back, where he would write several pages worth of: "I will not wonder off by myself." And be made to help in the kitchen, more chores to tire him out so he wouldn't have energy to go running off again. But it never stopped him.
Of course, that never stopped him from going out. There would be times where the others children would join, only to get caught because the caretakers would notice too many were missing. He would laugh, play, read, sleep when he went out being the freest he could be. The caretakers were at a loss of words and could not think of a way to keep him still. But he never caused trouble, he never got and he always left after doing his chores.
Eventually however, he would grow to become a young man who would work in a stable job in the city of Tokyo. However was never as happy as he was a child. His life grew dull and repetitive with nothing different from the day before.
Now he sits in his room of his apartment, drinking a can of beer, and playing games to pass his time. Everyday would be the same process for him at night. The once bright and adventurous child had become a lifeless cog wheel. Repeating the days in and out with no change and no aspirations.
Sora let out a long sigh before turning to the window. He saw only the faintest light in the skies compared to his time at the orphanage. The lights of the cities have made it impossible to see the beauty of a starry sky. But regardless who brought his can up to toast the sky.
"To the future! May I one get rid of this boring life and do something fun for once. Gimme a sign right now and I'll give up everything to go… eh?"
As Sora was making a drunk toast he noticed a purple light glow ever so slightly in the dark sky. Slights tipsy and he moved closer to the window to see. Then the little purple dot of light becomes a bit brighter, and slightly bigger. Almost like it was coming right at… BAM!
Sora was suddenly hit in the forehead and thrown back a bit.
"OW! MY FUCKING HEAD!" He screamed as he writhed in pain, kicking and sprawling on the floor. After the pain went away a little he was able to sit back up, massaging his temple. You could see a clear red dot the size of a golf ball in the center of his head.
"What hit me? It didn't even break the window so how did I even get hit?" He said as he looked around the room to find what hit him.
A purple glow came from under the table he was sitting at a moment ago. Crouching down revealed a golfball size orb that had strange lines and symbols all over. Looking at the little ball, his face became more and more skeptical the more he thought about everything.
"An object from the sky hits me in the forehead without even breaking anything. It's also glowing like some kind of magic item in a game… and now it's floating."
As he was assessing his situation the ball suddenly floated upwards.
"Assessment: Alpha Gene confirmed. Registering users dna biosignature. Proceeding with the third phase." A voice came from the ball, it sounded like a young woman's voice but only slightly robotic. A voice that was clear and smooth.
The ball's lines and symbols began to glow brighter until it suddenly shot out toward Sora's eyes and blinded him for a second. Started rubbing his eyes but then felt a sharp pain in his head that caused him to fall back and gasp in pain. The pain slowly moved its way down his entire body. His entire body was twitching and he couldn't even let out a single sound, let alone a scream. Just gasp of breaths and stomach groans out his mouth.
The ball merely floated by Sora as if observing him as he experienced a torture unlike any other. Well, it was torture for Sora. Only after a few minutes did the pain subside and Sora, who was a covered in sweat and feeling exhausted, started questioning what he did to deserve this.
"Is this cause I drink too much? I'm sorry gods. God. Anyone, just please, no more pain." Sora said as he let a tear flow down his cheek.
"Gene activation completed. Owner has now acquired full biological capabilities to its standard form. Proceeding with the fourth phase." The ball started to move towards Sora, who was now instinctively afraid of the ball. Who not only smacked his head, but also randomly gave out a feeling that could only be described as torture.
"STOP! I'M SORRY! I'LL DO BETTER! PLEASE!!!" Sora said terrified as he scooted back into a corner and cowarded. The ball stopped a few feets away from him. Since nothing happened after a few seconds, he opened his eyes and glimpsed at the ball. It then shot a light out from itself and became like a floating monitor. First a picture of the earth was shown, then it zoomed in on Japan where Sora was. Then it created a map with clear directions to a point in the middle of some mountains that Sora wasn't familiar with. There was even the distance and estimated time to get there on foot. About 35 miles, taking about 8-9 hrs depending on his speed.
"Please make your way to the designated area at soon as possible."
"…." Sora just stared at the map and looked past the screen of light, staring at the ball.
"Yeah, no." He respond as he crawled in his bed with his back towards the ball. He kept his eyes shut and covered himself with the blanket. Hoping that the ball would just leave or he would wake up and this was all just a drunk dream. Only the ball didn't even say anything, just moved closer to the Sora and turned up the brightness.
This is a dream. A weird nightmare. There's no way I'm getting attacked and harassed by a freaky magic ball. Yup. I drank too much. No more alcohol from now on. This will all be over soon after I go to sleep and wake up for work.
Unfortunately for Sora the ball did not go away and remained still next to him with the map still on, for about an hour.
"Please, why do I have to go there? Why are you doing this to me?" Sora who felt defeated turned back to the hall and asked exhaustedly.
"User has been chosen for your unique genetic code found only in 1 in 1 quadrillion humans." The ball responded.
"Theres no way I'm the only one."
"Yes, You are the only one within the last several hundred million cycles."
"Haha, what luck…" Sora responded sarcastically. There were times where he bought lottery tickets before, where he had better odds, yet somehow this impossible circumstance found its way to his lap.
"Can I say no?" Sora asked in a last attempt to get out of whatever trouble arrived tonight. Unexpectedly the ball went silent after hearing his response. It took it a bit before giving an answer
"User has the right to decline task. However, I request you to reconsider."
"And why?"
"User is the last known opportunity to revive a lost civilization. The genetic code found within you will allowto enter their last sanctum, giving you access and authority to utilize their technology and treasures to recreate their civilization. You will be the one to herald a new generation as the progenitor." The ball responded.
"Woah, that's a lot and really heavy. But what happens if I refuse?" Sora asked, still unwilling.
"If you refuse this task, then I am required to move on and continue my search. Doing so will likely require several dozen million years or more to find someone with same genetic code."
Sora sat up and looked at the ball then out at the sky. For some reason there was a part of him that was actually curious and interested in going. Wasn't he just moping around his apartment about his life being bland. Didn't he ask for a sign? Everything about this moment was practically screaming 'This is what you wanted.' But there was this fear as well. Was it the stability of his life? Of the effects of bland life that made him fearful of the unknown.
He started thinking back to when he was a child at the orphanage. When he felt more happy. More curious. Less fearful. He had his own troubles when he left the orphanage. Difficulty doing a job, difficult bosses, endless and soulless work, and the consistent day in and out of lifeless days, made him fear the unexpected.
"Can I get a chance to think about it? Some time?" He said to the ball. He didn't want to say yes, but also didn't want to say no. He could only ask for the maybe.
"Confirmed. User may have time to consider the choice. Until then I will remain by you until a decision has been made." The ball then floated down gently and stopped all functions, going silent.
Sora laid back down on his bed, exhausted, and immediately fell to sleep while thinking about going with the ball. Dreaming of finding a secret vault or something similar. The discovery, the curiosity he felt as kid. For him, it was a good dream, because he couldn't remember that last time he could sleep comfortably like now. His breathing could be heard in the dark of his apartment. Deep in his slumber, in peace.
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Sora woke up from the beam of light that came through his window. Sitting up, he felt his body had become less tense. Places that used to ache were now clear of any pain. And when he stood up, he felt much lighter than before as well. Feeling so good in the morning was unusual for him, it made him quite happy than he usually was. He then saw the ball from last night from the corner of his eye. Seeing it meant that everything that happened last was real. Maybe it was waiting for him to give an answer, but it was still like yesterday, like it turned off its power.
In any case he still had to work, and the ball didn't give him a deadline on how long to make a choice. So for now, continue his everyday routine like usual and get through the day.
Once Sora got ready for work, he took a piece of toast with jam smeared on top and made his way out the door. But at the last second he took a glimpse at the ball sitting on the table still, then closed the door and headed off.
Sora worked for a company as some financial adviser. And since then he has been doing well and earned a decent salary. The only downside was his supervisor, who was notorious for abusing his employees but avoiding the eyes and ears anyone that could cause him problems. When Sora arrived at work he could already tell from the expression of his supervisor that things would be difficult as usual today. Taking a deep breath, he made his way to his desk without looking at the supervisor, hoping to avoid getting chosen as a scapegoat for the day. But it was useless. He still saw Sora come in and immediately started berating.
"Sora! Why are you the last to show up?! Didn't I say someone like you needs to be here before me? That's why guys like you are no good." The supervisor said while giving sora a disappointing disapproval. None of the other coworkers said anything or even look his way. This was normal for his office. While making decent money, everyone had no choice but to deal with the insufferable nature of a terrible person. But Sora kept his head down like usual and apologized.
"Yes sir. I apologize. I'll make sure to never make the same mistake again." He said as he made his way to his desk. Seeing Sora so obedient made the supervisor gleeful, as he started smiling from his seat. Glancing around and seeing everyone avoid his gaze. You could tell he took pleasure from everything that was happening. Sora felt several years of hate for the man start to swell inside him, but could only push it down. Hoping eventually things would change for the better and did his work for the day.
From the morning the afternoon, the supervisor did not give Sora a break. Hour after hour, task after task, the supervisor piled work and berated Sora several times in front of the entire office. For what reason? Maybe it was because Sora was a good worker that made him look bad. Maybe it was because Sora was young and close to him in positions he was upset about. Maybe it was how the female employees would compliment Sora for his looks while mocking his looks.
Whatever the reason the supervisor might have, none of it was something Sora did. But that did not stop him from continuing to find any opportunity to abuse and bully Sora.
"This is why I said guys like you are no good, you focus too much on your looks that you completely throw away your responsibility. I mean look at this work, its absolutely horrible and…." The supervisor continued to berate and yell at Sora for a simple fixable mistake. The others could only look away to avoid meeting either of their eyes. Sora however started to get slowly angrier and angrier. The more and more the supervisor said nonsense about him, the more angry Sora became. Until finally…
"Fine!" He said as he stood up abruptly from his desk. The supervisor next to him was completely taken by surprise and flabbergasted, because this was the first time anyone acted like this. Sora turned toward the supervisor who was actually a few inches shorter than Sora.
"I'm doing a bad job right? You can do better? Right?!" He said as he got closer to the supervisors face, who was still completely at a lost for words. Even the coworkers who normally were silent felt things take a turn. The atmosphere in the office became tense quick. From their perspective, Sora was about to attack the supervisor who was smaller compared to him. This was the first time they ever saw an angry Sora before after all.
"Since I can do the job, you do it. Cause I quit!" Sora yelled while pushing the supervisor away from him, making him stumble and fall. Sora grabbed his stuff and made his way toward the door. Seeing this, the baffled supervisor collected himself and immediately started berating Sora again.
"See! You see?! I knew he was a good for nothing violent moron! Go ahead a leave! We don't need some worthless bumpkin from no parents." The moment the supervisor said that last sentence. And objects flew by past his ear, and a loud crash came from behind him with screamed coming from several people. Unaware of what happened he turned to see that a computer monitor was lodged into the wall. If that had hit his face instead… The supervisor gulped and turned slightly pale before turning back to where it came from.
Sora was standing near another coworkers desk who has the monitor he used to throw. He then turned to the coworker, apologized and left. The office was completely silent while he walked away forever.
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When Sora left the company building, he suddenly felt like his shoulders were weightless. As if a heavy burden was lifted and shackles unlocked. He took a look at the sky where the sun was past its peak. Checking his watch, the time was only 1 pm. Still plenty of time in the day. He then started walking towards him, as he did he took a look around Tokyo. Before he was focused on just making it home to relax. But now he had plenty of time to actually see things.
It took him two hours to get home than his usual 20 minutes. He went around taking a look at different shops, foods, shrines, and other sites in the city. He was looking for something. It was to see if there was anything that made him stay. But he didn't feel anything at all. No friends or family to remember. Just people who come and go in his life. Nothing that he really enjoyed and loved he would miss.
At that point he thought. 'I really have nothing huh?' Which made him melancholic. When he went inside his home? There was no one to greet him. Just an empty, lifeless apartment.
"Welcome Back. Have you made a decision yet?" A womans voice came from his apartment. He looked and found the ball floating above the table, as if waiting for him. And for some reason, this made him feel better. He took a seat by the table, taking a deep breathing and exhaling.
"Alright. What do I need to do?"