A Memory From the Future

Episode One

“Where are you guys?” I asked them through chat.

“Too exited to play, Alvin?” Lisz said.

“No I'm not” I replied. “I've been waiting for almost an hour for you guys! You said we will start at 10:15 a.m. But look at the time, its already 11:38 a.m.!” I exclaimed.

“Oh no. I thought its just 10:00 a.m.” she said. She always say it like that when she forgot something. “I forgot to adjust my clock. Sorry Vin.”

“Sorry guys, Mom tagged me along with her to the grocery store.” Marlon finally responded

“It's okay let's start.” I said.

We always play online games together since we were in elementary up until now in high school. This past time has drawn us closer to each other. It’s summer and we're in our vacation that’s why we only talk through online chat by now.

“I’m here in the blue house on your left side.” Marlon informed us, “They have some good stuff here.” he added.

“Seriously bro?” I asked him with such boredom.

“I already went there and took the good stuffs,” I said. “I only left the terrible stuffs.” I said in a joking tone. Well, the items that I left there is really REALLY terrible, for me I guess.

“It looks terrible for because you don’t know how to use it.” he said half joking and half serious. I know him very well, he is a sensitive so I can say that he is serious.

“Enough you two, focus on the game,” she said to stop our argument, “You don’t want to lose in the game, do you?” We end our argument and continue our game.

“s**t!” Marlon shouted. “I’m dead! Those thugs are too strong.”

Yes our opponents are strong but, I'm stronger than them. “Hey Lisz, pick me up, you have a car right?” I asked her,

“I can't. There’s too many of 'em” she responded. “NOOOO!” she exclaimed. “Alvin, It’s up to you now. Go beat them!” she commands.

Now I'm the only one whose still in the game. Our victory is in my hands. We cannot lose in this game. “There’s just 17 of them in the field, I can beat them” I said to my team mates. And as I hide behind the tree while sneaking to the enemy... I shoot them.

One.

Two.

Three

...And the enemy fall to the ground. I continue running and running searching for them, someone keeps firing me at my back, so I keep running, my palms are getting sweaty and they continue shooting. Then I'm dead! We’re out of the game.

After a few minutes the game is finally over. The rank of our team is very disappointing.

“See guys? We lose the game because of your childish arguments” she scolded, “We’re only in the seventh rank!”

Yes that’s very disappointing because we always ranked at 1st and now, 7th

“Its okay guys we’re still in the top ten right?” Marlon cheering us up “that’s not so bad.” For the others yes, but for Lisz? absolutely not.

“Another round guys?” I said to calm Lisz. I hear the door c***k open.

“Honey, did you ate already?” mom asked.

I forgot about the food because of the game “Not yet” I answered. “What’s for lunch?” I ask her.

“You'll know if go downstairs. Its already 1:38 p.m. go eat your food.” she said then turn away then she return again, “Oh, and after you eat, wash the dishes.” she ordered then finally leave.

“Sorry guys, I have to leave, I have something to do. We can continue playing later.” I said, excusing myself.

“Its okay bro, I have to do something too.” Marlon replied to me.

“Okay, I’ll just go by myself now.” Lisz said.

“Later guys.” I replied, then turn off my phone.

I open the door and leave my room to go downstairs. I walk towards the kitchen. I saw my mom cleaning the countertop. She put her eyes on me while still cleaning. “Here’s your food.” She said.

After I eat, mom said that I should take a shower. I didn’t take a shower instead, I took my phone and open my f******k account. While scrolling, suddenly something has gotten my attention. An advertisement of a new offline game.

The ad shows an old man with long white beard, a white eyebrows and blue eyes. He's wearing a white hat— a wizard’s hat, with a gold linings with a matching white robe with gold lining and a big nose. I know this man. I’ve seen him before, but I can’t remember which game. I think, trying to find a lost memory in my brain. I know a lot of games, so maybe the faces of the characters mixed up in my brain. I say again removing the thought in my brain.

And then he open his mouth then speak “I am the wizard of Astanya, help me to free from this prison...” Astanya? Sounds familiar.

While he’s still talking, I see his corn-like-teeth and his voice is like he have not spoken for a long time, making his voice too low and too husky. I recognize his voice. I think, and quickly ignore it. But even if I try to erase it, it keeps coming back. So I let all come. I didn’t heard the other things that he said because I'm too busy wrestling with my thoughts. Then I continue watching.

“...I will show you our history. The history of how our kingdom come to its fall...” he continued then he's gone. The video continued. It is a dark winter night. The whole village is peacefully sleeping and then, soldiers wearing silver armour and silver helmet carrying their swords. Some riding horses and some are running. They destroy everything in their way, invading houses, taking out the children and women mercilessly. Women crying for mercy and children crying for their mothers. The men are being killed, then the scenery changes. The soldiers of the kingdom fight the invaders, slashing their swords, stabbing each other then skipped, the invaders finally entered the Castle. Then skipped again, The king is sleeping when he got stabbed by a high ranked soldier. the queen tried to fight against the other soldier that attacked her kingdom. Five against one. The queen got stabbed but she managed to kill the soldiers and run for her life. And again the scenery changes. A red wizard in the his library, speaking out magic words, and the white wizard is imprisoned in his own library, weakened. Inside his prison he used his last bit of strength. He said a magic spell, and the spell managed go push away all the enemies outside their land, then a big magic dome-like-barrier to protect the whole kingdom from the enemies. Then the old magician shows again.

Then speaks, “Now that you know our history, help us to bring back the stolen dignity and the glory of our mighty kingdom of Astanya.” Then the wizard and in the last 5 seconds of the video says “ASTANYA” Download Now.” then the video ended.

After the video, I realized that my thoughts are correct, I already played this game. I remember all of my memories about the game like a flashback in my head. The wizard, the villagers, the queen, and the one who killed me: the Giant Serpent. And I also remembered how the giant serpent killed me with his enormous fangs.

When he got me killed, I thought I was only dead inside the game, but I was wrong. I realized that I’m dead not only inside the game, but also in the real world. I wake up in a dark room then a teenage girl entered the room wearing a simple white dress with a black belt with a black rose.

She walked and stopped in front of me and said, “Hello, Alvin!” she greeted me with a smile.

“Who are you?” I curiously asked.

“I’m Therese, the caretaker of the Portal between this game and the real world.” She answered.

“Why am I here?” I asked again.

“You’re here because you failed to finish the game and you died but not teally.” She explained. “Your soul is left here but your mortal body is already in the real world, still breathing. Since your body is still breathing, I will give the permission to return to the real world and to your body.”

And behind her, a big mirror. I see my reflection in the mirror then I asked her.

“Is this even real?”

she sighed. “Yes, and no more questions. Just jump to the portal.” She said while rolling her eyes.

“What portal? You mean that mirror behind you?” I sarcastically asked her.

“Yes, you i***t” she scolded

So I walk past her and stopped at the portal. When I touched the mirror it’s like a water.

“Remember, your memory for this game will be erased, but it will eventually back when you see the ad again, You could play again to finish the game or not.

“Okay. But why d...” before I can finish my question, she pushed me hard inside the portal, and everything went black. When I woke up, I'm inside my room tired. I obliviously asked my self: “ What happened?

My mind is full of nostalgia until I hear footsteps getting closer and closer to me. Mom.

“Did you take a shower?” mom asked.

I forgot to shower because the game. I responded “Not yet.“ here it comes. I tell my self.

“Then what are you waiting for? Go get your towel and take a shower!” she scold.

“Yes mom” I obeyed.

I stand-up and walk towards the stairs. Once I'm upstairs I go to my room, then entered. I take an orange shirt, and a brown denim shorts and go to the bathroom.

While I’m taking a bath, I still cannot believe that my memories about the game is now came back. Maybe this is now the time to finish the game.

When I exit the bathroom, cold air is touching my body giving me a slight chill. I walk to the living room check the sofa where I left it before I took a shower. I picked up my phone and turned it on. I open my Messenger to chat my friends to tell them about the memories about game.

“You got to be kidding us” Marlon replied with disbelief

“Yeah, that’s impossible” Lisz said, agreeing with Marlon.

“No, I'm serious. I can prove it.” I replied, defending my side.

“Oh yeah? What’s the game, I will play it too. Let’s see if your that’s true.” Marlon replied, challenging me

“Okay”

Then I sent them the title of the game.

“Astanya? What kind of title is that?” Lisz said with disgust.

“Maybe the game is as bad as its title” Marlon replied.

“Did you know the saying: 'Don't judge the book by its cover'?”

“Whatever, Alvin.” Marlon replied

“I’m downloading the game” Lisz reply, informing us. I knew it, they will try it. I think, like I've just won an argument

“Oh me too.” Marlon finally convinced.

“You better make sure that all that you told us is true” Lisz replied.

“Okay, okay. Bye now.” I replied, reassuring them.

I turned off my phone and I noticed the orange rays of the sun, entering our house through the glass window, and its rays touching our white walls, making it orange. I keep watching the glorious setting of the sun, and someone tap my shoulder, so I lost my gaze and turn around to see who tapped my shoulder. Mom

“Hey, I've been calling many times” she frowned. I didn’t heard her, I guess I'm too dazed.

“ Sorry, what is it?” I responded, looking at her. “What do you want for dinner?” she asked me. “beef steak and asparagus” I requested with a fake smile. “ Okay, I'm going to the market to buy the ingredients. Wait for me here and don’t go outside” she ordered. I have nothing to protest because if I will, she will not gonna feed me tonight therefore, I have no choice but to obey her order

Mom left the house at 5:30 p.m. and she arrived at 6:37 and when she arrived, she’s with Daniella her best friend.

“Buenas noches, hijo.” she greeted me. She’s a Mexican so she speaks in Spanish.

“Same too you Daniella.” I greeted her back. She come towards me and put patted my head like a dog. “Wow Alvin, you look taller than the last time I saw you, and your voice, Is getting matured.” she said with amazement.

She always talk that way like she haven’t seen for decades. “How old are you again?” she ask me.

“I’m 17.” I answered trying to make smile.

“I see. Maybe you already have a girlfriend...” she said sarcastically.

“No, I don’t have.” I snapped then put my hands on my pocket, still trying to smile

“What? Is your Mom forbidding you? Carmen, your son is already a lad, you...”

“No, it’s just me “ I cut her.

“Oh. Why, are you gay?” She asks me in a low voice, almost a whisper.

“No I'm not!” my cheeks warm and red. Where did she get that question? I asked myself.

“Okay. You know my daughter Rosalinda right? She’s single maybe you two...”

“Daniella, my son promised to himself and to me that he will finish his studies first before she gets a girlfriend.” Mom interrupted her before she can finished her sentence.

“A responsible young man, there’s only few of you nowadays.” she said.

“That’s true. Teens these days are just thinking about online games, and forgetting about their studies.” Mom said with total agreement.

“Oh what time is it? “Mom asks her self then check her watch. “It’s already seven in the evening!” she said with a shocking tone. “I better go the kitchen and start cooking.” She said.

“I’ll help you.” Then, they go to the kitchen together.

I don’t expect any messages from Lisz nor Marlon, but I still open my Messenger and check just to be sure. As I expected, No messages from them. Maybe they are playing the game already. I decided to install the game again. I got impatient because the Internet connection is very slow, so I turn off my cellphone and leave it on the sofa where I seat.

“Alvin, dinner is ready!” Mom shouting, calling me. “Coming!” I shouted back then stand up and go to the kitchen to eat dinner.

When I entered the kitchen, I see mom sitting on the left side of the table, and Daniella on other side, facing each other. I take the seat next to mom and we all started to eat.

“Daniella, you said you’re planning to have your own business right?” mom, changing their topic. Mom and Daniella continue to their topic while eating. I finish eating and I stand up and mom hold my forearm then ask me. “You already done?”

“Yup.” I answered and leave them alone in the kitchen, still talking to each other. I walk to the living room and take my phone. When I turn on my phone and the I check the notifications of my phone and the game successfully installed. I go upstairs and enters my room.

I decided to open the game. It doesn’t need network connection. The first thing that I read is the terms and conditions of the game, I didn’t read it tap the agree button. As I did when I first played it.

The layout of the “Main Menu” didn’t change. Its stays the same when I first saw it.

In the middle of the screen is the “Play” button, and below it, is the “Continue” button. The “Settings” button is in the upper part of the screen on the right side. The background even the cover. It’s man, my character, standing sideways, but his whole face slightly shown. His blue wild eyes looking on his blazing dark red sword with a shining glass in the middle, and he also wears a black gloves that holds his sword ready to fight. His black short hair, slightly tousled by the wind. He's wearing a matte black vest, a silver cape that has a fly away effect,

And behind him is the old wizard. On his hands, is a flowing white ball. And behind them is a dome (the one that the wizard made) and inside it, is villages and the abandoned castle. The kingdom of Astanya.

But before I can tap the “Play” button, mom open the door and enter my room. “ Daniella just left a minute ago, she wasn’t able to tell you 'cause she's in a hurry” mom informed me. “And tomorrow afternoon, you will come with me in the mall.” I hate going to mall, I mean, going with my mom outside especially in the mall, makes me feels sick. (if you know what I mean). But before I can protest, mom raise her hands and make the shhh gesture then speaks again.

“You said you want a new phone right? Tomorrow I will buy a new one” she bribed. Yeah I need a new 'cause my old one out of date. I've been using it for almost 3 years. I have nothing to do now, I really need a new one so I said

“Okay fine, but promise me that we will not gonna stay long in lingerie section.” I requested.

“Okay, okay.” She said “I promise, close my heart” then she put her both hands to her chest in an x form. When she did that, she mean it so I believed her. “Now, sleep” she ordered. “And don’t stay up too late with your phone, Its bad for your health” she reminded me then she exits the room.

I when mom is out of earshot, I return to my cellphone. I am about to tap the “Play” button but I hesitate. But my eagerness to finish the game win, so I tap the “Play” button.

My skin starts to glow with blue like what happened to me when I first tried the game. Then a few seconds of glowing, Then second by second, the glowing gets blinding until I no longer see anything but light. And then I close my eyes, and wait for my arrival inside the game.