Civilization

"How is he, doctor? Run me through everything."

"Well… I don't know what you want me to say. Other than a slight concussion, he is fine. I know what happened, I did speak with Mr. Adam, but there is nothing out of the ordinary. His vitals are fine. Breathing, fine. Blood, fine. Internal organs, fine. Other than the tattoo on his back expanding on its own, Ian is just a normal human."

"What do you think might have caused such a reaction? You were also there with Kingston's small accident as well as a few other mishaps."

"This is one of the 3 significant reactions I have seen. I cannot say who the other two are, but with your sources, I'm sure you can find out. All 3 cases have been the same, being produced after exiting the game, and I can only say it is due to a close interaction with the other world. We know it is merging with our own, but at what rate?

We don't know. So, these mishaps are telling us that parts of our body are interacting on a deeper level in that world, something that only a few will experience. The broader audience might never experience anything and even if they did, it would be something so minor, that if they tell anyone, it would just warrant craziness. Talking to a few of my colleagues, we found that these experiences, these mishaps happen to what the game classifies as the 'Top Players' the most."

"So, those who are at the top are interacting with the other world more and in turn, 'merging' with that world. However, when they come back to reality, they bring part of that immersion over as well, causing these freak accidents?"

"It is just a theory, but yes. That is currently what we have concluded with the limited research. Only time will tell whether we are right or wrong, and we will always be changing it as time passes on. Oh! It looks like our friend is finally awake. Now, now, stay still, you are still a little dazed, so while you are recovering, let me introduce myself.

My name is Dr. Fiona Cage. I have been monitoring you, for the past 6 or so hours. It is currently… 10:48 am. Now, what is the last thing you remember? And don't worry, take your time, there is no rush. There is a cup of water beside you as well as a single painkiller tablet. You might want to take it, I'm sure you are feeling a slight headache right about now."

Opening my eyes, to a bright white room, I see Sam standing next to a young woman dressed in a lab coat with a lavender sweater underneath and beige pants. Her black hair, tied up in a ponytail, compliments her fair skin as she pushes her thin red-rimmed rectangular glasses up, revealing her deep hazel eyes. With soft pink lips, she speaks to me gently and calmly, instructing me on what I should be doing.

Heeding the doctor's advice, I stay still, breathing slowly as I try to wrap my head around the situation. Much like the doctor said, I feel a sharp pain in my head, prompting me to carefully turn my head to the left, to see the small cup of water and the tablet.

Reaching with my left hand, I lightly grasp the cup, carefully taking a sip before picking up the tablet and placing it on my tongue. Gulping down more water, I swallow the tablet, placing the cup of water down right after. Moving next to me, Sam crouches to the side of my bed, letting out a deep sigh.

"How are you feeling, Ian? Any pain? Anywhere uncomfortable?" - Sam

"Other than this headache, I'm okay. What happened?" - Ian

"Do you not remember anything, Ian?" - Sam

"How about we go back to the question I had for you before? What was the last thing you remember?" - Fiona

Gazing at the doctor, I try to play back my memories, searching for my answer.

"I… Got out of the game. Then, I felt this pain, a super uncomfortable feeling. Like it was… As if under my skin, there were a thousand and thousands of spiders crawling up and down. Umm, I then remember seeing Adam, before seeing nothing. I don't really remember much. I just remember feeling like I wanted to rip my skin apart, to let the spiders out." - Ian

"Hmm, interesting. The way you describe it was unique. Why spiders? Why wasn't it just insects or ants? Why was it specifically spiders?" - Fiona

"I… I… I don't know. That was just the thought I had. I mean, I have had a certain experience with a spider." - Ian

"The curse from the Queen of Spiders. I have heard from Sam about this." - Fiona

"Yes. That curse. I think that is why I thought it was spiders crawling under my skin. I also have had other things happen to me which directly involved the curse." - Ian

"Hmm… I see. Well, my job is kind of done here. There really isn't much I care to talk about. Ian, you are pretty much okay. Stuff happened to you after the game last night, but Sam and your friends will fill you in on that. As for your body, it is in tip-top shape, just rest up during the day and drink plenty of water. I'll be going now, Sam. I have to get to someone else who experienced something." - Fiona

"Right, thank you, Fiona. Your help is much appreciated. I'll call you if we need anything." - Sam

Standing up to open the door for Fiona, Sam expresses his goodbyes before returning to me. Wiping the sweat off his forehead, he shakes his head slightly.

"What's wrong?" - Ian

"You have no idea what happened to you last night, do you?" - Sam

"Not a clue. I don't remember much in the game as well. I was fighting Devel if that helps. Interacting with the head player of Bones and finding out a bit more about the merge was very rewarding. He is also crazy strong, there is likely no way I can win against him any time soon." - Ian

"Sigh, I see. How are you feeling? Are you able to walk?" - Sam

"Umm… I think I can. Why?" - Ian

"Let's go meet up with everyone else. A lot happened in your area last night and I only heard about it after waking up as well. Rather than me explaining it to you, I think it is best for you to hear it from them yourself." - Sam

"What-What do you mean?" - Ian

"Come. Follow me." - Sam

Slowly, I get out of bed, moving my limb one by one as blood starts to rush into every corner of my body. The once tired and unmoving body, starts to function like normal, and with a few slowly small steps, I make my way to the door. Holding it open, Sam waits for me to exit the room first, following closely behind me as he tells me to keep going down the corridor, turning left once I reach the end.

Following his instructions, I make my way slowly, as the many paintings and photos catch my eye. Chatting with Sam lightly about the origins of the artwork, he tells me they were all acquired by his late great-grandfather, who had an obsession with bizarre and other-worldly portrayals of the Earth. Reaching the end of the corridor, I turn left to see a large bronze wooden door, with a gold handle.

Glancing behind me, Sam motions for me to open the door. Grasping the cold handle, I push the door gently, to see Rebecca, Nina, Kingston, Evan, Sabrina, Adam, and Eve all sitting on soft leather couches. Noticing the door opening, they quickly spring up, as if they were expecting me. Relieved smiles on Rebecca's, Nina's, Kingston's, and Adam's faces could be seen, as they see my healthy self.

Rushing from her seat, Rebecca quickly hugs me tightly, kissing me on the cheek as she expresses her concern. Making sure I was okay, though several touches around my body, she nods her head in satisfaction, before grabbing my hand and pulling me to the couch. Ushered to a separate chair, Sam sits down, letting out a deep sigh as Adam and Eve stands next to him.

"So, who is going to start? Kingston? Nina? Rebecca?" - Sam

Looking at the three of them, I notice, all three had grim expressions. Raising an eyebrow, I start to wonder what the problem was and if it had anything to do with what happened earlier today. Raising his hand, Kingston nervously gulps down his saliva.

"I guess, I can start since I was with Ian at the time. Ian, do you remember anything during the game? Anything to do with when we were in the Glemt, fighting in the Abyss with Devel?" - Kingston

"Nothing. I remember reaching the floor with everyone. Talking to him and then eventually fighting him before you went to deal with the demon. After that, I have no memory of anything that took place, although, I assumed I died." - Ian

"Right, you did die. That happened but it was what happened before that. Remember how I went Berserk? Imagine that happening to you, but it was because of the curse." - Kingston

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