Beyond Phantasia

Chapter 1: Prologue

Willpower, determination, or simply will — the firm desire or resolve to achieve something and anything.

“Will. Do I have any of that left?”

I looked outside of my apartment window. The rain was quite heavy today.

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“Hien, I’m telling you! You need to play Beyond Phantasia! It’s the greatest game of all time!”

River, my best friend since elementary school. It’s been about five years since we were drafted out of high school.

"Sure, sure, I'll play it when I get the time. I don't know how you're so nonchalant when there's a war going on."

“Well, second lieutenant Smith said it should be over soon — according to the higher-ups — which means more time to hang out. So, how bout you grind into the beyond with me?”

"Hah! Tell you what, if you beat me at the shooting range, I'll play as long as you want."

"Dude, your job is literally to shoot guns. You were an ordnance specialist, now an officer, and all you do in most of your free time is take guns apart or shoot them! This is unfair! Blasphemy! Bullshittery!"

“Okay okay! I’ll use my left hand. Does that sound fair?”

"You ambidextrous fuck. Fine, today's the day I win."

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“Hey! River, get a hold of yourself!”

“Cough! Cough! Hey, Hien you there?”

Pap! Pap! Bang! Click! Boom!

The sounds of guns firing were everywhere. I had River’s arm over my shoulder and was running at full speed.

“I’m here, just keep moving!”

“I…I don’t think I’m gonna make it.”

“Do not say dumb shit like that!”

Bang! Click! Click! Pap!

“Fuck!”

I threw myself and River inside a nearby trench. Click—! With all my might, I tossed a grenade.

Boom! A large explosion decimated the area in front of us, sending shockwaves through the ground.

“Hold on, we’re almost back!”

I drew my gun and started firing. The enemies were closing in on us, but we could hold our ground — as long as we escaped within the next ten minutes before reinforcements arrived.

“Cou…gh... Hien, you have to leave me.” River took a deep breath. “You already know I’m not gonna make it.”

River pointed to his leg, or where his leg should’ve been. I stared, my eyes quivering.

"No, I can't leave you. Look, when we get out, we're playing games all night."

River smiled.

“For sure…Cou…gh…Hey, Hien?”

Bang! Bang! Pap! Pap!

The firing was getting louder.

“Wait just a second! Just focus on yourself!”

“Live.”

<><><><><>

The war ended, and I retired right after. My squad, my brothers — River — were all gone, except for me. I couldn’t handle it anymore. Here I am, rotting away in this small apartment, but at least I have enough funds. My brothers are gone, but I keep in touch with their families. My best friend is gone, but I’m trying to keep his memory alive. I had no family left, not even my own. Is this… what it means to even live?

I sat for a moment before clearing my thoughts.

Let’s try to forget about it, I thought, before playing some music and clicking an icon on my computer screen.

[Beyond Phantasia]

“I guess this is my way to live.”

Beyond Phantasia is a sci-fi fantasy RPG set in a universe where advanced technology and ancient mysteries coexist. You play as the protagonist, Novian Songstar, the bastard son of a noble family who enters Silvion Academy. There, you meet the main cast of heroes and grow stronger together to defeat the Primordial Giant of Destruction before he destroys the universe.

However, there’s a problem with this game. It’s unbeatable. No matter how many times I played I couldn’t beat the boss. I’ve checked the official forums and not a single person since the game's release could find a way to kill the boss. It’s ridiculous.

Why was this River’s favorite game? I just couldn’t grasp the reasoning. The gameplay was alright. Maybe it was the story, but I skipped through almost all of it; I couldn’t be bothered to read everything. There was just too much lore and dialogue.

“Hah…I really don’t get it.”

Grabbing the cup of whiskey off the table, I took a gulp.

“Tsk. Let’s just play.”

This was my daily routine — my daily necessities and Beyond Phantasia. It wasn’t a healthy lifestyle but it helped me cope through the trauma.

“Damn again?”

[You Died. Restart?]

No matter how many saves, restarts, or exploits I tried, I couldn’t do it. It was impossible. If only I could have a word with one of the developers.

As I sat there, I noticed sunlight beginning to shine through my blinds.

“One more round, and I’ll call it.”

I poured the last remaining bit of whiskey into my cup before taking a gulp.

A sharp chest pain cut through my body.

“Shit…”

I clutched onto my chest. The pain became worse. My breathing, shorter. I was rummaging through my drawers looking for my medication.

It’s in here, where is it? Dammit! If…if only I stopped drinking.

The room began to spin and my vision became blurry. I collapsed onto the ground. My heart started succumbing to the strain.

River, I’m...I'm…sorry…

My vision became dark as I took my last breath.

Or that’s what I believed at least.

[Welcome to Beyond Phantasia]

...What?