Deal's Worth

Chapter 5: Searching for Eric

Chapter 5: Searching for Eric

Hundreds of simulation-years after Eric completed his created universe known as Eric's Universe, revenge swept across the modified Earth like wildfire. Almost everyone observed that there are constantly varying individuals who are "observed as having died" being spotted alive again some time later, and the violence that followed was unprecedented. Yet unlike before, everyone possessed remarkable capabilities for both attack and defense.

Eventually, rumors spread worldwide about "how death works". The modified Earth—and indeed all of Eric's Universe—teemed with diverse thinking beings. Some aimed for benevolence consistently. Others fluctuated, benevolent at times and malevolent at others. Many were genuinely friendly, though it wasn't always possible to discern whether friendliness masked ulterior motives. Sometimes the truth revealed itself; often it remained hidden.

In Eric's Universe, wishes had become a common pursuit. Obtaining magical abilities, traveling through portals to other universes, and exploring uncharted territories were no longer rare occurrences. Survival had grown more interesting now that every non-human thinking being in Eric's universe could learn human languages.

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In a forest on Earth within Eric's universe, a man strolled along a trail, music playing through his smartphone speakers. He smoked a thin plastic-tipped cigar, the smoke curling around him as he walked. Suddenly, he stopped, his mind pulling him into a memory...

"Testing. Can you hear me?"

The voice wasn't his own thought—it was being placed directly into his mind.

"I can send physical signals wirelessly to your brain from my computers," the voice explained. "I force your brain to produce these communications because parts of your physical body have been connected to computers in a specific way."

"You mean..."

"Yes. I force your brain to produce imaginings so I can communicate with you through them."

He had been offered the same deal Eric received.

Snapping out of his reverie, Jeff flicked away the finished cigar. The plastic tip landed near something small and cyan-colored. He turned off his music, pocketed his smartphone, and crouched for a closer look. It was a fourteen-sided dice, cyan and white.

The moment he touched it, magic erupted around him.

An old man materialized before him, summoned by the artifact. Jeff extended his hand for a handshake. "A wish-granter! I call 'em genies. What's up, genie? How's heaven, so to speak?"

The old man didn't respond to the gesture. Jeff noticed he was wearing sunglasses.

"Whoa, you're not able to see, are ya?" Jeff asked sincerely. "How are you this old, a wish-granter, and still blind?"

"I was born blind," the old man said, stroking his beard. "I haven't tried to get or enable eyesight for myself yet. Eventually I will. So heaven's great, so to speak, but I can't tell you what it looks like."

"I'm Yogi, and I'm guessing you're not new to having wishes granted."

"I'm Jeff. Yeah, I've had quite a few wishes granted—mostly to get powers and abilities. The more I get, the better prepared I am to compete in magic power competitions and hunt legendary creatures."

"I see—not literally, of course," Yogi said. "I've heard the best and rarest things can be obtained from places, creatures, and artifacts. But legendary creatures are no joke. Did you win any competitions? How many legendary creatures have you found?"