On the rooftop of their school, Alexandria was standing and leaning on the railings. Blankly staring at the clouds in the sky, Alexandria loved the feeling of the gentle breeze hitting his whole body. Alexandria just wanted this moment to last a little bit longer. But she knew that it would be impossible, seeing the storm brewing in the far distance.

A week has already passed since the day that she brought Ezekiel into her home. The things that Ezekiel said have been bothering her. As the days passed, her uneasiness grew greater and greater, and this day reached its peak. Because according to Ezekiel, this day is the day that Archeon will be announcing to the world what Project: Parabellum truly is.

She tried to immerse herself by doing some training these past few days to distract herself, but it did not calm her down in the slightest.

She doesn’t even understand what she feels anymore. Alexandria first thought that it was fear of war that might break the peace in this world. A war that will kill billions of innocent people, but training herself this past few days made her realize that it was never fear in the first place. It was like excitement? Or was it anticipation? Or maybe was it the thrill of chaos? She was not certain herself, yet one thing she was sure of is that she felt something similar, in that game, in that world, and in that war.

Alexandria’s thoughts ended when she heard the door of the rooftop creaked open. Alexandria turned around to see that it was Ezekiel, who barely got any strength to open the door, trying to catch his breath while sweat dripping down on his face. He was almost crawling to the ground just to open the door.

“Are you alright?” Alex slowly walked closer beside Ezekiel to check his current condition and open the half-open door for him.

“Why… the heck… did you even go up in here?” Ezekiel said, gasping his words out while he gave up and just laid on the ground and closed his eyes. There is no way he wouldn’t be out of breath. He just climbed a freaking twenty-floored school building through the stairs without any breaks.

“I like this place. It’s so quiet in here, and you won’t see anyone that goes up here during class hours.” She squatted beside Ezekiel staring at his tired and sweaty face and his chest pounding. Alex felt pity for him. Ezekiel must have hurriedly run just to go up in here.

…

Ezekiel already knew that Alex loves to stay on the rooftop of their school. Who would even bother going up the twentieth floor to take a rest and think of some things others might as well go to some park.

“Wait here,” Alex stood up and went to the left side corner of the rooftop to where her backpack is. She rummaged inside to look for her water bottle. After grabbing it, she went back to Ezekiel.

“Here.” Alex handed out the water to Ezekiel.

Ezekiel opened his eyes to see what she’s trying to give him. Seeing that it was her water bottle, he snatched then hastily gulped the all water in just a few seconds.

“Slow down, so what news do you have for me?” Alex asked because she can no longer wait on what are the Archeon planning.

Ezekiel sat right up first, then took some deep breaths. “My spy said that Project: Parabellum is not a preparation for war. It is actually the title of a game they are making, and they are planning to release and announce it today. So we don’t need to worry anymore.”

“But why are they even making a game? They are now a government. They are not even a gaming company in the first place.” Alex was disappointed. She thought that she could experience something similar to what she felt a few years ago in just like in that game if a war will happen.

“You look disappointed,” Ezekiel mumbled, looking at Alex’s eyes

“Huh?” Alex said in confusion

Wait, he is right. Why am I disappointed just because they are not planning for war? Why do I think I am getting crazier and crazier these days? What is going on with me? Alexandria thought.

“Hey, do you think I’m crazy?” Alex exclaimed out in the blue.

What is this girl thinking now, asking me that question out of nowhere? Should I answer it honestly or not? But I don’t want to get beaten up again. Ezekiel contemplated for a few seconds.

“Honestly, I think you’ve changed a lot. I have seen you started changing two years ago, one week after the supposed destruction of the world. You suddenly started training yourself as if you are not satisfied with your current strength. The heck, you even started studying the arts of war and strategies. You don’t even like carrying any books around before. I did not even know what entered your mind at that time when you asked me for different materials for studying. It was almost about one hundred different kinds of weapons. From swords, spears, to bows, you did not even let guns pass your craziness. I miss the cute and adorable Alex five years ago.” Ezekiel wanted to add more, but when he sees Alexandria’s expression turning grimmer, he stopped talking.

I should have lied. I just dug my own grave telling her those things and talking too much.

Alexandria can only sigh. “Maybe I truly have changed.” mumbled silently through the air.

“I mean, it is not that bad of a change. Think about it, with all the training you have done. You can easily defend yourself when you are in trouble. People always change as, long as you have changed for the better, it would not matter what others say. ” Ezekiel tried to cheer Alex up.

“Thanks.”

“And no matter how much you change or what you will become in the future. It doesn’t matter because I will always stay by your side no matter what others would say.” Ezekiel thought. Sadly, he can only hide these thoughts from her in his mind.

*ring! *ring! *ring! *ring!

Someone’s phone suddenly rang.

The both of them simultaneously reached for their pockets.

Seeing that it was not her phone ringing, Alex turned to Ezekiel answering his phone.

“Yes?”

“Ok, I got it.”

“Anything else.”

“Ok, I understand. Goodbye.” Ezekiel ended the call.

“Who was that?” Alex asked.

“It was my spy, she said to open up your news Archeon is live streaming and is now announcing their Project: Parabellum to the world.” Ezekiel said.

Alex hastily opened up his phone, then searched the website of the Archeon Government. This website is where they put their announcements for the whole world to see. She instantly sees the live streaming on the home page with a flashing title, Second Virtual Reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game. Once Alexandria clicked the live stream, she can see the current World President Nomral on the podium, which is already in the middle of his speech.

“I know all of you are excited just by reading the title of the stream and was wondering if all of it is true. Yes, all of you have read it right this isn’t like the normal PC games you’re playing right now. After the two years of secret research that we did, we have finally successfully created the 2nd Virtual Reality Game and 1st Virtual Reality Multiplayer Game created by humans.” The audience gave a round of applause.

“You heard it right. We have finally created a world made by god two years ago, and this game is not a single-player game where you are all alone adventuring in a very vast world. It is a game where you can adventure, fight, build, and learn with everyone. You can do anything you want in this world, become anything, becoming a God is even possible in this world. Some people said that it would be impossible with humanity’s current technology. They say that humans can never replicate a god’s work, but one thing that they have forgotten….” Nomral paused and took a deep breath “WE ARE GOD’S PROPHETS!!!”

Alex grabbed her backpack and started walking downstairs.

“Where are you going? Aren’t you going to keep watch watching?” Ezekiel asked.

“Tell me the important details later. I need some time, alone.” Alex said, raising her right hand to say goodbye while her left hand is shaking, holding her backpack.

Ezekiel closed the live stream. He doesn’t have any reason to continue watching. Then he started walking downstairs, dialing the number of his spy. “The thing that changed you is there, isn’t it?” Ezekiel mumbled,

*ring! *ring! *ring! *ring!

“Hello, master?”

“Hey Niña, tell me the important parts of the announcement later.” Ezekiel order.

“As you wish, master.”

Ezekiel ended the call and put his phone back in his pocket. “This time, surely this time, I will make sure to be by your side.” Ezekiel whispered to the air.

…

While walking out of their school gates, Alex clenched her hands so hard it almost bled, just to suppress what she’s feeling right now. She is so excited she knows it the adrenaline became harder and harder to hold. All she wanted to do right now is go home and sleep, or she might just beat somebody up. Watching that live stream, Alex felt her heartbeat became faster and faster. This excitement she’s feeling was like a deja vu of what she felt five years ago.

“I want to fight… Fight… Fight in that world.”