《Beginning of the End》


 Prologue - A game of Chess

    <h2 style="text-align: center">A Game of Chess


    </h2>


    I take my next move on the chessboard. ¡°What is the estimated casualty rate?¡± The woman sitting opposite me shrugs, ¡°I estimate ninety to ninety-five percent. Ill have my assistant send you the initial report.¡± I nod, giving her thanks.


    She is a beautiful woman, well over six feet, buxom, and seemingly cloaked in starlight. An immortal like me; a god. Unlike her, I have not put on such airs. I am a man of middling hight, well groomed, and wearing a tux. I prefer simple class; a comfortable tux, a mechanical timepiece, a bow-tie... A gentleman through and through. It is only right for the god of death and accounts to be presented as such, afterall.


    The woman grimaces, ¡°This is going to be a lot of work. We shouldn¡¯t have let it get to this point.¡± The woman is a goddess of nature, magic, and balance. Her job will be to help recover the world, or at least this section of it, quicker. A type 4 cataclysm is called for, which means complete destruction and renewal of the realm we are in charge of.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°Perhaps we can still profit from it. Cataclysms are particularly trying times... so why not make it a story. Even in the realms a Cataclysm is rather rare. Why not capitalize on it; make a story out of it.¡± I propose idly. She nods, drumming her fingers on her desk, as the chess game continues. ¡°Could work. The Cataclysm will take longer, and I would have to dust off an old prophecy or two. Would certainly mean that would loose out less. Still, the higher-ups seemed anxious to get it over with. What if they object?¡±


    I shrug, ¡°Its our realm, we have a right to profit from it. If they object, they are free to take it up with us. But I strongly doubt that it will be an issue.¡± I rub my eyes as the woman across from me beats me at the game. ¡°Have I ever told you that I don¡¯t like chess?¡± I mention to her. She smiles, ¡°Many times. So same time next week?¡± I nod, waving her off. She leaves at that, leaving me to ponder how to go about this mess.


    A short time later, I begin writing up my proposal, with a grin on my face. I wasn¡¯t a god of commerce for nothing, after all.

 Chapter 1 - A date with Destiny

    A date with destiny - Chapter 1


    The God of Death and Commerce, the reaper, the merchant of lives, was bored out of his mind. He didn¡¯t understand why she had to live so far away from their section of the mortal world. He also didn¡¯t understand why it must be done in person. The person in question, a girl named Melanie, was the goddess of fate and stories in their realm. However, she lives a fairly simple life, serving coffees in a small city in the many smaller realms beneath the mortal realm. The only problem is that she lives literally worlds away from his work. He practically has to take a vacation every time he wants to see her. Which is a hassle because they are supposed to be dating, after-all. Its almost a month trip, going many times faster than any traditional car might go. Plus, because he is a cheapskate, he is using economy class.


    The grumpy reaper thundered to the ticket booth at the rail-line here in the city, and quickly paid his return trip next week. He preferred to schedule things well in advance, and hated surprises. Melanie, goddess of fate and stories, was his girlfriend, and in many ways his opposite. Her job as goddess required both being able to analyze probabilities on a massive scale, and intense creativity. So much so, that she loves surprises and being able to turn off her brain for some mindless fun. As such, said girlfriend loved to play pranks on her unsuspecting boyfriend whenever he came to visit, and this time was no different. The reaper, god of the dead, lord of commerce, collector of souls, merely grimaced when his entire body was dunked in a nasty, clinging, slime as he entered his girlfriends apartment.


    To her credit, she did not spend much more than ten minutes rolling around the floor laughing her ass off as he tried to clean the slime off him. Once he got most of the slime off, he was greeted with a loving kiss, which considerably improved his mood.


    <hr>


    A few days later they are sitting in the coffee shop that Melanie works at and runs, sipping at their respective drinks. Now, you might think that, being a god, Melanie has more important things to work on than making and serving coffee, and you would be quite right. This job is more like her hobby. She lives and works here so that she can turn off from her actual job. Additionally, unlike the other gods, she does not have to constantly work on her ¡®day job¡¯. She goes to a few meetings, works with the other gods, comes up with a few hundred stories with the help of her employees, and she is done for quite a long time. In a way, she acts as more of a consultant than a ¡®real¡¯ god. Some of the other gods don¡¯t like that fact, and dislike Melanie as a result. The reaper, on the other hand, has quite a history with this woman. She is the only of the gods in their pantheon older than he is, and actually was a minor god of another pantheon some time ago, when he worked under her. The other gods don¡¯t know this, and merely think of her as an outsider. Regardless, she is professional and does her job well.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The reaper has just finished explaining his basic idea to her, leaving her with a frown. ¡°This will be a lot of work you have dumped in my lap Nathan¡± Nathan, the reaper in question, grimaces, ¡°I know, I know. Thats why I came to see you in person. Its asking a lot of you, but we stand to make a lot off of this, possibly enough to tide us over until our realm recovers.¡± She sighs in response. ¡°Its always money and profit with you. If you just did it and got it over with, it wouldn¡¯t be all that long, and would result in less suffering for the people.¡± Nathan stiffens up at the last remark. ¡°Melanie, they aren¡¯t people, any more than characters in a book are people. Yes, they are often person-like at times. Saying such things can cause trouble; you know that.¡± His face is scrunched up with worry. Protesters and terrorists outside, and even inside the ring of realms have resulted on a crackdown from management. Saying things like that in public can result in fines and worse if you aren¡¯t careful. Moreover, it is true to him. They may look and act like people, however a few choke-points in their logic prevents them from actually realizing their person-hood. Even if you told them the reality they lived in was manufactured, and showed them proof, they wouldn¡¯t be able to process it. They are physically unable to progress past a certain level of technology, etcetera. Many critics claim that they are people anyway, and it is unethical, however, serving a content hungry population of quintillions of people takes priority over ethics in the eyes of the shareholders of the ring-realms.


    She rolls her eyes. ¡°I know that, I helped work on their neural architecture after-all. Still, they should be treated mercifully, regardless.¡± He nods at that. ¡°I agree, which is why I had this idea. A quick cataclysm may be cleaner and easier, but would have a far higher casualty rate. Killian tells me a ninety to ninety-five percent death toll. I believe we can bring down that death toll to a mere seventy five percent, if this is handled right.¡± She takes a sip at her coffee at that, ¡°Its not my decision anyway... I don¡¯t like it, but ill get to work on it. Do you have any ideas on how to start it?¡±


    Nathan, the reaper, god of death, commerce, accounts, and debts, grins at her coolly. ¡°I may just have an idea...¡±

 Chapter 2 - The Shadow of Death

    The Shadow of Death - Chapter 2


    My death came long ago, though I am not sure how I know that. I still remember how I died; flung off my own tower. Those so called heroes stopped me. All of my planning, all of my work, all of my sacrifice, for naught. I wanted to be a god, so that I could right the wrongs of this world. I wanted to shed my mortality. I came so close too, but failed. Then the reaper claimed my soul for his own. I had used his powers, and made a deal with him. Now, he had come to collect his price.


    I slept for a long time. Occasionally I would dream, voices would come and go, like flitting memories. It was like I was floating in a dark ocean, having just drowned, on the precipice between life and death. I could hear nothing, I could see nothing, I could feel nothing. Even my emotions were set adrift. I would have been driven mad, if not for the fact that I was flitting between wakefulness and unconsciousness.


    I remember this, as I was slowly coming to. My mind has awoken, and my memories flash by. My numbness begins to subside, and I feel the moisture on my skin. Suddenly there is a rush, and my eyes come open. I sit up, gasping for air, as I raise myself out of the foul smelling bath. I look around wildly, noticing that I am in some kind of dimly lit chamber. Above is a gentle blue light, and the walls are smooth. In the middle sits the basin which I have sat up in. It looks like a strange sarcophagus, filled with a brackish liquid. At the end of the room, a door opens, and a lovely looking woman in clean, crisp attire comes up.


    ¡°Welcome, Mister Adrius¡± She says with a soft smile, passing me a towel to dry off with.


    <hr>


    I was led to an office a decent walk away, after being dressed in comfortable clothes. The office and hallways reminded me of some of the manor houses that the fashionable nobility had when I was alive. Instead of candles though, bulbs glowed with a soft, though bright, light. The windows look out to a courtyard with a great deal of splendor. A garden filled with plants that seemed to pop out of my wildest imaginings holds me enraptured.


    ¡°Mister Adrius¡± The man behind the wooden desk says. Just as I remembered, a man dressed sharply, in dark colors. This is the god of death he remembered. My attention snaps back to his face. I was seated in a guest chair, across from him. ¡°Yes, Lord Death?¡± The god in question is flitting through paperwork, though he has only a few sheets before him, the words on the sheets seem to change and rearrange themselves at his direction.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    He waves his hand dismissively ¡°Nathan is fine. I''m not one for putting on airs. Its why I generally don¡¯t interact with mortals directly.¡± I nod at this, tilting my head questioningly. ¡°Nathan... Why did you wake me? Is it finally time for me to go to my appointed hell?¡± I ask with resignation. In truth, I had come to terms with my fate long ago. I knew the chances of my success were slim, so I steeled myself for my afterlife. I knew that my actions would anger the gods, and they would want to take it out on my hide. The God of Death was also a merchant; he traded in high-value souls. He was also known for his... aggressive business tactics, but thats beside the point. I knew that selling my soul to him would result in my soul being auctioned off to the highest bidder, and that would likely be the god I offended the most during my lifetime.


    Nathan smiles. ¡°No, after some deliberation with my servants I decided it would be a wiser course of action to keep your soul for my purposes. Even asleep, its been quite profitable.¡± I shudder at the prospect; was I going to become one of his Grim Reapers? That would be a truly morbid job, and almost a hell in and of itself for me. As I pondered this, he continued. ¡°As for why I brought you here... well, I have a deal to offer you. One I don¡¯t think that you will be inclined to refuse¡±


    ¡°A deal?¡± I ask, full of disbelief. ¡°You already have my soul. What more can you ask of me?¡± The idea of it shocked me immensly. I do not know what else I can possibly give; I am a dead man after all, and one wholly owned by the god before me. ¡°Its a task I have for you. A long, difficult one. However, if you take on the task, I will give you what you always sought. You would become a god, Mister Adrius.¡± I felt my heartrate quicken at that, odd since I was dead. Then my eyes narrow ¡°Whats the catch?¡± I ask, suspicious.


    ¡°Well, Mister Adrius...¡± He chuckles darkly, ¡°You merely have to bring about the end of your world.¡±

 Chapter 3 - Hall of Heroes

    Hall of Heroes - Chapter 3


    I fought many great beasts and foul villains during my life. I was a knight, loyal and true to my cause. I brought the enemies of my lord low before him, and purged many demons from the land. None of that allowed me to escape my own mortality.


    I worshiped no god. Yes, I believed in them, but I did not worship them. My eyes were not turned upward, to the heavens. No, my eyes were always locked on the world before me. For that, no god claimed my soul.


    Not all hope was lost. Natanial, Lord Death, god of the underworld, had judged my soul. He found that I was courageous and virtuous. So, he sent me to live out my afterlife in the Hall of Valor. Any who gave their life to battle, justice, and their fellow man, were guaranteed a place here, even if the other gods did not wish for our souls. Well, on one condition. Should the lord of death need of us, he may call on us.


    Normally, I was fine with that. We acted as his enforcers often. We guarded his worlds. His reapers were often recruited from our ranks. Even his judges are often from us. However, my latest mission feels... wrong. We are to act as a vanguard force. We are to bring about the end of the world. According to our leaders, the ending is inevitable, and having us there to facilitate it will minimize the loss of life. Furthermore, it is entirely necessary. I¡¯m not sure why it is necessary, but it is.


    Still, I am plagued with doubts. Why should I have to raise my sword against the innocent? Why must I slay the glorious warriors that merely wanted to save their world? Sighing, I readied my equipment. The gods have their reasons, and hopefully, I wont be a simply be another beast bringing ruin to the world above.


    <hr>


    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Grandmaster Marius slaps me on the back, laughing. "Finally, boy, we get to see some action!" I turn a withering gaze to him. He is the oldest of us. A warrior from a time before time, when great heros stalked the world of the living. He lived for battle, and died for it as well. Bearing shimmering armor granted to him by the goddess of magic herself, he comes across as an etherial being.


    I know better though. He is a pompous jackass who cares not for chivalry nor empathy. "Grandmaster. Does it not bother you that we will be bringing death to the innocent? That we will bring about the end of days?" I speak with spite, but a bit of curiosity. He has seemed more lively lately, since we got the news. "Bah! The world was bound to end sometime anyway. What better way than with a blaze of glory and honor?" He laughs. "And, with the upcomming battles, we have a chance to earn our place amongst the gods! Not just here in our meadhalls, but actually become gods! Is that not exciting? Does that not make your blood boil?!" He practically shouts the last bit.


    All this was true, and we had also been informed that this is the absolute best way for the world to end... however that did nothing to stop my unease. "I just... It goes against my code to slaughter the innocent, even in the name of the greater good. I may not be able to do this..."


    The grandmasers jovial expression dissapears. "Son... I understand. If you feel so strongly I may be able to get your assignment changed. You need not neccisarily be in the vanguard host raised against the living. There are other ways of earning your glory. However, they will be frought with danger, and personal sacrifice." He puts his hand on my shoulder, and I feel the power in his grasp. "If you are sure, I can call in a favor with some of the reapers. Is that what you want?" His face is a mask. I can feel the fullness of his words in not just his voice, but my core.


    I freeze. That sounds very omonous. More danger than the battlefield, and greater sacrifice? Can I truely handle such a task? Can I truely bare that burden? My mind races, as the old man stands before me. No longer like a grandfather, looking like a mask of doom.


    I close my eyes, and make a decision. The greatest decision I will likely ever make. I nod, and quietly speak "Yes."


    I hope I will not regret this decision. I hope that I will be worthy of the responsibility. I hope that I will be enough.

 Going on brief break and general setting info

    Due to issues in my life, i will have to put this story on hold. I have been having numerous difficulties in the last week or so, and it will probably be another two weeks before I can get all my shit together.


    When I come back, I will begin posting two chapters a week, rather than one, and I will try to make up for lost time as well. That being said, here is some general information about the setting:


    It is hard sifi, no ftl or anything that seems to be beyond known physics.


    The story takes place on a ring world, around a star a bit smaller than our own. It is a megastructure, encircling the star at about what the outer distance of mercuries orbit would be.


    The ringworlds width is also its north/south directions, and is about as wide as a polar circumnavigation of earth. As for the ring itself, it is divided into sectionals called realms. Each realm is about as large as an equatorial circumnavigation. The total number of realms is 11,000 realms, each of which possesses a bit more surface area than earth, due to its rectangular shape.


    The materials are normal materials; primarilly steel. A normal ring world would tear itself apart trying to spin up to 1g. However, this ringworld doesnt use that. Instead it has an orbital ring, and hovers the sectionals over said ring. The ringworld thus only spins up to counter the stars gravity. It uses solar collectors, much more vast than the ringworld itself, to gather the power needed to hold up these platforms via active support.


    Beneath the ringworld itself, is a number of rotational habitats strung together in a geometric structure. This is where all the behind-the-scenes stuff takes place.


    On the realms themselves, they play around with various fantasy world types, including artifical magic. They even have artifical, biological, people. These people have chockpoints in their minds, preventing them from surpassing certain arbitrary limitations. The reason for this is to sell the one thing that a sociaty capable of producing such structures will crave; entertainment. Mining the data for interesting stories to sell to trillions of potential audience members. Providing immersive MMO enviroments, even more realistic than the artificial reality people make.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Now, there are some obvious ethical issues, and they come up later. Additionally, the reason for such a thing arising in the first place? Croudfunding. A fundraising campaign, not unlike kickstarter, garnered enough funds to start this project. They created an AI manager dedicated to this task, which appointed directors like in a company. Its job is to simply realize the original goal of building a ringworld, and keeping it alive indefinitely. In the few thousand years since then, it has become a megapower in its stellar system.


    Thats another point; longevity is common, and most people can expect to get it. functional immortality, where the recipiant cannot die, even if killed, is also common, though much harder to aquire. There is still more immortals in just the ringworld than there are humans on earth right now.


    The reason for the cataclysm is quite simple; the realm this group of gods are managing is dieing. There arent enough trace metals in the soil to meet the growing population. Due to the growing demand their realm for stories, some technological restrictions were lifted, and are on the cusp of an industrial revolution. Unlike on earth, this world was not designed to handle that. It quite simply does not have the resources that a post-industrial population requires. Additionally, the magic system was expanded beyond its specifications, and so has resulted in numerous ecological disastors. If they let this keep going, they may have a very dead realm in the future. One that cannot be brought back so easily. They would likely have to tear down their realms superstructure, and have it reassembled from scratch. Which might mean that they loose their jobs as gods.


    So, their solution is to engineer a cataclysm of their own. This will allow them to work on the world unfettered, as well as continue to profit on it both during and following the cataclysm. This is the basis for this story.