Phoenix ran through the night sword in hand, his legs hurt like crazy but he had to keep moving. He'd been running for over an hour, but he still needed to move, he needed to if he wanted to level up and survive. Exhausted he lay up against a tree, and for a few minutes wept. It wasn't supposed to happen like this, it was supposed to just be a game, how did everything turn so bad, so fast? Opening his eyes Phoenix stared up at the open sky. Normally he would be happy, the sky was full of stars, and there was no light pollution. But after the news he'd just received, he was in serious trouble.

Beside him he heard a low growl. Looking to his left he saw a rune wolf standing a few feet away. It was a metre tall, white fur and red gems poking out all over it. For a second he considered letting the beast bite his throat out and ending this nightmare. But as it lunged at him he rolled under its attack, and with his sword plunged it deep into the wolf's stomach. Its lifeless body hit the tree and disintegrated into hundreds of tiny orbs of experience. They flew to Phoenix and his head up display congratulated his for reaching level seven. He felt the familiar buzz as his health was topped of as it did when you levelled up.

Phoenix laughed for the first time in over a day. It felt good even though his throat was dry. Level seven, even if this pace acted like it was a game, it was pretty far from one. He saw a small red holographic circle, pop up in front of him. Curious Phoenix pressed it, and it took him into his inventory. Since he had just levelled up, he'd gained five health potions, some bread, a new dagger with a concealment perk and a weird knife like contraption, with leather straps attached to it.

Phoenix ate some of the bread, switched his knife, and took out the weird blade. He soon figured out what it was. Smiling he wrapped the straps around his wrist and made sure the blade was just below his wrist. Holding out his arm he flicked his wrist backwards, and a foot long blade shot out of the contraption. It was a wrist blade, an assassin's weapon. The weapon reminded him of Mono. Though he had little use of such a weapon he would keep it until he met someone who needed some gear.

Standing up again he started running, he ran until the village was in sight. Slowly he switched to a fast walk and caught his breath. He hoped Mono was still alright and that she found her friends. She was the one friend he had here, in this death trap. Hell it was only about a day ago that he'd logged on and started playing, he'd been so excited. He'd played the demo, thought it would be fun. Until the log off button went on a holiday.

When Phoenix reached the village he wasn't concerned with sleep, he ran from villager to villager, accepting quests and challenges. He left allot for other players, after all he might need their help one day. But his main concern right now was staying alive. Having played the demo he knew how to achieve most of his tasks. Kill the monster, defeat the bandits, clean the house, etc. At the end of it he had enough gold to last him four months, and had levelled up to level eleven. Exhausted he rented a room and collapsed on the bed.

Slowly he opened up his setting on his heads up display. He sorted through his new items and chose the ones he wanted. He now wore a once piece Nano-amour suit, underneath black track pants, a black shirt, a protection rune which hung around his neck and a strength ring on his left hand. Satisfied he went to sleep. But his mind was plagued with fear. His family, what was happening in the real world, was Mono alright and how was he going to survive. He replayed the event of yesterday, and felt anger well up inside him.

All of them had been tricked, they were lured into this game and they took away the exit. So many were already dead, Hundreds? Thousands? More? All he knew is that he had to survive. To try and win the game or die trying. 'The new world, the title of this cluster fuck couldn't be truer.' Phoenix thought to himself as he finally drifted off.

A day earlier:

Phoenix waited with an unusual anticipation. He had been waiting forever for this day to come. Even at age seventeen, and living alone he still love to have a little bit of fun. Phoenix had been one of twenty thousand people in Perth Western Australia, to win a free copy of the game, and it came with the simulation headgear. But this wasn't just some game. This was The New World, a new game which had even some adults on the edge of their seats. The entire game split into four quarters. You started of in a basic Medieval world called Helios, where sword skills, and fighting to beat epic bosses. Then after you beat the boss on level twenty-five you would go to the next part of the game, which was warfare, you still killed monsters, but using military weapons, in a world called Aftermath.

Then the third quarter was set in the future. Laser weapons, versing aliens and more monsters. And the last section was fantasy based, you could be mystical creatures in a mystical realm, rumour has it you could even fly. Each quarter was twenty five levels high, but you reset after beating each zone, except for your stats like speed, attack, and defence. But the best part, the player who beats the game, gets over half a million dollars in American, and the entire thing would be witnessed by millions of people. It would be like an on and off drama show. And it would only be released to the rest of the world once they had finished, it was Perth exclusive.

An hour later the package arrive at his front door step. It arrived with a very happy man, who roughly shook his hand and got him to sing over some legal information. "Looking forward to the game?" He asked Grinning from ear to ear. Phoenix just smiled. "Mate, excited doesn't even begin to describe." He said waving goodbye cheerily. Quickly he went to the kitchen, and got a knife, went up to his room and opened the box. Inside was the helmet and disk. He plugged the helmet into his computer, inserted the disk into the slot, sat down, and placed the helmet on his head.

Immediately he saw the holographic display pop up in front of him. He entered his details, age and name, Etc. And then everything went black. Phoenix felt like he was falling, but that was pretty usual. The helmet was transporting his consciousness into the game world. But before he entered the world he had to create his avatar and class. There were a few options. Assassin, Mage, Thief, Fighter, or Archer.

Phoenix chose Mage. He had heightened reflexes, high damage resistance, healing abilities and projectile shots. There weren't any avatar options, you send a photo of yourself to your computer and it calculates what you look like from that.

Phoenix was just about six feet tall, short brown hair that couldn't stay straight, cold blue eyes, pretty decent build for someone his age, and apparently according to some girls at school, he was hot. But what did they know. And just like that he was in. He saw the familiar stone walls, granite castle and marble floor. And the familiar chatter of new players. But Phoenix didn't have time for that, he was already moving. He ran through the familiar brick streets and houses, through the quaint markets and merchants. Navigating his way through the streets, speed buying the items he needed and ran out of the city, and into the flowery meadows surrounding it. But Phoenix was unaware he was being tailed.

The first thing Phoenix did was find some wild animals. Boar and wild bobcats mostly. He was level four before long. It was pretty easy. The sword he had was a double edged short sword, just over half a metre long. Combat was pretty basic, you waited for the enemy to attack first, figure out their attack patterns, and use them to your advantage. Boars were easy, all they did was charge. So Phoenix simply stepped to the side, and sliced down the centre. There was something noteworthy however about the blades. Unlike in the demo, if you hold you blade for a couple of seconds before swinging it began to glow. As far as he could tell it was some sort of charging attack. Satisfied with what he'd learned he went back to training.

But something felt wrong, like he was being watched. He heard rustling in the grass behind him and turning on his heels he tackled whoever was behind him. Sprawling in the grass Phoenix twisted their arm behind their back and had them pinned to the floor. "Easy, easy." They called out. They were definitely a girl, voice and costume. They were wearing a silver skin tight outfit with some pieces of skin showing, black leggings with silver designs etched onto them and a small silver and black skirt.

"Why are you following me?" Phoenix asked trying to sound tough. They struggled until they knew it was useless. "My name is Mono, and I'll tell you when you let me up." They growled. Slowly Phoenix let go and helped her up. And almost flinched because of how pretty she was. Five foot twelve, long dark hair, which matched her outfit, she had a sword strapped to her back, two knives and a small leather device strapped to her wrist. Phoenix stood silent for a minute and realised it was his turn to talk. "Um sorry for that, My names Phoenix, but why were you,,,?" Phoenix began, using his online name. "I was observing your technique, you really good." She said flashing him a heart melting smile. Phoenix started to chuckle. "What's so funny?" She asked giving him a suspicious look. "You could have just asked for some training." Phoenix said still chuckling. Mono just stared at him and before long she was chuckling too.

Phoenix showed Mono the basics. How to charge up your attack, and how to find a monsters attack patterns. But Mono was a natural, she swung with absolute precision, power, and grace. She was taking out monsters left and right. She had the material to be a really good player. "Ok, so you can fight against monsters, but how about a player?" Phoenix asked drawing his sword. "Oh, you want to tangle already." She said whirling her blade around in her hand. "Well let's go." Phoenix said charging in.

Phoenix made his first wing go high, Mono had easily deflected it. She then made a wide arc for his chest. But he simply blocked the swing, and swept Monos feet out from under her. Those martial art classes had paid off. "Not so easy is it?" Phoenix said ready to go for another round. "You caught me off guard." She said sounding baffled. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I was going to win no matter what." Phoenix said calmly. "Oh, and what makes you say that?" She asked eyebrows raised. "I do Ninjitsu, and mixed martial arts, fighting is my thing." He said. Mono's pride seemed less affected now. "So are we gonna fight, or just stand here?" She said charging forward.

They trained for hours. They trained together showing each other their moves and trained on the local wildlife. By the end of it Mono was getting pretty good. "Man what a great day." He sighed looking across at the meadow in the sunset. "Well Phoenix, we should probably head back, were late for the official announcement of the game." Mono said distractedly. Phoenix opened his menu and saw they were five minutes late. "Shit, we better move." Phoenix said taking of at a running pace. Mono quickly gave chase after him.

The streets were empty, everyone must be in the main courtyard. They actually seemed to be the last people in, because as they entered a silver force field surrounded the city and everyone went silent. Now came the big speech, 'welcome to The New World.' But what happened next, no one saw coming. An eyrie cackle filed the courtyard and smoke ripped through the crowd. Then a man shaped figure appeared overhead. "Hello my dear little ants, no I'm not the creator, but I am the new owner of this game, and I've added a few additions to the game." The figure said flying around the arena like a crazy fighter jet.

The players around Phoenix were becoming uneasy, and some began shouting at the flying figure. His face was completely obscured, he wasn't wearing a hood it was just pitch black, no outline or anything. "Of the, oh around twenty thousand I will take five thousand and take them to a different zone, but remember, someone still has to complete all of the zones." They cackled. Players were now looking like they were going to start shooting arrows, and throw swords at the figure. "And by the way, you can't log out and you won't wake up if you die, you won't wake up at all actually." They cried maniacally.

Players now began throwing rocks and other items at the flying figure, but they bounced off him or missed. "How do we know if this is some kind of trick?" Phoenix bellowed over everyone else. Everyone stopped and looked his way. It was a fair question. Phoenix couldn't see it, but he could imagine a cruel smile forming on the figures lips. Holographic screens popped up all over the place, they all showed the same thing. A news report titled 'the new world Hacked', or 'No longer a game', or 'The new turns deadly'.

The figure was really flying around now. "I like you kid, you've got guts, charisma, and a good noggin, and for that you can have a little something to start off, no need to thank me." He chuckled. Phoenixes fingers curled into fists. "Now, let the fun begin!" He cried. Three quarters of the players throughout the city disappeared in indigo flashes.

Phoenix actually dropped to his knees. How was this possible or legal, surely it was a trick, right in the demo you could revive people. They couldn't do this right? He opened his setting and hoping to see the familiar log out button. But there was nothing. Then he saw something in his messages. It was a map, a map too what looked like a weapons Cache. He quickly put the map away, because he could already feel others eyes on him.

Before he knew it He was on his feet and Looking for Mono who was already pushing through the crowd. "Mono where are you going?" He shouted. "I'm looking for my friend, there not a fighter, I need to help them Phoenix, and I'll catch you up." She shouted back. Phoenix tried to go after her but a group of people rushed in front of him and began fighting. He then did what was sensible he ran. The markets were practically untouched so he half-filled his inventory with health potions and food, grabbed a set of swords and grabbed an apprentice spell book. He shot Mono a quick message to meet him at the village to the south of here and then ran.

Which lead him to his current predicament. Passed out in a bed, at some crappy inn. Mono and her friend made it out before it got bloody, but they were at least a day's walk from here and he couldn't wait that long. Anyway he worked better solo anyway. He messaged Mono as much. Two hours later he picked himself up and trained. It wasn't a game anymore, he had to survive, and it wasn't just his life at stake either. He was going to try and beat every zone and, every floor. But He would have to check the map, if it could give him an advantage, who was he to say no.