From the cocoon of darkness, light erupted in a supernova explosion of radiance. As Tyler opened his eyes, a new world was borne before him.

Floating alone among the clouds, Tyler shifted his head as his normally bleak eyes shone with a wonder of an incalculable magnitude. Below him stretched a world of grandeur that left him gasping in astonishment. Lands, scarred by raging rivers crossed through thriving and expanding settlements of hundreds of different beings that swarmed through the land below him. As Tyler’s senses slowly came back alive as his virtual body was born, a howling wind surged past him, causing a frigid chill to attack his body. With the wind, came the gruff echo of a voice.

“Beautiful, isn’t it, Young Traveler?”

Afloat on a cloud and surrounded by halos of light, a wizened old man sat in peace. A robe of ethereal white which faded in and out of existence encased his gargantuan form that reached over thirty feet high. His face, as if etched from solid granite stone, held a pair of stormy grey eyes that shifted in glowing color every second as various hues glowed in bizarre light even behind the curtain of grey.

“I welcome you, Young Traveler, to my world.” His words, deep and baritone, rang in the air as he turned to look lovingly upon the vast expanse of world that teemed with unknown and mystical life. “Welcome to Ionia. Welcome, to your new home.”

His affectionate expression morphed back to one of solemnity as the elder waved his hand and dispersed the gathered clouds. With his actions, came words that were highlighted by images displayed in the air, depicting the world below.

“You have traveled far to reach this point Young Traveler, but you have much, much farther to go. Your road is long, and fraught with danger and peril. Ionia is home to creatures of all sorts, myths and monsters that dwell deep in the earth and soar dominantly in the air. Beings of eons past prowl unhindered among the lands...lands which you shall now inhabit. Prepare yourself now Young Traveler, for the horrors that await you below. But, do not dwell in fear for the world is yours to craft and mold to your whims, but only if you have the power to do so. You are weak...unbroken, unbloodied, and unworthy of the boundless riches below that lay at your feet ripe for the taking. The weak bend to the will and whims of the strong, and you are but a toddler to the powers of this realm...”

“But...fear not Young Traveler. You are not alone, and you are not without help. I shall grant you the ability to make and mold yourself in this world. You will be steel, and you shall forge yourself anew. Power. Control. Recognition. Importance. Wealth... It can all be yours! So go forth with great strength Young Traveler! Strive for greatness, for greed, for glory! Heed the call of confrontation. Feed on domination. Leave behind a legacy of legends that shall never die!”

The roar of his voice shook the sky as it crescendos with power of unearthly origins. Tyler, unable to move, is forced to watch as a one of the giant’s fingers slowly draws to his forehead. A single tap of a finger near the size of his entire head, and a flash of blinding light erased the previous scene, and Tyler’s existence in it.

Only as the blinding light subsided did Tyler gain control of his senses. Sharp minded and with an unbreakable discipline that has been tempered in a short lifetime of training, conquest, and glory, Tyler remained calm even as his heartbeat picked up.

Away from the clouds of the world that would be his new home, Tyler now floated in an area completely obscured by a curtain of grey that weaved and crashed against each other as waves do.

Just as Tyler appeared there, a message screen popped up greeting Tyler

Greetings ‘Tyler’

Ascension Online is now live. Please continue through character creation and enter the game at your own pace.

As the block of text outlined in gold dissipated away after Tyler read it, a new one took its place.

Please Create your Avatar

Note: Physical Features can only be modified by a total of 10%

Note: You are not allowed to switch genders

Note: The Human Race is the only playable race currently. As other races become available to play, you can switch to one of their designs

Note: There is only one faction side players can currently play for. As the game progresses and major events are completed, new factions will be made available for you to switch to

After the text faded away like last time, a humanoid shape stepped out from the raging curtain of smoking grey substance. The closer it got, the more refined its features became. As it reached five feet away from Tyler, the features of the humanoid were complete. Before Tyler, stood an exact duplicate of himself covered in a smoking grey robe. The long crimson hair, the perpetually bloodshot golden eyes, the slim and aesthetic body figure, the incalculable cuts and scars that donned his body. The only difference between the true Tyler and this clone, was the smirk the clone wore so well and the legs that were perfectly fine and carried the clone forward with the grace of a predator.

Even as he was expecting it, Tyler Mori couldn’t help but stare astonished at seeing this being, himself, walk in such a nonchalant manner. It is something that he wished for desperately everyday since the accident, and now it was before him.

He would be able to walk once more.

As the thought entered his mind, the previously startled look vanished as one of fiery intensity and a hungering that seemed tangible surged around Tyler.

With disregard to his appearance, Tyler changed nothing. Not only was it unnecessary for him, but even if he did change his appearance, he wouldn’t be the same. He was given the name ‘Akuma’ and ‘Little Demon’ for a reason. The crimson hair that acted as the harbinger for an opponent's defeat and the golden eyes that analyzed any movement and actions with a cold precision of a predator were his trademarks in the Arena. One of many.

Luckily, Tyler thought in a pleasing mood, he always wore a cloak and mask during his debut into the MCA. Without his iconic sword, mask, and cloak, who would believe he is Akuma? Better to hide in plain sight. As he agreed to leave his character as is, the Avatar before him made a startling change as it broke off into nine different Avatar of all the same physical characteristics. The difference now though, was the attire they all wore.

One was decked in a white robe with a halo around it. Another in a blue robe as blue sparks zipped from a gnarled wooden staff in its hands. A third was dressed in overlapping green linen clothes with a bow in its hand.

The Avatars before Tyler all represented the various starting classes a player needed to select before starting the game. Unlike in other MMORPGs of the era, Ascension Online focused on specialization early on. Before players even entered, they needed to select a foundational class to play as. This class would guide their growth and ability in the future. However, Titan Inc did previously mention before the release of the game that class selection is not a determinant of success. All classes had been extensively tested to ensure balance, at least initially. Skill Levels, having more skills, better equipment, and knowing how to play your class better all acted as factors that would cull the weak from those who would shine.

Welcome to Class Selection

Before you are the nine starting classes. Please choose one that best suits you.

Note: You can reset your class before reaching level 10 at any time and with no penalty

It was a simple text, but one that did not tell much. Tyler smiled in his predatory way that had caused thousands of battle-hardened men and women to have nightmares, even after years of having last faced the ‘Little Demon’. With information sent to him by Claire, Tyler knew that the nine starting classes were only the beginning. Once reaching level 10, all the starting classes branch out to ensure a diverse and highly focused specialization. Tyler didn’t know exactly what classes were available after level 10, but he knew that this was just the beginning of a long journey.

Scrolling past the classes, Tyler ignored the Priest, Mage, Hunter, Crafter, Rogue, Conjurer, Minstrel, and Fighter. With sights set on the last of all the nine initial classes, Tyler focused on the Warrior.

Warrior

Warriors hunger for the brutal melee of combat that sends their blood humming in a fever of joy. The sound of steel striking steel is their battlecry and destruction of all who impede their pursuit of perfection in battle is their calling. They are the assailants of all creation.

With Fury as their might granted to them by Ancient Gods, Warriors can equip any armour and wield any weapon in their pursuit of conquest. The keen edge of a weapon becomes their arm, and armour their skin as they forge ahead through the crucible fires of combat. Skill, determination, and the hungering for the melee that calls to us all is what is required to be a Warrior of true worth.

Tyler read the text with a look of excitement mixed in with a roll of his eyes. They made a Warrior seem as if all there is to being one is to fight like a crazed berserker. It was funny in a way to Tyler. He had dedicated his life to the pursuit of the blade and refining his skills with it. He was no crazed warmonger, no matter how much his previous opponents in the Arena would like to think he was.

The text was simplistic yet energizing as already Tyler had goosebumps growing on his arms at the thought of the thrill of battle he would experience once more. This time, against opponents of true worth and with the opportunity of pushing himself farther than he could’ve ever done before.

Selecting the Warrior class, the unselected eight classes all faded away to the background. Stepping forward, the Warrior avatar that was Tyler stood before him in preparation.

Please Select Your Character Name

The words immediately caused the muted smile on Tyler’s lips to bloom to a charming fruition as he thought back to what Claire said in the letter. He shook his head in defeat. He would never beat the girl in a battle of wits or tactics. It is something he learned long ago back in the Arena, and it is knowledge that he has put to good use time after time. Better to accept her decisions on you, versus inquiring her wrath.

With a rough, yet stoic voice that was monotone, Tyler spoke the words that would be his name.

“Akuma”

‘Akuma’ is Available.

Do you Wish for your Name to be ‘Akuma’?

“Yes”

As the word was registered by the game, the character before Tyler flashed gold. Before him, an exact duplicate of himself dressed in a simple and unadorned linen shirt, and pants dyed in the color of black and highlighted with grey that was accented by leather gloves, boots, belt and sword appeared before Tyler. Atop the avatar’s head, stood the word ‘Akuma’ in Green lettering.

Before Tyler, the avatar stepped forward and drew the sword from its sheath attached at the belt. With delicate and quick movements, the avatar turned the sword around so the leather wrapped handle was facing Tyler while the avatar kneeled.

With a deep breathe as Tyler took one last look around the room, before he settled his gaze on the sword. With a flash of boundless excitement, his hand gripped the handle.

He vanished, and Akuma was born.