The road is peaceful. Unlike in most of the overpopulated worlds of reality, I do not hear the sound of machines, nor humans. I do not smell the smoke, chemicals, or smog of the milky way's industrial worlds. I do not feel the freedom of Tundara's low gravity, nor the buzz and vibrations of artificial gravity pulsing through my skeletal structure, keeping me grounded. I do not taste iron, or coolant of humanity's artificial atmospheric air filters. My skin does not itch from the combination of recycled, chemically altered, musty air and the no doubt artificially nourished water of Tundara's oceans and rain.
Here, I walk during a seemingly ancient time period, most definitely before the landing and colonization of mars, most likely on the planet of Terra, or in other languages, Earth, Gaia, and Tellus. If I had to estimate from the equipment I've found, I wouldn't be surprised if we were currently set in the period of circa155 BML(Before mars landing). Then again, this is a simulation, one with the presence of an alien virus found in the current day in the lost worlds, systems, and moons of the southern milky way galaxy. I doubt we are in a set time period, but in a world completely separated from reality. Here, I cannot think the same as I'd do in real life, for the events of time and the rules of the cosmos are different, altered, jumbled even. This is not reality and thinking like it will only lead me to more confusion, questions, and problems. This is not my universe, the perfect and most sensible one that god has created, but an artificial one made by flawed human logic, design, and difficulty. This world was not created to make sense, but hardship. And I must adapt.
I continue down the road west for a long time, debating in my head and remembering times of ease and joy. I look down at my wedding ring, the one I had just recently acquired through my engagement and marriage. I often forget about it, but now in this simulation, it seems to be like an anchor. An anchor that reminds me of my duty, my love, and my ambition. At times, it also forces me to reflect on my decisions, and goals. I seem to try and subconsciously convince myself that I am not some sort of barbarian or lunatic that does not want some sort of control or power, and that I am doing this for both the survival and happiness of me and my wife, but I feel like I am. I feel like a greedy person. I feel horrible for abandoning the person I love. I feel horrible because I honestly do not know the true reason for why I did it. Was it actually to protect us? I keep searching for that answer, but at this moment, I'm not sure if I'm ever going to be able to answer that question. For some reason, deep inside of me, I want to know what it's like. I want to know what it's like to be in charge, to be served like an all powerful king, and revered by all. Alas, is that what I really want? Would I like that more than being loved? Does my heart have enough room for both love and power? Will I truly be able to reach and harness some sort of power? My mind goes on and on, thoughts flowing, ideas running through, theories and fictions made from nothing but consciousness, all justifying, opposing and making sense of my emotions, and being.
A single excuse seems to singlehandedly hold my mind together. I am merely human. I am nothing more than god's creation. My purpose? My future? My being? Perhaps that is something I am not meant to temper with. Perhaps that's just something that comes on It's own. That sort of eventual feeling of relief and the feeling that I have reached some sort of answer. In the end, maybe that something, that curiosity is something I am not yet prepared for.
I release a sigh.
In the end, I can only come up with theories. Perhaps, and probabilities. In the end, I know nothing. For I am merely human.
The suns light now reflects on my seemingly plane titanium wedding ring, highlighting the only thing on it, three deeply engraved lines.
"the groom's ring representing the union of the newly married Achilles Leonis Virellis & Aurelia Nia Virellis."
"May their union be blessed for eternal love and eventual greatness."
"Date of marriage: October 13th Terra standard date, 3268 AML"
I smile.
Even now in this fictional world, it's words remain etched into my ring. Such a small but appreciative detail.
The words themselves feel almost ironic now,"eternal love and eventual greatness." I am chasing both, yet I am farther from them than one could ever be.
I let my gaze rise. The sun seems to be reaching it's peak, peering over the forests trees onto the dirt path I ride on.
Slowly, the dense trees begin to thin, their shadows retreating as a loose of sunlight begins to flood in. The scent of pine begins to fade, beginning to be replaced by the faint aroma of clean wind and grass baked by the sun. The forest's steady hum seems to quiet down, instead replaced by the gentle rustle of tall grass swaying in the cool breeze.
The trees finally begin to end, revealing a vast grassland beginning to stretch towards the large snowy mountains, far into the distance.
It is like an endless blend of green, gold, grey, and all the colors of life beneath a clear blue sky. The wind brushes across my skin as I ride as fast I can down the path toward the small village ahead.
placed in the middle of the grassland, the village lays quietly, it's chimneys releasing black smoke up into the atmosphere.
That could only mean one thing.
The village was occupied.