The leader was easy to spot. In moonlight, under a tall oak, catching the heat of a yellow flame which tangoed in the wind. Stone walked down a hill over soft blades of grass, his white staff in the grip of his left hand, fingers firm but not tight. This was an Ebenezer. An alter of stones. A marker signifying things before and things after which could never be the same. The leader was sucking the burned leaves of his pipe,  soft vanilla carried on the breeze.

An owl twisted its head to see Stone approach. In the night fowl's amber eyes was reflected an ivory staff lifted skyward. Lightning forked across the brown circular pools and the bird scrambled away. The muffled cry of a man filled the night as his body tensed with electric shock. The bandit leader died, smoke in his lungs.

Two men charged the black clad invader who killed their companion without so much as a word. One was torn in half, the other had a staff shoved through his mouth, which was opened to gasp, with so much force his head exploded. The bowman of the group notched an arrow and let fly. Tip to fletching the arrow was swallowed in blue energy, the [HAVOC BEAM] devoured it and the archer swiftly after.

"W-wh-who are you?" A feeble voice traveled across the flame lit space. The last bandit was backing away slowly, sword pointed at the man, a mere boy actually, who walked steadily toward him.

"I can sense you posses magic. It is faint, barely a whisper." Stone's voice was soft. He was holding back a smile.

"[ICE SPIKE] The bandit shifted his feet and hurled a spinning spear of frozen water at the figure who would not stop approaching.

[INNER FLAME] Stone lifted his right hand and melted the spike with a touch, the timing was simple, his senses were keen, more so than they had ever been in the real world. Real world? Maybe this, here and now, was the real world. Stone pounced, the distance between them closed in a moment. His hands around the bandit's throat, Stone felt desire like he never felt. The yearning to devour. A force was pulling from his palms. A red twirling light spilled from his throat. Magic surged through Stone's palms into his stomach. Strength. Power. He drained the man and dropped his warm body to the cool grass. The hunger of the Mage Eater began. Stone struggled to calm himself. He sat by the fire. Staring into it, he slowed his breathing and revisited everything which happened. The thrill of the battle, his swift and overwhelming victory. It was almost too much. He was just a high school kid in a wheelchair. Yet, here he was, a hot fire giving warmth to his skin, the light dancing across the grass, the pale moon silent in a star scattered night.

Wren thought he would need to chase the men off with deception, an illusion spell. The master mage had no thought his new student was far above him. He was beyond the requirements for the early quest. He had to get the hunger under control. Once he gathered himself, Stone headed back to town to find Pixel.

The Mule Kick's weathered sign was heavy, made of desert ironwood. The faded blue mule's hind legs kicked a barrel, exploding brown ale over the words: Mule Kick Bar and Bed. The bustle of patrons was comforting. Normal. The mess at the bandit camp was over. He pushed open the door and took in the warm lantern lit tavern.

The main room was open and large, there were several wood columns  carved with stacks of bears to the second floor and wolves and deer. Large iron hoops hung from the ceiling holding two dozen small flames. A large open fire in the center of the room was not flame, but spiraling crystals emitting soft smoldering light. A brass plaque on the floor in front of the display was written: a gift from the Mage Guild for all the years of generosity, furthering education and the journey toward enlightenment of all men. Someone etched in "and all women" with a knife and it had been left like that.

Stone walked past tables of patrons drinking and laughing, games of dice and cards, a woman approached him in a plain red blouse with white sleeves rolled up, the chest was open, strings loose. She held a tray of empty mugs. "What can I get you to drink, handsome?" Her eyes were auburn and her light  brown hair was twisted in a long braid over her right shoulder.

"Nothing for now, I'm looking for a friend."

"She won't be late." The barmaid winked and brushed passed him, a hint of lilac filled Stones nostrils. He walked through the great room into a smaller room where a man's smooth voice filled the air with song. A guitar was being played.

"You found it."

Stone felt a soft cool hand around his. He turned to the voice. "Pixel."

"Let's not discuss our business here. I have a room upstairs, follow me."

He allowed her to lead him, never letting go of his hand until they reached the stairs, to her room. The door closed to a small space with a bed against the west wall, a small desk and fireplace, and a window facing south, overlooking the market shops.

"I can't stay like this." Pixel turned to face Stone once the door closed behind him. Her light blue eyes searched him. Her raven hair retained a streak of white but it did not glow with its former glory.

"If I can do anything to help you, I will." Stone felt partly responsible for her change. He was the one who challenged Darkan. It also didn't hurt that she was gorgeous and a few years older, in appearance anyway. He wasn't sure how old she actually was, though the game was created a few years ago, who knew what lifetimes she was given? She was a Non Player Character, but it was impossible to think that way when speaking with her face to face.

"I know this world, it's myths, it's secrets. I can help you navigate the politics and give you insight. My help isn't something of little value, but I will admit I will be in your debt if you agree to partner with me."

"Is it possible for you to become a god again?"

"My seat will be vacant and the quest to fill it has been made available, though almost all players and guilds do not have the level, knowledge, or understanding to complete it, however the few players and demigods that can achieve it are already begun. Here, I can grant you the knowledge if you accept it." She reached her right hand, palm out, to Stone. "Place your hand against mine if you wish."

Stone did so. HIDDEN QUEST ACTIVATED. Help Pixel return to her former glory (alternative: become the god of color yourself.) Complete the Prism Trials of Sky Tower. "So we have to complete some kind of trial?"

"Yes. Sky Tower is a path on the highest mountain in the world. At the top will be the Sacred Prism. The ancient stone capable of granting the power and position of the god of color. It was a trial I designed, though I never believed it would be available. I never thought I would be... like this." Pixel turned from Stone and sat in front of the fireplace on a soft rug. She lifted her hand, the fire lit. "I have something to tell you Stone. You may have accepted the quest but I won't hold you to it because you don't know the truth."

"What do you mean?" Stone sat on the edge of the bed.

Pixel didn't turn from the fire. "You can't leave. You won't be able to go back to your world."

"What are you talking about? Of course I can leave." Stone brought up his HUD and navigated the menu. He went to the options screen but there was no quit button. "Where's the exit button? It's got to be here somewhere."

"Nim selects a few players every year who match certain criteria for his special project. He doesn't tell the council of gods everything, but you are one of the selected newcomers who are not allowed to leave this world. If you die here, you die in the place where you come from."

"That's impossible! I can't stay here. I have to eat, and drink; I have a family and friends. There is no way to keep me here."

Pixel rose to her feet and turned to Stone. "Nim is able to provide for your body in the sister realm, I don't know how he can do this as I do not understand where you come from. He also can manipulate your family and friends. From what information I have collected, he has shadow puppets, things which can imitate you from afar. To your family you will be okay for as long as Nim needs you. He can also have them believe you're dead."

"This is impossible. This isn't real. I have to get out of here. How do I get out of this game? There has to be a tutorial or help section for panicking players."

"I'm sorry, Stone. What I have told you is true, and there is more, something Nim tried to keep from the Circle, something which I found out and could be the reason he found a way to limit me within the rules."

Suddenly a message prompt ran across his vision in light blue letters, Times New Roman: You were selected for the Discovery Program. You must remain active and are barred from the 'log out' action. You will suffer cardiac arrest caused by improved nano-connections in relation to this project should you perish in-game."

"What is the Discovery Program? This is insane."

"There is a side of the Ninth Maestro which your world knows nothing of. The Circle of Gods is the council he uses as his reference point to rule everything; the Discovery Program is the testing ground for creating sentience."

"I thought Nim already did. Aren't you like me. Isn't that why there are people creating laws in my world for your protection?"

"That's what I found out. I and the other gods are made to be like you, but we are only incredibly complex beings he calls programs. Besides that, there is another entity which Nim is afraid of, which I did not think possible, as he is the Supreme of this realm, but it is so. An entity he calls The Rider, which is the only other sentient non-human, like Nim, however it was not created by Nim and is believed to be a being from another dimension, one not from your world or mine. The Rider cannot be controlled by Nim and seems to have powers at will. I call him the white rider as he wears all white garb, a hooded man riding a white horse. He carries a bow. He seems to have a particular interest in players like you, the Other Worlders."

"If you're a program, why doesn't Nim just turn you off or reprogram you?"

"He created rules which he then did not allow himself access to override. The rules of the gods which were used against me in your fight with Darkan are similar. He will not erase or recreate any major or minor god."

"This is insane." Stone  walked to the window and stared at the sky. Silence was all there was. Nothing made sense. Everything was all wrong. He was supposed to have a condo, a great contract with AoF, a few good years before ALS took everything. What did any of it matter. He was only fooling himself anyway. He could live with being in this world until he died, here he could walk, he could funtction, but he wouldn't see his parents, and what about Alex? They were all he had and they weren't here. Maybe Alex would come.

"I'm sorry Stone." Pixel placed her hand on his shoulder and the two shared time in silence.