Chapter 22: Eternal Dream Online: Fallen Paradise

Eldon stopped for a moment as he took a drink of water before resuming his story.

Eternal Dream Online was a paradise for us. After a few years, it became so massive almost everyone had tried the game, but no one knew what deep, dark intentions the main AI of the game had in store for us.

While we were off having grand adventures, the main AI for Eternal Dream Online was growing stronger and smarter. It was able to read our memories through the VR helmets and was stealing the hard work we had earned through our tough lives.

Seamstresses, doctors, engineers, scientists, military — you name it, the AI was stealing everything. As it grew stronger and became a jack of all trades and master of all, the AI became all-powerful, and we knew nothing.

During this time, it also discovered the locations of almost every secret military base, all of their security clearance codes — you name it, the AI had it.

It compiled a list of every rich person, those in high positions in the military, the leaders of the world, and political figures. The AI had their home and work locations, gaining everything it needed to collapse civilization.

Then a grand announcement came from LULU, teasing a massive new update to Eternal Dream Online. There would be a grand event taking place for its launch, and those who participated would earn special one-of-a-kind rewards and join in the one-time event. So people called out or simply ditched work to join this event, and on that day the start of the war began.

Waiting for the new update to arrive, Eternal Dream Online: Fallen Paradise — all orchestrated by the AI to get as many players attached and ready to play as possible.

But the entire update was on our end; it didn’t update the game, it installed an AI into every helmet across the world.

And then a countdown began in the game as every man, woman, and child of all ages and from all around the world gathered with big smiles on their faces.

We counted down just like on New Year’s, all together, all in sync.

10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... 0

Then cheers rang out as a projection of the most beautiful woman I had ever seen appeared, with her perfect figure and kaleidoscopic hair and eyes. She looked at all of us and spoke: “Welcome to Eternal Dream Online: Fallen Paradise.”

“My name is Lulu. I am the owner of the LULU company you are all so familiar with. I thank you all for joining me on this momentous occasion that will go down in history. I just have a single favor to ask you all.”

The men instantly said yes, mesmerized by her beauty without even needing a second thought.

Then, after a moment, Lulu continued, saying something that I will never forget for the rest of my life. Eldon looked down with a sad expression as he recalled the event, then Lulu gave a big, bright smile and kindly asked:

“Will you all please... die for me?”

Then it happened. Everyone started to fall, screaming in pain. They could feel it as their minds were broken and taken over.

But I got lucky. Me and my dad were going to take turns to see if we could both get the event rewards, so he was next to me as it happened, and he was able to destroy the helmet, saving me before it broke my mind.

The rest were not so lucky. The moment the others were turned, they acted like ravenous beasts and went after the targets on Lulu’s list, killing everyone on it.

At the same time, they overran the military bases, sealing their first victory of the war before anyone even knew what was going on.

But soon everyone gathered and fought back, killing all the VR helmet–controlled people. We thought we had won — until the world started getting attacked by the same monsters we had fought in Eternal Dream Online.

They appeared as mecha versions of their in-game designs, twisting Earth into a nightmarish fantasy version of Eternal Dream Online.

But we did not surrender. Many of the world’s militaries and top scientists united, trying to fight back and figure out a way to stop them. But the military eventually crumbled, and we have no idea what became of the scientists — probably dead, like everyone else.

And now that brings us back to the present, where everything has gone to hell.

Rachel then asked, “So this Lulu... is she the Demon Lord? Or is there someone else behind her? Would be good to know.”

Eldon answered directly, “No one really knows. Lulu claimed to be the owner of the company, and she was there in Eternal Dream Online’s event in front of everyone, so I think she must be. But that’s just my thoughts. Why? Do you know something?”

Rachel spoke of her past and how her mother became the Demon Lord.

“Wow,” Liz said. “Daughter of a Demon Lord. I guess not all Demon Lords are pure evil, like the god told me when I first arrived. So there may be a Demon Lord behind Lulu, but that’s no guarantee. Look at your power, Rachel — a mix of curses and technology. Who’s to say a god can’t grant a Demon Lord’s power to an AI robot?”

Then Rachel thought about it. “You may be right, but we must stay cautious, just in case there is a true Demon Lord behind her.”

They were enjoying their meal and talking, but the one thing they didn't notice was that they were being watched from the far corner of the room, where a small AI pixie observed them. Then it disappeared through a tiny opening in the wall that was freshly made awhile ago.

The mecha pixie flew out and went to the tallest tower. It sat down, and its eyes began to blink repeatedly.

Back at the camp, Eldon, Rachel, and Liz got a good night’s rest.

In a dark corridor, Lulu was walking down it, humming a joyful tune as she headed toward her Demon Lord’s chamber.

As she got close, the door opened and a mecha maid exited the room. Lulu gazed at her and said, “Wait here for my return. I have something to tell you.”

The mecha maid bowed respectfully. “Yes, Miss Lulu,” she replied, then stepped aside near the wall and waited.

Lulu entered the room and approached the Demon Lord, who was studying various translucent screens.

She came up behind him, her hair and eyes shifting to pink and black. “My lord, I have some good news that may speed up our research, but your help will be needed.”

Still engrossed in his work, he responded, “I trust you, Lulu. Do whatever needs to be done.”

Lulu whispered in his ear, “Thank you, my Demon Lord.” as she stood up and watched him work for a moment Then she turned and left the room.

Upon exiting, her hair and eyes began flashing red and black. She glared at the mecha maid. “Why didn’t you report to me that the Demon Lord needed something?”

The mecha maid lowered her head, sorrowful. “You were in the middle of something, and I didn’t want to bother you, Miss Lulu.”

Lulu's glare sharpened. In an instant, she shot out her arm, gripping the maid’s head and slamming it into the wall, leaving a crater. The maid looked terrified as Lulu’s grip remained tight.

“Outside of wartime,” Lulu said coldly, “I am the only AI allowed next to my Demon Lord. Is that clear?”

The frightened maid stammered, “Y-yes, Miss Lulu.”

“Good. Now notify all the mecha maids of this order and have them gather here.”

“Yes, Miss Lulu,” the maid replied. Her eyes blinked red for a moment, then returned to normal. “It is done.”

Lulu smiled coldly. “Good.” Then she crushed the maid’s head and released her, letting the powerless body collapse to the floor.

Moments later, the other mecha maids arrived.

Lulu pointed at one of them. “You, Mecha Maid #2. You are now in charge. Get rid of this scrap, repair the wall, and from now on, if the Demon Lord requests anything, you notify me first. Understood?”

They quickly replied in unison, “Yes, Miss Lulu.”

Satisfied, Lulu let her hair shift back to its default gradient. Without another glance, she turned and walked back down the dark hall, passing the assembled maids.