Why do people read fiction?
The answer to this question could be many. It changes depending on the person.
Some people read fiction to escape reality, while others read for entertainment, emotional connection, or empathy.
But,
At its core, fiction is about experience. Whether that means escaping reality, understanding others, or exploring emotions.
People will never stop reading fiction because stories matter. They entertain, teach and sometimes even change lives.
.
.
But there will always be an exception, one completely different from others.
One that doesn't agree with the rest.
That one person was Ryker Case, or previously known as Luke.
.
.
.
Unlike others who read different fictions for entertainment or to escape reality, Luke never did any of that.
He embraced the reality he was in. He felt the pain. He accepted the pain.
Growing up in a single-parent household, Luke had to mature fast.Faster than anyone in his age group.
A mother who walked away from him with her lover and a struggling father who did everything in his power to keep him fed.
Growing up, Luke knew how hard life was, so to him, fun was a completely different word…
So,
Luke hated the people who used different ways to escape reality. To him, they were worthless.
For a few minutes of pleasure, they were willing to believe and love fiction….
As Luke grew up, to ease his father's burden, he chose to look for a job that could pay him somewhat well…
He did find a job, but it was heavily physical.
Which even for Luke, was hard until he found another job. That job paid much better than the one he was doing.
But,
The job required him to do something that he didn't like.
He had to be an editor for a novel...
Even though he didn't like reading novels, he ultimately chose to do it because the pay was much better, and it was much easier…
So,
Luke joined as an editor for "Chains of Eternity" by Fallen_Angel_26
.
.
'Chains of Eternity' was not special; it was your typical transmigration novel about a reader transmigrated into the novel he read.
The rest of the novel's plot was the typical cliché.
So, it wasn't so good that Luke had to pay attention to it. He edited chapters, fixed mistakes, etc.
It was easy, and the pay was damn good.
As his days as an editor went by, without even realizing it, he was looking forward to it.
Even the cliché story he edited, he started to read attentively.
But the author of 'Chains of Eternity' was not good. So he made way too many plot holes, forgetting about characters and adding useless information.
Due to this, the novel that was gaining popularity died down.
Luke thought with the novel's popularity dying, he would probably lose his job as an editor.
Instead, Fallen kept going. He updated daily non stop, even though no one was reading it.
Luke was surprised and he respected Fallen for his mentality to keep going.
As time went on, Luke didn't say anything about it. He just kept going with his job and life.
Until,
One day, Fallen asked him a question that was his opinion on his novel.
Luke didn't think much. Without mercy, he said everything wrong about the novel.
From the bad world-building to plot holes. Killing characters for dumb reasons, making the MC into some kind of hero who had to do everything by himself. If he asked for help, everything would have been much easier…
Fallen heard Luke's brutally honest opinion. He didn't say anything but just a simple,
"Ok."
Luke, hearing that, didn't think much. He went on with his day.
He did his work, ate food, and finally, after the day was over, he went to sleep…
*****
When Luke woke up from his sleep, he wasn't in his bed. Instead, he was floating in water.
He couldn't move or do anything, but he was surprisingly calm in that situation….
He floated for a while, seeing hundreds of stars glowing in the night sky…
It was truly a beautiful sight to behold….
After hours of floating, he finally managed to move.
Huh!
As he moved, surprisingly, he didn't drown in the water…
He was on top of the water, sitting on it. The water was like a floor. He could walk on it and see reflections of himself and the night sky above…
"This place is surprisingly calm,"
Luke thought as he started walking. As he walked, he soon found massive bookshelves towering into the sky. There were endless lines of bookshelves.
As Luke walked more, he finally reached a big empty circle where the bookshelves started.
And in the very center of the circle, a single figure was standing.
As Luke approached the figure, it turned and looked at him.
Seeing the figure, Luke's eyes widened. He looked exactly like him.
"Surprised?"
The figure said to Luke.
"Who are you?" Luke asked in a trembling voice.
The figure smiled as he said to Luke,
"You don't recognize your employer?"
Luke was visibly surprised.
"How???"
"I know you have questions and I will answer them. We have all the time in the world, so don't worry." As the figure spoke he waved his hand and,
Luke found himself sitting on a chair.
"I am what you humans call a god."
"As time went on, I was known by many names, but for you, Luke, I am Fallen."
The figure said as he started to walk around Luke.
"What I am isn't the important part, Luke. I am very interested in you. How you think about the world, how you worked for me editing my story. It made me very interested in you…"
Luke looked at Fallen and asked a question,
"Let me guess, I said a bad thing about that novel you wrote, so you killed me?"
Hearing Luke's question, Fallen laughed.
"No. What makes you think that?"
"I am not a twelve year old child that holds grudges."
"Though, I am surprised you are very calm…"
Luke looked at Fallen with an annoyed face.
"So, why am I here?"
"And"
"As for the record, I have no clue why I am so calm. This could be just a dream."
"Who knows?"
Hearing Luke, Fallen assured him, "This is not a dream."
"As you said, I am not a good writer. And as for why you are so calm?"
"I made that happen."
"Now, let's get down to business, shall we?"
"I will keep it short. I need your help in writing a story. I will transmigrate you into a novel, and from there, you have to save the novel. Everything you could have dreamed of is present there. So, will you accept it?"
"No."
"Ok, so the gifts you get that will help you in your journey will be…"
"Wait."
"I think I heard wrong."
[....]
[....]
"Did you say no?"
"Yep." Without hesitation, Luke said no to Fallen.
For the first time since Luke got here, Fallen was surprised.
"Why not?"
"Everyone wants to do it."
Luke again said in an annoyed voice,
"I am not everyone, and it's the dumbest thing I've heard. Who wants to save the world?"
"Not me."
"So"
"No."
Sigh!
"Looks like we had a useless conversation."
Fallen sighed softly.
"Looks like we have to do it the hard way."
Snap!!
"What the!!!" Suddenly, Luke started to float up as golden light erupted from his body…
"Sorry, Luke, I have no choice."
"Wish I could talk to you more, but I don't have extra time since they caught on."
"I will be short."
"I will transmigrate you into Chains of Eternity. I won't ask you to save that world, but instead, help Lucas, the main character."
"There are some bugs in that novel world that want to hurt Lucas. Without Lucas, that world can't be saved."
"So I ask you this find the person who wants to hurt Lucas. If you destroy him, I will fulfill one of your wishes."
"Do whatever is necessary. Just make sure nothing happens to Lucas. He will do the rest of the job."
"Luke, your only mission is to find and"
"Kill the Extra."
.
.
.
"Fuck!!!!!"
"No, I said no, you dumb god…."
*******
[A/N: My book has been Vetted. So now you can all send power stones. Show your support by sending power stones 🙏 ]
Thank you!!!