After playing The Fall for two weeks, the limited beta testers were invited to meet with the CEO of Purple Thread. Multiple people from a range of ages and backgrounds were flown to a special location hidden in the countryside.
Tyrus Lee was one of those people. After multiple tours with Special Forces, he had retired to a quiet hidden beachfront property in Biloxi, Mississippi.
The transition to civilian life hadn’t been as easy as he’d hoped though. He spent most of his days diving in the Gulf waters and fishing from his weathered dock; trying to find purpose in the peaceful routines that felt hollow after years of life-threatening operations.
That afternoon Tyrus returned from a successful dive, his cooler filled with fresh fish for dinner. He rinsed off under his outdoor shower, the saltwater falling away as he planned his evening meal. As he stepped onto his porch toweling his gray-streaked hair, he noticed an unmarked package sitting by his front door.
The sleek black box bore no shipping label or return address, just a wax seal stamped with the image of a spider with threads of purple silk woven through the dark material of the package. Tyrus approached it cautiously, military instincts never quite fading.
Inside lay a chrome headset unlike anything he’d seen before, alongside a letter bearing the Purple Thread Entertainment logo. He scanned the document with growing skepticism before tossing it onto his couch.
“Is this a video game?” he muttered, shaking his head. “Shits for kids.”
He continued with his evening, grilling the fresh flounder he’d caught and pairing it with potatoes. As he finished his meal, and the beer that accompanied it, his eyes kept drifting back to the package.
“How did they know my address?” he pondered aloud, picking up the headset. He lived off the grid intentionally, paying bills with money orders and keeping his digital footprint minimal. To track him down and deliver a package with his complete name was no small feat.
Curiosity piqued, Tyrus spent an hour researching Purple Thread online. The company had appeared seemingly overnight, releasing revolutionary VR technology that had gamers and tech enthusiasts buzzing. Despite their sudden prominence, information about their founders and operations remained mysteriously scarce.
“Well, I ain’t got nothing else to do, I guess.” He muttered before completing the surprisingly invasive registration process. They had found his address; he might as well test the product out if it was free.
The sleek chrome headset felt surprisingly light as he placed it over his eyes. Unlike the bulky VR units he’d seen advertised, this one seemed to conform to his face perfectly, no pressure points or discomfort. He leaned back in his recliner, following the simple instructions.
Retinal scan in progress
A feminine voice announced directly in his mind.
Voice pattern analysis complete. Please state your preferred in-game name.
Tyrus hesitated. A name? He hadn’t expected that. His mind drifted to his military days, to the callsign that had followed him through three tours.
“Hawk,” he said, his voice rough from disuse.
Username accepted. Welcome, Hawk, to The Fall.
The world dissolved around him, then reassembled in perfect detail; his beachfront home, exactly as it was. Every weathered board on his deck, every fishing lure hanging on his wall. The bottle caps he’d collected from around the world, mounted and displayed in his kitchen. Even the half-empty beer on his coffee table.
“What the hell?” he muttered, reaching out to touch the worn leather of his couch. It felt so real; the same cracks and softness he knew by heart.
Please review your class selection and abilities.
A translucent menu appeared before him, displaying available classes. The list hovered in the air:
Available Classes:
Warrior: Specializes in direct combat and durability
Cleric: Focuses on healing and support magic
Mage: Masters destructive and utility spells
Rogue: Excels in stealth, traps, and precision attacks
Tyrus considered his options. In his younger days, he might have chosen the Warrior, but age and experience had taught him different lessons. Direct confrontation wasn’t always the answer.
“Rogue,” he said, and the menu shifted, displaying weapons options.
Rogue Starting Weapons (Select 1):
Dagger: Fast attack speed, low damage
Shortbow: Medium range, requires ammunition
Throwing Knives: Limited supply, retrievable
Longbow: Maximum range, slower draw time, high damage
His lips curved slightly. The longbow. He’d always had an eye for distance. “Longbow,” he said aloud.
Weapon Selected: Longbow Ability Selection Available
Rogue Class Abilities (Select 1):
Backstab: +25% damage when attacking from behind
Trap Expertise: Improved trap crafting and placement
Increased Ranged Accuracy: +10% accuracy with ranged weapons
Lesser Stealth: Brief invisibility after remaining still for 5 seconds
“Increased Ranged Accuracy,” he chose without hesitation.
Ability Selected: Increased Ranged Accuracy
Passive ability now active: +10% Accuracy Bonus to all ranged attacks
Starting Equipment Provided: Longbow, 3 quivers (20 arrows each)
A weight materialized on his back; a quiver full of arrows and a longbow that felt perfectly balanced for his frame. He ran his fingers along the bow’s curve, impressed by the craftsmanship. It wasn’t overly fancy; just functional and with a grip that seemed molded to his hand.
“Crazy! This feels completely natural,” he said as he teased the string and practiced his pull with the bow.
He decided to test his new weapon. He stepped outside onto his deck and immediately noticed something was wrong. The sky above had changed, the familiar blue replaced by an ominous crimson glow. A massive crack seemed to be forming directly overhead, like reality itself was fracturing.
The Fall Begins in: 10:00
A countdown timer appeared in his vision, the numbers slowly decreasing. He used the time to familiarize himself with his weapon, setting up some empty bottles from his recycling bin along the railing of his deck. Drawing an arrow from his quiver, he nocked it, drew back, and released.
The arrow flew true, smashing through the bottle with a satisfying crash. He worked through several more shots, each one landing precisely where he aimed. The bow responded better than any he’d used in real life; as if it was an extension of his own body rather than a tool.
“I haven’t played a game in years but they’re really going for the realism route,” he said as he collected his arrows.
The countdown reached zero, and a massive horn sound rang out from every direction, reverberating through his bones. The sky above his home cracked open completely, bathing the world in sickly red light.
The Fall Has Begun
Objective: Survive
From the ocean behind his small home, figures began to emerge. At first, he thought they might be people, then he registered the blue-green scales covering their bodies, the webbed hands clutching crude weapons and the gill-like slits on their necks.
Merman Level 1 Hostile HP: 100/100
The text floated above each creature’s head along with a health bar. Tyrus counted five of them moving with purpose toward his home, each holding crude swords, axes, and spears.
Merman: A denizen of the Lost Continent. They have chosen this chaotic time to reclaim their rightful place as rulers of this planet.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
As the sheer realism of the sight before him took place, Tyrus immediately ducked behind his wheelbarrow as his military instincts kicked into full gear. Slinking from cover to cover, he put some distance between him and the horrific monstrosities that walked ashore with their weapons at the ready.
“This is insane!” he shouted with an exaggerated breath. His heart was pumping like a diesel engine as the adrenaline flooded his system. He noticed there was no backpain and he could also see farther than he had ever dreamed possible.
Tyrus Lee felt alive again.
Moving to a better vantage point behind his shed, he assessed the situation. Five targets, all armed and moving in a loose formation. In a real combat situation, he’d eliminate the threat from a distance, using the terrain to his advantage.
His eyes scanned his property, looking for anything that might give him an edge. The propane tank for his grill stood out, positioned exactly where the mermen would have to pass. A plan formed in his mind.
Being a video game, his enhanced strength should be enough for something he’d always wanted to do.
Nocking an arrow, he drew back and held his breath, focusing on the tank. The shot needed to be perfect. He released, the arrow flying straight and true, puncturing the tank with a hiss of escaping gas.
The mermen paused, heads turning toward the sound. Tyrus already had his next arrow ready, this one aimed at a small stone near the tank. The arrowhead struck the stone, creating a spark that ignited the escaping gas.
The explosion ripped through the air, a fireball enveloping three of the five mermen. Their inhuman screams cut through the evening as flaming debris fragments of his old Chevy project and workshop tools tore through scaled flesh.
“Yipee Kiyaa motherfuckers!” he shouted in glee.
Triple Kill!
Experience gained: 75
Trap Damage Bonus: +25 XP
“Never thought I’d be thankful for that old junk,” Tyrus muttered, already moving to a new position as the remaining two mermen regrouped, now alert to the danger.
One of the survivors sprinted toward his position, a curved sword raised high. Tyrus remained calm, bringing his bow parallel to the ground. He waited until the creature was just ten yards away, then loosed his arrow.
With a sickening “Thunk,” the arrow pierced the merman’s throat. The creature stumbled, dropped its weapon, and clawed futilely at the shaft before collapsing to the sand.
Critical Hit!
Vital spot targeted!
Experience gained: 35
Something pricked at the back of Tyrus’s neck, an instinct he couldn’t explain. Without thinking, he dropped into a roll just as an axe whistled through the air where his head had been moments before.
Attention
Examining your talent and experience during the first battle. You have successfully acquired Danger Sense as a passive talent.
Danger Sense: An instinctual feeling stemming from a multitude of combat experiences. The user can sense Bloodlust aimed at the user.
The final merman towered over him; its amphibian features twisted in rage. Tyrus had lost his bow in the roll, and the creature was too close for him to nock another arrow. His hand found a broken beer bottle in the sand, one of his earlier targets.
As the merman raised its axe for another swing, Tyrus lunged forward, driving the jagged glass deep into the creature’s knee. The monster howled, its stance faltering. Tyrus rolled away, retrieving his bow and drawing his last arrow in one fluid motion. The merman was still struggling to regain its balance when Tyrus put an arrow through its eye.
Enemy Defeated!
Level Up!
You are now Level 2.
Learned: Basic Trap Crafting
New attribute point available (You may add an additional point to your base stats. Ex: Str, Dex, Int, Wis, Cha, Con)
Breathing heavily, Tyrus surveyed the carnage on what had been his peaceful beachfront property. Five mermen lay dead, three charred beyond recognition from the explosion, two taken down with precise shots. It was just a game, he knew that intellectually, but his racing heart and the sweat soaking his shirt felt real enough.
Objective Complete: Initial Wave Survived
New Objective: Secure your position and survive nightfall
“Secure my position,” he repeated, looking around at his property with new eyes. The house was defensible but exposed on too many sides. He needed to set up a perimeter. He quickly put his extra attribute point into Dexterity.
Over the next hour he worked methodically, using his newly unlocked trap crafting skill to rig simple but effective defenses. Tripwires connected to his fishing bells would alert him to movement. Pit traps covered with palm fronds might catch unwary enemies. His military training translated perfectly to this new reality.
Trap Crafting skill increased to Level 2
New recipe unlocked: Binding Snare
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across his property, Tyrus heard new sounds from the direction of the ocean; more splashing and inhuman noises. He climbed to his roof, bow ready. That’s when he saw them: at least a dozen more mermen, these ones larger. Some were wearing crude armor fashioned from driftwood and shells.
Warning: Enemy Reinforcements Detected
Merman Warrior - Level 3
Merman Shaman - Level 4
Among them was a larger figure, carrying a staff adorned with bones and seashells. This one’s scales were darker, almost black, and it moved with authority; gesturing to the others.
“The leader,” Tyrus murmured, already calculating the shot. Distance, wind, elevation; all factors he’d learned to account for in his military days. Plus this was his property, he knew it like the back of his hand.
He drew back the bowstring, focusing on the shaman. The creature was nearly fifty yards away; a challenging shot for most, but with his enhanced accuracy and steady hands, Tyrus felt confident.
The arrow flew straight and true, striking the shaman in the chest. The creature staggered, but didn’t fall.
Critical Hit! Damage: 75 Enemy Health: 125/200
The shaman roared, raising its staff and the water around the mermen began to churn and bubble.
“That can’t be good,” Tyrus muttered, already nocking another arrow.
The water rose, forming tentacle-like appendages that reached toward the shore.
“What the hell?! Magic, these things have actual magic.” He said aloud.
Tyrus loosed another arrow, again striking the shaman, but it was too late. The water tentacles crashed down onto the beach, washing away several of his carefully placed traps.
Water Elemental Summoned! Level 5 Elite Enemy
A massive figure rose from the ocean, its body composed entirely of water that somehow maintained a humanoid shape. It towered over the mermen, standing at least fifteen feet tall, with glowing blue eyes that fixed directly on Tyrus’s position.
“Well, shit,” he muttered, rapidly assessing his options. His arrows would pass right through a water creature. He needed a different approach.
His eyes fell on his electrical junction box, mounted on the side of his house. If he could lure the elemental over there...
Moving quickly, Tyrus climbed down from the roof and grabbed his fishing spear, a metal rod that could conduct electricity. He jammed it into the sand near the junction box, then ran to a new position, firing an arrow at the water elemental to draw its attention.
The arrow passed through its body harmlessly but achieved its purpose. The massive water figure began lumbering toward the house, each step leaving puddles in the sand. Behind it, the mermen advanced, the wounded shaman supported by two warriors.
Tyrus waited until the elemental was within range, then loosed an arrow at the junction box itself. The metal housing cracked, exposing live wires. With his next shot, he severed the main power line.
Electricity arced through the air, connecting with the fishing spear and spreading to the wet sand around it. The elemental, attracted to the highest metal object as Tyrus had gambled, stepped directly into the electrified zone.
The effect was spectacular. Electricity coursed through the water creature’s body, its form convulsing and steaming. With a sound like a thousand kettles boiling at once, the elemental collapsed, dissolving into a pool of ordinary water.
Elite Enemy Defeated!
Environmental Kill Bonus: +100 XP
Trap Master Achievement Unlocked Level Up!
Level Up.
Level Up.
You are now Level 4
The remaining mermen halted their advance, clearly shocked by the elemental’s destruction. The shaman rattled its staff; shrieking commands in an unintelligible language. Three warriors broke from the group, charging toward the house.
They were running right into Tyrus’s trap zone. Feeling the boost from his increase in power, he immediately got to work.
The first stepped on a covered pit, disappearing from view with a startled cry. The second triggered a tripwire that released a suspended log, swinging down to catch the creature squarely in the chest and throwing it back several yards. The third managed to avoid both traps, but ran directly into Tyrus’s arrow, catching it in the throat.
Triple Kill! Trap Effectiveness: Superior
The remaining mermen began to retreat, dragging their wounded shaman with them.
Tyrus had one arrow left, and he knew exactly where to place it. Drawing back the bowstring one final time, he led his target, accounting for the creature’s movement. The arrow flew in a graceful arc, passing over the heads of the retreating warriors and finding its mark in the shaman’s skull.
Critical Hit!
Headshot!
Enemies Defeated!
Experience gained: 150
With their leader fallen, the remaining mermen broke ranks completely, fleeing back into the ocean. Tyrus watched them go, his breathing steady and his mind clear. He hadn’t felt this focused, this alive, in years.
Wave Eliminated! Trophy Collection Available Survival Rating: S-Rank
Tyrus climbed down from his position, retrieving his arrows where possible. The beach was littered with merman corpses, some already beginning to dissolve into motes of light. A new notification appeared:
Trophy Collection System: Merman scales, teeth, and eyes are valuable to certain merchants.
Requires a knife to harvest.
With a grimace, Tyrus knelt beside one of the fallen warriors. Using his filleting knife, a tool he was intimately familiar with as an avid fisherman, he carefully removed scales, teeth, and, most disturbingly, eyes from the creatures. Each trophy disappeared into his inventory with a soft chime.
Trophy Acquired: Merman Scale (15 credits each)
Trophy Acquired: Merman Fang (20 credits each)
Trophy Acquired: Merman Eye (35 credits each)
Shamanistic Focus acquired (Rare Item)
By the time he finished, night had fallen completely. The red glow from the shattered sky provided just enough light to see by; casting everything in an eerie crimson hue. Tyrus retreated to his house, barricading the doors and windows with furniture. Tomorrow, he’d need to venture out, possibly find other survivors and supplies. For now, though, he needed rest.
As he settled into his familiar bed, a final notification appeared:
Day 1 Complete Survival Rating: S-Rank
Global Ranking: Top 2%
Special Notice: Your performance has been noted by Purple Thread administrators
The simulation faded, and Tyrus found himself back in his recliner, the headset powering down automatically. His heart was still racing, his muscles tense as if he’d actually been fighting for his life.
That had been Tyrus Lee’s introduction to The Fall, a story about humanity’s last stand.
After completing a week’s worth of playtime, everyone was sent invitations to a closed session to give their opinions of the game. Now he gathered, with other lucky beta testers, at their massive headquarters in the middle of the forest to meet the CEO of the company.
“That’s fuckin ridiculous!” he said louder than he’d meant; catching a round of laughter from his fellow beta testers who also stood in awe at the sight of the sprawling grounds.
Lush greenery being tended to by a mass of gardeners, a large lake with small boats and fishing poles and multiple domelike structures greeted the arrivals. Everyone along the sidewalks in the compound laughed and rode around on golf carts.
“Is this a cult?” He silently thought, worrying about the coming weekend.
A young black man met everyone on the tarmac. He wore a clean-cut suit and had his braided hair tied behind his head. He walked with charisma and bravado as he approached the group.
“Greetings everyone. My name is Xavier Evans, and I’d like to personally welcome you to our home,” he said emphatically with a wide smile and open arms.
