Prologue to the prologue: Bethesda Studios is bought by Argus, a gaming company that reopened in secrecy eight years after the SAO incident (2031). Their first release was a remake of the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. However, the game makes a turn for the worse when history repeats itself: there is no escape. There is no way to abandon your game without dying or beating the game. What makes this worse than SAO: the game is single player, and since the game is technically unbeatable, there is no known way to escape the game.

The story follows the journey of an eighteen year old girl named Summer, one of the victims of the TESV 20 year anniversary re-release.

November 11, 2031. Today's the day that Argus was releasing the 20 year anniversary edition of the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. It's supposed to include all the DLC's, more character customization options, and graphics that will be less strainful to the eyes than the 2k10's graphics. Best of all, it's being released on the Amusphere X! I couldn't imanage tying to play it on an old console or computer.

"I'm not getting it," Michael rolls his eyes at me. "Seventy-five quid for a fancier version of a twenty year old game? No thanks. I'll play the online versions of the Elder Scrolls before I play an over-priced single player version."

"But remember that one time we tried out ESO?" I suggest. That game wasn't much more advanced, but it was the first MMO developed for the Elder Scrolls series. There have been two more Elder Scrolls MMO's since then. Elder Scrolls VII: Thras (2020) and Elder Scrolls VIII: Akavir (2026). I've played them, and they are very substantial games.

However, playing Skyrim was one of the greatest experiences I could recall. There was a much more tranquil and simple atmosphere to the game, but it still had an incredible plot. I've spent most of my childhood playing that game after it was a hand-me-down from my brother, who was going away to college in New York.

"That game also sucks," Michael scoffs. We're out at lunch in Tucky's Grill, as a celebration for Michael getting a job as manager of a five star hotel. Michael is 23, four years older than me. He graduated from a university in France studying business and management. I'm still in university, trying to get my degree in digital design.

Ever since Michael left for university, his interest in video games has decreased. We'd always love to play video games together. Then he stopped for a while, after the Sword art Online incident, where all players of the game could only leave if they died in the game (causing them to die in real life) or if they beat the game, which was nearly impossible. His older brother was a victim of the SAO incident. Michael would have been 9 at the time, so I can understand why he became so emotionally corrupt. Michael matured since he was nine, and realized how his brother's adoration to video games cost him his life. He decided it'd be best to find something else to focus on. At least he was focusing on his work and studies rather than something that won't really impact his life, like football or automobiles.

"Well, I guess I'll have to find more people to talk about the game with," I suggest. I know he didn't want to talk about the subject anymore, so I leave twenty pounds on the table. "That should pay for my meal."

"Summer," Michael whines.

"You can pay for my meal next time," I give him a light smile, "I promise."

"We met fifteen years ago and you still give me that stupid grin," he groans.

"I guess it's natural," I shrug.

"Don't you have a game to buy?"

I pause, and realize he still wants me to have fun, even thought he can't have fun too. If anything, he'd get hurt. Damn, he's such a great friend. His boyfriend, Luke, is lucky to have a guy like him. I ought find myself one too.

I nod, and make my leave. "Next drink's on you," I insist as I leave the table. Michael returns a smile to me, and I nearly bolt out to my car in excitement.

I was practically speeding to get to the game store. It was only 2, so the store didn't close for another few hours. As long as there isn't a crazy crowd, I should be in and out of there since I pre-ordered the game.

Surprisingly, I found that the store was nearly empty once I got there. I enter to find nobody inside, except for the short man behind the counter. His name is Edgar, and he probably spends more time at this store than the owner of the place.

"How are you today?" I greet the short man with jet black hair and cinnamon brown eyes.

"I'm alright," Edgar responds. "I have your reserved copy of Skyrim here for you."

"Wonderful," I can feel my face being lift from the huge smile that I couldn't wipe off my face. He goes under the counter, and pulls out the envelope that holds the card with the activation code on it.

Without hesitation, Edgar can see my anticipation. "Just sign here, and it's yours."

Without even looking at the title of the document, I snatch the pen from his hands and scribble my name onto the line that asked for my signature. Once the scribbles of ink were there, I didn't even check to see that I signed perfectly on the line. I take the white envelope, and make my leave.

"Have a great day!" I jog out the door. I couldn't hear Edgar's response, but I could make it up to him next time I visit. I have it. Seventy-five pounds in my hand, waiting to be activated into my AmuSphere

A/N: Hey guys! Sorry I've put Briinah to rest for a bit. I've been focusing more on school, and I've yet to come up with more ideas for that story. Well anyway here's the new story I was hinting about! To clear up some confusion, this is the universe of SAO, but a few years into the future. Also Summer lives in Manchester, England. There will not be any characters from SAO until halfway through the series, but they will play very important parts to the plot.