Prologue
Video games have long been portals to other worlds—digital escapes from the rules and limitations of reality. For some, they're simply a way to pass the time. For others, they offer something deeper: a chance to become powerful, feared, admired, or even infamous. In these worlds, one can be a savior or a scourge. Most players lean toward the hero's path—but the role of the villain can be even more intoxicating. No one knew this better than Brodie Kane.
Brodie was the only son of Allen Kane, a visionary developer behind the groundbreaking online RPG YGGDRASIL. Brodie's childhood was shaped by loss—his mother died in a car accident when he was young. Grief-stricken, Allen swore to give his son the life he wanted, supporting any passion Brodie chose to pursue.
When YGGDRASIL launched, Allen handed Brodie an exclusive early copy. Yet Brodie wasn't impressed. The races and classes offered felt bland, uninspired. He wanted something different. Something legendary. That something arrived the day he discovered an old cartoon series: Ben 10. He was enthralled, not by the heroes, but by the alien warlord Vilgax—a being of overwhelming power, menace, and unshakable will.
Brodie asked his father to help him design an avatar modeled after Vilgax, adapted for YGGDRASIL. Allen obliged. Weeks later, Brodie entered the game as a monstrous, alien warlord avatar—hulking, armored, and immensely powerful.
He was instantly formidable. Players who crossed him were quickly crushed. Unbeknownst to them, his power wasn't just skill—it was coded into his avatar by Allen. But such dominance rarely goes unchallenged. His greatest rival emerged in Cyrus Leonard, the ambitious son of another YGGDRASIL developer. Despite multiple challenges, Cyrus was soundly defeated every time.
Furious, Cyrus turned to his father, Mr. Leonard, demanding an advantage. Mr. Leonard approached Allen, curious about Brodie's seemingly invincible character. Allen explained that the avatar was inspired by Vilgax from Ben 10. Intrigued, Mr. Leonard dove into the series and saw an opportunity.
He crafted a new avatar for Cyrus, based on Ben Tennyson himself—the wielder of the Omnitrix, capable of transforming into powerful alien heroes. At Cyrus's request, his five closest friends were also granted avatars inspired by various aliens from the series. Together, they formed a team known as the Vilgax Hunters.
When Brodie learned of this alliance, he confronted them in-game. For the first time, he was overwhelmed. Individually they were weaker—but together, their synergy and variety of powers defeated him. From that point on, the Vilgax Hunters hunted him down, ambushing him after quests and robbing him of his rewards.
But Brodie didn't give up. He delved deeper into YGGDRASIL, exploring areas others ignored. On one such journey, he met another powerful player—an Overlord named Momonga—who was also the target of frequent attacks. Brodie offered to help. Momonga hesitated but accepted.
Together, they drove off Momonga's enemies and built a formidable alliance. Their partnership led them to Ainz Ooal Gown, a legendary guild known for embracing players with monstrous or alien avatars. Brodie and Momonga rose quickly within its ranks, becoming two of its most powerful members. Brodie bonded deeply with several guildmates, especially three female members—earning him playful teasing from the others.
Eventually, Brodie asked Allen to expand the guild's base, The Great Tomb of Nazarick. Allen agreed, helping design a new floor inspired by Ben 10's Null Void—a dimensional prison filled with alien chaos and warped terrain. Within it, Brodie created NPC towns, twisted architecture, and energy prisons for "lesser" beings, adding layers of narrative and danger.
He also sought permission to populate the floor with new characters. Mr. Leonard protested, arguing Brodie's side was already too powerful. But Allen reminded him that he had empowered Cyrus and his allies to challenge Brodie directly. What was fair for one, was fair for the other.
Brodie then recreated several Ben 10 villains, including a version of Dagon, the ancient evil from Ultimate Alien, transformed into a general for his growing army. He even introduced a revival mechanic, allowing his NPCs to regenerate via alien energy cores scattered throughout the Null Void.
Brodie and his forces launched calculated raids on other guilds, spreading fear and earning the name The Null Vanguard. In contrast, the Vilgax Hunters were celebrated as protectors, defending others from Brodie's onslaught.
As time passed, reality took hold—players began to leave YGGDRASIL, drawn away by jobs, relationships, and the unrelenting passage of time.
Eventually, Allen brought Brodie grim news: YGGDRASIL was shutting down.
Brodie tried everything to stop it—he pleaded with developers, gathered players, explored forums—but nothing could reverse the end. On the final day, Brodie logged in one last time. In the real world, he felt ordinary. In YGGDRASIL, he was legendary.
He believed the digital world was coming to an end.
But he was wrong.
.