SHE pulled the headset over her eyes, allowing the solid lens to shroud her in darkness. From that moment on, she felt herself immediately whisked from the real world to the one she truly loved and yearned for.
Here, none of her issues existed for they all seemed to melt away.
The bills screaming OVERDUE in aggressive red text and threatening to cut off the power supply did not exist.
The fresh and faded scars on her wrist from a life unkind did not exist.
The constant anguish and double-guessing with a side of crippling self-doubt did not exist.
More importantly, she had friends. And a lot of darn good ones too who had been there through ups-and-downs and yet, refused to pass even the slightest of judgements.
Rahel watched as her escape began to boot to the login screen. As the outline of the wolf’s head – the creator’s mark – materialised and pulsed, her heart felt as if was drawn into a sweet, warm embrace; as if it was welcoming her back with open arms to a place where every inch of her belonged.
Here, she could be whoever she wanted to be.
The outline disappeared, replaced with the login screen as the atmospheric harmonies of an orchestra filled her ears. All of the fields were prefilled with her credentials, of course. It meant a few less seconds wasted on the trivialities of life, and a few more seconds gained immersed in the fantastical expanses of ORACLE.
As her avatar materialised in front of her – a render which was so close to lifelike that one could have sworn it was real – she had a sudden change of heart. The flaming red locks which swayed to her bumcheeks was just not doing it for her anymore.
It was boring. Dated, even. She needed something new.
Rahel flicked a couple of fingers to the side and pulled up the customisation screen. Whilst there were a few styles she had not yet purchased, she was proud that she owned at least 80% of the premium offerings even if it had come with some sacrifices.
She scrolled through the listings, her eye catching on a hot-pink pixie cut. Satisfied, she next picked out a set of electric blue eyes. It clashed with her hair. It was punkish.
It was perfect.
A glowing blue message boxed appeared in the corner of her vision and a faint chime echoed in the distance.
GONE_ROGUE_13: Digging the new look, Syn. Join us for raids, yes?
A smile crept over her face and she was quick to speak back her reply as she watched her words form below the received message.
UNINVITEDSYNNER: Always in, Rogue.
Accepting the teleport invite that had appeared in front of her, the basic splash screen was replaced with the doom-and-gloom of a confined space. Around her, water droplets dripped into small pools on the rocky ground. Stalactites and stalagmites jutted out like sharp, jaggered icicles everywhere she looked, and she could almost sense the staleness of the air.
A small group loitered just up from where she had appeared, the five others clapping and hooting as she ran to join them. A sense of happiness spread through her heart as she recognised each of the members of the rag-tag crew.
Their appearances were outlandish, to say the very least. Though Rogue stood out the most. A flaming sword was tucked into a scabbard on his back and white hair fell around his face. His mouth was covered with a black bandana; his hands in wraps which were torn and specked with grime.
She knew that Rogue lived in the same city but that was really it. Neither knew the others’ real names; neither knew who they were. For all they knew, they could have only been separated by a wall. As for the others – they had chanced upon them by dumb luck and have become a tight band ever since. There was no knowing their exact locations though she suspected that the others were spread across the planet based on comments and slurs thrown around.
GONE_ROGUE_13: I take it you know this one?
The group fell into a bout of hysterics, some slapping their palm on their knee.
UNINVITEDSYNNER: You’ll always be number two for however long I survive. Just remember that.
NIGHTCRAWL3R: Can’t deny the facts, bro.
Now everyone else was laughing, except for Rogue who ran one of his boots along the ground as he gazed at the path which snaked out of sight.
GONE_ROGUE_13: Syn’ll lead. I’ll flank. Crawler, actually heal this time because if we die, I swear that I will find out where you live. You two, his avatar withdrew the flaming sword and pointed the tip towards the others, do whatever it is you do best. Stand around. Look pretty. Maybe try to kill things if you feel like it.
There was a second’s silence as Rogue hastily added to his message. Not us, preferably. Fallon. I’m looking at you.
The avatar standing next to Rahel shrugged. Though new to ORACLE and a bit of a stumbling klutz, he was still a loveable teammate and held a place in their group. Sometimes – when his brain felt like it – he even had good ideas. That was, when he was not mistakenly injuring those around him.
After a few more barbs, Rahel began to jog at a slow pace into the depths of the cave. Her footsteps echoed as they bounced off the walls of the cavern and she could see moisture ooze from the stone.
In anticipation, she drew a withered staff into her hands as she heard her friends fall in behind. It was not long until a robed figure appeared in front of them, a black void forming at the tips of its fingers. Leaping into action, Rahel instantly set a cast into motion. Tendrils of ice had appeared at the bottom of the figure’s robes, freezing the enemy to the ground. Rogue leapt from behind, plunging the flaming sword straight into its chest. Before the others had time to even react, the figure collapsed into nothing but a heap of material.
UNINVITEDSYNNER: Loot him before we move on.
Rahel heard the chink! of coins as they were added to her own stash. It was not much – just a few pieces – but it was better than nothing.
Though not a ground-blazing run and with her inventory ladened with junk, it was not long until the outline of the final boss towered over them. Its dragon-like body was dark against the backdrop of the cave, and its eyes smoked red as it awakened at the sound of the approaching avatars. It reared its head and blew a warning stream of fire.
It was time for them to meet their final match.
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