"People either keep a secret for good or for their own good."
She was given a name that is strange to her, but this is better than nothing. She's not used to being called a number, but she's glad that she can finally call her friends properly. How strange this place is. It might be completely identical to Earth, but this one works wonders. They encountered a monster that they thought they wouldn't be able to defeat. It was a close one. They lived in a big and tall infrastructure that no one knows how it was built. It was not bad at all because, aside from living comfortably with unlimited resources, they were able to form bonds.
Things got worse when more of them had died. These are no longer accidental deaths, but playing the game kills them gradually. Author's games that stole the lives of her friends. From clones, basketball, volleyball, crazy maze, flying monster, underwater, and this digital gaming world.
All of these are absurd, but they have no choice but to be resilient. Toying with their minds and bodies has never been fun. But then she remembers she has a purpose for someone. And it must be done with the strength and dedication she has. She doesn't know if she would forgive herself for not fulfilling it, but she'll give it her all.
"You will now play the Health Level: Stage 1, the virtual reality games!"
Why do I hear Author's voice? She thought.
Chapter 21
She was inside a glass tube. She is tense because she had no idea what was going to happen. Her nape also hurts, and she was able to determine the letter H on it. The weird thing is, she also saw First with the letter L on his nape earlier. She wondered what would happen in this game. When she opened her eyes, she was amazed at what she saw. There are six characters inside the game, and in the control room are the players. She was just silent as she stood because.
They heard Author speak again. They were standing in front of the six doors. She's here in the virtual reality world. She gazed at it, and it wouldn't have been the game she wanted to play. She could hear First's worried voice while controlling her movements. Although she's not confident in herself, she's glad that First is there to guide her.
What is this? Why do I hear a girl's voice?
It's like she's the one speaking. Is it a dream again? Probably just a dream because their memories often come back every time they fall asleep, then they suddenly wake up.
Second slowly opened her eyes as if she no longer got startled by her dream. She didn't see anything, but she only heard the voice of the girl speaking in her voice. She checked carefully where she was again. From the dark surroundings, everything gradually brightened.
She shuddered when she realized she was still bound. She's in a glass tube. She burst into tears as the helmet opened on her head and the backrest lifted. She loosened up and escaped from the shackles. They won. She stood up rashly, then she saw First come out of a door— from the control room. He approached her glass cubicle, and its door opened automatically. Without hesitation First hugged her before he spoke.
"You're safe. Thank you," Traces of joy and concern are evident in his tone.
She hugged him too and cried with so much fear, happiness... everything. This level was successful for both of them. She slipped out of the hug, and he wiped away her tears.
"How are your wounds?" He touched her arm and face gently. He's checking her wounds when they're still in the virtual world.
Second checked her whole self, but miraculously, she didn't have a single wound or scar. She didn't feel any pain. She thought that maybe even the pain, scars, bruises, and wounds she got in the game were also virtual. She watched the others. They also hugged as if they had just met again. Everyone embraced as a group, and some couldn't stop their emotions. There were tears, laughter, and so on. Some of them started telling the others about their adventure while in the game. So... why aren't Sixzen and Ninth here?
*bell rings*
Everyone was stunned when they heard the bell and saw that Author's hologram was in the middle.
"Congratulations, battle 10. You won the Health Level: Stage 1!"
"Where's Ninth and Sixzen?" Thirtwen is looking for them. He's also in tears because of his joy after the game.
"As for Sixzen and Ninth, they lost the game and died."
Second had an idea why the two weren't here, yet she didn't expect what she thought was right. She refuses to even think about any more bad news from Author.
"The character, Sixzen, died in the game because she is incapable. The player, Ninth, lacks compassion and collaborative thinking." Author added to his melancholic announcement.
They might not know every detail that happened to them while in the game, but she can't stop wondering what Author meant by Ninth's lack of compassion and collaborative thinking. Sixzen is a kind and cheerful person. Even though they don't talk much, they've shared some memories. As for Ninth, he can be arrogant sometimes, but she knows he's a cooperative person based on their team-based games. Maybe he was just going through something, yet he performs well with their team.
"You may now leave this place." Author declared.
After a few reminders Author told them they left that white building. When everyone got out, it collapsed and was swallowed up by the ground. They were left hanging because of the game and the death of their two comrades. They walked, and their leader, Third, planned for them to return to their tents first if it's still there to rest. They are all tired, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
***
LOCATION: Open space landscape TIME: Dusk
When Second woke up, it was already dusk. Good thing the tents here stayed here after they played a game. She sat on her mattress and watched Fourth sleep soundly.
She came out of the tent and saw Aeith's back. She is seated on the ground and seems to be deep in thought. When she felt she poked her, she talked to her.
"Hey there!" Aeith greeted her, then smiled subtly. She smiled back, but she immediately averted her eyes to her. "Pardon me for what happened," she apologized softly.
Second leaned her ear. "Hm?"
"Why are you so slow, Second? Don't make me repeat it," she pouted.
She was a little surprised by her behavior. She stared at her.
Aeith locked her head on his knees.
Second poked her right arm. "Hey, what's your problem?"
After a while, she faced her again. "I'm sorry for what happened when Author made them choose by the doors... I-I didn't mean to do it. That's the easiest thing for me. When I went inside, I felt guilty." And then she covered her face.
Second pats her and strokes her short black hair. She smiled because of the way he was acting now. It was as if she wasn't Aeith she had known to be. The one who's firm and doesn't sweat over the small stuff.
"That's okay with me. Well, at first, I was really upset with you. Eventually, I am thankful that I went to the last door."
Aeith raised her head and looked at her with a confused face.
"Because even I didn't like 'The Nightmare Enigma', when First and I played, I discovered and learned a lot from a virtual reality game and a virtual character. So, you have nothing to worry about, okay?"
Aeith hugged her tightly.
"Guys!"
They both turned from the voice of the modest girl, Fourth.
Fourth approached them and sat down. Aeith to her left and Fourth to her right. They embraced each other, and Fourth sobbed. She apologized to them because she was the first to enter 'The Coven's Domain'. Although Aeizen and Sectwen didn't mind at all because they didn't want it in the first place. She also said she saw Second entering that category, but she went ahead of her.
"It was terribl for me. I had too many guns! On Earth, I held a real gun, and it was heavy, but in the virtual world, it's as light as a ballpen!" Aeith has begun telling them her story.
"Mine has a lot of witches and warlocks. I have a wand and can cast magic spells. It looks fun at first, but it is petrifying! I was horrified, but thanks to Third, he supported me. I almost didn't do anything in the game because he always controls me." Fourth is sharing her story, too.
The three of them continue to share their experiences within the virtual reality game. Second was glad that her two best friends were safe. Even though they were exhausted, they did not give up and continued to fight just like First, and she did.