Once we were back under the clear skies of Galrinth, we went to chat with my brother Justin. When I saw him, it was like he was a different person. I felt like I hadn't seen him for two years. Even his best friend Tyler I could not even recognize. It was like if they were soldiers. They were looking fit and strong. After I greeted them and my brother told me everything there was to know about the game, they both joined me on my Quest to beat the game.I was so happy and overwhelmed that my little brother had all grown up. I said to myself, "Can't wait to see his skills and magical power and experience." After we finished talking, Datalent led me to the Synth Square, where I could get the silk turned into a robe. He showed me around the square, a big turquoise and white-tiled circular area surrounded by tall limestone buildings and beautiful gardens. He gestured me inside a weavers' store while he waited outside. I looked around at the colorful fantasy garments hung up around the dark, wooden walls.Considering the color of the silk was white, I was surprised that the female NPC behind the counter gave me the option to change the hue of the robe to whatever shade I wanted. I thought black would have been a good color for fighting at night, but after seeing how awesome Data's Sapphire Edge was, I went with a navy blue instead."Alright, with that, you shouldn't die too easily," he was waiting for me outside the weavers' quarters of the Synth Square. "At least not in any of the Basetier dungeons.""Base...tier?" I asked.He gave me a look and began to laugh, leaning against the wall as he gripped his belly. "Let me get this straight. You know about the seven Color Blades, but you don't know about the separate tiers?"I rolled my eyes. "Enlighten me then.""Well, as you've probably noticed, there are no difficulty settings in this game, and skill Points aren't good for anything but leveling up your abilities and allowing you to access different weapons. So . . . " He stood straight and pointed a finger to the clear sky. "For those who want to gain experience faster or get rarer items, they need to go to different tier dungeons, generally with a party. I said to myself," I already have my party. " The other tiers are Primatier, Secotier, and, finally, Tertiatier, the only place in the Dream State where your items can be stolen from you if you are defeated. I've heard your avatar can be destroyed there as well, you will die in the real world but that's never happened to me before."He began walking, and I followed him down the street. I had no idea where we were heading to now, but with a sword like the Sapphire Edge in his possession, as well as my Brother Justin, I had a feeling I was pretty safe with Data. As we walked, we passed a lot of avatars. Some of the players in the crowd looked like they had altered their avatars to look like other fantasy races from popular books and films. Elves and barbarians were two very popular choices."Was Widows' Forest an example of a Basetier dungeon?" I asked."Yup, but it's one of the harder ones on this tier, so don't feel too bad about it." This seemed like an uplifting statement, until Data followed it up with, "But if I wasn't with you then you definitely wouldn't have made it."He said this as though it weren't obvious enough already. However, this talk of tiers got me thinking. What tiers would Justin and Tyler be on now? Would they even visit the lower tiers after how long they had been playing? How long had they spent playing this game without returning to reality? How long would I be leaving reality for? What would I be returning to?The idea that Sade might be dead by the time I woke up tore at my heart. As distracting as this fantasy world was, the pain of knowing that I might never see her smiling face again trumped any escapism or excitement I might have felt while in it. One of the reasons I didn't start playing the Dream Games when my friends did was that I wouldn't have been able to spend as much time with her.I thought back to when we had first met during our Home Economics class in high school. Sade liked to cook big stews and soups, which she later told me made her feel like a witch stirring a boiling cauldron. She would always make a face that I would sometimes be blamed for, her partner in crime. I would open jars of garlic and preserves for her that were too stiff. Although there were much tougher guys in the class, she would only ask me, even when I was partnered with Tyler. He would always give me a cheesy grin, his eyebrows going up and down suggestively. The memory made the cold feeling of anxiety rise in my chest again, and I gripped the front of my robe.Will that be all that Sade becomes to me? Fond memories that leave painful echoes?"You know, if you just accepted their conditions, they would give you the rank," a voice said as though from a great distance."Where's the fun in that?" a sly, female voice replied."But the Moola alone should-""Stephen!"It must have been the third time Data called my name for his voice dripped with impatience. I looked up and saw that he was confused by my expression."What's wrong? You look like you've been crying.""Can you even cry in this game?"Data shrugged. "There's probably an avatar that can."I had zoned out for a moment. This wasn't surprising considering the literal state of my brain, but Data was now talking to another player. She must have come from the crowd because I hadn't even seen her appear."Oh right, this is Siena_the_Blade, title included." He gestured to me. "Siena, this is Stephen."The woman gave me a serious look, as though judging me. Her hair was long and bright orange and was tied in a thick ponytail. She wore light Warrior gear with a missing midriff and what I could only describe as a plated Warrior skirt. As exaggerated as the feminine alterations made to her avatar were, I kept having to make up excuses for why my eyes constantly wandered back to her curvaceous figure. I made a quick mental note to myself not to drool. Even so, she must have had high agility to make up for her armor's lack of practicality.After she had looked me up and down, a fierce grin appeared on her face. It was such a stunning change from the cold look she'd had previously that it was startling."Well, that's a newbie if I ever saw one, and yet you're wearing an Arachnid ilk Robe. I assume that's your doing?"She looked to Data, and he shrugged."I don't mind doing hired work if the price is right.""I don't really have a choice. I'm kind of stuck in here," I said.Her eyes narrowed, and she looked to Data.He nodded. "Seems this game is being used to communicate with paralytics now. You're kidding, "Stephen, is it true? Are you really stuck in the SC?""Y-yeah.""That's great!"I was interrupted by the sudden voice of my friend screaming, "Stephen, is it true? Are you really stuck in the SC?""Y-yeah.""That's great!"Scott's voice came through the speakers with an enthusiasm that I hadn't expected. His excitement was palpable, and it took me off guard. "Great? Scott, I'm stuck here!""I know, but think about it, dude. You get to play the game all day long, just like we used to talk about!""Yeah, but I'm stuck in a wheelchair.""So, who cares? That never stopped you from playing games with us before. You're the only one out of all of us who can say they're getting paid to play games now. That's awesome!"I couldn't help but laugh. Leave it to Scott to find the silver lining in any situation. "Yeah, I guess you're right.""Of course, I'm right. So, when are you getting out?""I don't know. Datalent said he has to train me for three days before I'm allowed to go on my own.""Training? That sounds fun!""Yeah, fun," I said sarcastically."Oh, come on, man! You're living the dream! You're in the Dream State, getting paid to play games, and you've got Data with you. What more could you ask for?""I don't know, maybe to not be stuck here?""Don't be such a downer, Stephen. Look on the bright side. You've got a sweet setup there, and once you get trained up, you'll be able to explore the whole world on your own. It'll be like being in your own personal fantasy game!""Yeah, I guess you're right.""Of course, I'm right. So, when can I come visit?""Visit? Scott, I'm stuck in a wheelchair in the Dream State. It's not like I can have visitors.""You know what I mean. When can I log in and join you in the game?""I don't know. I'll have to ask Data.""Ask him then! I want to see this place for myself.""Okay, okay, I'll ask him. But I can't promise anything.""Fair enough. Let me know what he says.""Will do.""Alright, well, I gotta run. Talk to you later, Stephen.""Later, Scott."I ended the call with a smile on my face. Scott's enthusiasm was infectious, and for the first time since I woke up in this strange new world, I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe being stuck here wouldn't be so bad after all.
After ending the call with Scott, I sat back in my wheelchair and took a deep breath. Despite his optimism, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in the pit of my stomach. Being stuck in the Dream State was not what I had planned for my life, and the thought of spending who knows how long in this virtual world filled me with a sense of dread.But dwelling on my situation wouldn't get me anywhere. I needed to focus on the task at hand: getting trained by Datalent and preparing myself for whatever challenges lay ahead. With that in mind, I activated my interface and sent a message to Data."Hey Data, Scott wants to know if he can log in and join me in the game. Is that possible?"It didn't take long for a response to come through."Hey Stephen, it's possible for Scott to log in and join you, but he'll need to go through the proper channels. I'll send him the necessary information so he can get set up.""Thanks, Data. I'll let him know."With that settled, I turned my attention to the items Data had given me before he left. There were a few potions and scrolls that would undoubtedly come in handy during my training, but the most intriguing item was a small, silver key."What's this for?" I muttered to myself as I examined the key.Before I could ponder it any further, a notification popped up on my interface. It was from Data."Stephen, the key I gave you is for a special dungeon that only opens once a week. It's called the Chamber of Reflection, and it's a place where you can go to meditate and gain insight into your abilities. I thought it might be helpful for you as you continue to explore the Dream State."A sense of gratitude washed over me as I read Data's message. Despite his tough exterior, he truly did care about my well-being and wanted to help me succeed in this new world. With a renewed sense of determination, I pocketed the key and made a mental note to visit the Chamber of Reflection as soon as possible.As I sat there, contemplating my next move, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement building within me. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, I was determined to make the most of my time in the Dream State and uncover the secrets it held.
With a sense of anticipation, I wheeled myself out of the room and into the bustling streets of Galrinth. The city was alive with activity, with players going about their quests and adventures. Despite my initial reservations, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the vibrant world around me.As I made my way through the crowded streets, I couldn't help but notice the diversity of avatars that populated the city. From fierce warriors to mystical mages, there seemed to be no shortage of unique characters to encounter.After a few minutes of navigating the busy streets, I finally arrived at the entrance to the Chamber of Reflection. The door was adorned with intricate carvings and glowing runes, giving it an air of mystery and intrigue.Taking a deep breath, I inserted the silver key into the lock and turned it. With a soft click, the door swung open, revealing a dimly lit chamber beyond.Stepping inside, I was immediately struck by the serene atmosphere of the room. Soft candlelight flickered against the stone walls, casting dancing shadows across the floor. In the center of the chamber was a large crystal pedestal, upon which sat a single, glowing orb.Approaching the pedestal, I couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence wash over me. This was no ordinary dungeon; it was a place of introspection and self-discovery.Taking a seat on the cold stone floor, I closed my eyes and began to focus on my breathing. Inhaling deeply, I let my mind wander, allowing myself to become fully immersed in the moment.As I sat there in quiet contemplation, I began to feel a sense of clarity wash over me. Memories and emotions flooded my mind, each one offering a glimpse into who I was and who I wanted to become.Lost in thought, I barely noticed as time seemed to slip away, the outside world fading into the background. For the first time since arriving in the Dream State, I felt truly at peace.Eventually, as the last traces of daylight began to fade from the sky, I opened my eyes and stood up from the floor. With a sense of renewed purpose, I made my way back towards the entrance of the chamber, feeling more determined than ever to embrace the challenges that lay ahead.Exiting the chamber, I took one last look back at the glowing orb, feeling grateful for the opportunity to explore its depths. With a sense of anticipation coursing through my veins, I set off into the city once more, ready to face whatever trials awaited me in the Dream State.
As I wandered through the streets of Galrinth, I couldn't shake the feeling of excitement that coursed through me. Everywhere I looked, there were new sights and sounds to explore, each one promising adventure and discovery.One particular building caught my eye as I passed by—a towering structure with gleaming spires that seemed to reach up towards the sky. Intrigued, I decided to investigate further and made my way towards the entrance.As I approached the grand doors of the building, I couldn't help but marvel at its majestic architecture. Carved statues adorned the entrance, depicting legendary heroes and mythical creatures from tales of old.Stepping inside, I was greeted by the warm glow of torchlight and the sound of soft music drifting through the air. The interior of the building was just as impressive as its exterior, with intricate tapestries lining the walls and polished marble floors beneath my feet.I soon discovered that I had entered the Grand Library of Galrinth, a place of knowledge and learning that housed countless volumes of ancient texts and scrolls. As I wandered through the aisles of towering bookshelves, I couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence for the wealth of knowledge that surrounded me.With eager hands, I reached out and selected a book from one of the shelves, its leather-bound cover worn with age. Opening it, I was immediately transported into a world of magic and mystery, as the words on the page came to life before my eyes.For hours, I lost myself in the pages of the book, immersing myself in tales of epic battles and daring quests. With each turn of the page, I felt a sense of wonder and excitement building within me, as if I were experiencing the adventures firsthand.Eventually, as the sun began to set outside, I reluctantly tore myself away from the book and made my way back towards the entrance of the library. As I stepped back out into the bustling streets of Galrinth, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to explore such a remarkable place.With newfound knowledge and inspiration fueling my spirit, I set off into the city once more, eager to continue my journey through the Dream State. As I walked, I couldn't help but wonder what other wonders awaited me in this fantastical world.With each passing moment, I felt more alive than I had ever felt before, as if every step brought me closer to discovering the true magic of the Dream State. And as I gazed up at the twinkling stars above, I knew that my adventure had only just begun.