One by one, we approached the portal. The air around it crackled with energy, the shimmering light intensifying as we got closer. The portal stood as an ancient, colossal door frame, rusted and weathered by time, yet imbued with an otherworldly aura. It seemed almost alive, the air around it shimmering with a surreal energy that hinted at the incredible power contained within.
Tall trees surrounded the portal, their thick foliage casting deep shadows that added to the eerie atmosphere. The contrast between the natural forest and the supernatural portal was stark, making the portal appear even more mystical. The rust on the door frame caught the light in strange ways, giving it an almost iridescent quality.
Astrid, always the brave one, was the first to step through. She turned to us, giving a reassuring nod before disappearing into the light. Next was Karun, his face set with determination. He took a deep breath and stepped through, followed by Liam and Damian. I was next. My heart pounded as I stepped closer to the portal, the electric energy sending tingles across my skin.
Just as Ryan had described, a sharp tinge of electric waves passed through my body as I crossed the threshold. The world around me dissolved into a swirl of colors and lights, and for a moment, it felt like I was being pulled through a vortex. My senses were heightened, every nerve ending on edge.
When the world solidified again, I found myself in a vast white void with no walls or entrance. The floor beneath us was smooth and reflective, giving the impression of standing on an infinite plane of light. The void was disorienting, the stark whiteness making it difficult to discern any boundaries or directions.
Suddenly, the system activated, and a mechanical voice echoed around us, "Welcome to the game. Each player has 50 points to choose their weapons. Select wisely from the wardrobes."
As the voice spoke, several wardrobe-like cupboards materialized before us, each filled with an array of weapons with point values displayed above them. Ryan's team spread out, each member selecting their weapons carefully. I grabbed a sleek, lightweight crossbow (20 points) and a handgun (30 points), feeling the balanced weight in my hands. Karun chose a pair of daggers (15 points each) and a small rifle (20 points), while Astrid opted for a sword (20 points) and a plasma gun (30 points). Liam picked up a hefty axe (25 points) and a handgun (25 points), his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Once everyone had chosen their weapons, a green buzzer appeared in the center of the void. Damian stepped forward and pressed it, and the system's voice continued, "Game start in 3... 2... 1..."
The white void around us began to transform, shifting into the familiar landscape of our training simulations. The transition was seamless, the void dissolving into a dense forest. The trees were tall and thick, their canopies blocking out most of the light, creating an atmosphere of eerie twilight. The path ahead was barely visible, winding deeper into the forest.
"It's the same forest," I blurted out. Astrid turned to me and said, "Turn back and see for yourself." When I did, I was shocked! I couldn't find Daisy, Ryan, or the camps. They had been cheering at us from the camps, but now, there was no door frame.
"There's no doorframe," I echoed in shock. Aiden replied, "Yes, only by clearing the game can we exit it." At the same time, I heard our comms activating. Daisy from the other side spoke, "You are in reach... I repeat, can you hear us?"
Liam replied, "Yes, Daisy, we can hear you." Ryan spoke, "OK, thanks for confirming. Now the game's about to start. Get ready."
The immersion was remarkable, the sights, sounds, and even the smells of the forest almost indistinguishable from reality. The rustling of leaves, the distant calls of unseen creatures, and the damp earth underfoot all contributed to the sense of being truly transported into another world.
Aiden took a quick headcount, ensuring everyone had made it through safely. "Alright team, let's move. Stay alert and keep your weapons ready."
We advanced, every step echoing in the strange silence of this new world. The feeling of being watched was ever-present, every rustle of leaves and distant sound heightening my anxiety. But then, Liam's voice broke through my thoughts.
"Kathy, you look like you've seen a ghost. Relax, it's just like our training sessions. Except, you know, with real monsters and actual danger."
I couldn't help but laugh, grateful for his attempt to lighten the mood. "Thanks, Liam. I feel so much better now."
Damian led us further into the virtual terrain, his team spreading out to cover more ground. "Remember," he said, "keep an eye on the map above your eye level. It will show the locations of any nearby assassins. The suits will protect you from their attacks, but stay vigilant."
As we moved deeper into the game, the landscape grew even more immersive. Towering structures and dense foliage surrounded us, creating a sense of realism that was both impressive and intimidating.
We encountered our first challenge when a group of shadowy figures emerged from the underbrush. The assassins were swift and deadly, equipped with a mix of guns, daggers, and crossbows.
In a momentary silence, I heard a gunshot at a distance, but before I could look in that direction, I felt a faint pain in my tummy, as if a giant needle had grazed over it. I put my hands around in an immediate reflex to the pain, but looking at it, my dress was torn around the point of impact, revealing the dark suit we put on earlier. I could faintly guess it from all the explanations before: I got shot. If not for this de-neutralization suit, the wound would've been fatal.
Astrid quickly covered me and fired back. "Be careful, Kathy! The game has begun," she shouted. Everyone moved accordingly, but I was a bit lost, just following Astrid's lead.
I asked, "The game's on... but where's the map?"
Ryan's voice crackled through the comms in my ear, "Look up a bit higher, above your eye level. There will be a map."
As I looked up high, just above my eye level, I saw a map pointing the way with green arrows. We were represented by blue dots, while the enemies were red.My blue dot moved every time I moved.we could see the red dots hiding behind the trees within the range of our weapons. With the rules being understood, I started to get the hang of it.
Their movements were almost too fast to track. But our training kicked in, and we moved as a unit, fending off their attacks with precision.We quickly hid behind the trees while some other shades formed on the map as part of the game. We took down assassins together;
The suits did their job, neutralizing the impact of the assassins' strikes. We fought our way through the ambush, the adrenaline pumping through our veins. As the last assassin fell, we regrouped, catching our breath.
At the end, the forest started disappearing as we walked further according to the map's directions until we reached a secluded place with no trees. It was all white, with no sky and no land—the "white void" that Jordan said would represent the end of the game. Soon, two bright options and two different doors appeared in front of us with a congratulatory message that popped up on the doors: "Congratulations! You won."
On one door, there were bright letters carved stating "EXIT," and the other had dark green letters carved stating "Enter second level." Jordan chose the door to exit, and we followed him out. Passing through the bright, blinding light, we found ourselves back again at the entrance of the doorframe in the forest.
"Good job, everyone," Damian said, his stern expression softening for a moment. "This was just the beginning. There will be more challenges ahead, but if we stick together, we can handle anything this game throws at us."
Daisy, who was with us in comms throughout the game came into sight and was waving at us.
We pressed on, our resolve stronger than ever. The mission had only just begun, and we were ready to face whatever came next. The game world was vast and full of dangers, but we were determined to succeed. This was our adventure, and we were ready to see it through to the end.