Valence did not choose a physique for her character very different from her real appearance.
At most she has added longer hair than she actually has and pointy ears to suit the species she protects.
The more realistic her character is, the more immersive the game will be for the young woman. That's why she doesn't want an idealized or different version of herself.
Her eyes follow her champion's smaller form in the crowd when a notification pops up:
"Main quest 2: convert your champion. Reward: skill Anmallus level 1"
The reward is specified this time?
Curious, she clicks on the skill mentioned and a short description unfolds under the name.
Skill Anmallus: Nullifies any mallus effect for 3 seconds. Charging time 1 day. 60 DEVOTIONs must be paid for each use. Level 1.
Valencia blinks. With a duration of 3 seconds, what use can it be?
And then it's expensive.
Pensive, she removes the notification to clear her view of the screen. The child follows dozens of others in the gigantic cave
, at certain passages the crowd splits to take different tunnels.
He does not hesitate in the direction to follow. So young but already so sure of himself.
The dark place is punctuated by lanterns that illuminate it with a cold, blue and unearthly light.
It's just enough to set her champion apart from the other dark elves.
His expression is frozen. His eyes stare straight ahead, the light from the lanterns reflected in his pupils like will-o'-the-wisps.
As he limps he gives the illusion that his path is perfectly flat and without any obstacles with his back straight and his chin lifted like a nobleman.
This is how he advances, ignoring potholes and sudden surges on his way.
Even if she is aware that it is only a game, that the child is only one line of codes among many others anf following the script that is given to him.
she... she admires him.
She would like to have this strength, that of ignoring all misfortunes and all difficulties that would come to block her way.
But she's just flesh and bones. And her heart, which is only a muscle, cannot help but suffer.
she suffers when peope ignore her, she suffers when people hate her and she even suffers when she dares to do the same with those who give her so much trouble.
Her mother is right, she is too sensitive.
How would she feel if for even a second she couldn't feel pain? If she could stop being sad?
It's when she feels the tears rising again that she chooses to distract herself by going to get some coffee.
She leaves the comfort of her blanket, taking her cell phone with her.
This moment in the game feels like some kind of load time to her so she leaves it for a moment to check her voicemail.
"-Can you come to my house if you have time? To cheer me up?". Sent 12 hours ago.
But she received nothing. The message she sent to her lover went unanswered.
She swallows hard, trying to hold back any negative emotions that want to surface.
Valence pours herself a black coffee and grabs a muffin from her fridge. Bitterness goes with sweetness.
Back in her bed, her mouth full and her stomach already warmed by the black liquid, she goes back to her game.
The child is waiting for her there. He continues to walk tirelessly. He walks for so long that Valence has time to finish the muffin and drink her coffee.
And then she doesn't really know when, but despite all the caffeine flowing through her veins, she falls asleep.
Slowly her head goes down more and more to finally rest next to the phone.
And Omen her champion continues to advance without knowing that he has been chosen by Valence.