A sudden burst of light launched across the plain of madness, blinding those living in the territory. It was a large abandoned land as gray as it comes, with its vegetation and soil having been burnt down.
A tall ghostly woman stared at the location where the suspicious flash happened. She was the daughter of the territory's holder, the sole defender of what was still of their nation. Her determined look was something she always brought into her relationship with others, being the one tasked to protect the souls living their second life in harmony.
"Father, it seems like something has infiltrated our land. Let me go see what it is.", she said, looking for approval from him, "I will come back and get the army if I see there is a threat!"
She ran out of her family's sanctuary, feeling the same excitement she felt when she was a proficient leader in their household and taking care of their farm. She hadn't felt like this ever since their land was invaded and burned down, starting the war between the two ruling kingdoms.
The plain that used to be home to some of the most beautiful scenery and the most fruitful harvest had become a graveyard where the souls of the millions who had perished on the battlefield still live. Like her, these souls reclaimed their land. They refused to leave it to their oppressors, making sure they pushed everyone who tried to invade their territory again to madness.
On her way to the light, she realized that the air had started feeling different. It was surprisingly getting lighter the more she approached it. Although she no longer had a physical body, she could feel it. It brazed her soul and energized her. She wanted to get there and see what that thing that could bring so much goodness to them was.
The ground under her started feeling nourished and regaining.
What was this blessing?
She closed her eyes and tried to read the energy surrounding her close proximity for any trace of a predictable outcome, but it was not working. She was baffled. Other people started approaching the area, which made her snap out of her nostalgic state.
"Stay back, everyone!", she shouted, "No matter what it is, I will report on it, make sure you stay at a safe distance."
She remembered her purpose and got going again, trying to defeat her curiosity. It became overwhelmingly bright and pure as she went on. She had difficulty remaining composure and started feeling her soul become weaker.
Trying her hardest to find what she was looking for, she finally reached it, and a living man appeared in front of her. She got startled and immediately hid away from him and took out her weapon. It was a spectral bow where she used the souls of dangerous invaders as arrows.
"There's only one of them, I should be fine on my own.", she thought, "But this aura... What is it?"
The man was scared and confused. He did not have any more clues as to why he was there or what was happening. But the only thing he knew was where he was and that this was not going to end well. All around him, everything was bleak, and there were no signs of any living things.
He was at a starting point. He had nothing to protect himself, nowhere to run to, and no apparent ability to fight. He wandered around for a bit, but the presence of the dead was making him nervous.
"Where are they? There should be enemies lying around... I need to find somewhere safe", he thought before starting to desperately run.
The ghost woman saw him run in the opposite direction and once again wondered what his motives were. With all the goodness he seemed to have brought to the land alongside him, there was no telling what he was capable of. But looking again, he did look like he was unarmed and without any will to fight.
She followed him to make sure he would not enter one of the villages and scare some citizens.
The man suddenly sensed something unusual and looked back. They made eye contact, both surprised by the other.
"Don't... Please....", the man cried, "Don't kill me..."
She still had her bow and arrow in hand and could have shot him anytime. Although her soul was starting to feel melancholy, it could not be shown on her face at the moment.
Was this a ruse? It couldn't be...
The man fell to the ground, afraid for his life. He had never felt so helpless.
"How come you can see me young man..."
He felt his fears elevate for an instant, not expecting to hear her speak to him, but her voice was surprisingly soft. He looked back at her, seeing her weapon fall to the ground. He did not know anything, so he kept silent.
"How did you come here? Are you a citizen of the Kingdom running away from it?", she asked him.
He remembered what happened to him right before he appeared here. It was all so sudden.
"I am not from this world. I was looking at my computer just a few minutes ago...", he said, looking at her puzzled look at the mention of a computer, something that did not exist in this reality.
He started wondering what this all meant.
Did he possibly fall asleep? No, this felt too real...
Is this really the world of the game he had been playing for so long. This meant he could have to fight anytime soon. And he was right.
The ghost woman suddenly grabbed her weapon and looked distraught by something else.
"I'm not sure what this all means, but it looks like you brought something else with you. I trust you that you are innocent in all of this, and I pray that you will fight with me here and not against me."
[New Quest Available]
With a familiar sound effect, it appeared in his vision. He recollected himself and realized that he had to keep looking forward no matter why he was here. He still had people to defend. He had to fight and get stronger no matter what.
Quest: [Help the ghost woman fight the awakened parasites. They are attracted by the scent of fresh air and possible harvest. They used to often attack the plantations before the war.]
"My name is Ellias, I am the [Number 9], I will gladly fight these monsters and help you.", he assuredly said.