The bustling city of Newhaven was abuzz with excitement as Eternia, the latest virtual reality game sensation, prepared for its grand launch. Ethan, a passionate gamer with an insatiable love for immersive experiences, couldn't contain his excitement. He had been eagerly anticipating this moment for months.

Ethan had even managed to secure a coveted spot as one of the beta testers for the game, which was incredible considering the fact that millions of people had also registered for the chance to be beta testers themselves.

It was the year 2103, and Earth had undergone a monumental transformation. The advancements in technology had propelled the planet into a realm that was once only imaginable in science fiction novels and movies. The world had become a futuristic marvel, surpassing all expectations.

Amidst this technological revolution, the gaming industry flourished, evolving alongside the rapid progress. The gaming community, fueled by their insatiable appetite for immersive experiences, set new standards and pushed the boundaries of what was possible. And at the forefront of this gaming revolution was Virtual Reality.

Virtual Reality has become the pinnacle of gaming entertainment, captivating players with its unparalleled level of immersion. What was once a distant dream had now become a mainstream reality, providing an escape from the monotony of everyday life.

The virtual worlds created by game developers were breathtakingly lifelike, transporting players into fantastical realms and thrilling adventures. With the aid of cutting-edge VR headsets, haptic feedback suits, and neural interfaces, gamers could now step into these virtual worlds and experience them as if they were real.

Ethan sat in his small, cluttered apartment, staring at the sleek virtual reality headset resting on his desk and turned to look at his monitor that had a 15-minute countdown running on the screen.

"I know there's only 15 minutes remaining, but the wait is killing me!" Ethan muttered frustratingly as he relaxed his back on the chair he was sitting on, his gaze fixed on the countdown running on his monitor screen.

Unfortunately for Ethan, though, those barely dozen minutes remaining felt like an eternity.

As the countdown continued to tick away, Ethan's anticipation grew with each passing second. He couldn't help but imagine the wonders that awaited him within the virtual realm of Eternia. The game had been shrouded in mystery, with only glimpses of its vast landscapes and captivating gameplay revealed through trailers and promotional material.

Realizing that staring at the ongoing countdown on his monitor screen would only torture him more despite the little time remaining for the game launch, Ethan decided to pass the remaining time by calling his friend, who was also his gaming companion for as long as he could remember.

All he knew was that they had been gaming companions since he started gaming, and that was 7 years ago.

The best thing that also happened to Ethan, apart from managing to become a beta tester for one of the most hyped games at the moment, was that his friend was not going to be left out on the fun either, as she managed to become a tester herself.

Ethan reached for his communicator and dialled Sarah's number. After a few rings, the call connected, and Sarah's voice filled the room.

"Hey, Ethan! What's up?" Sarah greeted him with her cheerful tone.

"Hey, Sarah! Can you believe it? Only a few minutes left until Eternia goes live!" Ethan exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement.

Sarah let out a laugh on the other end of the line. "I know, right? I've been counting down the days. I can't wait to dive into Eternia and see what it has in store for us."

Ethan smiled, his anticipation growing as he talked to Sarah, his longtime gaming companion and friend. They had shared numerous adventures in virtual worlds, forming a strong bond over their shared love for gaming.

As they chatted, their conversation was filled with excitement and anticipation. They discussed their plans, speculated on the game's features, and shared stories of their past gaming achievements. The minutes passed swiftly as their enthusiasm for Eternia continued to build.

"Alright, Ethan, the time is finally here," Sarah said with a hint of excitement in her voice. "Let's log in together and conquer this new virtual frontier. I can't wait to see what kind of character you're going to create."

Ethan grinned, feeling a surge of energy. "Absolutely, Sarah! We've got this. Our teamwork has always been unbeatable. Let's make our mark in Eternia and show everyone what we're capable of."

After exchanging a few more words with Sarah, Ethan impatiently disconnected the call as he watched the countdown to the game he had been anticipating for months reach its final ten seconds.

10.

9.

8.

...

3.

2.

1.

0.

-----ETERNIA-----

Seeing the game logo pop up on his monitor, Ethan immediately donned the VR headset that was on his desk, positioning himself comfortably on his chair.

Soon, his vision darkened as he connected to the game.

---Welcome To Eternia----