Chereads / Neon Samurai / Chapter 15 - Mission Arcadia II

Chapter 15 - Mission Arcadia II

Every level of the obstacle course boasted a similar structure, yet possessed subtle differences in terrain and intricate elements. Take, for instance, the lively crowd, whose presence was intended to boost morale, but was not a constant fixture in every instance.

___

-VR ass. lvl 01-ultraviolet-

Grimshire a.k.a. Ultraviolet, stood at the foot of the level one challenge, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and apprehension. Before her loomed an intricate network of towering walls, their surface rugged and imposing as if daring her to conquer them. The scent of moss and damp earth filled the air, adding an edge of mystery to the challenge that lay ahead.

As she approached the first wall, Grimshire observed its sheer height, the rough texture of the stones appearing almost insurmountable. Its formidable presence seemed to mock her, reminding her of the disadvantage she faced as a girl lacking the brawn typically associated with such physical feats.

"Get a grip girl." she whispered to herself.

Determination flickered in her eyes, as she reminded herself that strength resided not only in muscles, but also in her unwavering willpower and unwavering passion for adventure.

"I can do this." She said, her resolve steeled. With a deep breath, she planted her hands firmly on the wall's surface, the coolness of the stones sending tingles up her fingertips. She wedged her toes in small crevices, her lithe frame twisting and flexing as she summoned all her energy to push herself upward. Each muscle screamed in defiance, but Grimshire refused to give in.

"Arghh!" With a determined grunt, she propelled herself higher, the sweat glistening on her forehead as she pushed past the boundaries of her physical limitations.

"One down, several more to go." She mused. Her perseverance paid off as she reached the summit of the first wall, her heart pounding triumphantly in her chest. She glanced back at the distance she had covered, a mixture of relief and confidence flooding her veins. But there was no time to revel in her victory, for there, in front of her, awaited an even greater challenge.

Bars of varying heights and distances dangled above a seemingly endless abyss, evoking a sense of danger and excitement. Grimshire's eyes narrowed as she surveyed the treacherous swings, calculating the perfect combination of timing and momentum she would need to overcome this obstacle. She knew she couldn't rely solely on strength; grace and precision were just as vital.

'I will demonstrate that strength isn't the sole determining factor,' she though, feeling a surge of memories resurface. Those distant moments when her parents continuously overlooked her due to their emphatic preference for strength, a trait she lacked.

With a leap of faith, she propelled herself onto the first bar, her grip instinctively tightening as her body swung perilously through the air. The wind whipped against her face, creating a symphony of exhilaration and fear. Her fingers burned with strain, but she refused to let go. Grimshire's body twisted and turned, her muscles screaming in protest, but her determination remained unyielding.

"I'm not a failure!" She yelped.

Slowly, she conquered each swinging bar, her agile movements contrasting with the thickness of the air around her. Her perseverance pushed her forward, one determined swing at a time. The crowds below watched in awe, their cheers resonating in her ears, fueling her with a renewed vigor. "Yes! I can do this." She smiled inwardly.

Finally, with a final graceful leap, Grimshire landed on solid ground, triumph radiating from her every pore. She turned to face the crowd, her disheveled hair clinging to her sweat-slicked forehead, a wide grin etched on her face. In that moment, she had shattered the expectations imposed upon her, defying the notion that physical strength was a prerequisite for achievement.

"I did it!!!" She cheered. With her unwavering spirit and unwavering drive, Grimshire proved that it was the fire in one's soul that determined victory, regardless of gender or physique.

___

-VR ass. lvl 01-HoloGroove-

"Hang tight, mademoiselle!" Zenith aka HoloGroove, cheered. "Your prince charming is here to save the day."

As Zenith entered level one, he found himself surrounded by towering walls constructed with vibrant hues of blue and magenta. The walls seemed to pulsate with energy, as if inviting him to conquer their vertical expanse. Each wall was dotted with handholds resembling brightly colored neon orbs, beckoning Zenith to embark on his quest.

With an infectious grin spreading across his face, Zenith leaped onto the first wall, gripping onto the glowing magenta orb with the finesse of a professional dancer. He maneuvered effortlessly, his agile body twisting and turning as he ascended further, always seeking the next orb to latch onto.

The air crackled with anticipation as Zenith approached a gap in the walls, his heart pounding with adrenaline. Spotting a bar hanging tantalizingly close, his eyes lit up with excitement. With a mischievous twinkle, he swung forward, gripping the bar with both hands. He effortlessly navigated the chasm, swinging gracefully like a monkey in the jungle.

As he reached the midpoint of the level, Zenith spotted a giant orb hanging precariously on the edge of the wall. With a mischievous smirk, he took a deep breath and launched himself towards it. Time seemed to slow down as he gracefully somersaulted through the air, his fingers grazing the orb's surface. Miraculously, Zenith managed to regain his balance, landing smoothly on a narrow ledge, the orb blazing triumphantly behind him.

"Did someone say knight in shining armor?" he exclaimed playfully, as if unaware of his own delusions. "Fear not, fair princess! Zenith, the dance floor hero, is here to save the day!"

Still riding the comedic wave, Zenith continued his ascent, moving with grace and flair, executing leaps and bounds that would put any accomplished acrobat to shame. With each triumphant maneuver, he showered the level with amusing comments, transforming the treacherous climbing endeavor into a whimsical performance.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of daring exploits, Zenith emerged victorious, reaching the pinnacle of level one. He stood tall, his chest puffed out triumphantly, as he surveyed the vast expanse before him. The walls and bars seemed to bow in reverence as he basked in his glory, savoring the pride that swelled within his chest.

"Princess, have no fear! Zenith is here," he proclaimed, theatrically sweeping his arm towards the next level, signaling his readiness for the next challenge. With his flamboyant style and infectious charisma, Zenith had, once again, hilariously triumphed over the odds, determined to save his princess and conquer every level that lay ahead.

___

-VR ass. lvl 01-PixieDust-

Bayonette, an extraordinary combination of thinness and annoyance, began her assessment. However, despite her best efforts, she proved to be the epitome of stumbling and failing. With every wall she attempted to climb, she would slip and tumble back down, her limbs flailing in comically awkward positions.

As the clock ticked away, her misfortune continued. It seemed that every swing from the bars resulted in her poor grip slipping, leaving her to unceremoniously crash onto the padded floor below. She attempted each obstacle with unwavering enthusiasm but an utter lack of coordination.

"Look, she falls so skillfully, like a trained fallout girl." The crowd erupted.

"Whahaha!! Guess she just can't help it."

The audience couldn't help but be thoroughly entertained by her persistent mishaps and her unwavering determination to keep trying. Even the usually composed virtual spectators struggled to control their laughter, their guffaws echoing throughout the arena.

"Ouch! That hurts." She squealed with a frown, after falling the eleventh time.

Bayonette's repeated failures, coupled with her spirited yet futile attempts, had the crowd in stitches. With each fall, her exaggerated yelps and amusingly contorted facial expressions made it impossible for anyone to contain their mirth.

[BUZZZZ!!]

Finally, the shrill sound of the buzzer reverberated through the virtual arena, signaling the end of Bayonette's 15 minutes of hilarious misfortune.

"Aahĥ!! Not fair, not fair, not fair." She yelped, stumping her foot like a brat.

"Huh, what's not fair?" The crowd laughed, "you're a failure, that's what's fair."

"Shut up!" She yelled back at them.

As she awkwardly stumbled off the obstacle course, a round of thunderous applause and laughter erupted from the delighted audience, leaving Bayonette both embarrassed and amused at her own expense.

It was a scene so delightfully funny that even the sternest faces in the crowd couldn't suppress their laughter, creating a harmonious symphony of amusement and disbelief.

___

-VR ass. lvl 01-AngelDust-

A buzz of anticipation filled the air as Stiletto aka AngelDust, an individual with a wild mop of fuzzy blonde hair came in view. With a devil-may-care attitude and a mischievous glint in his eyes, he had a reputation for causing laughter and creating unforgettable moments among his friends. Today was no exception.

"Time to burst-ass!" He yelled, evoking laughed from the crowd.

As the signal blared, Stiletto dashed off, leaping effortlessly onto the first wall. With nimble fingers and an agile grace, he managed to climb without any difficulty, earning a few impressed gasps from the onlookers.

"Wow, this kid is sleek."

"Yeah, and thin... like a spider."

However, as he reached the top, a comedic twist of fate struck him, causing his foot to slip, and he tumbled down in a spectacularly funny and dramatic fashion.

"Huh? Whahaha!!!"

The spectators erupted into hysteric laughter, unable to control their amusement at Stiletto's failed attempt. Not one to lose his enthusiasm, he quickly got back on his feet, determined to entertain the crowd even further.

Swinging from the series of bars, Stiletto swung with such wild abandon that he flew off, missing his target and landing in a pool of mud nearby.The sight of Stiletto covered in mud, his fuzzy hair sticking out in odd angles, only intensified the laughter from the onlookers.

"Hahaha! This kid is too good." said one of the spectators, sarcastically.

Grinning mischievously, Stiletto deliberately stalled and failed a couple more times, each one more comical than the last.

[BUZZZZ!!]

The hilarious sound of the buzzer signaling his time was over reverberated through the air, marking the end of his performance.

Looking out at the amused crowd, Stiletto proudly proclaimed, "I may have failed, but I did it for my sister!" His voice was infused with a mix of showmanship and love as he pointed towards his twin sister's avatar - PixieDust, who stood nearby, beaming with pride. Stiletto's deliberate failures were not an act of incompetence but rather a decision to ensure his sister never felt alone in her struggle.

The crowd's laughter escalated to thunderous applause, their admiration for Stiletto's unwavering support evident. It was a showcase of his unique personality, blending humor and unwavering loyalty, even in the face of failure. With Stiletto's antics, the audience's laughter echoed through the obstacle course, making it a level one that would be remembered for years to come.

"Hahaha!"

___

-VR ass. lvl 01-TrailBlazer-

Amidst the determined players, Cypher aka Trailblazer, stood out like a sore thumb. Known for his lazy disposition, Cypher lazily leaned against a moss-covered wall, his eyes fixed on the daunting challenge ahead. As he half-heartedly watched his crew members - Etto and Bayonette try and fail, a sense of defeat crept over him. It was then that he made an unexpected decision.

"There are numerous ways of killing a cat." he whispered with a sigh of resignation. Cypher's avatar - Trailblazer, reached into his backpack and retrieved his trusty hacking device. He glanced around, making sure no one was paying attention, and powered it on.

"Now, what do we have here?" He said with an inward grin. The screen of his device illuminated with lines of code as he attempted to bypass the physical limitations of the level.

Minutes stretched into what seemed like an eternity, but all Cypher could see were lines of impenetrable code and firewalls mocking his efforts. Frustration grew within him, accompanied by a creeping realization that for once, his hacking skills held no power.

"Darn it! What's this," he yelled out of frustration. "Feels like an alien tech is toying with me."

As a defeated look washed over his face, Cypher disconnected his device and muttered to himself, "If I can't hack my way through this level, what's the point of even trying?"

"I forfeit!!" He bellowed, without a hint of care.

His unexpected forfeit shocked those who happened to notice, leaving a sense of disbelief hanging in the air. It was a stark reminder that not all challenges could be overcome through sheer intelligence and skill alone.

___

-VR ass. lvl 01-Boss-

What came next was a surprise to the onlookers. As soon as Molly aka Boss, entered the challenge, her eyes locked onto the towering wall that stood before her.

"This is a walk in the park." She giggled.

With calculated steps, she effortlessly scaled the wall, using every crevice and foothold to her advantage. Her petite frame seemed to defy gravity as she nimbly maneuvered through the course, effortlessly swinging from one bar to another.

The first barrier she encountered was no match for her determination. With a quick burst of energy, she propelled herself forward, grabbing onto the icy metal bar hanging in mid-air. Swiftly, she swung her body in a graceful arch, landing effortlessly on a platform just out of reach for those less skilled. Her movements were so fluid and precise that it felt as if she were dancing through the air, effortlessly defying the laws of physics.

"Awesome!!" Zenith bellowed.

As onlookers gazed in awe at Molly's lightness and finesse, she approached the next challenge with an unwavering focus. The walls seemed to grow taller, but her determination held steady. With a burst of strength, she leaped towards the first wall, her fingers finding purchase on the smallest of cracks. She expertly propelled herself upward, conquering each obstacle with apparent ease.

"This ain't an obstacle course," she teased, "My chores back at home are much worse."

With every leap and bound, Molly's confidence grew, fueling her ascension through the course. Her movements were a ballet of strength and grace, showcasing the potential of her seemingly delicate frame. As she effortlessly completed the level, leaving an amazed audience in her wake, Molly proved that determination and finesse can overcome any challenge, no matter how formidable.

"What a jolly-ride." She exclaimed.

***