My feet pounded against the cobblestone as I raced towards the courtyard. As I skidded to a stop, I saw Persephone sitting on a stone bench, her fingers delicately plucking at the petals of a red rose. The sound of her soft humming filled the air.
But my attention was quickly drawn to the scene before me. Thick vines sprouted from the ground, wrapping tightly around the rebels who were struggling for breath. And there, sitting in the midst of it all, was Persephone, her eyes closed in concentration.
I slowly approached her, my heart racing with fear and confusion. Her control over the vines was both captivating and terrifying.
"Persephone," I said gently, trying not to startle her. "What's going on? Are you okay?"
As I meet her gaze, I can see the sorrow in her eyes. "I'm okay," she says quietly. "They attempted to attack me, but I managed to fend them off. I couldn't bring myself to kill them, though." Persephone's eyes hold a sense of innocence, and it's clear to me that before this game, she was someone pure who didn't know the pain of hurting others.
I reach out and take her hand in mine, offering what little comfort I can.
"You did what you had to do to protect yourself, Persephone. It's not an easy thing to face, but in this realm, we have to make tough choices. We must do whatever it takes to survive."
She nods, her grip tightening around my hand. "I know, but it still feels... wrong," she whispers, her voice filled with vulnerability.
I give her hand a reassuring squeeze, knowing the heaviness of her words. "It's expected to feel like that. This place is unlike anything we've ever encountered. It pushes us to question our values and confront our inner demons. But..." I pause as the vines suddenly break and the rebels' bodies crash to the ground with a grunt. I turn my head quickly, sensing an unknown presence behind me. A dark figure begins to form and solidify into a person.
"Main quest!" An alert popped up and I knew what it would be, Lilith.
"Capture Lilith!" The notification reads, and I look back at the figure that once was a shadow. This must be Lilith, she probably came to save these rebels.
Lilith stood before us, her appearance striking and ethereal. Her long, black hair flowed like a river of darkness, framing her sharp features and piercing green eyes. She wore a cloak adorned with intricate symbols.
My mind raced as I tried to make sense of Lilith's involvement in this twisted game. She wasn't a deity from Greek mythology, which would have made more sense in this realm. Her presence here made her an anomaly - something out of the ordinary.
I cautiously stepped closer, my weapon, a bident, held tight in my grip. The closer I got to Lilith, the colder and more otherworldly she felt.
There was an undeniable aura of power and confidence emanating from her that demanded attention.
"Who are you?" I asked warily, trying to keep my voice steady despite the pounding of my heart.
Lilith's lips curved into a sly smile as she spoke with a seductive charm.
"Ah, the chosen one," she said, her words dripping with amusement. "I am Lilith."
Chosen one? What does she mean by this? The thought of being chosen filled me with dread and I knew I didn't want any part in it.
"I'm confused. What do you mean by "chosen one"? Why are you involved in this rebellion?" I ask her.
I must learn more about this game; if Lilith is a powerful figure that even Zeus wants, then I need to find and capture her for my main quest.
Lilith's laughter echoed through the courtyard, sending shivers down my spine. "Oh, dear chosen one," she said, her voice dripping with mockery.
"You think this is just a game? This realm, this rebellion, it's all part of a much larger plan."
"I've come to release my followers. I have a feeling our paths will cross once more, Phoenix." She snaps her fingers and the rebels rise from the ground, gathering around her.
Oh, and just so you know, I'm one of the creators of this game. I was one of the original players. So your main quest can be disregarded, Phoenix."
With those parting words, she vanishes into thin air.