Ethan stared at the countdown timer, heart hammering against his ribs. 00:00:10... His fingers hovered over the ENTER button, the weight of his friends' expectations and unspoken anxieties pressing down on him. Aethel, the most anticipated VRMMORPG of the decade, promised boundless adventure, immersive combat, and a revolutionary "second life" system. It also held an unnerving secret whispered amongst online forums - a rumor of players getting trapped upon entering.
He glanced at his screen, his team's avatars grinning back. There was Leo, the ever-confident leader, Maya the tactical wiz, and Sarah, the calm rock of their group. "Ready?" Leo's voice boomed through their headsets.
Ethan took a deep breath. "Ready."
He hit ENTER.
The world dissolved into static, then reformed into a breathtaking vista. Lush forests stretched before them, sunlight filtering through the emerald canopy. Birdsong filled the air, the scent of pine tickling their senses. Aethel was real, more real than anything they'd ever experienced.
Excitement turned to confusion as a system message flashed across their vision: Welcome to Aethel, Unbidden Players. Survival Commences