Gelian watched as the Crimson Vanguard wrapped up their gaming session, looking slightly disappointed to be leaving. Kaden lingered, looking back over his shoulder. "I guess… yeah, we're done for now. But only because we have other business to attend to," he said, a trace of reluctance in his voice.
The group prepared to head back to the portal, and Lyra turned to Gelian with curiosity. "To get back here, we just go through the portal again, right?"
Gelian nodded with a knowing smile. "Exactly. The portal will bring you here whenever you want to return. It's the only way to reach this space."
Ronan, visibly energized, grinned. "We'll be back tomorrow, for sure! I could feel my reflexes getting sharper just fighting those monsters."
Their excitement was infectious, and Elena chimed in, "This place… where are we exactly? Is it somewhere we could reach on foot or by carriage?"
With a small chuckle, Gelian explained, "Not quite. This place exists in a different dimension. You can only access it using the portal."
The group nodded, though they exchanged excited glances, still marveling at the otherworldly aspects of the cafe. After one last look around, they took their leave, stepping back through the portal one by one. On the other side, they kept up an animated conversation, reliving each moment of their gaming experience. Their minds raced with plans to return, eager to beat the Ender Dragon and reach "The End" Gelian had mentioned. The thrill of their time in the cafe filled their talk, and they eagerly discussed bringing a few friends along to form a larger party for their next visit.
Back in the cafe, Gelian felt a wave of pride wash over him as he watched them leave. The image of their animated discussions, the spark of excitement in their eyes—it reminded him why he'd wanted to open an internet cafe in the first place. Smiling to himself, he looked around the room, feeling satisfied with how things were finally coming together.
He turned his attention back to Cedric, who was deeply immersed in Breath of the Wild. Watching Cedric navigate the game with such focus brought a sense of nostalgia, memories of his own early days in gaming resurfacing.
Cedric was making his way through a dimly lit ancient shrine, engrossed in the exploration and discovery that Breath of the Wild was known for. His path led him to a large stone puzzle, unlike any challenge he had yet encountered. He approached the intricate structure, studying the symbols carved into the stone and the faint glow of magical energy that pulsed through it.
"This looks… complicated," he muttered, scratching his head. The shrine was silent except for the soft hum that seemed to reverberate from the puzzle itself.
He examined the pillar in front of him, noticing that parts of it could be rotated to form different shapes and alignments. He gave it a tentative spin, only to see the mechanism flash red, signifying an incorrect move. Each misstep forced a full reset of the pillar, and Cedric sighed, realizing this was not going to be simple.
"Alright… focus," he murmured, channeling the advice Gelian had given him earlier about patience. Unlike the adrenaline of combat, this required steady concentration, and Cedric was beginning to appreciate the depth of the game. This wasn't just about swinging swords or dodging arrows; it demanded thought and strategy.
He shifted the mechanism slowly, listening to the faint clicks and watching as the symbols began to align. It was a bit like solving a complex lock, requiring just the right combination to succeed. As the minutes ticked by, his initial impatience gave way to determination. He could feel himself getting closer, each movement bringing the symbols closer to the correct alignment.