As soon as Lucius's presence had faded completely, the door to the presidential suite swung open, and two hotel staff members entered, wheeling in sleek black cases. They moved with uncanny grace, setting down state-of-the-art VR headsets on a low table near the balcony.
"Your headsets are ready," one of them said with a warm smile, as if catering to guests with full-dive VR gear was entirely normal.
Elias raised an eyebrow. "I didn't order these."
"Of course not," the man replied, dipping his head in a slight bow. "Mr. Lucius arranged everything for your convenience. Please enjoy your experience."
The staff exited as silently as they had arrived, leaving behind an eerie sense that someone was always a step ahead.
Elias turned to Naomi and Ava, picking up one of the glossy black headsets. "Lucius really knows how to keep things interesting. These are the newest models!"
Ava held her tea close, wary as she eyed the high-tech gear. "I've...never put one of these on before."
"You'll need an avatar if you want to join us," Naomi encouraged, slipping on her headset. "Think of it as onboarding for all the crazy we're about to face."
Ava gingerly picked up a headset, noticing its polished metallic and plastic design. "Alright, I'll give it a try."
"Welcome to the party," Elias muttered, adjusting his headset.
And just like that, the real world dissolved into darkness, replaced by the vibrant realm of Celestian Requiem.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting golden hues over rolling hills. A cool breeze swept through a sprawling training hall set deep in the countryside, its weathered walls lined with weapons and practice dummies. The air smelled of wood, leather, and sweat, humming with quiet discipline.
This is where the warrior's story begins, Elias thought, taking in the surroundings. He noticed a grizzled figure standing at the far end of the hall, leaning casually against a wooden post. His beard and weary eyes told the story of a man who had once been great, now resigned to simpler days.
Elias approached the retired swordsman, already recognizing this as the warrior's starting point—and his own.
The old man squinted in his direction. "You look like trouble."
Elias grinned. "Yeah, I get that a lot."
Meanwhile, Naomi and Ava spawned nearby. Naomi appeared in her usual sleek armor as Artemis, her longbow slung across her back. Ava, however, looked thoroughly out of place—her avatar defaulted to a standard novice outfit. She glanced around as if struggling to adjust to this new reality.
"This is...weird," Ava muttered, looking down at her plain tunic and boots.
"You'll get used to it," Naomi assured her, already scanning the area. The first thing she noticed was Elias, stripped of his usual armor and the glory of his sword, dressed instead in the same novice attire as Ava.
"Hey, what gives, Elias?" Naomi asked. "Did you reset your character?"
Elias shrugged. "Skipped the story when I started, so this time, I'll actually follow it."
"But all those hours!" Naomi lamented.
"I know, I know." Elias nudged them toward the hall's exit. "You two go explore. If Lucius set this up, there'll be easter eggs all over."
"Alright, fine," Naomi huffed. "Ava and I will go on a date then. With-out you." She grabbed Ava's arm, dragging her along. Ava cast Elias a pleading look, but he just waved them off.
Elias turned back to the retired swordsman, who was watching Naomi and Ava with a neutral expression. "So, they're not joining us, I take it?" the old man asked.
Elias cleared his throat. "I'm here to learn the ways of the blade. Please teach me."
The old man chuckled dryly. "Think it's that simple, do you? You don't just walk in and demand answers, boy. You have to earn them."
Elias rolled his shoulders, ready to play the part. "Alright, old man. Show me what you've got."
After several rounds, Elias collapsed to the ground, breathless. His hands were numb from the old man's relentless strikes. "Ready for more?" the old man taunted, twirling his practice blade.
"Always," Elias replied, gritting his teeth as he got back on his feet.
The swordsman's strikes were fast—too fast. Elias barely blocked the first blow, his arms burning from the impact. The second strike grazed his shoulder, and the third sent him sprawling again.
The pain was all too real. A sobering reminder that the rules had changed, just as Lucius had said.
"Not bad," the old man said, offering a hand. "But you fight like someone who expects to win every time."
Elias groaned, brushing himself off. "What's wrong with that?"
"Everything." The swordsman chuckled. "Victory isn't something you expect. It's something you earn. And sometimes, you earn it by losing."
Elias frowned, letting the lesson sink in. He picked up his sword, feeling a renewed determination. "Alright, old man. Let's try that again."
The swordsman gave a satisfied nod. "That's more like it."
The two squared off once more, their footsteps a measured rhythm on the worn wooden floor. The swordsman lunged, his strikes swift and unrelenting. Elias parried one blow after another, his muscles screaming in protest.
A feint to Elias's left sent him off-balance. The swordsman seized the moment, sweeping Elias's legs out from under him. He hit the ground hard, gasping as the impact jarred him to the bone.
"Again," Elias spat, pulling himself up. He steadied his stance, breathing through the pain.
The swordsman smirked, a glint of approval in his eyes. "You're finally listening."
This time, Elias stayed grounded, watching his opponent's every move, every twitch of his arm. The swordsman launched another strike, but Elias sidestepped, swinging his sword in a wide arc—and scored a clean hit across the old man's guard.
The swordsman chuckled, clapping Elias on the shoulder. "Good. Now you're starting to learn."
Elias grinned, panting from the exertion. "What's next?"
With a smile, the old man sheathed his sword in his scabbard. "Next? We'll go on a hike."