Rodensky leaned back in his chair, the glow of the screen illuminating his dimly lit room. The game had been a lifeline, a tether to something that felt meaningful amidst the chaos of his life. Tonight, as the game loaded, a new expansion update greeted him with a cinematic sequence.
The screen displayed a sprawling floating island, its edges adorned with waterfalls that poured endlessly into a sea of clouds. Magnificent structures carved from shimmering crystal glistened in the sunlight, and bridges made of glowing runes connected smaller islands that orbited the main one like celestial satellites.
Text appeared:
"The Realm of Astralis awaits. Portals to forgotten worlds have opened, bringing together races long thought to be mere legends: the mighty Minotaurs of the Crescent Peaks, the mysterious Sylphs of the Whispering Forests, and the cunning Kitsune of the Moonlit Isles. Will you rise to unite them… or conquer them?"
Rodensky felt a shiver of anticipation as the new world unfolded on his screen.
---
In the game, Rodensky had built a solid foundation as a swordsman. His character wielded a sleek katana and wore light armor designed for agility and speed. Despite his progress, he was always on the lookout for something more—a way to stand out, to rise above the ordinary.
The expansion update hinted at hidden classes, including a Beast Tamer and a Dragon Tamer, but the information was vague, cloaked in riddles scattered across the world. Rodensky made a mental note to keep an eye out for clues.
For now, his focus was on leveling up and exploring the Realm of Astralis.
---
Meanwhile, his mother sat in the living room, her hands wrapped around a cup of tea. Mark was gone for the night, having sensed that the family needed space. Emily and Clara were asleep, leaving the apartment eerily quiet.
She glanced at the door to Rodensky's room, the faint sound of the game leaking through the thin walls. A pang of guilt twisted in her chest. She hadn't missed his outburst at dinner, nor the way he stormed out, his face a storm of anger and pain.
"Am I failing him?" she whispered to herself.
She thought back to the days before her husband's death, when Rodensky had been a bright, carefree boy. Now, he was a shadow of that child, retreating further into himself with each passing day. She knew he hated her for bringing Mark into their lives, but what choice did she have?
Her phone buzzed, breaking her thoughts. It was a message from Mark:
"How's Rod doing? Should I stay away for a while?"
She hesitated before typing back: "He needs time. We all do."
---
Back in his room, Rodensky had entered a multiplayer raid, a high-stakes battle against a monstrous creature called the Sky Wyrm. He fought alongside a group of strangers, his katana flashing as he darted around the battlefield.
The battle was intense, but his team worked together, chipping away at the wyrm's massive health bar. When the creature finally fell, the rewards were plentiful: gold, rare crafting materials, and a unique armor piece.
As the group celebrated in the chat, a message popped up from a player he hadn't noticed before:
Player_Emmanuel: "Good fight. Need a party for the next quest?"
Rodensky hesitated. The name seemed oddly familiar, though he couldn't place it. He typed back: "Sure. What's your role?"
Player_Emmanuel: "Swordsman, like you. Let's team up."
---
As they ventured deeper into the Realm of Astralis, Rodensky found himself impressed by Emmanuel's skills. The player's fighting style was precise, his movements calculated and efficient. Together, they tackled challenging quests and took down minibosses, their teamwork improving with each battle.
During a brief pause, Emmanuel sent a message:
Player_Emmanuel: "You're good. How long have you been playing?"
Rodensky: "Not long. Picked it up a few months ago."
Player_Emmanuel: "You're a natural. Ever thought about going for a hidden class?"
Rodensky's fingers hovered over the keyboard. Hidden class? The term wasn't new, but it felt different hearing it from someone else.
Rodensky: "Maybe. You?"
Player_Emmanuel: "Yeah. Always wanted to be a Dragon Tamer. What about you?"
Rodensky smiled to himself.
Rodensky: "Beast Tamer."
Player_Emmanuel: "Nice. I read the trials for those classes are insane. You ready for that kind of grind?"
Rodensky felt a flicker of determination. Ready or not, I'll do whatever it takes.
Rodensky: "Always."
---
As the night stretched on, their bond grew stronger. By the time they logged off, Rodensky realized he hadn't felt this connected to someone in a long time. Emmanuel wasn't just a teammate—he was something more.
In the game, they were swordsmen. In real life, Rodensky wondered if they could be friends.