The next day, Rodensky logged into the game earlier than usual. He was eager to continue his adventures in the Realm of Astralis and to team up with Emmanuel again. The two had exchanged a few messages in-game last night, and Rodensky couldn't shake the feeling that something—something real—was starting to form between them.
Rodensky's character stood at the edge of a vast, crystal-clear lake, surrounded by towering mountains and vibrant forests. His screen flickered briefly as a notification appeared:
Player_Emmanuel: "Ready to go?"
Rodensky didn't hesitate. "Absolutely."
---
Their adventures that day took them through the heart of Astralis, battling monstrous creatures, completing quests, and gathering rare items. The more they fought together, the more Rodensky realized how well they complemented each other. Emmanuel's swordsmanship was precise, fluid, almost effortless, while Rodensky's strikes were fast and unpredictable, designed to overwhelm opponents.
At one point, they found themselves in a dense, fog-covered forest, where creatures of the night—shadow wolves—roamed in packs. The wolves were faster and more vicious than anything they'd fought before, their glowing red eyes piercing the darkness.
Rodensky and Emmanuel fought side by side, cutting down the wolves one after another. But even after their combined efforts, the beasts kept coming. The screen flashed red as Rodensky's health dropped dangerously low.
Player_Emmanuel: "Watch out! I've got you!"
Emmanuel rushed forward, his blade dancing in the air, slashing through the wolves and creating a path for Rodensky to retreat. With a deep breath, Rodensky dashed back, used a healing potion, and rejoined the fray.
Together, they fought back the wolves and cleared the area. When the last shadow wolf fell, the screen erupted with victory sound effects.
Rodensky wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration.
"That was close," he muttered.
Player_Emmanuel: "Too close. You okay?"
Rodensky chuckled. "Yeah. Just a little shaken up. Thanks for the save."
Player_Emmanuel: "Anytime, bro. We're a team, right?"
Rodensky paused, staring at the screen. It was the first time someone had called him that in a while. He wasn't sure what it was, but the way Emmanuel said it felt... different.
Team.
He nodded. "Right."
---
The more they played, the more they explored the world of Astralis. They ventured into dungeons filled with traps and puzzles, hunted down legendary creatures, and even participated in massive, world-shaking events where players from all corners of the game world came together to fight against a terrifying ancient god, resurrected from the depths of the game's lore.
During these raids, Rodensky noticed Emmanuel's strategic mind and leadership skills. Even in the heat of battle, Emmanuel remained calm and composed, coordinating the team, making sure everyone had their role. It reminded Rodensky of the way he used to watch his father, the quiet authority he'd had, the way he led their family with strength.
It wasn't just the game that kept Rodensky coming back, though. It was the conversations. Between hunts, between quests, Emmanuel shared bits and pieces of his life. He talked about his dreams of becoming a dragon tamer, how he'd always been fascinated by dragons since he was a kid.
Rodensky, in turn, opened up about his own life, his family, the constant tension that simmered just below the surface at home.
It felt good to talk—to share things he had buried under layers of anger and resentment. Emmanuel listened, offering no judgments, just understanding.
---
A few days later, Rodensky received a message from Emmanuel:
Emmanuel: "I found something. Come meet me at the portal in the Ruins of Y'haarn. You won't believe what I discovered."
Rodensky didn't waste time. He logged in immediately, eager to see what Emmanuel had found. The Ruins of Y'haarn were a mysterious, ancient place in the game, a crumbling city of towering stone spires, overrun with undead creatures and dangerous traps. It was a place that many players avoided, deeming it too dangerous to explore without a large, well-prepared team.
When he arrived, Emmanuel was already there, standing near a glowing portal in the center of the ruins.
"You find something?" Rodensky asked, breathless from the long journey.
Emmanuel nodded, his eyes wide with excitement. "I think this is it—the hidden trial."
Rodensky's heart skipped a beat. "The one for the hidden class?"
Emmanuel smiled. "Exactly. I don't know how, but I think this portal leads to it. A trial to become the Beast Tamer or Dragon Tamer. We need to go together—there's no way we can handle this alone."
Rodensky felt a surge of adrenaline. This is it. The moment I've been waiting for.
"Let's do it," he said.
---
The portal shimmered as they stepped through, and they found themselves in a vast, open sky. Floating islands drifted past, each one more breathtaking than the last.
"This... this is real," Rodensky breathed, his eyes wide.
Emmanuel's grin was contagious. "Yeah. It's the trial. We have to pass this if we want to unlock the class."
They looked around, and at that moment, a booming voice echoed from the sky, powerful and ancient.
"To become what you desire, you must first prove your worth. Face the beasts of these islands, and only then will your class be revealed."
Rodensky and Emmanuel exchanged a glance. This was it. They had to fight not just for power, but for their place in the game's world.