Forny, visibly confused, frowned.
-The virtual world? Everything I dreamed... was real?
Mishu, ever so enthusiastic, appeared out of nowhere, jumping up and down with unmistakable energy.
-The virtual world! That sounds so much better than being cooped up at home all the time!
Forny crossed his arms, trying hard to remember.
-How did we get here? All I remember is that I just wanted to rest for a while... and then I fell asleep.
Mishu, wagging her tail in amusement, gave him a smirk.
-Do you remember what happened, Mishu?
Mishu laughed, without losing his playful attitude.
-No! The only thing I remember is that you snore like you're being chased by a monster.
Forny frowned in disgust.
-Thank you, you're very helpful..... Did you know that?
Mishu, with a smirk, stretched and threw out a proposition.
-I'm not a fluffy yellow cat for nothing. But hey, how about we get something to eat, my guts are roaring up a storm!
Forny nodded, feeling the weight of the situation.
-You're right. We'd better see what to eat, and then we'll worry about getting out of here.
As they walked through the forest, Forny spotted a tree covered with red apples, glowing with a strange glow in the virtual sunlight.
-Look, Mishu! An apple tree. Now we have something to eat! Let me climb it.
Forny tried to climb the tree, but the feeling of being in a digital world made him clumsy. Each branch seemed more slippery than he expected. In frustration, he thought:
-We're supposed to be in a virtual world - isn't any of this supposed to be real? But... why does everything feel so real?
After several failed attempts, he finally managed to reach a couple of apples.
-I did it! Look, Mishu! I was able to reach two apples.
Mishu, who had been watching leisurely, scoffed.
-Apples? No thanks, I'm not a fan. But look, there's a river. I'm sure there are fish. I'll see what I can get!
With a nimble leap, Mishu headed for the water, while Forny sat down by the tree to catch his breath. It was then that he noticed something strange in his pocket.
-What is this? -he wondered, pulling out a small crumpled piece of paper. Unfolding it, he saw that it was a note written by his mother. A shiver ran through his body.
-I don't want to remember that any more.... -he muttered, closing the note quickly. He put it in his pocket, not wanting to face the painful memories. He looked up at Mishu, who was returning with a fish in her mouth.
-Mmmmm...this world.... why does everything feel so vivid? -he thought as he bit into one of the apples.
The fruit, though clearly digital, tasted surprisingly real. For a moment, he forgot about everything else.
Mishu arrived with a fish that still glowed with an unreal glow and dropped it next to Forny's feet.
-Look what I got, a fresh fish, straight from the virtual river. -said Mishu, with a satisfied smile.
Forny looked at the fish, impressed.
-Wow, you are an excellent hunter, Mishu.
They both sat by the river, munching on their respective delicacies, while the sound of the flowing water created a peaceful atmosphere. It was then that Mishu broke the silence.
-You mentioned that this world always appeared in your dreams? Are you sure this isn't just another dream?
Forny nodded slowly, looking at the river.
-Yes... this started a few weeks ago, but yesterday... something strange happened. As I was walking around this place, I heard a voice. It said something strange, as if it was directed at me, but without giving me a clue as to who it was.
Mishu frowned.
-And what was that voice saying to you?
Forny stood thoughtfully, one hand on the half-eaten apple.
-It was telling me that I could save the world. But... that I couldn't save my world. And the weirdest thing... it said it was watching me. That he had "his eye on me." As if my steps were measured.
Mishu, somewhat uneasy, dropped a piece of fish.
-That sounds... scary. What if that voice has something to do with all this? With what's happening now?
Forny sighed, looking at the horizon.
-I don't know, Mishu. What he said to me... it makes my hair stand on end. He said I have to watch my step. And the worst part is that he seems to know exactly who I am.... like he knows me, even though he's never told anyone.
Mishu was silent for a moment, looking out over the river.
-I'm worried that this is all coming true, Forny. If what that voice said is true... then this isn't just a dream anymore, is it?
Forny nodded slowly, his concern growing.
-I don't know... but if it is, we need to get out of here soon. Laura and Denek must be worried about me.
As they both continued to eat in silence, a strange feeling came over Forny. The taste of the apple... the smoothness of the river... it all seemed so real, and yet he knew none of it could be. There was something else at play, something bigger that he didn't fully understand.
Was it really a dream? Or was there something else behind it all? Something that went beyond the simple "virtual world."
In another part of the virtual world, near a fortress that exuded a terrifying atmosphere just by approaching it, someone was running fast. When he reached a dark room, he stopped and a deep, trembling voice was uttered.
-Lord Virus, your subordinates have detected the presence of the chosen one, just as you had mentioned.
Virus, one of the five Supreme Creators, who was intimidating by his presence alone, wearing a purple robe and hiding his face behind a golden mask, showed no reaction upon hearing that the chosen one had arrived in the virtual world. His low, terrifying voice rang out.
-The chosen one has finally made it to the virtual world... what a surprise. Keep an eye on him. Do not act until I tell you to. -Virus exclaimed, his tone icy.
-Quick, get out of here and keep an eye on him. If he makes it this far, you'll be sorry. -He ordered, looking out the window with a grim expression.
-Yes, Lord Virus. -replied his subordinate, bowing.
Meanwhile, Laura and Denek, who had woken up in different parts of the forest where Forny and Mishu were, woke up confused, wondering how they had gotten there. Suddenly, the same announcement appeared in front of them that Forny had received: "Welcome to the Virtual World".
They both began to question whether this was real, but Denek, excited by the novelty, quickly believed it was all a dream. He couldn't help but make a noise, putting Forny and Mishu on alert.
-Forny, alert! -shouted Mishu, hearing the sound.
-Mishu, what? -answered Forny, puzzled.
Mishu, with a serious look, pointed to a group of trees nearby.
-The sound is coming from there. Maybe it's a predator. But let's investigate, shall we?
Mishu, wasting no time, began to move toward the place where the noise was coming from. Forny followed him closely.
-Look right there, peek carefully and tell me what you see. -whispered Mishu.
Forny, obeying, slowly peeked out from behind a tree. What he saw froze him in his tracks: the "predator" was, in fact, his friend Denek.
-Denek! -he exclaimed, with a relieved smile.
Denek jumped in fright.
-Oh, you scared me, Forny! Are you in my dream, too?
Forny quickly explained that all this was not a dream, that the virtual world was real.
Denek, still puzzled, looked around.
-No... Does this look cool to you? I find it hard to believe that all this is real. And how did you figure out that this is real?
Forny tossed him the apple he had been holding.
-Catch! Try this.
Denek caught it and took a bite.
-Wow, it tastes like a real apple! But...aren't we supposed to be in a virtual world? None of this should be real.
Forny sighed.
-Believe me, Denek. I questioned that too. But now all that matters is how to get out of here.
Denek, with a smile, nodded.
-Of course!
-Oh, and by the way, my cat can talk, so don't be scared.
Denek, still amazed, smiled.
-Really?
-Yes," Forny confirmed, looking over to where Mishu had hidden behind some trees.
-Mishu, come out. -he asked his friend.
Mishu appeared and said in a shy voice:
-Mishu... I mean... Hello.
Denek, somewhat confused but amused, could not believe his eyes.
-He can really talk. -He said, looking at Forny in amazement. -And what's your name?
Mishu smiled playfully.
-My name is Mishu.
-From now on I'll call you Mishucrack. -said Denek, with a laugh.
Forny watched his two friends interact happily, but suddenly, a strange noise was heard up ahead, leading Forny deeper into the forest.
Without a second thought, he stood up.
-I'm going to investigate. -He said, unconcerned, as he walked deeper into the forest, with a feeling that something big was about to happen.
And great was his surprise when, through the mist of the trees, he saw someone he had not expected to meet.