A FEW MONTHS LATER
MICHAEL'S POINT OF VIEW:
It's been a year since we stepped out of the game for good, but here we are back inside the VR world that shaped us, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the people who became more than just players. This place feels like home, even if it's all digital. Xavier's royal family is here, his parents and grandparents dressed in their regal robes, smiling like they've been waiting for this moment. And then there's the rest of us, our game family: Soren, Lucien, Vanessa, Rosalie, Adrian, Evana, Damien, Noa... all looking just as alive as we remember.
The air buzzes with laughter and excited chatter. I watch Isabella's face light up as she hugs Xavier's mom, who hasn't stopped smiling since we arrived. I tried to hold back a grin seeing how everyone's catching up like no time has passed.
"This feels unreal." I said to Isabella, who nods beside me. "Like a dream I didn't want to wake up from."
