The rain kept pouring, soaking Charles and Nora's tunics as they moved through the unfamiliar forest.
Nora rode piggyback on Charles, her arms around his neck and legs secured by his left hand, which held her firmly to keep her from slipping.
In his right hand, the black sword glowed with its golden light, casting a soft radiance that barely cut through the night's darkness.
The air smelled of wet earth and leaves, and the sound of raindrops hitting the trees filled the silence.
Charles was lost in thought, trying to process the blurry memory that had flashed through his mind.
That glimpse of another life—a multiplayer game—left him uneasy.
Before he could dwell on it, a strange sound broke the night's quiet: a sharp, piercing beep, like a car horn, echoed in the distance.
"Ugh!" Nora exclaimed, covering her ears while tightening her grip on Charles's neck. "What the hell was that noise? It's awful! Where's it coming from?"
Charles frowned, looking toward the sound.
