š·"Sometimes the loudest battles are the ones teaches how to Teamwork which are the silent wars between the heart and the mind."š·
Shakti started to feel that perhaps he was straying from his true purpose. He felt a sense of turmoil. Maybe something bad had happened in his past, which was the reason for his calm yet overthinking nature.
The truth was that whatever was happening ā feelings, overthinking, or a fight between brain and heart ā were just inner thoughts.
He wasn't sure about anything. It was just his disturbed mind. He knew that everyone feels like that in real life that he had a disturbed mind which made him sensitive, and we all know how difficult life is, especially when you are living alone. Studying, classes, and his passion for his dream job.
Shakti didn't go to Eternal Realms the next day when he was free after studies...
Shakti:
"I feel like I should watch a movie today. I haven't watched anything for a long time. And maybe I should watch a new anime?"
He opened a website and started searching for a long time. He searched many genres. He had many options, but what to do ā confusion was his biggest demerit.
Shakti:
"Thank God, finally. I will watch this one."
He pointed to an adventure-fantasy animation.
He started watching the anime, but since he hadn't watched anything in a long time, he felt bored. Still, he continued watching it.
The game notifications called him many times. He thought about the game again and again, but he did not go.
After some hours, he stopped watching. The time was too late.
He played a song, turned on sleep mode, and put the phone on the table. The room was dim, only a faint light from the window touching the wall.
He didn't even realize when he fell asleep while listening to music.
THE NEXT DAY:-
A notification sound broke the silence of the room.
His phone screen lit up in the darkness.
He slowly took the phone in his hand and looked at the lock screen.
He saw:
"Eternal Realms: Traveller, come back to your world. New dares and adventures are waiting for you."
At first, he didn't pay attention.
But after some minutesā¦
"Why do I feel likeā¦ I should log in?"
He opened the game ā not because of excitement, but because he wanted to escape his own thoughts.
He logged in and started doing daily quests like most days. His movements were automatic, like a habit his fingers remembered even if his heart didn't.
Then Shakti became curious about his new friend.
He clicked on the friend list with a faint smile.
A notification popped up again.
"Nightlight" ā Online
He stared at her name, unsure whether to tap or not.
She's playingā¦
Should I disturb her?
This timeā¦
He didn't look back.
His fingers moved and clicked on the chat option on the left side.
Shakti:
"Heyā¦ are you free?"
Sophia:
"Helloā¦ Hmmmmm, I am free. I just kept the books on the shelf and came online secretly without Mama noticingā¦ hahaha."
Shakti:
"Ohh hahaha, why secretly?"
Sophia:
"Because Mama will get angry if she finds out that I am playing games."
Shakti:
"I seeee okay." With smirking.
There was a normal greeting conversation between them like always. After 5 minutes, Shakti said:
Shakti:
"Sophia, have you seen the new dungeon that was recently updated? It gives 5-star materials and some other good stuff for building characters.
And the best part is that more than two people can play it together.
I was watching some videos about it. I saw the dungeon is very interesting, and it has 3 floors. As you clear each floor, the power of the enemies increases. If I'm not wrong, there are a total of 3 enemies in that dungeon. I heard it will be a little difficult to defeat the final boss."
Sophia:
"That's fineā¦ But you know I'm not good at killing enemies or dungeon fights because my characters aren't built well yet. And on top of that, I don't have any 5-star weapons like you."
Shakti:
"Sheesh, don't worry. Let's just play. It will be fun for both of us because boredom is killing me inside š"
Sophia:
"Yayy! Okay, let's play!"
Shakti landed in the main city of Pyrothar Dominion.
The sky was dull, and the usual background sounds felt low. The crowd of players moved around, but it felt distant ā as if he was standing among them but not truly there.
Sophia's character was standing near the statue of the region, idle, her cape gently moving in the wind animation.
Shakti walked toward her.
Before he could type anything, a message appeared.
Sophia:
"Ohh Helloā¦ you came."
Shakti paused for a moment and he was soo curious to join a dungeon with her.
Shakti:
"Yayy, I am here now. I am free, so let's go to the dungeon."
It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either.
They stood there for a moment, their characters facing each other.
No rush.
No excitement.
Just a quiet presence.
After some seconds, Sophia replied:
Sophia:
"Okay, let's goo nowā¦ Lead the way, sir, because I don't know where the dungeon is."
Shakti used a gadget, and a flash of light surrounded his character. In a second, he appeared in front of the dungeon entrance.
Sophia followed him and reached the same location.
The dungeon stood like an ancient gate carved into a mountain wall, glowing symbols slowly moving across its surface.
Before entering, they checked their characters ā weapons, attributes, and buffs.
They both had a lot of healing materials and food to increase stamina.
Both of them were fully prepared and very curious beyond their imaginations because this was the first task they were going to try to complete together.
Even though neither of them knew what would happen inside.
They were asking themselves:
"Will we both be able to accomplish this?"
"Or will our mission fail on the first floor?"
Sophia wished quietly:
"May God make this mission go well."
She was afraid she might disappoint Shakti because she was not as strong as him.
Sophia clicked the "Enter" option.
Immediately, a difficulty selection popped up on her screen.
She typed:
Sophia:
"Shakti, which option should I choose?
(1. Easy, 2. Medium, 3. Hard)"
Shakti replied with confidence:
Shakti:
"You choose Hard. It doesn't matter if we fail. Let's try it once and see what happens."
Sophia chose Hard and tapped "Invite Teammates".
Shakti accepted the invitation.
Now they had to choose characters wisely. The rule of the game was that in Duo mode, each player could use only 2 characters.
Shakti didn't think much. He just picked his strongest characters.
The two he picked were:
1. Kaishen Verdor ā A rock-type character who gives shields to all teammates. He is also the ruler of Jadewall Dominion.
2. Jorvik Hale ā A water-type character used as a damage dealer.
Sophia couldn't understand which characters to use. She asked him in a low, awkward tone.
Sophia:
"Shakā¦ti, what do you think I should use for this?"
A slight smile appeared on Shakti's face behind the screen.
Shakti:
"Hahaha, alright. Now listen ā you should use a healer and a mage, especially the ones you have fully built."
Sophia felt a little shy.
Sophia:
"Uh-hmmā¦ I understood."
She opened the character vault and selected what he suggested.
The characters she picked were:
1. Thalessia Lumerin ā A water-type character who can heal all party members and switch healing into damage. Players use her as a sub-damage dealer.
2. Nyra Solenne ā A wind-type character used as support and for team buffs.
Finally, both of them selected their characters.
The time came to press the "Start" button.
A faint wind sound echoed as the dungeon gate slowly began to openā¦
To be continuedā¦