{ ANOTHER GAMING UNIVERSE; ASH REALM} The room was dim, the only light coming from the flickering embers of the fireplace. I slumped further into the cushion, staring at the ceiling, trying to drown out the memories of Thomas. His laughter, his wisdom, his unwavering support—it all haunts me now.“Tell me, Shadow Blade,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I need to know how to kill them.” [THEY ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD, Frederick.] [To defeat them, you must venture into their reality.]I sat up, the weight of those words sinking in. “Their realm? Are you saying we have to leave Earth?”[YES. THEY COME FROM A PLACE BEYOND OUR UNDERSTANDING, A DIMENSION WHERE TIME AND SPACE ARE FLUID. YOU WILL NEED AN ANCHOR TO GUIDE YOU BACK.]I took a deep breath, the weight of the task ahead of me sinking in. I looked at the picture of Thomas once more, his smiling face giving me a glimmer of hope and determination. "What kind of anchor?"[A TOKEN OF GREAT PERSONAL VALUE, SOMETHING THAT TIES Y
{ SYSTEM NEW RULES}Zack and the rest gathered in my mansion, awaiting my arrival. "Do you think he is going to ever come back?" Cassandra asked, looking at Zack with a worried look on her face. "I have never ventured into space before, Cassie, so ask me stuff that looks real." Zack replied, feeling agitated himself. Everyone was edgy and was walking in an eggshell. The fact that they knew I was the key to solving the mystery they were in added to their fears, and they knew I couldn't die now. Their phone beeped at the same time, and a new system mission was given. [SYSTEM ALERT][SYSTEM TASK: PLAY YOUR NEXT MISSION TO GIVE STRENGTH TO FRED] [SYSTEM REWARD: A LIFE PORTION TO EACH GAMER AND A SUM OF $23,000,000] They all concentrated on the task coming up on their phones. They were all tired of winning the round and sending the healing portion strength as promised by the system. "Did you make the cut?" Zack asked, looking at all their faces. Wccler Judith, who was neutral. She ha
{ JONAS AND DIANA AT WAR}Jonas had to sneak back into the country when Davina called to tell him Diana, his sister, had betrayed their father. Without believing his ears that Davina was back, Jonas was able to enter the city unnoticed. Davina was seated outside by the pool as the gentle breeze blew over her skin. The sun cast a warm glow over the surroundings, its rays dancing across the rippling pool water and illuminating the lush greenery that surrounded the outdoor seating area. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the soft chirping of birds, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The gentle breeze carried whispers of the past, secrets, and lies that had been hidden for so long.Davina sat with her eyes fixed on the distant horizon, her expression a mix of determination and worry. Her long, dark hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail, revealing her sharp jawline and piercing green eyes that seemed to bore into the soul. She was a picture of ca
{ JONAS INJURED } Jonas tightened his grip on the dagger, his eyes narrowing as he took a step towards Diana. "Tell me the truth now, or so help me, Diana; I will find out myself, and it won't be pleasant. Tell me why you have to have your father locked away."Diana's eyes flashed with defiance. "You think you can intimidate me, Jonas? I've faced worse than you." She reached behind her, her fingers brushing the edge of the shelf, searching for something she could use to defend herself."Stop!" Jonas shouted, his voice echoing through the empty mansion. "I will not let you destroy this family. Not after everything we've been through. Father had to make sure I was safe, and I am going to do the same thing whether you like it or not." Jonas screamed at her. His eyes showed he was mad with rage, and he would do anything to get his answers from Diana.Diana's hand found the cold, hard surface of a marble bookend. She gripped it tightly, her heart pounding in her chest. "Jonas, you don't u
{ THE ENEMY OF MY ENEMY IS MY FRIEND}Zack walked in with Diana behind him. The room was tensed as Jonas was laid on the bed with lots of eyes that wanted him dead looking at him. "When was he in the country?" Judith asked, looking at Diana. "I was taken by surprise when he showed up. I wasn't expecting to see him." Diana replied, her eyes showing she had been crying. "You do know we want him dead, right?" Flora said it without any feelings. "Be nice." Zack looked at her. "Be nice? Do I need to remind you that he tried to kill me, and he killed Xavier?" Flora looked at Zack. "Guys, we have a lot going on for us at the moment. Fred is not here, and I don't know what he would have done. But I am trying to keep things together until he is around. Only Fred gets to decide his fate. As for the main time, we need to know how we are going to defeat the men in black." Zack replied Diana wiped her face and looked at Zack. She didn't understand what he meant by men in black."What do you mean?
{ THE SHADOW NINJAS}Diana's face became pale as the shadows began to change into recognisable forms; their movements were fluid and almost precise. She instinctively reached for her weapon, but Zack's hand stopped her. "Save it," he whispered. "We'll need more than just brute force."He had seen the shadow fight, and it was nothing they could counter without proper strategy. He looked at the others and saw that they were scared. "We just need to live through the night. They attached us in the night for a reason. "I thought Fred was supposed to have taken care of them." Judith shouted, bringing out her avatar. "I hope he does, for everyone's sake." Zack replied, getting ready with a battle formation. The room was plunged into silence, the tension palpable. Flora, Rosetta, and Judith formed a defensive semi-circle around Jonas's prone form, their eyes darting to the shadows now fully taking shape. The men in black had arrived."We need to hold them off until we figure out our next mov
{ FINDING ALLIES }The first rays of dawn cast a golden hue over the mansion. Zack lay in Flora's arms, his breathing slow and steady. The others gathered around, exhaustion etched into their faces, but a glimmer of hope showed in their eyes. The night had been brutal, but they had survived. For now.Diana stood by the window, keeping watch for any remaining threats. Her heart was still pounding from the adrenaline of the fight, and she found it difficult to relax despite their temporary victory. She glanced over at Zack, grateful for his resilience and leadership. She looked at him and still didn't understand how the ninjas had magically come out of the thin darkness or what they wanted with them."We can't stay here," Zack murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. Flora tightened her grip on him, her eyes filled with concern. She looked at him and knew he wasn't wounded, but his life force wasn't balanced. He needed more rest. "You're in no condition to move," she protested, but
{ TEMOORARY ALLINACE }"I will go and do the talking." Zack looked at everyone. "And do you think they would listen to you?" Judith looked at his face. "They have too, because the fate of the world depends on them listening to me," Zack replied, grabbing the tracker. "I will go with you." Jonas went inside to grab a few of his things. "I don't think that is a good idea." Diana replied, stopping him. "And why is that?" Jonas raced his eye brows, looking at Diana. "Because you are in no shape to go out, and besides, you can't defend yourself if things go south." Jonas looked at Zack and said, "He is there to protect me." "I doubt that. You should listen to your sister." Zack replied, walking towards the door. "I will tag along. You need all the muscle you can get." Judith replied"Be safe; don't forget to beep us if anything happens." Diana said, looking at both of them.Zack and Judith entered the car that had brought them and drove out of the forest, heading towards the tracker.