"Massimo! Help! Somebody, please help me!" Elena cried out, her voice filled with desperation.
Massimo, who had been sitting in his study, poring over the ancient journal that he was given by Detai, heard her scream and immediately sprang to his feet. His heart pounded in his chest as he raced down the hallway to their bedroom. His mind was flooded with fear and worry; the memory of the recent incident flashed on his mind. Massimo burst into the room, finding Elena clutching her stomach, her face contorted in agony. "Elena! What’s wrong?" he asked, his voice shaking with concern as he rushed to her side. Elena's eyes were wide with pain and terror. "It hurts, Massimo. It hurts so much," she gasped, tears streaming down her cheeks. Massimo gently lifted her into his arms, feeling the tremors that wracked her body. "Hang on, darling. I’m getting you to the hospital." Just as he was about to carry her out of the room, two of the guardians, who had heard Elena's screams, appeared in the doorway. Their eyes widened in alarm at the sight of her distress. "Mr. Massimo, what’s happening?" one of the guards asked urgently. "We need to get her to the hospital now," Massimo replied, his voice tight with urgency. " I am sorry, Massimo, but we cannot allow that, they might track us down, and we cannot allow that to risk the lives of the rest of us. " What do you mean? She is suffering, and you think I will just watch her lay there and take her last breath?" Massimo lay there. Massimo sat beside her, holding her hand tightly. "I’m here, Elena. I’m right here, Don't worry I will not leave you here alone." he whispered, trying to keep his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at him. Elena’s grip on his hand was weak, but she managed to squeeze it. "Massimo, I’m scared," she said, her voice barely a whisper. He leaned in closer, his eyes filled with determination. "You are going to be okay, Elena, hold on, we are almost there. Just hold on a little longer." Massimo pleaded before the guardian who treated Elena came with the first aid kit box. "Please, sir, you need to wait here. We will do everything we can for her," he said firmly. Massimo nodded, though every fiber of his being wanted to be by Elena’s side. He paced outside the room, his mind a whirlwind of worry and fear. He glanced at his phone, tempted to call someone for support, but he didn’t want to burden anyone else with his fears. As the minutes ticked by, each one felt like a lifetime. Finally, the guardian emerged from the room, her expression serious but calm. Massimo rushed over to her, his heart in his throat. "How is she?" he asked, his voice trembling. The doctor took a deep breath. "Your wife is stable for now, but she’s in a lot of pain. We need to run some tests to determine the cause. It’s possible she has a severe internal issue that requires immediate attention." Massimo nodded, his mind racing. "Can I see her?" The guardian nodded. "Yes, but just for a moment. We need to get her for a scan soon." Massimo followed the doctor into the room where Elena lay on a hospital bed, her face pale and drenched in sweat. He rushed to her side, taking her hand in his. "Elena, I’m here," he said softly, his eyes filled with concern and love. She looked up at him, her eyes glassy with pain. "Massimo... I’m scared. What’s happening to me?" He brushed a strand of hair from her face, trying to soothe her. "They are going to find out. They are going to help you, I promise." Elena nodded weakly, her grip on his hand tightening for a brief moment. "Don’t leave me." "I won’t," he assured her, his voice breaking. "I’m right here. I will be here when you wake up." A guardian nurse approached them, gently informing Massimo that they needed to take Elena for further tests. He kissed her forehead softly, whispering words of encouragement before stepping back to let the medical team do their work. Elena lay in the bed, her face etched with pain and exhaustion. Massimo sat by her side, holding her hand tightly, his eyes filled with worry. She approached Elena with a gentle smile, her demeanor calm and professional. "Mrs. Massimo, we need to give you something to help with the pain and to make you more comfortable," the guardian nurse said softly. "It will help you sleep and recover." Elena nodded weakly, her eyes darting at Massimo. "Will it hurt?" The nurse shook her head. "No, you’ll just feel a slight pinch. It will help you rest." Massimo squeezed Elena’s hand, his voice tender but strained. "It’s okay, Elena. Just relax. I’m right here." The nurse carefully swabbed Elena’s arm with alcohol, her movements precise and practiced. Take a deep breath, Mrs. Massimo, she instructed. Elena closed her eyes, exhaling slowly as the nurse inserted the needle into her arm. The sensation was sharp but brief, and soon a warm, tingling feeling spread through her body. She felt the edges of consciousness beginning to blur, her eyelids growing heavy. "Massimo," she whispered, her voice faint. "Don’t leave me." Massimo leaned in closer, his heart aching at the sight of her vulnerability. I am not going anywhere, sweetie. I will be here when you wake up. I promise." The nurse removed the syringe, gently pressing a cotton ball to the injection site. "You will start to feel sleepy now," she said soothingly. "Just let yourself rest." Elena’s eyes fluttered open and shut, her grip on Massimo’s hand weakening. "I love you," she murmured, her words slurring as sleep took hold. Massimo felt a lump form in his throat. "I love you too, Elena. More than anything." As Elena slipped into unconsciousness, Massimo brushed a tear from his cheek. He looked up at the nurse, his expression a mixture of gratitude and fear. "Is she going to be okay?" The nurse nodded reassuringly. Yes, Massimo. She just needs rest. We will be monitoring her closely. Massimo nodded, his gaze returning to Elena’s peaceful face. "Thank you." The nurse offered him a kind smile before leaving the room. The door closed softly behind her, and the room fell into a hushed silence, broken only by the steady beeping of the monitors. Massimo settled into the chair beside Elena’s bed, his mind racing with a mix of relief and lingering anxiety. He watched her chest rise and fall with each breath, his thoughts drifting to the events that had led them here. The relics, the mysterious phone call, the journal, all seemed so distant now, overshadowed by the immediate reality of Elena’s condition. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the worn journal, flipping through its pages absently before he was interrupted by some noises from outside.Joe’s hands trembled as he gripped the controls of the shuttle, Damm, this can't be happening, Lena! Lena!" Joe shouted as the alien ship’s explosion still replayed in his mind, the fiery burst that swallowed Lena. He could not shake the image, the gut-wrenching certainty that she was gone. His gaze flickered at Martin, who lay unconscious beside him, his skin ashen and his breathing shallow. “ Hang on, Martin, I won't lose you also, I won't allow it.” Joe muttered under his breath, adjusting their course towards the Vanguard airship. The shuttle hummed as it sped through space, the stars blurring into streaks of light. Every second felt like an eternity, the silence inside the cockpit heavy with dread. Joe’s crackled to life, a familiar voice cutting through the static. “Joe, what’s your status? ” It was Commander Reeves, the leader of their Vanguard unit. Joe swallowed hard, his voice shaky as he replied. “ Commander, we have... we have lost Lena. The alien ship exploded. She d
Massimo sat at his desk, the office bathed in the dim glow of fluorescent lights. It was late, and the building was eerily quiet. His colleagues had left hours ago, but he remained, hunched over his computer, trying to finish the quarterly financial report. The only sounds were the rhythmic tapping of his keyboard and the occasional hum of the air conditioning.He stretched his arms above his head, feeling the tension in his shoulders. A glance at the clock told him it was nearly midnight. He sighed and rubbed his eyes, then turned his attention back to the screen. Just as he was about to resume typing, his computer screen flickered and went dark."What the hell?" he muttered, jiggling the mouse. The screen remained blank for a moment, then a strange app icon appeared in the center. It was shaped like a dragon, its eyes glowing red, and the words"Fantasy Realm" was emblazoned below it in gothic script with the bright light hitting his eyes almost causing them to go blind. Massimo fr
Massimo's head throbbed as he lay on the bed, blinking up at the familiar ceiling of his bedroom. His clothes clung to his body, drenched with sweat, and the sheets beneath him were damp and tangled. He turned his head to see his wife, Elena, sitting beside him, her face etched with worry."Massimo, are you okay?" Elena's voice was soft but urgent, her eyes wide with concern. "You were thrashing around and calling out in your sleep, Are you okay?"Massimo struggled to sit up, his mind racing with the fragments of the surreal experience he had just gone through. He tried to piece it together, but the details seemed to slip through his fingers like sand. The last thing he remembered was the strange fantasy realm and the mysterious figure who had been about to reveal crucial information to him, and he was confused, given that he was back in his office and he didn't know how he ended up in his house."I... I don't know," he stammered, rubbing his temples. "It felt so real, Elena. I was in
" It is just no one and I think I am a bit hungry. What is there ready?" Massimo stated. "Massimo, honey, honey" she said softly, trying to keep her voice steady as she uttered his name.Elena stepped into the room, her concern deepening. "Massimo, you’ve been saying that for days now. You missed work again today. How many warnings has your boss given you?"Massimo waved a hand dismissively, his attention already back on the book. "Work doesn’t matter right now, Elena. Don’t you see? This is bigger than any job. This is history, this is discovery. This is what I want to discover, and we will be rich soon, and we will not work anymore. "Massimo paced the length of his study, the dim light casting long shadows that danced across the walls. His thoughts were a tangled mess, consumed by the relics and the cryptic message from the anonymous caller. The study, usually his sanctuary, felt oppressive tonight. He could still feel the weight of the old books and ancient artifacts pressing dow
" Elena, I am sorry that you have been waiting for me." Massimo stated as guilt gnawed at him as he fumbled for his keys, his hands trembling slightly. Elena was wearing her night lingerie and a gown, her eyes red and puffy from her tiredness."Massimo, where have you been and are you drunk? Do you know that I have been worried and sick?" Elena demanded, her voice breaking with emotion. Massimo opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. His vision blurred, and he felt his knees buckle. He collapsed to the floor, the world around him fading to black." Massimo, please wake up, wake up...." Elena placed soft slaps on his chicks as he carried him upstairs. When he opened his eyes, he was no longer in his living room. The familiar surroundings of his home had been replaced by a surreal landscape, one that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy. He found himself standing in a vast, open field, the grass a vibrant shade of green that seemed almost too bright to be real. The
Massimo emerged from the lavatory, still drying his hands with a towel, when his phone buzzed insistently on the dresser. He glanced at the screen and saw an unknown number flashing. With a sense of unease, he picked it up and answered."Hello?" he said cautiously, given the phone number he was unfamiliar to him.A deep, gravelly voice responded, sending a chill down his spine."Massimo Ricci?" The other end inquired. "Yes, this is Massimo. Who am I speaking to?" Massimo inquired, trying to compose his voice. The voice on the other end was calm yet commanding, with an undertone that suggested he was not to be trifled with."You do not need to know who I am. What matters is that I have something you need."Massimo's heart raced. "What are you talking about?""I believe you're searching for relics. Meet me at the address I have just sent you. You have five minutes. Come alone." The voice said, its profound tone echoing through the phone. Before Massimo could ask any questions, the li
" Step out of the car," a sharp voice stated from the other end."Hello?" he said, his voice tinged with curiosity and caution."Massimo, climb down from your vehicle, now." a gruff voice ordered on the other end, devoid of any pleasantries."Who is this and how do you know my name?" Massimo demanded, his heart rate picking up. But before he could get any answers, the line went dead. His instincts screamed at him to drive away, but something compelled him to comply.As soon as he opened his car door and stepped out after he found his tire, one down, a sharp blow struck the back of his head. The world spun, darkness closing in rapidly. He barely had time to register what was happening before everything went black.When he regained consciousness, he found himself in a small, dimly lit cabin. The rough jostling of the cabin told him it was moving, and the steady clop of hooves outside indicated it was being carried by a horse. He tried to move but realized his hands were tied behind his
Massimo was staring at Detai with sharp eyes as he laughed out loud as he tried to untie himself, but the rope was tight, and there was silence, and Detai's chest was bleeding from the arrow that went through his chest and fell near Massimo and, with a little strength, helped Massimo to untie him, and it was not long that Massimo was free but Detai was taking his last breath. Massimo's breath came in ragged gasps as he cradled Detai's head in his lap, his hands pressing desperately against the wound in Detai's chest. Blood seeped through his fingers, warm and sticky, a stark reminder of the reality unfolding before him. Detai's eyes, once so vibrant with life, were dimming, his breath shallow and labored. "Detai, stay with me," Massimo pleaded, his voice breaking. "You cannot leave me. We still have so much to do." Detai's hand, trembling and weak, reached up to grasp Massimo's. "Massimo," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the roaring wind. "You must... finish this." Te