Late Night At Work

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 frowned. He had never seen this app before. He clicked on it, hoping to close it and get back to his work, but the app did not respond. Instead, the dragon's eyes seemed to blaze brighter, and the screen filled with swirling colors. A low, ominous hum emanated from the speakers, sending chills down his spine.

"Great, just great, for an evening" he muttered. He was about to force the shut-down on the computer when a message popped up:

**"Enter the Fantasy Realm?"**

Below the message was a Yes below the nose of the dragon. "Yes" Massimo stared at the screen, his finger hovering over the closing button. 

Instantly, the hum grew louder, and the colors on the screen swirled faster, forming a vortex. Massimo felt a strange tugging sensation, as if the very fabric of reality was unraveling around him. Before he could react, the vortex expanded, enveloping him in a whirl of light and sound. He tried to scream, but no sound came out. The office disappeared, and he was plunged into complete darkness.

When he opened his eyes, he was no longer in his office. He was lying on a soft, grassy surface, surrounded by towering trees that stretched towards a sky filled with unfamiliar constellations. The air was cool and fragrant with the scent of pine and wildflowers. Massimo sat up, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Where am I? Oooh my God, what has happened to me, what did I do?" he whispered with his voice trembling, looking around in bewilderment.

He was in a forest, but it was unlike any forest he had ever seen in the world. This was different. The trees were immense, their trunks as broad as cars, and their leaves glowed with an ethereal light. Strange plants dotted the forest floor, casting a soft, blue glow.

Massimo stood up and brushed off his clothes, trying to make sense of what had happened. The last thing he remembered was the enormous light that came out of the computer.

"Is this some kind of elaborate prank? Or had he somehow been transported to another world, and who is this playing mind games with him?" Massimo muttered in his mind. 

"Hello....hello?" he called out, hoping to hear someone's voice. With his voice echoing through the trees, but there was no response.

He began to stroll hoping to find someone who would tell him what was going on. After what felt like hours of wandering, Massimo came across a clearing. In the center stood a tall, ancient-looking stone archway, covered in intricate carvings. The archway seemed to shimmer with a faint, otherworldly light.

Cautiously, he approached the archway. As he got closer, he noticed that the carvings depicted scenes of battles between fantastical creatures, dragons, knights, and sorcerers. At the top of the archway, the same dragon symbol from the app on his computer was etched into the stone.

Massimo reached out and touched the archway with trembling hands. As soon as his fingers made contact with the stone, a voice echoed in his mind.

**Welcome, Traveler. You have entered the Fantasy Realm. Your journey begins now.**

The voice was deep and resonant, filling him with both awe and trepidation. Before he could process what was happening, the archway began to glow brightly, and a portal of swirling light appeared within its frame.

Massimo hesitated in total fear. He had never seen anything like this before a voice intercepted his voice in his mind. 

**"Step through the portal, Traveler. Your destiny awaits."**

Taking a deep breath, Massimo stepped through the portal. The world around him dissolved into a whirlwind of colors and light, and he felt the same disorienting sensation as before. When the swirling stopped, he found himself standing in a bustling medieval town.

The streets were lined with cobblestone, and the buildings were constructed of timber and stone, with thatched roofs. People dressed in medieval attire hurried about their business, merchants hawking their wares, and children playing in the streets. The air was filled with the sounds of clanging metal, lively music, and the chatter of townsfolk.

Massimo stood in the middle of the street, feeling completely out of place. He looked down at himself and realized that his modern clothes had been replaced with a simple tunic, trousers, and sturdy boots. A leather satchel hung from his shoulder and a short sword was strapped to his waist.

"Okay, this is getting weirder by the minute," he muttered to himself with his heart racing against his chest.

As he tried to make sense of his surroundings, a tall man in a hooded cloak approached him. The man's face was obscured by the hood, but his piercing blue eyes seemed to bore into Massimo's soul.

"Welcome, Traveler," the man said in a low, gravelly voice.

"You have been chosen for a great task."

Massimo took a step back, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword, and he didn't know how fast he had done that had done, given that all his life he had never touched a sword. 

"Who are you? What is this place?" Massimo demanded with a hoarse voice. 

The man smiled, revealing a row of perfectly white teeth. I am known as Alaric, a guide for those who enter the Fantasy Realm. You, Massimo, have been brought here for a purpose.

"How do you know my name?" Massimo asked, suspicion racing in his voice.

Alaric's smile widened. I know many things, Traveler. The Fantasy Realm has chosen you, and I must help you navigate its challenges. Massimo shook his head in confusion.

That does not make any sense. I was just at my office, working late today, and now I'm here? What kind of task are you talking about?

Alaric gestured for Massimo to follow him. "All will be explained in time. For now, you must trust me and I will lead you through.

Reluctantly, Massimo followed Alaric through the winding streets of the town. They passed bustling markets, blacksmiths hammering away at anvils, and taverns filled with boisterous patrons. The townsfolk barely gave them a second glance, as if strangers appearing out of nowhere was a common occurrence.

They arrived at a large, imposing building made of stone and timber. Alaric pushed open the heavy wooden door and led Massimo inside. The interior was dimly lit, with flickering torches casting shadows on the walls. A large table stood in the center of the room, covered in maps and scrolls.

"Sit," Alaric stated with a commanding tone, gesturing to a chair beside the table. 

Massimo sat, feeling more confused and apprehensive than ever. Alaric took a seat across from him and spread out one of the maps.

"This," Alaric began, pointing to a spot on the map, "is where you are now, the town of Eldora. It is one of the many places within the Fantasy Realm."

Massimo leaned forward, studying the map. It was intricately detailed, depicting mountains, forests, rivers, and various settlements. "And what exactly is the Fantasy Realm?" he asked.

"The Fantasy Realm is a world of magic and adventure," Alaric explained. "It is a place where legends are born and heroes are made. You have been brought here because you possess a rare quality, a potential for greatness that the Realm recognizes."

Massimo shook his head. "This sounds like something out of a storybook. Why me? I'm just an ordinary guy who at one time works late at the office."

Alaric's eyes seemed to gleam with a mysterious light. "There is nothing ordinary about you, Massimo. The Realm chooses those who are destined to change its fate. Your journey will be fraught with danger and challenges, but if you succeed, you will achieve greatness beyond your wildest dreams."

Massimo rubbed his temples, trying to process everything. "So, what exactly is this task you keep mentioning?"

Alaric leaned back in his chair. "The Realm is in peril. A dark force has arisen, threatening to engulf the land in chaos and destruction. You must find the three Sacred Relics, ancient artifacts of immense power that can vanquish this evil. Only by uniting them can you restore balance to the Realm."

Massimo felt a chill run down his spine. "And where are these relics?" Massimo inquired, confused. 

Alaric pointed to three different locations on the map. "The first is hidden within the Cavern of Echoes, deep in the Misty Mountains. The second lies in the heart of the Enchanted Forest, guarded by fierce creatures. The third is kept within the Citadel of Shadows, a fortress of darkness and despair.

Massimo stared at the map, feeling a mix of fear and confusion. This was unlike anything he had ever experienced. 

And how am I supposed to find these relics? I do not ... "Massimo's statement was cut short when he saw a bright light ahead of him.