RUN - 14
Edge stood on the virtual precipice of despair, his world reduced to a turbulent whirlwind of betrayal and taunts.
Blade's ruthless victory haunted him. "Die in hell," "You arrogant bastard," "Did you really think you could beat Blade?" The words played on a never-ending loop, mercilessly taunting him, rendering his mind a battleground of bitter memories. Edge was utterly lost, unable to process the chain of events that had led him here.
Yet, in the midst of this relentless mental storm, a peculiar memory surfaced—a nugget of wisdom imparted to him by his father during his childhood.
"Whenever your mind is in great turmoil and you find yourself unable to make sense of anything," his father had said, "just start running. Clear your thoughts and run as far and as long as you can, even if you don't know where you're headed. The path will reveal itself."
Edge had always considered this advice eccentric, and even his father had chuckled at its absurdity. But strangely, it seemed to work for both of them, an inexplicable remedy for life's tribulations.
So, without a clear plan or destination in mind, Edge embarked on a jog—a medium-paced, unguided journey into the virtual unknown.
Time ceased to have meaning as he jogged relentlessly through the digital landscape. With no timer in his pod, he could play indefinitely, sustained by the nutritional cells integrated into the system.
Eventually, he reached the apparent edge of the digital world.
His stamina remained robust, courtesy of his continuous jog.
At the virtual horizon, he hesitated only briefly before wading into the sea. As the saltwater embraced his knees, he transitioned from jogging to swimming, seamlessly continuing the journey.
It was a mindless pursuit, dictated by a stubborn resolve to adhere to his father's quirky counsel.
Despite his character's limitless in-game stamina, Edge grappled with mounting mental fatigue, yet he pressed on, stroking through the relentless rain and surging waves.
Over two hours of swimming led him into the heart of a gathering storm, as if he believed this tumultuous sea would either lead him to his destination or consume him entirely.
The tempest roared around him, torrential rain blurring his vision, and colossal waves crashing upon him. Yet, Edge remained resolute, undeterred by the chaotic surroundings. His once-inept swimming skills had improved dramatically, forged by unwavering determination.
He refused to divert from his course, believing that destiny or demise awaited him.
Suddenly, a powerful whirlpool ensnared him, spiraling him into its abyss. For what felt like an eternity, he remained submerged, his eyes closed. Then, with a sudden burst of determination, he opened them, greeted by a disorienting swirl of bubbles.
Fighting against the relentless pull, he swam upwards with every ounce of strength, driven by an innate survival instinct.
Finally, he broke the surface, gasping for precious air. This near-death encounter was the jolt of motivation he desperately needed to continue his journey.
Edge needed to log out of the game, yet he was marooned in the open sea, land nowhere in sight.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Edge realized that he had found refuge from the storm, if nothing else. Night descended upon him, and he assumed he was alone in the vast expanse of water until he noticed an ominous shadow cast upon the sea.
He turned, squinting at the massive, snake-like creature emerging from the depths. Its head was as colossal as a mountain, and its deep, yellow-white eyes bore into his soul.
Edge had no idea how he had ventured into the territory of such a monstrous entity. Frozen in awe and terror, he watched as the creature roared, causing blood to trickle from his ears.
As the monstrous jaws parted, revealing a gaping maw, Edge knew he had reached the brink of his journey. The enormous creature lunged forward, its lower jaw splitting apart like a gruesome nightmare.
With grim resignation, Edge allowed himself to be swallowed by the monstrous abyss.
Darkness enveloped him as he lost consciousness, the virtual world fading into an eerie void. Edge awaited the familiar prompt signaling his in-game death, anticipating a swift revival.
However, seconds turned into minutes, and there was no indication of his impending resurrection.
In the darkness, Edge's thoughts danced on the precipice of despair. Was he truly trapped in the clutches of the virtual abyss, lost forever in a sea of nothingness? But then, a glimmer of hope stirred within him as the passage of time remained uncertain.
"If I'm still waiting," he whispered to himself, "then I'm still alive."
Suddenly, he felt a force tugging at his consciousness, pulling him out of the inky void. Slowly, Edge opened his eyes and found himself bathed in the warm glow of a bright, sunny sky. The gentle caress of the wind brushed against his skin, and he realized he was standing on solid ground.
He had arrived on an island—a seemingly ordinary, tranquil island.
Yet, to Edge, it represented something far more profound. It was not merely an escape from the turmoil of the virtual world; it was a new beginning, a fresh chapter in his life's journey.
Here, on this remote island, he would face challenges and discoveries that transcended the boundaries of the digital realm, and the echoes of his father's unconventional advice would resonate more profoundly than ever before.
As Edge stood there, gazing at the boundless horizon stretching before him, he couldn't help but wonder if this newfound island held the answers he had been seeking all along.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.