Chapter 9
When the virtual earthquake subsides, the city resumes its apparent calm. Mizuki, Akira and his partner watch the virtual cracks disappear as if nothing had happened.
"That was strange," Akira murmurs.
I nod, a hint of suspicion in the air. "It feels like a new layer of complexity added to the game."
Mizuki turns to me, his scrutinizing eyes assessing every expression on my face. "Jomei, do you know something we don't?"
I lower my eyes, reluctant to share the true nature of my involvement in this ordeal. "No, nothing special. Bugs seem to be becoming commonplace."
We resume our progress through the city, each street corner perhaps concealing a new trial. The mysteries of this virtual universe seem to thicken with each passing moment.
As we explore a central square, a bright light emanates from a virtual monument. A notification appears before us.
┌───── -✧✧- ─────┐
- Special Event Triggered -
└───── -✧✧- ─────┘
"What is it now?" murmurs Akira, watching the virtual window unfold.
The square is suddenly transformed into a holographic arena. Virtual creatures emerge from the environment, and a new message is displayed.
┌───── -✧✧- ─────┐
-Special Event-
🌌 Arena of Illusions 🌌
Game Rules:
Surviving illusions
🕒 Event duration: 7 minutes 🕒
└───── -✧✧- ─────┘
Mizuki frowns, prepared to face this new ordeal. "We must stay together and find a way to overcome this."
The virtual creatures approach, and my concern grows. Mizuki can defend herself, but I realize I'm unarmed, caught off guard in this hostile environment.
The first combat moves reveal our vulnerability. Mizuki dodges deftly, sidestepping virtual attacks with grace. Akira, however, seems panicked, realizing he's defenseless.
"We have to stay together!" cries Mizuki, managing to eliminate a virtual creature.
As we struggle, I realize that the rules still apply. If I die, it will mean the loss of our duo.
The battle becomes chaotic, virtual creatures multiplying, illusions blurring our senses. Every move counts, every choice fatal.
As we fight for our survival, I can't help but feel the urgency of finding a solution to our disarmament. The Arena of Illusions tests not only our skills, but our ability to overcome adversity.
In this virtual battle, the outcome remains uncertain, but we have no choice but to face it together, a vulnerable team at the heart of this digital reality.
The last virtual creature falls to Mizuki's expert blows. A moment's respite sets in, but before we can breathe, Mizuki, with surprising agility, brandishes his dagger in my direction.
"Mizuki, what are you doing?" I cried, confused and shocked.
She doesn't answer, her eyes fixed on me, devoid of all emotion. Instinctively, I step back, trying to understand this sudden threat.
"Mizuki, stop!" pleads Akira, incredulous at this transformation.
But Mizuki persists, his attack growing ever more ferocious. I block his blows as much as I can, but every movement is a dangerous dance with the blade of his dagger.
As I struggle to defend myself, a thought emerges in my mind. The title of the event, the Arena of Illusions, makes perfect sense. Mizuki must be under the influence of an illusion, causing her to see me as a threat, a monster.
"Mizuki, it's an illusion!" I shout, trying to reason with her.
She didn't respond, lost in a distorted reality. I understood the magnitude of the problem. If she kills me, it will mean her own death, and our duo will have failed.
I decide to disarm Mizuki, avoiding any further damage. With calculated precision, I manage to deflect her blade and disarm her. Mizuki, suddenly deprived of her weapon, collapses to the ground, freed from the illusion's grip.
"What happened?" she asks, her gaze lost.
I calmly explain the situation, emphasizing the mystical bond that unites us in this ordeal. Mizuki, still disorientated, realizes the danger she had represented.
Our team, shaken by this mental ordeal, must now regroup and continue to face the challenges of the Arena of Illusions.
Tension slowly dissipates after the strange episode in the Arena of Illusions. Mizuki, Akira and I come to our senses, aware that every moment can reveal a new threat. However, a new series of unexpected events awaits us.
Mizuki, having just recovered from her state of illusion, suddenly finds herself captured by a virtual creature, her screams echoing through the air. At the same time, Ozaki seems to be drawn to a ghostly woman, his eyes fixed on an elusive presence.
Just as I'm about to react, a notification window pops up in front of me, the bluish light illuminating my tense face. The message is clear, but the ultimatum difficult to accept.
The weight of the decision falls on my shoulders, and in the urgency of the situation, I realize that every choice can have devastating consequences. The seconds tick by, leaving uncertainty hanging over the Arena of Illusions.
┌───── -✧✧- ─────┐
- You can only save one -
>Save Mizuki >Save Ozaki
└───── -✧✧- ─────┘