Levi's family

Cian ran closely behind her as she ran into the rice field. He could see her smile as she momentarily turned around. Her beautiful brown hair blew in the wind as she ran further into the tall grasses. "Elsa don't go too far" he called out before losing sight of her. "Elsa, where are you?" His light tone slowly turned into worry. "Elsa, Elsa"

"Elsa!" He screamed jolting awake from his dream, raising his head from the little puddle of drool and sweat on the table.

The dream felt like a cherished memory, even though their village had since lost their rice fields to the drought. "So, this is what a dream feels like," he mused, eyeing the smartphone that had just powered off.

He picked it up 'Ten missed calls' As he saw the notification it began ringing again 'MUM'

His heart sunk in fear as the name appeared, maybe it was due to Levi's residue emotions. He answered, before he could lift the phone to his ears he could already hear her screams

"So this is how you want to treat your sister?" she said harshly without a moment for greeting "She has been waiting for your call since midnight"

"It's something very simple why choose to disappoint her" she went on.

As a nurse, Levi's mother, Sarah, was almost always at the hospital. After losing her husband, she had to become the sole breadwinner for her kids. Taking up extra shifts and selling their house was the only way she could think of.

Darcy did chip in from whatever she earned playing 'Aetheria online' but even that was still barely enough to cover the expensive hospital.

Having to provide for her 'bum' son soon started to feel like a burden when she barely had enough for herself. Plus anyone would be disappointed if their son failed the same exam three times further straining their mother-son relationship.

The moment he heard her voice he knew it wouldn't be possible to explain what had happened to Levi, he'd rather just go with the flow for now.

"I know" Cian replied trying to sound as sorry as possible "I really didn't forget I just overslept, I'm heading there right now"

"You'd better" she retorted before seemingly calming down "She has already been through a lot try, not to disappoint her" she added as she hung up the phone.

The emotions Levi had left behind were intense but the one Cian felt the most was his love for Darcy, his sister. She was the single most important thing to him. He could easily lay his life for her and now Cian had inherited all these emotions.

He looked at the time on his phone, 'noon', no wonder she was that mad. He quickly hopped into the shower threw some clothes on and jogged to the bus stop.

Belaaria, was awfully cold around this time of the year but it was nothing compared to Lowdan during the winter. 

Being a small European third-world country located somewhere between the border of Asia and Europe, it had not undergone all the major technological development the rest of the world had experienced since the early 21st century. 

While other countries like America, Russia, and China had since begun using hyper Automated buses and cars, Belaaria still had a manual transportation system, with human drivers.

This archaic system was good enough to marvel Cian, staring at carriages that weren't pulled by horses was just like magic. He had met a few mages in his life but never in a million years would he have imagined the sight he was witnessing.

In fact, everything around him felt like magic from the light bulbs that needed no fire to ignite, to the smartphone that was capable of instant communication. 

But he couldn't marvel too much about it because although it felt like magic, at the same time it felt natural and made sense to him due to his newly acquired memories 

Standing there, he checked the wallet in his back pocket – just about $50, enough for the round trip. His stomach growled in protest. "Maybe I'll grab something to eat on the way back, or should I get her some flowers?" he pondered.

'Here in the real world they use paper instead of gold… that doesn't seem very practical or is paper really just that valuable here?' he thought as he stepped onto the bus that had just arrived.

The bus would take roughly 45 minutes to the Central district before he would have to walk another 15 minutes to the general hospital. So it would take roughly an hour to get from the outskirts of the city to the hospital where they were.

As he stared out the window watching the repeating image of buildings pass by, his mind went back to his dream. The image of the beautiful Elsa replayed so vividly in his mind before being replaced by her battered and bruised face.

 His eyes closed to escape the gruesome image as if it was right in front of him. The moments before his death came back, the sadness he felt as he watched Elsa die and the warriors laughing as they strolled away.

 " I'll definitely make them pay," he muttered to himself.

His attention was soon stolen away by the scenery of the central district. High-rise apartments, buildings that stretched into the sky, colorful billboards with moving pictures, and lots of people. The central district was as busy as usual. Although he had seen this site in Levi's memories the real thing was still something to marvel at.

Soon they got to the bus stop and he continued on foot. His head swung from side to side like a child who had just entered an amusement park for the first time.

A compelling aroma filled the air further intensifying his hunger as he walked past a shop with the words 'Sweet Tooth' written on a pink sign. 'Wouldn't it be better if I got her a cake?' he thought.

…..

"$10 for one cupcake?!" He questioned as he stepped out of the shop holding a small pink box. The central district really lived up to its status. "Well, it's what Levi would do," he said, trying to console himself as he continued on his journey.

Soon the hospital room door flung open as Levi stepped through "Happy birthday to the most beautiful sister in the world" he said, holding up the small cake with one lit candle. He had to force a smile so he could set the mood.

Fortunately, the memories Cian had acquired from Levi allowed him to play his role without any concern. He didn't have to worry too much about getting found out.

Darcy, the sickly but beautiful-looking teen with black hair, just like Levi's, sat on the bed without a shred of joy on her face as she watched her brother walk in. Beside her sat a frail-looking woman putting on a blue uniform assigned to the nurses in the hospital.

"Did you get it" Darcy inquired coldly but yet eagerly as she took off the oxygen mask on her face

At the tender age of fifteen, Darcy found herself entangled in the clutches of a harrowing accident. After waking up from a one-year-long coma it took her a few months to come to terms with everything that had happened to her

Cian could almost feel the pain Levi felt as he recalled the memories of his sister crying every night when she was told she would never be able to walk again. 

Fortunately, she got back most of her composure and was slowly returning to her usual cheerful self after joining the Virtual world of Aetheria. 

She had since recovered from any physical injury leaving her with lessly visible scars. The only evidence of the accident was the loss of her lower limbs, her youthful countenance remained a testament to her innate beauty even without a smile on her face.

Cian knew exactly what she was asking about

"Yes" he replied not wanting to arouse any suspicion

Her face lit up as she squealed in excitement, the cold atmosphere quickly receded from the room.

"So that means we can play together?" She asked as smiled ear to ear

"Of course, but only after you've rested," Cian replied, trying as much as possible to sound like her big brother as he handed her the cake, not like he had to try since it all was coming so naturally.

Levi's mother who had worn a worried expression let out a sigh of relief as she saw her daughter smile

"I would, but you know that you are technically asleep when you log in…" she said before blowing out the candle and began devouring the cake

"You didn't even tell your big brother thank you before eating" her mom said as she wiped the crumbs off her cheek

"Thank you, Levi" she managed to let out as she continued eating the cake. "Do you want some? It's really nice"

"No, I'll just have an apple" reaching for the fruit basket on the small table beside the bed

~Ah~ she let out a sound of satisfaction as she ended the poor cake

"I really can't remember the last time I ate cake, mom only feeds me fruits and soup," she said with a light tone

"That's cause you need to eat healthy" Levi replied

The duo soon began playing and laughing, filling the room with Estatic noise. Soon enough their mother joined in and the small family had a moment of peace forgetting all their worries for a while. Cian felt a strange connection with them as if they really were his family. They spent the time talking and teasing, also momentarily talking about the game.

After some hours he noticed the time on the clock

"It's already past five, I'll have to leave now if I want to catch the bus" he knew he couldn't dare miss the bus because this broke body could not afford a cab that far out.

Her eyebrows dipped low as she cried "Can't you stay a bit more?"

"I would love to but I really can't the final bus would live in thirty minutes" as he approached her for a hug "Don't worry we'll still get to see in the game"

Her mood lifted as she heard those words "Okay, see you later, and don't forget to download the AET app and link it to the console"

"Yeah, yeah" he replied as he hugged her lightly. "Now get some rest" he tucked her into her bed and headed for the door

Their mother who had since been standing beside him followed closely behind him

"Okay now Darcy get some rest, call me if you need me I'll be downstairs," she said as she closed the door.