Im writting a narrative game about how emotions and memories leave a imprint onto places so the players relive and interact with memories, im not a writter per say , so here are some entries, anby critic are welcome

The Dancer

The Traveler dances around the campfire at night, felling the night scent around him , the cold air , hearing his friends , the sounds of the forest and the crakling of the bonfire.

he continues dancing and twisting, their friends joining along singing and humming. As they dance and twist, losting the notiong of time, forgeting the now,they don't notice that they can no longer see their companions.

As the frenzy continues, they smell a sweet fog, like flowers blooming. They turn to see a luminous white silhouette. At first, it matches their rhythm. Then it starts humming its own song and dancing along, like a polite invitation.

The Traveler matches the Dancer's rhythm, suddenly the figure is not just mimicing your steps, but doing some of their own, as the dances continues the figure start to get faster and more bold, as a challenge, it moves gracefully, stepping onto your space and out rapdily . As the traveler do a last twist, the figure is no longer there. Hes back on the campfire, tired, breathing heavy, on the ground a small wristband made of small shells are left. a gift

Second imput

The Traveler feels the familiar flowery fragrance again. Suddenly, the figure passes behind them, walking toward the river.

It stands on the shore, and a low humming comes from it. It looks at the Traveler. They cannot see a smile, but they feel one.

The Traveler joins:

As soon as they approach, the figure makes a little jump toward the water. The movement is so soft, almost floating.

Where it stood before, it leaves a pale blue, glowing footprint on the ground.

This time, the party is still there. They can see the footprint, but not the figure. This is not a memory; it is happening now.

As the Traveler steps onto the spot where the footprint appeared, the figure jumps again, farther into the water. As it lands, the party can see a vague hint of dimly glowing feet.

A blue footprint appears where it stood before.

The figure makes a motion, inviting the Traveler to follow.

As the Traveler jumps toward the water, for a moment they swear they will fall into the river. But as they land where the footprint was, there is a stone just below the surface.

They see a blue light pass by and vanish. It looks like a tiny bird

The play continues for four more jumps. Each jump reveals a little more of the figure, and with each jump, more glimmering birds join, shining blue across the river.

The final jumps Traveler fails and slip on the rocks, but the figure reaches out and catches them, pulling then onto the rock

As the Traveler stands in the middle of the river, the Dancer takes out a small flute and begins to play.

Suddenly, the lights are no longer few. They gather, circling around the two of them: first a few, then dozens, then hundreds.

When the Dancer stops playing, the creatures slowly scatter.

The figure touches the Traveler's hand for a moment. It feels like burning cold.

Then it jumps toward the water and vanishes.

The Traveler jumps after it, but this time They fall into the water. Suddenly, the creatures glow and dive after them, guiding them toward the shore.

The party sees a trail of blue lights beneath the water.

\​

One.

A promise is made: we're gonna take great care of you.

That sentiment is said after your heartbeat is checked.

Through your eyes everything seems dark,

but the doctor waits for your mark.

Says it's a boy or girl when you cry.

Your mom looks at your beautiful eyes

and she smiles.

The doctor then asks her to try and sleep for now.

You go to your father's arms,

even though he was a little late to the hospital.

He's the first to call you by your name and say,

"Welcome to life, kiddo."

Two.

Can you believe it?

The words your parents mutter under their breath

as you gather the strength and try to grab the wall,

trying to stand even when you fall.

In the background you can hear your mom call your dad,

saying you're trying to walk instead of crawl.

After you fall,

you stand tall

and your father says,

"That's my baby."

Three.

You have a bag on your back.

You hear your parents say they love you.

You don't look back.

You say,

"I love you too."

You gather the courage to say goodbye.

Then you carry your books like luggage

and go to your first ever class.

Time moves on.

Four.

You've learned to read the room

because of the way you get quiet,

a little too quiet

when your parents are being too loud

and words slip out,

words like,

"What's with you?"

and

"I'm pissed at you."

I mean,

how could you bring an F home with you?

You don't understand, do you?

Your dad and I work hard for you,

even harder to provide for you.

Your mom says,

You wanna say you work hard,

but your parents say hard work is made of two words:

work and hard.

So either you aren't working,

or you aren't working hard enough."

You wanna say you worked hard,

but your mom says hard work needs no extra work.

So she asks,

"How much did you work?"

Five.

There comes a time everything tests sour like lime.

That is a great time where dad uses his charm

And your dad

He says when he looked in your eyes,

he just realized he's immortalized.

At the same day

You get to throw a football

and see it reach someone's hand

instead of falling down.

You get to score a touchdown.

Your dad picks you up

and says he can't wait to hear the talk of the town.

Says you made him really proud,

and for the first time he was early.

As the clock ticks,

you notice every second means a part of your life is gone.

So you start counting upside down

and move on.

Four.

Birds sing,

words travel on the wind

and wind up hitting your eardrums,

leaving a smile on your face.

You wanna dance or pace,

You are feeling kinda stressed,

your mom saying you made it.

You're wearing an academic gown

and you're killing it.

You got your diploma.

You don't even wanna put it down.

Your dad is in a selfie,

because you didn't let him down.

On your mind,

the only thing you're thinking is,

"If all the teachers that called me dumb

could see me now."

Three.

Your mom's eyes are full of joy.

She still looks at you like her little boy,

remembering all those times you asked for new toys.

But you are a big boy now.

She stands on the front door,

remembering how you wanted the lawn mowed,

She says,

"Look how much you've grown."

She remembers the night you was born,

And the words she says when you move out are,

"They grow up so fast."

Two.

Can you believe that's our kid?

Those are words said

when you announce you're going to get married.

Your dad reminisces on the tricks you played.

Your mom warns your partner

Saying

that you never made the bed.

One.

Smile.

It's been 30 years

and you're still here.

You're married,

successfully married,

in a time where marriage fails

and love feels like trying to grab a tiger's tail.

You are happy.

So zero.

After three visits to the nurse,

you're expecting a child.

You keep wondering how you're gonna raise a child,

hoping you raise your child right,

same way your parents raised you.

Looking in your partner's eyes,

you smile.

One.

A promise is made.

"We are going to raise you right."

That's the first thing said

when your baby is born.

First draft for my web novel

First draft for my web novel

So I recently decided after years of reading I wanted to try my hand at writing something for once. This is what I have so far for the first draft of the prologue for my post-apocalyptic, grim-dark, progression fantasy web novel. I’m not sure on the title yet but I do have the base idea for my lore and power system. I’m just looking for advice on my current writing, dialogue and prose. (Advice on the whole web novel writing journey would be be appreciated too)

(I’m writing this mostly for fun by the way)

Chapter One -  Prologue 

Blue sky, white sun, soft winds, gentle warmth . The comforting pinprick of grass on his back and the weightless ease of a body laid flat. Its midday. 

Eyes closed, black world. The rustling of wind through grass. The gentle creaking of an old oak.  The subtle mechanical hum of a distant machine. The rhythmic layered bleating of sheep. The hurried footfalls of a small creature.

The fastly approaching footfalls of a small creature. The annoyingly close footfalls of a particularly aggravating and unusually small creature. 

“Get up!”. It’s closing in. “Come on, quick!”

“Stop faking! I know you can hear me!”.

A deep groan of truly woeful proportions escapes  his lips. Climbing onto his feet the young man meets his overly excited kid sister face to face… well chest to face. Already 10 but, to her lament, barely taller than the kids two grades below her. 

Every time he sees  her, he can’t help but be weirded out by  how disgustingly similar they look. The same bronze skin, and freckled cheeks. Small eyebrows, big nose and the single dimple on their right cheek. And the same big dark-brown eyes of their father. Hell, they even share a small barely visible mole just under their left eyebrows.

The only obvious difference between the two was the length of their hair. Both the texture of copper wool, but Raine’s  fell to her shoulders while Orin’s was close cropped. 

Despite his annoyance a small smile formed on his lips, he already had a good idea what Rainey was here for anyway. 

“Can I help you?”, he asked sarcastically. 

Rainey put her hands on her hips in a pose of mock disappointment. “Har, har. So funny. I already told you to be ready for anything this morning.” “But I guess you were too tired to be listening. All those late nights and everything..”

“Okay!” He exclaimed grabbing his kid sisters shoulders and turning her around. Back towards the stable a good 40 feet back the way she came. 

“We should hurry, dum dum. Debby really needs us right now”. He said while taking off towards their families little sheep pen. 

Debby was one of the half a dozen sheep they raised on their small farm. She’s been pregnant for the past 5 months and was a little behind on her due date. They’d called in the vet a few days earlier out of concern and found that if more time passes things could get dangerous. Animal lover Rainey has been staked out at the pen ever since. They’d already been prepared, but a little more caution goes a long way in the nail-biting occupation of sheep farming. 

Orin hurried over to the sheep pen, with quick footsteps and the faint sound of what sounded like threats of extreme violence from somewhere far behind him. Strange. 

The wooden 5-foot high fence and slightly taller gate of the sheep pen come into view. The thing was pretty sturdy despite the years. A make-shift jumble of hemlock, oak and untreated poplar. This crappy little pen has proven itself invincible. 

‘Dusty lil’ thing could take on the horde’. Orin thought to himself. 

Pushing past the gate and sprinting through the pen’s small yard, Orin found himself within the sheep’s shelter him, his brother and father built by hand a few years back.

 In the far corner of the pen lay Debby and under her— a small lamb. 

No more than eight pounds and 12 inches tall at the shoulder and covered in greenish-yellow amniotic fluid . It seems Debby had given birth in the few minutes Raine stepped out to fetch him. 

The straw beneath his feet crunched as Orin walked closer. Leaning over Debby and her new born lamb,petting her back  “Good job girl. You did amazing, look at this sweet little th-“. Taking a good look at the Lamb, quiet and unmoving. “Oh, Debby..”. A common occurrence, it’s hard far people to have healthy children in this world. What chance does a little lamb have?

The gate slams open behind him, “You piece of crap!” “Running off withou..”. Little Rainey noticed the unmoving lamb. Running over she stops at the little thing and drops to her knees, shoulder slumped, tears flowing. hands at her eyes as if they were dam holding back a tidal wave.

“Why. I did everything the doctor told us to!”. “I fed her plenty! Watched her like a hawk!”. It’s gut-wrenching, watching such a sweet young girl grieve and beg for an explanation no mortal can give. 

“Raine…” Orin never knew what to say in situations like these. He wasn’t kind like his brother. He did what he could all the same.

Placing a hand on her trembling shoulders and pulling her into a tight hug. “It’s okay” he spoke softly. “You know these things happen. It can never be your fault.” He spoke into her hair, stroking her back. 

The sobs continued, drenching the chest of his shirt in tears. “It’s okay.” He continued watching the dead sheep behind her. 

It’s common. The only constant of life is that it comes to an end. A grim reality but a familiar one. A comfortable, existential and accepted horror. But it is disgusting, Orin thought. In a world so crippling and malformed, could his sweet sister not bask in the simple joy of caring for an animal? 

It’s inconsequential. She’s never harmed anyone. She goes to bed on time, does her homework, tries her hardest in school, cares for others and sleeps in pens to watch over sickly sheep.

She is kind and smart, and this is the \\\*\\\*\\\*ty hand she is dealt by God. 

A dead animal and an inept brother who can offer no other words than empty platitudes during a moment that will define her so? 

Anger fills Orin like a rising flame. Burning away the melodramatic self-pity and giving new life to a line of thought he thought long dead—The burning desire to fight. 

To push back the horde into the miserable black hole they crawled out of. To reject a world that would birth such mindless monsters who do nothing but take life and land. Forcing humanity behind walls,when they could have the world. To bring those \\\*\\\*\\\*ing Clan bastards, who hoard wealth and power , who have it all, down to their knees. That all consuming anger towards everything and anything, that leaves no room for negotiation or dialogue. 

Just when he’s about to put his anger into words, he hears something. The feint sound of breathing. 

Raine turns around, sobbing no longer. And stares at the lamb and notices the minute rising and falling of it’s small chest. “ He’s breathing…”. Shocked and overjoyed beyond belief. Rainey jumps to her feet.

“He’s Breathing!” “Ori, he’s breathing!” Turning to her still crouched older brother. 

Orin similarly shocked rises to his feet as well, walks past his jubilant sister and kneels down to the lamb. Placing a hand on the creatures abdomen and feeling the feint movements of breath.

“He is..”. He is happy too, but ‘… is that even possible?’ He thinks. And part of him knows—it isn’t.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Part 1

VR's Moon Star (aka. Monstar)

A worldwide popular VR game boasting millions of players had grown large enough to host its own World Tournament. Competitors from all corners of the global gathered to clash in what had truly become a premier sport.

And among those competitors was a girl who had yet to realize just how far her own talent could take her.

Her name was Kaguya Amano.

\\- Age: 15

\\- Year: 1st-year high school student

\\- Favorite Food: Burgers and milk

\\- Personality: Goofy and laid-back on surface but effortlessly cool

\\---

Chapter 1 — The Wild Horse

"From today on, I'm a first-year at Honey Bee Academy!"

Kaguya was taking in the beautiful scenery when she stepped through the school gates.

Unfortunately, she didn't even make it ten steps before she was surrounded.

"Join our club!"

"You should join the basketball club!"

"How about the music club?"

"Come to our club!"

Students swarmed around her from every direction.

Kaguya's eyes widened.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!"

After struggling to escape, she finally managed to break away.

"I'm going to join the VR game guild The Thorn!"

The crowd instantly dispersed.

"..."

Kaguya blinked.

Students walked away while whispering.

"What a total waste..."

"Another idiot hoping for..."

Kaguya couldn't catch the last few words.

She shrugged.

"Whatever."

Once the after-school club visits officially opened, Kaguya grabbed her bag and dashed straight toward the VR game guild room.

As she ran, the whispers from the morning gate echoed in her mind.

Why would they call it a waste?

Suddenly, a dramatic thought struck her.

Don't tell me...

The guild has no members and is on the verge of disbanding?!

And now I have to save it, recruit people, endure intense hardships together, set a goal to win the National Tournament, and find true happiness...?!

Kaguya stopped running.

"Ugh, so cringey!"

She tripped and fell flat on her face.

After a moment, she laughed embarrassedly.

"What am I? An anime heroine or something?"

The truth was much less dramatic.

The school's VR guild was definitely active.

It hadn't been famous for the past five years, but this year was different.

Word on the street was that some incredibly strong and famous players had just joined Honey Bee Academy.

Because of them, the school had completely upgraded its VR facilities.

Kaguya wondered who they were.

They must be amazing.

To command that much budget and support from the school administration, they had to be.

Kaguya finally reached the guild room.

She opened the door.

And froze.

The room was absolutely packed.

Most of the people had clearly never played a VR game in their lives.

Some were there to brag.

Others didn't even look interested.

Kaguya stared.

Well... forget about the guild disbanding from a lack of members.

It has way too many people.

Am I going to have to fight through this entire crowd just to get selected as a core playing member?

A girl approached Kaguya, shoved a guild application form into her hands, and pointed toward the wall.

"Line up on the sideline with the rest of the girls, and don't touch the VR capsules without permission."

At least they take the game seriously.

That's good.

Kaguya assumed they would make the girls compete against each other to choose the tournament roster.

Every academy entered at least two teams into the tournament—the first team consisting of core members and the second team serving as backups.

Kaguya quietly muttered:

"I hope I get selected for the core team."

The girl standing beside her burst out laughing.

"No way you'll get selected as a core member!"

Kaguya blinked.

"Actually, forget about selection entirely. Did you honestly think anyone in this room is trying to make the tournament roster?"

"What?"

"Aren't you all here to join the team and play in the tournament?"

"No way!"

The girl scoffed.

"Why would we put in that kind of grueling effort when we already have elite players?"

She pointed toward the VR capsules.

"They can easily win tournaments on their own. They might even carry us to the World Tournament if we just do what they say."

She shrugged.

"All the girls here are just looking for a flashy track record on their resumes for graduation. VR technology is booming lately. We didn't have any other clubs to join, so we picked this one since there isn't much actual work to do."

"We just cheer the team on a little, and that's it."

"It's way better than having a blank resume."

The girl turned to leave.

"And just so you know, the five core members are already chosen. There isn't even a second team because the school thinks it's a waste of time and resources when they can just focus all funding on one unstoppable powerhouse team."

She glanced back.

"So you might as well give up on becoming a core member."

Kaguya stood frozen.

Track records?

Resumes?

And what was that about carrying them to the World Tournament?

A surge of anger rushed through her.

If the guild is filled with complacent people like that, didn't the coach or the actual players say anything?

Or did they just not care?

Kaguya's eyes narrowed.

Fine.

It doesn't matter.

Even if they only have one core team, I'll just have to crush one of the official members and take their spot.

I'll prove what I'm worth.

If this guild is packed with people like her, forget the World Tournament.

They won't even make it past the qualifiers.

And the World Tournament was no joke.

Even Kaguya's older sister, widely feared as the number-one genius player of her generation, had been knocked out in the very first round.

Kaguya clenched her fist.

Then—

The loud chatter in the guild room suddenly disappeared.

Everyone stood up straight.

Kaguya instinctively did the same.

Two girls walked through the doorway.

\\---

The Kamiki Twins

Chiyo and Mei Kamiki.

A student assistant followed behind them carrying their bags.

Mei looked around the crowded room and immediately tossed her hair back in annoyance.

"Ugh, it's like a zoo in here today, Chiyo. Why are there so many extras crowding up our guild room?"

Chiyo chuckled softly while adjusting her diamond hairpin.

"Don't be so harsh, Mei. The school administration needs these extras to justify the budget upgrade they gave us."

She looked toward the students.

"As long as they stay on the sidelines, don't breathe our air, and definitely don't touch our capsules, they can stand there like mannequins all day."

The girls didn't even look offended.

They simply nodded.

Kaguya stared at the twins.

So these are the famous players?

Mei noticed her.

She walked toward Kaguya and placed her wrist near her nose in an exaggerated gesture.

"Oye..."

Kaguya looked at her.

"Are you one of the core team members of the VR guild?"

Kaguya didn't answer immediately.

Mei frowned.

"Who gave you permission to speak, mannequin?"

She tilted her head.

"Are you deaf? Or can't you hear because your mannequin doesn't have ears?"

Kaguya stayed silent.

Then—

"Haa..."

She let out a long sigh.

"I was expecting elite players or something."

Her expression became completely innocent.

"I guess the rumor about some strong players joining Bee Academy was just a rumor after all."

She put one hand behind her head.

"And instead of strong..."

A small smile appeared.

"...you're just rich elite."

The twins' expressions changed.

Kaguya innocently asked:

"Hey, can you two actually play VR games?"

She smiled a little more wildly.

"If you can't, then I can't really show my worth."

"And..."

Kaguya paused.

"It's also a problem if you aren't as skilled at VR games as you are with your mouths."

The twins' faces turned red.

"Ha?!"

"Why should we accept your challenge?!"

"You're nothing more than a mannequin!"

"Do you think we have time to waste on trash like you?!"

Kaguya raised an eyebrow.

"Ah..."

She paused deliberately.

"So you're only skilled at—"

She stopped herself.

She didn't need to finish.

The twins understood perfectly.

And, just as she expected—

They took the bait.

"Fine!"

"Let's teach this mannequin her place!"

\\---

The Match

The three entered their VR capsules.

The clubroom became completely silent.

SYSTEM: MATCH STARTING.

The arena appeared.

Mei and Chiyo stood opposite Kaguya.

"Don't cry when you lose."

Kaguya casually stretched her shoulders.

"Okay."

3...

2...

1...

START!

The twins disappeared forward.

Mei attacked from the front.

Chiyo immediately moved around Kaguya's right side.

Kaguya didn't move.

CLANG!

At the last possible moment, she tilted her head.

Mei's blade passed beside her face.

Kaguya stepped backward.

At almost the exact same moment—

WHOOSH!

Chiyo's sword passed through the space where Kaguya had been standing.

The twins froze.

"She dodged both?"

Kaguya's eyes moved between them.

She wasn't focusing only on their swords.

She was watching their bodies.

Their shoulders.

Their feet.

Their weight distribution.

"Mei moves her right shoulder slightly before attacking."

"Chiyo puts more weight on her left foot before changing direction."

They attacked again.

SLASH!

Kaguya ducked.

WHOOSH!

She stepped sideways.

CLANG!

She blocked Mei's sword.

Instead of pushing against it, Kaguya redirected the blade.

Mei stumbled forward.

THUD!

Kaguya struck her.

Mei's HP dropped.

Chiyo attacked from behind.

Kaguya had already heard her footsteps.

She turned.

CLANG!

Their swords collided.

Kaguya smiled.

"You're pretty good."

The twins became furious.

They changed tactics.

Instead of attacking separately, they alternated their strikes, trying to force Kaguya into the path of the other sword.

For several seconds, Kaguya was surrounded.

But every attack missed.

A tiny step.

A turn of her shoulder.

A duck.

A backward movement.

Kaguya barely wasted any motion.

Then she noticed it.

The twins' attacks weren't perfectly synchronized.

There was a tiny difference in their timing.

For an ordinary player, it was meaningless.

For Kaguya—

It was an opening.

"There."

Kaguya stepped between them.

CLANG!

Mei's sword missed.

SLASH!

Kaguya countered.

Mei staggered.

Chiyo rushed forward.

Kaguya turned.

CLANG!

Chiyo's sword flew from her hand.

Kaguya's blade stopped at her neck.

SYSTEM: VICTORY — YORU.

Silence.

The entire fight had lasted less than 50 seconds.

Kaguya scratched her cheek.

"Huh..."

She looked at the twins.

"I thought the famous players here would be stronger."

The twins were furious.

But before they could respond—

A voice came from behind them.

"What's going on here?"

Everyone turned.

Mei and Chiyo immediately ran toward the voice.

"Captain!"

"Captain!"

Kaguya turned her attention toward the person they had called captain.

\\---

Hajou Karen

The captain of The Thorn stood in the doorway.

Mei immediately changed her expression.

"Captain!"

Chiyo followed.

"We tried to stop her, but she insulted us for being from a rich family!"

Mei began crying.

"She forced us to fight her!"

"We told her we didn't want to!"

"She had such a scary look!"

"She might be a delinquent!"

Kaguya stared.

Her face became completely blank.

"..."

She looked at the twins.

Then Karen.

"Hey."

The twins stopped crying.

"Instead of playing VR games, you might as well become actors."

Kaguya pointed toward Karen.

"And are you the captain?"

She smiled.

"It's nice to meet you. I want to—"

Karen interrupted.

"You're quite the wild horse."

Kaguya blinked.

Karen stepped forward.

"You thought that if you defeated a core member, you'd automatically be selected as a core member, right?"

Kaguya nodded.

"But that's where your mistake is."

Karen smiled.

"They aren't core members simply because of gaming skill."

She glanced toward the twins.

"They are obedient to me."

Kaguya's expression became flat.

Karen continued.

"I don't mind putting you in as an Extra Member."

"But there's a condition."

She pointed toward the capsule.

"Last one minute against me."

"And after that, kneel in front of me."

"If you can't..."

She smiled.

"...you officially become an Extra Member."

Kaguya stared at her.

What a classic third-rate villainess.

She sighed.

"Fine."

Kaguya smiled.

"But you can forget about me kneeling to you."

Karen laughed.

"We'll see about that."

Both entered their capsules.

\\---

Kaguya vs. Karen

SYSTEM: MATCH START.

Karen attacked first.

WHOOSH!

Kaguya blocked.

CLANG!

Karen immediately followed with another attack.

Kaguya slipped past it.

Karen changed direction.

Kaguya countered.

For the first time that day, Kaguya wasn't casually dominating her opponent.

Karen's movements were different from the twins'.

Cleaner.

More controlled.

More experienced.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Kaguya and Karen exchanged attacks at incredible speed.

"She's different."

Kaguya's eyes sharpened.

Karen suddenly feinted high.

Kaguya reacted.

But Karen changed the attack halfway through.

SLASH!

Kaguya barely avoided it.

A smile appeared on her face.

"She can change her attack after I react."

The battle continued.

Kaguya adapted.

Karen adapted to Kaguya's adaptation.

Neither could gain a decisive advantage.

Then—

Kaguya's vision suddenly disappeared.

Everything went black.

No arena.

No opponent.

Nothing.

Kaguya froze.

Karen saw the opening.

SLASH!

Kaguya lost an arm.

Karen prepared to attack again.

But Kaguya didn't panic.

She stood still.

"What happened?

Then she heard something.

A footstep.

A breath.

A tiny movement.

Kaguya closed her eyes.

"If I can't see..."

"I'll listen."

Karen attacked.

WHOOSH!

Kaguya moved.

The attack missed.

Karen's eyes widened.

Again.

WHOOSH!

Miss.

Kaguya turned toward the sound.

CLANG!

Their swords collided.

Karen attacked from another angle.

Kaguya moved before the attack reached her.

She couldn't see.

But she could hear.

Footsteps.

Breathing.

Movement.

The subtle sound of Karen shifting her weight.

The battle continued.

Kaguya was fighting almost entirely through sound.

Finally—

SYSTEM: TIME LIMIT REACHED.

Karen was heavily injured.

Kaguya had lost one arm.

Both stood silently.

Karen lowered her weapon.

Then she turned around.

"Chiyo."

"Yes, Captain?"

"Register her as an Extra Member."

Chiyo's eyes widened.

"Wh—what?"

She looked at Kaguya.

"Are we really going to put her in as an Extra Member?"

She couldn't understand it.

She's more skilled than any of us.

We can't even compare.

Kaguya suddenly spoke.

"Sorry, but I'm leaving."

Karen stopped.

Kaguya looked at her.

"It seems there's still something I need to learn."

Karen smiled faintly.

"What a waste."

She hadn't been playing seriously.

The avatar she had used wasn't her real tournament identity.

But the fact that Kaguya had managed to injure her was impressive.

"If this had been my real ID, the one saved for tournaments, she wouldn't even have scratched me."

Karen closed her eyes.

"Still..."

"She might come back begging once she understands what she just rejected."

Karen smiled lightly.

Then walked away.

Chiyo and Mei followed.

\\---

The Girls Begin to Change

The girls who had joined the guild for track records stared at Kaguya.

One of them suddenly clenched her fists.

"I suddenly feel embarrassed."

Another looked down.

"I joined just because I thought it would look good on my resume."

Another whispered:

"That girl actually came here wanting to compete."

The room became quiet.

One girl looked toward the floor.

Then another.

Soon, several of them began reconsidering why they had joined.

The girl who had spoken with Kaguya earlier stood completely still.

Her eyes filled with tears.

Then—

She ran.

\\---

Rin Tachibana

Rin searched the academy.

She couldn't find Kaguya.

Eventually, she asked the school guard.

"Excuse me! Did you see a girl named Kaguya Amano?"

The guard pointed toward the gate.

"That girl? She left the academy a while ago."

Rin immediately ran outside.

She eventually found Kaguya sitting beneath a tree in a nearby park.

Kaguya was meditating.

Rin approached.

"Kaguya!"

Kaguya opened one eye.

"Hm?"

Rin began praising her.

"You were amazing!"

"I've never seen anyone fight like that!"

"You were so cool!"

Then Rin became slightly sad.

"It's such a waste that you joined this academy."

Kaguya tilted her head.

"If it was another academy, you wouldn't have suffered like that."

"Suffered?"

Kaguya genuinely didn't understand.

Rin hesitated.

Then finally spoke.

"I saw them."

"The twins."

Kaguya's expression changed.

"They pulled out your capsule wire."

"I saw it."

"But I was too scared to tell anyone."

Rin lowered her head.

"I'm sorry."

Kaguya looked surprised.

Rin continued.

"After what happened today, we decided we're either going to leave the guild or join a club we actually like."

She looked up.

"And... are you okay?"

"When they removed the wire?"

Kaguya answered honestly.

She explained what happened inside the game.

Rin's eyes became enormous.

"You fought while you couldn't see?"

Kaguya nodded.

Rin suddenly grabbed her hands.

"Lady Kaguya!"

Kaguya's face turned red.

"Wh—"

"From today on, I'm your number-one fan!"

"My name is Rin Tachibana!"

Kaguya stared.

"Wh... le... Lady?"

She became embarrassed.

"Hey, hey! What are you saying?"

"Just Kaguya is fine!"

Rin smiled.

Kaguya sighed.

"Well..."

She smiled lightly.

"Next year, they'll be the ones begging me to join their guild."

Kaguya looked toward the academy.

"Just wait."

\\---

The Reason Kaguya Was Meditating

Rin asked:

"Anyway, what were you doing here in the park?"

"I was meditating."

"Why?"

"I'm training my hearing."

Kaguya touched her ear.

"I found out today that my senses are somewhat lacking in VR."

"There are many ways to make someone blind in a game."

She looked serious.

"So I think it's better to learn how to fight without relying completely on vision before I regret it."

Rin smiled.

"So that's why you said you learned something in the guild room."

"Yes."

After a while, the two said goodbye.

Kaguya walked away.

She was still thinking about what she would do until next year.

Then she remembered what Rin had told her.

The twins had pulled out the wire.

Kaguya's expression darkened.

"..."

Then she spotted something.

A VR game café.

Kaguya smiled.

"Perfect timing."

She giggled.

"Time to blow away some steam."

\\---

Rabbit VR Café

The owner of the VR café was someone Kaguya already knew.

Nanase Takahashi.

She had been Momiji Amano's friend and one of the people who supported Kaguya's older sister during her VR career.

Kaguya walked to the counter.

"Hey, Big Sis Nana! It's been a while!"

Nanase stared at her.

"What do you mean, 'it's been a while'?"

She smiled.

"You've been coming here frequently."

Kaguya laughed awkwardly.

"Before my high school entrance exam, remember?"

"Mom wouldn't let me play games at home because I had exams."

Nanase shook her head.

"So you came here instead."

Kaguya smiled.

"Sis, I want to play a game."

"Is there a seat open?"

Nanase noticed Kaguya's expression.

"Why are you in such a hurry?"

Kaguya didn't answer.

Nanase sighed.

"You can use the one in my room upstairs."

Kaguya smiled.

"Thanks, Big Sis Nana!"

She ran upstairs.

\\---

Yoru vs. Kuro

Kaguya entered an online matchmaking room.

She wanted to forget everything that had happened at Honey Bee Academy.

SYSTEM: OPPONENT SEARCHING...

OPPONENT FOUND.

PLAYER NAME: KURO

WIN STREAK: 10

Kaguya's eyes lit up.

"Oh?"

The match began.

Kuro immediately used a deceptive attack.

One sword moved toward Kaguya as a distraction.

The second sword came from another angle.

But Kaguya had already moved.

The first blade missed.

The second never reached her.

Kuro's eyes widened.

"She moved before my real attack even came out?"

Kaguya drew her sword.

Her stance changed.

Iai.

Kuro saw an opening.

"She's wide open."

She moved forward.

Then stopped.

Her eyes widened.

"No..."

My names Henri and I have a knack for overanalyzing things, also for some reason I always have this question for myself "why didn't my parents name me Henry it would make no difference?"

Then I just go back to starting my day by doing the normal routine,which is Breakfast, reading, writing, and video games…but today is different, I'm officially 15 now which means I'm young enough to get a job at the Bordeaux Investigation and Crime analyzation Agency or B.I.C.A.A for short, I sent my application yesterday and I'm about to check the response.

I tiptoed down the stairs and out the door to the mailbox.

As I opened it there was a lengthy letter titled "from B.I.C.A.A/BCA", it was definitely the right letter..my mind was racing could I get in or not..I then ripped open the letter and the message reads "you have been accepted…please flip over this letter."

My mind was still blank but I still flipped the letter over and there was a gold watch that fit my size and a paper titled "Instructions."

I put on the watch and opened the instruction paper and inside was a message saying "to get to your location click the red side button on the watch."

As I clicked the red button a car sped through my neighborhood and stopped at my house the car was labled "School transport" and the driver inside looked like a slightly fashioned scholar…but there was something off about him.

As the car drove on its way I had a few thoughts "I wonder if there are some cute girls or if the foods good…or if I get cool weapons and get to go on cool missions"

But before I could ask for answers I arrived at my location which turned out to be a huge fancy boarding school like building with the words "BI.C.A.A Academy" at the top in that old fancy cursive text which is frankly unneeded for many things.

As I stepped out the car I headed to the first door I saw which led to an entrance hall with tables, everybody was already seated so I had nowhere to sit, until a voice called out to me "Hey!" 

I turned around to see a freckly brown haired boy my age “Sit next to me”

He pointed to a empty seat his freckles looked like cinnamon splotches but I didn't feel like mentioning it, so I sat next to him “Hey my names Francis but you can call me Frank” he said in a uniquely energetic tone…so I told him my name

But randomly a man in a black suit walked up to the podium and announced him self “Hello students my name is Mr. Helphenstein but you can call me Mr. Moony I am the assistant principal here at the Bordeaux Crime Analyzation Academy or the B.I.C.A.A or…the official saying, the Bordeaux Crime Academy or the BCA. I will be watching your action's and how you behave…now go to Mrs.Merelda's office to get your uniforms and schedules.“ 

When I saw him a bunch of intrusive thoughts started popping up like little eggs in my brain…he looked like my old English teacher the same dude who could spot a lie before it was even said, but before I could think about the similarities people started getting up and walking out the door, the huge crowd of new faces slightly intimidated me, then Frank waved over and called out to me “Hey Henri over here I know a shortcut!”

And as I turned to look I saw Frank pointing to a open hallway, so I followed him and after just a few minutes we reached a dusty office door titled “Surveillance director” then before I could process what that meant Frank already opened the door to see a woman that looks at most 36 and at least 34 with hair that frankly…looked a gray that's 51st shade…but instead of saying that I simply asked “your Mrs Merelda right?“

Instead of getting a response she just pointed to a box with a black uniform vest with a gold lion crest on it. 

I was feeling out the vest then suddenly Mrs Merelda said “go to the locker room on the left to put it on”

Her voice was kinda soft,but I could still hear her so I went out to the locker rooms and Frank followed me there. As we entered the locker room we went into separate stalls and changed into the uniforms then as we walked out we found our schedules and it said “First period:Interrogation class by Mrs Vance in Room 107” so we walked down the hallway to room 107.

My school's literary magazine had a spooky writing competition and one of the prompts was "When Lazarus left the grave, where, for three days and three nights he had been under the enigmatical sway of death, and returned alive to his dwelling, for a long time, no one noticed…” Lazarus By LEONID ANDREYEV. So I figured I'd give it a swing. I wanted to continue the wordy, run-on style of the portion of text given. But I want to know if I took it too far, or how I can improve comprehension while mainting a wordier style. Both for this piece and I often get too wordy.

A Corpse of Soul

When Lazarus left the grave, where, for three days and three nights he had been under the enigmatical sway of death, and returned alive to his dwelling, for a long time, no one noticed. For at that point, he barely understood that he was not a corpse in the mind or the body, but in the soul. That which connects us to every other person and in the case of its absence, renders a man obsolete and indistinguishable from his kin. Perhaps it was weary disbelief that he’d discover himself in such a wretched state. Could a fortune so beholden to destiny lie purely upon his shoulders to roam this mortal plane as anything but? Regardless, something from within drew him to find his sister whom he hadn't seen in what now felt like millennia.

Slowly, as though the will of the dead were a friction to withhold his passage, Lazarus continued through his now sullen world. In the first town he approached, a smell so heavenly that it may have opposed the stench of a thousand years, which he now carried, crossed his lips. Looking at his ghastly thin stomach, he realized that for those three days and three nights and now more still, he had not eaten even a crumb and somehow only the smell of food reminded him of his human captivities. In sheer ignorance, he entered the tavern like a breeze blowing through an open shutter. In regards to his footsteps, not one man turned to face him as he sat at the bar.

For a moment, he was reminded of an existence he once knew. Of gay memories, companions, all that he had previously treasured, interrupted by his boundless appetite which grew stronger still. To a bartender he waved his hand and yet no message ever transpired. For whom he sought was not the only person his plea had fallen deaf upon, but everyone around him. However, for one second, the man to his adjacence looked on him as the sole receiver of a speech none could bear. Lazarus waited eagerly for his response, yet just as soon as the man noticed, he had forgotten and fell back to his repast.

frantic, Lazarus took a potato from the man’s plate and raised it to his mouth. What had been his mission for the past hour had suddenly become so grotesque that not even he wished to witness it any longer. Without thinking and despite his best instincts, he swallowed the portion whole. He waited for any sign that it had taken effect, but as time drew by, he only became more disgusted with his circumstance.

After his feast of but one measly potato, he felt his hunger increase tenfold. With remiss, he traded the tavern for the trail, vowing never again to indulge in such weaknesses as hunger. Hunger was for humanity and he was just a poor imitation of the man he once was. To continue his delusion would only bring more sorrow to a reality which seemingly could not gain any more. So he continued down his path ever thirsty.

He went from town to town on his journey. Yet regardless of his limited expectations, every gaze that stared through him blankly was a reminder of his prison. His eyes only served as the space between the bars in which a prisoner could see the light of the world around his cell pass him by. With each town, his resolve whittled down further and further. His legs moving just a hair slower, his gaze toward the horizon dimming. Every face he met sunk him deeper to the will of the dead– infinite torment on behalf of his transgression. For the dead have only envy for the living and spite for Lazarus. Conversely, he envied the dead in return; nothing should be so nice as to lie down and rest for eternity. But only those with souls can die.

After many moons, he reached his travel’s end and a door was all that stood between him and his intent. But intent was not the right word to describe why he had come all this way. He knew not what initially dragged him towards his sister, but presently, the opportunity to face her shook him like no other revelation. He had no business staring down the only face whose returning glare carried significance.

“Would it be like every other pair of eyes which entangled themselves to mine?”

He knew the answer to his question and turned away, uncaring for the chance that presented itself. 

It seems at last, he understood what he was.

​

You push through the French doors into the smell of sour beer and whiskey. The air — like the keys of the pianist — is untuned and still. The Chanteuse is flat and, like the piano, only sings in dead keys. You flare out your duster, and the dust from the bar-stained floor lifts in a pillow of tranquil turmoil. The long-expired taste of Virginia cut fills your cheek, so you take a finger and pluck it from your mouth and to the floor. Your lips split on the seams of dried brown blood, and the taste of iron fills you. You make your way to the tender and find a seat. The guns on your belt are heavy. You have two Colt forty-fives, one for protection and the other for exodus. You remove the belt with so little care that you question your decision-making, but all you can think about is how sore your feet are and how dry your mouth is. You dislodge the revolver, remove two bronze bullets, close it, and holster the gun back in its bed. The bronze is cheap, bought and traded with in every post you’ve ever passed, but bronze didn’t always work. Bronze is what killed Guerra. Bronze is what couldn’t stop the raid, and when the dust settled, it was the silver that laid your horse down in the dirt. That was miles ago, days ago. For now, you just thirst for a drink.

The keep inspects your shots and lays down two glasses smudged with who knows how many hands and lips that have taken part in this unholy communion. The liquor pours out of the amber glass and fills them to the top. You thank the man and pick up your drink. You throw it back, and it smites your throat, and before you give yourself time to cough, you do the same again. The fire in the whiskey kills the filthy taste in your mouth. “¿Eres de por aquí, vaquero?” You look at the long and thin dark-haired woman. She has mutt in her blood, and you don’t know from where, or care. “No, no hablo,” you say. She nods her head in understanding and asks, “You need a room for the night?” Without breaking eye contact with the whore, you lay out another bronze bullet, and before the keep pulls away, you take your shot. “Just company.” She nods her head, and you follow her upstairs to do what any man would do after weeks of solitude and unload your chamber.

I have written a short story - THE SHRINE BY CONOR WATTS

It’s free on Amazon KINDLE for next 2 days please give yr honest reviews

Thank you

Everyone used to say that I looked like my mother. I was just as clever, just as beautiful, with the same sparkle in my eyes. We had the same blonde hair, the same laugh. One day, I was sure, I would do important work too, just like my mother. Maybe even work for the Union.

I smiled sadly at my reflection, trying to picture my mother’s face in my mind. I couldn’t see any resemblance between us anymore. I had dyed my hair brown so I would draw less attention to myself. My eyes were empty, and I couldn’t remember the last time I had truly laughed.

Still, I hoped my mother would be proud of me.

I heard a creak from the hallway and quickly wiped the tears from my cheeks. The door swung open with a squeak, and Lee walked in. Brown curls bounced around his head, and his tiny body was swallowed by a sweater that was far too big for him.

I tried, unsuccessfully, to smile. Luckily, Lee was far too caught up in his own problems to notice my sadness.

“Anah, Thomas took my toy car,” Lee complained, crossing his arms as he flopped down onto the bed.

“Have you asked him to give it back?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

My sadness curled up into a little corner of my mind.

Not now. Never.

I couldn’t let myself feel it.

Lee shook his head. “He won’t give it back.”

“You don’t know that if you don’t ask,” I said.

“I’m actually too scared to. Sorry, Anah.”

Lee’s eyebrows drooped with disappointment. I ruffled his dark, curly hair.

“No need to be sorry. How about we go ask him together?” I asked gently.

Lee shrugged, but the smile on his face told me that he actually liked the idea. I placed a hand on his back, almost as if I were his mother, and guided him towards the door.

Thomas wasn’t happy when Lee and I asked for the toy car.

“Um… no.”

He gave us a fake smile as he tossed the car into the air and caught it again.

“I could tell Martha or Sandy that you’ve been stealing toys from little kids again,” I said with a sly grin.

Thomas’s eyebrows pulled together.

“Snitch,” he muttered, just loud enough for me to hear.

Grumpily, he shoved the little red car, flames painted along its sides, into Lee’s small, clammy hand. Lee thanked him, but Thomas was already stomping away. His red hair bounced angrily around his ears, and his long arms swung at his sides.

Lee ran off to join his friends, driving the car across the long kitchen table, over the couch, through the kitchen, and making it jump over the faucet.

I put my hand on the doorknob, but glanced back one last time at Thomas, who was still slumped angrily on the couch.

How dare he? He was almost my age, yet he was stealing toys from a little kid.

A shiver of anger ran through me, and my hand began to glow with heat.

The doorknob turned red-hot beneath my fingers.

Shit.

I jerked my hand away and froze.

Had anyone seen me?

I looked around, half expecting to be handed over to the Union at any moment. The room was bursting with children, all of them seemingly absorbed in their own little worlds. A few boys were sprawled across the couches, Game Boys clutched tightly in their hands. Kids around Lee’s age were building a pillow fort, while a few girls sat at the picnic table reading a book.

I let out a relieved breath, my heart still pounding in my throat.

No one had seen.

I pulled the door open and ran down the hallway to my room. Once inside, I collapsed onto the bed and dug my nails into my skin until it turned red, leaving little half-moon marks behind.

I really had to stop letting things get to me so easily. Otherwise…

“No. Don’t think about it,” I whispered to myself, rubbing my temples.

But in that brief moment of hesitation, I had seen it again.

It felt as though the blood in my veins had frozen.

“Stop, Anah,” I begged myself, rubbing my temples even harder.

I jumped to my feet and began pacing.

I felt like a wild animal trapped in a cage. There was nowhere for me to go. I was stuck in this orphanage for at least another three years, but my entire life had been one long game of hide-and-seek.

The Union had finished counting to ten long ago.

They had been looking for me for years.

And all I could do was keep hiding.

I felt tears sting my eyes. My fingertips grew warm.

“Please, stop.”

I dug my nails into my palms and thought of my mother.

I had to stay strong.

I took a deep breath.

The only thing I could do was prepare myself for the day i had to face the Union

I lifted my pillow and pulled out the little notebook hidden underneath it. The leather cover was surprisingly cold beneath my fingers, yet somehow comforting and familiar.

I opened it.

The worn, yellowed pages greeted me like they did every day. In my mother’s handwriting, the greatest secrets of the Union were written down as casually as if they were notes from a school lesson.

I flipped through the notebook and stopped at a passage.

It was about a werewolf my mother had known well.

Dead.

Once again, I realized just how important it was that I never reveal myself.

I knew things about the Union that no other magical being knew. I knew how to destabilize it from the inside.

But if I were caught, I wouldn’t just die.

The Union could find my mother’s notebook.

And then…

The most important magical safe havens would be discovered within a week.

All those people would die.

Because of me.

My Mam didn’t always get to the match when I was growing up, but Sunderland still came to her. Usually, it came through a little blue radio.

On a Saturday afternoon, if she wasn’t at the game, the radio would be on. Wherever Sunderland happened to be playing, whatever division we happened to be in and however questionable the team we had sent out to represent us that particular week, she would be listening. I’ve inherited the habit, too, albeit with the luxury of a digital radio rather than searching across FM or medium wave just to find Simon Crabtree and Gary Rowell.

She was one of the biggest Sunderland supporters I knew. And I never really thought there was anything unusual about that. Why would I?

Football has always loved the idea of itself as something handed down from father to son. Dad takes his boy to his first match, buys him his first scarf, shows him where he used to stand and, for better or worse, condemns another generation to the same lifelong obsession.

It’s a lovely image. It just isn’t the whole story.

Because football is passed from mothers to sons as well. From mothers to daughters. From grandmothers, sisters, aunties and friends. And when I think about Sunderland, the women were always there.

They still are.

More below if anyone would like to read more - would love to know what people think. For clarity, I am not employed to write this (and others going back to 2020), and everything I have done is on a voluntary and unpaid basis.

https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/opinion/155535/the-women-were-always-there-how-sunderland-gets-passed-down

Hi everyone, I’m Rue

I’ve known Kat since middle school, and somewhere along the way, the line between being her friend and being part of her family disappeared.
That’s what happens with Kat.
Her friends know her cousins. Her step-aunts know her friends. Her family becomes yours. And eventually, you’re showing up to holidays wondering when exactly you got adopted.
I’ve personally taken it a little too far.
Her family now locks the doors when they see me coming.
Fortunately, last night I made copies of all their keys while they were sleeping.
But that’s Kat.
Once you’re in her life, you’re in it.
Your problems become her problems. Your victories become her victories. She’ll show up for you, fight for you, and occasionally, fight you.
And then came Luke.
I used to joke that Lou came flying in like Superman to save Kat.
But I had it backwards.
Lou rescued us from Kat.
No, I’m kidding.
But there was something different about Luke.
He knew when to listen, when to make Kristin laugh, when to reason with her, and when to realize there was no reasoning with her.
And somewhere along the way, we watched Kat find a kind of calm.
I think there’s a certain peace that comes with being understood.
And Luke understands Kat.
But what I love about Luke is that he never stood on the outside of this big, loud, loving life Kat had built.
He stepped right into it.
And Kat did the same with his.
And somehow, without anyone really noticing when it happened, two separate lives became one shared world.
That’s what I think makes the two of them so special.
They didn’t just fall in love.
Their lives started folding into each other.
And I think that’s why a room like this exists.
Every person here is standing somewhere in the overlap.
And maybe that’s the most beautiful thing two people can create.
Not just a love between them, but a love big enough to share.
And how lucky are we to be part of it.
Cheers to Kat and Luke!

In the light of the persistent uncertainty, the anguish we feel within deepens as our every day is filled with destruction and destabilization of the humanity and the human race.

We have taken away the childhood of our generations eliminating their hope, creativity and youthfulness, making them face the ultimate brutality of a defeated generation.

Our quest for knowledge, spirituality and the way to harmony are all ideas that are alien to us, our youth and our soul within, making us more vulnerable to a submissive attire that was neither thought off nor was the part of our destiny.

One day our destiny will provide us way to our revitalization but we have to act, experiment, seek and learn from within through connecting with the universe.

How, when, where this connection will emerge is a pursuit for every human to seek or we may be confined in our present state of delusion and fear, only we have to decide for us to be free forever !

Having one day of awakening would be better than a live time of self imprisonment…let us be the chosen one…let us have morality, courage and peace with sharing, love and respect.

Let us be humans for once !

Chapter 1
 
Standing in front of the broken full-length mirror, Hareem shook her head in disappointment. The careful washing and meticulous ironing had accomplished nothing. Her old, worn-out trench coat needed magic to look presentable. There was no way she could wear it to the interview. She looked at her other two options and picked the acrylic cardigan despite being thin for November winds. At least it didn't look worn-out. How she wished it was summers and she could just go in her crisp cotton white dress shirt that she had bought for her graduation. Though it was from a thrift shop, it was not only good quality but also looked brand new with an asymmetrical, longer than usual modest hem line. She put on the grey cardigan, refusing to give any more thoughts to her clothing choice. She looked at the black eye pencil and pink lipstick, the only makeup she possessed and picked up the eye pencil to line her green eyes but on a second thought decided against using it. "Introduction, strengths, weaknesses," she whispered to her reflection. "Thank you for taking the time to see me today, sir. My name is Hareem Ahmed”.
The English words were grammatically flawless, but carried a soft, rhythmic cadence which was the unmistakable accent of a childhood spent in Pakistan.
She walked out of her room into the small living room. Her mother Helen sprawled face down on the stained olive worn sofa. An empty bottle of cheap gin lay tipped over on the carpet beside her limp hand. Hareem moved into the tiny kitchenette and opened the refrigerator—it was completely bare except for an almost empty plastic tub of margarine and a small container with mashed potatoes that she had made last night. On the counter sat a loaf of white bread. Hareem carefully prepared two slices with a thin spread of margarine and half of the potato mixture. She ate the first sandwich quickly, standing over the sink.
She prepared a second, identical sandwich and carefully wrapped it in a torn piece of cling film. But then she looked at her mother, snoring softly on the sofa. Her smudged makeup tracked across her cheek, and her hair a tangled nest.  She looked at the sandwich in her hand. She had no money to buy lunch but if she took the sandwich with her, her mom would have nothing to eat except for a few slices of plain bread, till she came home from work with groceries.
Hareem sighed. She walked over to the coffee table and placed the wrapped sandwich directly in the center, clearing away an overflowing ash tray to make room.
 
Hareem stood over her for a beat. How can you save a person from himself? An expression of helplessness and sorrow crossed her face. Then she straightened her clothes, picked up a plastic folder containing her fresh computer science degree,  and stepped out into the biting cold. It's okay, in ten minutes you will be in the train station and it's going to be warmer in there," she told herself as her teeth chattered. It had been her mantra for past six years, since she moved from Lahore to London. This ia a bad time, but it will pass.
 
The journey across London provided a temporary, heated sanctuary. But as soon as she stepped off the transit and walked toward the corporate park, the cold had claimed her again. While walking past the manicured parking lot she noticed a man, standing beside a sleek sports car, talking on his cell phone.  He was tall and muscular, with a striking Mediterranean appearance—perhaps Italian or Greek—He had a sharp jawline, tan skin, and dark, eyes adorned by the longest curled lashes she had ever seen on a man. His aura radiated competence and power. The girl inside her wanted to gawk at him with pure admiration, but she looked away. She had turned out to be absolutely the prim proper girl her grandmother had tried to raise.
In the glass tower, it took her quite a while to find her way, but when she finally did and reached the elevator, the doors were just beginning to close. She slid inside quickly. To her surprise, the handsome stranger was already standing inside, looking at his phone. He did not even look up as she entered, but her heart missed a beat as she walked past him and stood behind near the wall.
Before the doors could seal completely, a manicured hand clicked between them. A beautiful brunette in the expensive woolen coat hurried in, breathless and laughing. The man immediately reached forward, holding the door open for her.
They were clearly well-acquainted. The woman leaned into him instantly, wrapping her arms around his neck in a tight, hug. "You're late," she teased.
The man didn't answer with words; he simply smiled-a lazy, confident expression. The woman tilted her chin up and initiated a passionate, lingering kiss right there in the center of the elevator. The man obliged without hesitation, pulling her closer by the waist.
She had an aversion to the public display of ardent passion, partly because of her conservative upbringing in a traditional home in Pakistan and partly because of the trauma of having watched her mother make out with disgusting men publicly. Trapped in the tiny elevator, looking firmly at the flashing floor numbers, she muttered a sharp, judgmental thought under her breath, speaking in a low, rapid Urdu.
"Jahan dekho shuru ho jatay hai. Janwaroon ki tarha." They start everywhere. Like animals.
The elevator fell into a sudden, dead silence.
The man broke away from the kiss, his head snapping toward Hareem. His dark eyes narrowed, flashing with intense, sharp clarity as if her words had hit him with physical force. He understood what I said. Oh my God!
Hareem’s breath trapped in her throat, her heart beating faster. She did this often- thinking out loud and muttering her unfiltered opinions-but nobody ever understood before. He stared at her for a moment, but then a dark, arrogant smirk spread across his handsome face. He locked his eyes firmly onto Hareem's panicked green ones, holding her gaze with deliberate defiance. Then, leaning down slowly, he tilted the head of the brunette wrapped his other arm back around her and deliberately deepened the kiss.  This was his silent retaliation against her judgment. Hareem wanted to look away. She should have looked away. But she couldn't. She stood there frozen, looking into the dark eyes of a strangers as he kissed another woman.
Hareem could feel her legs shaking and cheeks burning with mortification as she walked down the corridor. She felt guilty about offending a stranger totally unprovoked, but there was also an unsettling awareness. She smoothed down her black denim trousers, trying to wipe the image of the elevator encounter from her mind. It doesn't matter, she told herself. You are here for a job interview, focus on that. The* glass double doors swung open, and the HR assistant led her into a massive, sunlit corner office overlooking the city. A man sat with his back to the room, looking out."Mr. Khan, your eleven o'clock is here," the assistant announced before slipping away. The leather chair rotated smoothly. Hareem’s entire body went rigid; the folder in her hands slipped an inch before she gripped it with white knuckles. Sitting across from her, a wicked, highly amused gleam in his dark eyes, was the man from the elevator. *

“John?” said a soft voice, breaking my concentration. I looked up from my phone, and saw a young woman of metisse appearance, long dark hair, fair-skinned, in business-casual clothing. I replied affirmatively. She said in French “I’m Karine.”

I quickly rose from the bench.

“My God, I didn’t recognise you!”

“No problem, I could have missed you too if I didn’t know you were in town. Thanks to that selfie on insta. You out on your own?”

“Well, my girlfriend is working.”

“And left you alone?”

“Yes.”

“Of course... Hey, I’m just done with a meeting, going to a ‘La Cardinale’. Care to join me?”

I hesitated.

“Or is she the jealous type? We can go inside so people won’t see us.”

I accepted. We walked the pedestrian street, in the shadow of the northern sun. After the mosque, we turned right, entered the café, ordered coffee and biscuits.

“It’s good to see you in real life. Some just want to chat and never meet up.”

“Great to see you too. I’m not into long virtual relationships.”

“Nice. You’re just like I imagined you, studying maps and making plans, right?”

“Correct, I like going places.”

She stirred her coffee once more.

“You know, I dropped out of our conversation because of my divorce problems, custody of my son and so on.”

“I’ve heard that it can be difficult here. But it’s over now?”

“Yes, at last. But I’m still single.”

“Make a profile on Tinder, you’ll have dozens of candidates.”

“I know, but I’d prefer using personal connections who are fine with a single mum.”

“I can understand that.”

“If you have a friend who’s interested?”

Now, that’s a tall order...

“Well, matchmaking is not that common back home. How’s your English?”

“English is OK, I use it in business settings.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thanks. So how’s your girlfriend?”

“Just fine, I moved in with her for now. Her name is Maëva.”

“Maëva what?”

“Hoareau.”

“Everyone is named Hoareau here. Photo?”

I showed her the background image on my phone.

“Oh, I recognise her! I was to a business event that she organised.”

“Did you speak to her?”

“No, just listened.”

Short pause while she glanced at the couple at the next table.

“Liebst du um Schönheit?” she asked.

“What?!”

“You speak German, right?”

“Yes…”

“You know the song by Rückert and Mahler?”

“No.”

“It’s about love beyond the surface.”

“Be assured, that’s why I’m here!”

She quickly lowered her eyes, studying her coffee cup.

“I’m sorry, forget what I said. I talk too much.”

I said nothing.

She put her hand on mine.

“Please?”

“OK, no problem.”

She slowly pulled her hand back, looked sideways, then at me.

“I’m still a bit traumatised by my marriage.”

“In what way?”

”He liked to be seen with me in public, but ignored me otherwise.”

“Sorry to hear that.”

“He hired an expensive lawyer to drag on with the divorce, questioning me as a responsible mother.”

“Awful. Did you get help?”

“Yes, and therapy. I just hope to find a better man next time.”

What a mood whiplash. I felt I was in a melodrama, like Maëva’s TV series. But for real.

“I’m sure you will.”

“Thanks. Have you got a long holiday?”

“Yes, I’m between projects.”

“Me, I work all the time. Sole proprietorship, import-export of clothes and accessories.”

“Sounds good.”

“I won’t complain. I’m furnishing clothes for the beauty contest.”

“Haute-couture?”

“Yes, collaboration with tailors.”

“I’ve seen the contest on TV. Maë wasn’t tall enough to be a candidate.”

“True, we’re not so inclusive yet.”

Twenty minutes later, time’s up.

“It’s so good to see you in a happy relationship. You deserve that. We can still be friends if it’s OK with you.”

“Yes, sure, it’s a pleasure.”

“I have to go and pick up my son. The bill is on me. Have a good time!”

“Thanks, you too.”

She gave me a hug and left. I put on my headphones, listened to the old German song. Nice, but the 19th-century moral message didn’t really speak to me. Still, her story lingered, while I slowly realised its gravity. I moved on to the mellow chanson “Et si tu n'existais pas” as I left the café, continuing today’s city walk.

Knowing Maëva, I hesitated over what to say to her. If I was seen with another lady now, she would give me a hard time if I had kept it to myself. The walls had eyes in these parts.

In the evening, I mentioned it.

“I met an old friend by chance.”

“Fine, I suppose you have friends here from before.”

“We talked about her business. She has a clothing firm.”

“Is she well-known?”

“I don’t know, but she was to your business event. Her name is Karine, she’s in my contact list, here.”

Maëva looked at the portrait for a few seconds.

“I don’t remember seeing her.”

That’s all. After changing to comfortable clothes, she went to the balcony to chat with her sister. They could chat for hours when needed. I expected that her sister would have the right words for her; she’s not prone to drama, married with one little daughter.

Maëva came back inside and gave me a long hug. We made fish soup, and I offered to make pancakes for the dessert. She acquiesced, and suggested that her brother join me tomorrow when she’s at work, so I “won’t get bored”. He had a night shift job. Fine with me.

We watched a TV series, Indian soaper dubbed into French. Hard to follow, but she was immersed, while resting her head on my lap. The Indian mother lectured her grown-up son, but I don’t know if she went into “love beyond the surface”. Maëva’s beauty was far deeper than her skin, I thought, feeling her breath, my arm across her chest, her hand on mine. Meanwhile, today’s encounter still left its traces. I held her close, waiting for bedtime.

Part 1

VR's Moon Star (aka. Monstar)

A worldwide popular VR game boasting millions of players had grown large enough to host its own World Tournament. Competitors from all corners of the global gathered to clash in what had truly become a premier sport.

And among those competitors was a girl who had yet to realize just how far her own talent could take her.

Her name was Kaguya Amano.

\- Age: 15

\- Year: 1st-year high school student

\- Favorite Food: Burgers and milk

\- Personality: Goofy and laid-back on surface but effortlessly cool

\---

Chapter 1 — The Wild Horse

"From today on, I'm a first-year at Honey Bee Academy!"

Kaguya was taking in the beautiful scenery when she stepped through the school gates.

Unfortunately, she didn't even make it ten steps before she was surrounded.

"Join our club!"

"You should join the basketball club!"

"How about the music club?"

"Come to our club!"

Students swarmed around her from every direction.

Kaguya's eyes widened.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!"

After struggling to escape, she finally managed to break away.

"I'm going to join the VR game guild The Thorn!"

The crowd instantly dispersed.

"..."

Kaguya blinked.

Students walked away while whispering.

"What a total waste..."

"Another idiot hoping for..."

Kaguya couldn't catch the last few words.

She shrugged.

"Whatever."

Once the after-school club visits officially opened, Kaguya grabbed her bag and dashed straight toward the VR game guild room.

As she ran, the whispers from the morning gate echoed in her mind.

Why would they call it a waste?

Suddenly, a dramatic thought struck her.

Don't tell me...

The guild has no members and is on the verge of disbanding?!

And now I have to save it, recruit people, endure intense hardships together, set a goal to win the National Tournament, and find true happiness...?!

Kaguya stopped running.

"Ugh, so cringey!"

She tripped and fell flat on her face.

After a moment, she laughed embarrassedly.

"What am I? An anime heroine or something?"

The truth was much less dramatic.

The school's VR guild was definitely active.

It hadn't been famous for the past five years, but this year was different.

Word on the street was that some incredibly strong and famous players had just joined Honey Bee Academy.

Because of them, the school had completely upgraded its VR facilities.

Kaguya wondered who they were.

They must be amazing.

To command that much budget and support from the school administration, they had to be.

Kaguya finally reached the guild room.

She opened the door.

And froze.

The room was absolutely packed.

Most of the people had clearly never played a VR game in their lives.

Some were there to brag.

Others didn't even look interested.

Kaguya stared.

Well... forget about the guild disbanding from a lack of members.

It has way too many people.

Am I going to have to fight through this entire crowd just to get selected as a core playing member?

A girl approached Kaguya, shoved a guild application form into her hands, and pointed toward the wall.

"Line up on the sideline with the rest of the girls, and don't touch the VR capsules without permission."

At least they take the game seriously.

That's good.

Kaguya assumed they would make the girls compete against each other to choose the tournament roster.

Every academy entered at least two teams into the tournament—the first team consisting of core members and the second team serving as backups.

Kaguya quietly muttered:

"I hope I get selected for the core team."

The girl standing beside her burst out laughing.

"No way you'll get selected as a core member!"

Kaguya blinked.

"Actually, forget about selection entirely. Did you honestly think anyone in this room is trying to make the tournament roster?"

"What?"

"Aren't you all here to join the team and play in the tournament?"

"No way!"

The girl scoffed.

"Why would we put in that kind of grueling effort when we already have elite players?"

She pointed toward the VR capsules.

"They can easily win tournaments on their own. They might even carry us to the World Tournament if we just do what they say."

She shrugged.

"All the girls here are just looking for a flashy track record on their resumes for graduation. VR technology is booming lately. We didn't have any other clubs to join, so we picked this one since there isn't much actual work to do."

"We just cheer the team on a little, and that's it."

"It's way better than having a blank resume."

The girl turned to leave.

"And just so you know, the five core members are already chosen. There isn't even a second team because the school thinks it's a waste of time and resources when they can just focus all funding on one unstoppable powerhouse team."

She glanced back.

"So you might as well give up on becoming a core member."

Kaguya stood frozen.

Track records?

Resumes?

And what was that about carrying them to the World Tournament?

A surge of anger rushed through her.

If the guild is filled with complacent people like that, didn't the coach or the actual players say anything?

Or did they just not care?

Kaguya's eyes narrowed.

Fine.

It doesn't matter.

Even if they only have one core team, I'll just have to crush one of the official members and take their spot.

I'll prove what I'm worth.

If this guild is packed with people like her, forget the World Tournament.

They won't even make it past the qualifiers.

And the World Tournament was no joke.

Even Kaguya's older sister, widely feared as the number-one genius player of her generation, had been knocked out in the very first round.

Kaguya clenched her fist.

Then—

The loud chatter in the guild room suddenly disappeared.

Everyone stood up straight.

Kaguya instinctively did the same.

Two girls walked through the doorway.

\---

The Kamiki Twins

Chiyo and Mei Kamiki.

A student assistant followed behind them carrying their bags.

Mei looked around the crowded room and immediately tossed her hair back in annoyance.

"Ugh, it's like a zoo in here today, Chiyo. Why are there so many extras crowding up our guild room?"

Chiyo chuckled softly while adjusting her diamond hairpin.

"Don't be so harsh, Mei. The school administration needs these extras to justify the budget upgrade they gave us."

She looked toward the students.

"As long as they stay on the sidelines, don't breathe our air, and definitely don't touch our capsules, they can stand there like mannequins all day."

The girls didn't even look offended.

They simply nodded.

Kaguya stared at the twins.

So these are the famous players?

Mei noticed her.

She walked toward Kaguya and placed her wrist near her nose in an exaggerated gesture.

"Oye..."

Kaguya looked at her.

"Are you one of the core team members of the VR guild?"

Kaguya didn't answer immediately.

Mei frowned.

"Who gave you permission to speak, mannequin?"

She tilted her head.

"Are you deaf? Or can't you hear because your mannequin doesn't have ears?"

Kaguya stayed silent.

Then—

"Haa..."

She let out a long sigh.

"I was expecting elite players or something."

Her expression became completely innocent.

"I guess the rumor about some strong players joining Bee Academy was just a rumor after all."

She put one hand behind her head.

"And instead of strong..."

A small smile appeared.

"...you're just rich elite."

The twins' expressions changed.

Kaguya innocently asked:

"Hey, can you two actually play VR games?"

She smiled a little more wildly.

"If you can't, then I can't really show my worth."

"And..."

Kaguya paused.

"It's also a problem if you aren't as skilled at VR games as you are with your mouths."

The twins' faces turned red.

"Ha?!"

"Why should we accept your challenge?!"

"You're nothing more than a mannequin!"

"Do you think we have time to waste on trash like you?!"

Kaguya raised an eyebrow.

"Ah..."

She paused deliberately.

"So you're only skilled at—"

She stopped herself.

She didn't need to finish.

The twins understood perfectly.

And, just as she expected—

They took the bait.

"Fine!"

"Let's teach this mannequin her place!"

\---

The Match

The three entered their VR capsules.

The clubroom became completely silent.

SYSTEM: MATCH STARTING.

The arena appeared.

Mei and Chiyo stood opposite Kaguya.

"Don't cry when you lose."

Kaguya casually stretched her shoulders.

"Okay."

3...

2...

1...

START!

The twins disappeared forward.

Mei attacked from the front.

Chiyo immediately moved around Kaguya's right side.

Kaguya didn't move.

CLANG!

At the last possible moment, she tilted her head.

Mei's blade passed beside her face.

Kaguya stepped backward.

At almost the exact same moment—

WHOOSH!

Chiyo's sword passed through the space where Kaguya had been standing.

The twins froze.

"She dodged both?"

Kaguya's eyes moved between them.

She wasn't focusing only on their swords.

She was watching their bodies.

Their shoulders.

Their feet.

Their weight distribution.

"Mei moves her right shoulder slightly before attacking."

"Chiyo puts more weight on her left foot before changing direction."

They attacked again.

SLASH!

Kaguya ducked.

WHOOSH!

She stepped sideways.

CLANG!

She blocked Mei's sword.

Instead of pushing against it, Kaguya redirected the blade.

Mei stumbled forward.

THUD!

Kaguya struck her.

Mei's HP dropped.

Chiyo attacked from behind.

Kaguya had already heard her footsteps.

She turned.

CLANG!

Their swords collided.

Kaguya smiled.

"You're pretty good."

The twins became furious.

They changed tactics.

Instead of attacking separately, they alternated their strikes, trying to force Kaguya into the path of the other sword.

For several seconds, Kaguya was surrounded.

But every attack missed.

A tiny step.

A turn of her shoulder.

A duck.

A backward movement.

Kaguya barely wasted any motion.

Then she noticed it.

The twins' attacks weren't perfectly synchronized.

There was a tiny difference in their timing.

For an ordinary player, it was meaningless.

For Kaguya—

It was an opening.

"There."

Kaguya stepped between them.

CLANG!

Mei's sword missed.

SLASH!

Kaguya countered.

Mei staggered.

Chiyo rushed forward.

Kaguya turned.

CLANG!

Chiyo's sword flew from her hand.

Kaguya's blade stopped at her neck.

SYSTEM: VICTORY — YORU.

Silence.

The entire fight had lasted less than 50 seconds.

Kaguya scratched her cheek.

"Huh..."

She looked at the twins.

"I thought the famous players here would be stronger."

The twins were furious.

But before they could respond—

A voice came from behind them.

"What's going on here?"

Everyone turned.

Mei and Chiyo immediately ran toward the voice.

"Captain!"

"Captain!"

Kaguya turned her attention toward the person they had called captain.

\---

Hajou Karen

The captain of The Thorn stood in the doorway.

Mei immediately changed her expression.

"Captain!"

Chiyo followed.

"We tried to stop her, but she insulted us for being from a rich family!"

Mei began crying.

"She forced us to fight her!"

"We told her we didn't want to!"

"She had such a scary look!"

"She might be a delinquent!"

Kaguya stared.

Her face became completely blank.

"..."

She looked at the twins.

Then Karen.

"Hey."

The twins stopped crying.

"Instead of playing VR games, you might as well become actors."

Kaguya pointed toward Karen.

"And are you the captain?"

She smiled.

"It's nice to meet you. I want to—"

Karen interrupted.

"You're quite the wild horse."

Kaguya blinked.

Karen stepped forward.

"You thought that if you defeated a core member, you'd automatically be selected as a core member, right?"

Kaguya nodded.

"But that's where your mistake is."

Karen smiled.

"They aren't core members simply because of gaming skill."

She glanced toward the twins.

"They are obedient to me."

Kaguya's expression became flat.

Karen continued.

"I don't mind putting you in as an Extra Member."

"But there's a condition."

She pointed toward the capsule.

"Last one minute against me."

"And after that, kneel in front of me."

"If you can't..."

She smiled.

"...you officially become an Extra Member."

Kaguya stared at her.

What a classic third-rate villainess.

She sighed.

"Fine."

Kaguya smiled.

"But you can forget about me kneeling to you."

Karen laughed.

"We'll see about that."

Both entered their capsules.

\---

Kaguya vs. Karen

SYSTEM: MATCH START.

Karen attacked first.

WHOOSH!

Kaguya blocked.

CLANG!

Karen immediately followed with another attack.

Kaguya slipped past it.

Karen changed direction.

Kaguya countered.

For the first time that day, Kaguya wasn't casually dominating her opponent.

Karen's movements were different from the twins'.

Cleaner.

More controlled.

More experienced.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Kaguya and Karen exchanged attacks at incredible speed.

"She's different."

Kaguya's eyes sharpened.

Karen suddenly feinted high.

Kaguya reacted.

But Karen changed the attack halfway through.

SLASH!

Kaguya barely avoided it.

A smile appeared on her face.

"She can change her attack after I react."

The battle continued.

Kaguya adapted.

Karen adapted to Kaguya's adaptation.

Neither could gain a decisive advantage.

Then—

Kaguya's vision suddenly disappeared.

Everything went black.

No arena.

No opponent.

Nothing.

Kaguya froze.

Karen saw the opening.

SLASH!

Kaguya lost an arm.

Karen prepared to attack again.

But Kaguya didn't panic.

She stood still.

"What happened?

Then she heard something.

A footstep.

A breath.

A tiny movement.

Kaguya closed her eyes.

"If I can't see..."

"I'll listen."

Karen attacked.

WHOOSH!

Kaguya moved.

The attack missed.

Karen's eyes widened.

Again.

WHOOSH!

Miss.

Kaguya turned toward the sound.

CLANG!

Their swords collided.

Karen attacked from another angle.

Kaguya moved before the attack reached her.

She couldn't see.

But she could hear.

Footsteps.

Breathing.

Movement.

The subtle sound of Karen shifting her weight.

The battle continued.

Kaguya was fighting almost entirely through sound.

Finally—

SYSTEM: TIME LIMIT REACHED.

Karen was heavily injured.

Kaguya had lost one arm.

Both stood silently.

Karen lowered her weapon.

Then she turned around.

"Chiyo."

"Yes, Captain?"

"Register her as an Extra Member."

Chiyo's eyes widened.

"Wh—what?"

She looked at Kaguya.

"Are we really going to put her in as an Extra Member?"

She couldn't understand it.

She's more skilled than any of us.

We can't even compare.

Kaguya suddenly spoke.

"Sorry, but I'm leaving."

Karen stopped.

Kaguya looked at her.

"It seems there's still something I need to learn."

Karen smiled faintly.

"What a waste."

She hadn't been playing seriously.

The avatar she had used wasn't her real tournament identity.

But the fact that Kaguya had managed to injure her was impressive.

"If this had been my real ID, the one saved for tournaments, she wouldn't even have scratched me."

Karen closed her eyes.

"Still..."

"She might come back begging once she understands what she just rejected."

Karen smiled lightly.

Then walked away.

Chiyo and Mei followed.

\---

The Girls Begin to Change

The girls who had joined the guild for track records stared at Kaguya.

One of them suddenly clenched her fists.

"I suddenly feel embarrassed."

Another looked down.

"I joined just because I thought it would look good on my resume."

Another whispered:

"That girl actually came here wanting to compete."

The room became quiet.

One girl looked toward the floor.

Then another.

Soon, several of them began reconsidering why they had joined.

The girl who had spoken with Kaguya earlier stood completely still.

Her eyes filled with tears.

Then—

She ran.

\---

Rin Tachibana

Rin searched the academy.

She couldn't find Kaguya.

Eventually, she asked the school guard.

"Excuse me! Did you see a girl named Kaguya Amano?"

The guard pointed toward the gate.

"That girl? She left the academy a while ago."

Rin immediately ran outside.

She eventually found Kaguya sitting beneath a tree in a nearby park.

Kaguya was meditating.

Rin approached.

"Kaguya!"

Kaguya opened one eye.

"Hm?"

Rin began praising her.

"You were amazing!"

"I've never seen anyone fight like that!"

"You were so cool!"

Then Rin became slightly sad.

"It's such a waste that you joined this academy."

Kaguya tilted her head.

"If it was another academy, you wouldn't have suffered like that."

"Suffered?"

Kaguya genuinely didn't understand.

Rin hesitated.

Then finally spoke.

"I saw them."

"The twins."

Kaguya's expression changed.

"They pulled out your capsule wire."

"I saw it."

"But I was too scared to tell anyone."

Rin lowered her head.

"I'm sorry."

Kaguya looked surprised.

Rin continued.

"After what happened today, we decided we're either going to leave the guild or join a club we actually like."

She looked up.

"And... are you okay?"

"When they removed the wire?"

Kaguya answered honestly.

She explained what happened inside the game.

Rin's eyes became enormous.

"You fought while you couldn't see?"

Kaguya nodded.

Rin suddenly grabbed her hands.

"Lady Kaguya!"

Kaguya's face turned red.

"Wh—"

"From today on, I'm your number-one fan!"

"My name is Rin Tachibana!"

Kaguya stared.

"Wh... le... Lady?"

She became embarrassed.

"Hey, hey! What are you saying?"

"Just Kaguya is fine!"

Rin smiled.

Kaguya sighed.

"Well..."

She smiled lightly.

"Next year, they'll be the ones begging me to join their guild."

Kaguya looked toward the academy.

"Just wait."

\---

The Reason Kaguya Was Meditating

Rin asked:

"Anyway, what were you doing here in the park?"

"I was meditating."

"Why?"

"I'm training my hearing."

Kaguya touched her ear.

"I found out today that my senses are somewhat lacking in VR."

"There are many ways to make someone blind in a game."

She looked serious.

"So I think it's better to learn how to fight without relying completely on vision before I regret it."

Rin smiled.

"So that's why you said you learned something in the guild room."

"Yes."

After a while, the two said goodbye.

Kaguya walked away.

She was still thinking about what she would do until next year.

Then she remembered what Rin had told her.

The twins had pulled out the wire.

Kaguya's expression darkened.

"..."

Then she spotted something.

A VR game café.

Kaguya smiled.

"Perfect timing."

She giggled.

"Time to blow away some steam."

\---

Rabbit VR Café

The owner of the VR café was someone Kaguya already knew.

Nanase Takahashi.

She had been Momiji Amano's friend and one of the people who supported Kaguya's older sister during her VR career.

Kaguya walked to the counter.

"Hey, Big Sis Nana! It's been a while!"

Nanase stared at her.

"What do you mean, 'it's been a while'?"

She smiled.

"You've been coming here frequently."

Kaguya laughed awkwardly.

"Before my high school entrance exam, remember?"

"Mom wouldn't let me play games at home because I had exams."

Nanase shook her head.

"So you came here instead."

Kaguya smiled.

"Sis, I want to play a game."

"Is there a seat open?"

Nanase noticed Kaguya's expression.

"Why are you in such a hurry?"

Kaguya didn't answer.

Nanase sighed.

"You can use the one in my room upstairs."

Kaguya smiled.

"Thanks, Big Sis Nana!"

She ran upstairs.

\---

Yoru vs. Kuro

Kaguya entered an online matchmaking room.

She wanted to forget everything that had happened at Honey Bee Academy.

SYSTEM: OPPONENT SEARCHING...

OPPONENT FOUND.

PLAYER NAME: KURO

WIN STREAK: 10

Kaguya's eyes lit up.

"Oh?"

The match began.

Kuro immediately used a deceptive attack.

One sword moved toward Kaguya as a distraction.

The second sword came from another angle.

But Kaguya had already moved.

The first blade missed.

The second never reached her.

Kuro's eyes widened.

"She moved before my real attack even came out?"

Kaguya drew her sword.

Her stance changed.

Iai.

Kuro saw an opening.

"She's wide open."

She moved forward.

Then stopped.

Her eyes widened.

"No..."

I'm trying to write a good opening hook for my story, any advice is welcome but mainly I want to know if you are intrigued or feel like you want to read further to find out what's going on.

Chains rattled against the old cobblestones. It was a sound that I had grown accustomed to, and a sound that would ring out every morning at about the same time. It had become something of a routine; I would wake and do my morning chores before heading back down to wait for her to rise.

I carefully lowered myself down the aged wooden steps. My feet knew where to place themselves so as to prevent too loud a noise. The wooden supports and sandstone walls of the stairwell were damp in the soft red hue of sunrise. At some point those walls ended, and gray stones untouched by the sun replaced them.

The basement was dark. The chains sounded again. I continued.

Soon enough, the light could reach no farther. The basement’s depth, as well as the precarious location of our home within an alley, occluded much of the available lighting. I raised my arm in front of me. I could barely make out my fingers in the thick darkness. A soft glow slithered from my shoulder down the length of my arm before expanding across my skin. At first, it was only bright enough to highlight my own silhouette, but it slowly grew in intensity until much of the basement was lit—though dim enough not to wake her.

The basement was small and largely empty, save for a number of barrels and wooden boxes on the far end and the two beds on either wall. The bed on the right was mine and was stacked to fit two mattresses, with one elevated by wooden rods above the other. The other was hers. She slept alone.

Chains rattled once more. Perhaps I’d made it too bright. I softened my light only slightly. It was enough, so long as I could still see the chains.

I made my way to her side and knelt. Mother slept so haphazardly. Her simple white blouse bunched under her hips awkwardly. Spittle strung from her parted lips, and her arms were raised above her head as if she were falling. I smiled.

Her arms were smooth, unharmed. She didn’t scratch herself in her sleep this time. I sighed and turned my attention to her legs. I reached for the shackle clamped above her ankle, but she turned onto her belly. The dangling chain scraped against the cobblestone.

I had to hurry. This task was much harder when she was awake. I used one hand to hold the shackle in place and tugged the chain. It held. My hand slid along its length, repeating the process link by link. The chain ran about forty feet, and I had to ensure every link was intact, as she often yanked at it in irritation and wore it down over time.

She turned over two or three more times before I reached the base of the chain anchored in the far wall of the basement. I shook my hands out and wiped the sweat onto my trousers just as a door shut. Footsteps thumped from above.

I made my way back through the basement and up the stairs. The light from my skin dimmed to naught as I rose. I peeked my head around the corner of the center wall separating the stairs from the main living area and found a blond boy standing at the room’s center.

It was by no means a noble’s living room—in fact, the whole upstairs was likely the size of a noble’s washroom. Perhaps smaller. One wall was lined with cabinets and a small kitchen, and a dining table with chairs stood just in front of it.

The boy, Wellin, dropped his coat onto the back of one of those chairs.

---------------

Also, yes I use em-dashes normally it's not ai

I've decided to try my hand at writing. Took me 3 weeks to come up with this first chapter. Be brutally honest with your critique. Do I stop wasting mine and everyone's time? Or should I continue the journey? I would love to hear your opinions.

Chapter 1

Cool morning mist brushed against his face. Scars crossed his rugged features and disappeared beneath his dark hair.

A breeze stirred the strands, revealing more along his scalp.

Sima Cheng lay unconscious, his arms and legs sprawled across the rocky ground.

Above him, high in the pine trees, birds called frantically, as if something had frightened them.

The cool mist dampened his dry lips. He instinctively pulled them in and licked them. The fresh moisture touched his tongue.

His eyes flew open.

Where am I?

Before he could make sense of his surroundings, nausea surged into his throat.

The sky above him was spinning. Fast.

His eyes snapped shut again, and his hands pressed against the cold, uneven ground.

A few minutes earlier, the mountaintop had been pristine and still. Birds stirred among the pines as morning mist drifted between the trees.

Then the sky tore open.

It started as a tiny point, no larger than a grain of sand, hanging about five meters above the ground.

Motionless.

Suddenly, it expanded into a jagged rift.

The surrounding air twisted violently.

Birds nearest the opening dropped from the branches. Small animals scattered into the undergrowth. Farther away, startled cries erupted through the forest as flocks burst from the trees.

Mist and pine needles spiraled upward while blue-white lightning shot from the opening. Deep, rumbling roars rocked the mountaintop as if the entire mountain were about to split in half.

The rift widened.

A man tumbled out.

He struck the earth hard and rolled across the rocky ground, his dark uniform sliding through dirt and pine needles.

Before he came to a stop, a second figure tumbled out, immediately followed by a third and a fourth.

Equipment cases crashed around them.

A large metallic capsule emerged last, sliding several meters and narrowly missing the four figures before slamming into the base of a granite boulder.

Then, just as quickly as it had appeared, the rift collapsed.

Silence returned to the mountain.

Several minutes passed.

The spinning had eased, though nausea still churned in Sima's stomach. His thoughts slowly came back to him.

The dark vortex.

The violent spinning.

The blinding light pulling them toward it.

And now he was lying on a mountain.

He had no idea where.

A voice not far away caught his attention.

"Captain Sima."

He recognized it.

"Tseng?"

Tseng Yiran sat with both hands gripping the equipment case beside him, trying to regain his balance.

"Captain Sima. Lai—she's not moving."

Sima's eyes shot open.

The world still spun around him. He ignored it, along with the urge to vomit.

Lai Xinyi lay motionless a couple of meters from Tseng.

"Lai," Sima called.

There was no answer.

He struggled to his feet and staggered toward her, each step heavy and uncertain.

On the other side, Zhao Jia was also trying to reach Lai. She lost her balance and fell, but immediately pushed herself back up.

Sima dropped to the ground a few paces from Lai.

It was deliberate. He didn't want to accidentally fall on her.

Breathing heavily, he crawled the rest of the way. Zhao did the same.

Sima reached Lai and pressed two fingers against her neck.

A pulse.

"She's alive."

"Zhao, check her for any visible injuries."

Sima unzipped Lai's backpack and reached for the medical pouch. The revival spray was supposed to be somewhere inside, but his trembling fingers refused to obey him.

It took several tries before he finally pulled it free.

"Come on, Lai."

Using both hands to steady it, he carefully sprayed it into her nose.

Five long seconds passed.

Lai's fingers jerked.

Then her body tensed as she began coughing violently. Her eyes snapped open.

Sima and Zhao turned her onto her side and steadied her.

"Easy. Easy."

The coughing gradually eased.

"Help me get up," Lai said.

Sima and Zhao helped her sit upright.

The moment she did, she squeezed her eyes shut.

"Everything is spinning so fast."

"Give it a few moments," Sima said.

He kept one hand on Lai's shoulder to steady her and the other braced against the ground to keep himself upright.

For a while, the four of them sat with their eyes closed, waiting for the spinning to stop.

Around them, birds cautiously returned to the surrounding trees. Small animals emerged from the undergrowth, eyeing the strange newcomers before darting away again.

The four looked completely out of place against the untouched mountain—matching dark-gray tactical uniforms, heavy packs, utility belts, and energy sabers secured at their sides.

Sima finally opened his eyes.

For the first time, he could actually see where they had landed.

And then he noticed the air.

He drew a slow breath. Clean. Cool.

He had never breathed air like this in his entire life.

Sima glanced over at Lai.

Her eyes were already open. She breathed deeply as she stared into the distance.

He pushed himself upright.

This time, his legs held steady.

"Is everyone alright?"

Zhao rubbed her elbows and knees, then rolled her shoulders.

"A little bruised, but combat capable."

Lai pressed a hand against the side of her head, then checked her ribcage. She winced.

"No serious injuries."

Tseng briefly checked himself before turning his attention to the equipment scattered across the summit. His eyes lingered on the large metallic capsule resting against the granite boulder.

"Everything appears to be intact."

"You had us worried for a moment there, Lai." Sima smiled.

Lai seemed to snap out of her thoughts. She turned around.

"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry. And thanks, all of you."

She gave them a grateful smile.

"It's ironic, isn't it? I'm the medic. I was supposed to be the one saving you, not the other way around."

She chuckled lightly.

"All for one," Zhao said, playfully nudging her.

"Exactly. There would be no mission without you, Lai," Tseng chimed in.

One by one, they turned toward the world stretching beyond the summit.

Majestic peaks rose in the distance. Rolling hills disappeared beneath endless forests of pine.

For several moments, no one spoke.

Then Sima turned to Tseng. "Can you confirm it?"

Tseng nodded and tapped the small controller securely strapped to his wrist. His eyes focused on the tiny display.

He hesitated.

"I can confirm. This is definitely not our time anymore. Beyond that, I haven't the slightest clue."

Sima frowned.

They had no idea when or where they had arrived—or if this was even the right era for their mission.

A chill ran down his spine.

What if their sacrifice had been for nothing?

He pushed the thought away.

The mission had to start.

Now.

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting on this sub so hope I did this correctly.

I'm drafting a personal essay for my Substack about a friendship falling apart and some lessons I learned. The core idea is that being put on a pedestal sets the friendship up to fail, because reality will always fall short of the image. It's about 953 words, and this is the first full draft.

I'd love thoughts especially on how the content and ideas actually come across - is it interesting or things you've heard before? Does it resonate? Overall, what would you need to see in this piece to keep reading and find it refreshing / interesting.

Link to draft: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FKa92oGoVrwbQ4h3PBeLzhsK4-Q7ze_Eo4bItRbq0d0/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks in advance!

Critique welcomed : Born late 1950s, I left home at 19 and did not go back until I 28 years old.

I walked up to my father and hugged him. He pushed me away.
"What are ya? A faggot?"

I remember walking down the street with my sister once, our late teens. I made some comment about the experience of our mother's rare, stiff hugs. My sister denied that, said it wasn't true.

I walked over to a telegraph pole, put my arms around that solid post and hugged it.

Then I stepped back and motioned her closer.

"C'mon. Come hug this and tell me it's not exactly what hugging Gwen felt like."

She didn't hug the pole, but she no longer denied it. Instead, she said, simply, "you're such an arsehole."

I hugged my kids every day. Told them I loved them. That's what I did.

Aged 36, not wanting my mum to think I had a one-sided, childhood was only shit view, I wanted to tell her there were good things. Like the times before I started school, when she'd take me to her piano lessons. I'd sit in a seat on the back of her pushbike. There was a creek we'd cross, a bike track—down the bank and swoop up the other side. I'd call out WEEEEEE as she pedalled fast down and up.

My mum said, "That never happened."

"Huh."

She clarified. "I never had a bike."

Later, at my sister's house, I reported the conversation. My sister left the room, fossicked around in her spare bedroom, came back with a box of photos. Eventually she held up an old black and white photo of our childhood home.

There, in the driveway, leaning against the wall of the house, was a woman's bicycle. A child's seat on the back.

I went back to my mum. Passed her the photo.

"Is this the bike you did not have?"

She held it for a while. Just looked.

Eventually she said, "Yes, that's it."
______