The world blinked.
Not the kind of lag-blink or loading stutter that every VR player was familiar with—this was deeper. Like the entire digital scaffolding of the game bent around them. One moment, the trio was walking through the vendor square, the next... silence.
Pure white. No trees. No players. No HUD.
Just the three of them standing on a marble platform suspended in an endless light.
"Did we just crash?" Drathan asked, spinning in place.
"No server would boot you to this," Kenshin said. "This is... something else."
"Definitely feels like a cutscene," Seme muttered, her hand tightening around the crystal still pulsing in her grip.
Then a voice descended like velvet thunder.
"Welcome, chosen. I am Aria, the Keeper of Realms. Goddess of Eltaria."
The air shimmered before them, and a luminous figure stepped forth. She was breathtaking—golden blonde hair cascading like silk waterfalls down her back, catching the ambient light with every movement. Her long white dress shimmered with gold trim, adorned with celestial sigils that softly pulsed like constellations. Her ethereal presence filled the space like warm sunlight breaking through clouds, impossibly beautiful and deeply intimidating. Eyes of radiant gold glowed with a strange serenity, and though her expression was calm, it was also unreadable.
"Whoa," Drathan breathed. "She wasn't in the beta."
"You are correct, Drathan," Aria replied, her smile unwavering. "You were not meant to see me yet. But the Void knows you well."
That made Drathan tense.
The platform they stood on expanded, revealing a sprawling view behind Aria—a gateway of towering pillars encrusted with crystals the size of trees. Floating islands hovered around the gate like satellites, wrapped in gentle vines and glowing birds. Massive archways of marble opened into skies painted in soft twilight hues. A heavenly wind brushed their faces, scented with something between starlight and roses.
"You have been summoned here as potential heroes," Aria continued, arms spreading wide. "Eltaria, my world, is in peril. Darkness stirs from forgotten prisons. I seek champions from other realms to fight back the tide."
Kenshin tilted his head. "So... this is the yearly top ten hero thing?"
"Correct. You have climbed the ranks with impressive speed. And now, I offer you a choice."
With a wave of her hand, glowing circles appeared beneath them. Each displayed their avatars, shimmering with power.
"You may decline and return to the game world, none the wiser. Or you may accept this divine quest. In doing so, you will be granted one wish each—limited only by balance and my realm's laws."
The three exchanged glances. Seme stepped forward first.
"I accept."
Aria's smile deepened. "Speak your desire."
"I want a sword," Seme said, voice hard. "One no mortal can break. Light enough to wield easily, strong enough to level anything I swing it at."
A blinding flash filled the room, and a massive greatsword appeared in her hand. The blade hummed with latent power, black and silver with runes etched in shifting lines.
Drathan whistled. "Looks like overcompensation, but sexy."
Seme gave him a sideways glare.
Kenshin stepped up. "My turn. I want to become lightning. Not wield it—be it."
The air snapped as bolts arced from his fingertips. His hair flickered white-blue, and his eyes sparked like storms.
"Lightning incarnate," Aria affirmed. "A form few can tame."
Then all eyes turned to Drathan.
He scratched his chin. "I want control over the Void. Not just travel or concealment. I want to shape it—weaponize it, shield with it. Wrap the unknown around me like a second skin."
Aria's gaze lingered on him longer than the others.
"You walk a dangerous path," she said, voice soft. "But it is yours."
A pulse rippled through the marble platform, and shadows gathered at Drathan's feet. They coiled up around his arms, sinking into his skin like ink.
Then—one by one—dozens of other players appeared around them. Side characters, NPCs, and competitive guild members. All with their own wishes.
Some chose strength. Some chose treasure. A few asked for mundane things—one even wished for a food truck license.
Each was granted.
Then Aria raised her hand again.
"You shall be returned to your realm, marked as my champions. Your deeds will decide the fate of Eltaria... and whether I continue to exist."
That last bit caught Drathan's attention.
"Wait—what?"
But light engulfed them again, and the marble vanished.
They woke up standing in a field they'd never seen before—stars spinning above and a cracked moon hanging low. Drathan looked down at his hands, where the void curled and shimmered with life.
"Well," he said, grinning. "Guess we're gods now."
The voice of Aria whispered in Drathan ear " you're an anomaly to this world with that power, and stats. Thus I must put a restriction on you"
As the whispers faded he started to feel something cold and metallic on his wrist.
Kenshin coming to his senses notice the Golden bracelet on Drathan wrist and yelp.
" Ayye, nah that's not right how you get a free item with ya powers? "
Seme rolling her eyes tsk her teeth and said.
" did you not see how that Goddess was looking at him."
Getting a feel for his surroundings he faced his brother's.
" first off, I didn't ask for it, second it's not even something good. "
Holding up his wrist so they can get a better look at it he sighed.
" That dam goddess put a restriction on me cutting my stats in half from my glitch maxed out stats. "
Kenshin shrugged with a grin.
" Good Welcome to our world. It's about time someone put a patch on you and ya glitch stats. "
Not paying him any mind Drathan took a deep breathe.
" So this is Eltaria... it feels like earth."