The weekend air was quiet except for the hum of Siti's PS5. Her room was dim, curtains drawn, the only light coming from the soft glow of her TV screen.
On the menu, the title Kena: Bridge of Spirits shimmered like an invitation. Siti hugged her pillow for a moment, heart fluttering with excitement.
"This is it," she whispered. "My first real adventure in Kena's world."
She pressed Start.
The opening cutscene unfolded like a living painting—lush forests, ancient ruins, and a young spirit guide standing tall with her staff. Kena's eyes glowed with quiet determination, her presence both gentle and strong.
Siti leaned forward, captivated. "She's so cute… and brave. I like her already."
When gameplay began, Siti carefully moved Kena forward. The forest stretched endlessly, beams of sunlight slipping through the trees, leaves rustling in the wind. The sound design alone made her shiver—it felt alive, as though she could almost smell the damp earth and moss.
And then she saw them.
The Rot—tiny, round black creatures with big, gleaming eyes—peeked out from behind a rock.
Siti gasped. "Ohhh, they're adorable!" She giggled, clapping her hands. "Come here, little one."
As Kena approached, the Rot shyly waddled closer, then joined her journey. Soon, more appeared, popping out from bushes, logs, even hidden caves. Each one made Siti's heart swell with delight.
"This is so different…" she whispered. "No fighting, no blood, no fear… just magic."
The first puzzle appeared—a broken bridge blocked her path. The Rot, at her command, pushed stones into place, squeaking with effort. When the bridge reformed, Siti cheered as though she herself had rebuilt it.
"Yes! Good job, little ones!" she said, grinning.
Time passed without her realizing. Hours melted into moments as she explored glowing rivers, climbed ancient ruins, and discovered more Rot companions. Each victory, no matter how small, felt rewarding.
It was peaceful, healing even.
But when she faced her first corrupted spirit, the battle startled her. Dark energy twisted in the air, the enemy towering before her. Siti's thumbs trembled, but she guided Kena with determination—dodging, striking with her staff, calling on the Rot for aid.
When the spirit finally dissolved into light, she leaned back, breathless. "That… was amazing."
By midnight, Siti saved her progress, the Rot waving cheerfully on the screen. She turned off the PS5, her room falling silent.
She lay back on her bed, smiling at the ceiling. Kena wasn't just a game—it was like stepping into a fairy tale. It reminded her of the childhood storybooks her mother used to read, only now she was the one guiding the story.
As she drifted to sleep, the Rot danced in her dreams.
And somewhere, quietly downloading in the background, Dead by Daylight waited.