Six months had passed since the first season of the Fantasy Tower ended, and a new wave of celebrities now appeared on screens none more famous than the winners of Season 1. From players to heroes, they had become iconic figures, invited for interviews by the game's host.
A woman sat beneath the blinding studio lights, adjusting the microphone near her perfectly styled blonde hair. The host leaned forward, smiling at the cameras.
"Diane," he began, "a year ago you were a dedicated police officer, walking the beat in some of the city's toughest precincts. Now, you are the Paladin, a digital star with millions of followers. How does it feel to have the Fantasy Tower completely turned your life upside down?"
Diane laughed softly, smoothing the expensive fabric of her designer dress. "Honestly, Marcus, it still feels like a dream I haven't woken up from yet," she said with a gentle nod. "When I was a child, I dreamed of becoming a model, but my father wanted me to follow in his footsteps. He had no son, so I became the one he raised to be strong."
She paused, her voice steady. "I spent my life being tough on myself, even forgetting that I was a woman at times. The Tower didn't just give me fame or money. It gave me the freedom to become the person I once set aside. Who would have thought a police officer would find herself here?"
Marcus smiled, nodding in understanding. "That's an inspiring story, Diane," he said warmly. "You've become the gold standard not just as a player, but as a symbol. Girls watching you at home saw that if you could stand your ground, so could they."
Diane was clearly flattered, placing a hand over her heart as the applause swelled. Marcus gestured toward the screen behind them. "You were the reason your party survived the final floor boss. Your defensive skill held everything together. You proved that a true protector doesn't break, no matter how much pressure the Tower puts on them."
"That's all I ever wanted to show the world," Diane replied. "As a police officer, we took an oath to serve, to protect, and to never let the line break. I carried that same oath into the Tower. I wanted to prove that a shield can be just as important, and just as powerful, as any sword."
Marcus beamed, leading the audience in a thunderous round of applause. "Spoken like a true conqueror, Diane! You've even made me a little emotional!"
He then pivoted toward the far end of the stage where a man sat in high fashion, dark pop attire. His white dreadlocks caught the studio lights, and a charismatic, wide grin was already plastered across his face before Marcus could even open his mouth.
"And of course, the man who brought the heat— literally! Before the Tower, he was selling out stadiums with his voice; now, he's scorching monsters as the Blazing Marksman, Jack Burns!"
Jack winked at the lens and flicked his fingers toward the ceiling. Marcus jokingly swatted at his own sleeve as if he had been caught by a stray spark.
"Whoa, take it easy there, Jack!" the host laughed while the audience roared. "Thank God we aren't inside the game right now, or I would be nothing but a charcoal briquette on this stage!"
After the laughter died down, Marcus leaned in to ask a more serious question. "Jack, you were already a massive superstar before this phenomenon even started," he noted curiously. "How much of an advantage is your existing fame when you are actually climbing inside the Fantasy Tower?"
"Oh, it is absolutely everything in there, man!" Jack replied with a rhythmic, high energy bounce. "The viewers aren't just watching; they're participating. Their support translates into real power. I remember this one Golem— huge, ugly, and about to turn my face into a pancake. Right before impact, a fan gifted me a 'Safe Bubble' support item. Pop! Attack blocked. I'm still breathing because someone at home liked my last album!"
Marcus let out a hearty laugh and pointed a finger directly at the camera. "So the moral of the story is: if you want to stay alive, make sure your latest single is a banger!" he joked. "I guess your fans took the 'protect our idol' campaign quite literally during that floor raid."
The host's expression then shifted into one of deep and resonant respect. "But while popularity can buy a shield, it takes a specific soul to carry the weight of a team."
He then turned his gaze to the man seated squarely between Diane and Jack. This man was a striking contrast, deep blue hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and calm, ocean like eyes. He shifted uncomfortably, looking far less confident than the pop star beside him, his hands resting awkwardly on his knees.
"And finally, we have the man at the very center of the storm," Marcus shouted as the studio floor vibrated. "He is the leader of the first party to conquer Season One and the face on every billboard across the globe. Please welcome the man known to the world as the legendary Hero Zero, Joshua Hansberry!"
Joshua's face instantly flushed a deep, humble red as he gave a tiny, apologetic wave. He looked like he would much rather be back in his old truck than sitting under a professional spotlight. A collective "Aww" rippled through the front row of fans as they watched the world's most powerful warrior shrink into his seat.
"Joshua, you were a simple firefighter before all of this adventure began," Marcus said warmly. "How did you suddenly find the inner strength to lead a party through that digital hell?"
Joshua shifted his hands awkwardly on his knees before looking up at the host. "I... I honestly didn't know I had it in me. It's hard to think of yourself as a 'leader' until you're staring at a dragon that's biting one of your ally."
The studio audience burst into laughter, charmed by his blunt honesty. Joshua offered a small, sheepish smile before his expression turned more serious.
"But honestly? I would not be able to be a leader if these two weren't willing to be commanded. A leader is only as effective as the loyalty of the people who follow the plan. And I just... I just didn't want my friends to die."
Jack Burns clapped Joshua on the back with enough force to nearly knock him over. "Hey Josh, don't go making me get all emotional on live television!" the singer shouted with a grin. "Even if we 'die' in the Tower, we just get kicked back to the real world. But this man right here fights like every single scratch is a life or death tragedy for his team."
Jack turned to the audience, his infectious energy drawing everyone into his story. "When things get ugly, this guy pulls his twin swords and slices through monsters without a hint of fear," he explained. "You can't help but follow a guy like that because you know he isn't fighting for the cash prize. He is fighting because he truly cares about the people standing behind him."
Joshua ducked his head even further as his ears turned red. The humility coming from him was so thick that the viewers could feel it through their screens.
"He is the heart of this team," Diane added. "He always has been, and he always will be the reason we made it to the top."
The audience remained silent for a beat, moved by the obvious bond between the trio, before erupting into a standing ovation. People were whistling and wiping away tears as the chemistry of the world's most famous party took over the room. Marcus waited for the noise to simmer down, his own face reflecting a rare moment of genuine admiration.
"It is rare to see that kind of loyalty in a game where everyone is usually out for themselves," Marcus observed. "You three aren't just a party; you are a family." He checked the time on his monitor before looking at the Paladin, the Marksman, and the Hero one last time. "What is your ultimate advice for the new players entering Season Two?"
The three conquerors shared a look, their playful energy settling into a serious and unified front. Joshua was the one who finally spoke for the group, his voice firm and certain.
"Unity," he said firmly. "Our success came from being a solid team— each of us had a role, a combat style that complemented the group, and we learned how to rely on each other's strengths. If I had to give a single piece of advice to the new players for Season Two, it would be this: find people you trust completely. That trust is the only real magic that will get you to the top."
The broadcast lingered on Joshua's earnest face as the screen began to fade into a montage of their greatest victories, the word "UNITY" flashing in bold, gold letters across the screen.