Ethan's consciousness flickered into awareness, awakening to a reality that felt both strange and achingly familiar. As his senses slowly sharpened, he found himself standing in a dimly lit hall, the air heavy with a sense of déjà vu that sent shivers down his spine.
In his past life, Ethan had been a gamer, one of the best, with skills honed through countless hours of digital battles and virtual conquests. Yet, amidst the accolades and victories, there was always one player who eluded his grasp, one opponent who consistently outmatched him—his big sister.
But gaming wasn't the only passion that consumed Ethan's thoughts. There was another, a secret longing that beckoned to him, whispering of worlds beyond the confines of pixels and screens. WAR BOUND: WRITE YOUR DESTINY a massive franchise that made it big in his world.
Despite the ups and downs of his life, Ethan had found happiness in the company of his beloved sister, their bond unbreakable even in the face of life's darkest trials. But when tragedy struck and he lost her, Ethan spiraled into the depths of despair, consumed by grief and haunted by memories of what once was.
Now, presumed dead and thrust into a hall that seemed to pulsate with a sense of familiarity, Ethan's mind reeled with disbelief. The walls, the floors, even the faint scent lingering in the air—all whispered of a place he knew all too well, a place he thought he had left behind forever.
But as he stood in the midst of this strange yet strangely familiar hall, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that fate had other plans for him.
As the bewildered voices erupted around him, Ethan found himself at the center of a maelstrom of confusion and fear. Each question, each plea, pierced through the haze of uncertainty, resonating with a desperation that mirrored his own.
"I'm in a dream, aren't I?" one voice cried out, its tremulous timbre betraying a fragile grasp on reality.
"Who are you, and what have you done to us?" another demanded, the accusation laced with a mixture of anger and fear.
"Take us back!" a third voice pleaded, its words echoing with a sense of longing for the familiar comforts of the world they had left behind.
Amidst the chaos, Ethan remained rooted in place, his mind racing to make sense of the confusion unfolding before him. Though disoriented, he felt a strange sense of clarity amidst the turmoil, a gnawing suspicion that there was more to their predicament than met the eye.
As the cacophony of voices continued to swell, Ethan's gaze swept the strange faces around him.
With a deep breath to steady his nerves, Ethan stepped forward, his voice cutting through the clamor like a beacon of calm amidst the storm.
"We may not understand what's happening," he began, his tone measured yet resolute, "but we'll find our way through this together. Whatever challenges lie ahead, we'll have to face them as one."
As Ethan's words hung in the air, a stunned silence descended upon the hall for a brief moment, broken only by the sound of his own racing heartbeat. His mind reeled with disbelief at the uncanny resemblance between his thoughts and those spoken aloud by another.
"No way, I said that word for word like I was him? Impossible," Ethan thought, his thoughts swirling with a mixture of awe and bewilderment.
Aurelia's tone changed, but he still sounded warm and calming, though a bit rushed. "I'll just tell you what you need to know, the rest you'll find out when the time is right." Everyone stayed quiet. Ethan found a seat in the back, feeling overwhelmed.
"You will all be sent to a fantasy world of swords and magic," Aurelia said. "Most of you will find it familiar once you get there."
As Aurelia spoke, people started murmuring, feeling both excited and scared. Ethan and the others knew they were in for an adventure, but they also knew it wouldn't be easy.
Another voice broke the silence, this time belonging to a woman from the group. "A world of swords and magic? You're trying to butter us up before you tell us what's actually going on, aren't you?" she said, her annoyance evident in her tone.
Aurelia's smile widened at the woman's perceptiveness. "You saw right through me." he acknowledged, his tone still warm and reassuring. He then turned to the woman and asked for her name.
"Jean Harper" she replied, her voice firm and determined.
Ethan couldn't help but pout as he listened to the exchange between Jean and Aurelia. 'At this point, I can't get surprised anymore.' he muttered to himself, his frustration evident in his voice. 'Though the fact that my name wasn't in the book feels unsettling. Maybe I'm not alone.'
He let out a sigh, his thoughts drifting to Jean. 'A beauty among beauties.' he thought, a hint of sadness creeping into his tone. 'Too bad she's going to die early on in the story. The writer really covered up her potential.
If not, she would've been one of the most important figures in the story.' Another sigh escaped him as he contemplated the twists and turns of their fate in this strange new world.
'But it'll soon be time for the best part anyways.' he reminded himself, forcing a small smile to his lips in an attempt to quell the rising tide of apprehension.
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[A/N]
Thanks for coming this far. I really appreciate.
Don't forget to add my novel to your library if you like it. ????