Chapter 1: They Finally Did It, Teamed Up to Get Me to Play!

Jayde was all set in her life. She had good grades, and while inspired by diligent workers such as Mako Tachibana, and her amazing big sister Emily, she tried to do well in school. The company that her elder sister worked for, Yamato Technologies, had begun a contest, where the contestants could build robots and in some cases have them fight in a legal bot-fighting-type arena. She was also looking forward to seeing the look of pride on her sister’s face.

But then it happened an apartment fire damaged her body, and destroyed her robot, in addition to other losses, and fortunately, Emily, having been out of the apartment and owning her own place, had survived. Now in the hospital, Jayde’s eyes gradually opened, adjusting to the sterile light of the hospital room. The whiff of antiseptic lingered in the air, a stark contrast to the warm and familiar surroundings of her home. Emily, her elder sister, entered the room with a gentle smile, carrying a virtual reality headset.

“Hey, sis,” Emily greeted, her voice a comforting presence in the quiet room. “I brought something for you, a little distraction from everything.”

Jayde managed a weak smile, grateful for her sister’s attempt to lift her spirits. “What’s that?” she asked, curiosity piqued despite the ache in her body.

“It’s a virtual reality headset,” Emily explained, holding it up. “Yamato Technologies, where I work, developed a game. I thought it might help you pass the time and, you know, take your mind off things. Escape reality for a bit.” Jayde was hesitant at first, but before she could say anything, a Nurse entered to check in on her patient. The Nurse noticed the headset and spoke “ooh is that one of those new virtual reality headsets? I’ve heard of those, especially how good they are, especially for patients.”

Emily nodded, acknowledging the nurse’s curiosity. “Yes, it is. We thought it might help Jayde during her recovery. It’s not just a game; it has therapeutic features too.”

The nurse smiled warmly. “That’s a fantastic idea. Virtual reality can be a great tool for distraction and pain management. Just let me know if you need any assistance setting it up.”

As the nurse left, Emily turned back to Jayde. “What do you say, sis? Ready to give it a try?”

Jayde hesitated for a moment, glancing between the virtual reality headset and her sister’s encouraging gaze. The idea of escaping into a virtual world appealed to her, a temporary reprieve from the hospital room and the physical pain she endured.

“Alright,” Jayde finally agreed, summoning a small smile. “Let’s see what this virtual world has to offer.” Before Emily placed the headset on her sister’s head, she set up the account for her sister. “what do you want your account name to be” Emily asked “Azure Kat, K instead of C” Jayde replied Emily set up her account, also, Emily purchased a golden ticket that Jayde as Azure Kat can use in a blacksmith shop, and a special mobile base of operations, built on top of an Ankylosaurs creature. Emily then scanned Jayde’s body so that the armor and everything would fit.

“Alright,” Emily said, typing away on the virtual reality interface. “Your account is set up. I’ve also added a little something special for you. You’ve got a golden ticket to use at the blacksmith’s shop for some special gear that ranks up with you. And a mobile base of operations on top of an Ankylosaurus.”

Jayde’s eyes widened at the unexpected generosity. “Wow, thanks, Em. You really went all out.”

“It’s the least I can do for my little sister,” Emily replied with a grin. “Now, let’s get you into the game.”

“Say ‘Link start,’ and it will activate,” Emily instructed.

Taking a deep breath, Jayde felt a surge of excitement. “Link start!”

As the virtual reality headset settled onto Jayde’s head, and spoke the activation phrase, the sterile hospital room faded away. In its place emerged what appeared to be a study or office of some kind. Jayde looked around it before the figure at the table caught her attention. This was the mascot of Yamato Technologies. She looked like an owl Anthro, who was likely going to help Jayde with initializing her avatar so that she could play the game. “hello” Jayde greeted the other, whom she knew was named Byte, with a friendly smile on her face.

The Owl Anthro looked up from her desk and returned Jayde’s greeting with a warm smile. Her feathers ruffled slightly as she gestured to the chair across from her.

“Hello, Azure Kat! Welcome to Yamato Technologies’ virtual realm. I’m Byte, your guide through the initialization process. How are you feeling today?” Byte’s voice was a melodic mix of friendliness and professionalism.

Jayde took a seat and replied, “I’m excited! This is my first time in a virtual reality game, and I’ve heard great things about it too from a Nurse and my sister.”

Byte nodded, adjusting her glasses. “Fantastic to hear! We’re thrilled to have you on board. Now, let’s get started with creating your avatar. We want to ensure it reflects your personality. Do you have any preferences or ideas in mind?”

Jayde thought for a moment before responding, “Hmm, maybe something adventurous and a bit mystical. Like a wanderer exploring uncharted territories. Is that too specific?”

Byte chuckled softly. “Not at all! Your imagination is the limit here. Let’s customize your avatar.”

A holographic interface appeared before Jayde, offering a myriad of options for her avatar’s appearance, clothing, and accessories. Together, Jayde and Byte worked on fine-tuning the details, ensuring that the virtual representation captured the essence of the adventurous wanderer she envisioned.

As they progressed, Byte shared tips and information about the game mechanics, controls, and the vast virtual world Jayde was about to explore. The room they were in transformed, adapting to the theme of Jayde’s avatar, with maps and landscapes projected on the walls.

Jayde chose an avatar that was somewhat inspired by the Na’vi blue skin, specifically in the #1979e6 Color Hex. As well as specific darker-colored markings, in the shape of stripes, and Bioluminescent markings, dot the skin and seem to follow the circulatory or nervous system. These dots can change color to indicate mood and emotion, subtle features inspired by the Na’vi. She also had the ears grow larger, and Cat-Like, giving her a somewhat feline trait to her avatar. However, the difference was that she had red glowing eyes and cybernetic hands. These replaced her normal hands, which were covered in IV lines, which had been picked up during the scan.

Once the avatar customization was complete, Byte clapped her feathered hands together. “Perfect! You’re all set, Azure Kat. Your avatar looks fantastic. The next order of business is to set up your stats” Byte said, as the avatar disappeared, and a stats board appeared, she noticed Intelligence was blackened. “The system scans your brain, and sets it up from there,” Byte explained, and Jayde nodded her head. She chose to max her strength and agility before she finished it.

Sensing that Jayde, now Azure Kat, was done, Byte spoke to her. “Now, before you dive into the game, any questions or anything else you’d like to know?”

Excitement bubbled in Jayde’s voice as she replied, “No questions for now. Let’s dive in! I can’t wait to see what this virtual world has in store.”

With a nod, Byte initiated the transition, and the virtual environment shifted, transporting Jayde into the immersive realm of Yamato Technologies’ virtual game. Nirvaliseria. The adventure awaited, and Jayde, rather Azure Kat, was ready to explore the uncharted territories of this digital landscape.

As the transition occurred, and the world around her shimmered, and soon in the place of the room before, emerged the vibrant Starting City, Arcadia Prime. Jayde, now Azure Kat, stood in the heart of the bustling city. The sights, sounds, and even the scents of the virtual world enveloped her. Jayde marveled at the attention to detail as she explored the fantastical city.

Azure Kat looked around; taking a moment to soak in the virtual atmosphere and taking note of how the pain was so dull she didn’t even feel it. She grinned happily as she jumped up and landed on the firm ground. “Em, this is incredible!” she exclaimed despite her sister not being able to hear her. Azure Kat, equipped with a golden ticket and a mobile base, felt a sense of anticipation and wonder. The vibrant hues of the virtual world were a stark contrast to the sterile hospital room.

The HUD displayed options and quests, beckoning Jayde to explore. With a sense of newfound freedom, she wandered through the city, interacting with NPCs and absorbing the sights. The therapeutic features of the game began to work their magic, temporarily easing the discomfort she felt in the real world.

As Azure Kat ventured through the city’s winding streets, she stumbled upon a bustling marketplace. The scent of virtual food wafted through the air, and merchants called out their wares. The golden ticket burned in her inventory, a promise of upgraded equipment waiting to be claimed.

“Maybe the blacksmith should be my first stop,” Jayde mused, considering the prospect of enhancing her virtual arsenal.

Guided by Emily’s earlier instructions, she made her way to the blacksmith’s shop. The clang of metal and the orange glow of the forge greeted her as she entered. The blacksmith, a seasoned local (NPC) with a grizzled appearance, looked up from his work.

“Ah, a new adventurer! What can I do for you?” he bellowed, a friendly twinkle in his virtual eyes.

Jayde, as Azure Kat, presented the golden ticket. The blacksmith’s expression shifted from friendliness to awe.

“A golden ticket! You’re in for a treat, my friend. Choose wisely,” he advised.

Perusing the available options, Jayde decided on a beautifully crafted a great sword, normally two-handed, that seemed to resonate with her. The blacksmith worked his virtual magic, and in an instant, the weapon materialized in Azure Kat’s hands.

As she admired her new great sword, she became distracted by a notification that popped up in her HUD. Azure Kat’s eyes widened as the notification materialized in her Heads-Up Display (HUD). The words “Dragon’s Roost Event Starting Tomorrow” blinked in bold letters, igniting a spark of excitement within her.

“Dragon’s Roost, huh?” Jayde mused, her thoughts weaving through the possibilities. The anticipation of a new event added a layer of intrigue to her virtual journey.

The blacksmith, catching wind of the event, grinned knowingly. “You’ve chosen a good time to join our world, Azure Kat. The Dragon’s Roost event is a rare opportunity for glory and treasures. Best be well-prepared.”

With her newly acquired great sword in hand and the Dragon’s Roost event on the horizon, Azure Kat felt a surge of determination. As the virtual city buzzed with excitement, Azure Kat set her sights on preparing for the event. The air was charged with anticipation, and the countdown to Dragon’s Roost had begun.

Azure Kat turned to the blacksmith. “know where I can get some healing potions, and some boost potions in Arcadia?” she asked

The blacksmith, his virtual beard twitching with amusement, nodded in response to Azure Kat’s inquiry. “Ah, looking to stock up before the Dragon’s Roost event, are we? Smart move, adventurer. You’ll find what you need in the Marketplace, just a few steps from here.”

With a grateful nod, Azure Kat made her way out through the entrance to the city streets. She navigated through the bustling city, the HUD guided her to the bustling marketplace. As she approached, the vibrant hubbub of merchants, players, and NPCs engaged in lively commerce surrounded her. Along with whispers of the upcoming event buzzed among the NPCs. Merchants discussed the event’s potential rewards, and fellow adventurers exchanged theories about the challenges that awaited them. Her curiosity grew with each passing moment, including the idea of facing dragons, a quintessential fantasy experience, held a magnetic allure. The virtual world seemed to pulse with energy, preparing for the imminent spectacle.

Stalls adorned with colorful potions and elixirs beckoned her attention. A potion vendor, a cheerful Local (NPC) with a penchant for dramatic gestures, caught her eye.

“Welcome, brave adventurer! Looking to enhance your prowess, are you?” the vendor exclaimed, his virtual hands gesturing dramatically. “Healing potions, boost potions, we’ve got it all! What can I get you today?”

Azure Kat, with a determined glint in her eyes, replied, “I’ll take a few healing potions and a couple of boost potions. I want to be ready for whatever the Dragon’s Roost throws at me.”

The vendor grinned, efficiently placing the requested potions in a virtual bag. “A wise choice! These potions will serve you well. May your journey be filled with triumph, and your health always be plentiful.”

As Azure Kat secured the potions in her inventory, she felt a surge of readiness. The preparations for the upcoming event were falling into place, and the virtual world awaited her exploration and conquests.

With potions in tow, Azure Kat decided to spend the remaining virtual hours exploring the city, getting a feel for its intricacies and interacting with the diverse denizens. The anticipation for Dragon’s Roost hung in the air, and she was determined to make the most of the time leading up to the event.

As Azure Kat explored the city, she glanced down at her hands, when she worked with Byte, the AI that greeted her in the study. She’d had her hands turned into advanced cybernetic limbs, replacing the ones attached to the medical equipment. Now Azure Kat marveled at the cybernetic limbs that had replaced her natural hands. The intricate design and advanced technology blended seamlessly with her avatar’s appearance. She flexed the fingers, appreciating the precision and dexterity the cybernetic limbs provided. Gripping the hilt of her great sword, she marveled at the virtual sensation of strength and control.

Amid the bustling city, Azure Kat couldn’t help but feel a sense of empowerment. The cybernetic limbs were not just a replacement; they were an enhancement, a testament to the synergy between the virtual and real worlds. Each movement felt deliberate and responsive, a reflection of the meticulous work done by the developers and engineers.

As she strolled through the city, passersby glanced at her avatar, some nodding in acknowledgment. The cybernetic limbs, a unique feature, set her apart in the virtual crowd. It was a visual reminder of the intersection between her real-world experiences and the immersive realm of the game.

With a grin, Azure Kat continued her exploration, the cybernetic limbs serving as a constant reminder of the interconnectedness of her virtual and physical existence. The city’s vibrant energy and the upcoming Dragon’s Roost event fueled her excitement, creating a harmonious blend of anticipation and readiness for the adventures that lay ahead.

Azure Kat paused as she caught her reflection in the mirror of a nearby shop. The virtual mirror revealed the full extent of her avatar’s appearance. The sight left her in awe, marveling at the creative choices she and Byte had made during the initialization process.

Blue skin adorned with dark stripes created a distinctive and visually striking look. The bioluminescent markings, glowing softly in the virtual light, added an ethereal quality to her avatar. Azure Kat’s red, glowing eyes held a sense of intensity and determination, reflecting the fire within.

She couldn’t help but smile at the unique blend of features that made up her virtual identity. The avatar felt like an extension of herself, a canvas where the boundaries of reality and fantasy intertwined. The designers had captured the essence of her personality, creating an avatar that felt both familiar and fantastical.

With a sense of satisfaction, Azure Kat continued her exploration through the city. The mirror encounter served as a reminder that in this virtual realm, she had the freedom to be whoever she wanted to be, and with her cybernetic limbs and distinct appearance, she felt ready to face whatever challenges the virtual world had in store.

“I wonder... ‘ she said as a thought occurred to her, and she moved towards a wall. Azure Kat’s fingers gently grazed the virtual stone wall, and to her surprise, she felt the cool and solid sensation beneath her touch. The level of detail in the virtual environment astounded her. The texture of the stone, the play of light and shadow—everything felt remarkably authentic.

“So real,” she murmured to herself, a sense of wonder filling her virtual senses. The immersive nature of the game made it easy to forget that she was still in a hospital room, connected to medical equipment. The virtual world had a tangible quality that transcended the boundaries between reality and fantasy.

“I think I’ll ask Emily about this later,” Azure Kat decided, her curiosity piqued. The virtual environment’s ability to mimic real-world sensations was a testament to the technological advancements of Yamato Technologies. The implications of such realism fascinated her.

But for now, the city beckoned, and with the Dragon’s Roost event loomed on the horizon. Azure Kat resumed her exploration, eager to uncover more secrets and nuances within the virtual realm. The mystery of the game’s intricacies only fueled her excitement, making each discovery a delightful adventure in its own right.

As she continued her exploration, she found herself walking by an alleyway, and as she walked by, a noise inside caught her attention, causing her to turn and enter it, her hand moving towards her sword’s hilt as she did.

The narrow alleyway exuded an air of mystery as Azure Kat cautiously made her way toward the source of the noise. Her cybernetic hand hovered over the hilt of her sword, a subtle readiness for whatever awaited her within the shadowed confines.

As she ventured deeper into the alley, the sounds became more distinct—a muffled conversation and a faint shuffling of feet. Azure Kat’s instincts kicked in, the virtual world responding to her heightened senses. The city’s ambient noises faded into the background, leaving only the hushed tones ahead.

With a careful step, Azure Kat turned a corner, revealing a scene that unfolded before her. Two NPCs, a rough-looking figure and a distressed civilian, stood in the midst of a tense exchange. The civilian appeared cornered, a hint of desperation in their virtual eyes.

Azure Kat’s virtual muscles tensed, and a sense of duty spurred her into action. “Hey!” she called out, her voice authoritative as she approached, hand firmly on her sword.

The rough NPC turned to face her, surprise flickering across their virtual face. Azure Kat, fueled by the desire to protect the vulnerable in this virtual world, stood ready for whatever confrontation awaited her in the narrow alley.

The rough-looking NPC looked at her and observed her. “Your new, and you are rare, which means you’ll fetch a high price in the slave markets,” The NPC said. Azure Kat’s eyes narrowed at the callous words of the rough-looking NPC. The mention of slave markets ignited a flame of anger within her, fueled by a sense of justice and a refusal to let such cruelty persist, even in the virtual realm.

“I don’t think you’ll want to do that,” she retorted, her voice laced with determination. As the rough NPC’s attention wavered, the distressed civilian seized the opportunity to slip away, a virtual escape from the clutches of their would-be captor.

The tension in the alley heightened, and Azure Kat’s hand tightened around the hilt of her sword. The alleyway, once a quiet side street, now bore witness to a virtual confrontation between the protector and the perpetrator.

The rough NPC, realizing the escape of their prey, scowled and took a step toward Azure Kat. “You’re meddling where you shouldn’t, adventurer. This is how things work in the depths of the city.”

Azure Kat stood her ground, her resolve unyielding. “Not on my watch. Slavery has no place here, even in a virtual world. Surrender, or face the consequences.”