~ShadowLynx's POV~

There are some things in life you just can't always trust. Especially people.

———

I lived with my parents and my grandmother in Portugal. However, because my dad often had to go to the United States for business trips, we all learned how to communicate with each other in English. My younger sister and I often chatted with each other in this foreign language, and laughed when we learned new phrases that our parents couldn't catch on quick enough.

When I got my first computer for my twelfth birthday, the screen was a door to a whole new world for me. I shared my new treasure with my sister, and we played, discussed, and strategized together on multiple online games. It was our world, a reality that we actually had control over. Years later, when we both had our own phones, we spent hours on it, discovering new worlds together.

I always hated when people told me to get off the phone. It was like they were telling you to leave life for a bit. Which, in other words, means to die.

My sister and I first discovered Hero's Journey through an online friend whose player name was "Demonocize". He and his sister, Tigress, were playing it and were given an opportunity to enter the virtual version. They could pick two players to join them. Having known us for so long through the Internet, Demo messaged me to ask. Within two days, we were in and training.

Forgetting about the real world, we immersed ourselves in that world, always together, until that one fateful day...

~Eloise's POV~

'Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.' I really wonder who came up with that little saying. It seems to be extremely popular around people these days. Don't they know that none of that is true?

I don't really understand this. I just don't. Stones and other physical objects thrown at them can leave bruises and other injuries. But words are more like knives that stab you in the heart. It hurts the most, especially when someone you know and love says it to you. It makes your throat close up and dry, leaving a lump so large it's difficult to swallow. And even if you don't want to, you can't help but cry.

I don't know why he hates me. I haven't done anything to him. The day I finished learning the basics, like how to control my energy, how to collect items when I defeat enemies, and a basic defensive skill, Tigress and Demo had brought me over to ShadowLynx's special training room. "Tell us if he's being a jerk," Demo said.

"It must be hard for him, though," Tigress sighed. "He loved his little sister so much—"

The doors crashed open just then as he came out. He gave them a menacing glare before glancing over at me. "The equipment's all ready," he said coldly. "Get in and let's begin."

I walked in hesitatingly, not knowing what kind of 'training room' this would be. My ears picked up traces of his conversation with Tigress and Demo as I walked away from them.

"Don't ever bring her up again."

"But Shadow, we had to—"

"Had to? There's no reason for you guys to start poking into my life. She's gone from this world, and that's that."

"Listen, man, we're sorry for bringing her up. But I don't think you should take your excuses to treat her like you are. They're two different people. She's not your sister, and she's not like her at all. Stop shunning her like you are right now."

"Shut up," he growled before slamming the door shut and storming in. Eyeing me while he walked towards me, he said, "I assume they've taught you the basics already." I swallowed hard and nodded. "Alright then, show me."

"W-Which one?" I asked timidly, frightened by his behavior.

"Targeted Slash," he said.

"I... don't know that," I admitted. "They only taught me how to control my energy and how to collect items after defeating enemies and—"

"And a basic defensive skill. Yeah, yeah, I know. Geez, that's literally the most basic skill you could ever learn," he cut in. "All right then, show me what you got."

He took a couple of steps away from me and raised a hand. "I'm going to send a magic spell to you. I want you to use the skill you learned to block it. Then we'll see."

The icy blast came in an instant and knocked me against the wall.

I sat up slowly, rubbing my sore arms and shaking each limb to make sure it was still intact. He walked over to me and crossed his arms. "The first rule in battle is to always stay on guard. Don't let yourself get distracted." I nodded, holding up my sword to cast the spell again.

I focused my gaze on him; his body posture, his hands, and the position of his feet. I tightened my grip on my sword handle, locking my eyes on the anticipated attack. Holding my hands steady, I set both of my feet firmly into the ground and kept my balance as I braced myself for the attack.

Once again, the icy blast came towards me. I clenched my teeth and cast a shield of pure magic energy around me, holding it strong against the spell. My arms trembled as the ice began to penetrate the shield. I glanced over at him. His face was extremely hard to read, but I guess that could mean, figure out a way for yourself. I closed my eyes, releasing one of my hands from the spell. Reaching for my sword, I grasped its handle and unsheathed it. "Sword Skill," I chanted, just like Kirito in Sword Art Online. I strengthened my legs, keeping them planted firmly in the ground as I held my sword, the edge of the blade pointing towards the spell. "Combo Blast!"

My sword began to light up brightly, with a shining white light. Three... two... one! I dropped my defensive shield and lunged for the sharp ice. A few seconds later, everything shattered and I fell to the floor, feeling energy drain out of me.

He walked over to me, shaking his head. "Geez," he muttered. "Didn't I tell you to show me your defensive skill?"

"I did," I said weakly, trying to get up. He looked at me for a moment, then sighed and looked away, saying, "I guess... that was pretty cool. For the first week we'll just be focusing on strengthening your defenses and endurance. Protecting yourself is the most important, especially for a beginner like you. Get some rest today, and tomorrow I'll start teaching you new skills."

"Wait, you mean that's it?" I asked him, standing up. "This training that Tigress and Demo said was close to being hell is just this?"

He stopped walking and turned around. "Believe me, tomorrow is when the hell begins. Today was just a try-out. To see if it's even worth teaching you." He turns around and kept walking until he opened the doors and went out.

~ShadowLynx's POV~

I closed the doors behind me and walked toward my room. Staring up at the greenery around me, I sighed as I closed my eyes and took in a breath. You always loved being in nature, didn't you...

Flashback

"Big brother? What is it?"

"There's an ambush on server eight's headquarters! We could really use your help right now!"

"Alright, alright! Don't worry, just let me get off the bus first before I go."

"Please hurry!"

"Okay, I'm coming right—"

End of Flashback

Her scream... shattering glass... crunching metal... the wail of an ambulance siren in the distance...

By the time I got to the hospital, she was already gone.

I never got to say goodbye.

I clenched my fist and let icy spikes come out of my hand, wrapping themselves around the trunk of a tree in front of me. They climbed, higher and higher, creeping up to the branches and freezing the tree in pure ice. The ground beneath my feet began to cover in ice before I got a hold of myself and stopped. She wouldn't want me to harm any of this.

All the time we spent together... all the memories we shared... all the battles, fights, training... I dropped to the ground and covered my face with one hand, willing the steady stream of tears to stop running down.

She was a sword-wielder too. The weapons were always so heavy for her, but she got better with it every time. And just like what happened earlier...

One of her own sword and shield combo skills.

I stood up, continuing to walk. She was the smallest of us all, but still... she was also the strongest. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally strong. She withstood everything that went her way. She embraced it with an open heart.

I stopped in front of the door, putting a hand on the handle. So should I.