Stars flickered softly in the dark sky, as twin moons illuminated the forest and plains covering the land below.
The night was relatively quiet, a gentle breeze whispered through the trees and grass, accompanied by the occasional sound of insects and nocturnal creatures.
Suddenly, a sound like breaking glass echoed through the night. Above a grassy plain, a large crack appeared in the air. The noise continued as the crack split apart, revealing a large area of dark energy.
Four humanoid figures emerged from the middle. They were dressed in tight black combat gear that hugged their bodies, blue lines of light occasionally flickering across their battle suits.
The four hovered for a few seconds before slowly descending to the ground. They seemed to survey the land around them before one spoke.
"We're finally home."
"Yes", another replied, "it's been a while.
How long do we have before they arrive?"
The previous humanoid, replied, "Two years; we have that long to prepare." She then turned around, raised her hand towards the portal and made a grasping motion. The crack in the sky closed and disappeared.
All four then turned and started walking in the same direction across the grassy plain. The night's quiet returned, broken only by the wisper of gentle wind, nocturnal creatures and fading footsteps.
**********************
"That's it; I give up," yelled Aura as she threw her controller on the desk.
"Ouch, our ears," Aura's boyfriend, Navi, replied over her headset as she heard his cousin, Lucas and his best friend, Kai, laughing uncontrollably.
"Sorry, guys. I'm dead, again," Aura said, feeling disgruntled.
"It's fine", Navi responded, his voice laced with mirth. "You just have to remember to keep moving, baby"
"That's easy for you to say," Aura replied, frustrated, "but it doesn't matter whether I keep moving or have a wall at my back; I'm always overwhelmed. You guys are always carrying me. I seriously don't know how you play this game."
A snicker came over Aura's headset "we don't mind carry you it's entertaining" Kai, said while trying to conceal his laughter but falling miserably.
"So glad that I amuse you" Aura's voice dripped with sarcasm in response. "wonder how long you will stay amused when I stop proof reading your school essays"
More laughter erupted through her headset followed by Lucas's voice "She has you there Kai, your writing is terrible, better apologise and beg for mercy" Lucas continued teasing Kai and they both descended into back and forth banter.
Aura settled back into her gaming chair, chuckling as she listened to the laughter and jokes while also watching them continue to play the mission.
The gaming session between the four was a regular activity. Three years ago a new game called Galaxy Alliance: The Void War was released. It became a big hit as it was co-op compatible across all gaming platforms.
The first year after its debut special VR helmets were introduced, however demand and price meant that not everyone could acquire one.
Navi, Kai and Lucas had all acquired their VR helmets, Aura, however was unable too as currently they were out of stock.
To make matters worse the company Universal, that released the helmets, offered no timeframe for when they might be available. So Aura was still stuck playing on a PC with a controller.
Aura's computer screen flashed with the mission complete screen. "I wonder who will get the mission MVP" she teased, knowing full well who would get it, as he always did.
"Please not Navi, not Navi" she heard both Lucas and Kai chant in unison. The mission screen flashed on her computer and Navi's character was display with a crown and extra points.
"Noooo..not again" both Kai and Lucas's exaggerated defeat echoing in her ears.
"Well done Navi" Aura congratulated him, her voice laced with warmth and pride.
"Thanks baby" he responded just as warmly "so who's up for another mission?"
"Yes, let's play another mission and this time Kai we can't let Navi get MVP" responded Lucas.
"Yep, time to kill his wining streak" agreed Kai.
"Aura, baby you going to play?" Asked Navi
"Hmm, ok. One more mission, but please guys don't let me die" Aura pleaded playfully.
"It's ok baby" reassured Navi "Kai, Lucas you are now Aura's body guards. You have to die before she does" he ordered trying to be serious, but the amusement in his voice as he teased his friend and cousin betrayed him.
"Sure and let you get MVP, no way. I see what you trying to do" scoffed Kai.
"Sorry Aura but we really need to end his streak. I mean it's the 57th time in a row now" insisted Lucas as he barely contained a chuckle.
"Hey, it's because of my score that we are the number one team on the games national leaderboard. As the teams leader and highest scorer I expect at least a little gratitude." voiced Navi faking offence.
Aura busted into laughter at the trio's antics. "You guys…stop….I'll die of laughter before I even start the mission" she gasped as she got ready to play.
The good-natured banter continued as her computer screen showed the mission select window. She watch as Navi chose a mission and then she clicked the ready button when prompted. However instead of the normal mission start screen a new window appeared with a message:
[The games top ten teams of your world have been selected and will now take part in the Galaxy Alliance recruitment trial]
"Umm, I have a weird message on screen. What about you guys?" enquired Aura.
"Yeah mines got something about a recruitment trial." responded Navi
"Same here" Kai and Lucas voiced at the same time.
"Weird I wonder…" Aura started to speak but was interrupted as a new message appeared on her screen.
[Starting Teleportation…Targets locked…3…2…1…]
I have a bad felling about this…thought Aura. "Navi, guys I don't…" but before she could voice her concern another message appeared on her screen.
[Teleportation initialised]
Aura was engulfed in a bright light and disappeared from her room.