I sat in Professor Umaru's class, staring blankly at the chalkboard as he droned on about ancient civilizations. The sun was shining through the windows, casting a warm glow on the students' faces. My classmates were chatting and taking notes, but I was lost in thought, thinking about the game I had played last night - Elysium Online.
"...and so, the ancient Egyptians believed in a complex pantheon of gods and goddesses," Professor Umaru said, writing on the blackboard with a piece of chalk. "Their mythology is still fascinating to this day, with stories of Isis and Osiris, and the great pharaohs who ruled over them."
Ade leaned over and whispered, "Yo, Ryker, you think we'll get extra credit if we ask about the pyramids' Wi-Fi?"
I chuckled, trying to stifle my laugh. "Shh, man, focus."
Ade grinned, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Why? It's not like it's life-changing info or anything."
I shook my head, smiling, and leaned back in my chair. The lecture was getting boring, and I was starting to feel sleepy... The sound of scratching pens on paper and the occasional murmur of students discussing the lecture filled the air.
Ade nudged me, whispering, "Hey, Ryker, don't sleep on me, bro."
I tried to stay awake, but my eyelids were getting heavy... The professor's voice faded into the background, and I felt myself drifting off... The classroom started spinning, and I felt a strange sensation, like being pulled apart and put back together again.
The next thing I knew, I was standing in the middle of a dense forest, surrounded by towering trees that seemed to stretch up to the sky. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and greenery. I stumbled, trying to regain my balance.
'
I looked around, taking in the details. The forest was eerily quiet, except for the occasional chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves. I saw a small clearing ahead, with a few boulders and a patch of sunlight illuminating the center.
' A notification appeared in my vision:
" I stared at the notification, my mind reeling. 'This is insane. I was just playing this game. Is this real? Am I really here?'
I looked down at my hands, expecting to see my keyboard and mouse, but instead, I saw a sword and a backpack. The leather strap dug into my shoulder, and the weight of the sword felt solid in my hand.
' " I gulped, feeling a mix of excitement and fear. I had played Elysium Online for years, but this was on a whole different level. I thought back to all the hours I had spent playing the game, exploring its world and mastering its mechanics.
' I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I looked around, taking in the surroundings. The forest seemed to stretch on forever, with no signs of civilization in sight.
' I rifted through my backpack, finding a water bottle, a ration pack, and a small first-aid kit. I also had a basic sword and leather armor.
' I started walking, trying to find a path or a clearing. The forest was dense, and I had to push through thick underbrush and avoid low-hanging branches. I stumbled, catching myself on a tree trunk.
' As I walked, the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the forest. I found a small clearing, with a stream running through it. I decided to set up camp for the night.
' I sat down, trying to process everything that had happened. I was in Elysium, a world I had only known through a game. I had a mission to complete, and I had no idea how to do it.
' I ate a ration pack, drank some water, and settled in for the night. The forest was quiet, except for the occasional hooting of an owl or the rustling of leaves.
' I closed my eyes, trying to sleep. But my mind was racing, thinking about the game and my mission.
' To be continued...