Unlimited

Chapter 3

Why does she take so long? I get it, she's never been into gaming, and being a bit of a perfectionist doesn't help. Oh, great, now she'll meticulously read through every class description, Elyse thought. I suggested sticking together in the tutorial, but no, she insisted I dive into the game. Sophisticated character name? Definitely on her to-do list. Might as well scout the environment and plan for some leveling up once she arrives. It was the first time her big sister Seraphine would play a video game, but Elyse could convince her since their jobs kept them far aways from each other in the real world.

Standing on the forest edge, the high elf's raven-black hair danced in the unseen breeze as she surveyed the unfamiliar terrain with an energy akin to a whirlwind. Her hands moved fast but gracefully, capturing each detail like a seasoned gamer, mapping the unexplored landscape.

Her grey-green eyes, however, remained an oasis of tranquility amidst the tumult. It was as if one could peer into the serene surface of a mist-covered lake at dawn and find solace in the calm depths, even as chaos unfolded around.

She took a deep breath. The earthy smell of old wood and a sweet tone of luscious flowers refreshed her soul. It is unreal how real it smells, Is this the paradise?

To her left sprawled a vast meadow, adorned with a kaleidoscope of colorful and peculiar flowers. Trees, bearing both small and large fruits, stood like sentinels, their branches whispering secrets to the passing wind. The earth still moist from the last rain delighted her bare feet. It was not warm or cold and besides the blooming flowers and dark berries glistening in perilous elegance she knew that it was autumn.

The sun, high in the sky, cast its brilliance upon the river that meandered through the grassland, creating a mesmerizing dance of light and shadow.

Beyond the grassland, the forest extended, a canvas of mystery that thwarted her attempts to glimpse what lay beyond. Elyse marveled at the clarity and range of her vision, grateful for the choice of elven characters over humans - clearly, elves had distinct advantages.

This place feels strangely familiar, she pondered, turning her head to the right and casting her gaze up the towering trees. There were countless distinct species, but she couldn't name one of them. The trees reached such heights that their treetops vanished from view, and as her eyes scanned upward, she noticed elves effortlessly climbing trunks and traversing branches. The branches, intricately woven, formed paths and plateaus, an architectural marvel of nature or elven magic. There must be a village in the trees, she thought, it's like something out of fantasy books, and I love it.

She turned around, eager to absorb more impressions of this fantastical place: A crystal-clear river wound its way through the lush green meadow, reflecting the vibrant beauty of nature. One species of flowers had deep violet petals spiraling outward like a miniature galaxy, and another looked like the royal mane of a lion, kindled by the sunlight . Along the riverbank, majestic white deer with three antlers roamed gracefully, evoking the regality of kings and queens in the heart of nature. The melodic symphony of bird whistles serenaded the air, prompting Elyse to direct her gaze skyward. There, an enchanting bird with ethereal plumage danced on unseen currents of air, a creature born from the whimsy of the virtual realm. It was big as an ostrich and its feathers were a kaleidoscope of shimmering hues, reminiscent of a painter's palette at its most vivid. The bird's wings, adorned with hues unseen in nature, radiated a soft, iridescent glow that changed with each flutter. The convergence of colorful lights and enchanting whistles worked in harmony, casting a spell that almost hypnotized Elyse, immersing her further into the magical spectacle.

Everything looked like a dream, and in awe, Elyse could not help but think that this virtual realm boasted more biodiversity than the entire real world.