Transcending Reality: When The Game Becomes Life

Goddess Of Light

Shit, shit, shit! The destruction before me is simply unbearable! Every fiber of my being is screaming in agony as I watch a towering structure crumble and crash in the far-off distance. It's as if the universe is shouting, "Hey you, yes you! Look at what you've done!"

"Oh no, ya hear that? One'a them orphanages just went and collapsed!" hollered one of the knights, aghast.

"Hey, no need to state the obvious, pal. We ain't deaf, ya know."

"What's gonna happen to the kids? Where they gonna shack up now?"

"Are you kidding me? How should I know, you moron? Don't bother asking me that."

Out of nowhere, a silent order knocks the socks off everyone, and chaos erupts as they stare down the once towering orphanage. Their faces scream disbelief and terror, like they just saw a ghost or something. It's like the ground beneath them has turned into quicksand, and they're sinking fast into a pit of panic.

The holy father, dressed in his flowing robes, stands tall. The wind whips his garments about, giving him the appearance of a majestic bird preparing to take flight. He takes in the desolate ruins that stretch out before him, his hands clasped together in a solemn gesture of prayer.

The pope closes his eyes and a hush falls over the environment as he begins to chant. His voice reverberates through the empty expanse, carrying the weight of centuries of faith and tradition. It's a scene straight out of an epic fantasy novel, as the spiritual leader intones his sacred words, invoking a higher power to heal the broken land before him. "May the benevolent deity of radiance guide us towards a brighter tomorrow."

It's all very holy and righteous... until you take a closer look at Lyra. She's standing off to the side, her composure slowly slipping away with each passing moment. Her eyes are fixed on those knights, and you can practically feel the waves of anger radiating off of her. If looks could kill, the air around her would be on fire right now.

I spoke as my gaze fixed upon Lyra, interrupting her impending actions, I couldn't help but lament, "What a dreadful circumstance, don't you agree Lyra?"

"Your benevolence knows no limits, your highness. Alas, I must confess my inability to empathize with the situation at hand. It seems only reasonable that the fragile constructions of these people crumbled with the slightest tremble. There is no dramatic unfolding of events here, just the manifestation of their own foolishness."

She laid her eyes upon the holy pontiff and his entourage of chivalrous knights as her face was as still as a statue. Arms folded and a little huff of derision escaping her lips, she was a picture of mockery. But, oh boy, the regretful thoughts that flooded my mind! Why, oh why, did I bring her along? I could feel my heart sinking faster than the Titanic as I watched her hold back the urge to make some snarky comment.

Just as she was about to open her mouth, the Pope finished his holy prayers and locked his gazes onto us. Suddenly, His Holiness piped up, his voice shaking ever so slightly, "It is time for us to continue on our journey."

"Truly it is," I interject, halting him in his stride. He gazes at me inquisitively, and I venture to add, "If I may."

With a gentle incline of his head, he spoke in a reassuring tone, "Don't feel obligated to maintain formality. Pose any query that intrigues your mind, and I shall exert my utmost effort to provide an answer."

"Understood. I shall oblige your request." I say, pausing briefly before continuing, "Please forgive me if I may cause any offense, but I must confess my ignorance regarding the deity to whom you seek solace in your prayers."

When my question reached the holy ears of the pope, you could've cut the tension in the air with a knife. The pope's face went white as a sheet and he froze like a statue, looking like he'd just seen a ghost. His eyes bulged out of his head like they were about to pop and his mouth hung open like a fish out of water. He looked around desperately for some sort of escape, but even the knights standing nearby were too stunned to move. They just stood there, mouths agape and eyes as wide as saucers, completely blown away by the sheer magnitude of my question.