Full Dive

Chapter 2: Trapped

Chapter 2: Trapped

Pidge stared at the blank button. She knew she'd seen the words "log out" there earlier, during the tutorial. So why, all of a sudden, were they gone?

She took a deep breath. "There's...gotta be a logical explanation for this. A glitch? The game was released today, so there are potential bugs, but...something like this should have come up in the testing phase. Somebody would have noticed it long before the game was released."

"Think somebody might have hacked the server?" Keith asked, trying to stay calm.

"It's possible. Especially with the nature of the Olkarion, no pun intended. The people have a physical connection to the technology here. Using one of these headsets to hack the game and cause it to prevent people from logging out is a possibility. But why? What could somebody possibly hope to gain by trapping thousands of people in a video game?"

Pidge wished she hadn't asked.

Maybe then, she wouldn't have gotten an answer.

"All players, please report to the main hub." The disembodied voice made Pidge jump with surprise, knocking Keith over and causing both of them to tumble to the ground. Keith scrambled to his feet, helping Pidge up hurriedly.

"I think we ought to listen to that voice," Keith said. Pidge followed his line of sight and watched as a glowing barrier formed on the horizon. On closer inspection, it appeared to be getting closer. "I don't think we have much of a choice."

Pidge nodded, and the two took off toward the hub. Pidge was the one who noticed that there was a map in their menus, which helped with navigation, especially once she figured out how to make a minimap that hovered on their wrists, guiding them to their destination.

They arrived in a large, open courtyard, much larger than the one they started in. They were amazed at the giant mass of people already crowded into the area, with more constantly flowing in from streets and alleys. A few looked like they were being warped in, likely due to touching the strange barrier.

"Man," Keith joked, "we should have just waited until that thing caught us. We wouldn't have had to run here."

"Keith, we don't get physically tired here."

"Then why are you out of breath?"

"Probably a mental reaction. My brain thinks I should be tired after a run, so I feel tired."

Keith looked skeptical. Pidge looked up at him curiously, then yelped as Keith slugged her arm.

"Ow, Keith, what the heck? What was that for?" Her eyes widened in realization as she rubbed her arm. "That...that hurt..."

"Exactly," Keith said, lowering his fist. "It didn't hurt earlier. I think this is more than just a brain trick."

Pidge blanched. "It's definitely more than that. Your hair's getting shorter!"

"So is yours!"

The two looked around, watching as the players around them began changing physically. Pidge felt like she was on an elevator, as her eye level gradually lowered. "Aw, man, I won't have boobs anymore," she mumbled.

Keith rolled his eyes. He looked down. The two of them seemed to have stopped shifting, the only thing that stayed the same being their outfits and weapons.

Pidge's heart sank as she felt the weight of her weapons at her hip. She wouldn't be able to use them now. She wasn't sure how well she could even lift the short sword.