Irhaboggle Pride (2020) Quarantine Edition

Virtual Reality

"You idiot! We should be focused on the Grail! Not some stupid videogame!" Waver snapped at Rider. Rider, however, remained focused on the TV, eyes locked on the screen. Despite his huge size, his fingers moved nimbly around the controller. Waver could only stare at him in disbelief. They had a war to win! Now was not the time for videogames! But before he could speak again, Rider cut him off.

"Given the current state of the country, there isn't much we can do right now," he said. Not too long ago, China suffered an outbreak. The virus had since spread across the globe, and now Japan was on lockdown. Fuyuki City was especially harsh, enforcing quarantine so strictly that anyone caught outside without a very good reason ran the risk of being arrested. That made searching for the Grail even harder than it already was.

"But the war isn't just going to stop!" Waver tried to insist. "Even if the rest of the world puts itself on hold, the war will continue! We should use this time to get ahead!" he cried, but Rider was quick to refute him.

"Remember, boy, it's not just you and I who are trapped indoors. All the other masters and servants will be stuck inside as well. And I don't think any of them would risk breaking quarantine just on the off-chance they gain something from their explorations."

"What makes you so sure?" Waver challenged.

"Well, with everyone obeying quarantine, a master trying to scout the streets would stick out like a sore thumb. Secondly, even if we are sitting targets, the odds are still low of any master trying to find us, let alone succeeding. This is our home territory, after all. It's where we are strongest!"

Waver sighed angrily. As much as he hated to admit it, Rider was right.

"So come, boy, sit beside me and join me!" Rider gestured to the second game controller.

"No way, absolutely not," Waver scoffed, but a minute later, he was seated right beside Rider.

"It shall be as it always has been, a mighty master-servant duo whose epic deeds will echo across time! Our legacy shall never tarnish!"

"Oh, just shut up and start the game!"

Before either of them knew it, several hours had passed, both Rider and Waver completely immersed in the videogame.

"Aha!" Rider bellowed as he and Waver killed a boss. "Truly a mighty and noble battle, worthy of the King of Conquerors!" He raised a giant fist while Waver only rolled his eyes. As fun as the game was, Rider's over-the-top commentary was more than a little annoying.

"It's just a stupid videogame," Waver grumbled, but once again, Rider only refuted him with a cheerful smile.

"Nonsense, my boy! Even if this is only virtual reality, it can still make certain realities virtual! It trains the mind and reflexes! It trains you in strategy! And most importantly, it's a good bonding activity!"

"Now I know you're insane," Waver snorted, but Rider only continued with his passionate speech.

"If these glorious devices had existed back in my time, I surely would've used them to help train my army! Perhaps you can't gain muscle this way, but the mental and emotional gains should not be overlooked! Especially in games where teamwork is integral to the plot! Nothing can simulate the bonding of brothers better than a tool like this!" Rider gestured grandly to the TV as if it were the Holy Grail itself.

"You can't be serious!" Waver almost seemed to be begging, as if hoping Rider wasn't really that naive and dense.

"I am completely serious!" Rider swore. "Why, even just playing these games with you helps me feel closer to you! It is almost as fine as riding into battle with you! It makes me proud to be your servant! And it makes me even happier to call you my friend!"