Neon Chase and the Virtual Love Letter [ONC2022]

Open Novella Contest Entry 2022

PROMPT 77: Having had your heart shattered into pieces by a particularly bad break-up, you turned to a popular multiplayer online game, through which you met your new best friend and virtual soulmate. After three years of talking and playing together everyday, both of you agreed you were long overdue for meeting up in person. But when you meet, you realize it's the same person who broke your heart all those years ago- the person you caught cheating on you.

DESCRIPTION: Neo Chase has never known the meaning of running away, until he's in another state attending his back up college, and traveling the cyber world of SHURDA to forget the bitter memories of his ex.

When SHURDA developers introduce a new game mode that allows players to partner up to protect their chosen cities and challenge foreign opponents, Neo doesn't think twice to join. He's certain this new setting could make him forget his ex faster. What he doesn't expect is for his partner to be dragon specialist Lumiscent, the rookie who started his adventure in the same region and almost the same time as Neo, and completed more tasks than Neo could.

He's not sure how to work with him at first, but as time goes on Neo finds himself learning from Lumiscent, and tearing the remaining strands of memories that his ex had left. Feelings evolve between the two, so they agree to meet.

Neo finds it peculiar when he finds out Lumiscent is from his hometown. He thinks nothing of it until he comes face to face with Tyler, his ex, in the same location he was meant to meet his gaming partner. As eyes lock after years, worlds begin to collide, wounds open, and feelings blur once again.

When life turns into a game, Neo must navigate to victory, while protecting his own heart.

Enter player: NeonChase

Starting Date: Feb 7, 2022
Published Date: Feb 26, 2022