Chapitre 5: Jada and Ember’s Decision
As Esdyr's form dissipated into the shadows, leaving only an ominous silence in its wake, Jada stood frozen, her mind racing to comprehend the encounter. The weight of the situation bore down on her with renewed intensity. This was no longer just a game with high stakes; it was a meticulously crafted trial designed to test them in ways they could barely imagine.
"We need to move," Ember's voice cut through the silence, snapping Jada out of her thoughts. Her girlfriend's eyes were sharp, focused, and determined—a look Jada had seen countless times before. It was the look Ember wore when she was about to conquer the next big challenge in a game, only now, the stakes were far more real.
Jada nodded, feeling the tension coil in her chest. "Yeah, let's get out of here."
The two of them quickly gathered what supplies they could find in the abandoned store. A few potions, some basic gear, and a map of the surrounding area—it wasn't much, but it would have to do. As they exited the store, the rest of the group began to converge in the village square, all wearing similar expressions of unease.
"Did you see that?" one of the players, a tall, lanky boy with a spear, asked as they approached. "That… thing in the cloak?"
"Esdyr," Jada confirmed. "One of the beings controlling this whole trial. They're watching us, guiding us through this game… if you can even call it that."
Kael, the beta tester who had joined their group, stepped forward, his face grim. "This is more than just a game. We need to treat it like a real-world survival scenario. If we stick together and plan our moves carefully, we might just make it out of here."
Jada glanced at Ember, who gave a subtle nod. She knew that Ember was right—they couldn't afford to sit idly by, waiting for whatever horrors this twisted world had in store for them. They needed to take control of their destiny, starting with the journey to the tower.
"Let's move out," Jada said, her voice firm. "We head north to the Blackwood Forest, and from there, we find the tower. We'll figure out our next steps along the way."
The group, now fully assembled and equipped as best as they could be, began their trek out of the village. The path northward was lined with trees that grew denser and more foreboding as they progressed. The air was thick with an unnatural stillness, the kind that made every sound—every crunch of leaves underfoot, every distant rustle in the bushes—feel like a potential threat.
As they walked, Jada found herself falling into step beside Ember, who kept her sword drawn and her wings partially unfurled, ready to react at a moment's notice.
"You okay?" Ember asked softly, her eyes flicking over to Jada with concern.
Jada forced a small smile. "As okay as I can be in a death game."
Ember reached out and gave Jada's hand a reassuring squeeze. "We've faced tough challenges before, and we've always come out on top. This time won't be any different. We just need to stay focused."
Jada nodded, drawing strength from Ember's confidence. Her girlfriend had always been the one to keep them grounded, to remind them of what they were capable of even when things seemed impossible. But even so, there was a nagging fear in the back of her mind, one she couldn't quite shake. This was unlike anything they'd faced before, and the consequences of failure were far more severe.
The group pressed on, the forest growing darker and more oppressive the deeper they went. The trees loomed high overhead, their branches twisting together to form a canopy that blocked out most of the light. It wasn't long before they reached the edge of the Blackwood Forest, its name a fitting description of the twisted, blackened trees that marked its boundary.
Kael, who had been leading the group, stopped and turned to face them. "This is it. Once we enter the Blackwood Forest, we're in enemy territory. The creatures here are far stronger than anything we've faced so far. We need to stick together and watch each other's backs."
Jada glanced at the others, their faces a mix of determination and fear. They were a ragtag group, some experienced gamers, others likely just here for the thrill of a new release. But now, they were bound together by the same desperate need to survive.
"Everyone ready?" Ember asked, her voice steady.
There were nods all around, though some were more hesitant than others. Jada took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come.
"Let's go," she said, and with that, they stepped into the Blackwood Forest.
The moment they crossed the threshold, the atmosphere shifted. The air grew colder, thicker, as if the very forest itself was alive and watching their every move. The trees seemed to close in around them, their gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal hands. It was as if they had stepped into another world entirely, one that was far more hostile and unforgiving.
They moved cautiously, their footsteps muffled by the thick layer of fallen leaves and undergrowth. Every sound, every movement in the shadows, set their nerves on edge. Jada kept her staff at the ready, her senses on high alert for any sign of danger.
It wasn't long before they encountered their first enemy—a group of shadowy figures that emerged from the darkness, their forms shifting and indistinct. They moved with unnatural grace, their red eyes glowing with a malevolent light.
"Watch out!" Kael shouted, raising his sword just in time to block an incoming attack.
The group sprang into action, weapons drawn as they engaged the shadowy creatures. Jada felt the familiar rush of adrenaline as she cast a spell, dark tendrils of energy lashing out at the nearest foe. Ember was a blur of motion beside her, her sword flashing as she cut through the enemies with practiced precision.
But these weren't the mindless monsters they were used to fighting in other games. These creatures were intelligent, coordinated, and they fought with a deadly efficiency that caught the group off guard. It quickly became clear that this was going to be a battle of attrition.
Jada grit her teeth, focusing on the fight. She couldn't afford to lose focus, not now. They had to make it through this forest, and they had to do it together.
But as the battle raged on, she couldn't shake the feeling that something far worse was waiting for them, deeper within the forest's twisted depths.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone