CHAPTER 11 - THE LITTLE GODDESS

Cairo, Egypt

Anissa stood at the supermarket stall staring at canned fish and listening to an old rock track on her headphones.

I wanna heal, I wanna feel what I thought was never real…

Her arm reached a couple of cans. ‘Sardines… low in heavy metals, high in omega 3s, geeet in...’ The cans were added to the shopping cart.

She used to prefer tuna but was later worried about the contains of mercury.

‘Will the videos do well?’ She thought. ‘If they do, I’m getting salmon next week.’ Anissa grinned.

She had done a dungeon leveling records south of Eratha Kingdom. Anissa was hoping to make some cash of them, and if possible, to deceive the bounty hunters. Meanwhile, she was leading a north expedition with friends to unravel the next memory fragment.

‘That girl...I shouldn’t trust her fully yet...’ Anissa collaborated with her recent savior for the sake of mutual benefits. Chika received the video material, but she lacked information about Anissa’s current plans and location. ‘You’d better not let me down, Chika Yoruba...’

Anissa clenched fist and checked the purchases so far.

‘Green vegetables, chicken breasts, brown rice, bananas, almonds, sardines…’

Her menu was selected through internet articles and videos. Food priorities were as follows: 1. Healthy, 2. Cheap, 3. Tasty.

As an ex orphan, she had developed an interest in good meals.

Something was missing...

‘Eggs…’ she remembered, ‘loaded with nutrients and proteins; easy to cook and tasty.’ Anissa had the habit to keep boiled eggs in the fridge. It was handy mid-meal and it discouraged her to consume junk.

She moved on and kept thinking about her progress in Brave New World.

‘Brian is back to his IRL responsibilities. Josh is forcing himself because of me, I should convince him to take a break… Pavel was right, it’s essential to identify potential allies...’

While walking she grabbed a bar branded as High Cacao Dark Chocolate. ‘It was way too sweet the last time when I had one of these, must be garbage full of refined sugar...’ Many products were advertised as made of cacao or milk. ‘Bullshit.’ Somewhere along the way she left the bar and took a jar of Raw Honey instead.

She stopped at another stall and added a set of 20 eggs to her shopping cart.

“Groceries are done, I think...” She subconsciously whispered while wondering if anything else is missing. Eventually, she shook her head.

‘Time to head out...’ Anissa looked for the closest checkout counters. ‘People are waiting everywhere. I’d better line somewhere regardless.’

Anissa was now right behind a group of college students. They were easy to recognize.

‘Easy-going, all laughing, discussing recent parties and who fucked who...’ She thought they were freshmen. ‘Otherways they wouldn’t look so hyped...’ She had an observation on students’ behavior from her previous jobs. The younger ones were cheeky, annoying fools. The matured college student usually cared about their exams and future careers, they couldn't spare time to act like imbeciles.

She got noticed by a tall, attractive student with a well-maintained beard.

‘And why is that mofo throwing me kisses and shit?’ She was annoyed at the group.

A bimbo chick with heavy make-up and dyed blonde hair threw a sinister glance towards Anissa, then hugged the tall student.

‘Really, plastic whore?’ Anissa ignored the provocation and focused on the current track instead, A place for my head.

‘This band knows how to mix rock and rap, eh? I’m glad I found it.’ Anissa had the hobby to dig for vintage music online.

The group of students was heading out, their last purchases were condoms. In other cases that wouldn’t bother anyone, safe sex was promoted even. The issue was they were making pranks with the unboxed contraceptives. That had irritated some.

‘Nasty kids…’

Actually, at the age of 21, Anissa was only a year older than the bimbo girl. She matured rapidly through the challenges life had offered her. Anissa had an aura of a wise adult. Well, at least until she got mad… In her rage, she was swearing like a sailor. Naturally, her broad vocabulary undermined her wise look. Eventually, her streaming career had significantly restrained her temper.

‘That dumb chick will get ditched soon, her boyfriend seemed no interested in her whatsoever. He’s just toying with her...’ Although she felt disgusted by the young bimbo, Anissa was no stranger to love.

Anissa had her own bitter experience in that department. She had been naive once and had learned her lesson. Anissa lost interest in that asshole anyway, but her pride had been hurt. She had cut her long hair back then and vowed to carefully asses people in the future.

‘Sometimes we are blinded by the world we wish for...’

“-miss? Is that all, miss?” the employee repeated.

“Uh, yea, and add a few bags for everything.” Anissa’s thoughts cleared up.

‘Investing ourselves in anything cost us our precious time.’ She was determined. ‘My current desire is to become a powerhouse in Brave New World. This is where I will invest my time and effort.’

She was hungry to prove herself. Her status in The Forsaken Masters seemed extremely irrelevant. Her success was isolated in a dying game with a fading community of gamers. Different games were in the spotlight back then, it had taken her time to understand that sort of frustration. It was not only a way to make a living, ‘the competition is a crucial part. And my aim is to reach the top again!’ Her eyes flashed.

She took her stuff and headed towards the exit of the supermarket.

On the way out she noticed a box with a child’s face on it. She went next to it and donated several bucks to children suffering from life-threatening diseases. ‘It’s not much, but it’s given by heart.’

It was a sunny morning outside.

‘The grocery bags are alright.’ Her athletic body seemed to handle the weight well.

Anissa’s diet was rich in protein, she also trained regularly indoor.

Initially, her goal was to guarantee her own safety. The first flat she had rented was cheap but in a dangerous neighborhood. At that time Anissa still carried a small dagger everywhere she goes. And once the night had fallen, she would use several locks on the front door. Screams from the streets kept her awake late at night, there were even a few shooting incidents between local gangs.

At that time, she decided to save every pound from bills and food but to move away.

In her new home, Anissa remained loyal to the body workout. She adopted exercises recommended by online fitness experts: crunches, planks, lunges, push-ups, etc.

‘It would’ve been sweet if real life was just like a game.’ She thought. ‘If the same rules applied to everyone... If one’s conviction was all that matters. Even a cripple could’ve been able to turn himself into a hero. The conquerer...’ Anissa was inspired by the possibility to develop herself through her own mind.

‘Three weeks in, and Faceroll is still presenting the virtual world to the public.’ She spotted an advertisement on a huge display ahead.

‘Almost home, don’t get distracted...’

Dresan Dynasty

It was a foggy morning at the south border of Dresan Dynasty.

Valentina Spanotti wandered along the riverbank, where a bear cub was fishing.

She began to play video games because of her twin brother. He, on the other hand, was constantly annoyed by her obsession - Greek mythology. Each was learning from the other.

A deer approached Valentina. Her gaze cleared, she leaned her head towards the roe deer. Her presence was well known to the local animals. She had protected the forest dwellers from goblins before.

While others were busy to improve their characters, Valentina found peace here. The virtual animals were a consolation for her mind. They softened the pain in her chest.

David, her brother, was not with her in Brave New World. In fact, he would never be with her anywhere ever again. He was dead.

A month ago Valentina had insisted to travel together to Greece. It was supposed to be a carefree trip related to Greek mythology. Then the accident happened...

Her parents were helping to overcome the unfortunate car crash. In an attempt to comfort their daughter, they agreed with the psychologist's advice to include Valentina in the VR sensation Brave New World.

The parents were worried about the artificial world’s influence, but they were convinced by the psychologist that Valentina’s state is very delicate. She had lost her dear sibling and blamed herself for that.

While inhabiting this parallel world, she wouldn’t be able to hurt herself. He had warned them.

Ironically, Valentina spent her VR time doing exactly that. She had countless scars from her wrists up to her elbows. Whenever the animals were not around she would sit down and hurt herself. She performed the cuts slowly, enough to suffer from critical wounds but not die. At some point, she noticed the consistent self-torture prevented the scars from healing like at the beginning.

The pain in Brave New World was extremely insignificant, formed entirely by negative brain impulses. One could stimulate similar impulses by being depressed or having nightmares.

There was no way for an official game to implement authentic pain inspired by some VR novels. What would be the 40% pain of actual in-game death converted into electricity shock or else? It was unacceptable to have someone’s brain or body cooked.

The roe deer’s instinct was sharp. All of sudden it ran away.

“Goblins again?” Valentina noticed movement in the bushes.

She didn’t attempt to arm herself, so far she had pushed back goblin attacks by her bare fists. She was prepared to gladly welcome the wounds of their small daggers like usual, in her opinion she deserved it.

In the past, the green bastards turned into a suitable target for her rage. Valentina had subconsciously unleashed her hatred towards the low-level monsters, she had bombarded them with punches, while thinking it was all to defend her animal friends.

The truth was she needed to drive out some of the accumulated negativity.

“So quick,” she was in a fighting pose, “what is this ugly creature?”

Her guess was incorrect, the foes were not goblins this time.

Three twisted figures rushed forward. Their claws and fangs were sticking out.

‘I can see their ribs too...’ Valentina thought.

One creature split of the pack and went for the bear cub.

“Baloo!” She was too busy to help her friend. “Argh… these claws...”

Valentina suffered heavy damage in the bare combat. Those opponents were way scarier than the goblins. Also, she was afraid for Baloo’s safety.

*SLASH*

The creature was attacked back. A short sword and a tiny shield were now equipped by Valentina. Part of the goblin loot she used exclusively to punish herself.

A nasty scream filled the forest. Her opponent’s back touched the ground.

“You disgusting trash...” Subconsciously she insulted herself. Valentina followed the slash with a stab in the stomach, while the creature was still laying on the ground. “Nghh...” The second creature bit her leg.

Self-trained in dealing with the in-game pain Valentina kept stabbing her main target.

“Just how much HP do you have?...” Her mind blanked for a second, but it returned to hear the bear cub’s groan.

Battling with two, she spared a glance. The cub was rather young to deal with the threat.

“Monsters...” Valentina managed to repel the creature off her leg.

“Just die you useless, terrible being,” the short sword was left stabbed in the monster’s belly. She was battering his head with punches now.

“Damn it...” Few punches were aimed too close to his sticking fangs and Valentina took unexpected damage.

“Dead! He died...” The experience she gained convinced her the resilient monster was eliminated. “B-Baloo...”

Standing on her feet she looked like a bloody mess. Ignoring the bad condition, Valentina dashed to help her bleeding friend. She was chased by the one she repelled shortly.

“GET OUT!” She kicked the monster away from Baloo.

Valentina was not afraid to die, but that wouldn’t work the same way for an NPC.

Holding her tiny goblin shield, she crouched in front of Baloo.

“Maybe I can hold ‘em a bit,” she checked the cub, “you don’t seem in shape to run away...”

The situation was hopeless. Ugly mouths were drolling closely, ready to feast with their flesh.

“I am sorry! I can't protect anyone.” She muttered. “In this world, I’m the same failure.” Her body still covered the cub.

*SLAAAM*

A metallic sound echoed. The creatures were pushed away by a large bearded man.

Their bodies were then pierced by arrows as well.

“Wh-,” Valentina turned her head

A slender hooded person joined the fight. His daggers were ruthlessly slashing the monsters. But what really surprised Valentina was the demonstration of agility.

In mere seconds the strangers stomped the creatures, who nearly killed her.

“That turned out easier than I thought," said a man, who in no way affected the battle.

"Josh, you were just a spectator," another said with a distinct Russian accent.

“Oh, pardon me, it was all you, Legolas,” he mocked back. “Stand still, kid, I am a healer.” The stranger crouched next to her.

"Are you alright, kid? What’s your name?” Brown eyes were revealed under the hood.

“Wo-woman…” Valentina mumbled. “My name is Valentina... I-I’m fine, but please help my friend Baloo!” She pointed at the bloody cub.

“I’m on it,” the healer replied back. “The wounds are not too deep, I will apply my healing incantation.”

A deep sigh was let by Valentina.

After that reaction the hooded girl added, “Josh, be sure to add a medium life potion. The friends are gift we-”

"Th-thank you very much," Valentina interrupted her new acquaintance in a somewhat clumsy way. "I-I'm sorry. Also, my in-game name is Artemis.”

The hooded girl chuckled.

“You apologize too much,” Anissa felt no threat so she took off the hoodie. Her eyes were examining Valentina.

“Now it makes sense why you are so passionate about the animals, goddess Artemis. You can call me Blanca.” Valentina blushed.

“Don’t tease the kid, Carlos.” Anissa scolded the bearded man, but her lips formed a smile.

Valentina was only 16 years old, so she was overwhelmed by the group of mature users.

“Artemis, you are dressed entirely in basic clothing,” Anissa couldn’t help but notice the same pants and shirt a beginner starts with. “You joined Brave New World recently I suppose?”

"Not really... I've been playing for almost a month now," Valentina replied apologetically. "The thing is, I like staying in the forest. If I hadn't repelled goblin attacks, I wouldn't be even level 6. "

"Eh, level 6?" Pavel exclaimed.

Anissa lifted an eyebrow. "For a level 6 you fought rather well against three ghouls." She pointed out the one who was killed before the group’s arrival.

"Are you a hermit or something?" The healer asked

"She may be one of those weirdos who play for the immersion and shit," the archer thought aloud. "By the way, I am Pavel." He grinned.

"Josh, Pavel!" Anissa raised her voice. "Your comments are too direct."

"My bad, Ani.” Then Josh introduced himself as well and continued to heal the cub. "Hey, I just gained some affinity with Children of the forest."

These words seemed to awaken Artemis. She noticed that her affinity with Children of the forest was at its peak. She had spent every day in this forest and defended its children.

Affinity with Children of the Forest is at maximum.

You can meet the Guardian of the Forest!

But hurry up, the Guardian’s in his last days.

‘The Guardian of the Forest?’ Artemis thought.

"Listen, Artemis, I and the boys are heading to Dresan Dynasty for a quest." Anissa interrupted Artemis's thoughts. “Do you happen to know of an old magician named Shen?”

"I-I started in Dresan, but soon after I left for this place,” Artemis replied.

"I see," Anissa said after a brief silence.

“Being alone in the forest sure is dangerous. Stay safe...” she smiled one last time, “Little Goddess.”

‘She never said her name...’ Valentina thought, while the strangers were leaving.

Today was the most intense day for Valentina in Brave New World. She checked if Baloo is better, then shouted after the group.

"THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!” She received a wave back.

Baloo seemed more attached to Artemis than before.

“You have a friend request!”

“Toska has sent you a friend request! Do you accept it “Yes” or “No”?”

The message was sudden for Valentina. Whoever that was, there was no reason to decline. She marked “Yes”.

It wasn’t long before a chat message popped up:

“Hey, Little Goddess, it’s the archer guy, Pavel. If you ever consider making real progress in Brave New World, feel free to PM me. Dasvidaniya!”

That was her first friend in Brave New World. Well, at least based on the VR social system.

‘Would I see those awesome people again?’ She wondered.

Her deer friend approached her. As if to remind her that for the past month, her only friends were the forest dwellers.

The maximum affinity seemed to affect the roe deer as well. It began to caress in Artemis. Soon, however, it began to pull her up.

"You want me to come with you?" Artemis said, then followed.

The bear cub attempted to follow as well, but Artemis scolded him.

“And you will stay here and rest!” Valentina was left surprised at the result. “When was the last time you listened to me?” Baloo laid down obediently.

‘Where are you taking me…’ she thought, following the deer.

“Wh-what is this thing?” Valentina murmured.

There was something strange in the distance. It looked like a very pale stain that gradually took the form of a water figure. The limbs were too long compared to a man. But what else could it be?

"I am the Guardian of the Forest." The voice whispered, but it also created an echo. "My children have told me about you, Artemis. You have protected them in my place, a Guardian who should have left this world long ago."

The figure condensed more. The hair turned greenish. The previously transparent body now didn’t allow for one to see through.

Artemis examined the Guardian's face. His eyes were two tiny flames. There was no mouth, the whispering was coming from each corner of the forest as she itself spoke to Valentina. The Guardian also lacked a nose; he did not breathe as we humans do. Instead, it was as if the winds were pouring in and out of his body.

Artemis's surprise transformed into melancholy.

"Dear Guardian, I am not worthy, I cannot protect anyone by myself.” Valentina lost her spirit, she remembered her sin. “I was fortunate that a group of good people had helped me to defend your children.”

Listening to Artemis's sincere words, the Guardian seemed thoughtful. Soon he spoke again.

"My children are grateful... to you. Whatever help you had received, it does not change the fact that I am in your debt.” The whispered words were full of kindness and gratitude. "I wanted to meet you because it is only fair to reward you while I still can."

Memories rushed into Artemis's head, she didn't want to hear kind words for herself. In her mind, she carried only guilt. Tears gathered in her eyes.

"I'm really useless. I am a failure.” She had flashbacks from the incident.

"I lost someone dear because I persuaded him to follow me, but for that reason...” she sobbed, “I lost him forever." The tears were running down her face.

"My brother, he’s gone because of me!" She explained how her travel invitation turned into a death sentence.

“I had to die, not him!”

The Guardian stood silently. He didn’t interrupt Artemis as she poured accusations on herself. Not until she unveiled out all the pain weighing on her heart.

“When the heart desires strongly the universe must assist. If you stand for the forest, the forest will stand for you. My feeble life force is vanishing, but I will reward your noble deeds.”

His words turned in a warm breeze. The tears on Valentina’s face were shrinking caressed by it.

“The forest has seen the birth of many and the end of many.”

The tiny flames on his face grew stronger, but his body began to fade again.

“I trust your tears, I trust your heartbeats. I want to soften your regrets, I don't want you to fizzle again when you desire to protect!”

He was loud now, contrasting to his vanishing body

“The regret is a solution to nothing!” His words were thunderous this time. “Live bravely, my little Guardian, and you will discover so much more of the life’s mystery.”

The flames on his face lost its last spark. His body faded away forever.

His final words echoed in Valentina’s head. There was something genuine in them, which she was craving to unravel.

You have received the title Guardian of the Forest.

You have received a Unique Quest: Find your Brother.