Chapter 8: Old Friend
(A/N: Only this chapter is due for major retcon. Highly recommend readers to skip this chapter to next)
"What happened to you Punitto? How did you end up here?" Touch Me showed a look of concern for his old friend.
"It's a long story," Punitto Moe said, casting a meaningful glance towards the Princess. With a nod, the princess signaled the maidservants to guide the visitors outside the palace and into a delightful garden. The garden was situated on a picturesque spot overlooking the northeastern portion of the lake, offering a breathtaking view of a lush green mountain range in the distance.
As they walked along the meandering paths of the garden, Touch Me couldn't help but bask in the gentle warmth of the sun. Its rays cascaded down, enveloping the surroundings in a golden glow. He felt the sun's comforting touch on his skin, as if it were a soothing massage, relaxing his weary muscles.
Squinting against the bright light, he gazed up at the sky, where the rays of the sun seemed to linger, untethered by any obstruction. The azure expanse stretched endlessly above, creating a celestial canopy that embraced the land below. It was a sight of pure serenity and tranquility, a reminder of the vastness and beauty of the world they inhabited.
The maidservants led them to a secluded corner of the garden, where a beautifully set table awaited them. The fragrance of blooming flowers mingled with the tantalizing aroma of freshly prepared dishes, creating an atmosphere of culinary delight. Touch Me took a seat, his anticipation growing as he awaited the unfolding of their conversation.
Amidst the vibrant colors of nature and the symphony of chirping birds, they embarked on their lunch, surrounded by the serene beauty of the Athisian garden. The delicious flavors of the cuisine combined with the idyllic setting, creating a harmonious blend that enhanced the dining experience.
Punitto Moe settled into his seat, taking the lead, followed by Princess Madeline, who gracefully sat down. Next, was Touch Me, who followed suit, finding his seat with a sense of anticipation. Sophia, a trusted companion, positioned herself beside him, ready to engage in the upcoming discussion.
As the conversation began to unfold, Punitto Moe's voice carried a weight of significance. "It all started when a woman walked into my computer shop."
"She had asked me a simple question, inquiring about the price of an YGGDRASIL memory chip."
"How much are you willing to pay for this?" the foreigner asked Punitto Moe. She was carrying branded dress & cardigan & looked like a wealthy person. It was an unusual sight in this part of Neo Kyoto, where his humble shop was set up in.
He inspected the memory chip & recognized that it's for a game called YGGDRASIL. Punitto Moe's confusion was palpable, for the game had long faded into obscurity, its servers empty and abandoned. Yet, here stood a person, offering a relic from the past. Intrigued by the unusual encounter and sensing a glimmer of opportunity, Punitto Moe decided to entertain the proposition. She was selling an item that could soon be an antique object.
In the evening, when he closed shop, he decided to give the game a try. Trying to log into old games are usually quite safe & worst-case scenario he ends up with a black screen.
With trembling hands, he inserted the chip into his Deep Dive Machine, opening the gateway to a realm he had long left behind. As the game loaded, a surge of nostalgia and melancholy washed over him. His beloved character, Punitto Moe, had long been deleted, a casualty of his departure from the virtual world.
Yet, fate had a peculiar way of guiding his steps. As the virtual reality engulfed him once more, he found himself embodied in a new form – a female human character. The environment that materialized around him bore resemblance to the grandeur of the Kremlin, its opulence and majesty woven into every intricate detail. His eyes wandered, drinking in the sight of the lavish interior, when they landed upon a petite girl dressed in a military uniform.
"Greetings your majesty. General Secretary Natasha, at your service." She tiptoed, reached out to his hand and despite struggling, managed to give his dorsum hand a kiss. He flinched at the gesture, having been a single virgin all his life and never interacted with girls in a formal setting before. The young girl looked puzzled for a moment but then regained her composure. "All of the rooms in the winter palace have been cleaned up and prepared for your perusal."
Beneath the weight of his confusion, he managed a hesitant smile, attempting to mask his internal awkwardness. "Thank you, General Secretary Natasha," he replied, his voice betraying a subtle trace of uncertainty. "I appreciate the preparations you've made." It's been a long time since Punitto has done role playing, hence why he was cursing himself at being so awkward.
The young girl's face softened, with a graceful nod, she motioned for Punitto Moe to follow her through the ornate corridors of this pseudo-Kremlin.
As they traversed the gilded halls, Punitto Moe's eyes absorbed the lavishness that surrounded him. Rich tapestries adorned the walls, depicting scenes of triumph and sacrifice. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings, casting a warm and gentle glow that illuminated their path. Each step he took resonated with a sense of awe, as if he were wandering through a piece of living history. It became apparent that this mysterious woman who had sold him the memory chip was no ordinary player. Her wealth and resources had allowed for the customization of unique items and skills which had never existed in YGGDRASIL. He could only imagine the types of skills he possessed.
Punitto stopped at a vast chamber adorned with intricate carvings and plush furnishings. The room exuded an aura of authority and power, containing a hanging painting of a historical map of the world in great detail on one of the walls, "remind me again what this room is used for."
"This is the war council chamber, where military advisors will gather upon your word to aid you in decision making in matters of war." Punitto Moe's gaze shifted to General Secretary Natasha as she introduced the war council chamber. The gravity of her words was accompanied by a spark of intensity in her eyes, a glimmer that hinted at a deeper, perhaps even darker, passion within her.
As they stepped into the chamber, Punitto Moe couldn't help but be struck by the atmosphere that permeated the room. The air crackled with an electric anticipation, and the surroundings exuded a sense of militaristic might. The walls were adorned with maps and strategic diagrams, meticulously illustrating the vast expanse of the empire and the territories that lay beyond.
The centerpiece of the chamber was a large, intricately carved table, polished to a mirror-like sheen. It bore the marks of countless deliberations, battles fought, and conquests achieved. Around it were high-backed chairs, each adorned with the emblem of a different military division, awaiting the arrival of advisors who would lend their expertise to the decision-making process.
As Natasha stood at the head of the table, her military uniform seemed to take on a new significance. The gold accents glinted in the ambient light, reflecting her unwavering dedication to the pursuit of power and victory. Her posture was resolute, her demeanour conveying an air of authority that commanded respect.
"Within these walls, the fate of nations will be shaped, battles waged, and destinies sealed," Natasha spoke, her voice steady but laced with an underlying hunger for the thrill of conflict. "The war council will be your trusted allies, guiding you through the complexities of military strategy and ensuring our empire's dominance."
Punitto Moe couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and trepidation. The weight of the responsibility placed upon him settled heavily on his shoulders. The realization that his actions within this realm could impact the lives of countless virtual soldiers and shape the course of history sent a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins. The excitement of playing a game of Nations V in real-time, DMMO immersive mode, made him forget all about the fact that he was trapped in this world.
"And that's how I ended up in this world," Punitto Moe concluded, his voice filled with a blend of resignation. "A chance encounter, an unexpected purchase, and a leap into the unknown. I find myself here, navigating the intricacies of a virtual nation, tasked with leading armies and making decisions that will shape the course of history."
The table fell silent for a moment as the weight of his words settled in. The implications of his journey resonated with each person present, for they too were players in this immersive world, each with their own stories and experiences.
Sophia leaned forward, her eyes shining with curiosity. "But how do you feel about it? Being trapped here, living in a world that's both familiar and foreign?"
Punitto Moe's gaze shifted, contemplating the question. "It's a mixed bag of emotions," he admitted. "There's a certain thrill in the immersion, the sense of purpose that comes with being a leader. But at the same time, there's a constant reminder of the real world that I left behind, the life I once knew."
"I did not know out of all places, I would find you here, Touch Me." Punitto Moe chuckled, "wish the rest of the guild was here."
Touch Me's face darkened a bit. He knew the reality of the situation – players trapped & their physical bodies left to rot, in contrast to Punitto's optimism. "I appreciate your positivity, Punitto, but we can't ignore the gravity of our situation. While this virtual world may offer us a sense of purpose and adventure, the reality is that our physical bodies are deteriorating back in the real world."
Punitto's expression faltered, his enthusiasm momentarily dimmed. "I understand," he replied, his voice tinged with concern. "But isn't there any way to escape from here? To return to our bodies and resume our lives?"
Touch Me's eyes bore his frustration. "We've tried everything, my friend. Countless attempts have been made to break free from this virtual prison, but all have ended in failure. The connection to the outside world has been severed, and our bodies lie trapped, forgotten." It was heartbreaking for Punitto to see Touch Me's current state.
"Then let's use our time here wisely. Things can only improve if we take things one step at a time." He explained.
"Let's start by discussing the reason why we're all here – the war against the Knavenborn Empire." He gestured for a soldier, dressed in a Soviet military attire, who pushed what seemed to be a wooden board on wheels. Attached to it was a labelled map.
"Move aside," Punitto stood up, shoving the soldier aside, stretching his arms. He demonstrated unique enthusiasm to his tone as he spoke. It was obvious that Punitto had been waiting for this speech all along; like a typical nerd who is obsessed with military history.
"I know this map looks eerily similar to that of the European subcontinent, and Athisia looks so similar to Sweden, but trust me, I did not create this map."
"The Athisian troops are currently stationed in the south-eastern port of Ishteria and will remain so until the main bulk of the USSR army spearheads westwards through the Knavenborn Empire's land borders in mainland Europ…I mean the Northern Continent."
"Off the southwest coast of Havenport, the Athisian navy has enforced a blockade, so that supplies from the Knavenborn colonies are essentially cut off."
"Our focus is the southeast offensive, where we will try to take the cities of Argentholme, Crestholm, push through the Veridian Reach, a major chokepoint, and spearhead deep into enemy territory. I will personally be there to lead the frontlines. Whether you want to follow Touch Me, Sophia, is up to you."
Touch Me listened intently, his expression grave and concerned. As Punitto Moe outlined the military strategy, his mind couldn't help but dwell on the potential consequences of the upcoming offensive. The thought of innocent lives being lost and the suffering that would ensue weighed heavily on his conscience.
"Wait a minute," Touch Me interjected, his voice tinged with objection. "I understand the importance of our mission, but we must not overlook the value of innocent lives. War brings about devastation and loss, and it's our duty to minimize that as much as possible. Is there no alternative, no diplomatic solution we can explore?"
Punitto Moe sighed, understanding the gravity of Touch Me's concerns. "I share your sentiments, my friend. But the situation is complex, and diplomacy has proven futile thus far. The Knavenborn Empire has shown aggression towards Athisia, and if we don't take action, more lives will be at stake."
Touch Me's eyes hardened with determination. "Then let us find a way to minimize the collateral damage, to protect the innocent at all costs. We must exhaust every possibility for peace before resorting to violence."
Sophia, who had been silently listening, nodded in agreement. "I'm with Touch Me on this. There has to be another way. We can't forget our principles and the value we place on life."
Touch me gave a firm nod. "I will join you, Punitto. We must face this challenge together, ensuring that our actions are guided by compassion and a relentless pursuit of peace. I will not stand idle while innocent lives are at stake."
Sophia reciprocated as well. "Count me in as well, I may not be able to fight, but perhaps I can help as a healer."
Punitto Moe's expression softened into a grateful smile. He knew that having Touch Me and Sophia by his side would strengthen their cause and give them a better chance of influencing the outcome. "Thank you both for standing with me."