55 Boudoir Glamour Inc. #55

The virtual realm game became more complex.

When I started, strikes against the darkness forms were always effective.

The android made the ability to hit darkness a condition of 'inner power'.

Later they had the realm make me feel cold when my 'inner power' was low.

There was a day that was more terrible than anything I ever experienced (even in nightmares).

The androids has hinted that if I won a specific challenge, I would get some rest. If failed, I would be removed from my home forever and taken somewhere that would never accept me.

The challenge started well. I had surety that androids do not make mistakes like that. They have our good lives in mind.

The battle turned over and over. My strikes were becoming ineffective.

Darkness had pushed me to a knee. It was cold. So freezing like nothing ever.

I struggled to stand and struggled to let the sword strike. I struggled and I admit it. I despaired.

There was a far of sound. A growing brightness. A woman bathed in light.

A warmth that swelled as she fell closer. Falling out of the sky like an angel.

Her strike of dark menace was swift and sure. She seemed to not need armor, since her warmth alone made the darkness cringe.

"There now. I saw you were in a little trouble."

Her embrace drove away the terrible hurtful inner chill, but I stayed kneeling.

"Hey now, are you OK? That was not the first time you have been defeated in a mock battle? Was it?"

As I was trying to answer, I vanished from the virtual realm. The expression of her compassionate face had my whole focus as that reality vanished.