"Saras Gayen! Are you reading those dusty old books again?" Nina Gayen's shout preceded her entrance as she banged open the door to her son's room. As she expected, she found Saras sitting on his bean bag, holding a paperback copy of World History: The Ancient Civilizations. She snatched the book from his hands and tossed it into the pile of other books covering a range of topics from politics to economics related to Earth. "Look at Ellie's daughter, Stivi. She has already reached Level 3 in the Dreamverse VR within two hours of its launch. Why are you still lounging at home?" "I am not lounging! I am studying History…" Saras protested, looking at the book pile before turning his gaze towards his mother. She stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at him as if he had committed a grave sin by not entering the game as soon as it was launched. "You are turning 25 this year. If you don't play the Dreamverse VR now and join a good guild, how will you find a wife?" Thus started his journey as he once again navigated the VR scene through the mysterious game Dreamverse VR that was said to hold the keys to Human Evolution.
The warm sun of the afternoon was shining brightly outside the Smithy yet the atmosphere inside felt chilly. Zorkan shivered with anger and fear as Marna stalked him like a cat toying with her prey.
Standing opposite him, Nissa glared at Marna with deep hatred in her eyes. The fear had waned away and all she had left was a thirst for revenge.
Kosumi watched the dynamics between the two groups with interest in her eyes. The Sickle Hammer had perished but its remnants had dragged Harbingers into their feud and the remnant New Era had accepted, also wanted to do the same.
Nissa looked at Kosumi pleadingly to take action but Kosumi was unmoved. None of the people in the Dark Cloaks stepped forward to defend Nissa or Zorkan.