Virtual Space

"Virtual world? You mean to tell us we're inside a game without having an actual physical body? So, this Cyber Refuge... it's digitalization?" Trinity capped her lesion in a hoarse and wheezy accent, struggling to breathe, "When did we..." She strangled.

"What's so hard to understand? You're just a bunch of "avatars" who had their consciousness recorded into a cognizant NPC. Haven't you heard of a "video game" before in your life? You know, animated "worlds" you can interact with on your phones or computers, and other consoles?" She blinked in bemusement, "Come on... Could you be more laughable? You're looking at me like I'm about to do something "uncalled" for because I might if you don't comprehend a simple-minded description."

Trinity fixed her posture, leaning her shoulder against the wall by pressing it tightly, "So... we basically have a 'CPU' built into our mind while we're inside this "virtual world?" Is that... what you mean to tell us? So, we're technically "cornered" inside implicit terrain, and our bodies are indiscreet in the real world?"

Torque's broadened eyes cleaved into Trinity's as proof of her getting surprised, "Wow... You got all of that in such a short characterization? You might be smarter than those fools with "intellect chips" installed into their systems to make their stupidity more irrelevant. It's too bad I can't utilize your "brain" the same way I can the chips. I thought I'd need to "translate" and "decipher" it for you. Such a ~ heartbroken ~ story."

Aurora reclaimed some strength and hurried next to Trinity in uneasiness, "Trinity... we have to get out of here. She's "Torque Torrente," the attacker who might have killed those people at the nightclub. She's probably going to kill us as well if we don't run away."

Torque grinned at her famous and notable existence that many individuals knew about, "Those "men" and "women" at the nightclub were part of the "ghouls," so I eradicated them. I cleared them out so they wouldn't cause "too" much trouble. Then, I rebounded to Cyber Refuge to find Erembour and *finally* remove him from everyone's path. Gee, it's so ~ embarrassing ~ knowing I'm probably gonna get pursued by the WPDA."

She rolled with her eyeballs, twisting her tongue and licking the tip of her lips, "If you didn't know about this world's "verisimilitude," then I assume you *were* brought here by Erembour. Did I guess justly? Or did I fail miserably and turn out like a fool? Eh... either way, I don't care. I'm "just" a loner, hoping to remunerate what was once stolen by bringing Erem-Bore to "dissolution" and "termination." Indeed a reasonable justification."

Trinity endlessly pressed her pressure onto the wall beside her, "Erembour... Is he the "game master" and the "mastermind" behind this universe? If so, then do you know where to find him? We want to find a cure..."

Torque reached into her pocket, pulling out a stimulant inside a flask, "Are you talking about this stimulant or the one in Erem-bore's possession? Because if you want to grab the one from him, you'll end up killing the one you want to cure. And from what I experienced, I assume it's the blonde girl next to you. And, so it seems, Ashura tested his "experiments" on her and infected her. How could she have survived for so long; I wonder."

She rattled the flash for the liquid inside to bounce around, "I don't know... *We* don't know. Is it the cure we're looking for?" Trinity questioned, doubtful and suspicious about Torque's odd and unique charisma. "If you're wondering if it does, I couldn't tell. But if you want it, take it." She flicked her wrist forward and chucked the flask in Trinity's palm.

"You're giving it to us? I don't think you know me. I'm not dull to know your tricks." Trinity spoke with a close-to-lifeless voice, "Take it or leave it. Use it or don't use it. Unless you want to die, I'd recommend you to buzz off, and I'll see myself out." She rotated, throwing a terrifying look over her shoulder, "I tend to play "rough" when my bloodlust peaks. But I don't harm people unless they have something to help me find my target. You're lucky I haven't lost it yet, cheerio." Torque cleared herself out of their sight and trodded into the distance of the vibrant, neon-illuminated streets, a vehicle sped behind her, and as it did, she vanished into the breeze.

"That's Torque? I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it with my own eyes. She helped us, but I still don't trust her..." Aurora responded, coughing and feeling weaker every second. "Trinity... you're hurt. Please, we have to hurry."

-

Timothy held his left arm in front of him, elevated before his torso as he observed the wristwatch, "Damn this crappy scrap. I don't know how these coordinates work."

He waited on the opposite end of the crosswalk, enveloped with thousands of people, most of them being cyberlanders. They minded their own business and the futuristic vehicles expedited over the wide roads. "This is eating my patience..."

The traffic light glittered green, allowing the pedestrians to cross the road, and they strolled in a beeline. Timothy was preoccupied and captivated the find a proper way to operate the device on his wrist and accidentally bumped his shoulder into a different pedestrian.

Both of them stopped, exchanging eyes with one another. "Oh! I'm sorry. I didn't see you." Timothy noticed bright pink eyes latching onto his face in a grave but levelheaded glare. She didn't seem ruffled and shut her eyes, "No trouble..." Timothy scratched his nape and awkwardly tiptoed away.

While he wasn't aware of the woman's identity, it was Torque he came across, but her subtle personality and sympathetic response didn't present her as a killer in Timothy's eyes.

Suddenly, Torque halted in her tracks and hesitated a little. She picturized Timothy's face in her head. She touched her head and analyzed Timothy's frame in a holographic screen inside her panorama. "No database available... How come? I'm 100% certain that's the white-haired pirate with $500 million bolts of bounty on his title. What's *he* doing inside Cyber Refuge?" She shaped a mischievous smirk, "He could be helpful..."

To be continued...