*Clang*

[Argh!]

Two knights could be seen fighting in a plain filled with bodies and weapons broken.

Above them is an eclipse that vaguely illuminated the dark world. Ominous and unnerving for anyone to see. But the knights aren't here to appreciate the view.

The only words that were heard is the sword.

*Clang*

Both are sluggish with their actions due to extreme fatigue and wounds.

*Clang*

A few minutes later, both swords broken.

The knights disregarded their sword and started throwing hands. The other knight fist first hit the taller knight causing the helmet to flew away revealing a face.

A rugged handsome face with a blank expression.

Short black hair with grey dark eyes.

A face familiar to the other knight, someone he obsessively fought for 10 years.

The Knight of Red

The Puppet of Malice

Ryleigh.

The Other Knight didn't hesitate, he followed another punch. Unfortunately for him, Ryleigh recovered and dodged the incoming punch with a sway and delivered a gut punch.

The Other Knight were stunned for a brief moment, giving Ryleigh the opportunity to throw a hook to his face.

The Other Knight staggered. Ryleigh then tackled the other knight, causing both of them to fall to the ground.

Ryleigh then mounted him and started to rain down punches to his face.

The Other Knight's vision were red covered in blood with warnings that indicated low health. He saw in the corner of his vision the bar of his already low health diminishing by the second and he needs to think fast.

The Other Knight saw in his right a broken sword, he immediately took it and stabbed it towards Ryleigh.

[...]

Ryleigh stopped punching and look into his chest.

A broken sword embedded into his heart, piercing through his armor.

The Other Knight saw this and immediately pushed Ryleigh away.

Ryleigh didn't resist and just looked into the sword intently, relief in his eyes could be seen.

Ryleigh sat in the floor while touching his blood.

[You...]

The Other Knight just looked into him with shock and he can't believe he finally beaten him.

[You are the one.]

Ryleigh hazily smiled

The blood in his hand dripped while he slowly pointed his finger at him.

The Other Knight wasn't even given an opportunity to celebrate until everything went black.

***

"Menu" I said, trying to find the main menu.

Who can't help but panic when you woke up seeing a "virtual' reality without a health bar and main menu.

"Logout!"

"Emergency System logout!"

"Calm down Riley." I tried to calm myself. I tried to analyzing my surrounding first.

A room with grey colored bricks. A single window in the side covered in white curtains, allowing the sunshine to lighten up the room. In front of that window is a chair and wooden table filled with neatly arranged paper. In one corner, a weapon's rack displaying a variety of weapons, beside it is an armor stand with a simple knight armor.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

The room could be describe with a simple word.

"Familiar."

I saw the bed in corner, and I lay down. It was hard like floor yet comfortable for some reason. I closed my eyes, trying to sleep. Hopefully when my eyes open, it will be different.

***

[Riley...]

A murmur called out to me but I can't figure out who.

I saw a faded figure in the distant, an unknown person waving his or her hand towards me. I waved back.

Until knocking sounds woke me up.

*Knock* *Knock*

Sigh.

This is not a dream I suppose, perhaps a nightmare.

I stood up from the bed, went to the door to open and then I saw a familiar face. A maid that confirmed my suspicions.

"Sir Ryleigh, Your Grace demands your presence." Ashley said with ice cold tone, her expressions were blank.

"I understand, Thank you Ashley" Ryleigh nodded, and he started wearing his armor. Unaware of Ashley surprised expression, her eyes widened for a second but she took a breath to calm herself immediately.

He smiled? Ashley thought, but it was a brief but Ryleigh smiled. What's going on? Did something happen?

Riley were already familiar on how to wear armor due to years of playing in the virtual reality Dark X Hearts. In just a few minutes, he already finished wearing the entire armor and he went out together with Ashley towards the duchess.

Riley memorized the entire castle by playing this game for 10 years. Every secret there is were already unearthed, for the sake of defeating the man he currently possessed. Riley understood the moment he laid his eyes in this world that he transmigrated and possessed a certain character.

And he already knew who is this character just by looking at the sword hanging in the weapon's rack. He fought this man for 10 years.

With the suspicious last words of Ryleigh the original Knight of Red. He understood he was "chosen" by someone or something to act as Ryleigh in this "reality."

Riley don't know if this is a cruel prank by the developers or an alternate reality, regardless, he is determined to survive and go home back to his original world. He will treat this world just like how usually treat the game. Treat every run like its your last run.

Reaching a room, Riley knew who resides in this. Ashley just opened the door, and Riley entered the room.

"You're finally here, Ryleigh."

Meeting his boss and the recurring villain of Dark X Hearts.

The Undying Malice

The Lady of Red

As she lounged upon her throne, the Duchess exuded an aura of allure and menace. Her eyes, like twin serpents coiled in anticipation, darted from one end of the room to the other, assessing each guest with a calculating gaze. With a subtle flicker of her snake-like pupils, she beckoned me closer, her smile as enchanting as it was chilling.

"My dear knight."

"Did something interesting happen?" She asked chillingly.