Astral Year 372

[ Metaverse - Telluria Online Simulation RPG ]

A masked young hero stood resolute with two gleaming swords in hand, calm amidst the overbearing pressure of the hoard of divine beasts that closed in on him. On the ground behind him was an injured little girl, her neat teal curls tainted with the blood that was sporadically spurting out of her mouth.

The beasts circled around the hero and the girl, their eyes glowing with malevolent intent. Amidst the snarling and snapping of their razor sharp fangs, the hero stood unfazed, taking in every minute detail, planning his next course of action. His swords were held steady and his muscles coiled like springs, waiting for the right moment to strike.

In a sudden burst of movement, the hero launched himself at the beasts, his two swords flashing in the sunlight. The clang of steel on the metallic hide of the beasts filled the air as he expertly parried their attacks, each stroke precise, purposeful and deadly.

The little girl looked up in awe, her initial fear now fully buried by a sense of safety and security. The masked swordsman sliced through the hoard like a dancer in a deadly ballet, his movements fluid and graceful.

The beasts fell one by one, as he picked up the pace, his swords becoming a blur of steel that sliced through the air with lethal precision. However, amidst the cacophony of snarls and whimpers of the crashing bodies, a high pitched cry for help echoed,

"Save..."

Before the injured little girl could finish, two silver blurs flew right past each side her face, missing her by mere inches. The swords pierced the two beasts which were pouncing onto her straight in their throats. A spray of blood showered onto the trembling girl, as the creature fell to the ground, its claws twitching in its death throes.

The hero burst toward the crimson covered little girl and stood firm ahead of her. With his two swords no longer in his hands, the little girl started crying in fear,

"It's ok...You can leave, don't sacrifice yourself..."

Ignoring her, the hero began performing a series of flowing Tai Chi forms, his body moving in a mesmerizing dance. His movements were slow and deliberate, but they held an incredible power. As he flowed through the forms, he sent out waves of energy that pushed back against the beasts, sending them tumbling back.

The few remaining beasts roared in fury and pounced menacingly onto the unarmed hero. But he remained calm and focused, continuing to move in a rhythmic pattern, each movement precise and controlled.

With each motion, the masked hero sent out a burst of energy, sending the beasts flying back, their snarls growing more and more desperate. But the master was unrelenting, his movements growing faster and more fluid, until finally, the beasts were forced to retreat, defeated by his skill and power.

The little girl's eyes were wide open, even though she was drenched by the blood of divine beasts, she could not help but be entranced by the beauty of the hero's movements. She felt a sense of safety and security that she had never known before.

Snapping out of her trance, she looked above the head of the masked hero and noticed for the first time,

" [ID: Prince] "

The young girl's heart was racing as she looked up at the person who had just saved her from danger. It was her idol - Prince , he was the top ranked duelist in Telluria Online. His legendary mask made him an enigma to the millions who delved into this Simulation RPG. He never ranked high on the power charts but was the only player ever to be undefeated in the dueling arena despite his average gear.

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Tears filled her eyes as she tried to catch her breath, her mind still reeling from the close call. She couldn't believe that this was happening - that her hero had just intervened and saved her from harm.

Having collected his two swords, the masked hero looked behind his shoulders, gave her a light nod and his character dematerialized.

As the moment passed, the girl knew that she would never forget what had just happened. She had been saved by the person she admired most in the world, and it was a moment that she would cherish forever.

[ Bedroom of Prince Chronos Astral ]

Prince Chronos Astral's Point of View

I took off my Metaverse Simulation Headset and sat up from the Simulation Pod, my eyes slowly adjusted to the sudden brightness of my bedroom. The weight of the headset left an indentation on my forehead as if testament to the fact that I had exceeded my morning Metaverse gaming time.

' That little girl was cute but to think she had the face to call herself Dragon Princess '

I ran a hand through my hair and shook my head to freshen up from the after-effects of the Simulation Pod.

Three years had passed since I had my first breakfast with the family in the Royal Garden. I had since been indoctrinated into this futuristic world. My most used piece of technology was the Simulation Pod.

Unfortunately, I had not found the solution to my nightly nightmares of death and due to them, I would be shocked out of my sleep in the wee hours of the night. Even though I had, to a certain degree, gotten used to the nightmares, a profound fear toward them lingered.

I could only find solace in practicing Tai Chi to calm my mind and would await the sunrise by immersing myself in the Metaverse. It was the planet-wide simulation network of this world that enabled its users to experience immersive experiences from gaming to socializing to combat practice. The only flaw the system had was the inability to simulate physical pain or incorporate a cultivator's powers, however, everything else was super realistic.

Telluria Online was the most popular Simulation RPG and it was where I honed my combat skills every morning.

Buzz... Buzz... Buzz...

My communication watch started beeping insistently, pulling my attention away. I pushed my index finger down onto my wrist and a holographic display started shimmering to life in front of me. A three-dimensional image of Sister Sophia materialized in the air above my watch, her features crisp and clear despite the distance between us.

" Can you hear me? Good morning baby brother..." she said, her voice slightly distorted by the interference of the transmission.

" Morning Sophia, I'm about to get ready for our morning tuition..." I replied, still impressed by the stunning detail of the holographic projection.

" About that... I have an urgent meeting at the Astral Merchants Association, but I have commissioned a renowned researcher from the University of Astral Knights to tutor you today!" Sophia said proudly with a grin, perceptibly fishing for praise.

" A UAK researcher? Thanks Sophia, what's his or her field of research?" I asked gratefully. I had been under the personal tutelage of Sophia, Athena and Grandmama every day these three years. It was the first time that I would be studying under someone outside the Royal Family.

" Senior researcher Dolus is on the forefront of psychokinesis research, I know you've been working with flying daggers the past year..." Sophia replied with a sweet smile.

" Your Highness, it's time for your scheduled morning tuition session," the robotic voice of my room's personal robot attendant interrupted our conversation.

*Slide*

The doors to my room slid open, and a voluptuous maid burst in, her ample curves threatening to burst through the tight bodice of her dress. Her heaving bosom and flushed cheeks were the first things to catch the eye, but it was the urgency in her voice that demanded attention.

"Your Highness... Your Highness..." Hathor cried, her voice breathless and slightly frustrated.

"There's a short grumpy old man and a fat kid in your study room demanding to see you! Shall I have him thrown out?"

" Senior Researcher Dolus is an erratic old man, but is a genius in his own rights, do ignore his... quirkiness..."

"Oh... I've got to go too, enjoy your session! Maybe we can have lunch later," Sophia disconnected the holographic transmission before I could even reply.

Hathor stood there meekly, the sudden awareness of her rudeness for rushing in unannounced seemed to have settled in.

I shot her a smile and comforted,

"At ease, it's my tutor for the day, wait for me outside while I get changed..."

"Hehe... Your Highness, I can help dress you, you know..."

Hathor's alluring sultry voice echoed as she winked cheekily.

After having spent three years with this temptress, I finally had her figured out. Beneath her seductive demeanor, tight and revealing clothing and her succubi persona was actually a mischievous but shy girl.

She used her stunning looks and alluring figure to scare off and manipulate those around her. But as the years went by, I caught onto the subtle changes in her expression and blushing cheeks whenever I teased her back.

Letting out a grin, I walked calmly toward her, grabbed her by the chin and whispered into her right ear,

" Patience my little tease, even though I have the body of a 10 year old now, I'm only three years old... as soon as I'm of age I'll..."

I lightly blew onto her ear before completing my sentence.

A shiver ran down Hathor's spine and she let out a light gasp. The girl's face turned a deep shade of red, and she clutched at her chest, trying to calm the racing of her heart. She tried to look away, but I locked eyes with her provocatively, drawing her in like a moth to a flame.

I smirked, clearly enjoying the reaction I was getting from Hathor. "You're so cute when you blush," I murmured with a voice as low and husky as my youthful body allowed.

Hathor felt her cheeks grow even hotter, and she turned to flee, her heart pounding in her chest. She stumbled over her own feet, nearly tripping as she made her way across the room, her eyes fixed on the floor.

"I... I'll wait for you... outside..." Hathor's panicked voice trailed off as she shut the door behind her.