Nora takes a stance, standing on the right end of the infinite bridge. Takeshi’s stance is more chill, more relaxed. Until it isn’t, and he kneels down into a battle-ready position. His stance reminded Nora of a predator preparing itself to leap after its prey. His left leg propped backwards, with most of his weight on his bent right knee.

Nora inner thoughts: Looks like he doesn’t believe in the whole “go easy on the rookie thing”.

Despite the situation she found herself in, Nora couldn’t help but smile. The thought of facing a strong opponent as her first real match of a brand-new game. Nora found herself most comfortable as the underdog.

Nora inner thought: My first match in VBL and I’m going up against the one that stands at the peak of this new world! What will you show me Mr. Champion?

Before she knew it, Takeshi was already in front of her. Staring directly into her eyes. She hesitates. Creating an opening as Takeshi slashes a deep gash into her torso. For split second, Nora feels likes she’s been severely cut open by Takeshi’s attack. She flinches backward from the pain. Takeshi doesn’t pursue her, recognizing the sensation from reading her body language.

“Ahh yes… Don’t worry. You didn’t really get cut just now.”

Nora checks her body, making sure she isn’t on the brink of death. Then looks up to Takeshi. Asking for answers with out really asking.

“VBL pods are constantly reading our brain waves, combined with fact that VBL is a good enough simulation to trick the eye. So as result sometimes you can feel like you’re in danger… as well as hurt. Think of it as a sort of phantom pain.” Takeshi explains.

“That’s a bit intense.” Nora reveals.

“You’re still free to concede.” Takeshi reminds Nora.

“No way! I’m not going anywhere.” Nora exclaims.

Nora runs up to Takeshi, swinging at him with her sword. Takeshi steps to the side, allowing her to fall forward. She regains her balance. Takeshi then easily slashes her upper back with such force that it sends her flying forward. She regains her balance once again and runs toward Takeshi. She gets to about 5 feet away from Takeshi before she dashes to the left of him, attempting to take him off guard. Except Takeshi saw through it. She attempted to slash him several times but just couldn’t hit the mark. Right, left, up, down. Takeshi effortlessly dodges through all her ploys. Until Nora suddenly shows up right behind him. Takeshi’s eyes track her.

Takeshi inner thoughts: I figured you’d try the speed boost ability at some point. What else will you do though?

Nora inner thoughts: Holy crap that move can be discombobulating! I don’t know why I’d be able to withstands the fully might of the speed boost on first usage. I need a second to regain myself, but there’s no time! I have the drop on him, I need to take advantage of the opportunity!

Nora slashes downward, attempting to slash Takeshi down his spine. Until Takeshi is suddenly right behind her. Taking her off guard momentarily. She attempts to slash backward to counter an attack she doesn’t see coming. Takeshi low kicks Nora’s legs, making her fall to the ground. Takeshi charges up an attack through his sword, raising his arms for a strong downward slash.

“Dragon slash!” Takeshi yells.

“Wall!” Nora screams.

The first command to register is Takeshi’s attack. A dragon formed entirely of energy forms from Takeshi’s sword. Despite being called afterward, the wall ability is faster than most attacks. Within milliseconds a large, checkered wall forms in front of Nora. Completely blocking Takeshi’s attack. Because of how close the attacks were to each other, the resulting explosion causes both combatants to be blown a few feet away. Takeshi is still on his feet, while Nora is face first on the ground. Both fighters took damage for that incident. Although because of the properties of the wall, Nora received a mere fraction of the damage Takeshi took. Takeshi shrugs it off. Nora picks herself up.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Takeshi then directs drags his blade across the ground, as the sword digs up a few small pieces of debris. The debris goes flying toward Nora.

“Earth dragon slash!” Takeshi screams.

Nora inner thoughts: Damn it, Since I already used my wall, there’s nothing stopping him from using long ranged attacks.

Nora runs toward the right of the bridge. A failed attempt at dodging the oncoming debris. She manages to dodge the first two small boulders, but the third boulder hits its mark. Right in the stomach. The next few pieces hit her leg and shoulders.

Before she can think of another plan of attack, Takeshi’s arms are raised again. Nora has just enough time to look up before –

“Dragon slash!” Takeshi yells.

Another energy created dragon forms and storms toward Nora. Not having any time to react, she takes the full force of the attack. Her health bar depletes below half, with a remaining 25%.

Takeshi inner thoughts: I should’ve known better than to expect a miracle from someone that just picked up the game.

Nora stands up from the rubble. Visibly scared and beaten up. But something is different. She looks at Takeshi, to his surprise her demeanor has changed. He expected a defeated reaction from her. Instead, Nora’s face was that of someone having the time of their life.

Nora inner thoughts: Okay, let’s try this again.

Nora rushes toward Takeshi. Takeshi braces himself. His eyes coldly analyzing Nora’s movements.

Takeshi inner thoughts: Behind me.

Nora suddenly is behind him; Takeshi is side eyeing her.

Takeshi inner thoughts: Then I go behind her again –

Takeshi uses his speed boost ability to blitz behind Nora once again.

Takeshi inner thoughts: Then I punish with another –

Takeshi is taken back when he blitzes behind Nora, only to see her facing him, looking directly in his eyes. Her eyes filled with determination. His eyes filled with genuine curiosity for what she’s about to do.

“Earth dragon slash!” Nora yells out.

She performs a similar movement to Takeshi earlier. Sending a barrage of rubble flying at Takeshi at point black range. In all honesty, Takeshi understands even at this distance he can dodge the attack. Yet he doesn’t. The idea that Nora was able to actively come up with a new plan of attack, despite her dire situation shouts experience. Maybe not with VBL but fighting games in general. Takeshi takes the full force of the attack with a smile. A hint of respect.

The attack sends Takeshi flying a few feet backwards. Nora composes herself. As the smoke clears Nora squints her eyes, but she can’t see Takeshi.

“Dragon slash!” Takeshi yells.

Nora hears his voice from above her, causing her to look up in time to see another energy dragon heading her way. She jumps out of the way just in time. Causing the dragon to destroy a piece of the bridge. Eventually the dragon dissipates before hitting the grid like floor of the level. With a piece of the bridge missing, Nora breathes a sigh of relief.

“No time to rest rookie!” Takeshi yells.

Easily clearing the gap in the bridge and making it in front of Nora. Attempting to slash his sword at her gut, but she’s barely able to parry it. Takeshi then answers with an upward slash to her head, but she blocks that attack as well. At this moment the piece of the bridge that was destroyed fixes itself, now looking as if nothing happened. Takeshi proceeds with his combo. Nora either barely dodging or blocking each oncoming attack. Takeshi doesn’t seem fazed at all; in fact, he doesn’t seem to be trying.

Takeshi inner thoughts: 3,2,1.

The speed boost icon in Takeshi’s vision lights back up.

Takeshi inner thoughts: Time to end this.

Nora inner thoughts: Now or never Nora!

Takeshi then delivers another horizontal slash. Only this time Nora ducks under it. Takeshi remains unfazed, sending out another horizontal slash, but this time Nora jumps over the attack. Her blade being eye level with Takeshi. This time she takes the opportunity. Slashing Takeshi across his eyes. The shock made even Takeshi step backward.

Takeshi inner thoughts: What? That wasn’t her using speed boost, it was –

Nora steps right in front of Takeshi, causing him to look right in her eyes right as she –

“Dragon slash!” Nora yells.

A blue dragon emits itself from Nora’s sword, at point blank range at Takeshi. Until Takeshi blitzes right beside Nora as she’s finishing the movements of the attack. Quickly taking a stance.

“Nice try.” Takeshi says.

Takeshi slices Nora in the neck, causing her VBL avatar to explode into thousands of fragments.

**

Back at the VBL HQ stadium, as Nora opens her eyes, the sounds of the cheering crowd focus back into her ears. The sudden shift from the world of VBL and reality takes Nora a few seconds to get used to. She climbs out of the pod just in time to see Takeshi effortlessly walking out of his pod. At the same time Derrick struts his way back to the stage.

“And that is all she wrote! Takeshi effortlessly defends his title! Let’s hear another round of applause for the VBL champion, and the brave rookie that didn’t back down!” Derrick yells.

The cheering crowd applauds Takeshi and Nora. For a brief second Nora becomes consumed by the roar of the crowd, standing on stage, right after a tough match. Takeshi observes Nora’s face. He’s seen this face before. He’s had this face before. The face of someone who just got hooked on VBL.