You ever have one of those days where the universe just gives you the middle finger? That's me, Kael Harper, a 24-year-old barista with a caffeine addiction and a laptop so ancient it groans louder than my neighbor's headboard at 2 a.m. I'm slouched in my closet-sized apartment, slurping the last of my chicken ramen—because I'm a gourmet like that—when I decide to mess with *Apocalypse Trials*, a sketchy VRMMORPG I nabbed off a shady forum. I figured it would be a fun distraction. Yeah, big mistake.
The screen flickers, then—pop!—a spark singes my eyebrow, and I'm cursing loudly enough to wake the neighbors. Before I can unplug the stupid thing, my laptop explodes in a whirlwind of pixelated light, like I've hacked into the Matrix and pissed it off. My body tingles, like that electric zing you get when someone's lips graze your neck in the dark. Except this isn't a hot date; it's me dissolving into a void of swirling code.
"Error: Player Data Corrupted. Binding Soul to Rune Matrix. Stand by," a robotic voice drones, colder than my ex's texts.
"Stand by for what?" I yell, but my voice gets swallowed in this digital abyss. No body, no arms—just me, a floating ball of panic spiraling through ones and zeros. I'm no hero, trust me. My life's peak adventure was dodging a Karen's coffee cup during a Black Friday shift.
Then—wham! I slam face-first onto jagged rock, the kind that smells like wet dirt and something sharp, like burnt wires. My nose throbs, blood trickling down my lip, and I'm pretty sure I've bruised my ego worse than my face. I scramble up, blinking at a ruined city below—crumbling spires, glowing mist, and a crimson sky that looks like it's bleeding. The air hums electric, making the hairs on my arms stand up like they're flirting with danger.
A blue screen pops up, hovering like it owns the place:
**Welcome to the Runebound Realm, Player Kael!**
- **System Status:** Glitched (Error Code: X-17)
- **Class:** Unassigned (Anomaly Detected)
- **Primary Rune:** [Locked - Complete Trial to Unlock]
- **Objective:** Survive the First Trial.
- **Reward:** Rune Activation.
- **Warning:** Death is permanent. No do-overs. Enjoy!
"Enjoy?" I scoff, swiping at the screen. It doesn't budge, just glows all smug and shiny. "Permanent death? What kind of sadistic game is this?" My voice cracks because, yeah, I'm freaking out. This isn't VR. My nose is bleeding, my scraped knees sting, and a distant roar—something big and unfriendly—resonates through the ruins.
That's when I notice her. A figure leans against a boulder, half-hidden in the shadows, all curves and confidence. She's tall, with hair like liquid silver spilling over her shoulders, and a leather-like outfit that clings to her in ways that short-circuit my brain. Her sharp amber eyes lock onto mine, and her lips curve into a smirk that's equal parts trouble and temptation.
"Lost, are you?" she purrs, her voice smooth as velvet, sending a shiver down my spine that's got nothing to do with the cold. "Newbies don't last long out here."
"Uh, who are you?" I stammer, trying not to stare at how her outfit catches the crimson light. My heart's already doing laps, and it's not just the death-game vibes.
She steps closer, close enough for me to catch a whiff of something like jasmine and smoke. "Call me Veyra," she says, tilting her head. Her finger brushes against my arm, light as a whisper, and I swear my skin buzzes like it's got a mind of its own. "You're in the Runebound Realm, Kael. And you're about to get eaten unless you move."
Before I can ask what she means, the ground trembles, and three skeletal creatures—voidlings, I think—slither from the shadows. Red eyes, claws like kitchen knives, and a vibe that screams "you're lunch." The screen dings:
**Trial Initiated: Escape the Shattered Plains**
- **Enemies Detected:** 3 Lesser Voidlings (Level 1)
- **Time Limit:** 10 minutes
- **Hint:** The Rune Matrix responds to intent. Trust your gut.
"My gut's screaming for a vacation," I mutter, glancing at Veyra. She's already backing away, that smirk still playing on her lips like she's enjoying my panic a little too much.
"Figure it out, newbie," she calls, vanishing into the mist with a sway that's frankly distracting. "Or don't. Your funeral."
I bolt, sneakers skidding on loose gravel. No weapons, no clue—just me and my questionable cardio. A glowing symbol carved into the rock pulses as I pass, sending a jolt up my arm, sharp and hot, like brushing against someone in a crowded bar. My vision blurs, and I feel it—a spark, deep in my chest, like a secret I've forgotten how to tell.
The closest voidling lunges, claws gleaming. I skid to a stop, heart pounding. "Okay, intent, right? Do something!" I thrust my hand out, half-expecting to look like an idiot. The symbol flares, and light snakes up my arm, etching a jagged tattoo that burns like a fresh tattoo needle. The screen flashes:
**Rune Unlocked: Shard of Will (Rank 1)**
- **Ability:** Kinetic Pulse – Channel intent to unleash a force burst.
- **Cost:** 10% Stamina.
- **Cooldown:** 5 seconds.
"Wizard mode, activated," I grin, dodging a claw swipe. I point at the voidling, imagining it slammed back like a bad Tinder date.