Sakura's memories came flooding back, like a tidal wave crashing against the shore. She was transported back to a time when she was part of the legendary team known as "The Nobles." They were the crème de la crème of the gaming world, feared and respected by all. Their leader, Zayn, was a genius strategist and Sakura's secret crush. Everyone on the team knew about her feelings, but Zayn remained oblivious, or so it seemed.
Those were the best days of her life, filled with laughter, excitement, and a sense of belonging. But it all came crashing down one fateful day when Kaito called her, his voice trembling with urgency. "Sakura, it's Kaito. Kai wants to betray us and leave the team. We need to confront him."
Sakura's heart sank, and she felt a wave of nausea wash over her. She rushed out of her house, tears streaming down her face as she ran to Zayn's house. The cool evening air whipped through her hair, but she didn't notice. She was consumed by her emotions.
As she arrived at Zayn's house, she found Kaito waiting outside. His eyes were wide with worry, and his face was pale.
"What's going on, Kaito?" Sakura asked, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
Kaito shook his head. "I don't know. Akira told me to meet him here. He said it was urgent."
Just then, a loud noise came from inside the house. Sakura and Kaito exchanged a worried glance before rushing inside. They followed the sound to the living room, where they found Kai lying on the floor, covered in blood.
The room was silent, except for the sound of Sakura's ragged breathing. She felt like she'd been punched in the gut. Kai's eyes were frozen in a permanent stare, his skin pale and clammy. A pool of blood had formed around his head, and Sakura could see a faint smudge of blood on Akira's hand.
Sakura's gaze snapped to Akira, her voice trembling with rage. "What did you do?"
Akira's eyes went wide, and he took a step back, his hands raised in a defensive gesture. "I didn't do anything, Sakura! I swear, I found him like this!"
But Sakura wasn't buying it. She could see the guilt written all over Akira's face. Just then, Akira's expression changed, and he grinned, his eyes glinting with mischief.
"If the police find him, they'll think it was one of us," Akira said, his voice low and conspiratorial. "We have to hide him."
Sakura's eyes widened in horror. "No, don't get me involved in this! I'm going to the police, and I'm going to tell them everything!"
Just as Sakura was about to leave the room, everything went black. When her vision returned, she found herself standing in a world that seemed eerily familiar. It was Eternal Realm, the online game they used to play. But something was off. The graphics were more realistic, the colors more vibrant.
Sakura looked down at herself and gasped. She was wearing her character's outfit, complete with a flowing white robe and a golden circlet on her head. Kaito and Akira stood beside her, looking just as shocked and confused.
"What...what just happened?" Sakura stammered.
Kaito shook his head. "I don't know, but I think we've been transported into the game."
Akira's eyes narrowed, his gaze scanning their surroundings. "We need to figure out what's going and if Zayn also managed to make it to this world".
Sakura's thoughts were consumed by Zayn as she navigated the unfamiliar world. She had to find him, no matter what. With a determined stride, she led Akira and Kaito towards the town.
As they entered the bustling streets, they were met with a surprise. A crowd of people rushed towards them, their faces alight with excitement.
"The Three Heroes!" someone shouted, and the crowd erupted into cheers.
Sakura's eyes widened in confusion. "Who are the Three Heroes?" she asked, but the crowd's enthusiasm only intensified.
A young woman stepped forward, her eyes shining with admiration. "You're the Three Heroes, of course! You're famous throughout Valhalla for your bravery and skill."
Sakura's confusion deepened. "What about Zayn?" she asked, but the crowd's faces fell, their expressions confused.
"Who's Zayn?" someone asked, and the crowd murmured in agreement.
Sakura's eyes narrowed, her mind racing. Why didn't they know Zayn? He was their leader, their friend.
Akira pulled Sakura and Kaito aside, his voice low and urgent. "It seems we're the only ones who remember Zayn. We need to be careful about what we say."
Sakura's gaze snapped to Akira, her eyes flashing with determination. "I won't join a team without Zayn."
Akira's expression turned persuasive. "Sakura, think about it. If we're famous and influential here, we'll have more resources to find Zayn. We can use our position to our advantage."
Sakura's resolve wavered, and she nodded slowly. "Okay, I'll join your team. But just until I find Zayn."
Five years passed, and the Three Heroes became legends in their own right. They took on quest after quest, their fame and fortune growing with each victory.
As they returned from their latest hunting ground, they walked through the streets of Valhalla, basking in the admiration of the crowd. Sakura's eyes scanned the streets, her heart still longing for Zayn.
And then, she saw it - a newspaper plastered on the wall, the headline screaming out at her:
"LEADER OF THE NOBLES CONFIRMED AS AN SSS RANK ADVENTURER"
The three heroes quickly rushed and went straight to their estate with a second to waste,as they stepped into their grand estate, known as "Elysium Manor," nestled in the heart of Valhalla. As they entered the grand hall, the warm glow of crystal chandeliers illuminated the opulent interior, casting a golden light on the polished marble floors.
Akira nodded to the servants, who bowed and dispersed, leaving the three heroes alone. The air was thick with tension as they looked at each other, their faces somber.
Kaito broke the silence, his voice low and urgent. "You guys really think someone else is stuck in this game like us?" He paced across the room, his footsteps echoing off the high ceiling.
Akira's eyes narrowed, his face darkening. "Kaito, keep your voice down. We don't need the servants gossiping about this."
Sakura's eyes flashed with anger, her voice barely above a whisper. "Who is this Kai person, and how does he know about our team name?" She stood up, her movements fluid and controlled, and walked over to the window, staring out into the night.
Akira stood up, his movements deliberate and calculated. "Kaito, I need you to investigate this Kai and his team. Find out if he's a threat, but don't do anything that would cause a scene."
Kaito nodded, his face set in determination. "I'll leave tonight. I'll find out everything I can about this Kai person."
Akira's gaze turned to Sakura, who was still staring out the window, her back to them. "Sakura, I need to talk to you about something. This Kai person... he's not Zayn. I know you're still hurting from what happened, but we can't let our emotions cloud our judgment."
Sakura's shoulders tensed, but she didn't turn around. "I know that," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "But it's hard not to wonder... what if?"
Akira's face was impassive, but his eyes betrayed a hint of concern. "We can't afford to wonder, Sakura. We have to focus on the present, not the past."
Sakura turned around, her eyes flashing with anger. "I'm not a child, Akira. I can take care of myself. But I appreciate your concern."
Akira's face was still impassive, but his eyes seemed to bore into Sakura's, as if searching for something. "I know you're not a child, Sakura. But I also know that you're still hurting. And I don't want to see you get hurt again."
The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with unspoken emotions and unresolved conflicts. Kaito watched them, his eyes flicking back and forth between his friends, his expression sympathetic.
Finally, Akira nodded. "Let's just focus on finding out more about this Kai person, okay?"
Sakura nodded, her expression softening slightly. "Okay."
Kaito nodded, his face set in determination. "I'll leave tonight. I'll find out everything I can about this Kai person."
The three heroes stood there, frozen in a tableau of tension and unresolved conflict, the shadows cast by the crystal chandeliers seeming to deepen and darken, like the secrets they kept hidden.