A Crown of Digital Dreams
In a general hospital in New York City, an 18-year-old young man lay in bed, grappling with a chronic illness that had plagued him since childhood. His condition made his bones fragile, severely limiting his mobility. To help him cope with his situation, his parents had gifted him a popular DMMO-RPG from Japan called Yggdrasil. From the moment he first entered the hospital, the game had provided his brightest moments—though that happiness was about to end. The announcement of the game's cancellation had been made, and today marked his final day to experience it.
Tears streamed down his face as he held the headset in his trembling hands.
"Time for one last adventure," he whispered.
He closed his eyes as he placed the headset on, and when he opened them, he was no longer confined to a hospital bed. Instead, he stood tall in a magnificent kingdom he had meticulously created based on high fantasy architecture: The Kingdom of Stormwind, heart of the Alliance.
The outer city resembled a vibrant Trade District, populated with NPCs who managed various shops providing everything a player might need. The inner city mirrored the Cathedral Square and Mage Quarter, featuring NPCs who curated his item archives, shared knowledge of skills and magic, and offered guidance on basic item locations for quests. At the center stood his masterpiece—the imposing Stormwind Keep that gleamed brilliantly when bathed in the artificial sunlight.
His appearance had transformed completely. Now he was a striking young man with golden blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, wearing a regal crown and gleaming Alliance armor complemented by a flowing blue and gold lion-emblazoned cape. In this world, he was Anduin Wrynn, named after the legendary High King. At his hip rested his world-tier sword, Shalamayne, alongside the Light-blessed shield, Lion's Defense.
Anduin gazed down at himself. "I'm going to miss this," he thought with a pang of regret.
He ventured out to complete a few minor quests. Rather than using a hearthstone afterward, he chose to walk through the streets of his kingdom, savoring every detail he had crafted. Throughout the city, NPCs of various races—humans, night elves, dwarves, and other Alliance races—moved about cheerfully, shopping for goods in stores and bustling markets.
"Wow," Anduin murmured to himself, "I certainly put a lot of work into this place over six years. I'm sorry to see it go."
As he continued his final tour, he opened his heads-up display and commanded all soldier NPCs to gather at the front gates while his Champions of the Alliance assembled in the throne room. Upon reaching the keep, he found his troops lined in perfect formation—Stormwind guards alongside gnomes, worgen, and draenei, all standing at attention.
Entering the first floor, he was greeted by what he called "The Hall of Heroes." He smiled, remembering the extensive backstory he had developed for the kingdom and its inhabitants, inspired by Warcraft lore but tailored to his own vision. In the center of the room stood a platform, and atop it rested the stone that once held the legendary hammer of the Titans.
Anduin approached the stone and raised his hand above it. "Come to me, oh light that guides the champions of Azeroth," he intoned.
A portal shimmered open above the stone, and from it emerged a magnificent staff with golden ornaments—Fearbreaker, the Guild weapon of the Alliance. He had crafted it meticulously and kept it within his kingdom's walls, waiting for this moment.
"It's been a long while since I held this," Anduin said, gripping the weapon tightly. "And it's only right to hold on to it at the end."
He teleported directly to the throne room where his Champions of the Alliance awaited. Before him stood two ornate thrones—one empty, and one occupied by a breathtaking night elf priestess: Tyrande Whisperwind. He had created her as both support and embodiment of the dream companion he wished he could have met in reality. With Fearbreaker in hand, he took his rightful seat beside Tyrande, carrying himself with royal bearing. At his command, the champions faced him and bowed in unison. Looking upon each of them, he recalled their shared adventures and the joy they had brought him.
"I wish this could last forever," Anduin sighed, leaning back in his throne. "If I'm lucky, I might die along with this world."
As his eyelids grew heavy, he surrendered to sleep upon his throne while the final seconds of the game ticked away. But as the timer reached zero, something unexpected happened—the new day dawned, and his journey continued.