Chapter 1 - The Magic of Beginnings

“Yahh!”

Aiden dodged, the air thick with the rank smell of wet dog. He spun and brought his broadsword down, a jagged line of silver biting into the werewolf’s chest. A spray of black blood splattered against the wall.

The beast staggered back, its menacing, yellow eyes never leaving his. It was a fighter, he’d give it that. But the bigger they were, the harder they fell.

It lunged, claws outstretched. Aiden grinned. Piece of cake.

With a quick, practiced roll, he was behind the thing, his blade poised. He drove the sword up, right between its shoulder blades.

Shtk—

The werewolf gave a final, gurgling roar before it slumped to the ground, dissolving into a shimmering pile of loot.

Aiden leaned against his chair, a smug smile on his face. He'd been at this for hours, fighting through hordes of these mangy beasts, and this one felt like the last. The jackpot was just within reach.

He’d almost reached down to scoop up the treasure when the world went dark.

Thunder rumbled, not in the game, but in his house, and the power flickered out. Aiden stared at the black screen, his mouth hanging open. The only light in the room was the pale blue glow from the monitor's power button.

“No way…NO WAY!”

He slapped the side of his monitor. Nothing. His fingers flew across the keyboard, desperately trying to get the computer back on. He racked his brain, trying to remember when the last time he saved was.

Please tell me it saved, PLEASE tell me it saved.

He heard the familiar whirring of the hard drive as the computer powered on. He clicked the icon for "EarthRealm" and felt his heart pound in his chest.

The save file list populated. He scrolled down, his eyes fixated on the timestamp. His blood ran cold. The last save was at 12:34 p.m.

He glanced at his watch. The mechanical arms pointed to 2:15 p.m.

“Damn it!” He slammed his fists on the desk, a wave of hot frustration washing over him.

A soft voice called from the hall, "What happened? Are you okay?"

“Yeah, I’m fine, Val, just the stupid storm made me lose everything I’d been working on,” Aiden grumbled, slumping back in his chair.

Valerie poked her head into his office, her brown hair wound up in big pink curlers. She wore a sympathetic look.

“That really sucks, honey. I’m sorry that happened.” Her eyes twinkled. “Well, come on, you need to get dressed. We need to leave in the next fifteen minutes if we’re going to be on time.”

Aiden groaned, but begrudgingly stood up. He sauntered into their bedroom, where she had laid out his jeans and a collared shirt on the bed. He had to suppress a laugh. She hated being late more than anything.

“You know, Val, maybe we just don’t go,” he yelled from the bedroom. “I mean it’s raining buckets outside, nobody would blame us for not showing up.”

Valerie walked briskly into the bedroom, her hair now a waterfall of perfect curls. Her lightly tanned skin made the honey color in her eyes pop. She had on a navy dress with a pattern of tiny white flowers that hugged her curves just right.

She reached for his neck, smoothing out his collar. “Aiden, you know we can’t. I’d never hear the end of it from my mother.”

He quickly wrapped his arms around her waist, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. “You know I think we could spare a few minutes. Your family tends to show up late anyways.”

Valerie giggled, her cheeks flushed with a faint blush. She playfully popped him on the chest as she leaned into his embrace. “If you behave and get us to the party on time…I’ll consider it.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Now let’s go.”

Aiden clicked his tongue, a soft hum of content escaping his lips, as he moved down the hall toward the front door. He patted his pockets, the routine familiar.

Phone, check. Wallet, check. Keys, check.

Aiden guided them to the car, and despite their best efforts with an umbrella, the sideways rain soaked their shoes. He helped Valerie into the passenger seat and then hopped into his.

As they merged onto the highway, Valerie placed her hand on his arm. “Mind keeping it steady? I need to finish putting my makeup on.”

“Honey, you know you don’t need it,” he said, his voice a soft teasing murmur.

Valerie frowned at him. “I know I don’t need it, I just want to look a bit more presentable.”

Aiden chuckled softly. It was one of the many things he loved about her—that she knew how beautiful she was, but also chose to be humble about it.

“I’ll do my best,” he said, his smile still present. “But the wind won’t make that easy. Heck, I can barely see the car in front of me.”

“You got this, babe. You always remind me about how great a driver you are.”

Aiden’s back straightened. “Why yes, yes I am a great driver.” He said, smirking playfully.

Valerie rolled her eyes, but a small smile was on her lips as she began working on her eyes.

Ten minutes passed, and the grey brick buildings of the city blurred into the lush green of the nearby woods. Even with the windshield wipers on their fastest setting, Aiden struggled to see much of anything.

He sighed heavily. “They should’ve canceled the party. I really hate driving in the rain.”

“I know you do,” Valerie said, her voice a comforting song. “But you’re doing great.” She screwed the mascara bottle closed and, with a satisfying thud, shut the visor above her head. “I really appreciate you doing this. I’ll keep it in mind when I consider your reward later.”

Aiden turned his head slightly, catching her wink at him. A goofy smile formed on his face. He still couldn't believe how well they got along after twelve years of being together and six years of marriage.

Valerie sat up in her seat suddenly. “Speaking of parties, I was thinking about what we were going to do for your birthday this year, Mr. Two-Years-Away-From-Thirty.”

“Please don’t remind me. Plus, you’re only a year behind!”

She shot him a glare and then flipped her hair. “Excuse me, it’s rude to bring up a lady’s age.”

“My bad,” he responded, mockingly flipping his own imaginary long hair. “Well, what did you have in mind?”

“I was thinking we could—”

A brown blur, a deer, shot out of the thick fog and jumped across the road.

Aiden’s foot slammed on the brake, and he wrenched the steering wheel to the side. The car jolted as it narrowly avoided the deer. He pulled the wheel back, praying for some semblance of control.

Then the world went quiet.

The car flew into a skid, its bumper now facing the direction they had been heading.

Valerie’s screams were a high, piercing sound lost in the chaos. Aiden’s vision narrowed to a tunnel, his entire being focused on the wheel. His muscles were locked, straining to correct their course.

No, no, no!

The more he fought, the closer they moved to the shoulder. He looked over at Valerie, his heart sinking with the truth.

Her face was white with terror as she gripped the handle above the door. Aiden so badly wanted to reach out, to grab her hand, to reassure her everything would be alright, but his muscles were locked. He couldn't let go of the wheel.

“VALER—”

Skrrrch!

The tires hit the wet grass of the embankment. The car rolled.

Aiden's head slammed back against the headrest as the airbag inflated. He couldn't form a coherent thought, his mind filled with a white, hot pain.

SNAP!

A bursting pain erupted in his chest.

“AAAGGHH!”

For the love of God, let this stop!

The car came to an abrupt, stomach-wrenching halt as it slammed into a massive tree. Just as Aiden started to get his bearings, a large branch, thicker than his thigh, crashed through the windshield. Glass shards exploded, slicing his face, but the pain was nothing compared to the crushing weight on his legs. He went to scream, but all that escaped his lips was a weak gasp for air.

He tried to move, but was met with a sharp, searing pain from his side. It was a strange jolt, a spark of pure agony, that pulled him out of the haze. He glanced at the rearview mirror and recoiled at his reflection. His hair was a mess, his skin paler than normal, and blood slowly inked its way across the cuts on his face. But it was the sight of Valerie that ignited his fight.

Her curls were gone, her hair strewn across her face. Blood trailed down her temple. He couldn’t see her legs. She looked peaceful, almost as if she were sleeping.

She looks worse off than me… way worse.

“Val…erie…” he could barely make out her name. “Valerie…answer me…please…”

Her lack of response fueled a deep, primal force within him. He placed his hands on the branch and pushed with everything he had.

“Aaaghh! COME ON, DAMN IT!”

He had to get her out. He would drag her to safety, even if he had to crawl.

Move, damn it! I have to get her out!

Crrk—

He felt the slightest shift in the branch but he couldn’t sustain it. He went to take a deep breath, but the air wouldn’t stay. He could feel himself fading as his vision blurred. Tears mixed with the rain that poured on them.

“H…ey str…anger…”

Valerie’s voice, a sweet, weak ring, cut through the noise. Aiden turned to see her resting on the headrest, a smile weakly lighting up her face. Aiden tried to reach out to her but was met with the pain that coursed through his side. Seeing his pain, Valerie slowly brought her hand up and rested it on his cheek. She brushed the stream of tears away with her thumb, never letting her smile fade.

“I guess…we’re going to...be late…after all…” she said, her voice shaking.

“I’m so sorry…Val…I’m so…sorry.” His tears continued to fall.

“I love you…Aiden.” Her words were barely a whisper. “I’m glad…I got to spend…my life…with you.”

“I...love...you too...Va..lerie.” Every breath felt like his insides were being torn.

Valerie’s eyes began to close. Her arm slowly fell to the center console.

No…Not yet! I don’t want you to leave me!

With the last bit of strength he could muster, he raised his arm and met her hand with his. The sudden connection brought Valerie back from the brink. They intertwined their fingers, the last shared touch they would ever have.

She weakly squeezed his hand.

“I look forward…to whatever…comes next…with…you…”

As the last word escaped her lips, so too did her hand from his. She slumped slightly, her head still resting on her seat. Besides the occasional raindrop hitting her hair, she remained perfectly still.

Aiden’s arm dropped, his body no longer responding to him.

His chest tightened. Was it his lung giving out?

No, he knew the feeling all too well.

He didn't save her. He had been the hero in a hundred digital worlds, strong enough to save kingdoms, to cheat death itself. But when it mattered, when it was real…

He couldn’t save her.

If only he was stronger, maybe she’d still be alive. Aiden took one last look at Valerie, her tranquil face being the last thing he saw.

Then darkness.