Trapped In Elysium: A Virtual Reality Nightmare-Chapter 39: A Favor

Liam lay on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, his body still and his mind restless. Sleep refused to come, no matter how much he tried to will himself into unconsciousness. The events of the past day replayed over and over in his mind—his body weakening, the unbearable pain, the feeling of slipping into nothingness. He had been on the brink of death, and yet, here he was, alive.

A slow exhale left his lips as he sat up. His body felt... different. There was no heaviness, no lingering weakness. Instead, there was a strange sense of clarity, a renewed energy flowing through him. He clenched his fists, feeling the strength in them, and swung his legs over the side of the bed. His gaze fell on his sword resting against the stool beside him.

Without making a sound, he grabbed it and made his way outside.

The night air was crisp, refreshing against his skin. The streets were quiet, and the city was bathed in a soft silver glow from the moon above. He walked a few steps, then stopped, tilting his head back to take in the sight. The stars stretched endlessly across the sky, twinkling like distant flames. A rare moment of peace settled over him.

Liam let out a small breath before tightening his grip on his sword. He moved into an open space, adjusting his stance before lifting the blade. His first swing was slow, careful—just feeling the motion, the weight of the sword in his hands. Then he swung again, faster this time. His body moved instinctively, each slash cutting through the air with precision. His strikes became more fluid, the momentum carrying him from one motion to the next.

He wasn’t just practicing. He was reaffirming his will to live. To grow stronger.

A soft rustling behind him made him pause mid-swing. He turned sharply, instinct kicking in, only to relax when he saw a figure standing at the entrance of the healer’s house.

"I see you’ve recovered now," the healer said, stepping forward.

Liam lowered his sword slightly, wiping the back of his hand against his forehead. He had been so focused that he hadn’t even noticed her presence.

"You must be the healer," he said, his voice calm.

"Yes," she replied softly, her eyes observing him with quiet curiosity.

Liam hesitated for a moment, then offered a respectful bow of his head. "Thanks... for saving my life."

The healer gave a small, knowing smile. "You’re welcome," she said. "But I must admit, I’m surprised at how quickly you recovered... it’s unusual."

Liam met her gaze but said nothing. He didn’t know why he had healed so fast either. He simply shrugged, silently acknowledging the mystery of it all.

Liam’s grip tightened slightly on the hilt of his sword as he studied the healer’s expression. There was something unreadable in her gaze, a quiet confidence mixed with intrigue. He wasn’t sure if it was her words or the way she observed him so keenly, but an uneasy feeling stirred in his chest.

"Where did you come from?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. "Your demeanor, your accent, and the way you and your friends carry yourselves... it’s quite different from anything I’ve seen."

Liam hesitated, his mind racing. How was he supposed to answer that? They weren’t from this world—or at least, they weren’t supposed to be. Was this still a game? Or had they truly stepped into something beyond their understanding? He wasn’t even sure anymore.

"Umm... I’d rather not disclose that," he finally said, choosing his words carefully.

The healer watched him for a moment, then gave a small nod. "Hmm... I’ll press no further," she said, her voice calm. "But you’re stronger than you should be. That poison should have killed you in minutes."

Liam blinked, taken aback. "In minutes?" he repeated, his stomach twisting slightly.

"Yes, in minutes," she reaffirmed, her gaze unwavering.

He didn’t respond, but his thoughts were racing. He had felt himself slipping away, felt the darkness creeping in. Yet, somehow, he had survived. And not just survived—he had recovered unnaturally fast. Why?

Before he could dwell on it further, the healer spoke again. "The treatment for you... it was quite expensive. I doubt you could afford it."

Liam’s focus snapped back to her. "How much?" he asked cautiously.

"It was ten silver coins at first," she said, folding her arms. "But your condition was critical, and I had to go all out." She paused before adding with a soft smile, "Now, it’s forty silver coins."

Liam let out a slow breath, shaking his head. "That’s a whopping sum," he muttered.

"You don’t need to pay it," the healer said smoothly. "All you have to do is a favor for me."

Liam furrowed his brows. A favor? Forty silver coins was no small debt. Whatever she was about to ask, it wouldn’t be something simple.

His grip on his sword tightened slightly as he met her gaze. "What kind of favor?"

The healer’s smile didn’t fade. She simply watched him, as if gauging his reaction, letting the weight of her words settle in. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Liam’s chest rose and fell in steady breaths, his mind running through possibilities. What could possibly be worth forty silver coins?

Liam watched as the healer remained silent for a moment, her gaze fixed on him as if deciding whether or not to speak. The flickering glow of the torches outside the clinic cast shadows across her face, making her unreadable. Then, finally, she let out a small sigh, her lips curling into a knowing smile.

"Seeing how strong you are... it should be a small feat for you," she said casually, as though what she was about to ask was nothing more than an errand.

Liam narrowed his eyes. "What exactly do you need me to do?" he asked, his voice carrying a mix of suspicion and curiosity.

Instead of answering, the healer lifted her hands to the scarf wrapped around her neck. She tugged it down slightly, letting the fabric fall away to reveal more of her face. Then, she turned her head slightly and lifted her dark hair, exposing something that made Liam’s breath hitch.

Her ears.

They were pointed at the top—sharp, elegant, and unmistakable. She wasn’t human. She was an elf.

And not just any elf. She was breathtakingly beautiful.

"You don’t need to know what the favor is at the moment," she finally said, her voice softer now, yet firm. "Now is not the time. When the time is right... I’ll find you."

Liam felt a sense of unease settle in his chest. He had barely survived the poison in his veins, and now he was being roped into a debt with an elf. He knew better than to take such a thing lightly. Favors weren’t just requests in a world like this—they could bind you to something far greater than you anticipated.

He clenched his jaw, debating his options. Could he refuse? Probably not, unless he and his group somehow found a way to pay the full forty silver coins. And considering their current situation, that seemed impossible.

He exhaled sharply. "I don’t like owing people favors," he muttered.

The healer chuckled, adjusting her scarf again, covering her ears once more. "It’s nothing you can’t handle," she assured him. Her tone was gentle, but there was a certainty in her words that made him wonder just how much she knew about him.

Liam frowned slightly, still feeling uneasy. "You know we’re not from around here," he said. "How exactly do you plan on reaching us?"

The healer’s eyes glimmered with amusement. "That’s not a problem for me," she said simply. "When the time is right... I’ll find you."

Then, without another word, she turned gracefully and made her way back toward the clinic. Before disappearing inside, she glanced back at him over her shoulder, offering a small, charming smile before vanishing through the doorway.

Liam stood there, gripping his sword, staring after her.

He had just recovered from the brink of death. Now, he had unknowingly walked into something else—something unknown.

And deep down, he had a feeling this favor would not be as simple as she made it seem.

Liam remained rooted in place, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly as possibilities swirled through his mind. The night air was cool against his skin, but he barely noticed it. His thoughts were tangled, uncertain, filled with questions he couldn’t yet answer.

What exactly was this favor she spoke of? And most importantly—why him?

His instincts told him that nothing came without a price in this world, and an elf seeking out human help was far from ordinary. Did she know something about him that he didn’t? Or was it simply because he was strong enough to survive the poison when most wouldn’t?

The way she had spoken, the certainty in her voice... it made him uneasy.

When the time is right, I’ll find you.

Her words echoed in his mind, and a strange feeling settled in his chest. Was this a trap? A test? Or was she truly just waiting for the right moment?

He glanced up at the moon, taking a slow breath to steady himself.

Whatever it was, he had no choice but to wait.