I woke up inside my friend's video game

Erica, having clearly surpassed her limit on her first venture into the world of alcohol, had surrendered to slumber. With the responsibility of carrying her back resting on my shoulders, I declared, "That's enough for today. No more island hopping for you tomorrow, young lady." Planting a gentle kiss on her forehead, I trudged along the sandy beach toward our hotel room.

As we reached the porch of our temporary abode, a sudden gust of wind turned the simple task of opening the door into an unexpected challenge. After a brief struggle, I skillfully maneuvered us inside.

Gently placing Erica on the bed, I murmured, "Now, where's that small towel?" My gaze landed on it, neatly folded on the table beside the bed.

"Alright," I muttered, heading to the bathroom. Determining that Erica deserved a refreshing towel bath for a restful night, I began the preparations.

In the bathroom, I soaked one towel with a mix of water and soap, while another absorbed only water. Ready with both, I returned to find Erica still peacefully lying on the bed.

"And where's the dry towel?" I wondered, scanning the room for the final essential item.

After locating it, I began the soothing towel bath, ensuring her comfort. As I gently dried her off, a soft meow caught me by surprise.

"What the hell?" I muttered, spotting Oliver, my younger sister Maricar's black cat, in the room. "Oliver, how the hell did you get in here?" I asked, though I expected no response. He merely meowed and rubbed against my leg.

"Just great. Maricar's going to freak out if she doesn't find you anywhere near her," I sighed, lifting Oliver and carrying him to the end table by the window.

"Let's try calling your owner," I said, placing him down. He meowed softly in reply.

As I dialed Maricar's number, Oliver settled in, resting his head on my left hand and purring contentedly.

After numerous rings, the automated voice informed me, "The number you are calling is currently busy."

"Tsk!" I sighed in frustration. "Why bring Oliver if she planned to get drunk tonight anyway?" Deciding to try again later, I set my phone aside.

I glanced at Erica, admiring her alluring silhouette. A peculiar sensation stirred in me, prompting me to quickly grab a blanket and drape it over her.

Letting out a breath, I sat beside her. My gaze fell upon Nikolai's laptop. Despite a growing sense of dizziness, I figured it was a good time to test out the Skyrim mod he had developed.

I powered up the laptop and launched the game. Nikolai had been confident I would love this creation. While I usually found his mods entertaining, I preferred gameplay mechanics like parrying and follow-up skills after a successful block. Skyrim's default parry animations often felt underwhelming to me.

Don't get me wrong! Skyrim had been my obsession during college. Its vast, snow-covered landscapes held endless adventures, making it more than just a game—it was an escape from the pressures of being an Electrical Engineering student.

In Skyrim, you play as the Dragonborn, a hero destined to shape Tamriel's fate. The sheer scale of its open world is awe-inspiring—towering mountains, dense forests whispering secrets, and ancient ruins filled with lore.

The attention to detail is breathtaking, from intricate city designs to the subtle nuances of the environment.

The freedom Skyrim grants is unmatched. Whether wielding a mighty sword, mastering magic, or lurking in the shadows as a rogue, the game adapts to your style.

Skyrim's musical score by Jeremy Soule serves as my meditation music. Its haunting melodies during exploration, triumphant crescendos in battle, and ethereal tunes elevate immersion.

What makes Skyrim extraordinary is its ability to transcend the boundaries of a mere game. It becomes an experience, a journey where every choice, battle, and discovery shapes an epic tale. Skyrim isn't just a game—it's an odyssey.

Apologies for the info dump, but I needed to clarify my thoughts. My anticipation surged—I hoped Nikolai's mod had finally introduced a captivating parry animation with flashy skills.

The game loaded, and my character stood ready, already placed within Skyrim's vibrant world.

Traversing the familiar, snow-laden landscapes, the crunch of frost beneath my boots filled my ears. It wasn't long before a bandit crossed my path, his weapon swishing through the icy air.

"Hmm... what exactly does Nikolai's mod do?" I muttered, analyzing the encounter.

The bandit raised his greatsword, prompting me to block. My character's block skill was likely low, but I decided to use the opportunity to level it up.

With a chuckle, I mused, "Why even bother leveling this character? It's just a test run."

The bandit's greatsword clashed against my one-handed blade. To my surprise, my character transitioned into a dazzling parry animation. The bandit staggered back, creating a sudden meter-wide gap.

"Woah?!" I gasped. A menu appeared with a five-second timer, offering four skill choices. Without hesitation, I selected "Blademaster's Finisher."

My character lunged forward, closing the distance. The steel sword, poised on the left, prepared for a strike. The bandit, unaware of his impending doom, remained in a defensive stance.

Blademaster's Finisher activated—a deadly dance of precision and finesse. Each movement unfolded in a mesmerizing sequence of slashes and thrusts, the clash of steel against flesh filling the air.

The first horizontal slash shattered the bandit's defenses. The following thrust pierced through armor and flesh with impeccable precision, sending shockwaves through the screen. A surge of energy radiated from my character, signifying newfound strength.

The final downward arc landed with a resounding impact. The bandit boss collapsed, his might rendered useless against my skill.

Lingering in the aftermath, I marveled at the seamless execution of the move.

"Not bad, Nikolai," I muttered, grinning.

Satisfaction coursed through me. I couldn't wait to give Nikolai my feedback. He had always said, "This mod will revolutionize the whole game." Maybe he was right.

I accessed the menu and saved my progress. Just as I was about to close the game, a courier NPC approached my character. "Wait, don't leave yet," he said. A shiver ran down my spine—how did he know I was about to log out?

The courier handed my character a letter. Unfolding the textured parchment, I read:

"Ah, my versatile mortal, your skills are as varied as the colors in madness. What if I told you there's a tapestry of chaos waiting to be woven, and you, my dear Engineer, are the brush that shall paint the strokes of mayhem across the canvas of Skyrim?"

I scoffed. "What kind of mod is this, Nikolai? Gamers are gonna freak out." The unease creeping in my gut was real. "That's it, I'm done testing."

Yet, as I moved to shut the laptop, my hands trembled.

Oliver's gaze pierced through me. His eyes gleamed with uncanny awareness.

"What do you think, Oliver?" I sighed. "Guess I'm not too old for a video game to make me feel this way."

Oliver meowed, then fixed his stare on the laptop. "Wait… can you understand me?"

Another meow. He began grooming his paws.

I shook my head. "Who am I kidding? Must be the liquor."

Against my better judgment, I accepted the quest: "The Madman's Plea – Locate the Mad Servant."