The Forgotten Realm

Once upon a time in the cozy town of Tanjung Bungah, there lived a curious 9-year-old named Eddy. With wild brown hair and eyes full of wonder, Eddy loved nothing more than playing video games. His favorite place was his grandpa’s attic, where dusty boxes and forgotten treasures hid exciting secrets.

One rainy afternoon, Eddy discovered an old gaming console tucked behind a stack of yellowed comic books. It had no label, just a glowing green button on the front. “Weird,” he said, plugging it into the old TV in the corner.

As soon as he pressed the button, the screen flickered to life with a pixelated castle and eerie music. The title read: “The Forgotten Realm”. There was no menu or option—just a blinking cursor that asked:

“Ready to play?”

Eddy pressed Start.

Suddenly, the room grew cold, and a soft blue light filled the air. From the screen shimmered a figure… a boy about his age, dressed in glowing pixels like a living game character.

“Finally!” the boy said with a grin. “Someone who can see me!”

Eddy blinked. “Who… who are you?”

“I’m Hyuga,” the ghostly gamer replied. “I’ve been stuck in this game for years. I need your help to finish my last level.”

Eddy’s heart raced. He had played hundreds of games, but never one quite like this. “How do I help?”

Hyuga floated closer. “You have to play through the levels with me. But this isn’t just any game—it’s real. Each level is a challenge from my past. If we beat them all, I can finally move on.”

Eddy gulped. He wasn’t sure if this was magic or mystery, but he knew one thing—he couldn’t leave someone stuck forever.

Level One: The Forest of Forgotten Friends

With a flash, Eddy and Hyuga were inside the game world, standing in a misty forest where trees whispered secrets. Birds chirped in code-like tunes, and mushrooms glowed like power-ups.

“This is where I lost my best friend,” Hyuga said quietly. “We used to play here every day until… I got too busy gaming.”

Eddy nodded. “I get it. Sometimes I forget to call my friend Bell when I’m playing.”

They walked deeper into the forest until they found a shadowy figure sitting alone under a tree.

It was a young girl, her face hidden beneath a hood. When she looked up, her eyes sparkled like starlight.

“Hey, Hyuga,” she said softly.

Hyuga looked sad. “Hey, Lily.”

Eddy realized this was the friend Hyuga had left behind. To pass the level, they needed to make things right.

Eddy stepped forward. “Hyuga didn’t mean to stop hanging out. He just got caught up in something he really loved.”

Lily crossed her arms. “He could’ve told me.”

Hyuga lowered his head. “I should’ve. I’m sorry.”

Lily stood up slowly. “Then let’s play something together. Like we used to.”

And just like that, the forest brightened. Flowers bloomed, birds sang, and the level completed.

Hyuga smiled. “Thanks, Eddy.”

Level Two: The River of Regrets

Next, they found themselves at the edge of a rushing river. Boats made of floating puzzle pieces bobbed in the water.

“My dad and I used to build model ships,” Hyuga said. “But I broke his favorite one. I never apologized.”

Eddy thought of the time he accidentally broke his sister’s toy robot and hadn’t said sorry yet.

“Maybe we can fix it,” Eddy suggested.

Together, they gathered the puzzle pieces from the river, each one showing a memory of Hyuga and his dad laughing, building, and teaching.

When they pieced it all together, the boat transformed into a glowing ship that soared into the sky.

Hyuga wiped his eyes. “I hope he knows I’m sorry.”

Eddy gave him a hug. “I think he does.”

Final Level: The Tower of Truth

The final level loomed before them—a tall, dark tower pulsing with energy.

“This is where I stopped living,” Hyuga said. “I got so caught up in escaping reality, I forgot how to live in it.”

Eddy understood. Sometimes he felt like hiding in games too.

At the top of the tower stood a mirror-like portal glowing with golden light.

“You have to choose,” Hyuga said. “Finish the game and I’ll be free. Or stay with me forever in the game world.”

Eddy thought about Hyuga’s friends, his family, and the life he missed. He thought about his own life—the people he loved, the adventures waiting outside.

“I want you to be free,” Eddy said.

Hyuga smiled. “Thank you.”

As Eddy pressed the final button, the tower dissolved into stardust. They were back in the attic, the screen now blank.

Eddy looked around. Hyuga was gone.

But on the dusty floor, etched in glowing light, were the words:

“Thank you, Player One.”

From that day on, Eddy still loved video games—but he also remembered to call his friends, play outside, and spend time with his family.

And sometimes, when the wind blew just right, he swore he heard a laugh echo from the attic, like a ghostly gamer cheering him on.