The Arrival

The forest seemed endless, every step pulling Felix deeper into the shadows. The narrow path twisted and turned, flanked by ancient trees that stretched high into the grey sky. The air was cold, damp, and heavy with a silence that felt unnatural, like even the forest itself was holding its breath.

The two men walked ahead of him, their footsteps steady and deliberate. They didn't speak, their expressions unreadable as they guided him along the path. Felix followed a few paces behind, his fingers gripping the strap of his bag like it was the only thing keeping him tethered to reality.

He didn't know how long they walked. Time felt warped in the stillness of the forest, the minutes bleeding into each other until they became indistinguishable.

Then, just as the weight of the silence became unbearable, the trees began to thin.

Felix squinted as they emerged into a clearing, the sudden openness almost jarring after the oppressive closeness of the forest.

At the center of the clearing stood a massive, imposing structure.

The building loomed like a monolith, its sleek black walls reflecting the dull light of the overcast sky. It was angular and sharp, with no windows visible on its surface. The only sign of an entrance was a single steel door at the base, flanked by two glowing panels that pulsed faintly with an electric blue light.

Felix stopped in his tracks, his breath catching in his throat.

"What… what is this place?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Neither of the men answered. They continued forward, their footsteps crunching against the gravel path that led to the door.

Felix hesitated, his legs refusing to move.

"Keep up," one of the men said without turning around.

His tone left no room for argument.

Swallowing hard, Felix forced himself to follow. The closer they got to the building, the more he could feel it—an almost imperceptible hum in the air, like the faint buzz of electricity.

The door slid open with a soft hiss as they approached, revealing a stark white hallway that seemed to stretch endlessly in both directions.

Felix's chest tightened. This didn't look like any school he'd ever seen.

"This way," one of the men said, motioning for him to step inside.

Felix hesitated, glancing back at the forest. The path they had taken was barely visible now, swallowed by the shadows of the trees.

There was no going back.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside.

The door slid shut behind him with a finality that sent a chill down his spine.

The hallway was silent, the bright lights overhead casting harsh, clinical shadows on the polished white floors. Felix felt out of place, like a stain on an otherwise pristine surface.

The men led him down the hallway, their footsteps echoing with each step. Felix's gaze darted around, taking in every detail—every corner, every faint hum of the lights above.

They stopped in front of another door, identical to the first. One of the men placed his hand on the glowing panel beside it, and the door slid open to reveal a small, sterile room.

"Wait here," the man said, his tone devoid of any emotion.

Felix stepped inside cautiously, his eyes scanning the room. It was bare, save for a single metal chair in the center and a small table beside it. A sleek black headset rested on the table, its design minimalist yet unnervingly intricate.

"What's this?" Felix asked, his voice shaky.

The man didn't answer. He simply stepped back, the door sliding shut between them with a soft hiss.

Felix was alone.

His pulse quickened as he stared at the headset. The room was eerily silent, the hum of the building's electricity the only sound.

Then, without warning, a voice broke the stillness.

"Player 117," it said, calm and robotic. "Please put on the headset to begin."

Felix jumped, his head snapping toward the ceiling. The voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once.

"What… what are you talking about?" he stammered.

"Player 117," the voice repeated, unyielding. "Please put on the headset to begin."

Felix's hands trembled as he reached for the headset. The smooth, cold surface sent a shiver through him as he lifted it off the table.

"Begin what?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

The voice didn't answer.

He stared at the headset, his reflection faintly visible on its polished surface. His mind raced with questions, doubts, and fears, but the memory of the man in black's words echoed in his mind.

*"Break free."*

Taking a deep breath, Felix placed the headset over his head.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then, the voice spoke again, this time softer, almost soothing.

"Welcome, Player 117. Identity confirmed. Initiating neuro-link in 3… 2… 1…"

Felix barely had time to process the words before a sharp, electric sensation surged through his mind.

The world went dark.