"My name is Melody," "I will be your guide on your expedition," the voice proclaimed. It was warm yet imbued with an otherworldly tone.
Cynthia turned her head, searching for the source of the voice but found nothing except the vibrant void around her. "Is this… real?" she whispered to herself.
"Yes, it is as real as your consciousness perceives it," Melody responded, as though hearing her thoughts. "Before we proceed, you must make an essential choice."
Cynthia blinked, startled. "A choice?"
"Yes," the voice continued, serene yet unwavering, "You must choose an Avatar," "It will define you in this realm, acting as the symbol of your strength, your purpose, and your potential." "Your chosen Avatar will shape your abilities, determine your status, and guide the path you will take in your intra-multi-dimensional pilgrimage."
The air around Cynthia shimmered, and a holographic interface before her spin and then a display of countless cards around it. The cards floated effortlessly, flipping and shifting as if alive. Each card bore a unique design—some with fiery runes, others adorned with celestial symbols, and a few that seemed to pulse with an ominous darkness.
"There are more than ten billion Avatars," Melody explained.
"The cards you see are merely a fraction of the possibilities. Choose wisely, for your decision will ripple across dimensions."
Cynthia's fingers hovered over the cards, her mind racing. Ten billion? How was she supposed to choose from so many? She paced around the holographic interface.
Her gaze fell upon one card in particular—a spider-web design glowing in green against a pink background. Something about it resonated with her, an inexplicable pull she couldn't ignore.
"This one," she murmured, pressing the card.
The card flipped, revealing the name 'Cipher' in bold, three-dimensional italic font, its edges illuminated with a kaleidoscope of colors. Before Cynthia could process what was happening, a brilliant white light erupted from the card, engulfing her completely.
Her vision blurred, and she instinctively shut her eyes against the searing brightness. She felt weightless, as though she were floating in a void.
When she finally opened her eyes, she found herself in an orange-colored rainbow sky—an endless expanse that seemed to stretch into eternity. The air was thick with a serene energy, and a profound sense of peace washed over her.
"Where am I?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"This is your Training Sphere," Melody's voice, startling her. "A space designed to help you acquaint yourself with your new form and abilities."
Cynthia looked down at herself and gasped. Her body was no longer her own—or at least not as she remembered it. She appeared older, her physique resembling that of a fifteen-year-old. Her skin glowed faintly, her movements felt lighter, and her senses seemed heightened. She pinched herself, feeling the sharp sting of pain.
"This… this feels real," she muttered. "Too real."
"As I said," Melody interjected, "this world is as real as you perceive it. The boundaries between reality and simulation are malleable here. But there is much to learn."
Before Cynthia could say another word, a different male voice broke through—a deep, commanding tone that seemed to emanate from the very fabric of the sky.
"Hello, Cipher. Welcome back."
Cynthia froze, her heart skipping a beat. "Back? What do you mean, 'back'? I've never been here before."
The voice chuckled, a sound that was both comforting and unnerving. "Perhaps not in this form. But your essence has walked these realms before. You may not remember, but the echoes of your past linger within you."
"What are you talking about?" Cipher demanded, her voice tinged with frustration and confusion.
"All will be revealed in time," the voice replied cryptically.
"This is your training space. Here, you can explore your abilities, hone your skills, and prepare for the challenges ahead. The possibilities are endless. You only need to imagine, and it shall be."
Cipher took a step forward, the ground beneath her feet rippling like liquid gold. She hesitated, glancing up at the swirling orange sky. "And who are you?" she asked. "Are you… another guide?"
"I am Aetherion, the Keeper of Realms," the voice replied.
"I am here to oversee your journey and ensure you do not stray from your path. But make no mistake, Cipher—this world is as much a test of your spirit as it is of your skill."
"There are forces at work here that even I cannot control."
A shiver ran down Cipher's spine. The weight of Aetherion's words sank in, filling her with a mix of dread and anticipation. She glanced around, taking in the surreal beauty of her surroundings. "And what happens if I fail?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Failure is not an end, but a beginning," Aetherion replied.
"Each misstep is an opportunity to learn, to grow, to rise again. But beware—this world is not without its dangers. There are those who would seek to exploit your potential for their own gain."
As if on cue, the serene atmosphere around Cipher began to shift. The sky darkened, and the once-gentle hum of energy grew ominous. Shadows danced on the horizon, their shapes twisting and contorting into forms she couldn't quite make out.
"What… what's happening?" Cipher asked, her voice trembling.
"This is your first challenge," Aetherion said calmly.
"The shadows are manifestations of your doubts, fears, and insecurities. You must face them head-on if you are to progress."
Cynthia clenched her fists, her mind racing. She had never considered herself particularly brave, but something about this world—this game—made her feel different. Stronger. She took a deep breath, steeling herself.
"All right," she said, her voice firm. "Let's do this."
The shadows drew closer, their forms becoming more defined. They resembled creatures from a nightmare—jagged, skeletal beings with glowing red eyes. Cipher's heart thumped, but she refused to back down.
"Remember," Aetherion's voice echoed.
"This is your training space. Imagine what you wish to be, and it shall be."
Cipher closed her eyes, focusing on her thoughts. She pictured herself wielding a sword—a weapon of light, powerful and unyielding. When she opened her eyes, the sword was in her hand, its blade shimmering with radiant energy.
The first shadow lunged at her, its claws outstretched.