I woke up to the ringing of my phone’s alarm. I checked the time. 6:00 am. I got off the bed to go to the bathroom. I looked at the mirror. Pale skin and jet-black hair that obscured much of my face, I looked like a vampire. After going through the morning routine, fifteen minutes had passed. I came back inside my room and changed out of yesterday's clothes. Picking up my backpack, I went to the kitchen and ate a simple meal of fried eggs. I paused at the door, looking back at the gloomy hallway. I opened the door and stepped out. I was halfway across the driveway when a silver color flashed in the corner of my eyes. I walked back to investigate. There was something glinting in the morning sun. I crouched down on the doorstep. It was a needle. I reached forward to pick it up.
~~~
In the seconds that it took for the arm to cross the few inches to the needle, massive changes are occurring in space. A pillar of purple light erupted from the Eye of a certain golden needle in the middle of the universe. It traveled countless light-years in an instant. It was as if the light was always there and only now, when it is forming a resonance with Fate, did it deign to show itself. Before long, it connected with the silver needle like a string. It acted as beacon denoting its location. The universe continued to shrink by the power of its Laws, although this time, if a higher being were to observe the movement of the walls, they’ll see that the shrinking speed is noticeably faster. Countless beasts on various planets close to Earth looked towards the beam. Although they cannot see it, they can sense its existence. These planets all have one thing in common: they contain fragments of worlds from the silver needle. Some powerful beasts roared and took to the skies, moving towards that pillar of light. Many of them dissipate in the vacuum as dictated by this realm’s Laws. Others...did not. They flew towards the pillar, their speed such that it’ll take at most a century to reach Earth and at the least...a mere decade.
~~~
Unaware of the great changes in the heavens, I touched the needle. For an instant, I saw a giant clock floating somewhere in something. The vision was blurry, but I knew that I was looking at something that no mortal should ever look at. The majestic hands move, the tips sweeping a massive arc. Somehow, I knew that when those hands tic, they were travelling faster than the speed of light. Suddenly, the seconds hand lurched to a stop at the one o' clock position. Vaguely, I can sense that the one numeral is in the image of a needle. I feel something pulling me out of the vision. With a gasp, I came back to my senses. What the hell?
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I looked at my hands. The needle is gone. I stayed in my crouching position trying to understand what just happened and failing. I was just about to get up when the door opened and my father came out. He stopped and stared at me. I stared back. An awkward moment passed. Then I got up, turned around, and started across the driveway again. I made it halfway before my father spoke up, hesitantly, “You need a ride? You’ll miss the train if you walk.” My eyes flickered to the top right side of my vision where a translucent digital clock read 6:25. I nodded. It wasn’t until father brought the car out and I got in that I realized the peculiarity of the situation. My eyes traveled back to the corner. There was a timer which I didn’t notice before below the clock. I tried focusing on it. Immediately, a blue screen appeared in my mind. It feels...strange. I can see within my mind and still be aware of the physical world. It’s like a split screen with the blue screen in the top section and what my eyes see in the bottom section. I focused my mind on the screen.
54:31
Even as I looked on, the timer counted down from 31. What happens when it reaches zero? As soon as I thought that, another screen popped up.
Downloading...Translating... Complete.
The car stopped. We reached the station. I got off, nodding at my father, and went inside. As I checked in and got on the train, I directed half of my attention into my mind.
The Silver System
The System exists for the sole purpose of training soldiers against the Unknown. Although the previous realm has fallen, the System will continue its primary function. As the owner of the needle, you have inherited the position of Administrator. However, the strength you possess- or lack thereof- inhibits you from officially taking over the position. The System will train you to the correct tier of strength so that the Administrator may carry out its duties efficiently.
Currently, the System is spreading towards the various floating bodies in this realm. Basically, the realm is turning into a 'game'. Various procedures must be carried out for the change to occur successfully. More information will be available then. Time until completion:
50:27
I closed the screen, freeing my mind. It was 6:29. It'll be another thirty minutes until I arrive at the school and another twenty before school starts. From the looks of things, whatever change the system will incite will happen exactly when school starts. In the meantime, I found an empty seat, plopped myself down, and began to sleep.