Felix stepped through the towering glass doors into the atrium of Sol Online’s headquarters, a place that felt more like stepping into the future than an office. The space was alive with a buzz of activity. Holographic banners floated above, displaying bold phrases like "Revolutionizing Reality" and "Your New World Awaits." The hum of innovation was palpable, from the sleek architecture to the quiet whir of autonomous service drones navigating the polished floors.

A woman in a sharp black suit approached with brisk efficiency. "Mr. Felix, welcome to Sol Online. I’m Nina Anderson, PR director. Thank you for joining us today."

Felix nodded, momentarily overwhelmed. "Thanks for inviting me. This place is… something else."

Nina smiled. "We like to think so. Please, follow me."

As they walked, Felix tried to take it all in. Glass-walled conference rooms revealed teams of engineers and designers, their holographic displays alive with lines of code, virtual models, and graphs. He caught snippets of conversations about neural interfaces and adaptive sensory feedback. The air practically crackled with the energy of cutting-edge development.

"Before we get started," Nina began as they reached a sleek, minimalist kiosk, "we’ll need you to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Standard procedure for all visitors."

She handed him a digital pad. The document was extensive, outlining strict confidentiality and the severe penalties for breaches. Felix skimmed it, his thumb hovering over the signature prompt. "You’re serious about security, huh?"

Nina’s smile didn’t waver. "Given the nature of our work, we have to be."

Felix pressed his thumb to the screen, and the pad beeped in confirmation. "Done."

"Excellent," Nina said. "Now, let’s show you what makes Sol Online truly revolutionary."

She led him into a circular chamber where the walls were alive with shifting images. Each screen displayed a distinct environment: a medieval city teeming with NPCs and players, a sleek high-tech metropolis filled with drones and neon lights, and a sprawling alien jungle where fantastical creatures roamed. The sheer variety was staggering.

"Sol Online is built on six core worlds," Nina explained, her tone proud. "Each one offers a unique theme and playstyle. Fantasy, sci-fi, survival, abstract realms—something for everyone. The FiVR system ensures full sensory immersion. Players will see, hear, touch, and even taste the world as if it were real."

Felix whistled low. "And pain? I heard that’s a thing."

"It is," Nina confirmed. "Pain settings can be adjusted, but they’re not meant to deter players. They’re part of the immersion. For instance, a sword cut might sting, but it won’t incapacitate you. It’s about realism without detracting from enjoyment."

Felix nodded slowly. "And AI? Can I bring Caroline into the game?"

Nina’s expression brightened. "Absolutely. Sol Online supports external AI companions. Caroline can assist with inventory, strategy, even combat analysis. Many of our testers have found their personal AIs to be invaluable partners."

Felix grinned. "Caroline, what do you think?"

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Caroline’s voice chimed in his earpiece. "I was built for this. Let’s proceed."

Nina chuckled. "I think you’ll find the integration seamless. Now, let’s move to a more private setting."

They entered a smaller, dimly lit room where a 3D model of Earth was projected above a table. Lines of red light connected various points on the globe to each other and to the surrounding planets in the solar system. Felix stared at the display, his curiosity piqued.

"We’ve shared some information about the asteroid," Nina began, her tone more serious, "but there’s much more to the story. Last year, the military intercepted a mysterious message. It contained not only details about the asteroid but also blueprints for the FiVR system and this game. Sol Online isn’t just entertainment. It’s part of something much bigger."

Felix leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "A message? From who?"

Nina hesitated. "That’s the question. We don’t know. The sender’s identity is a complete mystery. What we do know is that their technology is far beyond anything humanity has ever seen."

"Far beyond?" Felix asked. "How so?"

"The message wasn’t just text or simple data. It was an encrypted package of knowledge—blueprints, schematics, even instructions. It took our brightest minds months to decode even a fraction of it. The FiVR system you’ll be using? It’s just the tip of the iceberg."

Felix’s stomach churned as he tried to process the implications. "So, this game… it’s alien tech?"

Nina nodded. "We believe so. And it’s not just Earth. Those red lines you see? They connect impact sites on every planet in our solar system. The message indicated that each site will host a structure—a pyramid."

"Pyramids?" Felix repeated. "What’s inside them?"

"We don’t know," Nina admitted. "The message only said that humanity will need what’s inside them exactly 365 days after the game’s launch. Why the timeline is so rigid, we have no idea."

Felix stared at the glowing hologram, the weight of her words sinking in. "And the game… is it a bridge? A way to connect what’s happening here and what’s coming?"

"The alpha tests we’ve conducted so far are essentially a tutorial," Nina explained. "The game’s systems, challenges, and mechanics are designed to prepare players for what’s coming. But before you start, there are a few prerequisites."

She guided Felix into a sterile room equipped with advanced medical scanners. "First, you’ll undergo a full medical examination to ensure you can safely interface with the FiVR pod. After that, you’ll have an interview with the system AI. It will calibrate your profile and personalize aspects of the game for you."

Felix raised an eyebrow. "An AI interview? That sounds intense."

"It’s thorough," Nina replied. "The AI evaluates everything from decision-making to emotional responses. Think of it as setting the stage for a truly tailored experience."

As Felix sat through the medical scans, the AI interview loomed in his mind. Soon, he was seated in a quiet room, the system AI’s voice filling the space. "Welcome, Felix. Please answer the following questions honestly."

The questions started straightforward but quickly grew invasive. "How do you respond to failure?" "Describe a time you made a morally ambiguous choice." "What are your greatest fears?" Felix answered as best he could, though the process left him unsettled.

Halfway through, Nina’s tablet chimed. She glanced at the screen, her eyes widening slightly. "Felix," she said, interrupting the AI, "the system just authorized something unprecedented."

Felix looked up, confused. "What now?"

"The AI has approved you to stream your tutorial," Nina explained, her voice tinged with disbelief. "This has never been allowed before. The system will handle the stream directly using Sol Online’s tools."

Felix blinked. "Why me?"

Nina shook her head. "We don’t know. The AI rarely overrides established protocols, and this is entirely new territory for us. But if you agree, this could be groundbreaking. However, you’ll need to follow specific guidelines. The system AI will manage the stream directly through Sol Online’s in-game broadcasting tools and editing suite."

Felix hesitated, then smirked. "Alright. Let’s make history. Just make sure I look good out there."

The system AI’s voice interjected. "Affirmative. The stream will adhere to professional standards and highlight key tutorial elements."