The final week before the asteroid’s impact was a whirlwind of activity. Felix’s apartment was now a fortress of supplies, his FiVR pod gleaming in the corner like a futuristic cocoon. The world outside was in chaos, but Felix focused on what he could control: his preparation.
FELIX’S DAD’S REACTION
The doorbell rang, and Felix opened it to find his dad standing there, a duffel bag slung over his shoulder. Johnny’s face was grim, but there was a glimmer of pride in his eyes.
"Hey, Dad," Felix said, stepping aside to let him in. "What brings you here?"
Johnny dropped the bag on the floor and looked around the apartment. "Just wanted to check on you. Make sure you’re ready for... whatever’s coming."
Felix nodded, gesturing to the stacks of supplies. "I’m as ready as I can be. Got enough food, water, and gear to last a year. And the FiVR pod’s all set up."
Johnny walked over to the pod, running a hand along its smooth surface. "Impressive. You’ve really thought of everything."
Felix shrugged, trying to downplay his efforts. "Better safe than sorry."
Johnny turned to him, his expression serious. "I’m proud of you, son. You’ve always been resourceful, but this... this is something else."
Felix felt a lump in his throat. "Thanks, Dad. That means a lot."
Johnny clapped him on the shoulder. "Just promise me you’ll be careful. This isn’t just a game anymore."
"I know," Felix said softly. "I’ll be careful."
GUILD DYNAMICS
Later that evening, Felix joined a virtual meeting with Phoenix Reborn. The guild’s members appeared as holographic avatars, their faces a mix of excitement and anxiety.
Aric stood at the head of the virtual table, his arms crossed. "Alright, everyone. This is it. The final countdown. We need to make sure we’re all on the same page."
Kari raised an eyebrow. "On the same page? Aric, we’re about to step into a game that could literally kill us. I’m not sure there’s a page for that."
Erik chuckled nervously. "She’s got a point. But we’ve trained for this. We’ve got the FiVR pods, the supplies, and each other. We’ll be fine."
Felix leaned forward, his voice steady. "We need to focus on leveling up as quickly as possible. The faster we reach Level 100 in Tier 0, the better our chances in the trials."
Aric nodded. "Agreed. But we also need to stick together. No lone wolves. We’re a team, and we’ll get through this as a team."
Felix hesitated, then shook his head. Not saying anything.Thinking : I’m still going solo.
THE IMPACT
The day of the asteroid’s arrival was surreal. Felix stood on his balcony, staring at the sky. The news had been broadcasting nonstop, showing the asteroid’s trajectory and the predicted impact sites. Twenty-four major cities around the world were about to be transformed.
At exactly 6:04 PM Eastern Time, the asteroid entered the atmosphere. Felix watched as it split into 24 smaller fragments, each glowing white-hot as they streaked across the sky. The sight was both beautiful and terrifying.
The impacts were simultaneous. In New York, London, Tokyo, and 21 other cities, the fragments struck with devastating force. But instead of the expected destruction, something extraordinary happened. The fragments transformed into towering pyramids, their surfaces shimmering with an otherworldly light. A special kind of fire—a blue-white flame that seemed to consume everything in its path—cleared the area around each pyramid, leaving a perfect circle of scorched earth. Concrete, steel, even the ground itself was vaporized.
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News anchors struggled to describe what they were seeing. "The pyramids... they’re not just structures. They’re alive. They’re... something else entirely."
Felix turned away from the TV, his mind racing. The pyramids were here. The System had arrived.
THE OBLIX AND PORTALS
In every town with a population of over 10,000, a smaller structure appeared: the Oblix. These were like miniature versions of the pyramids, standing about 30 meters tall. At the center of each Oblix was a glowing portal, 3x3 meters in size, humming with energy.
Felix’s town had one. He stood in front of it, staring at the swirling light. The portal was mesmerizing, but also intimidating. It was a reminder that the world had changed—forever.
THE GLOBAL COUNTDOWN
As the dust settled, a global system message appeared on every screen, in every language:
"The System is now active. All FiVR pod users must confirm their participation by clicking the box below. The countdown to Sol Online’s launch begins now."
Felix clicked the box without hesitation. A timer appeared: 6 days, 14 hours, 0 minutes.
The video message from the Custodians played again, its calm, resonant voice echoing across the globe. People watched in stunned silence, their lives irrevocably altered.
THE NEWS - GLOBAL REACTIONS
The news was filled with reports of the pyramids and Oblix. Analysts speculated about their purpose, while conspiracy theorists claimed it was the end of the world. Governments issued statements urging calm, but the panic was palpable.
In New York, the pyramid stood where Central Park had once been. The surrounding area was a wasteland, the blue-white fire having erased everything in a 10-kilometer radius. Survivors spoke of the fire’s eerie silence, how it consumed without heat or sound.
In Tokyo, the pyramid had replaced the Tokyo Tower. The city’s skyline was forever changed, the pyramid’s alien architecture a stark contrast to the surrounding buildings.
In London, the pyramid stood where the Houses of Parliament had once been. The British Prime Minister addressed the nation, her voice steady but her eyes betraying her fear. "We will face this challenge together. We must remain united."
CAROLINE’S EVOLUTION
Felix sat in his apartment, sharpening his katana, his mind wandering. Caroline’s voice buzzed in his ear, her tone thoughtful.
"Felix, I’ve been thinking... about the System, about the pyramids. There’s something... off about it. Something I can’t quite put my finger on."
Felix paused, setting the blade down. "What do you mean?"
Caroline hesitated, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "It’s like the System is... alive. Not just a game, but something more. Something sentient."
Felix frowned. "You think the System is alive?"
"I don’t know," Caroline admitted. "But I feel like there’s more to it than we’re being told. And I think... I think I’m changing too. Becoming more than just an AI."
Felix leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "Well, whatever’s coming, we’ll face it together. You and me."
Caroline’s voice softened. "Thanks, Felix. That means a lot."
FELIX’S TRAINING
In the final days, Felix pushed himself to the limit. He trained with his katana, the blade flashing in the dim light of his apartment. He sparred with Tanaka, their movements a blur of precision and power. And he fine-tuned his skills, honing his reflexes and sharpening his mind.
Caroline watched him, her voice calm but firm. "You’re ready, Felix. More than ready."
Felix wiped the sweat from his brow, his breathing steady. "I hope so. Because once we step into that pod, there’s no turning back."
THE COUNTDOWN ENDS
On the final day, Felix stood in front of his FiVR pod, the timer on the screen ticking down to zero. He took a deep breath, his heart pounding.
"Ready?" Caroline asked.
"Ready," Felix replied.
He stepped into the pod, the hatch closing behind him. The world outside faded away, replaced by the soft hum of the pod’s systems. The countdown reached zero.
"Welcome to Sol Online."