Meanwhile, in a different part of the simulation.
Under the blinding sun, the desert stretched endlessly in every direction.
Golden sand rolled over dunes like ocean waves frozen mid-motion, and the heat shimmered off the ground in a haze that made everything ahead seem like a mirage.
There were no trees, shelter, or signs of life—just the sound of wind brushing across the open expanse.
Evelyn opened her eyes slowly and squinted against the glare.
Her boots sank slightly into the hot sand. A dry wind swept her long hair back as she adjusted to the sudden brightness and rising temperature.
"...You've got to be kidding me," she muttered.
She wasn't alone.
Three other girls stood nearby, all just as stunned as she was. One of them, a lean girl with dark markings under her eyes, looked around slowly before letting out a long, annoyed sigh.
"The desert? Seriously?"
