The moment Aiden stepped into the light, the remnants of the subconscious city evaporated behind him, like code being overwritten. Ahead, a bridge of shifting polygons floated above a void of stardust, leading to a monumental gate — circular, metallic, humming with raw system energy.
> [System Alert: Core Nexus Gate Accessed. Proceed with Caution.]
The gate wasn't just a door — it was alive, watching, listening. Engraved with symbols from long-lost coding languages, some Aiden recognized, others that pulsed with alien logic.
Each step he took across the bridge caused the environment to react: old sound logs echoed around him, fragments of his life playing back.
—Claire laughing. —His parents arguing. —The moment he accepted the beta invite to Project Rebirth.
And then...
Player Two's voice: "Only those willing to rewrite themselves deserve to enter."
> "I'm not the same as before," Aiden muttered, his voice echoing with conviction.
As he reached the gate, it began to spin.
> [Challenge Detected: Identity Fragmentation Test Initiated.]
Suddenly, the bridge vanished. Aiden floated in a black space lit by dozens of glowing orbs — each showing a version of himself: angry, broken, corrupted, naive.
> "Who are you?" asked a voice — his voice — multiplied.
The orbs began to speak.
> "I'm the Aiden who gave up." "I'm the one who let her die." "I'm the one who just wanted to escape." "I'm the one who became a monster."
Aiden felt his pulse race. His skin tingled with static.
He clenched his fists. "None of you are me anymore."
> [User Assertion Detected. Identity Core Stabilizing...]
But one orb remained silent. Black. Still.
Aiden floated toward it.
It opened.
Inside: a younger Aiden. Pure. Untouched by the system. The boy who just wanted to be a hero.
> "You forgot me," the boy said.
Aiden kneeled before him. "No... I buried you. Because I thought heroes didn't survive."
> "They don't. But that's what makes them heroes."
The orb shattered.
A surge of golden light engulfed him.
> [Identity Recompiled. New Attribute Unlocked: Resolve Protocol.] [System Sync: 39%]
Aiden opened his eyes.
The gate stood open.
Beyond it — a chamber of crystalline data, glowing with immense power. And at its center...
The Core Code.
A cylindrical tower of swirling symbols, ancient and modern, pulsing with life. It was the heart of Project Rebirth.
But he wasn't alone.
Player Two stood at the base of the tower, cloak billowing, eyes glowing crimson.
> "You've come far," he said.
> "And I'm not done yet."
Player Two smirked. "Then let's finish the first cycle properly."
He raised his hand.
Aiden raised his, too.
And the duel for the Core began.
> [System Notice: Combat Lock Initiated — Manual Override Only.]