Caspian Reyes never signed up for this.
One moment, he was dozing in his worn-out gaming chair, an energy drink half-empty on the desk beside him. The faint hum of his computer was the last thing he remembered before everything changed.
The next moment, he was standing outside—no flashing lights, no strange planets, just the quiet hum of the night.
A warm breeze brushed over his skin, carrying the scent of damp earth and grass. The sky above was an endless stretch of deep navy, speckled with stars so familiar it made his chest ache. Around him, tall grass swayed gently, whispering secrets in the darkness.
Then, suspended just in front of him, a translucent screen flickered to life.
WELCOME, PLAYER 117. MISSION STARTING IN 60 SECONDS.
Caspian blinked, pinching his arm. Nothing. The screen stayed, glowing softly in the midnight air.
A voice spoke directly into his mind—smooth, mechanical, and unsettlingly calm.
"You have been chosen as a representative of Terra. Complete the Trials. Survive. Advance."
"Failure is not anoption."
He swallowed hard, eyes wide but body strangely still.
"Shit."he muttered under his breath.
The countdown began above him: 59... 58... 57...
The quiet around him seemed to hold its breath. Somewhere far off, the faint hoot of an owl broke the silence.
Caspian stood there, heart pounding, waiting.
What he didn't know—what no Player ever knew—was that billions of people back on Earth were watching.
Watching...
Watching...
Because the fate of humanity rested on their shoulders.
And if all of them fell...
So would Earth.