In the pure white void, six youths were staring at each other, trying to make sense of what was happening.
The strange figure with a rabbit's head and a human body stood silently to the side, its large eyes watching their every move.
Beside it walked a man in his thirties, with purple hair and violet eyes. He wore a dark purple coat with shining silver buttons and carried a striking cane… On his lips lingered a half-smile.
The man tapped his cane lightly against the ground, a deep sound echoing.
"Welcome," he said, his voice both inviting and authoritative. "I am Hector Glary… and you are among the very best of our three games."
Jason crossed his arms over his chest. "Great. A rabbit-headed guy and a purple-eyed boss. At this point, either I'm dreaming or this is some kind of weird 'side quest' in the menu."
Sunny smiled at the rabbit. "You're cute… but also a little scary."
The rabbit-headed figure gave no response.
Hector took a deep breath. "The reason you are here is the threat of collapse in our games. Shards of Aeloria, Crimson Evidence, and Threads of Fate… all three need hidden code fragments, stored in secret episodes no one knows about, in order to survive. If we don't find them… everything will end."
Duncan frowned. "This isn't a simple in-game mission. What you're describing is a systemic crisis."
Marcus turned sharply toward Duncan. "And in this situation, what can a nine-year-old child possibly do?"
Duncan drew a breath, preparing to speak. "Actually, I—" But Hector raised his hand, silencing him.
With his violet eyes, he cast Duncan a brief, warning look.
"The choices were perfect," Hector said in a tone that closed the matter. "Two of the best players from each game… six in total. What I ask of you is to enter each game's special episode and recover the code fragments."
Millie turned a skeptical gaze toward Hector. "And what if we refuse?"
Hector tilted his head slightly, his smile widening. "Then not only the games… but all of your progress, your achievements, even your accounts will be erased. As if you never existed at all."
Jason let out a mocking whistle. "Classic threat move. Perfect villain opening."
Sunny raised her hand. "I'm in! Adventure, mystery… all in one!"
Albert looked at Sunny and sighed. "Could we please evaluate this rationally?"
Marcus muttered under his breath, "The only thing I care about is how long this will take."
Hector kept his smile as he extended his palm. "Then… your first destination is Shards of Aeloria."
Before anyone could say another word, the white ground dissolved; colors and light spun into a vortex. Suddenly, scorching heat struck their faces. When the whiteness faded, what remained was a vast yellow-brown steppe: dried grass, rolling tumbleweeds driven by the wind, and the merciless sun devouring the horizon. No buildings, no roads, no trace of civilization…
Millie shaded her eyes with her hand as she looked into the distance. "There's nothing…" she murmured.
Jason scooped up dry soil into his palm, letting it trickle through his fingers. "Welcome," he said, half-joking, half-serious. "To the wild frontiers of Aeloria."
The wind howled. The six of them were left standing in the middle of the silent steppe, still not knowing what they were meant to do…