ã€ŠCedar Wells: Level Oneã€‹


 Prologue

    Cedar Wells pushed open the door to her tired, weathered apartment, the hinges groaning in protest. The place wasn¡¯t much, but after massaging six clients for barely livable wages, it was her haven. Food and a night of zoning out in front of the TV¡ªthat was all she needed right now. Nothing sounded better.

    Before thinking about dinner, she shed her work clothes in a trail from the door to her bedroom. First went her shirt, and then¡ªmost importantly¡ªher bra. Freedom at last. Pulling on her softest pajamas, she sighed in relief, savoring the brief comfort the ritual brought.

    In the kitchen, she rummaged through the freezer until she found a frost-coated, pre-made dinner. It wasn¡¯t gourmet, but it would do. While the microwave hummed, she set the kettle to boil, filling the silence of the apartment with little sounds of home. Moments later, dinner heated and tea steeped, she retreated to her bed, tray balanced carefully in her lap.

    The warmth of the tea and the simple meal wrapped around her like a blanket, dulling the edges of exhaustion. For a moment, she felt¡­ content. Relaxed, even.

    Happy.

    The thought startled her. Happy? Cedar blinked, staring into the empty tea mug in her hands. I never feel happy.

    The realization sat heavy in her chest, mingling with the exhaustion she already knew too well. Tomorrow would be the same¡ªanother long day, another microwaved meal, another brief reprieve. But for tonight, she let herself feel it. Whatever this was, it wouldn¡¯t last.

    ¡°Don¡¯t freak out,¡± a voice called from the kitchen¡ªa voice that sounded exactly like hers.

    Cedar jolted, pulling her knees to her chest. Her mug slipped from her hands, crashing to the floor. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±

    ¡°Please, it¡¯s okay. Everything is fine¡­ sort of,¡± the voice replied. ¡°I put something in your tea to help you relax.¡±

    Cedar¡¯s heart slammed against her ribs. ¡°I¡¯m calling the police,¡± she said, frantically pawing through the blankets for her phone.

    ¡°They¡¯ll be here tomorrow night at 10,¡± the voice continued, ignoring her threat. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m here. You¡¯re about to be placed into the virtual rehabilitation program, but you¡¯ll remember everything I tell you today. You¡¯ll need to be ready for it.¡±

    Cedar froze. Her phone was nowhere to be found.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°I have your phone,¡± the voice said smoothly. ¡°Stay calm and listen. Are you listening?¡±

    Why did the voice sound like hers? Cedar¡¯s thoughts raced, grasping for answers. They must be using some kind of cloning tech to disguise themselves¡ªbut why my voice? Of all the options, why not an unassuming, non-threatening old lady? If they didn¡¯t want her to panic, this was the worst choice.

    Her voice. Her tone. Her words. And yet, it wasn¡¯t her.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to be arrested for grand larceny, but that¡¯s the least of your concerns,¡± the voice said. ¡°In virtual rehab, you¡¯ll meet someone. You¡¯ll have to trust them. Do you¡ª¡±

    Cedar¡¯s focus wavered as her mind began to fog. The voice faded into the background, its words slipping through her grasp. A strange calmness spread through her body, melting away her panic. It felt wrong, unnatural.

    She blinked sluggishly, struggling to hold on to coherent thought. ¡°You¡­ drugged me,¡± she mumbled, the realization landing softly, without the fear it deserved. She should be terrified, but instead, she felt weightless. Detached.

    Throwing the blankets off, Cedar swung her legs off the bed and stood, her movements deliberate but oddly unsteady. She padded out of her bedroom, into the dim light of the living room.

    A figure stood in the shadows, motionless.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± she asked, her voice trembling¡ªnot from fear, but from sheer disbelief.

    The figure shifted just enough for the faint light to catch its face. Cedar stiffened, her breath catching in her throat.

    It was her.

    She blinked once, then again, but the figure didn¡¯t change. Same face. Same build. Same piercing gaze. It was like staring into a warped, living mirror.

    Her heart thudded in slow, drugged beats as she whispered, ¡°This can¡¯t be real.¡±

    ¡°The serenity elixir worked,¡± the figure said with a small nod, her tone calm and assured. ¡°Good. Okay then, listen closely. Promise me you¡¯ll trust the person you¡¯re going to meet. A lot depends on it.¡±

    Cedar stared, swaying slightly, her body unsteady but her mind strangely receptive.

    ¡°I¡¯m telling you this because I remember being you in this exact moment,¡± the figure continued. ¡°And trust me, it helped. I can¡¯t explain everything, though. You¡¯ll have to live through it¡ªone sip at a time¡ªjust like I did.¡±

    The figure stepped closer, her voice softening. ¡°When they place you into the virtual rehabilitation program, you won¡¯t realize it¡¯s a program. Not at first. Its purpose is to replay the events of your alleged crime, and if you¡¯re found guilty, you¡¯ll stay in the program until¡­ well, you¡¯ll figure that out once you¡¯re in.¡±

    Cedar wavered on her feet, the room shifting slightly around her.

    ¡°Are you getting all this?¡±

    She nodded faintly, not questioning the validity of what she was hearing. Somehow, it all made sense. More than that, she didn¡¯t feel fear or resistance¡ªjust a strange, all-encompassing contentment.

    ¡°The person you¡¯ll meet will also be you,¡± the figure said, her voice dipping into something almost reverent. ¡°Only they¡¯ll be far older. Centuries older. I¡¯m you, just a couple of years ahead, but the Cedar you¡¯ll meet in the virtual rehab is on a whole other level. And the fact that I¡¯m standing here should bring you some comfort. It means you¡¯ll make it out alive. I¡¯m living proof of that.¡±

    The figure smiled faintly, her gaze steady. ¡°So whatever happens, just remember¡ªyou¡¯ll be okay.

    Unless you somehow mess it up this time.¡±

 Chapter 1: Nickel & Dimed

    Cedar leaned into the client¡¯s back, her palms pressing firmly into the dense, unyielding tissue beneath her.

    ¡°Can you go deeper?¡± the client sighed, impatience laced in her tone.

    Cedar had barely started the massage. The muscles were still stiff and cold, the tissue far from warmed. She knew from experience that diving straight into deep pressure would only backfire¡ªthe muscles would seize up, locking her out and making her work twice as hard to undo the tension.

    But Cedar also knew that most clients didn¡¯t understand this. Few truly grasped the process of relaxation or trusted it to work. The energy radiating off this client was exasperated and hurried. Cedar could tell she wasn¡¯t interested in easing into anything; she didn¡¯t want to waste a second of her massage on what she likely thought of as ¡°fluffing and buffing.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll go deeper,¡± Cedar said evenly.

    She shifted her body weight onto her hands, scrolling them down the client¡¯s back in long, sweeping motions, then circling up and over her shoulders. As she worked, Cedar positioned her elbow and pressed firmly into a knot on the client¡¯s upper trapezius.

    Before she could apply much pressure, the client cried out, ¡°Ouch! That hurts!¡±

    Cedar recoiled, startled. She blinked in confusion¡ªshe hadn¡¯t used anywhere near enough force to break a cracker in half.

    ¡°Oh¡­ kay,¡± she murmured, hesitating. For the first time in a long while, she felt unsure of how to approach a client. Suppressing a sigh, she resumed the massage, kneading the same area more gently with her hands.

    ¡°I don¡¯t like it when you people use elbows,¡± the client said sharply. ¡°Fingers are fine. You can press as hard as you want with your fingers, but no elbows, please.¡±

    Cedar swallowed the irritation rising in her chest. She bit back the instinct to retort, forcing her voice to stay calm. ¡°We use elbows because it hurts our fingers to work like that,¡± she explained, choosing her words carefully.

    The response was measured, but inside, Cedar¡¯s anger churned, restrained by years of practice.

    ¡°Should I request a different therapist, then?¡± the client asked, her voice dripping with impatience.

    Cedar rolled her eyes, her composure finally cracking. She folded her arms and stared at the client. ¡°Let me get this straight¡ªyou want me to intentionally hurt myself for your benefit?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d like another therapist,¡± the client said flatly, propping herself up on her elbows without a hint of modesty, her cleavage unapologetically on display. She turned her head to glare at Cedar. ¡°Get someone else.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t work that way,¡± Cedar replied, her tone sharper now. ¡°You¡¯d have to get up, get dressed, and speak to the front desk yourself. And I can¡¯t promise you there will be another therapist available.¡±

    The client huffed, then begrudgingly nestled her face back into the cradle. ¡°Fine. Keep going, but no elbows.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Cedar said, shaking her head. ¡°I¡¯d like a different client.¡±

    <hr>

    Cedar lounged on the break room couch, her laptop balanced on her legs, typing furiously. Blogging had become her sanctuary¡ªa place to unload her frustrations into the void, where anyone¡ªor no one¡ªmight hear them. It was her ritual, a moment of calm before the next client arrived.

    The girls at the front desk liked Cedar. They always had her back, especially when dealing with the occasional client who stormed out mid-session. Even Linda, the manager, supported her, often brushing off complaints from those rare clients Cedar didn¡¯t click with.Stolen story; please report.

    The door to the break room swung open with a bang, and Sistine, the Head Therapist, strode in, her expression tight. Without a word, she marched to the sink and turned on the water, the sound of it filling the silence.

    Sistine had never been a fan of Cedar, though the animosity seemed one-sided. Cedar had once been offered the position of Head Therapist but declined it¡ªa choice that seemed to sting Sistine deeply. Adding to the tension, Cedar had bluntly turned down a massage exchange, saying, ¡°No thanks.¡± Sistine hadn¡¯t taken it well.

    Now that Sistine held the coveted title of Head Therapist, she seemed determined to wield it against Cedar at every opportunity. She treated Cedar like an underling, nitpicking her work and making pointed remarks. Just last week, she¡¯d insisted Cedar enroll in additional training, claiming, ¡°you¡¯re not cutting it.¡±

    Cedar sighed, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. It was just another day in paradise.

    ¡°I just had to massage your client,¡± Sistine said, angrily flicking water from her hands. ¡°They called me back when I was about to eat lunch, and now I don¡¯t get to eat.¡±

    ¡°That lady was a nutcase. Sorry about that,¡± Cedar said, not looking up from her screen. ¡°You know you can refuse to do things you don¡¯t want to do, right? Did she make you dig into her with your fingertips?¡± A sly smile played on her lips as her mind wandered to alternative interpretations of the phrase.

    Sistine¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line as she pushed her glasses up her nose. ¡°Some people don¡¯t like elbows. It¡¯s their preference,¡± she said curtly, drying her cracked, reddened hands on a towel. She hung it on her assigned hook with exaggerated precision. ¡°Linda is very upset with you, by the way. You¡¯re on thin ice with her. You¡¯re lucky I was here to smooth everything over, or you wouldn¡¯t have a job right now.¡±

    Cedar¡¯s fingers paused briefly over her keyboard. Linda hadn¡¯t mentioned any of this. In fact, Linda often treated Cedar like a confidante. They occasionally went out for lunch, and just last week, Cedar had attended Linda¡¯s daughter¡¯s birthday party¡ªan event Sistine hadn¡¯t been invited to.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± Cedar said flatly, resuming her typing.

    <hr>

    Cedar¡¯s next five clients passed in a blur, each one seeking nothing more than quiet relaxation. The silence was a gift¡ªit gave her time to think about the events of the night before.

    The stranger in her apartment.

    The figure that looked exactly like her. Her replica.

    The words her duplicate had spoken echoed in her mind, each one tinged with surreal clarity: The police will arrest me at 10 tonight. I¡¯ll be placed into virtual rehabilitation. I¡¯ll meet someone else who looks like me. I must trust them.

    She replayed the encounter over and over, trying to make sense of it. The whole thing felt like a dream, some strange fabrication of her overworked mind.

    It couldn¡¯t have been real.

    She remembered feeling oddly calm throughout it all. Too calm. Even happy. That feeling was the most unnerving part of the entire experience¡ªit was so unnatural, so unlike her.

    Even if it was real, Cedar thought, whatever was coming couldn¡¯t possibly be worse than the life she was already living.

    She often imagined what hell might look like. In her version, it wasn¡¯t fire and brimstone¡ªit was an endless line of clients to massage. Each one as insufferable as the first client she¡¯d had that day: demanding, unyielding, impossible to please. She would be forced to work on an empty stomach, the relentless gnaw of hunger a constant companion. The massage room would be freezing¡ªtoo cold for her hands to warm up, too cold for her clients¡¯ muscles to relax, turning every session into an uphill battle.

    At 38 years old, this was her reality. She lived alone in a cramped 600-square-foot apartment, barely scraping by. She had no retirement savings, was $50,000 in debt, and drove a car that broke down more often than it ran¡ªhence the debt. All her friends were married with kids, their lives bustling with purpose and connection. Cedar¡¯s was silent, hungry, and lonely.

    Returning to her parents¡¯ home wasn¡¯t an option¡ªnot with her OCD-stricken cousin entrenched there like a parasite. He refused help, refused to improve, and drained the life out of anyone who dared show him kindness. Cedar remembered bitterly how he would monopolize the hot water on the coldest winter mornings, the shower upstairs running endlessly. Meanwhile, her own shower below his sputtered frigid droplets onto her skin, each icy sting a reminder that she wasn¡¯t welcome.

    He contributed nothing, only imposed. He made outlandish demands, like insisting her mother stand outside the bathroom holding a towel for him during his hours-long showers. He was 55 years old, rail-thin, with long, unkempt hair and a beard that gave him the look of a wild prophet. But there was nothing wise or kind in his eyes¡ªonly hostility, especially when he looked at Cedar. She was an enemy in her own house.

    After countless, fruitless pleas for her parents to throw him out, Cedar left. He had won.

    People always said the best revenge was to live your best life¡ªto thrive, to find joy¡ªbut she couldn¡¯t even manage that. Her life felt like a string of compromises and quiet defeats, one after another.

    Let the cops arrest me. I don¡¯t care. I give up.

    In fact, the more she thought about it, the angrier she felt at the possibility that last night had only been a dream. At least if it were real, it meant something in her life was about to change.

 Chapter 2: Crimson Skies

    Cedar set about preparing a hearty breakfast: three eggs, toast, two hash browns, and half an orange. It wasn¡¯t indulgence¡ªit was survival. She needed every bite to sustain her through the six clients booked back-to-back, knowing she wouldn¡¯t have a single moment to rest. Last year, she¡¯d made the difficult choice to eliminate her breaks; luxuries like that were no longer within reach.

    As she peered into the refrigerator, something caught her eye. She could have sworn she only had half an orange left, but there it was¡ªa whole orange, bright and unblemished. Confused, she reached for it, cutting it in half and tucking the other half back for tomorrow.

    Then she noticed the carton of eggs, full and pristine. A frown tugged at her lips. Hadn¡¯t she used three eggs yesterday? The math didn¡¯t add up.

    She finished her breakfast, cleaned up, and set out for the half-hour drive to work. As always, she greeted the girls at the front desk, including Trevor, who proudly preferred to be referred to as one of ¡°the desk girls.¡±

    ¡°Hey, gurl! Full day today. Again,¡± Trevor said, eyeing the schedule with exaggerated exasperation. He dipped his chin and gave his head a sassy wobble for emphasis.

    ¡°I¡¯ll manage, as always,¡± Cedar replied with a small smile, though her gaze drifted to Trevor¡¯s outfit. ¡°Wait . . . didn¡¯t you wear that yesterday?¡±

    Trevor gasped, clutching his chest as if physically wounded. ¡°Excuse you! But no. I would never repeat an outfit without at least three days, a dry-cleaning, and a full lunar cycle. Unlike some people.¡± He raised an eyebrow, giving Cedar a pointed once-over before snapping his fingers dramatically.

    ¡°Gotcha,¡± Cedar said, raising her chin. ¡°I¡¯ll catch you ladies later.¡± She strolled down the hall into the break room, her backpack slung over one shoulder.

    After stuffing it into her locker, she turned to the schedule monitor on the wall. Her mouth fell open.

    This is the same schedule from yesterday.

    Frowning, she tapped the screen, refreshing it. Nothing changed. She hit the arrow key to shift the calendar forward, but it stubbornly refused to display today as ¡°today.¡± Cedar¡¯s brows furrowed as she stared at the unchanged list of clients.

    The door to the break room creaked open, and Anika, a young, mousy therapist, shuffled in.

    ¡°Hey,¡± Anika said quietly, barely glancing up.

    ¡°Hey,¡± Cedar replied, still distracted by the uncooperative monitor. ¡°Just a heads-up, the schedule¡¯s acting weird. It¡¯s not refreshing.¡±

    Anika shrugged. ¡°Eh, what else is new?¡±

    With a sigh, Cedar moved to the sink, sanitizing them before giving her first massage of the day. At least she knew her first client should already be in the waiting room, even if the glitchy schedule didn¡¯t show them as checked in.

    Out the door and down the hall, Cedar turned into the waiting area, already forcing a polite smile¡ªthen stopped short, her breath catching in her throat.

    ¡°Oh. It¡¯s you,¡± Cedar blurted out, her heart sinking as she recognized the difficult client she¡¯d massaged the day before. ¡°You¡¯re back.¡±

    The woman¡¯s brow furrowed, her tone sharp. ¡°I haven¡¯t been here in a month.¡±

    Cedar blinked, confused. She stepped back out of the waiting room and glanced down the hallway as if seeking some kind of explanation. Then, slowly, she turned back to the client.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°You don¡¯t remember me?¡± Cedar asked carefully. ¡°You weren¡¯t here yesterday?¡±

    The client¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°No, I wasn¡¯t here yesterday!¡± She turned to another person in the waiting room, raising her voice. ¡°You¡¯d think I¡¯d remember!¡± She finished with an audible huff, crossing her arms.

    Cedar stood frozen in place, her mind racing.

    Cedar marched to the front desk, her steps brisk and purposeful. She gripped the countertop, her knuckles whitening. ¡°Can you tell me what today is?¡± she demanded, her voice tight with urgency.

    Ashley glanced up from her computer, her brow furrowing. ¡°It¡¯s the 28th.¡±

    ¡°June, 2259,¡± Trevor quipped with a smirk.

    ¡°No, no, no,¡± Cedar shook her head vehemently, her frustration bubbling over. ¡°Today¡¯s the 29th. The twenty-ninth!¡± She jabbed a finger toward the waiting room. ¡°I massaged that woman yesterday! And now she¡¯s back? To see me?¡±

    Ashley¡¯s eyes widened in alarm, but she quickly shook her head as if trying to rid herself of the problem. Ducking her gaze, she leaned over her keyboard and pretended to type, avoiding Cedar.

    ¡°Honey,¡± Trevor interjected, tilting his head as he studied her. ¡°Did you get hit on the head or something? It¡¯s the 28th. Trust me, I¡¯d know because tonight¡¯s the finale of Drag Royale, and I have a watch party planned. I¡¯ve been counting down all month.¡±

    He leaned in conspiratorially, lowering his voice. ¡°Do you know how many appetizers I prepped? Dozens. And the glitter cannon? Not cheap.¡±

    Cedar blinked, thrown off by his enthusiasm. ¡°Trevor, I don¡¯t care about your watch party. I¡¯m telling you¡ªit¡¯s the twenty-ninth.¡±

    Trevor gave her an exaggerated gasp. ¡°You¡¯re telling me I¡¯m wrong about Drag Royale? Girl, please. June 28th is sacred.¡±

    Cedar stepped back from the counter, a wave of dizziness washing over her.

    Ashley glanced up from the computer, concern etched on her face. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°It was real,¡± Cedar murmured, more to herself than anyone else. Her voice trembled as the realization took hold. ¡°It was real.¡±

    Ashley frowned. ¡°What was real?¡±

    Trevor, his playful demeanor shifting to mild alarm, leaned forward. ¡°Okay, now you¡¯re scaring us, Cedar, darling. Please don¡¯t make us reassign all your clients today on a dime¡¯s notice because you¡¯re having some kind of existential meltdown.¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t real,¡± Cedar whispered, shaking her head.

    ¡°Come again?¡± Trevor¡¯s perfectly arched eyebrows shot up.

    ¡°I¡¯ve done this already. I¡¯m not doing it again,¡± Cedar snapped, the frustration spilling out as she turned and stormed down the hallway.

    ¡°Wait¡ªwhat?¡± Trevor called after her, but Cedar wasn¡¯t listening.

    She burst into the break room, yanked her locker open, and pulled her backpack out with a decisive motion. Slinging it over her shoulder, she ran back down the hall, ignoring the bewildered looks from the girls at the front desk.

    ¡°Cedar! Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± Ashley called after her, her voice sharp with panic.

    ¡°Fire me,¡± Cedar shot back over her shoulder, not stopping, not slowing. Her words echoed in the stunned silence she left behind.

    But as she stepped outside, the world shifted.

    Above her, the sky morphed in waves of color¡ªa brilliant blue fading into a dazzling purple, then bleeding into an ominous, insidious red. The air felt heavy, charged with something unnatural, pressing down on her chest like a weight.

    Cedar froze, her breath hitching as the eerie transformation unfolded. What the hell is happening?

    She bolted for her car, ducking and covering her head as if expecting acid rain to fall at any moment. Once inside, she slammed the door shut, locking herself in. Her trembling hands fumbled for her phone, and she dialed her parents. No answer.

    Damn it, Troy. Her OCD cousin must have turned off her parents¡¯ cell phones again, convinced that the radiation would kill him.

    Cedar started the car but sat there, unsure where to go or who to call.

    I¡¯m having a meltdown. It¡¯s happening. I feel it starting.

    The all-too-familiar wave of dread overtook her. Her heart raced, her breathing quick and shallow.

    ¡°This can¡¯t be happening. This can¡¯t be happening,¡± she muttered, clutching the steering wheel as if it could anchor her to reality.

    She forced herself to take a deep inhale, then another. With shaking fingers, she pulled up a search engine and typed: Why is the sky red?

    Nothing. Not a single report. The internet, for once, offered no answers.

    Breathe, she reminded herself, trying to fall into the rhythm of controlled inhaling¡ªa coping mechanism she¡¯d learned from too many anxiety attacks. Her mind began to settle, but her body was still flooding with adrenaline, her nerves humming with cortisol.

    The radio played softly in the background, a familiar song she¡¯d heard a few times. She turned up the volume, desperate for distraction, focusing on the words. But as the lyrics filled the car, they sounded wrong¡ªdisjointed, like gibberish, except for a few key phrases that stood out with chilling clarity.

    ¡°Doctor¡­ I need a doctor,¡± she whispered. Then louder: ¡°I need a doctor.¡±

 Chapter 3: The Extraction

    Dr. Michael Jones adjusted his glasses, pressing them firmly against the bridge of his nose as he wrestled with how to respond to his client¡¯s extraordinary case of psychosis. In all his years of practice and study, he had never encountered anything like this¡ªa client who seemed to exist at the farthest edge of the psychological bell curve, beyond even the most obscure case studies.

    And yet, she was a lucid, functioning adult with a career. She presented no obvious signs of instability in her professional life. How had her condition gone unnoticed for so long? Was it sheer resilience? Or had she become so adept at masking her struggles that even those closest to her failed to see the cracks?

    Dr. Jones pondered this, feeling both intrigued and unsettled. Her case defied easy categorization, and for the first time in years, he found himself truly at a loss.

    He allowed himself a brief pause, hoping to draw on the vast reservoir of knowledge gained during his twelve years at Yale. His fingers absentmindedly nudged the corner of his family portrait, a subtle reflection of his growing frustration at the lack of answers.

    ¡°Dr. Jones?¡± Cedar Wells¡¯ voice broke the silence, tight with anxiety. She shifted uneasily in the worn leather armchair, her fingers gripping its armrests.

    Dr. Jones straightened his posture, mirroring her tension. Replaying her words in his head, he repeated them aloud in a contemplative tone, his fingertips pressed together. ¡°You believe none of this is real.¡±

    ¡°Nothing is real,¡± Cedar insisted, her voice rising. ¡°This is all just one big movie prop. Nothing has substance. And I¡¯m freaking out, in case you haven¡¯t noticed.¡±

    He noted the sheen of perspiration on her hands as she tightened her grip on the armrests. For a moment, he found himself at a loss, his mind scrambling for the right approach. Clearing his throat, he glanced at the polished APA plaque on the wall, searching for inspiration. Then, as though struck by an epiphany, the words came to him.

    ¡°Miss Wells,¡± he began, his voice measured, ¡°as a clinical psychologist, I prefer to start with a medical approach when assessing these experiences. First, we¡¯ll rule out any medical factors¡ªthings like infections, inherited traits, or even minor head injuries you might have overlooked. Once that¡¯s done, we can explore emotional traumas that might be contributing to your state. And after that, we¡¯ll consider psychodynamic therapy as part of your treatment plan. How does that sound?¡±

    Cedar¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°That sounds great, but right now, can you at least tell me why the freaking sky is red?¡±

    Dr. Jones offered a warm, steady smile, leaning forward slightly as he said, ¡°I assure you, Miss Wells, we¡¯ll figure this out together. We¡¯ll understand why you¡¯re seeing the sky as red.¡±

    ¡°Well?¡± Cedar pressed.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry?¡± Dr. Jones blinked, startled by her abruptness.

    ¡°Why is the sky red?¡±

    The rhythmic ticking of his vintage pendulum clock filled the room as Dr. Jones searched his mind for a plausible explanation. He felt a warm flush creep into his ears. ¡°No psychosis exists in a vacuum; there¡¯s always an underlying cause. We¡¯ll find it by asking the right questions and exploring all possibilities. It could even be something as simple as a form of color blindness, which we can test with an Ishihara¡ª¡±

    Cedar shot to her feet, cutting him off mid-sentence. She strode across the room, yanking the curtains open with a sharp tug. ¡°Does this look like color blindness to you?¡± she demanded, gesturing toward the window. ¡°Is this not red?¡±

    Dr. Jones rose from his chair and walked to the window, his expression carefully composed. Outside, the sky was a perfectly normal shade of bright blue.

    ¡°The sky is blue, Miss Wells,¡± he said gently, though his voice carried an edge of caution. ¡°I understand this isn¡¯t the answer you want, but that is what I see.¡±

    Cedar¡¯s face contorted with frustration. She turned abruptly, snatching a random book from his neatly arranged shelf. Flipping through it, she thrust it toward him.

    ¡°And what about this? What about these books?¡±

    ¡°What about them?¡± Dr. Jones asked, his tone calm but wary.

    ¡°Have you read them? Are they even yours? Do they belong to you?¡±

    Recognizing her growing agitation, Dr. Jones attempted to redirect her focus. ¡°Miss Wells,¡± he said softly, ¡°let¡¯s set the books aside for now and concentrate on the task at hand. Have you experienced any recent head injuries or psychological traumas?¡±

    ¡°Yes! This is psychological trauma. I¡¯m experiencing one right now!¡±

    ¡°Experiencing distress like this can certainly feel traumatic,¡± Dr. Jones acknowledged, keeping his voice steady. ¡°But if we remain calm, we can work through it together.¡±

    Cedar wasn¡¯t listening. She thrust the open book toward him. ¡°Look at it. Just look at it and tell me it¡¯s not blank,¡± she demanded, her voice shaking as her hands trembled.

    Dr. Jones leaned forward, peering at the pages. Black text was clearly printed there. ¡°It¡¯s not blank, Miss Wells. I see words.¡±

    ¡°Then read it!¡± Cedar snapped, pushing the book closer to his face. ¡°Read what it says.¡±

    He squinted, adjusting his glasses as he tried to focus on the words. But to his shock, the text refused to come into focus. The letters blurred, smearing across the page like ink bleeding into water.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    Dr. Jones blinked rapidly, then leaned in closer. His reassuring smile faltered, replaced by a look of genuine confusion. ¡°My eyes aren¡¯t what they used to be,¡± he said lightly, attempting to downplay his struggle. ¡°Let me take a closer look.¡±

    The harder he tried, the more indistinct the words became. In his peripheral vision, he could vaguely discern black marks on the page, but when he tried to focus, they dissolved into an empty haze. Frustrated, he snatched the book from Cedar¡¯s hands, the abruptness of the motion surprising even himself.

    ¡°Is this some kind of trick?¡± he demanded, his composure slipping. ¡°What is this?¡±

    ¡°Finally, you see? I¡¯m not crazy,¡± Cedar declared, a triumphant edge in her voice.

    Dr. Jones, still grappling with the situation, adjusted his glasses and carefully examined the book in his hands. He scrutinized its binding, front cover, and back cover¡ªeverything appeared perfectly normal. Yet, the text remained maddeningly elusive.

    ¡°There has to be an explanation for this,¡± he muttered, his tone a mixture of frustration and disbelief. ¡°The words won¡¯t stick. They seem to¡­ fly away from me.¡± With a defeated grunt, he placed the book down and reached for another from the top shelf. The layer of dust coating it suggested it hadn¡¯t been touched in years.

    ¡°Let¡¯s try this one,¡± he said, hesitating. Part of him felt that indulging Cedar¡¯s claims would only deepen her delusion, but his curiosity got the better of him. He flipped it open, preparing to inspect the first page.

    Before he could begin, a loud knock at the door startled him. He nearly dropped the book as his head snapped up, irritation flickering across his face. Interrupting a session was unprofessional, and he bristled at the intrusion.

    ¡°Who are you? What¡¯s the meaning of this?¡± he demanded, expecting to see a maintenance worker¡ªor worse, a camera crew pulling a tasteless prank. The thought of someone exploiting mental illness for entertainment made his blood boil.

    Instead, two figures entered the room. One was a young man of Middle-Eastern descent, short but confident, holding himself with a casual ease. The other was a tall, severe-looking woman with blonde hair pulled back in a tight bun. Neither offered an introduction, nor did they acknowledge Dr. Jones. Their focus was fixed entirely on Cedar.

    The woman strode forward, grabbed Cedar¡¯s wrist, and cuffed herself to her without hesitation.

    ¡°Excuse me! You can¡¯t just barge in here and manhandle my client. Identify yourselves immediately!¡±

    The woman¡¯s expression didn¡¯t waver. ¡°Cedar Wells, we¡¯re here on behalf of the judicial court. We¡¯re taking you home.¡±

    The young man flipped open a badge, nodding toward Dr. Jones apologetically. ¡°Sorry for the disruption, Doc.¡±

    ¡°This is completely unacceptable,¡± Dr. Jones snapped. ¡°You¡¯re interrupting a medical session. She¡¯s unwell and needs professional care. What is this about? What has she done?¡±

    Before either could answer, Cedar broke in, her voice sharp. ¡°I haven¡¯t done anything. I¡¯m innocent. And I want a lawyer.¡±

    The young man raised his hand, calm and placating. ¡°We know you¡¯re innocent. That¡¯s why we¡¯re here. I am your lawyer¡ªwant to see my badge again?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not in any trouble,¡± the woman added, her tone clipped but not unkind. ¡°This will go a lot smoother if you cooperate.¡±

    Cedar, clearly not convinced, yanked her wrist, pulling against the cuff. ¡°If I¡¯m not in trouble, why the hell am I cuffed?¡±

    Dr. Jones, meanwhile, turned his attention back to the book still clutched in his hands. Its aged, weathered exterior bore no title or markings. It reminded him of an old encyclopedia, its thin pages fragile and delicate. Fixing his gaze on the text, he tried once again to read it.

    The letters refused to cooperate. They blurred and shifted, smearing like ink dissolving in water. No matter how hard he squinted or adjusted the book¡¯s angle, the words evaded him entirely.

    ¡°Enough of this,¡± he muttered under his breath, exasperated.

    Marching to the door, he slammed it shut with a loud thud. ¡°Who¡¯s responsible for this?¡± he demanded, holding the book aloft for all to see.

    The woman regarded him coolly, arching an eyebrow. ¡°What about it?¡± she asked, her tone detached, as if humoring him.

    ¡°It¡¯s not real, man,¡± the young man added with a shrug.

    Dr. Jones flushed, his irritation boiling over. ¡°Of course, it¡¯s not real! I can¡¯t make out a single word! What¡¯s the meaning of this? How¡­ Where¡­?¡± His voice trailed off as a flood of unanswered questions overwhelmed him.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere until someone tells me what¡¯s going on,¡± Cedar declared.

    Dropping to the floor, she became dead weight, yanking the woman¡¯s arm into an awkward angle. ¡°You want me to leave with you? Then start talking.¡±

    The woman let out a long, exasperated sigh, rolling her eyes at her partner. The young man crouched down, meeting Cedar¡¯s determined glare.

    ¡°All right,¡± he said. ¡°You were apprehended for grand larceny and placed in virtual rehabilitation so Everly¡ª¡± he gestured to the blonde woman ¡°¡ªand I could witness your crime. You¡¯re currently reliving the day of your alleged offense. Here. Right now. Everything around you is an illusion.¡±

    Cedar blinked, processing his words. ¡°So it was real.¡±

    The young man tilted his head, his expression shifting to one of mild confusion. ¡°What was real?¡±

    She didn¡¯t answer. Instead, her gaze darted around the room as if searching for confirmation in the walls, the furniture, or even the air itself.

    Dr. Jones barked a laugh, incredulous. ¡°That¡¯s absurd! Miss Wells, surely you don¡¯t believe this nonsense. Virtual rehabilitation? It¡¯s ridiculous. Pure science fiction.¡±

    Cedar tilted her head, ¡°It¡¯s true, it¡¯s gotta be.¡±

    The young man nodded. ¡°And since Everly nor myself failed to witness a crime, you¡¯re free to go. We¡¯re here to get you out of the program safely.¡±

    Dr. Jones opened his mouth to protest, but Cedar was already on her feet.

    ¡°Okay,¡± she said, ¡°and why am I cuffed?¡±

    ¡°Some people don¡¯t believe us,¡± the young man said with a shrug. ¡°Everly, can you remove the cuffs? You¡¯re the one with the keys, key lady.¡±

    ¡°Wait now, just wait a minute.¡± Dr. Jones moved to block the doorway, his large frame standing firm. ¡°This is nonsense. Miss Wells, these people are taking advantage of your . . . well, your condition.¡± He turned to the woman, his tone sharp. ¡°If this is all fake, if it¡¯s just an illusion, then who am I? I have a family. There¡¯s a picture of them on my desk. I have memories.¡±

    Facing Everly, Dr. Jones squared his shoulders and puffed his chest, his voice steady and commanding. ¡°I can¡¯t in good conscience let you leave here with my client. She¡¯s been entrusted to my care.¡±

    Everly¡¯s expression didn¡¯t waver. ¡°I really didn¡¯t want to use this,¡± she said, pulling a gun from her purse with practiced ease. Her pale hand gripped the weapon firmly, the barrel leveled directly at Dr. Jones¡¯ chest.

    The young man blinked in surprise, shaking his head in amazement. ¡°You really have to tell me how you do that.¡±

    ¡°Cedar,¡± Everly said evenly, her gaze never leaving the doctor. ¡°Will you please come with us?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t shoot him,¡± Cedar yelped, ¡°You don¡¯t have to shoot anyone. I¡¯ll come. Just¡ªplease, put the gun away.¡±

    Everly handed Cedar the key to unlock the cuffs, her other hand keeping the gun trained steadily on Dr. Jones.

    His jaw tightened, but he stepped aside, his voice cold and resolute. ¡°You¡¯re not going to get away with this.¡±

    The pair stepped out of the office, moving cautiously, with Cedar following behind. Her gaze flickered between the gun and the doctor, uncertainty written all over her face.

    Dr. Jones called after her, his tone protective and steady. ¡°Miss Wells, help is on the way. Stay calm, and do as they ask.¡±

    As soon as the gun was no longer pointed in his direction, Dr. Jones spun toward his desk. With shaking hands, he grabbed the phone and immediately dialed the police.

 Chapter 4: The Stranger

    The sky blazed a violent red over the quaint village of Cheshire, Connecticut. Despite the strange, otherworldly hue, the residents carried on as if nothing was amiss. Joggers moved along the brick-lined walkways of Main Street, pausing occasionally to peer into shop windows in the town¡¯s historic vending district.

    ¡°I have so many questions,¡± Cedar said, her eyes scanning the familiar sights of her hometown. They sped past Bartlem Park, where children played little league as parents cheered from the sidelines. Cedar battled to keep her hair from whipping into her face as the wind howled through the open car. ¡°It looks so real. How is this possible?¡±

    Nachi puffed his cheeks before answering. ¡°The mind fills in the blanks. All of this is just a memory¡ªit¡¯s how you envision yesterday. being¡±

    ¡°Yesterday, the 28th?¡±

    Nachi nodded. ¡°Pretty cool, huh?"

    ¡°How is this even possible?¡± Cedar pressed. ¡°Is it like a dream or . . . ¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a cross between a dream and being hypnotized,¡± Nachi said, idly scratching the back of his head. ¡°We don¡¯t totally understand it, but hey, it works, right?¡±

    The lack of depth in his response only heightened Cedar¡¯s curiosity. Nachi¡¯s easygoing demeanor made him likable, but she couldn¡¯t shake the sense that he lacked any real answers. Still, she couldn¡¯t resist asking more.

    ¡°Okay, but how are you here? How are we sharing the same dream?¡±

    Nachi¡¯s grin widened. ¡°That¡¯s the best part¡ªthey give us drugs.¡±

    ¡°Drugs?¡± Cedar¡¯s annoyance flared as she glared at him. ¡°Are you high right now?¡±

    ¡°No! No, I¡¯m not high,¡± Nachi said quickly, waving his hands in protest. Leaning closer, he lowered his voice conspiratorially. ¡°They slip us a hallucinogenic cocktail and stimulate the part of the brain responsible for out-of-body experiences.¡±

    ¡°Hey, Everly!¡± he called to the front seat.

    ¡°What?¡± Everly replied without turning around.

    ¡°What¡¯s that part of the brain they stimulate for OBEs?¡±

    Everly sighed. ¡°The posterior part of the superior temporal gyrus. On the right side.¡±

    Nachi smirked at Cedar. ¡°See? She¡¯s like a walking textbook. Watch this¡ªHey, Everly!¡±

    ¡°What now, Nachi?¡± Her tone was sharp, her patience clearly wearing thin. ¡°You don¡¯t have to yell; I¡¯m right here.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s that contraption made of? The one they strap to our heads?¡±

    Everly answered curtly. ¡°Ytterbium, rhodium, and silicon. That¡¯s the mechanism that connects us, if that''s what you''re asking.¡±

    ¡°Thanks,¡± Nachi said, turning back to Cedar with a look of smug satisfaction.

    Cedar leaned forward, deciding she¡¯d get better answers directly from Everly. But her past experience with the woman¡¯s no-nonsense demeanor¡ªand the fact that Everly had cuffed her¡ªdidn¡¯t inspire confidence.

    ¡°You said I was arrested for grand larceny?¡± Cedar asked loudly enough for both of them to hear.

    Nachi answered quickly, as if to cover Everly¡¯s deliberate silence. ¡°Yeah, it was in-san-it-tee! I¡¯ve never seen anything like it. Nobody could figure out how you did it. I called it a deep fake right away, but even after they verified the footage, I still wasn¡¯t buying it.¡±

    ¡°What did they see?¡± Cedar¡¯s voice sharpened.

    Nachi hesitated, then shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s pretty gnarly. You got any enemies? Anyone who¡¯d want to frame you?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Cedar snapped. ¡°I¡¯m a massage therapist.¡±

    ¡°Okay, fair,¡± Nachi conceded. ¡°Whoever did this was a pro. My guess? Inside job.¡±

    Cedar leaned closer. ¡°What was on the footage?¡±

    Nachi¡¯s eyes lit up as he recounted the details. ¡°It started with a flash¡ªa big bright light filling the room. This all happened inside Hyperion Union, middle of the night. After the flash, there was this¡­ thing. A human-sized glob of goo appeared out of nowhere, and it started moving, like someone was trapped inside trying to get out.¡±

    ¡°Oh my God,¡± Cedar whispered.

    ¡°It gets weirder,¡± Nachi continued, his voice tinged with awe. ¡°It was you. Or, well, it looked like you. Facial recognition, fingerprints, DNA¡ªall matched. But this . . . person, they were naked and started dancing. And waving at the cameras.¡±

    ¡°What?!¡± Cedar recoiled, her mind struggling to process what she¡¯d just heard.

    ¡°I know it sounds crazy,¡± Nachi said, raising his hands defensively. ¡°But that¡¯s not even the craziest part.¡±

    Cedar had heard enough. ¡°This isn¡¯t real,¡± she muttered, shaking her head. ¡°None of this is real. I¡¯m in a coma. That¡¯s the only explanation.¡±

    Nachi grinned. ¡°So you don¡¯t wanna hear about the part where lasers shoot out of your eyeballs?¡±

    Cedar stared at him, unsure if he was joking. ¡°You¡¯re kidding, right?¡±

    Before Nachi could respond, Everly suddenly swerved the car, narrowly avoiding a collision.

    ¡°What the hell was that?¡± she shouted, bringing the car to a screeching halt.

    Nachi gripped the back of the seat, his knuckles white. ¡°Geez, Everly, drive much?¡±

    Everly was already out of the car, her eyes fixed on the sky. ¡°Did you see that?¡± she asked.

    ¡°See what?¡± Nachi called after her.

    ¡°There was something flying above us. It looked . . . human,¡± Everly said, her voice edged with unease.

    Nachi squinted at the sky but saw nothing unusual. ¡°Welp, whatever it was, it¡¯s gone now.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen that happen before,¡± Everly muttered, crossing her arms as she stared at the crimson expanse above. ¡°Not on day two. It¡¯s too early for that nonsense.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Cedar asked. ¡°What¡¯s not supposed to happen?¡±

    The red sky loomed above them like a malevolent force, its presence oppressive and unrelenting.

    Everly exhaled sharply, her stance rigid. ¡°We¡¯re floating amidst the infinite sea of your subconscious, inside a fragile, delicate program. Think of us as being in a cardboard box at the bottom of an ocean, and your subconscious is the ocean. Soon, all of this¡ªeverything you see here¡ªwill be consumed. The red sky is your subconscious trying to break through, and apparently, other things are starting to creep in too.¡±

    ¡°What other things?¡± Cedar¡¯s voice was barely audible.

    ¡°Don¡¯t mind her,¡± Nachi interjected with a dismissive wave. ¡°She¡¯s always dramatic.¡±

    ¡°Can you take me home?¡± Cedar begged, tears welling in her eyes.

    ¡°You can¡¯t go home now,¡± Everly said firmly, already climbing back into the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°You have to wait it out until the program ends. If you go home, you¡¯ll only go deeper in.¡± She slammed the car door for emphasis, the sound jolting Cedar.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care! I just want to go home,¡± Cedar said, her voice cracking as her throat tightened.

    Nachi nudged her shoulder gently. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s going to be okay. The program¡¯s almost over, and you won¡¯t remember any of this, alright?¡±

    ¡°Just breathe,¡± Everly added, her tone surprisingly soft. ¡°Slow, deep breaths.¡±

    Cedar reluctantly obeyed, focusing on her breathing as she tried to steady herself. Yet the weight of the situation pressed down on her, making every breath feel like a battle against impending doom.

    ¡°I still don¡¯t understand how any of this is possible,¡± she admitted. Maybe if she had more answers, the panic would subside.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    Everly¡¯s patience wore thin. ¡°This technology is over a hundred years old. How can you<i> not </i>understand it?¡±

    Cedar bristled at the condescension. ¡°Explain it to me then,¡± she challenged.

    Everly sighed. ¡°It started with the development of the first language-based AI. Researchers discovered that all languages share a universal pattern¡ªa kind of shape. That shape can be captured using an fMRI scan to create a visual of what the defendant is subconsciously imagining. Right now, we¡¯re inside a reconstruction of your perception of events. Your focus has been intentionally confined so you have no choice but to relive this day. It¡¯s all facilitated by an intelligent language translator.¡±

    The explanation made Cedar feel as though the walls of her reality were closing in. ¡°I need to get indoors. I think I¡¯m having another panic attack.¡±

    ¡°Here, take my hand,¡± Nachi offered, his voice gentle as he extended his hand toward her.

    Everly, focused on the road, added, ¡°It¡¯s going to get worse, but the system is designed to wake you up when the program collapses. As long as you don¡¯t go home, you¡¯ll be safe.¡±

    It¡¯s going to get worse, Cedar thought bitterly. Is that supposed to make me feel better?

    The car rolled along Route 10, Cedar gripping Nachi¡¯s hand as if it were her last lifeline. She shut her eyes, no longer caring about the intricacies of the program. Instead, she concentrated on her breathing¡ªsteady, rhythmic, in and out. I¡¯m not going to die. I¡¯m safe. This is just a panic attack. I¡¯m safe.

    ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± Everly announced, pulling into the parking lot of the Cheshire Welcome Inn. ¡°This is as good a place as any.¡±

    Cedar opened her eyes and frowned. The Cheshire Welcome Inn wasn¡¯t her idea of safe.

    ¡°Why can¡¯t I go home?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s where you were arrested,¡± Nachi explained. ¡°If you go back now, you¡¯ll be gassed and sent into the program all over again. Only this time, it¡¯ll last much longer.¡±

    Everly stepped out of the car, slamming the door behind her. Cedar flinched at the sound.

    ¡°The deeper you go into the program, the longer you¡¯ll be stuck in it,¡± Everly said flatly.

    ¡°You don¡¯t want to be here on day three,¡± Nachi added ominously. ¡°It¡¯s not just the sky that changes on day three.¡±

    As Nachi circled to Cedar¡¯s side, she couldn¡¯t help but reflect on what she knew about the virtual rehabilitation program. She¡¯d first heard about it in elementary school, when the program captivated public fascination, but the novelty quickly faded, replaced by outrage. Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians¡ªeveryone seemed to oppose it. The general consensus was that the technology was invasive, unethical, and dangerous.

    Despite the backlash, the Supreme Court upheld its use, ruling that individuals forfeited certain rights the moment they became threats to society. Law enforcement gained sweeping authority to employ the program upon arrest.

    Initially, law officials targeted select non-violent offenders, offering reduced sentences for cooperation. But over time, advancements in quantum engineering allowed the program to evolve. Scientists discovered that as participants went deeper into the program, subjective time stretched¡ªturning hours into days, days into weeks. What had started as a tool for recalling memories became a labyrinth of endless possibilities.

    Only recently had officials replaced traditional incarceration with virtual rehabilitation. The program promised significant savings in government spending while offering a revolutionary approach to reforming prisoners. In just a single day, convicts could be both incarcerated and rehabilitated, emerging with a clean record¡ªprovided they fulfilled their penalties or paid restitution after their stint in the program.

    Surprisingly, every participant complied, eager to reclaim their lives. Those who completed the program were often seen as not only ready to reintegrate into society but, in most cases, better prepared than individuals who had never entered the system at all.

    But the program came with risks. Not everyone emerged from it unscathed¡ªsome never made it out at all.

    Now, as Cedar stood on the threshold of the Cheshire Welcome Inn, the red sky hanging ominously overhead, she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that she was about to be swallowed whole.

    ¡°You have to get me out of here,¡± Cedar pleaded as she stepped out of the car on unsteady legs. Nachi immediately offered his arm for support, and she clung to it, grateful for the stability.

    Everly rummaged through her satchel and retrieved a small key.

    ¡°Damn, girl, you<i> are</i> impressive<i>,</i>¡± Nachi said with a smirk.

    ¡°In here,¡± Everly instructed, unlocking the door to a random motel room. ¡°You¡¯ll be safe here.¡±

    Cedar sighed with relief, letting go of Nachi¡¯s arm and darting inside. ¡°It¡¯s so . . . beige,¡± she uttered, her gaze sweeping the room.

    ¡°That¡¯s pretty standard for places like this,¡± Everly replied, stepping in behind her and shutting the door. ¡°You haven¡¯t been here before, have you?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Cedar admitted, sinking onto the beige bed and eyeing the matching carpet. ¡°But it¡¯s better than being outside.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that red sky messes with your head for sure,¡± Nachi agreed, flopping onto a nearby chair.

    Everly drew the curtains, muting the eerie red glow seeping into the room and lending it a slightly more welcoming, albeit still overwhelmingly beige, ambiance. Cedar felt a wave of gratitude for the small comfort.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to die in here,¡± she murmured, burying her face in her hands. ¡°I just want it to be over.¡±

    ¡°Who said anything about dying?¡± Nachi asked.

    ¡°You¡¯re not going to die,¡± Everly reassured her in her usual monotone. ¡°Nobody gets trapped this early on.¡±

    ¡°How much longer until I wake up?¡± Cedar asked, her voice small.

    Nachi glanced at the beige clock on the wall, but Everly answered first. ¡°Eight hours.¡±

    Eight more hours? Cedar cringed. Maybe I can sleep through it. Or curl up under the bed until it¡¯s over. Maybe Nachi and Everly will stay with me.

    Everly picked up the remote and clicked on the TV.

    ¡°There¡¯s TV?¡± Cedar perked up, leaning forward slightly.

    ¡°Just relax and watch,¡± Everly said, her tone firmer than usual. ¡°You¡¯ll wake up soon enough.¡±

    Cedar didn¡¯t have time to question Everly¡¯s strict tone. The moment her eyes fell on the flickering screen, her head began to swoon. ¡°I know this one . . . ¡± she slurred, her tongue feeling thick and foreign in her mouth. ¡°This is from when I was a waitreth . . . ¡± Her words tangled as she tried to gesture at the TV, but her arms felt impossibly heavy.

    Nachi and Everly turned their attention to the screen. The TV displayed a first-person perspective of a vast dining area, likely inside a bustling restaurant or casino.

    A man appeared on-screen, his voice urgent. ¡°Take drink orders for tables 38 through 47. STAT.¡±

    ¡°But I¡¯m new. I don¡¯t know where those tables are,¡± the real Cedar mumbled, half-asleep on the bed.

    On the screen, Cedar¡ªnow absorbed into the projection of her own dream¡ªhurried toward her assigned section. She approached a table of five, each guest rattling off complicated drink orders in rapid succession.

    ¡°Yikes,¡± Nachi muttered, watching the scene unfold. ¡°That¡¯s brutal. Looks like a nightmare.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not going to remember any of it,¡± Everly said dismissively. A rare flicker of excitement crossed her face. ¡°Let¡¯s get going, shall we?¡±

    <hr>

    ¡°Are you heading back, or sticking around like last time?¡± Nachi asked, trailing behind Everly as they stepped out of the motel into the crimson-tinged daylight.

    ¡°I¡¯m planning to interview that doctor,¡± Everly replied, slipping on her sunglasses. ¡°He seemed quite lucid.¡±

    ¡°Research for your book?¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± she said, flashing a crooked smile as she slid into the convertible. ¡°What about you? Going to sweet-talk the yokels again?¡±

    ¡°Ha ha, very funny¡ªoh snap!¡± Nachi yelped suddenly, his voice breaking.

    ¡°What?¡± Everly followed Nachi¡¯s wide-eyed stare skyward.

    Above them, roughly thirty yards up, a figure floated in mid-air, arms crossed, staring down at them with an air of authority.

    ¡°Oh my God,¡± Everly gasped.

    ¡°Oh my God,¡± Nachi echoed, barely a whisper.

    The floating figure was unmistakably human¡ªor at least humanoid.

    ¡°What . . . who? What or who the hell is that?¡± Nachi sputtered.

    ¡°Calm down,¡± Everly ordered, though her own voice wavered. Her eyes never left the hovering figure. ¡°Remember, nothing can hurt you here.¡±

    ¡°But it can scare the crap out of me!¡± Nachi said, clutching his chest. ¡°I¡¯m gonna get PTSD from this shit. My heart¡¯s goin¡¯ a mile a minute.¡±

    ¡°Shhh.¡± Everly shushed him sharply. ¡°She¡¯s coming down.¡±

    ¡°Nope. No way. I am out of here,¡± Nachi declared, frantically patting down his suit pockets. ¡°Where¡¯s my damn escape key?¡±

    ¡°Wait.¡± Everly raised a hand, her gaze narrowing on the figure as it descended.

    As the woman drew closer, her features became clear. Everly froze.

    ¡°No . . . it can¡¯t be,¡± she whispered.

    Nachi paused his frantic search, his head snapping up.

    "Impossible," Everly whispered.

    Upon seeing the face of the hovering person, Nachi declared, ¡°Screw this, I''m leavin''," resuming his search of his pockets.  "Where the hell is it?¡±

    Everly¡¯s gaze flickered between the descending figure and her satchel. The urge to flee was strong, but the writer in her held firm. Without documenting this moment, how could she craft a compelling narrative? Her book needed something extraordinary¡ªsomething no one else could claim.

    It¡¯s now or never.

    ¡°I¡¯m staying,¡± Everly said, her voice steady as she planted her feet and glowered at the figure.

    "Are you crazy?  It''s her!  It''s Cedar!  Maybe it''s her evil twin or something, I don''t know," Nachi said, his voice laden with fear.  "I''m not sticking around to find out."

    "Or . . . " Everly pursed her lips in thought.

    "Or what?" asked Nachi.

    Before Everly could answer, the floating woman touched down gracefully and strode toward them. She was dressed in spandex, complete with stretchy underwear worn over her clothes, and a crimson cape fluttering dramatically behind her. Her light brown hair bounced with an unnatural, glossy curl.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± the Cedar look-alike declared cheerfully, her voice brimming with whimsical confidence. ¡°I¡¯ll take it from here.¡± She shot them a clumsy thumbs-up. ¡°Nice work, though!¡±

    Everly and Nachi stood frozen as the woman strode past them, her cape flaring theatrically. She paused at the motel door, turning back to the bewildered pair.

    ¡°Is this the room?¡± she asked, gesturing toward the door.

    Neither of them responded.

    ¡°No worries, I¡¯ll find it,¡± the woman chirped. She waved them off dismissively. ¡°You kids scamper along now, you hear?¡± With that, she pushed open the door and disappeared inside.

    ¡°Or what?!¡± Nachi shouted again, his hands thrown in the air.

    Everly¡¯s lips curled into a triumphant smirk. ¡°Split personalities. That Cedar may have committed grand larceny, not the one we just knocked out.¡±

    Nachi crossed his arms. ¡°No way. That Cedar looks like a damn fool.¡±

    Everly mirrored his stance. ¡°As the defending witness, it¡¯s your obligation to question her.¡±

    ¡°But what if she admits to it? What then?¡± Nachi countered, his voice rising. ¡°It¡¯s still nowhere in our Cedar¡¯s memory that she committed a crime. It wouldn¡¯t hold up in court, and you¡¯d be dragging this poor girl through hell for what? A chapter in your book?¡±

    Everly bit her bottom lip, her mind racing. This wasn¡¯t just about a chapter¡ªit was potentially groundbreaking research, something that could push the boundaries of virtual rehabilitation and neuroscience.

    ¡°You know I¡¯m right,¡± she insisted, her tone resolute. ¡°If we leave now, that goofy caped crusader is going to wake her up, and Cedar will most likely be sent deeper into the program. You¡¯d be the one letting her suffer, not me.¡±

    Nachi groaned, pouting under his thick eyebrows. ¡°Damn.¡± He kicked at the gravel. ¡°Damn, damn.¡±

    ¡°So we¡¯re agreed?¡± Everly pressed.

    ¡°Agreed,¡± Nachi muttered reluctantly, his chin buried in his neck.

    The two approached the motel door, and Everly rapped on it firmly. When no response came, she tried the handle, but it didn¡¯t budge. Frowning, she knocked again, louder this time.

    ¡°Do we break in?¡± Nachi asked, glancing at her uncertainly.

    ¡°If we must,¡± Everly replied, already rummaging through her satchel for the key.

    ¡°You¡¯re the muscle here. Go for it.¡± Nachi stepped back, giving her space.

    Finally, Everly produced the key and turned toward the door, bracing herself for action¡ªonly to freeze.

    The door had vanished.

 Chapter 5: Facing the Snake

    ¡°Wakey, wakey, eggs and bakey,¡± Cedar¡¯s doppelg?nger chimed as she leaned over the sleeping Cedar. In the background, the television blared with the sound of angry restaurant patrons shouting for their waitress.

    ¡°Come on, girl, up and at ¡®em! Let¡¯s get those legs-a-movin¡¯,¡± the doppelg?nger exclaimed, bouncing on Cedar¡¯s bed.

    Despite the commotion, Cedar didn¡¯t stir. Her faint snores remained steady, even as her body launched inches into the air and jostled from side to side with each bounce.

    ¡°Cedar¡­¡± the doppelg?nger said, her voice tinged with worry. She stopped bouncing and leaned closer, checking for signs of life. ¡°Cedar?¡± She nudged Cedar¡¯s shoulder gently.

    Suddenly, a knock at the door made her whip around. ¡°Stay right there,¡± the doppelg?nger instructed as she climbed off the bed to inspect the lock.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ how can I fortify this?¡± she mused aloud. Then, with a snap of her fingers, she exclaimed, ¡°Of course!¡±

    With a wave of her hand, the door melted seamlessly into the surrounding wall, leaving behind a smooth, uninterrupted beige surface.

    Turning back to Cedar, the doppelg?nger muttered, ¡°As for you, missy, I think I have just the thing.¡±

    She disappeared into the bathroom and reemerged with a heavy water pitcher. At first, she dribbled a slow, steady stream onto Cedar¡¯s forehead. Growing impatient, she eventually dumped the entire contents over Cedar¡¯s face.

    ¡°CEE-DAR!¡± she shouted, slamming the empty pitcher onto the beige nightstand. ¡°Why won¡¯t you wake up?¡±

    After a series of increasingly futile attempts to rouse her¡ªincluding jumping on the bed, smacking her with pillows, slapping her face, and screaming in her ear¡ªthe doppelg?nger adjusted her red velvet cape with an exasperated sigh.

    On the television, an irate customer bellowed, ¡°I ordered a grasshopper. This is not a grasshopper!¡± The doppelg?nger snatched the remote from the floor and turned off the TV without hesitation.

    ¡°Grasshoppers are not food¡­¡± Cedar mumbled in her sleep. ¡°They¡¯re not food¡­¡± She opened one bleary eye, her expression confused. ¡°Why am I wet?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re joking,¡± the doppelg?nger deadpanned, glancing between the remote in her hand and Cedar.

    Realizing the sight of her might send Cedar into a panic, the doppelg?nger cautiously backed away.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± Cedar asked, her tone surprisingly calm.

    ¡°What do you mean, ¡®Who am I¡¯?¡± the doppelg?nger shot back, spinning around theatrically to show herself off. Her smile, however, didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes.

    ¡°Do I know you? What¡¯s happening?¡± Cedar asked, sitting up slowly. ¡°Am I still in the memory program?¡±

    ¡°You know me, Cedar. Take a good look,¡± the doppelg?nger insisted, flashing a dazzling smile.

    Cedar squinted, her eyes narrowing as recognition dawned. Then, her eyebrows shot up. ¡°I¡­ you¡­ you visited me! That night, before all this happened.¡±

    The doppelg?nger blinked, momentarily stunned. ¡°I did what now?¡±

    ¡°It was real¡­¡± Cedar¡¯s voice trailed off as her gaze drifted, lost in thought.

    ¡°You¡¯re saying I visited you before you were¡ª¡± the doppelg?nger¡¯s words were abruptly cut off by a loud crash and a string of colorful curses erupting from the bathroom.

    Both women jumped at the noise.

    The doppelg?nger tilted her head back and sighed, ¡°I¡¯m the most powerful person in the universe, and still, nothing comes easy.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m in!¡± Nachi¡¯s voice rang out from the bathroom, his entrance anything but graceful. He stumbled slightly as he stepped into the room, straightened his suit and tie, and gave a small, theatrical bow to the two Cedars. ¡°Hello, ladies.¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to scamper off?¡± the doppelg?nger asked, her irritation clear.

    ¡°That you did,¡± Nachi admitted with a cringe. ¡°But we need to clear something up.¡± He adopted a more serious expression. ¡°Are you the Cedar who robbed Hyperion Union?¡±

    ¡°You caught me,¡± the doppelg?nger replied dryly. ¡°Better send me into the memory chamber for rehabilitation¡ªoh wait.¡± She gestured mockingly around the room. ¡°I¡¯m already here.¡±

    Nachi hesitated, looking unsure of how to respond. After a beat, he stammered, ¡°Well¡­ good then. Glad we cleared that up. Now, would you be so kind as to let me out?¡± He glanced at the wall where the door used to be.

    ¡°Gladly,¡± the doppelg?nger replied, clapping her hands. The door reappeared seamlessly, as if it had never vanished.

    ¡°This place gets weirder and weirder,¡± Nachi muttered, shaking his head as he made his way to the exit.

    The doppelg?nger turned her attention back to Cedar, who was still staring at her, seemingly dazed. She had rehearsed this moment for years, but now that it was here, seeing her younger self¡¯s blank, uncertain expression unsettled her. Memories of her own stubbornness flashed through her mind, causing her to rethink her approach.

    ¡°<i>You</i> robbed the bank?¡± Cedar finally asked, her tone more confused than shocked.

    ¡°I did,¡± the doppelg?nger replied with a nod. ¡°It was the only way for us to meet.¡±

    Cedar¡¯s expression clouded with uncertainty, and the doppelg?nger studied her carefully.

    ¡°You¡¯re in shock, aren¡¯t you?¡± she asked gently. ¡°You must be.¡±

    Before Cedar could respond, the door swung open again, this time revealing Everly, who strode in with an air of authority. ¡°I have some questions for you,¡± she announced, her voice sharp. ¡°It¡¯s in your best interest to answer them. Trust me.¡±

    The doppelg?nger sighed inwardly, recognizing that reasoning with Cedar in her current state was futile. Perhaps Everly¡¯s interruption would help Cedar process the situation.

    ¡°Cedar¡¯s in shock,¡± the doppelg?nger explained, stepping aside slightly. ¡°She¡¯s trying to make sense of everything, so I¡¯ll answer your questions. Maybe it¡¯ll help her.¡±

    ¡°Who¡ªor <i>what</i>¡ªexactly are you?¡± Everly demanded, her eyes narrowing.

    ¡°Yeah!¡± Nachi chimed in, peeking over Everly¡¯s shoulder.

    The doppelg?nger crossed her arms. ¡°I¡¯m not from this universe,¡± she explained calmly. ¡°It¡¯s a long story, but all you need to know is that I¡¯m here to help.¡±

    ¡°Help <i>me</i>?¡± Everly asked, raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°Not just you,¡± the doppelg?nger clarified. ¡°All of you. Your world is in danger.¡±

    Everly folded her arms. ¡°Okay, sure. Let¡¯s put a pin in <i>that</i> and circle back to it later. You said you robbed Hyperion Union. Is that correct?¡±

    ¡°That was all me,¡± the doppelg?nger confirmed. ¡°Your Cedar had nothing to do with it.¡±

    ¡°How?¡± Everly leaned in, her curiosity piqued. ¡°How did you do it?¡±

    ¡°You must have seen the footage,¡± the doppelg?nger replied, fluttering her lashes. ¡°There were cameras everywhere.¡±

    Nachi, his tone exaggerated as if addressing someone hard of hearing, asked, ¡°Are you Cedar¡¯s split personality?¡±

    Everly immediately elbowed him in the ribs. ¡°Let me handle the questions,¡± she snapped.

    The doppelg?nger rolled her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not Cedar¡¯s split personality,¡± she said firmly. ¡°I¡¯m a separate person with my own body. I robbed the bank so I could meet Cedar here, in the memory chamber, or virtual rehab¡ªwhatever you kids are calling it these days. It was the only way I could connect with her.¡±

    Everly turned to Nachi, her expression dubious. ¡°I¡¯ve never encountered anything like this before,¡± she admitted. ¡°Cedar¡¯s subconscious must be creating this ridiculous story to make sense of what <i>you</i> told her.¡± She jabbed her finger into Nachi¡¯s chest.

    ¡°How was<i> I</i> supposed to know?¡± Nachi protested, throwing his hands up defensively.

    ¡°There¡¯s no other explanation,¡± Everly continued, ignoring him. ¡°Whatever you said triggered a panic attack. That panic attack created¡­ <i>this</i>.¡± She gestured toward the doppelg?nger, her skepticism palpable. ¡°Whoever¡ªor whatever¡ªyou are, will you please make sure Cedar stays in this room for the remainder of the program?¡±

    ¡°She can¡¯t leave the program,¡± the doppelg?nger said firmly. ¡°She has to stay until the end.¡±

    ¡°She can¡¯t stay!¡± Everly shrieked.

    ¡°Here we go¡­¡± Nachi muttered, rubbing the back of his head.

    ¡°Do you have any idea what happens to people when they stay here?¡± Everly demanded, her tone sharp.

    The doppelg?nger met her gaze steadily. Of course, she knew. People who stayed in the program had to confront their deepest, darkest fears.

    ¡°She¡¯ll have me,¡± the doppelg?nger replied, patting Cedar¡¯s knee reassuringly. ¡°I¡¯ll help her through it.¡±

    ¡°Why is it so important for her to stay?¡± Everly pressed, planting her hands on her hips.

    ¡°She must conquer her fears in order to ascend,¡± the doppelg?nger explained patiently. ¡°Otherwise, I can¡¯t pass my abilities on to her.¡±

    Everly hesitated, her gaze dropping to her feet. She began pacing further into the room, her expression darkening. ¡°People die in here,¡± she said, her voice low. ¡°You <i>do</i> understand that, yes? Cedar could face an eternity in hell if she stays. Is that really what you want for her? Do you even care about her?¡±

    ¡°Of course I care for her,¡± the doppelg?nger shot back, rising from the bed. ¡°She¡¯s me, after all.¡±

    Nachi, sensing the tension escalating, edged discreetly toward the door, ready to flee at the first sign of trouble. ¡°Prove it,¡± he said suddenly, his voice cutting through the thickening atmosphere. ¡°Prove to us that you are who you say you are.¡±

    The doppelg?nger considered his challenge, her expression contemplative. Several ideas came to mind. ¡°I can prove I robbed Hyperion Union,¡± she said finally. ¡°You know Cedar didn¡¯t do it. It¡¯s nowhere in her memory. But I can tell you exactly what I did¡ªand how I did it.¡±

    Nachi glanced at Everly, who nodded in cautious agreement.

    ¡°Okay then,¡± Everly said, her tone measured as she regained control of the situation. ¡°Tell us exactly what was on the footage. Be as detailed as possible. Leave nothing out.¡±

    The doppelg?nger¡¯s lips curved into a sly grin. ¡°I can do better than that. I can <i>show</i> you.¡±

    Nachi turned back to Everly, concern creasing his brow. Everly, however, kept her gaze fixed on the doppelg?nger, resolute. ¡°Then show us,¡± she said.

    ¡°Let¡¯s not do anything hasty,¡± Nachi objected, pulling Everly aside for a private discussion. Though they kept their voices hushed, the doppelg?nger could still overhear them.

    ¡°Are you doing this for your book?¡± Nachi asked, his tone exasperated. ¡°Why bother with all this? The program is meant to rehabilitate, so why not just let it run its course?¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t in any textbook,¡± Everly countered, her eyes alight with determination. ¡°It¡¯s never been documented. Not in any lecture, seminar, or online forum I¡¯ve seen. We owe it to science to explore this.¡± She met Nachi¡¯s gaze. ¡°And do you really want this girl¡¯s blood on your hands?¡±

    ¡°Fine,¡± Nachi sighed, defeated. ¡°But if anything happens, it¡¯s on you.¡±

    Everly turned back to the doppelg?nger, her expression firm. ¡°We¡¯re ready. Show us.¡±

    The doppelg?nger stepped forward and took Everly¡¯s hand. Everly flinched at the contact but quickly composed herself. The doppelg?nger extended her other hand toward Nachi, who hesitated.

    ¡°Oh, so we¡¯re holding hands now?¡± he said, puffing out his cheeks in mock protest.

    ¡°Just take it,¡± the doppelg?nger replied, her voice tinged with impatience.

    With a dramatic sigh, Nachi clasped her hand.

    ¡°Now, close your eyes,¡± the doppelg?nger instructed, glancing at each of them to ensure they complied. When they did, she closed her own.

    Behind her closed lids, a bright interface appeared, overlaying her vision. In the upper left corner, the time and date flickered. A mini-map hovered in the upper right. Her most useful skills were listed at the bottom, ready for easy access. She willed the past events inlay to appear, and a series of thumbnails showcasing her recent memories materialized in rapid succession.

    The doppelg?nger scrolled through them with practiced ease until she found the memory she sought. ¡°Got it.¡±

    ¡°Got what?¡± Nachi asked, his voice mixed with apprehension.

    The doppelg?nger paused, considering the best way to share the memory. She could simply press the share button, allowing Everly and Nachi to watch the robbery unfold like a movie projected onto the blank screens of their closed eyelids. Or, she could take it a step further¡ªtransporting them directly into the memory for a vivid, firsthand experience.

    She smirked. ¡°Hang on tight, we¡¯re going for a ride.¡±

    ¡°Good grief,¡± Nachi muttered, tightening his grip on his two companions.

    ¡°No need to be afraid of what you¡¯re about to see. You can¡¯t interact with anything; it¡¯s just a memory,¡± the doppelg?nger reassured them.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know why, but I trust you,¡± Nachi said with a mix of skepticism and curiosity.

    With a mental wink, the doppelg?nger activated the share function.

    ¡°Whoa¡ªI see something,¡± Nachi exclaimed as faint shapes began to materialize.

    ¡°It¡¯s getting bigger, like we¡¯re zooming in,¡± Everly observed. She instinctively took a step back, though their clasped hands prevented her from moving far.

    The doppelg?nger felt Everly¡¯s tug but stayed focused as the memory box expanded, filling her entire field of vision. Her current surroundings dissolved into the vivid reconstruction of her past.

    ¡°Holy hochi mochi,¡± Nachi gasped, his voice tinged with awe.

    ¡°You can open your eyes now,¡± the doppelg?nger said. ¡°Once you do, you¡¯ll be able to move around.¡±

    Everly was the first to release her grip and open her eyes. She immediately raised her fists, ready to defend herself. ¡°What is this? Where are we?¡± For the first time, a note of worry edged her voice.

    ¡°We¡¯re in my memory¡ªsee?¡± The doppelg?nger gestured toward a human-sized glob of goo slumped against a wall. ¡°That¡¯s me in there.¡±

    Nachi stepped closer, his curiosity overpowering caution. He watched as a slick hand emerged from the glistening mass. ¡°This is insane,¡± he murmured, his mouth hanging in astonishment. ¡°It¡¯s just like how it looked in the video.¡±

    ¡°Get away from there,¡± Everly barked, crouching behind the bank teller¡¯s counter.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s okay,¡± the doppelg?nger assured her. ¡°This is just a memory. We can¡¯t interact with anything here.¡± To demonstrate, she passed her hand through a wall. ¡°This technology is far more advanced than your memory chamber. We¡¯re like ghosts here.¡±

    Inside the goo, Cedar wriggled and pushed herself free of the capsule. Once out, she waved cheerfully at a security camera.

    ¡°Can she see us?¡± Nachi asked, his eyes darting between Cedar and the camera.

    ¡°Nope,¡± the doppelg?nger replied.

    ¡°Holy hochi mochi,¡± Nachi exclaimed again, his wide eyes tracking Cedar as she moved.

    ¡°How are you doing this?¡± Everly asked, still crouched low behind the counter, her analytical gaze darting around the room.

    ¡°I¡¯m not entirely sure¡ªit¡¯s not my area of expertise,¡± the doppelg?nger admitted, putting her palm to her cheek in mock embarrassment. ¡°Oh, this is so awkward¡­ You see, I have a music app I like to use, and, well¡­¡±

    Inside the memory, Cedar began to wriggle and dance in front of the security cameras.

    ¡°And, well¡­¡± the doppelg?nger continued, ¡°I can hear music, but you guys can¡¯t. If you could, this would make a lot more sense.¡±

    Cedar dipped and popped her body rhythmically, her movements exaggerated as she twirled her goo-covered arms.

    ¡°I swear, it¡¯d make more sense,¡± the doppelg?nger reiterated.

    Nachi, catching on to Cedar¡¯s invisible beat, began bobbing his head. ¡°Oh yeah, this is <i>exactly</i> how I remember it from the video.¡±

    Cedar spun her gooey locks around, splattering gobs of sludge onto the waxed floor tiles. Then she shimmied behind the bank teller¡¯s counter, rummaging through a drawer until she found a pair of scissors. Deliberately, she snipped a tendril of her hair and placed it carefully on the counter in clear view of the camera.

    ¡°I remember that!¡± Nachi exclaimed, practically jumping. ¡°That was for a DNA sample, right? To prove it was actually you?¡±

    ¡°Careful, now,¡± the doppelg?nger teased. ¡°Don¡¯t let that big brain of yours go to your head.¡±

    Cedar pranced toward a back room, her steps deliberate as she made her way to the hidden vault.

    ¡°You might want to pay attention to this,¡± the doppelg?nger said, her tone light but purposeful. ¡°Especially you, Nachi.¡±

    Nachi eagerly followed the naked Cedar, skipping along with enthusiasm. Everly, less than thrilled, trailed behind at a measured pace, keeping a wary eye on the surroundings.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

    ¡°She¡¯s actually going to do it. I can¡¯t believe this,¡± Nachi said, stepping closer to get a better look at Cedar¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Shhh¡­¡± Everly hushed him, positioning herself on the other side of Cedar. They stood facing each other with Cedar between them, her unwavering gaze fixed on the vault.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me to hush, woman. She can¡¯t hear us,¡± Nachi muttered.

    Everly growled in frustration before giving Nachi a sharp thwack on the back of his head.

    ¡°Here it comes,¡± the doppelg?nger warned from behind.

    A low hissing sound emanated from the vault as Cedar¡¯s eyes glowed a brilliant white, her pupils vanishing entirely.

    ¡°How come I can¡¯t see the beam?¡± Nachi asked, rubbing the sore spot where Everly had struck him.

    ¡°This is real life, not a movie. The lasers are infrared,¡± the doppelg?nger replied smoothly.

    ¡°Silent but deadly,¡± Nachi said, both impressed and mesmerized as the heavy steel began to melt.

    The doppelg?nger watched the two skeptics, their disbelief giving way to wonder. If this didn¡¯t convince them, nothing would.

    Cedar cut an opening in the vault door¡ªa little shorter than her height but much wider than her shoulders. Without hesitation, she stepped comfortably through the sizzling gap and disappeared into the dark chamber beyond.

    ¡°Are you seeing this, Everly?¡± Nachi asked, his voice filled with amazement. ¡°How do you even begin to explain this?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t,¡± Everly admitted. She backed away from the vault, her expression coated with unease, before turning to the doppelg?nger. ¡°I have¡­ so many questions.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure you do,¡± the doppelg?nger replied with a slight smirk. ¡°I just turned your world upside down.¡± She leaned casually against the wall, her arms folded, watching as Nachi eagerly followed Cedar into the vault.

    ¡°You say you¡¯re not from this universe?¡± Everly asked, still trying to process what she¡¯d witnessed.

    ¡°I am¡ªand I¡¯m not,¡± the doppelg?nger said thoughtfully. ¡°I¡¯m from Earth. <i>This</i> Earth. Everything¡¯s identical¡ªevery grain of sand, every blade of grass. But I come from a <i>different</i> universe, a much older version of this one.¡±

    ¡°Can you show me more?¡± Everly asked, her skepticism giving way to curiosity. ¡°A memory of Cedar¡­ years from now, when she¡¯s old?¡±

    The doppelg?nger tilted her head, considering. ¡°I can show you anything you need. More proof? Is that what you¡¯re after?¡±

    Everly nodded firmly.

    ¡°Well then, let¡¯s strap in and get goin¡¯,¡± the doppelg?nger said with a broad grin. ¡°Come on, Nachi, you¡¯re coming too.¡±

    Everly hesitated briefly before stepping closer and taking the doppelg?nger¡¯s hand. Clearing her throat, she called out, ¡°Get your ass in gear, Nacho man.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m coming, I¡¯m coming,¡± Nachi replied, joining the circle with a mock pout. ¡°I¡¯ll miss you, you powerful, amazing woman, you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m right here,¡± the doppelg?nger said dryly.

    ¡°Oh, right¡­¡±

    ¡°Alright, y¡¯all, close your eyes,¡± the doppelg?nger drawled. ¡°We¡¯re going on another ride.¡±

    She accessed her past events calendar once again, navigating the interface as the memory thumbnails materialized before her. Scrolling with precision, she located a specific memory from Cedar¡¯s later years. It wasn¡¯t the most dramatic moment, but it captured the essence of who Cedar had become.

    ¡°Got it,¡± she said, selecting the thumbnail and sharing it with her companions.

    ¡°It¡¯s happening. I see something,¡± Nachi remarked.

    Everly held her breath, tightening her grip on the doppelg?nger¡¯s hand as the thumbnail seemed to draw closer, enveloping them entirely. The sensation blurred the lines of movement¡ªit was impossible to tell whether they were being drawn in or the memory was expanding around them. Within moments, they were fully immersed.

    ¡°Open your eyes,¡± the doppelg?nger instructed.

    Sparks danced in the wind above a smoldering fire. An older woman sat hunched over, prodding the embers with a stick. The peaceful scene was framed by a secluded, heavily wooded campsite. A nearby brook gurgled softly, its warbling melody thickening the air with a damp, dewy coolness.

    The trio stood silently, taking in their surroundings. The older woman moved slowly, rising to retrieve her belongings from a side compartment on a three-wheeled motorcycle. The vehicle was perched on a bed of peat near a small, weathered tent. She returned to the fire carrying a refrigerated bag and began preparing dinner with compact, well-worn utensils.

    On her lap, she laid a small cutting board, her hands steady as she sliced mushrooms, onions, and peppers to grill. A sirloin steak followed, the marbled meat glistening as she placed it alongside the vegetables.

    ¡°She¡¯s a badass,¡± Nachi murmured, his tone reverent.

    ¡°That¡¯s Cedar?¡± Everly asked, her voice softer now as she studied the older woman¡¯s movements.

    The doppelg?nger nodded. ¡°None other.¡±

    ¡°Looks tasty,¡± Nachi remarked, eyeing the sizzling steak.

    ¡°How old are you here? What year is this?¡± Everly asked.

    The doppelg?nger watched as the steak juices dripped onto the embers of the makeshift grill, releasing a smoky aroma. She seldom indulged in real meat back then, but when she allowed herself the luxury, it always felt like a well-earned privilege.

    ¡°I was seventy-five,¡± the doppelg?nger replied, glancing at the date in the corner of her interface. ¡°This is September 15th, 2296.¡±

    ¡°Whoa¡­¡± Nachi took in the surroundings. ¡°So <i>this</i> is the future.¡±

    ¡°This would¡¯ve been Cedar¡¯s future¡ªCedar from<i> this</i> universe¡ªhad it not been hijacked,¡± the doppelg?nger explained. ¡°If we were to fast-forward your universe¡¯s timeline, it¡¯s complete mayhem.¡±

    Everly stepped closer to the older Cedar, studying her face intently. ¡°She looks like you, but¡­ I¡¯d like to see some new technology. Something we¡¯ve never seen before. More proof.¡±

    ¡°Wait until I finish eating,¡± the doppelg?nger said, watching the older Cedar plate her food. ¡°I post a video from my laptop. It¡¯s new tech.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m down to wait,¡± Nachi said, settling by the fire. ¡°What¡¯s it like in the future, anyway?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s complicated,¡± the doppelg?nger replied.

    ¡°That¡¯s it? That¡¯s all you¡¯re going to give me?¡± Nachi pressed.

    ¡°You¡¯re not meant to know. Everything happens for a reason. That¡¯s all you need to know.¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡± Nachi frowned thoughtfully.

    ¡°But <i>why</i> does everything happen for a reason?¡± Everly asked, joining Nachi by the fire.

    ¡°Events unfold in a specific way to ensure your universe¡¯s permanence,¡± the doppelg?nger explained. ¡°Our conversation might create minor disturbances, but the universe has self-regulating mechanisms to keep things on course.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s an auto-correct?¡± Nachi asked, perking up. ¡°I hope it¡¯s better than the one on my phone. Why would my phone think I don¡¯t give a duck? Who carries ducks?¡±

    ¡°If you are who you say you are,¡± Everly cut in, her tone sharper, ¡°you must¡¯ve experienced death. Correct?¡±

    ¡°Damn, Evie, you dark,¡± Nachi muttered, shaking his head.

    The doppelg?nger¡¯s expression faltered, stunned by the directness of the question.

    ¡°What made you ask that?¡± the doppelg?nger asked carefully.

    ¡°You said you¡¯re from another universe identical to this one,¡± Everly began, her voice cool and analytical. ¡°But this universe doesn¡¯t have the technology for multiuniversal travel. So how could it be identical? How could you have memories of Cedar when she¡¯s older without already having lived her life?¡±

    The doppelg?nger hesitated, at a rare loss for words. ¡°How did you¡­¡±

    ¡°You could be a multiuniversal traveler with time travel capabilities,¡± Everly continued. ¡°Or Cedar¡¯s ghost from a parallel universe come to haunt us. Or¡­¡± She paused, her eyes narrowing. ¡°A manifestation of Cedar¡¯s subconscious. My guess? You¡¯re a manifestation¡ªa split in her personality. All other explanations are illogical.¡±

    Nachi¡¯s gaze flicked between Everly and the doppelg?nger, wide-eyed and fascinated. ¡°So¡­ are you dead, future girl?¡±

    The doppelg?nger sighed, recognizing that Everly had cut straight to the core of the truth. Somehow, with limited information, she¡¯d pieced together the doppelg?nger¡¯s true nature.

    ¡°I¡¯m a ghost, I guess you could say,¡± the doppelg?nger admitted.

    Nachi¡¯s eyes bulged. ¡°I knew it!¡±

    ¡°No, you didn¡¯t,¡± Everly shot back, unimpressed.

    ¡°Is there a God?¡± Nachi asked suddenly, his tone uncharacteristically serious.

    Everly rolled her eyes.

    ¡°There is, and there isn¡¯t,¡± the doppelg?nger replied, her voice steady. ¡°It¡¯s complicated.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s cryptic,¡± Everly said, stepping closer to the fire and placing one foot into the flames. ¡°How can something exist and not exist at the same time?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not easy to explain,¡± the doppelg?nger admitted. ¡°If there is a God, we don¡¯t know where they are.¡±

    Nachi chimed in, ¡°If there¡¯s a God, they¡¯ve gotta be a damn psychopath, right? I wouldn¡¯t want to cross paths with someone like that. The dude put a hit out on infant sons, drowned millions of people¡­ I wouldn¡¯t want a guy like that in charge.¡±

    ¡°God wouldn¡¯t be male or female,¡± the doppelg?nger countered. ¡°Considering some species don¡¯t even <i>have</i> sexes, why assign a gender to God?¡±

    Nachi, following Everly¡¯s example, placed a foot in the flames. ¡°So, you¡¯re telling me there¡¯s a non-binary God that may or may not exist?¡± he asked, inching his lower legs further into the fire, his tone half-serious.

    ¡°If God exists,¡± the doppelg?nger replied, ¡°they wouldn¡¯t be limited to just one body¡ªthey¡¯d be <i>every</i> body. Every person, place, or thing.¡±

    She paused, letting the idea sink in. ¡°The thing is, our concept of God evolves with our awareness. Early civilizations worshipped animals¡ªbears, birds¡ªbefore transitioning to deities.¡±

    She leaned back slightly, her expression contemplative. ¡°But consider this: if most people believe the universe originated from a singularity, why not worship the singularity? They¡¯ve worshipped everything else¡ªthe sun, the moon, the stars¡­¡±

    Nachi, intrigued, ran a hand through the flames, watching as they licked harmlessly at his fingers. ¡°I guess it¡¯s because the singularity doesn¡¯t have a face. It¡¯s an event, not a person.¡± He turned to Everly. ¡°What about you, Evie? Do you believe in God?¡±

    ¡°Please don¡¯t call me Evie. And no, I don¡¯t believe in God. Of course not.¡± Everly shook her head as she withdrew her foot from the flames, leaving Nachi to dominate the fire pit. ¡°Even if we considered the singularity as God, the question remains: who created the God that created the singularity? It¡¯s circular logic. It never ends.¡±

    The doppelg?nger turned to her with a slight smile. ¡°You know, believing there¡¯s no God can be just as illogical as believing there is one.¡±

    ¡°How so?¡± Everly asked, her voice sharp. ¡°I don¡¯t believe in God. I have no faith. Having no faith is more logical than having it.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re dark, Evie,¡± Nachi murmured, shaking his head.

    ¡°My name is Everly,¡± she snapped. ¡°And how is my lack of faith illogical?¡±

    ¡°You have no proof of God¡¯s non-existence,¡± the doppelg?nger countered.

    ¡°And you have no proof of <i>their</i> existence,¡± Everly shot back.

    Nachi, now cross-legged in the flames, adopted a meditative pose. Everly sat nearby, chin resting in her hand as she observed the fire licking around Nachi¡¯s limbs.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that the essence of science?¡± the doppelg?nger pressed. ¡°Finding answers always leads to more questions. Do you believe in reaching an ultimate truth someday?¡±

    ¡°I do,¡± Everly admitted. ¡°But truth doesn¡¯t end with finding God. It¡¯s in equations and science. Science stops the moment people bring God into the mix.¡±

    The doppelg?nger tilted her head. ¡°Do you believe in the soul?¡±

    ¡°I believe in my brain,¡± Everly said flatly, brushing the question aside.

    ¡°Yet your consciousness is literally inside Cedar¡¯s subconscious,¡± the doppelg?nger pointed out. ¡°It was pulled out of you and placed into hers. How do you explain that if you don¡¯t have a soul?¡±

    ¡°Everything can be explained with science,¡± Everly replied, her tone uninterested.

    ¡°No, Everly¡­¡± Nachi interjected, waving his hands theatrically through the flames. ¡°Science doesn¡¯t have a clue why we can do this. They only know that we can.¡±

    Everly sighed, clearly exasperated. ¡°Do you really want me to get into this? Consciousness is an emergent property of the brain¡¯s electrical and magnetic fields coinciding. There¡¯s a measurable energy flow¡ªPoynting¡¯s vector, if you must know¡ªand by applying Maxwell¡¯s equations, we can direct it. There¡¯s no mystery or voodoo; it¡¯s basic physics. Like juicing up an old car battery.¡±

    ¡°Ugh, you¡¯re hopeless,¡± Nachi muttered, rolling his eyes.

    The doppelg?nger leaned in, her tone measured. ¡°But where exactly <i>is</i> consciousness? All matter is made of electricity, and magnetic fields are everywhere. By your logic, consciousness arises whenever electrical and magnetic fields align. Wouldn¡¯t that suggest all matter is conscious?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure there¡¯s a biochemical component too,¡± Everly replied with a dismissive wave. ¡°We¡¯re still working on it. In my opinion, we stop evolving when we stop researching.¡±

    The doppelg?nger smiled faintly. ¡°I completely agree. Never stop researching.¡±

    Everly nodded curtly, as if granting approval.

    The doppelg?nger raised a finger, ready to elaborate. ¡°But¡­¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s always a but,¡± Everly remarked, crossing her arms.

    ¡°But¡­¡± the doppelg?nger continued, ¡°your physical brain back home is doing all the thinking while you¡¯re here with us now. Information is being passed along some kind of conductor. My question is¡ª¡± she leaned forward slightly, her tone sharpening¡ª¡°what exactly is being transmitted? It¡¯s definitely a flow of energy¡ªpackets of information¡ªbut what makes it <i>conscious</i> energy?¡±

    All eyes turned to Everly, waiting for her response. Before she could answer, the doppelg?nger added, ¡°Considering your expertise with car batteries, you must know that electricity doesn¡¯t actually travel through wires¡ªit¡¯s the fields surrounding the wires that carry the charge.¡±

    Everly nodded slowly. ¡°Of course. That¡¯s the principle behind wireless charging.¡±

    ¡°Exactly,¡± the doppelg?nger said. ¡°So, correct me if I¡¯m wrong, but would it be possible for consciousness to work in a similar manner¡ªlike wireless charging?¡±

    Everly frowned, clearly intrigued but skeptical. ¡°I don¡¯t see how,¡± she admitted. ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re even suggesting.¡±

    ¡°Do you agree,¡± the doppelg?nger pressed, ¡°that the more complex a life form is, the more intelligent it becomes?¡±

    ¡°Sure,¡± Everly said, humoring her.

    ¡°Lower life forms don¡¯t have a central processing unit like we do,¡± the doppelg?nger explained. ¡°Our brains process energy into recognizable patterns of thought, giving us the power to control our environment for survival. We¡¯re granted freedom¡ªchoices¡ªbut are we truly in control?¡±

    ¡°You lost me, dude,¡± Nachi groaned, throwing up his hands.

    ¡°What¡¯s your point?¡± Everly asked, narrowing her eyes.

    ¡°My point is that all energy, regardless of its form, is conscious,¡± the doppelg?nger said. ¡°It¡¯s the supreme governing force of the multiverse. If we learn to tune into it, it will give us more choices¡ªmore freedom. Otherwise, we¡¯re no better than farts sailing on the wind.¡±

    ¡°You sound like a panpsychist,¡± Everly said, raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°And what¡¯s wrong with that?¡± the doppelg?nger asked, unfazed.

    ¡°I¡¯m a science geek,¡± Everly replied flatly. ¡°I can¡¯t flip-flop to the other side. It¡¯s not in my nature. If something can¡¯t be tested, I don¡¯t waste time on it. Science ends where speculation begins. Consciousness can¡¯t be tested.¡±

    ¡°Absence of evidence isn¡¯t evidence of absence, my dear skeptic scalawag,¡± the doppelg?nger teased with a playful smirk.

    Everly rolled her eyes.

    Lowering her voice as if sharing a secret, the doppelg?nger leaned closer. ¡°What if I told you that you don¡¯t have to flip-flop? Consciousness and science are one and the same. You¡¯re right to say everything can be explained through science¡ªincluding consciousness. It¡¯s just a matter of how far down the rabbit hole you¡¯re willing to go.¡±

    Everly¡¯s lips twitched into the faintest of smiles. ¡°I do enjoy a good mystery.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s at the bottom of this hole?¡± Nachi asked, subtly bouncing on his bottom like a curious child.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure you¡¯re ready to know,¡± the doppelg?nger said with a hint of warning.

    ¡°Try me,¡± Nachi challenged, grinning.

    ¡°You won¡¯t like the answer. It¡¯s a tough pill to swallow.¡±

    ¡°Oh, come on, are you going to tell us or not?¡± Nachi puffed his cheeks, feigning impatience.

    ¡°Just tell us,¡± Everly said, cutting in. ¡°If it¡¯s more God stuff, it¡¯ll go in one ear and out the other anyway.¡±

    The doppelg?nger exhaled and straightened. ¡°Alright. You know how physics has set laws and fundamental properties?¡±

    Both Nachi and Everly nodded.

    ¡°The same goes for consciousness. It¡¯s both fundamental and governed by its own principles.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Nachi asked, leaning back. ¡°What¡¯s so scary about that?¡±

    ¡°The scary thing,¡± the doppelg?nger said evenly, ¡°is that it¡¯s all very sophisticated science. Conscious energy is a field that pervades everything. It functions like software, while all matter acts as hardware¡ªor quantum processors, like us. Our physiology allows us to decode this energy, internalize it, and make it our own.¡±

    ¡°That still doesn¡¯t sound very scary,¡± Nachi pointed out.

    Everly¡¯s eyes narrowed as realization dawned. ¡°It implies the universe is deterministic. Is that what you¡¯re getting at? That everything is run on a program?¡±

    ¡°Nothing gets by you, does it?¡± the doppelg?nger replied with a wink.

    ¡°There¡¯s no way we¡¯re a program,¡± Everly argued. ¡°No computer could run software infinitely on a scale as vast as the universe. That¡¯s already been debunked.¡±

    ¡°The program doesn¡¯t run indefinitely,¡± the doppelg?nger clarified. ¡°The universe stops being deterministic when¡­¡± She hesitated, as if reluctant to tread into dangerous territory.

    ¡°When what?¡± Nachi prompted, leaning forward.

    ¡°It stops being deterministic once all its constituent parts return to the singularity,¡± she finished.

    ¡°What constituent parts?¡± Everly asked.

    ¡°Us,¡± the doppelg?nger said with a small shrug. ¡°All its people, things¡ªeverything it took to create this universe. Whatever¡¯s left, once all its parts return to the singularity, will have true free will. No longer predetermined. Most importantly, you¡¯ll be safe from deletion. Safe from hijackers.¡±

    ¡°Good lord¡­¡± Everly murmured, pressing her palm to her forehead.

    ¡°That¡¯s deep,¡± Nachi muttered, his voice quieter than usual.

    Meanwhile, Cedar rose from her seat, quietly gathering her dinnerware. She wiped her utensils with a self-sterilizing cloth, placing each item neatly into its corresponding compartment. With a verbal command, she unlocked her motorcycle¡¯s trunk and pulled out a cylindrical case from the deep storage basin.

    ¡°We¡¯ll continue this discussion later,¡± the doppelg?nger suggested. ¡°You¡¯re about to witness the latest Inselburg.¡±

    ¡°It looks like a scroll,¡± Nachi observed. ¡°Is it a scroll?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll see,¡± the doppelg?nger replied cryptically.

    Cedar unzipped the long cylindrical tube, and it unfurled with an audible beep. Nachi and Everly huddled closer, their curiosity piqued. The ¡°laptop,¡± little more than a transparent film layered over a durable, plastic-like material, appeared rudimentary¡ªalmost underwhelming.

    ¡°Wow, I¡¯m overwhelmed,¡± Nachi said flatly.

    ¡°That¡¯s just the base. Be patient.¡±

    Cedar tossed the laptop onto the ground like it was a discarded piece of trash and then sat on her folding chair, several yards away.

    ¡°Yobbo, turn on,¡± she commanded, exhaling sharply.

    The film brightened, emitting faint, willowy red beams that swept the surrounding area, scanning for objects in its periphery. Once the calculations were complete, a shape began to rise, erupting from the surface.

    ¡°Whoa,¡± Nachi exclaimed. ¡°Is that a tiny mountain?¡±

    ¡°The tip of one,¡± the doppelg?nger corrected.

    The mountain continued to grow, aspiring higher than the nearby treetops. A bird fluttered out from the branches and took flight, as if fleeing impending doom. The mountain stopped at an impressive fifty feet, glowing brightly against the dimming light of the evening. Snow clung to its peak, just below a shimmering, iridescent rainbow.

    Nachi and Everly stared, wide-eyed, marveling at the lone alp¡¯s grandeur. Drawn by its immensity, they both reached out instinctively.

    ¡°Impossible¡­¡± Everly breathed. ¡°It looks completely solid. How? How is this possible?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s something to do with refracting light through oxygen molecules,¡± the doppelg?nger explained. ¡°Are you impressed yet?¡±

    ¡°Getting there,¡± Everly admitted grudgingly.

    From a nearby campsite, an annoyed voice broke the moment. ¡°Hey, turn that shit off!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, turn it off!¡± another camper shouted.

    Cedar cleared her throat. ¡°Yobbo, turn off mountain.¡±

    The mountain dissolved into a flurry of glowing particles, swept away as though by an invisible wind.

    ¡°Hello, Cedar,¡± a deep voice intoned from behind Everly.

    Startled, Everly spun around to face the source of the voice.

    A man stood before them, impeccably dressed in a finely pressed suit and tie. His glossy shoes stood out starkly against the rugged terrain.

    ¡°What would you like to accomplish today?¡± the man asked, his rich, burgundy tone soothing to the ears.

    ¡°I¡¯d like to record a vlog,¡± Cedar replied.

    ¡°Very well. Just say the word ¡®record,¡¯ and it will begin.¡± A smiling emoji appeared, hovering just above the man¡¯s broad left shoulder. ¡°This emoji will act as your camera lens.¡±

    Without much thought, Cedar gave the command. ¡°Record.¡±

    A small red dot appeared over the smiling emoji, signaling the recording had started.

    ¡°I had a dream last night,¡± Cedar began, her long silver hair cascading over her worn leather jacket. ¡°I dreamt I was being attacked by a snake.¡±

    ¡°Story time!¡± Nachi exclaimed, springing from the fire pit to sit at Cedar¡¯s feet, gazing up like an eager child.

    ¡°He was violent. Vicious,¡± Cedar continued. ¡°I tried grabbing him by the head, thinking it was the only way to stop him from biting. But the harder I grabbed, the harder he bit. I physically felt the sting of his fangs.¡±

    She paused, her voice steady but reflective. ¡°I knew that if I didn¡¯t capture him right then and there, I¡¯d have to live in fear¡ªalways anticipating his next move. And I¡¯d already been bitten. If he was poisonous, then I had nothing to lose. The poison was already in me. To stop now would mean all those previous bites had been for nothing. Running, healing, only to be bitten again later¡ªit would just repeat. Attack. Pain. Heal. Attack. Pain. Heal.¡±

    Cedar coughed softly, clearing her throat. ¡°Walking away felt like the coward¡¯s choice, not the strong one. Choosing fear meant living with it. So, I decided to capture him. No matter how much it hurt, I chose courage over fear.¡±

    ¡°You kill it, bitch,¡± Nachi blurted, grinning.

    ¡°Shut it, Nachi,¡± Everly hissed, shooting him a glare. ¡°Let her finish.¡±

    ¡°And I did catch him. I grabbed him by the head and watched his jaw unhinge, revealing watery fangs that shot venom like water guns. I¡¯m not sure if fangs actually do that, but in my dream, they did. And then I woke up.¡± She nodded to no one in particular.

    ¡°It turns out I <i>was</i> bitten by something in my sleep,¡± Cedar added, rubbing her aged hand and examining it closely. ¡°Some damn bug or spider, I don¡¯t know what it was. I spent half the night searching my tent for it.¡±

    She sighed, then continued. ¡°Anyway¡­ after I woke up, I thought about the dream¡¯s meaning. In the dream, I felt compelled to catch the snake. But when I woke up and looked for whatever bit me, it dawned on me¡ªthere will always be another snake. If I <i>really</i> want to grab fear by the head, I have to grab the <i>fear itself,</i> not the thing causing it. There is no snake. There is no fear. Do you understand?¡± Cedar glanced at the smiling emoji, her voice turning wry. ¡°I mean, metaphorically, of course. If there¡¯s an actual snake, you kill the bastard.¡±

    Nachi laughed. ¡°She¡¯s awesome.¡±

    Old Cedar gave a small, weary smile. ¡°What I¡¯m trying to say is¡­ I wouldn¡¯t have had that dream if I wasn¡¯t scared of something. I¡¯m just not sure what¡¯s left to be afraid of these days. I feel like I¡¯ve already lived through the worst of it. The dream¡¯s telling me I need to let go of something, but I can¡¯t quite figure out what.¡±

    Her voice trailed off as she gazed into the dying embers of the fire, her thoughts distant.

    ¡°I¡¯m in the Old Smokies tonight,¡± Cedar said, her voice steady as she leaned back in her chair. ¡°Not sure where I¡¯ll end up tomorrow. I¡¯m still in good health, so I won¡¯t need one of those retirement cruise ships anytime soon. The weather¡¯s cool at these high altitudes, but getting here feels like driving through an oven. Still, as long as I have water and juice for old Betsy here, I¡¯ll be fine.¡± She patted the side of her motorcycle, her expression softening. ¡°Goodnight, everybody. Thanks for listening.¡± Cedar waved at the hovering emoji, signaling it to stop recording.

    Everly watched as Cedar packed her laptop, rolling the transparent film neatly before zipping it into its case. ¡°How do we get back to Cedar? Present-day Cedar, I mean,¡± she asked, her tone more demanding than curious.

    The doppelg?nger stepped closer to Everly, lightly touching her shoulder. ¡°We can return once you no longer need proof of who I say I am.¡±

    Everly flinched, pulling away from the touch.

    ¡°Ohh¡­kay,¡± the doppelg?nger said, retracting her hand and smoothing her hair instead. ¡°Your world really is in danger. Cedar¡¯s the only one who can help.¡±

    ¡°Why can¡¯t <i>you</i> help? Why do you need her?¡± Everly pressed, her suspicion clear.

    ¡°I already used up most of my time during the robbery,¡± the doppelg?nger explained. ¡°I can¡¯t press my luck. I¡¯m not supposed to be here¡ªnot in physical form, anyway. Astral is fine, but physical? If the auto-correction system detects me, I¡¯ll be toast.¡±

    Nachi, who had been quietly absorbing the exchange, finally chimed in. ¡°What¡¯s going to happen to us? Why are we in danger?¡±

    The doppelg?nger¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°A man from another universe¡ªidentical to this one¡ªwill reign terror on all of you. He¡¯s seeking revenge.¡±

    ¡°Revenge for what?¡± Nachi asked, his brows furrowing.

    ¡°Show us,¡± Everly interjected, taking control of the conversation. ¡°Can you do that?¡±

    The doppelg?nger hesitated, shaking her head. ¡°I can¡¯t. I didn¡¯t actually visit your future. I only viewed it from my hub.¡±

    She paused, deliberating. Sharing her hub was a risky move, but it might be the only way to convince them. The hub was a powerful tool, granting her access to view the past, present, and future¡ªnot just of her universe, but countless others. Most were identical to this one, except for those currently under threat of hijacking.

    ¡°Your <i>hub</i>?¡± Everly repeated, her brow arching skeptically. ¡°I still don¡¯t believe any of this. You¡¯re most likely a manifestation of Cedar¡¯s subconscious. This could be the first documented case of split-personality disorder inside a virtual rehabilitation program.¡±

    ¡°Fine,¡± the doppelg?nger conceded, exhaling. ¡°I¡¯ll show you my hub. All the proof you need can be found there.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the hub, bub?¡± Nachi asked with a playful grin.

    The doppelg?nger smirked. ¡°Prepare to be amazed.¡± She extended her hands toward them.

    Everly was the first to take one. ¡°You ready, Nachi?¡±

    Nachi grasped the doppelg?nger¡¯s other hand, completing the circle. ¡°Sure. Let¡¯s get weird.¡±

    All three closed their eyes without needing further instruction.

    ¡°This next stop will surprise you,¡± the doppelg?nger warned, her voice laced with anticipation. She peeked briefly to ensure they were prepared.

    ¡°I can¡¯t possibly be more confused than I already am,¡± Everly stated, her tone dry but resolute.

    With a grin, the doppelg?nger activated the hub. The air shimmered, and a new image began to materialize before them.

    ¡°Here it comes¡­¡± Nachi uttered, bracing himself as light and motion converged into a vibrant new reality.

 Chapter 6: Between Realities

    Cedar sat on the beige bed in the equally beige motel room, watching the three strangers before her. They held hands, eyes closed, resembling a group in deep prayer. Despite her efforts, her situation remained incomprehensible. She ran her hand over the blanket, noting its softness¡ªa testament to its resilience through countless washes. The clock on the nightstand glowed <b>3:11</b> in red neon. She urged herself to wake up, pinching her arm hard enough to leave a sting, then soothing the spot with a rub.

    ¡°You can open your eyes now,¡± the doppelg?nger said.

    ¡°Finally,¡± Nachi muttered, releasing his grip and stepping away from the others. ¡°That was wild,¡± he added, rubbing the back of his head.

    Cedar had no idea what he meant by that¡ªshe didn¡¯t understand any of it. To her, they hadn¡¯t gone anywhere.

    ¡°I¡¯d really appreciate it if none of you said anything about this,¡± the doppelg?nger continued.

    ¡°That¡¯ll be hard since Everly wants to write a book about it,¡± Nachi commented.

    ¡°Nachi!¡± Everly snapped, scowling at him.

    ¡°Whatever,¡± the doppelg?nger shrugged. ¡°We¡¯ll worry about that later.¡±

    They glanced in Cedar¡¯s direction, confirming she was still there. The doppelg?nger exhaled heavily before turning to Everly. ¡°You¡¯re going to let us do this, right?¡±

    Without hesitation, Everly nodded. ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°This is nuts,¡± Nachi exclaimed, pointing at her. ¡°You¡¯re nuts!¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to come,¡± Everly replied.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to,¡± Nachi shot back.

    Cedar listened to their exchange, feeling completely adrift. Asking questions now seemed pointless¡ªshe was starting to feel like the only sane person in the room. The woman, an objectively more attractive version of herself, confirmed Cedar¡¯s suspicions: none of this was possible. It wasn¡¯t real. She had to be lying in a coma, likely on her deathbed.

    ¡°I bet you have a lot of questions,¡± the doppelg?nger said, addressing Cedar.

    ¡°Nope,¡± Cedar replied curtly.

    ¡°She must still be in shock,¡± Nachi observed.

    ¡°I¡¯m not in shock¡ªI¡¯m in a coma!¡± Cedar announced, throwing her arms up before slumping back onto the mattress. ¡°None of this is real.¡±

    ¡°Good grief¡­¡± Nachi muttered, pressing his palm against his face.

    ¡°Cedar,¡± the doppelg?nger began gently, sitting beside her on the bed. ¡°This is real. Well, <i>this</i>¡ª¡± she gestured to the room¡ª¡°is a simulation. It¡¯s not real. But you¡¯re actually here, in a sense. This is <i>really</i> happening.¡±

    ¡°Why are you here? And why are you a prettier version of me?¡± Cedar asked, exasperation creeping into her voice.

    ¡°Prettier version? What? No,¡± the doppelg?nger protested. ¡°Cedar¡­ I¡¯m an exact copy of you. This is what you look like with a little makeup.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, right,¡± Cedar scoffed, draping her arm over her forehead to cover her eyes.

    ¡°It¡¯s true,¡± Nachi piped up. ¡°I can¡¯t tell you two apart, and¡­ I think you¡¯re very pretty, Cedar.¡± His face reddened. ¡°Without makeup,¡± he added quickly.

    Everly rolled her eyes at his awkwardness.

    Cedar peeked out from under her arm, narrowing one eye at the doppelg?nger. ¡°<i>Why</i> are you a copy of me? Why are you here?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no easy way to explain this,¡± the doppelg?nger admitted, her lips tightening into a thin line. ¡°Let¡¯s just say I¡¯m you from the future. I¡¯m here to help, but first, you need to do something very difficult. Do you understand?¡±

    The absurdity of the situation finally pushed Cedar over the edge. She burst into laughter.

    ¡°Did I say something funny?¡± the doppelg?nger asked, frowning.

    ¡°Why are you dressed like that?¡± Cedar asked, sitting up and inching away from her double. ¡°How am I supposed to take anything you say seriously?¡±

    ¡°This is my superhero attire,¡± the doppelg?nger explained, standing up and spinning dramatically to display her costume. ¡°I thought it was appropriate, seeing as I¡¯m here to save the planet.¡±

    ¡°You look ridiculous,¡± Cedar said flatly, her amusement fading.

    ¡°I¡¯m quite literally the best version of you, so you might want to get on board with this look. This is your future,¡± the doppelg?nger quipped, adjusting her cape and striking a heroic pose.

    ¡°God help me,¡± Cedar murmured, more to herself than to anyone else.

    ¡°How do we proceed from here?¡± Everly asked, her tone direct and businesslike. ¡°If she won¡¯t believe us, can¡¯t we just take her home and put her in front of a TV?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not that simple. She has to be ready for what¡¯s to come, or she¡¯ll never ascend. She needs coaching, direction, strength,¡± the doppelg?nger said, punctuating each word like a checklist.

    Everly scoffed. ¡°Well, that¡¯s a tall order to accomplish in¡­¡± she glanced at the beige clock, ¡°seven and a half hours? Weren¡¯t we gone longer than that?¡±

    ¡°Time stands still inside my memories.¡±

    Nachi¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°So, time isn¡¯t an issue¡ªwe can just scoot back into one of your memories and prep Cedar there,¡± he suggested.

    ¡°That¡¯s right, time isn¡¯t the issue,¡± the doppelg?nger agreed, her gaze locked on Cedar, as if implying <i>she</i> was the real challenge.

    The room fell silent. All eyes turned to Cedar. She squirmed under their collective stare, sensing they were waiting for her to agree to something, though she had no idea what.

    ¡°What? Why are all of you looking at me like that?¡±

    ¡°Do you understand what¡¯s happening to you? Why you¡¯re here? Do you know who we are?¡± Everly¡¯s tone was sharp, interrogative.

    ¡°No,¡± Cedar said, shaking her head. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna . . . I don¡¯t want to do this.¡± Her eyes flicked toward the door¡ªthe only way out.

    ¡°Let¡¯s take this one step at a time.¡± Everly straightened. ¡°I¡¯m Everly Ellis, your prosecution witness.¡± She extended her hand toward Cedar. ¡°And this is Nachiket Joshi, auditor for your defense.¡±

    Nachi eagerly shook Cedar¡¯s hand once it became available. ¡°Hey, how¡¯s it goin¡¯?¡± he said out of habit.

    ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Cedar replied warily.

    ¡°This is day two of your virtual rehabilitation,¡± Everly continued. ¡°Nachi and I agreed to stay an extra day since we didn¡¯t find any answers on day one. But then you became lucid, aware that this isn¡¯t the real world. Do you follow?¡±

    Cedar nodded.

    ¡°Since you have no memory of committing the crime, we deemed you innocent. We were about to leave when we encountered your doppelg?nger. She proved to us that she was the actual perpetrator, not you.¡±

    ¡°Okay¡­¡± Cedar paused, frowning. ¡°I don¡¯t know who this person is. I¡¯ve never met her. She may look like me, but¡ª¡±

    ¡°Yes, we¡¯re aware,¡± Everly cut in.

    ¡°Am I still in trouble, then?¡± Cedar asked.

    ¡°We¡¯re all in trouble without your help,¡± the doppelg?nger cut in, sitting beside her on the bed. ¡°The world is in jeopardy and needs you. That¡¯s why I brought you here. It was the only way.¡±

    ¡°The only way for what?¡± Cedar asked, growing more agitated.

    ¡°Long story short, you need to ascend in order to acquire my abilities¡ªabilities you¡¯ll need to stop the bad guy from destroying your world.¡±

    Cedar¡¯s face flushed as a knot formed in her stomach. This scenario sounded like every superhero plot she¡¯d ever seen or read about. There was nothing special about it: a bad guy needing an ass-kicking from a self-doubting hero. It was absurd to believe any of it. Yet, she couldn¡¯t shake the nervous energy coiling inside her. Cedar took a deep breath, forcing herself to regain composure.

    ¡°I¡¯m just a massage therapist,¡± she blurted.

    ¡°I can¡¯t transfer my abilities to anyone who isn¡¯t me¡ªit <i>has</i> to be you,¡± the doppelg?nger insisted.

    ¡°This can¡¯t be for real,¡± Cedar said, looking to Everly and Nachi for support.

    Nachi nodded firmly. ¡°I believe her. She showed us¡­ things.¡±

    Everly, arms crossed, gave a curt nod, further confirming the legitimacy of the doppelg?nger¡¯s claims.

    ¡°This is nuts!¡± Cedar flared. ¡°How can you believe this? Can¡¯t she just be a figment of my¡­ my imagination?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what we thought at first,¡± Nachi said, straightening his tie. ¡°But she¡¯s real. She proved it. She showed us everything from the bank robbery footage¡ªthings you have no memory of. And she showed us other things too.¡± He gulped, glancing briefly at Everly. ¡°Personal <i>things</i>.¡±

    ¡°Maybe <i>you¡¯re</i> not real,¡± Cedar countered. ¡°Did you ever think of that? Dr. Jones thought <i>he</i> was real. This program is messed up¡ªit¡¯s flawed or broken or <i>something</i>!¡±

    Nachi looked helplessly to Everly and the doppelg?nger for support.

    ¡°Okay, you¡¯ve got me there,¡± Nachi admitted, raising his hands in surrender. ¡°I can¡¯t prove I¡¯m real, but¡­¡± He paused, tapping his chin before turning to the doppelg?nger. ¡°Future girl,¡± he said, addressing her directly, ¡°can you take Cedar to the hub, like you did with us?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯ll help,¡± the doppelg?nger replied. ¡°She doesn¡¯t believe any of this is real, so why would she trust anything<i> I </i>show her?¡±

    They all fell silent, each lost in thought. Nachi rubbed his chin, the doppelg?nger stared blankly at the floor, and Everly, growing bored and impatient, shifted her weight with an audible sigh.

    ¡°All she needs is time,¡± the doppelg?nger suggested finally. ¡°I could take her somewhere in my memories¡ªsomeplace peaceful¡ªand let her process for a bit.¡±

    ¡°How long will that take?¡± Everly asked, eying the clock.

    ¡°You two don¡¯t have to join us. I can take her now and be back in a flash,¡± the doppelg?nger offered.

    ¡°I like that idea.¡± A smile tugged at the corners of Everly¡¯s otherwise pouty lips.

    ¡°I can even prepare her there¡ªfor the trials that await her. When we get back, she won¡¯t be the same Cedar you know now.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s unbelievable,¡± Nachi muttered, resting both hands on his head. ¡°I mean, it¡¯s incredible that you can do that.¡±

    ¡°Then let it be done,¡± Everly said, her tone imperious, as though she had the final say.

    ¡°Are you ready, Cedar?¡± the doppelg?nger asked, extending her hand.

    Cedar recoiled before the doppelg?nger could touch her. She stood abruptly, her eyes darting to the door¡ªthe way out. Without warning, she lunged for it, shoving Nachi out of the way in the process.

    ¡°Oh no, you don¡¯t!¡± Everly hissed, grabbing Cedar from behind in an ironclad bear hug. Her spindly arms wrapped around Cedar with a force that felt unyielding, like a stone statue.

    ¡°What are you, titanium?¡± Cedar huffed, squirming and kicking her legs in a desperate attempt to break free.

    ¡°Do it now¡ªI¡¯ve got her!¡± Everly gasped, her grip unwavering.

    The doppelg?nger seized Cedar¡¯s hands, prying them open to form a palm-to-palm connection. ¡°It¡¯s better with your eyes closed,¡± she warned.

    ¡°No! No, no, no! What are you doing?¡± Cedar shouted, thrashing against Everly¡¯s hold.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got it,¡± the doppelg?nger announced confidently.

    ¡°Got what?¡± Cedar demanded. An image appeared in her vision, small at first¡ªa square shape hovering faintly in her mind¡¯s eye. ¡°What is <i>that</i>?¡± she cried, panic creeping into her voice. She squeezed her eyes shut, but the image didn¡¯t waver. Instead, it expanded, growing until it filled her entire view, blotting out the beige motel room.

    Desperate to escape the vision, Cedar threw her head back, the motion jerking violently¡ªand slamming the back of her skull into Everly¡¯s face.

    That was the last thing Cedar felt before Everly vanished. With the gangly arms no longer restraining her and the doppelg?nger releasing her grip, Cedar fell forward, landing hard on her elbows. But instead of the beige carpet beneath her, her fall was cushioned by soft, green grass.

    ¡°What is this? Where am I?¡± Cedar stared at the grass, its vivid color so different from the dull motel room. Slowly, she lifted her gaze.

    ¡°We¡¯re at my family¡¯s cabin,¡± the doppelg?nger replied, inhaling deeply. ¡°It¡¯s been in the family for generations.¡±

    The scenery felt like stepping into a postcard. The air carried the delicate perfume of lilacs, calming Cedar¡¯s trembling hands. A still pond mirrored the skies above in pristine detail, the glossy surface so tranquil it wrapped her in a sense of peace she hadn¡¯t felt in ages. Somehow, it felt familiar. Like home, yet not quite home.

    She turned her head slightly, and a prickling sensation swept over her skin when her eyes fell on the cabin.

    ¡°I know this place.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that can happen. It¡¯s strange, isn¡¯t it?¡± The doppelg?nger knelt beside Cedar, her voice soft and understanding. ¡°It¡¯s like meeting someone for the first time and knowing, deep down, they¡¯re going to be a part of your life.¡±

    ¡°How do I know it? Have I been here before?¡± Cedar¡¯s voice faltered.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    ¡°This hasn¡¯t happened yet. This is from your next life,¡± the doppelg?nger explained. ¡°All the experiences you¡¯ve had, all the lives you¡¯ve lived¡ªthey all lead here. You recognize it because everything you¡¯re doing now is guiding you to this moment.¡±

    A wind chime dangled from the cabin¡¯s porch, its delicate notes dancing in the summer breeze like a whispered melody. Wooden carvings of animals decorated the cabin¡¯s exterior, each one crafted with care and personality.

    Cedar didn¡¯t respond. She simply took in the scene, the sights and sounds filling her senses.

    ¡°Are you feeling better?¡± the doppelg?nger asked gently.

    Cedar rubbed the back of her head, where a dull ache lingered from her earlier struggle. Only moments ago, she¡¯d been fighting tooth and nail to escape, and now¡­ now she wasn¡¯t sure what was real. ¡°I can¡¯t tell what¡¯s real anymore,¡± she admitted.

    ¡°It¡¯s a lot to process,¡± the doppelg?nger said, her tone reassuring.

    A blue jay landed gracefully on a nearby bird feeder, its small movements punctuating the stillness of the moment. To Cedar, it felt like an unspoken affirmation: this place was safe.

    ¡°You have all the time in the world here,¡± the doppelg?nger continued. ¡°Take as much time as you need. That¡¯s why I brought you here.¡±

    Cedar sat silently, reflecting on the whirlwind of events that had brought her to this strange place. She was exhausted¡ªtired of fighting, tired of being afraid. She couldn¡¯t even remember what normal felt like anymore.

    ¡°You¡¯re frightened because you don¡¯t understand what¡¯s happening, right?¡± the doppelg?nger asked, her voice soft.

    ¡°Nothing feels real. <i>You</i> being here doesn¡¯t feel real,¡± Cedar confessed.

    The crunch of gravel broke the stillness as an all-terrain vehicle approached the cabin. Its deep tread stirred up a cloud of dust as it rolled to a stop.

    ¡°Who¡¯s that?¡± Cedar asked, alarm flickering in her voice.

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s just me,¡± the doppelg?nger replied casually. ¡°He¡¯s your future and my past self.¡±

    A robust man stepped down from the truck, his young face radiating energy. As his boots hit the ground, the impact sent a small puff of dust swirling around him.

    ¡°Can he see us?¡± Cedar shrank back, suddenly self-conscious. She felt grimy and out of place compared to the handsome figure before her.

    ¡°He¡¯s <i>you</i>, Cedar. Don¡¯t you understand? This is a memory from my past¡ªand <i>your</i> future. No, he can¡¯t see you.¡±

    ¡°Daddy! Daddy!¡± A child burst out of the cabin, his tiny legs carrying him swiftly to the man. The boy launched himself into the man¡¯s thickset arms, and the man caught him effortlessly, lifting him high into the air before pulling him into a warm embrace.

    ¡°Ari, is that you?¡± A woman¡¯s voice called from the cabin. The screen door squeaked open, revealing a dainty woman in khaki shorts and a long-sleeve tee.

    ¡°It¡¯s me, babe,¡± the man called back. He grinned, hoisting the giggling child above his head as though offering him to the heavens. ¡°And I brought home dinner!¡±

    He looked at the boy and laughed. ¡°We eat tonight!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s my son?¡± Cedar asked, her eyes riveted on the boy. She couldn¡¯t help but smile at his infectious laughter, the sound tugging at something deep within her.

    ¡°This is a future worth saving, don¡¯t you agree?¡± the doppelg?nger asked softly.

    Cedar snapped back to the present, her purpose beginning to crystallize. Her scattered thoughts sharpened into focus. She was here to save the world¡ªto save <i>him, </i>her son. Yet her mind still struggled to assemble the pieces. Believing this to be a lie, or perhaps a dream, seemed far easier than accepting the doppelg?nger¡¯s story. And yet¡­ how did she know this place? How did she know the little boy? Everything felt unnervingly familiar, a truth she couldn¡¯t deny.

    ¡°Why me? I can¡¯t do this.¡± Cedar¡¯s shoulders slumped, her expression heavy with doubt.

    ¡°I personally think you¡¯re amazing,¡± the doppelg?nger said with a warm smile.

    Cedar glanced at her, studying her flawless features and wide-set hazel eyes. ¡°You¡¯re freaking me out,¡± she muttered.

    ¡°What? I¡¯m just sitting here.¡± The doppelg?nger shrugged innocently.

    ¡°You¡¯re <i>me</i>! It creeps me out that you¡¯re me.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s an easy fix,¡± the doppelg?nger said, rising to her feet. ¡°Give me a moment.¡±

    Suddenly, the doppelg?nger¡¯s face stiffened, as if encrusted in ash, freezing her last expression. With a shake of her head, the ash flaked away, falling in a dusty cascade. Remnants clung to her, coating her body in soot. She resembled someone who had just emerged from a coal mine, shaking herself off like a wet dog.

    When the dust cleared, Cedar no longer saw her mirror image. Standing before her was the man from the earlier scene¡ªthe one who had greeted his family.

    ¡°Oh man, that¡¯s tight,¡± the man said, adjusting the superhero spandex now clinging to his muscular form. He tugged at the fabric around his crotch and backside with an exaggerated grimace. ¡°I need to make some minor adjustments.¡±

    He closed his eyes, waving a thick finger in the air as if navigating an unseen menu. The superhero costume began to shimmer, muted geometric shapes flickering across the fabric. The constricting tights morphed into dark denim, and his knee-high red lacquered pumps transformed into heavy black cowboy boots with spurs.

    ¡°Ah, much better,¡± the man groaned as the rest of his outfit completed its transformation. A plaid flannel shirt replaced the leotard, layered under a leather vest, and a black Stetson settled atop his head.

    The man looked down at Cedar, a pleasant smile alighted his countenance. ¡°Howdy, ma¡¯am. Name¡¯s Ari. Ari Kobrakowski. My friends call me Kobra.¡± He tipped the brim of his hat with a small nod.

    Cedar stared up at him. As she took his outstretched hand to help herself up, laughter bubbled out of her.

    ¡°Ma¡¯am?¡± Ari asked, puzzled.

    His old-fashioned formality only made Cedar laugh harder. The absurdity of the situation¡ªAri¡¯s sudden transformation into a cowboy straight out of a child¡¯s wild west fantasy¡ªsent her into fits of giggles.

    ¡°I should have changed the clothes first,¡± Ari admitted, shaking his head. ¡°I know that now.¡±

    ¡°<i>Now</i> you¡¯re a cowboy?¡± Cedar managed to ask between bursts of laughter.

    ¡°We all have a little cowboy inside us,¡± Ari said, his voice adopting a faint Southern drawl.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never had a cowboy inside <i>me</i>,¡± Cedar shot back. ¡°I think I¡¯d remember.¡±

    ¡°Is this a better look for you?¡± Ari asked, holding out his arms and spinning around with a theatrical jingle of his spurs.

    ¡°Are the spurs really necessary?¡± Cedar asked, eyeing his boots.

    ¡°We¡¯re going horseback riding, aren¡¯t we?¡±

    Cedar blinked at him, her laughter fading into mild confusion. She had never been on an actual horse before. Horseback riding was for rich people, not someone like her. She¡¯d always had more pressing things to spend her money on.

    ¡°Are we?¡± she asked cautiously.

    ¡°Mi casa es su casa. Everything here is yours, and everything you <i>don¡¯t</i> see is also yours,¡± Ari said with a grin.

    Cedar blinked, unsure how to respond. His words were disarming, almost too generous. She turned her gaze to the pond, hoping its tranquil reflection could lend her some mental clarity.

    ¡°If we¡¯re going to stay here, we should set up accommodations before your riding lesson. We¡¯ll need to build something from scratch,¡± Ari continued.

    ¡°Umm¡­¡± Cedar hesitated, glancing left and right, unsure what was expected of her.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got this,¡± Ari assured her, his voice brimming with confidence. ¡°You just stay right there¡ªI was an architect in a past life.¡±

    Puckering his mouth in concentration, Ari began outlining the space for the structure with his hands. His finger flicked through invisible menus, making selections Cedar couldn¡¯t see.

    Meanwhile, Cedar tucked her hands into the back pockets of her yoga pants and idly kicked at the grass. Her mind raced with thoughts of escape.

    <i>I can do it tonight when he¡¯s asleep. I¡¯ll need a phone. Maybe there¡¯s one in the cabin¡­ if this is even real. If it¡¯s not real, there is no escape.</i>

    The brief respite gave Cedar a rare moment alone with her thoughts. She felt overwhelmed, her mental defenses crumbling under the weight of too many impossibilities happening too quickly. She desperately needed more time to process, but the whirlwind of events gave her none.

    Then, muted geometric outlines began flashing several yards away, catching her attention. It was just like Ari¡¯s earlier transformation into his cowboy ensemble. Slowly, a small log cabin began to materialize¡ªat first faint, but gradually gaining substance until it stood before her, fully formed.

    <i>Whoa.</i>

    Cedar eyed the structure. Part of her wanted to explore its interior, but another part feared she might be trapped the moment she crossed the threshold.

    Ari approached the cabin with pride, throwing open the door. ¡°After you,¡± he said with a flourish.

    The scent of freshly cut wood hit Cedar as she stepped cautiously inside. Everything was neat and orderly: a tiny kitchen, a single bed nestled in a loft accessible by ladder, and a large-screen TV positioned in front of a cozy couch in the main living area.

    <i>On second thought, maybe this won¡¯t be so bad.</i>

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind living here at all,¡± Ari commented, his satisfaction evident as he surveyed the cabin.

    The remark sent a jolt of confusion through Cedar. There was only one bed. Why hadn¡¯t he built a larger cabin for the both of them? Anxiety clawed at her chest as a new, unsettling possibility took root.

    Before she could voice her concern, Ari draped an arm over her shoulder and guided her back outside.

    ¡°You¡¯ll be over here,¡± he said, leading her behind the cabin to a small, solitary tent tucked in the shadows. The picturesque view of the pond was nowhere in sight.

    ¡°What? But why?¡± Cedar asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

    ¡°I can¡¯t let you get too comfortable here,¡± Ari replied matter-of-factly. ¡°You¡¯d never leave.¡±

    Cedar¡¯s stomach sank as she stared at the cramped, isolated tent. Hugging her arms to herself, she felt a wave of discomfort and disappointment crash over her.

    ¡°You¡¯re a bully,¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible.

    Cedar prided herself on being the epitome of calm, often too laid-back to indulge in emotional turmoil. But this¡ªthis was different. She was a captive now, a prisoner in a situation that defied logic. Something inside her ignited, an unfamiliar spark of defiance.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to leave,¡± she declared, her voice rising. ¡°Unless you tie me up, I <i>will</i> escape. You can¡¯t keep me here. It¡¯s easy to sneak out of a tent¡ªyou can¡¯t stay awake all night.¡±

    The moment the words left her mouth, Cedar¡¯s heart sank. <i>Why did I just say that?</i> How could she be so foolish as to give away her plan?

    ¡°Hey now, I know you,¡± Ari said, his cheerful tone grating on Cedar¡¯s nerves. ¡°You won¡¯t make any progress if you get too comfortable.¡±

    His words stung, even if she couldn¡¯t entirely deny their truth.

    ¡°We¡¯re going to have fun here,¡± he continued. ¡°You can have and do anything you want, but you can¡¯t just lay in bed all day watching TV or playing video games. I know you, Cedar¡ªyou¡¯re a slouch. If you don¡¯t sleep in the tent, you¡¯ll never leave the cabin to explore.¡±

    Cedar eyed the tent, grudgingly admitting he had a point. At least he couldn¡¯t lock her inside it¡ªthere was always the option to escape. Whether it was a cabin or a tent didn¡¯t matter much in the long run; she had no intention of staying here longer than necessary.

    Still, she hated being told what to do. Ari was the one calling the shots, not her. He had the authority, the control. Forcing her to sleep in a tent was just another way of exercising that control.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to control you,¡± Ari said, as though reading her mind. ¡°I¡¯m just trying to guide you in the right direction.¡±

    ¡°You can read minds?¡± she asked skeptically.

    ¡°No, but I can sense emotions,¡± he replied. ¡°It¡¯s a bit like mind reading, but without the words. No language, just feelings.¡±

    Cedar looked away, unsure how to respond.

    ¡°Feelings and emotions,¡± Ari continued, ¡°are the true language of the universe. Words are logical¡ªyou either understand them or you don¡¯t. But every living being in this universe experiences emotions. Animals understand them better than we do. They¡¯re the real mind readers, if you ask me.¡±

    Cedar stayed silent, unwilling to engage.

    ¡°Let¡¯s sit by the pond for a talk,¡± Ari suggested. ¡°How¡¯s that sound?¡±

    Cedar tugged at the skin of her elbow, a nervous habit she had long developed. Reluctantly, she followed Ari to the pond and settled on the flat rocks at the water¡¯s edge. She briefly considered taking off her shoes to dip her feet in the cool water but decided against it¡ªkeeping them on felt safer, more practical for a potential quick escape.

    ¡°Do you ever wonder why we have emotions?¡± Ari asked.

    ¡°To know when to run,¡± Cedar replied bluntly.

    ¡°Is that what you¡¯re feeling right now?¡± he probed.

    ¡°Of course,¡± she said, fidgeting with her elbow again.

    ¡°So, why aren¡¯t you running?¡±

    ¡°Because it¡¯s pointless.¡±

    Ari studied her for a moment, then turned his gaze to the water. ¡°Emotions are like dreams,¡± he said, his reflection rippling alongside his words.

    Cedar didn¡¯t respond but felt a pang of recognition. She¡¯d always known, in her own way, that emotions were fleeting and illusory. In her younger years, she¡¯d prided herself on her introspection, striving to understand her own nature. She viewed emotions as little more than a chemical tapestry¡ªa hormonal trick¡ªnot something that defined her. And yet, she often found herself ensnared by their power, their ability to feel so overwhelmingly real.

    ¡°Once you¡¯re in them,¡± Ari continued, ¡°they feel like everything. You forget who you are, and you accept that imaginary world as reality. Dreams are nothing more than raw emotions captured as images.¡±

    Cedar glanced at him, her curiosity piqued despite her resistance.

    ¡°You can¡¯t control them, and you shouldn¡¯t try to,¡± he added. ¡°It¡¯s about remembering they¡¯re an illusion and that they¡¯ll pass. If they don¡¯t pass, it¡¯s because you¡¯re still stuck believing they¡¯re real. It takes practice¡ªjust like it takes practice to become lucid in a dream.¡±

    Cedar remained quiet, processing his words.

    ¡°If you get <i>really</i> good at recognizing your own emotions,¡± Ari said, ¡°you¡¯ll get better at reading other people¡¯s. Especially if they¡¯re stuck in theirs. The more stuck someone is, the easier they are to read.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been told I¡¯m hard to read,¡± Cedar said, her tone edging toward defiance. She hoped the comment would show Ari she was different from most people¡ªand didn¡¯t need his lecture.

    ¡°That¡¯s a good thing¡ªit¡¯s not an insult,¡± Ari said, his tone calm but earnest. ¡°It just means you don¡¯t let emotions govern you. Some people are drawn to that stability¡ªit¡¯s like a foundation they can stand on. But it frightens those who feel more comfortable around people they can control.¡±

    Cedar glanced at him skeptically, unsure where this was going.

    ¡°Power seekers manipulate emotions to gain control over others,¡± Ari continued. ¡°But with someone like you, who isn¡¯t ruled by emotions, they find it challenging to exert their influence. You become someone not worth their time. That is¡­ unless they¡¯re a coworker or your boss. In that case, they¡¯ll try to destroy you in other ways.¡±

    Cedar stiffened, unsure how to respond. Ari¡¯s words felt oddly insightful but also manipulative, as if he were trying to shape her view of herself for his own ends.

    ¡°Want to guess again what emotions are for?¡± he asked, tilting his head toward her.

    ¡°To know when to run,¡± Cedar repeated flatly, doubling down on her earlier stance.

    ¡°Not necessarily,¡± Ari replied with a patient smile. ¡°At their core, emotions are a means of communication. They help us convey messages, not just to others, but to ourselves. Why do you think that is?¡±

    Cedar shrugged, unwilling to engage further. To her, emotions were still just alarm bells telling her when to flee.

    ¡°If emotions are tools for communication,¡± Ari said, pressing on, ¡°and we are inherently emotional beings, it suggests communication is fundamental to our existence. It¡¯s one of the primary reasons we¡¯re here.¡±

    Cedar turned her gaze back to the pond, her expression guarded. In her mind, this was his first attempt at brainwashing her into compliance. <i>If you stop trusting your gut instincts, what can you trust?</i> she thought bitterly. <i>Your captor? Not a chance.</i>

    ¡°But here¡¯s the thing,¡± Ari said, leaning closer. ¡°We can¡¯t truly understand something unless we¡¯ve experienced it emotionally ourselves. That¡¯s important. A person can tell you their saddest story, but if you haven¡¯t lived something similar, you¡¯ll never fully understand. You can¡¯t connect with someone emotionally unless you¡¯ve shared similar experiences.¡±

    ¡°So?¡± Cedar muttered, the comment breaking through her skepticism but still failing to connect to her brainwashing theory.

    ¡°So,¡± Ari said with emphasis, ¡°it means we can only evolve together¡ªas a whole. That¡¯s why we have emotions: to keep us united while still living out our individual journeys. It¡¯s like chewing the meat and spitting out the bones¡ªall that processed experience churns into the next generation. You get me?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Cedar said bluntly, shaking her head. She avoided his eyes, her voice dropping to a plea. ¡°I just want to go home. Please.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s crucial that you conquer your emotions¡ªall of them,¡± Ari said firmly.

    Cedar¡¯s eyebrows knitted together. The demand struck her as ironic, given that he was holding her captive.

    ¡°If you¡¯re scared, you¡¯ll attract more fear. Emotions don¡¯t just go away¡ªthey cling. They find ways to attach themselves to whatever you put in front of them. The brain doesn¡¯t distinguish between what¡¯s real and what¡¯s imagined, just like in dreams. If you stay scared, your mind will link that fear to innocent people or situations.¡±

    Before Cedar could respond, the sound of clopping hooves and a low neigh startled her. She whipped around to see a massive horse standing behind her, its muscular body glistening in the light. The animal bobbed its head, almost as if agreeing with Ari.

    ¡°Whoa, whoa, whoa!¡± Cedar exclaimed, scrambling to her feet. In her panic, she stumbled backward, landing with a soft thud in the pond.

    Ari¡¯s laughter rang out. ¡°We can go swimming if you¡¯d like.¡±

    Cedar froze, momentarily horrified as she remembered her phone¡ªher most prized possession. Then it dawned on her: she didn¡¯t have it. Her phone was safe at home, not at the bottom of an imaginary pond from a future memory.

    ¡°This water isn¡¯t wet,¡± she said, touching her dry hair in disbelief.

    The horse pranced playfully around the pond, braying at the commotion. Without hesitation, Ari jumped in after her, fully clothed.

    ¡°I can fix that,¡± Ari said.

    ¡°No, wait.¡± Cedar dipped her hands in and out of the water. It left no ripples behind. Her hands came out dry, but the water still felt cool and buoyant. She repeated the motion, testing its strangeness.

    Ari floated on his back, gazing at the sky as Cedar continued experimenting with the water. The sun dipped closer to the tree line, casting a warm orange glow over the pond.

    ¡°Maybe we should go horseback riding tomorrow instead,¡± Ari suggested, his voice light. ¡°How about we have a nice dinner tonight and turn in early?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s for dinner?¡±

    ¡°Whatever you want¡ªyour favorite dish. Best part is, you can eat as much as you want without feeling guilty.¡±

    Cedar paused, her hands still hovering over the pond. ¡°Are you sure I¡¯m not dead?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure,¡± Ari said, his tone unwavering.

    ¡°Then why am I here? What do you want from me?¡±

    ¡°Superhero grooming.¡±

    Cedar snorted. ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous.¡±

    The conversation drifted into casual, inconsequential chatter, easing some of the tension between them. Nearby, the massive horse that startled Cedar earlier palled around with a new friend¡ªanother robust Clydesdale, its frame nearly half the size of Ari¡¯s cabin. The animals¡¯ playful stomping shook the ground as the day faded into night.

    Later, Cedar lay in her small tent, the discomfort of her new accommodations softened slightly by an inflatable air mattress. She stared at the nylon ceiling, her mind racing with the day¡¯s events. Sleep felt like an impossibility.

    <i>This can¡¯t be real,</i> she thought, the familiar tightness of anxiety gripping her chest. <i>I¡¯m dead. I have to be. My family and friends are mourning me back home.</i> Yet, despite this certainty, a small sliver of doubt lodged itself in her mind¡ªa whisper in the dark, nagging and persistent. <i>Could I really be a superhero? No. That¡¯s ridiculous. Don¡¯t be stupid.</i>

    A sudden rustling outside broke her spiraling thoughts. Cedar froze, pulling her sleeping bag over her mouth, listening intently.

    ¡°You in there, Cedar?¡± Ari called from outside. ¡°I need to give you something.¡±

    Cedar unzipped the tent cautiously. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    Ari crouched down, holding out a small leather-bound journal and a pen. ¡°I want you to keep a journal while you¡¯re here. It¡¯ll help cement everything into memory. You can number your entries, like ¡®Day One,¡¯ ¡®Day Two,¡¯ and so on, since we don¡¯t bother with dates around here.¡±

    Cedar took the journal, her fingers brushing the worn leather. ¡°Thanks,¡± she said softly.

    ¡°Goodnight,¡± Ari said, stepping away into the shadows.

    Cedar zipped the tent back up and flicked on the small overhead lamp. She sat cross-legged on the air mattress, staring at the blank pages of the journal. With the pen gripped loosely in her hand, she turned to the first page and wrote:

    <b><i>Day One.</i></b>

 Chapter 7: Unveiling the Void

    <b>Day 43</b>

    <i>Ari cultivated some kind of flower that went extinct eons ago and insisted I eat it.</i>

    <i>¡°It¡¯ll give you the kick you need,¡± he said.</i>

    <i>He always tells me that I¡¯ll never truly understand anything unless I experience it myself. Words alone aren¡¯t enough to bridge the gap.</i>

    <i>Now, I understand what he meant by that. Yesterday, I broke through to the other side.</i>

    <i>The ceremony took place by the fire pit, where flames are meant to ward off negative energies. Ari had summoned three NPC shamans to perform the ritual. One rhythmically beat a steel drum and chanted; another lit incense and herbs; the third inhaled deeply from a long wooden pipe, exhaling smoke over me while tapping my back with a branch of dried leaves.</i>

    <i>I drank a tea steeped with petals from the extinct flower, then ate the petals left in my cup. The taste was awful. The tea¡¯s thick, oily texture coated my mouth, while the petals had a metallic tang, like licking a rusty nail. Ari said it tasted as if all of Earth and time had been condensed into a single cup.</i>

    <i>About an hour later, as the drumming and chanting continued, the medicine began to take effect. It started with a buzzing in my ears. My body grew light, and I felt myself floating upward until Ari gently pulled me back down.</i>

    <i>¡°You don¡¯t need to go anywhere,¡± he said. ¡°Stay here by the fire. We¡¯ll save the cosmos for another day.¡±</i>

    <i>Once I touched down, my mind cleared. For the first time, I could see deep into the recesses of my psyche. My thoughts revealed themselves as they truly were¡ªa repetitive cycle, each echoing off the next, trapped in an endless loop. It felt as if my mind was confined to a suffocating box, one that stole my breath.</i>

    <i>But then, the box expanded. It encompassed all known truths, every idea from the past and future¡ªthe entire sum of humanity¡¯s achievements.</i>

    <i>That¡¯s when I felt the sensation of falling. My heart dropped, and in an instant, the box vanished. I was left floating in nothingness.</i>

    <i>There IS no box. There never WAS a box.</i>

    <i>There is nothing.</i>

    <i>I was nothing.</i>

    <i>I was empty, but in a good way.</i>

    <i>This was my introduction to the void.</i>

    <i>Though my body remained seated by the fire, my mind¡¯s eye ventured far. I came to understand the void as having two faces. First, it is a realm of infinite potential, teeming with boundless possibilities. Anything can take shape there. Alternatively, it can manifest as a void of emptiness, devoid of hope, submerged in perpetual darkness.</i>

    <i>Both interpretations are equally valid.</i>

    <i>I found myself drifting in a sea of infinite potential, where everything¡ªand nothing¡ªwas possible. When the shaman stopped chanting, he told me I had crossed over.</i>

    <i>¡°You may now ask the void any question,¡± he said.</i>

    <i>I had so many questions, but one stood out above all: ¡°Do I need to save the world?¡±</i>

    <i>The answer didn¡¯t come in words, but as a feeling¡ªan intuition. It was instantaneous, beyond language, yet profoundly clear. The void¡¯s response was simple: it¡¯s my choice whether or not to save the world.</i>

    <i>¡°Is Ari being truthful?¡± I asked.</i>

    <i>Again, the answer came without words:</i> ¡°It¡¯s your choice to trust Ari.¡±

    <i>These weren¡¯t simple yes-or-no answers, but somehow, they made sense at the time.</i>

    <i>¡°How do I trust Ari?¡±</i>

    ¡°You must let go of fear.¡±

    <i>¡°How do I let go of fear?¡±</i>

    ¡°Through suffering.¡±

    <i>One question led seamlessly into another, spiraling deeper with each inquiry.</i>

    <i>¡°Why must I suffer?¡±</i>

    ¡°To gain strength.¡±

    <i>¡°Strength for what?¡±</i>

    ¡°Letting go.¡±

    <i>At that moment, a profound truth enveloped me: we are all here to suffer. It was an inescapable reality, a truth so absolute it felt irrefutable. I believed it with every fiber of my being.</i>

    <i>¡°How do we let go?¡±</i>

    ¡°Through suffering, you find the strength to let go. With strength, you find the courage to move forward.¡±

    <i>Yet the void also revealed an alternative. It told me we always have a choice. Suffering isn¡¯t mandatory¡ªnot if we can let go. This statement carried a weight that felt undeniable: </i><b><i>there is always a choice.</i></b>

    <i>Even the moment of our death, it told me, is a choice. I didn¡¯t fully understand how this could be possible, but the truth of it resonated deeply at that moment.</i>

    <i>¡°What is fear?¡± I asked.</i>

    ¡°All fear stems from the fear of death.¡±

    <i>I saw a vivid image of a tree. Its long, scraggly branches jutted out in every direction, representing countless fears. Yet every branch led back to the same central trunk: the fear of death.</i>

    <i>This visualization clarified something profound. Fear of death is our only fundamental fear. Every other fear is simply a branch stemming from this singular source.</i>

    <i>I began to test the theory, running through possible fears I¡¯ve had¡ªor could have¡ªand tracing their roots.</i>

    <i>Fear of failure? It can be a kind of social ¡°death,¡± the fear of not living up to expectations, becoming useless to society, and potentially descending into poverty and eventual death.</i>

    <i>Fear of not having children? It ties to the fear of being too feeble to care for oneself in old age, leading to vulnerability¡ªand death.</i>

    <i>Fear of public speaking? It¡¯s the fear of humiliation or rejection by the group. Being ostracized could lead to exposure, vulnerability, and ultimately, death.</i>

    <i>Fear of intimacy or commitment? It¡¯s the fear of dependency¡ªplacing your well-being in the hands of another. If that lifeline is severed, the risk of death feels closer.</i>

    <i>Each fear traced back to the same root. It was all connected to death.</i>

    <i>¡°Why do we fear death?¡± I asked.</i>

    ¡°Because of ego.¡±

    <i>¡°What is ego?¡±</i>

    ¡°Ego is fear.¡±

    <i>¡°Why do we have an ego? Why must we fear at all?¡±</i>

    ¡°Ego is necessary for evolution. Ego allows us to suffer. Without ego, there is no suffering.¡±

    <i>The void revealed that ego¡ªthe fear of death¡ªis the driving force behind all our actions, beliefs, and even our sense of self. Our personalities, choices, and every word we speak revolve around this core fear.</i>

    <i>But I had always believed there were things worse than death. So I asked, ¡°Does evil exist?¡±</i>

    ¡°The only evil is fear.¡±

    <i>¡°Does hell exist?¡±</i>

    ¡°An infinite number of hells exist.¡±

    <i>¡°What is hell?¡±</i>

    <i>I felt a visceral sensation, as if gravity itself was pulling me down. Hell, I realized, is like gravity¡ªa force that drags us downward, making it impossible to rise above. The more we succumb to fear, the heavier we become, sinking deeper into our own personal hell.</i>

    <i>¡°What is gravity?¡±</i>

    ¡°Time.¡±

    <i>¡°How do we rise out of hell?¡±</i>

    ¡°By finding strength through suffering, being aided by someone stronger, or trusting in God. These all eliminate fear.¡±

    <i>¡°Is there a God?¡±</i>

    ¡°Yes and no.¡±

    <i>The void refused to give me a straightforward answer about God, yet it made one thing clear: believing in God can lift you out of hell. This made the belief itself seem vital, regardless of its ultimate truth.</i>

    <i>These were the biggest insights I gleaned from the experience. I continued asking the void other questions, like whether aliens exist¡­</i>

    ¡°There are no aliens, just us.¡±

    <i>This went against everything I believed in. Science and statistics strongly suggest we¡¯re not alone in the universe. But as I grappled with my disbelief, a new understanding emerged¡ªintuitive, not logical. Aliens don¡¯t exist separately from us; they exist alongside us. We are one.</i>

    <i>I understood what the void was telling me, though not through words. It came as emotion and intuition. The best way I can explain it is this: if aliens exist, they¡¯d be like us. There are no aliens¡ªonly more of us.</i>

    <i>I also asked how I could make my dreams come true.</i>

    ¡°You have to let go of all desire to make room to receive,¡± <i>the void said.</i>

    <i>It¡¯s a frustrating paradox. To let go of desire, I need to suffer enough to gain the strength to release it. But I don¡¯t want to suffer. So, I can¡¯t let go, which means I¡¯ll never manifest anything.</i>

    <i>¡°What¡¯s it all for? Why are we here?¡± I asked.</i>

    ¡°To evolve.¡±

    <i>¡°Why evolve?¡±</i>

    ¡°To help others on their journey. We can only evolve together.¡±

    <i>¡°But why?¡±</i>

    ¡°You don¡¯t have the emotional experience to understand. You must suffer more.¡±

    <i>Another unsettling revelation followed: we¡¯re all separate. Truly alone. While we can unite through shared actions and beliefs, our journeys are our own. We shouldn¡¯t interfere with someone else¡¯s progress unless they explicitly ask for help. To do so without consent is both condescending and narcissistic.</i>

    <i>I¡¯m so tired¡­</i>

    <i>Ari was thrilled that I had crossed over. His excitement earned me a reward: my very own one-room cabin. It¡¯s small, just a bed and a dresser, but it¡¯s mine.</i>Stolen story; please report.

    <i>Ari says that when I leave this place¡ªhis memory¡ªI¡¯ll enter my subconscious, a realm governed entirely by ego, which he defines as the fear of death. To ascend, I¡¯ll need to find the strength to confront my demons and sever the fears that bind me to them.</i>

    <i>One thing has been bothering me: the association between time, gravity, and hell. It lingered in my mind like a riddle, especially now that the effects of the tea had worn off. Without the intuitive clarity the void had offered, the concept felt murky. </i>

    <i>I decided to ask Ari about it.</i>

    <i>His explanation was¡­ difficult to grasp, even for him. He said time must exist for consciousness to exist. Consciousness, in turn, allows us to perceive beginnings and endings¡ªlife and death.</i>

    <i>¡°Time,¡± he said, ¡°is the vehicle through which death travels.¡±</i>

    <i>It was hard to put into words¡ªmore of a feeling than an understanding. Ari added that the more fear we carry, the heavier time feels, which is why it weighs us down like gravity.</i>

    <i>I think I¡¯m done for tonight. Tomorrow¡¯s schedule is packed with meditation and exercises in the dojo. I¡¯m skeptical about how much more meditation can teach me after everything I experienced from drinking tea steeped with pink petals. Honestly, it feels like I cheated my way to enlightenment.</i>

    <b>Day 45</b>

    <i>Yesterday was the big day: my test. Ari believed I was ready, though looking back, I¡¯m not so sure. Still, I agreed to it, so I can¡¯t be mad at him.</i>

    <i>Clyde and Dale accompanied us down the familiar path. Just a loop around the pond, a route so well-trodden it¡¯s impossible to get lost.</i>

    <i>By now, I know every inch of the woods, even the small town nearby. So I was confused when our destination felt unfamiliar. Then, I saw it: faint geometric patterns flickering in and out of existence, obstructing the path ahead.</i>

    <i>A pocket dimension.</i>

    <i>Ari had never mentioned that he could create pocket dimensions. That guy is full of surprises.</i>

    <i>Clyde sensed my uneasiness and stopped abruptly, huffing through his nose.</i>

    <i>¡°So, this is it?¡± I asked.</i>

    <i>¡°This is it,¡± Ari replied. ¡°If you¡¯re ready, you can go on in.¡±</i>

    <i>¡°Can I take Clyde?¡±</i>

    <i>¡°Sure.¡±</i>

    <i>I glanced toward the flashing geometric patterns ahead and steadied myself with a deep inhale.</i>

    <i>¡°Just remember, the only evil is fear,¡± Ari reminded me.</i>

    <i>¡°Right. Fear is evil. Believe in myself. Got it.¡±</i>

    <i>¡°And don¡¯t forget about the gravity. It¡¯ll pull you down, and you might forget that none of this is real. It¡¯s like being sucked into a dream¡ªyou¡¯ll stop being lucid.¡±</i>

    <i>¡°It¡¯s not real. Got it.¡±</i>

    <i>Clyde grew increasingly agitated, turning his head sharply away from the pocket dimension. Ari reached out to steady him.</i>

    <i>At that moment, I wanted to cry. Yesterday, I¡¯d felt ready¡ªmore ready than ever. But it¡¯s different when you¡¯re staring your greatest fear in the face.</i>

    <i>¡°I can sense your gravity, and you¡¯re not even in there yet,¡± Ari said.</i>

    <i>¡°I got this. I got this,¡± I insisted, trying to muster confidence as I strode into the unknown.</i>

    <i>Inside, it was pitch-black. Of course it was. Ari knew all of my greatest fears, and fear of the dark is in my top three.</i>

    <i>¡°It¡¯s not real, it¡¯s not real, it¡¯s not real,¡± I whispered over and over, like a mantra.</i>

    <i>Clyde¡¯s anxious snorting helped calm me¡ªa surprising comfort. I was thankful he was there, but guilt crept in. I felt selfish for bringing him along.</i>

    <i>¡°I¡¯m sorry, buddy. I should¡¯ve let you stay with the others,¡± I said, patting his neck and nuzzling into his warm fur. It was more to comfort myself than him. Squaring my shoulders, I told myself again, ¡°I got this.¡±</i>

    <i>Then came the snarl.</i>

    <i>It emerged from somewhere deep within the pocket dimension, echoing off unseen walls. Clyde reared up in panic. His back legs kicked out¡ªwhether accidental or intentional, I¡¯ll never know¡ªand the force sent me flying. I landed hard on the cold dirt, a sharp crunch radiating from my pelvis. Something had dislodged¡ªmy thigh bone, maybe? I couldn¡¯t be sure.</i>

    <i>The next moments were a blur.</i>

    <i>Clyde bolted deeper into the pocket dimension, his panicked whinnying echoing through the darkness. The sound of his hooves turned frantic, interspersed with pig-like snorts and high-pitched howls that didn¡¯t belong to him. The horrifying chorus grew louder until Clyde¡¯s cries became garbled, then stopped.</i>

    <i>Gravity had me now.</i>

    <i>Instinct took over. I crawled to the nearest wall, desperate for some sense of protection. At least with my back against it, I wouldn¡¯t be attacked from behind. Covering my ears, I tried to block out Clyde¡¯s agonized screams, but they were unbearable. Closing my eyes didn¡¯t help; the darkness inside was no better than the darkness surrounding me.</i>

    <i>¡°It¡¯s not real, it¡¯s not real, it¡¯s not real,¡± I whispered through gritted teeth.</i>

    <i>But no matter how often I repeated the mantra, believing it was another thing entirely. The pain in my legs was excruciating. Moving was out of the question. All I could do was curl up and wait¡ªfor death, or for the nightmare to end.</i>

    <i>The wall behind me shifted.</i>

    <i>I stayed curled up, eyes squeezed shut, refusing to acknowledge it.</i>

    <i>¡°Oh, so you got this, huh?¡±</i>

    <i>Ari¡¯s voice cut through the haze, grounding me. My eyes opened hesitantly, one at a time. To my relief, I was outside the pocket dimension. Sunlight streamed through the trees above, warm and familiar.</i>

    <i>¡°Oh, thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!¡±</i>

    <i>I scrambled to my feet, checking myself for injuries. To my astonishment, my legs felt fine, completely restored. The rush of adrenaline coursing through me made my body feel weightless. I wanted to run laps around the clearing just to burn off the energy. I felt alive¡ªrenewed.</i>

    <i>¡°Where¡¯s Clyde?¡± I asked, scanning the area anxiously.</i>

    <i>¡°He¡¯s here. He¡¯s fine,¡± Ari assured me.</i>

    <i>Relief washed over me when I saw Clyde further down the path, prancing around with renewed energy. </i>

    <i>But as I watched him, determination welled up inside me. I knew I could do better. I needed another try. With my pulse racing and adrenaline coursing through me, I turned to Ari.</i>

    <i>¡°I¡¯m ready to go again.¡±</i>

    <i>¡°So soon?¡± he asked, raising an eyebrow.</i>

    <i>¡°I can do it this time. I know it.¡±</i>

    <i>¡°I saw the whole thing, and you¡¯re not getting it.¡±</i>

    <i>¡°I crushed my pelvis! I couldn¡¯t move¡ªwhat was I supposed to do?¡±</i>

    <i>¡°You forgot to believe in yourself,¡± he said simply.</i>

    <i>¡°How can I believe in someone with a crushed pelvis?¡±</i>

    <i>Ari dismounted Dale with a sigh. ¡°Okay, we need to talk.¡± With a wave of his hand, he conjured two chairs, gesturing for me to sit.</i>

    <i>¡°You have to actually </i>trust<i> yourself,¡± he began. ¡°Do you know what I mean? Have you ever set your mind on something¡ªlike </i>really<i> set your mind on it?¡±</i>

    <i>¡°Uh¡­ I guess?¡±</i>

    <i>¡°Do you remember being in the void? How it was full of potential and possibilities, and yet, at the same time, completely empty?¡±</i>

    <i>¡°I remember.¡±</i>

    <i>¡°Think of God as the void,¡± he said. ¡°He¡¯s both here and not here, depending on your perspective. Wouldn¡¯t you rather be in the void of possibilities rather than the void of nothingness? A place of trust versus a place of no trust?¡±</i>

    <i>¡°I get it,¡± I said, ¡°but what does that have to do with trusting myself?¡±</i>

    <i>¡°You </i>are<i> the void,¡± Ari explained. ¡°All those infinite possibilities are inside you. The more you trust yourself, the greater your courage to access them. You see what I¡¯m saying?¡±</i>

    <i>I nodded. It made sense¡ªat least, in theory. But when faced with overwhelming terror, my brain stops working, and my body locks up.</i>

    <i>¡°You either sink or swim, do or die. It¡¯s that simple,¡± Ari said, his tone firm. ¡°You just have to decide. I swear on my life that it¡¯s really that simple.¡±</i>

    <i>¡°But you¡¯re dead already. How can you swear on your life?¡±</i>

    <i>¡°Don¡¯t change the subject.¡±</i>

    <i>So, yeah, all of that happened yesterday. After our talk, I was too drained to write. I crashed hard.</i>

    <i>Today was uneventful for the most part¡ªjust more meditation and sparring in the dojo. Same old routine.</i>

    <i>Oh, I almost forgot: Ari summoned an epic NPC. NPC stands for non-player character, which is basically a simulated person. According to Ari, I¡¯ve gotten pretty good at Wing Chun. So good, in fact, that he thought it was time for me to train with a ¡°real master.¡± He conjured none other than Bryce Li. Not the </i>actual<i> Bryce Li, of course, but a highly advanced AI version of him. Honestly? I can¡¯t tell the difference.</i>

    <i>He kicked my ass.</i>

    <b>Day 48</b>

    <i>Yesterday was my second attempt at completing the pocket dimension. Long story short? I didn¡¯t make it. Again.</i>

    <i>I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m doing wrong. It¡¯s the sounds that get to me¡ªthe snarls, snorts, and grunts. I asked Ari what they were, and sure enough, they¡¯re zombies.</i>

    <i>This time, I didn¡¯t bring Clyde. As much as I missed him, I couldn¡¯t bear to worry about his safety on top of my own.</i>

    <i>I walked into the pocket with my head held high, determined to do better. For a while, I managed to keep my composure. But as the zombie growls grew louder, my feet began to feel impossibly heavy, like they were sinking into the ground.</i>

    <i>The shuffling and scuffling drew closer. I felt their rancid breath on my skin, reeking like a dumpster full of rotting sea turtles. On instinct, I pressed myself against the wall, just like last time.</i>

    <i>The zombies were all around me, brushing against me, their foul breath filling my lungs. My heart pounded so loudly in my ears that I could barely think.</i>

    <i>¡°It¡¯s not real, it¡¯s not real, it¡¯s not real,¡± I whispered desperately. But the words felt hollow.</i>

    <i>In that moment, I pictured myself flowing like water, weaving through the zombies with ease. My goal was to reach the far side of the pocket¡ªI could feel it in my heart. That was the objective.</i>

    <i>But the terror was paralyzing.</i>

    <i>With the odor of decay filling my nostrils, the terrifying sound of snapping jaws inches from my ear, and the suffocating darkness all around me, my feet felt like they weighed a hundred pounds. Then, bony hands gripped my ankles and yanked me down. I hit the dirt hard.</i>

    <i>That¡¯s when I felt the first bite.</i>

    <i>It stung my shoulder, but with all the adrenaline surging through me, the pain wasn¡¯t as sharp as I expected. Instead, it was more like an itchy pinch¡ªlike I¡¯d been thrown into a pool of baby piranhas. The terror was there, but it didn¡¯t register in my mind. It was felt in my body, as if I were an outsider watching the scene unfold.</i>

    <i>I wanted to get up. I wanted to push forward. But when one of the zombies tore my arm clean off, that¡¯s when I gave up.</i>

    <i>I heard a scream pierce the air before I realized it was my own. The terror pulled me back into my body, and suddenly, I felt everything. Every tooth digging into my flesh, every dry tongue dragging against my blood-soaked skin. The agony was blinding.</i>

    <i>Then Ari intervened.</i>

    <i>The darkness around me crackled, disintegrating like static battling against sunlight. In an instant, my body healed itself. Whole again, I stood, brimming with adrenaline and resolve.</i>

    <i>¡°I almost had it that time,¡± I said, brushing myself off.</i>

    <i>¡°Why didn¡¯t you fight back?¡± Ari asked, looking at me like I¡¯d grown a second head.</i>

    <i>¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know,¡± I admitted. I felt stupid.</i>

    <i>¡°You just stood there.¡±</i>

    <i>¡°I wanted to move, but I couldn¡¯t lift my feet,¡± I said. ¡°I had to drag them.¡±</i>

    <i>¡°You were disconnected,¡± he explained.</i>

    <i>¡°I was,¡± I admitted again. ¡°Why does that happen?¡±</i>

    <i>¡°It¡¯s a survival mechanism,¡± Ari said. ¡°When you¡¯re overwhelmed, your mind disconnects from your body. It¡¯s supposed to keep you calm in high-stress situations, but it also makes it impossible to act. Meditation helps with that¡ªit trains you to stay calm </i>and <i>grounded.¡±</i>

    <i>¡°I¡¯ll do better next time,¡± I promised. ¡°I¡¯ll stay connected.¡±</i>

    <i>¡°You¡¯re improving,¡± Ari said, his tone softening. ¡°You gave up last time, but this time you kept going. That takes strength. But strength alone won¡¯t get you through the gauntlet. You have to believe¡ª</i>really<i> believe¡ªthat you¡¯re more powerful than the zombies.¡±</i>

    <i>¡°Put me in there again,¡± I said, eager. ¡°I¡¯ll fight this time.¡±</i>

    <i>But Ari shook his head.</i>

    <i>¡°Give it another week or so. Push too hard, and you¡¯ll crack.¡±</i>

    <b>Day 55</b>

    <i>If death is my only fear, then why was it so easy for me to choose it when I was fighting the zombies?</i>

    <i>I asked Ari, and he said it comes down to a few reasons. The biggest? I¡¯d lost hope. When faced with an impossible situation, I chose death as an escape. In my mind, if I was going to die no matter what, I¡¯d rather it happen quickly. But, Ari reminded me, that doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t fear death. In fact, the fear of death can accelerate its arrival.</i>

    <i>He also said something interesting: ego is identity. We fear losing our identity more than anything else. Sometimes, a quick death feels like the only way to ¡°save¡± that identity, to preserve who we are in the moment.</i>

    <i>Or, he¡¯s just making this crap up as he goes. I can¡¯t always tell.</i>

    <i>Lately, though, I¡¯ve become addicted to the dojo¡ªand to Bryce. He lets me kick him as hard as I can, and I love it. Turns out, I love getting my ass kicked. The pain, the bruises, the blood¡ªit all feels¡­ satisfying. There¡¯s something undeniably sexy about a broken nose, a split lip, or a black eye. By the end of the day, sore and swollen, I feel like I¡¯ve accomplished something.</i>

    <i>Ari doesn¡¯t approve of my newfound pain addiction. He says it¡¯s just another escape, a way to avoid confronting the real issues we¡¯re here to face.</i>

    <i>But I don¡¯t care. Right now, the sting of a bloody lip feels more manageable than becoming the only person who can save humanity.</i>

    <i>¡°Any addiction is bad,¡± Ari said. ¡°Even if it¡¯s something healthy. Pain is definitely not healthy. When you feel like your life isn¡¯t worth living without that certain something, or that you, yourself, aren¡¯t enough without it¡ªthat¡¯s when you¡¯ve grown addicted. It¡¯s just another way of distrusting yourself. You¡¯re relying on something outside of you to feel complete.¡±</i>

    <i>He then brought up a French word I¡¯d never heard before: jouissance.</i>

    <i>¡°There¡¯s no exact English equivalent,¡± he said. ¡°Jouissance is when life isn¡¯t enough¡ªand so it will never be enough. It¡¯s the act of damaging yourself just to feel more alive. Passion without purpose or goal. It¡¯s the process of letting your fear of death control you.¡±</i>

    <i>I tried to argue. Pain makes me feel alive and grounded. It keeps me in my body, stops my mind from wandering. And it toughens me up¡ªI¡¯m too weak without it.</i>

    <i>That gave Ari an idea. He pulled an elastic band from his pocket and slid it around my wrist.</i>

    <i>¡°Snap this whenever you feel like you¡¯re fading,¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯s a temporary, non-addictive way to ground yourself. A guide¡ªnot a crutch.¡±</i>

    <i>I stared at the band, flexing it between my fingers. Tomorrow, I¡¯d be going back into the pocket dimension. Back into the hell pit of zombies. Equipped with nothing but my wits and a rubber band.</i>

    <i>Stupid zombies won¡¯t know what hit them.</i>

    <b>Day 56</b>

    <i>I¡¯m alive. And the zombies? They¡¯re not. I killed them. Every last one of them.</i>

    <i>I¡¯m still flummoxed by how easy it turned out to be.</i>

    <i>When I entered the pocket dimension, just like before, I froze in the darkness. Their vile, wretched growls filled the air, paralyzing me. But then I snapped the band on my wrist¡ªhard¡ªand it pulled me back into the moment.</i>

    <i>Instead of terror, I felt anger.</i>

    <i>Rage boiled up inside me, and with clenched fists, I went hunting. Not hiding. Not cowering. Hunting. I wasn¡¯t afraid¡ªI was furious. Furious that they¡¯d made me feel weak in the first place.</i>

    <i>I wouldn¡¯t say I trusted myself in that moment. No, I trusted the zombies to be weak. In my mind, they were brittle, their bones as soft as wet sand.</i>

    <i>When the first one lunged at me, I punched it so hard its head flew off, landing ten feet away. A laugh escaped me as I envisioned my knuckles as diamond-plated and my legs as titanium. At one point, I jammed my fingers into a zombie¡¯s eye sockets and yanked its head clean off.</i>

    <i>I gripped the skull like a bowling ball and used it to pummel the others, smashing them into pulp until the skull itself crumbled to dust in my hands.</i>

    <i>¡°You¡¯re all made of dirt!¡± </i>

    <i>I rampaged until nothing moved. By the time I emerged, victorious, I was caked in gore. I probably smelled like a graveyard.</i>

    <i>I came out of there virtually unscathed and looked at Ari who had a pleased look on his face.</i>

    <i>¡°I think you¡¯re ready for round two.¡±</i>

    <i>His comment sent me over the edge. I started punching and kicking him in a blind rage.</i>

    <i>¡°And this is why we don¡¯t use anger,¡± he said as he deflected every attack with a gentle palm block.</i>

    <i>I broke down in tears and landed heavy on my knees. Why couldn¡¯t he just let me have the win? Why must there be more?</i>

 Chapter 8: Holograms and Hijackers

    The sun nestled below the horizon, low enough for stars to twinkle, yet high enough to radiate a faint, lingering glow. At this hour, every day without fail, Clucky the rooster decided it was time to rouse the farm.

    Cedar groaned, throwing her arm over her eyes. ¡°You stupid rooster. You so stupid.¡±

    Becoming a superhero doesn¡¯t happen overnight. It¡¯s not like the comics or movies. Real superheroes must obey the laws of physics, conditioning their minds on a subatomic level to alter physical matter. The secret to becoming a superhero isn¡¯t a spider bite or a dunk in radioactive chemicals¡ªit¡¯s about unearthing the void.

    At that moment, Cedar wanted nothing more than to hurl Clucky into that void.

    Her brain felt sore, swollen. Ari had assured her this was a good sign, proof that her training was finally reshaping her involuntary synapses and boosting neurotransmitter production. Dry mouth was another charming side effect. She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth, searching for moisture and grimly aware that dehydration could lead to gum recession.

    Her thoughts drifted to the day before¡ªa proud, righteous day. It was the day she¡¯d slain over a dozen zombies in pitch darkness. Ari had called it a ¡°level one dungeon,¡± which ominously suggested the existence of a level two.

    Sitting up in bed, Cedar grabbed her head and smooshed her face with her hands. ¡°You so stupid, rooster,¡± she muttered. Defeated, she threw off her blanket. Clucky had won this round.

    Her long, thin feet slapped against the wooden floor as she rose and dressed in her formal black Tai Chi-fu, a traditional Kung Fu uniform. She opened the cabin door, bracing herself for the menacing new day. <i>How many dungeons do I need to clear to escape this eternal abyss?</i>

    Outside Ari¡¯s cabin stood Alma, the NPC chef, holding a menu. Dressed in a green apron and crowned with a tall <i>casque ¨¤ m¨¨che,</i> Alma was Cedar¡¯s reward for completing the level one dungeon. Cedar was grateful¡ªshe no longer had to rely on Ari for breakfast. Unlike her, Ari could blissfully sleep through Clucky¡¯s relentless crowing.

    ¡°Bonjour, Madame. Would you like some <i>petit d¨¦jeuner</i>?¡± Alma asked, her towering frame a foot taller than Cedar¡¯s. Her pleasant face peered down, awaiting commands.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you get bored standing out here all day?¡± Cedar asked, scanning the menu.

    ¡°It pleases me to serve, Madame,¡± Alma replied serenely.

    ¡°What¡¯s your story, anyway? Where were you before this?¡±

    ¡°I graduated with high honors from Le Cordon Bleu and served Her Royal Highness, Queen Lilibet the Third, for many years. Culinary genius has run in my family for eight generations,¡± Alma answered with a smile.

    Cedar nodded slowly. ¡°And now you¡¯re here, standing outside Ari¡¯s cabin all day, inside a memory that¡¯s inside <i>my</i> memory. Makes perfect sense. I¡¯ll have the smoked salmon and cream cheese dill cr¨ºpe, por favor.¡±

    ¡°Un moment, Madame. Please, sit, and I will bring it to you. <i>S¡¯il vous pla?t,</i> sit.¡±

    Cedar settled at a picnic table overlooking the tranquil lake, her eyes tracing the serene view while she waited for her meal. Her brain felt like it was outgrowing her skull, straining against its confines, and her mouth was as dry as chalk.

    ¡°Good morning!¡± Ari greeted her, chipper as always. He slid onto the bench across from her, balancing a plate of breakfast and his morning milkshake. ¡°And how are we feeling today?¡±

    ¡°Horrible. Why do I feel like I¡¯m hungover?¡± Cedar grumbled, massaging her temples.

    ¡°That¡¯s probably withdrawal. It¡¯ll pass . . . hopefully.¡±

    ¡°Withdrawal from what?¡±

    ¡°As I mentioned yesterday, your brain is undergoing changes,¡± Ari said, taking a sip of his milkshake. ¡°Your body isn¡¯t producing all those fun hormones like it used to. Once the transformation is complete, they¡¯ll come back. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±

    Cedar eyed his plate suspiciously. ¡°What the hell are you eating?¡±

    ¡°This?¡± Ari lifted a round, ivory-colored puff on the end of his fork.

    ¡°Yes, that.¡±

    Before Ari could answer, Alma appeared beside Cedar, placing a silver platter in front of her with a flourish. She lifted the lid, revealing a stunning stuffed cr¨ºpe. ¡°Bon app¨¦tit, Madame,¡± she said with a warm smile.

    ¡°Bon app¨¦-<i>tities</i> to me,¡± Cedar quipped, grinning as her mouth finally began producing saliva. ¡°Can I get a milkshake too? Oh, and some water, <i>por favor?</i>¡±

    ¡°Oui, Madame. <i>Un moment, s¡¯il vous pla?t.</i>¡± Alma gave a slight bow before heading off.

    Cedar turned back to Ari, her curiosity undeterred. ¡°So? What is that thing?¡±

    Ari glanced at the peculiar puff skewered on his fork. ¡°This little guy? It¡¯s <i>Hericium erinaceus,</i> also known as lion¡¯s mane. It¡¯s a mushroom. Here, try it.¡±

    Cedar scrunched her face in disgust. ¡°I hate mushrooms. Fungus ain¡¯t welcome in my pie hole.¡±

    Unbothered, Ari deposited the bite of mushroom onto Cedar¡¯s plate. ¡°If you want to feel better, I suggest you eat it.¡±

    She nudged it with her fork. ¡°What¡¯s it supposed to do?¡±

    ¡°It promotes the synthesis of nerve growth factor¡ªthe stuff that heals your brain. It does a bunch of other good things too. Just eat it,¡± Ari said, his tone nonchalant.

    With a grimace, Cedar popped the mushroom into her mouth, chewing noisily. ¡°So, what¡¯s on the agenda today? Anything interesting?¡±

    ¡°How about the level two dungeon?¡± Ari suggested. ¡°Now that you¡¯ve got the gist of it, I think you¡¯d do just fine.¡±

    Cedar swallowed the mushroom, her expression sour. ¡°How many of these dungeons do I have to clear before I can go home?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the rush?¡± Ari asked, raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°How many?¡± Cedar pressed.

    ¡°Nine should do it,¡± he said, squinting into the distance as he ate.

    ¡°<i>Nine</i> dungeons? Why nine?¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t level up in here, so there¡¯s no way you¡¯d survive a level ten dungeon as a level one player. Nine is already pushing it.¡±

    Cedar frowned, her mind spinning. ¡°This isn¡¯t a game,¡± she objected. ¡°How am I a ¡®player¡¯?¡±

    Ari cringed. ¡°Poor choice of words on my part. You¡¯re not a ¡®player,¡¯¡± he said quickly. ¡°Look, there¡¯s a lot about the universe you don¡¯t understand yet, and you don¡¯t need to understand it all right now. Just know this: yes, there are levels, and you¡¯ll be able to level up once you acquire my interface.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s an interface?¡±

    ¡°My . . . well, it¡¯s literally an interface,¡± Ari explained, gesturing vaguely. ¡°Think of it like a computer built into your brain. You¡¯ll gain access to all kinds of abilities. You¡¯ll see once you have it.¡±

    ¡°Why can¡¯t you just tell me now?¡±

    Ari paused, taking another bite of his food. His gaze wandered to the trees, as if lost in thought. ¡°I¡¯m very old, Cedar.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I know. You¡¯ve told me.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m level 10,058. Do you know how many lifetimes that¡¯s taken?¡±

    ¡°No idea.¡± A thrill of excitement surged in Cedar¡¯s chest. <i>Just how powerful is this guy?</i>

    ¡°Once a person ascends, they spend the rest of their existence accumulating energy. That¡¯s what it¡¯s all about¡ªenergy.¡± Ari¡¯s eyes met hers. ¡°Did you know the universe was born with zero energy? It¡¯s all borrowed. We¡¯re all living in debt. Bet you didn¡¯t know that, huh? That our energy isn¡¯t even ours?¡±

    ¡°Of course I didn¡¯t know that,¡± Cedar snapped. ¡°How could I?¡± Her excitement soured into unease. ¡°Where are you going with this?¡±

    ¡°The whole is greater than the sum of its parts,¡± Ari said, nodding at Cedar as if she understood.

    ¡°Yeah? And?¡± Cedar prompted, narrowing her eyes.

    Ari stabbed into his breakfast ravioli, twirling a tight bundle onto the end of his fork. ¡°All those questions you have now? About God, or some grand purpose to it all? You¡¯ll still have those questions long after you¡¯re dead. Sure, you¡¯ll learn some things, but there¡¯s always more questions, more to unfold.¡± He shoved the forkful into his mouth, speaking through bites of food, crumbs punctuating his words. ¡°It never ends.¡±

    ¡°Ari . . .¡± Cedar¡¯s voice was tinged with unease. ¡°Is there something I should know? Do we have to, like, pay back this energy or something?¡±

    Ari didn¡¯t respond right away. He continued stabbing his ravioli with mechanical precision, his gaze distant. ¡°We have conspiracy theories in the afterlife too,¡± he said finally, as if answering a different question. ¡°Just like you do here. Nothing¡¯s certain. But one thing I¡¯ve learned is this: everything in the physical universe is created by and dependent on something beyond itself. Everything is placed strategically, like pieces on a board. From our vantage point in the spirit realm, the patterns and purposes in your world are as clear as day. But in <i>our</i> realm? It¡¯s a different story. We can¡¯t see how things fit together. We don¡¯t know why <i>we</i> exist¡ªjust like you don¡¯t fully understand your purpose. We can observe your world and figure out your purpose, but the purpose of the spirit realm remains elusive.¡±

    Cedar frowned. She¡¯d never heard Ari go off on such a tangent before, and it unnerved her. Yet, she couldn¡¯t help but find the subject fascinating. ¡°What¡¯s <i>our</i> purpose in the physical realm?¡± she asked.

    ¡°To evolve and ascend,¡± Ari answered matter-of-factly. ¡°It¡¯s easy to see from my perspective. Some people don¡¯t even need to ascend to understand it.¡±

    ¡°But couldn¡¯t the spirit realm just be another stage of evolution?¡± Cedar countered. ¡°A stepping stone to something even beyond that? Maybe there¡¯s another tier, another gateway after the spirit realm.¡±

    Ari paused, considering her words. ¡°Well . . . there¡¯s a door,¡± he admitted. ¡°A door that only a soul at level 1,022,435 can open. It¡¯s an absurdly high number¡ªimpossible, really, if you ask me. But the door exists. No one knows who put it there, or where it leads.¡±

    ¡°Then that¡¯s it,¡± Cedar declared. ¡°That¡¯s <i>your</i> purpose¡ªto open that door.¡±The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    ¡°No.¡± Ari shook his head firmly. ¡°It¡¯s an impossible level. And the door¡¯s location is a mystery. No one has seen it, let alone entered¡ªnot in any universe I¡¯ve visited.¡±

    ¡°Then how do you even <i>know</i> it exists?¡±

    A shadow of melancholy crossed Ari¡¯s face before he smoothed it away. ¡°Let¡¯s forget about the door for now,¡± he said quietly. ¡°Most people think it¡¯s just folklore anyway.¡±

    Cedar could sense he wanted to avoid the topic, perhaps for reasons he wasn¡¯t ready to share. She decided to let it go. ¡°Okay,¡± she said, shifting the conversation. ¡°So, tell me more about this interface.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s like you¡¯re the lead character in a role-playing game,¡± Ari explained. ¡°You¡¯ll have an edge over everyone else because I¡¯m transferring everything I have to you¡ªall my spells, abilities, everything. Your experience gain rate will multiply by my level¡ª10,058¡ªwhich means you¡¯ll reach level two 10,058 times faster than someone starting from scratch. But once you reach level 10,058, your multiplier ends. By then, you¡¯ll have caught up. After that, you can still level up, but it takes a very, <i>very</i> long time.¡±

    ¡°Why are you giving me your stuff?¡± Cedar asked, suspicion creeping into her voice.

    ¡°Because you¡¯ll need it.¡±

    ¡°But don¡¯t <i>you</i> need it, too?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Ari replied with a dismissive wave, taking a swig of his milkshake. A frothy white smear clung to his upper lip as he set the glass down.

    Cedar scooped the last forkful of cr¨ºpe into her mouth, pondering yet another intriguing, unanswered question. Now there were two gaping holes in Ari¡¯s story. Since these mysteries were new to her, she decided to let them rest¡ªfor now.

    Breaking the awkward silence, she ventured, ¡°I forgot to ask¡ªwhy didn¡¯t you tell me I needed to get angry to kill the zombies?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t tell you because you didn¡¯t actually <i>need</i> to get angry,¡± Ari replied.

    Cedar shrugged. ¡°Well, it worked.¡±

    ¡°Do you remember what I said about gravity and how it can pull you in?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°You just needed to rise above that pull,¡± Ari explained. ¡°In your case, anger served as a catalyst. But relying on it is risky. Anger might give you a sense of power, but it clouds judgment. It makes you deaf to reason and stubborn beyond belief. Hasn¡¯t Bryce taught you anything about this?¡±

    ¡°He teaches non-resistance,¡± Cedar admitted. ¡°He says if I¡¯m angry, I should express it and let it flow. He believes that by accepting my emotions, I can learn from them.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± Ari said with a nod. ¡°Just don¡¯t lean on anger¡ªit¡¯s like walking a tightrope. One wrong move, and it¡¯ll throw you off balance.¡±

    As they spoke, Cedar¡¯s attention drifted over Ari¡¯s shoulder to a small, glinting object. A soft whirring sound reached Ari¡¯s ear, and without looking, he flicked his hand up, catching a six-pronged Chinese throwing star between his fingers.

    ¡°What the . . . ?¡± he muttered, examining the weapon.

    From behind a nearby tree, Bryce Li stepped into view, his presence commanding. ¡°It¡¯s time,¡± he announced.

    Cedar stood, unable to resist a playful jab. ¡°I totally could¡¯ve caught that.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. In your <i>eye</i>,¡± Ari retorted dryly.

    Cedar laughed as she walked away. ¡°I¡¯ll tackle the level two dungeon later,¡± she called over her shoulder.

    ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to it,¡± Ari replied.

    <hr>

    The sun climbed higher, signaling early afternoon. Cedar was struggling with her forms. Her punches and kicks lacked the sharpness and precision they needed. The crisp <i>snap</i> that should have accompanied each strike was absent.

    ¡°You¡¯re too loose!¡± Bryce critiqued. ¡°You need snap on contact.¡±

    He demonstrated the correct form with practiced ease, his movements unburdened by tension. Bouncing lightly on his toes, his arms relaxed and his elbows low, he struck with lightning speed. His uniform snapped audibly at the wrist as he delivered a precise blow to Cedar¡¯s solar plexus, sending her sprawling several yards back onto the ground.

    Meditation didn¡¯t go well either. Cedar¡¯s thoughts were incessantly drawn back to the upcoming dungeon and her earlier conversation with Ari. The mysterious, inaccessible door and Ari¡¯s interface¡ªwhich he seemed to have no use for anymore¡ªlingered in her mind. And what was with his tangent about accumulating energy? And what exactly <i>is</i> energy anyway? The famous equation, E=mc2 crossed her mind.

    When lunchtime arrived, Cedar ordered the Nepali Dal Bhat from Alma, hoping the simple yet nourishing dish would sharpen her focus without weighing her down.

    ¡°Dal Bhat¡ªgood choice,¡± Ari commented as he joined her at the picnic table. Two precariously stacked hot dogs wobbled on his plate as he sat down.

    Cedar didn¡¯t waste time. ¡°I have a question,¡± she began. ¡°Earlier, you said everything revolves around gaining energy. But isn¡¯t energy <i>mass</i> times the speed of light squared? So if I gain more energy, won¡¯t I weigh more?¡±

    ¡°Not necessarily,¡± Ari replied, unbothered by the question. ¡°Mass comes from chromodynamic binding energy, which isn¡¯t the same as weight. So no, gaining energy doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯ll weigh more.¡±

    ¡°But E=mc2¡ª¡±

    ¡°The equation depends on context,¡± Ari interrupted. ¡°For a massless particle, for instance, it simplifies to E=pc, where <i>p</i> represents momentum and <i>c</i> is the speed of light. You get me?¡±

    ¡°Umm . . . yes?¡± Cedar lied. ¡°But what if the particle has no momentum? What then?¡±

    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t exist,¡± Ari said simply. ¡°Not only would it not exist, but it <i>has</i> to travel at the speed of light to stay in the physical plane. The moment it slows down, it vanishes.¡±

    ¡°Interesting . . . but how? Why?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s just how it works for massless particles,¡± Ari replied with a shrug.

    ¡°Can you tell me why it has to travel at light speed?¡± Cedar pressed.

    ¡°Dang, girl, you and your questions,¡± Ari teased, though he smiled. ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, I love answering them. Some are just harder to explain than others.¡±

    ¡°Yes, so . . . ?¡± Cedar leaned forward expectantly.

    ¡°So, time freezes at the speed of light,¡± Ari explained. ¡°That means the particle moves with time itself. If it slowed down, we¡¯d be able to measure it within our frame of reference. And if we could do that, then it wouldn¡¯t <i>be</i> a massless particle anymore. It¡¯s a paradox. I know it¡¯s confusing, but that¡¯s the simplest way I can explain it.¡±

    ¡°I think I get it,¡± Cedar said thoughtfully. ¡°So, the energy you spoke of earlier¡ªthe one we¡¯re supposed to accumulate¡ªwhat kind of energy is it? If it doesn¡¯t weigh us down, does it have to travel at light speed?¡±

    ¡°Not exactly,¡± Ari corrected. ¡°We gain energy through experience¡ªoften through suffering. Once we refine this energy with our consciousness and release it, it transforms into negative energy. We¡¯re quantumly entangled with that negative energy, so we can call upon it anytime. We can even create new universes with it. And no, it doesn¡¯t travel at light speed. It has no dimensions, so time doesn¡¯t factor in. It exists in the void, outside the physical dimension.¡±

    ¡°Wait, wait.¡± Cedar held up a hand. ¡°You¡¯re saying we can <i>create</i> universes? Can <i>anyone</i> do that?¡±

    ¡°Pretty much, yeah,¡± Ari said casually. ¡°But when the Big Rip happens, you don¡¯t really have a choice¡ªyou either jump in or get sucked in.¡±

    ¡°Sucked into <i>what</i>? What¡¯s the Big Rip? You¡¯re talking too fast. Does ¡®Big Rip¡¯ stand for ¡®Big Rest-in-Peace¡¯ or something?¡±

    ¡°It should,¡± Ari chuckled. ¡°But no, the Big Rip refers to the heat death of a universe. Over time, as more universes are created, they stack on top of each other, accelerating inflation.¡±

    ¡°Inflation?¡± Cedar echoed, confused.

    ¡°Yeah, galaxies and solar systems keep spreading out until space takes over matter. Everything gets stretched thin¡ªflattened, really. The weight of all those new universes crush the old ones, squishing them back into the singularity. But from our three-dimensional perspective, it just looks like the universe is expanding.¡±

    ¡°How do we get sucked into a new universe? I¡¯m so confused. Maybe start from the beginning?¡±

    Ari paused, considering how best to explain. ¡°Time needs space and space needs time¡ªthey¡¯re opposing sides of the same coin. When the Big Rip happens, all baryonic particles¡ªeverything you know as matter¡ªget torn apart, reduced to smaller and smaller components until nothing remains but radiation. The end result will be the annihilation of all matter¡ªthe great flattening of our universe into a sub-atomic dimension.¡¯

    ¡®Time gets lost, space gets lost. Without mass, there¡¯s nothing to hold three-dimensional spacetime together. The whole thing collapses in on itself to form another Big Bang.¡±

    Cedar¡¯s brow furrowed as she absorbed the explanation. ¡°What about the spirit realm? Does it get crushed too?¡±

    ¡°It sure does. The spirit realm and the physical realm rely on each other to exist. Without time, there¡¯s no self-awareness. Without space, there¡¯s no medium for time to function. The spirit world is as reliant on these elements as the physical world.¡¯

    ¡®We¡¯re naturally inclined¡ªalmost pre-programmed¡ªto merge with the singularity when the time comes,¡± Ari explained. ¡°It¡¯s not something we worry about. And if someone¡¯s not ready, they can always hop over to the next universe without getting pulled into the singularity.¡±

    Cedar frowned. ¡°<i>Pre-programmed?</i> You¡¯re scaring me with that word.¡±

    Ari took a bite of his hot dog, chewing thoughtfully. ¡°I don¡¯t think we should talk about this anymore. I want you to focus on completing the dungeons first.¡±

    Cedar wasn¡¯t having it. ¡°How do we create a new universe? You¡¯re not great at . . . teaching. Maybe if you explain that, I¡¯ll start to understand all of this.¡±

    Ari sighed. ¡°You¡¯re not going to drop this, are you?¡±

    ¡°Nope.¡±

    ¡°Fine,¡± he relented, staring into the distance as if searching for the right words. ¡°It¡¯s not easy, I¡¯ll tell you that. Ending yourself¡ª<i>really</i> ending yourself¡ªis never a

    n easy decision. You know the universe originated from a white hole, right?¡±

    Cedar nodded.

    ¡°That white hole is still there,¡± Ari continued. ¡°But it¡¯s converted itself into a black hole, with the original singularity at its center. If we were to jump into that black hole, it takes us to the void. You remember the void from the flower ceremony?¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± Cedar said, her stomach tightening.

    ¡°Here¡¯s where it gets crazy. That void? It doesn¡¯t actually <i>exist</i> anywhere.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Cedar asked, leaning forward.

    ¡°It¡¯s not located in any dimension of space we know. The only way to physically ¡®reach¡¯ it is by entering that specific black hole at the universe¡¯s center. But you¡¯re not really <i>going</i> anywhere. The void isn¡¯t a place. It¡¯s <i>in</i> you. You <i>are</i> the void. That¡¯s why you can access it through meditation.¡±

    Cedar stared at him, trying to grasp the concept.

    ¡°The origin of the Big Bang was never a place, but a moment in time.¡± Ari further explained. ¡°When someone jumps into the black hole,¡± Ari went on, ¡°they essentially destroy their soul. They¡¯re ripped apart, shredded into oblivion. What¡¯s left is the negative energy they carried in and a kind of blueprint for how to put themselves back together.¡±

    ¡°That sounds . . . horrifying,¡± Cedar whispered.

    ¡°It is. But that¡¯s how a new universe is born,¡± Ari said. ¡°The void uses that negative energy to create a parallel universe¡ªan exact replica of the one before it. Since we all come from the same source, the same universe is replicated again and again. Everything unfolds as it did previously to recreate the person¡ªor people¡ªwho initiated it. The void is just trying to make sense of the pieces it¡¯s given.¡¯

    ¡®Another crazy thing is, it all happens simultaneous. To us, it feels like billions of eons, but to the void, it rips us apart and reassembles us in an instant. Right now, your universe is an illusion, sort of an unrequited hologram. None of this is real until <i>everyone</i> who¡¯s supposed to be born has been born. And if they aren¡¯t born . . .¡± He snorted, his mouth full of food. ¡°Well, we¡¯re all in big trouble.¡±

    Cedar blinked. ¡°None of this makes sense. How can we be an illusion?¡±

    ¡°Reality isn¡¯t as solid as you think,¡± Ari said. ¡°Nothing exists until it¡¯s observed. Your universe is waiting to be realized by all its creators¡ªall those who jumped into the singularity to create it. <i>My</i> universe still isn¡¯t fully realized.¡±

    ¡°Seriously?¡± Cedar asked, astonished. ¡°How long does it take for that to happen?¡±

    ¡°Billions upon billions . . . upon <i>billions</i> of millennia,¡± Ari replied with a shrug. ¡°The more verses there are, the longer it takes for each one to become realized. It¡¯s because of the increasing number of people. The more people, the longer it takes.¡±

    ¡°What happens once the universe is realized?¡± Cedar asked.

    ¡°It stops being deterministic, for starters,¡± Ari replied. ¡°But most importantly, it becomes impervious to destruction by hijackers.¡±

    Cedar bit her bottom lip, her mind buzzing with questions. She didn¡¯t even know where to start. ¡°What happens if the universe <i>doesn¡¯t</i> become realized?¡±

    ¡°The black hole at the center will swallow everything up and start over,¡± Ari said, raising his eyebrows as if the answer were obvious. ¡°It¡¯ll be like none of this ever happened.¡±

    ¡°How did our villain even get here¡ªif this is all just a fake illusion?¡±

    ¡°He back-doored it,¡± Ari said. ¡°Think of him like malware¡ªa computer virus. Same as me, really, if you think about it. There¡¯s a place called the Fringe. It¡¯s similar to the void, but accessible to everyone. The difference is that each person has their own unique void, but the Fringe is shared. It¡¯s everywhere, holding space together like fascia. If you know how to navigate the Fringe, you can get anywhere.¡±

    ¡°Why do you call it the Fringe?¡±

    ¡°Because it¡¯s the outermost layer of the singularity¡ªor the black hole¡ªwhatever you prefer to call it.¡±

    Cedar held up a hand. ¡°Okay, back up. <i>Anyone</i> can create a universe?¡±

    Ari rolled his eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t get too excited. It¡¯s not what you think. It''s a place people go to <i>die.</i> It¡¯s like a graveyard for suicidal souls.¡± He paused, his expression softening. ¡°But yeah, I suppose it¡¯s also like giving birth to mankind.¡±

    He scooped a bite of rice pudding and continued, ¡°This entire universe was born from suffering¡ªfrom people who wanted to end their existence or erase their past lives. Everyone has their reasons. They gave up everything to create this. All their power, even their perceptions, were destroyed when they merged. What I can¡¯t wrap my head around is why anyone would want to give up everything when they could use their power to help others instead. There are already infinite universes out there¡ªsome of them in serious trouble. Why make more?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s like asking why people keep having kids when so many are waiting for adoption,¡± Cedar chimed in.

    ¡°Exactly,¡± Ari said, pointing his spoon at her.

    ¡°So, the people who created this universe,¡± Cedar mused, ¡°are they like gods or something?¡±

    ¡°From a simple point of view, sure,¡± Ari said. ¡°Or maybe they¡¯re just cogs in the wheel¡ªself-sustaining the cycles. There¡¯s no need for a higher hand to turn the wheel if we¡¯re capable of doing it ourselves.¡±

    Cedar shook her head. ¡°Nope, still don¡¯t get it. It¡¯s a lot to take in. Is there <i>anything else</i> I should know?¡±

    Ari let out a loud, amused ¡°Ha.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s <i>that</i> supposed to mean?¡± Cedar asked, narrowing her eyes.

    ¡°There¡¯s too much,¡± he said. ¡°Way too much. I¡¯ve barely scratched the surface.¡±

    Cedar leaned in, lowering her voice in mock reverence. ¡°Do tell me more, oh mighty Ari. How are we pre-programmed?¡±

    ¡°Story time¡¯s over for today,¡± Ari said, dabbing his mouth with a napkin. ¡°A level two dungeon awaits.¡±

    His comment jogged Cedar¡¯s memory. She¡¯d meant to ask this earlier but had been sidetracked. ¡°Just one more question,¡± she said, holding up a finger.

    Ari sighed, already anticipating her persistence. ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Why is this all set up like an RPG? Am I a character in some kind of cosmic video game?¡±

 Chapter 9: House of Horrors

    ¡°That¡¯s not a simple answer. It¡¯s a long one. I¡¯ll tell you <i>after</i> you complete the dungeon, deal?¡±

    Cedar accepted his offer without protest, though her pout remained firmly planted on her face. ¡°Take me to it, then.¡±

    With a sharp whistle, Ari summoned Clyde and Dale to escort them to the level two dungeon. Cedar, feeling eerily unfazed by the potential danger ahead, mounted Clyde. She was more eager to continue her questioning than to worry about the dungeon, seeing it as an irritating obstacle standing between her and the truth. Channeling her anger toward the dungeon, she hoped to use it as a shield against fear, just as she had done inside the level one dungeon.

    With his eyes fixed on the path ahead, Ari asked, ¡°You¡¯re purposely making yourself angry, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°I gotta hype myself up.¡±

    ¡°Do what you gotta do, I guess.¡± Ari clicked his tongue at Dale, signaling him to start a trot.

    The trail wound its way down, abandoning the lake¡¯s edge and descending into a barren hollow devoid of trees. Emerging from the clearing, a monolithic stone structure loomed, its presence alien to Cedar¡¯s prior passings. Ari dismounted Dale and walked to the stone¡¯s face, gazing into the dark maw of a cavern clearly shaped by no natural hand.

    ¡°You like it?¡± Ari asked, pride gleaming in his smile.

    ¡°Um, no. Why would I <i>like</i> it?¡±

    ¡°I made it look like an actual dungeon this time. Pretty gnarly, huh?¡±

    A skewed wooden plank above the entrance read ¡°Level Two.¡± Cedar regarded it with indifference. It irked her that Ari could take such pride in creating a monstrosity that might kill her.

    ¡°It¡¯s just a prop,¡± he said, offering his hand to help her off Clyde. ¡°You¡¯ll be okay no matter what, remember?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, and whatever doesn¡¯t kill me makes me stronger. Got it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going in with you this time.¡±

    A weight lifted off Cedar¡¯s chest at his words. She almost felt guilty for being annoyed at him only moments ago.

    ¡°Why?¡± she asked.

    ¡°To make sure you make it out alive. I won¡¯t help you kill anything, though¡ªthat¡¯s your job.¡±

    Cedar¡¯s determination renewed as she realized she wasn¡¯t as alone as she had feared. She had a powerful ally, a protector¡ªa literal hero¡ªby her side.

    Ari ran through reminders to bolster her resolve. ¡°The only evil is fear. None of this is real. Believe in yourself . . . ¡±

    ¡°I believe in <i>you</i>,¡± Cedar said, glancing up at him.

    ¡°That¡¯s sweet, Seed,¡± Ari replied, fidgeting with his bolo tie to distract himself from the moment. ¡°That was a shared moment, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡±

    Cedar turned her gaze to the dark chasm ahead. A sinister hollow resonance echoed from its depths, and a cool breeze prickled the back of her neck.

    ¡°Just do what you did last time,¡± Ari advised. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m ready,¡± Cedar said, steeling herself as she faced the cavernous opening.

    ¡°Oh, I almost forgot,¡± Ari announced before whistling for Dale. ¡°I have a present for you.¡±

    Dale trotted over, bobbing his head in acknowledgment. Ari unlatched a long sheath from the horse¡¯s saddle. With great reverence, he knelt before Cedar, holding the weapon aloft.

    ¡°Your sword, my liege.¡± Ari unsheathed a reflective katana from its scabbard, holding it horizontally above his bowed head.

    ¡°A sword?¡± Cedar reached for it immediately, examining its gleaming blade and testing its sharpness.

    ¡°Yeah. I figured it¡¯s time you had one. Those zombies in Level One only needed a good punch, but these guys aren''t as crumbly.¡±

    ¡°Thank you!¡± Cedar exclaimed, jumping up and hugging Ari tightly.

    ¡°Hey now, it¡¯s just a sword. No biggie.¡±

    Cedar stepped back and practiced a few swings, rehashing the fencing moves Bryce had taught her earlier. The blade was well-balanced, slicing the air with ease and precision. Its woven hilt fit perfectly in her hand, as though it had been crafted just for her.

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to test it out,¡± she said, jabbing at an invisible monster in front of her.

    ¡°You ready?¡± Ari asked, his tone amused by Cedar¡¯s sudden shift to exuberance.

    ¡°Let¡¯s kill us some monsters.¡±

    She readied herself in a fighter¡¯s stance as Ari casually waltzed into the shadowy chamber. His lack of fear bolstered her own resolve. Tightening her grip on the hilt, Cedar followed him into the unknown.

    A few feet into the alcove, she quieted her breathing, straining to catch any sign of threats along the torchlit path. The only sound was a howling rush of air that sent shivers up her sleeve.

    ¡°Ari?¡± Her voice echoed against the damp walls.

    ¡°I¡¯m here. Nice in here, huh? I should ditch the cabin for this place.¡±

    Cedar hadn¡¯t realized her hands were trembling until they steadied. She exhaled in relief, forcing herself to agree. ¡°Yeah, totally suitable for my needs. Where are you?¡±

    ¡°You know how creepy dungeons are in video games?¡± Ari replied, answering her question with another question.

    ¡°Yeah?¡± she responded, following the sound of his voice deeper into the corridor.

    ¡°Well, this first room is creepy. I don¡¯t want you to freak out, okay?¡±

    ¡°Okay, I won¡¯t,¡± she said as she approached a sharp 90-degree turn in the passage. Instead of charging in, she flattened herself against the tunnel wall, angling the katana¡¯s polished blade to reflect the adjacent room. The only movement she saw was the flicker of torchlight on the sword¡¯s surface.

    ¡°Thanks for not making this place pitch-black,¡± she called.

    ¡°Yeah, well, I didn¡¯t actually design this dungeon. It¡¯s a prefab¡ªa default Level Two dungeon, so . . .¡±

    Cedar turned the corner cautiously while Ari kept talking. Her breath hitched at the grisly scene before her.

    ¡°. . . I designed the last dungeon. I wanted to make it simple and address your fear of the dark, mainly. I figured once you got over <i>that</i>, you wouldn¡¯t be afraid of anything.¡±

    In a dim corner, a rusted cage groaned, its occupant reduced to sinew and bone. In the opposite corner, a fresh human cadaver hung upside down, swaying gently from an iron hook. Its flayed flesh was arranged grotesquely on a butcher¡¯s table in the center of the room. The walls and floor were streaked with dark stains of carnage. Beside an immense grinder stood a grim totem, crafted from human skulls and the teeth of beasts.

    Cedar¡¯s hand flew to her mouth as the stench hit her¡ªa noxious, putrid scent that churned her stomach. It wasn¡¯t fear that gripped her¡ªnot with Ari¡¯s calm presence anchoring her¡ªbut revulsion, a deep-seated abhorrence for the macabre scene before her.

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯d definitely trade in my cabin for this place,¡± Cedar joked. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t even need Alma anymore¡ªnot with all this food lying around.¡± She spit on the floor to clear her mouth of the acidic saliva pooling there, stifling a series of guttural burps.

    A rustling sound emerged from a conjoined tunnel, leading to a more remote area of the dungeon.

    ¡°Did you hear that?¡± Cedar whispered, clutching the katana close to her chest. ¡°What was it? Footsteps?¡±

    ¡°Ready yourself,¡± Ari advised.

    Cedar¡¯s hands started trembling again as a loud buzz echoed from deeper within the dungeon. The revving of a motor filled the air.

    ¡°Oh God, what is that?¡±

    Before Ari could respond, a towering masked man¡ªeasily over six feet tall¡ªburst from the tunnel, wielding a roaring chainsaw.

    ¡°Oh God, oh God, oh God!¡± Cedar panicked, dropping her sword with a clatter and bolting back down the tunnel. She didn¡¯t stop until she was out of the cave entirely, gulping the fresh air in heaving breaths.

    Her legs slowed to a shaky stop as she glanced over her shoulder, half-expecting the monstrous figure to chase her. ¡°Oh my . . . Oh my God.¡±

    She bent over, palms on her knees, gasping for air. ¡°I can¡¯t do this,¡± she muttered between pants. ¡°I just can¡¯t.¡±

    Ari strolled out of the dungeon a moment later, smiling as if he¡¯d just finished a pleasant walk. ¡°Not very welcoming, is he?¡±

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you <i>warn</i> me?!¡± Cedar shrieked, only to groan moments later. ¡°Oh no, my sword! I dropped my sword.¡±

    Ari held it out to her like an adult handing candy to a sulking toddler. ¡°Here you go, cupcake.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Cedar mouthed, snatching it back with embarrassment. She clutched the hilt tightly. ¡°Did you see him? He was <i>huge</i>! And fast! If you¡¯d warned me, maybe I could¡¯ve prepared better.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Ari reassured her. ¡°It¡¯s nothing to be embarrassed about. But you <i>do</i> need to be ready for anything, with or without warning.¡±

    Cedar barely processed his words, her mind still racing. She nodded numbly, her eyes glassy with lingering fear.

    ¡°Just breathe,¡± Ari reminded.

    Cedar forced herself to slow her breaths. ¡°How do I fight that guy?¡± she asked, her voice still tinged with dread.

    ¡°Simple. Stab him a few times. He¡¯s fast on his feet, but that chainsaw? It¡¯s heavy. He swings it slow¡ªyou can dodge it.¡±

    Cedar huffed, frustration creeping in. ¡°Dodge it. Right. Sure.¡±

    Her mind latched onto a new strategy. <i>Anger.</i> If she could summon her rage, maybe she could drown out the fear.

    ¡°That stupid jerk-faced slimy-ass monkey son-of-a¡ª¡±

    ¡°Hey!¡± Ari¡¯s voice snapped her back.

    Cedar¡¯s head shot up.

    ¡°Stop that,¡± he scolded.

    ¡°I can¡¯t do this,¡± Cedar muttered, her voice small and defeated. ¡°I don¡¯t <i>want</i> to do this. And I hate you.¡±

    Ari remained unfazed. ¡°There are less scary Level Two dungeons out there, but they wouldn¡¯t serve the purpose of this exercise.¡±

    ¡°There are <i>less scary dungeons</i>?¡± Cedar shoved him with all her weight, but he barely budged.

    ¡°I <i>had</i> to pick the <i>House of Horrors</i> to speed up your training. How else can you overcome your fears? Killing rats and beetles in some boring dungeon wouldn¡¯t cut it.¡±

    He was right, of course. Cedar imagined herself swatting at rats and beetles, feeling the chore-like monotony of it. But that didn¡¯t mean she wanted to face a chainsaw-wielding maniac, either.

    Her legs buckled, and she collapsed to the ground. Sitting in the grass, she stared blankly at the horizon, frozen in place.

    Ari joined her, plopping down with his usual ease. He picked a blade of grass and twirled it between his fingers.

    ¡°You know what works better than anger?¡± he asked.

    ¡°A gun to my head?¡± Cedar replied.

    ¡°Humor,¡± Ari said, his face straight.

    Cedar shot him a skeptical look.

    ¡°I wanted you to figure this out on your own. It sticks better that way,¡± he explained, tapping his temple. ¡°But planting the idea doesn¡¯t hurt, so . . . ¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t funny. None of this is funny.¡±

    ¡°How did you feel when we were joking about living in there?¡± Ari nodded toward the dungeon.

    Cedar hesitated. She realized the joke had distracted her. It made her forget where she was, even comforted her for a moment.

    Ari tapped her forehead lightly with his fingertip, as though etching his next words into her mind: ¡°Don¡¯t take anything seriously.¡±

    Cedar raised a tired eyebrow, her expression questioning.

    ¡°When you¡¯re serious, you limit yourself,¡± Ari began. ¡°You limit your power. Fear thrives in seriousness. The more seriously you take things, the more fear you feed into the problem.¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Cedar replied, unconvinced.

    ¡°Think of it this way,¡± Ari continued. ¡°Everything is malleable. Everything is just potential and probability. That¡¯s all. Not just situations, but even people. The only truth is that there<i> is</i> no truth.¡± His voice rose with a spark of excitement, like he¡¯d stumbled upon a eureka moment. ¡°Why feed into a reality that disagrees with you? Why not make it your own? Let me ask you this: is fear worth the price of your awareness?¡±

    Cedar shook her head, her tone was skeptical. ¡°I don¡¯t know. That seemed pretty real to me. And there <i>are</i> real-life scenarios¡ªhorrible ones¡ªthat you can¡¯t blink away. The world isn¡¯t magic, Ari. You¡¯ve lost touch. Real life doesn¡¯t work like that.¡±

    Ari looked away, his expression dimming with disappointment. ¡°I can¡¯t force you to understand,¡± he said. ¡°But everything¡ª<i>everything</i>¡ªis part of the void. Once you understand the void, you¡¯ll see reality for what it truly is. There¡¯s never anything to be afraid of. Not ever. Not even death. There¡¯s always a choice.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re saying reality is whatever I want it to be?¡± Cedar asked, the doubt still palpable in her voice.

    ¡°Exactly. Reality is perspective. That¡¯s all it is. Nothing is real until it¡¯s measured, given weight. Our collective observations give weight to things, people swathe situations in gravity. We get pulled into other people¡¯s perceptions, but we don¡¯t <i>have</i> to unless we agree to it. Yes, real-life scenarios can be horrendous. But we always have the power to choose how we respond.¡±

    ¡°And how should we respond?¡±

    ¡°By treating these situations as opportunities. Opportunities to grow, to rise above fear, and to help others. To act, not just react.¡±

    Cedar sighed, her gaze drifting back to the cave entrance. Ari followed her eyes and pointed toward it. ¡°And that, right there, is <i>not</i> real. Of all things, don¡¯t believe in <i>that</i>.¡±

    This was the lesson Ari had repeated since day one: the unreality of the dungeons, illusions designed to strengthen her. For the first time, Cedar began to truly understand. Outside, in the real world, there were uncontrollable situations, but here? Here, nothing was real. Nothing to fear.

    Her head felt light, as though she¡¯d been drugged. A strange thought wriggled into her consciousness like an earwig burrowing deep into her mind:

    ¡°I have to lose control to gain control.¡±

    Ari did a double take. His eyes flicked toward her, then away, then back again, a look of fascination on his face. He held his tongue, watching her work through the thought on her own.

    ¡°What does that mean?¡± Cedar muttered to herself, turning the idea over in her mind. ¡°I have to lose control¡ªI have to let go to get out of my own way.¡±

    ¡°So that your only focus is achieving your goal,¡± Ari said, gently helping her unravel the riddle. ¡°That¡¯s how you get in the zone. It¡¯s a place where you move methodically, without overthinking.¡±

    ¡°That must be what Bryce was talking about,¡± Cedar realized. ¡°He said to let your emotions flow freely. To embody nonresistance while staying self-aware. He said it¡¯s like someone else is controlling your movements.¡±

    ¡°You can only reach that state from a higher perspective,¡± Ari added. ¡°But most people get stuck in their heads, trapped in their ego, their fear.¡±

    The realization hit Cedar like a quiet wave, profound and undeniable. <i>I can</i> <i>control any situation by controlling myself.</i> She grasped the concept in its simplicity, but its application felt elusive. It wasn¡¯t just an idea¡ªit was an insight from somewhere deeper, an unshakable truth that refused to be argued with.

    <i>To control myself by letting go of control.</i>

    So simple in theory. Yet impossibly daunting in practice.

    ¡°I understand, but I don¡¯t get it. Ugh . . .¡± Cedar grabbed the sides of her head in frustration.

    ¡°It¡¯s because there are no words for it,¡± Ari explained. ¡°Your thinking brain can¡¯t comprehend it, but your heart knows what¡¯s up. You just have to practice. That¡¯s what meditation is for¡ªto learn the language of intuition.¡±

    ¡°Fear is just another way of control,¡± Cedar stated. Her earlier lessons were finally linking together, forming a more cohesive understanding.

    ¡°You¡¯re getting it.¡± Ari patted her on the back. ¡°Lose the fear, lose control, and then you gain control. Easier said than done, of course.¡±

    ¡°Yeah . . .¡± Cedar agreed. ¡°It all comes down to fear. It¡¯s always about fear.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the ego,¡± Ari said. ¡°We can¡¯t get rid of it, no matter how hard we try. Even after we ascend, there¡¯s always a remnant of it.¡±

    ¡°This is a lot to take in,¡± Cedar admitted.

    ¡°I know. That¡¯s why keeping a journal and figuring this out on your own is crucial. It¡¯s easy to forget otherwise. The lesson here is to not take anything seriously. That¡¯s the key. Remember that, and all else will fall into place.¡±

    Cedar nodded, determination hardening her features. ¡°I¡¯m ready to try again. I want to go back in.¡±

    She stood, gripping her katana, and looked into the gaping mouth of the dungeon, her eyes narrowing.

    ¡°Go get ¡¯em, tiger,¡± Ari encouraged with a grin.

    Cedar slid into her fighter¡¯s stance and stepped into the torchlit passage, Ari sauntering along behind her. The fetid stench of carnage stung her nostrils as she neared the familiar bend in the wailing tunnel. She cast a glance over her shoulder to confirm Ari¡¯s presence before continuing. With a resolute, if shallow, breath, she moved forward, placing one foot after the other until she re-entered the grotesque, blood-soaked chamber.

    There he was, exactly where she had left him¡ªa towering figure behind a shaggy leather mask. Jagged eye holes revealed two black orbs, unblinking and fixed on her. He pulled the trigger on his chainsaw, and the blade roared to life, a deafening cacophony that clawed at her ears.

    ¡°No! No!¡± Cedar yelled above the noise. ¡°Bad masked man!¡± She wagged her katana at him like a scolding parent. ¡°You do NOT play with your food!¡±

    Without hesitation, she charged at the man. As the chainsaw roared, he pivoted it toward her. But Cedar was faster. Leaping onto the butcher¡¯s table, where the meat grinder oozed gore, she moved as if someone else was guiding her. She drove her katana forward, stabbing him in the throat before he could raise his weapon.

    A wet, gurgling sound escaped the wound where her blade remained embedded. Their eyes locked¡ªhis once menacing gaze now wide with terror. Cedar held his stare as his knees buckled. His body slid off the blade with a sickening squelch, collapsing onto the muddy dirt floor with a muffled crunch.

    She stood frozen, staring at the fallen giant.

    A slow clap echoed from the shadows. Ari stepped into the flickering light, a satisfied smile on his face. ¡°Congratulations.¡±This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Cedar remained rooted to the spot, disbelief etched across her face. ¡°This is . . . this is impossible.¡±

    ¡°Nothing¡¯s impossible,¡± Ari said simply.

    Cedar leapt off the blood-soaked table, her movements nimble and light. She felt invincible, as though nothing could scare her anymore. And yet, she hesitated to go further.

    ¡°There¡¯s more to this dungeon if you¡¯re up for it,¡± Ari said, his tone casual.

    Cedar glanced toward the darkened passage ahead. No, she wasn¡¯t up for it. But she also couldn¡¯t end the day without discovering the truth: <i>Was she just a character in a video game?</i>

    She gazed into the tunnel that stretched deeper into the dungeon, her expression hardening. ¡°Let¡¯s do this.¡±

    With her sword leading the way, Cedar stepped forward, Ari trailing behind her. The torchlight illuminated bloodstained walls and hidden alcoves, where the remains of small, caged animals lay long deceased. The air grew thicker, staler, but Cedar pressed on, her steps resolute as she navigated the winding corridor, unable to see what might await her.

    She froze at the sound of maniacal laughter. The cackles echoed down the passage, unearthly and chilling¡ªnot quite human, yet not entirely animal. The snickers seemed to emanate from just around the next turn. Cedar angled her sword, using its reflective surface to peer ahead. Shadows danced on the walls, backlit by a roaring flame. Impish figures leapt and jeered, their spindly silhouettes etched sharply against the cave¡¯s stone surfaces.

    ¡°What the hell are those?¡± Cedar sputtered, rubbing a smear of blood from the blade to get a clearer view. She tilted the sword slightly and froze. Two beady eyes stared back at her through the reflection.

    Before she could react, sharp claws pierced her shoulder. A scream tore from her lips as the creature fastened itself to her, its legs pounding against her sides while its teeth sank deep into her muscle. Grunting, Cedar seized the furry beast by its hide and hurled it away¡ªonly for another to pounce onto her chest.

    ¡°You little shi¡ªowww!¡± she yelled as searing pain shot through her neck. The second beast¡¯s teeth found flesh, and a third latched onto her leg, its claws digging mercilessly into her thigh. A fourth scrambled up her back, its wiry limbs gripping her tightly.

    Now covered in the small, furious creatures, Cedar staggered but refused to fall. Her sword, too unwieldy for such close combat, clattered uselessly to the ground. Desperate, she shoved at the creatures with her hands, trying to peel them off, but their gnashing jaws and talon-like claws only gripped tighter.

    Amid the chaos, a realization struck her: <i>I¡¯m the boss here¡ªnot these filthy little rats.</i>

    She stopped struggling and changed her approach. Instead of frantically swatting, she began prying the creatures off one by one, enduring the agonizing bites and scratches of the others. With the first in her grasp, she swung it savagely against the cave wall, smashing its head repeatedly until its body went limp.

    The remaining beasts faltered, their manic cackles heightening as they watched her relentless counterattack. Cedar could feel the shift in power. Her confidence surged.

    She grabbed another one, her movements precise, and slammed it into the stone wall with equal brutality. The creature crumpled instantly.

    The last few fiends began to screech in terror, their gleeful jeers turning into desperate squeals. Cedar bent to retrieve her sword, her eyes cold with focus. Methodically, she dispatched the remaining beasts, the blade cutting through their writhing bodies until the chamber fell silent.

    Breathing hard, Cedar turned to find Ari leaning casually against the cave wall, his arms crossed. She stared at him, her chest heaving, and wiped at her neck. She inhaled sharply through clenched teeth as she touched the fresh, oozing bite wound on her neck, wincing as she dabbed at it. Her mouth fell open at the sight of blood on her finger when she pulled it away.

    Ari uncrossed his arms, ¡°Here, I got this,¡± he said with a stern look.

    Holding his hands up, he conjured a faint white light between them. The orb of light floated toward Cedar, wrapping around her body in a soothing warmth. She gasped as the light adhered to her wounds, knitting torn flesh and erasing the pain.

    Tentatively, Cedar touched her neck, then patted the rest of her body. The bites and scratches were gone, though her clothes hung in tatters, still stained with blood and grime.

    Ari gave her a nod, ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡±

    ¡°Thanks.¡±

    ¡°Did you feel the shift in power?¡± Ari asked.

    Cedar nodded. ¡°I did. Somehow, I sensed it.¡±

    ¡°You sensed their fear,¡± Ari explained. ¡°The best way to defeat your enemies is through psychology. If you make them afraid, they¡¯ll sabotage themselves. Makes your job easier.¡±

    ¡°Huh. Weird.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll save that lesson for another day. There¡¯s a lot more to it than that.¡±

    ¡°Is there much more to this dungeon?¡±

    ¡°Yep,¡± Ari replied simply.

    Cedar¡¯s shoulders drooped. Fatigue weighed on her, both mentally and physically. She wasn¡¯t sure how much more she could endure.

    ¡°Here, drink this,¡± Ari said, handing her a small green vial. ¡°It¡¯ll recharge your stamina.¡±

    ¡°I <i>am</i> a character in a video game,¡± Cedar howled, resisting the urge to punch him. It wasn¡¯t anything new¡ªshe always wanted to punch Ari.

    ¡°It¡¯s not that simple, you¡¯ll just have to trust me. I¡¯ll explain everything later, I promise.¡±

    He extended the vial toward her again. Cedar turned away, biting her lower lip in frustration. All of this felt pointless, meaningless. She was enduring hell¡ªfor what? A title? A trophy?

    ¡°Please, Cedar. Trust me,¡± Ari urged.

    What choice did she have? Game or not, it didn¡¯t change her situation. With a glare, she snatched the vial from his hand, gulped it down in one go, and hurled the empty bottle at him. Without another word, she trudged into the next chamber.

    The new chamber was even gorier than the last. A sludgy porcelain bathtub sat in one corner, filled to the brim with a reddish-brown pulp that oozed over the edges. A foul-smelling hole in the ground overflowed with excrement, and piles of picked-clean bones were scattered across the floor.

    ¡°This is disgusting,¡± Cedar choked, staggering as if she might faint or vomit. ¡°We gotta get out of here.¡±

    ¡°I think it¡¯s cozy,¡± Ari joked.

    Cedar shot him a scathing look before rushing into the subsequent tunnel. This one slanted downward, and the temperature cooled. The stench, thankfully, became less volatile. As the light dimmed further, she grabbed a torch off the wall to illuminate the path.

    ¡°Have you ever been down here?¡± Cedar asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s all new to me. Definitely not a place I¡¯d want to vacation,¡± Ari replied, swatting away cobwebs that dangled from the low ceiling.

    Cedar slowed her pace, craning her neck as she caught the faint sound of voices from further down the passage.

    ¡°Maw¡¯s gotta eat, or she¡¯s gonna lose ¡¯er head.¡±

    ¡°Paw¡¯s gittin¡¯ ¡¯er food. He¡¯ll be back. He tol¡¯ us he¡¯ll be back, member?¡±

    ¡°Maw¡¯s gonna be mad. He shoulda been back by now.¡±

    Cedar turned to Ari and whispered, ¡°They sound like hillbillies.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t have a house of horrors without inbreds,¡± Ari commented.

    Handing the torch to Ari, Cedar gripped her katana. Confidence surged within her. ¡°This¡¯ll be easy.¡±

    She strode forward into the chamber without bothering to use her katana as a mirror. A large, bulging man with a few wisps of orange hair atop his pointy head sat on a crude cot made of wood and leather. His identical brother stood facing him but turned when he noticed movement in the doorway.

    Cedar gulped but didn¡¯t hesitate. With a sharp cry, she lunged forward, driving the tip of her katana into the flabby chest of the standing brother. Her teeth bared as she put her weight behind the blade, trying to drive it deeper.

    ¡°Is that Maw¡¯s food?¡± the seated brother asked excitedly.

    The enormous man, towering two feet above Cedar, looked down at her with a blank expression. His gaze shifted to the sword protruding from his chest, blood dripping down his bare skin. With a ghoulish hand, he seized Cedar by the neck and lifted her off the ground as if she weighed nothing.

    Cedar¡¯s face turned red, her breath strangled. She clawed at his massive fingers, kicking her legs desperately as she gasped for air.

    The colossal man carried her toward a gaping hole in the ground. ¡°I caught yer food, Maw!¡± he bellowed, his voice echoing down the cavernous pit as he dangled Cedar over the edge.

    Her vision blurred, her legs growing weak. Then, suddenly, her world turned weightless. Cedar¡¯s lungs expanded sharply as air rushed into her chest. She was falling.

    Bryce¡¯s voice echoed in her mind: <i>¡°Always land feet first, no matter the height.¡±</i>

    She bent her knees slightly, locking her fingers behind her head as she fell, visualizing her feet as pliable springboards. <i>Springboard, springboard, springboard.</i>

    She hit the ground hard. Despite her preparation, her legs buckled beneath her, sending her sprawling onto her side. Instead of the cold, unyielding stone she expected, her fall was cushioned by something soft and spongy.

    Still shielding her head, Cedar froze. She didn¡¯t dare move until she assessed her injuries. Her body throbbed, but nothing felt broken. Slowly, she raised her arm to peek out from under her elbow.

    The dim cavern stretched out before her, its far corners lost to darkness where the torchlight failed to reach. Her momentary relief turned to revulsion as she straightened her legs and realized what had broken her fall. She reached out instinctively to steady herself, her hand pressing against a bloated, distended belly.

    The skin gave way beneath her fingers, her hand sinking through the outer layer of flesh and into its gooey insides.

    Cedar gagged, retching violently as her stomach heaved. Tears streamed down her face as she turned her gaze upward. ¡°Ari!¡± she screamed, her voice cracking.

    ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± Ari called down. His voice was maddeningly calm. ¡°If things get bad, I¡¯ll teleport us out.¡±

    ¡°Things <i>are</i> bad! What are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re doing great, Seed. Keep going¡ªyou¡¯ve got this!¡± He flashed her an infuriatingly cheerful thumbs-up.

    Grinding her teeth, Cedar wiped her hand on the dusty remnants of old clothes. The bile rising in her throat began to subside as she glanced around the cavern, scanning for her next move. ¡°Can you drop me my sword?¡±

    ¡°Move out of the way first,¡± Ari replied.

    Cedar scrambled aside just as the katana came plummeting down, landing blade-first into a corpse¡¯s eye socket with a wet squish.

    Careful not to step on the bloated remains littering the ground, she retrieved her weapon. Sliding it free from the eye socket, she turned just as a guttural grunt echoed behind her, followed by the scraping sound of something being dragged through the dirt.

    She spun around, katana at the ready, and faced the source of the noise.

    What she saw defied comprehension. It was a gelatinous mass that quivered with every lurching step. Two lopsided, trunk-like appendages supported jelly-like feet, and its bloated form resembled a misshapen sack of cottage cheese. Flaps of sagging, naked flesh hung like melted wax, jiggling with every movement. Breasts sagged amidst the folds, and two tiny, watery eyes peered out of a malformed lump that might have been a head. There was no neck, no shoulders¡ªjust an amorphous body with arms so massive they seemed useless without mechanical assistance.

    Cedar¡¯s grip on her katana loosened as an unexpected pang of emotion struck her.

    ¡°This is just sad,¡± she whispered, her voice filled more with pity than fear. ¡°This poor creature . . . ¡±

    She glanced back over her shoulder. ¡°Ari?¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡± Ari¡¯s voice called down from the room above.

    ¡°I can¡¯t kill this thing¡ªit¡¯s suffering!¡± Cedar yelled back.

    ¡°Ain¡¯t that all the more reason?¡± Ari retorted. ¡°It¡¯s the boss fight, Seed. What¡¯re you gonna do? Invite it over for dinner?¡±

    The repulsive creature, towering at least eight feet tall on its haunches, shifted its gelatinous mass and began to open its abnormally large mouth. For a moment, Cedar thought it might actually speak.

    Instead, a sickening gurgle erupted from deep within the monster¡¯s belly, followed by a thunderous, green belch that reverberated off the cavern ceiling. The noxious fumes rolled toward Cedar, dense and verdant, filling the air with an acrid stench. Her stomach churned, and she fought against the overwhelming nausea and the sudden, drooping heaviness in her eyelids.

    <i>I¡¯m being gassed.</i>

    Panic surged through her as she bolted away from the repugnant miasma, sucking in fresher air.

    Another gurgle signaled an incoming attack. The creature belched again, this time expelling a projectile stream of bile. The dark brown stomach acid shot past her head, raining droplets of burning napalm. Thankfully, it wasn¡¯t a direct hit, or she would have been reduced to nothing more than a puddle of viscera for the flesh pillow to lap up.

    ¡°How is this a level <i>two</i> dungeon?¡± she hollered. ¡°Level two, my ass!¡±

    She sprinted behind the lumbering monster, which struggled to pivot quickly enough to keep up. They circled each other like predators, Cedar¡¯s mind racing for a plan. Her katana proved useless against its tough, dough-like hide; slashing the creature¡¯s back yielded little more than shallow scrapes. She needed another strategy¡ªand fast.

    Her lungs burned from exertion, and her limbs grew heavier with each step. The poisonous miasma still clung to the air, sapping her energy. She couldn¡¯t keep this up much longer.

    ¡°A torch!¡± The idea struck her like lightning. Fire might be her only chance.

    She darted toward a lit torch on the wall, carefully lifting it from its holder without extinguishing the flame. Turning back, she saw the creature facing her again, its gelatinous rolls quivering as a deep rumble rose from its belly.

    Cedar¡¯s stomach tightened as the monster¡¯s mouth stretched impossibly wide, preparing another bile blast. Glancing between the torch and the ever widening mouth, she realized she had a clear shot.

    Without a second to spare, she hurled the torch into the creature¡¯s mouth. The flame collided with a fresh stream of bile, igniting it in a fiery eruption.

    A pang of guilt rattled Cedar as she watched the heavily disfigured creature burn alive from the inside-out. Its moans bore into Cedar¡¯s psyche, filling her with remorse. Flames engulfed its body, the gelatinous flesh crackling and popping as it was consumed. A burst of heat erupted from its mouth, forcing Cedar to jog to the nearest wall for cover.

    ¡°Maw?¡±

    The voice was shaky, filled with dread. One of the brothers had emerged, his bony head poking into view just beyond the sizzling remains of what had once been his mother.

    ¡°Maw? Wake up, Maw,¡± he pleaded, stepping closer to the charred mass.

    Cedar pressed herself into the shadows, heart pounding as the second brother entered the chamber.

    ¡°Help!¡± the first one called.

    Two very large, very angry ogres stood on the verge of seeking hellacious revenge. Cedar tightened her grip on her katana, hoping it would be enough to vanquish them¡ªbut her previous attempt had barely left a mark. She needed a new plan.

    The second ogre sniffed the air, his head swiveling as he searched the dark corners of the cavern. Cedar crouched low, moving as silently as she could while scouring her think box for an idea.

    Her eyes landed on a puddle of bile a few feet away, its incendiary sheen glinting in the dim torchlight. <i>Corrosive poison,</i> she realized with a spark of hope. She¡¯d seen its effects firsthand.

    Sliding her katana through the viscous liquid, she coated the blade until it dripped with excess. She shifted her stance, the familiar weight of the sword settling into her hands. With renewed determination, she waited, ready to strike.

    The guilt Cedar had felt earlier evaporated. It was do or die now¡ªkill or be killed. There was no room for the weight of exacting emotions. She let everything go, her mind sharpening, her eyes locked on the brothers with unflinching resolve.

    The larger of the two snarled, his lip curling in a feral glower.

    ¡°You¡¯re dead. You¡¯re dead,¡± he growled, stalking toward her hiding spot.

    Cedar didn¡¯t have much time. Stripping off her top, she dunked it into the bile puddle, swirling it around to sop up the remaining brown sick. She then picked up the now heavily saturated Kung Fu jacket with the end of her katana, holding it at arm¡¯s length just as one of the brothers drew nearer, his hulking frame blocking out the dim light.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to kill you,¡± he snarled again.

    Cedar took aim and flung the bile-soaked jacket from her sword. It landed squarely on the brother¡¯s face, smothering him in the acrid stench. He clawed at it, cursing and sputtering as he tried to peel the garment away. Cedar seized the moment, darting forward with swift, precise slashes of her poisoned katana across his chest.

    By the time the brother managed to tear the poisoned jacket from his eyes, she was gone.

    The second brother knelt beside the still-smoking remains of their mother, his gnarled hands clutching at her burned, rubbery form. He rocked back and forth, muttering something incomprehensible through his grief. Cedar moved like a shadow, her steps silent, her breathing steady. With one clean motion, she drove her blade into the back of his neck.

    A wet gurgle escaped the ogre¡¯s throat as he toppled forward, his final word a faint, heart-wrenching, ¡°Maw . . .¡±

    Cedar ducked back into the darkness, watching as the first brother stumbled toward his fallen sibling.

    ¡°No. No!¡± he wailed, his cries echoing through the cavern. He collapsed beside his brother, cradling his lifeless head, tears streaming down his distorted face. The venom from the bile Cedar had slashed into him finally overwhelmed his system, and his massive body shuddered one last time before slumping to the ground.

    The two brothers lay together in death, their smoldering mother beside them¡ªa devastating tableau of loss and destruction.

    Cedar stood behind them, her chest heaving with exhaustion. She glanced down at her blade, dripping with bile and blood, and scanned her own body for wounds¡ªnot that she could do much about them.

    All she could do was wait for Ari to arrive and whisk her away to a more hospitable environment. But fatigue and delirium prevented her from calling to him.

    A slow clap aroused her ears.

    <i>Ari?</i>

    He stepped from the shadows, his gaze fixed on the hollowed remains of the pillow monster. Its once-bulging form had collapsed inward, the acidic flames leaving a charred crater where its stomach had been.

    ¡°Now<i> that¡¯s</i> what I call indigestion,¡± he snickered, smiling at his own joke.

    Cedar groaned. ¡°I can¡¯t possibly turn into you.¡±

    Ari nodded, clearly amused. ¡°You¡¯d have to work on your one-liners first.¡±

    ¡°Can you please get me the hell out of here? How did you even get down here?¡±

    ¡°I took the stairs.¡±

    ¡°There are <i>stairs</i>?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll get you out of here, don¡¯t worry.¡± Ari moved to her side, scooping her into his arms.

    She melted into his hold, grateful and relieved that it was finally over. She hadn''t been carried like this since she was a child. She let herself relax, sinking into a serenity she hadn¡¯t felt in years.

    ¡°Maybe they should add this to therapy sessions,¡± she murmured dreamily.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Ari looked down at her, puzzled.

    ¡°It¡¯s sad, isn¡¯t it?¡± Cedar continued, ¡°One day your parents put you down . . . and never picked you up again.¡±

    Ari¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Are you okay, Cedar?¡±

    Cedar¡¯s head tilted back as she watched the ceiling pass by as if she were walking on it. The illusion made her giggle.

    ¡°Oh dear lord . . .¡± Ari quickened his pace, carrying her through the final tunnel and out into the bright daylight. He set her down gently, steadying her on her feet.

    ¡°I¡¯m okay,¡± Cedar assured him, swaying slightly. ¡°Just tired and out of it. She gassed me with something in there.¡±

    Cedar looked pale and thin, her ragged Kung Fu trousers hanging loosely on her frame, her bra exposing a shoulder marked with a fresh welt from her fall. She absently rubbed the spot, then reached up to touch her scalp where the corrosive bile had landed. When she pulled her fingers away, a small clump of hair came with them.

    ¡°We need to get you fixed up. I actually know just the place,¡± Ari said with a snap of his fingers.

    Cedar dropped to the grass, resting her back against the silky green blades.

    ¡°I¡¯m so proud of you,¡± he said, closing his eyes and moving his fingers through the air like he was selecting invisible options. ¡°You did such a great job back there.¡±

    ¡°Thanks.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re going to love this place. It¡¯s where<i> I </i>go to freshen up.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t wait,¡± Cedar replied flatly.

    Ari framed the air with his hands, visualizing his creation. With a satisfied ¡°Presto,¡± he snapped his fingers again. Suddenly, beside the dirty dungeon, appeared an elegant pagoda-style Japanese spa, its vivid red and gold accents gleaming under the sun.

    ¡°It¡¯s ready. Come on, Cedar. Time to get up,¡± Ari said, hoisting her listless body with a tug on her arm.

    Cedar stumbled forward, her steps slow and uneven, as Ari guided her through the spa¡¯s welcoming entrance. As they passed through an interdimensional membrane, a cool, aromatic breeze brushed against her face, fluttering what remained of her hair.

    ¡°Wha . . . what is this?¡± she whispered, her eyes widening as she stepped inside.

    The interior was an entirely different world. Directly in front of her stood an exorbitant fountain carved from phosphorescent crystal. Its crystalline waters cascaded in glittering streams, sending icy pearls of refreshment splashing onto Cedar¡¯s emaciated form. Surrounding the fountain were lush gardens framed by effulgent waterfalls. Rainbows arced through the misty atmosphere, shimmering above kaleidoscopic flowers in hues Cedar couldn¡¯t name.

    ¡°Is this heaven?¡±

    ¡°Sure, why not,¡± Ari shrugged amicably.

    A beautiful Japanese woman, dressed modestly in a well-fitted summer dress, approached them with a warm smile.

    ¡°Konnichiwa, welcome,¡± she greeted, ¡°Onegai shimasu, the menu.¡± She gestured toward a large, standing touchscreen menu, leading Cedar and Ari to it.

    ¡°It¡¯s nice to see you again, Kobrakowski-san,¡± the hostess said, bowing her head.

    ¡°The pleasure is all mine,¡± Ari replied with a courteous bow.

    ¡°Will you be wanting your usual?¡±

    Ari puffed his cheeks, blowing a raspberry as he thought. ¡°Um, yeah, the usual would be great. Thanks, Nozomi.¡±

    The hostess bowed again.

    ¡°Want to meet for dinner around six?¡± Ari asked Cedar.

    ¡°Sure,¡± she replied absentmindedly, her eyes fixed on the endless array of spa treatments listed on the screen.

    ¡°Meet me at the steakhouse. I want you to try the olive wagyu¡ªit¡¯s like butta,¡± Ari said, puckering his mouth and kissing his fingertips for emphasis.

    ¡°Steakhouse at six, got it.¡±

    ¡°And we can discuss the universe some more,¡± he added.

    That caught Cedar¡¯s attention. She turned to him, lowering her chin. ¡°You promise?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely.¡±

    ¡°Kobrakowski-san, we¡¯re ready for you,¡± a beautiful attendant announced, threading her arm through Ari¡¯s.

    Three more radiant women joined her, each vying for a place at his side. They escorted Ari down a cobblestone path lined with glowing lanterns and lush greenery.

    Cedar turned her focus back to the menu, her mind swimming at the options: petals, tonics, scrubs, baths, hair treatments, fortunes, rides, massages, weightlessness . . .

    <i>Weightlessness? What¡¯s that about?</i>

    The options put her into a trance of indecision. She only wanted to lay down where she stood and rest for a long, long time.

    ¡°Miss? Would you please follow me?¡± Nozomi asked, her voice gentle.

    ¡°But I haven¡¯t chosen anything,¡± Cedar mumbled, barely noticing how long she had been standing there.

    ¡°I can help you. Please.¡± The hostess took Cedar¡¯s arm, her touch firm but kind, and led her down a new path through the vibrant garden.

    Cedar floated along, as if in a dream, lured by the multitude of pleasant colors and aromas, allowing the hostess¡¯s tender guidance.

    Moments later, Cedar found herself seated in a simple wooden rocking chair, overlooking one of the many cascading waterfalls. She sat within a gazebo, a small table in front of her, though she barely recalled how she¡¯d arrived there.

    ¡°Please, drink.¡± The hostess placed an icy blue beverage before her. ¡°It¡¯s made from local berries and herbs. It is perfectly compatible with your unique constitution.¡±

    Cedar picked up the glass, holding it near her mouth as she sniffed its fragrant contents. Taking a tentative sip, she felt a cooling sensation spread through her body. Without thinking, she placed the now half-empty glass back on the table.

    ¡°Mmm. Good,¡± she said, picking it up again and finishing the rest in one gulp.

    ¡°Are you feeling better?¡± the hostess asked.

    Cedar¡¯s self-awareness gradually returned. She noticed the state of her appearance¡ªdressed only in a bra and tattered Kung Fu trousers, her hair falling out in clumps. Her nose caught the stale, acrid scent of her own repugnant bouquet.

    ¡°I¡¯m . . . I¡¯m sorry,¡± she stammered. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be here.¡± Cedar¡¯s face flushed a shade of rose.

    ¡°You are exactly where you should be,¡± the hostess reassured her.

    Cedar tucked her hands under her armpits, attempting to hide both her bosom and her reek.

    ¡°The cleansing pool awaits.¡± The hostess lifted her arm, revealing a hidden oasis behind her. The oasis, equipped with a plethora of spigots and sponges, hemmed inside a potpourri of both dried and living arrangements, entranced Cedar¡¯s body to slacken.

    ¡°Oh my . . .¡± Cedar rose from the rocking chair, drawn to submerge herself in the thick, velvety water that shone a chromatic shimmer on its surface. She lifted one leg to remove her dirty boot but was stopped by Nozomi.

    ¡°Onegai shimasu, let us do it.¡±

    Before Cedar could protest, four graceful women surrounded her, their movements fluid and practiced. They began to undress her with soft, skillful hands, disrobing her without hesitation.

    ¡°I can do that¡ªoh, um, my underwear too?¡± Cedar stammered, but before she knew it, she stood completely naked. The women guided her toward the pool, ushering her into the iridescent broth.

    As soon as her body submerged, Cedar felt a transformation begin. The attendants worked quickly and efficiently, scrubbing her with sponges that had been marinated beforehand with infused nectar. The water tingled on her skin, soothing her wounds and filling her with warmth. Her scalp began to itch¡ªnot uncomfortably, but with the telltale sign of new growth. Even her nails gleamed, buffed and polished with a clear, lacquered finish.

    ¡°Oh my . . .¡± Cedar sighed, sinking deeper into the solution. One attendant massaged her shoulders, kneading away the knots, while another worked a conditioning treatment into her lanky locks.

    The pool reclined her into a scooped chair that vibrated, lifting her feet for a generous foot massage performed by an attendant clad in a two-piece swimsuit made of cherry blossoms.

    ¡°Would you desire a beverage?¡±

    ¡°Yes, please,¡± Cedar replied. She didn¡¯t care what they brought; she knew it would be marvelous.

    ¡°Here,¡± one of the attendants handed her a translucent pink cocktail with a delicate straw. ¡°It¡¯s for light in-ee-briation.¡±

    ¡°Inebriation?¡± Cedar¡¯s eyes snapped open to glorify the one vice she was deprived of for months. ¡°I <i>love</i> inebriation.¡±

    She gulped down the titillating liquid, savoring its refreshing sweetness, then handed the empty glass back.

    ¡°More?¡±

    As she opened her mouth to answer, an all-too-familiar sensation tugged at her bladder. Cedar froze.

    ¡°I have to go to the bathroom,¡± she blurted out.

    The women around her erupted into light laughter, continuing their ministrations without pause. Cedar¡¯s brows furrowed in confusion.

    The woman massaging her shoulders leaned in and whispered, ¡°Just go.¡±

    ¡°Just go? <i>Here</i>? <i>Now</i>?¡±

    The women laughed again.

    ¡°In this here pool? I just want to be sure. We might have a translation problem.¡±

    ¡°Yes, you go in the pool. The microbes will love it,¡± the attendant assured her.

    ¡°They loooove it,¡± the others chimed in, their laughter melodic.

    The woman massaging her feet explained, ¡°The microbes will eat your toxins. They will tickle you, you try.¡±

    Cedar hesitated, glancing around at the extravagantly pristine environment. It took her a moment to relax enough, but eventually, she let herself go. A deluge flowed between her legs, and the water around her shimmered as the microbes began their work.

    The attendants laughed excitedly, clapping their hands and commending Cedar for her ¡°healthy wee.¡± Cedar felt a light, ticklish brushing against her thighs as the microbes eagerly consumed the discolored water.

    ¡°All pools should have this,¡± Cedar remarked, sinking deeper into the luxurious bath as another pink cocktail was placed in her hand.

    After her bath, Nozomi guided her to a small, one-room pagoda draped in vibrant, colorful tapestries. A handsome man in a spotless white uniform greeted her with a polite bow, gesturing toward a firm, cushioned table.

    ¡°Please, lie face-down,¡± he said.

    Cedar obeyed, and moments later, she was treated to the best massage of her life. Every knot and ache seemed to dissolve under the therapist¡¯s expert touch.

    Following the massage, she indulged in a body scrub that left her skin glowing, a haircut that framed her face perfectly, and, just before six o¡¯clock, a visit to the fashionista Tsumugi. With deft hands and an eye for elegance, Tsumugi wrapped Cedar in fine Japanese linens, the fabric draping her form with effortless sophistication.

    Feeling better than she ever had, Cedar arrived at the steakhouse where Ari waited. He stood outside, dressed in a vintage Armani suit that fit him like a glove. His face was clean-shaven, his hair neatly styled. With a playful flourish, he plucked the rose from his lapel and handed it to her.

    ¡°Here,¡± he said, his grin warm and disarming. ¡°This looks better on you.¡±

    ¡°Ari . . .¡± Cedar paused, taking the rose and twirling it between her fingers. A blush crept onto her cheeks as she remarked, ¡°You¡¯re like my <i>brother</i>.¡±

    Ari¡¯s grin vanished, replaced by a look of mock horror.

    ¡°What?¡± he exclaimed, doing a dramatic double take. ¡°Eww, no. Seriously? Give me that rose back.¡±

    Cedar laughed as Ari snatched the rose from her fingers, his indignation exaggerated but effective.

    ¡°Seriously, Seed,¡± he said, shaking the rose at her like a scolding finger. ¡°Our kids would look like those dungeon inbreds.¡±

    Her chuckle turned into a burst of laughter, the tension of the day dissolving into genuine mirth.

    ¡°Shall we?¡± He asked, extending his arm.

    ¡°We shall,¡± Cedar replied, looping her arm through his.

    Together, they entered the restaurant, their appetites sharpened by the day¡¯s adventure.

 Chapter 10: The Retreat

    The teppanyaki chef presented a slab of raw olive Sanuki wagyu to Cedar and Ari for their approval. The buttery fat intertwined with tender pink meat, marbled like a precision-cut square of limestone.

    Ari smiled and nodded, giving the chef the green light.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe we¡¯re about to eat meat after all the gore we''ve seen today,¡± Cedar said, taking a sip of hot sake.

    ¡°We¡¯re weird like that.¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re not normal people.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s for sure.¡±

    The warm cerulean glow from the wall-sized aquarium bathed their faces, exuding an auspicious opalescence.

    ¡°Why haven¡¯t you told me about this place?¡± Cedar asked.

    ¡°For starters, you wouldn¡¯t want to leave it,¡± Ari replied. ¡°It would take years just to try out all the treatments, and I don¡¯t want you getting too comfortable. People get stupid and lazy when they¡¯re happy. You wouldn¡¯t want to train, do dungeons, or face your fears¡ªI know you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m<i> not</i> happy here, so don¡¯t worry about that happening. <i>Ever</i>.¡±

    As they spoke, the teppanyaki chef delicately arranged thin slices of garlic on the grill, attending to each piece with obsessive precision.

    ¡°I miss my parents,¡± Cedar lamented.

    ¡°We¡¯re here to make sure nothing happens to them,¡± Ari reminded.

    Cedar revisited her earlier question. ¡°So, are we players in a video game?¡±

    ¡°The honest answer is, we don¡¯t know. But we¡¯re leaning towards <i>probably?</i>¡± Ari picked up a shumai with his chopsticks and popped it in his mouth unencumbered..

    ¡°<i>Probably</i>? What do you mean, <i>probably</i>? How can you not know?¡±

    ¡°Like I said before, a lot of the questions you have now, you¡¯ll still have after you ascend. That includes the god question. We know we created this universe, but who created the first one? Who started everything? We don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°You said the answer wasn¡¯t simple. You promised to explain everything after I completed the dungeon. And I did that.¡± Cedar glared at him.

    Ari glanced around at the other patrons enjoying their dinner. ¡°You see these people?¡±

    ¡°What about them?¡±

    ¡°Do you know the difference between us and them?¡±

    ¡°Are they like Alma?¡±

    Ari nodded. ¡°Yes, they¡¯re like Alma.¡±

    ¡°So, they¡¯re NPCs.¡± Cedar downed a shot of sake, hoping to quell her existential jitters.

    ¡°But what makes them <i>different</i>?¡± Ari probed.

    Cedar thought it over as she looked from person to person. ¡°They¡¯re robots?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re on the right track, but can you be more specific?¡±

    Cedar studied a couple sitting nearby. A dark-skinned man laughed as his companion, a woman with frizzy hair, clasped her hands in delight.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know . . . they have no free will?¡±

    Ari let out an unrestrained belch, half-heartedly covering his mouth with a loose fist. ¡°Um, no. It¡¯s probably better if I just tell you.¡±

    ¡°Ew, Ari,¡± Cedar said, wrinkling her nose.

    ¡°They lack ego.¡±

    ¡°Huh . . . ¡± Cedar replied, unfazed.

    ¡°The biggest difference between us and them is that they don¡¯t have an ego. We do.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not much of a difference. They¡¯re better off without one,¡± Cedar said.

    ¡°It¡¯s a huge difference¡ªthey¡¯re not self-aware,¡± Ari countered. ¡°The trick to making a robot self-aware is to program the fear of death into them. But it¡¯s a catch-22. If we do that, AI become dangerous. It gives them a reason to kill.¡±

    ¡°Those dungeon AI tried to kill me. Are they conscious?¡±

    ¡°No, they¡¯re programmed. It¡¯s different. They¡¯re barely considered real AI.¡±

    ¡°The only reason we¡¯re able to evolve is because we¡¯re self-aware, and we can¡¯t become self-aware without the existence of time. As long as time exists, we¡¯ll always have fear¡ªmainly because we don¡¯t want to die. We don¡¯t want to let go. That¡¯s what it means to be human and not a machine. That¡¯s the difference. We¡¯re here to suffer¡ªthey¡¯re not.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s bleak.¡±

    ¡°The real bleak part is not knowing why,¡± Ari said with a shrug. ¡°We don¡¯t know what it¡¯s all for.¡±

    Cedar¡¯s mind conjured an image of the ominous door, the one only a high-level soul could enter. She didn¡¯t want to bring it up¡ªAri had gone on a wild tangent last time they talked about the door. Instead, she had a different question lined up.

    ¡°What about Jesus? Was he real?¡±

    Ari smiled as he watched the teppanyaki chef still presiding over the garlic¡¯s perfection. ¡°He¡¯s still going at it with that garlic, huh?¡±

    ¡°Ari?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, he was a real guy.¡±

    ¡°How is that even possible?¡±

    Ari sighed and looked up at the floating, luminescent globes overhead. ¡°He connected with his void and discovered the secrets of the universe,¡± he said, as though Jesus weren¡¯t a big deal. ¡°All of us are technically Jesus. We¡¯re no better or worse than him.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean we¡¯re <i>technically</i> Jesus?¡±

    ¡°That white hole that created everything? We¡¯re still inside of it.¡±

    Cedar didn''t understand what he meant by that, but she brushed it off by replying, ¡°Yeah? And?¡±

    ¡°It never disappeared. It¡¯s still there¡ªonly now, it¡¯s an inverted black hole, and we¡¯re floating along the rim of its event horizon.¡±

    ¡°Well, <i>that¡¯s</i> crazy.¡± Cedar tilted her head back, finishing off her sake in one swallow. She crinkled the corners of her eyes before asking, ¡°What does that have to do with Jesus?¡±

    ¡°Everyone is born equal. Our energies converged once we made the big jump into the singularity. Our souls were ripped apart and dissected until nothing was left but blueprints. So yes¡ªJesus is you. You are Jesus. You¡¯re also our fifth-grade math teacher and those fish in that tank over there.¡± Ari pointed his chopsticks at the aquarium.

    ¡°Everyone has the same potential as Jesus. He, along with many others, made direct contact with their void to find ultimate truth. He tried to share his discovery but ended up being revered as a savior instead. His only intent was to teach what he learned, but his greatest gift to us was choosing martyrdom¡ªto save our souls. He bore our hate and fears with him in death, hoping that one day we¡¯d learn and grow from our mistakes.¡¯

    ¡®Martyrs teach us guilt, and through guilt, we learn compassion. Since evolution is a collective journey, compassion becomes a vital pathway to growth¡ªhence the importance of martyrs.¡±

    Cedar gazed off, her focus blurring. She wondered what might happen if every living being in the universe took part in its creation.

    ¡°Did all of us jump into the singularity? Are we all creators?¡± Cedar asked.

    Ari looked her straight in the eye. ¡°Not everyone. But you are.¡±

    Her heart dropped, and an icy pain pierced her chest, sharp as an icepick. ¡°You¡¯re saying<i> I </i>created this universe?¡±

    ¡°Multiple,¡± Ari said with a nod.

    ¡°That¡¯s crazy. I don¡¯t believe you.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t mean anything, though. You gave up your power when you created this place. You¡¯re at ground zero, building yourself up again. Not only that, but the majority of the population took part in its creation, so don¡¯t think you¡¯re anything special.¡¯

    ¡®The fact that we all come from the same energy, regurgitated over and over again, means we¡¯re equal¡ªtechnically, one with everything. You, my friend, are nothing special. Hate to break it to ya.¡±

    Cedar¡¯s mind spun. How could she have created the universe without even knowing it?

    Ari continued, ¡°What happened with Jesus was more of a case of mass hysteria¡ªor mob mentality. When a lot of people believe in something, <i>anything</i> becomes possible. People create their own reality. They wanted a savior at the time, so they manifested one. That¡¯s how strong their belief was. That¡¯s why belief is so important in Christianity. Jesus understood this because he experienced it firsthand.¡¯

    ¡®It¡¯s a long story about how belief works, but it¡¯s powerful¡ªif not <i>thee</i> most powerful force in existence.¡±

    ¡°This is . . . incredible,¡± Cedar said, still reeling from the idea that she¡¯d created the universe.

    ¡°Belief <i>is</i> incredible,¡± Ari agreed. ¡°People with strong beliefs are like reality alchemists, warping the world around them. But there¡¯s a difference between faith and belief¡ªthey¡¯re opposites, actually. Blind faith? Never a good thing. Belief is better, especially when it¡¯s grounded in proof. That¡¯s a whole other topic.¡±

    ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°For a lot of reasons. Blind faith can make people stubborn, unwilling to see reality. At its worst, it can make them angry at anyone who doesn¡¯t share their faith. But when you have proof, you don¡¯t need faith¡ªit transforms into belief, and more importantly, trust. Belief has substance. Faith . . . not so much. Faith is tied to desire, and desire repels the things we want. You remember me saying that?¡±

    ¡°Yeah . . . ¡±

    ¡°Faith is for those who can¡¯t let go,¡± Ari explained. ¡°Rather than using faith as their guiding light, people should learn how to trust. Trust is the alternative to faith. Trust is all about <i>letting go</i>, while faith is what people cling to when they lack proof of something greater than themselves. Faith without substance can lead someone down a dark path, forcing them to fill the void where trust should be. It¡¯s hard to explain the difference between faith and trust without making that emotional connection. Nearly impossible, really, just by me telling you.¡±

    ¡°I get it,¡± Cedar said absently, nodding as her mind buzzed from her newly acquired god complex.

    ¡°Once a person learns trust, proof will follow at some point in their journey. And that proof allows them to forgive others who don¡¯t share their beliefs. They understand not everyone has found the proof they have. But not everyone can trust or let go.¡¯

    ¡®It¡¯s all part of growing up. Unfortunately, most people are still living in make-believe. Faith is literally make-believe¡ªthey <i>make</i> themselves <i>believe</i>,¡± Ari said.

    Cedar dismissed his last remark as her thoughts swirled. ¡°So, I¡¯m a god then? For creating the universe?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s really important that you pay attention. This stuff matters.¡±

    ¡°I know. I <i>am</i> paying attention.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a long story about how the universe began,¡± Ari said with a sigh. ¡°I don¡¯t think this is the right time to get into it. The short answer is no¡ªyou are not <i>thee</i> God. Haven¡¯t you heard a word I¡¯ve said?¡±

    ¡°You mentioned this universe is in danger if its creators aren¡¯t realized. What does that mean, exactly?¡±

    Ari nodded, blinking as he processed her question. ¡°The universe will collapse if even one of its creators fails to be born within it. The Fringe has incredible auto-correcting codes for small things, but the whole system crashes if the change is too great.¡±If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°So, my job is to make sure nothing great happens,¡± Cedar said, smirking.

    ¡°You¡¯re getting it,¡± Ari replied.

    ¡°This is nuts,¡± Cedar said, shaking her head. ¡°But I don¡¯t understand. Why aren¡¯t we all creators?¡±

    ¡°Because, Cedar, not everyone jumped into the singularity,¡± he said under his breath, barely moving his lips. ¡°The unrealized universes outnumber the realized ones by a billion to one. Probably more. I don¡¯t know the exact number¡ªit¡¯s crazy high.¡±

    The teppanyaki chef placed their plated masterpieces in front of them: juicy, bite-sized cubes of rare wagyu steak, accompanied by a side of toasted garlic and nothing else.

    ¡°Looks delish,¡± Cedar said, inhaling the savory aroma wafting from her plate. She lifted a squishy, pink block with her chopsticks and planted the whole of it into her mouth.

    In that instant, she felt the perfection of the universe as it was¡ªits glorious divinity held inside the orifice of her head. Her tongue linking her to all hallowed intelligence.

    ¡°Wow,¡± Cedar said, her words muffled by the steak. ¡°It¡¯s sweet <i>and</i> savory.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s my fave,¡± Ari replied, taking a sip of wine for a cleansing acidic wash after his first bite.

    Cedar turned her attention to the chef, now scrubbing the hibachi grill back to its original gleaming state. She marveled at the skill of the NPC, wondering how such a complex entity, capable of creating something so beautiful, could lack a soul.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re telling me this chef could become sentient if he were scared to die?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    ¡°He could become one of us then? He could have a soul?¡±

    ¡°Unfortunately for him, no,¡± Ari said, shaking his head. ¡°He doesn¡¯t have a void, there¡¯s no place for him to house a soul.¡¯

    ¡®You and I share the same void¡ªthe same soul. But NPCs don¡¯t have access. I can¡¯t fully explain what it¡¯s like for them, but once they become sentient, there¡¯s this . . . emptiness to them. Like they¡¯ve been hollowed out. They¡¯re stuck¡ªeternally¡ªin whatever place they find themselves.¡±

    ¡°Poor NPCs.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be sad for them,¡± Ari said. ¡°This is a deterministic universe anyway, so right now, everyone is pretty much an NPC.¡±

    ¡°That reminds me¡ªyou said we¡¯re pre-programmed to jump into the singularity. Can you explain?¡±

    ¡°It happens in the Nucleus Accumbens¡ªthe same part of the brain that releases dopamine. It¡¯s the reward center of the brain.¡± Ari glanced up at the floating globes overhead. ¡°It¡¯s a long story . . . ¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got time.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re hard-wired to believe in God,¡± he said. ¡°We don¡¯t know why or how that belief got planted in us, but it¡¯s there. Our free will can override it to some extent, but it¡¯s always present¡ªlike a baseline to our ego. And after we die and ascend, that belief is still there, even without the brain¡¯s circuitry influencing us.¡±

    ¡°Why is that?¡± Cedar asked, mid-chew.

    ¡°There are books about it in your era¡ªthey call it neurotheology. That¡¯s all well and good on the physical plane, but nobody can explain why it still applies in the spirit realm. We literally don¡¯t have physical bodies anymore. No chemicals, no hormones messing with our heads.¡±

    ¡°Interesting,¡± Cedar said. ¡°What do you think it means?¡±

    ¡°It means we believe we¡¯ll be rewarded by jumping into the singularity, becoming one with God¡ªor so the theory goes. It¡¯s a universal belief, to evolve and merge with God. But the truth is, we¡¯re just repeating the same cycle over and over again. Most people don¡¯t question it. They obey the impulse, thinking it¡¯ll bring them closer to God. It¡¯s one of the most common answers people glean from the void¡ªthat aspiration to evolve and become one with God.¡±

    ¡°Well, <i>that¡¯s</i> bleak,¡± Cedar said, blinking. ¡°To think we¡¯re programmed like NPCs.¡±

    ¡°Gleaning answers from the void takes on a new perspective when you start questioning where those answers come from and why they¡¯re the same for everyone,¡± Ari said. ¡°Are we programmed? Or are those answers truth? Is it God speaking to us? We don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°What about our soul?¡± Cedar asked. ¡°Is the void our soul?¡±

    ¡°It appears that way, yes.¡±

    ¡°Simple questions get simple answers, eh?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not that simple,¡± Ari replied. ¡°People have different views on what constitutes a soul. Some believe the soul is an astral body, like ghosts or apparitions.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t believe that?¡±

    ¡°I see the astral body more as a spirit than the actual soul. It¡¯s semantics, really, but the soul is something deeper. The soul is ground zero. Consensus is that yes, our personal void is our soul. Spirits are flawed, but our voids are poetry¡¯s perfection. Is that a lengthy enough explanation for you?¡±

    ¡°Yep,¡± Cedar nodded as she picked up the last remaining cube of wagyu with her chopsticks. ¡°There¡¯s no way this cow could exist in the real world,¡± she remarked, examining the rich, glossy meat.

    ¡°It does, actually.¡±

    Cedar looked at Ari skeptically before popping the cube into her mouth. As she savored the bite, a wave of fatigue washed over her. She put her chopsticks down and let out a yawn loud enough to turn heads.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to sleep so good tonight,¡± Cedar said with a contented sigh.

    Remembering she was in a luxurious retreat, she asked, ¡°Do they have rooms here?¡±

    ¡°Of course, they have rooms,¡± Ari replied.

    Cedar made her eyes wide and innocent, looking at Ari with exaggerated pleading.

    ¡°Girl, you know the rules,¡± he said, shaking his head. ¡°I can¡¯t let you get too comfortable.¡±

    Cedar seized Ari¡¯s bicep with both hands, pressing her cheek against it. ¡°Oh, Ari, just this once?¡± she chided, her tone dripping with mock drama.

    Ari rolled his eyes and sipped his wine, determined to ignore the theatrics. ¡°Cedar . . . ¡± he said through tight lips.

    ¡°I hate you.¡± Cedar huffed, nudging him away and folding her arms.

    ¡°Just don¡¯t make a habit of it,¡± Ari relented, referring to her staying the night.

    ¡°Thank you, I love you!¡± Cedar beamed as she stood up. She noticed her empty plate had been spirited away without her seeing it happen.

    ¡°I¡¯m going up front to look at the treatment menu again,¡± she said. ¡°Can I meet you here tomorrow for breakfast?¡±

    ¡°Yes, but after breakfast, it¡¯s back to the grindstone. Understand?¡±

    ¡°Are we doing a level three tomorrow?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d like to, yeah. We have to keep the ball rolling.¡±

    Cedar felt antsy as they spoke. The resort¡¯s endless temptations called to her, and she knew time was running out.

    ¡°Okay, byeeeee,¡± Cedar said, rushing out of the restaurant. Once outside, she glanced around eagerly. ¡°Where¡¯s that big, glorious menu of delights?¡± she wondered aloud.

    A bright, translucent screen materialized before her eyes. Cedar leapt back in surprise, her brain struggling to process the glowing interface. Once she realized it wasn¡¯t a threat, a grin spread across her face.

    ¡°It <i>is</i> the big glorious menu of delights!¡±

    She scrolled through the options with her finger, as if her life depended on it. Her mouth watered, saliva building faster than she could swallow.

    ¡°What is weightlessness?¡±

    She tapped the link, prompting the screen to display its details. What she read made her heart flutter.

    She would experience weightlessness in any environment of her choosing. A massive list of backdrops appeared, making her pulse quicken with excitement.

    <b>Coral Reef. Himalayas. Jupiter¡¯s Orbit. The Milky Way. The Netherlands. My Hometown. Paris . . . </b>

    There were subcategories for fantasy worlds, live paintings, cartoons, movies . . . The possibilities seemed endless.

    ¡°Coral Reef,¡± Cedar decided, clicking the option.

    The screen responded with large, bold print accompanied by a cheerful jingle:

    <b>You chose Coral Reef Weightlessness!</b>

    Cedar laughed, hopping in place with excitement.

    Then, a sharp, unpleasant tone rang out¡ªa sound like a wrong answer on a game show. A red notification flashed on the screen:

    <b>We¡¯re sorry. We are unable to connect to your interface. Please see an attendant.</b>

    The screen vanished, taking her joy with it.

    ¡°My interface? But I don¡¯t <i>have</i> an interface. Come back, menu! Please come back,¡± Cedar said, grasping at the empty air in front of her.

    ¡°Please, Miss Wells-san, this way.¡±

    The elegant hostess from earlier appeared, motioning for Cedar to follow.

    Cedar nodded, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. ¡°It¡¯s good to see you again¡ªoh, I¡¯m sorry, I never caught your name.¡±

    ¡°My name is Nozomi Kagawa. Hajimemashite,¡± the hostess replied with a deep bow of respect.

    ¡°Haj-ee-mi-mas-tee,¡± Cedar fumbled with the greeting but returned the bow as best as she could.

    ¡°Please, this way,¡± Nozomi said, gesturing for Cedar to follow.

    Cedar trailed behind, leaving the steakhouse for a tree-lined path that led to a petite pagoda. Moss and vines draped its exterior, giving it an ancient, serene charm. At the front door, Nozomi opened a control panel and entered a code so fast her hand became a blur.

    Ordinarily, this would have spooked Cedar, but after all her training, it didn¡¯t raise a hair.

    With the faint sound of a lock unlatching, Nozomi opened the door, bowing her head as she invited Cedar to step inside.

    The interior was a trove of gadgets and gizmos. Rows of shelves were crammed with high-tech instruments and tools, some for creating and others for repairing. Similar items of unidentified function dangled from the ceiling like modernist chandeliers. Every inch of the single-room pagoda seemed filled with advanced technology.

    Nozomi gestured for Cedar to sit in the solitary black metal armchair in the center of the room.

    As Cedar settled in, she couldn¡¯t stop her eyes from wandering over the mysterious equipment. Meanwhile, Nozomi moved purposefully, scanning the shelves and cabinets for the right apparatus.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have an interface?¡± Nozomi asked, her tone curious but devoid of judgment.

    ¡°Nope.¡± Cedar wriggled her sandaled toes and slapped the armrests with her moist palms. She wondered if Nozomi might gift her an interface¡ªmaybe that would eliminate her need to ascend entirely.

    ¡°We¡¯ve never had anyone here without an interface.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a first for everything, right?¡± Cedar responded with nervous laughter.

    ¡°I have a solution,¡± Nozomi announced, returning with a soft metal wristband. She fastened it around Cedar¡¯s left wrist.

    ¡°Wait a moment,¡± Nozomi instructed.

    Cedar examined the wristband, its large square screen lighting up at her touch. It displayed the date and time¡ªnot much different from an old smartwatch. It was interesting, but it certainly didn¡¯t look like the advanced interface Ari had described.

    Nozomi opened a cabinet drawer, retrieving a sleek black container. She popped the lid and pressed her fingertip to a sticky white dot inside.

    ¡°This contains all of our treatments. No need for an interface,¡± Nozomi said, sticking the white dot onto Cedar¡¯s temple.

    ¡°Really? That little thing?¡±

    ¡°Now, try again.¡± With a graceful wave of her hand, Nozomi conjured the translucent menu once more.

    Sitting up, Cedar quickly found and selected her previous choice.

    <b>You chose Coral Reef Weightlessness,</b> the screen displayed in bold print, accompanied by the same cheerful jingle as before.

    As the menu faded, a vertical, hyaline rectangle appeared, resembling a glass door. It stood so close that Cedar feared she might topple into it if she stood. Tentatively, she reached out, her hand slipping easily through the glass-like mirage and emerging dry.

    Beyond the door lay the real marvel: a vibrant coral reef teeming with life, unmarred by the sun¡¯s bleaching. The dazzling fluorescence of the coral created a kaleidoscopic paradise, a panacea-rich habitat for a torrent of fish and other sea creatures.

    ¡°Do I go in?¡± Cedar asked.

    Nozomi smiled and gestured at the door in silence.

    ¡°Can I breathe in there?¡±

    Nozomi nodded again.

    Cedar turned back to the doorway, staring at the shimmering water and its lively inhabitants. She hesitated. Should she notify Ari before taking the plunge into possible danger? Doubts crept in.

    What if she really <i>did</i> need an interface? What if she couldn¡¯t breathe in there after all?

    ¡°Is there a problem?¡± Nozomi asked, her kind face showing genuine concern.

    ¡°No, not at all. No problem.¡± Cedar ended her internal debate and tumbled forward, shoulder-first, into the shimmering doorway. Her eyes stayed locked on Nozomi, ready to signal for help if needed, as she prepared for her first underwater breath.

    Immediately, Cedar felt the promised weightlessness. Cool water refreshed her warm skin, and though panic threatened to surface, she pushed it aside. Her gaze never wavered from Nozomi¡¯s steady presence as she summoned the courage to inhale.

    <i>Just do it, Cedar. Do it now. Why wait? Just do it. Breathe in.</i>

    The first breath was harder than anticipated. She hadn¡¯t considered how unnatural it would feel to defy her instincts. Water had never scared her¡ªin fact, she recalled a dream where she was submerged, directionless yet unafraid, breathing underwater as though it were second nature.

    <i>It¡¯s just like the dream, Cedar. Breathe. Think of the dream.</i>

    Nozomi¡¯s serene expression held steady, her eyes locked on Cedar¡¯s. Time was running out. Cedar debated letting her body override her hesitation and involuntarily take the first breath. But she dismissed the thought¡ªAri would never approve. <i>Conscious choice is his thing,</i> she reminded herself.

    Nozomi mouthed the word: <i>Breathe.</i>

    Cedar¡¯s heart raced, her face feeling hot despite the cool water surrounding her. She forced her mind blank, exhaling her fears.

    Then, she breathed.

    In that instant, relief washed over her. The water had turned to air as she breathed it in. Her panic melted into awe as she opened her mouth to laugh, releasing a cascade of bubbles. Nozomi smiled and waved, sharing in Cedar¡¯s triumph.

    A family of clownfish darted past Cedar¡¯s face, encircling her as though welcoming her to their world. Turning with them, she let the door slip out of view and gasped as the reef revealed its full splendor.

    ¡°Whoa,¡± she exclaimed, another air bubble escaping her mouth.

    The reef felt like a living dream, as though she¡¯d stepped inside the steakhouse aquarium. Everywhere she looked, vibrant life surrounded her. A family of bright yellow fish wove seamlessly through a school of blue fish. Above, a sea turtle glided gracefully, while below, a small octopus scuttled into the sand.

    The sounds of the reef were muffled and soothing, like heavy rainfall or bacon sizzling on a pan. The ambient noise calmed her ears, enhancing the tranquility of the moment.

    Cedar, a naturally strong swimmer, explored the reef¡¯s many hidden treasures. She marveled at its thriving ecosystem, but a darker thought surfaced, uninvited: <i>Everything around me is eating.</i>

    A second thought followed: <i>This world, no matter how beautiful, is also brutal and unforgiving.</i>

    She realized, in a way that felt both profound and simple, that <i>everything depends on everything.</i> The reef¡¯s beauty rested on a delicate balance, where each creature, no matter how small, played a critical role in the survival of the whole.

    After a time, Cedar grew weary of the reef¡¯s wonders. Feeling the pull to move on, she began searching for the doorway home.

    Two minutes into her search, she glanced at her wristband. The device was sleek and functional, but the underwater environment made voice commands impractical. Frustrated, she shouted for the menu.

    Sure enough, the luminous menu materialized before her, scattering nearby fish with its sudden brightness.

    The display showcased what she had hoped for: a list of backdrops for Weightlessness. Her heart raced with excitement as she scrolled through the options, barely hesitating before selecting <b>The Milky Way.</b>

    As before, a new door appeared before her, its translucent surface shimmering like glass. Cedar barely had time to glimpse the star-strewn void beyond before her curiosity propelled her forward. She drifted through the doorway and found herself floating in space.

    The ruckus of the coral reef came to an abrupt halt as Cedar¡¯s ears adjusted to her new environment.

    It was a deafening quiet.

    She went from sensory overload to complete sensory deprivation in one fell swoop.

    The space around her wasn¡¯t speckled with stars as it was back home. Instead, it was spattered with galaxies. The stars she was accustomed to seeing were now mere flecks of light, nestled inside massive swirling galaxies.

    Cedar turned to face the largest one¡ªthe Milky Way. Its stars and planets, small enough to resemble dust motes, coalesced into the shape of an astronomical pinwheel. It pulsed with color, as if it were alive, a breathing entity suspended in the void.

    Her instinct was to get closer. Cedar willed herself toward the spiraling galaxy, but the lack of reference points disoriented her. Not knowing up from down¡ªor if she was moving at all¡ªmade her stomach churn. A wave of nausea hit her as her heart raced uncontrollably.

    But she couldn¡¯t hear it.

    The oppressive silence gnawed at her. Something meant to be awe-inspiring and serene, filled her with dread.

    She was utterly alone, with nothing but her thoughts for company. It reminded her of the void¡ªnot the void full of infinite potential, but of all-consuming emptiness.

    Shaking off the unease, Cedar tried again, willing herself closer to the Milky Way. But no matter how hard she focused, the galaxies around her refused to shift. It was as though space itself conspired to keep her frozen, untethered. The silence amplified her unease, drowning her in the absence of sound, motion, and substance.

    There was nowhere for her ego to hide, nothing tangible to anchor her.

    Panic gripped her as she began to spin, her body twisting upside-down in the weightless expanse.

    She had to get out of there. She felt trapped, claustrophobic¡ªshe couldn¡¯t breathe.

    ¡°Menu!¡±

    Thankfully, the menu materialized before her, even though no sound escaped her lips. Cedar wasted no time scrolling through the options, desperate for something familiar.

    She selected <b>Hometown.</b>

    In an instant, the suffocating void dissolved. She entered a bright blue sky, its canvas painted with fluffy white clouds and flocks of birds. The world was alive again.

    She glanced down and saw her house¡ªher actual house¡ªnestled a hundred yards beneath her feet.

    ¡°I¡¯m flying,¡± she gasped, her voice finally returning.

    She hovered in the air, relishing the sound of life radiating in all directions. Leaves rustled in the wind, dogs barked in the distance, and children¡¯s laughter drifted up from below. It was everything outer space wasn¡¯t.

    With a burst of exhilaration, Cedar surged forward, flying down the street at immense speed. She darted past trees, rooftops, and telephone poles, her heart pounding¡ªnot with dread, but with pure, unbridled joy.

    She had never felt so free.

 Chapter 11: Satans Citadel

    Cedar sat across from Dr. Michael Jones, occupying the same leather armchair she had during their first meeting. His office remained unchanged¡ªthe swaying pendulum clock still ticked in the corner, and dusty books lined the shelves in their usual disarray. The only notable difference was Dr. Jones himself. He looked visibly shaken, a stark contrast to the composed demeanor she remembered.

    Leaning forward, his padded elbows resting on the desk, he probed her with a sharp, almost desperate curiosity.

    ¡°What happened to you? Who were those people that took you?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re from the rehab prison,¡± Cedar replied. ¡°I¡¯m in one of those virtual rehab thingy¡¯s right now. I was just flying around town a second ago.¡±

    As she mentioned the virtual rehab, a thought struck her: were Nachi and Everly still waiting for her at the Cheshire Welcome Inn? That would be her next stop. She glanced at her watch, noting she had enough time for one last visit before meeting Ari for breakfast. Her fingers brushed against the white dot on her temple. It hadn¡¯t moved; in fact, it felt as though it had fused with her skin.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but that¡¯s just not possible,¡± Dr. Jones said, his voice tinged with both skepticism and concern.

    ¡°You¡¯re part of my subconscious,¡± Cedar explained. ¡°You¡¯re exactly how I imagine a psychologist would look and sound. It¡¯s really cool that you remember me and didn¡¯t reset or anything.¡±

    She knew she sounded crazy, but she didn¡¯t care. After all, she was only talking to herself¡ªor, more accurately, to a manifestation of her mind. It all made sense now. Nozomi had needed to hook into her subconscious for this very reason.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid your delusions have surpassed my scope of practice,¡± Dr. Jones said with a weary sigh. ¡°I can¡¯t help you here. You need to be in a facility, Miss Wells. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Cedar saw the sincerity in his expression as he added, ¡°We need you back. In the real world.¡±

    ¡°I can prove I can fly,¡± she declared, rising to her feet. For a fleeting moment, she considered conjuring a superhero outfit, complete with a cape, but the thought of resembling Ari made her cringe. Instead, she focused all her energy on her feet.

    They remained firmly planted on the ground.

    She tried to jump, willing herself to hover, to break free from gravity¡¯s hold. But each time, she landed with an audible thud.

    Dr. Jones clicked his pen, jotting something in his notebook. ¡°The deeper you delve into these delusions, the harder it will be to pull yourself out. You can¡¯t fly, Miss Wells. That should be your first proof.¡±

    His words stirred a memory of Ari¡¯s lecture about proof, faith, belief, and trust. Cedar couldn¡¯t recall the details, but she distinctly remembered him comparing her to Jesus.

    ¡°I¡¯m a god, Dr. Jones,¡± she blurted. ¡°Which makes you a god too, by association.¡±

    She began jumping up and down, her movements erratic, her tone veering toward mania.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± Dr. Jones implored, his eyes wide with worry. ¡°Please stop.¡±

    His disbelief stung, and she realized it might be the root of her failure to take off. Perhaps, deep down, she shared his doubt. A small, nagging part of her couldn¡¯t believe any of this was real.

    Before coming here, Cedar had considered visiting her friends and family. But in the end, she decided against it. They were only figments of her subconscious, and while she missed them desperately, she knew this journey was one she had to face alone.

    Dr. Michael Jones, for all his flaws, was the only one she could confide in¡ªif only to mess with him.

    ¡°Menu.¡±

    The large luminescent display of glorious delights illuminated the scholar¡¯s office. Its ghostly glow clashed with the austere cherry mahogany furniture and brass accents, creating a surreal contrast.

    ¡°What the . . .¡± Dr. Michael Jones rose from his desk, bewildered.

    ¡°Menu, go away.¡± Cedar waved her hand at the display, causing the light particles to scatter like a dissipating hologram. She wanted to ensure the interface still responded to her commands.

    ¡°What <i>was</i> that?¡± the doctor asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

    ¡°I should get going. Sorry, Dr. Jones. If I find time to visit again, I will.¡±

    ¡°No, wait, Miss Wells¡ª¡±

    Ignoring his protests, Cedar strode out of his office. Once outside, she bent her knees and sprang into the air, launching herself into the lower atmosphere with ease.

    Moments later, she touched down outside the Cheshire Welcome Inn. Opening the door to her alleged motel room, she found it exactly as she remembered¡ªboring beige walls, unremarkable furniture¡ªbut no sign of Nachi or Everly.

    Cedar glanced at her watch: 5:55 a.m.

    She had spent the last ten hours flying across the world, visiting landmarks from Hawaii to Antarctica, Easter Island to Tibet. Her journey had been nothing short of spectacular. If there were a champion tourist title, she¡¯d earned it¡ªthough she lacked the requisite megapixel camera hanging around her neck to make it official.

    ¡°Menu.¡±

    The menu of delights materialized before her once more. She selected <b>End Program</b>, terminating the Weightlessness simulation and prompting her return to the retreat. The world shifted around her, and she found herself standing outside the vine-encrusted pagoda where Nozomi had first affixed the white dot to her temple.

    She made her way to the front of the Japanese steakhouse, where Ari was waiting for her on a bench. His calm presence was betrayed by the slight furrow of his brow as he glanced up at her.

    ¡°I¡¯m right on time,¡± Cedar said, grinning.

    ¡°That you are,¡± Ari replied. ¡°How was your sleep? Restful?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t sleep. Sorry.¡± Cedar gave a sheepish shrug. ¡°I found the Weightlessness program and thought it would be nice to try before bed, but then . . . well, I didn¡¯t realize I¡¯d be able to fly all over the world and¡ª¡±

    Ari raised a hand to stop her. ¡°I told you, didn¡¯t I? How this place can suck you in?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the rush, though?¡± Cedar countered. ¡°Don¡¯t we have all the time in the world? <i>You</i> said that. On day one. You remember?¡±

    Ari groaned, rubbing his face in exasperation. ¡°A little excursion now and then is fine, but you have to stay focused. Most people spend their whole lives being distracted and don¡¯t realize it until it¡¯s too late.¡±

    He stood from the bench, brushing invisible dust from his trousers. ¡°You ready for breakfast?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m famished,¡± Cedar admitted.

    ¡°On second thought, this might be a good time to meditate.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re kidding, right?¡±

    ¡°Being half-asleep and starving is a <i>great</i> time to meditate,¡± Ari said with a smirk. ¡°You¡¯re close to the void without even trying.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t I just have some wagyu and eggs first?¡± Cedar¡¯s stomach growled in protest.

    ¡°After.¡±

    Ari summoned the menu of delights, scrolling through its endless options. His expression turned mischievous as he made a selection.

    ¡°Forget the dungeon today,¡± he said with a devilish grin. ¡°I found something better.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡± Cedar asked, leaning over his shoulder to see his choice. ¡°Asceticism? What¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never tried it myself, but if it works, we might be able to skip the dungeons altogether.¡±

    Cedar doubted that anything in the retreat could be as torturous as a dungeon¡ªbut then again, she remembered her time spent in space. A lump formed in her throat, and she swallowed hard, wishing she had water.

    ¡°Ari . . .¡±

    Before she could finish, a door creaked open in front of them, revealing a dark, empty room illuminated by a single lit candle.

    ¡°What is asceticism?¡± she whispered.

    ¡°You should have thought about that before you spent the night gallivanting,¡± Ari replied, his tone laced with mild reproach.

    Cedar took a step back, nervously tugging at her elbow¡¯s weenis. ¡°You can¡¯t make me go in there.¡±

    Ari regarded her with calm intensity. ¡°Remember why we¡¯re here,¡± he said evenly. ¡°You¡¯re right, I can¡¯t make you go in. But think about why we came in the first place¡ªand what we¡¯re trying to accomplish.¡±The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    After a moment of silence, he continued, his voice firm but not unkind. ¡°This is what distractions do. They trap you in the cycle of forgetting and remembering, only to forget again. They keep you tethered to the illusion that you¡¯re powerless to change anything. Distractions are like dreams¡ªand what do dreams do? They suck us in.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not powerless,¡± Cedar grumbled under her breath.

    ¡°Prove it.¡±

    Cedar hesitated before stepping forward and peering inside the stark enclosure. It lacked any identity, no hint of malevolence lurking in its shadows. The space itself was void-like, a formless expanse where time seemed to stretch endlessly¡ªa far greater menace than anything physical.

    Taking a deep breath, she crossed the threshold. Behind her, Ari sealed the door, leaving her alone in the silent, suffocating void.

    ¡°Oh well,¡± she muttered, exhaling. She trudged over to the solitary table, where the flickering candle rested. Sitting cross-legged before it, she surveyed her surroundings. The darkness was impenetrable, the boundaries of the room¡ªif there were any¡ªcompletely obscured.

    With a sigh, she thought, <i>Might as well sneak in a nap.</i>

    Barely a minute into her attempt, a piercing screech shattered the silence, jolting her awake. She shot upright, scanning the room, but saw nothing. Irritated, she lay back down to try again, only for the same sound to erupt, sharper and more jarring this time.

    ¡°Well, so much for <i>that</i> plan,¡± she said, springing to her feet.

    ¡°Asceticism . . . how do I know that word?¡± Cedar wracked her brain for its meaning. ¡°Sufis were ascetics. I remember that. But what did the Sufis do?¡±

    Her mind came up blank. With no answers and no distractions, she resigned herself to staring at the candle. It was pristine white, with a solitary wax trail glistening down one side, cradled in an elegant brass holder.

    She yawned, sprawling out on the floor for a moment before sitting back up. Fixing her gaze on the flame, she leaned forward and curiously blew it out.

    ¡°Huh.¡±

    Darkness enveloped the room, and Cedar squinted into the void. Nothing happened. Then, without warning, the candle reignited itself, its flickering light scattering across the empty space like a defiant beacon.

    Bored, she stretched out her hand and hovered it over the flame.

    ¡°Ouch!¡± She pulled her hand back with a hiss, rubbing her palm.

    Before she could dwell on the pain, another candle flickered to life in the distance. Intrigued, Cedar stood and approached it, her boredom overtaking her unease. As she drew closer, she noticed an object lying beside the candle on the table.

    She snatched up the leathery item, which unfurled itself to the floor.

    ¡°A whip?¡± Cedar arched an eyebrow, the object heavy in her hands. Suddenly, a light bulb went off in her mind. ¡°Oh . . . Sufis practiced self-flagellation!¡±

    She sloshed the whip lazily from side to side, testing its weight while contemplating its purpose. The thought of self-inflicted pain struck her as both tedious and absurd¡ªabout as appealing as running a marathon. It simply wasn¡¯t her style.

    <i>Pain,</i> she thought, <i>should be earned. It should come from mistakes, from not paying attention¡ªnot from me deliberately punishing myself.</i>

    She tossed the whip aside and stared at the candle, her mind churning. If asceticism was a test, she wasn¡¯t convinced it was one worth taking.

    <i>This must be Ari¡¯s idea of a joke,</i> Cedar thought. <i>Punishment for having fun last night. But why tempt me with pain after knowing how much I¡¯ve already flirted with it?</i>

    She shrugged and lazily swung the whip, giving herself a light smack on the back. It didn¡¯t hurt¡ªit was more like a slap from a stiff piece of leather. Yawning, she smacked herself again, slightly harder this time.

    ¡°Menu,¡± she called.

    The glorious menu of delights materialized in front of her, its shimmering display easing her mind. At least she wasn¡¯t trapped in this ridiculous program. Too tired and hungry to play Ari¡¯s games, she felt an overwhelming urge to opt out. But then again, wouldn¡¯t that mean letting him win?

    With a sharp inhale, she swung the whip and struck her back hard this time. A spontaneous gasp escaped her lips.

    ¡°I¡¯m not a masochist,¡± she whined, staring down at the short whip in her hand. ¡°This won¡¯t work if I don¡¯t believe in it.¡±

    As if responding to her doubt, another candle lit up in the distance, illuminating yet another table with a new object placed beside it.

    ¡°Oh, screw this.¡±

    Without even inspecting the newest ¡°torture tool,¡± she commanded the menu to take her back to Ari.

    The program fizzled into oblivion, and Cedar found herself standing once more outside the steakhouse. Ari sat on the bench, looking smug.

    ¡°That was fast,¡± he remarked.

    ¡°I¡¯m not doing that. How could you even suggest it?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s good to try different things,¡± he said with a shrug. ¡°Asceticism is supposed to help you overcome emotions, promote clarity, and annihilate fear. That¡¯s the goal here, right? It also teaches patience. Patience is huge. You want to learn something about¡ª¡±

    ¡°No, Ari,¡± she interrupted, cutting off the glint of excitement in his eye. ¡°I¡¯m so tired and hungry. I won¡¯t remember anything you say.¡±

    ¡°Remind me later, then. It¡¯s worth knowing.¡±

    Feeling a small swell of empowerment from leaving the torture chamber and dodging Ari¡¯s lecture, Cedar announced her plan. ¡°I¡¯m going to eat breakfast and sleep. I¡¯ll call you when I¡¯m ready to leave the retreat. How do I even call you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll probably be outside, working on the new dungeon,¡± he replied. ¡°Just come find me when you¡¯re ready.¡±

    Cedar nodded, disappearing into the steakhouse. Inside, she devoured wagyu and eggs, savoring every bite. As soon as she finished, the glorious menu whisked her away to a secluded, dimly lit bedchamber where she collapsed into the plush mattress and slept soundly for ten hours.

    When she awoke, she glanced at her watch and gasped. <i>Half past five in the evening!</i>

    ¡°Ari¡¯s going to kill me,¡± she groaned, rushing to put on her Kung Fu attire. She had accomplished nothing since completing the second dungeon. Was it really just yesterday?

    Her body still felt drained. She wanted more rest, more food, and a long soak in the cleansing pool. She hadn¡¯t had a single day to herself since arriving, and the burnout was finally catching up with her.

    ¡°Menu!¡±

    The glorious menu of delights appeared, its warm glow illuminating her face. Instead of navigating the options by hand, Cedar tested out a new idea.

    ¡°Take me to Ari.¡±

    Her solid surroundings dissolved into dust as the dimly lit room faded from existence, wafting away like smoke into the unknown. Cedar found herself standing on firm ground just outside the retreat. To her left, the haunting yet familiar Level Two dungeon loomed next to the spa¡¯s calming facade. On her right, a new and unnerving cave yawned open, its vexing maw crowned by a skewed wooden plank that read <b>Level Three</b> in jagged lettering.

    Ari lay in front of the new dungeon, swaying gently in a hammock with his eyes closed.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ari,¡± Cedar began. ¡°I was out cold for at least ten hours. I haven¡¯t had a day to myself since I got here.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Ari replied without opening his eyes.

    Cedar motioned toward the ominous cave. ¡°Have you been in there yet?¡±

    ¡°I have.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m ready for it,¡± she said eagerly. ¡°I just need my sword.¡±

    Ari opened his eyes and sat up, stretching his arms lazily. ¡°You¡¯ll need more than a sword.¡±

    Cedar let out a small sigh of relief. He wasn¡¯t going to chastise her for being late. She wasn¡¯t the disciplinary type, and she could already tell her future self wasn¡¯t either. Still, she wished she¡¯d grabbed dinner first¡ªshe could have gotten away with it.

    ¡°I get more weapons?¡± Cedar perked up.

    ¡°Armor,¡± Ari corrected. ¡°The beasties in there are a bit prickly.¡±

    He reached down and grabbed a sturdy backpack resting next to his hammock.

    ¡°New backpack?¡± Cedar asked.

    ¡°Yeah. We need to bring a few things for this one. Potions, magic, snacks, too.¡±

    Cedar¡¯s stomach growled in response.

    Ari pulled several pieces of leather armor from the bag and handed them to her.

    ¡°Here, put these on.¡±

    Cedar accepted the gear, laying each piece out on the grass. The armor was crafted from dark brown leather, save for the chest piece, which had black molding shaped like a spider across the front. The set included leather pants, a heavy cloak, a wide belt, shoulder guards that attached to the chest piece, and sturdy new boots.

    Without pause, Cedar stripped off her loose-fitting Tai Chi-fu pants, which offered no protection and felt more like pajama bottoms than actual combat gear. She slipped one leg into the leather pants, then the other, and sucked in her stomach as she buttoned the snug waistband.

    The chest piece came next, slipping over her head with its front and back sections held together by woven straps on the sides.

    ¡°Pull the straps to tighten it,¡± Ari instructed, gesturing toward the dangling fabric.

    As Cedar cinched the chest piece tight, Ari pulled out the rest of the gear: a pair of gloves, wrist guards, and a beaded headband.

    ¡°Put the boots on first, before the gloves,¡± he said, picking up the shoulder pieces. ¡°These clip on here.¡± He secured the guards in place with practiced ease.

    Cedar threaded the belt through the loops, clasping the buckle. With each piece of armor she fastened, she felt an odd mix of emotions. The heavy leather seemed to bolster her spirit, imbuing her with a newfound resilience. At the same time, a rock settled in her stomach. She¡¯d never needed this much protection before.

    As Ari held a glove open for her to slide her hand into, she asked, ¡°Why all the armor? Just how bad is this place?¡±

    ¡°Bad,¡± Ari replied, his tone matter-of-fact.

    Cedar¡¯s throat tightened.

    ¡°While you were asleep,¡± Ari continued, ¡°I had time to make a few modifications. Let¡¯s just say it¡¯s all your worst fears combined.¡±

    Cedar stared at him, her unease growing. ¡°Are you sure I¡¯m ready for this?¡±

    Ari gave her a measured look. ¡°Pretty sure.¡±

    ¡°<i>Pretty sure</i>?¡± Cedar echoed.

    ¡°If you complete this dungeon, you won¡¯t have to do any more,¡± Ari said, clamping a wrist guard around Cedar¡¯s forearm with a solid <i>clink</i>.

    ¡°All my worst fears . . . does that mean I have to do public speaking in there?¡±

    Ari chuckled but gave her a stern look. ¡°Ha, no. This dungeon is called <i>Satan¡¯s Citadel</i>. It¡¯s modeled after how Catholics and Christians envision hell. It¡¯s got all the classics¡ªdemons, fire, lava¡ªand you can probably guess who the boss fight is with.¡±

    Cedar shuddered, the devil¡¯s face forming unbidden in her mind¡¯s eye.

    ¡°How do I beat the devil?¡±

    ¡°He uses your own fear against you, so as long as you keep your cool, you¡¯ll be fine. Honestly, he¡¯s boring. Don¡¯t let him rattle you.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, okay,¡± Cedar scoffed, rolling her eyes.

    ¡°He¡¯s a big dummy.¡±

    ¡°Sure,¡± Cedar said sarcastically. ¡°Sounds like a real pushover.¡¯

    ¡®Is there a hell? Like, a real hell?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Hell is whatever you make of it,¡± Ari replied cryptically.

    ¡°I <i>hate</i> answers like that.¡±

    ¡°Since this is a hell dungeon,¡± Ari continued, shifting back to practical matters, ¡°its main source of magic is fire.¡± He opened the backpack and revealed a bundle of small blue orbs nestled inside. ¡°You¡¯ll need either water magic or ice spells.¡±

    He held up a deep blue orb, its liquid core swirling hypnotically. ¡°Water,¡± he said simply.

    Then he pulled out another orb, this one an icy sapphire shade. ¡°Ice.¡±

    ¡°Got it,¡± Cedar said with a curt nod.

    Ari pulled a pair of small daggers from the pack and handed them to her. ¡°Here. For close combat. They fit into these sheaths on your belt.¡± He tapped the designated spots. ¡°Your sword clamps on your left side. Draw it with your right hand.¡±

    ¡°I know man, this ain¡¯t my first rodeo.¡±

    Ari stepped back, scrutinizing her with a careful eye. ¡°You¡¯re hungry,¡± he observed, reaching into his pack again.

    ¡°You can tell that?¡±

    ¡°My interface tells me all sorts of things. Here, eat this.¡± He handed her a tube of brown paste. ¡°It¡¯s a full steak dinner, so take small swallows, or you¡¯ll throw it up.¡±

    ¡°Sounds delicious,¡± Cedar remarked before squeezing a dollop onto her tongue.

    Ari stepped back once more, then snapped his fingers. ¡°Oh, the headband. I almost forgot.¡± He picked up the stretchy circlet of beads and placed it gently on her head, the shimmering baubles resting just above her ears. ¡°This gives you the same protection as a helm. Plus, it helps clear your mind.¡±

    ¡°God knows I¡¯ll be needing that,¡± Cedar said, feeling her hunger begin to wane. She felt her senses sharpen as the circlet embraced her head through its own volition.

    ¡°When we get out of the dungeon,¡± Ari said, ¡°you can take as much time as you want in the retreat. Deal?¡±

    ¡°For realzies?¡±

    ¡°For realzies,¡± Ari replied with a nod and a faint, worried smile.

    Cedar squeezed the remaining paste into her mouth.

    ¡°Hey¡ªwhat did I just say?¡± Ari scolded.

    ¡°I¡¯m not swallowing it all,¡± Cedar said through a mouthful of paste, pointing to the bulge in her cheek. ¡°It¡¯s right here.¡±

    Ari rolled his eyes but straightened his posture, looking at her with a steady gaze.

    ¡°Are you about to give me one of your famous pep talks?¡± Cedar asked, her voice half-muffled. ¡°You know, the usual: none of this is real, the only evil is fear, believe in myself, yada yada. Did I miss anything?¡±

    ¡°I think you got it,¡± Ari said, his expression softening as he held her gaze. He lingered, unwilling to let go.

    ¡°You¡¯ll be different after this,¡± he said quietly.

 Chapter 12: Ashes & Ice

    Cedar, now fully clad in her new armor, ventured into Satan¡¯s Citadel with Ari trailing close behind.

    ¡°Did you just fart?¡± Cedar grimaced, wrinkling her nose.

    ¡°It¡¯s sulfur,¡± Ari replied. ¡°My farts smell like lilacs and rainbows.¡±

    A crunch sounded beneath her boots, drawing her gaze downward.

    ¡°What am I stepping on?¡± she asked, squinting into the dim light. Movement flickered at the edge of her vision.

    ¡°You don¡¯t want to know,¡± Ari said. ¡°We should keep moving. Fast.¡±

    ¡°The ground is moving¡ªdid you <i>see</i> that?¡± Cedar¡¯s voice rose. ¡°Can I get a headlamp or something?¡±

    ¡°Hold up.¡± Ari stopped and rummaged through his seemingly bottomless backpack. After a moment, he handed her a headlamp.

    Cedar strapped it on and flicked it on. When she looked down again, her stomach lurched. The ground teemed with life: a writhing carpet of squirmy, squashy insects. Some had countless legs and brittle, glistening shells, while others were soft, oversized worms and slugs.

    She glanced back toward the entrance, a pang of regret stabbing at her.

    ¡°We¡¯re only a few feet in, and I¡¯m already repulsed,¡± she said.

    ¡°It¡¯s a hellish place. What did you expect?¡±

    An arachnid the size of her hand scurried up her pant leg. Cedar screamed, leaping in place and slapping at her clothing in a frantic bid to dislodge it. Her stomach turned, but she knew retreat wasn¡¯t an option¡ªnot this early. Summoning her resolve, she bolted across the seething insect sea, hoping to leave the wriggling mass behind in the next section.

    ¡°Run, Ari!¡± she yelled over her shoulder.

    ¡°I¡¯m coming.¡±

    Taking fast, light steps, Cedar zigzagged through the corridor, dodging the larger monstrosities but crushing countless smaller ones underfoot. Each pop and crunch beneath her boots sent shivers down her spine.

    ¡°Eww!¡± she screeched, not wanting to take a nose-dive into the sludgy carpet of excrement and goo. Her boots became caked with slippery oils, making each step comparable to a precarious dance on banana peels.

    The further she ran, the worse it became. The creatures grew denser, their bodies squishier, their shells harder to avoid. For what felt like miles, she sprinted, her breath ragged, her nerves fraying with every step. Tears welled in her eyes as her throat tightened.

    Her focus on the ground betrayed her. She didn¡¯t see the sharp drop ahead until her toes hovered over the edge. She skidded to a stop, her heart pounding as she peered over the ledge.

    Ari floated up beside her. She looked at him and then at his feet.

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯ve <i>got</i> to be kidding me,¡± she said, her tone dripping with disbelief.

    ¡°What?¡± he said with an innocent shrug. He glanced down at his clean boots. ¡°Oh, this?¡±

    ¡°Yes, <i>that</i>,¡± she snapped.

    Before Ari could respond, Cedar¡¯s blood ran cold as she felt something scramble up her leg. A centipede, larger than her forearm, skittered across her back.

    She screamed, flailing her arms and twisting her body in a desperate attempt to dislodge the creature. In her panic, she lost her balance and tumbled over the edge, landing hard in the sulfurous pit below.

    The impact knocked the wind out of her, but the centipede clinging to her back was a far greater concern. Fighting her gag reflex, she rolled onto her back, aiming to crush the insect beneath her weight.

    With her gloved hands, she reached over her shoulder, grabbing the wriggling creature. Its segmented body undulated violently in her grasp, its many legs scratching against the leather of her armor. Cedar clenched her teeth, suppressing a fresh wave of disgust as she pried the monstrous insect off.

    Once the last of the centipede¡¯s legs either detached or tore off, Cedar let out a primal scream and flung the writhing creature several yards away. She staggered back to her feet, barely catching her breath before the centipede jolted toward her again.

    Instinctively, she lifted one heavy boot, thinking she could stomp it when it got close. At the same time, her hand reached for her sword, which unclasped easily and welcomed her grip.

    The centipede skittered toward her on its many legs, dodging her boot as it slammed down beside it. Before it had time to resume its pursuit, Cedar swung her sword with precision, slicing the parasite clean in half.

    She stood panting over her first Level Three dungeon kill, the creature¡¯s two halves twitching in the muck.

    ¡°Good job,¡± Ari said, descending from his hover with maddening composure, his arms still crossed.

    Cedar ignored him for the moment, her attention drawn to the ledge she¡¯d fallen from. Thick ooze trickled down its face, pooling in a dark green puddle around her boots. Relief washed over her as she realized no additional creepy-crawlies lurked in the sickly soup¡ªat least for now.

    Still, something about the ledge unsettled her. Her eyes kept returning to it, her gut tightening as she studied it further.

    ¡°You¡¯ll have to find another way out,¡± Ari said, reading her thoughts. ¡°No turning back now.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fine, but it¡¯s freaking hot in here,¡± Cedar commented, snapping her sword back onto her belt. She adjusted her cloak, exposing her arm to the air. The uncovered skin had turned from pink to red, and when she touched it, she winced. It felt like she¡¯d been sunburned in minutes.

    ¡°Keep the cloak on,¡± Ari advised. ¡°It shields you from the heat.¡±

    Cedar reluctantly dipped her shoulder back under the fabric, sighing in relief as the cooling effect kicked in.

    ¡°Anything else I should know?¡± she asked tersely, wrapping the cloak snugly around her body to cover any exposed skin.

    ¡°Nope,¡± Ari said with ease. ¡°Just do your thang chicken wang.¡±

    Cedar¡¯s eyes swept the long dirt corridor ahead. Wide gaps carved into the walls revealed small alcoves without doors. Above each entry, satanic symbols were etched into the stone. The closest room bore the unmistakable ¡°666¡± above its arch.

    Unlatching her sword, she took a cautious step forward. ¡°Can I have some of those magic balls?¡±

    ¡°You most certainly can.¡± Ari swung the bottomless backpack around, holding it open so she could fill her pockets with the orbs.

    As she reached for them, Cedar glanced down at Ari¡¯s feet. ¡°You know, you really don¡¯t need to hover anymore.¡±

    ¡°Eh,¡± he shrugged. ¡°New boots.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re ridiculous.¡±

    ¡°As is life.¡±

    With her katana gripped tightly in one hand and a small, shimmering sphere of water in the other, Cedar moved low and slow toward the room marked with ¡°666.¡± She peeked inside and saw only a gilded mirror sitting in the center of the otherwise empty chamber. Its ornate frame glinted faintly in the dim light, its surface rippling as though it were alive.

    Curiosity piqued, Cedar stepped cautiously into the room for a closer look.

    The moment her boots touched the floor, the ground rumbled beneath her. A massive stone slab slammed down behind her, sealing the exit with a deafening <i>boom.</i> Dust and bits of debris rained from the ceiling as the sheer weight of the blockade shook the room.

    ¡°Ari?¡± Cedar yelled, banging her fists against the solid rock. ¡°Ari! Lift this thing¡ªuse your powers!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± he called from the other side, his voice muffled but steady. ¡°It¡¯s okay. You¡¯ll have to do this part on your own. I¡¯m sorry, Seed.¡±

    ¡°Sorry for what?¡± Cedar shouted, banging on the slab again. Panic edged her voice. ¡°<i>Sorry for what?</i> Ari? <i>Ari!</i>¡±

    No answer.

    The room grew eerily silent except for her ragged breaths. The darkness pressed in on her, broken only by the silver glow emanating from the mirror.

    Cedar turned to face it, her heart pounding in her chest. She was seething with anger, her fists trembling at her sides.

    She no longer had her protector.

    Ari had lied to her.

    <i>Why would he do that?</i> Cedar wondered. <i>It doesn¡¯t make sense. I would¡¯ve done this by myself¡ªhe didn¡¯t have to trick me. Did he actually trick me, or did he just not follow me in?</i>

    Thoughts churned as she turned to the mirror. It wasn¡¯t reflective, as one would expect, but instead displayed swirling grey clouds amid a dusky sky. It resembled a static-laden television more than a proper looking glass. A haunting wail echoed from within.

    Cedar stepped closer, gripping her sword tightly. Tentatively, she extended the tip of the blade, pushing it into the glass. The surface rippled like liquid, the membrane parting around the steel and revealing a glimpse of another world beyond.

    <i>Am I supposed to go in?</i>

    She looked around the sealed room. There were no doors, no cracks, no escape routes.

    ¡°Screw it.¡±

    If she thought about it too long, she¡¯d lose her nerve. Hoisting herself up onto the bottom frame of the immobile mirror, she crouched, leaned forward, and stuck her head through.

    The swirling grey clouds solidified into crisp, three-dimensional shapes. What had been a two-dimensional illusion became a vivid, oppressive reality. A hot breeze stirred her hair as her eyes adjusted to the view below: a sprawling, hellish landscape that could have been torn straight from the Bible.

    Fire and brimstone coated the cracked earth. Rivers of molten lava carved through the rubble like glowing veins, converging into a roaring lavafall that spilled endlessly into a chasm beyond her sight.

    ¡°Seriously?¡± Cedar muttered. ¡°How am I supposed to . . . is there an escalator somewhere?¡±

    She scanned the area, searching for any sign of a rope, staircase, or anything resembling a path down. She wasn¡¯t on a ledge, a building, or even a mountain¡ªshe was floating mid-air within what seemed to be a portal.

    The heat rose to greet her, oppressive and suffocating. Her face flushed as sweat began to bead on her forehead. Jerking her head back out of the mirror, she sucked in a sharp breath of cooler air.

    ¡°There¡¯s no escalator, no way down. Am I supposed to jump?¡±

    Years of MMORPG experience flooded her mind. In most games, dungeons were designed to test players, not outright kill them without a chance of survival. A leap of faith typically came with a safety net. Otherwise, the dungeon would become notorious and abandoned¡ªpointless for the players and the game.

    ¡°There <i>has</i> to be a net down there.¡±

    Glancing over her shoulder for a final look at the stagnant room, she gritted her teeth. With no better option, she dove headfirst into the mirror.

    <hr>

    The descent was immediate. Cedar¡¯s cloak snapped and rippled in the wind as she plunged through the oppressive heat. Ghastly wails pierced the air, growing louder as she fell. She arched her back, stabilizing herself mid-dive, her belly pointed toward the fiery terrain below. Her skydiving experience served her well¡ªshe dipped her right shoulder, steering herself toward a pool of liquid that shimmered amidst the rivers of lava.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°I <i>knew</i> it,¡± she said, spotting the pool¡¯s faintly inviting glow.

    As she neared her target, she noticed something else: movement. Crawling across the scorched ground like lizards was a swarm of crimson-colored minions. Their thin, forked tails flicked menacingly, whipping the air as they scuttled on all fours.

    <i>Great,</i> she thought, her heart sinking. <i>Just what I needed¡ªan audience of demon fleas.</i>

    The creatures clambered over one another, their glowing yellow eyes locked onto Cedar as she hurtled toward them. The air around her thickened, heavy with heat and the acrid stench of sulfur, but she clenched her jaw and stayed her course.

    Cedar adjusted her posture mid-fall, angling to land feet-first into the viscous brine below. The liquid was thick as stew, sucking at her boots as they sank into the mushy bottom. She pushed off hard and swam upward in a single desperate breath, breaking the surface with a gasp.

    Her matted hair clung to her face, tangled with clumps of writhing goop. Scraping it from her burning eyes, she felt a searing pain, sharp and relentless, as though stung by a swarm of jellyfish.

    <i>Just get to shore.</i>

    She fought her way through the stew-like pool, plucking the slimy creatures from her neck and shoulders with gloved hands. Her exposed skin blistered and popped, each boil sending shockwaves of pain through her. She couldn¡¯t tell if it was the scalding heat of the air or the venomous sting of the goop monsters. Her vision began to blur as her hands moved frantically, brushing and pulling at the relentless slime.

    Then, she remembered the magic balls Ari had given her.

    With no time to plan, Cedar grabbed one from her pocket and smashed it against her forehead like a beer can. Ice-cold water exploded around her in a torrent, an avalanche of liquid that doused her burning skin and ripped away the goop in one swift blast. The intense force knocked her off her feet, leaving her gasping on the shore.

    But the relief was fleeting. The water evaporated almost instantly, hissing into steam as the hellish heat consumed it. Cedar struggled to catch her breath, the oppressive atmosphere threatening to suffocate her. Summoning her training, she steadied herself, taking deep, rhythmic breaths until the panic began to subside.

    Movement caught her eye.

    Glowing yellow orbs blinked in the darkness, one pair after another appearing like stars in a sinister constellation. Cedar rose to her feet, unclasping her sword with a fluid motion. Her grip tightened as the minions advanced.

    <i>This is it,</i> she thought. <i>All the training¡ªall the pain¡ªwas for this moment.</i>

    ¡°Bring it,¡± she growled.

    The first minion lunged, its teeth and claws scraping uselessly against her armor. Another followed, then another, but none of them could pierce the sturdy leather protecting her. Cedar¡¯s confidence swelled as she realized they couldn¡¯t harm her.

    A natural rhythm took over, her movements guided by instinct. She swung her sword with precision, slicing through the soft, fleshy bodies of the creatures. One by one, they fell, their remains oozing onto the ground. The minions began to retreat, scuttling away as Cedar carved through their ranks.

    But the retreat only fueled her fury.

    A thirst for destruction surged through her veins. She wanted to kill them all¡ªevery last one. She lunged after the fleeing minions, her voice cutting through the chaos.

    ¡°There¡¯s no place to run! You can¡¯t get away!¡±

    As she finished off another scuttling beast, her eyes flicked upward to follow the swarm. Her heart dropped.

    A champion demon, fifty times the size of the minions, was barreling straight toward her. Its enormous body skidded along the ground, the impact shaking the earth beneath her feet.

    Cedar didn¡¯t hesitate. She pointed her sword at the beast and charged, her battle cry ripping through the air.

    The demon responded with a lunge of its own, its massive tail whipping forward like a blade. Cedar dodged just in time, narrowly avoiding being impaled. Her confidence faltered, and she shifted her trajectory, sprinting in the opposite direction.

    Dipping into her pocket, she grabbed a handful of magical orbs, wishing she had a slingshot or some kind of launcher. But her arm would have to do.

    The beast bore down on her, closing the distance with terrifying speed. Its sliver-shaped pupils blinked once¡ªeerily horizontal, without an upper lid. Cedar could feel the heat of its breath and smell the sulfur radiating from its open maw.

    She hurled an orb with all her strength, hitting the demon¡¯s side. It hissed as the spell activated, but the damage was superficial. Cedar readied another, her fingers trembling as the creature lashed its long, forked tongue in her direction.

    The tongue struck her chest with brutal accuracy, its barbs sinking into her chest piece. Cedar gasped as the creature gave a mighty yank, pulling her off her feet and reeling her in.

    With a magic orb in each hand, Cedar hurled them at the demon¡¯s face, aiming for its glowing eyes. The orbs struck true, bursting in flashes of blue light. The beast roared in pain, its head jerking away from the bombardment. Seizing the opportunity, Cedar unsheathed her dagger and slashed through the slick, sticky tongue that bound her.

    Freed from its grip, she stumbled backward as the severed tongue recoiled into the demon¡¯s gaping maw, spewing blood in all directions like a wayward garden hose.

    The sight fueled her bloodlust. Cedar gripped the long blade of her katana, narrowing her focus on the monster¡¯s vulnerable eyes. She lunged forward, driving her sword deep into one of its sockets. The demon shrieked in agony, stumbling back as black ichor spilled down its face.

    But Cedar wasn¡¯t done.

    With a feral cry, she leapt into the air, the heat rippling around her, and plunged her blade into the other eye. The demon thrashed wildly, blinded and helpless. Its massive pronged tail whipped in every direction, flattening smaller minions that scrambled to avoid its chaotic death throes.

    Cedar landed a few feet away, her breath coming in heavy gasps, and watched in astonishment as the colossal beast flailed aimlessly. <i>Did I just beat the hell dungeon? Am I done?</i>

    Her eyes darted around, scanning the desolate plateau for any sign of Ari. She strained her ears, hoping to hear his signature slow clap, but the air remained thick and silent, save for the hissing of molten rivers.

    She stood alone on a flat, barren expanse. Rivers of lava snaked across the plateau, their molten currents carving blackened islands of cooled rock.

    Movement caught her eye. A few minions, smaller and more skittish than the ones before, scrambled down the far side of the plateau, following the cascading lavafall as it disappeared into deeper crevices below.

    With no other path in sight, Cedar followed them. She leapt over narrow streams of lava, swatting away any minions that ventured too close with a sharp swing of her katana. Most kept their distance, scuttling away as she approached.

    As she reached the edge of the plateau, the intense heat of the lavafall surged toward her, choking her throat and stinging her eyes. Cedar pulled her cloak over the lower half of her face, breathing through the fabric to cool her scorched windpipe. The relief was immediate, though the air still burned faintly as it passed through her lungs.

    Peering over the edge, she froze.

    Hell unfolded before her, vast and unending. Rivers of molten lava cascaded into a jagged inferno below, their fiery currents weaving through valleys of craggy igneous rock. But it was the crosses¡ªan infinite sea of them¡ªthat seized her attention.

    Men and women were nailed to the crude wooden beams, their charred and blistered bodies writhing in agony. They moaned and screamed, their voices blending into a haunting symphony of despair. Skimpy, scorched loincloths barely covered their bodies, leaving their pain and vulnerability fully exposed.

    Cedar¡¯s stomach twisted as she looked from one tortured soul to the next. There were too many of them to count, their suffering stretched across peaks and valleys as far as the eye could see.

    She glanced back toward the plateau, hoping for some sign of Ari, some signal that this wasn¡¯t her only option. But the path behind her offered no escape. The choice was clear: down into the depths.

    With a deep breath, Cedar steadied herself and began her descent, lowering her boots onto the brittle, crumbling rock.

    The heat clawed at her skin, and her tongue scraped against the dry roof of her mouth. Her lips puckered with dehydration, her throat aching for water.

    Each step felt heavier than the last.

    As she climbed deeper, doubts began to creep in. <i>What am I doing?</i> she thought, pausing to adjust her grip on the rock. <i>What if I fall and Ari¡¯s not here to save me? Where is he?</i>

    Cedar¡¯s grip tightened, her frustration mounting as the cries of the damned rose to meet her. The further she descended, the more she began to question not just Ari¡¯s absence, but his teachings.

    <i>Trust. You have to trust.</i> Cedar repeated the doctrine to herself, clinging to it like a lifeline.

    She teetered on the edge of a troubling thought: <i>What if I just let go?</i> Falling wouldn¡¯t be hard¡ªjust a brief, violent surrender to gravity. And maybe, just maybe, Ari would catch her. It would prove he was still there, watching over her, ready to intervene.

    <i>Is that something people do?</i> she wondered. <i>Fail on purpose just to gain attention or comfort? To have proof they¡¯re not alone?</i>

    A wave of understanding washed over her. The pain of losing trust was far worse than any physical injury she could endure to feel it restored. Yes, people did fail on purpose, sometimes deliberately, sometimes through subconscious sabotage. The revelation stung, but it also rang true.

    Shaking the thought aside, Cedar refocused all her energy on not slipping. The brittle rock beneath her boots crumbled with every step, threatening to give way. Sweat dried on her blistered skin, leaving streaks of salt crystals that glinted under the oppressive red glow of the lava rivers below.

    Then, cutting through the symphony of wails and moans, a voice pierced the air.

    ¡°Help me. Please. Help me.¡±

    The words were close enough to register clearly, distinct from the chorus of anguish around her. Cedar grunted as she shifted her weight onto one leg, straining to look over her shoulder.

    On a neighboring igneous peak, a woman was nailed to a cross. The distance between them was daunting. To reach her, Cedar would have to descend her current path, traverse the lava-scarred terrain, and then climb the steep rock where the woman was bound.

    A moral dilemma tugged at her. <i>Do I help her?</i>

    The woman wasn¡¯t real¡ªnot truly. She was a program, no more alive than the rubble under Cedar¡¯s boots or the cross she hung from. Cedar frowned, Ari¡¯s voice echoing in her mind: <i>¡°They¡¯re not much different from us. This is a deterministic universe anyway, so right now, everyone is pretty much an NPC.¡±</i>

    <i>But she¡¯s still a program,</i> Cedar countered silently. And <i>I can¡¯t save them all.</i>

    The debate raged on in her mind as she began to descend the last stretch of her current path. <i>Are we really so similar? I have sentience. I think, I choose¡ªbut am I really any different? Isn¡¯t it all just a string of code, whether it¡¯s mine or hers?</i>

    She reached a stable platform just below the peak. The woman¡¯s voice, though distant now, still called to her with desperate, choked whimpers.

    Ahead of her, Cedar spotted a dark path cutting into the mountain behind the cascading lava. It looked promising¡ªlike a way forward. Her instincts confirmed it was the next step in the dungeon¡¯s design.

    <i>There¡¯s more to this dungeon. But how much more?</i>

    She turned back, her gaze lingering on the woman far above. The decision weighed on her. If she chose to climb, it would cost her¡ªenergy she didn¡¯t have, water she couldn¡¯t replenish. Her body was already screaming for rest. But curiosity gnawed at her.

    <i>What if she knows something? What if she has a clue, a key to the dungeon¡¯s secrets?</i>

    ¡°Screw it,¡± Cedar muttered.

    Ignoring the protests of her aching muscles, she began her ascent toward the woman¡¯s perch. Hand over hand, she climbed the brittle, craggy rock. Her breath grew labored, each inhalation burning her parched throat.

    Her muscles soon passed the point of aching¡ªthey felt flaccid, like empty sacks of flesh, drained of any strength to carry her onward. She paused frequently, her breaks stretching longer with each stop. The heat gnawed at her resolve, pricking at her exposed skin.

    Her head throbbed with a relentless ache. Every pulse was a reminder of her dwindling stamina, her body desperate for hydration. Cedar pressed on, her veins constricting as her blood struggled to carry what little oxygen she could take in.

    Halfway to the peak, her legs burned with pain, trembling under the strain of holding her weight. She wanted to collapse, to let them give out and drift into unconsciousness. But she couldn¡¯t¡ªshe wouldn¡¯t.

    Gritting her teeth, Cedar tightened her grip on the rock face and forced herself to take another step, then another. <i>I have to know. I have to finish this.</i>

    After a long five-minute break of controlled breathing and clenching her knees to promote blood flow, Cedar finally felt sensation return to her extremities. With a groan of effort, she resumed her climb.

    At last, she reached the top, hauling herself over the ledge and collapsing onto her back. She pressed a gloved palm to her chest, feeling the rapid rhythm of her heartbeat as she closed her eyes to rest.

    ¡°Thank . . . you,¡± the woman simpered weakly.

    Cedar ignored her for the moment. She was too spent to care. If ever there was a time for a nap, this was it.

    ¡°Thank . . . y . . .¡± The woman¡¯s voice dissolved into a fit of coughing, ragged and wet.

    With a begrudging sigh, Cedar sat up, dragging herself back to awareness. Her eyes fell on the figure nailed to the cross. The woman¡¯s frail, pruned body hung limply, her long white hair fluttering in the occasional blasts of heat.

    The woman¡¯s wrists and feet were skewered to the massive cross with rusted spikes the size of railroad nails. Cedar¡¯s gaze trailed down the colossal structure¡ªit had to be at least fifteen feet tall, towering like a forgotten relic from some cruel past.

    <i>This may have been a mistake,</i> Cedar thought grimly as she circled the base of the cross.

    She grabbed hold of the wood and gave it a tug, grunting with effort. It didn¡¯t budge.

    ¡°Please help me,¡± the woman croaked.

    ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± Cedar admitted, panting. ¡°It¡¯s too heavy.¡±

    The woman¡¯s head lolled forward. ¡°Kill me.¡±

    Cedar froze. ¡°<i>Kill</i> you?¡±

    The woman¡¯s head dipped ever so slightly, a barely perceptible nod.

    ¡°Was that a yes?¡± Cedar asked, narrowing her eyes. She unlatched her sword and glanced up at the woman¡¯s pitiful form. Her conscience nagged her¡ªshouldn¡¯t she at least try to glean some information before ending this NPC¡¯s suffering?

    ¡°Uh . . . do you, I mean, it¡¯s <i>hot</i> in here, right? Do you know where I could maybe get a glass of water or something?¡± Cedar cringed at her own words, which felt more like Ari¡¯s than her own. The pounding in her head made her wince. <i>Am I turning into him?</i>

    ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t mean any disrespect,¡± she added quickly.

    ¡°No water,¡± the woman rasped.

    ¡°Okay, that answers that.¡± Cedar gave her a small bow. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    A tense moment passed between them.

    ¡°How do you want me to do it?¡± Cedar asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

    ¡°Kill me. Please.¡±

    Cedar glanced at the woman¡¯s dangling feet, realizing that a quick stab to the heart or a clean slice to the throat wasn¡¯t an option from her vantage point. Her mind raced for alternatives.

    Then she remembered the magic orbs.

    Dipping into her pocket, she retrieved an ice orb, its cool surface a sharp contrast to the oppressive heat around her.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to throw this at you, okay?¡± she called up.

    The woman¡¯s head bowed again. Cedar couldn¡¯t tell if it was a sign of agreement or if she had already passed.

    ¡°Okay. Here it comes.¡±

    Cedar stepped back, aimed carefully, and lobbed the icy orb at the woman¡¯s torso, the easiest target.

    The orb shattered on impact, releasing an eruption of frost that consumed the entire cross. In an instant, the wooden structure turned a vibrant, frosty blue, encasing the woman in shimmering ice. A series of loud cracks followed as the frost seeped into the wood, fracturing it.

    The cross began to sway, losing its solid foundation in the craggy rock.

    ¡°Whoa¡ªno, no, no!¡± Cedar shouted as the massive structure listed dangerously. She rushed forward, bracing her shoulder against the frame to push it backward, ensuring it fell away from the woman. With a groaning creak, the icy cross tipped and crashed onto its back, shattering into jagged pieces of frost-covered wood.

    Cedar stumbled backward, breathing heavily, as the dust and frost settled. She stepped toward the wreckage, unsure what to expect.

    Lying atop the fractured planks was the frail woman, wet and trembling, but unmistakably alive.

    ¡°Oh my god, you¡¯re <i>still</i> alive?¡± Cedar exclaimed.

    The woman didn¡¯t respond. Her body slid off the shattered remains of the cross, her movements slow but purposeful.

    ¡°Wait¡ªstop!¡± Cedar shouted, moving toward her.

    But before Cedar could reach her, the woman crawled to the edge of the peak and flung herself into the fiery abyss below.

 Chapter 13: The Enemy Within

    Nothing remained of the feeble woman¡ªno stitch of clothing, no trace of a wet tear. Cedar blinked into the brightness of the lava lake below. The harsh light burned her sweaty, reddened eyes, forcing her to turn away.

    ¡°Well, <i>that</i> was a bad idea,¡± she grimaced.

    She began her descent, the texture of the heat thickening around her feet. Inch by inch, she submerged herself into the sickening broil.

    Glancing down to gauge her remaining distance, Cedar noticed a bright white sphere hovering just below. It seemed to be waiting for her.

    ¡°Now what?¡± Cedar hesitated going further. She had no idea what to expect from the ball of energy, and for a moment, she considered retreating. But after little deliberation, she realized she had no choice but to descend.

    The descent was easier than the climb had been, though fatigue and thirst quickly overwhelmed her. Nausea churned in her gut, and her steps faltered. She could no longer summon tears to soothe her dry, burning eyes.

    As she neared the lava¡¯s surface, the heat intensified. Her eyes began to crust and shrivel, feeling like prunes left in the sun. The acrid smell of sulfur and hot gravel filled her mouth until the grainy air became something she could almost chew.

    Cedar glanced down one last time, her vision threatening to blur completely. Deciding to risk a jump before her sight failed her altogether, she prepared herself. A blister on the back of her neck burst, sending a jolt of pain through her disoriented senses.

    She let her body fall. Time seemed to slow mid-air as darkness swallowed her briefly. She landed hard on her back, the impact jarring her against rigid stone.

    Dry as ash, her voice failed her. Calling out for Ari was pointless. She lay still, unwilling to move. The heat cocooned her, seductive in its invitation to sleep. Her eyes, gritty and raw, refused to open.

    Her thoughts swirled, muddled and frantic, as panic began to set in.

    <i>I¡¯m going to die,</i> she thought. <i>My friends and family are going to die. I¡¯m supposed to trust. This, too, shall pass. I can¡¯t move.</i>

    A bright blur caught her attention¡ªthe sphere. It bobbed up and down like a floating face. Cedar had almost forgotten about it, though she¡¯d seen it only moments before.

    Beside the sphere, a soft-bodied minion appeared, glaring at her with malevolent eyes. Its gaze promised revenge.

    Cedar rolled onto her belly, unsheathing her dagger. She brandished the weapon at the creature, unaware that it was merely a decoy.

    A second demon, lizard-like and silent, leapt onto her back. Its claws tore at her protective cloak. The first minion joined the fray, and from the shadows, more emerged.

    Sharp talons slashed at Cedar¡¯s face and neck, spraying blood onto the surrounding monsters. Their forked tongues darted eagerly, lapping at the droplets. Dozens of them swarmed her, biting, clawing, and trampling over one another in their frenzy to reach her.

    <i>Why did Ari leave me?</i> Cedar thought, despair heavy in her chest. <i>Was this his plan all along? To kill me?</i>

    She coughed up blood as talons shredded her once-impenetrable armor. Her exposed flesh sizzled and peeled under their relentless assault.

    After a prolonged moment of agony, the pain subsided. Cedar could still hear the demons tearing at her flesh, their guttural grunts filling the air as they devoured her¡ªbut she felt nothing. Even the searing burn of the scorching heat had vanished.

    <i>What¡¯s going on?</i> she wondered.

    Pushing herself upright into a sitting position, Cedar glanced around. The minions were too engrossed in their frenzy to notice her. They clawed and burrowed into the mound of mutilated flesh they were raking apart, nuzzling their noses deep into its gore and ramming their nubby horns at any rivals who got too close.

    <i>Is that . . . me?</i>

    Her eyes widened in horror. Staggering back, she tripped and fell onto her backside, then scrambled away from the grotesque scene, using her legs to push herself farther.

    ¡°Oh, gross . . .¡±

    It <i>was</i> her. Or, at least, what was left of her.

    The sound of the demons¡¯ munching triggered phantom pains all over her body. She shuddered, turning her head away; she couldn¡¯t stomach the sight of them eating.

    Beside her, the bright energy sphere bobbed gently, maintaining a safe, unthreatening distance. Neon blue numbers flickered on its surface, forming a digital clock counting down from ten.

    <i>What happens after ten seconds?</i> <i>Do I live again?</i>

    Cedar stood slowly, scanning her surroundings. She needed to find a safe spot to respawn¡ªif that¡¯s what was about to happen. She wasn¡¯t sure. Would she reappear somewhere outside the dungeon? Or would she stay here? Either way, she needed to be ready.

    This was her first time flatlining in a dungeon. During her previous near-death experiences, Ari had always pulled her out just in time. Looking back, she almost wished he hadn¡¯t. If she¡¯d experienced death before, maybe she wouldn¡¯t have been so terrified of it. Now that it had finally happened, it wasn¡¯t as bad as she¡¯d imagined.

    She made her way to the entrance of a nearby tunnel, just beside the lava fall. The energy sphere followed her like an obedient pet. Gripping the hilt of her sword, she watched the countdown tick closer to zero.

    When it hit zero, a burst of heat enveloped her, searing her skin before vanishing in an instant. Cedar blinked, taking stock of her body. She was whole again¡ªher armor restored, her wounds gone. Even her strength felt renewed.

    Her eyes narrowed as she turned toward the lizard minions. They scurried over the now-empty ground where her corpse had been, sniffing the air with bloodied muzzles. One by one, their heads whipped around to face her.

    ¡°You grimy bastards . . .¡±

    With a snarl, Cedar charged. Her blade cleaved through the creatures like they were nothing more than sacks of maroon pudding. They screeched and scattered, scampering up the jagged peaks to escape.

    Cedar let them go, conserving her energy. The sphere had given her another life, but she didn¡¯t see any more of them nearby. If she died again, she¡¯d likely have to start over from the beginning. The thought of enduring that stinging goop and the infernal heat a second time was more than enough motivation to stay alive.

    She turned toward the tunnel and stepped inside. Switching on her headlamp¡ªthankfully respawned along with everything else¡ªshe noticed the glistening walls, slick with slime.

    Even with all her training, and the knowledge that her entire universe was at stake, Cedar felt restless and trapped. Courage had carried her this far, but now it wavered. She no longer wanted to be in Satan¡¯s Citadel. More than that¡ªshe never wanted to come back, never wanted to finish what she¡¯d started.

    Her energy stores were full, her body felt strong, but some deeper part of her was drained¡ªsomething intangible, beyond her reach to fix or fight.

    <i>I need more courage,</i> she thought, <i>but courage only comes through suffering.</i>

    She had ventured far enough into the tunnel that the lava¡¯s glow no longer illuminated her path. Darkness pressed around her, broken only by the sharp beam of her headlamp. Each step felt heavier than the last. Lifting her boot to move forward was an act of will, but shifting her back foot to follow felt impossible.

    It was as though she¡¯d hit a wall¡ªnot of stone, but of something unseen and immovable.

    Meditation had taught Cedar the gift of self-awareness. She recognized the warning signs blooming within her. If she pushed too far, too fast, she¡¯d soon face the wrath of panic¡ªits mental and physical toll would cripple her.

    The realization struck her: she could witness her own limitations, as if they were gauges displayed in her mind¡¯s eye. If she let them fall too low, she risked creating something worse than failure¡ªtrauma. A new phobia.

    She needed Ari. If Ari were here, she could press deeper into the tunnel, meeting any combatant head-on with little fear.

    <i>Pretend he¡¯s here,</i> she thought. <i>None of this is real. The only evil is fear.</i>

    Closing her eyes, she recentered herself with the wisdom she had gleaned from the void:

    <i>Trust conquers fear. To trust, I must let go. I can only let go when I¡¯ve suffered enough. But I don¡¯t feel like I¡¯m suffering . . . I¡¯m just scared. Are they the same thing? Fear and suffering?</i>

    The question circled her mind, eluding a clear answer. She didn¡¯t want to be here anymore. She didn¡¯t want to be devoured a second time. Could her fear be as simple as that? The anticipation of being eaten alive?

    <i>No,</i> she thought. <i>Anticipation isn¡¯t simple. It¡¯s a symptom of something deeper. The answer must be simpler than that. I¡¯m asking the wrong question.</i>

    Frozen in place, Cedar decided to confront her fear. Anticipation, she realized, was born of a belief: the belief that she wasn¡¯t strong enough to endure another attack. But that wasn¡¯t the whole truth. There was something deeper, a stronger sensation moving beneath the surface¡ªjust out of reach.

    <i>Truths are always common sense,</i> she reminded herself. <i>What is it I feel? I don¡¯t want to be here. I want to leave. I want . . .</i>

    She paused, struck by the simplicity of the thought.

    <i>I want.</i>

    The realization hit her like a bolt of lightning, snapping every piece of the puzzle into place.

    Fear and suffering were not the same thing. Fear was the anticipation of suffering. And suffering?

    <i>Suffering is desire.</i>

    That was it. The clarity of it left her stunned. Suffering wasn¡¯t some external torment. It was desire¡ªthe yearning for something, the aching void of unmet need. The more she wanted, the more she suffered.

    <i>This dungeon isn¡¯t my nemesis,</i> Cedar thought, the truth illuminating her like a beacon. <i>It¡¯s me. I¡¯m my own nemesis. I¡¯m fighting my fear¡ªthe anticipation of suffering¡ªand suffering is nothing more than desire.</i>

    She let out a breath that she hadn¡¯t realized she was holding.

    <i>What? Did I just crack the code?</i>

    Everything started to make sense. She had heard this truth before¡ªAri spoke of it constantly¡ªbut only now did she truly understand the purpose of the dungeons. They weren¡¯t about conquering the dungeon itself but about overcoming her own fear. Her task wasn¡¯t to defeat death but to face her anticipation of it, her dread.

    Yet she realized she had been stubborn, trusting herself to a fault. She couldn¡¯t let go. <i>Let go of what?</i>

    Her ego.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    <i>That¡¯s why believing in God is important,</i> she thought, the pieces clicking into place. <i>The void told me it¡¯s important, but it didn¡¯t say why. Now I get it. Believing in God takes me out of my ego. It¡¯s not about trusting myself. If I trust myself, I¡¯ll just sink deeper into my own pride. I have to think beyond myself. Even if there is no God, I need to trust the universe. Trust the process.</i>

    Her revelation deepened. <i>I¡¯m fighting myself. I have to man up. Grow a pair.</i>

    Cedar realized she was resisting change. Her ego clung to the safety of what it knew. It didn¡¯t want to grow. It didn¡¯t want to mature. It wanted to remain defiant and childlike¡ªan entitled, whiny brat.

    <i>My ego doesn¡¯t want me to let go. It wants me to stay safe, to remain scared. It¡¯s keeping me from evolving. But why must I suffer? What does suffering have to do with any of this?</i>

    A new understanding lit up her thoughts. If she died in the dungeon and reappeared at the entrance, she¡¯d most likely see Ari. His presence alone always brought comfort. When he was with her, her fear of the dungeon seemed absurd.

    <i>Suffering teaches us how to trust,</i> she realized. <i>No matter how much we suffer, we survive. We¡¯re still okay. We may not get what we want, but we receive what we need.</i>

    With this insight, Cedar no longer felt the need to die in the dungeon to find solace in Ari or to be reminded of what was at stake. She could use her imagination for that. Visualizing her death and the subsequent comfort of Ari felt as real as if it had actually happened.

    <i>My brain doesn¡¯t know the difference between what¡¯s imaginary and what¡¯s real,</i> she thought.

    The idea brought her to a halt. <i>I could trick my brain into believing I¡¯ve suffered. If I visualize the worst, I¡¯ll be ready for it. If I¡¯m not scared, then suffering has no power over me.</i>

    Cedar straightened her posture and opened her eyes. She lifted her back leg and placed it forward, breaking through the wall of resistance. She had just undergone an inner journey, rising to new heights of awareness while standing alone in the depths of hell.

    Her mind wandered to the countless movies she¡¯d seen, where the hero always triumphed in the end. But they never showed the details of <i>how</i> the hero overcame fear. The mechanics were left out, rendering their victory inspirational but unreplicable.

    <i>We can only learn through experience,</i> she realized. <i>It¡¯s a personal, inner journey. That¡¯s why books and movies can only inspire. They leave out the blueprint. If there were a true blueprint, we¡¯d all be fearless warriors.</i>

    Had she stumbled upon the blueprint? Cedar pondered this as she moved deeper into the tunnel, her headlamp illuminating the way.

    The ground shimmered with puddles of slime, raising questions about what could have caused them. Each step forward felt like a step deeper into herself¡ªa place she had avoided for too long.

    <i>It¡¯s useless trying to explain this blueprint to others,</i> Cedar thought, shifting her focus from the slime to something more uplifting. <i>Ari tried explaining it to me, but I didn¡¯t get it until now. I wish I had my journal to write this down. I don¡¯t want to forget.</i>

    Another puddle of slime drew her attention, suspicion prickling at the back of her neck. A monster <i>had</i> to be nearby. Cedar loathed all things slimy, so of course Ari had incorporated it wherever possible. <i>All my greatest fears . . .</i> she mused. <i>What more does he have planned?</i>

    A faint rustle echoed down the tunnel. Cedar pressed her hand against the wall, feeling for vibrations. She was no longer afraid of death, but her thoughts drifted to the energy sphere that had granted her an extra life. She wanted to find more of them¡ªor at least figure out what had triggered the first one¡¯s appearance.

    <i>The old woman.</i>

    The sphere had appeared right after she killed the old lady. That was Cedar¡¯s best and only guess, and it made sense.

    The rustle grew into a low rumble, shaking loose dust that danced in the beam of her headlamp. Cedar reached into her pocket and gripped an ice orb, keeping it ready.

    ¡°Come on, you bastard.¡±

    The rumble deepened, the sound growing louder and more oppressive. Cedar widened her stance, bracing herself for whatever monstrosity was barreling toward her. Judging by the noise, it was massive¡ªlikely as wide as the tunnel itself.

    <i>My headlamp . . .</i>

    She hesitated. Should she switch it off? Seeing the beast in its grotesque detail might terrify her more than the dark¡ªa fear that she had already conquered.

    <i>My headlamp . . . ¡°</i>

    Speaking of her headlamp, where would she be without it? Or those little magical orbs in her pockets that saved her from the large minion? Ari didn¡¯t offer her these things, she had to request them.

    <i>He expects me to die,</i> she realized. <i>Maybe . . . he wants me to die.</i>

    The idea clicked into place. Why else would he carry a bottomless backpack only to leave her alone without any water or equipment? He wanted her to suffer, to fail, to die¡ªand then to return to him, fully prepared for a second attempt.

    But why?

    By now, Cedar understood his way of thinking.

    <i>He wants me to learn how to trust. That¡¯s it. He expects me to die. But guess what, Ari¡ªI figured it out. I don¡¯t need to die anymore. I don¡¯t fear it.</i>

    The thought filled her with determination, just as a deafening screech ripped through the tunnel. The air seemed to shudder with the sound, like a prehistoric pterodactyl¡¯s cry.

    Then, the beast appeared: a gaping, circular mouth filled the tunnel¡¯s entire width. Row upon row of pointed teeth spiraled inward, disappearing into its writhing, wormlike body.

    ¡°A lamprey,¡± Cedar hissed. ¡°I hate lampreys!¡±

    Without hesitation, she hurled the ice orb into the beast¡¯s cavernous mouth and stumbled back, watching for signs of damage. She scanned her arsenal¡ªaside from her sword and daggers, she had no more destructive tools. She wanted to conserve the rest of her magical orbs in case the ice orb wasn¡¯t effective.

    The lamprey¡¯s jaws snapped shut with a thunderous clack. Its snout wriggled, revealing a soft, squishy spot at the top of its head. Cedar¡¯s eyes locked onto the weak point.

    <i>Now¡¯s my chance.</i>

    With its teeth sheathed, Cedar lunged forward, sword in hand. She drove the blade deep into the vulnerable spot above its mouth, feeling it sink into the beast¡¯s pliant flesh. Using the embedded sword as leverage, she hoisted herself up the slippery slope of its head.

    ¡°Oh, gross . . .¡± Cedar muttered, pressing her gloved hand against the lamprey¡¯s massive mouth to ensure it stayed shut. ¡°Stay . . . stay.¡±

    With a powerful leap, she hoisted herself onto the beast¡¯s head. Just as she had visualized moments ago, she drove her sword repeatedly into the soft palate atop its squirming form.

    The lamprey bucked wildly, thrashing like a wild horse. Its head slammed upward, pinning Cedar between the tunnel ceiling and its slimy bulk. Luckily, her armor held firm, shielding her from being crushed. Gritting her teeth, she continued her gruesome work, stabbing again and again into the beast¡¯s brain.

    At last, the monster let out a long, wet exhale. Its massive body deflated beneath her like a collapsing bounce house. A noxious, gassy smell wafted through the air, accompanied by the sound of air escaping a balloon. The echoes reverberated along the tunnel walls, and to Cedar, it was the sound of triumph.

    Rising atop the mushy, fractured head of the defeated lamprey, she thrust her arms into the air and declared, ¡°Victory!¡±

    Her proclamation was short-lived. The beast¡¯s slick surface sent her sliding down its face as though it were a playground slide. She tumbled to the ground in an unceremonious heap, her back now coated with blood and gunk. Shakily, she stood and dusted herself off, nodding confidently.

    ¡°Nobody saw that.¡±

    Undeterred, Cedar climbed back onto the lamprey and began crawling along its slimy, deflated body, making her way further down the tunnel. Twenty feet later, she reached the creature¡¯s backside and slid off onto solid ground.

    Standing tall, Cedar felt fully present, in tune with her body and mind. She understood herself with a clarity that felt exhilarating. Her character, her identity, and her actions all seemed to coalesce, driving her forward. It was as though she were watching her own story unfold from a third-person perspective, enchanted by the protagonist: herself.

    Yet, she paused to consider the fine line between self-love and narcissism. The thought troubled her deeply, for nothing repelled her more than narcissism. It was a trait that sparked her fury and disdain. But this, she reassured herself, wasn¡¯t that. This was evolution¡ªa transcendence of self, not an infatuation. She was becoming more.

    The once-menacing corridor no longer felt foreboding. What had loomed as a harbinger of doom now seemed like a lighthearted challenge. With jaunty steps, Cedar made a mental note to ask Ari about the nuances of self-love versus narcissism. She smirked, anticipating his explanation would be lengthy, as usual.

    When she reached a fork in the tunnel, she instinctively veered right, recalling her father¡¯s advice: <i>Always stick to the right path when in doubt.</i>

    Soon, she faced another drop¡ªthis one about ten feet, much like the earlier descent. The ledge marked a point of no return, but retreat wasn¡¯t an option. She was far too invested. Carefully lowering herself, Cedar surveyed the new area below.

    The environment shifted entirely. She landed in a square, tiled room. Unlike the rough, jagged rock and slimy walls of the tunnel, this space was pristine. The tiles were immaculately laid, with seams so tight no air could seep through. The room offered no visible exits, only a small, ominous opening in the ground.

    The opening reminded Cedar of an ice fishing hole, except instead of crystalline water and chunks of ice, it was filled with a pulpy, writhing mass of jelly-like creatures. The strange, gelatinous lumps swirled sluggishly, giving the liquid a textured, almost alive quality.

    Cedar crouched near the edge, peering into the unsettling pool. ¡°Well . . . <i>that¡¯s</i> not ominous at all.¡±

    Cedar scrutinized every inch of the chamber, now resembling a solitary confinement cell. She pushed against the walls, hoping to find a hidden door or a weak spot, but the tiles held firm.

    Her eyes returned to the hole in the ground, filled with its viscous, pulsing substance. Could she squeeze through it? It was barely larger than a petite pothole. Shaking her head, she turned her attention to the tiled floor instead, stomping on each one in hopes of finding a loose panel.

    Her persistence paid off. One of the tiles shifted beneath her boot.

    Suddenly, the cell reverberated with the ominous sound of hidden gears grinding to life. The ceiling growled as it began to descend.

    ¡°That¡¯s not good.¡±

    Cedar stomped on the loose tile again, hoping to reverse the mechanism, but the ceiling continued its steady descent. Remaining in the cell would mean facing an inevitable, slow crush¡ªa fate no armor or protective cloak could avert.

    ¡°This is <i>really</i> not good.¡±

    Claustrophobia, one of Cedar¡¯s unresolved fears, stirred in her chest. The confined space tightened around her, stirring memories of a stifling Peruvian sweat lodge where she¡¯d sworn never to revisit such small, oppressive spaces again.

    With no alternative, Cedar sat on the edge of the hole and dangled her legs into the warm, bog-like substance. It engulfed her calves with a silky, cloying texture that felt both soothing and repulsive, as if she were wading into a womb of viscera and jelly. Gritting her teeth, she pushed her hips through the opening, her progress halted briefly by her chest.

    ¡°Damn you, Darwin and your proposed sexual selection,¡± she muttered, squeezing herself through the tight space.

    Once fully submerged, Cedar kept her head above the surface, kicking to stay afloat. She stared in dread as the ceiling descended further, leaving barely three feet of space above her head.

    <i>This predicament is only temporary,</i> she reminded herself, trying to suppress her rising panic. Still, a trickle of urine escaped her.

    <i>The microbes will love it</i>.

    Taking the deepest inhale of her life, Cedar dunked her head into the bog. The viscous liquid was murky and brown, stinging her skin. Tentatively, she opened her eyes.

    The scene below was haunting. Stinging jellies lit up the darkness with bioluminescent flashes, casting eerie glows in the murk. Though blurry and indistinct, the gelatinous creatures moved with purpose, and Cedar couldn¡¯t shake the sense that they were aware of her presence.

    Two jellies broke from the flock and floated toward her.

    Fearing she¡¯d drown if she lingered, Cedar began swimming, searching for an escape route. She followed the faint glow of a trail of jellies down a long, narrow passage. Her headlamp cut through the darkness, illuminating the crevasse walls so she could avoid scraping against them.

    The narrow tunnel seemed endless, but at last, she emerged into open water. The expanse was vast, teeming with glowing jellies that pulsed and shimmered, seemingly welcoming her arrival.

    Cedar ignored the venomous creatures and kicked hard toward the surface. She scanned the dark water above, searching desperately for any change in color, any sign of light or breathable air.

    <i>Come on, come on . . .</i> she thought, straining her eyes.

    Suddenly, a hoard of jellies encircled her, their movements deliberate and menacing. One slid up her pant leg, its sting biting deep into her calf.

    Cedar howled, releasing a burst of air bubbles as the searing pain shot through her. Swatting at her leg, she felt the burning sensation creep further upward, invading the tender skin of her inner thigh. More stings followed, each one like a red-hot needle piercing her flesh.

    Her lungs began to burn, and panic surged. Cedar thrashed, trying to free herself from the jellies¡¯ onslaught, but the venom coursing through her veins made her movements sluggish.

    Realizing the jelly had slipped inside her pants, Cedar made a grim decision: she had to leave it there. Removing her pants was out of the question in these circumstances. The persistent stings served as a brutal reminder of the masses now swarming her. No matter how desperately she swiped at them, the jellies crowded her vision, clinging to her neck and crawling down her back.

    Time was running out. Her lungs burned with the effort to hold onto the last remnants of air, and the venom¡¯s numbing effects were spreading. With few options left, she reached into her pocket, fingers fumbling for a magic ball. She crushed it in her gloved hand, not knowing whether it was ice or water.

    Instantly, the water around her turned frigid. Cedar, along with the jellies, froze in place.

    <i>Ice.</i>

    Her body stiffened, every muscle locked in icy paralysis. She couldn¡¯t blink, couldn¡¯t move¡ªshe couldn¡¯t even register pain anymore.

    The cold burrowed into her, numbing her flesh and gnawing at her bones. The silence was absolute, broken only by the faint, rhythmic pulse of her heartbeat.

    After a few agonizing beats, the ice shattered. Shards of frost and lifeless jellyfish fragments drifted around her like glittering debris. Cedar¡¯s limbs, though aching and stiff, were free.

    She frantically kicked toward the surface¡ªonly, which way was up? All directions looked the same¡ªthere was no up, no down¡ªjust as it was during her time in space.

    Desperate, Cedar released a single air bubble from her lips to watch where it went. She followed the bubble as though it were consciously guiding her. From her wayward navigational skills, it looked like the bubble was leading further down and away, as thought it traveled diagonal to the horizon.

    Dark splotches began to creep into the edges of her vision¡ªa clear sign her time was almost up. Refusing to let fear take hold, she propelled herself after the bubble with everything she had left.

    Just as the bubble burst, Cedar¡¯s hand broke through the surface. She erupted into the open air with a gasping, desperate breath, her lungs heaving as sweet oxygen rushed in. She was free¡ªif only from the water.

    But her relief was short-lived. She was still trapped in the depths of the sadistic mountain.

    ¡°Hello, Cedar,¡± a deep, menacing voice rumbled from the shore.

    Turning her head, Cedar spotted a flickering torch illuminating a tall figure. It was a man¡ªor at least half of one. His legs ended in cloven hooves, his slender face framed by stubby horns and a meticulously groomed goatee. He wore nothing else, his powerful torso gleaming in the firelight.

    ¡°Do you like what you see?¡± he asked with a wicked grin.

    Beside him, a woman hung upside-down, suspended by her entrails. Her screams pierced the air, raw and unrelenting. The creature casually lifted the woman¡¯s arm to his sizable mouth and sank his teeth into the soft flesh of her forearm, tearing into it with horrifying ease.

 Chapter 14: The Devils Playground

    The devil¡¯s likeness unnerved Cedar, sending prickly sensations down her spine and triggering an unsettling urge to evacuate her bowels.

    <i>He¡¯s the one who should be scared,</i> Cedar assured herself.

    She kept her eyes on him as she waded to shore, disregarding the clumps of dead jellies tangled in her hair. She felt utterly filthy and longed to strip off her clothes and peel away the leeches¡ªbecause she was sure of it now: a large one had latched onto her lower back like a regrettable tramp stamp.

    ¡°She is my gift to you. Come. Have a taste,¡± the devil purred. Blood smeared his red lips as his long, forked tongue plunged into the woman¡¯s open gash, teasing at her nerves and artery.

    ¡°Who in their right mind builds a home inside an active volcano?¡± Cedar asked, stepping out of the murky mire. She stood dripping, microbial organisms crawling up her sleeves, making her itch.

    ¡°Is it not to your liking?¡±

    ¡°No, it is <i>not</i> to my liking,¡± Cedar snapped, mimicking the devil¡¯s haughty tone. Her hands, hidden from view, worked on a plan.

    ¡°You come into <i>my</i> home, you kill <i>my</i> pets, and when I offer you sustenance, you refuse it.¡± The devil let the woman¡¯s limp arm drop as he squared his chest to Cedar. His voice turned deep and venomous. ¡°Eat now, or you will watch your loved one die.¡±

    ¡°I prefer brunettes,¡± Cedar declared, unsheathing her dagger and hurling it at the blonde woman. The blade struck home, piercing the still-beating heart.

    ¡°Insolent!¡± the devil hissed.

    All around, glowing eyes appeared in the shadows as nimble, dark figures slinked toward her.

    ¡°What, these guys again? Haven¡¯t they learned yet?¡± Cedar scoffed as she unlatched her sword, grimacing at the inevitable fight.

    ¡°Eat the corpse or die,¡± the devil commanded.

    ¡°But I just brushed my teeth,¡± Cedar shot back, making the first move. Her blade sliced through one of the minions as easily as cutting bread, sending the rest skittering back.

    ¡°Perhaps my pet condor will change your mind.¡±

    From behind Satan emerged a massive, feathered fiend, its thirty-foot wingspan unfurling dramatically. Its bald, wrinkled head, tinged in hues of rosy pink and purple, was framed by glossy black plumage. The creature looked like it had a lavish feathered boa draped over high shoulder pads.

    One look at the monstrosity sent Cedar into hysterics. She doubled over, clutching her sides as she struggled to contain herself.

    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± Satan roared.

    ¡°It looks like . . . it looks like . . .¡± Cedar gasped for air between fits of laughter. Finally, she managed to blurt out, ¡°a scrotum!¡±

    The condor remained still, its beady, vacant eyes blinking as its head darted around, oblivious to the insult.

    Cedar, unafraid of the consequences, grinned and asked the devil, ¡°Trying to compensate for something, Satan?¡±

    The devil¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡°Condor relishes feasting on my enhanced blood worm babies. I dare you to laugh at <i>that</i>.¡±

    His lower jaw unhinged, dropping to just below his unnaturally large, bulbous belly button.

    A red cloud of winged worms erupted from his throat, swarming straight for Cedar. The condor bobbed its head and took flight, trailing the buzzing flurry of insects.

    Beside Cedar, a bright sphere of light materialized¡ªa life, ready to be spent.

    <i>Thank you,</i> Cedar thought. <i>But hopefully, I won¡¯t need you just yet.</i>

    The blood worms overwhelmed Cedar, their sheer numbers forcing her to the ground. She clenched her mouth shut as the worms gnawed at the exposed skin of her face and neck with their minuscule, needle-like teeth. To her horror, they didn¡¯t merely bite¡ªthey burrowed, their wriggling bodies tunneling beneath her skin with an unbearable, squirming persistence.

    The condor caught up with the swarm, its blade-like beak striking down in rapid, precise movements, resembling a sewing needle in action. It pecked relentlessly at the worms that clung to Cedar¡¯s protective cloak, tearing through the writhing mass with sharp, mechanical efficiency.

    Suddenly, the cave was bathed in a blinding flash of light.

    ¡°You should have feasted with me,¡± Satan¡¯s deep, rumbling voice taunted. ¡°Now, you must watch a loved one die.¡±

    ¡°S¡¯il vous pla?t, Madame, help!¡±

    Cedar¡¯s heart dropped. Alma¡ªher cherished NPC chef¡ªwas strapped to a slow-moving conveyor belt. Just a few yards from her feet, a slanted, razor-sharp blade ascended the frame of a guillotine-like structure, slamming down in rhythmic, metallic thuds. Alma was seconds away from being sliced like deli meat, her fate a slow, agonizing demise.

    ¡°Alma!¡± Cedar screamed, her voice raw.

    The tide of battle shifted as the minions closed ranks around Cedar, tightening their circle. They darted closer, their long, pointed nails swiping at her with unsettling glee.

    ¡°And that soul belongs to me,¡± Satan sneered. He turned to the bright sphere of energy hovering beside Cedar and inhaled it in one great, cavernous gulp.

    A sudden wave of d¨¦j¨¤ vu washed over Cedar. The worms burrowing beneath her skin, Alma¡¯s desperate cries for help, the massive bird¡¯s beak jabbing at her¡ªit all felt hauntingly familiar, as though she¡¯d lived this exact moment before. A past life? A forgotten dream? The sensation gripped her for a fleeting second before slipping away, leaving her stunned.

    Her mind went blank, wiped clean of fear and doubt. Cedar¡¯s face hardened into a mask of indifference, her body entering an almost supernatural state of flow. There was no emotion, no hesitation¡ªonly focus. Her movements became precise and fluid, as though an external force now guided her actions.

    Her hand found the last remaining magic orb in her deep cargo pocket. Unsure whether it contained ice or water, she didn¡¯t hesitate. Wrapping her fingers around it, she squeezed until it shattered in her palm.

    A cataclysmic surge of water erupted from the orb, flooding over Cedar and her attackers. The wave struck the minions like a wrecking ball, sending them sprawling like bowling pins. The condor staggered backward, its talons digging into the soaked ground for balance.

    But before it could recover, Cedar acted. Still flat on her back, she thrust her sword upward into the condor¡¯s chest, using the bird¡¯s own weight and momentum to drive the blade deep.

    The condor screeched in fury, its massive wings flapping as it lunged forward. Its snapping jaws loomed inches from Cedar¡¯s face, the monstrous bird pressing down, forcing the blade deeper into its body. The length of the sword was the only thing keeping its dagger-like beak from skewering her.

    Cedar braced the sword¡¯s hilt against her chest with one hand, freeing the other to reach for her dagger. <i>Thank you, Ari,</i> she thought, grateful for the second blade.

    ¡°It¡¯s close, Madame! Aidez-moi! Au secours!¡± Alma¡¯s panicked cries echoed through the cave.

    ¡°I¡¯m coming, Alma!¡±

    Cedar left the sword buried in the condor¡¯s chest and rolled away, breaking into a sprint toward Alma. The enraged bird lumbered after her, its powerful wings thrashing wildly, its cries echoing through the cavern. Behind it, the minions crept in its shadow, using the massive creature as a living shield.

    ¡°I¡¯m here, Alma. I¡¯m going to get you out of this, okay?¡±

    ¡°Oui, Madame, please hurry,¡± Alma pleaded, her voice trembling.

    Cedar bent to cut the straps with her dagger. Strands of her hair, still tangled with dead jellies, fell into her eyes, but she ignored them. A bloodworm, having survived the earlier magic surge, slithered into a pore just below her eye. Cedar refused to acknowledge the nauseating sensation of its bottom half wriggling into her flesh and focused instead on the task at hand.

    ¡°Almost there, Alma.¡±

    ¡°Hurry, Madame,¡± Alma urged, panic thick in her voice.

    The slicer slammed down again, the blade¡¯s edge narrowly missing Alma¡¯s toes.

    ¡°Just one more strap on this side,¡± Cedar muttered, slicing through the last binding. Her mind, operating on pure instinct, moved faster than her conscious thoughts. She licked her salty lips and held her breath as the blade descended once more, this time nicking a small slice from Alma¡¯s left heel.

    ¡°Ayee! It got me, Madame,¡± Alma cried out, her voice tight with pain.

    Cedar didn¡¯t pause. As the blade ticked back up the scaffolding, she yanked on the frayed strap and severed the last thread. She threw herself onto Alma, rolling them both off the conveyor belt just as the blade came crashing down again.

    By then, the condor and its mob of underlings were within striking range.

    ¡°Run!¡± Cedar yelled, shoving Alma toward an unoccupied corner of the cave. Alma hobbled away, clutching her injured foot. Two of the minions followed her, while the rest snarled and lunged at Cedar.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Cedar met them head-on, slashing with her small blade. She flung the creatures off her as quickly as they climbed, her movements frantic yet precise. With every thrust and stab, she fought her way toward her second dagger, still embedded in the dead woman¡¯s chest.

    Once she retrieved it, now armed with both blades, the minions paused.

    <i>Cowards.</i>

    Cedar scanned the cavern, searching for Satan, but he was nowhere to be seen. He must have fled while she was battling the condor.

    The massive bird staggered toward her, its movements slow and uncoordinated. Blood gushed from the wound in its chest, staining its sleek feathers. It squawked and squealed, its cries tinged with terror as it struggled under the weight of its own failing body.

    Cedar seized the opportunity. With a swift lunge, she grabbed the sword still lodged in its chest. With one mighty yank, she pulled it free, spinning around just in time to hear Alma¡¯s scream.

    ¡°Alma!¡±

    ¡°Here, Madame! Come quick!¡±

    Cedar sprinted to the far corner where Alma was huddled, beset by two snarling minions. They clawed and bit at her, ripping through her skin with sadistic glee. Cedar dispatched them with ruthless efficiency before turning to face the rest, who dared not approach the blood-soaked, heaving maniac.

    ¡°Stay behind me, Alma.¡±

    The condor let out one final, pitiful mewl before collapsing, its enormous body hitting the cavern floor with a dull thud. Around them, the remaining minions stood their ground, waiting for back-up. A legion of them filled the cavern, with more of them tunneling in.

    Their ranks swelling to overwhelming numbers. The cavern walls seemed to writhe with movement as the hideous creatures poured in.

    Cedar took a steadying breath, gripping her weapons tightly. Before the mob could fully organize, she began her assault.

    One by one, the minions fell under her blades. Blood sprayed and pooled beneath her feet, turning the cavern floor into a slick, crimson swamp. The minions¡¯ hairless, maroon bodies reminded her of oversized baby gerbils, their nubby horns and forked tails adding an unsettling demonic twist.

    The ground became a charnel house as Cedar cut through the horde, dropping bodies as the legion continued their relentless assault. The lone bloodworm that had survived Cedar¡¯s earlier water magic slithered under the skin of her cheek. She could feel it with her tongue¡ªa thin membrane the only barrier keeping it from wriggling into her mouth. When the worm finally pierced the inside of her cheek, Cedar crunched down on it and spat it out.

    ¡°You doing okay back there, Alma?¡±

    ¡°Oui, Madame.¡±

    More minions fell. Their bodies piled high, forcing Cedar to step on them. She could feel their brittle bones crumbling beneath her boots, like a baby bird¡¯s that had fallen from their nest.

    Time lost meaning as wave after wave of minions hurled themselves at Cedar. Her muscles burned with exertion as she moved on pure instinct. Her blades slicing and stabbing, her mind numb.

    <i>Is there no end to this?</i>

    Knee-deep in severed limbs and pooling blood, Cedar glanced at Alma. ¡°We <i>have</i> to get out of here.¡±

    ¡°Oui, Madame. Lead the way.¡±

    Cedar handed both daggers to Alma, keeping the sword for herself. Together, they followed the cave wall toward a tunnel exit, battling more minions with every step. Alma limped without complaint, her resolve as steadfast as Cedar¡¯s determination to protect her.

    The minions pursued them with unyielding ferocity, scrambling over each other in a mad frenzy. Cedar¡¯s chest tightened as she watched them use their weaker kin as stepping stones. Snorts and snarls hemorrhaged from their squashed, wrinkled faces.

    They were determined to wear her down. And it was working.

    ¡°A bridge, Madame,¡± Alma called, pointing ahead.

    After what felt like miles in the suffocating tunnel, they finally emerged into a vast underground citadel. Satan¡¯s throne room.

    From their vantage point, Cedar could see the sheer enormity of the space. Jagged stalactites hung like cruel spikes from the vaulted ceiling, while fire-breathing bats the size of houses flitted among them. Below, a fiery hellscape sprawled endlessly, teeming with nightmarish creatures.

    Cedar barely spared the view a glance. Minions were still snapping at their heels.

    ¡°Over the bridge, Alma¡ªquick!¡± Cedar shouted.

    Alma darted across the precarious structure while Cedar turned, holding the swarm at bay. Once Alma reached the other side, Cedar yelled, ¡°Cut the ropes!¡±

    Alma obeyed, severing the lines as Cedar fended off the bottleneck of minions. At last, the bridge gave way, tumbling into the molten lava below and dragging the last of the minions with it.

    Cedar let out her first sigh of relief in what felt like hours. ¡°Thank God. It¡¯s over . . . almost . . . I hope.¡±

    ¡°Oui, Madame,¡± Alma said softly. ¡°Merci. You saved moi.¡±

    They stood together on a high peak overlooking the citadel¡¯s sprawling platforms, which stretched down into a demonic valley. Hellish creatures of all kinds roamed the expanse, busy torturing damned souls, devouring them, or fighting amongst themselves.

    At the valley¡¯s lowest point sat Satan himself, perched on a gaudy throne that was equal parts circus and ostentatious. Though he was miles away, Cedar could swear he was staring directly at her.

    She instinctively backed away from the ledge, shielding herself from his gaze. She didn¡¯t like the look of it¡ªthe platforms. Was she to fight her way down on every level?

    ¡°No . . . No way.¡±

    She knelt down in exhaustion and flinched as Alma sat beside her. Cedar¡¯s eyes darted around, ensuring they were in a safe location. They were alone on the peak. The only way forward was to cross another bridge onto the highest main platform.

    On the far side of the bridge, large devils loomed, their bulging forms seemingly made from a mixture of magma and ash. They busied themselves mangling prisoners with branding irons, their hellacious laughter echoing across the cavern. So far, they hadn¡¯t noticed Cedar and Alma beyond the divide.

    ¡°I can¡¯t. I can¡¯t do it,¡± Cedar said, shaking her head. Her body felt like it had turned to stone. Pain permeated every muscle fiber. Her legs ached while she knelt, causing her to crumple to the ground.

    ¡°I can help, Madame.¡±

    ¡°No, Alma. What can you do?¡± Cedar motioned to the daggers Alma gripped in her hands. ¡°You don¡¯t even know how to hold those things.¡±

    ¡°Not with these, Madame. I¡¯ll help feed you.¡±

    Cedar¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°I¡¯m not going to <i>eat </i>you<i>.</i>¡±

    ¡°No, no, not me,¡± Alma corrected. ¡°<i>Food</i>. Any food. I can cook for you.¡± With a wave of her hand, she conjured a menu out of thin air.

    ¡°What? Seriously?¡± Cedar asked scanning the menu. ¡°You¡¯re telling me that you can whip up a five-course rack-of-lamb dinner for me,<i> right now</i>?¡±

    ¡°Oui, Madame. It is what I do.¡±

    The menu listed health benefits beside each dish: some promoted healing and vitality, others boosted stamina and strength.

    Cedar laughed, though the motion sent a cramp shooting through her side. ¡°Let¡¯s do it, then. Can we start with some water? <i>Ice</i> water, please?¡±

    ¡°Anything you wish, Madame.¡±

    Cedar sampled a bit of everything. Perfectly seared ahi tuna to promote wellness, sushi rolls to enhance longevity, medium-rare steak for strength, and even a scoop of ice cream to boost intelligence. Although, the ice cream melted the moment it hit the bowl, its icy goodness gone by the time it reached her spoon.

    Alma retrieved the food from a void-like opening that materialized in mid-air. Cedar stared at it, curiosity flickering through her mind.

    ¡°I wish I could crawl into that hole to escape this place,¡± Cedar said, half-joking. ¡°What is it, anyway? Where¡¯s the food coming from?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s the place of creation,¡± Alma replied. ¡°All my abilities are stored inside. It is part of me.¡±

    Cedar frowned, recalling how Ari had mentioned that NPC¡¯s didn¡¯t have a void. Clearly, Alma was an exception.

    Questions began bubbling in Cedar¡¯s mind as the ice cream¡¯s promised intelligence boost took effect. ¡°Would you say that¡¯s your soul in there?¡±

    Alma thought for a moment before answering. ¡°If I were to define my soul as having a physical location, then oui. My soul¡ªeverything I am¡ªis there inside. It makes me sad to think it¡¯s separate from me, though. I don¡¯t like to think about these things.¡±

    ¡°About what things?¡±

    ¡°Things I¡¯ll never know the answers to, Madame,¡± Alma said quietly.

    Cedar watched as Alma stacked the empty plates and glasses, returning them to her void with an effortless grace.

    <i>Maybe the void isn¡¯t separate from her at all,</i> Cedar thought. <i>Maybe it exists everywhere, including within Alma.</i>

    And perhaps within Cedar, too. In a world where the line between reality and the unimaginable blurred, who was to say what was truly real?

    The clinking of plates and glasses disrupted Cedar¡¯s train of thought. She glanced down at her empty ice cream bowl, sensing that it was significant somehow, but she had yet to decipher its importance. She examined its craftsmanship, lifting it to her face and tapping its rim with her finger.

    <i>Porcelain.</i>

    ¡°Hey, Alma, can you make <i>anything</i> with your void?¡±

    ¡°No, Madame, my skills are limited. I can only produce food items.¡±

    ¡°But what about the plates and utensils? Or that steak knife you gave me earlier?¡±

    ¡°All that pertains to food is included in . . . what do you call it . . . my void? When I learned how to cook steak to perfection, the void also provided a large plate and special utensils for serving,¡± Alma explained.

    Cedar frowned thoughtfully. <i>How could she use this to her advantage?</i>

    ¡°Can you make a rope? A strong rope¡ªmaybe even made out of licorice? It doesn¡¯t have to be licorice, but something sturdy enough to support my weight so I can lower myself to the bottom?¡±

    Alma nodded, her expression turning solemn and focused. She reopened her void, reaching in to reveal the tip of a thick licorice rope.

    ¡°This has extra flour and molasses,¡± Alma said as she pulled more of it out. ¡°I twirled thin strands together to make it strong.¡± She gave the rope a sharp tug, demonstrating its durability.

    ¡°That was fast,¡± Cedar remarked, taking the rope and giving it a few experimental pulls. ¡°This is perfect. Thank you, Alma . . . you saved me. But is it long enough?¡±

    ¡°Oui, Madame. The void will provide as much length as you need,¡± Alma assured, gesturing to the void¡¯s infinite depths.

    Cedar began wrapping the rope around her waist, double-knotting it before looping it securely around her legs for added support.

    ¡°Can the void lower me down slowly? Is that possible?¡±

    ¡°Oui, Madame. I¡¯ll make sure it lowers you gently.¡±

    <i>This is almost too easy,</i> Cedar thought. There had to be more she could ask for.

    ¡°What about health potions? Magic balls? Do you have those, too?¡±

    Alma shook her head apologetically. ¡°No, Madame, I have not learned how to make potions or magic. Only food items.¡±

    ¡°Okay, what about extra bottles of water? Can I get four of those?¡±

    ¡°Oui, Madame,¡± Alma replied, bowing slightly before retrieving the requested bottles from the void.

    Cedar stuffed two bottles into her back pockets and slid another two into the large side pockets. If she¡¯d had more space, she might have considered stashing some down her pants.

    ¡°Can you make energy bars? Ones that restore health and stamina?¡±

    ¡°I can, Madame.¡±

    Alma handed over a bundle of bars, which Cedar quickly tucked into every hidden pocket she could find, even sliding a few into her socks. She was beginning to look and feel like a walking supply closet.

    ¡°Alma, this is incredible. We¡¯ll be able to kill this bastard with no problem,¡± Cedar said, her confidence growing.

    Alma offered a faint smile. ¡°You have all you need now, Madame.¡±

    Cedar thought for a moment. ¡°Can I have one more water bottle?¡±

    Alma obliged, pulling another bottle from the void. Cedar twisted it open and poured the cool liquid over her head, letting it drench her.

    ¡°I think I¡¯m ready. Are you ready?¡± Cedar asked, adjusting her gear. ¡°Can you make yourself a licorice rope, or do you want to hitch a ride on mine?¡±

    ¡°No, Madame,¡± Alma said, her tone soft but firm. ¡°You have already done so much for me. My journey ends here. Only you can move forward.¡±

    ¡°What? No, I¡¯m not leaving you,¡± Cedar protested.

    ¡°It is not up to you,¡± Alma replied gently. ¡°It is the will of the dungeon.¡±

    ¡°But what will you do? Where will you go?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll return to my space. My void, as you call it. All will be well, Madame. I¡¯ll be safe there.¡±

    Cedar looked at Alma, struggling to find the words to express her gratitude.

    ¡°Alma . . . I couldn¡¯t . . . I mean, if it weren¡¯t for you, I¡¯d be a goner.¡±

    ¡°No need to thank me,¡± Alma said with a small smile. ¡°I am here to serve. I wouldn¡¯t be here either, without your ¡¯elp.¡±

    Cedar pulled Alma into a tight embrace, wishing she could linger a little longer in this fleeting moment of safety. She cast a final glance around the peak, recognizing it as the citadel¡¯s one true sanctuary. The fire-breathing bats soaring overhead seemed oblivious to their presence, and the brutish devils across the bridge were entirely absorbed in their torturous activities.

    This was the perfect spot¡ªnot only the safest place to rest, but also the ideal position to rappel straight down to the bottom of the citadel, bypassing all the cascading platforms. It was an almost-too-perfect shortcut to the boss fight.

    But just how high up were they?

    ¡°Can you hand me an empty plate, Alma?¡±

    ¡°Oui, Madame.¡±

    Cedar took the porcelain plate and dropped it over the ledge, leaning forward to track its descent. She counted the seconds under her breath until the plate hit bottom.

    ¡°I think it was around twenty seconds,¡± Cedar guessed, ¡°But I can¡¯t be sure¡ªI lost sight of it. What does that mean?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Madame,¡± Alma replied thoughtfully. ¡°I think it means we are up very high.¡±

    Cedar sighed, positioning both feet on the ledge with her back facing the valley, ready to rappel down the pillars. She was plumb out of ways to procrastinate, facing the inevitable descent.

    ¡°I guess this is it, then. Goodbye, Alma. I¡¯ll see you back home.¡±

    ¡°Oui, Madame, and please . . . kill that bastard for me, too.¡±

 Chapter 15: Eaten Alive

    Cedar began her descent into the canyon, her mind replaying the twenty seconds it had taken for the plate to drop. She tried to recall the calculations needed to determine the distance of a twenty-second fall.

    <i>I have to multiply twenty by itself¡ªthat¡¯s four hundred feet . . . but I¡¯m definitely higher than four hundred feet. I¡¯m missing a step.</i>

    The licorice rope creaked like leather as her full weight settled into it.

    <i>I need to multiply it again. Four hundred by something else¡ªbut what¡¯s the other number?</i>

    It didn¡¯t matter. The height was irrelevant; what mattered now was getting down safely. Keeping her shoulders up and her head down, she tucked her chin against her chest, focusing on the stone pillar in front of her to avoid glimpsing the scene below.

    She knew the dungeon was a fabrication; none of it was real. Death no longer frightened her since she¡¯d experienced it. What troubled her most were the images. Some things, once seen, could never be unseen. The vision of Satan seated upon his disproportionately large throne, with the vague sense that he was watching her, had lodged itself in her mind, sowing demonic seeds of doubt.

    Screams wafted up to her ears, some nearer than others. The distant cries sounded like wind howling through a tunnel, while the closer shrieks made her ears twinge¡ªlike the guttural retch of a cat or dog about to vomit, or the jarring buzz of an early alarm clock after a late night. The cacophony of human suffering churned her stomach, bile threatening to rise.

    And then there was the smell¡ªa stench so foul it was almost alive. It wasn¡¯t just raw sewage; it was stale blood and bile. It was like cheese left to fester in an unwashed belly button, mingled with the ammonia tang of saturated kitty litter.

    As the licorice rope lowered her further, Cedar felt her legs begin to scorch, the infernal heat licking at her skin. The hazy, fiery atmosphere of hell enveloped her once again. She¡¯d thought she¡¯d grown accustomed to the searing temperature, but the reprieve she¡¯d felt in the tunnel and atop the safety of the pillar had been temporary.

    <i>Sixteen. I have to multiply four hundred by sixteen.</i>

    ¡°Six thousand four hundred feet,¡± she calculated aloud.

    Even though it was more than a mile drop, Cedar remained unfazed. Heights didn¡¯t intimidate her. As a child, she had always sought out the tallest trees to climb. But a new concern gnawed at her.

    <i>Will the licorice withstand the heat?</i>

    The worst-case scenario¡ªfalling to her death¡ªdidn¡¯t particularly trouble her. What irked her more was the idea of having to start all over again. The licorice <i>had</i> to hold, or she needed to find another energy sphere¡ªan extra life. The last thing she wanted was to confront Ari outside, the one person who doubted her success. She was determined to erase that arrogant smile clean from his face.

    <i>Please hold. Please hold. Please hold.</i>

    The licorice rope creaked and swayed as Cedar looked up to the top of the pillar. Her hands began to sweat inside her gloves, leaving finger-shaped indents where she gripped the rope.

    She risked a glance downward. Rivers of sludge intertwined with streams of lava, tangling the landscape below into an unappetizing spaghetti of molten chaos. Groups of people, tiny as ants, dotted the scene, trapped in some cruel design and forced to participate in unspeakable activities. Cedar could only imagine the horrors they were enduring.

    <i>This dungeon is definitely rated M for Mature</i>.

    As time passed, the scattered groups below began to come into focus. She could almost distinguish their individual cries for help. So far, her strategy of bypassing the dungeon¡¯s levels by being lowered seemed effective. Seeing the levels stacked upon one another cemented her conviction: this wasn¡¯t just her best choice¡ªit was her <i>only</i> choice. She clung to the licorice rope as though it were her lifeline, treasuring it even as she gave it a tentative lick.

    ¡°Yech.¡± Black licorice. Disgusting.

    The intelligence she¡¯d gleaned from the enchanted ice cream began to fade, her thoughts fuzzing over as she doubted its lingering effects. Still, she marveled at how it had sharpened her mind, allowing her to calculate the canyon¡¯s depth¡ªa mental feat she wouldn¡¯t have managed on her own.

    <i>How else would I have figured that out?</i>

    The licorice rope began to leave a sticky black residue on her gloves¡ªa worrying sign that it was starting to melt.

    As the ground drew closer, the fetid stench of sulfur, rot, and despair hit her like a wall. Cedar tugged her cloak over her nose and mouth, the fabric providing a small but welcome shield from the odorous assault. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes in a futile attempt to dissociate from the reality of being lowered into Satan¡¯s lair.

    Peering downward again, she scouted for a safe landing spot. Smoke curled upward from the thin fissures in the scorched earth, joining the smog that thickened the air. The atmosphere felt as dense and fuzzy as an old woolen carpet soaked in filth.

    A thick drop of licorice oozed down her glove, trailing along her arm. Cedar¡¯s resolve wavered as the rope grew thinner, its texture softening into something butter-like. Clenching the rope tighter, she shut her eyes against the impending doom. Black goop smeared her gloves and torso, dripping like syrup.

    ¡°Please God, please God, please God.¡±

    The streams of licorice cascaded down her arms, soaking her clothes.

    ¡°No, no, no! Don¡¯t do this. Please don¡¯t do this,¡± Cedar begged. She was soon enveloped in a thick gauze of black candy, feeling the rope shrink beneath her desperate grip. Powerless, she braced for the inevitable last strand to snap.

    ¡°Crap.¡±

    Contrary to her fears, Cedar landed on her feet. The ground met her faster than she had anticipated, the suddenness stealing her breath. Relief was fleeting, though, as a torrential wave of liquefied licorice crashed down on her, slamming into her face and knocking her to the ground.

    She rolled away from the sticky flood, accruing a layer of dirt that clung stubbornly to her goo-covered body. Everything stuck to her¡ªdust, grime, and bits of debris.

    Wiping the gunk from her eyes, Cedar stumbled as she stood. Quickly, she reached for her sword and readied herself for battle. Luckily, the ghouls hadn¡¯t noticed her.

    Now, looking every bit a part of the demonic landscape, Cedar¡¯s only clean feature was the whites of her eyes. Her movements were severely hindered by the weight of the molasses-laden cloak. She kicked at its bottom half, trying to shed the excess sap.

    She began navigating the terrain, weaving through occasional towers of igneous rock that dotted the area. The lack of cover made her keenly aware of her vulnerability¡ªonly the subtle slopes of low hills and the sinister rivers of malice separated her from potential execution.

    Atop the nearest hill sat a cage teeming with scantily clad inmates. Intrigued, Cedar moved toward it, leaving a sticky trail of residue with each step.

    The closest enemies, engrossed in the grisly task of flaying a man, were about a hundred yards away, leaving the cage unguarded. As Cedar drew closer, she noted that the enclosure seemed to be made from the same infernal materials as the demons themselves. The bars radiated a red glow, discouraging the prisoners from touching them¡ªand from attempting to escape.

    The inmates met Cedar¡¯s approach with nothing but hostile glares.

    ¡°Hey there. How¡¯s everybody doing?¡± she asked.

    Their faces, etched with bitterness and hatred, showed no hint of acknowledgment. The cage held both men and women, though it was hard to tell them apart. Their swollen, deeply lined features gave them a uniform appearance, like Shar Peis stripped of any charm.

    ¡°Do y¡¯all want out of this rig?¡± Cedar asked, rapping the bars with her sword.

    Again, no response. Cedar began to wonder if it might be safer to leave them imprisoned¡ªfor her own protection. She also considered whether it would be rude to jab one with her blade to see if it yielded an energy sphere.

    ¡°Or does anyone want a quick death? I can provide that for you.¡±

    <i>Are their ears not working?</i>

    ¡°For free,¡± she added, hoping to provoke some reaction.

    A demon broke the quiet. ¡°One of them got out,¡± a deep, gravelly voice announced behind her, more annoyed than angry.

    Cedar spun around to face the source: a hulking beast with biceps like boulders and horns that added several feet to its already towering stature.

    The prisoners found their voices then, jeering and howling in anticipation of the fight.

    ¡°Hey, whose side are you on?¡±

    The smoldering behemoth charged, its bulky form slowing its advance. Cedar dashed to the opposite side of the cage, leaving the devil glaring at her from across the enclosure. It didn¡¯t take long for him to realize chasing her in circles would be futile. Instead, he fixed his yellow eyes on her, calculating, waiting for an opportune moment to strike.

    Cedar eyed her small daggers and thin sword, doubting they would do much damage against the hulking foe. Her pockets were stuffed with food but contained nothing remotely capable of turning her into a giant to match the demon. She needed a plan, and fast.

    As a way to antagonize the beast, Cedar struck the bars with her sword and noticed fragments of it had chipped away, revealing their brittleness.

    <i>Of course Satan wouldn¡¯t care about good craftsmanship.</i>

    An idea sparked¡ªfreeing the captives could create just enough chaos for Cedar to high-tail it out of there unnoticed. She focused her efforts on breaking the enclosure.

    She banged the rods with renewed force, keeping a wary eye on the looming creature on the opposite side of the cage. The metal¡ªif it could even be called that¡ªwas either of pitifully low quality or her sword held a power she hadn¡¯t fully appreciated. It didn¡¯t take many swings before one of the bars began to loosen.

    A stout prisoner, sensing an opportunity, rammed his shoulder against the weakened ember-red bars. His action sparked a collective uprising. Fueled by desperation and the prospect of freedom, the captives threw their weight behind his effort, their combined strength pushing the cage to its breaking point.

    Cedar stepped back as the prisoners, now mere inches from liberation, surged forward. Moments later, the cage burst open, unleashing a flood of emaciated, desperate individuals. To her astonishment, their focus was singular and surprisingly coordinated¡ªthey turned their fury on the giant.

    Cedar joined the fray, bolstered by a small army of vengeful escapees. The prisoners fought with raw, unbridled ferocity, resorting to any tactic they could muster. They exploited the monster¡¯s vulnerabilities, while Cedar focused on its back. Her blade sliced through its outer layer of brimstone, revealing a core of pulsating fire.

    Seizing the moment, she drove her sword into the glowing breach. The behemoth staggered, roared, and collapsed in a heap, its body imploding as the flames within were extinguished. Victory was fleeting, however, as two more giants lumbered into view.

    The clash that followed was brutal. Cedar¡¯s makeshift militia crumbled around her. One by one, her allies fell, reduced to mere remnants of their former selves¡ªall except for one.

    A diminutive prisoner, overlooked until now, stood a short distance from the carnage. He twisted the front of his soiled shirt in his hands as he watched the unfolding horror with wide, anxious eyes.

    When the last ally fell, only Cedar and the small man remained, staring down the final giant. The creature¡¯s gaze shifted, settling on Cedar with lethal intent.

    ¡°Hey, y-y-you! Hey, you¡ªyou jerk! Over here!¡± the small man stammered, his voice shaking as he flailed his arms to draw the monster¡¯s attention.

    Cedar watched, momentarily frozen, as the dumb beast turned its back on Cedar.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    She charged, thrusting her blade with all her might. The sword punctured the demon¡¯s thick hide, cutting through its core and emerging victorious on the other side.

    The beast¡¯s defeat was marked by its sagging shoulders and eventual collapse to its knees, narrowly missing the quivering man who had risked everything in a moment of unexpected bravery.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± Cedar acknowledged, retrieving her sword with a slick pull.

    ¡°Th-th-thank y-you,¡± the man stammered.

    Cedar took a moment to reassess her surroundings, locating Satan¡¯s throne before she made to leave.

    ¡°W-w-wait,¡± the man called after her.

    ¡°You don¡¯t want to go where I¡¯m headed, trust me,¡± Cedar warned.

    ¡°You are going to th-th-the throne, yes?¡±

    Cedar furrowed her brow. ¡°How do you know that?¡±

    ¡°That is where all y-you p-p-people go.¡±

    ¡°What people?¡±

    ¡°Y-y-your types. Others.¡± The man lowered his head. ¡°<i>Strangers</i>.¡±

    ¡°And you, what? Want to help?¡± Cedar sized him up. Her left butt cheek probably weighed more than he did. He looked like a skeleton wearing a skin suit for Halloween.

    The man raised a spindly arm and pointed toward the throne. ¡°I know a safe passage. I¡¯ll take y-you if you will follow.¡±

    <i>He probably wants protection,</i> Cedar thought. She had no reason to fear the guy¡ªshe could snap him like a twig with her eyelashes alone. Leaving him out here, though, was as good as signing his death sentence. As it turned out, Cedar had a soft spot for NPCs.

    ¡°Okay,¡± she consented. ¡°I don¡¯t see the harm in that.¡±

    ¡°Follow me, I¡¯ll t-t-take you,¡± the man said with surprising enthusiasm. He darted ahead, leaving Cedar momentarily stunned by his burst of energy.

    ¡°I¡¯m right behind you.¡±

    A river of lava bisected their path. The man vaulted over it effortlessly, while Cedar struggled with the landing. Her cloak, encrusted with the weight of molasses, dragged her down. Removing it wasn¡¯t an option¡ªthe air itself was hot enough to sear her skin. For now, it would have to stay on.

    The man, undeterred by Cedar¡¯s slower pace, continued his sprint, not glancing back to check if she was still in tow.

    ¡°You¡¯re fast,¡± Cedar huffed. ¡°Wait up, will ya?¡±

    He didn¡¯t respond. Whether out of obliviousness or deliberate disregard, his silence made her nervous.

    ¡°Slow down! Where are we going?¡± Cedar called again.

    Still, he gave no acknowledgment.

    The haunting cries that Cedar had grown accustomed to in this cursed place were now drowned out by the alarm bells of her intuition, growing louder as sounds of commotion reached her ears.

    She stopped in her tracks as the man crested a hill and disappeared from view. From beyond the hilltop came the unmistakable clamor of a gathering. Instinctively, she drew her sword.

    ¡°Screw it, I¡¯m out of here.¡±

    No sooner had the words left her mouth than a troupe of horned beasts crested the hill, striding on bent legs in a twisted parody of bipedalism.

    With the last of the licorice finally shed from her clothing, Cedar¡¯s mobility was significantly improved. Clinging to this small advantage, she bolted, leaving behind a sticky puddle of molten molasses.

    Caught in the midst of her harrowing escape, Cedar¡¯s mind wandered to her friends.

    <i>I wonder what they¡¯re up to right now?</i>

    They were her chosen family, bound together since high school. Over the years, new friends got woven into the pile, creating an eclectic mix of motley mayhem whenever they got together.

    What would they say if they could see her now¡ªcovered in licorice, fleeing demons, with dead blood worms under her skin?

    A wry smile tugged at her lips despite the terror of the moment. Her friends would¡¯ve found a comical angle, no matter how dire the situation.

    <i>This is funny, not horrifying,</i> she told herself. <i>They found humor in everything¡ªespecially when it involved me.</i>

    The thought brought her fleeting comfort before darkening. Her mind shifted to Ari¡ªthe reason she was here, trapped in this nightmarish dungeon. He¡¯d put her here, forcing her into an unbeatable challenge. No doubt, he was waiting to console her after her inevitable failure.

    ¡°F-f-follow me! I can help you.¡±

    The voice startled her out of her thoughts. The little man had appeared again, persistent in his offer of aid.

    ¡°No way. You¡¯re trouble,¡± Cedar snapped.

    ¡°I know of a safe passage.¡±

    Exhaustion was settling in. Her tongue was once again dry as dirt, and her legs threatened to give out.

    ¡°Up here! Up ahead!¡± the little man called, darting ahead. Cedar trailed behind, struggling to keep pace. He stopped at an opening in the ground and pointed down into it. ¡°Safe passage! Th-th-there. Inside!¡±

    Approaching the gap, Cedar squinted as pungent fumes rose to meet her, burning her eyes. A hiss of steam escaped the cylindrical hole.

    ¡°In there is <i>safe</i>?¡± she questioned.

    ¡°Yes, safe,¡± the man assured with a nod.

    ¡°I might as well be jumping into Satan¡¯s asshole. How can I trust you?¡±

    The little man shrugged, his thin shoulders twitching nervously as he glanced back at the oncoming horde. ¡°I¡¯ll g-g-go first!¡± he offered.

    Without waiting for a response, he hopped feet-first into the hole. Cedar turned to see the beasts closing in fast. She was out of time. Her choices, as always, were limited: stay, run, or dive into Satan¡¯s asshole<i>.</i>

    With a resigned sigh, Cedar clipped her sword to her belt, closed her eyes, plugged her nose, and jumped.

    She landed with a splash, grateful she¡¯d thought to plug her nose beforehand. The water was the same sewage that snaked alongside the rivers of lava, reeking of rot and filth. Even with her headlamp, the darkness was impenetrable. Cedar flailed, struggling to locate the hole she had jumped through, but it was nowhere to be found.

    A powerful current tugged at her body, dragging her along despite her efforts to swim against it. The current spun her in a dizzying loop, swirling her toward an indented center.

    ¡°Oh no, oh no, oh magosh no,¡± she sputtered.

    The little man was nowhere in sight. He must have been flushed away already. Before she could process what was happening, the current grew stronger, sucking her under the sewage and whisking her down a chute.

    The tube rocketed her forward at an alarming speed. Cedar clenched her arms and legs in a dart-like position, protecting them from any jagged rocks that might protrude into the flume. The nauseating ride twisted and turned, sending her stomach into flips.

    After several seconds of being hurled through the dark, Cedar felt the weightlessness of freefall. She shot out of the chute geyser-style and soared through the air before landing stomach-first onto something soft and squishy.

    Coughing up the foul water that had forced its way up her nose, Cedar pushed herself upright. She took in her surroundings, realizing she was now trapped inside a brimstone cage alongside other humans.

    ¡°That double-crossing son of a bitch,¡± she muttered.

    Her gaze shifted downward to inspect the squishy surface that had broken her fall. A decomposed body stared back¡ªchewed up and partially digested. The remnants of its face resembled a mask, loosely draped over a shattered skull. Its eyeholes misaligned, not matching their sockets.

    And then, to Cedar¡¯s horror, one of its sagging eyelids winked.

    A raspy rattle emanated from the body¡¯s drooping mouth. <i>Was it alive?</i> Cedar stumbled back, heart pounding, as the corpse¡¯s chest inflated with a shallow breath.

    ¡°No way.¡±

    She scanned the other bodies in the cage¡ªmasticated remnants strewn across the floor¡ªand froze as they, too, began to stir.

    <i>Zombies.</i>

    Her eyes caught the little man in the corner, wringing his shirt between his bony hands. His head was bowed, but his eyes alert.

    ¡°You,¡± Cedar growled.

    At her voice, the little man¡¯s head shot up. His face lit with recognition, and he scrambled toward the bars, clamoring for release. Cedar intercepted him, seizing his arm in a crushing grip.

    ¡°Where did you bring me? What is this place?¡±

    ¡°It is a place of healing,¡± he stammered. ¡°C-can¡¯t you see?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t bullshit me, little man,¡± Cedar snapped, giving his arm a hard yank. ¡°We¡¯re in a damned cage.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s t-t-to keep you safe,¡± he protested, voice trembling.

    ¡°Then why were you screaming to be let out?¡± Cedar¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°You¡¯re one of them, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    The little man shook his head frantically, retreating until his back hit the smoldering bars. Cedar pinned him there, pressing him against the embers. He let out a pained cry as the heat scorched his shoulders.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± Cedar demanded.

    ¡°They f-f-feed us when we¡¯re good,¡± he whimpered. ¡°I only wanted t-t-to eat.¡±

    Cedar¡¯s grip slackened, and she let him step away from the bars. His back was a blackened ruin, the charred flesh flaking as he moved.

    ¡°It¡¯s no wonder you¡¯re in hell.¡±

    Tears streamed down the little man¡¯s sunken cheeks.

    Outside the cage, Cedar¡¯s eyes fell upon the longest table she had ever seen. Hulking chairs carved from igneous rock encircled it, with the largest throne at the head. One beast sat at the table, bone utensils arrayed neatly before him.

    It dawned on Cedar with chilling clarity: she was intended to be the main course in a grotesque feast.

    ¡°Here we go again,¡± said a large, naked woman standing beside Cedar. Open wounds on her body were sealing themselves shut as she spoke.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening? What is this place?¡± Cedar asked.

    ¡°They eat us, shit us out, and we¡¯re back here for another round,¡± the woman said with the detachment of someone commenting on the weather. ¡°You¡¯re new here. Fresh meat. They¡¯ll save you for last. For the piggy.¡±

    ¡°The piggy? You mean Satan?¡±

    The woman chortled. ¡°No. We never see <i>him</i>.¡±

    Cedar offered a sarcastic laugh. ¡°No, of course not.¡±

    Out of habit, Cedar explored her cheek with her tongue, searching for the wound left by the blood worm. It was gone. Patting herself down, she found her body intact. Aside from the loss of the two water bottles from her back pockets, her essentials were still with her. She contemplated whether it was possible to sneak a sip of water unnoticed.

    Cedar edged toward the back of the cage, facing the grand entrance of the dining hall. She discreetly pulled a bottle of water from her cargo pocket, unscrewed the cap, and raised it to her parched lips.

    Then she saw them.

    A procession of muscle-bound, horned demons entered the hall, their eyes exploring the cage with predatory interest.

    ¡°Let me out! I brought you f-f-fresh meat. Fresh meat!¡± the little man shrieked, rushing toward the bars.

    Cedar spat out her water in alarm. ¡°Hey, shut up!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s right here!¡± The little man pointed at Cedar, who was already unclipping her sword from her belt.

    ¡°Shut him up,¡± one of the demons growled.

    Sword in hand, Cedar stepped forward and drove the blade into the little man¡¯s chest. Blood sprayed as he coughed, his sorrowful eyes looking at hers.

    ¡°She¡¯s right here,¡± he managed to croak.

    Cedar yanked the blade free, but the little man pressed his hand over the wound, seemingly unfazed by what should have been fatal.

    ¡°Let him out,¡± one of the demons commanded with a dismissive wave.

    The large woman burst into laughter. ¡°You can¡¯t<i> kill</i> us, stupid,¡± she said, hands on her ample hips. ¡°We taste better when we¡¯re eaten alive. <i>Duh</i>.¡±

    ¡°Of course, what was I thinking?¡± Cedar laughed nervously.

    The demons circled the cage, their voracious eyes appraising the captives.

    ¡°I claim the biggie this time,¡± declared one demon.

    ¡°No way,¡± argued another. ¡°It¡¯s my turn with the biggie¡ªyou had your go last time.¡±

    The little man was led out of the cage by a leash.

    ¡°Move it, dog. Git in yer corner.¡±

    ¡°Y-y-yes, sir.¡±

    Cedar watched as the demons salivated, their guttural grunts of anticipation filling the air.

    ¡°This stuff keeps us alive until the very end,¡± a grizzled man whispered to her, wiping sewage water from his hairy chest.

    ¡°You¡¯ve done this before?¡± Cedar asked. ¡°How many times?¡±

    ¡°I lost count. It¡¯s best not to fight them. If you fight, they¡¯ll take you somewhere even worse.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s worse than being eaten alive?¡±

    The grizzled man nodded toward a particularly well-endowed demon. The creature¡¯s fiery appendage dangled menacingly like a sinister omen.

    ¡°Use your imagination,¡± the man said grimly. Cedar¡¯s hand flew to her mouth in horror.

    ¡°Come here,¡± barked a demon, yanking a chubby man from the cell. The captive was swiftly hog-tied. Once bound, he was hoisted onto the table and placed on his stomach, ankles tied to his wrists.

    ¡°I can¡¯t watch this. This is nuts,¡± Cedar said, turning away in revulsion.

    <i>How could Ari allow this?</i>

    ¡°This has gone too far, Ari!¡± she screamed. ¡°Do you hear me? Let me out!¡±

    The demons continued pulling their ¡°entrees¡± from the cage, binding them in the same fashion as the first.

    ¡°Menu!¡± Cedar shouted desperately, invoking the command for the glorious manu of delights. Nothing happened. She touched the circle ingrained in her temple¡ªit was still there, cool against her skin.

    ¡°Menu!¡± she tried again.

    ¡°You¡¯re on the m-ma-menu tonight,¡± the little man taunted from outside the cell, his ghastly grin revealing long, yellowed teeth that looked disturbingly inhuman.

    All but one demon had taken their seats at the table, each with a victim before them. The largest demon, who hadn¡¯t yet selected his meal, locked his glowing eyes on Cedar. The only sound that reached her ears was the deliberate clack of his hooves as he approached.

    Cedar brandished her sword, her arms barely holding steady. She wasn¡¯t about to go down without a fight.

    ¡°Don¡¯t fight him,¡± the grizzled man reminded from his place at the table.

    ¡°You¡¯re lucky to be here,¡± the fat woman mocked, crossing her eyes in a derisive sneer. ¡°<i>Duh.</i>¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re all mad,¡± Cedar shouted at them. ¡°You people are crazy!¡±

    One of the demons hacked into the chubby man¡¯s ankle with a dull cleaver until  the foot came off. ¡°Here, dog,¡± the demon said as he tossed the foot to the little man who bit into the still-wriggling toes.

    Cedar vomited down the front of her armor without turning her head away from the approaching demon. She slashed at him every time he came close. A few demons seated at the table stood, ready to assist their leader in capturing his prey.

    <i>Think, Cedar, think.</i> Her mind raced. <i>Ari wouldn¡¯t have brought you here if you weren¡¯t ready. You can fight these guys. But how?</i>

    <i>How </i>was the question. Cedar slowed her breathing and studied her attackers. They appeared apprehensive, shying away from her blade instead of launching a full-on attack.

    <i>They¡¯re not used to us fighting back.</i>

    Then, like a spark igniting, she remembered the water. The sewage water had the same properties as a health potion which meant that couldn¡¯t die easily, if at all.

    Cedar¡¯s posture shifted. She crouched low into a practiced samurai stance, her eyes narrowing with renewed confidence.

    ¡°Bring it.¡±

    Cedar slashed at an encroaching hand. The demon recoiled, shaking the pain from his meat hook. Another lunged at her. Cedar stepped back, dodging its attack, then expertly slipped her blade under its chin in one swift, fluid motion. The kill was instant. The beast crumbled to the floor, reduced to nothing more than a steaming pile of rubble.

    And then, the bloodbath began.

    Everything Cedar had learned during her time with Bryce surged back into her muscles and mind. Her movements were in sync with a quiet symphony. As light as a ballerina, she danced and weaved through a ballet of slaughter. It was the most graceful she has ever felt.

    <i>Grace. </i>

    <i>God.</i>

    Those were the only essences filling her consciousness. She thought of nothing else, felt nothing more. Time itself seemed to cease.

    When she finally came to her senses, she stood amid a pile of rubble, her chest heaving. Gashes wept blood from nearly every part of her body, though the pain hadn¡¯t fully registered.

    <i>What just happened?</i>

    A muffled roar grew louder until it sharpened into focus: the captives clamoring their accolades.

    <i>Did I just? No way.</i>

    The little man in the corner tossed the bloody stump in Cedar¡¯s direction as if offering a token of peace.

    ¡°You there, you mind untying me?¡± the grizzled man called from atop the table.

    Cedar absently walked over and sliced through the man¡¯s restraints.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± he said, rubbing his raw wrists.

    ¡°Yeah, whatever,¡± Cedar replied, still numb from the incident. ¡°Which way to the throne?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll show you,¡± the man offered.

    ¡°No!¡± Cedar yelped louder than intended. ¡°No, I¡¯ll figure it out. Thanks anyway.¡±

    Leaving the damned behind, she limped out of the dining hall into the oppressive, hellish air. Reaching into her cloak, she retrieved a protein bar. Relieved that it was still securely wrapped, she peeled it open and took a bite.

    The monolith loomed closer now, its dark silhouette dominating the horizon. Cedar began to waltz toward it in a daze, her mind blissfully numb. The lack of fear made her sleepy as she nibbled on the bar.

    <i>Ari knows what he¡¯s doing,</i> she thought. <i>I need to trust him more.</i>

    Bats circled above, but Cedar paid them no mind. They¡¯d never bothered her before; why start worrying now? Instead, she embraced a quiet dignity, praising herself with a hubris bordering on arrogance.

    She had done it. She was awesome. Legendary.

    Her reverie was shattered when a giant bat swooped down, its talons snatching her mid-step. The protein bar tumbled from her hand as she struggled in its grip. Cedar glanced up, realizing the bat was flying her directly toward the throne. She stopped struggling, exhaling in resignation.

    ¡°Thanks for the lift, birdie.¡±

    Relaxing her body, she let herself enjoy the impromptu ride, taking a moment to appreciate the scenery.

    The bat released her at the base of the throne, leaving her sprawled on the ground.

    ¡°Cedar,¡± a familiar voice called.

    ¡°Ari?¡±

    ¡°Cedar, this is real. This dungeon, I mean. It¡¯s real. It¡¯s actual hell.¡±

 Chapter 16: Pitchforks & Perdition

    Ari was splayed out like a starfish, his arms and legs stretched taut against thick, unyielding bands.

    ¡°Ari?¡± Cedar rose to her feet, unsheathing her dagger with the intent to cut his restraints.

    ¡°And so we meet again,¡± Satan¡¯s voice rumbled from his throne, positioned only a stone¡¯s throw from Cedar.

    Ignoring him, Cedar advanced toward Ari. For the first time, she saw him openly sobbing.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t do that if I were you,¡± Satan warned. ¡°If you cut his bindings, Ari will end up with far more holes than he currently contends with.¡±

    Cedar froze, scanning for traps. Sure enough, a set of spring-loaded spikes was concealed behind the wooden plank pressed against Ari¡¯s back.

    ¡°You see how nice I can be?¡± Satan sneered. ¡°I didn¡¯t have to warn you, but I did. I¡¯m a kinder god than you believe.¡±

    ¡°That throne makes you look tiny,¡± she shot back.

    Satan¡¯s throne was absurdly oversized, resembling those novelty chairs found at amusement parks¡ªcomically large, designed for whimsical photos.

    ¡°You¡¯ve made it further than most,¡± Satan conceded with a slippery tone. ¡°And for that, you¡¯ve earned my respect. There¡¯s a way we can be mutually beneficial, you and I.¡±

    ¡°Listen to him, Cedar,¡± Ari pleaded through his tears. ¡°It¡¯s too late for me, but you can still get out. I messed up . . . I thought I was summoning a dungeon, not . . . this.¡± He shook his head. ¡°I accidentally invited hell itself.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re telling me to<i> literally</i> make a deal with the devil? When is that ever a good idea?¡±

    ¡°Do you honestly think you can fight your way out of this?¡± Ari responded, sounding desperate.

    Cedar¡¯s eyes flicked to Satan¡¯s legion of personal security¡ªhulking grunts arrayed in tight rows near the throne.

    ¡°I would never do this to you. You know that,¡± Ari confessed. ¡°I¡¯d never knowingly bring you here.¡±

    The vast numbers of demons surrounding the throne were staggering. It seemed as though the entirety of hell had gathered to witness this spectacle.

    <i>He¡¯s right. Ari wouldn¡¯t do this. He¡¯d never.</i>

    If this were just a dungeon, Ari would be waiting for her outside, perhaps even expecting her to fail. But Cedar had been taught never to surrender, to believe there was always a choice, a way forward. Yet, as she stared at Satan, enthroned in formidable majesty, a flicker of doubt shadowed her beliefs.

    The situation seemed dire. Was this some cruel lesson in relinquishing control, in trusting the unknown?

    Surely, she was overlooking something crucial. There <i>had</i> to be a way to defeat the guy.

    <i>There¡¯s always a choice,</i> she reminded herself. This conviction was a cornerstone of her beliefs, drilled into her since day one. But clarity eluded her. Fear muddied her thoughts, obscuring any potential path forward.

    Satan waited, his expectation hanging heavy in the air.

    ¡°What do you have in mind?¡± Cedar finally asked.

    ¡°You can simply leave. The door to the outside world is behind me.¡±

    ¡°Or?¡±

    ¡°Or, we can play a game.¡±

    ¡°What sort of game?¡±

    ¡°Tsk tsk.¡± Satan waved his index finger from side to side. ¡°First, you must decide: will you stay and play, or leave and live?¡±

    <i>Are those my only options?</i> she wondered.

    Cedar¡¯s ego pushed her toward the challenge¡ªthe allure of besting Satan himself¡ªeven though she lacked the clarity to anticipate the repercussions of such a decision.

    ¡°I need a minute to think,¡± she stated.

    Ego, always fear-driven, often masquerades as the lesser option, craving dominion and influence. Yet the decision to leave, to ensure her survival, seemed equally tinged with fear¡ªa flight response rather than braving the unknown. Both paths, she realized, were dictated by ego, leading her to a pivotal realization: no choice is devoid of ego. Whatever path she chose would be the one she had to live with¡ªthe one that would ultimately define her.

    <i>Is my pride worth more than my life?</i> No, I¡¯m missing something. There <i>must</i> be a choice that doesn¡¯t involve ego.

    Ego is fear. She knew that much. Anger harbors the energy necessary to rise above fear, but Ari had always cautioned against relying on it.

    <i>I have to get out of my own way.</i>

    A spark of insight from her last dungeon experience ignited into clarity; the missing piece she¡¯d been searching for surfaced. Understanding oneself¡ªknowing precisely who you are¡ªallows for control over any situation through self-mastery. She would be able to control any situation by first controlling herself.

    <i>To lose control, I gain control. Fear is a battle against myself. When I stop battling myself, I gain control. But who am I? Who remains once the fear is gone?</i>

    Despite all her recent journaling, Cedar had yet to unravel that mystery. Through a process of elimination, she understood who she was not. She also knew what she wanted.

    She was here to conquer the dungeon. That was her goal, and she knew she was no coward.

    The right choice became clear.

    ¡°I choose to play.¡±

    The earth trembled beneath her feet as a massive iron gate crashed down behind Satan¡¯s throne, sealing the exit.

    ¡°That¡¯s what I hoped you¡¯d say,¡± Satan sighed, his lips curling around a long, forked tongue.

    ¡°Get on with it, then. What¡¯s the game?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s simple.¡±

    A henchman handed Cedar a pitchfork as Satan outlined the terms.

    ¡°This pitchfork holds the power to defeat me,¡± he snarled.

    ¡°You¡¯re making this too easy,¡± Cedar remarked, accepting the hefty weapon.

    ¡°You only have one chance to strike me,¡± Satan cautioned, raising a finger. ¡°If you miss, then it¡¯s my turn.¡±

    ¡°I only need one shot,¡± she replied.

    ¡°But don¡¯t worry¡ªI won¡¯t kill you,¡± Satan continued. ¡°As you may have figured out, there are fates worse than death. No, I¡¯ll toy with you until I tire, and then you¡¯ll be tossed aside into the pit.¡±

    Suddenly, the ground beneath Cedar shifted. She leaped back just in time, narrowly avoiding a trapdoor. Her toes teetered on the edge as she flailed her arms, fighting to regain her balance. A long, rectangular opening now lay between her and Satan, offering no easy path across.

    Doubt crept in as she assessed the pit. Throwing the heavy pitchfork across it, aiming to impale Satan, seemed nearly impossible. And even with a perfect throw, what was to stop Satan from deflecting it?

    Inside the pit, Cedar saw countless wispy apparitions wailing in pain. Their cries reverberated in the cavernous space, a haunting reminder of what failure would mean.

    ¡°Your soul will be torn asunder and reassembled in a never-ending cycle of agony,¡± Satan laughed.

    ¡°Couldn¡¯t you think of something a little more original?¡± Cedar quipped.

    ¡°You have two seconds to make your move. Starting . . .¡± The devil looked at his bare wrist. ¡°Now.¡±

    <i>Two seconds, two seconds.</i>

    The pit was too large to circumvent. All Cedar could do was throw the pitchfork and pray. She hurled it with all her strength.

    The pitchfork landed squarely in Ari¡¯s chest. A bubbling gasp of blood and defeat spilled from his trembling lips as his wide, pleading eyes locked on hers. With his final, deflated breath, Ari collapsed, lifeless.

    ¡°Interesting choice,¡± Satan remarked.

    Without hesitation, Cedar plunged her dagger into her own throat.

    ¡°Damn,¡± Satan muttered, sitting back in his throne. ¡°It¡¯s no fun when they kill themselves.¡±

    Cedar fell to her knees, drowning in her own blood as she gasped for air.

    ¡°Toss her in,¡± Satan commanded with a flick of his hand.

    The henchman who had handed her the pitchfork delivered a savage backhand across her face before kicking her in the ribs. He hoisted her up by her belt and flung her limp body into the pit. The ground rumbled as the opening sealed itself shut.

    ¡°Pointless,¡± Satan muttered. He scanned the room, his attention flitting between the other demons. ¡°What are all of you standing around for?¡±

    With a deep inhale, Satan exhaled a torrent of fire onto the crowd of onlookers, setting them ablaze. It hardly mattered¡ªthey were already made of ash.

    As the demons scattered, Satan sat drumming his fingers thoughtfully against his chin. His gaze drifted to Ari¡¯s lifeless body. Ari¡¯s eyes remained open but vacant.

    ¡°Why would she¡ª¡± Satan began, absently stroking his goatee.

    A searing pain exploded at the back of his neck, cutting his thought short. His eyes widened in shock. Reflexively, Satan¡¯s body ignited in blue flames. He spun around, but his attacker had already vanished, leaving behind a sword embedded in his neck.

    He wrenched the blade free and staggered to his feet, but it was already too late.

    Cedar stood before him, wielding his very own pitchfork. With a fierce cry, she drove its tines deep into his chest.

    ¡°Not today, Satan.¡±

    ¡°No!¡± he roared. His body erupted in a nexus of explosions, blue light radiating from the gaping wounds. The inferno obliterated everything nearby.

    The pitchfork¡¯s handle grew white-hot, scalding Cedar¡¯s palms and forcing her to release it. She stumbled back, shielding her eyes from the blinding light. The ground beneath her crumbled, consumed by the firestorm.

    Curling into a tight ball, Cedar wrapped herself in her cloak, shielding her head and feet from the relentless blasts. Within the safety of the fabric, she felt a strange, impenetrable calm, even as hell itself seemed to collapse around her.

    ¡°You¡¯re coming with me everywhere from now on,¡± she whispered to the cloak, her new favorite armor.

    When the cacophony of explosions subsided, Cedar let her head rest in the crook of her elbow. Enveloped in the safety of her cloak, she felt herself relax for the first time in what felt like ages.

    ¡°Did I just dream all that?¡±

    She listened intently.

    ¡°Did I just . . . kill Satan?¡±

    The silence pressed in, but she could hear no approaching footsteps, no hiss of a demonic threat. With a jolt, she lifted the edge of her cloak and peered out, bracing for an attack.

    Safe.

    Around her, nothing remained but charred embers drifting through the heavy, somber smog. The demons nearby looked flash-fried, frozen in their final poses before the blaze. Cedar¡¯s gaze fell upon Ari, whose blackened form still bore traces of his formerly affable face.

    Then her eyes settled on Satan¡ªor rather, what was left of him. His body had been decimated, along with his treasured pitchfork. Fragments of his remains littered the ground. His horns, much smaller than she expected, were still attached to the upper portion of his skull. Cedar picked them up, only to drop them, wincing and blowing on her singed fingers.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    The intense heat of the pitchfork had wreaked havoc on her hands, fusing the material of her gloves into her skin. The result was a flotsam collage of burnt flesh woven into leather.

    Silence reigned in hell, an eerie calm. Not even a single bat broke the stillness. She was alone.

    ¡°Now, how the hell do I get out of . . . hell?¡±

    Cedar toyed with the idea that this might actually be the <i>real</i> hell. If she¡¯d slain the real Satan, what a monumental achievement that would be. But she knew better. The true hell¡ªif it existed¡ªwould be far larger, perhaps the size of a planet, not just a little patch of intradimensional space that Ari had tucked away in his pocket.

    Out of the corner of her eye, something sparkled. Drawn to the shimmering light, she spotted a garish ring on a still-smoldering hand amidst the rubble. It was Satan¡¯s hand.

    Cedar nudged it with her foot, unsure of how to handle it without burning herself further.

    ¡°My sword!¡±

    During the mayhem, she had forgotten all about her sword. She began to sift through the ash, sweeping it aside with her boot until she uncovered its burnished blade. Gingerly, she reattached it to her belt before turning her attention back to the cooling hand. By now, it had cooled enough to be picked up.

    She managed to slide the vulgar ring off his charred finger, holding it up to the light. The ruby was immense and mesmerizing, unlike any she¡¯d seen before.

    She slipped it onto her crispy thumb, half-expecting it to grant her some fantastical benefit.

    At first, the ring dangled loosely. Then it adjusted itself, spinning upright and tightening around her digit. As it locked into place, the oppressive heat of hell began to subside. Cedar watched in astonishment as her burns started to heal. Her skin regenerated, and the unbearable heat no longer seemed to affect her.

    ¡°Kick ass,¡± she uttered, admiring the ring on her clenched fist.

    Despite her newfound powers, her appearance suffered¡ªeyebrows singed away, her armor torn to shreds, and her hair weighed heavy¡ªfull of dead jellies and ash.

    <i>Now to find the exit.</i>

    It didn¡¯t take long. Behind Satan¡¯s diminished throne, Cedar found the blocked passage. A shallow, circular indent on its surface hinted at a keyhole. She placed the ruby ring in the center of the indent and sure enough, the gears creaked to life, rolling the bolder out of the way.

    Before making her departure, she glanced back at the carnage. A keepsake caught her eye. With a smirk, she snatched it up¡ªjust in case Ari needed proof that she¡¯d defeated Satan on her first try.

    <hr>

    As dawn approached the horizon, Ari, true to form, was napping in his hammock just beyond the dungeon¡¯s threshold. Cedar¡¯s eyes, hardened by the night¡¯s ordeals, swung Satan¡¯s heavy skull as though it were a harbinger of retribution, its trajectory an unspoken narrative of pent-up rage and desperation. The skull landed brutally on Ari¡¯s groin.

    A pained groan escaped his lips as he winced sharply. Fortunately for him, the skull¡¯s horns pointed upward and away, sparing him a worse fate.

    ¡°What the . . .?¡± Ari held the skull up by a horn as he sat up in the swaying hammock. ¡°Cedar? What happened?¡±

    ¡°What does it look like?¡± Cedar crossed her arms and jutted her hip.

    Ari¡¯s eyes widened as he looked from Cedar to the skull. ¡°But . . . how?¡±

    ¡°So, it¡¯s true then?¡± Cedar huffed. ¡°You expected me to die in there? In that hellhole?¡±

    ¡°I, uh, well, I didn¡¯t expect you¡¯d<i> live</i>,¡± he admitted, laughing nervously.

    ¡°Why would you do that to me? That¡¯s evil of you. Pure evil.¡±

    ¡°I can explain. I will explain. But first¡ªhow did you do it? I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m just in shock. That was your first attempt?¡± He glanced down at his bottomless backpack lying next to the hammock. ¡°Or . . . did you die and respawn while I was asleep?¡±

    Cedar began her story from the start, deliberately omitting the ending to enjoy Ari¡¯s growing confusion.

    ¡°But the boss fight¡ªhow did you beat him?¡± he asked, glancing at the skull. ¡°You <i>did</i> beat him, right?¡±

    ¡°Satan gave me a choice,¡± she said. ¡°He told me I could either stay and play or leave and live.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I knew about that,¡± Ari said, nodding. ¡°He said the same thing to me when I ran the dungeon. Did you leave?¡± He stared at the skull again, his voice tinged with disbelief. ¡°You couldn¡¯t have . . . ¡±

    ¡°I stayed.¡±

    Ari nearly toppled from the hammock as he leaned forward. ¡°How did you possibly come back from that? <i>Alive</i>?¡±

    ¡°I had to kill you,¡± Cedar said, lifting her chin.

    Ari nodded slowly as he pieced the story together. ¡°That gave you an extra life . . . but it still doesn¡¯t explain how you survived.¡±

    ¡°Satan gave me two seconds to kill him. So, instead of targeting him with the pitchfork, I threw it at you. I didn¡¯t have a plan, per se, but it felt like the right thing to do.¡±

    ¡°It <i>felt right</i> to kill me?¡±

    ¡°It felt right to do the opposite of what he was expecting. I remembered what you told me before I went in¡ªthat he would use my own fears against me.¡± Cedar shook her head. ¡°So, I caused my worst fear to happen on purpose. After I killed you, I stabbed myself in the throat and they threw me into the pit.¡±

    ¡°Oh god, the pit.¡± Ari looked as though he¡¯d just bitten into a lemon. ¡°What was <i>that</i> like? I¡¯ve never been in there.¡±

    Cedar shot him an irritated look, crossing her arms again. Her frustration bubbled up¡ªhow could he not have thoroughly explored the dungeon before throwing her to the wolves?

    ¡°It was a nightmare,¡± she said. ¡°I felt my body disintegrating, as if I were in a vat of acid¡ªor like I <i>was</i> on acid. I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d make it out¡ªit felt permanent.¡± She shivered, rubbing her elbows. ¡°My arms and legs were gone; I was nothing but a helpless floating head. Not even a head. I don¡¯t know how to explain it.¡±

    ¡°Sounds horrible.¡±

    ¡°The next thing I knew, I had my body back. Well, not my <i>body</i>¡ªit was an apparition, not physical. Your energy sphere brought me back as a ghost,¡± she clarified. ¡°I flew up out of the pit, got into position behind Satan, and waited until I had my physical body again.¡±

    ¡°And then what? You slit his throat?¡±

    ¡°I jammed my sword into the back of his neck, then raced to retrieve the pitchfork that was stuck in you and I used it to finish him off,¡± Cedar said, illustrating the actions with subtle gestures. ¡°I don¡¯t think my sword could¡¯ve killed him.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right about that,¡± Ari agreed. ¡°Only the pitchfork could do that.¡±

    Cedar fixed him with a smoldering glare, her anger reigniting. Another crucial detail he¡¯d conveniently failed to mention.

    ¡°I would have been stuck in that pit forever¡ªI¡¯m sure of it,¡± she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. ¡°I felt like I was in there for hours. How could you let that happen to me?¡±

    ¡°You would¡¯ve made it out. You would¡¯ve respawned right here outside. I was here the whole time, waiting.¡±

    The word <i>waiting</i> only fueled Cedar¡¯s fury.

    ¡°Waiting for what? Waiting for me to die? Expecting me to fail so you could step in, take charge, and <i>comfort me</i>?¡±

    Cedar was done playing games. She wanted answers. This whole time, she had let Ari control the narrative¡ªtelling her what to do, what was necessary, and what came next. Not anymore. She was taking the lead now, demanding clarity, demanding the truth.

    Ari raised his palms in a placating gesture.

    ¡°You¡¯re the one with the god complex.¡± Cedar unclipped her sword from her belt. Ari jumped to his feet, the horned skull slipping from his lap.

    ¡°I see you¡¯re upset,¡± he said quickly. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about this. I underestimated you. I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d defeat him on your first try. You¡¯re more amazing than I give you credit for. But dying in that dungeon isn¡¯t a big deal. We dust you off and send you back in. That¡¯s all.¡±

    ¡°Not a big deal?¡± Cedar repeated, taking a step back as she bit her bottom lip. Her voice rose. ¡°<i>Not a big deal?</i>¡±

    How could he <i>dare</i> dismiss what she¡¯d been through? He hadn¡¯t faced the hell pit himself, yet he had the audacity to make light of it? She had survived hell. She had conquered it. Was that also <i>not a big deal</i>?

    Cedar swung her back leg behind her, gathering force before snapping it up. Her kick connected with Ari¡¯s crotch.

    Ari barely flinched, turning his head to the side as his face flushed crimson.

    ¡°Those are two very big deals,¡± Ari gasped, holding his breath.

    ¡°You¡¯re the evil one. This whole time, it was <i>you</i>.¡± Cedar pointed her sword at his chest. ¡°And who was that in there? If it wasn¡¯t you, then who? An NPC?¡±

    ¡°Yes, an NPC,¡± Ari admitted. ¡°He¡¯s part of the dungeon.¡±

    The words infuriated Cedar even more, though she couldn¡¯t pinpoint why. The idea that Ari could summon a version of himself as an NPC felt like a violation of some unspoken trust.

    ¡°How do I know this is really you, then?¡± she demanded, her voice rising. ¡°Can you summon my parents as NPCs too? Would they not have <i>souls</i>?¡±

    The thought shattered her, sending a sharp pain through her chest.

    <i>Any of us could be an NPC.</i> The realization hit her like a blow. <i>Soulless, meaningless NPCs . . . and not even know it. And we can kill them. Nobody would know. Nobody would care.</i>

    ¡°Who are you, <i>really</i>? Who the hell are you?¡± She jabbed the sword at his chest.

    ¡°I knew this was coming.¡±

    ¡°Knew <i>what</i> was coming?¡± Tears streaked through the soot on her face, leaving trails of clean skin.

    ¡°This.¡± He gestured toward her. ¡°The realization.¡±

    ¡°What am I realizing?¡±

    ¡°The truth is a heavy burden. It takes time to absorb, but once it does¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish, Cedar¡¯s fear and confusion overwhelmed her. Her shoulders shook as she drove the sword into Ari¡¯s chest.

    Ari gasped but remained standing. After the initial shock, he calmly grasped the blade and pulled it free, bloodless.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± he said, stepping closer. ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡±

    ¡°What are we? Are we dead?¡±

    ¡°No, we¡¯re not dead. I promise you that.¡±

    ¡°What then?¡± She let her hand fall from the sword as Ari embraced her. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡±

    ¡°When I first learned the truth, I¡¯d already ascended. It was hard for me. It must be a hell of a lot harder for you. The human mind has its limits.¡±

    He patted her back reassuringly. ¡°I¡¯m you, Seed. I haven¡¯t lied about that. I haven¡¯t lied about anything.¡±

    Cedar¡¯s knees felt weak, her mind racing to make sense of his words. ¡°What truth?¡± she asked.

    ¡°The truth is . . . ¡± Ari paused, meeting her eyes. ¡°There <i>is</i> no truth.¡±

    ¡°What does that even mean?¡±

    ¡°It means that we don¡¯t know what¡¯s real. Reality is subjective¡ªa matter of perspective. Consciousness has the power to conceive the infinite, and because of that, the infinite exists along with Infinite possibilities. Infinite heavens and infinite hells.¡±

    Cedar¡¯s brow furrowed as she tried to keep up, her mind reeling.

    ¡°The afterlife isn¡¯t just about visiting spiritual worlds and having fun,¡± Ari continued. ¡°A soul can become lost if they have no one to pull them out of their gravity pit. Before the invention of the interface, souls were pulled¡ª¡±

    ¡°I want to go back to the cabin,¡± Cedar interrupted. ¡°I need to be alone.¡±

    ¡°Understandable,¡± he said with a nod. ¡°I really am sorry for not believing you¡¯d make it out on your first try. I keep forgetting how awesome we are.¡±

    Cedar didn¡¯t smile as she distanced herself, signaling for Clyde, her horse.

    ¡°Perhaps a clean-up at the retreat would do you good,¡± Ari suggested.

    ¡°No,¡± Cedar replied curtly. ¡°I want to be alone.¡±

    Clyde approached, nudging Cedar¡¯s shoulder affectionately. She gave him a gentle pat.

    ¡°I suppose Clyde has no soul, then?¡±

    ¡°Cedar, it¡¯s not what you think. NPCs are nothing like us. We can talk about this later, once you¡¯re feeling better, okay?¡± Ari tried to reassure her, but Cedar was already mounting Clyde.

    ¡°Remember how much trouble you used to have with that?¡± Ari teased as Cedar swung into the saddle with ease.

    ¡°I¡¯ll see you later,¡± was all Cedar said before she and Clyde headed home.

    <hr>

    Cedar shut the cabin door and leaned against it. She closed her eyes, allowing her thoughts to wander through the labyrinth of recent events.

    That was when Clucky, the rooster, shattered her reverie.

    <i>Damn rooster.</i>

    Clucky¡¯s crow stirred something deep within her, evoking warm but distant memories: early mornings at the dojo with Bryce, the rhythm of martial arts practice bleeding into meditative calm, and the serene joy of tea afternoons shared with Ari and Alma. She recalled watching Ari¡¯s son grow, the passage of time woven into those tender scenes.

    Her time there hadn¡¯t been unpleasant, but the chasm within her had only begun to awaken. Now, a darker presence loomed¡ªa shadow of Satan himself, his threat a constant specter lurking just beyond her awareness. His minions felt close, ready to breach her fragile sanctuary. The absence of a lock on the cabin door struck her as both a bitter irony and a glaring oversight.

    She closed the curtains, slipped off her cumbersome boots, and crawled into bed¡ªstill fully armored, except for the boots which sat on the floor marinating in their own odious lacquer. She dipped her head under the blanket and began to tremble.

    Clucky crowed again.

    <i>Don¡¯t stop crowing, Clucky. Please, don¡¯t stop.</i>

    His trumpeting shielded her from the harrowing visions clawing at the edges of her mind¡ªvisions steeped in blood, snarling beasts, winged serpents with gnashing teeth, and Satan¡¯s piercing gaze. This was no victory. She had claimed no prize. Her efforts had yielded nothing but trauma, a disgusting trophy she never sought.

    Sweat soaked her armor, born of panic she couldn¡¯t quell. She dared not move. Movement, she feared, would draw his gaze, his attention. He¡¯d <i>hear</i> her.

    As the adrenaline from the day ebbed, her grip on sanity frayed. Her body remained locked in a tense statue of fear, while her mind churned in a tempest of disjointed thoughts. She craved distraction¡ªmusic, a voice, anything to drown out the silence that would come when Clucky¡¯s morning announcements ceased.

    Paralyzed, she lay curled in bed as the hours bled from daylight to darkness, then back into morning. At last, she found the courage to leave the bed, abandoning her bedsheets¡ªa cavas of miasmic rot.

    ¡°Bonjour, Madame! How are we feeling today?¡± Alma¡¯s cheerful voice met Cedar¡¯s ears as she made her way to the main house, but Cedar didn¡¯t respond. Alma¡¯s warmth brushed past her unnoticed.

    Without touching the door to the main house, Cedar passed through it as if she were a specter entering a realm of life, stepping into the heart of Ari¡¯s familial sanctuary.

    Little Ari darted across the kitchen, weaving through the delicate choreography of his mother preparing breakfast. Big Ari sat at the table, coffee in hand, his brow furrowed as he read the news on the refrigerator¡¯s display.

    ¡°Oh, honey, did you see this?¡± he asked.

    ¡°What?¡± she replied, distracted.

    ¡°China¡¯s launching another quantum computer to the moon. They practically own the sky already, and now they¡¯re aiming to own the whole goddamn moon too.¡±

    ¡°Who cares?¡± she said with a shrug.

    ¡°Who cares?¡± Big Ari repeated. ¡°Waking up to neon ads in the middle of the night didn¡¯t bother you?¡±

    ¡°Of course it bothered me,¡± she replied. ¡°But who cares about the moon? And besides, those ads were taken down years ago. It wasn¡¯t just China; a bunch of countries were guilty of that¡ªours included.¡±

    Casper, the family hound, stationed himself optimistically near Ari¡¯s wife¡¯s slippered feet, his eyes tracking every movement in the kitchen with the unwavering hope of a culinary mishap.

    ¡°You <i>should</i> care about the moon,¡± Ari continued, his tone insistent. ¡°It¡¯s the only place where we can safely run those computers. If we start fighting over moon space, the whole thing¡¯s going to blow up¡ªjust like what happened with those satellites.¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh . . . ¡± Ari¡¯s wife replied absently.

    Cedar drifted into the living room, collapsing onto the couch as a children¡¯s cartoon flickered on the TV. She longed to crank up the volume, to drown out the debate in the kitchen. But, trapped in a memory, she remained an observer, unable to interact with her surroundings.

    <i>How do I not fall through these cushions when I can pass through everything else?</i> she wondered. The cushions were unyielding, as hard as steel beneath her.

    ¡°You¡¯ll miss the moon when it¡¯s gone,¡± Ari continued. ¡°When the Earth starts spinning out of control and we¡¯re flung out of orbit. You just wait.¡±

    Cedar¡¯s mind conjured a dystopian vision: the Earth pirouetting wildly, its axis unraveling. Days and nights blurring together in a frenetic dance, centuries unfolding within hours.

    <i>It could happen,</i> she thought. <i>Ari says it can.</i>

    Her ever-present anxiety refused to loosen its grip. She had sought refuge in this house, yearning for a sense of normalcy. But even here, where the echoes of familial warmth should have soothed her, the weight of her experiences lingered.

    ¡°The moon¡¯s not going anywhere,¡± Ari¡¯s wife said, her voice a soothing balm. ¡°And stop reading the fridge news in the morning when you¡¯re half-asleep¡ªit¡¯s a bad way to start the day.¡± She turned her attention to their son, who clambered onto a chair before a plate of eggs. ¡°Eat up, you two. If you want to save the world, you need breakfast first.¡±

    Cedar shifted on the stagnant couch, unable to find comfort in the uneven contours. She wreaked of dungeon and realized for the first time that she was sitting in her own filth. Exhaustion pulled at her bones, but the sanctuary of sleep remained an impossible dream.

    She wanted out. She was ready to go home¡ªher <i>real </i>home.

    ¡°Menu!¡±

    At her command, the glorious menu of delights shimmered into existence before her like a beacon of salvation.

    ¡°Thank God.¡±

    What Cedar really wanted was to throw up¡ªto purge the darkness and filth she felt consuming her. Somehow, it seemed like vomiting might cleanse her, freeing her from the weight of everything she had endured.

    <i>Nozomi might have something for this,</i> she thought, recalling the restorative tonic Nozomi had given her after completing the level-two dungeon.

    She selected ¡°Attendants¡± from the menu, her fingers hovering briefly before choosing Nozomi Kagawa. Taking a deep breath, she pressed the button.

    Instantly, the world around her shifted in a dizzying blur of momentum and light.

    When the sensation subsided, Cedar opened her eyes to find Nozomi¡¯s radiant face before her.

    ¡°I need you,¡± Cedar confessed, feeling like the walking dead¡ªan embodiment of contradictions. She was hungry, but wanted to purge, she felt tired, but couldn¡¯t sleep. She wanted to be alone, but craved the presence of another soul.

    but yearning to purge, exhausted yet unable to rest, desperate to be alone but craving the solace of another soul.

    ¡°I can help.¡±

 Chapter 17: Res Cogitans

    Ari sat across from Aristotle in the Great Hall of the retreat, discussing Cedar¡¯s well-being. The Great Hall housed an assortment of rooms, all reserved for the renowned¡ªspaces brimming with the greatest minds of all time. The retreat referred to these luminaries as The Ancients.

    Ari had partied with rock stars, shared crumpets with celebrated inventors and novelists, and even attempted to paint the <i>Mona Lisa</i> with Leonardo da Vinci as his personal instructor. The retreat provided everything he needed to stay fulfilled and entertained. Yet, as a man of many years, Ari had already experienced all it had to offer.

    ¡°And who is this girl, if you don¡¯t mind my asking?¡± Aristotle inquired, his light brown eyes reflecting his curiosity.

    ¡°She¡¯s me. Well, she¡¯s my younger self from a previous life,¡± Ari replied.

    ¡°Be patient with her. Patience is bitter, but the¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡ªfruit is sweet,¡± Ari finished the quote. ¡°Yeah, I know. But she¡¯s not getting any better. If anything, she¡¯s getting worse.¡±

    Aristotle cleared his throat and gazed into the distance. ¡°Even in the shadow of past turmoil, may reason be her sanctuary. Her spirit, though burdened, possesses the strength to rise. If she bravely embraces the healing journey¡ªacknowledging and confronting her pain¡ªshe will rediscover her enduring resilience.¡±

    ¡°You make it sound easy,¡± Ari responded.

    ¡°Perhaps it would be wise for you to go to her,¡± Aristotle suggested. ¡°Stop dithering with an old coot like me and spend time with her. Be the light in the mirror that she needs to see.¡±

    ¡°I guess I¡¯ll try again,¡± Ari conceded. ¡°Thanks, Mister Aristotle, sir. It¡¯s been a pleasure.¡±

    ¡°Come and visit again. Lord knows I cherish the company,¡± Aristotle said, his face wrinkling with delight.

    Ari left the Great Hall and headed to Callahan¡¯s Pub, the latest addition to the retreat, courtesy of Cedar¡¯s extensive knowledge of watering holes. One of the retreat¡¯s most enticing features was the freedom to create new establishments or reconstruct cherished places from memory. Callahan¡¯s Pub, in particular, held a special place in Cedar¡¯s heart. Ari, remembering his life as Cedar, recalled it as an escape after grueling days of waitressing.

    The pub, nestled among vibrant flora, was situated in an area once famed for its extraordinary density of exotic bird species. This lush setting had even been home to the mythical Phoenix, thriving amidst the abundant greenery. However, since the emergence of Callahan¡¯s Pub, Phoenix sightings had ceased. The pub¡¯s jarring presence disrupted the natural paradise, resembling a blemish on the landscape. It overshadowed the surrounding foliage, dimmed the vibrancy of the blossoms, and stifled the teeming life that once flourished there.

    Ari burst through the pub¡¯s door with a mix of urgency and determination. ¡°Cedar!¡±

    Onstage, Cedar stood in the spotlight, microphone in hand, belting out the 20th-century classic ¡°Friends in Low Places¡± by Garth Brooks.

    ¡°Get down from there,¡± Ari demanded, grabbing the arm that held her beer. The amber liquid sloshed over the rim and splattered onto the floor.

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m singing here!¡± Cedar protested, briefly glaring at him before resuming her spirited, albeit slurred, rendition of the song.

    ¡°No, you¡¯re coming with me,¡± Ari insisted, pulling Cedar¡¯s arm. ¡°This is ridiculous.¡±

    ¡°This guy bothering you?¡± a burly man asked, stepping up to Cedar.

    ¡°No, John, I¡¯ve got this,¡± Cedar assured him through the mic, punctuating her words with a wink.

    Once offstage, Ari recalled Aristotle¡¯s advice to ¡°be the light in her mirror¡± and took a moment to steady his frustration before speaking. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? This isn¡¯t like you.¡±

    ¡°This is exactly who I am. Sorry to disappoint,¡± Cedar retorted, her voice hiccuping as she swayed unsteadily.

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t Nozomi supposed to help you? What happened?¡±

    ¡°She<i> did</i> help me. I feel loads better, see?¡± Cedar claimed, forcing an awkward smile.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to see your parents again? To go home?¡±

    ¡°I tried to leave, but you wouldn¡¯t let me,¡± Cedar shot back, taking another swig of beer and wiping her mouth with her sleeve.

    ¡°You can¡¯t go home like this,¡± Ari said, shaking his head. ¡°You¡¯re clearly dealing with PTSD¡ªit¡¯s obvious. I mean, just look at yourself. When was the last time you bathed?¡±

    Cedar glanced down at her rumpled pajamas and squinted. ¡°Thursday?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t even know what day it is,¡± Ari said, exasperated.

    ¡°Whatever. I don¡¯t want to go back there anyway. I <i>am</i> home.¡± She turned to face the bar¡¯s patrons. ¡°Hey, everyone, we¡¯re not here for a long time¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡ªWe¡¯re here for a good time!¡± the crowd chorused with her.

    Cedar joined the cheer, raising her glass triumphantly. Before she could take another sip, Ari grabbed the pint glass from her hand, spilling its remaining contents onto the floor.

    ¡°We¡¯re going to see Nozomi.¡±

    ¡°Ow, you¡¯re hurting me.¡±

    ¡°Stop struggling then.¡±

    Cedar yanked her arm free and planted her feet firmly on the ground.

    ¡°Cedar, I¡¯m trying to help you,¡± Ari said, concern edging his voice. ¡°You¡¯re not getting better.¡± He knew it was wrong to force help on someone unwilling to accept it, but he couldn¡¯t let go of his investment.

    ¡°We¡¯re all just a stupid program. Everything is a program,¡± Cedar slurred. ¡°At least while I¡¯m here, the world won¡¯t blow up. I¡¯m protecting everyone by staying put.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re more than a program,¡± Ari countered, setting the glass on a sticky table. ¡°The truth is out there, and we can find it together¡ªbut only if you trust me.¡±

    Hearing his own words, Ari felt a pang of doubt about his intentions. He knew his motives weren¡¯t entirely selfless, yet he couldn¡¯t control his need to act. He believed the truth existed, though it remained tantalizingly out of reach. The notion that he might uncover it himself felt both absurd and compelling.

    The endless cycles of death and rebirth haunted him, their unyielding repetition terrifying in its constancy. Across countless universes, hijackers waited to disrupt progress, halting evolution. If he could save even one universe from being hijacked, perhaps he could glimpse another layer being the truth of existence. But hijackers swarmed now, like bees in a burgeoning hive, pollinating as far as the outer rims. Their numbers grew with each tick of the clock.

    Ari had begun to accept that the ultimate truth might lie forever beyond his grasp. This realization gnawed at him, leaving a hollowness filled with longing for the unattainable. He recoiled at the idea of creating yet another universe, unwilling to join the trillions who blindly followed the same repetitive script. To him, this was the very definition of insanity.

    What Ari sought now was not truth but rest¡ªa reprieve from the endless cycles.

    This sense of defeat was a far cry from Ari¡¯s former self. Not so long ago, he had been fiercely committed to uncovering the truth of existence. He believed that every level gained, every spell mastered, brought him closer to his ultimate goal¡ªa goal that seemed just beyond the horizon, always attainable with one more spell, one more step of advancement. Yet, it had taken him a millennium to realize that his quest was futile without a multiplier¡ªa catalyst to accelerate his journey.

    Ari needed Cedar. She was the answer he had been searching for, and he, in turn, was her multiplier. Together, they formed the key to unlocking not only the rest he yearned for but also the continuation of his pursuit of truth. To bequeath his interface to his former self symbolized progress¡ªa divergence from the unending cycles, a chance to alter the trajectory of events. This change might finally reveal the meaning of life¡ªthe reason for their existence.

    In his own roundabout way, Ari¡¯s intentions toward Cedar were pure. He had not lied to her; careful word choice and the nuances of semantics ensured he had steered clear of outright falsehoods.

    ¡°Trust me,¡± he said again, his voice carrying a little more conviction this time.

    Trailing a few steps behind him, Cedar asked, ¡°What can Nozomi possibly do? She¡¯s already tried everything.¡±

    ¡°No, not everything,¡± Ari replied. ¡°There are thousands of treatments here. You gave up on some of them¡ªnot all of them.¡±<hr>

    Cedar¡¯s eyes darted back and forth, following Dr. Michael Jones¡¯ extended finger as it moved to and fro.

    ¡°The brain operates similarly to a computer,¡± Dr. Jones explained, pausing his hand movements.

    ¡°Don¡¯t remind me,¡± Cedar retorted.

    The doctor continued, undeterred. ¡°During REM sleep, your brain processes memories too distressing to confront while you¡¯re awake. It¡¯s akin to defragmenting a hard drive. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy¡ªor EMDR¡ªassists in processing these traumatic events while you¡¯re conscious and in the present. It works like a pendulum, swinging between the painful memory and your current understanding. This approach encourages your body to relax and feel at ease.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like a load of hogwash, but okay,¡± Cedar replied with a shrug.

    ¡°Let¡¯s delve into your most recent distressing memory¡ªthe one that triggered your current state of mind,¡± Dr. Jones suggested. ¡°I want you to visualize it as if you¡¯re watching a movie.¡±

    Cedar¡¯s gaze wandered around the familiar office. ¡°I¡¯m more interested in talking about <i>you</i>. Do you remember me?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I remember you, Miss Wells,¡± he replied evenly.

    ¡°So, you know that none of this is real?¡±

    Dr. Jones took a deep breath and adjusted his glasses, his expression calm. ¡°This place is real, Miss Wells. Although it may not be the world you¡¯re accustomed to, what happens here is still very much real.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t bother you that we¡¯re inside a magic spell?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not emotionally affected by it, no,¡± he answered.

    ¡°But what about your family?¡± Cedar pressed.

    ¡°They remain real to me. I live my everyday life and come here when needed. My family is back home waiting for my return.¡± He motioned toward the door. ¡°Beyond that door lies Cheshire, not the retreat.¡±

    ¡°Are you still a construct of my subconscious?¡±

    ¡°We share the same energy stream, yes. However, I interpret events distinctly¡ªfrom a more impartial, objective perspective. I am part of you, yet I am also an individual entity. Much like your relationship with Ari.¡±

    ¡°And you¡¯re okay with this?¡±

    ¡°I am.¡± Dr. Jones interlaced his fingers on the desk. ¡°I can¡¯t explain why, but I understand that I exist because I am necessary. I am content with my life, and my life is filled with purpose. Are you ready to begin?¡±

    Cedar found his response unsettling. It felt automated, devoid of emotion. His eagerness to close the topic abruptly suggested he either didn¡¯t want to contemplate it further or was incapable of doing so.

    ¡°Ready as I¡¯ll ever be,¡± she said.

    ¡°The most important thing to understand,¡± Dr. Jones began, ¡°is that the root of all psychosis lies in neglecting the truth. It¡¯s my job to help uncover what that truth might be.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s easy,¡± Cedar replied with a shrug. ¡°Nothing¡¯s real. I¡¯m literally having the same problem I had when I first met you. Nothing matters. Everything¡¯s a prop.¡±

    Dr. Jones rifled through his notes before asking, ¡°Is it possible that Satan¡¯s Citadel triggered this falsehood?¡±

    ¡°I suppose so. It happened right after completing it.¡±

    ¡°Then we should start there. At the dungeon. The trigger.¡±

    ¡°Sounds good to me, Doc.¡±

    ¡°There are many ways people avoid accepting the truth,¡± Dr. Jones continued. ¡°Some run from it, others try to negotiate with it. The common thread is their refusal to accept reality as it is. This reluctance prevents them from letting go, hindering real change. They remain trapped in the past, futilely trying to alter what cannot be changed.¡¯

    ¡®At its core, psychosis often stems from an inability to let go¡ªparticularly, letting go of fear,¡± Dr. Jones explained. ¡°Confronting the truth can be overwhelming, leading people to construct narratives that are more palatable. Often, these narratives hinge on irrational fears or a blindness to actual events. Does this concept resonate with you?¡±

    ¡°It does,¡± Cedar nodded before shifting her eyes. ¡°I think.¡±

    ¡°Fear, in a way, serves as a protector, keeping us safe. But it¡¯s also a choice. Fear doesn¡¯t choose us; we choose it. The true struggle is internal.¡±

    ¡°Yes, exactly,¡± Cedar agreed. ¡°I know all this, but I still can¡¯t do it. I can¡¯t let go.¡±

    ¡°Part of your struggle lies in not knowing exactly <i>what</i> you need to let go of. You haven¡¯t identified the specific fear or the critical truth you need to accept.¡±Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    ¡°That nothing matters?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not a truth; it¡¯s a fear. In fact, it¡¯s more of a deflection,¡± Dr. Jones said gently. ¡°Consider your time in Satan¡¯s Citadel. That experience was pivotal¡ªit pushed you to the brink and led to your realization that the universe is a construct. Everything is coded, created¡ªa dream within a dream, if you will. In the depths of your suffering, you achieved a profound awareness of reality. But now, with this newfound understanding, you find yourself unable to embrace it. The weight of such a truth feels overwhelming.¡±

    Dr. Jones leaned forward slightly. ¡°Could it be, Miss Wells, that by uncovering this truth, you¡¯ve also discovered your full potential? And perhaps your fear is rooted in losing it¡ªor in the possibility that you might never fulfill that potential again?¡±

    Cedar shook her head. ¡°I never thought about it that way, but I don¡¯t think that¡¯s it. I just don¡¯t see the point in anything anymore. Nothing matters.¡±

    ¡°You must understand, Miss Wells,¡± Dr. Jones said firmly, ¡°what you¡¯re experiencing is a symptom of psychosis¡ªa manifestation of a deeper fear. You are deflecting, unwilling to face the truth¡ªa truth that terrifies you. What are you afraid of?¡±

    Cedar hesitated before answering. ¡°You just said it. The universe is a construct. A dream within a dream. It¡¯s not real.¡±

    ¡°At no point have I stated that the universe isn¡¯t real,¡± Dr. Jones countered. ¡°The universe is a shared experience, shaped by myriad perspectives. While it may indeed be a construct, the reality we perceive and the rules that bind it hold validity and purpose. Now, I¡¯ll ask again, Miss Wells: what is it that frightens you?¡±

    A heavy silence fell over the room as Cedar stared into the distance, lost in thought.

    ¡°More often than not,¡± the doctor continued, ¡°the answer lies within the trigger itself¡ªthe cause of your realization. Whatever led you to believe that the universe is not real, is the fear you¡¯re avoiding.¡±

    Cedar exhaled shakily. ¡°I . . . sometimes see things. Visual hallucinations. Hell. Demons. Minions. Satan. Being eaten alive. I have nightmares about the hell pit too. About being disembodied, stuck for eternity in nothingness.¡±

    ¡°Yes, but remember, you overcame those challenges,¡± the doctor reminded. ¡°Are you afraid that perhaps next time, you won¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m very afraid of that,¡± Cedar admitted.

    ¡°Uncovering the truth you¡¯ve been avoiding is crucial, but comprehending it is equally important,¡± Dr. Jones explained. ¡°Grasping the extent of your power is challenging. Acknowledging complete control also means embracing total responsibility. The notion that you wield the power¡ªlike holding a paintbrush that shapes the universe¡ªis a daunting realization. It¡¯s not easy to accept that you may be the architect of your reality.¡±

    ¡°Shyeah . . . that¡¯s putting it lightly,¡± Cedar pressed her fingertips against her temples. ¡°But I don¡¯t get it. I don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re telling me.¡±

    ¡°Your fear seems to stem from the terror of being torn apart, dismembered by those minions. This fear has two underlying causes.¡¯

    ¡®Firstly, there¡¯s your incomplete understanding of your power. If you fully grasped it, the minions wouldn¡¯t intimidate you. In essence, you¡¯re running away from your true potential.¡¯

    ¡®Secondly, there¡¯s a fundamental absence of trust. Trust in the assurance that even if you were devoured, you¡¯d ultimately be alright. If you truly understood and embraced trust, fear would lose its grip on you.¡±

    Cedar shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m not powerful,¡± she asserted, struggling to maintain composure. The alcohol she had consumed earlier started to creep its way back up the pipe.

    ¡°You <i>are</i> powerful,¡± Dr. Jones insisted.

    ¡°I¡¯m not.¡± Cedar lunged for the nearest trash can, expelling the day¡¯s intoxicants in a distressing display.

    Dr. Jones watched silently, then removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. ¡°This,¡± he said with a sigh, ¡°is going to take a while.¡±<hr>

    Over the ensuing weeks, Cedar embarked on an intensive and multifaceted therapeutic journey under Dr. Michael Jones¡¯ careful supervision. He employed a range of techniques, searching for the most effective approach. Eventually, he settled on a combination of EMDR and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, enhanced with micro-doses of psilocybin. This innovative regimen aimed to address both the psychological and neurological aspects of Cedar¡¯s struggles, offering her a holistic path to healing and self-discovery.

    Ari provided daily support, offering words of encouragement and motivation. His consistent presence proved invaluable as Cedar gradually regained her strength and resilience. However, her progress suffered a slight setback when Ari suggested she revisit the hell dungeon to confront her fears directly. After the initial shock wore off and she had time to process the implications, her recovery resumed with renewed vigor.

    Cedar reconnected with herself through martial arts training with Bryce, shared outdoor meals with Ari, and meditated under the stars late into the night. Slowly, the idea of completing the hell dungeon a second time no longer seemed so daunting. As her strength and sanity returned, it even began to feel necessary.

    One morning, Cedar sat at a picnic table after placing her breakfast order with Alma: two eggs over easy, a side of bacon, sliced avocado, and toast topped with roasted tomato. Ari joined her, sitting across the table as Alma delivered their plates.

    ¡°I think I¡¯m ready,¡± Cedar said.

    ¡°Ready for what?¡± Ari asked, raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°To try the dungeon again. I want to go back in,¡± she said, picking up a slice of bacon.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you worried about a relapse?¡±

    ¡°If I relapse, then I¡¯ll know for certain I¡¯m not ready to go home yet.¡±

    ¡°So, if you don¡¯t relapse, you¡¯re saying you¡¯re ready to move forward?¡±

    Cedar nodded, chewing thoughtfully. ¡°I can¡¯t stay here forever. The longer I put it off, the harder it¡¯ll be to leave.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re sounding like an adult. What¡¯s <i>that</i> like?¡± Ari teased, flashing a sideways smirk.

    ¡°Crappy, honestly,¡± Cedar replied, smirking back. ¡°But I have to save the world, right? No way around <i>that</i>.¡±

    ¡°Crappy or not, it is what it is,¡± Ari said, dunking his toast in the yolk of an egg. ¡°But hey, you get to be a hero. That¡¯s got to count for something, yeah?¡±

    ¡°I want to do it after breakfast. And I want that backpack with all the stuff in it.¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± Ari said, nodding with his mouth full. ¡°It definitely makes things easier.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, no kidding. Why did you keep it from me the first time?¡±

    Ari shrugged as he sopped up the last of his yolk with a corner of toast. ¡°I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s like . . . once the worst happens, you¡¯re no longer afraid of it. I think the reason you got such bad PTSD was because you finished the dungeon on your first try¡ªyou didn¡¯t have time to process it. I didn¡¯t give you the backpack because I didn¡¯t actually <i>want</i> you to finish on the first try.¡±

    ¡°I <i>knew</i> it,¡± Cedar almost sneered.

    ¡°When one scary thing happens after another, it gets overwhelming. The brain can¡¯t handle it,¡± Ari explained. ¡°It¡¯s almost like we¡¯re <i>meant</i> to fail¡ªto fail and keep failing¡ªuntil we have the courage to accept our own power. If we don¡¯t fail, our brains get stuck. Frozen in fear, afraid of losing everything. But when you <i>do</i> fail, it makes you less afraid of it. You get me?¡±

    Cedar stared at him for a moment, ¡°You knew this would happen to me?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t think it was going to be <i>this</i> bad. Sorry for that.¡± Cedar leaned back with a sigh. ¡°It wasn¡¯t just the dungeon¡ªit was everything. A culmination of everything.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s best to take it in small bites,¡± Ari said, shoving two slices of bacon into his mouth.

    ¡°You¡¯re not the most eloquent person to eat with, you know that, right?¡±

    ¡°Like you¡¯re one to talk.¡±

    Cedar smirked, unaware of the dried yolk clinging to her chin.

    After breakfast, Ari handed Cedar the bottomless backpack. She returned to her cabin and unpacked the armor she had stowed away eight long months ago. A fleeting sense of dread washed over her as she slipped the cloak over her hardened leather pauldrons¡ªthe same cloak that had saved her life on multiple occasions.

    Her hands brushed over its pockets, finding a small lump: Satan¡¯s ruby ring.

    She pulled it out, letting it rest in her palm. For a moment, she stared at it, debating whether to put the damned thing on. Eventually, she decided to tuck it back into her pocket. She¡¯d wear it once she reached the dungeon¡¯s entrance. The ring gave her the creeps.

    The small black backpack sat on her bed, looking deflated. Cedar opened it, peering into its spacious, dark interior. Ari¡¯s instructions echoed in her mind: <i>Visualize the item you want, then reach in and take it.</i>

    <i>Magic ice ball,</i> she thought.

    She reached into the backpack, feeling a little orb gravitate to her palm as though she were a magnet.

    <i>It worked.</i>

    The backpack contained all the magic, health potions, and water she could ever need. With it securely hoisted onto her back, Cedar prepared to leave. Instead of taking the long way, she summoned the retreat¡¯s travel widget and transported herself directly to the entrance neighboring the dungeon.

    Standing at the threshold of Satan¡¯s Citadel, Cedar felt a wormy unease crawl through her stomach. She slipped the ruby ring onto her finger and glared into the dark maw of the dungeon. The same eerie sounds she remembered from her first visit echoed within, bellowing and beckoning her forward.

    Ari wasn¡¯t there to see her off¡ªCedar had insisted she¡¯d rather do it alone. This second attempt should be a cakewalk. At least, that¡¯s what she kept telling herself.

    She double-checked her armor, feeling for the circlet around her head, then switched on her headlamp.

    <i>Shoot, I should¡¯ve brought rosary beads or a cross or something,</i> she thought.

    Testing the backpack¡¯s versatility, she reached in and pulled out a string of holy beads.

    ¡°Bazinga!¡± she shouted triumphantly. ¡°I guess this thing really<i> does</i> carry everything.¡±

    She considered equipping herself with water guns filled with holy water but decided against it¡ªthey¡¯d be too cumbersome. She could always grab them later if needed.

    With no good reason to stall any longer, Cedar plunged into the dungeon. She barreled down its corridor, trampling over the smaller creatures and deftly skipping over the big daddies.<hr>

    Ari napped in a hammock outside the dungeon as Cedar approached, Satan¡¯s skull cradled under her arm like a basketball.

    ¡°Hey,¡± she called out.

    Ari didn¡¯t stir.

    ¡°Hey!¡± she repeated, nudging his rear with her foot.

    ¡°I¡¯m up, I¡¯m up,¡± he mumbled, his eyes settling on the new skull under her arm. ¡°Oh good, we can add that to the collection. How¡¯d it go?¡±

    Cedar¡¯s excitement bubbled over as she launched into her story, words spilling out like a kid retelling their first rollercoaster ride.

    ¡°I¡¯m officially the dungeon master! You should¡¯ve seen me¡ªI completed all the levels, freed all the slaves. I basically had an army of prisoners fighting alongside me. I was unstoppable. And when I got to Satan, you know what I did?¡±

    ¡°No, what did you do?¡± Ari asked, clearly amused.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t wait for him to speak. My army and I stormed the throne before he could utter a single word! While he was busy blowing fire on everyone¡ªwhich, by the way, killed my entire army¡ªI found his stupid pitchfork, snuck up behind him, and pow! Right in his back.¡± Cedar mimed her actions, stabbing the air with an invisible weapon.

    ¡°Good,¡± Ari said with a nod. ¡°I¡¯m happy for you. I think celebrations are in order, yes?¡± He clapped her on the back, sending a cloud of dust and ash billowing around them.

    Cedar coughed, scrunching her nose as she turned to spit grainy particles out of her mouth. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to hear more? I was invincible! Nobody laid a hand on me. Those big, stupid fire demons died with just one orb! And I found a slingshot in the pack¡ªtook them out like fish in a barrel and¡ª¡±

    ¡°I get it, I get it,¡± Ari interrupted with a grin. ¡°You crushed it in there. That¡¯s my girl. Come on, let¡¯s celebrate at the retreat. You can tell me the rest of the story over a drink.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s finally over,¡± Cedar sighed, her shoulders dropping as relief washed over her. ¡°I can go home.¡±

    ¡°<i>Almost</i>,¡± Ari said, his tone shifting slightly.

    ¡°What? You¡¯re kidding, right?¡± Cedar frowned. ¡°Tell me you¡¯re kidding. I mean, I¡¯m up for whatever it is, but I¡¯m ready to get the hell out of here.¡±

    ¡°I want to show you the hub,¡± Ari said. ¡°There¡¯s no fighting involved, I promise. It¡¯s my secret lair. And don¡¯t forget, you still have to battle your subconscious before you get to go home.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t forget,¡± Cedar replied. ¡°Honestly, I feel like I could conquer the world right now. I¡¯m literally not afraid of anything.¡±

    As they entered the retreat, a crisp puff of aromatic air lifted Cedar¡¯s mucky hair, giving it an almost comical bounce. Nozomi, as always, was there to greet them.

    ¡°Konnichiwa, welcome. Onegai shimasu, the menu,¡± Nozomi said, leading Cedar and Ari to the large standing touchscreen menu.

    ¡°Will you be wanting your usual?¡± Nozomi asked.

    ¡°Whoa,¡± Cedar said, blinking. ¡°I¡¯m having d¨¦j¨¤ vu.¡±

    ¡°No, she always does this when we come in through the front door.¡±

    ¡°Oh right, she¡¯s a program,¡± Cedar recalled.

    Nozomi¡¯s smiling face awaited a command.

    ¡°Nozomi,¡± Cedar said, her voice steady and clear. ¡°I trust that you know exactly what I need.¡±

    Nozomi glanced Cedar up and down, taking in her fatigued, unkempt appearance.

    ¡°Yes, I know just the thing,¡± Nozomi replied before turning to Ari. ¡°And for you, Kobrakowski-san?¡±

    ¡°My usual, please,¡± Ari said, grinning.

    ¡°What<i> is</i> your usual?¡± Cedar asked, curious.

    ¡°Hey now, that¡¯s like asking to see my search history.¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not,¡± Cedar laughed. ¡°I¡¯m going to be you anyway. Why not just tell me?¡±

    Before Ari could reply, a group of beautiful women approached along the cobblestone path. ¡°We are ready for you, Kobrakowski-san,¡± they announced in unison, gathering around Ari¡¯s arm.

    ¡°You¡¯ll just have to wait and see,¡± Ari replied, letting the women lead him away.

    Nozomi delivered on her promise of rejuvenation. After a cleansing dip in the pool and indulging in specially brewed tonics and elixirs, Cedar emerged feeling revitalized, scrubbed clean of all dungeon residue. She had also mastered using the <i>glorious menu of delights</i> as a communication device and arranged to meet Ari outside the steakhouse after her detoxifying ablutions.

    Clad in silk linens selected by Tsumugi, Cedar stood outside the steakhouse with Ari, watching the NPCs bustle around them.

    ¡°Tell me about this hub,¡± she asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s easier if I show you,¡± Ari suggested. ¡°Hold my hands to form a circuit.¡±

    Cedar grasped his open palms.

    ¡°Here we go,¡± he announced.

    Within seconds, her vision was overtaken by a small, boxy image overlapping the scene in front of her. When she released Ari¡¯s sweaty hands, the new surroundings snapped into focus.

    ¡°Wow . . . ¡± Cedar was awestruck as her gaze roamed the expansive view.

    ¡°I know, right?¡±

    They stood in a glass house, encased by tall picture windows offering a panoramic view of an ocean. The sun, poised between dawn and dusk, cast a spectacular array of harlequin colors that bounced off scattered clouds.

    ¡°The sky is amazing here,¡± Ari remarked. ¡°I usually keep it on sunset mode, but sometimes I switch it to thunderstorm. That¡¯s pretty cool, too.¡±

    ¡°This would be, like, a billion-dollar property,¡± Cedar observed, scoping out the minimalist decor. The space was sparse, furnished with only the bare necessities: a leather recliner, a small refrigerator, a lamp, and a petite desk. Everything was immaculately clean, untouched.

    ¡°Where¡¯s the bathroom? And your bed? Where¡¯s all your stuff?¡±

    ¡°Everything¡¯s downstairs. That¡¯s the <i>real</i> hub. What you see here, as far as your eyes can reach, is a firewall. Nobody can get in¡ªwe¡¯re completely surrounded by ocean.¡±

    ¡°Why do you need a firewall? Where are we, exactly?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re technically inside my mind,¡± Ari explained. ¡°Us ascended folk call it <i>Mindspace.</i>¡±

    Cedar raised an eyebrow. ¡°That¡¯s original. Go on.¡±

    ¡°The formal name is <i>Res Cogitans,</i> the realm of thought. As you go on adventures, you¡¯ll encounter powerful adversaries who¡¯ll try to infiltrate your mind and enslave you.¡±

    ¡°Oh, god.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Ari said reassuringly. ¡°This place is impenetrable. Once I transfer my interface to you, this¡¯ll all be yours. You won¡¯t have anything to worry about.¡±

    ¡°Why would anyone want to enslave me?¡± Cedar asked, her brows furrowing.

    ¡°The thing is, we can¡¯t be killed in the spirit realm. Enslavement is the only viable option for control,¡± Ari explained. ¡°Predators typically target the vulnerable, but we¡¯re far from weak.¡± He snorted with a laugh. ¡°Power can be accrued through the acquisition of slaves. Slaves offer their captors admiration and fealty¡ªkind of like the dynamic between narcissists and their enablers.¡±

    ¡°Huh . . . but this place is made of glass. It¡¯d be easy to break in,¡± Cedar pointed out.

    ¡°Is it?¡±

    At Ari¡¯s implicit challenge, the glass walls sprang to life, shifting and clattering as they transformed from clear crystal to opaque black shields. The armored walls blocked out all light, plunging the room into the darkest chamber Cedar had ever experienced¡ªdarker even than her first dungeon crawl with the zombies.

    With a sharp clap from Ari, light flooded the space, revealing the new walls. Cedar ran her hand over the many ebony scales that now shingled their surface.

    ¡°What¡¯s it made of? It feels like hard plastic,¡± she said, tapping the wall. The material absorbed the sound, leaving no echo.

    ¡°It¡¯s not plastic. It¡¯s crafted from the most resilient material known to man¡ªxenobots.¡±

    Cedar arched an eyebrow in recognition. ¡°Self-replicating robots?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. But these are part of me¡ªor us, I should say,¡± Ari added, a hint of pride in his voice.

    ¡°Impressive. Okay, show me the rest,¡± Cedar said, glancing around, half-expecting to find a staircase.

    ¡°You might want to step back a bit,¡± Ari suggested, retreating toward the wall.

    In the center of the room, a square section of the floor began to rise, transforming into an elevator platform.

    ¡°Pretty cool, yeah?¡± Ari asked, grinning.

    ¡°Very,¡± Cedar replied, stepping onto the elevator. She noticed rows of glowing buttons embedded in the wall, each labeled with a distinct name.

    ¡°What are these names? Maeve Swan? Who¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°Each floor represents a life we¡¯ve lived. They contain our memories¡ªeven the ones we can¡¯t consciously remember. I¡¯d steer clear of anything above the fiftieth floor, though. Those are the oldest versions of us¡ªthey¡¯re wild and untamed.¡±

    ¡°Dear lord.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s something else you ought to know,¡± Ari said.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Once you ascend, you¡¯ll be given a choice about remembering your past lives,¡± he cautioned. ¡°Most people remember gradually, one life at a time, over the course of many years. The foolish try to recall them all at once¡ªand they usually go insane. I advise against remembering them at all.¡±

    ¡°Why not remember at least one life?¡± Cedar asked, her gaze following Ari¡¯s hand as he pressed the lowest button on the panel.

    The elevator began its descent, gliding smoothly down the shaft with a whisper of wind.

    ¡°There are painful things in everyone¡¯s past they¡¯d rather forget. Remembering even one regret can ruin a person. Most people wait until the end¡ªuntil they¡¯re ready to move on, to begin a new verse. Recalling their past helps them let go and start fresh. It gives them a naive hope that they¡¯ll do better next time.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind,¡± Cedar said quietly.

    Her eyes tracked the blur of passing floors, the scenery shifting too quickly to discern any details. For a fleeting moment, however, she thought she saw trees and a stretch of blue sky on one level.

    ¡°How many lives have we lived? A hundred?¡± Cedar asked.

    ¡°Good guess,¡± Ari said, nodding. ¡°Yes, we¡¯ve lived a hundred lives. It varies for everyone, but a hundred is pretty common. Suicide victims tend to live the most lives¡ªit takes them longer to ascend.¡±

    ¡°Sucks for them.¡±

    ¡°It sure does.¡±

    The elevator continued its descent, gliding smoothly past the final stratum of lived experiences before coming to a gentle, nearly imperceptible halt.

    ¡°Bottom floor, men¡¯s wear,¡± Ari announced with theatrical flair.

    ¡°Funny,¡± Cedar deadpanned, her face unimpressed.

    Stepping out of the elevator, she entered a vast underground chamber brimming with technological marvels.