Lyra's vision cleared, and she found herself standing on a rocky ledge, high above an alien landscape. The wind tugged at her clothes, carrying a sharp, metallic scent that made her nose twitch.
A glowing screen flickered to life in front of her.
[Survive]
Then, just as quickly as it appeared, the screen vanished, leaving only silence and the weight of that single command.
"That's it?" Lyra thought. No instructions? No objectives? Just… survive?
She took a deep breath. The air felt thin, and the gravity pulled at her differently, making each step heavier than expected. She looked down—her gear was gone. No weapons, no tools. Just herself. Stripped bare, she realized. But this wasn't some training simulation. This was real.
Fear tried to creep in, but she pushed it down. Focus. Adapt.
Below her, a dense forest stretched across the land. The trees shimmered with strange, iridescent light. Jagged peaks rose in the distance, cutting into a swirling sky filled with colors she had never seen before. It was beautiful—but something about it felt dangerous.
She carefully climbed down from the ledge, testing each foothold. The reddish soil was loose and gritty beneath her fingers. The gravity, heavier than she was used to, made every step an effort.
As she moved deeper into the alien forest, she noticed strange tracks in the soil—large, three-toed prints leading into the undergrowth. A low growl echoed through the trees.
Lyra froze.
The growl came again, closer this time. Her muscles tensed. A sudden rustling to her left made her jump, and she barely avoided stepping into a sharp, camouflaged trap.
She needed shelter. Now.
Her eyes scanned the area until she spotted a small cave hidden behind a cluster of glowing plants. She rushed toward it, squeezing through the narrow entrance. Darkness wrapped around her, cool and quiet.
Then—
A high-pitched screech ripped through the forest. Heavy footsteps pounded against the ground, shaking the earth.
Something massive was coming.
Lyra pressed herself against the cave wall, barely breathing. The thudding stopped just outside. A shadow fell across the entrance. She could make out the shape of a hulking creature, its form shifting unnaturally. A low, guttural growl rumbled through the cave.
Her heart pounded.
She could feel the raw power radiating from the creature—like the kind only found at Foundation Tempering.
It sniffed the air, its nostrils flaring. The musky, acrid scent of the beast filled the cave.
Seconds stretched into an eternity.
Then, with a frustrated snort, the creature turned and crashed back into the forest.
Lyra let out a slow, shaky breath.
She had barely escaped.
The cave was cool and damp, the air thick with the scent of earth. She sank to the ground, her back pressed against the rough stone. No tech, no supplies, unknown dangers. She had to rely on her instincts and training now.
Outside, night was falling. Strange sounds filled the air—screeches, growls, rustling movements. Lyra curled deeper into the cave, her senses on high alert.
Then, something caught her eye.
A faint glow came from the cave wall. Luminous moss clung to the rock, revealing a symbol beneath it—a spiral with three lines radiating outward.
A strange tingling sensation spread through her fingertips.
Curious but cautious, she slowly reached out. Her fingers hovered just above the stone.
The moment she touched it, a hum vibrated through the cave. The symbol began to glow brighter, casting eerie, shifting shadows. A low, rhythmic pulse filled the air—like a heartbeat.
Lyra yanked her hand back, her pulse racing.
What had she just activated?
She stared at the glowing symbol, watching its patterns, listening to its hum. This world held secrets—ones she wasn't sure she was ready to uncover.
But she didn't have a choice.
She had to survive.