Moments later,

Author

Before she could pull away, the surface of the pool turned bright white, blindingly sharp. Text appeared, burning across the water in letters that glowed electric blue - letters she had not seen in years, but recognized instantly.

[SYSTEM LINK DETECTED] [DIMENSIONAL SYNCHRONIZATION CONFIRMED]

[SCANNING SOURCE... COMPLETE]

[IDENTITY: PLAYER 1.1000]

[STATUS: SYNCHRONIZED]

[LOCATION: PRIMARY REALM]

Aria froze. Her heart hammered against her ribs so hard she could hear it over the rushing in her ears.

Player 1.1000?

So that was what she was. A number. A designation. Not a person.

Then the words shifted, new lines scrolling fast beneath the first.

[SYNCHRONIZATION STABLE.]

[AWAKENING SEQUENCE INITIATED.]

[TARGET:...