Awakening

As the ominous pink light pulsed in the distance, Avery and her pals stood together, ready to face whatever obstacles were ahead. They had no idea that the following check would be issued by one of their own.

Lucas felt a strange tingling sensation in his fingertips as he observed Avery. Her display of strength was impressive, but something else nagged at him. He had a sense of being lost.

"We should relax," Zara suggested, observing the exhausted expressions on their faces.

They retreated to their lodgings within the Nexus corridor, but sleep remained elusive. Lucas tossed and grew as his mind raced. Images flashed in the back of his closed eyelids, revealing fragmented memories and glimpses of alternate realms.

He bolted upright and gasped. The room around him appeared to shimmer, with items blurring at the edges. Lucas blinked hard, hoping to clear his vision.

"What is going on with me?" he muttered, dread coming into his voice.