Chapter 1

A floating silhouette of that of a female figure fell with the speed of light surrounded by nothing but darkness.

Her hands stretched forward as if reaching out for someone, tears slipping down her cheeks. Her body felt an increased pressure as a result of the increased speed which caused her to scream in severe pain. Her body tingled in a hot sensation like every cell in her body was about to explode.

Gasping for air, she slowly drifted in and out of consciousness. This continued for a while and then her eyes finally closed shut not able to withstand the force.

Her unconscious body didn't stop falling, even with the speed she travelled it felt like she had fallen into a bottomless pit until finally. After what seemed like an endless loop, she came crashing down. Her body landed with a loud bang, colliding on the hard floor, still surrounded by darkness.

Then there was silence.

Minutes past, then hours. It was as if time had stopped as she lay almost lifeless.

Then slowly, the world around her started to shift. Her surroundings turned white, and so did her clothes, changing to a white overall. Her eyes slowly flickered open, her light blue orb staring up above the white ceiling.

"Ouch," she groaned, feeling the impact of the fall. Her hands gently brushed the back of her head. Her brown hair covers part of her face. Taking a look around, she slowly pushes herself to stand on her two bare feet.

"Where am I?" she mumbled. As she examined the closed room with no doors or windows. "Who am I?"

<You are player 4829>

A voice said, causing her to shriek backwards. She examined her surroundings trying to find the source of the unfamiliar sound but her eye caught nothing than her white surroundings.

"Who said that?" She asked this unknown voice. Her brow furrowed in confusion.

<I am your designated system, programmed to guide you.>

Guide me? She thought to herself before saying. "Why can't I see you?"

<I am in the chip on your neck, sending messages to your brain. Only you can hear me.>

Hearing this, her hand moved to the side of her neck. A gasp escaped her lips as she felt a chip as the voice had said attached to her neck.

Fused with more confusion, she strained her head trying to recall how she got here but nothing came to mind. "How did I get here and why can't I remember anything, not even my name?"

<You got caught in our portal and got sent here.All existence of life has been erased from your memory but you can still recall how things work.>

The voice echoed, its words registering in her mind. Her fingers slightly gazed at the side of the chip, she could hear the little beeping sounds coming from it but didn't notice the green flashing light.

"Erased from my memory? How…why?" She asked. Her voice remained calm, her lips flattened in a thin line. Showing no sign of emotion.

<All your memories were wiped to ensure a fair start in this new reality. You are here to participate in a series of challenges and games. Only by completing them can you regain your memories and earn the chance to return to your original world.>

Her heart beat seemed normal paced even though this was all so sudden and new to her, she listened attentively absorbing all the information being revealed to her. Giving no hint of fear the room started to transform, revealing an holographic display that flickered to life with symbols and text.

<Welcome to the Nexus Hub, Player 4829. Here, you'll embark on a journey across various realms, each presenting unique challenges. Your mission is to finish each level, earn fragments of your memory, and strive for a chance to reclaim what was taken from you.>

"But... How do I even know if I can trust you? How do I know this isn't some sort of sick game?" She stated in a matter of fact tone, her voice firm as she took a step forward to take a closer look at the symbols now floating across the room, which wasn't there a minute ago.

<Trust is a choice you'll have to make, Player 4829. Your curiosity led you here, and only your determination will carry you through. The first challenge awaits in the realm of Illusionaria.>

Before she could voice another question, the holographic display shifted, rotating in a circle and emitting intense blue light, causing her to instinctively take a step backward. Her gaze narrowed as it shifted into a portal, Its surface rippled with colours and patterns, signaling her to step through.

"Wait! What if I refuse? What if I just want my memories back without playing your games?" Her hands remained at her sides, her stance unchanging as she voiced her concern.

<The choice is yours, but remember that this is your path to restoration. Embrace the challenges, or remain in a state of oblivion. The portal will remain open for a limited time.>

Had she died? She thought to herself wondering what other reason would have caused her to be here in the first place.

<Incorrect. Your body exists in a place between time and space. If you don't finish each level in time and return to your world, you'll be stuck here and won't survive. Only then will you be dead.>

Hearing this, her head tilted slightly to the side, a frown displayed on her face and then she raised a brow, confused as to how it had heard what she said since she didn't utter a word. Parting her lips she said. "I didn't say a thing. How did you hear that?"

<Thoughts detected. Chip connected to brain allows thought reading.>

Her lips twisted to the side and she nodded in understanding. Her gaze then moved to the open portal still standing a few steps away from her making her attention shift back to what this voice in her head mentioned earlier. "So you are saying, if I don't play this game, I will die?" She asked. Waiting for an answer she had already gotten.

<Affirmative.>

She took in a sigh, as there was no other option for her to choose from. She needed answers to why she got here in the first place and getting her memories back seemed to be the only way. With a calculated step she approached the portal and before she could hesitate any longer, she stepped through it. The world around her twisting and turning.

"Here goes nothing." She whispered, her voice flat yet filled with determination.