The giant stone door remained open before them, like the mouth of an ancient monster that swallowed both light and sound. Alex stood for a moment, staring into the darkness behind him, while the red dot on the giant screen behind him still flashed persistently, like a heartbeat that didn't want to stop.
What he discovered moments ago was still pressing hard on his chest; this world was born from his thoughts, from his long evening in front of the screen, from codes written by a student's curiosity who just wanted to make his game more exciting. He never imagined that every little detail he added, from secret passages to forbidden areas, could turn into a reality he would see, touch and fear.
The girl with the illuminated device came forward, her name was Lian, and she said in a low voice:
"If this is the exit corridor, then the system must have started the last phase".
Alex looked at her quickly. "A final stage? "The
The older man, whose name was Samer, replied: "Everyone who enters this world has finally reached this place. But no one survived, because the road not only tests strength but also heart".
Before Alex could ask more, a loud vibration echoed in the hall and some dust fell from the ceiling. Everyone turned to the screen, which showed a new message in red:
The survival phase has begun: 30 minutes remaining
Alex's breath accelerated. Thirty minutes only.
ShadowX stepped out of the shadows, for the first time not as an enemy, but as a guard of a great secret. He said in his deep voice:
"If you want to go out, you have to reach the main server's heart at the end of the corridor. Only there can you stop the game".
Alex asked sharply, "And why don't you go? "The
There was silence for a moment, then ShadowX replied:
"Because I am a part of this world now. If I try to leave, I will disappear".
It was the first time that Alex felt there was a real human being behind him, someone who had been lost here long before.
Alex tightened his grip, then turned to Lian, Samer and the other two players. "We're all going out. It doesn't matter what the regime said".
Lian looked at him in amazement, but something of hope flashed in her eyes.
They entered the corridor.
It was long and cold, its walls covered with metal wires that glowed with blue light, as if they were walking inside a living nerve. Every few steps a closed side door appeared, and from behind them they heard strange sounds: gunshots, distant screams, distorted electronic laughter.
Samer said in a cautious voice: "These are the memories of players who failed. The world keeps everything".
Alex felt a chill running down his back, but he continued to walk.
A few minutes later, they arrived at a large circular hall mediated by an elevated platform, above which was a glass box with a silver key inside.
Leanne said, "This is the key to the second gate. Without it, we cannot complete the road".
But before anyone could move, the doors closed violently behind them. The lights went off for a moment.
Then the room was lighted again and around them appeared four heavily armed players, their faces hidden by black helmets without names.
Samir whispered, "The guards are dead".
One of them raised his weapon, and the first shot went off.
Alex was hiding behind one of the stone pillars, feeling shrapnel flying near his face. Everything was happening at an astonishing speed, but his mind was working with strange clarity. This isn't just a battle; this is one of the stages he designed himself.
He suddenly remembered something he had written in the code months ago:
In the key hall, there is a hidden path that only those who know the weaknesses can see.
He quickly raised his head, looking at the floor. Yes, there were different colored boxes leading to the platform.
He said, "Don't move randomly! Just follow the dark boxes!"
He moved quickly between shots, jumping from one square to another, while Lian and Samer covered him. He finally reached the platform, reaching inside the box.
But the moment he touched the switch, the whole hall shook.
A new meter appeared above the front door:
10 minutes until the collapse.
Alex held the key tightly. "We have to hurry!"
The second door opened, and through it they rushed into a corridor even darker than the previous one. At his end, a bright white light began to appear, very different from the colors of this cold world.
Liane said with a breath, "That's the heart of a servant and I feel it".
But before they arrived, ShadowX stood in their way.
Alex froze. "What now? "The
ShadowX slowly raised his hand, then finally removed his helmet.
Alex's eyes widened in shock.
The face that appeared in front of him was eerily similar to an older, more tired version whose eyes held years of loneliness.
ShadowX said in a calm voice, "I'm the first version of you with the consciousness that I left inside the game during my first development experience.
Alex felt that the ground was stretching beneath him. All the thoughts, all the strange flashes, all his sense that this world knew him was missing made sense now.
"You are part of me? "The
ShadowX nodded. "You are my last chance for freedom.
He reached for the last door. "Go. Stop the server. Save everyone".
Alex looked at him for a long moment, then rushed towards the light.
He came to an enormous room mediated by a huge nucleus of energy, surrounded by blades and numbers of aircraft in the air. The scene was majestic, as if he could see the mind of the game itself.
He approached the control panel, and inserted the silver key.
The nucleus began to tremble, and the whole place shook.
A final message appeared:
Do you want to finish the Salvation Arena?
Alex hesitated. If he presses a button, everything might disappear, and maybe ShadowX too.
Remember Leanne, Samer and the stuck players. He remembered his old life, his school, his room, and his dreams.
Then press.
Light exploded everywhere.
Screams, vibrations, blades breaking, walls fading like shattered glass. Alex felt the earth pulling him back, as it had done the first time.
But before he lost consciousness, he heard ShadowX's voice whisper:
"Don't forget some games that never end".
Alex woke up on the floor of his room.
Dawn had begun, and the light of the sun was coming through the window. The computer in front of him is turned off. Everything has returned to normal.
He took a long breath, and for a moment thought that everything happened was a dream.
But when he looked at his office, he found the silver key lying next to the keyboard.
together