The familiar sensation of weightlessness took hold as the pod lid sealed Kael into darkness. The hiss of the initialization was the last sound he heard from the real world before his consciousness was yanked backward, falling through the floor of reality.
When he opened his eyes, the sterile white infinity of the Lobby greeted him.
This time, there was no customization menu, no glitching interface, and no sarcastic commentary from the Ancient Knight. The Archive remembered his previous settings.
A wash of golden light cascaded over his digital form. The heavy, comforting weight of the plate armor locked onto his frame with a series of metallic clunks. The crimson cape unfurled from his shoulders, fluttering in the nonexistent wind. The T-shaped visor of his helm narrowed his vision, framing the world in a tactical amber HUD.
[Avatar Loaded]
[Team: Iron & Gold]
[Waiting for Party Member...]
Kael stood there, arms crossed, tapping a golden greave against the invisible floor.
