Chapter 130 - 128 Where the World Ceases to Have Limits

Chapter 130: Chapter 128 Where the World Ceases to Have Limits

The five entered the shopping mall. The change was immediate. Outside, the city continued stretching between avenues, buildings, and the constant movement of the afternoon; inside, a succession of lights, storefronts, and voices filled the enormous interior space. The central structure rose several floors above them, connected by escalators, elevators, and corridors extending in different directions.

The group continued without stopping for too long. They had not come to walk around the stores, but the number of establishments made it impossible to ignore them. There were clothing, footwear, and accessory stores, electronic device shops, and spaces where different technological products were displayed beneath white lights. Farther ahead were restaurants, cafés, and fast-food establishments, accompanied by the constant movement of people.

Families, students, workers, and groups of friends crossed the corridors while the lights from the storefronts reflected off the polished floor. The entire place seemed to function like a small city enclosed within its own walls.

The five continued until they reached the escalators leading to the upper levels.

They went up.

As they left the first floors behind, the commercial activity began to mix with another kind of movement. The visitors’ conversations were still present, but among them appeared electronic sounds, music coming from different establishments, and the occasional noise of machines operating on the other side of the corridors.

When they reached the third floor, the atmosphere had changed.

The area was mainly dedicated to entertainment. The corridors opened around different recreational spaces that made use of large areas of the level. In one of them, several bumper cars moved around an enclosed track while the ceiling lights reflected off their metallic surfaces. Nearby, a ball pit occupied a space intended for younger children, surrounded by structures for climbing and navigating obstacles.

Farther ahead, video game machines covered an entire wall. Some displayed modern titles, while others retained designs inspired by old consoles and arcades. Their screens emitted constant flashes, and the electronic sounds blended together to form the characteristic murmur of that part of the building.

There were also motorcycle machines that simulated races, enclosed booths for different games, and a pinball area. The illuminated tables remained lined up while the sound of the small spheres striking the internal mechanisms mixed with the music from the machines.

The tour continued between ping-pong tables and small indoor courts intended for practicing soccer shots. Some people took turns in front of the goals while the electronic systems recorded the speed and accuracy of each shot.

Everything was arranged so that visitors could spend hours there without needing to leave the building.

However, as they advanced, the recreational spaces began to fall behind. Colored lights still appeared around them, but ahead of the group, a much larger area began to come into view.

It was larger, darker, and also much quieter.

The walls were covered with black and metallic surfaces that absorbed much of the corridor’s lighting. LED light strips ran along some edges of the structure, forming violet lines against the dark background. Above the entrance were digital panels displaying constantly changing information, while small white lights moved across the surfaces like indicators of some internal system.

It did not look like a store or an arcade.

It was a specialized facility.

As they approached, its true scale began to reveal itself. The entrance was wide and surrounded by modernly designed metal structures. Beyond the access points, large transparent surfaces could be seen, allowing glimpses of part of the interior: platforms, technological devices, and areas prepared for different types of training.

The aesthetics were different from everything they had encountered in the rest of the shopping mall. Black dominated the walls and structures, while violet and white lights outlined the equipment. Some screens displayed digital representations and training parameters; others remained suspended above stations prepared for users.

It was advanced technology, but it did not seem to belong to another world. It was simply several steps ahead of what the shopping mall’s common spaces offered.

Zaira slightly slowed her pace.

At the back of that enormous area, behind the illuminated access points, was the place she had chosen for the five.

The Rakzar virtual training center.

Sebastián, Virka, Óscar, Valentina, and Zaira continued approaching as the violet lights reflected off the dark floor.

For the first time since they had entered the shopping mall, the true purpose of that outing was before them.

The doors opened, and the group crossed the entrance.

The noise from the nearby establishments became muffled behind the walls. Although some sounds coming from outside could still be perceived, the interior possessed an atmosphere of its own. The space extended much farther than could be appreciated from the corridor, with enough room to distribute the different facilities without one interfering with another.

The walls were covered with matte-finished black panels, interrupted by lines of light running along their edges and defining the structure of the establishment. Some emitted white illumination, while others displayed violet tones that slowly changed in intensity. They were not merely decorative lights: they also marked entrances, circulation areas, and different service zones.

In front of the entrance was the reception desk. A long, dark structure extended in front of a wall covered with small digital screens. Above it floated a three-dimensional projection bearing the Rakzar symbol. The emblem remained suspended in the air and slowly rotated, occasionally breaking apart into luminous lines before reconstructing itself.

Behind the counter stood a young-looking woman dressed in the uniform of the recreational facilities. She wore a fitted dark vest over a simple shirt, accompanied by small luminous lines integrated into the edges of the garment. The design was not excessively flashy, but it maintained the combination of black and violet that dominated the establishment.

The woman was chewing gum while checking something on a screen. Upon noticing the group’s arrival, she raised her gaze. For a moment, she continued observing them and, before speaking, blew a small bubble with the gum in her mouth. The sound quickly disappeared into the controlled atmosphere of the room.

—Good morning. Welcome to the Rakzar virtual training and experience center.

Her tone was professional, although not excessively rigid.

—Is this your first time using the virtual reality system, or do you already have experience with Rakzar in real life and wish to try a virtual experience?

Zaira stepped forward.

—We already practice Rakzar physically. We want to use the virtual training to improve our coordination and synchronization. Besides, we want her to be able to try it with us.

She discreetly pointed toward Valentina.

The attendant directed her gaze toward the girl. Her expression changed only slightly, just enough to show that she had understood the situation.

—Then you want a joint session.

—Yes.

The woman nodded and moved one hand toward one of the controls integrated into the counter. A section of the surface lit up, and several pieces of data appeared above it.

—All right. In that case, you will first need to get prepared before entering the capsules.

The attendant stepped out from behind the counter and began walking toward one of the sides of the room. The five followed her.

As they advanced, the interior could be seen more clearly.

Behind the reception area stretched an enormous training room. Several capsules were arranged in orderly rows, leaving enough space between them to allow the movement of staff and users. Each one had a vertical black structure, with a front opening and an interior prepared to accommodate one person. Small luminous lines ran along their edges and lit up intermittently, while panels located beside each unit displayed operating indicators.

Next to each capsule was a rectangular structure slightly taller than a person. Its surface was covered with dark panels and small status lights. At certain points, internal connections could be seen protected by transparent covers. Those modules functioned as power, processing, and synchronization units for the capsules, keeping the connection between the physical systems and the virtual experience stable.

Beyond them, several holographic projections floated above circular platforms. One displayed a space environment in which enormous structures slowly moved between stars. Another reproduced an underwater landscape, with great masses of water crossed by beams of light. Farther ahead, a third projected the interior of a volcanic region, where dark terrain stretched beneath an ash-covered sky.

The images did not remain static. They changed slowly, showing different possible scenarios for Rakzar experiences. The ocean disappeared and became a city, the city transformed into a mountainous region, and then the landscape changed again until it displayed an expanse covered in ice.

Along one side of the room stood several nearly human-sized statues. Each represented a Rakzar champion and was placed on an individual base. The figures wore athletic suits fitted to the body, designed to allow freedom of movement without sacrificing protection. Small plates covered certain areas of the torso, shoulders, and limbs, while technological lines ran across the dark material of the suits.

The helmets were also part of those representations. They were light, aerodynamic in appearance, with transparent visors that partially covered the face. They did not have the bulk of heavy armor. They appeared to be designed to complement the speed and agility characteristic of a competitor.

In front of each statue appeared the name of the represented champion on a digital plaque. Some included small holographic images containing fragments of battles and records of their most notable performances.

Valentina observed the figures for a few seconds as she walked alongside the others. The size of those statues and the amount of technology surrounding them made the room seem much more important than a simple place of entertainment.

The attendant continued walking.

—Before using the capsules, you will need to change clothes. The clothing you wear during the session must be comfortable and allow for adequate heat dissipation. Synchronization generates additional temperature within the system, so the clothing is designed to allow you to remain inside the capsules for the duration of the training without discomfort.

The group reached a door located at the back of the establishment.

The woman pointed toward it.

—The changing rooms are over there. The women’s changing room is on the left and the men’s is on the right. We have different sizes, including children’s sizes, so she will have no problem finding suitable clothing.

The attendant directed her gaze toward Valentina.

—There is also a locker prepared specifically for her.

Then she looked back at the group.

—Please go inside, change, and leave your belongings in the lockers. When you finish, come back out and let me know how long you wish to remain in the Rakzar virtual training.

The five stood in front of the entrance to the changing rooms.

Behind them, the violet lights continued slowly running along the walls, and the capsules remained lined up inside the enormous room, silently waiting for the next users.

The true experience had not yet begun.

The five separated in front of the changing room entrance. Sebastián and Óscar took the entrance on the right, while Virka, Zaira, and Valentina entered through the one on the left. The doors closed behind them, and the noise of the main room was reduced to a distant murmur.

The men’s changing room maintained the same visual identity as the training center. The dark walls were made of smooth panels, separated by narrow lines of violet illumination that ran through the structure without overwhelming it. The floor had a matte, non-slip finish, while small recessed lights marked the paths between the different areas.

A row of lockers stretched out in front of them. At first glance, they appeared to be conventional compartments, but the doors had no traditional locks. Each one had a uniform, dark surface crossed by a luminous strip that remained off until someone approached. When Sebastián passed in front of one of them, the strip lit up and a small interface appeared on the surface, displaying the compartment number and a space intended for user identification.

The benches were located in front of the lockers. They were long, with metal structures and dark padded surfaces, designed so users could sit while changing or temporarily leave some of their belongings. The space between each row allowed them to move easily without making the area seem crowded.

Farther back, the showers could be seen. The partitions were made of transparent glass and had individual doors that opened through small sensors. The metallic surfaces of the installations discreetly reflected the violet lighting, while small digital panels allowed the temperature and water flow to be adjusted. On one side was the bathroom area, likewise integrated into the overall design of the changing room.

It was not simply a place to change clothes. The establishment had been designed so users could prepare, train, and recover without needing to leave the facilities.

Sebastián left his belongings inside one of the lockers. The door displayed a brief luminous signal before closing and locking automatically.

Óscar did the same.

Afterward, both took the sensory suits they had received along with the rest of the equipment.

The material was completely black and flexible, designed to fit the body without restricting movement. Unlike conventional sportswear, the suit incorporated small sensor plates distributed across specific points. There were modules on the chest, shoulders, forearms, waist, and legs, all integrated into the surface itself to prevent them from protruding too much.

Likewise, thin lines ran across certain areas of the suit, connecting the different sensors to one another. They were not merely decorative elements. Each one formed part of the system responsible for recording the user’s movement.

Sebastián began putting it on.

The material gradually tightened around his body, and the sensors activated one after another once they came into contact with his skin and sports underclothes. A faint light appeared over some of the modules, indicating that the system had recognized the position of each element.

The gloves were part of the set. They were likewise black and had small sensors distributed across the fingers, palms, and backs of the hands. Their function was to precisely record finger movements and hand positions during the virtual experience.

Finally, there were the visors.

They were not heavy and did not have an excessively large structure. They fit around the eyes and the sides of the head through a lightweight structure, leaving most of the face uncovered. A small interface appeared on one of them when Sebastián picked it up, automatically checking the connection with the suit.

In the women’s changing room, the process was similar.

Virka, Zaira, and Valentina had left their belongings in their respective lockers and were beginning to get ready. The compartments responded to each woman’s approach, softly lighting up and displaying small holographic interfaces before becoming secured.

Valentina observed hers for a few moments.

The locker intended for her was slightly smaller than the others, although it maintained exactly the same design. Its proportions were adapted to her size, and the system had automatically identified the appropriate size for the children’s equipment.

Zaira took the sensory suit and began putting it on.

The garment adjusted to her movements without limiting the mobility of her arms or legs. The small sensor plates were distributed across the different areas of her body, while the lines integrated into the material remained off until the system finished recognizing them.

Virka did the same.

Her suit fit uniformly, and the modules began emitting small luminous signals. No part of the equipment seemed designed to add unnecessary weight. Everything was positioned so that the user could move freely.

Valentina received a smaller suit prepared specifically for her. The garment maintained the same design as the others: black, flexible, and covered with small sensors strategically distributed across it. The plates were smaller and adapted to her proportions, while the gloves and visor likewise corresponded to her size.

When she finished putting it on, the sensor lights came on.

A small point of light appeared on her chest.

Then another on her shoulder.

Then others appeared on her arms and legs.

The system performed a brief scan around her body. Several lines of light moved across the sensors for a few seconds before disappearing.

Valentina raised her hands and looked at the gloves.

The sensors on her fingers responded immediately to the movement.

The visor also activated when she placed it into position.

It did not seem like equipment intended simply to reproduce a virtual image. Each component was designed to record the entire body and convert its movements into information the system could interpret.

When the five finished changing, they stored their belongings in the lockers and left behind the clothes they had worn during the day.

Shortly afterward, the changing room doors opened again.

Sebastián and Óscar came out of the men’s side first.

At the same time, Virka, Zaira, and Valentina left the women’s changing room.

The five reunited in the corridor leading toward the main room.

Now all of them were wearing the black sensory suits. The small plates of the equipment reflected the violet lights of the establishment, and every so often one of the sensors emitted a luminous signal as it finished synchronizing with the system.

In front of them, the enormous training room remained illuminated by the holographic projections and the LED lines running along the capsules.

The attendant was waiting for them beside the reception area when the five returned to the main room. The violet lights continued running along the walls, and the capsule indicators remained illuminated, waiting for the system to be activated. She quickly checked the state of the sensory suits and, after confirming that all of them had been correctly recognized, began guiding them toward the training units.

The five capsules were lined up in an area slightly separated from the rest of the room. Their black structures rose from the floor with a sober, technological appearance. Small luminous lines ran along the edges, changing in intensity as the attendant activated the system.

One after another, the capsules began to open.

The front covers slowly separated, revealing their interiors. Instead of an empty space, a luminous silhouette appeared inside each unit. It was a perfectly defined human-shaped mold, formed by lines of light running from head to toe. The figure seemed to be a digital representation of the body that would occupy the capsule, suspended above a dark surface that began to illuminate.

The attendant pointed toward the units.

—Please enter. The system will automatically adjust the space to each user’s dimensions.

Sebastián was the first to approach. He entered the capsule and remained standing inside the luminous silhouette. Immediately, several lines moved across his body from his feet to his head. The sensors on his suit responded to the scan, and small lights appeared over the plates distributed across his body.

The internal structure moved smoothly as the capsule began adapting to his proportions, bringing some of its surfaces closer together until forming an appropriate space to keep him immobile during synchronization.

Óscar entered the next one, and the same process was repeated. The luminous silhouette adjusted to his size, while the suit’s sensors sent information to the capsule. The modules located beside the structure began emitting a faint light, and several indicators appeared across their surfaces.

Virka entered next, and Zaira did the same. In each case, the system automatically recognized the sensory suits and established a connection between the small sensors distributed across their bodies and the capsule’s processing unit. The information began transmitting silently, recording position, proportions, and points of contact before completing synchronization.

When the four were inside, the attendant observed the indicators.

Everything was functioning correctly.

—Stay relaxed. The system will bring you into a controlled sleep state during the connection. Your bodies will remain here while your consciousness synchronizes with the virtual environment.

There was no immediate response. The four were already beginning to feel the interior of the capsules becoming quieter. The visors of their suits illuminated for a few seconds, and the small sensor lights gradually began shutting off.

The system was beginning to establish the connection.

The attendant then headed toward the fifth capsule.

Valentina was standing in front of it.

The structure was identical to the previous ones, although the attendant activated a control located on one of the sides before allowing her to enter. A small screen appeared above the panel, and the woman selected the corresponding adjustment.

The interior of the capsule began to transform.

The luminous silhouette occupying the center slowly became smaller. The reference points descended, and the side structures moved inward until reaching an appropriate height for Valentina. The process was precise and silent, as if the capsule were rebuilding its space around the small figure standing before it.

When it finished, the attendant checked the parameters.

—That’s it. You can enter.

Valentina approached. The reduced size of the entrance was still considerable for her, but it was nevertheless a space designed so she could fit safely. She entered with some difficulty, having to adjust her movements to pass through the opening without hitting the suit’s sensors.

She finally managed to get inside.

The luminous silhouette adjusted to her body, and the system began the scan again. Valentina lay down on the interior surface, and the small lights of the suit began turning on: first, the sensors on her hands; then those on her arms, legs, and torso; finally, the visor illuminated in front of her eyes.

The capsule recognized all the points of contact and began establishing the connection.

The attendant observed the side panel. The five users appeared registered.

—Once you are inside the virtual reality, the system will explain how to select your avatars and choose the scenario where you will conduct your Rakzar training. You will not have to configure anything before beginning.

None of the five responded. The synchronization process had already begun.

The attendant left the capsules and returned to the reception point. From there, she could control all the units through a central screen. She entered an order, and the indicators of the five capsules changed simultaneously.

The covers began to close. One after another, the black structures completely surrounded the users until they were hidden from the room. The luminous lines along the edges increased in intensity for a few seconds and then settled into a steady glow.

The final closure belonged to Valentina.

The attendant checked the panel once more.

Five connections established.

Five systems synchronized.

Then she pressed the main button.

The sound of the room disappeared.

There was no darkness. There was no light either.

Physical space ceased to exist.

Somewhere beyond perception, the connections between their bodies and the server finished being established. Each person’s consciousness began separating from ordinary sensations until it remained suspended in a place that had no floor, ceiling, or walls.

Everything was white.

There was no horizon or distance that could be measured. There was no up or down. It was an infinite and silent expanse where no object seemed to have a shape.

Then they appeared.

Five small lights emerged at different points within that void. Each remained suspended in space, emitting a faint glow that contrasted with the white immensity surrounding them. They moved slowly, as if waking after a deep sleep.

One light appeared, then another, and another, until all five were there.

Sebastián.

Virka.

Óscar.

Zaira.

Valentina.

They still had no bodies, faces, or voices. They were merely five small luminous presences floating in a space without limits.

Virtual reality had begun.

The five small lights remained suspended in that white space while the attendant’s voice returned from nowhere. There was no longer a direction from which it could be heard. The sound seemed to emerge from the environment itself, clear and perfectly defined, as if the system had converted every word into a signal that traveled directly to their consciousnesses.

—Before beginning, you must select the session’s usage time. The service is charged according to the duration of the training. The base rate is ten thousand units per hour, while each additional half hour costs five thousand. You may remain for as long as you wish according to the balance available in your account.

The five lights remained motionless.

—Once the time has been selected, the system will begin configuring your avatars. To create them, you will not need to use external controls. The sensory suit and visor will record your patterns of brain activity and use them to interpret the image each of you has of yourselves.

The explanation continued while the small lights floated in silence.

—In simple terms, the system will analyze the electrical signals produced by your brain activity and use them as a reference to construct the appearance you imagine. For that reason, you must concentrate. The clearer and more stable the image you have in your mind, the more precise the configuration will be.

A brief pause passed through the space.

—If the image changes constantly or you cannot keep it defined, the avatar may experience alterations during its creation. Once completed, the system will synchronize the avatar with your movement and perception patterns so that your virtual body responds naturally to your thoughts.

The five lights continued floating.

—Do you have any questions?

None responded.

—Then we will continue.

The white void began to acquire small geometric structures around them. They were not physical objects, but temporary representations of the system that appeared and disappeared as the explanation continued.

—After completing your avatars, you will be able to select the training scenario. The available environments will appear through a personal interface that only you will be able to manipulate. Some areas are already predesigned and are part of the service, so they will not have any additional cost.

A new series of symbols appeared in the distance.

—There is also the possibility of creating a completely customized scenario. In that case, the system will generate a private record associated with the users who request it. Creation will have an additional cost of seventy thousand units and will allow the scenario to be preserved for use again at any virtual training center compatible with the service.

The voice maintained the same professional tone.

—That space may be modified later and will remain available to any of the registered users. You may use it individually or together with the other members of the group.

This time, there was a small reaction.

The light representing Valentina moved slightly.

—Does that mean we can create anything?

The voice responded immediately.

—As long as the system can represent it and you can imagine it clearly enough, yes. You can create a house, a place you know, a completely new scenario, or any environment compatible with the system’s capabilities.

Valentina’s small light made a slight turn.

—Oh.

—Has the explanation been clear?

—Yes.

—Do the others have any questions?

The other four lights remained motionless.

—None.

—Then we will continue with the final safety instructions.

The space once again became completely white.

—During the session, the system will constantly monitor brain activity and the signals coming from the sensory suits. If an overload of stimuli, a dangerous alteration in neural activity, or any other parameter that could pose a risk to the user is detected, the connection will be interrupted immediately.

The voice took on a slightly more serious tone.

—In that case, the virtual reality will be closed and the capsules will end the controlled sleep state. The user will regain consciousness inside the physical unit. This protection operates automatically and cannot be disabled during a normal session.

The five lights remained suspended.

—That is one of the main rules of the training. No user should attempt to interfere with the safety systems.

The voice fell silent for a moment.

—Is everything clear?

—Yes.

The responses came almost at the same time.

—Perfect. You may begin creating your avatars.

The voice disappeared.

The space fell silent once again. For a few seconds, none of them did anything. Then, the small lights began to transform.

The first image to appear was Sebastián’s. His light slowly expanded until it acquired a human silhouette. The shape gained height, proportions, and recognizable features until reconstructing his usual appearance. He did not need to invent another body. For him, that form was already enough.

Virka did the same. Her avatar appeared with the appearance she recognized as her own, preserving her features and usual presence. The virtual structure finished adjusting itself and remained suspended in front of the others.

Zaira also chose to remain true to herself. Her avatar took her own form without adding unnecessary modifications. She did not need to become someone else to feel comfortable within that world. Her confidence did not depend on a different appearance.

Óscar was the last of the four to complete the process. His human silhouette began to form and, for an instant, it seemed that he would simply choose his usual appearance.

Then, the image changed.

His body progressively transformed until it became a futuristic humanoid android. It retained a structure similar to a human’s, but beneath the surface, technological components could be distinguished integrated into the arms, legs, and torso. The design did not resemble a heavy machine. It was light, aerodynamic, and built for movement.

His hair retained Óscar’s characteristic style, including the small bun toward the back, as if even inside a virtual reality he had considered it unnecessary to give up the thing that identified him.

Small thrusters appeared on his legs.

Óscar looked at his new form. His avatar tilted its head slightly.

He seemed satisfied.

The final light belonged to Valentina. Her image slowly began to grow until it adopted an adult and idealized version of herself. She retained her distinctive features: the hair divided between the dark brown of the upper part and the white of the lower part, as well as her differently colored eyes, one brown and the other light blue.

She had taken as a reference something she admired in Virka, but without ceasing to be herself.

When she finished forming, Valentina turned around and looked at her hands. Then she looked at Virka.

—Look. Mom, I look like you.

Virka observed the avatar for a few seconds. A calm expression appeared on her face.

—I would like you to be even more beautiful than me someday.

Valentina smiled.

—Really?

—Yes. But I’m glad you’re so happy.

Valentina approached and hugged her.

Their new virtual bodies responded naturally to the contact. The system had finished synchronizing their movements, and there was no longer any difference between thinking about moving an arm and actually doing it.

While they remained together, Óscar began rubbing his hands. His robotic avatar emitted a small mechanical sound.

—Now we’re talking.

Sebastián turned his gaze toward him.

—What are you planning?

Óscar smiled.

—An unforgettable experience for everyone.

—What do you have in mind?

Óscar raised a hand.

—Something that is beyond this world.

Zaira crossed her arms.

—I was going to choose a scenario that would be useful for training.

—And we can do that afterward.

Óscar pointed toward the space surrounding them.

—We just entered a virtual reality capable of creating anything. Do you really want to limit yourselves to a normal scenario?

Sebastián remained silent for a few seconds.

—And what are you planning to do?

Óscar’s smile grew wider.

—Create something worth remembering.

Then he turned his gaze toward the system’s invisible interface.

—And, if we want to do it properly, we can use the private service they offered us. That way, we can preserve it and come back whenever we want.

Zaira looked at him with some disbelief.

—Are you already thinking about spending money?

—I’m just thinking about an important investment.

Zaira let out a slight snort.

—As long as we can train and enjoy it, do whatever you want.

Óscar gave a thumbs-up.

—Perfect.

Sebastián said nothing else.

Meanwhile, Valentina continued hugging Virka.

—Dad, what is Óscar doing?

Sebastián looked at the android standing in front of the floating interfaces.

—He’s creating the best experience for everyone.

Valentina’s eyes lit up.

—I want to see it now!

Óscar began manipulating the options. Several images appeared in front of him: mountains, cities, oceans, space stations, forests, deserts, and scenarios that seemed to belong to completely different worlds. His hands moved from one interface to another with growing enthusiasm.

Zaira remained with her arms crossed, watching. Sebastián and Virka waited beside Valentina.

Several minutes passed.

Óscar continued modifying the scenario. He added elements, removed others, changed dimensions, adjusted distances, and combined structures that, in the real world, could never have coexisted.

Finally, the interfaces disappeared.

The system’s voice returned.

This time, it was no longer the attendant’s. It was a completely artificial voice.

—Scenario creation completed.

The white void began to disappear.

—Generating world.

Everything changed.

The white shattered into millions of luminous particles and then went out. The space became black.

One star appeared. Then another, and another. Within seconds, thousands of luminous points emerged around them. Some were white; others had shades of blue, red, and violet. Some seemed small from a distance, while others had an intensity capable of illuminating entire regions of the void.

The five remained suspended in the middle of outer space.

There were no walls or ceiling. Only an entire universe constructed around them.

Then something began to form beneath their feet.

A circular structure slowly appeared in the middle of that immensity. It was an enormous metallic ring suspended in space, wide and perfectly enclosed, whose surface began illuminating with energetic lines.

A black hole emerged in the center of the ring.

Its presence seemed to absorb even the light of the nearby stars. Around its event horizon extended a faint glow that marked the boundary between the combat structure and that impossible darkness.

The ring transformed. Sections of the surface unfolded, and different areas of energy appeared. At one end, a platform rose, marked with a luminous signal.

EXIT.

The five avatars were distributed across the track.

Óscar looked around.

His smile grew wider.

Then the artificial voice changed. The neutrality disappeared, and a much more intense tone emerged from the system, like that of a narrator about to announce the beginning of a competition.

—Welcome to Rakzar’s universal training!

The voice resonated throughout the entire space.

—On one side, the human team!

The ring’s lights turned on.

—Óscar Smith!

The android raised a hand.

—Virka Solís!

Virka remained calm.

—Valentina Solís!

The small figure jumped excitedly.

—Sebastián Solís!

Sebastián simply observed the field.

—And Zaira Thorne!

Zaira kept her arms relaxed at her sides.

The system paused.

The black hole seemed to intensify its glow.

—And facing them... the invaders from space!

The space around the ring began to distort. One opening after another appeared in the darkness. Humanoid figures emerged from them.

Some were tall and thin. Others had broad bodies and long limbs. There were creatures with skin covered in plates, others with structures that seemed to form natural armor, and some whose bodies appeared to have been designed to move in a way no human could imitate.

They all remained in front of the team.

Silent.

Waiting.

The system’s voice rose again.

—Five combatants!

The ring’s lights began to rotate.

—An entire universe!

The black hole roared without sound.

—And a single objective!

The creatures advanced.

—LET THE RAKZAR BEGIN!

The entire scenario came to life.

And, for the first time, the five understood that this would not simply be a training session.

________________________________________

END OF Chapter 128 The path continues...

New Chapters are revealed every

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