Kai sat frozen, eyes glued to the screen. His mind reeled with questions. How had this phone known his name? Why him? And most pressing of all, what exactly was an "Admin" supposed to do?
The first name on the list glowed softly, almost like an invitation. He could make out the letters in a bold, unfamiliar script: Zarael. The symbol beside the name looked like a twisted flame, flickering on the screen. Intrigued and a little apprehensive, Kai tapped on the name.
A surge of warmth spread from the phone through his hand, filling him with a strange sense of connection. It was as if a doorway had opened between him and someone—or something—he'd never known.
The screen filled with text.
[Connecting to Zarael. Please stand by…]
Kai took a deep breath, waiting as the progress bar slowly inched forward. Finally, the screen cleared, and a new message appeared.
[Connection established. Welcome, Admin.]
Another line popped up.
[Zarael has joined the chat.]
A faint buzz sounded, and then, as if speaking directly into his mind, a deep, resonant voice came through.
[Greetings, Admin. I am Zarael, former Guardian of the Emberlands.]
Kai almost dropped the phone. The voice was rich, ancient, each word weighed with purpose and a hint of sorrow. Zarael sounded nothing like anyone he'd ever heard. Gathering his composure, Kai typed out a reply.
Kai: "Uh… hello, Zarael. I'm Kai Everett. I think I'm your new Admin?"
[Zarael:] [Ah, yes, the chosen Admin. It has been ages since the last one, but I am at your service. You will find that I, along with your other connections, bring unique skills to assist you. May I ask what purpose drives your command, Admin?]
Kai blinked at the question. Command? Purpose? He barely understood what was happening, let alone any grand purpose he might serve.
Kai: "Honestly? I have no idea what any of this is. I just found this phone a few minutes ago, and now… well, here we are."
[Zarael:] [Ah, the ignorance of a newly bound Admin. Worry not, Kai Everett. In time, all will become clear. Until then, know that each of us holds knowledge and power you may summon when required.]
Another name on the list, Ilyria, began to pulse. Intrigued, Kai tapped it, watching as the screen indicated that a second connection was forming.
[Connecting to Ilyria. Please stand by…]
Moments later, the voice of a young woman, light and almost musical, entered the chat.
[Ilyria:] [Ah! A new Admin? How wonderful! I'm Ilyria, a Songweaver of the Twilight Woods. You don't look like much, though. Are you certain you're capable of handling this responsibility?]
Kai couldn't help but laugh, caught off guard by her bluntness.
Kai: "Thanks, I guess? Look, I don't know much about this Admin thing, so I appreciate any guidance you can give me."
[Ilyria:] [Guidance, hmm? You may learn quickly, or you may not. But every Admin faces challenges that test their spirit, intelligence, and resolve. You won't find your purpose on this phone, Kai; you'll find it within yourself.]
As Kai took this in, a sudden message from the system appeared.
[Admin Kai Everett, your introductory task is ready. Do you accept?]
A task? Kai wasn't sure he liked the sound of that, but something within him felt compelled to see it through.
Kai: "Yes, I accept."
[Task Confirmed: Initiating in 3… 2… 1…]
The phone emitted a strange hum, and the world around him blurred, his apartment fading away. He felt weightless, his mind swirling with images, sounds, and emotions he couldn't quite place.
When his vision cleared, he found himself standing in a vast, unfamiliar landscape. Mist coiled around twisted trees, the ground damp and soft beneath his feet. He could see shadowy forms flickering through the fog, their movements unsettlingly fluid.
[Zarael:] [Welcome to the first trial, Admin. The true test begins now.]
Kai took a shaky breath, gazing into the mist. This was unlike anything he'd ever known, but he could feel it—the beginning of a journey that would change everything.