Here is a revised version of the chapter, incorporating more dialogue, including Waylon's visit to purchase the game capsule, and the interaction with his girlfriend. The narrative flow will now include these additions
Waylon Stewart blinked in confusion as he stood up from his old, cluttered apartment floor. He had just awoken, not in the destroyed future he had just seen, but in a time a decade earlier. The air smelled stale, the sunlight that filtered through the blinds was softer, calmer. His heart raced as the reality of his situation set in: He had somehow been sent back in time.
It was ten years ago—before the Null Creatures, before the world had crumbled, before his family was lost.
He was no longer the man who had failed. He had a chance to start again, to prevent the destruction, to do everything right this time. But there was one thing that still confused him: how did he get here?
His fingers traced the cold surface of his phone, and it dawned on him—The Catalyst. The game. The one thing he had ignored for years. It was a game that had not only connected players across the world but also became the center of everything, a digital frontier where power, wealth, and survival were forged.
But to really get ahead, to truly prepare for what was coming, Waylon needed to get serious about the game. He had no other choice.
---
"Waylon, you're up already?" a voice called out from the kitchen.
He turned to see Emily, his girlfriend, emerging from the kitchen in her usual cozy attire. She had a soft smile on her face, but there was a touch of concern in her eyes.
Waylon's heart skipped a beat as he saw her, younger than the last time he saw her—so full of life. She was unaware of the end that had come for them both.
"Yeah," Waylon replied, a little shaken. He walked over to her, trying to act casual but feeling like his world had just flipped upside down. "Had some crazy dreams. But it's nothing."
Emily gave him a knowing look, but she didn't press. Instead, she set a mug of freshly brewed coffee on the counter and came over to kiss him gently on the cheek.
"Well, if you're up early, you can help me with some errands later," she said, her voice warm. "I was thinking of getting some new gadgets for us—maybe a new game capsule for you. I know you've been talking about it forever."
Waylon's eyes widened. The game capsule—the device used to fully immerse players in The Catalyst. He had never taken it seriously before, not like the other players who treated the game as their second reality. But now, he needed it.
"I… I think you're right. I might need to pick one up," he said, his voice slightly uncertain. "I'll get ready in a bit. Just need to think about a few things."
Emily smiled, oblivious to his inner turmoil. "I'm glad you're getting serious about it. You've been talking about how everyone's been leveling up so fast. Who knows? Maybe we can even play together, huh?"
Waylon's heart twisted at the thought of them both being part of this, this world he hadn't truly understood before. It was a game, but it wasn't. It was the key to everything. "Yeah, maybe." He smiled faintly, the weight of the situation pressing on him.
---
An hour later, Waylon and Emily found themselves standing outside a sleek, futuristic electronics store. The flashing neon sign promised the best technology in the market. Waylon felt a mix of nerves and excitement bubbling inside him. This was it. He was about to invest in the one thing that could change everything.
"Ready?" Emily asked, looking over at him with a grin.
"Yeah," Waylon answered, trying to hide the unease he felt. He wasn't just buying a game capsule; he was taking the first step toward altering his destiny.
The store's automatic doors slid open with a soft swish, and they stepped inside. Rows of gadgets and technology were on display, but Waylon's eyes were fixed on the gleaming game capsules in the back. They were top-of-the-line, their sleek forms promising the ultimate immersion in The Catalyst.
A store assistant approached, a young woman with short, platinum-blonde hair and a bright smile. "Welcome! Are you interested in our Advanced Immersion Capsules? They're perfect for The Catalyst."
Waylon nodded, a little stiffly. "Yeah, I'll take one of those. Do you have the latest model?"
The assistant gestured to the far side of the room. "Right over there. The Vanguard Series. It's got full sensory integration—perfect for a game like The Catalyst."
Emily nudged him lightly. "You sure about this? It's a big step."
Waylon hesitated but then nodded. "Yeah, this time I'll be serious about it. I don't want to miss out again."
---
The assistant led them to the display, and Waylon's eyes locked on the Vanguard Series. It was a beauty—a sleek black-and-silver design with a comfortable reclining seat and built-in neural connectors. Everything about it screamed "ultimate immersion."
"How much is it?" Waylon asked, already bracing himself for the cost.
The assistant flashed a smile. "It's an investment, but it's worth every penny. The price is set at 100,000 credits."
Waylon's eyes widened, but Emily didn't seem fazed. "It's just money, Waylon. We'll make it work. You know this is important."
"Right," Waylon said, almost to himself. Emily was right. Money was just money. If he was going to prepare for the inevitable, he couldn't hesitate.
After a quick scan and payment, they had the capsule loaded and ready to go.
---
Back at their apartment, Waylon set the capsule up in their small living room. Emily sat on the couch, watching him carefully as he adjusted the various settings.
"Do you really think this is going to work?" Emily asked, her voice soft with concern. "The game… The Catalyst… is it really that big?"
Waylon paused, thinking for a moment. "I think it is. The game—it's more than just a game, Emily. It's the way forward. There's so much more to it than we realize. I'm not just playing to escape; I'm playing to prepare."
Emily frowned slightly. "Prepare for what?"
Waylon's heart clenched. He couldn't tell her the truth—not yet. But he could hint at it. "For everything. For the future. We don't know what's coming, but I intend to be ready for it."
Emily gave him a skeptical look but didn't press. "Alright, Waylon. If you say so. I trust you."
He smiled weakly, knowing she could never understand the weight of what he had to do. "Thanks," he said quietly, plugging the final cable into the game capsule.
---
As Waylon laid down inside the capsule, the system began to power up. He closed his eyes as the machine hummed to life, sending waves of warmth and cold across his body. He could feel the neural link activating, syncing with his brain. And then, darkness.
---
He opened his eyes to find himself in The Catalyst. His body was no longer his own—it was an avatar, fully immersed in the game world. He was standing in the Human Realm, the central hub of the game, a place where players could train, socialize, and prepare for the challenges ahead.
Waylon took a deep breath, the realization settling in. He wasn't just playing to win. He was playing for survival. This time, he wouldn't fail.
---
"Welcome to The Catalyst," a disembodied voice announced, echoing in his mind.
Waylon's eyes narrowed with determination. He had a mission. And he wasn't going to let the past—or the future—stand in his way.