Chapter 1: The Encounter

Rei Atsuki stood at the balcony of his small apartment, staring at the glittering, neon-choked skyline of Atarashi—a sprawling metropolis where technology dominated every corner. Drones buzzed like restless insects, and towering skyscrapers pulsed with shifting holograms.

In his cluttered room, sketches of futuristic devices and half-built machines cluttered every surface. Taro, his drone companion, hovered nearby, his small frame emitting a soft hum.

Another all-nighter?  Taro chirped, his AI voice tinged with mock concern.  You’re going to lose another five hours of sleep.

Rei grinned, brushing paint off his hands.  You’re my alarm clock, aren’t you? Wake me up when the world ends.

Taro spun in a playful arc.  It already did. I’m your post-apocalypse sidekick!

Rei laughed, and for a moment, their small, broken world felt whole. But outside, the city throbbed with something unsettling—a hum of secrets waiting to be uncovered.

Rei and Taro wandered through the market streets—an endless maze of food stalls, holographic vendors, and blinking neon signs. Somewhere between the rows of merchants stood Dune & Nick’s Donuts, a small, oddly pristine shop nestled in the chaos.

The smell of freshly fried dough drew Rei in.  Who even eats donuts anymore?

People with excellent taste in obsolete cuisine,  Taro replied smugly.

Inside, Nick, the charismatic shop owner, polished the counter with a mysterious smile.  Welcome, Rei and… floating friend.  His voice lingered on every word, as though he already knew them.

How do you know my name?  Rei asked suspiciously.

Nick pushed a plate forward—golden donuts glowing faintly, dusted with a strange, shimmering powder.  Try one, and you’ll understand.

Rei hesitated. Taro, however, was already scanning the donuts.  Energy readings off the charts! Oh, I have to see where this goes.

Rei rolled his eyes and grabbed one donut.  Fine. One bite.

The moment the sugary pastry touched his tongue, the room seemed to warp. Light bent, sound muffled, and a tingling energy coursed through his veins. He gasped as holographic rings spiraled around him, pulsing with data.

Taro sputtered wildly, his propellers spinning erratically.  ERROR! I’M SEEING COLORS THAT DON’T EXIST!

The room dissolved into a bright void. Then, they were somewhere else.

Rei blinked at his surroundings. They were standing in an alien landscape—crystal-clear skies above, skyscrapers of shifting glass and light stretching infinitely. The world pulsed like a heartbeat.