“... Ma…”

Kshhhk!

“... hear… me… ”

Kshhhk!

“... Matt…”

“Matt! Can you hear me?” Hailey’s voice rang inside Matthew’s head as his eyes adjusted to the darkness surrounding him.

“Y-yeah… I can hear you.” He answered as he stood up, his gaze wandering through the void. “Where am I?”

Hello. Welcome To Wonderland’s Mirrorverse.

Please Wait For Further Instructions.

A woman’s voice echoed through the shadows. A faint light swirled above him accompanied by a low, whirring sound. “Looks like the AI Guide is functioning properly. Now, do you remember?”

“Y-yeah… ” Matt nodded as he recalled the last moments before his slumber. “Wait, can you see me right now?”

“Yes, I’m tracking you through the monitors. The test room’s Dream-Catchers are all linked to the store’s computers, after all.”

“Ok… What should I do then? I don't see anything… ” Matt turned his head as he peered through nothingness.

Scanning Dream Identification.

“Just wait a moment, the Guide's checking your ID records. Once it confirms that you don't have one it will assist you in its creation.”

Dream Identification Failed!

Initiating Avatar Creation Sequence!

Please Wait.

“See? Now you’ll have to customize your avatar, the body you'll be using inside Wonderland. You can personalize it by adjusting your hair color and facial features, your height and weight or even gender and race. Though keep in mind that it's easier for you to get accustomed to your avatar’s body if its similar to the one you have in the real world.”

“Hmmm… Got it.” Matt responded as his eyes welcomed the bright, swirling light beaming from under him.

Avatar Creation Sequence Start!

Input Avatar ID!

“ID?” Hearing the guide’s odd request, Matt wore a puzzled expression, scratching his head as he pondered what to do.

“She’s asking for your in-game name… ” Hailey answered, unable to hold herself from sighing as she saw him grasping at straws.

“Right! Wait—how do I do that? Is there a keyboard somewhere?”

“You're inside your dream, silly. You need to imagine it! Picture the letters forming in your head…” She giggled, shaking her head at his technical shortcomings.

“Hmmm… Alright… I think I got it!” Matt closed his eyes and traced his name inside his mind.

Avatar ID: Matthew, Confirmed!

Scanning For Available Classes.

“Ack! You actually went with your real name?”

“Oh… Should I have not done that?”

“Sigh, I guess it's fine since it's in test mode…”

“Hailey! The guy wants a premium membership card, can you help me with that?” Alex’s voice rang inside Matt’s head as she shouted from the store’s counter to the test room.

“Ok, I’m coming. I’m sorry, Matt but could you follow the AI’s instructions without me?

“Of course.”

“Just relax and take your time. If you have further questions, I can answer them when I get back.”

“Got it. Thanks, Hailey.” He answered as he steeled himself, awaiting the voice’s guidance with crossed arms.

“You're welcome.” She smiled yet a sigh escaped her lips upon noticing his humorless expression. She paused for a moment, staring at the monitor as a hilarious thought came to her head.

“By the way, try not to go overboard with your avatar creation, alright? Just because you can doesn't mean you should make a hot blonde with bouncing tits!” She shouted, startling Matthew with a left-field accusation.

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, don't play dumb with me. I’m sure it crossed your mind!”

“W-wha—What exactly do you take me for!”

“I’m kidding! Lighten up!” She teased, snickering at the back of his head. “Still, I better not catch you fondling yourself when I get back!” She followed.

“Just go already!”

“Aye aye, Captain!”

“Geez.” Matt sighed as he blushed, shaking away the perverted thoughts she planted in his head. Yet despite his complaints, his lips succumbed to her humor as a faint smile shattered the iron mask he put on.

Multiple Class Requirements Unmet

24 Classes Unavailable.

Novice Class, Pawn Unlocked!

Initiating Class Selection!

Matt felt the vibrations under his feet as countless mirrors manifested, permeating from the ground in a ghastly fashion. Hoisted up by invisible hands, they hovered around him before settling themselves in place about a foot above the ground.

Twenty-four—No, twenty-five overall… Matt counted in his head as he turned his gaze admiring the ring of mirrors that surrounded him. “Wow…” He gasped as he approached the nearest looking-glass and brushed his hand against its decorative, golden borders.

The coldness of its metallic edges surprised him and even the bumps and slopes of its engravings felt natural to his hand. “Am I really… dreaming?” He asked himself, doubtful of its possibility. He shifted his gaze at the center of the glass and noticed a dark fog from within, hindering his sight.

Class Requirements Unmet!

Please Select An Unlocked Class!

“Requirements… unmet?” Matt held his chin as he approached the adjacent mirror on his left. He gazed at it, scrutinizing every inch and angle in search of his reflection, yet the glass remained clouded by darkness.

Class Requirements Unmet!

Please Select An Unlocked Class!

Upon hearing the AI’s repeated warnings, Matt turned his head and noticed that the majority of the mirrors were afflicted by the same, strange fog. All except for one. 

Matt approached the single, radiant glass and, for the first time in a long while, felt relieved to witness his own, vacant expression.

Novice Class, Pawn Confirmed!

Initiating Avatar Race Selection!

“I guess this one’s unlocked…” He smiled as he read the words engraved on mirror's border above. “Pawn?” He pondered as he observed the new clothes worn by his own reflection.

The majority of his body was wrapped in a simple, leather armor as iron plates covered areas of his shoulders, chest, and legs. A black-sheathed, sword hung at his waist and three small pouches could be seen strapped aside his leather belt.

Test Mode Race Selection Limited!

4 Avatar Races Unavailable!

Default Race Selected!

Human Race Unlocked!

“Hmmm, Hailey did say that Test Mode has its limits… ”

Initiating Avatar Feature Selection!

Please Input Desired Features

And Press The Looking-Glass To Confirm!

Matt paused for a moment, pondering on what he wishes to change. His dull expression came to mind immediately as he searched for its suitable replacement in his head. “A smile is a thousand times better of course… ” He mused as he settled to lift the curse he could not escape outside the virtual world.

Matt focused his thoughts, picturing his ideas as vivid as possible. He gave himself an amicable smile and trimmed the fringes of his jet-black hair to fit the changes he made on his face. He renounced the paleness of his skin and even changed the color of his eyes… He worked every detail he could alter and crafted his ideal, virtual avatar within minutes… unaware of the fiendish grin lurking in the shadows...

“Whatchu doin, hubby!” Alex shouted, banishing the image inside his head with her booming voice. Startled by her actions, he staggered back, stumbling as his hands sought support against the glass that still contained his true reflection.

Avatar Features Confirmed!

Avatar Creation Sequence Completed!

Please Proceed Through The Looking-Glass

And Enjoy Your Time Inside Wonderland!

“A-lex!” Matthew screamed in a muddled, fading voice as the glass-turned-portal swallowed him whole…