Maya sat frozen in front of her computer for three hours, staring at that black rose icon like it might disappear if she blinked. Every rational part of her brain insisted she'd had some kind of psychotic break, but the icon was right there. Real. Undeniable.
She clicked on it again, but this time nothing happened. No mysterious messages, no supernatural video calls from demon lords. Just a regular game interface acting like nothing had changed.
But everything had changed.
At 6 AM, Maya finally dragged herself away from the computer and stumbled to the bathroom. The person in the mirror looked like a stranger—wild hair, bloodshot eyes, skin so pale she could see blue veins underneath. When had she gotten so thin? Her clothes hung off her like she was a scarecrow.
She turned on the shower and stood under the hot water until it ran cold, trying to wash away the feeling that her entire reality had shifted. But when she closed her eyes, she could still see Lucien's face, hear his voice saying her name.
"Find me in the real world."
How was she supposed to do that? Post flyers around town asking if anyone had seen a devastatingly handsome demon lord? Check the yellow pages under "Supernatural Beings"?
Maya wrapped herself in a towel and grabbed her laptop, settling onto her bed with a determination she hadn't felt in months. If Lucien was real, if other dimensions existed, then someone somewhere had to know about it. The internet had everything, right?
She started with basic searches. "Parallel dimensions real." "How to contact other worlds." "Demons in modern society." Most of the results were obvious garbage—conspiracy theories, bad science fiction, and religious rants. But buried in the mess, she found forums dedicated to people claiming real supernatural experiences.
"My neighbor is definitely a vampire," someone posted. "He never goes out during the day and I've never seen him eat normal food."
"I think my dog can see ghosts. She keeps barking at empty corners."
"Looking for others who have made contact with entities from other planes of existence. Serious inquiries only."
Maya clicked on that last one. The user was called TruthSeeker88, and their post history was fascinating. They weren't some random conspiracy nut—their posts were detailed, methodical, almost scientific in their approach to documenting supernatural encounters.
She sent a private message:
*Hi. I know this sounds crazy, but I think I've made contact with someone from another dimension. A demon, specifically. He spoke to me through a video game. I need to find him in our world but don't know where to start. You seem like you might have real experience with this kind of thing. Any advice?*
Maya hit send before she could chicken out.
While waiting for a response, she kept digging. She found academic papers about quantum physics and multiverse theory, articles about people who claimed to have been contacted by otherworldly beings, even a few news stories about unexplained phenomena that local authorities couldn't explain.
Her phone rang. Maya had forgotten she'd turned it back on. Jenna's name flashed on the screen.
"Don't hang up on me," Jenna said the moment Maya answered. "Your mom is freaking out. She drove by your apartment yesterday and your car hasn't moved in weeks. The building manager said your neighbors have been complaining about weird noises."
"What kind of noises?" Maya asked, suddenly alert.
"I don't know, electronic sounds? Like... video game sounds, but really loud. Maya, what's going on with you? And don't say you're fine because we both know that's bullshit."
Maya looked at her computer setup. Had she been playing with the volume that high? She honestly couldn't remember. The days all blended together.
"I'm working on something important," Maya said. "I can't really explain it, but it's big, Jenna. Life-changing."
"Is this about that stupid game again? Maya, you need help. Real help. When's the last time you ate actual food? When's the last time you went outside?"
Before Maya could answer, her laptop chimed with a new message notification. TruthSeeker88 had replied.
*Not crazy at all. Interdimensional contact through digital interfaces is more common than people think. The electromagnetic fields generated by computers can sometimes create temporary bridges between planes. If he's trying to manifest in our world, there are specific signs to watch for. Call me. We need to talk. - Elena*
A phone number followed the message.
"Maya? Maya, are you listening to me?" Jenna's voice sounded far away.
"I have to go," Maya said, already reaching for the piece of paper to write down Elena's number.
"No, wait—"
Maya hung up and immediately dialed the number from the message. It rang twice before a woman with a slight accent answered.
"You're the one who contacted me about the demon," Elena said without preamble. "Tell me exactly what happened."
"How did you know it was me?"
"I can hear it in your voice. The resonance. You've been touched by something from the other side. Now talk. Every detail matters."
Maya found herself spilling everything—the obsessive gaming, Lucien's impossible behavior, the conversation through the screen, the black rose icon. Elena listened without interruption, occasionally making small sounds of understanding.
"You said his name was Lucien Morningstar?" Elena asked when Maya finished.
"Yes. In the game he's called a demon lord, ruler of the Seventh Circle or something."
The line went quiet for a long moment.
"Elena? Are you still there?"
"I'm here. Maya, listen to me very carefully. The entity you've been in contact with—he's not just any demon. If he really is who he claims to be, you're dealing with one of the most powerful beings in existence. And if he's trying to cross over into our world..." Elena's voice dropped to almost a whisper. "There's only one reason he would go to that much trouble."
"What reason?"
"He's chosen you, Maya. For something specific. Something that will change both your worlds forever."