A lot had changed in a relatively short amount of time for Sky.

  First, the overlay’s turned off, coming back with amazing new abilities.

  Then, Luck’s Haven was lost? Sold? She didn’t know because nobody would tell her. Either way, it’d been transferred from Lord Mirail of the Ceruleans to some unknown named Dante. A person with no weight to their name that she’d never heard of. Nor had anyone else, no matter who she asked.

  Luck’s Haven had been within the grasp of the Cerulean line for dozens of generations. To have some random person snatch it up was extremely nerve-racking for the planet. Theories abounded, but no answers seemed to come.

  The mystery gnawed at her, even with Sky’s small place in society.

  Meanwhile, the elites within the upper reaches didn’t change in the slightest. Those with the wealth and name to keep themselves on their vaulted bridges and out of the muck of the city, never said a thing to the unfortunate souls surviving below them.

  Who knew what they were thinking? The only communication the undercity ever received came in the form of trash, leavings, and the loose change that trickled down for services.

  For Sky, who lived in that trash, it was all she’d ever known.

  That’s why she was very confused when a message struck every person on the planet at once. And it changed everything.

  Hello to the people of Luck’s Haven

  While I go by many names, you can call me Dante.

  I've been granted control of your planet through a unique quirk of luck, fate, or, let’s be honest, sheer stupidity.

  Many of you are probably wondering who I am and what I plan to do with you. What changes am I going to make to your society, which has run for so very long.

  Or even if I’m crazy.

  I may be a little crazy, but as for the rest of it, I can answer that for you now.

  I have no plans at all to change Luck’s Haven. Your planet will continue doing the same things you’ve always done, inviting the Multiverse’s citizens to come and enjoy the entertainment you provide.

  Taxes will not change. Your overarching government will not change. By and large, I will be a hands-off owner who prefers that things stay nice and calm.

  I greatly prefer not to be bothered.

  Sky felt something within her give in a little bit after reading through the message. It was too much to hope that this owner would be something different than what they’d always known. Something better, even if only by the smallest amount.

  How could he leave them in this awful place? Was it too much to hope that somebody would find out what their lives were like down here? That somebody would care about the children gasping and choking on the air permeating their homes.

  It was too much.

  She was about to stop reading when she noticed there was more to it. It took her a moment, but she figured out how to move the message so she could read further.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  However.

  I am willing to offer something to Luck’s Haven residents, but only to them.

  To those of you who reside on the planet, be your name Shirley or Jackson or anything else, I ask you these questions.

  What kind of home is it?

  Is it one you’re proud of? One where you are happy to be a part of the greater whole?

  What if you could do something different? Go somewhere different?

  Be someone different?

  In my homeworld, we called it an I-s-e-k-a-i. It’s written in a language that I’m not entirely sure exists anymore, but it breaks down to mean the following:

  Why not go to a different world?

  Why not escape?

  …

  Sky moved the message again, not quite believing what she was reading.

  I run a series of worlds within the Symphony solar system.

  I built them with specific expectations for my people. Ones that are demanded in the most rigorous way possible.

  They’re not soft places. You cannot come here and expect there to be no danger or risk. Nor can you always expect a helping hand when you’re down.

  This is a place where only those with great determination can reach the highest points.

  Where exploration of character matters as much as exploration of the stars.

  Where anyone, truly, can be powerful in their own right.

  It only takes the will to achieve it.

  …

  Sky moved the message again, her eyes eating up the words before her. She didn’t know who Dante was and truly didn’t care. Leaving Luck’s Haven wasn’t a simple process. Paperwork had to be filled out on the middle levels, which, even to reach, required a certain amount of access that had to be paid for. Then, you had to pay for travel, expenses, and supplies. It all came down to money.

  Everyone she’d ever known had been trapped in the undercity, stuck beneath the fog where the stars never shine. If he was truly offering to show her a world without smoke and metal, then it was worth the risk.

  It was worth everything.

  In just a few short days, you will be prompted for potential selection.

  The first option will ask if you are interested in being Isekai’d. If you decline, then nothing will occur. You will not be prosecuted, pushed, or otherwise maladied.

  You will simply be out of the Lottery.

  And a Lottery it is.

  …

  Sky didn’t know what a Lottery was, but her translator took care of that for her. A few seconds later, a thought popped up after she understood the meaning.

  They’re only taking so many people.

  If you agree to the process, several things are likely to happen.

  You will be contacted by one of my assistants.

  They’re going to ask you several questions, to include the following:

  Where did you grow up?

  What do you do for a job?

  Do you have any hobbies?

  What is your opinion of our rulers, the Evolvers?

  Sky couldn’t stop herself from snorting.

  Each will tell us a little more about you.

  You will also be asked questions that will help us better understand your personality and whether you would be a good fit for Symphony.

  I’m not going to announce how many we’ll be taking with us, but there will be a pre-approved list. Anyone who does not get selected and still attempts to cross over will be punished in the most severe way possible.

  Don’t worry. We’re well aware that the System Administrator has allowed for people to be anonymous.

  That’s why every selected person will be given a passphrase unique only to them.

  So, while you’re still reading this, I have to ask.

  Are you willing to travel to a new world?

  Are you willing to take the risk?

  Sky already knew her choice, but that wouldn’t be enough. She didn’t have a lot of friends here, but of those she did, she needed to make sure they all won the lottery. They needed to leave this place.

  Skipping down the dark streets, Sky went hunting for friends.

  Link

  Link