The sand was still slipping between Alpha's toes when he touched the buried solid object. It was cold oddly so, considering the scorching heat of the desert.
He knelt down and slowly began brushing the sand away. It took some time before a stone door was fully revealed, half-buried and carved with incomprehensible markings.
"Hmm… what is this?" he muttered, staring at it. "Why does it feel familiar?"
The air around him was still. No sounds. No movement.
He reached out and touched the door.
It creaked open slowly no key, no mechanism.
A wave of cold air and an ancient scent spilled out from within.
"A strange smell," Alpha whispered.
The moment he stepped into the hall, a soft blue glow shimmered before him. A translucent screen formed midair, its words sharp and clear:
[Congratulations. You are the first to reach the first floor.]
Alpha stopped, read the message, and pursed his lips.
"To hell with you," he said aloud.
