The arcade had gone quiet for the night.

No players. No coins clattering. Just the soft hum of machines resting after another long day. Candy Crush was in her usual corner, Yoda blinking in his spot, the puzzle cabinet’s pieces clicking slowly as it finished its game. The Main Era was alive in quiet, subtle ways—but tonight, something was about to change.

“Ah… here we go,” a gentle, slightly gravelly voice murmured from behind the cabinets.

It was Mr. LeRicks. The arcade’s caretaker, the one who knew every cord, every cabinet, every hum of every machine. His hands were warm as they guided a brand-new cabinet into its spot.

“This one’s a little different,” he said, brushing a layer of dust from the casing. “Not sure if the other games are ready for you yet… but you’ll find your place.”

With a careful click, he plugged the cord into the main outlet. The cabinet shivered to life, lights flickering, screen booting, circuits humming. The tunnels beneath the arcade flared softly as if acknowledging a new arrival.

“Name’s up top,” Mr. LeRicks murmured, tapping the attract screen. Letters flickered into existence:

E C H O B L O S S O M

He leaned back, hands on his hips, watching the cabinet’s first hesitant notes escape its speakers. “There you go… welcome to the Main Era. Be brave, little game. The others will notice you soon enough.”

Candy Crush leaned over, tilting her screen. “Hmm. Music game, huh? Haven’t seen one like you before.”

Yoda’s blinking cabinet hummed softly. “Unknown, your path is. But welcome, you are.”

The puzzle cabinet clicked nervously mid-piece, as if echoing what everyone in the hub was thinking: Can you survive here?

Mr. LeRicks chuckled softly, adjusting the cord one last time. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you’re steady… at least until you can stand on your own.”

And with that, the arcade exhaled. A new game had been plugged in. A new melody had been released into the Main Era. And tonight… your journey had begun.