I woke up and found myself here.

The sky stretched endlessly, the soft breeze carrying the scent of salt and sun. The beach was pristine—too pristine. The waves rolled in gentle, rhythmic patterns, like clockwork. I bent down, scooping up a handful of warm sand, letting it slip between my fingers.

It looked real. It felt real.

I stepped forward, my foot sinking slightly into the wet shore. The water lapped at my toes, sending a pleasant shiver up my leg. Ah… it’s warm.

I waded in, letting the sea swallow me. The deeper I swam, the clearer everything became. Bright yellow fish darted around me, sunlight streaming through the waves in golden ribbons.

Then I noticed—I wasn’t coming up for air.

I paused. My lungs weren’t screaming for oxygen. My muscles didn’t ache. I wasn’t even tired.

How is this possible? My rational mind rebelled against it, but another part of me whispered, Does it matter?

I gave in.

I dove deeper, chasing the fish, reveling in the weightlessness. I spread my arms, embracing the thrill of being part of something vast and endless.

Then—

“Where are my goggles?”

The thought barely formed before everything snapped away. The ocean, the fish, the golden light—all vanished.

I was back.

A small, windowless room. Gray walls. A dim ceiling light. The silence pressing against my ears.

“Did you like it?” a voice chimed. “Or would you like me to make it more challenging?”

I exhaled sharply. “You cut it off too soon.” I clenched my fists. “Okay. It was good. Make it more challenging. More exciting.”

A pause.

“And… next time, let me breathe like normal. Otherwise, it’s just weird.”

The AI hesitated, then responded in its usual, smooth tone.

“Understood. Adjustments will be made.”

The room dimmed. The walls blurred. The ocean would return.

I just had to let it.