Other Side of the Raid

Connections (Part 1)

📻 BBN Transmission Log

World: Post-Comet Earth
BBN Podcast: Latest Character Interview

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Previously on “The Other Side of the Raid”

Chapter 3, Part 3: New Opportunity

After signing the multidimensional contract, Aria receives intensive portal creation training from Vaeloria and Professor. Modern portal creation requires three components: the spell itself, an Interdimensional Resonance Crystal, and a Portal Registration Device (PRD)—essentially a magical smartphone for dimensional travel.

Vaeloria demonstrates various portal styles from the “Quantum Collection” catalog while Professor provides exhaustive historical context for every regulation, including the Great Vortex Crisis and the Unfortunate Bathroom Incident of 2188. The PRD works like interdimensional GPS, allowing portals to anywhere Aria can see or has visited, with three creation methods: normal (4-second scan), favorites (instant to pre-scanned locations), and emergency override (instant but heavily penalized if misused).

Aria receives administrator-level access to all Earth locations through her pendant, which will be absorbed into her body over 47 days. Her first assignment: register useful locations while practicing Creation magic and studying the extensive holographic manuals about interdimensional protocols.

Vaeloria sternly reminds Aria about the secrecy requirement—no telling anyone about the Federation, with threats of multidimensional prison for violations—before sending her home through a perfectly regulated portal to her unchanged yet forever-different living room.

Key Takeaways:

• Portal creation is now heavily regulated with specific equipment requirements

• Aria has administrator access to all Earth raid locations

• The PRD functions like GPS for interdimensional travel

• Complete secrecy about the Federation is mandatory

• Aria’s pendant access will become permanent in 47 days

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Connections (Part 1)

The morning sun filtered through Aria’s bedroom window, casting strange rainbow refractions off the stack of holographic documents on her nightstand. She had fallen into a deep sleep after her tea, exhausted from yesterday’s interdimensional adventures. Though she slept through the morning, a peculiar female voice seemed to weave through her dreams.

Something feels different today Aria noted as she made her way to the kitchen.

The voice came again, more distinct this time, emanating from the direction of her kitchen window. There sat Mittens, her tail curled perfectly around her paws as she observed the world outside with practiced grace.

Mittens: “Absolutely splendid weather today,” she mused to herself with refined precision. “Perhaps I shall pay a visit to our local acquaintances later.”

Aria froze, her morning coffee cup hovering halfway to her lips.

Either I’m still asleep, or Vaeloria forgot to mention some rather important side effects of that translator

As Mittens turned, she maintained perfect composure, though her whiskers twitched slightly in surprise at Aria’s expression.

Mittens: “My dear, you appear rather disconcerted,” she noted with gentle concern. “Though I do wonder... might you actually comprehend what I’m saying?”

Aria: “You... You’re talking,” Aria managed, her coffee forgotten.

Wonderful. First interdimensional portals, and now I’m having conversations with my cat. What’s next, tea parties with goldfish? Aria thought while mentally adding this to her list of things to discuss with Vaeloria.

Mittens: “My goodness,” she straightened primly. “You can indeed understand me. How fascinating. While I did notice your rather unorthodox return yesterday, and those quite remarkable holographic documents are certainly not standard human fare, this is quite the unexpected development.”

Aria: “After discussing matters with Vaeloria and encountering various other beings, a talking cat seems almost... normal,” she replied, finding her composure. “Though I admit, I didn’t expect it to be my own cat.”

Mittens: “Ah, your acquaintance with Vaeloria does illuminate matters considerably,” she responded with measured satisfaction. “Allow me to properly introduce myself, darling. I am Lady Velara “Mittens” Starwhisper, though I would be most grateful if you continued addressing me as Mittens - it maintains a certain comfortable familiarity in our arrangement.”

Aria: “Nice to meet you... officially, I suppose. Though you already know I’m Aria,” she replied, still adjusting to the surreal nature of the conversation.

Mittens: “Indeed, my dear. However,” she added with careful consideration, “I feel compelled to inform you that your parents have made numerous attempts to contact you during your absence. They’ve left quite a collection of increasingly worried messages on your communication device.”

Oh no, I completely forgot about my parents!

Aria hastily checked her voice messages and called her parents back, assuring them of her wellbeing. She explained her absence as Guild business, adding that she was now considering taking a more active role in her diplomatic career. This news delighted her parents, who immediately suggested she leverage her acquaintance with the Prime Minister regarding his new cabinet position on Dungeon collaboration between nations.

After the call, Mittens delicately cleared her throat, the sound somehow managing to convey years of refined etiquette.

Mittens: “My dear, I’m absolutely delighted by your interest in diplomatic pursuits,” she said, her tail curling with subtle approval. “As it happens, I might be able to assist. I have a rather distinguished colleague, Sir Purrington III, who might prove invaluable to your endeavors.”

Aria: “Sir Purrington III?” she questioned, wondering if she’d heard correctly.

Mittens: “Indeed, darling. He maintains a rather prestigious position at 10 Downing Street,” she explained with practiced discretion. “I’m quite certain you’ve heard of him in the news. He could potentially facilitate an unofficial meeting with the Prime Minister, should he be amenable to such arrangements.”

Aria: “This day just keeps getting more surreal by the minute,” she murmured, shaking her head slightly.

Mittens: “Speaking of your day’s agenda, my sweet,” she added while gracefully stretching, “Kate from your Guild paid a visit during your absence. I suggest you attend to that matter while I make the necessary arrangements with Sir Purrington III.”

At least visiting the Guild will feel normal... I hope

Aria agreed, realizing she needed to inform the Guild Master of both her survival and her temporary withdrawal from Raids and Dungeons. As she prepared to leave, she couldn’t help but wonder what other surprises awaited her in this newly revealed world.

A few hours later, Aria quietly entered her Guild house. The office was dim, with no one visible in sight. Kate was busy at her desk; however, the moment she got a glance at Aria, she instantly rushed towards her and greeted Aria with a giant hug.

Kate: “Guild Master! Guild Master! Aria has returned!” She yelled while holding Aria tight.

Aria: “It’s alright, I’m not going anywhere,” Aria tried to calm down Kate.

Kate: “Five more minutes.” She held Aria tight. “Do you have any idea how worried everyone was? You disappeared for an entire week!”

Guild Master: “Indeed. I specifically told you to abort and return if something felt wrong.” He said, anger barely contained in his voice. “Now spill it - what happened? Did you succeed?”

I need to be careful here. Vaeloria’s warning about that interdimensional prison wasn’t exactly subtle Aria considered her words carefully.

Aria: “I... I failed the test,” she reluctantly admitted. “I slipped during the fight and got badly beaten. It took multiple days and what felt like a miracle to exit the Raid.”

Guild Master: “Strange. I sent multiple search parties, and none of them found any trace of you,” he said, suspicion clear in his voice.

Aria: “My head was quite hazy. I think I might have wandered through some obscure path in the Raid,” she tried to dodge the issue.

Not exactly a lie - that medical room was definitely off the beaten path

Kate: “That’s enough, Guild Master!” She said firmly. “What matters is that Aria is back safely.” She turned to Aria with a stern look. “And I hope she won’t worry us like this ever again.”

Aria: “I promise I won’t cause such concern again,” she said sincerely. “In fact, I’ve decided to take a break from exploring and focus on my diplomatic career instead.”

Guild Master: “That’s actually a relief,” he said, his anger subsiding. “What are your plans?”

Aria: “My parents suggested looking into the new Cabinet position our Prime Minister has created for Dungeon collaboration between nations. I thought I’d start there,” she replied with renewed confidence.

Kate: “I always knew you had connections, but going directly to the Prime Minister? That’s something else entirely!” She looked at Aria with newfound respect.

Guild Master: “In that case,” he stated with obvious pride, “I’ll write you a recommendation. Having an official Guild endorsement should carry some weight.” He headed upstairs to his office.

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📡 End of Transmission

Oliver here - That was quite a chapter! Our dimensional frequency is picking up intense emotional resonance from Aria’s world. What did you think of her decision? The comments below are buzzing with theories from other interdimensional travelers...