"Fractals, Mograth, it's all fractals," a figure in liquid-light robes mused, eyes locked on the pulsating sphere. "Yet, we must press on. Even in futility, there is purpose."
Flames flickered, casting long, twisted shadows across the surreal landscape. Crystalline formations and ancient artifacts whispered secrets of forgotten worlds.
"Powerless against their disruptions," he lamented, staring at his bound hands. "The primordial veil has fallen, lost to the vestiges of time. They have a new name for us...The Shadows of Yore" A sudden crack echoed as the flames surged.
Lorian stepped back, shielding his face. "What's going on?" he demanded, fear tightening his voice.
The figure turned, robes shimmering, eyes fixed on a distant crater as if recalling a lost castle. "The Celestial Palace," he sighed, the name resonating like a forgotten dream. As he gazed into the abyss, Lorian felt an irresistible pull, each step drawing him nearer to the circle of flames. With every stride, the mirage of a once-majestic castle shimmered into focus, its spectral towers reaching towards the heavens. The world pulsed with strange energy, growing brighter and more intense, until—
His vision blurred, the vibrant hues of purple and gold blending into the more subdued colors of... something real. Lorian felt a jarring shift, like being wrenched from one dream into another. The ethereal glow of the flames was replaced by the soft hum of an engine, the surreal landscape dissolving into the familiar interior of a van.
He blinked, disoriented, as the echo of the pulsating sphere lingered in his mind. Lorian rubbed his temples, trying to shake off the disorientation. The transition from dream to reality was jarring, leaving him with a lingering sense of unease. Slowly, the van’s interior came into focus—a musky scented perfume mingling in the air. 'That dream again?' Lorian wondered, rubbing his eyes as he tried to remember when he had fallen asleep.
The six victors had already been escorted to the van. Among them were four men, Lorian included, and a pair of women. A palpable discomfort hung in the air between them, punctuated by their unanimous silence. Once they were all settled in the van's interior, Dr. Young leaned forward with an air of authority, instructing the driver to whisk them away to the hallowed halls of the Celestial Research Lab.
The driver navigated the van skillfully, turning into a narrow alley. Lorian peered out the window, noticing how the path split—one way leading to the bustling highway, the other vanishing into the thick forest.
"I've never travelled on this road. I wonder where it goes," A man in a blue t-shirt muttered, glancing at the fork in the road.
"The forest, by the looks of it," Lorian replied, still in a haze.
As the van rumbled forward, the steady hum of the engine was the only sound until Dr. Young’s voice broke the silence, carrying an undercurrent of tension that only a few might catch. "Congratulations," he began, his tone formal but strained. "Today’s research is a milestone... crucial for humanity’s future." His eyes scanned the participants, a silent plea hidden behind his composed exterior. "At Samaritan Solutions, everything we do is for... the greater good." The words came out evenly, but there was a flicker of hesitation—a moment where his lips twitched, as though trying to form different words.
Lorian couldn't help but ruminate at the solemnity in Dr. Young's voice. 'His vibe just gives me the chills. Why is he so intense?' Lorian wondered, a shiver running down his spine. 'He could learn a thing or two from someone like Arnold—less mystery, more muscle.' With a mental chuckle, he imagined Mr. Muscles draping on a white coat on his bare chest, posing like your stereotypical mad scientist.
“Professor, what do you mean by ‘the greater good’?” a lady asked just in time.
Dr. Young hesitated, his throat tightening as if something was constricting his ability to speak. "Miss Calista... asking you all to enter that white room was... was a necessity," he said, a slight quiver in his voice. "But... your participation will help us prevent future suffering. Such is the greater good." His eyes briefly glazed over, as if grappling with something deeper—something dark. He wanted to say more, but the words got caught in his throat.
Lorian noticed the odd pause, a slight frown crossing his face. ‘He's stuttering more than usual?’ he thought, but he quickly brushed it off. ‘Maybe he’s just too deep into this science stuff. Needs to chill.’
"Professor, we agreed to the trial," Calista said, her smile unwavering. "It wasn't difficult, and we knew what we signed up for." Her words were light, intended to ease the tension in the van.
Dr. Young’s mind was in turmoil, the voice in his head growing louder, more insistent. "You can’t keep them safe," it murmured, its tone like the crackling of embers in a dying fire, relentless and all-consuming. "They are already marked."
Dr. Young clenched his fists, fighting to keep control. ‘I have to... warn them,’ he thought, but the voice pressed on, like an unstoppable force encroaching on his mind. "You sent that girl away... against our will. A mistake that won’t go unpunished." A faint pulse of violet flickered in his eyes, the glow just barely noticeable. "Let go, Young. You know what needs to be done."
The man in the blue t-shirt spoke up, "I am still not clear about what you people are researching..."
Dr. Young's breath hitched, the words forming in his mind but refusing to pass his lips. "This research... it’s about... securing a future where chaos is prevented," he forced out, his voice steadying for a moment. But there was an edge to it, a quiet resignation as the voice tightened its grip on him. "Even if... even if it requires hard choices." The last words came out smoothly, too smoothly, as if something had taken over completely.
The man in the blue t-shirt let out a wry smile as he whispered towards Lorian, "Is he a politician? Cause he sure answers like one"
Lorian chuckled a bit. Shrugging he whispered, "Maybe we're too dumb to understand his wise words."
Calista, ever curious, pressed further. "And that’s the greater good?" she asked, her tone more intrigued than concerned.
Dr. Young’s face tightened, his expression almost serene. "Yes," he said, his voice devoid of the earlier struggle. "The greater good... where sacrifices are necessary... for a better tomorrow." The words flowed effortlessly now, as if the battle within him had been won.
"Well, as long as it doesn't involve more white rooms, count me in!" joked the guy in the blue t-shirt, lightening the mood as the others chuckled in agreement.
Before long, the others joined in conversation, each one presenting themselves and recounting their time spent in the chamber. The six people were seated in groups of three on a pair of long seats that were placed across each other.
Calista, her leather jacket crinkling softly with each movement, exclaimed "Haha I can't still believe we won!!" Her fair tresses catching the light from the open window. "I've never been this excited in my life!" Her laughter, bright and infectious, cut through the tension in the van.
Next to her, Alex remained quiet, her dark, intense eyes observing everything. Dressed in functional dark clothing, she exuded a sense of seriousness that contrasted sharply with Calista's exuberance. She nodded slightly, acknowledging Calista's comment but not adding to it.
Adjacent to Lorian, a suave gentleman clad in a suit introduced himself as Nelson, his demeanor calm and collected, exuding an air of quiet confidence. His posture and confidence suggested he was used to situations like these, yet a subtle smirk hinted at something more—something that set him apart from the rest. He watched the others with a mixture of curiosity and disdain.
'Just something about his eyes...Reminds me of that one rude costumer that got me fired from Yappari steaks...' Lorian thought as he sized up the man. Nelson was already Lorian’s least favorite person within the van.
Directly across Nelson, flanked by the two women, was his younger brother Neal who fidgeted nervously in a suit that seemed a size too large. It almost seemed like he was trying his best to imitate his brother, however the suit he adorned made him look a bit comical. The boy seemed eighteen at best, making him the youngest in the bunch. His youthful face lit up whenever he glanced at Calista, a blush creeping up his cheeks. However Calista seemed oblivious of her admirer.
'Dude is probably gonna get brother-zoned' Lorian giggled observing the dynamics at play.
On Lorian’s left sat Ares, dressed casually in a dirty blue Metallica T-shirt and jeans, his rugged appearance softened by the genuine warmth in his eyes.
As the conversation flowed Ares shared stories of his life and the struggles he had overcome, his voice carried a mix of melancholy and hope. He told the group of how he had been homeless all this while after his business crashed during the recent recession.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
"I plan to get my life back on track once I receive the cash," Ares said, his smile growing brighter. "Maybe one day, I'll start my own family and be the father I never had." As he spoke, a spark ignited in his eyes, and his lips curled into a hopeful grin. He envisioned himself running through fields, chasing after his laughing children. 'Soon,' he thought, grounding himself back to the present.
Ares glanced at Lorian with a curious smile. "So, Lorian, what’s your story? If you don’t mind sharing."
'Never judge a book by it's cover I guess.' Lorian glanced at Ares, noting how his hipster appearance belied his humble nature. A warm feeling of respect for Ares filled him. Then his eyes slid to Nelson, sitting stiffly to his right. The shift in his expression was immediate—a grimace of discomfort. Nelson's arrogance was palpable, making Lorian’s skin crawl.
"You're very humble, Mr. Ares, since you told us of your tale, it's only natural that I tell mine haha" Lorian responded with a light chuckle, reciprocating the humble mannerism.
"You flatter me" Ares responded with a smile "Also, just call me Ares, the whole Mister thing sounds too weird to me" He added.
Lorian shrugged, leaning back in his seat. "Not much to tell. Juggling a bunch of part-time jobs, you know how it is. When I saw the ad, I thought, why not give it a shot?"
Ares nodded. "Been there. Life throws curveballs, and sometimes you just have to swing at everything that comes your way."
Hearing his tale Calista cheered from the other side, "I am rooting for you Mr. Lorian!!"
"Thank you" Lorian responded, a genuine smile taking place on his lips. He gazed at the shifting scenery of leaves and trees beyond the window. 'Everyone has their own problems, their own stories unfolding only for them to see and understand' Lorian thought with a sigh. He could tell that Ares wasn't lying, but he was sure that there was a lot left untold in the story Ares presented.
"What about you, Miss Calista?" Ares asked, shifting the focus.
Calista leaned back, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Honestly? After hearing all your serious reasons, mine feels a bit frivolous. But I want to travel the world! I've always dreamed of seeing new places, experiencing different cultures."
Neal, unable to contain his enthusiasm, jumped in. "That's not frivolous at all. It's great to have dreams. I wish I could go on a vacation with you too! " He added, trying to sound casual, "Where do you plan to go though?"
'You aren't as smooth as you think little Neal,' Lorian stifled a giggle as he listened to Neal's awkward attempts at flirting with Calista. Neal's clumsy charm was endearing yet entirely ineffective, like a puppy trying to impress a cat. Lorian shook his head, a grin tugging at his lips as he watched the scene unfold.
Nelson, who had been quietly observing, raised an eyebrow but remained silent, his expression unreadable. Alex, too, watched Calista closely, a hint of a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth.
Calista grinned as she looked out the window, the leaves fluttering randomly along the currents of the wind, "To be honest, I haven't planned that out! I just know in my heart that I wanna have an adventure" She smiled charmingly as she looked at Neal, "Maybe one day I'll send you a postcard from Paris." She said giggling, "By the way why is someone as young as you here?" She asked, looking at the shy young boy.
"Me and my brother are starting a business. We’re using these funds as our capital," Neal said, his voice steady but his eyes betraying a flicker of uncertainty.
Alex, who had been silent for most of the trip, finally spoke up, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh? And what business might that be?" She looked towards the well suited Nelson "Besides being 'unemployed,' of course"
Lorian observed the exchange silently, his gaze flicking between the participants, noting the familiar tension.
Neal hesitated, a faint blush creeping up his neck. "Uh... it's, well..."
"Drop shipping," Nelson cut in sharply, his eyes narrowing at Alex. "We’re starting a drop shipping business."
Neal glanced at Nelson, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "You look tense," he remarked, his tone light but his eyes revealing a sharper intent.
Nelson's grip tightened on the seat's edge, but he quickly masked his discomfort, returning Neal's look with a stern expression.
Neal’s chuckle broke the tension, the sound too light, almost unsettling. "Nelson's the brains. I’m just along for the ride," he said, his tone playful but his gaze sharp.
Nelson’s grip tightened further. He stared straight ahead, a muscle in his jaw twitching.
Neal's eyes lingered on him before he leaned in, his voice dropping to a low, almost mocking whisper. "Don’t worry, big brother. I’ll behave."
Nelson’s eyes flicked to the road, his lips pressed into a thin line. He nodded slightly, as if to reassure himself more than anyone else.
Alex’s eyes narrowed, a flash of distaste crossing her face as she glanced at Neal.
The atmosphere in the van grew heavier, an awkward silence settling in. Lorian and Ares exchanged brief glances, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension between the brothers.
"So," Calista broke the silence, "You and Alex—old friends?"
Neal’s blush deepened. "N-no! She’s Nelson’s ex.... I’m single,..." he stammered, avoiding eye contact with Calista.
"Focus," Nelson snapped, his voice tight. "Now is not the time for this."
"Y-yes, brother," Neal replied meekly, his gaze dropping to his lap. Alex huffed, rolling her eyes.
Lorian watched the scene unfold, a frown creasing his brow.
Calista, sensing the tension, tried to steer the conversation to lighter topics. "Oh, I remembered something funny. Did any of you see that super muscular guy named Arnold after the trial?" she asked, her voice bright and eager to dissipate the lingering awkwardness.
Suddenly everyone within the van with the exception of Nelson and Alex nodded in affirmation.
"The one in the blue T-shirt right?" Ares asked "It's hard to not notice a man of his stature."
Neal spoke up too, "Yes, he did strike up a conversation with me as well. The guy was funny" He said, although a look of worry seemed to flash across his face, as though he was afraid Calista had fallen for Arnold.
"So, when I walked out of the trial, guess who I saw?" Calista began, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Arnold, Mr. Muscles himself, standing in the waiting area looking like a lost puppy. I asked him what happened, and he goes," Calista deepened her voice dramatically, "'I felt my muscles deflate like balloons, and I was just floating away like a helium-filled dumbbell!' Can you imagine? Arnold, the big tough guy, floating off like a cartoon character!"
As laughter filled the van, Lorian found himself joining in, the absurd image of Arnold as a balloon floating away bringing a genuine smile to his face. The tension that had lingered dissipated, replaced by a sense of shared experience and camaraderie.
Outside the van, the jungle swallowed the fading daylight, casting long shadows that danced on the windows. And as the discussion turned to expectations and hopes for the outcome of the trials, the Celestial Research Laboratory loomed closer, as mysterious and inviting as their shared journey into the unknown.
Unbeknownst to the group engrossed in their lively conversation, another van emerged from the alley behind them. This second van was an exact replica of the one transporting the victors, down to the smallest detail. It even displayed the identical license plate as the van occupied by the winners.
Silently, the new van smoothly merged into the busy traffic on the highway, heading in the opposite direction to its counterpart that had ventured into the heart of the forest.
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Five minutes after the group of winners were whisked away in the van, a bus rumbled to a stop at the waiting area behind. Under the watchful eye of Dr. Young's efficient assistant, Miss Sharon, the remaining participants, including Arnold and the mysterious hooded figure, shuffled onto the bus and settled into their seats.
With a hiss of hydraulics, the bus pulled away from the curb and merged into the bustling highway traffic, hurtling towards the New Horizon's research lab. After a few minutes of traveling the bus reached their destination.
As the participants disembarked from the bus, their eyes caught sight of the van that had ferried the winners, parked nearby.
"Looks like the winners are already in the thick of it," the hooded guy remarked, causing the crowd to churn in discussion, their voices tinged with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.
"That van feels... off," Arnold said quietly, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.
The hooded guy, Ester, turned to him with a raised eyebrow. "Oh, Mr. Arnold, still feeling the effects of the experiment, are we?" he teased, a playful glint in his eye.
A chuckle rippled through the group as someone chimed in, "Yeah, looks like Mr. Muscles here is still reeling from the experience. Perhaps a bit more compensation is in order?"
Arnold grinned good-naturedly. "Hey, maybe I am still disoriented. I mean, I swear my muscles feel like they've shrunk! Guess I'll be hitting the gym pronto after this," he laughed, glancing occasionally towards the beautiful Miss Sharon as he joined in the lighthearted banter.
"This way," Miss Sharon announced, her voice cutting through the laughter, her mannerism professional as always. She stood like a strict instructor surrounded by unruly students. She held a small black bag tightly against her side, the leather creasing under her firm grip. Despite the professional facade, a shadow flickered across her gaze as she glanced briefly at the bag, her fingers tightening involuntarily.
With a nod of agreement, the group fell into line behind her, their footsteps echoing through the corridors of the laboratory.
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"We're here," announced the driver, bringing the van to a halt after a thrilling ten-minute drive through the dense jungle off-road. As the winners stepped out, their eyes beheld a sight straight from the pages of a forgotten fairy tale—a majestic palace, standing tall amidst the verdant foliage.
The palace's once pristine walls bore the weathered marks of centuries past, hinting at stories untold and a history etched in timeless elegance that now whispered tales of bygone glory.
Encircling the central structure of the palace were four towers reminiscent of the architecture found in the Taj Mahal of India, each topped with enigmatic columns emitting a soft purple glow, giving them an unearthly appearance.
It bore the marks of a history long forgotten; its facade marred by the passage of ages. It was as if a giant, in a fit of whimsy, had plucked it from some distant land and deposited it amidst the lush greenery, uncaring of the scars left in its wake. And yet, despite its faded glory, there was an undeniable allure to the palace, a whispered promise of secrets waiting to be uncovered within its hallowed halls.
Before them stood a towering stone monument, its surface gleaming in the dappled sunlight filtering through the jungle canopy. Boldly engraved upon it were the words "Celestial Research Laboratory," a stark contrast to the aged visage of the palace behind it.
Upon beholding the majestic palace, Lorian experienced a strange feeling washing over him.
Lorian shivered, feeling a chill as he stared at the palace. "This place... I've seen it before," he whispered, rubbing his arms as goosebumps formed.
Calista glanced at him, curiosity piqued. "Seen it? Where?"
"In a dream," Lorian murmured, eyes unfocused. "Or maybe a nightmare. There was a deity... cloaked in flames."
"A deity in flames?" Calista echoed, her brow furrowing. "Sounds intense."
Lorian nodded slowly, the vision lingering in his mind. Although he couldn't pinpoint the differences, he felt that there was something different about the palace than what he saw in his dream.
A voice spoke from within him, echoing into the depths of his soul. Initially faint like a whisper on the wind, the voice gradually grew louder until it resonated with unmistakable clarity.
"The Celestial Palace," the voice whispered in Lorian’s mind, a beacon calling through the veil of reality, echoing with the promise of forgotten dreams and ancient power.