Chapter 6 Ravenna
Location: The Border
Claire and I queue up at the Transit portal, the designated crossing point between Rust Town and Leight City. This portal serves as the exclusive, sanctioned entry into the city, accessible only to those with formal invitations or residents of Leight. Unauthorized attempts to cross result in ejection and severe energy depletion.Tech wizards with enough skill can sometimes circumvent the portal’s safeguards by crafting their own entry devices. Such feats require immense concentration and energy, risking depletion or even death if the makeshift portal destabilizes.
In a desperate bid to rescue Bart, Simon attempted to reactivate the portal that Dad had used to gain access to Leight City's Temple. Unfortunately, the effort backfired, leaving Simon weakened and on the brink of energy depletion. Thankfully, Zeb intervened just in time to stabilize him. As Simon recovers from the ordeal, Claire and I are preparing to continue our mission and infiltrate the Temple, stepping into the roles of the chosen ones.
In the middle of a vast field, the Transit portal stands out, overseen by two intimidating guards clad in full masks. The portal itself is a monolithic, unsupported mirror, ten feet tall, positioned squarely at the field's center. As the next person approaches, the mirror subtly vibrates, its surface beginning to ripple as if disturbed by heat, signaling its readiness to transport another visitor.
The mirror flickers and distorts into a dark vortex. The traveler steps forward, hands first, quickly followed by the rest of their body, engulfed by the swirling darkness in seconds
"That looks terrifying, Rav," Claire whispers apprehensively beside me.
"What if we end up elsewhere?" Claire asks, eyeing the guards.
"Portals operate based on the user's intent.” I reply. "We'll land where we want to end up."
"But what if you don’t really know where you want to end up? What if your subconscious desires take you somewhere unexpected, like a completely different dimension?" Claire muses.
"Then maybe you should avoid thinking about other dimensions," I reply distractedly, half-listening as Claire's words trail off. My focus shifts to the portal's behavior; it shudders, the darkness within it struggling to revert to its mirror-like surface.
The sophisticated commercial tech wizardry of Leight City, which we're about to witness, contrasts sharply with our freelance approach. Unlike us, who depend on personal Nexus energy and focused intent to manipulate our devices, the city’s technology operates on a more intricate, arguably more mesmerizing system.
The once low hum of the portal escalates suddenly, morphing into a loud, urgent drone as the darkness within begins to spin more rapidly. Abruptly, the man who had entered earlier is ejected forcefully, tumbling out onto the ground. The line of onlookers gasps collectively, shock rippling through the crowd, while Claire mutters a curse under her breath.
The guards remain motionless, statuesque, as the ejected man lies sprawled face-up, gasping for air. His face twists in agony as he battles the sharp pangs of impending depletion. No one steps forward to assist; the group can only watch, caught between fear and morbid curiosity.
“He didn’t have permission to enter,” I explain to Claire, noticing her concerned expression.
“No shit,” she replies, her eyes fixed on the suffering man.
“Shouldn’t we help him?” she suggests, a note of empathy in her voice.
“There’s nothing we can do that would make a difference. We need to keep moving,” I reply, turning my attention away from the painful scene and back to the portal, bracing myself as I step forward to take my turn.
My pulse quickens as the mirror before me distorts, spiraling into a dark vortex. My omni-lens activates, flashing a notification:
'Nexus device detected, connect?' I think a swift 'Yes'
A progress bar appears, crowned by the NexTech logo—a sleek, silver ‘NXT’ framed by a raven's silhouette. The logo fades, replaced by a new message: 'Connect to the portal with a sliver of your energy as payment. Accept?' Without hesitation, I confirm, 'I accept.'
The vortex intensifies, whirling faster, and the display updates: 'If you are invited, proceed. May the Nexus' light guide you and its darkness protect you.
Taking a deep breath, I step forward into the swirling darkness of the mirror.
I'm immediately swallowed by darkness. The chill of the air wraps around me, a harsh reminder of my mission—rescuing Bart and unraveling the mysteries of my past connected to the dark realm, the threshold between worlds. My fist tightens in resolve as the environment shifts around me. Suddenly, the oppressive silence is replaced by the buzz of voices and mechanical sounds.
The darkness gradually fades, revealing a large room surrounded by golden-tinted glass. I feel a slight vibration from the portal under my feet, causing a chill to run up my spine. As I move forward, the air feels thick, making it hard to breathe, and a wave of nausea hits me. I take a deep breath and hold it until the discomfort passes.
I gaze into the mirror from which I seemingly emerged. Suddenly, my reflection distorts; my eyes turn an unsettling shade of black, and it seems as though my reflection briefly grins at me sinisterly. I catch my breath sharply, eyes widening in shock. The reflection becomes blurry once more, and a soft voice whispers, almost lost amidst the ambient sounds—or maybe it echoes only in my head, "Finally found you, Ravenna."
As the voice murmurs my name, a familiar surge of anxiety tightens around my chest, planting doubts about my decision to come here. ‘Run Ravenna’. The thought of fleeing back to the familiar chaos of Rust Town tempts me. Yet, as I stand here, a spark of resolve lights within me. I dismiss the idea of retreating.
Whether the voices are real or mere side effects of the portal, I refuse to be intimidated.
The unsettling reflection transforms, displaying the message ‘Welcome to Leight City, where the Nexus reigns’ in shimmering silver letters before reverting to my normal reflection.
I notice other travelers exit from a series of mirrors aligned in a row; some lean against walls for support, while others are visibly ill, their stomachs rebelling against the transition. It seems I got off easy.
I scan the large room for Claire. The space functions like a transit hub, with some of the glass serving as portals and others as windows offering views of Leight City. Above, the glass dome splinters the sunlight into a spectrum of colors, painting fleeting rainbows on the smooth surfaces."
People move briskly, coming and going through the mirrors. Drones buzz overhead, announcements broadcasting portal destinations and operating protocols, while life-sized holographic displays advertise NexTech products.
One display catches my attention—a holographic woman dances joyfully, her movements smooth and inviting, alongside the caption: ‘Emotech, control your emotion, control your reality.’ Yet, amidst the bustling scene, a stark contrast strikes me. Unlike the animated advertisement, the crowd shows remarkable restraint in their emotions, faces unmasked yet expressionless, a surprising sight given the recent disturbances.
This apparent apathy here in Leight City sharply contrasts with the vibrant emotions of Rust Town, where our masks may obscure our faces, but not our feelings. Here, faces are bare, yet expressions remain inscrutable, emotions neatly tucked away behind composed exteriors. Moreover, unlike the eclectic flexi-metal apparel of Rust Town, which often features a mix of colors and textures, the attire here is uniform, each outfit conforming snugly to its wearer in monochrome.
Prompted by curiosity, I discreetly activate my detector and immediately detect anomalies in the energy patterns around me—the energy flow through each person here subtly deviates, as if subtly redirected or dampened by an unseen influence. It is reminiscent of the distortions I observed during the Waning festival, yet far more controlled.
"Unauthorized technology is prohibited. Deactivate your detector" a voice interrupts from behind me. I spin around to see Syph, whom I recognize from a past encounter—one that hadn't gone in my favor.
I observe her formidable presence, noting the array of piercings adorning her ears, nose, eyebrows, and cheeks. Her green eyes, stern and penetrating, meet mine with an intensity that feels strangely familiar.
"It's just an energy detector; it doesn't manipulate anything," I argue.
Stepping closer, her imposing stature looming over me, she insists, "Regardless, it's unauthorized. You'll need to secure proper authorization once you've settled in." Her voice is firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
I switch off the device, somewhat begrudgingly, as a faint smile plays across Syph's lips. "Welcome to Leight City, Tech Wizard. Things operate quite differently here," she states, almost as a gentle warning.
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I manage a restrained smile, intrigued yet cautious, and quip, "I must be quite important for a High One like yourself to greet me personally."
She motions for me to follow her, responding with a hint of amusement, "Indeed, you are. You're one of the chosen ones."
I hesitate, casting a final look around before inquiring, "Have you seen my sister? About my height, pink spiky hair…"
As I quicken my pace to keep up with Syph, she answers without slowing, hands clasped behind her back. "No, your sister remains unseen”. She glances back briefly as she smiles thinly, a glint of something unreadable in her eyes. " It’s curious, isn’t it? Let’s just hope she’s not lost in the darkness."
Looking ahead, she continues, "If she made it through, she'll find her way to you. No one truly gets lost here."
Her words strike a chord of worry within me, causing my eyes to widen. I briefly look back at the array of portals, considering a return to the mirror, especially recalling the man who was violently ejected earlier. Claire is known to wander off and can certainly handle herself, but the thought lingers. Nevertheless, as I turn back around, determination settles in. I continue following Syph, comforting myself with the thought, 'She's fine. She was chosen, after all.'
Syph guides me out of the station and into the glaring sunlight. I blink against the brightness, shielding my eyes as they adjust. The panorama of the city unfolds before me—sky-high floating islands dominate the view, with our station perched atop one. Some islands boast towering structures of glass and steel, vibrant holographic billboards, and figures moving about their daily routines, all clearly visible from where I stand. Others are shrouded in mist, their secrets hidden from view. The sky buzzes with the motion of flying cars and hoverboards darting between the islands, painting a scene far removed from the gritty reality of Rust Town.
Driven by curiosity, I wander to the edge of our floating island and peer down into a vast expanse of thick clouds. "Are we actually above the clouds?" I ask, a sense of wonder creeping into my voice.
Syph, observing me, nods. "Yes," she confirms, gesturing casually. A mirror materializes from the thin air, becoming clearer by the second. "I'd stay away from the edge if I were you," she advises, her tone casual yet cautionary, as the emerging portal begins to hum with energy. "Falling wouldn't kill you, but it's not an experience you'd enjoy."
I retreat a step and watch as she steps confidently through the mirror. "Where are we going?" I call out to her just before the vortex begins to close.
"To the Temple," she answers, her voice echoing slightly before the portal seals itself.
A determined smile crosses my face as I follow her through the mirror, feeling a rush of adrenaline. 'Hold on, Bart, we're on our way,' I think, stepping into the portal's swirling depths.
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I emerge from the portal into a grand hallway, bathed in the golden-hued glass that defines this city's architecture. I pause for a moment to steady myself against a wave of nausea before taking in my surroundings.
The walls around me serve dual purposes as paneled windows and interactive screens, showcasing the university's accolades and upcoming events. "Leight University," I note to myself—clearly, this isn't the temple, but it feels like I'm getting closer.
As I attempt to get my bearings, my omni-lens chirps with a notification: "Welcome to Leight University, Ravenna." I mutter, "What the…" just as the message shifts to another request, “To connect to the university’s energy field, consent to relinquish a sliver of your energy as payment. Do you accept?”
Pausing, I finger the Morphring on my finger, weighing my options. I know how commercial tech wizardry works; it requires a transaction—a sliver of my energy for the privilege of accessing their advanced, Nexus-powered technology. While I had complied at the portals out of necessity, here I hesitate, contemplating if I could bypass this system with my skills instead of consenting.
Opting for caution, I dismiss the prompt on my lens, not ready to commit just yet.
Taking a deep breath, I start down the corridor. Each step echoes softly on the polished glass floor, resonating through the surprisingly lush greenery that climbs the walls not occupied by screens. Flowers morph in color and shape as students pass by, adding a living, breathing element to the decor.
The shadows from the floating lockers subtly shift shapes, catching my attention.
As I absorb the surroundings, a student on a levitating hoverboard brushes past, jostling my shoulder and reigniting a twinge of pain from a recent scuffle with Syph. I scowl at the fading discomfort.
The hallway seems unusually busy, with students quickening their pace. "Why the rush?" I wonder aloud, puzzled. My question is soon answered as the hall dims slightly—a figure approaches, drawing the shadows in the room towards him. Recognizing the distinctive manipulation of darkness, I realize it's Zeb, the shadow manipulator.
As Zeb approaches, the ambient light in the hallway subtly dims, the shadows stretching and converging toward him like threads being pulled by an invisible hand. His presence commands attention, not just because of his ability to manipulate shadows, but also due to his status within the university and the wider community of Leight City.
I flash back to our previous meeting at the festival. In a moment uncharacteristic of me, I removed my mask, drawn by a familiar comfort in his presence despite not fully understanding his intentions. His enigmatic aura piques my curiosity, intensifying the suspicion that he might be connected to the fragmented memories of my past.
He stops in front of me, interrupting my thoughts. "Ravenna, you made it," Zeb observes, a slight smile playing on his lips.
His gaze drifts to my shoulder as I try to ease some stiffness with a stretch, a flicker of amusement in his eyes “She didn’t hold back with you, did she, my sister?"
Surprise flickers across my face as it dawns on me—of course, they are siblings. Their shared air of confidence and those distinctive green eyes should have given it away sooner.
"The healing hasn't gone as well as I'd hoped," I admit, straightening my posture.
"That's to be expected, especially after what happened at the festival," he observes. "We have top-tier healers in Leight University, I can introduce you"
I'm wary of allowing anyone that close, so I decline with a simple, "No, thank you." His smile broadens slightly at my response.
Recalling Syph, I scan the area and ask, "Where's your sister? She was just with me." Zeb casually shrugs, his hands buried in his pockets.
"She's likely rounding up other new students. I'm not sure. She tends to be everywhere. You'll run into her soon enough," he replies nonchalantly.
Sensing the need for privacy, he swiftly grasps my hand, urging, "We have much to discuss." I glance at his hand on mine and back up at him; he releases it, catching the hint from my expression.
He leads the way, and we navigate through the corridor. A group of students heading in the opposite direction becomes entangled in our path. One, not watching where he's going, collides with Zeb. The student halts, tension seizing him as he slowly looks up to meet Zeb’s stern face, lips pressed into a thin line.
"Looks like you managed to survive, Darren. Keep bumping into me, and that might change," Zeb murmurs, his voice low enough to be almost missed. The student's brow furrows, a mix of fear and confusion crossing his face as he mumbles an apology and hurries off to rejoin his friends who've already moved on.
"What was that about?" I ask as we resume walking.
Zeb shrugs, his smirk faint. “Darren? A pawn, maybe. Useful, sometimes." he responds cryptically, prompting a puzzled raise of my eyebrow.
Zeb halts abruptly and scans the empty corridor before slipping into a dimly lit side passage. I hesitantly follow, intrigued by his sudden caution. He reaches into his pockets and pulls out a round mirror encased in black, which catches my attention. "What is that?" I whisper, but he quickly signals for silence with a finger to his lips.
He cradles the mirror in his hands and inhales deeply. Around us, shadows thicken and swirl, engulfing the mirror in what appears to be dense, dark smoke. He sets it on the floor, reflective side up. The shadows whirl faster, forming a vortex that crackles with charged energy, reminiscent of another portal.
"Damn, not another portal," I mutter, feeling a wave of dizziness as the familiar and unwelcome sensation of the portal's energy surrounds me.
Zeb leans in close, his breath warm against my ear as he murmurs, "Follow me," before leaping into the swirling darkness. I pause, debating the wisdom of following a weird shadow manipulator through another unpredictable portal. "Bart owes me for this," I mutter to myself. With a resigned sigh, I close my eyes, muster my courage, and jump after Zeb into the portal.
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My eyes are squeezed shut as I plummet through an abyss. It feels endless, each second stretching longer than the last in the biting cold. Faint whispers thread through the void, insistent and unsettling. ‘Let me in Ravenna,’ they repeat, growing louder, demanding. Terror grips me, and I press my eyelids tighter, dreading what might be descending alongside me. My heart hammers against my chest, each beat a loud drum in the silence. Finally, I force my eyes open, driven by a mix of fear and defiance.
Beside me, a distorted reflection of myself falls—its eyes a deep, soulless black, its expression twisted into a sinister grin. “Let..me..in,” it hisses, dragging out each syllable. Just as the final word begins to form, I crash onto a glossy, checkered floor, the sudden stop jolting me harshly.
Gasping for breath and trembling, I scan my surroundings, desperate for some sense of orientation. Images of my dark doppelgänger falling alongside me flash through my mind, heightening my panic as I search for Zeb. "Why does everyone abandon me through these portals?" I wonder aloud, my voice echoing slightly in the unfamiliar space
My thoughts whirl, haunted by memories of draining a man's energy, my eyes pitch black, the sinister grin of that woman echoing in my mind. A chilling realization hits me—I was fleeing from something or someone. Now, it feels like they've caught up, filling me with an indescribable dread.
I hunch over, burying my head between my knees, trying to steady my breathing. I mustn't succumb to despair. I chose this path; I must see it through.
"Ravenna, are you alright?" Zeb's deep voice cuts through the fog of my panic, bringing a momentary relief.
Ignoring the chaos of my emotions, I stand to face him. He's clad in simple black attire, a shadow hand holding a wine glass floating beside him. His expression is laced with concern as he approaches me, his steps measured. It seems he's been here a while longer than I have.
Wiping away tears I hadn't noticed, I nod. "We need your help to get into the Energy Recycling Centre," I state, my voice steadier than I feel.
Zeb raises an eyebrow. "The Energy Recycling Centre?
"Yes, my dad is being held there," I reply, fidgeting with my bracelet.
His face grows stern as he steps closer, his voice lowering. "That’s a grim place for a reunion."
He hesitates, studying my expression intently. "If he's been taken there..." Zeb trails off, then fixes me with a serious look. "You understand what that place is for, right?"
I shake my head, struggling to find words. "He can still be saved, I just need to—"
Before I can finish, my omni-lens chirps, signaling an incoming call from Claire.
I quickly accept, and Claire's face appears on the display, her usual grin in place. "Yo," she greets, her casual demeanor a contrast to the tension I'm feeling.