I found myself in a place that I could best describe as… idyllic.
The colors were so vivid, like nothing I had ever experienced before. I could feel the warmth of the sun on my skin and the crunch of grass under my feet. A thick fog hung over the land, making it difficult to see where I was going.
The further I walked, the more I noticed things that didn’t quite add up. Flickering lights in the distance, bizarre symbols that were etched into the trees, and faint flashes of animals lurking in the shadows. Everything felt off, like I was in a different world entirely.
An orange light glistened in a clearing through the distant fog, beckoning to me. It was located at the center of a large stone temple. I shambled at it like I was in a waking dream, and soon, I arrived at a set of tori gates. A chozu-ya — a traditional Japanese purification shrine fountain, sat in front of the building.
My curiosity overtook me, and I moved closer, drawn in by the mysterious beauty of the place. As I got closer, I noticed something strange.
The chozu-ya was overflowing, the water spilling over the sides and onto the ground. Steam curled up from the fountain, and I could feel the heat emanating from it. I stepped closer and noticed that the orange light was the centerpiece of an intricate mural of ancient symbols behind it, plastered on a cedar door.
I slowly reached my hand out at it, mesmerized by the haunting beauty of the light.
"No..."
The zen-like calm of the environment was broken by the sound of a distorted voice. It seemed to echo off the temple stone walls, coming from all directions simultaneously. The voice echoed again, but I ignored it, entranced by the orange gem.
The feeling was almost hypnotic, and I felt a strong urge to touch it. But I also knew that something was not quite right, something lurking in the shadows that made me hesitate.
"Ik... l... y...lways."
It was a woman's voice, unfamiliar yet strangely familiar like I had heard it before. I froze, my hand hovering over the light.
Suddenly, I was overcome with an enormous sense of dread and quickly backed away from the temple.
I blinked, stepping away from the temple entrance. The fog had thickened, obscuring everything around me until all I could make out was the temple silhouette fading into the fog like a dream fading upon waking.
The voice whispered again, filled with longing and desperation.
I followed the voice, pushing through the fog until I found myself in a wide-open city park.
The grass and trees were gone, replaced by lush greenery and neat pathways. Everything was beautiful and strangely inviting.
I found myself wandering through a dreamscape. The sensation underfoot shifted between cool, dewy grass and cobblestone pathways, even though I couldn't see either through the fog draping over everything.
The voice wove its way through the mists again. Clearer this time.
"Ikazuchi."
It was a whisper, a plea, a call.
Tendrils of fog curled and twisted as I tried to locate the source. The voice was all around, yet always just out of reach. As I ventured deeper, the fog began to thin out, revealing the ghostly silhouette of an old city park.
Nestled in the center stood a figure — black hair fell delicately down her back, and the hem of a red and white kimono rippled in a non-existent breeze.
I recognized her. And that dress. It was unmistakable.
"M-mom?" My voice trembled.
She turned, her face mirroring the gentle warmth I remembered, but her eyes—there was a depth to them I couldn't place.
"Ikazuchi, my heart," she murmured, her voice like a wind-chime in a gentle breeze. I found myself stepping closer, my hand outstretched, wanting to touch her, to confirm that she was real.
As I approached, I noticed the odd way the trees bent, the way the light seemed fractured, and the peculiar hue of the skies. My heart raced, an uneasy feeling settling within me.
"Mom..." I started, my voice shaky, "Where are we?"
Her lips curved into a sad, knowing smile, and she gestured around. "Look closely, my son."
I squinted, trying to decipher what she wanted me to see. It was then that I realized something was off. The park was too perfect, too pristine, like something out of a fairytale.
"This isn't real, is it?" I whispered, shaking my head.
Mom's expression turned somber. "No, it is not. You're in a dream. Trapped for now by that woman's tool."
She stepped closer to me, her small hand reaching out to touch my cheek. Her touch was gentle, and it sent shivers up my spine.
I shook my head, struggling to comprehend. "How? Why? Why is everything so clear?"
Mom stepped closer, resting a gentle hand on my shoulder. "You've been affected by a terrible power, my son. Your mind and soul have been placed into stasis, and this space is a manifestation of that. But, Ikazuchi, you have to wake up. Your father needs you, as will your sister soon enough."
I stared at her, my mind reeling with confusion and a sense of urgency.
"Are you real?" I asked weakly. Hopefully. "Are you really here?"
"Does it matter?" Mom's voice was soft and kind and also carried a hint of sadness. "What matters is that you wake up and return to the real world to help your father ad sister."
My father? My sister?
I nodded, still unsure of what was real and what was not as I centered my focus. "How do I wake up?"
"You must fight against it," Mom replied. "It helps to focus on the things that make you strong. The things that remind you of why you are here, of your purpose."
I furrowed my brow, trying to keep my anxiety at bay. "Okay. How, how does that work? I mean, how do I go against this person who's obviously very powerful?"
Mom gently grabbed my hands and lifted them up. "By remembering, Ikazuchi, by believing that you are worthy of freedom and choice."
A strange energy flooded my senses, engulfing us both in a blue glow. It reminded me of the sun shining through my windows on a cloudless day. Warm and radiant, it filled me with a sense of comfort and safety that was so distinctly Mom, I almost forgot to breathe.
"Your most cherished memories will give you strength when you need it. Remember that," she instructed, a smile breaking out on her face. "Now, go. Break free from this terrible power, my son."
I nodded, tears streaming down my face. "I'll... I'll try, Mom."
She smiled sadly. "I know you will, my heart. And always remember, I am with you always, even when you can't see or hear me."
I nodded and closed my eyes, focusing on every moment that I'd spent with Mom. The days I'd spent with Izumi at our run-down home in our childhood. The times when she would mischievously doodle on my drawing paper, and I'd chase her down and tickle her until she squealed with laughter.
As I kept focused on those moments, I could feel the warmth spreading through my body, growing steadily brighter and stronger. I could hear Mom's voice fading into the distance, but her gentle words carried me.
"Remember," she whispered.
The sensation was indescribable, and my vision faded to white, leaving me suspended in a sea of nothingness. For a moment, I wasn't sure what was real and what wasn't.
Then, a memory popped into my mind, unbidden. Mom teaching me to ride a tricycle, her steady hands guiding me down our street. It was like a thread pulling me back to reality, out of the false world.
And another. Peering over the newborn Izumi's crib as her tiny, fragile form wriggled in her sleep. Her tiny fists balling as she slept.
I took a deep breath, trying to center myself. The dream felt so real and tangible, but I knew it wasn't in my heart. I closed my eyes and focused on the sensations of my physical body. I needed to wake up for Dad, Blake, Jae, and Alex. I'd promised Izumi I'd come home, as well.
I focused on moving my fingers, then my toes. It was a struggle, like moving through thick mud with an out-of-body experience, but I persisted.
With each movement, the dream world faded, becoming less vivid. I could feel my heart racing faster and faster and my breathing becoming more labored. The effort of waking up took a physical toll on my body, but that sensation grounded and centered me.
And then, with one final burst of effort, I somehow managed to open my eyes.
----------------------------------------
It was dark, and I stared blankly at the ceiling. I blinked away the fog covering my mind, and quickly jerked around. I was lying on my side, cramped in a large metal cage. The cold, hard surface beneath me sent a shiver through my body as reality hit me. It seemed like we were in a truck trailer, and I could hear distorted voices outside.
"...gonna get a good price for these ones," a voice said with glee.
"We ain't had this kind of stock in ages. Gotta figure out what to do with the Terran, though," another replied, sounding appreciative.
I sat up in the cage, my mind still reeling from the dream. I felt disoriented and weak, but I knew one thing for sure—I had to get out of there. The light of day leaked through cracks in the metal walls, providing enough illumination to move around. I looked around, trying to find a way out.
Around me, I could make out the others from my reconnaissance group in the cage, but something about them was strange. I quietly crawled and made my way to my father and shook his shoulders, but he wasn't responding.
I huffed in a deep breath, doing my best to stay calm and quiet, and flipped him around to check his face. The sight that greeted me sent a chill down my spine.
His eyes were glowing faintly, like there was a film of deep blue light over them. It was the same for all the others in the cages around me—their eyes were wide open and gave off a strange glow.
I quickly moved over to Jae, the only person in our group who would have any idea how any of this magic worked.
He was in a similar state, and to my astonishment, a red, glowing symbol had been carved into his forehead. It looked like a rune similar to what the woman had been using before. I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach — it seemed that Jae had been sealed by some sort of spell by her just for good measure.
I huffed again, my heart sinking, knowing that the only one who might be able to help us had been taken out of the picture. Just then, I heard a rumbling noise coming from the back of the truck as the drivers started the engine. We had run out of time, it seemed. I had to act fast and figure out how to get us out of there before it was too late.
A chill ran down my spine.
That unsettling conversation I overheard confirmed my worst fears – we were about to be sold and enslaved, and who knew what they'd do with Jae? Panic threatened to swallow me, but I took a deep breath and pushed the fear aside. There had to be a way out.
A sudden moment of realization struck me as I looked around. They’d taken our tools and weapons, but they hadn’t been thorough in their search. Taking another glance at the front of their truck, I discreetly reached down for the Swiss Army knife in my shoe. Slipping it out, I took a moment to observe my surroundings. The cage was sturdy, made of metal rods with a heavy padlock securing the front.
Utilizing the small pick tool from the Swiss army knife, I began to work on the lock as we moved. The rhythmic movements of the truck made the task even harder. With every bump and swerve, my concentration would be thrown off, and I had to start over. The metallic taste of fear coated my tongue, making it hard to swallow.
"What do you think the Broker's gonna do with that Terran?" one voice asked from up front. "Selling him's gonna raise too many questions."
"Who cares?" the other voice replied. "The boss just wants the money. Figured it wasn’t worth raising too much attention after he cleared his head. Jonas will deal with the rest."
I felt a surge of anger within me. They were treating us like objects. Like we were nothing. The world sucked enough already - why did people have to add to the cruelty?
The moving truck and the cruel comments up front made the lock-picking even more challenging, and sweat beaded on my forehead as I tried to steady my hands. I couldn't afford to mess this up. I took a deep breath, steeling myself, and focused entirely on the task at hand. I could feel the sweat sliding down my back and dampening my clothes. I was desperate to get us out of the cages and away from the men who intended to sell us like cattle.
The lock was tough, but I persisted, the tiny metallic clicks giving me hope. Then, I felt a small give, a shift, and the padlock popped open. Silently, I let out a sigh of relief, but my triumph was short-lived.
Without warning, a loud explosion echoed in the distance, making the truck sway violently. Confused shouts and the sound of gunfire erupted outside. The men at the front began scrambling, their prior confidence replaced by panic.
I could hear the two at the front yelling at each other as they fumbled over each other to get outside.
"What the hell is that?!"
"It's a damn ambush!"
"Move, move, move!"
A second explosion rocked the truck, sending it skidding sideways. I was thrown against the side of the cage, and my breath was knocked out of me. Desperately, I tried to get my bearings as the world spun around me. A crack tore down the side of the truck, revealing a battlefield outside.
From one of the gaps in the run-down trailer's sides, I could see glimpses of the chaos outside – flames, smoke, and men tossed around like children's toys.
And then, through the crack, I saw her.
A figure was gracefully dodging bullets and effortlessly dispatching the gang members with agile strikes. Her long raven-black hair flowed behind her as she jumped all over the freeway we were on, swinging her ringed pewter staff to and from. Her entire body was radiating a faint, orange-red glow.
She was wearing a black half-mask on the lower half of her mouth and what I best described as a red and black ninja outfit with a fox ear hood, and a Japanese style short sword sheathed at her hips. The girl's long, silky hair was tied up with a bamboo comb, and her lithe figure moved with the grace of a well-trained dancer. She looked like she was right around my age, maybe a year or two younger, and the combined outfit gave her the look of a modern ninja.
I watched her, mesmerized for a second, as she fought her way towards our truck. Then, a realization struck when I recognized her as the girl who had been shadowing our group from the rooftops.
One of the men raised a rifle to shoot at her, but she intercepted him the moment he moved. She closed the distance between them with a single fluid motion, smashing the rifle from his hands and swinging her arm into a clothesline.
"Tombstone Lariat!" she shouted as she slammed him onto the asphalt with a burst of orange energy and enough force that I could hear bone snap and shatter.
Another car tried to ram her, but she gracefully leaped onto the roof, plunging her staff through it and firing a flash of orange energy straight down through the engine. Then, she smashed the window with her fist and plunged it inside, eliciting a scream as she yanked the man out and sent him skidding across the asphalt. Moments later, the vehicle exploded, adding to the growing carnage as she hopped over and did the same to another escorting car.
Then she paused, standing atop one of the wrecked cars, and with a flourish of her cloak, she struck a pose with her staff raised.
"Gaze upon me, vile sinners!" she loudly declared, "I am Yomotsu-Shikome! Harbinger of Justice! Here to pass judgment upon the wicked!"
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I couldn't help but stare in awe. That sealed it, then. A Terran magical girl was here.
It'd been years since I'd seen one. And I hadn't had the pleasure of meeting one personally. From my viewpoint, I could see a look of pure, righteous fury on her face. The conviction and intensity in her voice were unmistakable.
Another voice, this one heavy and metallic, bellowed, "Fuck, we've got a skirt here! Take her down!"
Then, there was a zap of electricity, followed by a high-pitched screech. A blur streaked past my line of sight from the crack in the truck as the tattooed cyborg leader had joined the fray. He was flanked by the same mage that had captured us.
With a battle cry, the tattooed leader lunged at Yomotsu-Shikome, who swiftly countered with a raw shockwave from her staff. Her cloak billowed as she sidestepped and jumped back as far as she could. The mage began to conjure thorns and fling red bolts of lightning, trying to pin the magical girl down.
Yet, as she evaded their onslaught, something seemed off. It wasn't her movements – those were lightning fast – but her strikes, they seemed... inexperienced? Almost amateurish.
Each successful hit she threw and landed successfully was more due to her blinding speed and overwhelming strength rather than technique. My dad had taught me just enough self-defense and basic martial arts to get reasonably competent so I could spot the minor sloppiness in her movements. They lacked finesse and form, but her sheer strength and speed more than made up for it.
As they fought, my attention was drawn to the sound of a gang member approaching the truck. "Grab a hostage! We need leverage!" someone yelled.
Panic surged within me. I had to act fast. I kicked open the cage door I'd picked, and scrambled, looking for something I could use to fend off the approaching thug. My eyes darted around the confined space, trying to spot something. Anything. And then, wedged between two crates at the back of the truck, I spotted a rusty iron crowbar.
Without hesitation, I grabbed it and waited, crouched in the shadows.
The door of the truck flung open, sunlight piercing through, momentarily blinding me. As the foot soldier entered, I swung the crowbar with all my strength, catching him on the side of the head. He collapsed instantly in a heap as I caught him across the head.
Adrenaline pumping, I grabbed the fallen foot soldier's weapons — a sturdy steel baton and some kind of semi-automatic pistol — and cautiously peeked outside.
The fresh afternoon air felt good as I took a moment to catch my breath, but the situation outside was nothing short of a chaotic nightmare. We were on the ruins of the Bronx River Parkway, surrounded on both sides by greenery. The battleground was littered with the remnants of a past battle: gigantic, grotesque corpses of chaos beasts sprawled across the cracked asphalt, reminding everyone of the city's tragic past.
Adding to the eeriness, the skeletal remains of long-abandoned Terran mechas stood like sentinels amidst the wreckage. Their once gleaming exteriors were now rusted and marred by time, but they still bore the marks of the Fall. It was like looking at a snapshot in time. A monument of what the city had been through 12 years ago.
Suddenly, a loud boom echoed in the distance, drawing my attention to the raging battle.
Yomotsu-Shikome continued to stand her ground against the tattooed leader and the mage, as well as the eight other men taking cover with their rifles trained on her.
Even with her incredible speed and strength, the numbers were against her, and the encroaching foes seemed to be closing in. I knew I couldn't just stand there and watch her get overwhelmed. She was fighting to save us and the others they had captured. I had to help her.
I frowned, assessing the situation. I was never a great shot, and a single pistol wouldn't do much good against an entire crew of would-be human traffickers and slavers.
I turned to Jae, scrambling to wake him up. I shook him roughly, but he remained unresponsive. Panic began to set in as I realized that whatever spell they had cast on him still affected him.
I had no idea how to break it, and time was running out. I looked outside again — searching for anything I could possibly use.
Yomotsu-Shikome dove for a rifleman, dropping him instantly with a blast of her staff.
But the man with the cybernetics finally caught up to her, grabbing her from behind and lifting her into the air. He reared his arm back, and the cybernetic enhancements in his arm whirred as he began to punch her rapidly, causing her to hack in pain.
He reared his arm back before driving her forward with all his weight, and the girl crashed into the ground with a thud. I watched in horror as he rushed up to her again to drag her through the asphalt before elbow-dropping her with a thunderous boom. He repeatedly punched her, slamming her into the concrete beneath him with each hit. His onslaught was ferocious and relentless; it looked like he wanted nothing more than to end her life right then and there.
Then, in seconds that seemed to stretch out into eternity, he picked her up, smiling sadistically as the mage slowly and cautiously approached them.
For a moment, the Magical Girl struggled and gasped, flailing in his grasp.
But her eyes opened weakly, and moved toward my direction through the broken truck trailer as I stared at her in shock. She looked terrified and out of her depth; I could see her defiantly fight to stay conscious as the tattooed man lifted his arm again, preparing to deliver another bone-crunching blow.
In a split second, something changed in her.
Her eyes met mine from down the highway. I saw her gaze twisted from fearful desperation to determination and fury. The girl screamed as she glowed a bright orange, breaking free from the tattooed man's hold and dropping to the ground as she gave off a burst of sheer power.
As she landed on the ground, a second wave of orange energy exploded out from her. The force knocked everyone approaching her off their feet, staggering them. Even the tattooed man, who had cybernetic enhancements, struggled to stay on his feet, his arms flailing wildly as he struggled for balance.
I had to find a way to help, to turn the tide of the battle. I rushed to the back of the truck, surveying the area around us again.
A nearby mech wreckage caught my eye. Though it looked damaged beyond repair, there was a possibility that some of its equipment or weaponry might still be functional. The Terrans were known to be heavily armed, with magitech such as personal shields and heavy ordinance that were meant to be used against chaos beasts in a pinch.
If I could find something like that in a cockpit, it would do me much more good than a simple pistol.
Hastily, I made my way towards it, scrambling over debris and trying to remain unnoticed amidst the chaos. The entrance hatch to the 14-foot-tall mecha was hanging off its hinges, with just enough room for me to squeeze through. The smell of decay hit me immediately as I entered the cockpit. It was an overwhelming smell - a mixture of mold and old rot.
I looked up to see the decayed skeleton of a Terran pilot, still strapped into the seat, his final resting place. Its once gleaming exosuit was now reduced to tattered remnants draped over the skeleton's form. Beside the pilot, control panels flickered dimly with residual energy, illuminating a nest of wires and switches. But as much as I rummaged around, I found nothing that looked useful or functional.
The despair was creeping in when a glint caught my eye outside.
Exiting the mech, I hurriedly approached the source: a partially crushed car under the weight of a fallen beast.
A large, gleaming silver briefcase was resting on the backseat, somehow untouched by the chaos.
I blinked, staring at the out-of-place item.
Engraved on its surface was a message that said Per amorem perditum, cras avertitur, and a highly recognizable logo that consisted of an infinite symbol with a tree sprouting through its center.
This was the symbol of Sisyphus.
I recognized the Terran organization’s logo in a heartbeat — It was the first to heed Earth's cry for help, and responsible for much of the magitech they'd brought to Earth. It was strange, though. The condition of the briefcase was almost too pristine as if it'd been placed there not long ago.
But still, it wasn't time for questions like that. My heart beat faster, knowing that there was a high chance the contents of the briefcase could help us.
I picked up the briefcase and examined it closely. It was locked with what looked like a biometric scanner, and I had no idea whose biometrics were registered. I slammed my fist against it in frustration and felt despair as I slid backward, defeated as my fingers brushed off the scanner.
To my surprise, the briefcase unlocked, and the latch sprang open with a quiet hiss. As the latches clicked open, the briefcase emitted a soft, melodic chime, almost like the sound of a temple bell. I trembled, approaching the case with intense caution.
Inside, nestled amidst a cushion of indigo velvet, was an orb-like object, almost crystalline in appearance, but there were no seams or facets. It emanated a soft glow, casting a serene blue light around. Its surface was smooth and cool to the touch as I ran my fingers across it lightly, mesmerized by its beauty.
"Operator Ikazuchi has been successfully identified. Contact complete. Good afternoon," a voice resonated with a gentle and distinctly Japanese woman's accent.
I froze, gripping the edge of the case. How did this machine know my name?
"Who... what are you?" I stammered.
"Please stand by for system reboot," the voice responded, ignoring my question. "Contingency protocol 4 activated. Scenario 4: Fall of the Aeons. Operative Golden Viper's critical mission parameters have been verified as failed. Tragedy is inevitable without intervention. Authorization 2483464980 granted, Awaiting permission from Administrator Ikazuchi to proceed with Contingency Protocol Möbius."
My mind raced as I tried to comprehend what was happening. The orb had recognized me as Administrator Ikazuchi, and it seemed to have information on a mission failure and some sort of imminent tragedy.
But what was Protocol Mobius? And who was this Operative Golden Viper?
I hesitated for a moment, not sure what was happening. But then, I remembered what was happening outside and the situation's urgency. If there was any chance this mysterious object could help us, we had to take it.
"Hey! One of them got loose!" one of the foot soldiers yelled, interrupting my thoughts. I spun around as one gang member pointed at me with a machete, and two of the others quickly trained their weapons on me as they ran toward me.
"Administrator Ikazuchi, please authorize Contingency Protocol Möbius now. The hostile situation outside has escalated to a critical level."
Without hesitation, I responded, "Authorize Protocol Möbius, now!"
The orb glowed even brighter, and a wave of blue and orange energy rippled through my body. I felt an uncanny sensation of being lifted off the ground as the world around me seemed to warp and contort. And then, in a flash of light, everything went white.
----------------------------------------
The chaos of the battlefield and the abandoned city disappeared, and it felt like I was being submerged, pulled into a void of endless depth.
The void was full of muted colors, and the only sound was the soft hum of the orb. I tried to move my hands, but they were suspended in the air. My whole body felt weightless; I was floating.
From a distance, I could hear the echo of laughter, the rustling of leaves, and the distant hum of a city street. But as I focused on each sound, it would dissipate, replaced by another fragment.
The void swirled around me like confetti, and images began to appear, flashing at a dizzying pace before my eyes.
There was a group of thirteen men and women with hair colors that spanned the rainbow and colorful costumes gathered around a bonfire on a mountain. Their faces were lit by the flickering flames — it was a somber mood, but they were all smiling despite the circumstances. A futuristic city was off in the distance, with hovering vehicles and neon lights that seemed to stretch for miles.
One person stood out - a tall, regal-looking woman with long pink hair and piercing blue eyes. She was speaking and gesturing passionately in the middle of the group, but I couldn't quite make out her words. Then, I felt a gut-wrenching chill down my spine as the city behind them erupted in a nuclear mushroom cloud. The group turned their heads to look, and their expressions turned to horror and disbelief.
The void shifted again, and I was thrown into a different scene. A woman with ivory skin, green hair, and yellow eyes was laughing with a young man with hair as white as snow and piercing blue eyes. They were dancing in a grand ballroom and surrounded by an aristocratic crowd. The woman's dress flowed and shimmered with golden threads. The woman's face was joyfully lit, mirroring the man before her. The man's gentle smile seemed to light up the whole room, and he wore a decorated European noble's ensemble. But as soon as they embraced, the world around them shattered, and they were plunged into darkness.
Then, the flickering images began to blur together, and I saw a cherished, familiar image. A childhood memory of playing hide-and-seek with my sister Izumi in our backyard. The marred scenery and chaos of the previous images disappeared, replaced by the warmth and comfort of that memory. I was momentarily lost in it, savoring the joy and peace it brought me. I hid behind a large tree, waiting for Izumi to find me. The leaves rustled gently, and the sunlight shone through the branches, painting everything with a golden glow.
My father's stern yet loving voice broke through my thoughts, "Izumi, go find your brother... Don't stop looking until you find him."
I could hear Izumi's giggles as she searched for me.
But then, the images swirled again and became disjointed and chaotic, like a television flickering on and off. I briefly caught the flashing glint of a blade, the contorted faces of countless soldiers on a burning battlefield, and a cloaked figure in the shadows with shimmering red eyes. Terran mechs with Sisyphus logos emblazoned on their metallic bodies rumbled toward me but then vanished in an instant.
A room full of people, all dressed in white, working at monitors that displayed maps and schematics. They all wore headsets, and their voices were in a constant hum, speaking in distorted voices I couldn't understand. In the center of the room was a massive screen showing a detailed world map. Strange symbols flashed on it, and lines connected one place to another. I caught an eccentrically dressed woman with shining brown hair and miniature bongo drums strapped to her lab coat barking orders as she screamed into a metallic device. Alarms blared, and lights flashed, and then, the entire room was engulfed in an intense white light.
Suddenly, the images stopped as the orb's humming grew louder. The chaotic images around me cleared up, and I found myself in a pitch-black void with solid ground beneath it.
A single staircase appeared before me as the crystalline blue orb manifested before me. The orb almost seemed to beckon me to follow it, and I began to follow it up the stairs. The surreal staircase was made of mahogany wood and rope woven together in intricate patterns, winding up to a towering wooden gate.
The orb halted in front of it as we approached.
"Activating Project Raiju Nexus," the voice emanated once more, echoing throughout the expanse of my mindscape. The door slowly creaked open, revealing a cascade of orange and blue light that was blinding in intensity.
When my vision finally adjusted, I found myself standing in an enormous chamber, intricately decorated with patterns resembling clouds and lightning bolts in a blue and orange backdrop that reminded me of twilight. At the center was a pedestal upon which the orb now rested. It was emanating a blue and orange aura that pulsed with energy. The room hummed with faint electricity, and I felt a sense of awe as I looked around.
"Welcome, Administrator Ikazuchi," the voice continued, its tones more profound and resonating, "I am Project Raiju's Core Personality Matrix. However, there are boundaries and limitations to my knowledge and assistance."
My heart raced, a mix of fascination and apprehension. "Why am I here? And how do you know who I am? What were those visions? What exactly are you?"
The orb pulsed, and for a brief moment, a soft, melancholic tune played. "Our connection is bound by the threads of fate, woven through time and purpose. I am a highly advanced Terran magitech AI here to assist, to guide, and to augment your abilities. I recognize you as my Administrator and master, but my primary directive forbids revealing the entirety of our link."
Images flashed across the chamber walls - blinding storms, fierce battles, and a silhouette that I recognized but couldn't place. But the imagery would shift and distort every time I tried to focus.
"There are storms ahead, Operator Ikazuchi. Battles to be won, decisions to be made, and regrets that you will need to come to terms with," the voice continued, its tone layered with a subtle hint of sorrow. "But for now, I am here to serve and protect, and to divert from a highly probable, forecasted tragedy."
I stared at the orb before me, trying to make sense of everything happening. It seemed I had stumbled upon something far beyond my comprehension, a secret of immense consequence that had somehow become mine to bear. My mind raced with possibilities, an endless series of "what-ifs" and "whys," but I knew there would be no easy answers.
"What do you mean, 'to serve and protect'?" I asked hesitantly. “Protect me from what?! A cataclysm??! I'm a fifteen year old nobody from the boonies!"
The orb remained silent, and I could sense hesitation in its energy. Then, it spoke again.
"You are of humble origin, of course. Be that as it may, my creator has planned for your role with a carefully calculated statistical significance. Your existence stands at a crossroads that will determine the fate of more than one world. It is necessary that I make contact with you today to avert a cataclysm."
My heart raced as I heard those words. More than one world? What could that mean? Terra and Earth? I didn't feel like I was capable of such a monumental task. But as I looked at the orb, I couldn't deny the power emanating from it. I had an inkling that I was in the presence of something truly special.
"I am forbidden to meddle beyond my mission parameters, but I will provide you the tools you need to face the challenges ahead," the orb continued. "But before I do, I must warn you - danger is imminent. Moreso than the peril you already face today, and taking up arms today will lead to far more treacherous probabilities than your most likely paths. This extends to you, your loved ones, and those you would come to cherish. But, you will be able to save your father, your sister, and those you love, Ikazuchi. This will only be so if you are willing to shoulder the burden that is to come. Do you accept this responsibility?"
I took a deep breath, feeling a sudden weight on my shoulders. I only wanted to save my dad, Blake, Jae, and Alex. To go off to Terra and earn a good life for my sister Izumi, maybe even find a way to bring my folks along with me.
Did I even have what it takes to do what this orb asked me? Was I brave enough? Strong enough? Would I be making a deal with the devil to sacrifice everything for the sake of a responsibility I didn't fully understand?
As I pondered the question, my thoughts turned to my father, unconscious in the firefight I'd left behind. I thought about my poor, beautiful little sister waiting for us back in the house we'd left behind. She'd be left without anyone to care for her if we didn't return. And then there were Dad's friends — Blake, Jae, and Alex, whose lives were also on the line with every passing moment.
I thought about the people I'd met since arriving in this city, the ones who had helped and supported me and who I had grown to care about. If there was any way I could help them, then I had no choice but to accept.
"I don't know what you're asking for," I said finally, my voice wavering with uncertainty. "I don't know if I can do it. But I'll try. I'll do my best to help. But if what you’re telling me is true. If Izumi and Dad are in danger… If there's anything I can do, anything at all to save them. I'll do it."
I looked down at my distorted, surreal hands, my chest heaving with determination. "I'll do it for my family. For my friends. For everyone who needs me."
The orb pulsated with a warm, reassuring energy, and I felt a sense of camaraderie emanating from it. Like I was meeting an old friend after years apart. "You have made a wise choice, Administrator Ikazuchi. As expected," it said. "But before we begin, there is one final thing you must do to cement your role as my Administrator."
I looked up at the orb, feeling a sense of trepidation. "What is it?" I asked.
"In order to establish a stable connection between us, you must touch the orb and allow me to establish a link," it said. "This process may be disorienting, but it is necessary for our partnership to begin."
I nodded hesitantly and closed my eyes. I slowly extended my hand towards the orb, summoning every ounce of courage I had left. A brilliant blue light engulfed me as soon as my fingertips made contact with its surface, and I felt every nerve in my body instantly ignite with electricity.
'Linking neural pathways to Core Personality Matrix.' its voice spoke in my head. 'Epoch date: Verified. Systems synchronize... Establishing secure connection. Preparing personal memory seals. Please stand by.'
The sensation was overwhelming, like being submerged in a tempestuous ocean and tossed around by its currents. I felt like I was being stretched and pulled in every direction like my body was being torn apart. I couldn't see, hear, or feel anything except the dizzying sensation of being caught up in a maelstrom of energy.
"Establishing and calibrating base relative parameters. Life force baseline established. Vitals: 100% calibration. Stamina: 67 / 100 units Mana: 49 / 100 units. Initializing synchronization definition: Level 1 synchronization rank. Forming Inventory subspace. Inventory complete. Welcome, Administrator Ikazuchi."
The world slowly came back into focus as the light faded away, and I took a deep breath as I regained my bearings. I looked down at my hands, half-expecting them to be different after what had just happened. But they appeared to be the same as ever, albeit with a slight tingle running up and down my fingers.
The orb hummed in response, its glow pulsing in a soothing pattern. "As my Administrator, you will now be able to access my vast data banks and systems," it explained. "You will have access to a vast array of tools, weapons, and gadgets that will aid you in your mission on demand. In addition, I will be able to analyze and process information at an unprecedented speed, providing you with valuable insights and strategies in even the most dire of situations."
I nodded slowly, taking in all this information. "So, what do I do now?" I asked.
"Several milliseconds have passed since you have been pulled into my core matrix, Administrator Ikazuchi," the orb said. "Based on the information that I have gathered from your surroundings, I recommend that we depart from this location immediately. You may return here at the price of 1% of your maximum mana capacity per minute to plan. However, a considerable amount of your meager reserves have been spent establishing this link."
"...I have mana? But I'm not a mage or anything."
The orb hummed again, its glow pulsing with apparent amusement.
"Mana is simply the term used to describe the miraculous energy of existence that flows through all things living and non-living," the orb explained. "It is a universal energy that can be utilized by those with the knowledge and ability to harness it, regardless of their background. Your capacity for channeling mana will grow stronger as you gain experience utilizing it with me as a conduit and face greater challenges."
I nodded slowly, trying to take in this new information. "Okay, so where do we go from here? Last I checked, I had three of those slavers rushing for me."
"Correct," the orb said. "I must also point out, however, that you are on a highway strewn with multiple dilapidated but functional Aeolus-class Mk. I units. These units can be controlled remotely, and one of my baseline abilities is [Hijack], which will allow you to take control of these units and use them to your advantage. Given your current situation, I recommend utilizing this ability to fend off your attackers."
I nodded, feeling a surge of excitement mixed with hesitance. "Alright, let's do it," I said, steeling myself for whatever was to come.
The orb hummed happily, and I felt a wave of warmth spread through my body.
"Very good, Administrator," the orb said. "Do not worry- I will serve as your guide from now, and evermore."
The chamber we were in began to swirl with energy, and I felt my feet lift off the ground as I was enveloped in a brilliant orange light.
"Surge forth once more, Ikazuchi," the orb intoned, with a hint of something akin to nostalgia.
Then, the world blurred in a swirl of orange before exploding into white light again.