I disconnected from the chair, tossing the lenses onto the table with an exasperated sigh. Spinning in the chair, I averted my gaze from the ceiling to the window, contemplating the vastness of New Eden from the 113th floor. The vibrant lights of the city radiated a frenetic energy, but my thoughts were shrouded in shadows.

The view from that height was imposing. Skyscrapers rose like metallic colossi, connecting to the night sky. Vehicles hovered like twinkling fireflies, tracing luminous lines in the urban space. A constellation of lights, as distant as the dreams lingering in my mind.

Returning to reality, I slid my hand across the display, opening the virtual door to the corridor. I crossed the threshold of my mother's room, where the reality of her condition was undeniable. Medical equipment was connected to her body, and she lay in a life support capsule. Relentless routine dictated that she could only spend two hours outside that artificial cocoon.

My steps echoed silently in the atmosphere laden with concern. I stood before the capsule, resting my hand on the translucent material. The fragility of my mother's existence contrasted with the magnitude of the city outside. I gazed at her serene face, hope fading like a flickering candle.

I opened my holodisk, revealing the harsh reality of our finances. The bank debt projected in front of me, a burden of 15 million Dials. My salary at the Academy barely exceeded 5 thousand Dials per month. The math was unforgiving, and the prospect of paying off that debt seemed like an unattainable utopia.

I left the room with uncertainty echoing in every step. I returned to the living room where JadedJellyfish's message continued to hang in the virtual air. The decision materialized like an imminent shadow, enveloping me in its cold embrace.

In front of the screen, I pondered the options stretching before me. Betraying New Eden for financial security was an irresistible temptation. However, my loyalty to the hometown and personal morality emerged as insurmountable barriers.

The dilemma echoed in my mind like an incessant mantra. I looked at the discarded lenses on the table, connected to the network that offered me a temporary escape from reality. However, those lenses were also the window to a world of crucial decisions.

I sank back into the chair, hands resting on the table, eyes fixed on the chat message. The response, whatever it might be, would delineate not only my fate but also that of those who depended on me. The decision hung like a sword of Damocles, ready to fall and irrevocably alter the course of my life.

My fingers slid over the virtual keyboard, crafting a direct private message to JadedJellyfish. "I know it's asking a lot, but I have a condition for accepting everything. I don't need money, well, I do, but I only want one thing." Sending the message was a commitment, a risky bet on the hope of a favorable response.

JadedJellyfish's response came quickly and incisively. "To resolve your mother's condition, right?" The words pulsated on the screen, and my heart raced in response to an unexpected offer. I left my hands suspended over the keyboard, momentarily stunned by the unfolding possibilities. The proposal echoed like a beacon of hope in the midst of the storm.

"Don't worry; I already know all the details about each of you. You want us to clear your mother's debt, don't you?" Jaded's message revealed a keen understanding of our circumstances. It was a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, a chance for relief from the financial burden weighing on my family. "Yes," I finally typed, letting sincerity shine through.

Jaded's next response took on a serious and direct tone. "It's possible, but for that, your loyalty needs to be solely to me and Pomodoro." The weight of the choice rested on my shoulders, a dilemma that transcended the boundaries of my own convictions. The sigh that escaped my lips was laden with the responsibility I now bore.

"If you do this, I agree; I just need them to cure my mother." The simplicity of the phrase did not do justice to the underlying complexity. By typing these words, I sealed a pact that would change the course of my life, surrendering loyalty in exchange for redemption. The decision was made, and now I awaited the unfolding of events that would trigger a new journey, imbued with uncertainties, sacrifices, and, hopefully, healing for my mother.

The night enveloped New Eden in a dark cloak, only interrupted by the vibrant lights dotting the vertical horizon of the metropolis. The clock's whistle echoed in the silence of my room, indicating that time was advancing relentlessly, while the bluish glow of the lenses dissipated before my eyes.

"Come to the address I sent you earlier; I'll meet you myself," the words flickered on the screen before JadedJellyfish disconnected. The decision was made, and I stood up, setting the lenses aside. The clock read 1 AM, and the curfew had already been activated. I couldn't go out normally, but it wasn't the first time I slid through the city's shadows.

My red and black jacket was casually thrown onto the bed as I reached for my usual attire. The long-sleeved shirt and jeans became a second skin, and the boots echoed determined steps as I approached the window. The staff, a symbol of my role at the Academy, rested in my hands.

The nocturnal city stretched before me, an intricate web of interconnected buildings through walkways and platforms. The faint glow of the moon, obscured by towering towers, served as a guide as I scaled the fire escape. The route was a familiar path, a choreography executed by someone who knew every detail of the urban heights.

I ascended to the 115th floor, the night wind whispering in my ears, and then gripped my staff on one of the large cables. The graceful slide began, a daring dance that took me to the other building with impressive speed. The buildings, entangled like sinuous nerves, traced against the night sky. It was a choreography of shadows and lights, a fluid expression of the nightlife pulsing in the city's veins.

I walked across roofs and walkways, guided by the memory of those secret paths. Every leap, every movement, was executed with the precision of someone who traversed these routes not out of necessity, but by choice. The nighttime scenery of New Eden, with its sparkling lights and intricate shadows, became the stage where I performed my silent escape.

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Finally, I reached my destination, a place indicated by the digital coordinates that Jaded had shared. My eyes surveyed the nocturnal environment as the city pulsated below me. The journey here, a tangle of choices and commitments, reflected in my mind as I prepared for the next chapter of this enigmatic plot unfolding in my life.

The nocturnal view of New Eden stretched before me, a web of lights and shadows dancing in the darkness. My attention focused on the holodisk, whose digital coordinates pointed directly to where I was, but the surroundings remained strangely empty. The address seemed not to align with the visible reality, a discrepancy that generated a twinge of unease.

Holding my staff, I slid my body between the bars of a building, precariously hanging over the void. The environment was silent, with the night breeze cutting through the air like an invisible blade. My eyes focused on the shadows entwining the corners, while the city pulsed below.

As I observed the emptiness that should have been the meeting point, my suspicion intensified. The address provided by JadedJellyfish did not align with the landscape before me. Uncertainty hung in the air, and my heart quickened as I scanned the surroundings, trying to decipher any hint of activity. The staff, my only assurance amid the uncertainty, remained steady in my hands.

I decided to explore the terrain, moving agilely among the industrial machines that dotted the nocturnal landscape. Crouching down, I observed the scene below from above. The structure of the lower grounds of New Eden extended to Old Eden, an impressive and imposing sight. Every machine, every gear, seemed part of a colossal machinery propelling the city upwards.

The wait became uncomfortable, and anxiety grew when I realized that something was amiss. "Fuck, is he late?" I muttered, my voice almost lost in the silent vastness of the night environment. My eyes swept the area, searching for any sign of presence or movement. Tension grew with every passing second, and my body was alert to any eventuality.

My heart skipped a beat when one of New Eden's drones hovered over the area, its mechanical hum echoing among the structures. Pressing myself against the wall, I felt a mix of fear and adrenaline. "Fuck, fuck, fuck," I whispered through gritted teeth, aware that unauthorized presence in forbidden grounds could trigger severe consequences.

Fear hissed like an electric current down my spine, but the need for information and the promise of a better life propelled me forward. Every leap between the machines was calculated, every movement silent. The night was my ally, and the city, my playground. The challenge of infiltrating the Academy to gather valuable information became more tangible, but the shadows of uncertainty still loomed on the horizon.

Sliding my staff between my hands, I watched the drone hovering in the night sky like a mechanical sentinel. In a precise move, I delivered a swift blow, destroying the flying machine. "Fuck these fucking drones," I grumbled, feeling a wave of satisfaction as I watched the wreckage of the device fall into the void. I was far from invisible, but that small, silent victory fueled my confidence.

Quickly, I pulled a balaclava from my pocket and put it on, hiding my face in the fabric's shadow. While changing positions, I slid my hand between the gaps in the wall and began to climb silently. My movements were agile and fluid, like a nocturnal feline navigating the city's shadows. Each calculated push propelled me upwards, away from the forbidden ground.

"Of course, a spy would meet a 16-year-old," I ironically murmured under the balaclava, smiling to myself. It was a strange contrast — a New Eden youth about to get involved in a spy plot with the hope of reaching something beyond the city's imposed limits. A clandestine mission that could change the course of my life, for better or for worse.

Reaching the top, I paused for a moment, looking at the vastness of the city spreading below me. A shiver ran down my spine when a voice cut through the silence of the night. "Sorry for the delay, Rev," the voice echoed around me, and my gaze focused on a female figure standing out in the gloom. JadedJellyfish, an enigmatic silhouette transcending the darkness. Surprise briefly etched on my face, but I quickly composed myself.

"No problem," I replied, staying calm even in the face of the unexpected presence. Under the balaclava, my face remained hidden, but my eyes expressed a mix of determination and curiosity. The journey into the unknown was just beginning.

JadedJellyfish approached slowly, her steps echoing in the quiet of the night. Her intense, penetrating eyes captured mine, as if seeking to unravel the secrets I held. "Those eyes, you're afraid, aren't you?" she declared, as I sighed and shook my head negatively. The truth was that fear pulsed within me, but it was not something I was willing to admit, not even to myself.

"It's okay to be afraid, you should be," Jaded continued, her voice echoing like a whisper in the night. The statement resonated in my mind, and I pondered the reality of the situation. This was not just a virtual conversation; it was a total immersion into the dark world of espionage and betrayal.

Jaded guided me to a door on the top of the building, opening it to reveal the dark interior. As we entered the space, the dim light outlined Jaded's long, crimson red hair. Her imposing stature, almost 1.80m, forced me to look up to meet her gaze. "Come in, here," she indicated, opening another door leading to a room where new, unfamiliar faces awaited.

Upon entering, I was met with a surprising scene. The space was a mix of technology and improvisation, a clandestine enclave where the lines between loyalty and betrayal blurred. Computers hummed in dark corners, while shadows danced on the walls. The room was filled with individuals of different styles, each carrying an air of mystery that permeated the atmosphere.

"Rev, these are the members of our team. Those you can trust," Jaded introduced, her eyes focused on me as if seeking a response in my expression. Around me, unknown faces stared at me, each representing an enigma waiting to be deciphered.

Still under the influence of the balaclava, my eyes analyzed those present. A platinum-haired woman, with a gaze exuding cunning; a man with a serious demeanor, whose eyes were as sharp as a knife; and others, each contributing their uniqueness to the complexity of the team. It was not just a casual meeting; it was a silent pact among those seeking something more, something that New Eden could not offer.

"Rev, we want you to join us," declared Jaded, her gaze fixed on mine. A tempting offer, loaded with promises and dangers. My thoughts entwined in a dilemma, between the safety of my mother and the unknown unfolding before me. As I observed the faces around me, a decision began to form within me, shaped by the urgency for change and the yearning for freedom.

I walked to the window, letting the weight of uncertainty rest on my shoulders. JadedJellyfish's voice echoed in my mind, her words hanging in the air like a promise shrouded in mystery. "Look, as long as they solve my mother's problem, I'm up for anything."

I turned to face her, watching as she directed her attention to Whisper, a young blonde woman. A silent conversation unfolded between them, and I, lost in my own uncertainty, could barely keep up. "Can you solve our friend's problem?" Jaded asked Whisper, and my eyes sought answers in the young woman's serene expression.

My words would wither before leaving my lips when, without warning, the tone of the room changed. "Done," announced Jaded. Perplexed, I received a notification on my holodisk. The image on my screen revealed what seemed impossible: my bank debt, a burden I carried like a specter, now dissipated. "Look at this, as a goodwill gesture, and for being Owl's friend," Jaded laughed, the chair welcoming her with casualness.

My gaze fixed on the zero balance, a tangible proof of the uncommon generosity. A nervous laugh escaped my lips, and tears, previously contained, began to flow, sliding down my face. I lowered the balaclava to hide my vulnerable expression, but there was no longer a reason to conceal the emotions overflowing.

Now, with the weight lifted from my shoulders, my decisions were free to be made. Jaded sensed my vulnerability, offering me a chair. I sank into it, still processing the whirlwind of emotions. "Now that your heart is lighter, you can make a decision without pressure," Jaded's voice sounded gentle, like a calming breeze.

Amid the silence, my options began to clear. The questionable loyalty I once had towards borders and colors was distorted, giving way to a broader picture, where survival and the protection of those I love took precedence.

The words echoed in my mind: "This is the price for the peace you desire." I barely knew JadedJellyfish, but her actions spoke loudly, and the price paid, unexpected. My connection with New Eden, a city that raised me, began to fade, becoming a mere reflection in the mirror of my choices.

I rose from the chair, looking at the faces around me. The blonde-haired woman, whom I now knew as Whisper, remained impassive. The other faces, still unknown, maintained their enigmatic expressions. JadedJellyfish, the conductor of this symphony, smiled with calculated confidence.

"What do you want from me?" I asked, my tone sounding firm, even though my confusion still persisted. Whisper cast a keen glance, while Jaded maintained her serenity. Whatever I chose, I knew that the shadows of New Eden would never be the same again.