System Notification:
Status Effect: Desperation
Mental Fortitude: -10%
Emotional Stability: -20%
Glitch Factor: High
XP: Pending
Quest: Locate Rebel Base - In Progress
Aklion stood on the desolate hill, staring down at the barely visible silhouette of the rebel encampment. The world felt like it was closing in, shadows creeping at the edge of his vision as the side effects of INPAXX settled deep into his bones. Days of torture had drained the anger, leaving only a hollow void in its wake. But he knew he needed to keep moving; revenge was the only path left to him.
His hand trembled as he adjusted the tactical cloak wrapped around his armor, obscuring his profile against the night. Each step toward the camp was punctuated by a lingering self-loathing, memories flashing of Vectora’s final, bloodied face. The guilt clawed at him, an incessant itch he couldn’t scratch, a weight he couldn’t shed.
System Notification:
Skill Check Failed: Emotional Stability
Depression Modifier: +15%
As he approached the entrance, a small patrol spotted him. Immediately, rifles were aimed, laser sights painting red dots on his chest. Aklion stopped in his tracks, hands up in silent surrender. He could feel his pulse quicken as he scanned the hard stares on their faces—faces filled with hatred, and for good reason. In their eyes, he was nothing more than a traitor, a weapon of the conglomerate, a monster.
A gruff voice cut through the tense silence. “What the hell are you doing here, Aklion, you fucking monster?”
“Looking for Ravik,” he said, voice hoarse. “I’m here to help… if you’ll have me.”
One of the guards sneered. “Help? You mean like how you helped Vectora? Why shouldn’t we kill you right now?”
“Because otherwise her sacrifice, her efforts, will be all in vain. She stopped you from killing me before, I’m counting on it again, as this time, more than ever, I’m here to help you defeat a common enemy. You can do whatever you want with me afterwards.”
System Notification:
Persuasion Check: Failed
+25% Hostility Detected
They closed in, rifles still trained, until one finally cuffed him hard across the face. His head snapped back, but he didn’t resist. Blood trickled from his split lip as they forced him to his knees and bound his hands. He almost welcomed the pain—it was grounding, a distraction from the abyss lurking in his mind.
Skill Update
Passive Endurance +5% due to prolonged mental and physical stress.
The guards led him, chained and bruised, through the rebel encampment, which bustled with tense energy. Men and women threw scornful glares his way, some even muttering curses under their breath. His arrival spread through the camp like wildfire; they had all heard about his betrayal, the brutal rampage, the unforgivable act that had taken Vectora from them. Aklion met no one’s gaze, allowing their judgment to wash over him like a punishment he deserved.
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System Notification:
New Objective Added: Gain Ravik’s Trust
Reward: Increased Chance of Alliance, +500 XP
They shoved him into a dimly lit tent and locked the restraints to a ring on the floor. Ravik entered a moment later, flanked by two lieutenants, his face twisted in contempt. The tension was palpable, a barely contained rage simmering in Ravik’s eyes.
“You’ve got guts coming here, Aklion,” he spat, crossing his arms. “Or maybe you’re just insane.”
Aklion met his gaze, forcing himself to keep steady. “You don’t have to believe me. Just listen.”
“Listen?” Ravik barked a harsh laugh. “To what? More excuses? More of your ‘I was just following orders’ bullshit?”
Aklion swallowed, his voice low and steady. “I’m not here to justify anything. I know what I did. I know… what it cost all of you, all of us. I have to live with that blood on my hands. Actually, I don’t plan on living that long because of that. But I’ve been fighting the wrong enemy. And now I’m here to change that.”
Ravik’s fist met his face before he could even register it coming. The punch sent him reeling, a tooth loosening under the brutal impact. Blood filled his mouth, but he forced himself not to react, to keep calm.
System Notification:
Physical Damage Taken: -10% Health
Endurance Check: Passed
Pain Tolerance +2%
“If you think mentioning her name is going to get you sympathy, you’re even more twisted than I thought,” Ravik hissed, his eyes dark and unforgiving.
Aklion shook his head, spitting blood onto the dirt. “This isn’t about that. It’s about stopping the conglomerate AI’s once and for all. They’re pulling every string, manipulating every pawn. And if you’ll let me, I can help you break them. I now know how, I had help from the inside.”
Another silence fell as Ravik studied him, eyes narrowed with deep skepticism. “From your buddies, you mean? And why the hell should I believe anything you say?”
“Because I have nothing left to lose. I have nothing to gain from betraying you again. Let me help you take them down. Together, we have a shot.”
Ravik scoffed, but the edge in his gaze softened, just barely. “You’re a traitor, a killer, and a damn fool if you think I trust you. But… I’d be lying if I said we didn’t need every bit of firepower we can get. After the siege the resistance kinda fell apart.”
System Notification:
Persuasion Check: Passed
Hostility Level Reduced by 10%
He motioned to the guards, who reluctantly unlocked Aklion’s chains. Aklion rubbed his raw wrists, feeling a flicker of hope—a small crack in the wall between them. But he knew this was only the beginning. Earning Ravik’s trust would take more than words.
They led him out into the camp, where the tension was palpable. Ravik’s voice carried over the murmuring crowd. “Listen up! This bastard’s here to fight with us against the conglomerate. Doesn’t mean I trust him. Doesn’t mean you should either. But he’s our weapon now, and we’ll use him if it means bringing those bastards down.”
Aklion felt the weight of their stares, each one a dagger digging into his soul. He clenched his fists, a mix of shame and determination swelling in his chest. This was his path to redemption—or at least, the closest thing he’d ever get to it.
System Notification:
New Quest Accepted: Earn the Rebels’ Trust
Reward: +1500 XP, Improved Combat Skills Access
Stage One: Insurrection
It wasn’t long before the camp was thrown into disarray. Rebels who had followed Vectora had little patience for the man who killed her. Aklion could hear the whispers, the angry glares that followed him like shadows. Soon, they weren’t just whispers. An insurrection began to bubble to the surface, rebels pushing against Ravik’s decision to let him stay.
When a group finally confronted Ravik, demanding justice for Vectora, Aklion stood back, watching the chaos unfold. His fists clenched at his sides, every instinct screaming to fight, to protect himself. But he forced himself to stay calm. He was done with violence—for now. He had seen this before. life in NEOTROY was just a big fucking bloody roundabout. A wheel of meat.
Ravik’s voice cut through the tension. “We’re fighting for something bigger than any one person. If Aklion can help us bring down the conglomerate, I’ll be damned if I let him go.”
The mutineers looked ready to draw blood, their faces twisted with grief and rage. Aklion took a step forward, the weight of their anger pressing down on him like a physical force. He wanted to tell them that he understood, that he would shoulder their hatred if it meant he could make amends. But he knew words were meaningless now.
System Notification:
Quest Update: Insurrection Quelled
XP Gained: +500
Ravik shot him a hard look. “You should thank me for not letting them rip you apart.”
Aklion nodded, bloodied and bruised but resolved. “Vectora would be proud of you. Standing your ground.”
The words barely left his mouth before Ravik’s fist collided with his jaw again, harder this time. Aklion staggered, tasting blood and dirt as he hit the ground. Ravik leaned over him, face dark with rage.
“Don’t you dare speak her name,” he growled. “You’ll get your chance to fight. But know this—I’ll be waiting to put a bullet in your skull the second this is over.”
System Notification:
Status Effect: Hostility from Allies
Combat Skills Locked - Until Trust Level Increases