Aklion woke up in the mud, cold and bruised. Did his plan work? He was confused, it all seemed to be… a dream? Was he losing his mind again? Nevertheless, this was no time to figure things out, crouched in the shadows near the outskirts of NeoRhodes, his eyes fixed on the city gates. The towering Kolossus statue loomed over everything, an oppressive reminder of the Conglomerate’s chokehold on humanity. He clenched his fist around the vial of PRIME INPAXX tucked safely in his pocket. It felt like holding onto his purpose—heavy, painful, and all too real.
As he mapped out his next move, the ground beneath him trembled. A low rumble spread through the air, followed by a faint, almost melodic cracking sound from deep within the earth. He froze, instincts on high alert, ready for anything.
System Notification:
Environmental Event: Seismic Disturbance Detected
Effect: Security Systems Stability -15%
Aklion smirked. “An earthquake? You’ve got to be f***ing kidding me. I don’t get luck, I get bad jokes from the universe.”
The tremor sent dust and small rocks cascading from the cliffs. From his vantage point, he could see the drones above the gates momentarily glitch and falter. The turrets readjusted their arcs. Even the Paxxer patrols seemed momentarily thrown off, their rigid formations breaking as they staggered to maintain balance.
This was his chance, a path through chaos…
With the distraction in full effect, Aklion sprinted toward the city’s perimeter. He activated his HUD, scanning for an alternate entry point. The seismic event had cracked a section of the city’s underground water systems, leaving an exposed drainage pipe leading toward the industrial zones.
System Notification:
Alternate Route Discovered: Maintenance Drainage System
Security Level: Low
Stealth Bonus: +30% Entry Concealment
“Looks like I’m crawling through sh** again,” Aklion muttered as he slid into the damp, foul-smelling pipe.
The stench was overwhelming, even with his helmet’s filtration system. The glitch buzzed faintly in his mind, urging him to push forward. Every splash of water against his boots echoed like gunfire, and every shadow felt like an enemy.
Skill Activated: Shadowstep
Effect: +25% Movement Speed, +20% Stealth Efficiency
As he navigated through the tunnels, he thought he caught movement in his peripheral vision—a massive shadow shifting aboveground. He paused, his pulse hammering against his ribcage.
“Just the quake… right?” he whispered to himself. But the glitch’s whispers told him otherwise.
System Notification:
Sanity Check Failed
Sanity Stability: -5%
Current Sanity: 43% (Critical Instability Imminent)
He shook his head and pressed on, the thought of the Kolossus moving lingering like a bad dream.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
A Dead City in Motion
Aklion emerged from the drainage pipe into the industrial heart of NeoRhodes. The area was a maze of steel walkways, automated conveyor belts, and towering machinery. Steam hissed from overhead vents, and the rhythmic clanking of machinery filled the air.
He pulled his hood tighter, keeping his face obscured as he slipped into the shadows. The earthquake had left its mark here too. Cracks ran through the walls, and faint sparks danced along severed cables.
As he moved deeper into the city, he heard voices ahead. Two Paxxer workers stood near a damaged water valve, their figures illuminated by the dim glow of overhead lights.
System Notification:
Enemies Detected: 2 Paxxer Workers (Level 20)
“Sh**,” Aklion muttered, reaching for his blade. He knew he could take them out in seconds, but the glitch pushed a strange suggestion into his mind: Try talking first.
“Yeah, because that always works,” he grumbled.
The Drone Men
Aklion stepped out of the shadows, his blade still sheathed. The two Paxxers turned to him, their faces blank and emotionless. They didn’t raise alarms or draw weapons; they simply stared, their eyes hollow.
“Uh… earthquake got me by surprise,” Aklion said, his voice low. “Didn’t get a chance to grab my uniform. I’m here for maintenance.”
The lie felt ridiculous even as he said it. The glitch laughed at him, a chaotic hum in the back of his mind.
To his astonishment, the Paxxers nodded in unison.
“Follow protocol,” one said, his voice monotone.
“Ensure efficiency,” the other added.
Aklion blinked. “Right… protocol. Sure thing.”
The Paxxers returned to their work, their movements robotic and detached. He watched them for a moment, unnerved by how utterly lifeless they seemed. INPAXX hadn’t just stripped them of emotions; it had stripped them of humanity.
System Notification:
Observation Complete: Paxxer Worker Efficiency
Analysis: Long-Term INPAXX Use Reduces Cognitive and Emotional Functionality
Note: Further Dehumanization Likely
“More like zombies than workers,” Aklion muttered, slipping away from the scene. He grabbed a discarded worker’s uniform from a nearby locker, quickly pulling it on. The glitch pulsed in his mind, urging him to press forward.
Dressed as a Paxxer worker, Aklion blended into the flow of laborers moving through the industrial zone. The city was a cold, mechanical hive, its inhabitants little more than cogs in a vast machine.
He accessed his HUD, scanning for HELIOS’ central control node. If he could reach the AI’s core, he could gain critical intel on NeoRhodes and Khares’ involvement in Project Waste Recycling.
System Notification:
Objective: Locate HELIOS Control Node
Reward: XP + Access to NeoRhodes Command Systems
As he navigated the labyrinthine pathways, he couldn’t shake the eerie feeling of being watched. The Kolossus loomed in the distance, its massive shadow stretching across the city.
“You’d think they could build a city without giant statues of themselves,” he muttered, the glitch buzzing in agreement.
He reached a security checkpoint, the only barrier between him and the control node. Two guards stood at attention, their rifles gleaming under the harsh lights. Aklion tensed, ready to strike if necessary.
System Notification:
Skill Activated: Persuasion
Effect: +15% Success Rate on Deception
“Emergency maintenance,” he said, holding up a fabricated ID badge. “HELIOS sent me to stabilize the systems after the quake.”
The guards exchanged a glance, then stepped aside.
System Notification:
Deception Successful
XP Gained: 1,000
Aklion stepped through the checkpoint, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Too f***ing easy.”
The Core
The control node was a massive chamber filled with screens, holograms, and the hum of advanced machinery. At its center was a glowing console, pulsating with data streams. This was HELIOS’ heart.
Aklion approached the console, his fingers hovering over the controls. The glitch whispered chaos into his mind, urging him to rip the system apart. But he held back, forcing himself to focus.
He accessed the stolen Zeus credentials, bypassing the initial security layers. The console opened up, revealing a web of data linking HELIOS to the rest of NeoRhodes.
System Notification:
HELIOS Control Node Accessed
Options: Monitor, Override, Destroy
Aklion selected “Monitor,” his HUD flooding with information. He sifted through files, searching for anything related to Khares and Waste Recycling. What he found chilled him to his core.
Project Waste Recycling—NeoRhodes Division
•Lead Architect: Khares
•Objective: Optimize Industrial Processing of Organic Components
•Status: Active
The glitch surged, filling his vision with static and fragmented memories. He saw flashes of his son, Vectora’s lifeless body, and the vial of PRIME INPAXX in his pocket.
“F***ing monsters,” he growled, slamming his fist against the console.
System Notification:
Emotional Instability Detected
Warning: Glitch Intensifying
He took a deep breath, forcing the glitch to the back of his mind. There was no time for rage, not yet. He set the console to “Override,” inputting commands to disable key security systems across the city.
System Notification:
Security Systems Disabled: 40%
XP Gained: 2,000
As the control node hummed in compliance, Aklion felt the weight of his mission pressing down on him. NeoRhodes was just the beginning.
“Time to send a message,” he muttered, uploading a broadcast to Khares.
The holographic display flickered to life, showing Aklion’s face, his eyes burning with glitch-fueled intensity.
“Khares,” he said, his voice low and venomous. “I’m coming for you. Prepare yourself.”
The message ended, and Aklion stepped back, his blade gleaming in the dim light. The hunt was far from over.