63 <Factory Reset > | Final Chapter
The surroundings are dark. Complete silence. Such is the void.
Feng Ye is all too familiar with this feeling…
The void and miniscule feeling of existence. The feeling which had started everything.
Yes, this was the initial feeling of when Feng Ye had fallen in the void. The space tears at his body. Ache and pain radiate throughout his entire being- this time even through his soul.
"What was the point…. ?"
Such a question echos in Feng Ye's mind over and over again as this feeling of helplessness raids from all directions.
"Don't you want to continue?" Another voice suddenly whispers into his consciousness.
"Why should I? I have nothing more to lose…" Feng Ye echos back.
"What if you could factory reset...?"
"..."
As Feng Ye's last remaining willpower slowly drains away, a sense of extrication is felt throughout his body... free of responsibility and even his life…
However, just as Feng Ye fully is about to merge completely with the void, a soft voice recalls Feng Ye from his weary state of mind.
"Feng Ye…." A familiar voice…...Who was it, why was it so familiar.. ?
Ah… yes. It is Shira.
Wait.. why can she call my name? Feng Ye is suddenly startled and his body jolts in the void.
A sudden sense of urgency is felt throughout all the cells of his body. The power of vibration in each cell starts to intensely emit a humming noise.
"Shira!" Feng Ye shouts in his mind. Unfortunately, no response can be heard.
---
Feng Ye opens his eyes. He seems to be in some sort of high tech capsule (?).
"Have I been abducted by an alien?" This question is the first thought that comes to mind.
---
A notification appears in the corner of a large virtual screen.
<Subject A1168 has awoken>
A researcher that had been lying against his chair idling and staring at the ceiling suddenly jolts awake from this notification.
He comments to his nearby colleague. "Ah. That's rare. It has been a good several years since we picked up this one. I really have no idea why the government was so interested and persistent in taking this comatose patient in…"
Across the room another researcher sighs, "Who knows what the higher ups think. We just do what we are told and get paid luxuriously. Just go notify the government official. I'll head down there to see the subject."
---
Feng Ye, while inside this odd high-tech capsule took this time to survey around, outside through the capsule window. It seems to be in a laboratory area. Similar capsules can be found, however, it is too far from his location to view inside. A variety of devices can be seen which seem to pump fresh air and nutrients into these capsules. Across the room, there is a closed automatic steel sliding door.
It seems the capsule isn't openable from the inside, however, based on the numerous attachments on his body- it seems to have the function of preserving his nutrition.
Shocked, Feng Ye looks at his hands. He feels his hair. It has gotten much longer.
"How long have I been out….?"
At this time, the automatic sliding doors open and a researcher walks into the room. This individual looked around mid forty. A very unique feature is that he's wearing a hat which seemed oddly out of place with his lab coat.
The researcher walks towards Feng Ye's capsule and presses a button. The capsule door opens and Feng Ye has found himself face to face with the researcher.
The researcher smiles and takes a look at his tablet which we brought along with him. "Ah hello Feng Ye. I am Dr. Robert Branch, a researcher here in America. Feel free to walk out, though- it seems that you have been in a comatose for a few years- so I would take it slow."
"Uh. Hey Dr. Branch." Feng Ye squeezes a smile back. Naturally vigilant still, he carefully then steps out of the capsule. After initially having some trouble adjusting to his weakened self, Feng Ye was able to walk around. It seems a lot has occurred ever since that day….
Feng Ye now is somewhat taller, however, his hair has become completely silver. The explosive muscles from years back are now gone and he could be considered only slightly above average.
"What happened, where is here and how did I get here?" Feng Ye inquires to the nearby Dr. Branch.
"Ah….." Dr Branch sighs.
"Let's go to a more comfortable location first. Ah, by the way- here's a pair of clothes. Get changed using the washroom over there and we can head to a lounge."
Dr. Branch tosses a bag of clothes towards Feng Ye. Feng Ye accepts it and heads over to the washroom to change. Some time later, Feng Ye sits across from Dr. Branch at a lounge in the research facility.
"Coffee?" Dr. Branch offers.
"I am fine thanks. I'll just grab a bottle of water." Feng Ye grabs a bottle of water which seemed to be complementary and up for grabs at a nearby table.
"Alright." Dr. Branch nods and starts to say as soon as both he and Feng Ye have settled in and have sat across from each other on the opposite facing sofa.
Dr. Branch shows an expression of recall. "Ah… back when you were brought here. The world was in quite some turmoil… Originally, the city of Aven- what was known to be at the forefront in technological breakthroughs in regards to infrastructure and the unravelling of the limits of human capacity had a huge civil dispute. This dispute was a small spark which initiated a wildfire throughout the world."
He takes a sip of coffee and then continues.
"I believe at that time you were unconscious from a strange phenomenon and mental disturbance as you were in a comatose-like condition at a hospital in Aichi Prefecture.
What you probably didn't know was your condition has lasted a solid three and a half years. The spark I mentioned earlier was fueled by a civil dispute to control the entire city of Aven as well as the Aven Institute of Technology. Naturally, this internal dispute had attracted worldwide attention as Aven has unfortunately chosen to withhold most of its breakthroughs and refused to share with its neighbors. Very soon, students were all dismissed as well as most of the population exiting to other countries. Japan had entered a very turbulent period with civil wars involving individuals with enhanced supernatural abilities."
Dr. Branch sighs again.
"The city of Aven is now no more. It is only a name of the past. What has replaced it is an organization by the name of S.E.R.D which stands for Supernatural ESP Research and Development. It is an organization jointly run by the numerous governments of several superpower countries like the States, China, Russia, to name a few."
Feng Ye's brows tighten as he listens… an entire 3.5 years.. Wtf.
"Now the world has taken a huge progressive leap in infrastructure and even the research of unlocking human's true potential."
Dr. Branch sighs again. "Perhaps, Aven's fall was the best for the world. Really.. the rest of the world was too backwards."
"Hm.. so why am I here?" Feng Ye asks.
"Ah, I was getting to that part…. During Aven's turbulent time while you were still in a comatose condition - your friends had brought you here to America. They asked the head of the research facility to preserve you and maintain your condition as they believed that you would awake from such a comatose like condition….."
"I won't lie- when I first heard this absurd request, I was about to persuade the head to reject. However, luckily, your contributions and abilities previously could potentially contribute to our project. So as a condition, you would have to help us in our project in exchange for maintaining you here so many years. With this said, I would like to formally welcome you to the Human Potential Advancement Project."
Feng Ye, at this time, really didn't have the choice of rejection.
"Alright. So what about my friends where are they?" Feng Ye follows up with a question.
Dr. Branch smiles. "Not to worry, they are well. However, you have to remember that 3.5 years is a lot of time. I do not know where they may be now, however, last year they had paid you a visit. Perhaps in the future, they may come again around the same time. That fellow was named….. Hmm.. I believe Chu Feng."
Feng Ye nods. "I see alright."
Dr. Branch smiles and extends his hand for a handshake. "I look forward to working with you."
Feng Ye shakes Dr. Branch's hand and nods.
It seems that quite a lot has indeed occurred over the last few years….
So many pieces of the puzzle are still missing. It will be a very hard and arduous journey to pick up the missing pieces.
So many questions left to be answered but will have to remain unanswered for now…
What happened to Shira… what was that void space… and the individuals at the student council.
It all will have to be said in the future. Feng Ye walks to a nearby reflective surface. He has gotten older. 3.5 years older to be exact. His face has now a more weary expression. The psat vigour seemed to have been lost. Two droplets of tears well up in his eyes as he reflects on his experience.
His friends, his new life, his school- has been reset once again. Just like how we was brought here to this new world. As though someone was able to factory reset his progress, his situation, and his life.
Questions continue to arise…. "What is there to do now?"
Over 3.5 years. Was his original parents still well?
Regardless, he would have to stick it out in this research institute. Perhaps, he could find more answers.
Feng Ye takes a look at the back of his hand and then turns his hand so that he is looking at his palm.
Closing his eyes, Feng Ye tries to re-imagine how he was able to control his abilities from before the accident. A small vibration can be felt within all the cells within his body. However, for all his other abilities, he could not feel any of them. No more Hidden Wanderer, no more Halo of Recovery, etc. No system, no system panel- nothing. No more Shira.
He now was truly alone. A true factory reset occurred. He has been reset.
Clenching his fist, Feng Ye decided he needs to reunite with his old friends and try to find a way to still go home.
The journey will be a long one and arduous at that, however, perhaps one day….
---
Time passes quickly. As the sunrises once again, unknowingly, another two years have passed. Feng Ye has been working and assisting with the project. He has met many fellow individuals with esper abilities who were also partaking in the project.
Feng Ye had slowly mastered his vibration ability. A variety of unique techniques had also been discovered.
At this time, Feng Ye's door to his room/housing was knocked.
Dr. Branch's voice can be heard outside.
"Hey Feng Ye, you have a visitor."
Feng Ye opens the door and an extremely familiar face greets him.
"Hey Feng Ye. Long time no see." The familiar voice, familiar grin, and familiar facial features….
"Hey. Chu Feng. Yes.. it's been a long time…"
"Yes. Feng Ye, I have recently been able to pay back the cost of keeping you healthy during your comatose condition. You are now free to leave."
Looking at Dr. Branch, Branch smiles and nods. "Yes, Mr. Chu Feng here has been able to finally repay the costs - so you no longer need to stay. Best of luck."
Feng Ye nods.
It is time to start his actual journey to seek the path home. Perhaps, it can be possible with these friends of his. Some tears well out in Feng Ye's eyes.
Feng Ye quickly wipes them off with his sleeve and nods to Chu Feng. "Alright, let's go!" With a gentle grin, Chu Feng offers his hand towards Feng Ye. Gently grinning back, Feng Ye grabs Chu Feng's extended hand and gets pulled out of the doorway.
"Thanks for the care Dr. Branch. Best of luck on your research." Feng Ye nods to Dr. Branch.
"Haha. Do not worry about an old man like me. Go get em young one." Dr. Branch replies.
Chu Feng leads Feng Ye into a nice tinted car and after a 3 hour drive, he arrives in a research facility. Leading Feng Ye into the building, Feng Ye is greeted with many familiar faces.
Akeno… Akimichi, Wu Ya, Haruta, Yotsuba, and Akihiko….
"You are all here. I've come back." Feng Ye smiles gently.
Akeno smiles. "Yes, welcome back."
---
Time rapidly flies as two years pass.
In the office of the research facility, Feng Ye mutters as he looks at the huge influence he had created. "When I look back, I wonder.. since when did I become Mr. Nice guy?"
Nearby, Akeno chuckles, "Ever since you had decided to establish the New Era Project and became the president of the New Era Society, you have been doomed to take on the Mr. Nice guy title."
With an eye roll, Feng Ye retorts, "Didn't you know that nice guys finish last?"
The New Era Society continuously expanded the last two years as more students with awakened abilities continue to look for a home to return to.
Feng Ye, throughout, these years… has become much healthier and has recovered. He has also become much stronger.
Feng Ye stands near the window and looks into the distant sky..
Now, the world awaits. My Feng Ye has come back.
-- end.
