Chapter IV: Metamorphosis

An eleven years old, Felix stood outside, his gaze fixed on the threshold of the orphanage that had never truly felt like home. It had been a place where both he merely existed. The sky above was a bleak canvas, heavy with the promise of a snow squall. The orphanage, once a sanctuary, was now being decommissioned, taken over by the NIX Corporation. "Step aside, kid. We've got a lot of work to do," commanded a stern NIX officer. Felix trudged through the frozen streets, his former shelter now lost to him. He stumbled upon a clean alleyway, the cardboard boxes lined the alley, offering temporary refuge. With what little he had, Felix constructed a makeshift shelter, cobbling together the available boxes. He retreated into his improvised abode, seeking solace in the blankets he had fortuitously discovered.

As the night wore on, Felix's hunger grew increasingly insistent, his stomach rumbling in protest. "I'm so hungry," he murmured, acknowledging the painful reality. "I must endure until morning, hoping to find food if I'm fortunate enough." Felix contemplated his predicament, silently pleading for no trouble as he heard footsteps approaching on the snowy pavement. He waited anxiously as the footsteps stopped just out of his view.

***

Consciousness slowly returned to Felix, accompanied by the jarring sensation of being dragged across the rough ground. His legs scraped against the coarse surface as two individuals forcefully propelled him forward, their grip unyielding. Abruptly, the piercing sound of a sliding door shattered the haze, and before he could react, Felix was unceremoniously hurled onto the earth, his face colliding with a soft patch of dirt. As the heavy door closed behind him, Felix struggled to rise, his body still groggy from the disorienting ordeal. Confusion enveloped his thoughts as he surveyed his dimly lit surroundings, the silhouettes of foliage and towering trees stretching out before him.

Am I outside? Where on earth am I? Felix's mind raced with a multitude of unanswered questions, seeking solace in the obscure gloom. Just as he contemplated his precarious predicament, the heavy metal door slid open once more, unleashing a torrential flood of people—twenty or more—into the ink-black night. Each figure appeared detached, their expressions etched with sombreness and disconnection, burdened by secrets known only to them. However, amidst the crowd, a young man of Felix's own age strode purposefully toward him.

"Hi, it seems you're new to this situation. I'm Jake," the newcomer introduced himself, his golden blond hair coiling into loose curls that framed his face. His light brown eyes radiated a blend of sincerity and shrewd intensity.

"Felix," he replied, extending his hand to shake Jake's. "Where are we?" Felix inquired, his voice tinged with both curiosity and apprehension.

"This place remains unknown to all of us," Jake responded, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "But if I were to guess, we might be located in NIX Juvenile Detention Center."

"Correct, Mr. Landon, you have all been placed in the NIX Juvenile Detention Center, just as you are all involved with the Paradox Movement," a voice boomed from the hidden speakers, inducing a collective gaze of fear and bewilderment among the captives. A ripple of unease reverberated through the crowd as they exchanged apprehensive glances, burdened by the weight of their unknown fate. "Previous batches have proven to be failures, but alas, it is time to initiate the trial," the voice continued, its tone laced with sinister amusement. "What trial are you talking about?" Felix shouted into the suffocating darkness.

"The trial of selecting the perfect flower, the ultimate candidate, among other perfect flowers," the voice from the speaker chuckled ominously, sending a chill down their spines. "And now, as we begin the trial," many screeching sound akin to that of Voids filled the air, causing a palpable sense of dread and terror to grip everyone. This is crazy! He'll kill us all if we don't have the SDN Equipment! Felix frantically thought, his mind racing to comprehend the dire situation. "There is only one simple rule: Survive, by any means necessary. Each and every one of you possesses the abilities to do so. Only one can emerge as the victor. Good luck," the voice from the speaker concluded, leaving them in a chilling silence, drenched in fear and uncertainty.

Before anyone could react, a colossal Void emerged, its snake-like head lunging forward to sink its teeth into a woman's shoulder, violently rending her body in half with a sickening display of carnage. The sight was a horrifying spectacle, freezing the onlookers in a moment of paralysing shock.

In a desperate bid to combat the monster, one individual summoned his Constellation, conjuring flames that danced with fury, hoping to reduce the Voids to ashen remnants, along with the surrounding trees. However, to his disbelief, the fire proved futile, leaving the Voids untouched while the once-lush foliage transformed into a desolate wasteland, reduced to smouldering ashes. The onlooker recoiled, stunned by the invincible nature of the Voids, only to find himself the next target. With terrifying swiftness, the Void ripped the flesh from his body, leaving him flayed and writhing in pain while screaming in agony, the Void stomp his head rendering him lifeless.

Panic erupted among the remaining survivors, their instincts screaming at them to flee for their lives. Some unfortunate souls fell prey to the mechanical Voids, their bodies gruesomely pulverized into minced meat, while others suffered the merciless wrath of slashing blades, their dismembered limbs scattered across the blood-stained ground.

Felix, refusing to become another victim, tapped into his memories, recalling fragments of a blueprint he had acquired during a mission for the Paradox Movement. In his mind's eye, he visualized a hidden ventilation shaft that could offer them a means of escape. "There's a concealed ventilation shaft somewhere nearby, if I remember correctly!" he exclaimed, his voice cutting through the chaos. Determination etched across his face, Felix beckoned Jake and the remaining survivors, who valiantly fought off the encroaching Voids, to follow him.

They dashed through the dense undergrowth, their breaths ragged and their hearts pounding in their chests. Finally, they arrived at the forest's edge, where an enigmatic door concealed the coveted ventilation shaft. A flicker of uncertainty crossed their minds when they discovered a formidable automatic lock barring their path. "Don't worry, my Constellation can hack this security," Jake proclaimed, injecting a glimmer of hope into the group. "Cover me while I unlock the door." The remaining five individuals, their lives teetering on the edge, nodded in unison, their collective yearning to escape the nightmarish ordeal fuelling their unwavering resolve.

Felix fought with unmatched valour, wielding his Constellation with precision to shield everyone, slashing and dicing at the encroaching threats. However, the Voids grew increasingly powerful with each passing moment, their malevolence fuelled by the rising tide of fear and madness saturating their surroundings. The chilling echoes of carnage filled the air, intensifying Felix's urgency. "Hurry! We can't hold on much longer!" he screamed to Jake, only to realize that he was the lone combatant fending off the relentless Voids, while Jake remained on the other side of the locked ventilation shaft.

"Hey! Open up! What are you doing?" Felix demanded, pounding on the sealed cover. Confusion and betrayal mingled in his voice.

"What do you think I am doing! I am leaving you to die! Traitor! If it weren't for your treachery, we wouldn't be trapped in this nightmare! Rot in hell, you punk!" Jake, without uttering another word, ventured inside the vent, abandoning Felix to face an uncertain fate.

"What does he mean by that? I did everything the Paradox Movement expected of me. I was loyal. Why would they send me to die?" Felix's mind raced with unanswered questions, his inner turmoil resonating through his thoughts.

As the remaining Voids closed in, encircling Felix, he refused to succumb to despair. "To hell with them and the entire world! If they want me to burn, I'll bring them all down with me!" Felix declared, his laughter taking on a sinister edge as he dispatched the Voids one by one, pushing himself beyond his limits to stand alone against the encroaching darkness. The world transformed from black to crimson as the relentless Voids, driven by their unyielding pursuit, converged upon him, I don't want to die, his thought screamed.

***

"Hello?" a new voice broke the peaceful silence, startling Felix. Slowly peeking out, he saw a girl standing near his shelter. Her long, unruly dark brown hair was adorned with snowflakes, and her fair peach oval face had a rosy flush from the cold. Her small Grecian nose was reddened, and amidst the wintry backdrop, she wore a white sweatshirt with a black and green NASA logo, paired with blue jeans. Her slightly hooded, almond-shaped dark brown eyes were half-lidded but observant, as if she could decipher all of his thoughts and desires.

Turning around to leave the alley, she said, "There's a diner called Messier 83 that's open 24 hours. We can both stay there and keep warm. It's my treat. Are you coming?" Felix perked up at the request without a second thought and replied, "Okay!" He followed the girl to the diner, grateful for the chance to escape the bitter cold and his gnawing hunger.

As they arrive at the diner, the atmosphere is quiet and serene. The soft hum of the neon lights outside cast a warm glow on the worn-out booths and faded chequered flooring. The air was filled with the comforting aroma of sizzling bacon and freshly brewed coffee, offering a temporary reprieve from the cold and the struggles of the outside world, and so Felix and the girl take their seat unto a nearby booth as the waitress comes out from the kitchen to takes their order.

"May I please have a bacon cheeseburger, and an Oreo milkshake?" Felix looked expectantly at the waitress as she jotted down his order. She then turned to the girl sitting across from him. "I would like to have a full American Breakfast and a hot honey latte, thank you." Both Felix and the girl handed their menus to the waitress, who promptly left to get their orders. The diner was sparsely populated, with only two other customers besides them.

Felix glanced around, his eyes taking in the details of the diner. The worn-out red leather seats held traces of countless patrons who had sought solace within these walls. The walls themselves were adorned with faded photographs capturing moments of nostalgia, a testament to the history of the place. The jukebox in the corner stood proudly, its vibrant colors peeling off but still emitting a faint melody, a reminder of a bygone era. As their plates arrived, Felix's eyes widened with anticipation.

The steaming bacon cheeseburger towered over the plate, and the Oreo milkshake, thick and creamy, provided a decadent indulgence that made him forget, even if just for a moment, the hardships he had endured. The girl across him savoured her full American Breakfast, the aroma of the coffee mingled with the honeyed sweetness of the latte, creating a symphony of scents that enveloped the small booth they occupied. As they enjoyed their meal, the sound of gentle chatter filled the diner. The clinking of silverware against the plate, as he savoured each bite and sip, he knew that despite the challenges he faced, there was still beauty to be found in the simplest of moments.

"Tell me, what is your dream?" the girl across from him asked, her eyes fixed on the snowy world outside the window. She had finished her meal and was now sipping a hot honey latte, the neon lights of the buildings casting an ethereal glow. Felix, having just finished his meal and slurping his milkshake, paused to contemplate her question.

"Huh?" he responded, taken aback. "I don't really have grand dreams like everyone else. I simply want to have a place to call my own, be financially secure, and indulge myself in delicious food. But, if I'm being honest, what I truly desire is to explore the world—perhaps even the entire galaxy. There's so much to see, so many mysteries to uncover. And I wanted to do it all with the people who have shown kindness to me."

As Felix revealed his heartfelt aspirations, the girl's expressions remained calm, but her eyes betrayed a storm of emotions. She didn't utter a word and continued to gaze at the falling snow. Felix excused himself to wash his hands in the restroom, and upon returning to his seat, he discovered that it was now empty—the girl had vanished, and the table was now clean as if they had never arrived at the diner in the first place. However, a note lay on the table, bearing a few words: "Your dream is grander than you can imagine. Felix, I want you to believe."

Clutching the note in his hand, Felix tucked it into his grey hoodie jacket and approached the waitress. "Excuse me, Lady! Do you happen to know where the girl who was sitting across from me went?" he asked, his voice tinged with apprehension.

"Oh! Where did you come from? And which girl are you talking about?" the waitress replied, her gaze filled with incredulity. "But we were just ordered and sat at that table over there!" Felix said with a hint of frustration. "I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about," the waitress responded with sincerity.

With a mix of curiosity and confusion, Felix absorbed the waitress's words, wondering about the mysterious girl who had touched his life, even if only for a brief moment. He exited the diner while the waitress called out to him, "Wait!" Felix didn't listen; he just ran, letting his spontaneity guide him, hoping luck was on his side. And indeed, luck favoured him as he found the girl at the playground just a block away. She stood on the roof of the towering structure—a slide that reached an estimated height of 23 feet or more. The girl barely registered him, her head tilted up towards the sky as if she was deeply drawn into it while the snow slowly fell.

"How did you know my name?" Felix called out to her, creeping closer towards the slides. The girl did not move. "Would you believe me if I said I would not be the same girl you met now, but at the same time, I am the same girl you will meet?" The girl's cryptic statement caught him off guard. "Huh? What does she mean by that?" Felix thought, giving her a blank, quizzical look. She turned around and walked over the edge. He rushed towards her as she was about to fall but stopped short when she landed on the snowy ground, her shocking pink trainers skidding over the snow, uninjured, bewildering him. "You think I am crazy," the girl said, slowly approaching him. "No, I don't…" Felix countered but was interrupted by the girl. "But you think so."

"How did you know?" Felix became anxious. "Because I know so," the girl replied, giving him a calm, serene smile. "Who are you?" Felix inquired. "I am no one, yet I am someone," the girl answered, confusing him. "I don't understand! Stop making things up!" Felix frustratedly exclaimed. "Why do you want to know who I am? Why do you want to understand who I am?" the girl curiously inquired. "Because…" Felix fidgeted looking down at his white high top trainers that appeared too oversize for him.

"You are the first person who has ever treated me as though I truly belong in this world, as I am more than just a face in the crowd or an orphan. Thank you for seeing me for who I am and reminding me that I have a place in this vast and strange world. You have given me something that I have never experienced before," he confessed.

She took a few steps back, turning around, her gaze drawn once again to the vast expanse of stars above. In that fleeting moment, before he could fully comprehend the unfolding events, her soft voice reverberated through the cold night air. "Starling," she said, her voice carrying a weight of significance. Felix's eyes widened. "Starling... that is my name."

Her head turned, casting a fleeting glance over her shoulder, her eyes brimming with a profound sense of peace. A genuine smile graced her lips as she met his gaze. "If you are ready," she whispered, her words hanging in the air like a fragile promise. Suddenly, the world around him, including Starling, flickered and distorted like a malfunctioning hologram. In the blink of an eye, she vanished from his sight, leaving him alone in the frozen playground, where the echoes of her presence still lingered.

"Come and find me," she whispered as the world dissolved into an abyss of darkness.

***

Felix's eyes were half-lidded and unfocused, tears streaming down his cheeks, their droplets splashing onto the ground below. The devastating extent of his injuries became apparent as the right side of his head lay in ruins, his body torn apart and mangled beyond recognition. The lifeless remains of both Voids and humans were strewn across the desolate field.

"This batch held so much promise. If only the Voids had shown a shred of mercy, we could have achieved significant progress for Project Event Horizon," a weary voice echoed from the speaker. Figures clad in hazmat suits meticulously surveyed the area, jotting down notes in their meticulous examination of what appeared to be a colossal simulator.

"Our task is complete, Dr. Krendler. All that remains is to release the Eraser," a hazmat-suited individual responded.

"Excellent! Clear the room, everyone," the voice commanded with a surprising air of joviality. The personnel swiftly opened the automatic door and entered the exhibit room, revealing an arena-like showcase. As the layers of the ceiling parted, an immense Void emerged—a centipede-like cephalopod with a myriad of large and small tentacles adorning its lower body. Its presence bore a disturbing semblance to a human face. Transforming into a hybrid of swirling tornado and water, it swept across the entire area, devouring the corpses and leaving the space immaculate—a perfect canvas for the scientists to commence their experiments anew. The Eraser reverted to its default state, awaiting its return to confinement with dutiful obedience.

"The Eraser process has been completed. Shall we proceed with the next batch, Dr. Krendler?" inquired one of the hazmat personnel.

"Yes, indeed. Proceed," the voice from the speaker concurred.

"Return the Eraser to its containment," commanded a hazmat-suited individual to the others.

"Roger that, sir," the personnel complied. However, as they followed the orders, the Eraser emitted a bloodcurdling screech, clawing at its abdomen in agony.

"What's happening? Report!" demanded the frustrated voice from the speaker.

"We're uncertain! The Eraser seems to be experiencing some kind of issue! It's tearing its stomach apart!" explained the hazmat personnel urgently.

"That's impossible! The Eraser is designed to digest and obliterate anything it consumes! Identify the problem and rectify it immediately!" the voice commanded, frustration seeping into its tone. The personnel scurried about, desperately searching for the cause of the Eraser's distress. Suddenly, a loud snap reverberated through the room. All eyes turned toward the Eraser on the other side of the glass. Its entire body convulsed, contorting into twisted angles. To their horror, the Eraser compressed itself, disappearing as if consumed by a voracious black hole.

The hazmat personnel, oblivious to the speaker's command, found themselves in a room that abruptly warped. Before they could utter a scream, they, too, were swallowed by the same void that had claimed the Eraser. The facility trembled, shaken by an unknown force.