Quantum Awakening

### DEMENTIA

The universe shook as threads of reality began to come loose. It reshaped. Fast. Amid the confusion the voice of Al pierced the air. It was urgent and steady. "Dimensional interconnection is stabilizing. Timeline fragmentation is speeding up." Underneath a surface of calm panic simmered. Everyone was sorted into groups - they were frantic. Each group was tasked with their part of the impending crisis.

The top screen flickered with vital statistics. These numbers rose ominously.

- **Timeline Fragmentation Rate:** 93.72% 

- **Branches Destruction Rate:** 78.9%

"Dimension density is critical," the AI intoned. Its voice was an ethereal echo. "The reality anchor is failing."

Ink's attention was drawn to a figure in the shrouded sub-dimensional space. The figure darted. "Lock onto the DNA," he commanded. It was his aim to identify this person and their variants.

### EARTH-0A1

## OAKWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

Exiting Oakwood High was Keys and Sylvie. They still carried the lessons of that day. Lessons clung to them like a forgotten backpack. They walked. Their destination was Sylvie's car. Keys groaned. The amiable silence was broken. "I just can't stand physics. I hate it."

Sylvie aimed a sidelong glance at him. "Well Keys, if you can't grasp it you are going to hate it more. Shying away from it will not help you."

Keys shrugged. Frustration bled into his voice. "That's not the problem. I'm trying. Nothing makes sense on my own. Why didn't you teach me after class? You're Loki's daughter."

She arched an eyebrow. Mention of her father's infamous name puzzled her. "I Not that free. Why don't you ask your friend? He is my rival too. Okay dude bye." With that, she slid into her car. She drove off. Keys stared after her in disbelief.

"What's going on Geoff? Where the heck are you?" he muttered. A pebble was kicked down the empty street.

---

### DEMENTIA

The reports. They came. And kept coming, non-stop. An array of variants. They were full on action. On the screen, stood out a distinctive note. "Keys from Dimension Gamma, Sub-level 7." Ink. Laser-focused on one thing. Maintaining stability. He commanded. Dimension agents were to obstruct all three dimensions. After his teleportation.

---

### EARTH-0A1

## SCHOOL BUS

Keys slouched on the school bus. His position was next to Geoff. Geoff was immersed in an article. It was about timelines and dimensions. Keys' exasperation rose. "What are these atoms doing in physics?" Keys asked.

Geoff barely glanced up. His annoyance was evident in his tone. "It's part of modern physics you idiot."

"Just teach me!" Keys was pleading. "I need to score well this time."

"Why didn't you join tuition classes?" Geoff asked.

"Same teacher. Won't understand things at school. Why pay for the privilege?" Keys responded.

"Then ask Sylvie!" Keys snapped back.

"I already did. Why aren't you teaching me?"

"I'm busy" Geoff said, rolling his eyes.

"Aah, I'm going to fail again!" Keys' voice was filled with despair.

"Okay, okay, I'll shut up."

"Thanks. I'm going to sleep. Wake me when I get to my house." "okay *****?"

Geoff chuckled dryly. "Don't abuse that much."

"Wow," Keys murmured. His eyes closed.

## LOKI'S HOUSE

Sylvie walked in her room. She found her father's warm presence. "Hey, welcome home dear." Loki's voice carried playful note. Sylvie's face lit up in a smile.

"When did you come back?" she asked. Her heart swelling with happiness. "This morning, dear," he replied cheerfully. He began making pancakes in the kitchen.

Sylvie leaned against doorframe. She watched with admiration and curiosity. "How did your interviews go?" "Pretty good," Loki answered. He flipped pancakes with expertise.

"How did you do on exam?" he asked. He did not break his rhythm. "I got a second place," she said hesitantly. "That's impressive! Who came first?" he queried. "Geoff," she replied. A hint of sadness threading her voice.

"No worries dear. You're doing great," he reassured her. Just then a thought crossed his mind. "By the way, your principal invited me to school for an event." "That's cool Dad."

Loki also suggested. He asked to keep distance from Keys This made Sylvie curious. "Wait, what? Why?"

"Did he fail again?"

"Yeah in physics," Sylvie said. Feeling empathy for her friend.

Loki shook his head in disbelief. He found it unbelievable. "What a child! He can't even score thirty marks."

"Dad, he tries really hard," Sylvie tried to defend him. "He just can't grasp the fundamentals."

"How unfortunate," Loki remarked with a slight shake of his head.

"Dad," she tried to offer reassurance.

Loki offered a gentle pat on her shoulder. "Here are your pancakes. They're ready to eat. We can talk about this later."

Keys finally arrived home. He was weary but hopeful. "Hey Mom, I'm back!" he called. He flung open the door and slipped off his shoes. He let out a sigh. "Today was the worst day ever! I failed my physics exam. But I promise, I'll improve. I need to understand the fundamentals first. For that, Geoff is going to help me. I also asked Sylvie but she's busy. Her dad just returned after a long time."

He flopped onto the sofa. Tilted his head back with a slight whimper. "Why did you leave me here? I told you to take me with you. Everyone says you both are gone but I believe you'll come back."

The doorbell rang. It cut through his thoughts. "Huh? Now who is it?" He hurried to answer it. It revealed Geoff standing on the doorstep.

Keys was surprised. "Hey, what happened? You didn't have to go home did you? You said you'd come at five!" Geoff chuckled lightly. "I had to go. But I thought you should study too."

"Please, just tell me the truth."

"It's the same old Brown family drama," Geoff said. He said it with a smirk. He then joined Keys in the cozy hall.

"Let's go!" he said with a sense of urgency.

"So quickly?" Keys raised an eyebrow. Disbelief mingled with curiosity.

"I need to read my articles too," Geoff replied. His eager eyes sparkled. They sparkled with the promise of knowledge.

"Okay. But which Chapter will you teach first?" Keys asked. The weight of past failures was momentarily forgotten. Anticipation filled the air.

Geoff replied "Atoms."

To be continued...