Chapter 40: Surprising Guests

  Outside, the world was vibrant. He walked onto what looked like a balcony. He was mesmerized, it was the balcony of an immense basilica, the sight of which allowed him to overlook the entire city. Buildings were arranged randomly, carved from the cave's ceiling and walls. Despite it being underground, it was bright as day. He could clearly see people glowing in different colors, flying and running everywhere.

  So this was what a world full of his kind looked like. It took some time for his eyes to adjust to the brightness, but when they finally did, a notification flashed in his vision.

[Network View: Enabled]

  To these words, his whole view changed. The buildings seemed more unique, the streets more colorful. And now, whenever he looked at something, text appeared before him.

[Resistance: Aether Reindle]

[Thermomolecular accelerator: Can accelerate molecular reactions through the increase in heat.]

[Station: Thermonuclear fusion reactor]

[Combat: 6; Recovery: 4; Utility 9.]

  Ah, he missed this, The Network. He never used it much, but now that it was back, it felt refreshing. On top of that he was confident in the encryption of his suit's data now, so the risk was worth it. Although, something felt wrong. Wasn't this too much information? Shifting his gaze towards a slightly more luxurious-looking building, the information changed.

[Henosis Library]

[Contains all data recorded by Henosis including but not limited to personal, scientific, and historical data. For more information, visit in person. Identification required.]

  Seeing this, Slava frowned. Did they not fear infiltration or even theft? He was already starting to feel off about this place.

  "I get it, it's amazing, but we've got places to be," he heard a voice say beside him. "Come on, let's go," Sasha said, grabbing his shoulder.

  Turning around, Slava met her bandaged eyes and sneakily gritted his teeth. He'd forgotten she couldn't see this. Well, she could, but it wasn't the same.

  "You're right," he lightly pushed her forward. Following her, they soon reached a sizable door. Once Sasha opened it, they stepped through. Beyond it was a circular room with three injured people lying on the ground quite a distance away from each other. Seeing Sasha go down the stairs, Slava followed. The injuries all looked grave. One was cut on the length of his entire body, another was burned beyond recognition, and the last one was missing an arm and a leg. They were all unconscious while two people were rushing from side to side to treat them.

  "Ceator, I need more specialized stem cells on the burned one," one of them told the other, her tone familiar. She was frowning, beads of sweat flowing down her forehead, her glowing yellow hands hovering over her patient.

  "I can't right now, I'm closing this massive hemorrhage. Can't you do it?" The man asked, his voice shaking, a turquoise glow emanating from his back.

  "I can't do it fast enough, he's going to die," she answered audibly angry.

  "Just circumvent it by synthesizing his RNA in your cells." Lightning was spreading to his hands, and his long black hair began to shine and levitate, accentuating its colored accents.

  "I would if I had the time!" Right after her words, the space shivered. The surrounding bodies disappeared, and the room brightened up.

  "Exercise: Failed; Two patients dead," a voice resounded from all around them

  "Shit! We still can't do it!" She almost yelled. "No matter the scenario, we still can't do this level." Slava could feel something beyond anger in her voice.

  "You worked hard today, maybe you need to rest…" the man tried to speak, but he was abruptly interrupted by Angel.

  "No, I can't! I need to get better!" She exploded, her angry gaze meeting the man.

  "You know," he sighed. "You need to stop comparing yourself to her." Wait, could it be… were they talking about…

  "Why do you always take her side?" Her eyes were blazing, her domain visibly shaken by her emotions. "She betrayed us!" So it was her, it had to be, she was the only one he could think of. As thoughts raced through his head, Slava met the unknown man's gaze.

  His eyes slowly dimmed. Their color was a mix between blue and green. His features were gentle. He looked like he'd never been in a fight in his life. That and his long hair gave him a feminine air that would confuse anyone who wouldn't scrutinize him carefully. He was wearing a version of the suit that he'd never seen before. A two-toned suit with blue and green accents, nail-like fingers extending from his hands, and a light turquoise mist covering his entire body.

  "What?" Seeing the man blankly stare behind her, Angel turned around. When her eyes met theirs, her mouth slightly opened. After a short silence, the man finally spoke.

  "Hey, I'm Ceator, but you can call me 'C'," he warmly smiled. "It's nice to finally meet the two legends in the flesh!" Slava's gaze lingered, he felt familiar, but he was sure they'd never met. He didn't seem to be the only one, as Sasha was doing the same. Seeing this, Ceator began to laugh.

  "Haha! You guys look like you've seen a ghost," as he was laughing, his eyes wandered off, and he sighed. "So you've met her," his expression turned solemn. "We're quite similar, aren't we?" He awkwardly smiled.

  "Oh, not this again!" Coming out of his stupor, Slava turned his head towards Angel. She looked no longer angry but annoyed instead.

  "What is it?" Sasha asked. What connection did he have with Aria? They looked nothing alike, and she had a suit when he did not…

  "It's a stupid fantasy he made up for himself out of grief." She rolled her eyes as if she'd heard the story countless times before.

  "Say what you will, the evidence is there." He averted his gaze. Awakened disappearing and people showing up with suits wielding supernatural strengths? No… this was impossible. No one would ever do that out of their own free will.

  "This guy thinks that his grandfather was abducted by the government." She sighed. "He thinks that they locked him up somewhere and that they are using him for his sigil." Sigil… was that what they called the tattoos?

  "Yeah, laugh all you want, but I saw his notes, his work." He started to pace about, moving his hands frantically. "He was paranoid by the end, and then she appeared, doing exactly as he described." He was now in his own bubble, rambling to himself.

  "C! Calm down, I know!" Angel grabbed him by the shoulder. "But we did," she shook her head looking straight into his eyes, "I don't know how many tests, and it's impossible to use someone else's domain." She lowered her head. "It's intrinsically linked to our will." She bit her lip, closing her eyes.

  "No, there must be another way, he… he…" He did not look well, the hand he was holding to his face was shaking, and his breathing was unsteady.

  "I…" Sasha tried to intervene. She probably didn't think it was such a touchy subject. He honestly couldn't have guessed, either.

  "Don't worry about it, I'll take care of him," she turned her head. "Once you leave the room, just follow the bridge in front of you until you reach the elevator," she swiftly picked up the dazed Ceator. "The others will be waiting for you there, I called them when you woke up." With these final words, she unfurled her wings, flying up and landing in front of the door they had entered from.

  Now that he had the chance to look around, Slava took in his surroundings. It was astounding, while at first, it looked like a basilica, it had signs of ancient Middle Eastern architecture laced everywhere. On top of that, if he remembered right, from the outside he could see that they were in an auxiliary dome. Going by the design, there should be two more on the opposite side. He couldn't be sure since there was a massive dome in the way. That was probably where they were heading, the main section of the structure.

  Turning towards the door and towards his friend who was still gazing up seemingly lost in thought, he smiled.

  "Does your friend have something to say?" He asked, almost sarcastically.

  "Actually, it's also new to her, but did you notice the designs? They seem to be telling a story." He had noticed, but it didn't make sense, a bunch of figures, each of a unique color, fighting either each other or some other united force. It was always a depiction of fighting. All were always fighting, except one figure, a bright white figure leading the way. He couldn't see clearly because of the mosaic, but what he saw was the light diffracting from the figure, leaving an array of colors with mostly red accents. Slava was never one for myths and legends. He'd rather trust and follow what he could see with his own eyes.

  "Alright, let's not waste any more time," he said, turning towards the door. "As guests, it would be rude to leave our hosts waiting." Sasha's lips couldn't help but curve up at those words. And without another word, she followed him through the doorway, closing it carefully behind her.