Vaelin sat on a hospital bed, his eyes fixed on the holographic interface occupying a portion of his field of view. He fidgets nervously, scrolling through to find any new menus and options. A doctor carrying a digital pad entered the room. Vaelin abruptly looked up, his face filled with anticipation.
"Good news, Vaelin. Your bills have been cleared in full. You're ready for discharge." The doctor revealed.
Relief washes over Vaelin's face, his tense shoulders relaxing. He nods, grateful for the news.
'Who are the ones that paid those?' Vaelin pondered within, feeling mighty confused.
"That is splendid to hear, Doctor. Much obliged," he responded nonetheless.
The doctor smiled warmly and handed Vaelin a smartphone, alongside a neatly folded set of fresh clothes. Vaelin looked down at the unexpected gifts, his curiosity piqued.
"This phone and the clothes were left behind by the Omicron employee who brought you in. Consider it a gesture of goodwill." said the doctor, proudly.
Vaelin's eyes widen in surprise, but he quickly composes himself, taking the items with a tentative smile.
"Much obliged, from the bottom of my heart," whispered Vaelin.
The doctor nodded and exited, leaving Vaelin alone in the hospital room. He took a deep breath, closing the holographic interface. With a momentary pause, he changed into the clean shirt left on the table, relishing the feeling of fresh fabric against his skin.
The shirt had the word 'Omicron' printed out on it. This put a sour taste in Vaelin's mouth; however, he ignored the thought of them controlling his life.
Feeling a renewed sense of purpose, Vaelin grabbed the smartphone and followed the directions provided on the smartphone. He stepped out into the hallway and made his way towards the exit. As he stepped out into the parking lot, a sleek, black limousine caught his eye. Vaelin walked up to it, hesitated for a moment, before hopping into it.
"Good evening, Vaelin." The bodyguard greeted from the front, but Vaelin iced him out completely.
The door closed behind Vaelin, shutting out the outside noise. Vaelin sunk into the plush leather seat, his mind buzzing with questions yet to be answered. With a gentle hum, the limousine began to move.
Vaelin glanced out the window, watching the hospital fade into the distance. As the limousine glided further away, he couldn't help but marvel at the mysterious turn of events that had brought him here.
Vaelin's limousine snaked through the bustling city streets. Its sleek exterior caught the eye of bystanders. Vaelin, a mix of excitement and apprehension, forget his own turmoils and took in the world outside, his eyes sparkling with possibilities.
___
-Twelve hours ago-
"This here ain't resemblin' the nuns' sanctuary, where in the world I'm I?"
Lost in the woods, Vaelin had been striding aimlessly for a while, struggling with exhaustion and the uncertainty of finding help or something that looked familiar, at least, to hint to him about where he was. The day was fading, but finally, he broke free from the trees and found a deserted street in the middle of nowhere. After waiting for a while, He was surprised to find a man riding a quad bike, who revealed a powerful and authority figure. The man's black suit added to the enigma surrounding him.
"Oh, there you are." The man heaved a sigh of relief. "Coming hop on, let's get out of here. We're behind schedule."
The man offers to help Vaelin, but Vaelin was confused and unsure of his identity.
"What's your name, and how is it that you know me?" Vaelin inquired, prepared for anything.
"I am Mistletoe, the guard assigned to drive you and six other kids to Neo Culpa," the man introduced himself. "However, an unfortunate incident occurred, but all the other kids are out of danger and safely in Neo Culpa. You were the only one gone AWOL, so as the one in charge of transporting you, I was tasked with bringing you back in one piece."
"I ain't no toddler, sir. The Saint Clare of Seina sanctuary ain't in Neo Culpa. It's in Las Geiger," Vaelin spoke.
The man assured him that that was where they picked him from and that it was a college deal between them and the convent.
He affirmed that he was in good hands, and Vaelin nods apprehensively. He had an inkling that staying here until nightfall was a terrible idea. So he bought the stranger's story as a means to an end, even if it meant trusting him.
It didn't take long for them to ride into the heart of the enigmatic city called Neo Culpa. However, Vaelin was dropped off at the hospital to undergo a quick checkup, as the man insisted.
___
It was half past six, and the city's skyline was adorned with tall skyscrapers and colorful holographic ads, creating a stunning display of lights. As the limousine glided through the busy streets, Vaelin's eyes were drawn to old treasures that blended the past and the future. Shop windows radiate a vibrant glow, showcasing captivating relics that told stories of the bygone era.
Vintage typewriters and weathered books with leather covers testified to a rich literary heritage. Bright neon signs led to an old-fashioned ice cream parlor with a vintage soda fountain, inviting people to enjoy sweet treats and engage in lively conversations. A dimly lit jazz club with traditional and holographic band members plays harmoniously, while neon-colored cocktails spill onto the streets.
Technological marvels mingle with antiques, creating a magical tapestry of sights. The seamless blend of old and new creates a breathtaking symphony of different eras, fueling the imagination and leaving Vaelin awestruck and eager to explore their captivating histories.
After almost a half hour of driving, the limousine drove into a secluded area, where he could see a building, a futuristic architectural marvel, with clean lines and shimmering glass facade. The building's windows mirror the sky, blending seamlessly with the surrounding skyline. The sprawling lawn extends like an emerald green carpet, with intricate mosaics forming the words 'Omicron University' in mesmerizing red neon lighting.
On their way here, Vaelin had recalled all that happened before the unforeseen accident; however, he could still remember nothing about what happened after.
"So this is the place," he said, with his eyes scanning the height and span of the building before him. "Massive!"
A valet in a contemporary suit approached and opened Vaelin's door. He instinctively gets out, as did the bodyguard who decided to sit beside him this time, for fear of losing him like he did the last time.
Vaelin followed him into the reception area, where he witnessed a splint of the grandeur of the place, unable to quit staring at everything that caught his attention.
"This place be reachin' new heights, it oughtta. Never in my wildest dreams did I reckon on visitin' a place like this, let alone dwellin' within it," he thought inwardly.
Both Vaelin and the bodyguard hopped into an elevator, lifting them to the 200th floor at an impressive speed without the slightest vibration.
"Due to the sudden accident, your crew are lounging in the penthouse on the top floor." The bodyguard revealed to Vaelin. "This is to recover from any trauma caused."
"My crew?" Vaelin snorted, "that be a humorous way to speak of folk who barely acquainted with one another!"
"Then start getting friendly." adviced the bodyguard"because those shenanigans will be the only ones you can have hopes of relying on when things get hectic."
"A frantic situation, you say?" Vaelin chuckled. "I unconsciously dug myself a grave afore landin' here."
"Weirdo," the bodyguard said, sparing him a glance. "That's the door, I will take the room adjacent. Don't hesitate to pass by if you need anything. Have a blissful night."
With those words, the guard left Vaelin at the door of what was supposed to be the penthouse
He knocked a couple of times, but there was no response, causing him to push it open. As he did, a wave of electronic bass sound hit him, polluting the silence in the corridor.
"What a peculiar way to heal from a supposed terrible event," Vaelin chuckled, listening to the loud blend of tunes that echoed through the penthouse. "Guess this place is soundproof, explainin' why I couldn't hear a thing 'til I opened the door."
As Vaelin walked in, he was amazed by how fancy and elegant it looked in there. It had a mix of grandness and modern style, giving off an exclusive and sophisticated vibe. The walls had shiny golden wallpaper that reflected the soft light coming from the crystal chandeliers, creating a surreal atmosphere in the room.
"Good heavens!!!" he exclaimed. "Is this even possible?"
The first thing that caught his attention was the huge open space filled with pulsating lights in various shades of blue, purple, and red. Sparkling fairy lights were hanging from the exposed beams, resembling a canopy of stars, adding a touch of magic to the place.
As he kept moving further into the penthouse, the polished marble floors under his feet gleamed, and he could feel himself being drawn in by the rhythmic beats echoing through the specially designed sound system. The music created a captivating melody that seemed to wrap around him.
"Zenith be killin' it again, I reckon," Vaelin pondered, "he is mighty skilled at it, though."
There were plush velvet sofas scattered around, adorned with colorful jeweled cushions. They provided a luxurious and comfortable spot to relax amidst the lively energy. Every element of the room was carefully chosen to create an atmosphere of indulgence and luxury. Tall gilded pillars framed the panoramic windows, offering stunning views of the city skyline and acting as a backdrop to the mesmerizing light show happening inside.
As Vaelin took in the view, his eyes locked onto two sets of huge almond-shaped eyes, staring at him from the corner, without blinking.
"If it ain't that weird teenybopper again," Vaelin whispered, staring back at Bayonette.
"Bayonette, what are you staring..." Stiletto comes out asking, but was interrupted by whom he saw…
"Ahhh!!!! Ghhoossttt," he rushed back, plagued with insanity. Vaelin passed by Bayonette, who remained as stiff as an Oak tree.
The air in there was filled with electric anticipation as a makeshift DJ booth, adorned with high-tech equipment, rested against a wall covered in spinning disco lights. The room is awash in a kaleidoscope of colors.
Yet again, Zenith stood behind the DJ booth. He expertly mixes and blends tracks from heavy metal and acid house genres, creating a unique fusion of sounds that reverberate through the room.
Three other teenagers—Molly, a red-haired girl with a nose ring; Cypher, a laid-back hooded kid with a skateboard laid to his side; and Etto, the crazed kid running around announcing his encounter with a ghost. They were all deeply immersed in the mesmerizing rave vibes and euphoria.
The heavy metal beats pulse powerfully through the room, shaking the very foundation of the penthouse, as Zenith transitions into an acid house track, injecting the atmosphere with an ethereal energy.
"Yo yo yo, check it out, we've got ourselves a real headstrong spirit up in here!" Zenith bellowed, caught off guard by Vaelin's presence. "Let's crank up the volume for the one and only… Boogeyman!!!!"
"Ah, reckon I see y'all holdin' up pretty tight, huh!" Vaelin said, wearing a sly grin.
"You too, stubborn soul!" Molly replied.
"Wait a minute, where's Grimshire?"Vaelin asked, unable to locate her among the raving fray.
***