The journey to their destination was marked by a heavy silence, as if the realization of the truth of their situation was a burden that they could never grow accustomed to. Few had witnessed the destruction wrought by the chaostaint or the difficult decisions it forced them to make regarding innocent lives.
They bore this duty because being a Quasar was both a blessing and a curse. Most viewed it as the latter, especially those who had to venture into the harrowing realm of Exar.
Calyx gazed blankly out the window, taking in the stark contrast between his current surroundings and the peaceful, average neighborhood he once called home. Towering, sleek buildings and neon lights painted the atmosphere with various hues—they were in the city.
This city resembled many others across different worlds, so much so that it became mundane and unremarkable, even for such a vibrant metropolis. But not for Calyx.
Having spent his entire life in a small town, the urban landscape before him was nothing short of mesmerizing. He craned his neck as much as possible, trying to see if the towering buildings had an end, but he found none. The foggy and starless sky, a consequence of light pollution, obscured the peaks of these buildings, peaks Calyx could only imagine they had.
Calyx's newfound fascination was enough to temporarily divert his mind from the grim reality that his entire family had perished, and his home lay in ashes and ruins.
Yet, Calyx did not shed a single tear. Some might assume this was because he was too young to comprehend the gravity of his situation, but this assumption would be incorrect. Calyx understood his circumstances with an almost terrifying clarity. He didn't mourn or harbor resentment toward what had caused the tragedy or even the people who had to exterminate them after they became monsters. Instead, he simply wondered why.
Calyx was not the most sentimental or emotional child, but he was immensely curious. He held a conviction that crying wouldn't alter anything, yet if he could unravel the cause of the chaos, he could transform the dire situation into something more bearable.
Nonetheless, sadness weighed heavily on him. Despite his efforts, the fact that his mother, father, and sister were gone haunted his thoughts constantly. He yearned to scream at the top of his lungs, to cry out for help, to sob uncontrollably.
Yet, he knew none of that would make a difference—it never had.
Focusing on the cause of his predicament rather than the predicament itself proved to be less painful, less frightening for Calyx.
"We have arrived," the AI voice announced as the van slowed to a stop.
Claire assisted Calyx with unstrapping from his seat and guided him out of the vehicle. His eyes widened in awe at the impressive sight that greeted him.
| Quasar Agency, Zenith Headquarters |
The Quasar Agency's Headquarters loomed before Calyx like a vision from a dreamscape. The sprawling compound was a marvel of cutting-edge design and advanced technology, merging beauty and purpose.
The towering structure gleamed with a coruscating sheen, reflecting the city's neon lights in a dazzling display. Composed of a blend of smart materials, the building's surface appeared to shift and change as if it were alive, reacting to the environment around it.
A massive holographic sign displayed the agency's emblem, a stylized Quasar symbol, suspended in the air above the entrance, casting a soft glow that illuminated the area. The sign was more than just a visual marker; it served as an interactive interface for visitors and staff.
The entrance to the headquarters was flanked by towering, luminescent pillars, casting a pool of light that danced and shifted in response to the movements of those passing through. The doors were massive, sliding open with a soft hum to reveal a cavernous lobby.
Inside, the lobby was a hive of activity. Agents moved with purpose, their uniforms displaying the distinctive insignia of the Quasar Agency. Interactive screens adorned the walls, displaying real-time data and mission updates.
The architecture of the headquarters was sleek and modern, with open spaces and clean lines.
Calyx was escorted to a room and given instructions to sit and wait, which he obliged, taking a seat in the chair and gazing down at his hands. They trembled slightly. Was he afraid? He couldn't quite discern his emotions.
"Hello, Calyx. My name is Dr. Aile," a woman clad in a long white lab coat said as she gently pushed open the door and entered the room.
"Claire has briefed me a bit about your situation. So, Calyx, how are you feeling?" Dr. Aile asked, offering a warm smile as she took a seat across from him, a table serving as the divide between them.
"I'm fine," Calyx replied succinctly, his voice conveying a sense of calm that was almost convincing.
"Are you sure? I know you're trying to be strong, but it's okay to..." Dr. Aile began.
"No, I'm fine," Calyx insisted, this time pairing his words with a bright smile to mask his true feelings.
"Alright. Let's move on to another matter. It seems you have an affinity for Quasarite," Dr. Aile informed Calyx, her smile reflecting her enthusiasm.
"What does that mean?" Calyx inquired.
"It means you are quite special, Calyx," Dr. Aile replied softly.
"Yes, even across the entire universe, Quasars are very rare individuals," she elaborated.
"And I'm one of them? A Quasar?" Calyx asked, his eyes twinkling with a hint of confusion.
"Yes, that's why you were unaffected by the chaos taint. Although we'll need to run some tests, you are truly a special kid," Dr. Aile explained, a subtle excitement bubbling within her as she delivered the news to the child.
"So... My family died because they weren't special?" Calyx asked, his voice filled with uncertainty.
"Uh... No, not like that," Dr. Aile stuttered, her enthusiasm dampened by Calyx's words—a response she hadn't anticipated from a child.
"It's okay, ma'am. Thank you for helping me answer some questions. Please continue with what you were saying," Calyx said, his voice soothing and his smile comforting.
The gesture was very intentional, eerily manipulative.
"Haha, what a child you are," Dr. Aile said, resting her head on the table in front of them, emotionally exhausted in a short time.
"Are you okay, ma'am? Did I upset you?" Calyx asked softly, prompting Dr. Aile to lift her head and meet his gaze.
The boy's blue eyes sparkled with pure innocence, and his ruffled dark hair fell gently around his face, causing Dr. Aile's heart to melt again.
"Of course not, I could never be upset with you," she said as she stood up from her seat.
"Come, let's go do your test. It won't take long," Dr. Aile said, extending her hands slowly as she regarded Calyx.
"I'm sure you're a bit tired. I can carry you there if you'd like," Dr. Aile offered, deliberately avoiding eye contact with Calyx.
He felt fine and didn't need her assistance.
"Yes, please. My legs have been aching for a while now," Calyx replied.
Dr. Aile cleared her throat, trying to maintain her composure as she turned to Calyx. He had stood up from his chair, and she approached him, picking him up as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
Claire and Rogan, the squad leader, observed Dr. Aile and Calyx through a screen in another room.
"Weren't his legs fine a moment ago?" Rogan inquired.
"They definitely were," Claire responded, tilting her head slightly as she noticed Dr. Aile's subtle smile.
"I guess he's finally acting like a child," Rogan commented as he watched them leave the room.
"No, I'm pretty sure he only did that to make Dr. Aile happy," Claire retorted as she stood up from her seat.
"She just melts when she sees kids," Rogan said, taking a sip from the mug he held.
"I'm going to observe his test," Claire announced as she walked towards the door of the room they were in.
"So, what if he's not a Quasar and can still turn into a monster later?" Rogan asked, the tension in the room shifting as Claire stopped at the door.
"Then I'll kill him myself," Claire replied with cold conviction as the door slid open, and she walked out.
Calyx was placed in the Quasarite Exposure Chamber, a secure chamber where subjects are exposed to a controlled amount of Quasarite. This process is closely monitored to determine Quasarite affinity and the type of Aetherial resonance the subject possesses.
The test chamber was a marvel of cutting-edge design, with polished metal surfaces reflecting the soft, pulsating glow of ambient lighting. The chamber's interior was meticulously engineered to facilitate the controlled exposure to Quasarite.
Advanced technology, from sophisticated containment systems to state-of-the-art monitoring equipment, filled the space. Transparent, reinforced glass separated the chamber from the observation room, allowing observers a clear and unobstructed view of the proceedings within.
In the observation room, high-resolution screens adorned the walls, displaying a wealth of information from various sensors inside the chamber.
The room was abuzz with quiet activity, as scientists and technicians moved about, their eyes focused on the screens and their fingers dancing over control panels.
"Is he in the QEC already?" Claire asked as she entered the large observation room, where Dr. Aile and other personnel continued to attentively monitor screens.
"Yes, we're just about to start," Dr. Aile informed Claire, tapping on the screen.
Suddenly, a whirling sound echoed through the room as the light within the chamber turned green.
"It's begun," Dr. Aile announced.
Inside the chamber, Calyx immediately felt the effects of the Quasarite. His mind became sharper, his body lighter—it was as if he had tapped into the best version of himself, as though he possessed incredible strength.
"Are there any signs of his resonance?" Dr. Aile asked one of the other personnel in the room.
"Not yet, but we've confirmed he has Quasarite affinity," came the response.
Calyx felt euphoric within the chamber. Then, suddenly, everything changed.
The feeling of elation was replaced by a nightmarish vision—a darkness that seemed to cloak an unspeakable evil or power.
Inside the chamber, red lights flashed, and alarms blared relentlessly. Panic ensued outside the chamber.
Yet, Calyx was oblivious to the chaos around him. He saw only the dark vision before him and heard only the haunting whispers that surrounded him.
"What a foolish prophecy it was, that's what I thought. I couldn't have been more wrong," a voice echoed in Calyx's ears.
"Seek, and you shall find, but those who find always die. I ensured it. They dared to step into this realm, and you aim to go beyond it? There will be only eternal damnation for you, and death for your followers," the whispers continued, growing louder.
"I'll wait here. Come, child. Entertain me."
The whispers ceased, and Calyx was abruptly brought back to reality. The red lights and blaring alarms drowned out the shouts from the people outside the chamber, urging Calyx to come out.
"I'm going in," Claire declared.
"No, you can't! Something is wrong. The Quasarite in there right now is too potent. We can't even open the chamber door for more than five seconds," Dr. Aile exclaimed.
Calyx stood rooted to the spot, his mind a whirl of confusion. He couldn't comprehend the events unfolding around him, paralyzed by fear.
"Aile, it's going to explode!" one of the men in the room shouted as their screens flashed with dire warnings.
Then, suddenly, the chamber door was forcefully blown open just moments before the chamber itself erupted in a violent blaze.