The test continued with multiple psychological questions being asked of Calyx as Mia tried to understand his mental state. Calyx answered all questions truthfully. He was a good liar but didn't want to risk it.
"Well then, thank you, Mr. Sablestar. You've completed the test. You may remove the headset," Mia informed.
Calyx, grabbing the headset with both hands, pulled it off his face. He flinched as the bright lights of the room hit his eyes. The woman who had escorted him here stood at the side as he stood up from the chair.
"It's done. Please follow me," the woman instructed as they both began exiting the room.
"Where to now?" Calyx asked as he trailed behind the lady.
"The QDC," the lady responded simply.
"The Quasarite Distribution Chamber?" Calyx asked, easily recognizing the acronym.
"Yeah," the lady replied.
"What for?" Calyx asked, confused.
"The test results will be out by the time we get there. If you failed, there is a resonance suppression team there as well. However, if you passed, your strength will need to be gauged to determine your Quasar rank, so you can become an active Quasar," the lady explained as they made a turn into a narrow glass hallway that connected two buildings.
"So gauging my strength will be done in the distribution chamber?" Calyx asked as a glass door slid open, and they entered a large room.
It was the same familiar setup Calyx had seen all those years ago, only slightly different. The room had many screens and equipment, with a large glass pane that offered a view into the chamber. Many officials were present, along with Dr. Aile. However, Calyx saw a familiar face that stood out, one he hadn't seen in a while.
"Claire!" Calyx exclaimed as he saw her.
"Oh my," Claire said, turning to Calyx as she ran towards him.
"Look at you, you've grown so much," Claire observed as she picked Calyx up from the ground with relative ease.
"OK, OK, put me down," Calyx demanded, a hint of embarrassment creeping onto his face.
"Oh, look at you all grown up and cool," Claire teased as she set Calyx back down on the ground.
"You really grew a lot," Claire said as she examined Calyx.
She was right; Calyx had grown far taller than he was, with his height now the same as hers. She had been deployed to another district in the Calum 9 solar system and had not seen Calyx for six years.
"You guys can talk later. Let's get this over with first," Rogan advised, standing beside Dr. Aile.
"Yeah, yeah, go on. We'll catch up later," Claire agreed patting Calyx on the back.
Calyx walked over to Dr. Aile as he looked around, noticing three other Quasars aside from Rogan and Claire in the large room.
"So, are the test results out?" Calyx asked as Dr. Aile tapped a button, revealing the results on the screen.
"Yes, you passed," Dr. Aile informed as the score of 89% showed on the large screen.
"Mia's notes were: 'An aggressive Quasar who won't hesitate to do his job but is still morally considerate,'" Dr. Aile informed as Calyx let out a sigh of relief.
"So that means..." Calyx began.
"Just get in the QDC already," Dr. Aile instructed as she rubbed her forehead, clearly not pleased with the result of the test.
The door of the chamber slid open as Calyx walked towards it. However, just before entering, he hesitated, turning back to Dr. Aile.
"You sure it won't explode this time?" Calyx asked, the past event still fresh in his memory.
"It won't. We've taken precautions. The pipes won't give in and will keep the Quasarite stable even if it is somehow drawn," Dr. Aile reassured as Calyx stepped into the chamber with a nod of understanding.
He stood waiting patiently for it to begin, as he heard the words from the speaker within the chamber, it was Dr. Aile's voice.
"After the Quasarite is distributed, show us the best of your ability. There is a strength gauging machine behind you. You will need to punch that first, and then you will be instructed on what to do next. Understood?" Dr. Aile explained.
"Understood," Calyx replied.
"Good, let's begin," Dr. Aile announced, initiating the test.
Just like last time, Calyx began to feel it—the immense power coursing through his body. He felt his strength amplify, and his body become light, as if he was capable of anything.
However, also just like last time, his vision went dark, and he began to hear voices almost immediately. But this time, they quickly ceased, leaving only one clear voice.
"You know I had planned to rest a bit longer, but you keep waking me, child," the voice conveyed. Unlike last time, Calyx could see the source of this voice—an indescribable aura of malevolence and evil that seemed to bend the fabric of space itself. It had no form, only eyes of pure red.
Eyes that held secrets that, if ever told, would bring total annihilation and madness to the world. Eyes that Calyx knew he should not have stared at, yet now he dared not look away.
"Who...what are you?" Calyx managed to mumble out, in the presence of the entity before him.
"I am the fallen, I am the exiled, I am darkness, and I am chaos. But most of all, child, I am your ally," came the words of the being of pure evil.