The Testing Facility, a sophisticated manifestation of technical brilliance transformed into a location that decides the fate of every test applicant who steps foot inside, lurks in the depths of The Underground, hidden from the world above. This underground structure, cloaked in darkness and secret, serves as a testament to the heights of human ingenuity. The facility's heart consists of three testing chambers, each of which served as a crucible of physical and mental evaluation, pushing the limits of human endurance. Encased in sleek, metallic walls studded with flickering lights and sun markings, these chambers emit a sense of gloom, causing unease in all who enter. The cold, mechanical hum of machinery that reverberated throughout the structure, reminded Dawn that he was in a completely different world from the one he grew up in: one of the never-ending march of development that had brought humans to such sophisticated levels.
After a long elevator ride to the facility's location in The Underground, Dawn's anxiety only increased with the long walk from the entrance to the first testing chamber. A few other people were scattered across the facility's grounds, but for the most part the facility was empty. After the two had walked for a while in silence, they finally arrived in front of a room that was labeled "Chamber 1: Strength Test".
Rowan: "Dawn, this is where we must separate." She shifted on her feet and faced him.
Dawn was already looking at her, his body shaking from the nerves and high expectations being placed on him not only by Rowan, but from the leader of The Underground herself.
Rowan: "You look good in the uniform." She chuckled. "Most people look pretty stupid in it, but I suppose you are pretty fit."
Dawn wore a one-piece outfit made of advanced polymers and nanofibers. The black testing outfit was both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Designed to endure the trials of the testing facility, the sleek garment covers the user in a cloak of durable protection while imbuing them with a sense of enigmatic authority. Emblazoned proudly upon the chest of the uniform was a striking sun emblem, the symbol of Gelas, the Sun God. The emblem was portrayed in brilliant gold on the deep black of the uniform.
Dawn: "Well, thank you.." He said while twiddling his thumbs.
Rowan then put her hands on Dawn's shoulders and made direct eye contact with him. This snapped Dawn out of his deeply nervous state.
Rowan: "You are going to do great." She smiled at him before removing her hands from his shoulders and turned to face the direction they had previously come from. "Once you enter that room, you have started the test. Knock them dead, Dawn." She then walked off down the large corridor, Dawn watching her as she went.
After a moment, Dawn turned his focus to the door in front of him.
I can do this, both Rowan and Madame Ruzha believe in me. He thought to himself before his attention went to his dream, Margit murdering herself in front of him once again. He shook his head, pulling himself out of the daze. He couldn't allow himself to get caught up in such horrible feelings right now.
Dawn: "I will make all of you proud, and I will find you, Imogene." He spoke confidently while thinking of all the people he was doing this for before stepping into the first testing chamber.
Dawn entered the first testing chamber and noted that there were only four others inside. The chamber appeared identical to the outer facility, also carrying the subtle hum of machinery. The room appeared to be divided into three stations, with the exam proctor in the rear. Dawn began to approach the person who appeared to be the proctor, but was stopped by one of the other test participants.
Standing out among the other participants in the room, the boy cut a striking figure, demanding attention despite the gloomy environment around him. With long, spiky brown hair, he emanated rough defiance, a lone warrior ready to confront the tests that were ahead. He was dressed in the facility's sleek black uniform, which fit his slender body like a second skin, the cloth conforming to the contours with magical elegance. The boy had a single golden eye, glowing with purpose, and a stark white eyepatch that covered the other. His complexion was pale, and he stood tall, although not as tall as Dawn.
???: "I have never seen you before, so that means this is your first time." The participant spoke while inspecting Dawn.
Dawn: "Uh, yes." He stood awkwardly.
The boy then extended his hand to Dawn, proposing a handshake.
Diogenis: "My name is Diogenis Ovid, but you can just call me Genis." He grinned as he introduced himself.
Dawn: "Dawn Carter." He shook Diogenis' hand.
Following their handshake, the two exchanged glances.
Diogenis: "You don't look much younger than me, and I'm only nineteen. I don't usually meet people younger than me in The Underground." He seemed excited to meet another young individual.
Dawn: "I am eighteen, so you would be correct."
Diogenis: "Oh wow! You are actually younger than me, holy shit!" He chuckled. "Well I'm glad to have you here with me. This is actually my second time taking this stupid ass test." He sighed out of annoyance.
Dawn: "Your second time?" He furrowed his eyebrows, seemingly confused.
Diogenis: "Yep, got my insignia revoked a month ago and had to wait to retake the test." He scratched the back of his head, not showing any shame in his expression.
Dawn: "Why did The Underground revoke your insignia?" He questioned further.
Diogenis: "Well I was out on my first mission and I accidentally took out the wrong person, if you know what I mean." He snickered. "But the council is pretty forgiving for a first offense. They told me if I fail that bad a second time I will be blacklisted."
Dawn: "I see. So you killed the wrong person, how did that even happen?" He looked interested in Diogenis' story as he had never heard anything of this nature before.
Diogenis: "Well, my mission was to kill this bald dude because he was interfering with The Underground's business in Tsukimi. Madame Ruzha said he was trying to take some of her clients. Just when I thought I found the guy, who looked exactly like the fuckin' picture, it was the wrong dude!" He placed his hand on his forehead in frustration.
Dawn: "So what happened to the actual target?" He was baffled by the fact that some random person just died and Diogenis didn't face any real consequences.
Diogenis: "Oh he was taken care of by another guy in The Underground. Madame Ruzha does not let any missions go unfinished." He spoke in a serious tone.
Dawn: "What business was the guy interfering with?"
Diogenis: "Damn you ask a lot of questions! Do you really not know?" He looked at Dawn like he was stupid.
Dawn shook his head: "Absolutely no idea. I just left my home planet for the first time a few days ago.." He sounded embarrassed.
Diogenis: "Ah, that makes sense then. The Underground is part of every business and corporation in Tsukimi, they just stay under the radar. Madame Ruzha has her hands in everything that enters and exits the city."
Dawn: "She sounds pretty powerful.." He was starting to understand why Rowan and Yakumo seemed so nervous around this place.
Diogenis: "Oh yeah man, big time." His expression hardened. "You don't want to be on her bad side." He shook his head excessively before asking a question. "So what brings you to Tsukimi?"
Dawn: "Oh, well, I ran into a girl named Rowan on my home planet and she asked me to join her crew. I said yes and now I'm here." He shrugged.
Diogenis: "Rowan you say.. Ah! I know her, she's pretty hot." He snickered.
His remark made Dawn furrow his eyebrows once again as Diogenis seemed hard to read. One second he was calm and collected, the other he was all over the place.
Diogenis: "She's a veteran of this place too, been here forever I've heard. Same with her pilot, Yakumo. They are inseparable." He scratched the back of his head again, seemingly unable to be still.
Dawn: "Interesting." He took note of what Diogenis said about Rowan and Yakumo. There was definitely more to them than meets the eye.
Diogenis: "Yeah, and-"
???: "You two, quit running your mouths and come get registered for the damn test!" A voice from the back of the room cut Diogenis short, and the two looked over to see where it had come from.
The demi-human towered above everyone else in the room, radiating an authoritative power. His complexion, a brilliant green, spoke of a heritage entwined with nature's wonders, and his long wavy black hair cascaded down his back while being tied back into a functional ponytail that swung with every motion. His flaming red eyes, like coals ablaze with resolve, stared out from behind the shade of his forehead, searching the room with sharp focus. His ears were long and pointed, and along with his intimidating appearance, his body was thin yet muscular, implying a combination of agility and sheer force. And wrapped around his neck he wore a crimson bandana. His figure was adorned with clothing befitting a traveler from faraway lands: loose black slacks tucked into strong black boots that allowed for rapid and stealthy movement across any terrain. A clean white coat was wrapped around his waist, looking like it would provide warmth and protection from nature's elements. The man also wore steel gauntlets on both wrists, which gained attention from the two. To put everything together, the side of his ribcage was tattooed with The Underground's insignia.
Dawn and Diogenis both quickly walked over to where the proctor stood, not wanting to test his patience.
Ubtaal: "I am Ubtaal, your proctor. Let's get your first test started." He said while looking down at the two.