The morning after he awoke was calming. After Dell was checked up on, they estimated that it would be 6 hours left before his trial began. Although Dell was impatient, hearing an actual deadline for his trial happening made him happy. But now, he was a bit lost. What could he do for 6 hours, stuck in this hospital bed?
As he was thinking, someone approached him and opened the curtain surrounding his bed. Checking to see who it was, his eyes widened, and so did his smile.
" Father! "
The man rushed to hug him, embracing each other for a few moments. His dad then put his arms on Dell's shoulders, and spoke with a tear shedding from his eye.
" Dell my boy! Thank goodness your okay! I rushed in as soon as I heard! Though, they didn't let me go easily, pesky researchers. Still... I'm very sorry son... "
Dell sighed as his dad talked. His father was a tall, skinny man who's pale like his son. His hair, once black, now was mostly silver. Patches of hair on his face were silver too, showing off his older age. His demeanor is very relaxed, and not outgoing - him and Dell are very alike, in the sense that the extroverted way of life many people had were not at all like the lives they wanted to live. That's why they enjoyed each other's company, they understood each other's very well.
However, his father wasn't around much recently, due to his work. He was a scientist and researcher of the Drive, working under the Government. Researchers and scientists both had to work under the Government, and submit any research made to them - Dell's father enjoyed research very much, so he decided to just join them anyway. But Dell's father, despite his incredible intelligence, was one of the lowest ranking scientists in the Government for reasons he either did not specify or did not know of, which resulted in him earning much lower pay compared to what he should've been getting.
And so, he partially blamed himself for Dell's encounter with the beast. If he earned more money, they could've lived in a safer district, and maybe then Dell wouldn't have nearly died. But Dell was quick to reassure his father.
" Father, don't worry about it! I survived didn't I? And what's better is that I'm entering the Drive trial soon! "
His father's face morphed into a deeper frown, as his hands grasped Dell harder.
" H-hey, relax will you? "
" Dell... you don't understand do you? The severity of this... You survived this life-threatening beast, but now you'll be entering a world filled with potentially even worse beasts! And this time, you can't just be saved! This is horrible... horrible! "
Dell understood his fathers feelings - his son had just come back from surviving a hopeless situation, just to rush back into another one. As his father paced around, panicking, Dell tried to calm him.
" Listen, I am not someone who will go down easily, you should know! I survived this after all. And sure! This is going to be a lot worse than that encounter, but this time, I'm mentally prepared for it. It's inevitable now, We can't prevent the trial, but we can prepare. And that's where you come into play! "
He wiped his tears as his face slightly frowned. " Me? "
Dell smiled. " Of course you! You're a scientist, a researcher! And don't you specialise in Drive Research? There's no doubt you don't know some good stuff about the trials! "
His father shook his head dejectedly. " Yes, I know some small things. However, the Drive trial is very random, everyone's is different. Some are realistic, some aren't. Some tell stories, others have no structure... "
Disappointed by this news, Dell looked down, also dejected.
" But, I guess I can explain somethings - maybe it'll be useful. "
Dell sat up, ready to listen.
-
For starters, he explained the basics of the Drive, and it's mysterious abilities.
Drive's are abilities that are gifted to different lifeforms across the world. Someone's Drive develops from their birth, if they have the potential for it, and as they grow up it matures deep within your mind and body. Eventually, it gifts your body with magnificent abilities and powers that are all unique, everyone's Drive is truly different from one another.
" As you grow up, the potential slowly grows in your body until it reaches a point where the body enters a state of deep slumber. This is where the Drive Trial begins.
The Trial is created by the Drive in your body, and takes place in something like a dream. Your real body is completely numb and unusable, and your conscience is transported to a world created by the Drive in the person's mind.
Once in the trial, you'll be put into a scenario which you will navigate through, searching for something to trigger the task to complete the trial. Usually, the trial somewhat points towards the direction of the task, in it's own odd way. Once you reach the designated area, you'll be told what the condition to complete the trial is. If you complete it, then you will awaken your abilities...
And if you don't? You die. Sort of. You become what we call, a 'Fragmented.' Your body begins to morph and transform into a bloodthirsty and uncontrollable beast that bares some minor resemblance to your old body and self. Most notably though, the beast will awaken the Drive Ability you would have if you passed the trial. It's very odd!
Oh, and by the way, recent research shows that the Drive trials and the scenarios you are put into aren't that random. They depend on specific factors, the ones we know are: the individuals history, the individuals Drive Ability, or Drive Flaw, and the individuals memories. "
After his explanation, the pair fell quiet as Dell contemplated the information. He knew some of it, but not all. This was very useful, as the Government usually told people entering the trial a very low amount of information, only providing support to those who pass it. But only in hopes of recruiting them, of course.
" Well, thank you father. Don't lose hope. I will overcome this, no matter what! "
Dell's dad sighed, but gave a feint smile.
" At least you have the spirit, I suppose. I believe you can do it, always remember your goals, and use them as your own fuel, to keep going. "
Exchanging a fist bump, his father said his goodbyes, leaving back to work swiftly.
' Tight schedule huh. Well, what now... '
-
A little while later, another person came up and opened the curtain, followed by another. To his surprise, Silva and Vessa visited him!
" Uh.. hey you two, how'd you know I was here? "
Silva raised his eyebrow, and smiled.
" Well, obviously a Fragmented murdering several people and injuring someone is going to draw a lot of attention. It was all over the news, caused a lot of drama, the norm. Since you were missing from school today, I thought to check up at your house, then came here. Oh, and she tagged along. " A worried look was painted over her face, but Silva continued to talk.
" Why, did you not want us to be here? "
Dell felt that usual anger he felt when talking to Silva, but he sighed and waved his hand. " No no, it's probably better you came. I've got to wait a few hours until my Drive trial begins, so guys can help kill the ti- "
Silva interjected suddenly, as his and Vessa's jaw dropped.
" Your Drive Trial? It's happening already?! Haha, congratulations! You can't catch a break can you? "
He looked away, rubbing his head. Suddenly, Vessa spoke.
" I know you can overcome it! Your skills with a blade are impressive for someone not trained by someone. Though, it is a shame... you'll be so far ahead of me, that I won't be able to spar fairly with you. "
She looked a bit upset, which made Dell feel awkward.
" A-ah, sorry? Thank you though, I'm confident that I'll overcome it too. "
Seeing their interaction, Silva began to laugh manically.
" Oh Dell, you're too funny! Haha! "
-
For the next few hours until his trial, they talked about different things. Dell learned quite a lot from their conversations. He learned that Silva's ability, gifted by the drive, was being able to summon an identical copy of himself, and sharing certain properties with it too. For example, he is able to switch places with a clone, or even be able to see what his clone sees. The utility is quite good, and paired with his intelligence, it could prove to be very strong.
He also learnt that Vessa was part of an infamous clan, the Zetsubara clan. They were at the peak of society in the city, and often worked in tandem with the Government, which surprised him a lot. Though, her experience as the daughter of the strongest clan was not at all pleasant. Her family, from young, was very harsh on her, forcing her into different training and such. They wanted to prepare her as the next strongest member of the Government, and the leader of their clan. The pressure was immense, and as such, she became distant from the rest of the world, focusing only on studies and training.
Soon, it neared time to begin. With an hour left, the trio said their farewells, splitting off. Soon, a doctor came into his room, explaining what will happen.
" We'll be sending you off into a safety room, in case you fail the trial. "
' Makes sense. '
He was wheeled off outside the building and into another. Taken through winding corridors, he ended up in a reinforced, empty grey room. It took a while, but he was eventually in the centre chained down to his bed by a strange black material, connected to some sort of power supply. Along the walls there were rows of turrets and a huge glass panel, separating him from a few men in lab coats behind control panels.
Suddenly, a voice from a speaker boomed out.
" Alright young man. I'm going to assume you know what the drive is. We've checked your body, and it we have confirmed that your Drive is just about to mature. We're going to run through the regular required explanation of what's going to happen. "
Dell rolled his eyes at the information broadcasted to him, which he already knew.
" You'll be lying down here until you pass out, it'll be painful, but you can bare with it. "
Indeed, the pain was at it's worse. But even so, Dell had a smirk on his face. As he was about to pass out, he faintly heard the words of the man.
" Good luck kid. Also, wipe that smirk off your face. "
As his eyes shut, everything went black, and suddenly... he was in a different world.