Two days had passed since the terrifying incident that had plunged her into a dystopian world, and the shadow of that fear persisted in her mind like a constant warning echo. The threatening words echoed over and over again, reminding her of the imminent danger that seemed to constantly lurk around her.
"(You are doomed. They would come for you.)"
Today was the day she had to go to a new high school. Her parents had gone to the trouble of enrolling her in a secondary school just to keep her on the sidelines of progressing in her life. The idea of leaving home provoked a sense of unease in her, but she also knew she couldn't hide forever.
She got up early as usual and headed to the bathroom for a revitalizing shower. As the hot water fell on her skin, her mind filled with thoughts about the day ahead. She wasn't sure what to wear, whether to opt for her urban clothes or for an outfit that emulated a school uniform. She knew the school had a hierarchical system and that she would soon be provided with a uniform, but as she was new, she still wasn't clear on what it would be like.
Finally, she decided to dress in a white blouse, a dark skirt, a sweater of the same tone, black leggings, and short leather boots. Her hair, loose and straight as always, complemented the ensemble. However, before leaving home, her gaze stopped at a large red plaid men's hoodie. For a moment, she contemplated the idea of wearing it, but a feeling of emptiness and nostalgia invaded her as she remembered the iconic moments she had worn that garment. With a decisive blow, she opted for a brown hoodie instead, a choice that reflected her attempt to leave her past behind and start anew. Ready with her backpack, she headed to the kitchen and caught sight of her father with his computer while drinking his coffee.
As per the previous day, her mother had returned to the apartment taking her brother and sister with her, leaving her alone with her father, who would take care of her for only a month until they switched places with her mother. It was a sacrifice to have to arrange things with her boss at work to allow her to be with her father. Sometimes she regretted not having a closer relative who could take on that responsibility, so as not to be a burden to him, but her father seemed to be okay with the situation.
-"I see you're ready, Hye, prepared for your first day at school," her father said as she headed to the table to have breakfast.
"Yes, I'm ready, Dad," she responded.
"You know, Hye, I understand you may be nervous about your first day at school, but I trust you'll do well. However, I want you to remember that I'm always here for you. If something worries you or you need help, don't hesitate to tell me. You won't be alone as long as you have Zach and me to support you," he said in a calm but firm voice.
Ally nodded, feeling reassured by her father's words.
"Thank you, Dad. It means a lot to me to know I can count on you. I promise to do my best at school and rely on Zach," she responded with determination, appreciating the special bond they shared.
Ally left her house, saying goodbye to her father, and began to walk since the school was only a few blocks away from her home, and she wasn't in a hurry as it was still early. But suddenly, on the way, she was surprised to be greeted by Zach, who was also on the same path.
"Hi Ally, I see you also have the habit of leaving very early since it's your first day of classes this year."
"Yes, it's good to have you, friend."
"Yeah, since when did you introduce me to your parents in person? It was very different from when we had contact online, and let me tell you, I felt very intimidated when I met them in person."
"Yeah, they did put the responsibility on you to take care of me, that was very embarrassing. I don't need a friend as a bodyguard, and besides, you didn't need to take it seriously just to impress them."
"But there is something you do need from me, to have me as your guide, and also I'll introduce you to the people at school just so you can get to know them and not get into trouble."
The weather remained equally cloudy, with the streets damp from the recent rain. Ally observed the typical morning routine: men heading to their jobs, restaurants opening their doors, and a quiet murmur filling the air. The scene contrasted with the bustling city she was used to. However, amidst this tranquility, Ally remained alert. She knew they could come for her at any moment, and that uncertainty worried her. She had no experience facing situations like this, which kept her in a constant state of vigilance as she made her way through the quiet streets.
"Hey Zach, what was your experience in prison like? Since they separated us, I've been going through experiences that are extremely illogical."
"I don't know why you're bringing up this topic, but just so you know, I was in a huge room where there were many creatures locked up in different cells."
"Weren't you taken to an office to see a superior?"
"No, I just woke up surrounded by those beings very similar to us. For a moment, I thought the worst was going to happen, but we were all in the same situation, and I also felt a pain burning in the ribs of my back."
"They just marked you like that without telling you why?"
"Yeah, that's how it was. I tried to ask someone, but I didn't understand a thing they said, and apparently they didn't understand me either. I tried to communicate with some gestures, but that offended them, and they tried to attack me. What about you?"
"I woke up in a big box, but then they took me to the superior's office, who tried to look like a human, maybe with the purpose of not intimidating me, until he explained some things to me before I was marked."
"Like what?"
"That I was chosen for a game for the world, well, something that simulates a game, and he also indicated that besides being a prison, it was also a recruitment. Then he sent me to the women's cell."
"And how did you get out of this prison?"
Ally summarized everything she had witnessed during her brief adventure, sharing with Zach the details of her encounter with the prison rebels. However, she decided to omit mentioning Dina, the forest child, the enigmatic Segmed who had been her prison companion, and her brief encounter with the masked individual whose identity she still didn't know, feeling that it was better to keep those details for now. The curiosity about the masked man still lingered in her mind, but she knew she would probably never see him again.
"And how did you find that scroll that got us out of this world?"
"...While going through the self-teleportation experience, I was teleported to a place that seemed to be like an armory, and I found it right in plain sight."
Ally replied directly with a lie she had carefully planned since the previous day. She had decided it was the best way to approach the situation and hoped it would work. Her idea had arisen from the video games her brother used to play, where he often encountered similar dilemmas. Now, it was only left to see if her strategy would be successful.
"Is that so? What an experience. But in my case, it was very dangerous; I was almost eaten by those beasts."
"Summarize it; I need to know every detail."
"...Not much happened. While I had to be self-teleported, I had to stay hidden in places I thought were safe, but at one point, I was teleported to a place that was already infested with those creatures. I tried to escape running as fast as I could while the pack chased me."
Zach took a moment to gather his thoughts before continuing.
"After escaping, outside in a high place, I witnessed someone below. It was the same figure that chased us at the last moment when we escaped, that hooded figure with glowing eyes."
"¿What was he doing?"
"He was summoning those same creatures; those things were coming out of the ground; he seemed to be their master. Those beasts followed his orders. But suddenly, he noticed that I was watching him from above. He started casting his spell, or that's what I think it was. The impact shook the whole environment, and from the same impact, those four-winged flying creatures emerged, but then I was teleported elsewhere."
"So, you found out the one responsible for causing the chaos, the tremors, and those creatures. It all fits together; he was behind all of that. ¿Do you think he has enmity with that order?"
"That must be it, but I also theorize that he was looking for someone. Everything would fit by destroying the cells and killing the guards, besides checking the bodies. That suggests he was looking for someone specific."
"(So, does the guy in the helmet have any connection with that guy? He also mentioned he was looking for someone. Do they have some kind of connection?)"
At that precise moment, Ally realized they were already near the school. Zach asked his friend to leave aside the prison incident topic as it made him uncomfortable. Ally accepted without any complaint; after all, it was her first day of classes, and she had to maintain a common selfesteem.
"Welcome to Aurora Crest High School," Zach began enthusiastically, listing the numerous facilities of the place. "Here we have almost everything: a gymnasium, a large field for sports practices, a big library with a variety of educational writings and works of various genres that will surely interest you, finely ambient classrooms with heating, a swimming pool, and much more."
Ally, surprised by Zach's sudden promotional spirit, responded with a slightly astonished yet excited tone.
"Since when do you do advertising?" she asked with a smile, seeming willing to leave behind the negative experiences they had shared.
Both entered the main gates of the school. Inside the bustling school, Zach took Ally on a detailed tour of the campus surroundings, explaining where the rooms and respective classrooms of the institute were located.
As they walked through the lively hallways, Ally noticed that several of the teenagers were wearing their typical urban clothes, but some were wearing their uniforms mixed with their typical casual clothes. Unlike her previous city school where everyone had to wear their uniforms or wear an outfit that simulated a uniform, here they had the freedom to wear their respective outfits according to their preferences. Now she was starting to feel nervous about being the only one wearing clothes that simulated a uniform. She wished she had accepted to wear her first choice of wearing whatever clothes she wanted.
It was still early for classes to start as Ally began to observe that each student in the school was doing their own thing; some were talking, playing, and starting to bother each other. She started to feel more uncomfortable being present in those acts that intimidated her or made her feel more nervous. At that moment, her friend began to speak.
"Well, I think unlike your previous school, many of the students here have their respective common attitudes and differences, and that's why you'll meet some of them to recognize them when you try to relate to any of them."
Zach pointed out some of the students he knew, each represented with their different characteristics and roles within the school ecosystem.
"Look, there's Jason," he said, pointing to a tall blond boy who was clearly the clumsiest, stumbling over his own feet while trying to carry some books in his arms. "He's a kind soul, always willing to help others, but a bit disorganized."
Ally smiled at Jason's description, recognizing the goodness in his clumsiness. Zach continued pointing out several more students, each with their own story and unique personality.
"And that's Chris, the typical lone bad boy of the school. Always looking for excuses, fights, and getting into trouble. Be careful, his intimidating appearance hides cunning intelligence."
Ally nodded, observing Chris cautiously as they passed by him, a muscular boy with a vacant expression. Zach continued his explanation, introducing several more students, from the dedicated to the studies to the popular ones in the school.
"Emma, the star athlete. A popular girl in the sports area, athletic, who leads the school's volleyball team. Her charisma and sports skills make her an influential figure among her peers.
"Nate, a brilliant and dedicated student who is always among the top in his class. Known for his intelligence and determination to achieve academic success.
"Sophia, the fashion queen, the elegant and sophisticated girl who stands out for her sense of style. She's popular among her peers and always keeps up with the latest fashion trends."
Dylan, another troublemaker, but unlike Chris, he was more of a bully who had his own little group, intimidating and annoying, often getting into conflicts with other students. Despite his aggressive behavior, some followed him out of fear of reprisals.
As they continued their tour of the school, the bell rang, signaling the start of classes. Zach and Ally headed to their respective courses, but before parting ways, Ally tried to find her class assignment on a piece of paper, and Zach tried to observe it to help her locate it. To their surprise, Zach discovered that Ally had been assigned to the same class as him. This revelation filled Zach with joy, excited to have his friend nearby during the school day.
Inside the classroom, anticipation and nervousness filled the air. As the new girl, Ally clung to the edge of her desk, feeling her heart pounding in her chest. The stares of the other students pierced her like needles. Would they accept her? Or would she just be another intruder in this unfamiliar world? The teacher entered the classroom with firm steps as everyone took their seats, their murmurs filling the space. Ally found an empty seat and sat down, trying not to look too lost, while Zach sat beside her, and on the other side was Chris, who had a slightly different expression when he saw Zach for the first time.
"Well, as you know, today is the first day of classes of this new year, I hope you have all enjoyed your end of year vacations. As you may have noticed, some fortunately survived last year, while others had to say goodbye to you," the teacher expressed as he began his speech.
"To fill the void left by your previous classmates, we have some new students who will begin to take their places. I hope you'll give them your respect. Please come to the front, new students."
Ally felt nervous about being singled out in front of everyone, but she wasn't the only one, as the teacher had mentioned there were "new" students, indicating that she wasn't alone in this.
As they stood in front, only three of them: a tan skinned boy with long, robust hair who seemed friendly, a girl who seemed very narcissistic and avoided eye contact with everyone, and finally, Ally.
"Alright, let me introduce myself. I'm Professor Reynolds, in charge of history studies. Now, please introduce yourselves, new students," the teacher said, giving them space to speak. The first was the girl with the bad attitude, but this time, she tried to change her demeanor.
"I'm Rita Miller, I'm here because I failed last year, ¡and don't expect me because I won't be any help!" she said, trying to sound less confrontational.
"Jhosef Garcia, pleased to meet you," the boy with long hair mentioned, breaking the ice with a friendly greeting.
Now it was her turn. Ally took a step forward and then gathered the courage to introduce herself to the others.
"Park Adeline, you can call me Ally if you'd like, and... that's all," she said, feeling a bit nervous.
The three of them returned to their respective seats while Ally felt several eyes on her. She didn't want to be the center of attention just for being new or for having something that stood out. However, the teacher was already preparing to start his history class. He was strict in his subject, like any teacher, but he also had the ability to amaze with emotive and entertaining speeches, comparing reality with fiction. There wasn't much difference in this school compared to the previous one; the modern holographic screen boards were present, and everyone, as usual, took notes on their tablets. As the minutes passed, the history class came to an end.
When the classroom was empty of the teacher, all the students started doing their own thing, while Ally was having a conversation with Zach. But then what she didn't want to happen occurred; a boy approached who seemed eager to get to know her.
"So, you go by Ally, no? Where do you come from?" he asked with a smile.
"Hey, don't bother her. She just moved in over the weekend," Zach intervened, intending to prevent his friend from feeling uncomfortable.
"Calm down my friend. I'm just curious, and I see you guys have known each other for a while, right?" The boy redirected his attention to Ally. "I would have liked to welcome you as usual and instead of a basket, taken you out for a tour to show you everything in this little town."
"Well, too bad, Nolan. I'm the one who did that as a friend, buddy," Zach retorted.
Just when she thought things couldn't get worse with some short term admirers, another boy clumsily intervened.
"So, as we asked, where are you from? China town, Japan or Kore... OUCH! Hey, that hurt!"
"Like I said, don't bother her, okay. And you, Nolan Williams, keep in mind that Ally won't be on your list of lovers, don't you have enough with Emma? She's so popular."
"Say what you want, Abendroth! But bear in mind that nobody escapes me, I get what I want." With that said, he leaves with that boy from earlier, heading towards their places.
"I'm sorry, Ally, I didn't think things would escalate to that." Zach mentioned after regaining his composure from giving the boy a strong slap earlier.
"Who were they? And why did he call you friend?"
"Nolan is part of the school security team, and don't believe what he says, he calls everyone 'friends', whether they are or not. And the other one I slapped, his name is Liu, they're like the guys who meddle when they think they have a chance with a girl, and worse when it's the new ones, like you."
As the uncomfortable incident unfolded, science classes began. Ally felt closer to her friend, trying to leave the tension behind.
Hours passed, and when lunchtime arrived, Ally joined the line in the cafeteria. While waiting, she noticed a group of girls approaching. Among them was Emma, the skilled athlete, and beside her, Rita. Ally recognized them immediately but didn't understand why they were surrounding her. She decided to ask, feeling a mixture of curiosity and nervousness.
"So, you've met Nolan?" Emma mentioned sarcastically.
"Well, he just greeted me and that's all."
"You have to understand that no one should take Nolan lightly, especially when he's in a relationship."
"¿Why?" Ally asked, feeling a discomfort that alerted her that something wasn't right.
"Realize that you shouldn't flirt with just any guy, especially when he's in a relationship." Emma seemed determined to teach her a lesson.
¿Was Emma accusing her of being a man stealer? Moreover, she was clearly jealous. Ally remembered that Nolan had tried to flirt with her, and now there was a misunderstanding circulating throughout the school. At that moment, she noticed Nolan in the background, giving her a sarcastic smile and a wave. She was sure he had started all of this with malicious intentions. Where was he trying to go with this?
Suddenly, Emma grabbed Ally firmly, as if she wanted to make sure she paid attention.
"Make sure you stay away from Nolan! Got it?" Emma warned Ally firmly. Then she abruptly stepped away, and the rest of the girls followed her, leaving Ally stunned by what had just happened.
Amidst this tension, she was already in the cafeteria, holding her tray with a light lunch served on it, trying to find a place to sit. At first, she intended to sit with Zach, but unfortunately, her friend was already with his small group of friends, and there was no room for her. In that moment, she would have to sit elsewhere, but only in an isolated spot.
As she searched for a place to sit, navigating through the noisy crowd that obstructed her path, she was accidentally pushed by one of the school's security members, causing her to bump into a boy who went unnoticed, spilling both of their meals and staining his clothes.
The atmosphere started to become tense and somewhat silent, as everyone nearby stopped what they were doing to either intimidatingly observe what had just happened or try to ignore it. Meanwhile, the boy who had been splashed by an unknown person started staring at her intensely, his eyes expressing clear anger, intimidating her with his gaze.
The boy was tall, with dark hair, and his face was covered by a black mask while wearing a black hoodie. The food had soaked through his entire torso, leaving a large reddish stain on his white shirt.
Ally began to stammer as she observed everyone around her silently staring, trying to find the one who pushed her but unable to recognize her assailant among the crowd. She glanced at the security group, made up of teenagers who tried to ignore her.
She started to apologize, bowing her head, but before she could say anything more, Zach intervened, pulling her away from the situation before things got worse.
"Please excuse her, it was all a sudden accident, I saw clearly that someone pushed her, and... she's new to this school..." Zach began, trying to pacify the boy while feeling nervous underneath.
Ally could sense that it could have been an accident, or intentional. But after what she had experienced earlier in class, she couldn't help but think that someone was trying to get her in trouble. It was clear to her that the boy was very intimidating, and everything seemed to point to someone wanting to see her suffer, but she couldn't just pin the blame on anyone.
As Zach continued trying to reason with the boy, he left without saying a word, visibly upset, leaving Ally trembling with nerves from the unexpected encounter. Zach, somewhat relieved, cautiously led his friend to a secluded spot away from curious eyes.
"Ally, are you okay? Did he hurt you?" Zach asked, concerned.
"No, not at all," she replied in a relaxed but worried tone. "Who was he?"
"His name is Devin; he's a student from another class at the same level as ours."
"I can tell he's dangerous, isn't he?"
"Well, it's not exactly what it seems like. He hates society, hates being the center of attention, or being judged. He's very distant and solitary. Some fear him, but others respect him. He's not the type to go looking for someone to take his frustrations out on; he just has certain flaws we need to be aware of."
"Like what? When I saw you worried and nervous, it was clear you were afraid of something."
"Like I said, he has his flaws. He rarely gets angry, but he maintains a neutral demeanor. If he had lost control at that moment, he might have hurt you. He's unpredictable; you never know if he'll strike or not. There have been three cases where he attacked those who got in his way."
Devin was the boy who distanced himself from everyone due to his flawed attitude. Known for being very strict with himself, he was both respected and feared. Zach clarified the reasons why; in one of his incidents, Devin had given a bully who was harassing someone he considered inferior what he deserved. The outcome was that the bully had dislocated his right arm, causing him to transfer to another institution. To the surprise of the school hierarchy, Devin was not expelled. He manipulated the system through corruption and injustice, using the role of the bad guy, (much like a criminal who walks free due to a corrupt trial, bringing total injustice to the victim). Devin was a hero to the weak and feared by those who crossed his path, such as bullies or the hierarchy.
As time passed, classes concluded at noon, and each student left the school and headed home. Ally, upon leaving, witnessed a respective change in the weather; the clouds dispersed, revealing a sunny day, something Ally had hoped for to feel the warmth of this place. Her first day at the institute had been more challenging than she had imagined, immersing her in a world of social hierarchies and student rivalries. How would she adapt to this new environment?
Upon leaving, Ally saw Devin approaching the exit. His presence filled her with nervousness and intimidation, prompting her to distance herself not only from him but from everyone else. She hurried home, seeking refuge in solitude to calm her agitated spirit. She took her own path, leaving Zach behind, who had suggested going together. Devin's mere presence had changed her plans, and now, as the day came to an end, Ally only wished to leave behind the complications and find peace in the tranquility of her home.
As she walked towards her home, she couldn't stop her quickened steps despite feeling affected by the events at the institute. She also wanted to avoid those who might be looking for her, taking the warning seriously as she didn't know what they were capable of doing to those marked.
But as she made her way, she noticed that the entire atmosphere seemed to freeze. She wasn't sure if it was her or if time had truly stopped; everything was clear, the falling leaves halted, including the cars, some people she could see from the windows, and the wind ceased to blow. Just when she thought things couldn't get worse, it became worse when she noticed three silhouettes standing at elevated positions surrounding her. One stood at the top of a chimney of a house on the other street around her, another on top of a car in the middle of the road, and the last one perched on a high branch of a tree at another extreme.
Surrounded in what seemed like a triangle, she didn't know if there were more of them hiding in other corners. These individuals wore dark-toned attire, half of their faces concealed, standing firm with crossed arms. She couldn't identify if they were men or women, but their presence reminded her of the prison guards and the unknown helmeted boy; it was clear they came from that distorted otherworldly realm. She had no idea how she would get out of this; running would be futile as they would likely overpower her. Removing her backpack, she began to formulate her plans.
"I don't know what you want, but you're not capable of acting," she said, pulling out the dagger that had been left to her by the stranger from her hoodie. She had kept it hidden all day, alert and ready.
Ally felt the weight of the dagger in her hand; the cold metal was a reminder of the seriousness of her situation. "I don't know what you want, but you're not capable of acting," she murmured to herself as she slid the blade out of her hoodie. She had kept it concealed all day, alert and ready for any eventuality.
Seeing the dagger, the trio in front of her understood that it was their cue to act. They moved in unison, deploying a strategy that seemed rehearsed to perfection. With extraordinary speed, they began to exchange positions as they approached, encircling her in a vortex of movement that left her impressed.
But Ally wasn't intimidated. With a defiant cry, she lunged forward, the dagger firmly held in her hands. Her first strike was true, piercing the arm of one of her attackers and breaking the formation that enclosed her. Freed from the circle, she could see clearly that the dagger had struck the man's shoulder, who, surprisingly, began to recover with inhuman speed.
The attacker's push overwhelmed her in strength, hurling her against a nearby tree. Despite the distance, Ally wasted no time; she got to her feet and ran into the forest, relying on her speed to lose her pursuers.
Inside the forest, the duo following her split up, taking different routes. However, Ally didn't slow her pace. She stopped at the heart of the forest, assuming an attack position, waiting for her pursuers to arrive. The first one appeared, ready to launch a ranged attack. In the palm of his hand, an energy sphere began to form, shooting a beam towards Ally.
With feline agility, Ally dodged aside, evading the beam, which, to her surprise, changed direction, chasing her. In a fluid motion, she ducked, letting the beam pass over her head. Taking advantage of her proximity to her enemy, she lunged forward, stabbing her dagger and causing a long, albeit superficial, wound, disrupting the beam's invocation.
The man, now with a serious look, adopted a defensive stance. Ally, though not accustomed to direct attacks, had combat and defense knowledge. She advanced, forcing the man to retreat with a series of precise thrusts. But her opponent was cunning, feigning weakness to analyze her tactics.
The combat intensified, with Ally defending against a series of quick and precise attacks. Each move was a chess game, where one wrong step could mean her end. But Ally was determined to survive, to use every skill learned, every trick up her sleeve, to emerge victorious from this confrontation.
The battle had turned into a game of survival, where every blow and every dodge counted. Feeling that control of the encounter was slipping away, Ally began to match the frenetic pace of her adversary. She used her left forearm as a shield against impacts and her right as a spear, seeking to deflect and attack simultaneously. Despite the pain each blow inflicted on her body, she couldn't determine if her own attacks caused enough damage.
In a moment of carelessness on her opponent's part, Ally saw her opportunity. With a speed that defied pain and fatigue, she stabbed the enemy's ribs with her dagger, using both hands to deepen the wound before ripping it out with a cut so deep that the man writhed in agony.
As Ally caught her breath, she observed the trembling figure of her opponent. Was she becoming sadistic? No, she didn't enjoy this; it was a fight for survival. But guilt began to creep in, her hands shook, sweaty, as she lost herself in thought in the midst of the forest.
It was then that the second attacker made his appearance, moving with stealthy and quick steps, attacking Ally from behind with power accumulated in his hands. The blow threw her off balance, causing her to fall to the ground.
Weakened, Ally tried to get up, but her body didn't respond. Dizzy, she wondered if she would be dragged back to that parallel world. Before her, the individual who had struck her approached to deliver another blow. But before he could do so, Ally felt a sensation of teleportation, and the duo of attackers disappeared from her sight, everything began to darken, alone, clutching the dagger that was her only defense, in the midst of emptiness but as everything was about to take shape, Ally closed her eyes as an act of reaction.
When she opened her eyes, she found herself in a dark place, with no wind, just a smooth earth floor beneath her. She tried to get up, but still lacked balance. She wondered what the individual who had attacked her from behind had done to her. Then, she heard footsteps approaching and saw a silhouette illuminating the surroundings with a ball of light. It was him, the man who had pursued them during their escape from the prison, the same one Zach had seen, the man with the long cloak and glowing eyes. Ally, weakened, tried to ask him some questions.
"Who are you?"
The silhouette approached with a posture that seemed more comfortable than intimidating, which unsettled Ally, who then began to sit around and closer to him, something that made her nervous but reached a new level when the individual began to radiate a power that seemed to emanate with a glow in the palm of his hand that was already extended towards her, approaching the front of her head. With each inch closer, Ally could feel an enveloping energy that made her experience unfamiliar sensations, dissipating the pain that had afflicted her moments before.
Once the sensation ceased, Ally quickly backed away, softening her dagger and pointing it at the silhouette of glowing eyes, it was her instinctive gesture of defense.
"Why did you do that? What do you want?"-, she demanded, with a mix of fear and determination in her voice.
After an uncomfortable silence, that being began to speak calmly.
"Calm down, I haven't harmed you. In fact, I just healed you," he said in a calm tone, although Ally was still not convinced. "However, it seems we've gotten off on the wrong foot, don't you think? Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Nessuno."
He expressed with a touch of pride in his gaze, introducing himself with a gesture of reverence like that of a gentleman bowing to a lady. Nessuno was a very unusual name, but compared to names like Caneth and Zephyr, perhaps those from the other world had that kind of names compared to the anime she had seen of a similar genre.
"And, I'm here to save you," he added with determination and calmness, finishing his response.
"Well, Nessuno? Explain why you would save me, I never shouted for help, I had everything under control."
"Is that so? For how long? You would have resisted alone for about three minutes, by that time you would have already been unconscious."
"How do you know?"
"The last individual who attacked you from behind, wounded you with a combined attack of a spell that simulates a poison that by then you would already be dead, and you want to know how I know? All thanks to my sensing ability of emanation and essence of powers."
Ally began to feel surprised as she listened to Nessuno's words. However, the amazement soon mixed with a sensation of being poisoned, something that was gradually weakening her, feeling how weak she was and how her head throbbed with intense pain.
"And to answer your first question, I saved you because you will be useful to me. Now you owe me one," Nessuno concluded with an enigmatic smile.
Ally couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was he telling her that she owed him? What did he think he was? That was something she wouldn't let go with that action and the selfishness he showed, besides, he was a stranger who had intimidated her since they first saw each other. She couldn't accept the idea of being in debt to Nessuno, that arrogance of his statement and the fact that he was a complete stranger who had intimidated her from their first encounter only increased her resistance.
"Why should I owe you? I don't trust you. What were you doing in the prison? Explain it to me," demanded Ally with a tone that reflected her distrust and her need to understand.
Ally's reaction left Nessuno surprised, but at the same time, that defiant attitude and lack of submission were pleasing to him. A flash of respect crossed his gaze as he considered his response.
"The reason I caused that chaos in the prison was because they had something invaluable, something that rightfully belonged to me. And that prize was you."
The pieces of the puzzle began to fit together, each revelation resonating with her friend's theories, who had accurately predicted every detail. Nessuno was the architect of the catastrophe, the summoner of the creatures, and now it was clear that his quest had an objective, it was her.
"¡What! I have nothing to do with that, don't play with me, just say it!" Desperation seized her, expressing with a voice full of anxiety and fear.
"¡You have more to do with the incident at the mall, and your relationship with the fugitive Kwan and your interaction with the Fault! And it's not just that you lived with that key rebel of knowledge, but there are also secrets within you that you still don't know about." Nessuno smiled, an expression that didn't reach his cold eyes.
With the mention of Kwan, it was a blow to her chest, that person who in the past was someone special. But in an act of strength, she hardened her attitude, determined to continue with her interrogation.
"¿Did you interact with the helmeted boy? The stranger who helped me also seemed to be looking for someone," she said, her voice trembling slightly, reflecting the sea of doubts flooding her mind.
"Do you mean the individual who burst in at the last moment? No, I had no dealings with him. But since you mention it, that individual was a NEO. It's surprising that there was another one unaccounted for in the conflict," he looked at her intently before responding.
"Could you explain about the system, the recipients? Are there aspects of myself that I am unaware of?"
"Calm down, don't rush," he said with a reassuring smile. "You'll get the answers along the way, as you delve with me into this pursuit, as I use you as my surrogate."
"That doesn't change the fact that I'm in debt to you," she replied firmly.
"You're distrustful and stubborn. Just remember that you allowed yourself to be dragged along by an order that also wanted to use you as a pawn. That would involve your family, your loved ones. Do you understand the implications?"
As he spoke, he approached Ally, step by step, with no intention to harm her.
"You must understand that I oppose the recipients' order. But if we don't act, things will change drastically, affecting everything that exists. You are like a very important piece that will favor changing some courses of destiny, think about your family, you don't want the experience you had with your beloved Kwan to affect your loved ones worse, you want to get out of this system that puts you in danger?"
Those words made her realize that everything mentioned was true. Although in her current state she lacked the experience and knowledge to confront one of them, now someone offered to help her simply by using her as a substitute. But for now, she would have to take steps for this issue, she needed to know who the recipients were, to know if Kwan had had interactions with those from the other world, and what hidden things her destiny held to be chosen for a system she still did not know, the only thing that mattered most to her was to get out of this situation and for her life to return to what she knew.
"Tell me what I have to do to start."
.
.
.
In another place...
Zach walked along the edges of the town's streets, with a lost and worrying look on his face. Additionally, he carried two backpacks: one that was his and another one that surely belonged to his friend. He paused in his route and started making a call. Minutes passed as he waited for an answer, but there was no contact. This made him even more nervous.
"Where are you, Ally?" he hung up the call and tried to access an app that would allow him to track her location. However, there were no responses. "Arghh! Damn it! How annoying!"- he complained to himself, trying to relieve his stress as he rubbed his forehead.
He started to take a different route, not knowing exactly where he was heading. He tried to avoid other youths, whether from the institute or not, to avoid annoyance or unpleasant gestures. His mind was focused on finding Ally.
Suddenly, his phone started ringing. Intrigued and desperate, he took it out of his pocket, but disappointedly saw that the caller was his mother. With a gesture of frustration, he hung up the call, but it wasn't even a minute before his mother insisted with another call. Zach began to lose control of himself, he started to turn off his phone with the intention of not hearing any more calls.
Minutes later, he found himself standing in front of an extremely isolated district, where a solitary road ended in the middle of the forest, as if it were the end point of the town. However, it was not yet the end. He knew that a little over half a kilometer away, another town would appear, mainly intended for tourists, a small village that served as propaganda, a separate part of the local community.
He began to consider that his friend would not be so naive as to stay there. If