Running out of the alley, Kenneth was hit with a bright light. Having been in that dark alleyway her eyes took some time to adjust to the light, but that didn't stop her from running at full speed. She needed to separate herself from that place before someone found the man or before he woke up and realized she was gone.
Blinking a couple times she was met with an unfamiliar sight, causing her to slow down.
Looking left and right, she knew she wasn't in Hagar anymore, a country she had been living in for some time. For one, the streets were devoid of any litter or trash, everything clean, including the people. There wasn't a single person looking at her with murderous intent, wariness or fear. It seemed like everyone was...happy? for the most part.
No one seemed to pay any mind to her disheveled appearance, it looked like everyone was busy trying to reach their destination.
Another difference was the tall, futuristic buildings that towered over the masses, looking serene and imposing.
Looking up at the sky, Kenneth couldn't see any signs of smoke or pollution, not even a cloud obstructed the clear sunny sky. Not only that, but humanoid droids were stationed at every corner and the once familiar cars hovered on the ground, travelling great speeds.
Looking around, her impostor syndrome was immediate and she couldn't help but wonder how she got here. Regardless, Kenneth didn't have time to admire the view nor the people who seemed like they hadn't experienced hardship a day in their life.
She quickly scanned her surroundings, on the lookout for an information centre of sorts or an an embassy where she could try and get some answers about the world she was currently in.
Having looked around for some time, all she could find was what looked to be a library. At a loss for time, she quickly made her way towards the huge building, observing the people coming in and out. At the entrance stood two droids with humanoid features standing by the entrance, checking everyone's identification cards.
Kenneth was glad that she cased the joint before hand, her years of training having taught her to be vigilant. The last thing she wanted was to be exposed as an outsider, knowing that there was too much she didn't know if she was caught. She couldn't afford to be detained right now.
Although she wasn't sure whose body she had taken over, something told her that she would be able to find what she needed in the bag. While going through its contents, she found a card holder, a key card as well as a virtual watch. The rest of the bags contents were pretty useless, a pack of tissue paper, a mini first aid kit which she had used earlier and a protein patch.
Kenneth fished out what she deemed to be the most important; the card holder.
Name: Kenneth Greywater
Race: Empath
Gender: Female
Registration status: Registered
The card also displayed a picture of the owner of the body she had taken. What surprised Kenneth the most was that she and her host body shared the same name. Other than that, they didn't have anything in common, their features complete opposites.
She had long red hair and amber eyes reminiscent of fire, quite unlike her short dark hair and hazel coloured eyes. She was a beautiful woman with sharp eyebrows, big eyes and full lips. Unlike herself, she had no scars on her face, but instead had a flawless complexion that betrayed a peaceful life, one where she rarely had to get her hands dirty.
Since she had what she was looking for, she quickly fixed her appearance and made a swift break for the building.
The two guards greeted her, asking for her identification in a monotone voice.
Not wanting to raise any suspicions, she acted completely normal, as if this was something she had been doing for years. She handed over her card and the droid scanned the card with its eyes. Once its eyes turned green, it handed the card back to her.
The other guard who had been waiting on the side gave her what looked to be a smile. "Enjoy your stay."
Before turning around and greeting the next person. Kenneth breathed a sigh of relief as she entered the library.
She was greeted by a large statue of what looked to be a griffin. Looking at its big beaty eyes, it gave the illusion like it was staring right at you, following your every move.
The library was beautifully designed with its simple yet intricate layout. Everything was white, from its concave shelves, staircases and its marble flooring. It was divided into 5 levels, each labeled clearly. Kenneth thought it would be best to start with the history and geography sections to better familiarize herself with this place.
She perused the aisles, eyes drawn to a book titled "The Genesis of Eternis". Luckily, she could read the local language, a blend of old and new English. Finding a quiet spot, she settled in to read.
From what she gathered, Eternis emerged in the year 3000, and she was in Caüs, an independent nation since 3140 known for its technological advancements and diversity. Caüsians spoke a mix of old English, new English, and a unique "beast language". The population comprised of Humans, were rare at just 1%, alongside Fera and Empaths like her.
Examining her ID, she noted she was labeled an Empath, though uncertain of its meaning. Grateful not to be human, she could avoid standing out in this strange yet fascinating world.
Touching the photo on her ID, a sudden pain gripped her forehead, flooding her with memories. As the pain got progressively worse, she was now in possession of Kenneth's memories, understanding why she'd been robbed—a consequence of being unregistered.
Unfazed, she erased the thief from her thoughts, a skill honed from years of training. She also discovered her ability to perceive emotions visually, unique to Empaths.
With Kenneth's memories, she no longer needed books; her virtual watch sufficed for information. Leaving the library, she headed to Toleran Academy, guided by Kenneth's memories of enrolment.
As she neared the capital, she joined a crowd heading toward the town square, relieved to find others enrolling at the academy.
Officials directed them to lines for document signing and ability tests, a straightforward process.