I opened my eyes slowly, blinking against the sudden assault of light streaming through the windows. The sunlight was soft, yet it pierced through the thin curtains with a warmth and brightness I wasn't used to. My senses adjusted to this new reality—a world where sunlight could reach my skin, something I had only read about in the dim, sterile environment I came from. The gentle glow painted the room in hues of gold, a stark contrast to the cold, flickering lights that had been my only companions until now.
I remained still, absorbing the unfamiliar sensation, the warmth of the light cutting through the chilly morning air. In the place I came from, no amount of sunlight could penetrate the concrete walls and steel doors. Only the artificial, cold flicker of overhead lights offered any semblance of illumination. This warmth, this light—I didn't know what to make of it.
The peaceful moment was soon interrupted by the clamor of people stirring around me, the sound of voices growing louder as everyone prepared for the day ahead. I pulled myself from my thoughts and sat up. The bed was surprisingly comfortable, another luxury I hadn't expected. I glanced down at my new clothes, simple yet comfortable, provided by the facility. It was fortunate they had offered something to wear; blending in required attention to the smallest details.
I had chosen a bed at the far end of the room, tucked into the corner on the bottom bunk. It provided a modicum of privacy, though it wasn't long before someone descended from the top bunk to address me.
A young man appeared in front of me, seemingly out of nowhere, his presence demanding attention. He was tall, perhaps a bit older than me, with auburn hair neatly styled and intelligent golden eyes that glinted behind a pair of smart glasses. He exuded an air of ambition, the kind that made others wary.
"Good morning," the young man began, his tone polite but cool. "You're new here, aren't you?"
I met his gaze, keeping my expression neutral. "I am."
"I see," the young man responded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Strange, I don't remember seeing you before. What's your name?"
"Nexus," I answered smoothly, matching the man's measured tone.
There was a pause, the young man studying me intently, as if searching for something in my demeanor. "Nexus, huh? How did you end up here?"
I felt the weight of suspicion in the air, and I knew I had to tread carefully. "I got lost when I first arrived. Ended up hiding in a supply room until it seemed safe to come out."
The young man raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Lost, you say? That's odd, considering there was an influx of new arrivals just yesterday. You're not with them?"
I shook my head, keeping my voice steady. "No, I arrived on my own."
The young man remained silent, contemplating his response. I could sense the doubt lingering, but I also knew that my story was plausible enough. Finally, the man sighed, his posture relaxing slightly. "Well, I suppose it's not impossible. The rift in the north did cause quite a bit of chaos."
He hesitated, then added, "Sorry for the interrogation. I tend to be a bit cautious, especially with new faces."
I offered a small, understanding nod. "No harm done."
The young man studied me for another moment before finally extending his hand. "Edward. I'm Edward."
I shook his hand, noting the firmness of his grip. "Nice to meet you."
Edward nodded, the suspicion in his eyes dimming just a little. "If you're new here, you probably haven't had a proper meal yet. How about I show you to the cafeteria?"
I considered the offer. I hadn't eaten since I arrived, and blending in was a priority. "Sure."
Edward gestured for me to follow, and I trailed behind as we made our way through the building. On the way, Edward pointed out a few notable areas, though he kept his explanations brief. As we walked, I observed the diverse array of people around me, noting the mixture of races and origins. Since the Cataclysm, boundaries had dissolved, and people had come together in ways that would have seemed impossible before. Western and Eastern faces mingled freely, the remnants of a world that had been shattered and reforged in the fires of survival.
Edward broke the silence as we approached a large building. "This is the cafeteria. Everything here is free, a perk of being part of the service crew. Of course, there are risks involved, especially being assigned to a patrol base like this."
I didn't need further explanation. I knew what Edward was referring to—the Abyssal Creatures, grotesque beings that had emerged from the rifts and now roamed the world.
We stepped inside the cafeteria, and the buzz of conversation filled the air. The scent of food was overwhelming, a mix of spices and warmth that I found unfamiliar. It was then that a familiar voice called out, breaking through the noise.
"Nexus! Over here!"
I turned to see Haruto waving energetically from a nearby table. Haruto's bright, cheerful demeanor was a stark contrast to Edward's reserved nature. I made my way over, with Edward following reluctantly.
"Morning!" Haruto greeted us with a wide grin, his usual positivity on full display. "And look who you brought with you, Edward! I never thought I'd see the day when you'd voluntarily socialize."
Edward adjusted his glasses, his expression unamused. "It's not like that. I just felt bad for giving Nexus the third degree earlier."
I observed the exchange, noticing how Edward seemed to tolerate Haruto's energy rather than embrace it. Haruto, on the other hand, appeared to take great pleasure in teasing Edward.
"You must've really grilled him if you're feeling guilty," Haruto teased, winking at me. "But hey, it's a miracle that Edward's here with someone. Usually, he's off in his own world, too suspicious of everyone to trust anyone."
Edward sighed, clearly used to Haruto's antics. "I just had a feeling about Nexus. Couldn't shake it."
I could see the subtle dynamic between them—Haruto's playfulness balanced by Edward's serious nature. Despite their differences, there was a familiarity between them that spoke of long-standing acquaintanceship.
We grabbed our food and settled at a table, the conversation flowing naturally. Haruto didn't waste any time bringing up the previous day's events. "By the way, Nexus, I heard you made quite an impression yesterday. Even Supervisor Shiori took notice, and she's not easily impressed."
I didn't react visibly, though I stored the information away. Shiori, someone of importance, had taken note of me. That could either be a problem or an opportunity, depending on how I handled it.
Edward nodded approvingly. "That makes sense. My instincts are rarely wrong."
Haruto scoffed, but there was no malice in it. "Yeah, well, your instincts might be leading you to something a bit more dangerous soon enough."
I watched as Haruto's expression turned serious, his playful demeanor dimming as he spoke. "You know the Selection is coming up in two months."
Edward's eyes sparked with interest. "I was hoping you'd bring that up."
I didn't miss the way Haruto's hand froze on his spoon at the mention of the Selection. It was clear this was no ordinary topic.
'The Selection…'
The word triggered something in me, a vague memory from the information I had absorbed. The Selection was a brutal process, a year-long training regimen for those who wished to become Voidwalkers. The mortality rate was staggeringly high—over sixty percent didn't make it through. And even among those who survived, only ten percent would successfully become Voidwalkers.
Haruto's voice broke through my thoughts, laced with genuine concern. "It's dangerous, Edward. You know that. The chances of becoming a Voidwalker are slim, and the cost is…"
Edward cut him off, his tone uncharacteristically passionate. "I know the risks, Haruto. But I can't stay in this tiny world forever. There's more out there, beyond these walls—things we can only dream of. And I need 'that' more than anything."
I noted the shift in Haruto's demeanor, the widening of his eyes as Edward spoke. It was clear that whatever Edward was referring to held significant meaning for him.
"You know what I'm talking about, don't you?" Edward pressed, his golden eyes intense.
Haruto remained silent, his usual jovial nature replaced by a somber expression. I could feel the tension building between them, the unspoken words hanging in the air.
Finally, Haruto spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "Edward, you don't understand. You weren't there…"
'So Haruto is an ex-Aspirant, huh.' My thoughts were piecing together the puzzle. Haruto had been through the Selection once before, and whatever he experienced had left a lasting mark.
Edward wasn't deterred. "It's not too late to try again. This time, I'll be there too. You won't be alone."
Haruto looked down at his hands, the weight of his past clearly pressing on him. For a moment, it seemed like he might reject the idea outright. But then, he sighed, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.
"I'll think about it," Haruto said finally, his tone lighter but still tinged with reluctance.
Edward nodded, satisfied for now, but his attention soon shifted to me. "What about you? Wanna join us?"
I looked up, meeting Edward's gaze. I could see the determination in his eyes, the drive to push beyond the ordinary and reach for something greater. Edward explained the benefits—a life in the city, a chance to explore the Ethereal realm, and the opportunity to achieve things most people could only dream of.
Haruto, however, was quick to counter, his voice sharp with urgency. "Don't be swayed by Edward's idealism. The Selection is brutal, Nexus. People die. It's not just about skill—it's about luck, willpower, and sacrifice. I barely made it out alive, and I've seen good people crumble under the pressure."
My mind weighed the options. The Selection represented an opportunity, but also a significant risk. Haruto's warnings were not to be taken lightly, and yet, Edward's ambition was tempting.
I remained silent for a moment, considering my next move. Edward and Haruto watched me closely, waiting for my response.
Finally, I spoke, keeping my tone measured. "I'll need some time to think about it."
Haruto exhaled, visibly relieved, while Edward merely nodded, understanding that the decision wasn't one to be made lightly.
We finished our meal in relative silence, the weight of the conversation lingering in the air. As we parted ways, Edward and Haruto exchanged a look—one that conveyed a history far deeper than I had anticipated.
The Selection, with all its risks and rewards, was now firmly on my radar. And though I hadn't made a decision yet, I knew that whatever path I chose would shape the course of my journey in ways I couldn't yet foresee.