The forest was quiet, save for the soft rustling of leaves stirred by a gentle breeze. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor, which was thick with moss and fallen leaves. The air smelled faintly of damp earth and pine, a crisp freshness that contrasted sharply with the faint hum of distant technologyâthe only sign of civilization beyond the ancient trees.
Then, without warning, the air shimmered with a faint, otherworldly glow. The leaves quivered, as if in anticipation, and the ground beneath them seemed to pulse with a strange, rhythmic energy. From the shimmering light, a figure began to take shapeâa woman, standing motionless as if caught between worlds.
Dakari Wasureta materialized in the heart of the forest, her form solidifying from the ethereal glow. Her long, curly silver hair, styled in intricate drills, caught the light, and shimmered against her rich Caribbean skin tone. She stood still for a moment, eyes closed, as if listening to something only she could hearâa distant echo of calm, fleeting and elusive. Her piercing red eyes snapped open, reflecting a deep, almost ancient wisdom and a hint of disorientation.
She glanced around, taking in her surroundings with a calm yet wary expression. The forest was dense, wild, untouchedâits unfamiliarity unsettling. Her clothesâa kimono jacket, tank top, loose trousers, and ballet flatsâwere torn and singed, remnants of a recent struggle that felt both immediate and distant. Dakari took a cautious step forward, her movements measured and deliberate, feeling the cool, damp earth beneath her feet as if testing the reality of her surroundings.
"Where am I?" she murmured softly, her voice carrying a quiet authority laced with confusion. The last clear memory she held was of blinding light. Then, everything had dissolved into a voidâa stretching, endless expanse of nothingness. Now she was back, inexplicably, and the how and why lingered just beyond her grasp.
A flicker of movement caught her eye, and she turned sharply, her muscles tensing instinctively. Appearing from the shadows was a small, amorphous creatureâa blob of glistening slime that pulsed and shifted as it slithered across the ground. Its form was unnaturally fluid, constantly changing, and as it moved, it left a faint, corrosive trail that ate away at the fallen leaves and moss beneath it.
Dakari's eyes narrowed. This creature was not part of the natural order hereâits gelatinous, shifting mass and the faint, acrid smell that clung to it spoke of something altered, something wrong. She could sense the offbeat rhythm of its existence, discordant with the forest's quiet harmony. It wasn't just alienâit was an intruder.
Without hesitation, Dakari reached for a nearby tree, gripping a sturdy branch that jutted out at an angle. With a quick, forceful tug, she snapped it off, the wood cracking sharply in the otherwise still air. She swung the stick with practiced precision, striking the slime's core. The creature shuddered violently, its form splintering into smaller globs that hissed and fizzled, dissolving into the ground.
She exhaled slowly, her tension easing only slightly. The slime had been easily dispatched, but its presence was a signâsomething unnatural was spreading, seeping into the world she once knew. Whatever had brought her back, it had not delivered her to a peaceful return.
As she moved deeper into the forest, each step felt both familiar and foreign, the crunch of leaves and the whisper of branches underfoot grounding her in this place she did not know. She paused at the edge of a clearing, where the forest opened to reveal Veridian Prime's towering cityscape in the distanceâa stark contrast to the natural beauty around her, its gleaming spires reaching skyward, defying the wild expanse.
The sight stirred something within herâa mix of comfort and unease. This was her world, yet it felt strange, reshaped in her absence. Dakari knew she needed answers, but more than that, she felt a quiet resolve take rootâa determination to understand her reappearance.
Her eyes narrowed, a flicker of determination igniting in her gaze. She took a final, steadying breath, setting her sights on the distant horizon. Whatever had pulled her back, she intended to uncover it, and she would face whatever challenges awaitedâon her own terms.
Dakari appeared from the dense forest and found herself on the outskirts of a bustling market. The air buzzed with the hum of conversation, the sharp clinks of metal, and the soft, rhythmic thrum of nearby machinery. A sea of people moved through the narrow aisles lined with stalls, each overflowing with vibrant displays of goodsâfrom exotic foods to intricately crafted tech devices that glowed and pulsed with neon lights.
Dakari hesitated at the edge of the crowd, her eyes widening as she took in the scene. The market was a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds, a vibrant contrast to the quiet forest she had just left behind. The ground beneath her feet was no longer the soft, familiar earth but a smooth, polished surface that reflected the neon glow of floating holographic signs above. They flickered and shifted, displaying advertisements for advanced neural implants, mech upgrades, and exotic off world produce in languages she could only half recognize.
She moved forward, each step tentative as she navigated the crowd, her gaze darting between the unfamiliar faces and the towering structures that lined the marketplace. Everything seemed sharper, more advancedâtechnology had leapt forward in ways she hadn't anticipated. Sleek drones zipped overhead, carrying parcels to customers with uncanny precision. Stalls were manned by both humans and androids, indistinguishable from one another save for the occasional telltale glimmer of synthetic skin or the faint hum of an internal processor.
Dakari's disorientation deepened as she passed a display of floating screens, each showcasing products that seemed straight out of a dreamâcompact devices that projected full-scale holograms, personal mech interfaces that could synchronize with a mere thought, and neural chips promising enhancements she'd never seen before. It was as if the world had taken a step into the future while she had been suspended in time.
She paused in front of a stall displaying sleek, polished weapons, each one bristling with advanced tech she barely recognized. The vendor, an older woman with silver hair streaked with vibrant teal, eyed Dakari curiously. Dakari stared at the weapons, her fingers twitching slightly as she resisted the urge to reach out and touch the unfamiliar technology.
"Looking for something specific?" the vendor asked, her voice smooth but edged with a sharp, practiced sales pitch. Dakari blinked, momentarily lost for words. She opened her mouth to respond, but all that came out was, "No⊠I'm justâŠ" Her eyes lingered on a blade that shimmered with a faint, electric blue edgeâa design that was both familiar and entirely new. "Just looking."
The vendor nodded, unbothered by her lack of engagement. "Take your time. Everything here's cutting edge," she said, gesturing to her wares with a flourish. "Nothing like it anywhere else."
Dakari nodded absently, moving on. She weaved through the crowd, the sheer density of people and technology pressing in on her. She caught glimpses of augmented reality interfaces projected directly into buyers' fields of vision, personalized AI assistants negotiating prices on their behalf, and holographic pets darting between shoppers' feet, eliciting laughter and surprise.
She felt a knot tighten in her chestâthis world was so far removed from what she remembered. The market was a living, breathing entity of progress, but to her, it was a disorienting maze of advancements that seemed both wondrous and alien. She was out of sync, a remnant of an era that had moved on without her.
A group of children dashed past, chasing a small, spherical drone that bobbed playfully above their heads. Dakari watched them go, her expression softening slightly as she took in their joy, untainted by the complexities of the world around them. For a moment, she allowed herself to be still, to simply observe the flow of life continuing around her.
But the respite was brief. A flicker of movement caught her eyeâa flash of metallic green darting through the crowd. It was another slime, smaller than the one in the forest but just as unnatural, skittering underfoot and slipping through the gaps between people with a stealth that set her nerves on edge. She clenched her fist, fighting the impulse to pursue it. Here, surrounded by so many, she had to be careful. The marketplace, with all its marvels, was no place for confrontation.
Dakari inhaled deeply, steeling herself. She needed answersâwhy she was here, what had changed, and how she could fit into a world that had leapt lightyears ahead. The market, bustling and bright, was just the beginning. She set her jaw and moved purposefully through the crowd, her eyes scanning for any sign of familiarity in the sea of modernity.
As Dakari wove through the throng of people, her presence caught the attention of a sharp-eyed woman standing at a nearby stall. Lira Dorne, dressed in sleek, contemporary attire that blended utility with style, watched with growing curiosity. Her dark, tightly braided hair was adorned with thin, luminescent threads that pulsed softly with every subtle movement, a stark contrast to Dakari's scorched and slightly tattered clothes.
Lira's gaze lingered on Dakari's kimono jacket and loose trousersâclothing that seemed out of place amidst the sea of modern, form-fitting synthetics and high-tech fabrics. The scorched edges and marks of wear were not just signs of age; they told a story of recent struggle, something Lira's keen instincts noticed immediately. She adjusted the strap of the data tablet slung over her shoulder and took a step closer, her curiosity piqued.
"Hey, you look a bit⊠lost," Lira called out, her tone friendly but edged with genuine concern. Dakari paused and turned towards the voice, her eyes narrowing slightly as she assessed the stranger. Lira offered a disarming smile, her eyes bright with a mixture of empathy and intrigue. "Name's Lira. You look like you've been through⊠something," she continued, gesturing vaguely at Dakari's attire. "Your clothesâthey're, uh, unique."
Dakari glanced down at herself, a faint frown crossing her features as she realized how much she stood out. The truth was, she hadn't thought much about her appearanceâher mind was too occupied with trying to piece together the fragmented memories and the overwhelming changes around her. She looked back up at Lira, her expression guarded but not unkind.
"It's been⊠an adjustment," Dakari said finally, her voice measured. She met Lira's gaze directly, searching for any sign of hostility or ulterior motives, but found only open curiosity. There was something refreshing in Lira's straightforward demeanor, and though Dakari remained cautious, she sensed no immediate threat.
Lira tilted her head slightly, studying Dakari with a thoughtful expression. "You're not from around here, are you?" she asked, though it sounded more like a statement than a question. "You've got this⊠vibe. Like you just stepped out of a time capsule or something."
Dakari almost smiled at that, but the weight of her current disorientation kept her expression steady. "You could say that" she replied, her tone revealing little. She shifted slightly, her posture easing, but her eyes continued to dart around, scanning the market for anything that might anchor her to the present reality.
Lira took a step closer, her voice lowering just enough to create a small bubble of privacy amidst the bustling market. "Listen, I don't mean to pry, but I know a bit about being out of place," she said, her gaze steady and sincere. "If you need helpâlike, figuring out what's going on around hereâI'm familiar with the market. I know people."
Dakari studied Lira, weighing her options. This stranger seemed genuine, and something about her presenceâcalm, observant, and unpretentiousâstruck a chord. She could sense that Lira was more than she appeared, her offer not just an empty gesture but a potential lifeline in this confusing new world.
"I could use some guidance," Dakari admitted finally, the words coming out with a reluctant acceptance of her need for help. It wasn't easy for her to ask, but she knew that navigating this place alone, with so much she didn't understand, was a risk she couldn't afford.
Lira nodded, her expression softening as if she understood the unspoken struggle behind Dakari's words. "Then let's get you sorted out," she said with a small, encouraging smile. "First things first, maybe we start with something less⊠flammable?" She gestured playfully at Dakari's singed outfit, her tone light but her intent clearâto make Dakari feel less like an outsider in a world that had raced ahead without her.
Dakari allowed herself a brief, quiet chuckle, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Yeah," she said, her voice tinged with the faintest hint of gratitude. "That sounds like a good place to start."
Together, they moved through the market, Lira leading the way with practiced ease. As Dakari followed, she felt a flicker of something she hadn't expectedâhope. For the first time since her reappearance, she wasn't entirely alone in the overwhelming rush of modernity. And for now, that was enough.
Dakari followed Lira into the store, taking in the sight of clothes suspended by invisible repulsor fields, shimmering with embedded threads of light. Lira led her toward the back, where changing rooms lined one wall. Lira guided Dakari into one of the rooms, closing the door behind her.
Inside, Dakari faced a full-length mirror that occupied most of one wall. The surface rippled like water as she approached, coming to life with a soft glow. The mirror's interface scanned her briefly, then projected a choice of outfits onto her reflection. A soothing, melodic voice greeted her.
"Welcome, Princess," the mirror chimed. Dakari blinked; her brows furrowed in confusion. "Princess?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper. She turned toward Lira, who was waiting just outside the changing room, peeking in with a puzzled expression.
Lira shrugged lightly, her brows lifting in mild surprise. "That's odd. These mirrors can be a little weird sometimes, but they usually get people's name right." Lira's casual dismissal didn't quite match the curiosity in her eyes as she watched Dakari's reaction.
Dakari stared at the mirror; her reflection now dressed in various projected outfits that shifted as she moved. She reached out, touching the smooth surface, feeling a faint hum beneath her fingertips. It was NIS-integrated, just like the market, but seeing it woven into something as mundane as a changing room mirror felt unsettling.
"This is all connected to⊠NIS?" Dakari asked, her tone a mix of awe and hesitation. She remembered the NIS System as a tool of war, an interface that linked minds and machines with all the inherent dangers. Yet here it was, guiding her choice of clothes.
Lira nodded, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Yeah, it's everywhere now. NIS isn't just for mechs and stuffâit's in everything," she explained, her tone casual as if it were the most normal thing in the world. "Shopping, entertainment, even education. It's just a part of life. Pretty much everyone's used to it by now."
Dakari absorbed the information, her mind turning over the implications. The world had moved on in ways she hadn't imagined, the NIS System's reach extending far beyond the battlefield. She turned back to the mirror, scrolling through the options until she settled on a fitted jacket with subtle luminescent accents, paired with sleek trousers and versatile boots. It was simple yet functional, a tentative step toward blending in.
Lira nodded approvingly from the doorway. "Nice choice. You're gonna look great." She paused, then added, "So, what do you think of all this? Is it⊠overwhelming?" Dakari glanced at Lira's outfit, taking in the practical yet advanced design. "Your clothes⊠they're not just fashion, right? They look like they're meant for something more."
Lira smiled, glancing down at her own attire. "Oh, this? Yeah, it's functional. I'm a student at VIMIâVeridian Institute of Mech Integration," she explained. "It's the place to be if you're into mechs, tech, and all things NIS. We get some cool gear as part of the training, like these outfitsâthey're more than just looks. They're equipped for anything we might run into during simulations and stuff."
Lira continued, her voice brightening with enthusiasm. "VIMI's where most of the innovative stuff happens. They're always coming up with new ways to use the NIS System. Honestly, I can't imagine life without it. It's been like this forever, you know?"
Dakari nodded, though the weight of Lira's words settled heavily on her. The casual way Lira spoke of NIS and VIMI underscored how much time had truly passed. For Lira, the NIS System was a tool of convenience and everyday lifeâvastly different from the dangerous, military tech Dakari had once known.
"Sounds like a lot has changed," Dakari said softly, turning back to her reflection. The mirror's greeting still lingered in her thoughts, a quiet puzzle amid her disorientation. She couldn't quite shake the feeling that it meant somethingâsomething beyond just a glitch in the system.
"Ready?" Lira asked, her tone upbeat and expectant.
Dakari hesitated, her brow furrowing slightly. "Ready for what?" she asked, uncertainty threading through her voice. She glanced around the store, half-expecting there was more she needed to do before they left.
Lira gave her a playful nudge, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and impatience. "To VIMI, of course! Where else?" she said, as if the answer were obvious. "I mean, you've got questions, right? And if you're looking for answers about the NIS System or anything else, VIMI's the place to start."
Dakari blinked, caught off guard by the assumption. She had only just begun to wrap her mind around this new world, and the idea of diving straight into what sounded like a hub of advanced tech and innovation was daunting. Yet, there was an undeniable pullâan instinct that told her VIMI held more than just answers about the present; it might also hold pieces of her past.
"VIMIâŠ" Dakari repeated, the name lingering on her tongue as she tried to picture what lay ahead. She still felt the sting of unfamiliarity, the sharp edges of a world that had moved on without her. But if VIMI was truly at the heart of this new iteration of the NIS System, then she needed to see it for herself.
Lira watched her closely, her expression softening slightly. "Hey, no pressure. It's justâŠwell, if you're feeling out of place, VIMI's not just for mech heads and tech geeks. It's where people go to find their footing, you know?"
Dakari nodded slowly, her resolve firming. She didn't know exactly what she would find at VIMI, but Lira's words resonated. It was a place for discovery and adaptationâexactly what she needed in this whirlwind of change. She met Lira's gaze, her expression calm but determined. "All right," Dakari said, her voice steady. "Let's go to VIMI."
Lira grinned, satisfied. "Great! You won't regret it," she said, leading the way out of the store and back into the bustling market. As they moved through the crowd, Dakari felt a renewed sense of purpose. The path ahead was still uncertain, but with Lira's guidance and VIMI on the horizon, she was ready to face whatever came next.
As they made their way toward VIMI, Dakari glanced at the cityscape stretching out before her, a blend of towering spires and shimmering lights. She couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and unease, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the steps directly in front of her.