As they navigated through the winding paths of the bustling market, Dakari couldn't help but steal glances at the towering structures and sleek vehicles that moved effortlessly through the air. The cityscape was a blend of futuristic elegance and overwhelming complexity, a testament to the leaps in technology that had occurred during her absence.
Walking alongside Lira, Dakari felt a nagging pull to understand more. Her curiosity clawed at her, but she kept her expression neutral, cautious not to reveal too much. After a moment, she turned to Lira, letting her curiosity slip through. "You mentioned the NIS System earlier—how it's integrated into everything now. What exactly is it, these days? It's not just for military use anymore?"
Lira's expression brightened, clearly pleased by the question. "Oh, the NIS System? It's way more than just military tech now." She spoke with enthusiasm, her tone carrying the confidence of someone used to explaining things. "It stands for Neural Integration System. It lets us connect with machines using our minds. It used to be mainly for controlling mechs, but now it's part of everyday life—healthcare, education, entertainment. Everything's connected."
Dakari nodded thoughtfully, careful not to show how disoriented she felt by this new reality. She knew the NIS System as a powerful, dangerous tool—a bridge between human minds and machines that could enhance abilities but at great risk. But now, it sounded like something entirely different, something woven into the fabric of daily life.
Lira continued, gesturing animatedly. "People use NIS interfaces for all sorts of things—like those mirrors, or even just to communicate with personal assistants. Syncing up with your home, your gear… it's everywhere. And at VIMI, we're learning how to push it even further, finding new uses, making it seamless."
Dakari remained quiet, processing this new perspective. The NIS System had become a fundamental part of society. It was fascinating but also unsettling—a reminder of the gulf between her past and this present. She wondered how much more had changed while she had been… gone.
A low, buzzing noise cut through the market's hum. Dakari's gaze snapped toward the sound just in time to see a small, spherical drone veering erratically through the air, sparks flickering from its casing as it bumped into a nearby stall, scattering goods across the ground.
Lira glanced at the drone with mild annoyance. "These things have been glitching a lot lately," she muttered, waving a dismissive hand. The drone's light, which should have been a calming blue, flickered into a harsh, blinking red.
Dakari eyed the drone, feeling a familiar tension coil in her muscles. She didn't recognize the design, but she knew danger when she saw it. Before she could think it through, the drone emitted a high-pitched whine, its red light flashing faster. Instinct took over; she grabbed a loose metal display rod from a nearby stall and thrust it at the drone, striking it with precise force. The drone sputtered, sparks flying, and crashed to the ground, its light dimming as it powered down with a final, jarring thud.
Lira's eyes widened in surprise. "Whoa… that was fast. How did you—" She paused, studying Dakari, her curiosity sharpening. "You moved like you knew exactly what it was going to do." Dakari lowered the rod, keeping her face calm, her thoughts guarded. "I didn't," she replied evenly, scanning the market for any further signs of malfunction. "But it seemed like it was about to cause trouble."
Lira nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. "Yeah… they're supposed to be harmless, but they've been acting up more and more lately. It's like… something's off." Dakari shrugged slightly, offering a noncommittal response. "Maybe it's just a bug in the system," she said, though her mind lingered on the implications. This world was full of advanced technology she barely understood, but some instincts remained unchanged.
Lira gave her a long look, clearly still trying to piece together the puzzle of who Dakari was. "Well, whatever it is, you've got some serious instincts. VIMI's gonna love you," she added with a grin, though a hint of curiosity lingered in her gaze. "I guess it's no surprise, though. It looks like you have a pretty high sync rate." Dakari tensed subtly at that, keeping her expression controlled. "Sync rate?"
"Yeah," Lira continued, a bit more animated. "That's the other part of the NIS System you should know about. It's not just about being connected to machines; it's about how well you sync with them. That's where Azoth comes in." Dakari tilted her head slightly, pretending the term was unfamiliar. "Azoth?"
Lira nodded, her tone shifting to a more earnest one. "Think of it like the 'fuel' that links your neural pathways to the NIS System. The better you sync, the more responsive and powerful the connection becomes. Kind of like tuning an instrument, but instead of music, you're tuning your mind to the machine." As Lira spoke, Dakari kept her face impassive, though her mind was racing to connect this information with the fragments she remembered. She wanted to ask more, but she couldn't afford to show too much interest.
"The synchronization is measured by the Azoth Index," Lira continued. "The higher your Index level, the more advanced tech you can handle and the more abilities you unlock. At Level 1, where I'm at, you can control some basic tech, but I want to push higher, to Level 2 or even 3. I want to be able to help people in need, make a real difference. But at those higher levels, like Index Level 4, people start controlling specialized mechs and experimental tech. Beyond that… well, it's mostly just rumors and theories. No one really knows what happens at Levels 5 through 8."
Dakari nodded again, hiding a flicker of recognition that crossed her mind. Those higher levels… she had heard whispers about them long ago, but they had been regarded as unattainable, almost mythical. And now, Lira was telling her they were still considered a mystery.
Lira continued, a bit more animated now, "But you… judging by how quickly you handled that drone back there, you might have some pretty high sync skills. Most people wouldn't even have noticed the warning signs until it was too late."
Dakari remained stoic. "I guess… it just felt like something was wrong," she replied carefully, her mind still processing the new information. Lira looked at her closely, as if trying to read deeper into her words. "Anyway," she said after a pause, "VIMI is the perfect place to figure out where you stand. They test everyone's Index when they first arrive. You'll get a pretty clear idea of your potential quickly."
Dakari nodded, keeping her thoughts to herself. The Azoth Index…this could be a key to understanding not just her abilities, but also why she had been brought back. She felt a quiet determination growing within her—a need to explore this new aspect of herself.
They continued walking, with the spires of VIMI looming larger in the distance. As they neared their destination, Dakari felt a mix of anticipation, curiosity, and anxiety swirling in her chest. She kept her face calm, her emotions guarded.
They approached the towering gates of the Veridian Institute of Mech Integration, and Dakari felt a wave of mixed emotions as she took in the sight before her. The building was sleek, with sharp architectural lines that seemed to defy gravity, surrounded by a shimmering force field. Two tall, humanoid mechs guarded the entrance, their sensors quietly scanning every passerby.
Lira led her forward, nodding casually at the guards as they passed through the force field. Dakari felt a slight tingling sensation as she stepped through, but it quickly subsided, leaving her senses sharper.
"Welcome to VIMI," Lira said with a smile, gesturing around at the expansive courtyard. "This is where it all begins—where we train, learn, and push the boundaries of what's possible with the NIS System."
Dakari took in the scene, noting the groups of students in animated discussions or engaged in training exercises with smaller mechs. The energy here was palpable—a mix of ambition and determination.
Lira pointed out a series of large, open-air arenas where students piloted a variety of mechs, their movements fluid and precise. "That's the primary training area," she explained. "We practice everything there—from basic maneuvers to advanced combat simulations."
Dakari watched closely, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu as she saw the students synchronize with their mechs. She kept her expression neutral, unwilling to let on how much this scene stirred something deep within her.
Lira led her further, pointing out various buildings and explaining their functions. "And that's the NIS Development Lab," she said, gesturing toward a tall, cylindrical structure. "It's like the brain of VIMI, always humming with new ideas." Dakari nodded, her interest piqued, but she kept her tone casual. "It seems… busy."
"It is," Lira agreed, then stopped mid-sentence, her expression shifting to concern. "Wait… I dragged you here without even asking if this is what you want." Dakari blinked, momentarily surprised by Lira's shift in tone. "It's fine," she replied, carefully guarded. "I need to understand this world and the NIS System. VIMI seems like the best way to do that."
Lira nodded, her concern fading. "Alright, just making sure. I don't want you to feel pressured or anything. VIMI's intense, but it's also a place where people find themselves, you know?" Dakari considered this, her face giving nothing away. "If this is where I can find some answers, I'm willing to give it a try," she said carefully.
They moved toward the Orientation and Assessment Center, and as they entered, a digital kiosk displayed a welcome message. "Welcome, new initiate. Please enter your details to begin your assessment." Lira turned to Dakari, offering a warm smile. "Good luck. I'm sure you'll do great. Maybe I'll see you around here soon."
Dakari nodded, feeling a mix of curiosity and guarded anticipation. She entered her details on the screen, and a message flashed: "Proceed to Assessment Pod 3." Dakari approached the designated pod—Assessment Pod 3. The door slid open with a soft hiss, and she stepped inside, feeling a slight chill in the air. The interior was minimalistic and futuristic, with a comfortable chair in the center and a curved control panel that glowed faintly. The walls were lined with various sensors and holographic displays, quietly humming with energy.
She sat down in the chair, and the pod's AI spoke in a soothing, gender-neutral voice, "Please remain seated and relax. The assessment will begin shortly." Dakari took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the displays as they flickered to life. She could feel a slight tingling sensation at the base of her neck, a familiar feeling of neural calibration that she hadn't experienced in what felt like a lifetime. She closed her eyes for a moment, preparing herself for whatever this test might involve.
The AI voice continued, "We will begin by measuring your Azoth Index. Please clear your mind and focus on the synchronization prompt that will appear on the display." Dakari opened her eyes, and a series of geometric patterns began to form on the main holographic screen in front of her. She watched as they moved, morphing slowly in a rhythmic pattern that drew her in. She felt a subtle pull, a sense of connection growing stronger with each passing second.
Suddenly, the patterns began to dissolve, replaced by a soft, golden glow that filled the pod. The familiar melodic chime echoed through the space, and Dakari's eyes widened in surprise. "Welcome, Princess," the same voice from the dressing room mirror greeted her. The soothing, melodic tone was now filled with a strange familiarity, as if recognizing her on a personal level. The AI's voice hadn't called her "Princess" before; it had only said "new initiate."
Dakari's heart quickened, her mind racing with questions. She hadn't expected this—the same odd greeting from the mirror now echoed within the NIS System itself. She glanced around, half-expecting someone to burst in and demand an explanation.
But the pod remained quiet, the golden light softly glowing around her. As she continued to listen, a fragmented memory surfaced—a brief, flickering image in her mind: a tall figure with a blurred face standing beside a massive mech, their hand resting on her shoulder. A voice, distant but gentle, whispered, "Stay strong, my Princess. The world will change, but you must remain…"
The memory was gone as quickly as it had come, leaving Dakari with more questions than answers. Her breath caught in her throat. The term "Princess" felt both alien and familiar, like a word she had known in another life. The AI voice continued, "Initiating advanced synchronization protocol. Level 8 access detected. Calibrating..."
Dakari's pulse quickened. Level 8? She remembered Lira mentioning that Levels 5 through 8 were considered theoretical, almost mythical. No one had reached those levels—at least not publicly. How was she being recognized at Level 8?
The holographic displays around her began to change, the golden light intensifying. Symbols she couldn't quite decipher flashed across the screens, and she felt a deep, soothing calm wash over her. It was the same sensation she had experienced just before she vanished into the void—the feeling of transcending, of being connected to something far greater than herself.
Dakari instinctively reached out, her hand hovering over the control panel as if drawn to it. Her fingers brushed the surface, and the panel responded with a warm glow. The light around her pulsed gently, almost as if acknowledging her touch.
The AI voice softened, almost reverent. "Synchronization complete. Welcome back, Dakari Wasureta." Dakari's eyes widened, her heart pounding. She hadn't entered her full name—only her first name. Yet the system knew exactly who she was, as if it had been waiting for her all along.
Before she could react further, the golden light dimmed, and the pod's displays reverted to their original geometric patterns. The AI voice returned to its neutral tone, "Assessment complete. Please proceed to the exit for results and guidance." Dakari remained seated, stunned. Her mind whirled with a thousand questions, lingering on the brief memory that had surfaced. Who was the figure beside the mech? Why did they call her "Princess"? And what did it mean for her to be identified at Level 8?
The door to the pod slid open, and an instructor—tall, with sharp, discerning eyes—stood waiting for her. His expression was calm, but there was a hint of curiosity in his gaze. "Hello," the instructor began, his tone polite but uncertain. "I'm here to review your results, but it seems… there's been a glitch with the system. The data didn't come through, so I'll need to verify a few things with you directly."
He glanced down at the tablet in his hands, frowning slightly as he scrolled through empty fields. "Can I get your name, please?" Dakari hesitated for just a moment before responding, "Dakari Wasureta." The instructor's brow furrowed slightly as he typed her name into the tablet. "Thank you, Miss Wasureta. I'm not sure what happened, but the system didn't record your Index level or any of the usual details. We might need to run the test again, or perhaps a manual assessment… I'll have to check with the tech team."
Dakari nodded, her expression calm despite the storm of thoughts swirling in her mind. "That's fine," she said, her voice steady. "I'm just as curious as you are." The instructor looked at her closely, perhaps sensing that there was more to this situation than a simple glitch, but he didn't press the issue. "Well, in any case, I'll guide you to the next steps. We'll sort this out, no worries."
As they walked away from the pod, Dakari couldn't help but glance back, the lingering warmth of the golden light still vivid in her mind. The NIS System had recognized her—knew her—on a level that no one else seemed to understand. She knew she had to dig deeper, to uncover why the system was responding to her in this way.
For now, she would follow the instructor's lead, but she was determined to find out the truth behind her connection to the NIS System, the mystery of the Level 8 recognition, and why she was being addressed as "Princess." The answers were out there, and she was ready to pursue them, one step at a time.