Dakari followed Instructor Vale through the sleek, polished hallways of VIMI, her footsteps echoing softly against the smooth floors. The corridors were lined with screens displaying data streams, diagrams of mechs, and training schedules. As she walked, a wave of dizziness washed over her, and the images on the screens seemed to blur. For a moment, she wasn't in VIMI anymore; instead, she saw a flicker of a vast battlefield, mechs clashing under a stormy sky. In the distance, a figure stood atop a hill, a commanding presence amid the chaos. She heard a voice—distant but urgent—whispering, "You can't beat me, Demon..."
She stumbled, catching herself just as Instructor Vale turned, his expression calm but questioning. Dakari quickly straightened, giving a slight nod to indicate she was fine, though her thoughts were anything but. What was that? A memory? A hallucination? She pushed the thought aside, forcing herself to focus on the present.
Vale continued to lead her down the hallway, his pace steady but purposeful. As they walked, Dakari observed her surroundings carefully. The walls seemed to pulse faintly with energy, the screens displaying data in rapid streams that were difficult to follow. She caught glimpses of terms she half-remembered: "Azoth Levels," "Neural Feedback Loop," "Synchronization Protocol." Each phrase felt like a thread pulling at her fragmented memories, but when she reached out mentally, they slipped away like water through her fingers.
They arrived at a small conference room with translucent walls that allowed light to filter through, casting soft, shifting patterns across the floor. Vale gestured for Dakari to take a seat at the table. "I'm Instructor Vale," he began, his tone firm but approachable. "Apologies for the mix-up earlier. The system's been glitching a lot lately. We're still trying to sort out what's causing these issues."
Dakari nodded, trying to keep her fragmented thoughts together. "No problem," she replied, studying Vale closely. His expression was composed, but there was something beneath it—a tension, a hint of concern that suggested this wasn't just a simple malfunction. Does he know more than he's letting on? she wondered, feeling a subtle prickle of suspicion.
Vale continued, "Since the system didn't provide us with your data, I need to ask a few basic questions. Your name is Dakari Wasureta, correct?"
"Yes," Dakari confirmed, feeling a pang of uncertainty every time she heard her name. It felt… distant, like it belonged to someone else. "And your experience with the NIS System? Have you used it before, perhaps in a training program or a different capacity?" Vale asked, his eyes sharp, assessing.
Dakari hesitated, careful with her words. She knew she had to be cautious. "I have some experience," she said, choosing her words slowly. "But it's been a while since I've worked with anything this advanced."
Vale nodded, making a note on his tablet, his eyes flicking up to meet hers briefly, almost searchingly. "I see. The NIS System has evolved quite a bit. We might have to run some additional tests to assess your capabilities."
Dakari added, "I noticed the glitches. A drone malfunctioned in the market. It seemed… off."
Vale's brow furrowed slightly, and a shadow seemed to pass over his expression. "You saw a drone malfunction too?" he asked, more serious now. "We've been getting reports of minor errors like that recently. Could be a software issue… or something else." Dakari leaned forward slightly, watching his face closely. "Something else?" She was probing now, trying to gauge his reaction.
Vale hesitated, then shrugged, but his eyes remained steady on her. "We're not sure. Just some anomalies popping up here and there. The tech team is investigating." He said it casually, but Dakari sensed a note of caution in his tone, like he was carefully weighing every word.
She nodded, her curiosity deepening. "I'm not sure what caused it, but it felt like more than just a random glitch." Vale gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable. "We'll keep an eye on it. For now, let's focus on getting you situated. I'll have you shadow a provisional team, and you can join their next training session. It'll give us a feel for your skills."
Dakari agreed, sensing the conversation moving toward something more concrete. "I'm here to learn… and to understand what's happening around me." Vale smiled slightly, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "That's the right attitude. Let's get you started." There was a brief moment where his gaze lingered on her, almost as if he were trying to see something beyond the surface. He quickly turned away, leading her down another corridor.
They stopped in front of a large door marked "Lab 3 – Special Projects." Vale turned to her with a faint smile. "This lab is known for its unconventional approach. You'll find some interesting people here." His words seemed light, but Dakari detected a subtle edge to them, a hint of something withheld.
Inside, the lab was buzzing with energy. The air was thick with the hum of machines and the chatter of students. Holographic displays floated in mid-air, projecting complex diagrams and rotating models of various mech components. Clusters of students were engaged in animated discussions, some tinkering with strange-looking devices at their workstations. The atmosphere was a chaotic blend of creativity and tension.
A young woman with bright blue hair tied back in a messy bun noticed their entrance and waved them over with a grin. "Hey, Vale! Is this the new recruit?" she called out. Vale nodded. "Yes, this is Dakari Wasureta. She'll be joining us for a while. Dakari, this is Serin. Don't let the fact that she's a student fool you—she practically leads many of the projects here."
Serin extended a hand, her smile wide and welcoming. "Nice to meet you, Dakari. Ready for a bit of chaos?" she asked with a playful wink. Dakari shook her hand, trying to read Serin's expression. For a moment, she saw a flicker of something in Serin's eyes—sharp, calculating—before it disappeared behind her friendly demeanor. There was something about the way Serin's gaze lingered on her, a little too curious, a little too intent. "I think I can handle it," Dakari replied, her tone guarded.
Vale seemed satisfied. "I'll leave you in Serin's hands. She knows her way around here better than most." He turned to leave, but Dakari noticed him glance back briefly, a hint of unease in his posture. Why does he seem on edge? she wondered.
Serin wasted no time. "Okay, let's get you set up." She rummaged through a drawer at her workstation and pulled out a sleek black bangle, its surface shimmering slightly in the light. "You'll need this," she said, handing it to Dakari.
Dakari took the bangle, turning it over in her hands. "What is it?" Serin grinned. "A 'Mech Synchronization Bangle.' It's your key to connecting with the mechs here. Think of it as a personal identifier and an interface with the NIS System. Everyone has one." Dakari glanced at it again, sensing a faint hum of energy. "Why a bangle?"
Serin's smile faltered for a split second before she replied, "Good question! It's a symbol as much as a tool. The more connected you feel to it, the better your integration with the NIS System. It's like forming a bond with the technology." Dakari nodded slowly. "And this one?" she asked, holding the bangle up. "Why did you choose it for me?"
Serin's smile widened again, but her eyes seemed to narrow briefly. "It seemed like your style—sleek, subtle, but with a hint of mystery. If you don't like it, you can always change it later. But for now, it'll get you started." Her gaze lingered on the bangle, almost as if she were evaluating something, a subtle calculation in her expression.
Dakari slipped the bangle onto her wrist, feeling a brief warmth spread from the metal to her skin. It felt almost natural, and she sensed the energy within it adjust to her presence. She couldn't shake the feeling that Serin was watching her too closely, almost as if waiting for a reaction.
"Let's find you a mech to practice with," Serin continued, her voice cheerful. "We'll start with something basic." They reached a section of the lab with various mechs in their docks. Serin pointed to a mech, "Aegis." "This one is a good starter. Versatile, easy to control. Give it a try?"
Dakari nodded, but as she approached Aegis, she felt a strange sensation—a mix of anticipation and unease. She got into the mech's cockpit, feeling the smooth surface of the controls under her hands. She focused on the bangle, letting her mind reach out toward the NIS System. The mech's sensors flickered as if recognizing her, but then…
"User identified as 'Princess.' This unit is not worthy of synchronization."
Dakari's eyes widened, her heart pounding. The mech's voice echoed aloud, "User not worthy of synchronization." Serin's frown deepened, and for a moment, her cheerful demeanor slipped. Her eyes sharpened, studying Dakari with an almost clinical curiosity. "What? That doesn't make any sense. Aegis should connect with any authorized user." She seemed more interested in what had happened than concerned for Dakari.
Before they could process what happened, a sharp, amused voice cut through the air. "Maybe it knows she's not just any student." Dakari turned to see a tall figure stepping out from behind a workbench. He had pale gray skin with a faint sheen, deep blue eyes gleaming with a predatory sharpness, and dark blue hair slicked back. His shark-like features—sharp teeth and a faint webbing between his fingers—marked him clearly as a demi-human.
"Kael," Serin said, sounding frustrated. "What are you doing here?" Kael grinned. "Just enjoying the show. Heard there was a recruit who couldn't even get through a standard assessment." Dakari met his gaze evenly. "I didn't realize my arrival was such a spectacle." Kael's grin widened. "Oh, it is. When a basic mech like Aegis rejects synchronization? Yeah, people will talk."
Serin, still frowning but quickly recovering her cheerful demeanor, suggested, "Let's try another mech." They moved to a different model—a Specter-class recon mech, smaller and more agile. But as Dakari attempted to sync, the same result occurred. "User identified as 'Princess.' This unit is not worthy of synchronization."
Out loud: "User not worthy of synchronization."
Kael chuckled. "Looks like you've got a real problem, Daki."
Dakari bristled at the nickname. She shot him a glare, making it clear she didn't appreciate the casual shortening of her name. "Don't call me that," she said coldly. Kael just smirked. "Touchy, touchy. Maybe you should focus on fixing your sync issues instead of getting worked up over a nickname."
Serin watched them, her expression amused but with a hint of something else in her eyes—a flicker of interest, perhaps even calculation. "Okay, let's try a different one." Dakari tried several more mechs, each one rejecting her in the same way. Kael watched with amusement, enjoying the spectacle. Finally, he turned to leave, a teasing smile on his lips. "Good luck, Daki," he called over his shoulder. "Try not to blow up any more mechs."
Dakari clenched her jaw, biting back a retort as Kael left the lab, his laughter echoing in the hallway. She focused on Serin, who seemed equally perplexed by the situation but with a glimmer of hidden satisfaction.
Before they could try another mech, a strange noise from the far side of the lab caught their attention—a low, wet slurping sound. Dakari turned and saw a shifting, gelatinous mass oozing out from under a workstation. The slime glowed with a sickly, vibrant purple, metallic glints sparking within it.
"What is that…?" Serin muttered, stepping back. Dakari's instincts kicked in. The sight of the slime triggered a vague, unsettling feeling, like a half-remembered nightmare. She grabbed a staff from a nearby student and moved toward the slime, feeling a sense of urgency.
The slime seemed to notice her, shifting with an unnatural grace. As she approached, it lunged at a student, wrapping around him like a net. The student's scream was muffled as the slime began to absorb him, his body sinking into the purple mass, features distorting and dissolving.
Dakari felt a chill run down her spine. This wasn't just a random creature—it was something engineered, something with a purpose she couldn't quite grasp. As the slime shifted, she caught a whiff of something acrid, like burning metal, mingled with a strange, sweet undertone that made her stomach churn.
The slime morphed, taking on the form of the student it had absorbed, mimicking his appearance perfectly except for his eyes, which glowed an eerie purple. It looked around with a strange, intense awareness.
"Hello…newbie," it said in a voice that mimicked the student's but carried an unnatural undertone. Dakari's grip tightened on the staff, and she stepped between Serin and the creature. The creature's gaze shifted to Serin. "Hello, Seri!" it called out with a grin that seemed almost knowing.
Serin's eyes widened. "How… How does it know my name?"
Dakari didn't know the answer, but she felt a growing sense of urgency. "It's not just mimicking him," she warned. "It's playing with us." The creature's voice shifted again. "Serin… Always so busy in the lab… Always so brilliant…"
For a split second, Serin's cheerful mask slipped, her face becoming blank, almost cold, before she quickly masked it with an expression of surprise. "Oh no… It knows…" she whispered, her voice trembled, but her eyes glinted with a flicker of something hidden.
Dakari lunged forward with the staff, aiming for the creature's core. The slime recoiled, dodging with a fluid, unnatural grace. She swung again, faster this time, forcing it to shift and contort to avoid her strikes.
The creature hissed, its smile twisting into a sneer. "Why do you… fight?" it asked, voice distorted and mocking. Dakari didn't respond. She feinted to the left, then jabbed right, trying to gauge its movements. She noticed the creature flinched whenever she got too close to its center, where a faint, pulsing glow was visible.
"Serin!" Dakari called, "I need you to distract it!"
Serin, still shaken but catching on, grabbed a nearby data tablet and hurled it at the creature. The device shattered against its side, drawing its attention for a split second. Dakari seized the moment, darting forward. She thrust the staff deep into the creature's center, aiming for the pulsing core. The slime shrieked, its form convulsing violently, but she pushed harder, driving the staff further in.
The creature's body writhed and contorted around the staff, its surface bubbling and hissing. The purple glow from its eyes flared brighter, and Dakari felt a jolt of searing pain as some of the slime splattered onto her arm, burning like acid. Gritting her teeth, she pushed through the pain, twisting the staff with all her strength. "Come on…!" she growled. She felt the staff make contact with something solid—a small, dense mass.
With a final, desperate effort, Dakari yanked the staff upward, tearing the core free from the creature's body. The slime let out an ear-piercing screech, its form collapsing into a puddle of dark, bubbling liquid that hissed and evaporated on the floor. The glow in its eyes faded, and with one last shudder, it collapsed entirely, leaving only the core in Dakari's grasp.
Dakari's breathing was heavy, and she winced at the burns on her arm where the slime had splattered. She held the core tightly, feeling its faint, fading pulse against her palm. The room was still, everyone staring in stunned silence at the spot where the creature had stood.
Serin was the first to move, rushing over to Dakari's side. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with concern, but there was a trace of something in her eyes—a lingering curiosity, as if she were more intrigued than worried. Dakari nodded, though the pain in her arm was sharp and persistent. "I'm fine," she said, her voice steady. "But we need to figure out what this thing is… and why it's here."
Serin glanced down at the core in Dakari's hand, her eyes wide with both fear and fascination. "Yeah… and fast," she agreed. Her voice was light, but Dakari couldn't shake the feeling that Serin's concern wasn't entirely genuine. "Because if there's one, there could be more." Dakari nodded, her resolve firm. Whatever these creatures were, they weren't going to catch her off guard again. She'd make sure of it.