Fuyuki walked beside Dakari through the bustling hallways of the Veridian Institute, pointing out various rooms and corridors with a cheerful enthusiasm. "That's the main lab complex," she explained, nodding toward a cluster of glass-paneled rooms where students and instructors worked on intricate machinery. "And over there is the access point to the lower levels… you know, where the more advanced tech is kept. They only let us in there if we have special clearance."
Dakari nodded, her expression neutral, but Fuyuki sensed she was observing everything carefully. Her gaze was sharp, almost calculating, as if she were piecing together a puzzle that only she could see.
As they walked through the hallways, Fuyuki casually pointed to a secured section of the mech bay. "That's where they keep the restricted mechs. I've heard one of them—ZX-01 Eclipsa—has caused more injuries to pilots when used in any training exercise. Some say it's cursed or something. Nobody knows why it's still here. It's been in the bay for years, but no one's been able to activate it properly."
She paused, glancing at Dakari to gauge her reaction. "There's a lot of stories about it. Some say it was a prototype that was never meant to be used, and others think it has a mind of its own, like it decides who gets to pilot it. A few months back, a senior tried to sync with it… ended up in the infirmary for weeks. And before that, two students attempted together—they both ended up with fractured limbs and nerve damage. Rumor has it, the headmaster wanted to get rid of it, but it's still here. No one really knows why."
Dakari's eyes flickered with interest, but she kept her expression neutral. Fuyuki leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "They say Eclipsa was part of an abandoned military project, some experimental program that never saw the light of day. No one knows why the Institute keeps it around, but there's talk that it holds secrets even the instructors are wary of."
As Fuyuki spoke, Dakari felt a strange sensation—a faint tingling in her wrist where the sync key sat, almost like a static charge. Her fingers twitched involuntarily, and she frowned, pushing the feeling away. But it lingered, a subtle buzz that seemed to echo through her, like a whisper she couldn't quite catch. The sensation reminded her of something… an old memory, half-forgotten.
Fuyuki shrugged, trying to sound casual but failing to hide the slight tremor in her voice. "Anyway, most people stay away from it now. The only reason it's not locked up tighter is because no one thinks anyone's dumb enough to try syncing with it again. But I don't know… there's something about that mech that gives me the creeps."
Fuyuki's words hung in the air, a faint chill settling over them as they moved on. Dakari said nothing, but her mind raced with thoughts. There was a strange pull in her chest, a quiet, unexplainable draw toward the bay doors they'd just passed—like something calling to her from a deep, forgotten place. She filed it away in her mind, a mystery that tugged at her, one she would have to explore further.
They passed by a group of instructors standing in a quiet corner, their voices low as they exchanged what seemed like a serious discussion. Fuyuki glanced at them briefly, noting their tense expressions, but quickly dismissed it as typical staff talk. Dakari, on the other hand, kept her eyes forward, seemingly uninterested but clearly taking in every detail.
"So, what do you think of the Institute so far?" Fuyuki asked, hoping to draw Dakari into more conversation.
"It's… different," Dakari replied, her tone measured. "I'm still getting used to it."
Fuyuki smiled, though she felt a little frustrated by Dakari's vague responses. Every time she tried to get closer, it felt like Dakari built another wall. She couldn't quite put her finger on why, but there was something about Dakari that intrigued her—something she needed to understand.
They arrived at a student lounge filled with the sound of chatter, laughter, and the hum of electronic devices. Fuyuki led Dakari over to a small group of students sitting at a table, introducing her with a bright smile. "Hey everyone! This is Dakari, the new transfer student I told you about."
The students greeted Dakari with a mix of curiosity and friendliness. One of them, a tall boy with messy brown hair, leaned forward with a grin. "So, you're the mysterious new transfer, huh?" he teased. "What's the story? Got any secret talents we should know about?"
Dakari gave a faint smile but remained non-committal. "No secrets," she replied simply, her tone cool and calm.
Fuyuki laughed, trying to lighten the mood. "Come on, she's just a bit shy. I bet we'll find out soon enough," she said, though her mind was still racing with questions. She glanced at Dakari, wondering if there was any truth to the teasing about secrets.
After a few more minutes of light conversation, Fuyuki suggested they head outside to get some fresh air before their next class. The two made their way to the courtyard, a spacious outdoor area filled with greenery and a few small groups of students practicing their synchronization skills.
As they walked, Fuyuki decided to probe a little further. "So, Dakari," she began casually, "where did you learn so much about the NIS system? I mean, the way you talked about those Neural Feedback Loops earlier… it's not something you just pick up from a textbook."
Dakari glanced at her, her expression calm but unreadable. "I've had… experience," she said vaguely, her voice giving nothing away.
Fuyuki's curiosity only deepened. "Experience? Like, real combat?" she pressed, hoping for more details.
Dakari shrugged. "Something like that."
Fuyuki frowned, sensing Dakari was deliberately keeping her answers vague. But why? What's she hiding? She looked around the courtyard, noticing Dakari's eyes moving constantly, scanning the area as if looking for something out of place. "You seem a bit on edge," Fuyuki commented, trying to sound casual. "Still getting used to the place?"
Dakari nodded slightly. "It's… different here," she repeated, her tone still neutral.
Before Fuyuki could ask more, they were interrupted by a familiar voice. "Well, if it isn't the new transfer and her guide," Kael called out, a hint of mockery in his tone.
Fuyuki turned to see Kael leaning casually against a nearby pillar, his arms crossed. There was a sharpness in his gaze as he looked at Dakari. "So, what's it like being the talk of the Institute?" he asked, his voice laced with a challenge.
Dakari's expression remained impassive. "I wouldn't know," she replied coolly.
Fuyuki sensed the tension between them and quickly tried to defuse it with a lighthearted comment. "Oh, come on, Kael, you're just jealous she's getting all the attention," she teased, flashing a playful smile.
Kael's eyes flicked to Fuyuki, and he smirked. "Jealous? Hardly. Just curious why someone like her shows up out of nowhere and suddenly knows more about the NIS system than most of us do." His gaze returned to Dakari, his expression intense. "What's your story, Wasureta?"
Fuyuki felt a chill run down her spine at the way Kael was looking at Dakari—like he was trying to see right through her. She glanced at Dakari, who remained calm and composed, giving Kael a brief, measured look. "My story is my own," Dakari replied quietly. "I'm not here to impress anyone."
Kael's smirk widened, but there was a hardness in his eyes. "Fair enough," he said, pushing off the pillar. "But you'll need more than that if you want to survive around here. I've seen what happens to those who keep secrets."
As Kael walked away, Fuyuki watched him, sensing that there was more to his interest in Dakari than he was letting on. She turned back to Dakari, who seemed unfazed by the encounter. "Why is he so… fixated on you?" Fuyuki asked, trying to sound casual.
Dakari shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe he just likes a challenge."
Fuyuki laughed nervously, but inside, she felt a growing unease. There were too many questions, too many things that didn't add up. Why does Kael seem so interested in her? Why did Dakari have "Unclassified" next to her Index Level?
They started walking back toward the main building when Fuyuki overheard a pair of students near the entrance of the library.
"Did you hear?" one of them whispered. "Serin gave a sync key to that new transfer, Dakari."
"No way," the other replied, sounding surprised. "Why would Serin do that? She doesn't have the authority to give a sync key to anyone…"
Fuyuki's brows furrowed as she absorbed this new piece of information. Serin gave Dakari a sync key? she thought, feeling a knot tighten in her stomach. What was Serin's connection to Dakari? Why would she give her something so personal, so valuable? I thought the Index Admins are supposed to give those out? She thought.
As the pair continued their walk back toward the main building, Fuyuki noticed the atmosphere around them growing tenser. The hallways felt narrower, and the conversations more hushed. They reached the entrance to the training hall, a massive, well-lit space that buzzed with anticipation. The familiar hum of energy systems in the background was accompanied by the clatter of students preparing for combat practice. Fuyuki's pulse quickened—she knew the combat classes here could be intense, especially for a newcomer like Dakari.
The instructor, a tall, stern-looking woman with a military posture, stood at the front of the room, arms crossed, waiting for the students to assemble. Her name was Instructor Maren, a seasoned veteran who had seen countless students come and go. She had a reputation for being strict but fair, and her presence commanded respect.
"Alright, everyone, gather around!" Instructor Maren barked, her voice cutting through the chatter in the hall. "Today's focus is on close-quarters combat and adaptability. You'll be paired with different partners to test your reactions and adjust your tactics accordingly."
Fuyuki moved closer to Dakari, trying to keep her nerves in check. She still had a thousand questions swirling in her mind, and the combat class wasn't helping her stay calm. She glanced at Dakari, who seemed composed, her expression giving away nothing. How can she be so calm? Fuyuki wondered, feeling a mix of admiration and frustration.
Instructor Maren's eyes swept over the students, and she started calling out pairs. "Aldrin with Makoto, Lian with Devrim…" As she continued, Fuyuki felt her anticipation grow. She half-hoped she'd be paired with Dakari, to keep an eye on her, to see if there was anything else she could pick up from watching her closely.
But when Maren finally called out, "Dakari Wasureta with Kael Varr," Fuyuki's heart sank. She glanced at Kael, who had a smug grin on his face, his shark-like eyes already sizing Dakari up. Oh no, she thought. This isn't going to end well.
Dakari seemed unfazed by the pairing, her expression still as unreadable as ever. She moved toward the center of the training area, her movements fluid and confident. Fuyuki could sense the eyes of several students on her, whispers spreading among them, no doubt wondering about the new transfer student who seemed to attract attention wherever she went.
Kael strode up with a cocky grin, flexing his fingers as if warming up. "Ready to see if you can actually fight, transfer?" he taunted, his tone light but with an edge that suggested he was eager to prove something.
Dakari met his gaze calmly. "Let's see what you've got," she replied, her voice steady.
Fuyuki watched intently, her curiosity piqued. Kael seemed to have some sort of fixation on Dakari, but it wasn't clear why. Is it because she's new? Or does he know something I don't? She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this rivalry than met the eye.
Instructor Maren raised her voice. "Alright, pairs, take your positions! Remember, this is a training exercise, not a brawl. Focus on your technique and adaptability. Begin on my signal."
Dakari and Kael moved into position. As they stood ready, Dakari felt a strange sensation wash over her—a familiar tension in her muscles, a subtle readiness in her stance. It was like her body knew exactly what to do, even if her mind didn't. She couldn't remember ever fighting like this, but her hands and feet seemed to move on their own, finding balance, anticipating movement.
Maren's whistle blew, and Kael moved first, closing the distance with a quick lunge, aiming for a direct strike. Instinctively, Dakari sidestepped, her movements smooth and precise. Her body flowed through the motion like water, responding automatically. She countered with a quick jab, which Kael barely managed to deflect.
Fuyuki's eyes widened. She had seen Dakari sync with the NIS earlier, but seeing her in action now was something else entirely. There was a grace to her movements, but also an odd hesitation, like she wasn't fully conscious of what she was doing. It was as if her body was moving on its own, guided by reflexes and muscle memory.
Kael's expression shifted from a cocky grin to a more focused determination. He pressed on, launching a series of rapid attacks, but Dakari dodged and parried with a fluidity that seemed almost effortless. Her movements were quick, almost too quick, as if she were acting on instinct alone. Her eyes flickered with a distant look, like she was trying to catch up to her own actions.
Kael's frustration was evident in his eyes. He's not used to someone handling him so easily, Fuyuki realized. But what was even more surprising was that Dakari didn't seem fully aware of her own abilities. Her expression remained calm, but there was a hint of confusion in her eyes, like she was following a script she didn't remember writing.
Instructor Maren's voice cut through the air. "Good! Keep your guard up, Varr! Don't get reckless, Wasureta!"
Kael growled under his breath, his attacks becoming more aggressive, almost desperate. He lunged forward with a feint, but Dakari didn't fall for it. Instead, her body moved on its own—a sidestep, a pivot, and a swift elbow strike that sent Kael stumbling back.
The students around them murmured, some in surprise, others in awe. Fuyuki could feel her own heart pounding, torn between relief at seeing Dakari hold her own and concern for what might come next. Kael's pride had clearly been wounded, and he didn't seem the type to take that lightly.
Kael lunged forward, his movements sharp and driven by anger. "You think you're better than me?" he snarled, aiming a powerful blow straight at Dakari's head.
Before Instructor Maren could officially call the end of the sparring match, a sudden beep echoed from her communicator. She glanced down at it, her expression shifting from curiosity to alarm. Her eyes darted back to the students, her voice sharp and urgent.
"Attention, everyone!" she called out, raising her voice above the noise of the murmuring crowd. "Class is canceled—now! We have a Slime Rain anomaly incoming. All students, get to your mechs immediately!"
A ripple of shock and confusion spread through the room. The term "Slime Rain" caused a visible stir among the students; many of them exchanged worried glances, unsure of what was happening.
A murmur of fear spread through the room at Maren's announcement. "Slime Rain? But we haven't had one in years!" someone whispered. Fuyuki felt a cold dread settle in her stomach. Slime Rain wasn't just dangerous; it was deadly, especially if the slimes reached the lower levels. She glanced at Dakari, whose face was tense, her eyes sharp and alert, clearly sensing the gravity of the situation.
Kael, still simmering with anger, seemed caught off guard by the sudden change. "What? What's going on?" he demanded, his earlier bravado faltering in the face of this unexpected announcement.
The Slime Rain wasn't just a nuisance—it was a catastrophic event that could tear through the Institute's defenses in minutes. The last time it had happened, a whole section of the Institute had to be quarantined for weeks, and several students had barely escaped with their lives. It was normal slimes last time, but this time is much different.
Instructor Maren's face hardened, her eyes darting between the students. Slime Rain meant chaos. It meant danger. She couldn't afford any mistakes—not with the reputation of the institute on the line and certainly not with students like Dakari Wasureta, whose very presence raised too many questions. "Move, now!" she commanded, her voice carrying a tone that left no room for argument. "This is not a drill! Head to the mech bay and suit up!"
Fuyuki grabbed Dakari's arm, her eyes wide with urgency. "Come on, we need to go!" she urged, pulling her toward the exit.
Dakari hesitated for a moment, her gaze flicking from Fuyuki to Kael. Despite everything, he seemed genuinely confused and unsure of what to do next. "Kael, let's go!" she called out, not willing to leave anyone behind.
Kael shook himself out of his stunned state and nodded, his earlier hostility momentarily forgotten. "Yeah, right," he muttered, turning to follow them as they hurried toward the exit.
Instructor Maren's communicator beeped again, and she spoke into it, her tone all business. "This is Maren. Confirming the Chimera Slime Rain alert. All students are en route to the mech bay. Make sure all units are prepped and ready for immediate deployment."
The hallway outside was filled with the sounds of footsteps and hushed, anxious whispers. The students moved quickly but cautiously, their nerves on edge. Fuyuki could feel her heart racing, her grip tightening on Dakari's arm. "Do you know what this is about?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Dakari shook her head, her expression serious. "No… but it doesn't sound good."
As they reached the mech bay, the large overhead doors were already sliding open, revealing rows of mechs in their docking stations, ready for activation. The room was buzzing with activity; technicians were moving rapidly between the units, making final adjustments and checks.
Instructor Maren stood at the entrance, directing students into their assigned mechs. "Pair up if you can, and get ready for immediate launch," she instructed. "Follow all protocols. This is a containment situation—do not engage unless absolutely necessary."
The urgency in Maren's voice sent a ripple of anxiety through the students. Dakari, however, felt a different kind of frustration building up inside her. She glanced over at Fuyuki, who seemed equally uncertain. "You know I can't sync with any of the mechs here," Dakari muttered under her breath, her voice edged with worry.
Fuyuki nodded, her brows furrowing in concern. "I know… but we have to find something. Maybe there's a workaround?" She scanned the room, looking for an available mech. "Come on, let's keep looking."
They hurried past rows of docking stations, each filled with students clambering into their mechs and preparing for deployment. Dakari felt a sense of helplessness creeping in; every mech they passed seemed like a locked door, shutting her out. She tried to hide her frustration, but Fuyuki could sense it.
"Maybe we can find an auxiliary unit or something less advanced?" Fuyuki suggested, though her voice lacked confidence. "There has to be a way…"
They reached the far end of the mech bay, where a group of technicians were gathered around a heavily secured docking station. The area was marked off with caution signs and electromagnetic locks. As they approached, Dakari noticed a mech inside the station—a sleek, imposing design that seemed to emanate an aura of power.
Fuyuki's eyes widened slightly as she saw it. "That's it…ZX-01 Eclipsa," she murmured, a hint of awe in her voice. "The one I told you about."
Dakari felt a strange pull toward the mech, an inexplicable sense of familiarity she couldn't place. "So that's the infamous Eclipsa," she said quietly, her curiosity deepening. "It's even more imposing than I imagined."
Fuyuki glanced around, making sure no one was listening. "It's not just the injuries and failed sync attempts… some say it has a mind of its own. It's unpredictable. Dangerous."
Dakari stared at the Eclipsa, her thoughts racing. She couldn't explain it, but something about the mech felt familiar, like a memory she couldn't quite grasp. Was this foolish? Was she risking too much? Her heartbeat quickened, yet beneath the uncertainty, a quiet, inexplicable confidence began to form. "I have to try," she whispered, feeling the weight of an invisible pull drawing her closer. "It feels… like it's waiting for me."
Fuyuki's eyes widened in alarm. "Are you crazy? You just heard what I said! No one's been able to sync with it without getting hurt!"
Dakari took a deep breath, her gaze steady. "I don't know why… but I feel like I can do this," she insisted. "It's like… it's waiting for me."
Fuyuki's eyes darted around the bay, searching for any sign of an instructor or technician who might stop them. She swallowed hard, a knot of fear tightening in her chest. "Dakari, I'm serious. If this goes wrong…" Her voice trailed off, unable to voice the worst of her fears.
Dakari approached Eclipsa's docking station, her heart pounding in her chest. The mech loomed over her, its surface gleaming under the bay's harsh lights. She reached out, placing her hand on the mech's leg.
A sudden surge of energy coursed through her, and she felt the mech respond to her touch. The electromagnetic locks on the docking station disengaged with a soft hiss, and the entry hatch began to open, revealing the cockpit within.
Fuyuki's jaw dropped. "No way…" she whispered, her voice filled with disbelief. Those locks can only be opened by the main control panel! How?! Fuyuki thought as she watched Dakari climb up to Eclipsa's cockpit.
Dakari climbed inside, feeling a strange sense of calm settle over her. The cockpit's interior felt familiar, like a place she'd been before. She slid into the pilot's seat and placed her hands on the control interface. As her fingers touched the controls, the entry hatch began to close automatically with a soft hiss, sealing her inside.
The dim lighting within the cockpit brightened, and the sound of the locking mechanism clicked into place, creating a brief moment of stillness. Dakari's breath caught in her throat as she realized there was no turning back now. A faint hum filled the air, the mech's systems coming to life around her, and a calm, mechanical voice echoed through her mind:
"Sync key detected," a calm, mechanical voice announced. A brief pause followed, and then the voice grew louder, more pronounced, as if making a formal declaration. "Original Pilot Found."
Fuyuki's thoughts swirled with confusion. Why would it recognize Dakari as its original pilot? She needed to understand what was happening, but the fear held her tongue.
Suddenly, the mechanical voice addressed Fuyuki directly, its tone firm and commanding. "Outsider, you are sworn to silence. Speak of this, and you will face immediate consequences."
Fuyuki's heart skipped a beat as the voice seemed to echo, not just in her ears but in her mind, like an ancient decree that left no room for disobedience. What kind of machine could speak like this? And why did it feel so… alive? She glanced around, her eyes darting to the other students, desperately hoping no one else had heard.
A cold sweat broke out on her forehead, her breath quickening. She felt a tremor run down her spine as she nodded, her voice barely a whisper, "I… I understand." But inside, Fuyuki's mind raced. Should she warn someone, or would that only make things worse? She glanced nervously around the bay, her heart pounding in her chest. What had she gotten herself into?
Inside the cockpit, as the mech's systems hummed to life around her, Dakari felt an intense warmth radiating from the sync key bangle on her arm. She looked down just in time to see the bangle begin to glow, its metal surface shifting and reshaping itself. It felt alive, almost sentient, as it melted away from her wrist, stretching upward, thinning and winding around her neck like a serpentine chain. The metal was cool against her skin, but a deeper warmth spread from where it touched, as if recognizing its rightful place.
As it settled, the metal formed into an elegant pendant at her throat, etched with unfamiliar symbols that seemed to pulse with a faint, rhythmic glow. Dakari felt a warmth spread from the pendant, like a soft but steady heartbeat pressing against her skin. The sync key felt heavier, more substantial, as if it had absorbed some new power. She could almost hear a low hum resonating through her bones, a deep, otherworldly sound that filled her with a mix of calm and apprehension. It was as if the pendant had unlocked something hidden within the mech—and perhaps, within herself.
Dakari's breath hitched, a mix of fear and wonder flooding through her veins. The transformation was unexpected, yet it felt strangely right, like a forgotten piece of herself had just been returned. Her fingers trembled slightly as they brushed against the pendant, the cool metal warming instantly at her touch.
"User recognized: Dakari 'Princess' Wasureta," the voice continued, now echoing inside Dakari's mind with an almost reverent tone. "Synchronization sequence initiated. Key transformation complete. Original alignment restored."
As the words "Original Pilot Found" echoed in her mind, a sudden, sharp image flashed through Dakari's thoughts—a younger version of herself, her hands reaching out to the control interface of Eclipsa, feeling the cold metallic surface beneath her fingers. A voice, distant and distorted, seemed to whisper from the shadows of her memory, just out of reach. She strained to hear, catching only fragments of words—"guardian"—echoing like a faint call across time.
Her heart pounded harder, a mix of exhilaration and unease swirling inside her, as if a long-buried truth was clawing its way to the surface. Dakari's heart pounded in her chest, a mix of exhilaration and unease swirling inside her. The mech had called her its "Original Pilot," but why? And how did she know exactly how to navigate its systems? She felt both powerful and lost at the same time, as if standing on the edge of a cliff, about to dive into an abyss she couldn't see the bottom of. What am I about to uncover?