The silence in the ruins was thick, broken only by the occasional creak of old metal and distant echoes of crumbling concrete. As Alex and Elara moved through the abandoned factory, the weight of the past seemed to press down on them from every direction. Machines that had once powered the world now sat dormant, rusted and forgotten, their functions lost to time.
Elara was working on a half-buried console, her gloved hands prying open the rusted metal to see if any parts were salvageable. Alex had ventured further into the factory, carefully stepping over piles of debris as he explored the dark, winding hallways. The air was thick with dust, and the cold from outside seemed to cling to the walls.
He entered another large room, expecting to find the usual—old scraps, broken machinery, and empty storage crates. But to his surprise, the room was barren. No piles of rubble, no decaying machines. Just cold, empty space and bare walls. It felt strangely out of place in a building that had otherwise been filled with the remnants of the old world.
Nothing here, Alex thought, letting out a quiet sigh. He was about to turn back when a soft beep echoed in his mind.
"Proximity anomaly detected," the AI's voice said, calm and mechanical. "Unusual structural integrity behind the north wall."
Alex stopped, his pulse quickening. He turned toward the wall in question, narrowing his eyes as he studied it. It looked ordinary—cracked, covered in dust, stained by years of neglect. But the AI's detection capabilities had always been sharp, and Alex had learned to trust its instincts.
What kind of anomaly? Alex asked, stepping closer to the wall.
"Scans indicate a concealed space behind the north wall," the AI explained. "Dimensions suggest a small room or chamber. Likely hidden during the factory's operational period."
Alex's heart raced. A hidden room? That was rare. Most scavengers didn't have the tools or technology to detect hidden spaces, which meant there was a good chance this room hadn't been touched in years. Whatever was inside could be valuable.
How do I get in? he asked, running his fingers along the cold, cracked surface of the wall.
"Structural weakness detected near the base of the wall," the AI responded. "Applying pressure at the lower left corner may release a hidden latch."
Alex crouched down, inspecting the spot the AI had pointed out. At first glance, it looked like any other part of the wall, but when he pressed his hand against it, he felt a faint shift—a small click beneath his fingers.
With a low groan, a section of the wall slid aside, revealing a narrow door that had been perfectly hidden in the wall's design. Dust filled the air as the door creaked open, revealing a dark passage leading into the hidden room beyond.
Bingo, Alex thought, his heart racing as he stepped inside.
The room was small, barely large enough to hold a desk and a few shelves. The air was cold and stale, but everything inside seemed untouched by time. Old-world tools and parts lay scattered across the shelves, and on the desk in the center of the room sat a strange, sleek device. Unlike the rusted machinery outside, this device was clean, its surface smooth and metallic, with faint lights flickering along its edges.
What is this? Alex wondered, moving closer.
"Device of old-world origin," the AI replied, scanning the object. "Unknown function. Scanning for energy signatures."
Alex reached out, brushing the dust from the surface. The lights flickered again, brighter this time, and the AI's voice echoed in his mind once more.
"Energy detected. Device is in standby mode."
Alex stared at the device, his curiosity growing. It was too advanced to be a simple machine part. Whatever it was, it was still operational—something rare in these ruins. Without waiting for the AI's caution, Alex pressed his fingers against the device's surface, feeling a subtle warmth beneath his touch.
Let's see what you do, Alex thought, tapping the central button.
With a soft hum, the device whirred to life. Lights flared along its edges, and suddenly, the air above the device shimmered. A bright, blue holographic display materialized, casting a faint glow over the small room. Alex stepped back, his eyes wide as he watched the display unfold.
Text and diagrams began to scroll across the holo-display, written in a strange but familiar old-world language. Alex's pulse quickened as he realized what he was seeing: this was more than just a simple piece of technology. This was a repository of knowledge.
"Energy-Rotation Technique: Basic Principles," the AI translated, its voice clear in his mind. "Techniques for manipulating and utilizing energy flows."
Alex's breath caught in his throat. Energy manipulation had always been the domain of those with rare abilities—people who could control aether, or mana, depending on what they called it. But this… this was an instruction manual, a way to learn how to harness energy. The diagrams on the display showed how to rotate energy within the body, and how to channel it into practical use.
As Alex watched, the holo-display shifted, revealing more detailed descriptions of techniques. There were three in particular that caught his eye, each one accompanied by intricate diagrams and notes.
The first technique was labeled Energy Absorption and Charging.
"This technique allows the user to absorb energy from external sources or channel into anything that recieves energy," the AI explained. "Energy can be drawn from environmental sources, devices, or other beings."
Alex's heart raced. The ability to charge or absorb energy could be a game-changer in the Rust Quarter, where power sources were scarce. This alone was worth more than anything they had found in months.
The second technique was labeled Repair and Restoration.
"This technique enables the user to channel energy into damaged electronic or mechanical devices, repairing them by restoring them to their working state," the AI continued. "Effectiveness depends on the condition of the device and the user's energy reserves."
Alex's mind raced with possibilities. If he could use this technique, he could fix broken equipment—restore old-world tech that others had written off as useless. The potential was staggering.
The third technique was labeled Device Comprehension.
"This technique allows the user to understand the internal structure and functionality of electronic or mechanical devices by channeling energy into them," the AI explained. "It grants the user insight into the design, purpose, and operational concepts of the device."
Alex stared at the display, barely able to believe what he was seeing. This wasn't just a random find—this was a treasure trove of old-world knowledge. With these techniques, he could harness energy in ways that no one else in the Rust Quarter could. It would give him and his group a massive advantage, not only in scavenging but in survival.
This is incredible, Alex thought, his mind buzzing with excitement. If I can master these techniques…
"Caution advised," the AI interrupted, its tone as steady as ever. "Learning and applying these techniques will require significant energy reserves and time to master. Improper use may result in injury."
Alex nodded, forcing himself to calm down. The AI was right—this wasn't something he could rush into. But the potential was there, and if he played it smart, he could unlock abilities that would change everything.
Carefully, Alex shut off the device and tucked it into his bag. This was no ordinary scavenged find—this was the key to something bigger, something that could alter the course of his future.
As he left the hidden room and made his way back toward Elara, he couldn't help but feel a surge of hope. For the first time in a long while, he had found something that could make a real difference. And he wasn't going to waste it.