Alric POV
I laid on the long table, sat at the center of the room, staring at the flickering light above me. I shifted slightly, trying to get more comfortable, but the smooth metal just felt wrong against my skin.
"Try to relax, Alric," Liora said softly, standing at one of the monitors. "It's just a routine check. Nothing invasive today."
Routine. I hated that word. It made everything sound normal when nothing about this place was.
A different doctor—a man I didn't recognize—approached with a clipboard in hand. His eyes barely flicked to me before he began muttering to Liora, words I couldn't quite make out. Something about data consistency and adjustments.
Liora nodded along, her gaze occasionally darting toward me. "We'll go on with the basics for now," she said. She stepped closer to me, holding a strange-looking device in her hands.
"This might feel a little warm," she said as she pressed it gently against my arm. The device emitted a warmth that gently seeped into my skin and left a tingling sensation in its wake. Not exactly painful, but far from pleasant either.
"His vital signs are looking good," remarked the doctor in a tone devoid of emotion.
Liora glanced at him briefly before her eyes returned to mine. "You're doing fine, Alric. Just a few more steps."
***
The procedure ended quickly. The doctor jotted down something on his clipboard, muttering to Liora, and then they moved on, barely acknowledging me. Liora offered a quick smile.
"Good work, Alric," she said. "Let's head to the assessment room."
***
I was already standing in the center of the assessment room, a large open space with white walls and strange symbols etched into the floor. In front of me were human projections moving.
"We'll begin by testing your accuracy," a doctor who had been standing outside with Liora said. "Begin."
I didn't move right away. The projections were already moving, shifting between slow and fast motions, mimicking human figures in combat.
I focused on the nearest projection, my body instinctively reacting. Sparks emitted from my fingertips, the energy building in an instant. With a sharp motion, I released a bolt of lightning. It struck the projection square in the chest, causing it to flicker and vanish.
Another projection moved toward me, faster this time. I pivoted, a second bolt forming almost effortlessly in my hand. I hurled it, and the projection dissolved before it could get any closer.
The third and fourth moved in unison, zigzagging across the space. I narrowed my eyes, my movements sharper now. A pulse of energy spread from my hands, branching into two jagged streams that struck both targets simultaneously.
"Done," I said under my breath, lowering my hands as the energy dissipated.
After going through every round of assessment, Liora stepped into the room. "Good work," she said with her still calm voice. "You've improved."
"Come on," she said gently, motioning toward the door. "We're done here."
Without a word, I followed her out of the assessment room and back into the hallway.
"Where are we going now?" I asked, my voice low.
With a smile laced onto her face, she responded, "To see your sister."
"Is she... okay?" I asked, the words coming out quieter than I intended. I wasn't sure what to expect. After all, we were both here as test subjects, and I knew too well the number of children that passed away daily.
"She's fine," Liora answered, her tone reassuring. "You and your sister haven't seen each other in a few days. Since she's next on my list for a routine check, I thought you two could have a little time together before you head back to your room."
"I see," I replied, a sense of relief washing over me.
We walked through another hallway that opened into a small garden. It was a quiet, peaceful space filled with benches and flowers. Several other children, around my sister's and my age, were sitting together, chatting quietly. My sister, who had always been full of energy, stood out among them. As soon as she spotted us, her face lit up.
Without a second thought, she sprinted toward us, and in an instant, she was in Liora's arms, giggling as she hugged her.
Then, she quickly turned toward me, wrapping her small arms around my waist in a tight hug. "Alric!" she whispered.
"Elina," I responded, taking in her warmth.
"How've you been?" I asked, ruffling her dark green hair that faded into mint green at the tips.
She pulled back slightly, her bright hazel eyes scanning my face. "I'm okay! They let me play here with the other kids. They're really nice, Alric."
I gave a small smile, relief flooding through me. "I'm glad. Just take care, alright?"
She nodded vigorously, her hazel eyes sparkling with an innocence that felt almost out of place here.
Liora stepped forward, gently setting my sister down. "Alright, little one," she said softly. "It's time for your routine check-up now."
My sister's face dropped slightly, but she nodded obediently. "Okay, Liora."
I watched them walk away, my sister's figure disappearing into the sterile corridors. After a few moments, I made my way back to my room.
I laid back on the bed in my room, the quiet of the evening settling over me, and I let myself drift into a light sleep.
But then, a soft sound broke the calm. The door creaked open, and I slowly lifted my head.
"Elina?" I muttered, still half-asleep.
Standing in the doorway was Liora, with my sister clutching her hand tightly. Elina's face was pale, and her eyes looked around the room nervously.
"Why are you—" I began to say when suddenly there were shouts in the distance that deafened me, and explosions rumbled through the air moments later. The walls trembled slightly, and the lights flickered.
Liora's face was serious, eyes narrowed with urgency. "Alric, we need to get out of here. We're under attack."