Elias turned to see Kikaru approaching. She wore a damp tank top, the fabric clinging from a recent workout. A towel hung casually over her shoulder, and her black track pants were flecked with faint streaks of dust. Her sharp eyes focused on him, expectant.
"I'm not really sure yet," Elias admitted, scratching the back of his neck. "I am concerned about the stat metrics we were given recently, though. And a few other things."
"You said four? Do the other three take part in the regimen?" he asked, shifting the conversation.
"For the most part," she replied with a nod. "Paul, Faye, and I follow the full program. And I add another workout at the end of the day, just to stay ahead."
Elias tilted his head, recalling a recent comment. "The guy with the knife—Tid Well—mentioned you were a military brat. Is your dad in the military?"
Kikaru paused, her gaze flicking away for a moment before she answered simply, "No." Her voice was curt, her tone guarded.
She stepped past him, the air between them feeling heavier. "If you want to work out, just know we start at 5:30 a.m. sharp," she added without looking back. After a brief pause, she muttered, "It's my grandfather. My father was killed three years ago… so, yeah."
Elias stood still, absorbing her words, but she didn't give him a chance to respond. Kikaru disappeared into her pod, the metal door sliding shut with a quiet mechanical hum.
Before Elias could gather his thoughts, Oliver's voice broke the silence from across the room.
"Good. Glad to see you're ready on time, like I asked." The Lieutenant stood at the entrance, his arms crossed and his expression stern but satisfied. "Let's get a move on."
"R… Right," Elias muttered, feeling an odd pressure in his chest. He shook it off, glancing at Dot, who hovered beside him.
"Well, that is kinda sad," Dot said quietly.
"Yeah, I guess it is," Elias replied, his tone thoughtful. "Still, during the second attack, we were way more prepared. We were lucky they left. Maybe they won't come back again."
Oliver gestured for Elias to follow, and the hatch to Cell Block A sealed behind them with a smooth metallic hum. The corridor they entered was bright and sterile, the polished floors reflecting the cool glow of overhead lights. Sleek modular screens lined the walls, displaying rolling diagnostics and security feeds. The sound of their footsteps filled the quiet space, the only break in an otherwise still atmosphere.
"Where exactly are we going?" Elias asked, glancing at his tracksuit. "And why do I need to wear this?"
Oliver didn't look back, keeping his pace brisk. "Protocol. We need to conduct a standard set of tests to categorize your Ikona's abilities and assess how the shard is interacting with your body. Keep in mind, discussing these tests outside of authorized areas is prohibited."
Elias gave a short nod, glancing at the window as they passed a training room. Below, several recruits sparred with precise movements on padded mats. Others honed their skills with melee weapons, the metallic clangs faintly audible through the glass.
They arrived at a door marked 3-A, its glowing numeral standing out against the brushed metal. It slid open with a soft hiss, revealing the room beyond.
Inside, the setup was straightforward yet intimidating. A metal table gleamed at the center, its surface unmarred and reflective. Above it hung a circular arc, its intricate grooves faintly illuminated by small nodes. Along the walls, monitors displayed skeletal diagrams and 3D-rendered images, their details shifting as new data cycled through.
"What's this table for?" Elias asked, his brow furrowing.
Before Oliver could respond, a man in a lab coat entered the room, clipboard tucked under his arm and an empty vial spinning idly in his hand. His movements were fluid, his demeanor focused but relaxed. As he approached, his sharp eyes flicked briefly to Dot, then back to Elias.
"This is the Shard Impact Scan," he said, answering as though it was routine. "It's designed to give us a detailed reading of how your shard is affecting your body and how it's interacting with your Ikona."
Dot floated up, her small form brimming with curiosity. "Ooh! I love surprises!" she chirped.
The man, without missing a beat, tilted his head slightly as though acknowledging her comment. "Interesting," he murmured, almost to himself, before redirecting his attention to Elias. "Go ahead and climb up. Let's get started."
Elias blinked, his eyes darting briefly to Dot. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Elias… did he just hear me?"
Elias shrugged, unsure. "Maybe," he muttered under his breath, stepping toward the table.
He climbed onto the smooth surface, lying flat as the arc above whirred to life. Panels slid open, revealing a network of tiny sensors that lit up in sequence. A faint tingling sensation swept across his chest, spreading outward as the arc began its scan. The vibrations were subtle, almost soothing, as the device moved methodically from his head to his feet and back again.
When the scan finished, the arc powered down with a soft chime. Elias sat up, absently rubbing his chest, and watched as the man approached with a handheld light board.
"Take a look at this," the doctor said, holding up two x-rays side by side. "This one's a standard x-ray—mine, for reference." He tapped the left film, which displayed a normal skeletal structure. "And this…" He gestured to the right, his tone lifting slightly. "…is yours."
Elias leaned closer, his breath hitching. His x-ray was extraordinary. Vibrant blue lines coursed through his veins, forming an intricate web across his entire body. At the center, just below his heart, was the shard—a crystalline structure embedded neatly between his sternum and diaphragm. It pulsed faintly, as though alive, its sharp edges glowing with an inner light.
Dot hovered closer, her voice soft. "Elias… it's incredible."