"You speak in riddles," Ariyan said, his voice low but unwavering, his sharp gaze locked onto the enigmatic figure. "Mark my words—I will figure you out." His breath steadied as he paused, a flicker of determination lighting up his expression. "But first, I need to find a way out of here."
The entity chuckled softly, a haunting melody that resonated in the void. "Oh, Ariyan…" it said, its tone an intricate weave of fondness and mockery. "I look forward to seeing you try."
Ariyan's tension briefly gave way to curiosity as his posture shifted, his sharp eyes now more relaxed. He smirked. "So, you know my name too? Fascinating." His voice was calm, almost playful. "Surprise me. Tell me something I don't know."
The entity tilted its head slightly, its expression unreadable yet oddly compelling. "Ah, yes. But before I indulge your curiosity, let me ask you something first."
Ariyan's focus sharpened, his gaze narrowing. "And what's your question?"
"Where are you right now?" the entity asked, its tone measured, almost taunting.
A sudden realization struck Ariyan like a thunderclap. He blinked.
And in that blink of an eye—everything changed.
Ariyan's eyes opened to the sight of an unfamiliar ceiling. There was nothing above him but stark white light. As his senses returned, he sat up abruptly, scanning his surroundings. The room was pristine, its walls a sterile white, save for a single glass panel on one side and a door nearby.
He stood, his movements deliberate, and approached the glass, knocking on it sharply. The sound echoed faintly, but there was no immediate response. His gaze darkened, and he leaned closer to the glass, Like he can see through the glass , his voice steady yet commanding. "Open this. Right now."
Moments later, the door slid open with a faint hiss. A uniformed officer stepped inside, bowing slightly in an almost reverent manner. "Good morning, sir. I must apologize for the… unconventional treatment. We've prepared a more suitable place for you."
Ariyan's sharp gaze lingered on the officer, analyzing him for a beat before nodding. "Lead the way."
The officer gestured politely, and Ariyan followed, his footsteps echoing faintly in the sterile hallway. The corridor stretched endlessly, its walls lined with seamless panels that glowed faintly with advanced technology. The place resembled a hospital, but its sophistication was leagues beyond anything Ariyan had ever seen.
At the end of the hallway, the officer stopped before a blank wall. Without hesitation, he tapped it twice, and the surface shimmered before splitting apart to reveal a hidden lift. The interior of the lift pulsed with bluish light, its walls transparent save for the faint, humming force field that encased them as they stepped inside.
As soon as the doors closed, energy began to condense around the lift, gathering in swirling patterns that made the air hum with power. Without warning, the lift launched upward at an incredible speed, yet the motion was so smooth that it felt almost surreal.
After a few moments, the lift slowed to a stop. The energy surrounding it dissipated, and the doors slid open.
The sight before Ariyan was nothing short of extraordinary.
The space was massive, a sprawling field of advanced technology that seemed to stretch endlessly in all directions. Towering structures brimming with holographic displays and data streams filled the area, each one manned by people engrossed in their tasks. Some operated 3D interfaces that floated in the air, while others moved through what seemed to be virtual realities materialized in the space.
The entire room buzzed with purpose, a hive of activity that blended the digital and physical worlds seamlessly.
Ariyan's gaze swept across the room, and his eyes landed on a familiar sight in the corner. Seated at a small table were Aki, Sophie, and Amelia.
The officer beside him gestured toward them. "Your friends are waiting for you, sir."
Ariyan nodded and walked toward them, his footsteps firm yet unhurried. As he approached, the trio turned to look at him, their expressions a mixture of surprise and disbelief.
Amelia was the first to break the silence. "Ariyan…" she began, her voice hesitant. "They… they said you're one of their higher-ups. What… what does that even mean?"
Her question hung in the air, heavy with uncertainty.
Sophie's sharp gaze lingered on him, suspicion and unease flickering in her eyes. She seemed to be searching for answers, her normally composed demeanor shaken.
Aki, on the other hand, leaned back slightly. He studied Ariyan with an intensity that was both curious and wary, as though trying to reconcile the person he knew with the situation unfolding before him.
Ariyan's expression softened, but he didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked at them for a long moment, his thoughts racing. What do they mean? Higher-up? The words echoed in his mind, but something about the way the officer had addressed him earlier now made sense.
He took a deep breath and smirked faintly, his confidence returning as he prepared to respond. "Well," he said, his voice steady, "I guess we're about to find out."