Dark.
The room was lit only by shadows.
The only audible component was the gentle whine of equipment - All the devices are designed to drain humanity from an Esper.
A young child sat in the center of the room, wrists bound by heavy chains dripping with anti-Esper serum.
Pale, battered on the face — but eyes? Blank. Totally bereft of any trace of light.
She was Aria Nightshade once.
Now, she was nothing more than a vessel for power.
"Begin the extraction process." Someone ordered in a cold voice.
The machines whirred. Slowly, the air in the area started to warp and splinter like the fabric of reality was being choked on the floor.
A scientist stepped forward. "The subject's abilities are superior. If we continue further, she could-"
"Do it. I want results as soon as possible." the voice cut in.
And so they did without hesitation.
The girl never screamed.
She never begged.
She… stared as if expecting something to happen.
Time passed in seconds, then minutes.
Then, there was a shift within her.
A whirlpool of raw void energy burst from her form, destroying the entire building in seconds.
Bodies melted. Machines crumbled. The walls were painted with void residue.
Amidst all that was taking place, Aria stood with hollow eyes as her chains dangled broken.
A soft, sly whisper echoes from her mouth; "I told you… you couldn't control me."
She walked between the bodies of the dead with a flash of new purpose that was kindled within her.
She wanted to destroy The Iron Crown.
She would set ablaze whatever they constructed.
Furthermore, she would eliminate any individuals obstructing her path.
No mercy. No hesitation. No forgiveness. Her one rule of life: Avoid forming attachments with humans.
She did not follow that principle when she met…