The entire facility was in a deep slumber. Manya was the only one still awake and moving, except for the cleaning staff and the ones at the bar. With no hope of finding any information there, she headed to the training facility. Devoid of any signs of life and eerily muted, not even a high bass music, and it was supposed to be a futuristic facility. There was an option to fight an AI, but however genuine an expression of defeat it might emit, it won't be real.
The floor few steps away from her, displayed ranged weapons art under a square, resembling a big floor tile. The memories of MS weapons from the mission pushed her forward. "I can't rely on whatever that cheat of a power I have."
As her feet touched the art; racks filled with guns materialised beside her, floating few inches above the ground. Except for a rifle and handgun, everything was unfamiliar and way cooler than them. "Don't be greedy." She picked up the handgun; and an area resembling a shooting range stand appeared a few metres away but blocked with walls instead of open space with targets. She took cautious steps forward; A dim light responded to her steps. She gasped. Stepping into the stand, the wall in front moved back, with targets appeared in-between.
Her heartbeat vibrated in her ears. "It's ok," she tapped her heart. "Just a future tech."
With the first shot, she prioritised growth. From now on, she must assume the identity of Ira and adapt to a new way of life. The world she found herself in had a way of swallowing up kind-hearted individuals like herself, leaving no room for actions motivated by others.
This facility was just one of many, rumoured to be for lower-ranking individuals or the ones from Earth. Against her curiosity about the facilities for the high-ranking one, she focused on mastering her current surroundings.
Her curiosity kept her from going back to her room. And coffee from the vending machine has excellent reviews to it. The balcony was deserted, with only the cold ocean breeze and a refreshing scent filling the air. Leaning on the railing, she admired the surreal view of a vast water bed with stars peacefully sleeping on its surface. "It could be a decent reward after such a mission." What surprised her was no information about MS. The weapons had MS logo, but that was it. She had access to the devices for research attached to the walls, which sure provide privacy by forming a layer, but she believed that officials could be spying on her. What if they are testing the individuals every time?
Just as she finished the last sip of her coffee, a soft sound danced into her ears. Her lips released a deep sigh over the first note of the violin. Her eyes searched around for its source. Its intensity making her feel as if the night itself was weeping. Her breath caught in her throat as a sharp pain sliced through her chest.
She rushed back inside and to the counter. "Are you hearing this?"
"Oh, yes." The woman wiped off her tears.
"Where is this sound coming from?"
"I don't know, dear," the woman said and left for her chores.
With each note, her heart grew heavier. "Why does it feel familiar?" she whispered. The emptiness of her lost memories had always haunted her, but in this moment, it felt like an unbearable curse. Her mind wanted for the music to end, but her heart craved to be immersed in its deep melodies.
She hurried back to the balcony, as that was where it was the loudest. She sat on the bench. The sound seemed to echo her innermost feelings, creating a symphony of emotions. Compelling her to drown in the depths of her cherished and sorrowful memories.
Her head swayed in sync, guided by the soulful rhythm. Each tear that fell from her eyes was a testament to the countless events that had wounded her heart. In the blink of an eye, a powerful gust of wind swept through, forcing the bracelet on her wrist onto the ground. It had lost its—glow. She bended to pick it up and just after a soft touch—it disintegrated into several tiny golden particles—which flew to her skin and vanished.
A wave of dizziness washed over her. Everything around took a blurred hue—a white glowing substance emerged before her—headed into a realm of eternal darkness. Tears flooded down her face. "Stop!"
***
Once again, she found herself in the MS facility room, but this time, wearing the same clothes from last night. The absence of a strange bracelet while scratching her wrist made her remember the sound of the violin.
A firm knock interrupted her, making her heart to skip a beat. Outside, Hemant, Sana and Kavya were standing adjacent.
"And, the reason for disturbance?" Manya said.
"Ira, it's time for the second test mission," Hemant said. "Everyone has already gathered in the lobby."
Several people rushed past her entrance and turned to the path to the lobby.
She rubbed her temples to ease the dizziness. "But it's only been a day before the first one. What's the rush?"
They all appeared confused. "Ira, it's been four days," Hemant said. "We even asked an official to check on you. As you weren't answering to any knock or announcements. Medic told us you just need rest."
Four days? "Like that's not rushing," Manya said. "Ok, give me few minutes."
After refreshing herself, she joined them on the way to the hall, struggling to avoid looking at the crowd, as only the ceiling was providing such relief. Most of the crowd held sinister gazes and deceptive smiles. She pitied the celebrities, to have a life around such beings.
Arriving in the lobby, there were many groups positioned beside a platform suspended in mid-air next to a screen. Most of them had coordinated outfits. The screen showed the number of teams and solos. 27 teams and still 1 solo. She looked around, desperate to glimpse Happy, but the bustling crowd limited her view.
Lights dimmed, and a single spotlight illuminated the woman and man standing on the platform. Their crisp attire and upright posture immediately revealed their roles as examiners or high-ranking officials.
"After three days of rest, today is the time for your second assignment," the male official said.
The crowd erupted with excitement, their cheers and applause filling the air. She got all confused, trying to understand what was happening.
"What's so exciting about dying?" she said.
"Why won't they?" Hemant said. "This mission will take us to the 'Sevavann.' Even if we die, our names will get imprinted on its Wall of Honour." His eyes gleamed with pride.
"Sevavann?" Manya said.
For a few seconds, they stared at her with wide-eyed astonishment.
"A real heaven for the elites," Kavya said.
"Where is it?"
"No one knows," Hemant said. "Maybe they know." He glanced at the platform.
"Weren't these missions to join MS?"
They glanced at each other.
"Why would it be?" Hemant said.
Did I screw up? "There's MS logo on most of the things around here."
Kavya giggled.
"No," Hemant said. "Manya, MS is an organisation which manufactures the technologies, guns, SLs and much more. It's among the biggest organisation in the universe. Whereas Sevavann is a place that manages our solar system."
"A place," Kavya snickered.
They all laughed; but yet, chose not to clarify, leaving Manya in the dark. She kept her lips sealed or might lose her dominant aura.
"As you all already know," the female official said. "This mission will be done in teams, with the limit of four each. The power of choosing a member lives with the individual. All the best." The platform shifted to the far end of the wall ahead and passed through—with the figures on it. It's odd to consider that structure a wall.
"Ira, we know that our start was never good," Sana said. "But we really want you to join our group."
"And we apologise for the inconveniences," Hemant said. "We shouldn't have thrown ourselves onto you."
Manya knew that their kind behaviour was just a tactic to include her. And if not for her fabricated performance on the first mission, these individuals wouldn't have even gazed at her.
"A team is it." Manya agreed.
Sana leaped with excitement, only stopping before hugging Manya. "Sorry." Manya gave her a hug.
***
A glass partition emerged from the ground, featuring multiple gaps and a circular pattern in between. When Hemant stepped in the circle, black particles emerged from below and surrounded him. They emitted a laser-like green light on him.
She had questions about the technology, but the crowd around didn't appreciate humility. Hemant's survival after encountering those lasers was satisfying enough. By stepping on it, she once again became a centre of attention. The particles moved around her, creating a fleeting sensation before vanishing back inside. No lasers? A wave of murmur swept over the crowd.
Without delay, she rushed to Hemant, who leaned against a plain grey wall.
"I think even the security scanners here are your fan," Hemant said.
"Everyone liked my performance, but nobody is talking about the ones that died," Manya said.
"Death is what they chose, and like I said, their names will be on the wall of honour."
"What about those innocent mercenaries who were forced to live such a life?"
His brows furrowed. "Innocent?"
Sana and Kavya joined them. Manya doubted that the talk about mercenaries being innocent would also be among those things—she has to keep hidden.
"What's next?" Manya said.
Everyone faced the wall. The fellow unranked placed their passes on the wall, which consumed it. A gap appeared before every individual and her. Excited, she stepped into a small enclosed area, spacious enough for her to stretch her arms and relieve the tension.
A tingling sensation arose in her thighs. As she glanced down, her dress was gradually losing its fabric with each passing second. Her breath quickened, and her eyes darted around, searching for an escape. She centred her thoughts and realised that she was alone, a wave of calm wash over her. "What about cameras?" Within a minute, she was standing unclothed in a location where any wall could be an exit or entrance, and her arms could hide only much.
The floor beneath her darkened, with a silver hue intensifying near her feet. In a fleeting moment, it took a smoke form and ascended up her legs. It had no touch. If not for her seeing it, feeling it was impossible, unlike the SL that saved her from cold oceanic water. "Maybe, because it's smoky." An innovative composite material that struck the perfect balance between weightlessness and durability wrapped her body. It differed from the previous one. Neon like lights perfectly integrated. The fabric was soft in touch and fitted, but not revealing. "Like people can't find their way through it." A scream escaped her over the sudden appearance of mirrors.
'Soul Layer equipped,' a male voice announced.
"What about my old SL?" No voice responded."Probably got destroyed in the tornado. Boasted to be permanent."
Two silver lines tingled her as they spread across the back of her neck.
'Error! Connection failed!' a text displayed before her. She moved her arm through it, confirming to be a hologram. The SL started exhibiting unconventional behaviour. Its particles were caught in a state of formation and descent. A sudden, intense pain struck the back of her neck. The silver strip on her neck—faded.
'Altering the connection.'
A square object emerged from the SL's or her chest, dividing into two halves and encasing her ears with several silver glowing stripes, highlighting it. Two stripes moved down to her neck from her ears and then joined to the SL at shoulders.
'Connection Established.'