As I continued to call out for Lyndall, the echo of my voice faded into the void, unanswered. With each step I took, the blackness remained unyielding, obscuring any sign of Lyndall's presence.
Frustration began to seep in, mingling with my determination. I cocked my head to the side, deep in thought, my hand resting on my chin. "Hmm... Where could he be? I guess I'll have to go find him."
With a renewed sense of purpose, I ventured forward, step by step, into the unknown. Each footfall resonated in the empty space, a testament to my determination to seek out Lyndall and uncover the answers that lay in wait.
Step.
Step.
I continued to walk, my senses heightened, scanning the darkness for any sign or hint of Lyndall's presence. But despite my efforts, there was no indication of his whereabouts.
"Gosh, that brat," I muttered under my breath, a mix of exasperation and fondness in my voice. "Where on Eden is he?"
Hick.
Sniff.
Sobs.
'What is that sound? Is someone crying?' I tried to focus on the sobbing sound. "It's clearer now. That way!" As I followed the sound of the sobs, my curiosity piqued. It seemed to grow clearer, guiding me toward a figure hunched over in distress. I approached cautiously, my senses on high alert.
From a distance, I observed the adult male, his tears flowing freely. I assessed the situation, assessing for any signs of danger or deception. 'Doesn't seem like a trap, but I better be cautious. I wouldn't want to repeat the same mistake like before.'
Taking slow and deliberate steps, I gradually closed the distance, ensuring to keep a safe distance. I extended a hand and gently patted the man's shoulder, trying to offer comfort. "Hey, are you okay?"
Startled by my presence, the crying man jumped, mirroring my own surprise. I instinctively let out a startled scream, my heart pounding in my chest. "WOAH! Don't tell me it's another monster?!"
The man turned towards me, his tear-streaked face now visible. His expression softened as he processed my question. "Monster? No, monsters don't exist."
Relieved that the situation wasn't as dire as I initially feared, I nodded and took a step back, still wary but slightly more at ease. "I'm sorry for startling you. I thought... well, never mind. What brings you to this place? Why are you crying?"
As I looked at the crying man, a mix of curiosity and concern flooded my thoughts. His appearance suggested that he hailed from a different time, his worn-out garments indicative of a bygone era. I couldn't help but wonder about the source of his distress.
Scratching my head, I mustered the courage to inquire, my voice filled with empathy. "Um... may I ask why you were crying?"
The man nodded, his tears still flowing. "They killed all of them. All of them. There's no one left but me."
A sense of sorrow washed over me as I tried to comprehend the weight of his words. The loss he spoke of seemed profound, leaving me with a multitude of questions. I felt compelled to delve deeper into the story, to understand the tragedy that had befallen him and his companions.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I posed the question that lingered on my mind. "Who killed them?"
The man's tears intensified, his pain evident in every sob that escaped his lips. Overwhelmed by his emotions, he struggled to find the words to respond. Sensing his anguish, I immediately regretted my inquiry.
Realizing that my question may have reopened fresh wounds, I hurriedly backtracked, my voice filled with a mix of concern and reassurance. "If you don't want to say, it's fine too. I'm sorry for bringing up painful memories."
The crying man shook his head and wiped his tears. "THE SYSTEM. THE SYSTEM kills those who opposed them. None shall live, they said."
"THE SYSTEM? You know mean the A.I.?" I asked, my voice filled with a sense of urgency. 'Wait. He knows about THE SYSTEM?'
The crying man stared at me in confusion and asked. "What is an Ay eye?"
'Oui. I guess THE SYSTEM isn't an A.I.' I thought to myself. "Is THE SYSTEM a human?" I rephrased my question.
"Of course it is." The crying man said in fury. "THE SYSTEM is a system ruled by multiple people."
"So, it's not an A.I., but a group of people," I muttered, my voice tinged with a mix of disappointment and determination. "They wield control over the system, oppressing those who dare to oppose them."
The crying man's face flushed with fury, his voice trembling with emotion. "Yes, THE SYSTEM is ruled by multiple people who thrive on their power and control. They hide in the shadows, orchestrating their oppressive regime without facing any consequences."
Suddenly, fear etched itself onto the man's face as he turned his gaze over his shoulder. "Oh no, they're here. THE SYSTEM has arrived," he whispered, his voice filled with fear. He turned back to face me, his eyes locking onto mine. In a serious tone, he continued, "There might not be hope for me anymore, but you... you are different. For some reason, I feel like I can trust you. Although I have never met you before, I know you are the one. The one who will release us from this eternity."
I stared at him, my mind swirling with a whirlwind of confusion. His words held an air of desperation and belief, as if he saw something in me that I couldn't comprehend. It was overwhelming, to say the least.
"W-what?" I stammered, struggling to grasp the magnitude of his words. "Everything you just said makes no sense to me. How could I be the one to release you? I don't even understand what's happening."
The man's expression softened, and he reached out, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I understand it's difficult to comprehend. But sometimes, destiny has a way of bringing people together. Trust your instincts, and you will find the answers you seek."
"Answers? I haven't even start listing out my questions." I mumbled.
The crying man gripped my arms. 'Wow. That's one strong grip.' I tried to release myself from his grip, but he was too strong for me.
The crying man continued. "You may not know now, but we never know what future might have for you. So go. Run away from here. Far far away. Don't let them capture. Once they do, nothing can stop them anymore." Once the crying man finished his sentence, he pushed me, and I stumbled backwards into a previously unseen hole.
"I knew this was a trap as well!" As I screamed in the darkness, my voice echoed into the abyss. The feeling of helplessness washed over me, as if I were being swallowed by the void itself. I reached out desperately, hoping to find something to cling onto, but there was nothing to grasp.
With my eyes tightly shut, I embraced the chaos and let the fear and frustration consume me. The sensation of free-falling only intensified, the rush of wind and the overwhelming emptiness surrounding me. I felt as though I were spiraling into an endless abyss.
"AAAHHHHHHH!!!" As I screamed in the darkness, my fear and desperation intensified. In that moment of chaos, I felt a sudden sensation, as if my hands had caught onto something. I instinctively pulled it closer, hoping for a lifeline, an anchor in this terrifying descent.
To my surprise, as I opened my eyes, I found myself face-to-face with an unfamiliar and ugly man. "Yuck!" Recoiling in shock and disgust, I let out a scream, quickly releasing my grip and throwing the man away from me.
The man crashed to the ground with a thud, and a scream erupted from someone nearby. My heart raced as I realized there was another presence in this strangely familiar place.
I sat up from what seems like a hospital bed and turned towards the source of the scream. I saw a woman beside me, her eyes wide with terror and confusion. Our eyes met, and for a moment, silence hung heavy in the air.
Realizing that we were both caught in this unsettling situation, I cautiously approached the woman. "Are you alright?" I asked, my voice filled with concern.
The woman looked away and I scratched my head. 'Rude much.' I sensed hostility surrounding me. I smiled timidly and released my hand. 'Who are these people?'
As I grabbed onto the closest person and asked. "Where am I?" The surroundings and the equipment triggered a memory, and I realized with a sinking feeling that I was back in the lab. "Wait. It's the lab again?"
However, my attempt to seek answers was met with a sense of hostility from the people around me. Their expressions were stern and guarded, leaving me uncertain about their intentions and identities. 'Hmm? Oui... They look scary. Who are these people?' I released my grip on the person, realizing that my actions might have come across as intrusive.
I smiled timidly, hoping to ease the tension and convey that I meant no harm. The questions and curiosity burned within me, but for the moment, I decided it would be best to observe and gather information before taking any further action.