*
Another shattered tendril, another wave of energy. The ç'aether covering the wall was now covered in foot-long cracks, which were slowly connecting to one another and expanding. Only one probe, one energy syphoning appendage, remained. Sensing that it was the last, it made one last ditch effort to save itself. Still attached to Alza's chest, the tendril began to suck more and more energy out of the helpless girl. The crystal tentacle glowed brightly as the stolen energy flowed through, causing the mother crystal to resonate with power. A low hum could be heard, if there were any awake to hear it. For Alza, only minutes remained until her temporary sleep became permanent...
I-
Light surrounds me, a blinding, burning light. Pain follows, manifesting as a sharp, piercing sensation in my chest. My body feels so... limp. Both the light and pain gradually recede, until I am left with a numb sensation in my chest and a still-fuzzy vision.
I am in a room of purest white, surrounded by beeping monitors and diagnostic devices. Multiple leads have been wrapped around my limbs, all of which run back into marked outlets. On the largest screen, situated on the far wall, a model of a human being is displayed, with a swirling vortex of numbers and letters surrounding it. To my right lies a ceiling-to-floor mirror, in which I catch a glimpse of my form. Raising my hands to my head, I stare in confusion as the girl in the mirror does the same.
The girl in the mirror has white hair and violet eyes, but, instead of showing life or warmth, they are empty and cold. Even though I am alone in here, I can feel her presence through the mirrored glass.
“Who are you?” Her voice is as cold as her eyes. The flat, emotionless tone reverberates around the room, amplifying it's chill.
I am Alza.
Once, a long time ago, I was called something else... what was it? My reflection answers my unspoken question as she gives her name.
“I am ALZA00971, what are you?”
What am I? I am... I am... I don't... know. What am I? Once again, she answers her own question, and asks another.
“I am perfection. Where are you going?”
Where? I'm going to the madman, with Barsch and the other two.
“Wrong. You are going to find out your past, are you not?”
No... I mean... yes, of course... finding my past... yes, that is what I'm trying to do. Ion's little quest is nothing more than a distraction, a minor inconvenience, on the path to finding out who I was and what I did. Yes. The girl in the mirror stands up, breaking the illusion of harmony between us. She walks forward, towards the mirror, with hands out-stretched. As her delicate fingers touch the glass, the mirror ripples, like a still pond being hit by a water-drop. Before my eyes, the mirrored girl begins to pass through the glass, changing with every step into my world. Her eyes, formerly a pair of violet gems, are stained with crimson droplets, slowly turning them blood-red.
Her skin is paler in reality, and her hair, formerly well-kept, has become unruly and free-floating. An aura of death emanates from her, and it only grows stronger the closer she gets. She is within arm’s reach now, and yet she shows no sign of stopping.
“ALZA00971, don't play with the failure! You don't want her incompetence rubbing off on you now, do you?”
A man has appeared in the room... the room with no door. He is tall, and has the same ivory coloured hair as the mirror-girl. His eyes are a deeper shade of crimson, and, as opposed the chill in hers, his burn from within.
“I'm sorry, do you want me to dispose of her? It will only take a second.”
No. I can't move. I can't speak. Please. Someone, anyone! Don't let her kill me!
“My son, I grow impatient. Why have you not completed your task?”
The man with crimson eyes turns to the corner of the room, the same corner the voice originated from. In that instant, as he turned to reply, his burning gaze underwent an amazing transformation. The hatred, disgust and rage all melted away, until only calm remained. With a voice that was both melodious and unbearable, he said, “I humbly beg forgiveness, Father. I will deal with her immediately.” No.
NO! I AM ALONE.
There is no one to help me. No one to save me. When did I become this weak? When did I become this helpless? I used to be stronger than anyone, but then... he changed me, made me weaker. He stole my resolve. And now, after making me like this, he abandons me? Why? He said he would protect me... Why did he lie? And why did I believe him? I'm so weak. I can't do anything. I'll never complete my task. I'll never find out who I am. I'm going to die here, all alone.
“YOU ARE NOT ALONE!”
The dream rumbles, as cracks appear in the walls. This is a dream? How could I have forgotten. In a flash, everything changes. The man with crimson eyes and the mirror-girl recoil in terror, as He steps forward from the void. Darkness swirls around his body, before retreating back into the Dreamscape.
Barsch is here, in the mental flesh, making good on his promise. He turns to me, and, with a wry smile on his face, says, “You are not alone, not any-more... and, no matter what, I will protect you.”
I can feel my strength returning. I can move. I can speak. The fear, the helplessness, everything is gone, and I am strong again. Together, we charge the antagonistic duo with all our might. Me, with my strange powers of force and fire, and him, with his roaring sword.
The crimson eyed man and the reflection shrink back in our onslaught, shocked by the sudden attack. Together, we fight, driving back the burning light. Piece by piece, our darkness blots out the harsh light, bringing cool tranquillity to the dream. Together, we win, sending the mental replicas running from us, as the darkness chases them down.
Together. No matter what happens, no matter what I discover about myself, right now, in this dream... we are together... and, I AM NOT ALONE.
Awakening Page 208