Cyber Chronicles 1: Crimson's Effect

Chapter 9 : Crystal

She jolted awake, a gasp escaping her lips, her heart pounding within her chest. An intense, blinding light invaded her vision, causing a momentary disorientation. The voices around her ceased, and a hushed silence enveloped the room, with everyone fixated on her every move. Blinking, she rubbed her eyes, gradually adjusting to the surroundings. The vivid recollection of every detail in her dream flooded back to her mind.

"Welcome back," Hayden greeted with a warm smile. Crystal shifted her gaze toward Hayden as her eyes adjusted to the ambient lighting. The sterile, clinical environment of the hospital wing indicated they had successfully returned to base. Relief washed over her at the realization that they had made it without requiring her assistance.

"Hey, are you okay?" Hayden inquired, concern etched in their expression. "You seem like you've woken up from a nightmare."

Crystal shook her head slightly and cautiously rose from the bed. However, the sudden dizziness hit her, and she would have stumbled if it weren't for Hayden's quick reflexes. He caught her, steadying her on her feet.

"What are you doing?" Hayden inquired, genuine concern in his voice. But just as the question left his lips, the world glitched once again, and she witnessed a surreal and horrifying scene. Hayden's head was abruptly severed in front of her, a glitch in reality that sent shivers down her spine.

Her eyes widened in terror as a scream escaped her lips, the echoes of her fear reverberating in the room. Instinctively, she dodged an incoming energy blast, her body moving with desperate agility. Rolling to the other side of the bed, she raised her arm, attempting to retaliate against the unseen assailant. However, the harsh reality struck her—her abilities were gone. The familiar surge of energy that once coursed through her veins was now absent.

Frantically, she sought refuge under the bed, cowering in the shadows as if the thin layer of the mattress could shield her from the chaos unfolding. Her heart raced, a symphony of panic playing in her chest. 

The attack happened so suddenly that she couldn't fully process the shock of witnessing Hayden's sudden demise.

She clung to the hope that the others would prevail against the Hydes. Huddled beneath the bed, Crystal's mind raced with a racket of emotions, and the stark reality of her vulnerability sank in.

Her bed was obliterated, leaving Crystal exposed and vulnerable to imminent attacks. A blast hurtled toward her, and she instinctively shut her eyes, bracing for the impact that would mark the end. The impending darkness seemed to swallow her, bringing an abrupt and bitter end to her quest for answers, the search for ModCytron, and the hope of restoring the dimensions to their rightful order. The prospect of never returning to her real home loomed like an unyielding shadow over her thoughts. 

Was this the climax of her journey?

However, the anticipated blast never landed.

Huddled in a defensive posture, arms shielding her face, Crystal cautiously opened her eyes to a surreal sight. Everything had reverted to normalcy. The beds were intact, and there was no trace of the earlier chaos. Amid this apparent serenity, Hayden's calm voice cut through the lingering tension.

"Are you okay now? Talk to me," Hayden spoke gently, his reassuring presence offering solace. In his arms, Crystal found refuge from the maelstrom of emotions that had threatened to engulf her.

"Hayden? How?" she questioned, her voice a mixture of disbelief and relief. This time, she willingly allowed him to hold her, tears streaming down her face. The fear of losing him had been overwhelming, and the realization that he was unharmed brought forth a flood of emotion.

Ray and Lucien stood not far away, mirroring Hayden's concern as they observed the recent turmoil that had unfolded. Lucien, in an attempt to offer clarity, explained the sequence of events that had led to Hayden intervening just in time to prevent Crystal from potential harm. The revelation of her proximity to a fifty-story fall without her abilities added another layer of gravity to the situation.