Cyber Chronicles 1: Crimson's Effect

Chapter 23: Lincoln (Present)

Terrified, a sudden urgency gripped Lincoln as if an invisible hand clenched around his heart.

With a hesitant breath, Lincoln shut his eyes, as the ethereal third-person view materialized, revealing the intricate network of his skeletal system. A surreal dance of energy signatures painted the canvas of his being, each hue telling a tale of a power he barely comprehended.

His focus narrowed on the vibrant green, the life energy that pulsed from the very core of his existence—the rhythmic heartbeat of his being. The view zoomed in, unveiling a cluster of green energy particles.

Lincoln gasped and lurched backward, colliding with the unyielding wall. The impact reverberated through his mind, intensifying the shockwaves of revelation with a tangible jolt.

What he had seen, amid his comforting green life energy, was hints of light blue sneaked in. It was a quiet intrusion, difficult to put into words. The clash between the calming green and the enigmatic light blue, more intense than Edgar's, left him on the edge of understanding and bewilderment.

"What does this mean?" Lincoln questioned, though he already knew the grim answer.

"Every living thing, from plants to animals, has life energy. Without it, they're practically lifeless. Your life energy is being devoured by charge, and eventually, it'll consume it all. When that happens, both of you will meet your end," Aytrex explained.

"Does that mean I'm close to my end with the state of my energy?" Lincoln inquired, though he was already aware of the harsh reality.

Before Aytrex could reply, a moan emanated from the other side of the bars. "What's all that commotion?!" Edgar's groggy voice echoed.

The prisoner fixed his gaze on Lincoln, a venomous hatred simmering in his eyes. "Why are you here?" Edgar demanded. "And who's this pumpkin head?"

If Aytrex was offended, he didn't show it. Lincoln, noting the unexpected maturity in the young man's demeanor, rose slowly and rubbed the back of his head. "Let's find a quieter place," he suggested.

"What the hell? At least tell me what's going on," Edgar pleaded, but his words fell on deaf ears.

"Alright," Aytrex acknowledged and whisked them away from the prison.

"Ah, what the hell..." Edgar muttered to himself. "I really wanted to talk with him too..."

They materialized on a rooftop, and Lincoln settled on the cold concrete, placing his sword beside him. A heavy silence enveloped them as the weight of the revelation sank in. 

It hit Lincoln with a force he hadn't expected—the consequences of his ability included a shortened lifespan. If only he had known, he wouldn't have been so careless. Yet, deep down, he understood he shouldn't have been reckless in the first place, considering the toll it had already taken on his memories.

Now, the stark truth unfolded before him: every deployment of his ability came at the cost of a reduced lifespan.

The distant hum of cars echoed as they streamed into the SkyStreets, now lighting up with the approaching darkness. Aytrex took a seat, exhaling a deep sigh. "The way things are unfolding, it seems that our attempt with Specimen Crimson, or rather ModCytron, has been a failure," he muttered in a subdued tone. The frustration and disappointment emanating from Aytrex were palpable, and even though Lincoln didn't entirely grasp the situation, he sensed the weight of Aytrex's emotions.

The Guardians had been anticipating this moment for eons, and the outcome was far from what they had hoped for. "We referred to ModCytron as 'Specimen Crimson' to keep it discreet," Aytrex began to explain.