Cyber Chronicles 2: Prime Voyage

Chapter 9: Crystal

Crystal woke up with a gasp.

Her mind was disturbed by the events of the previous day as she lay in the dimness of her familiar bedroom. Her mind was filled with images of her engaging in an intense battle, fueled by a powerful surge of anger. However, as she attempted to recall the specifics of what had occurred, she found it difficult to comprehend the source of her animosity towards her opponent.

Despite her defeat, she recognized something curiously familiar about the man's fighting style.

She gasped sharply as realization kicked in. She recollected her conversation with friends about their plans and the events from the previous day began to make sense. She had unexpectedly gone into Wrath mode and engaged in a heated battle with someone she couldn't recognize, yet felt an unexplainable enmity towards. It just didn't add up. The man hadn't even been present during their discussion. It was as if she had been daydreaming. Only now did she notice that the man's fighting style resembled Hayden's.

Once again, she found herself grappling with the realization that these strange episodes had caused her to lash out at Hayden for the second time, despite his unwavering loyalty and friendship. It was a disorienting feeling as if her mind had been hijacked by some unknown force and was acting out of its own accord. The memory of her uncontrolled rage and the pain it had caused her friends left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Wracked with an overwhelming sense of guilt, she drew her knees up to her chest and buried her face in them, feeling utterly exhausted from the chaos and turmoil she had unleashed upon those she cared about. In a small, barely audible voice, she murmured, "Maybe it would be better if I just left." The thought of abandoning everything and everyone she knew seemed both tempting and terrifying, and she couldn't shake the feeling that her presence only brought pain and destruction to those around her.

"Don't even think about it."

Crystal was startled by a familiar voice that spoke up suddenly. She turned her head to the right and was taken aback by the unexpected sight that met her gaze. A jumble of emotions, not all her own, swept over her, and a tear trickled down her cheek. "Destry?" she whispered in disbelief.

Trying to make sense of the situation, she rubbed her eyes slowly. She knew him from her memories as a friend who had played a significant role in Lincoln's life, especially during his military service. He had influenced Lincoln, for better or for worse, but she couldn't recall the specifics of what had happened, only how Lincoln had felt about it.

Destry was perched on a stool next to the bed, and his blue eyes glinted in the dimness of the room. Crystal glanced at him, noting the serene expression on his face. "I guess you've figured out what happened, haven't you?" he said, his voice calm and reassuring.

"How did you get here?" she asked, puzzled.

Destry chuckled and ran a hand through his hair. "Well, some things are hard to explain. I just had a feeling you were calling out to me," he replied, fixing her with an unwavering gaze and a comforting smile. Crystal looked away, wondering if she was dreaming. She couldn't comprehend how Destry had appeared, but she remembered him being the last thought on Lincoln's mind before she woke up.

Destry's smile remained in place as Crystal turned to look at him again. His bright blonde hair and ocean-blue eyes sparkled in the darkness and a warm feeling spread through the room. Crystal wasn't sure why she felt that way, but she didn't dislike it.

"I can tell you're struggling. Lincoln's memories are overlapping with your sense of reality." Destry said, interrupting Crystal's train of thought. At first, she had assumed she was interacting with a projection of Lincoln's memory, but now it seemed as if Destry was addressing her directly. "How did you know?" she asked, rubbing her eyes wearily. She couldn't shake the feeling that it was all just a dream and that she was only imagining herself talking to this person.