EQUINOX || The Catalysts Series, #3

XX

"Are you?"

The question echoes across the vast space and rumbles in her bones, and Lena thinks she is part of the City of Leatia instead, questioning if she's ready.

Stepping through one of the many dark passageways at the bottom of the stadium, Lena finds herself being desensitised: a tingling feeling run across her limbs then her entire body, and she cannot feel anything at all. It's a similar sensation as how they are moved to the Aerotrain platforms. The next thing she knows, she materialises on solid earth surrounded by towering metal walls to both her left and right—she's now transported inside the maze.

Lena doesn't know what technology is this—perhaps a part of the simulation tech itself—but as herself is embedded inside the the maze, she's now dressed in a virtual armour. Head to toe, she glows a faint hue of purple—and this is what they always use for physical lessons in the academy, Lena realises as she turns her palms up and over to survey the external coat that not quite stick to the skin but is probably atoms apart from the surface. It's like a second skin, the armour, and is perfect for classes like Combat Training where students are always required to get their hands dirty. It works as a layer of protection for when external force injures an individual; this is to prevent any major injuries that may be inflicted on students when they are using their abilities or practicing their weapons, allowing them the freedom to train without limitations or the fear of hurting themselves with a fatal wound.

Lena surveys the workings of the maze, a palm reaching out to touch the cool surface of one side. It towers over five stories above her, and only as she looks up and focuses does she notice the distant beam of light indicating the centre of the maze. A dome-shaped forcefield encases the maze space, not allowing any off-field chaos. Students who happen to be able to levitate themselves wouldn't be having the advantage here, either.

The walls are made of intricate metal. While Lena knows this is all unreal and only a simulation, it's as physical as it can get. Even the cold air envelops the metal as Lena's fingers brushes its intricate design, and if she looks closely enough, there's an obvious electrical energy along the edges of the build, emanating a sort of force that tingles the skin lightly. Almost imperceptibly, she notices the glitch between reality and this virtual simulation.

The path Lena stands on is unlike the metal walls; instead, it's solid, natural earth. Lena knows immediately that it's meant to help the Azure Dragons who don't already carry their own mediums around. Most of them do, with a lot of the channels or medium being small items that are easy enough to procure and carry around such as Casper's metal accessories and Lena's glass pieces, but some others rely on the environment to extend their creativity and expand their power reach. The smooth earth beneath Lena's feet is probably for those like Lucifer and Saanvi who manipulates earth's raw minerals or the nature itself—resources that are already scarce in this futuristic City of Leatia where everything is artificial and almost nothing is organic.

Lena is between two towering walls with a straight path ahead that ultimately forks to three possible paths: the straight centre, to the left, and to the right. Behind her, while she expected to see a dead end, there is a even narrower path that angles a direct right. She supposes every student is spawned in a random location, whether they are near the edge of the maze or somewhere more inward.

The beam is like a beacon at her northwest, a distant calling. Lena pivots and pours her attention on it, turning her feet on the ground to ready herself. She'd work her way toward it—the ultimate goal—and collect the objectives on the way. There's another motivation at the back of her mind, whispering, Become a respectable Catalyst, and you can fix this world. Help the weak, and change this harsh reality—without losing your memories. Without sacrificing anything or anyone else.