Kaleidoscope Hearts

Chapter 3: Parallels

Chapter 3: Parallels 

 Ava slowly opened her eyes, momentarily disoriented. She was in a stark white room lined with glowing screens. As her vision came into focus, she realized she was strapped upright in some kind of pod. 

Strange electrodes were attached to her temples.Where was she? The last thing she remembered was the club with Noah. They'd danced, laughed, drank. Then a blinding flash of light and...nothing.Ava's pulse quickened. 

She jerked against the braces holding her down, but it was no use.Just then, a section of wall slid open. In walked a tall, willowy woman with electric blue hair wearing some kind of sleek jumpsuit.

 Her intense azure eyes flashed as she observed Ava curiously."Hello Ava. I am Eve, your virtual companion." Her voice was soothing but robotic."What's going on? Why am I trapped here?" Ava asked in panic.

 "You are taking part in an interdimensional travel experiment. Your consciousness has been transported to Cytera - a highly advanced planet in the Andromeda galaxy."Ava stared, dumbfounded. 

Was this some kind of vivid dream? She had to get back - to her life, her job, Noah."Please relax," said Eve. "Allow me to explain. You carry ancestral memories that can prevent a calamitous war on Cytera. We need access to your subconscious wisdom in order to cultivate peace."Ancestral memories? Subconscious wisdom? 

Before Ava could process this, Eve continued."We have paired your consciousness with a version of Noah's from an alternate reality. In both dimensions, your past-life connections related to the upcoming Cyteran conflict. By immersing you and Noah in simulated scenarios, we can extract the intuitive understanding required to attain synthesis." 

 Ava's head was spinning. This was insane. Although...she did feel an intense soul bond with Noah, even in those early days. Could Eve be telling the truth?Suddenly, the white walls vanished, replaced by a sweeping green meadow dotted with scarlet wildflowers. The braces holding Ava retracted. She stepped forward cautiously.

 "Where...are we now?" she asked.Eve materialized beside her wearing an elaborate gown. "We are transitioning you and Noah into an immersive historical scenario."Noah appeared looking disoriented in ancient peasant garb. His eyes lit up when he saw Ava."Thank God you're here too," he said, rushing to embrace her. 

 As Ava clung to him, she noticed a medieval village in the distance. Eerie familiarity washed over her.Eve narrated, "It is now the 14th century. Ava, you are Anna, a peasant girl. Noah, you are Thomas, a blacksmith's son. This realm holds the secrets we need. Let your intuition guide you on the journey ahead..."Eve's voice faded away.

 Ava and Noah looked at each other with a mix of disbelief, anxiety, and promise. If what Eve said was true, many lives and even worlds depended on the two of them unlocking the mystical knowledge hidden deep within.Hand in hand, they set off toward the village to begin the quest...