Shattered Symmerty

Chapter 3 Uncharted Territory

Next morning...

Sunaina was already in the Guild's conference room, nervously tapping her fingers on the table. The city was crumbling again-but this time, it felt different. The cracks in the walls weren't just structural; they felt like cracks in her own foundation. She straightened up, trying to shake off the weight that had settled in her chest over the past few days.

The others started to trickle in, their faces a mix of concern and exhaustion. Symmetria was falling apart, and no one seemed to know why. The tension in the room was thick, an unspoken pressure hovering over them all.

"Okay, I know I called you all here last minute," Sunaina began, her voice slightly shaky, "but thanks for coming."

Jenna leaned back in her chair, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "Another emergency meeting, huh? Hopefully, it's something we can actually fix this time." Her tone was light, but there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes.

Sunaina shot her a playful glare but couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. But seriously, we need to talk. The city's falling apart... and it's not just the buildings."

Marcus, always the practical one, glanced up from his tablet, his brow furrowed. "We know the city's in trouble. But what do you mean it's not just the buildings?"

Sunaina hesitated for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "What if the cracks aren't just physical? What if they're a reflection of us? Our emotions, our struggles?"

Jenna raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "So, you're saying the city's breaking down because we are? That's... actually kind of poetic."

Sunaina nodded, the words coming faster now that she was speaking them out loud. "Yes! We've been pushing ourselves too hard-trying to maintain this perfect facade-and it's catching up with us. Symmetria isn't just falling apart physically; it's mirroring our own emotional breakdown."

Marcus shifted uncomfortably in his seat, skepticism flashing across his face. "Cracks as emotional reflections? You've lost me."

But before Sunaina could respond, Dr. Isha Desai, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. "There's something to what Sunaina's saying," she said calmly. "If we're ignoring our emotional health, it makes sense that the environment around us could reflect that. We can't expect the city to hold together if we're falling apart internally."

Sunaina felt a surge of relief at Dr. Desai's validation. "Exactly! We've been so focused on fixing the physical problems that we've ignored the deeper issues. We need to address what's going on inside us-emotionally, mentally. Maybe the city will follow."

Jenna, ever the optimist, leaned forward, her smirk replaced by genuine interest. "So what's the plan? You've got me hooked. How do we fix the emotional cracks?"

Sunaina took a deep breath, her mind racing with possibilities. "What if we change our approach to the Tuning process? Instead of focusing only on the machines, we create spaces where people can come together and share what they're going through. Like... citywide group therapy."

Jenna's eyes lit up. "Wait, you mean like a massive emotional release for everyone? That sounds... crazy enough to work."

Dr. Desai smiled thoughtfully. "It could work. But we'd have to be careful. Not everyone is open to being vulnerable, especially in a city like Symmetria where control is prized above all else."

Marcus scratched his chin, still uncertain. "And what if people resist? Not everyone's going to jump at the chance to share their feelings."

Sunaina's gaze sharpened with determination. "We can't let fear stop us. If we keep ignoring the emotional toll this is taking, we'll keep patching up the surface without addressing the real problems. The city is crying out for help, and we have to listen."

The room fell into a contemplative silence. Sunaina could see the wheels turning in everyone's minds, the idea settling in. Jenna was the first to speak again.

"Okay, I'm in," she said, her voice filled with renewed energy. "But how do we actually make this happen?"

Sunaina's heart skipped with excitement. "We could host an open gathering in the city center. Invite Guild members, outliers-anyone who's willing to come. It'll be a safe space where people can share what they're going through, no judgment."

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "You really think people will show up for a feelings session? Most folks in Symmetria aren't exactly the emotional type."

Sunaina shrugged but smiled. "We'll never know unless we try. Besides, people are already hurting. Maybe they're just waiting for permission to open up."

Dr. Isha leaned back in her chair, nodding thoughtfully. "It's worth a shot. If nothing else, it'll start a conversation. And that's something we desperately need."

The day of the gathering...

The sun was high in the sky, casting long shadows over the city center as people slowly gathered. Sunaina stood at the front, her palms sweaty, heart racing. Citizens, Guild members, and outliers milled about, some curious, others skeptical. This was her idea-and now it was happening.

"Thank you all for coming," Sunaina began, her voice trembling slightly. "We're here to talk. About the cracks in our city and... the cracks in ourselves. This is a safe space for everyone to share what they're going through."

For a moment, there was silence. Then, from the back, a young woman stepped forward, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "I've felt lost lately," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "The Tuning didn't help. I still feel... empty. Like I'm just going through the motions."

Sunaina nodded gently, her heart going out to the woman. "You're not alone. A lot of us are feeling that way."

A murmur spread through the crowd, and then another voice spoke up-a man with messy hair and a weary expression. "I lost my job last month," he said, his voice thick with frustration. "The machines keep breaking down, and I'm just... left behind. It feels like everything is falling apart, and I don't know what to do."

Jenna stepped forward, her voice strong and clear. "We're not just machines. We're human beings, and we're all feeling this. It's time we stop pretending everything's fine and start dealing with what's really going on."

More people began to speak up, slowly at first but with growing confidence. Stories of frustration, fear, and loss filled the air. Sunaina stood back, watching the scene unfold, feeling a deep sense of connection between everyone there. The cracks in the city were more than just physical; they were a reflection of the emotional and mental strain that everyone had been carrying for too long.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm glow over the gathering, Sunaina realized that something important had started. This wasn't just about fixing buildings or machines anymore. It was about healing-both the city and the people in it.

They had embraced the chaos, confronted their vulnerabilities, and in that, Sunaina saw hope. This was the beginning of something new-something that could rebuild Symmetria from the ground up, not just in structure but in spirit.