Original release: 2020
Two paths stretch before Jora as he awakens in the hospital without memory nor any known records: on one, a doctor wishes to help him recover his memory; on the other, a scientist wishes to do the same. However, on their quest...
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Bain lead Jora down a tunnel, walls of windows revealing a massive indoor facility dedicated to agriculture. Aisles upon aisles laid perpendicular to the center walkway, revealing rows of exotic plants of a variety of colors. What could have been a bland room was, instead, alive with color with bright greens, dark magentas, ruby reds and amethyst violet colors with lines of greens, blacks, whites, and pinks adding textures and shapes to the splash of hues just outside the windows. Jora snapped his gaze back to the unphased Bain briefly, cocking his brow as his eyes returned to the foliage.
"Now, 'Jora,' was it?" Bain asked as he walked, his voice picking up a casual tone, "How familiar are you with agriculture? I've heard you have quite the green thumb."
"The green thumb?" Jora replied, glancing at his hands, "I mean... Ah. Well, I should be able to do some basic plant care and such. Nothing professional, though."
"In that case, I suppose you'll need a supervisor. I don't see that being a problem," the other protogen spoke, "Your field of research is one of our highest priorities, after all. Anything concerning The Cure is at the top of our list."
"The Cure? That's a bit of a generic name. Shouldn't something like that have something more... specific, I guess?"
"You'd think so, but The Cure is special - anything involving Echoes is, I suppose, but this is on a new level."
"Stop being so vague. I know you're hiding something, so tell me."
"I suppose I've not exactly been subtle about it, have I?" Bain snickered as he responded, giving Jora a nod with his ever-unchanging visor.
"No, absolutely not! I want you to tell me everything, and I want you to tell me now, or so help me..."
"The security of Polaris is quite high," Bain warned, "With a mere signal from my terminal, I could have this tunnel fill with a gas to knock us both unconscious, and have the guards handle you from here. It would be wise to behave yourself, 'Jora.'"
Jora sighed, scowling at the other protogen as they continued their walk down the tunnel. The amnesiac hung his head as they continued their stroll, eventually leaving the windowed hallway and entering a metal one instead. The vibrant colors of the flora were replaced with grey walls and a series of doors on both sides, the fluorescent lights brought closer as the world around them almost seemed to choke.
"Bain, if you don't tell me anything," Jora spoke up, his voice firm with perhaps a hint of a growl as he tried to stand his ground, "Then I won't be able to help you. How can I pick up my work if I don't remember any of it? You need to tell me more."
Bain stopped walking, hesitating as he looked over his shoulder. Jora crossed his arms, giving Bain an expectant glare as he awaited a response. Jora's foot tapped and he twiddled his sets of thumbs as he locked eyes with Bain, gaze unwavering. The room went silent - Bain could hear every breath that came from Jora, and Jora could hear Bain's. Before long, Bain broke eye contact, turning around and walking again, deciding to ignore the situation.
