Parallels I
Parallels I
Author: ArcDreamer
Prologue
Author: ArcDreamer
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

His breathing was heavy and abrupt. Unable to move. Body held by exoskeleton. Lower half is already sunk to the floor. Legs scraped and cut by broken glass. Some bits are already stuck in flesh. Eyes having trouble focusing. His white hair is sticking to forehead.

He is bleeding. Unable to even cry. Pain is excruciating. Yet he is already exhausted to be minding it. He’s got no idea how the glass pod broke – he woke up to pain. Still all the wires are connected to his body. Needles scraping inside of him – tearing flesh. Internal bleeding is severe by now.

From what he sees in this room – it has been decades. Many years since everyone got killed. Mummified corpses of researchers are left around, in the same places they were shot. The stench is sickening.

Facility running on reserve energy supply from hell knows where. Air is heavy, dusty, and most of the research lab is raided and destroyed. Yet quite a lot is still here and operating. Perhaps thieves just don’t know how valuable equipment really is.

Monitors, although covered with layers of dust, display graphs and stats of the last existing patients – test subjects who are still attached to the system. He can barely distinguish his stats. It looks grim. He is dying.

He knows – there is no way for him to survive. He gives a look around – glance leads to another cryogenic container. There is someone else, besides him, who’ll have more chances of survival. Way more chances than he does. Maybe there is hope.

With all there is left of him – he can last another 6-8 hours more, before his mind fails him completely, just like his disabled body that is dying rapidly.

Time that’s left – he must get her out. She is the last of the once existing family. His family. His hopes are now on her.

He closes his eyes once again. He still remembers how to operate this.

“System Compliance Granted” – the rippled muffled voice of AI says as he drifts off.

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  • Parallels I   Chapter 1 “Young Winter Morning”

    /ErickRoom is filled with sounds of Radiohead music, it is playing quietly in the background, as I stroll to the kitchen to make my morning coffee.Amazing weather outside - all bright and white. It is rough and cold outside. Pleased to enjoy it from here – my humble home.There are always moments when you just go on shivering from the view of something very chilly. Perhaps there’s something that is built inside you to automatically get such a reaction.As I am making my chocolate coffee I observe scenery outside. Sun is reflecting its light upon the white snow - making it “blinding obstacle” for the eyes to focus.Yet eyes manage to look at the landscape spreading further: great forest valley just underneath, the snow gently covering each tree branch, each rock.Keeping the earth pleasingly under the white blanket. Beauties of living high up on the hill. Pretending to be a mountain man on the inside, yet externally I’m quite far from one.To explain a bit about my world…Due to us g

  • Parallels I   Chapter 2 “Flower Rain”

    /ErickA new Garden opened near my house.I enjoy the flowers and taking care of them, though I am not as good at it as I’d likeI’ve a feeling that there are a lot of us – who are really enthusiastic about flowers and plants, but at times it just doesn’t work out.Such an amazing opportunity to go and take a look at new breeds of flowers, bushes, trees - plainly just to enjoy the flora itself.For me - it’s art. Plants differ from one another, yet all seem in so much harmony.There are great architects specialising in creating landscapes that change each season – using plants, knowledge and imagination.Usually I’m alone during my walks, to savour the moments, but today I had Orchid accompanying me.Orchid wanted to take some time to understand my point of view regarding flowers. She is not fond of the whole idea and process. She said it is too time consuming – that you have to care for it. That's another point of view.We were pacing through the arch of wisteria. Purple flowers hung

  • Parallels I   Chapter 3 “The Night in the Kitchen”

    /ErickInsomnia - greatest self-destructive system. It comes out when you are troubled, floating somewhere in between reality and dream.My only safe place, no matter where and how... I’m drawn to the kitchen.It seems quite strange by many means. As I, grown-up, sit on the kitchen floor. Hands holding a cup of coffee, eyes staring into space. Like that shadow over there is the answer to something that is bothering me.But all I really see is just the hollow nothingness of that point blank I stare into. The dreams of dying ‘Light’ recently keep me up through the night.Somehow this bit of cold place called the kitchen is just where I feel safe. In a way, like in a story by Banana Yoshimoto “Kitchen”, yes, somehow to some of us it is the best place to “hide”. This moonlit darkness, in blue hues, really makes me feel at ease.When I was in the room, on his bed... His bed?Head shook a few times, fingers brushing through hair.“Who is Light? What have I forgotten?” - thinking to self, as

  • Parallels I   Chapter 4 “Water Petal”

    /ErickDawn - with darkness fading, it’s getting brighter.Still in bed. Feeling the warmth of sheets on my skin. Breathing in chilly air.Oh, I did leave the window opened for the night.Cannot recall the dream I had. As the morning goes - have to get up. Today there’s plenty of work in need of my attention.Getting up from the bed was the toughest part. My tendency of liking towards the warmth is bigger than love for cold. Fetching next to bed my long sleeve shirt and jeans to wear for today.Although it’s the end of summer, yet mornings are pretty chilly. Thin frost clinging to petals, grass and trees, covering houses and window sills. I find it fascinating to observe the transition from the crystals of cold into the tiny water drops. That eventually falls down or evaporates, uncovering a world with enhanced contrast.My room looked like a schizophrenic mess created by some stray artisan, who went through here as a gust of wind. Multiple canvases, books, paints, brushes, papers wit

  • Parallels I   Chapter 5 “When Butterflies turn to Ash”

    /ElyonSo called “entertaining” day at work. Meetings, documentation, preparations, chatting about mundane matters and making jokes about the strangeness of the life cycle. One might say it’s a typical work day.I had my research in stacks. Each representing a specific topic related to the general file, that read - “Erick Sparrow /Lazy Cat/”.Few knew that I became his house mate just to figure out the strange occurrence of the logical irrationality. Sadly to say, Lazy Cat was my experiment patient, who gave the strange information. He seemed like the fine person, up until the point when he was expressing the involvement with this parallel universe and a strange person he relates to.At first it seemed like an appearance of alter ego. Maybe due to false information which could plunder into his head from someone or something. But with every passing day this hypothesis began to clash and crumble. It was not supported by any reasonable explanation. Erick was an absolutely strange patient

  • Parallels I   Chapter 6 “Rain Fades Away”

    /ElyonSituation became entwined. No longer things seemed the same. Definitive statement of change over 13.1%. Brain can notice the difference, if the difference is around 13.1% or more.This case was just a rich mass of things that could not add up.I kept on looking at my screen. Reading my own words that I typed, but couldn’t believe in. Most normal beings would not believe such strange ‘natural’ occurrence. Something like, another creature showing up in front of your eyes? And even conversing with you?My report looks like a bag of crazy. How am I supposed to explain the situation? How do I explain something I encountered for the first time?Writing up a report - task of extraordinary difficulty. No matter how much I looked over the situation - solutions of the right words didn’t come.I went over the details of creature projections, of particle magnetism, light reflections, clusters and flows. These could be nothing of the same feel and view I’ve seen. Astral projections? Is that

  • Parallels I   Chapter 7 “Shadow of Dim Light”

    /Elyon...Running through the city, not looking back, frightened.There is something unknown chasing you.You run into a small alleyway behind the nearest building.Everything your eyes look upon – broken, devastated. War recently finished, leaving a ruined town.I’m left with a beast that is chasing me, with an urge to kill.This endless feeling of fear. Kind of fear that is gripping your throat, making you unable to scream for help, unable to let out a word, your body shaking, your mind constantly paranoid.Right then - someone, another one of my kind, takes my hand and pulls me away. To the inside of the building, closing doors behind. Carefully. Silently. This someone keeps pulling me further along, holding my hand. Up the stairs, hall, another flight of stairs, hallway and stairs again. Though I’m pulled by this stranger, I can’t make out how this person looks. He or she? But this person is just soundlessly floating through the halls.We reach the top floor, open the old wooden d

  • Parallels I   Chapter 8 “Three Blossoming Flowers”

    /ElyonShe let out a short giggle and went back to making coffee. I opened my eyes, feeling my cheeks burn.“I see you haven’t got your cherry popped yet. So sweet.” - Her sarcastic remark made me beet red.She was absolutely calm - making coffee like nothing had taken place. Like nothing happened.Her voice made me get back to the time of “now”.“At times,” - She began, - “I feel like me and Erick are like shadow and light. I prefer the role of the supporter, from side lines, just keeping watch over from shadows. Therefore I’m a shadow. Fully aware of Erics’ fame and success as a good artisan. He is fine, young and in momentum. Has more of the inner “prosperity”, as he once said.” - She grabbed onto the coffee pot handle, - “I’ll take it with us, so we can enjoy chat outside without worrying about refill.”Niko took cups to the conservatory. With a little fiddling - she opened the side touch pad navigation of the room. After pressing commands in - the soft mechanical sound buzzed. Fr

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  • Parallels I   

    II Broken Writer Arc : Chapter 2 “The Editor”

    /ErickOne bedroom apartment, quite spacious and at the same time absolutely crammed up with endless papers.I was indulging in my morning coffee, whilst taking in the view from his window - outside it was sunrise, it was early autumn morning. The mist in the air gave the mysterious feeling to the town below. Everyone was waking up to their jobs, to the assignments that were waiting for them in the office, to the never ending flow of consumers and service.I was enjoying this time of the day. When all was still about to wake up for a day filled with tasks and things to do.Staying in Tokyo made me absolutely comfortable in many ways. Although it was such a buzz filled place, I enjoyed living here. Outskirts of a big city, the more "down to earth" feeling to it, compared with the central.I came here barely a year ago. Luckily for me, I landed a job with a publishing company. Being the writer for a publishing house. Every few weeks I'd have my manager come over to have a chat, check pr

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    II Broken Writer Arc : Chapter 1 “The Research”

    /Ella Buzz of the laptop woke me up. It was still the middle of the night. The work that I kept on exploring - my great quest - still in the document format on the screen. Auto saved multiple times. I looked at the door - closed. It was open before. I remember how it was absolutely open before. My eyes darted across the room - checking if all was still intact, in the same place, untouched. I breathed out in relief - Erick was on the sofa. Asleep."Thank goodness it was just you." - I thought to myself. Finding lighter and ashtray in the pile of paperwork scattered across the table was a little task. The piles of the paper could slush down if not moved carefully. After finding the two ingredients, I reached into my pocket to pull a pack of reds out. Flicker of a lighter, zip sound and the cigarette was lit. I took a sweet dose of nicotine. Looking at my sleeping brother was my great meditation. He always looked absolutely peaceful, like all the worries in their world never exis

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    Chapter 26 “Famished Savage”

    /Verin“Just how long is it going to take?” - Resam looked at my struggles. Dealing with technology that was more than a century old.“Give me some time. One must keep patience.” - I fiddled with mechanisms.Loud roar of the dragon shook the earth, sending shivers. Huge armoured dragon landed in the resistance camp. Forces of protectors have come together here to be ready for when the King's men will attack.Elvish man, the same who gave lift to David, stepped off from the dragon's back, holding onto armour that covered the beast. He looked around, eyes seeking for someone. Dragon grunted, which got a slight tap on the nose from the man. Elf gave another look to the surrounding soldiers, then his eyes met with Resams' gaze, making him walk towards this old man.“This barrier mechanism needs some elvish touch.” - He spoke, as he pushed me aside, then switched some gears on this old thing. The moment he said something in Elvish, producing the last click with a switch - gears went in mot

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    Chapter 25 “Dead come back to live”

    /NikoLong underground hallway that leads to the sacred room. In its possession is a sacred weapon, capable of slaying anyone and anything in this realm whether monster or human, magical or not.This weapon is blessed with a Demons strength, Goddesses light, Witches curse, Human hope and the Elders bliss. The makers of the weapon held great power once. If legends are speaking the truth - some of them are still alive. Still wielding great power.The basic ones to cast such a great feat on a piece of an item were quite the messy lot - Me, Anne, Goddess, Ary and Maddy. We did so when the War with Fifth Realm came to us.The King of Sopdar is seeking protection by possessing this weapon. He and his army are crossing the mountain of Three Saint Sages. Ready to rampage the towns, take over the land, then get the weapon and rule this world, or more accurately - the remains of this world.They still don’t know many flaws this weapon has, nor the fact that only ones who travelled through paral

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    Chapter 24 “No longer in Focus”

    /NikoThe entrance to this forsaken place was guarded by scale covered ash ghouls. All this menace was left for Ary to deal with, well, enough killed for us to make way to get in. For more than one reason Ary was deeply involved in this mess. Using his dark magic Ary managed to get all of us inside the ruined castle safely.Halls were long and dark, light was a luxury here, since all that was made to have light was broken a long time ago. Moon lizards were roaming around halls, with their claws scratching walls and ceiling as they moved around.The sudden cracking sound of the burning furnace and weeping in pain was audible. It felt like outside had become a sort of menacing purgatory. The sound of ghouls, screeching in agony, as they burned alive.“That’s a dragon. Calm down.” – Gabriel said.“What’s a dragon doing here?” – Asked Yuki.“Occasionally these creatures migrate further from Sky Garden. Perhaps this one got fascinated by all the murky ghouls here and decided to have fun by

  • Parallels I   

    Chapter 23 “The Sadness of every Matter”

    /NikoBird tweeting is joyous, sun is shining bright, wind is caressing skin softly. Yet the sour faces of the gentlemen are annoying to boot. I kept my hands in my pockets, as I walked. Knight walked beside Erick at all times, just like Yuki did. Both were pressured about recovering their Rose, as well as keeping him safe. Ary lead way.Ary sometimes would be there to join me, without any words, to walk beside me. There was the sense of the pain and camaraderie that was only shared in this miniscule way we could. Others were not part of it.“Your brother is up to some really interesting things.” - I let out quietly, so others would not hear, as we were going through the woods.“I’m not even surprised that you know of him and what he does.” - Ary said dryly.“Even though you are like that, he might be interested in, maybe, getting to know you again.” - I said.Ary gave me a glance.“As much as my brother Verin is a pompous brat, he’d not ever dare speak to me. After the blessings we’

  • Parallels I   

    Chapter 22 “More than one Battlefront”

    /DavidOrins really concerned look surprised me, as I "returned". She took out a handkerchief to wipe blood from a corner of my mouth, once done, she went to turn the music off.I checked the watch, from here - I was gone for no more than five-ten minutes.“I ah, I walked around the flat… And uh, then you just suddenly had a seizure, with blood going out of your ears and mouth. I… I did as you asked and managed to slap you out of it.” - Orin trembled slightly.Indeed, witnessing a person going through the damn jump to this extent is indeed a painful sight.“Can you get something to drink? I'm parched.” – I asked as I tried to get up, but dizziness got me to stay seated.Slight nod and Orin went to get some water. She checked the cabinet for cups and pulled one out. She poured the water from the container, then took it to the coffee table near the couch.“How did it go?” – Her worries were written all over her face.I took a few gulps, gathering thoughts that had to be said.“Elyon is

  • Parallels I   

    Chapter 21 “As it slowly gets Back”

    /MerinI have the persistence of a very jealous wife, who tries to accomplish what I began. I want to see what my eyes want to see, my heart shut its door to it permanently. I am used to accomplishing all I set out for. Adrian was of no mistake one of those goals. Though with years that goddamn son of a bitch showed his true colours of emotionless, cold-brick bastard.Sure, he can be the multi-billionaire Adrian, the fucking holder of sixty percent of shares to AIO, the good looking man of science and progress that allows the new generations to blossom. But guess what?This bitch is using me as a great asset, due to me being the daughter of the founder of a medical company that made billions due to greatest inventions. I am the one that helps him when dealing with board of directors, those old fucking bastards that cling to damn heavens of medical advancement to keep them going. Like, even viagra is not the answer when it’s all old and unable to work. Just leave it the fuck alone, bu

  • Parallels I   

    Chapter 20 “The Issues in the Deep”

    /AdrianThere are little moments about life that you may regret later. But there is nothing quite like the same two events repeating themselves all the same way, that makes you boil with anger, before having regret.I’m pacing in my office. Puffing out angrily. Rummaging in my head about when and what went wrong. What ‘might’ have gone wrong. The “Echo” is going well, although there are disturbances that violate security of the whole operation.The Grande plan that had been executed stage by stage for so long… The wanted documents, tech, all were going smoothly. But then the ripples began.People that were sent in - were all administered into where they must be, having the information that needs to be right there and then, playing their parts well. But there still is something causing ripples. Damn things do not work well!I swooped the table. Having all that was atop - fly off, hitting floor. Whiskey glass crushing against the wall.“Muppets! Who on this damn planet would pry on my p