The Awakened Arcane Legacy

Small Dies

Talon and Small's cell was automatically opened. They were quite surprised, but that was the least of their worries. What was on their minds was how the next phase would be. They immediately came out of their cells as the guards took them through the hallway.

"Don't worry, we will make it through," Talon tried to encourage Small. Small was a bit nervous, thinking that he didn't have better chances of survival because Talon seemed to be ahead in everything.

"Talon, if you make it out of here, I want you to never allow any other children in the Safe Zone to experience what we experienced," Small stared at Talon with somber eyes.

"Small, why are you talking like this? We will make it together. Don't say such things again," Talon rebuked Small as he hugged him tightly.

"We'll die together and we'll leave here together," Talon whispered as he closed his eyes tight. During the two years they had been together, they had formed a strong bond. It seemed that nothing could ever separate them again.

*****

Finally, they reached the door to the place where the experiment would take place. They both stared at the silver door, waiting for their fate ahead. They heard screams from inside, indicating that people were enduring tremendous pain.

The guard in their corner placed his handprints. *PSssssh!* The door made a sound as it slid open. Talon and Small were among the bravest children in the facility. Unlike other children who had to be cuffed and dragged, they came here boldly without any force.

An elderly man with white hair, in his seventies, holding a transparent tablet, pointed at a bed in the right corner and said to Talon, "That one is for you." Then he pointed at another bed on the left side and said to Small, "And that's yours."

Talon went towards his bed and laid on it. Another woman came forward to strap Talon to the bed but noticed the medallion around his neck. She attempted to remove it, but Talon immediately said, "Please, let me keep it. It's my lucky charm. Who knows, it might help me become a successful experiment," Talon pleaded as he held the woman's hands.

"Okay," she responded. She didn't see the medallion as anything significant; after all, it wouldn't affect the experiment.

Talon and Small were successfully strapped to the beds. It was almost time for the experiment to begin. The man in his seventies tapped on his tablet, and what appeared on the projected holographic screen at the far end was exactly what was on his tablet.

In the room, there was a large metallic ball resting on top of metallic beams. The beams were attached to the upper part of the room and the center of the room. The metallic ball was covered in transparent glass, allowing a golden substance to flow freely inside it. Thin pipes extended out of the glass and were connected to Talon and Small's beds.

[•5….4….3….2….1!•]

A female voice announced, and suddenly a large surgical equipment emerged from the open ceiling directly above Talon and Small's beds. Talon's eyes widened in horror as he saw the machine with sharp blades, drills, syringes, and other tools. It made him extremely afraid. Small felt the same way too. They were only 12 and 13 years old, and even an adult would feel the same, let alone a child.

[•Experiment About To Commence!•]

[•Waiting for Approval!•]

Then the man tapped his tablet to accept the approval .

[•Approval Accepted!•]

[•Fusion Begins!•]

The machines, which were initially 10 feet apart, began to gradually move closer to them, bit by bit. It was getting closer and now only 30 inches away from Talon. Talon started shaking uncontrollably due to the fear of the blades and syringes that were about to enter his body.

However, straps were tightly secured around his head, chest, hands, and legs, effectively immobilizing him and rendering his struggles futile. Without delay, the syringe was inserted into his body, causing Talon to experience a slight but excruciating pain.

[•Fusion 1%...2%...•]

"Ahhhhh!... Ahh…..hhh!" Talon screamed, his voice muffled by the mask covering his face, consumed by the overwhelming agony coursing through his veins.

The decision to avoid sedatives was rooted in the numerous deaths caused by their usage, resulting in unbearable pain. The experiment required the subjects to remain conscious of their suffering, even as their organs were cut into, subjecting them to unimaginable torment. This prerequisite demanded three years of prior training.

The golden liquid being injected was pure Arcane Energy, typically meant to be absorbed gradually. However, they sought to bypass the standard procedures, enabling individuals to instantly reach the A-Class Rank stage without possessing the necessary Virtues to unlock such potential.

Their extensive research aimed to create a significant number of A-Class Rankers capable of combating the demons.

Syringes emerged from the pipes beneath the bed, piercing Talon's and Small's backs, causing blood to flow. The impact jolted Talon, and both boys screamed, filling the room.

[•Fusion....4%.....5%•]

Talon and Small had to stay alive until the countdown reached 100%. The observing man witnessed their uncontrollable shaking.

"I hope they can make it. Small and Talon were the fastest trainees to reach a point of 1000 in Arcane Energy, and they are among the strongest test subjects we have trained," the man informed his assistant, also dressed in a white coat and positioned in the corner.

On the holographic screens, they quietly monitored the data readings. The vibrant display depicted the various components and properties of the liquid they were about to ingest.

Molecular structures floated in three-dimensional space. The screens which were there provided real-time information on the liquid's impact on their heart rates, blood pressure, temperature, and other vital indicators.

The elderly man focused on specific aspects, analyzing the substance's chemical composition and its effects on particular organs.

Suddenly, Small started reacting to the Arcane Energy. He convulsed violently, foam spilling from his eyes. The Heavenly Artificers rushed to his side, examining his deteriorating vitals.

"Sir, Small is experiencing a severe reaction. Should we halt the process?" the woman who had restrained Talon asked the man in charge, urgently tapping on her tablet to stop Small's convulsions.

"I repeat, do not stop the process. If they die, we will find another test subject. No one should intervene," the elderly man responded.

[•Fusion 60%.....63%...•]

Small continued to shake violently, vomiting a golden substance as the machines operated on him and the liquid entered his body, displaying alarming readings on the screen.

Then suddenly, Small's shaking ceased.

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeh!!!!!!" blared the monitor displaying his vital signs, indicating that Small was dead. He lay lifeless.

[•Subject 2 Small is Dead!•]

Talon heard the distinct sound of the female voice, and as he writhed in pain, tears streamed down his cheeks. Muffled by the covering on his mouth, he shouted,

"Neeeeooo…..oooo."