"Alright, Deon, we're about to initiate the sequence." The doctor's words echoed within the rig. "Just keep a few things in mind. Stay awake, and keep both your mind and body neutral. There may be some minor discomfort — maybe even pain. Just meditate and remain calm, okay?… Starting now. You'll be kept updated through the voice inside the tank, so just focus on that, alright?" the doctor instructed.
"Alright… nothing to worry about. Calm, neutral mind. Neutral mind. Neutral mind," Deon chanted as he lay there in the infinite void of darkness.
The robotic voices began to echo and stir.
"Alright, Deon, the tank should now begin filling with the catalyst. Don't panic. In case you're unaware, we'll be using microscopic robots to enter your body. You won't feel a thing — it's part of the process," the doctor explained. "They're useful little critters, and don't worry — they'll leave your system once the procedure is a success. Also, you won't be hearing from me after this point. We'll only be monitoring your pulse from here on; these forces work best independently and… don't prefer observers. So, we'll leave you to the machines."
"Ugh, the GRID... not a big fan," Deon muttered.
"Uh… sleepy indeed. Follow the voice. Stay awake."
"Ooo, nifty little thing indeed."
"Doing what?"
"What?"
"Calm... calm, it's nothing... calm... yes, calm… panic won't help."
"Ha! Indeed, it was nothing. Whew."
"Huh? But I'm awake?"
"The fuck—!"
"Gyah!"
"BITCH!"
<.....at 5%>
"Calm, Deon, calm... very calm... let it go... hate breeds hate... we want peace…"
<...at 50%>
"Hah... whew... those fucking loony bastards and their shitty jokes... 'lest a disaster strikes.' Assholes. My danger sense went off for nothing…"
"...I jinxed it, didn't I?"
"They jinxed it. They fucking jinxed it…"
"...Goodbye, cruel world... sniff"
"Oh, we had those?"
"O King of the Underworld, must you toy with me so?"
"Ah... slipping... slumber..."
....
...
.
"Deon...?"
"...Deon..."
"Deon!"
"The voice... must be the fields... I'm gonna shag so much in these boring-ass wheat fields..."
*Slap*
"Wake the fuck up!"
"Ow…" Deon jolted awake, drenched in the stench of chemicals and impurities. "Alive...?" he muttered, struggling to sit upright.
"Yes... yes, alive!" Fiona threw herself at him, tears streaming down her face.
"Very remarkable, Master Deon. We were certain you'd be dead," the doctor said, staring in fascination.
"Me? Dead? Ninety-six? No..." Deon slurred, still hazy, his vision a blur and his mind fogged like a drunk's.
"Uh... Master Deon, you were in there for three days. Your odds of survival were zero. A group of chaos beasts breached the northern wall and completely wiped out the city's energy facilities. Not to mention, one of the stragglers rammed itself into the city servers. The GRID was offline for two whole days — no trains, no flights, no internet... nothing."
Wham! The doors burst open. Through them stormed a furious Arab man — pale with fear, adrenaline flooding his features.
To Be Continued==>