Project Eliora
THE DARING WORLD

Nerves and excitement surged through my body as I opened my eyes. I couldn’t believe what we were about to attempt—it was truly insane. As I stepped out of the capsule, I was greeted by a neatly arranged pile of clothes, courtesy of Yazmin. Her kindness never ceased to astound me, but there was a persistent urge inside of me to take a shower.

“Yazmin, is there a shower here?”

I yelled out, hoping to hear back from someone. She approached me after appearing in the doorway.

“Not really. Both Reuben and I use Lumen for cleansing. But don’t worry, the capsule should do the job just fine for you.”

She retorted, confirming my suspicions. Lumen—the versatile device that seemed to have endless functions It was genuinely amazing. Even though I had wanted to take a refreshing shower, I realised that it wasn’t possible right now.

“I was just curious.”

“Maybe after we’re done, I can take you to a place where you can finally enjoy a nice, hot shower.”

She said so, smiling, and made a beguiling exit while teasing me with the notion of a surprise while I had a glimmer of excitement in my eyes.

“I need to know that place.”

I muttered and quickly changed into the clothes she had prepared for me. I had breakfast next on my agenda. The common area was where I found a small plate of meat chunks topped with a delicious-looking sauce. Taking a seat, I eagerly began to savour the flavours, not wanting to waste any time. Despite not knowing the ingredients, the taste was fantastic. Yazmin had shown that she was a very skilled cook.

I enjoyed the meal and couldn’t help but notice how much effort and consideration Yazmin put into everything she did. In the midst of the uncertainty that lay ahead, it provided some solace. With each bite, I fueled my body and prepared myself for the challenges to come.

After finishing my breakfast, I hurried to the cockpit, where both Reuben and Yazmin were waiting for me.

“Good, you’re finally ready.”

Yazmin said.

“I guess so.”

I shook my head and muttered as I cast a quick glance at Reuben. Unexpectedly, he didn’t exhibit any signs of anxiety and seemed calm.

“I don’t think we need to go over the plan again, do we?”

I asked, directing my question to Reuben.

“No, we’re ready, aren’t we?”

He replied, realising what I was trying to say.

“Yeah, we’re wasting time.”

I agreed, eager to get started. Yazmin secured herself in the pilot’s seat and skillfully manoeuvred the ship, pressing buttons and engaging various controls. The vessel came to life under her guidance, and we started on our mission. We emerged from the docking tube and began to descend, our visibility hampered by the surrounding clouds. Yazmin relied on radar equipment to navigate through the sky structures, ensuring a safe descent.

The landscape below could be seen as the clouds began to part. I looked down and saw structures—buildings that were once homes and cities. However, the sight that greeted me was disheartening. Nature had reclaimed these structures, with vegetation, vines, and grass overgrowing and engulfing them. Even the tallest buildings were not spared, as the relentless vegetation climbed their walls, shrouding them completely. The presence of floodwater indicated a lack of maintenance in the sewage system, leaving the cities in a state of decay. This scene of desolation was likely replicated in other cities across the globe.

Our destination was in front of us—a large circular structure suspended above a vast body of water. The body of water was clearly not a natural formation. The contraption itself had a diameter of about 100 metres or more, and its inner ring was illuminated by a moving light. Strangely, there was a peculiar disturbance in the air, spiralling upwards into the sky from the centre of the ring.

“That’s one of the Trions.”

Yazmin explained.

“I’ve discovered a total of thirteen so far, but I believe there are more scattered around.”

“It doesn’t appear to be guarded.”

I observed.

“Yeah, and we can use it to track down Eliora.”

Reuben added. I was familiar with the Trions on a basic level as a result of the information shared earlier. In the same way that power lines transport energy from its source to where it is needed, Yazmin explained that these structures were energy transfer stations. The peculiar disturbance in the air represented the energy tunnel through which it travelled. I had trouble understanding it at first, but Yazmin gave me a thorough explanation.

“Now let’s see how this Trion leads us to Eliora.”

I said this as the anticipation was building within me.

—

“It’s pure energy, isn’t it?”

I asked, seeking clarification, and Yazamin nodded in agreement.

“Yes, it’s Int-Z energy. It’s an incredible form of clean and highly efficient energy that powers everything we have. However, it becomes volatile when exposed to certain frequencies of sound.”

“Sound?”

Reuben raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

“Yes, high-frequency sound disrupts the stability of the Int-Z energy, and that’s where we come in. I’ve modified my ship to emit the necessary sound vibrations across the hull, allowing us to disrupt the energy flow and navigate through it.”

Yazmin continued on with her explanation.

“Have you tested this out before?”

He inquired further out of curiosity.

“I’ve conducted numerous tests and experiments, both on a small and large scale. The ship and ourselves should be fine, for the most part.”

Yazmin reassured me.

“For the most part?”

I echoed, sensing a hint of uncertainty. Yazmin took a brief pause as she considered her answer.

“The chances of any harm coming to us are extremely low, I assure you.”

As we sat around the table, Reuben and I on one side and Yazmin on the other, we engaged in a discussion about the feasibility and safety of entering the energy tunnel.

“Do you know what would happen if she entered?”

He motioned towards me, which made Yazmin recoil in her seat and stumble over her words.

“No, I don’t know.”

She admitted it honestly. It was a legitimate worry. Yazmin had tested and experimented on herself or similar compositions to ensure safety; she couldn’t have predicted my presence. Being human, I posed an unknown variable, and it was understandable that Yazmin couldn’t provide a definitive answer.

Reuben didn’t seem concerned about his own safety, but I couldn’t help but appreciate his thoughtfulness. However, I also couldn’t ignore the nagging concern that I might end up being a burden to them.

“I am sorry for holding you guys back.”

I knew deep down that it was not fundamentally my fault, as my anatomy was not something I could change, but it still weighed heavily on me. This was just the first phase of the plan, and there were already issues as a result of me.

“Elisa, you aren’t holding us back; I just never accounted for anyone being with me when I tried this.”

Yazmin said her eyes were heavy with emotion. I could tell there was some deeper meaning behind those words. Then a soft smile appeared on her face.

“We are going to revise the plan to accommodate not just you but him too.”

She then looked over at Reuben.

“We are not sure if you can make it through the energy tunnel unscathed.”

“I have the uttermost faith in my abilities.”

He said he was confident in himself.

“But I get your point.”

He sighed as he agreed with her and scratched the top of his head. Their words, meant to ease my worries, filled me with a strange mix of happiness and uncertainty. I couldn’t deny the appreciation I felt, but at the same time, I questioned if I should rely on that assurance.

“Thank you, guys.”

I was sincerely grateful for their support. After my brief episode of self-doubt, we resumed our discussion, each of us contemplating potential solutions to the problem at hand. Silence filled the room as we brainstormed.

“What about Lumen?”

Reuben broke the silence with a suggestion, and I turned my attention to him, intrigued by his idea.

“You mentioned that Lumen can preserve body tissues and accelerate the body’s regenerative abilities, right?”

I said this to Yazmin, and she nodded, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

“Exactly. If we can encase Elisa in Lumen, it should provide protection against any adverse effects.”

Lumen once again proved to be a priceless asset. Yazmin, however, raised a valid concern.

“The challenge is obtaining a sufficient quantity of Lumen.”

“Can’t you create more?”

Reuben suggested it, and Yazmin pondered his question for a moment.

“Well, technically, yes, but it’s a complex and time-consuming process.”

We appeared to encounter yet another obstacle, but then an idea sprang to mind.

“What about the capsule?”

I interjected, directing the question to Yazmin. Deep in thought, she put her hands on her chin.

“The capsule does have a similar effect to Lumen, although to a lesser extent.”

I felt relieved after that. It seemed that the capsule could serve as a viable alternative.

—

“I am going into the capsule. Come get me when we are safe.”

I told Yazmin.

“Sure, Reuben, you too.”

She affirmed, and Reuben appeared to grumble a bit, but he accompanied me to the capsules. However, before he entered his capsule, I stopped him.

“Are you alright?”

I asked, concerned.

“Of course I am.”

He replied, trying to brush past me, but I blocked his path.

“I know something’s bothering you. Is it related to our conversation from last night?”

He sighed and shook his head.

“I just want us to get this over with. The sooner we defeat Eliora, the better I’ll feel.”

I could tell he wasn’t being entirely truthful. It was obvious that our discussion had affected him more deeply. However, with the urgency of the situation, there was no time to dwell on it. I stepped aside to make room for him to pass. I watched him enter one of the capsules and close the hatch without saying another word. Following his lead, I closed my own hatch and closed my eyes.

I became aware that my heart was beating quickly at that point. It was only natural given the nerves I was experiencing, even if I hadn’t shown it outwardly.

Now, we wait.

The entire ship trembled violently, signalling our entry into the energy tunnel. The constant shaking, which occasionally lasted only a few seconds, was strong enough to knock me against the capsule’s walls. I tried to brace myself in the uncomfortable position and shield my head.

After what felt like an eternity, the hatch above me opened, and I was greeted by Yazmin’s relieved face. Knowing that I had survived the harrowing journey, she appeared at ease.

“Are you okay?”

She asked with concern in her voice.

“Apart from a few bumps from your exceptional flying, I’m fine.”

I replied, attempting to lighten the mood. Yazmin smiled and put out a hand. I grabbed it, allowing her to help me into an upright position. As I looked over, I noticed Reuben’s capsule opening, and our eyes briefly met. Before quickly averting his eyes, there was a glimmer of relief in his eyes. I caught that fleeting moment.

We all made our way to the cockpit, eager to see our surroundings. Nothing but a platform and a sea of clouds could be seen outside. There didn’t seem to be anything noteworthy nearby.

“So, we’ve arrived?”

With a hint of dissatisfaction in my voice, I asked. Yazmin grinned, heightening the atmosphere of intrigue.

“You’ll see when you go outside.”

Her words piqued my interest, making me eager to replace out what lay ahead.

“But before that, we need to get ready and gather all the necessary items. Let’s regroup at the exit in three minutes.”

She said that, and with a renewed sense of purpose, we dispersed to gather our belongings and prepare for what awaited us beyond the confines of the ship. I quickly circled the ship, gathering three masks, and joined Yazmin and Reuben at the exit, where I handed them out. We secured them in place, ensuring our protection in the unknown environment ahead.

She then handed us a pair of tiny gadgets, which I carefully inserted into my ear canals. With a gentle tap, the devices activated, and a world of heightened sound unfolded before me. I could pick up even the slightest sounds, such as breathing and the ship’s machinery humming. It was both exhilarating and overwhelming.

Once we were all equipped, Yazmin handed me a couple of long, thin pieces of cloth. I remembered their purpose and began wrapping them around my joints, creating a layer of protection. The cloth released a thick, transparent material that spread across my skin and clothing, providing a shield of Evizot. I marvelled at the sight, grateful for the added defence it offered, even if it was limited. With our preparations complete, we glanced at one another, masked and coated in Evizot. There was a shared determination in our eyes.

“Ready?”

Yazmin asked.

“Yes”

We responded in unison.

“Alright, let’s do this then.”

She said this as she activated a nearby glass panel, causing the exit door to swing open. We cautiously stepped outside and stopped a short distance from the ship to survey the area. My eyes widened in awe as I gazed at what lay above us.

A colossal floating structure loomed in the sky, surpassing the Trions in both size and design. It stood out due to a central spherical object that appeared to be suspended on its own. I noticed a distortion in the air surrounding it, indicating the presence of energy tunnels.

The halo surrounding the central object was composed of a translucent material reminiscent of glass. However, it was impossible to see anything further away from where we were standing right now. My ears were greeted by a variety of sounds coming from the surrounding devices as I took in the visual spectacle, creating a surreal atmosphere.

“So Eliora is there, then?”

Reuben remarked as he stared at the spherical object in the sky.

“Is it that obvious?”

Yazmin replied with a smile, her hands clenched.

“Alright, let’s do this.”

She said it with determination in her voice. Our first task was to penetrate the halo, and fortunately, it seemed like a straightforward endeavour. The Evizot suits we wore not only provided protection but also made us invisible to radar and other sensors. Given the heightened security and surveillance surrounding Eliora, our recent escape would have intensified the precautions already in place.

Yazmin and I both grabbed Reuben firmly as we got ready to begin. Gradually, I felt the ground beneath my feet give way as Reuben levitated us into the air, cautiously approaching the halo. While our suits ensured our invisibility, we had to exercise caution to avoid detection by common eyes.

Yazmin pulled something out of her pocket and pressed it against the wall as soon as we reached the side of the halo. A white laser beam emitted from one end, meticulously slicing through the material. It took some time, but she eventually succeeded in making a hole just big enough for us to squeeze through. During this time, I noticed Reuben growing weary from carrying both of us and maintaining his altitude.

“Let me check first.”

Yazmin said, letting go of Reuben and pulling herself through the opening. She looked around to make sure nobody was coming or was close by, and a quick hand motion indicated that it was secure. Reuben assisted me, and we made our way into the halo.

The interior was similar to the sterile, white hallways I had seen when Yazmin first discovered me. However, there was no time to dwell on familiarity. Yazmin adjusted the settings on her wristwatch with a quick glance. She paused, waiting for something. After a few seconds, she looked at us.

“Found it. Stay close”

We followed closely behind Yazmin as she made her way down the hallway. I stole a glance through the window, catching sight of the spherical structure.

She was there. Eliora.

As we moved deeper into the halo, a sense of eerie emptiness pervaded the environment. I found it strange and unsettling that not a single person crossed our path. While it might have initially brought relief, the absence of guards and personnel raised my concerns.

But we had anticipated this situation. Eliora wanted us to replace her, and the lack of resistance seemed to support our prediction that she did. It was undoubtedly a trap, and I couldn’t shake off the feeling that we were being observed every step of the way.

Nonetheless, we were prepared for this eventuality. Our plan was devised with the assumption of minimal guards in mind, and we intended to capitalise on this apparent advantage once we passed through the upcoming door.

We came to a stop in front of a large door, and Yazmin quickly used her device to make it slide open. Stepping into the room beyond, our attention was immediately drawn to a mesmerising sight—a colossal ball of pulsating energy encased within a glass tube.

This was it. This room had a name—the Loop Chamber. It served as the loop’s command centre, a concept we had talked about in our briefing the day before.

Yazmin wasted no time, fully aware of the urgency. Reuben and I were unable to comprehend her complex actions as she started making preparations, so we could only watch. We stood by, ready to support her in any way possible, as our mission to enter the loop unfolded before us.

For some time, we sat in silence as the weight of our thoughts hung in the air. There was a noticeable tension between us, and it appeared that neither of us knew how to break through it. I felt the urge to say something to bridge the gap that had formed between us, and finally, I gathered the courage to do that.

“I wanted to ask how you’ve been.”

I said, my voice filled with genuine concern. Reuben initially appeared surprised by the question, but he quickly composed himself and responded.

“I’ve been surprisingly good, considering everything, but I’m trying not to let myself get too carried away.”

I understood what he meant. He was driven by the urge to exact revenge on Eliora, but he was also aware of how crucial it was to maintain his composure and avoid allowing his emotions to consume him.

“I can understand that. We both want this to end, to make her pay for what she’s done.”

I said it softly, and Reuben nodded, his gaze intense.

“Whatever happens today, I want to ensure that she faces the consequences. I want her to suffer for all the pain she’s caused.”

His resolve was unflinching, and I couldn’t help but admire it. It reminded me of why we were here and what we were fighting for. Even if our approaches were different, our objectives were similar.

“I share that sentiment. We need to free everyone from the loop to put an end to this cycle of suffering, and killing Eliora seems to be the only way to achieve that.”

Although I had never killed someone before, not even inside the loop, I doubted I would be able to go through with killing her with my own bare hands. However, I had some doubts about how I would react if the opportunity presented itself; maybe my resolve was strong enough for me to do such a thing. I was so intrigued that I couldn’t help but ask Reuben what he thought.

“Do you think I could kill Eliora if given the chance?”

Reuben’s gaze was thoughtful as he took some time to consider his reply.

“I believe there’s a possibility.”

His voice was measured when he finally answered. His response piqued my interest, and I was eager to understand his reasoning.

“Why do you think so?”

I persisted in my request for more details. He took a moment to collect his thoughts before looking directly into my eyes.

“From what I’ve observed, you carry a deep reservoir of bottled-up anger and frustration just like I do, but maybe not to the same degree.”

Reuben began.

“The loop has a way of distorting our sense of self, pushing us to become something we’re not. I’ve seen it in myself when I tried to kill the old man and when I mentioned I could have killed your parents. And in all those countless times I’ve had to kill the monsters, both inside and outside the loop, these experiences have desensitised me to taking lives, making it easier for me to say that I would kill Eliora without hesitation.”

People do say that if you have killed once, it is easier to kill again. Reuben was no novice when it came to killing, and the loop even made this easier as the deaths were not permanent, hence why he could easily kill me the first time we met.

“However,”

Reuben started speaking again, but Yazmin cut him off before he could finish.

“Sorry to interrupt the moment, but I am done.”

She said so, indicating that she had completed the necessary configurations. We exchanged a nod of acknowledgement, putting our conversation on hold for the time being. The next stage of our plan was about to start, and it needed all of our focus.

We left the chamber and returned to the curving hallway. Our goal was to reach the centrepiece of the halo, but we hadn’t come across any paths or ways that led directly to it. However, Reuben had the ability to fly, so we relied on his power to get us there. Reuben tested the strength of the hallway’s glass-like material by pressing his palm against it. With a swift motion, he pulled his hand back and struck the glass, shattering it. The resulting updraft caused a temporary disturbance, but it quickly subsided.

“Be sure to avoid the energy tunnels.”

Yazmin reminded us, despite being already aware of that. We grabbed hold of Reuben, ready to be lifted into the air. With steady control, he manoeuvred us through the energy tunnels, ascending toward our destination. As we approached the centrepiece, I noticed a door ahead.

“I assume that is our way in.”

It initially appeared inaccessible, but I had a hunch.

“Reuben, let go of me for a moment.”

“What?”

They both said it in unison as they were in shock because of the outrageous idea I proposed, but I quickly explained.

“There might be one of those transparent walkaways. I remember encountering them when I came out of the loop.”

“That is right; I remember those were a thing as well.”

Yazmin said before looking at Reuben, who took it as a sign to follow my plan.

“I am not letting go of you,”

He said this as he slowly descended, and I could feel my feet coming into contact with something. I looked down to see the waves ripple across my feet, proving my hypothesis right. Reuben released his grip on me and Yazmin, and we all walked toward the door.

I couldn’t help but think back to Yazmin’s earlier comment about the susceptibility of Int-Z energy to a specific high frequency as we continued to move along the invisible walkway. A curious thought crossed my mind, and I decided to voice it.

“So, this walkway is made of Int-Z energy as well?”

Yazmin nodded.

“Yes, it is.”

This then led me to my main question.

“What would happen if we were to play that specific frequency you mentioned? Would it deactivate the platform?”

I asked, intrigued by the possibility. Yazmin turned around to face me once more, a sly grin crossing her lips.

“Well, if we were to do that, we would likely plummet into our impending doom as the platforms deactivate. Care to test it out and see?”

She replied, pointing to the device on her hand. I paused for a moment, unsure of whether she was being serious or merely teasing. But before I could answer, Reuben playfully tapped the top of Yazmin’s head, interrupting her with a smirk of his own.

“Let’s stay focused on the task at hand.”

He interjected, his voice laced with humour. Yazmin burst into laughter, and the tension momentarily dissipated as we continued walking along the walkway. Apart from that, something had been bugging me for a while.

“But do you have any idea where it is produced?”

I asked, hoping that she might have some insight.

“It’s a perplexing question. I’ve been trying to locate the origin of the Int-Z energy, but it seems to be hidden or somehow masked. Even scanning for massive energy spikes hasn’t yielded any results.”

I asked Yazmin

“So we could destroy it, right? I had the same line of thought as you, but the thing is very hidden; even scanning for a massive spike of energy does not seem to work.”

My own frustrations were echoed in her words. How could Eliora mask the location of something so powerful? It defied logical explanation. I had a feeling there was more to that, but with no clues to pursue, I could not draw any possible conclusions or make any speculations.

Anyway, we had finally reached the structure. At first glance, it appeared to be impenetrable; there were no obvious panels, knobs, or opening mechanisms. It appeared to be a door that opened seamlessly and split apart in the middle.

Without wasting a moment, Reuben stepped forward, surrounded by a pulsating aura of energy, and he stopped inches from the door. His right hand transformed into a blade of energy, which he inserted into the divide and pulled out, leaving a hole. The energy blade dissipated, and he used both hands to pull the door apart, gradually revealing a gap.

Reuben moved aside, allowing us to pass through the opening. I couldn’t help but notice the room’s distinctive features as I walked in. The white background seemed to shimmer and illuminate the entire space, setting it apart from the other white hallways and rooms we had encountered. The large pool of Lumen beneath us caught my eye next, and I was just ankle-deep. As I attempted to take a step forward, the Lumen engulfed me further, now reaching my waist.

“Is that her?”

Reuben asked, and we understood what he meant when we noticed that on the other side, a figure was trapped inside the Lumen and was enclosed within the wall. To make things easier, we decided to circle around the pool of Lumen, drawing closer to examine the person. As we approached, the features of the figure became discernible.

“That’s not her.”

Yazmin spoke with a serious tone.

“Then who is she?”

Reuben inquired, causing Yazmin to focus on the face, attempting to identify the individual, but she shook her head in disappointment.

“I don’t know who this is, but she is not our concern.”

Yazmin concluded. Curiosity got the better of me, so I activated the sound-enhancing device to listen closely. I detected a slow, faint heartbeat emanating from the figure, which indicated that she was still alive. However, there was something else, and I turned back to the pool of Lumen.

“I believe she is in there.”

I assured them both.

“Are you sure?”

Reuben questioned.

“Yes, I can hear a heartbeat coming from under the lumen.”

I said confidently, and without hesitation, I entered the pool of Lumen once more, feeling its depth grow as I ventured further, and it got to the point where my leg no longer touched the ground. It was a challenging task, but I was willing to give it a shot. We decided to concentrate on our primary goal for the time being and left the unidentified figure. Yazmin and Reuben followed closely behind me, sharing the same determination.

As I continued pushing through the dense lumen, my leg abruptly collided with an obstacle in front of me. I curiously put my hand on the surface and discovered that, in contrast to the fluid lumen around it, it felt solid. Observing the ripples forming on the surface, I understood that it was an invisible platform just like the ones outside. I carefully pulled myself onto it, and the gel-like substance slid off my body with ease, leaving my clothes clean but slightly damp. Soon after, Yazmin and Reuben joined me on the platform.

I kept moving through the dense material when my leg suddenly collided with an obstacle ahead of me. I placed my hand on the lumen in front of me and noticed that it felt like a hard surface. That was when I noticed the ripples and understood that there was an invisible platform. I then pulled myself on top of it, and due to its physical properties being akin to those of jelly, it easily got off my body, leaving my clothes clean but a little damp.

“It’s a protective barrier,”

Yazmin muttered.

“A barrier?”

I questioned her and turned, noticing that her gaze was fixed on the platform. She appeared shaken. I caught a glimpse of Reuben and saw his clenched fists and the obvious rage on his face too, looking down at the platform.

As I lowered my head, I experienced a wave of emotions. I was unable to place the tumultuous feelings of fear, nervousness, and excitement swirling within me as my heart raced. It was an unfamiliar blend, difficult to decipher.

But in that very moment, I focused on what lay ahead, and my eyes locked onto a silhouette that sent a chill down my spine. A single word escaped my lips in a soft whisper as I was in the presence of our objective.

“Eliora”

As we stood there, certain that the figure before us was Eliora, a sense of determination washed over us. However, Yazmin’s words of caution brought me back to reality.

“I doubt that would work.”

Yazmin spoke with scepticism in her voice. I was confused until I saw Reuben raise his fist with energy gathering around it. He intended to strike the platform with all his might. But our expectations were shattered when the energy he unleashed was swiftly redirected back at him. He was launched into the air, landing on the platform’s edge and dropping into the lumen below.

“Reuben!”

Panic was coursing through me as I cried out. Without hesitation, I rushed to the edge of the platform, desperately searching for any sign of him, with Yazmin joining me, equally alarmed. A hand then appeared through the lumen’s surface and reached for the edge of the platform. We grasped it firmly, pulling with all our strength to help Reuben get back on top of the barrier.

“Are you okay?”

I asked, my voice filled with concern.

“Yeah, that was unexpected.”

Reuben said as he stood up.

“A defence mechanism,”

Yazmin muttered, realising that the barrier possessed a safeguard against physical attacks. She quickly pressed buttons on her device, and a distinct sound was emitted from it, filling the room.

“What is that?”

I inquired, my interest piqued by the strange noise.

“Remember I told you that a specific frequency of sound can disrupt Int-Z energy? Well, that’s what I’m trying.”

Yazmin explained. She was attempting to deactivate the barrier encasing Eliora. It was an intriguing plan, but after a moment, the sound abruptly ceased.

“It’s not working.”

Yazmin confessed with a sigh.

“The room’s acoustics are altering the frequency. It’s impressive that Eliora accounted for that.”

It became clear that Eliora had planned for every eventuality. Despite the setback, Yazmin remained undeterred.

“Well, we can still proceed with the initial plan.”

She declared, dropping the bag she had been carrying and retrieving a tube and various equipment from it.

“Elisa”

She called my name, grabbing my attention. It was time for me to take a more active part in this operation than I had up until this point. As I walked up to Yazmin, she gave me a breathing tube. I took off my mask and put on the one that was attached to the breathing tube. Yazmin held up a syringe, positioning it against my neck. I held my breath as it pierced my skin and let its contents flow into my blood. The effects were immediate, and I could feel a sense of lightheadedness washing over me.

“Alright, Reuben is escorting me back to the loop chamber; after that, I will send you both in.”

Yazmin explained, and I nodded, my head feeling a bit foggy. I observed Yazmin and Reuben as they stepped into the Lumen pool and left the area, with Reuben closing the door behind them. Now I was alone with Eliora and the other unknown entity. I approached the edge of the pool and slowly descended into the liquid, keeping my eyes fixed on the shadowy silhouette below me.

I raised the other end of the breathing tube above the lumen’s surface, allowing me to maintain a supply of air. I slowly relaxed, extending myself flat against the viscous substance’s surface with my body sinking into it. My vision became obscured, but unlike water, the Lumen had no adverse effects on my eyes, allowing me to keep them open.

This was it. I was poised to reenter the fray. Our plan had worked flawlessly up to this point. However, the real obstacle lay in front of us. It came as no surprise that Eliora was prepared for our arrival, but we had anticipated as much. As the effects of the syringe circulated through my veins, my vision gradually became blurry.

The loop, but not just any loop. I was venturing into the depths of Eliora’s own loop.

My task was clear: gather intelligence. Any morsel of information that could be utilised to bring her down. As she lingered in the liquid, tantalisingly close yet unattainable, our objective remained clear. We had to delve into her mind and peel back the layers to reveal her weaknesses.

The plan was audacious, seeking insight from the very person we aimed to defeat. Left with no alternative, we were compelled to pursue this daring course of action. Our choices had narrowed, leaving us with just one option to proceed. We would navigate the intricacies of her consciousness, unravelling the secrets she held within.

With each passing moment, anticipation coursed through me, and my resolve grew stronger than ever. It was time to confront Eliora in the realm of her thoughts, unearthing the truth that would bring her downfall.

And then everything faded to black.