Hello there.
Now, if you don't know about Arknights, I recommend you download it, fun game and very interesting story. Basically, dystopia with a disease called Oripathy infects people when exposed to a certain material called originium. Theses infected people are heavily discriminated against and an infected terrorist organisation called Reunion runs around killing uninfected and destroying cities. Many of these cities exist as their own countries or organisations, and a major prolific one is called Rhode Island Pharmaceutical, who are our protagonists. They research originium and oripathy to find a cure as well as look after those suffering from the disease, and are the main force fighting against Reunion.
So yeah, that's the basic explanation of the background, but I highly suggest you download the game and play for yourself, it's honestly fun and while the Gacha element can be a pain, it's really not that bad and even basic 3-star units can still perform very well, not to mention it's generous with higher tiered characters anyway.
So, full disclosure, spoilers, but I mean, your reading a fanfic and it's been out long enough it's your own fault.
It was so cold.
Why was it always so cold?
There was a bright light. Nothing else could be seen but that light. Faint voices echoed around but nothing distinct could be heard. If this what Death had in store for her, then at least it could have felt a little bit of warmth for once in her life. But, it seems that not even Death was forgiving of her sins.
Well, considering the things she'd done, maybe it was simply well deserved retribution.
A sharp pain came from her chest. Guess the Infection was deciding to finish the job. Soon it spread to her back, arms, legs and just about everywhere crystals had been forming. The voices grew fainter, a beeping sound started to come into being. The light dimmed.
Something blocked the light out. A second later, a soothing feeling overcame her.
Slowly, her eyes felt heavy and her mind drifted off away.
Something caused her to wake up.
Gods know what. Maybe it was the slight breeze, maybe something fell over or maybe the moonlight shining through the window.
Or maybe it was the slight burning sensation of pain throughout her body? But who knows really.
Slowly opening her eyes, the first thing she noticed through her blurry vision was a clean white roof. A ceiling fan slowly rotated above her. Painfully, she raised her arm to rub the sleep from her eyes. Vision cleared, she slowly pushed herself up into a sitting position.
She happened to be in a bed, covered in white sheets. The room she found herself in was simply and utilitarian. A small desk with a lamp and wardrobe to her left next to a window with shades drawn back, a table with a pair of chairs in front of her bed while a small kitchenette to her right. Two doors were also present, one on the opposite side of the room from her and the other next to the kitchenette.
Pain surged in her chest, she gasped in pain. She pushed her hand into her chest in a vain attempt to stop the pain, but after a few seconds, a freezing sensation spread from her hand into her body. It was only then she noticed how cold she was. Shivering, she pulled the bed covers over, but unfortunately, it did little to warm her.
She sat there, arms lightly shaking while she got used to the coldness. How strange, why was her body so cold?
And why was it so terribly familiar? Was something wrong with her?
Wait...
Her eyes narrowed in confusion. Confusion and fear started to fester in her mind as she realised something.
She didn't know where she was.
She didn't know how she got her.
She didn't know what was wrong with her.
But...
Taking a sudden breath, it came to her suddenly.
She couldn't remember who she was.
Her vision blurred and darkened. She grabbed her head and shook like a leaf.
No, no she had to know! She couldn't just forget who she is! How!? How could she not remember?!
The cold grew, her blood freezing while her breath turned to mist. Around her, the air grew still and ice slowly began to form around her surrounding. Her panic grew rapidly.
A loud beep echoed in the room and the door to the right open. Unbeknownst to her, a person entered the room. Noticing the disturbance, the figure ran at her, pulling something from their red coat. She didn't even notice someone was there until something was stabbed into her neck. She looked up at the person above her but asides from glowing yellow eyes, her terror was too overwhelming to get a good look at her attacker.
Suddenly, she felt very tired, the cold air around her dissipated as her body felt sluggish and tired. Her eyes drooped as she felt herself fall into a restless sleep.
Her second awakening was much less fear inducing.
She awoke to find herself in the same room as she sat up once more, though the sunlight shined through the open window which revealed a strange symbol on the wall opposite of her. A triangular shape with a tower stood proudly over a pair of words:
Rhodes Island?
Those words rung a bell in her mind, but she couldn't remember anything for the life of her that might reveal something.
It was here that she remembered her current predicament. Panic welled up in her, but this time she was more prepared. Still, the fact she couldn't remember about herself did cause her tremble. Where was she and what had happened to her that made her like this?
There was a tapping on the door before it opened. A strange woman entered. She had grey hair and wolf ears, wearing a dark red coat with a furry hood. A fluffy grey tail ideally swayed behind her. A Lupo. Wait, how did she know that? But before she had a chance to question her sudden knowledge, she noticed her visitor had yellow eyes which suddenly widened.
"You...you are...th-the o-one from before..." she said painfully, her voice cracking from lack of use. The wolf-eared girl nodded before suddenly running out the room, her footsteps echoing behind her. Why did she leave without a word? She started coughing viciously into her hand. Drawing her hand away, she saw blood covered her hand. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she slowly swung her legs over the edge of the bed.
Sighing, she pushed herself off the bed. Her legs trembled briefly then collapsed and smacked her head against the wall. Groaning, she pushed herself up, limbs trembling under the effort. Eventually, she managed to get up and lean against the wall. She ideally noticed the surface of the wall was covered in a light sheen of ice from where she had pushed herself up. What a curious thing...
Shaking her head, she stumbled over to the door the Lupo had left open. Before her was a large corridor, with a number of doors around her. It was mostly barren though there was medical equipment outside some doors. A door opened and a grey haired girl walked out. Her right hand with wrapped in bandages and she was wearing a green military styled jacket and checkered skirt with leggings. On top of her head were a pair of ears that marked her as a Kuranta.
Again, how did she know that?
The Kuranta girl smiled and began to walk up to her, but suddenly stopped. Her eyes flicked to behind her.
Turning around, a pair were walked up to here. A silver-haired woman with cat ears, Feline she subconsciously noted, with a crossbow slung on her back, while the other was a pink-haired lady in fine clothes with blue feathers in her hair, Libari. The feline with the crossbow had a stern look on her face while the Libari had a look of surprise and shock.
"Grani, you must leave. Now." said the Feline, a hand straying to her crossbow. The Kuranta, Grani, nodded and walked away with a confused expression. Who were these people? The Feline then looked at her and said "Miss, I must ask you return to your room before I resort to force."
Force? What did she mean by that? Had she done something wrong by leaving her room like this? "Oh, okay. Sor-" she began coughing, a growing pain in her chest. The Libari rushed forward. The Feline attempted to pull her back with a warning, but the Libari slipped through her grip. Reaching her, the Libari slid under her arm and carried her back in the room. The Libari helped lie her down on the bed as the Feline walked in.
"Milady, you need to step back, she is still highly dangerous." The Feline said, her crossbow now in her hands. The Libari sighed, but obeyed her companions instruction. Taking a few steps back, she drew a chair from out of the table and sat next to her.
"I understand Schwarz, but this is a risk I must undertake. I'm sure you understand what I mean." explained the Libari. This, Schwarz, nodded, but did not put her weapon away. The Libari looked over at her before continuing. "Hello Madam, my name is Ceylon. I am the one overseeing your health at the moment." Ceylon gave her a polite smile before drawing a small piece of paper and a pen. "Now, before I can explain anything, I have a number of question I am required to ask you. Could you please answer these for me?" Ceylon asked. She nodded.
"Excellent. Firstly, can I ask for your name?"
That feeling of fear that she was getting quite familiar to rushed through her once more.
"Um, Miss Ceylon? I-" she started before devolving into another round of coughs. Fortunately, it lasted only a few seconds though fresh blood coated her hand once again. Ceylon looked at her with concern. "I...don't remember."
Schwarz's eyes widened while Ceylon frowned and said, "Wait, you don't remember your name?". She nodded. Ceylon's frown grew. "That was unexpected...no matter. Does mean you have no memories?" She nodded. "Goodness...well, that was very unexpected. I wasn't anticipating this conundrum at all. Well, if you wish, I will referred to you as Nova unless you remember or take issue with that name. Is that acceptable Miss Nova?"
"Nova" nodded in confirmation.
Ceylon smiled, though it now had a certain edge to it. "Well then, I suppose that a number of question here are not answerable and thusly this questionnaire unnecessary." She put away the paper and pen and leaned forward.
"I would ask if you could inform me any issues you might currently have? No matter how small or insignificant please?" Ceylon politely inquired.
Nova looked at the lady opposite of her, a confused frown on her face. "Well, there is those coughs...and I occasional feel a burning pain in my body as if it was lit on fire, though mostly around my chest. Also, I'm cold. Very cold." Nova shivered. Schwarz's eyes narrowed.
Ceylon pulled out another article of paper, reading through whatever was on the paper. Ceylon nodded a few time before looking at her.
"Hmm, the coughing and pain can be explained as a complication from the surgery." she explain. Surgery? Why did she need surgery? Ceylon continued, "As for the cold, I have been informed that would be expected. Miss Nova? That coldness is a by-product of your natural abilities. Unfortunately you are going to need to live with that for the moment, though we should probably get you some warmer clothes."
Nova blinked before looking down at herself. She only just realised she was in dark blue hospital gown. On one of the breast was the same symbol on the wall. Nova pointed at the symbol.
"Miss Ceylon? What is symbol? What is a 'Rhodes Island'?" Nova asked curiously. Ceylon looked up from the paper she was going through at where Nova was pointing. A smile appeared on her face.
"Oh? That's the logo of Rhodes Island Pharmaceutical, which is where you currently are. I am a Originium researcher and as well as an operator of Rhodes Island, Schwarz too is an operator here, as well as Miss Grani, who you saw outside." Ceylon explained.
Rhodes Island Pharmaceutical? It gave her a faint feeling of familiarity. Of sadness and regret...
"Doctor...I can call you that can't I?"
Those words...? Who had said that...? Someone she knew...or was it her own words...?
Ceylon looked at her and tilted her head.
"Miss Nova?" Ceylon asks with a curious expression.
Nova blinked and shook her head. "Sorry, just thinking. Did you ask something?"
Ceylon raised an eyebrow but replies, "I asked why you happened to be out in the hall. I was surprised to see you out and about."
Nova explained why someone had came in and ran out. Ceylon nods when she says she had recognised the Lupo girl.
"Ah yes, Miss Red. She inform me of your first awakening. She is currently informing the one that arranged this. She acts very anti-social but she's actually a rather sweet girl, I assure you." Ceylon says to Nova.
"Miss Nova, Projekt Red informed us that when you first woke, the room was covered in ice and the air was like a mist." Schwarz suddenly interrupted. She gave Nova a threatening look that made her shiver. Ceylon looked at her and opened her mouth to say something when Schwarz continued, "Milady, we need to know in order to ensure both your safety and the safety of everyone in this ward. Nova, can you explain to me exactly what happened?"
Nova shook with fear, but explained to the Feline that how she lost it upon realising she couldn't remember anything. Schwarz releases a breath when Nova says she didn't know how she managed to freeze the room.
"Well then, it seems you are not a deliberate threat to our safety. I apologise for my rudeness but it had to be addressed." Schwarz apologised. Nova nodded in reluctant acceptance while Ceylon frowned at her.
"Schwarz, you really didn't need to be so intimidating. Especially considering her condition, who knows what could happen." she scolded. Schwarz shrugged unapologetically.
Nova looked between the two and questioned, "My...condition?"
Ceylon's eyes widen by her slip but quickly composed herself.
"Yes, Miss Nova. While I cannot go into details without Lady Kal'tsit's permission, the surgery I mentioned before was an experimental treatment I and a pair of my colleagues had attempted...due to your prior...status..." Ceylon trailed off.
Nova frowned with confusion. "My status?" she questioned.
"Well Miss Nova, you are infected with an illness called Oripathy." Ceylon explained how her body had been crystalizing due to exposure to Originium that was slowly killing her and that she had been on the verge of death when the surgery was performed.
"Truth be told, Milady severely doubted your chances of survival. Such an operation had never been attempted and was purely theoretical. You happened to be an ideal test subject with nothing to lose at the time apparently." Schwarz added. Nova looked down at her bare arms and hands. She was...an infected.
"We may be Infected, but that means nothing, you still have a life worth living."
She blinked. Who had told her that?
Nova shook her head.
"So, what exactly did you do to me?" Nova asked.
Ceylon nodded before passing a few sheets of paper over to her. One had an image of her unconscious on a table while who appeared to be Ceylon applied a syringe to her arm while another woman with pure white skin was cutting skin around a crystalline object on the same arm. Looking down, Nova noticed that said crystal was noticeably missing though a small, black protrusion surrounded by small scars was present.
Ceylon drew her attention to another piece of paper, full with terms and numbers that made no sense to Nova.
"This here details an experimental counter-agent developed by myself and my colleagues Warfarin and Aak. While we had hoped it would reverse Oripathy into a harmless state, all it successfully managed was to reduce it's effect that it had on your body. I admit, we don't know how far, but it seems to rather effective, test while you were unconscious reveal you had regressed to around 29% cell-originium fusion rate, though our surgery did remove many external originium formations as well as a few internal ones that were causing bodily damage thus it may not seem as obvious. We are uncertain if this is temporary if we have managed to successfully find a way to temporarily reverse Oripathy, nonetheless this is a significant breakthrough." Ceylon continued to chatter away while Nova got lost in her rambling.
Before she could ask her to stop, Schwarz walked up behind Ceylon and tapped her on the shoulder. Ceylon blinked twice before smiling with embarrassment.
"Oh, my apologises Miss Nova, I am very excited by this progress is all. The time I've spent here has really been beneficial to my search to find a way to cure Oripathy." Ceylon explained. Nova nodded with a smile.
"I am glad to be of assistance. I am more than willing to help the infected in any way I can." Nova said happily. Ceylon and Schwarz exchanged a brief look.
Before either could comment, there was a knocking at the door. Ceylon stood up while Schwarz opened the door.
In walked a quartet of people. The first was the Lupo, Miss Red as Ceylon called her. The next was a younger female Feline, this one with brown heir in a labcoat and black shorts. This woman was frowning at the one behind her, who happened to be that Grani lady from the corridor earlier with an embarrassed look on her face. The last one to enter the room older, grey-haired Feline woman in a green dress and white labcoat with an air of command.
"Oh, Doctor Kal'tsit? My apologises, I didn't expect you to be here so soon." Ceylon said. She looked at the brown-haired girl with a nodded. "Greetings to you too Miss Folinic, I suppose you are here to assist Doctor Kal'tsit?" Folinic nodded politely.
"And to make sure Grani doesn't go off with her big mouth to the wrong people like she ran her mouth to me." Folinic replied, giving Grani a scolding look. The smaller Kuranta chuckled nervously in embarrassment.
Kal'tsit walked up to Nova. A stern look on her face, she looked down at Nova before looking over at Ceylon.
"Ceylon, can you explain to me her current status?" the Doctor requested, never looking away from her. Nova cringed and shrunk down as if to escape her gaze. Kal'tsit raised an eyebrow at her reaction. Ceylon started to explain her condition to the Doctor in detail. When she finished, Kal'tsit closed her eyes. "So, she remembers nothing? And her powers are less intensive at the moment. Hmm, curious..." the Doctor muttered a few words under her breath.
Nova nervously looked at Kal'tsit. "Um, Doctor Kal'tsit was it?" she asked cautiously. Kal'tsit opened her eyes and nodded. "Well, ah, I was wondering if you could explain to me how I got here? Miss Ceylon told me she wasn't allowed to without your permission so..." Nova trailed off. Kal'tsit stood there quietly for a moment.
"You were an infected person in the city of Lungman when a terrorist organisation called Reunion attacked. During this, you were mortally wounded and a few of our operators brought you here. Initially, you were to be cremated to remove any more potential spread of the infection, but my subordinate, Warfarin, noticed you were still alive by virtue of your power, and with my permission, performed an experimental surgery on you theorised by herself, Ceylon and another called Aak. They succeeded and thus, you lived." Kal'tsit finished with a tired breath.
Oh.