This is JZTSmokenem here, and we got ourselves another fanfic here. This one focused on another piece of TobiIsABunny's artwork, the Termina AU. For today, let's take a look on this new story.
Chapter #1 ~ The Start
Inside an unknown room, a heart slowly beating. Darkness engulfs the walls except for a single candle flickering in the corner. There's a feeling of dread, but somehow, an aura of mystery surrounds the room.
Like something important's hidden within its depths. The air is held back, like a complete exhale, while the darkness cloaks the ceiling. The sound of the heart slowly beating echoes through the walls, like a message of mortality.
Despite the ominous atmosphere looming within the walls, something deep within holds a hint of hope. It seemed like an escape from the darkness into a secure sanctuary. But for the moment, the heart beats ever louder in the darkness of an unknown room, with a shimmer of light. Barely visible in the distance.
Tinnitus was involved. The high-pitched ringing sound began growing louder and louder. And it seemed to be coming from everywhere. It was as if it was coming from the air around the being, echoing and bouncing off the walls.
But then it shorted as if smothered by an unseen hand. In its place, we heard a different sound, a huffing and puffing noise that seemed to be growing faster instead of fading away. We looked around in fear until a bright light suddenly illuminated the area.
Two pairs of eyes opened like a lightning bolt, like some ancient guardian was revealing itself. The being realized that the sound was not coming from the creature's eyes but from its mouth.
The being slowly shifted its eyes, realizing it was in a room and completely covered in bandages and dirt. It tried to get up and catch its bearings but soon realized that its limbs wouldn't cooperate.
Its vision was still slightly blurry, but it could make out the figure of a man smiling from the corner of the room. Voices muted. And three dark shapes were present. It was impossible to make out what they were saying. Two of them left quickly, leaving only one who seemed unkeen to leave.
It remembered something from the depths of its memories, a name, but it slipped away just as quickly as it came. As the figure approached, it tried to speak, but its voice was inaudible. All it could do was stare in confusion, wondering what was happening to it.
Where...where am I? The being spoked in its mind.
The being slowly opened its eyes further and squinted as it took in its situation. Looking around, it noticed it was lying down - although there's something off about its position. It felt like it was...tilting.
Trying to figure out what might be causing it to feel this way, the being slowly tilted its head back...until its vision cleared and it saw itself. It was lying in an outfit that was unfamiliar, as it also seemed like a patient's outfit.
Confused, the being tried to sit up, realizing it was in a medical facility. Suddenly, everything began to make sense, and the being finally felt the complete weight of the situation.
The patient's outfit was pristine white, with a unique pattern of heart-shaped dots surrounded by circles of smaller dots in hues of pink. It was a modest yet adorable outfit meant to keep the patient comfortable. The clothing was a cotton blend, giving the patient a nice, lightweight feel. The skirt and top were connected by a flexible zipper, allowing the patient to move freely and easily.
The neckline featured a dainty white bow, giving the patient extra cuteness. The heart-shaped dots and small circles added a unique touch, while the overall design was simple and classic.
The being felt a massive sensation, unlike anything they had felt before.
Pain coursed through its body, from its arms to its legs and deep within its core.
It was unbearable, yet somehow on the verge of healing, like the pain was slowly vanishing from the inside out. Then, just as quickly as it had come, the feeling was gone, leaving a sense of peace and comfort as if nothing ever happened. The being was relieved but still confused as to what had just happened.
The being slowly lifted its hand and moved its fingers. An odd sensation filled its arm with slight vibrations made it feel alive.
As it looked downward, it realized that the reflection staring back at it was not its own.
Instead, it gazed upon light aqua skin, stick-straight hair, curves, a feminine frame, rainbow hair from yellow, magenta, and violet, and a strange face. Underneath were more straps, blood stains, and a white bra. Its hands trembled as it examined the tightly strapped apparel that was not its own.
It touched its chest and found a pair of sensitive breasts. Her eyes widened, and her heart increased its beat as she curiously explored the area. Afterward, she touched her head, which was puffy. Dirt crumbs were attached to it as the young woman recently pulled out from underwater. A tear slowly made her way down the unfamiliar face to the ground. She felt alien, and questioning what she was and why there filled her with dread.
She turned to her right and saw a stack of clothes on a chair. A simple folded white shirt, neatly tucked with creases and seams intact. Beneath it lay a yellow skirt, its embroidery work depicting subtle patterns, and its frills and pleats tied in a neat bow on the side.
Nearby the kilt was a white headband with a yellow strap, its fabric glimmering as the morning light shone through the window. A pair of white shoes with yellow stripes extended on both sides sat at the far end of the chair. Other than these items, the chair was empty, allowing her to try them on and choose the ones best suited to her.
Suddenly, a hand touched her shoulder, and she quickly shifted and looked to her right.
The girl's eyebrows rose upwards in curious surprise, her panting tensed in fear as she stared into the face of a mysterious being whose face adorn with a mask.
It wasn't like anything she had ever seen before. It was a plain, white mask with a clean shape, a skull-like appearance with horns and strapped around the head. The eyes are seemingly almost empty and sad yet determined.
"Are you okay, Rachel?" The being asked calmly, holding the girl's hand softly.
She couldn't help but feel her heart pounding as she walked closer to the being, pushing back her fear.
In addition, the being appeared to be aware of her name.
With courage she didn't know she had, the girl eventually reached a clearing, and before her, a phantom shrouded in a mysterious and intimidating presence.
The being had a long white bane, a gray necklace with a skull in the middle, solemnly hovering over her. Inside the black sclera were pure white pupils, and her silver witch-like jacket had black extends and arms that were jagged and long. Furthermore, her body had a 3D red-and-blue outline, adding to her ghoulish appearance.
Her frame is tall and slender, yet undeniably flaunting the curves that would catch any eye. Her indecently influential hips lead up to a beautiful waist for her to proudly showcase. Her chest fills out in a pleasing way with her newly discovered bustier chest that could even make men weak in the knees.
Her gown flowed down her curves, exquisite fabric fitting her like a glove. Her hair cascaded down her neck and matched her tail, both curling at the end. Her face was equally eerie, and her dark eyes seemed to have a glare that could make anyone uneasy.
After narrowing her eyes, the girl was hit with a wave of familiarity as she stared into the phantom's figure. She felt as though she had seen this figure before. Something echoed in her mind, yet she couldn't recall the memory. Once she tilted her head easefully, her eyes met with the ghost. And with a steady, clear voice, she spoke.
"Who...who are you...? And...why do you look familiar?" The question lingered in the air, and Rachel felt as though if only for a moment, they were the only two in the room, surrounded by a wave of familiarity and warmth.
The phantom took a deep breath and exhaled as she grabbed the clipboard from the table nearby. She then glanced downwards towards the head of whoever was there and reached out to touch it.
As the being looked up in confusion to see what the phantom was doing, she snapped her fingers, displaying to the girl an image of what was occurring on her head; a spot of blood had formed, causing the girl to let out a gasp, as her jaw dropped in response. She weakly stepped back, her limbs shaking while her eyes glued to the floor beneath her.
"Just as I feared. The impact of the crash has damaged your head and must've impaired your memory." The phantom said to Rachel, who immediately turned her head to the being.
"How long...was I out?" Rachel asked when she tilted her head and raised an eyebrow.
"Merely a few hours. In case you haven't known, my crew and I found you across a ditch not far from here. You've taken a rough landing."
"L-Landing?!" The girl, without hesitation, quickly glanced down at the bloody spot before turning back to the floor. A faint grunt escaped her lips as the phantom gently sat next to her and placed the clipboard behind them. Rachel felt a comforting hand land on her left shoulder.
"During our recent activities, we spotted something coming from the sky. Not knowing what it was, I asked my..."leader"...to send a group of searchers to investigate. We arrived at the scene to find a portal that seemed to have come from the Void itself. We also discovered someone had fallen from it and crashed. Upon reaching the crash site, that is how we found you." The phantom snapped her finger, and another being walked into the scene. Rachel turned to her left and raised her eyebrows.
Rachel looked down at the short being before her.
It has two metallic arms and claws, single optic and white torso and thighs with black feet, topped with a strange symbol attached to its chest. It moved like a human yet covered with a shiny chrome exterior, two cat-like horns jutting from its head, and a heart-shaped symbol adorning its center.
She narrowed her eyes as she studied the insignia. The mark was indeed heart-shaped, but golden, tribal-inspired, stripes, two-cat-like eyes with one in the middle of the forehead, and surrounded by ten horns. Rachel tilted her head, scratching her chin in contemplation.
"Excuse me, um... Robot? What does that symbol mean?" The rainbowlass inquired, pointing her index finger at the icon. The mech glanced down at the symbol. Its pupil follows the movement before looking back up at the girl.
"The emblem represents our lord and master. My brethren and I wear it as a mark of pride. To symbolize whom do we serve." The robot responded as the girl placed her hand downward.
"Master?" Rachel whispered, her voice filled with curiosity and trepidation, and she turned her head toward the elusive phantom.
"I remember yourself speaking of your leader," the spectral figure acknowledged as she lifted an eyebrow.
"Yes, but I find it more fitting to refer to him as such, considering his... troubled history with this place," The ghost responded, averting its gaze from Rachel and focusing on the desolate ground.
"The automaton mentioned he's some lord and master. How long has this figure... held sway?" The rainbowlass inquired, her words hanging heavy in the air. The ghost fell silent, clenching its spectral hands into tight, trembling fists. The phantom closed her eyes, and a weighted pause enveloped the air.
The ghost began to reignite voices in her head, tinged with the anguish of remembrance. Rachel observed as the ghost's hands shook and a deep frown etched across its incorporeal brow. The world around her seemed to vanish for a fleeting moment, replaced by an ominous black tint seeping into her vision.
The echoes of destruction, screams, explosions, gunfire, and roars inundated her senses. Rachel tilted her head, leaning in closer, trying to comprehend the torment etched on the phantom's face.
For an agonizing moment, she couldn't breathe under the weight of the haunting memories that gripped her. Then, as suddenly as it began, the phantom's tumultuous mental landscape began to subside. It exhaled, reopening its eyes, and lifted its head to the heavens.
The phantom turned back to Rachel, revealing a pained expression across her spectral features.
"Let's just say he... presided over this, this... 'kingdom' for a while, and as Bobert mentioned, he left an indelible mark," the phantom confessed, its eyes almost twitching but trying to keep the inner turmoil within.
"Bobert 6B Alpha, huh? And when it comes to names, what's yours?" Rachel inquired, gazing up at the apparition. The specter let out a small sigh, casting her eyes downward after clearing her throat.
"My name is...N-N-Nyx..." The phantom responded.
"Nyx?" Rachel questioned, and Bobert interjected, raising his claw.
"Indeed. Nyx, the Queen of Zelmore," The robot declared, bowing down. Rachel's eyebrows shot up, her pupils contracting, and her eyes twitching.
"Wait a second, Queen?! Zelmore?!" Rachel exclaimed, shaking her head vigorously from side to side and clutching her temples as residual pain from the crash lingered. A gentle sigh escaped Nyx's lips as she massaged Rachel's head. The girl turned to the ghost, still harboring disbelief about what she had just heard.
The agonizing pain from her wounds suddenly began to subside. The rainbowlass observed in silence as an ethereal aura enveloped her form, the torment across her body dissipating into nothingness. As the spectral healing concluded, Rachel examined herself with disbelief and relief.
The ephemeral radiance vanished, and with newfound strength, she turned her gaze back to the phantom.
"Perhaps I should acquaint you with this place, given your newcomer status. But I strongly advise you to stay close." Nyx suggested with a melancholy undertone in her voice.
"S-Sure thing, your... Highness," Rachel stammered, her eyes falling upon her attire nearby. With a determined glare, she descended from the table, retrieving her clothes. Shedding the hospital gown, she adorned herself in her original garments. Her gaze then shifted back to Bobert.
"Bobert, you're dismissed. I'm taking charge now," Nyx declared, and Bobert nodded respectfully before exiting the room. As the mechanical companion departed, Rachel approached Nyx after fixing her hair. Nyx acknowledged with a solemn nod as advancing toward the door, and the rainbowlass followed her as they exit the room.
Alright, that wraps up this new story. I know there are other stories in development, but I've been working on this for a while, so I thought it was time to release it.