In the near future, humanity discovers a groundbreaking chemical compound, NeuraPrime, designed to optimize and enhance human abilities. Scientists use this compound to create a new breed of humans, known as the 'Transcendants' These individuals possess near-perfect physical, intellectual, and emotional capabilities, making them superior in nearly every field.
Initially, the Transcendace are celebrated for their contributions to society. They solve complex problems, advance technology, and push the boundaries of human potential. However, as their numbers grow, tensions arise between them and Natural Humans, who feel increasingly marginalized and inferior.
Propaganda begins to circulate, portraying the Transcendans as unnatural and dangerous. Fear and jealousy fuel discrimination, leading to widespread prejudice against them. They are denied basic rights, face social ostracization, and are subjected to harsh laws designed to control their abilities.
Silvana, are you sure about this? I asked my friend. "Of course, Eris," Silvana replied. "We are the only remaining people who possess the best compatibility with the synthetic substance NeuraPrime the Squad X20A with the N suppressor. The Hextech Corporation will be looking for us. Earth is no longer safe for us. Not after we waged war against the entire world as the Transcendants."
"But the dimensional transporters we build not tested yet, hell this very dangerous. And this because the first contractor Meynar who started the war not you or me" I said again.
"Nevertheless, the treatment the Naturals have given to us is too brutal. I can't believe we are already at war for 10 years. We have lost everything; you an yad me."
The settings and calculations are not complete yet. And it's all just a theory. I can't guarantee that this will work.
Either we die at the hands of the Hextech company or become their failed experiments in space and time; the options are frankly the same. I have already seen it as suicide anyway. Silvana and I have lost so much and the people we care about. Neither of us desires to live much longer on this Earth.
"Fine, you make sure you fill the batteries with the supply and I will do so as well. The dimensional rift will open and we will leave this Earth for the next possible realm." I said. And she did what I told her to do; the rift opened up before us. We both stood there in amazement. Quickly, we prepared our equipment: the military knife, two guns (USP 45s), one assault rifle M4A1, and also the other survival basics that we would need on the unknown world.
"Silvana, remember, we may not see each other again. I hope you find a great and better place." I said as we stepped into the rift.
I opened my eyes after the flash and experienced the force of time and space. I was a little confused and lost my sense of balance. So, I fell down to the ground and stayed still for the next 30 minutes. As I began to crawl around and try to get my bearings, I realized that no one else had been transported with me. I already knew this would happen anyway. I looked around and saw only a grassland surrounding me. With my senses still a bit off, I tried to crawl through it. My hands told me that I was crawling on the grassland.
My five senses finally got back to normal after 2 hours later so I got up and scanned my surroundings. Mostly grassland and I have no idea where am I heading. There are no settlements or anything. Damn, I'm not gonna die on this unknown world, right?
For now, let's see if we can find something I can use to make a shelter. I take out my knife, and started searching for anything that might be useful. After about a half-hour walk, I finally found a forest. And after another hour of walking, I discovered a river. By the riverbank, I began building an emergency shelter and a fireplace. I lit the fire using some twigs and dried tree bark. However, since this isn't Earth, I decided against going into the forest to look for food. Instead, I boiled water in the cup noodles I had brought from Earth, and then ate them. The sun has set now, so it's already dark. The moon is up, and I lay down to rest, warmed by the glow of the fire.
I opened my eyes and walked to the river to wash my face. As I did, I realized that I wasn't dreaming; the scenery was still the same. I gathered materials from my dismantled emergency shelter and put them in an emergency bag to make it easier for me to rebuild it if I couldn't find the necessary items. Then, I started walking north, hoping to find either a settlement or people so I could gather information on my current location.
Walking and walking, eventually I saw a small village. When I looked closer, those villagers had cat ears... What the hell? Is that real? Well, this isn't Earth, so maybe something like that is commonplace. Slowly approaching the village, the villagers just examined me as if I were an alien or something. Well, you could use that terminology for me, of course.
Greetings. My name is Eris. I'm not looking for trouble; I'm just a traveler passing through." I tried to greet them while they were still staring at me. A teenage girl, probably around my age, with ash-brown long hair with cat ears on either side of her head, dressed in clothing resembling that of a villager from the 18th century, spoke to me. "My name is Crasie. You're a Sankta? Where is your Halo?"
Huh? What now? Sankta? What the hell is that? Halo? I'm not an angel, just a human though. "I don't know, I lost my memory; all I can remember is my name, that's it. I'm not sure about anything else, so if you guys could help me out, I would really appreciate it." I said to them, having no choice but to tell them about me have an amnesia for the cover.
"I see, that's pretty bad. You can come to my house." She said and grabbed my hand to come with her. "Thank you for your kindness... As she welcomed me to her house, she let me sit in a chair. And I just looked around. And put my stuff to the corner. Here, you must be thirsty after such a long walk, with not knowing the direction on top of that."
Again, thank you for the kindness, Lady Crasie...I somehow managed to drink the water without any doubts about her possibly poisoning me. Well, it's not like I had much of a choice anyway. On Earth or in this unknown world, common sense dictates not to easily trust strangers you just met.
Crasie then wagged her tail. "This is the first time I've seen Sankta without her wings or halo. Maybe because of your amnesia? Don't worry about it though; it's just something everyone does to help each other out."
"It's frustrating not knowing who I am, where I am, or anything else. I continued my search, hoping to gather some information" I said.
"By the way, what's this Sankta you mentioned, Lady Crasie? Are they similar to me?" I asked, intrigued by the term.
"Well, I'm making an educated guess because of your guns. In this world, Terra, the only ones who can operate such weapons are the Sankta."
So, Sankta are like an army of angels or something? Sheshh... what sick angels. I was curious and decided to dig a bit deeper.
Lady Crasie looked at me thoughtfully, her gaze measuring. "The Sankta," she began, "are a race in Terra known for their angelic appearance and exceptional marksmanship. They possess innate abilities that make them highly skilled with firearms, which is why I guessed you might be one of them."
"Possibly," Crasie replied, "though you seem to have lost your memory. The Sankta have a strict code of conduct and a deep connection to the Laterano, their homeland. If you are indeed Sankta, your abilities with firearms would be second nature."
"Laterano?" I asked, eager for more information.
"Yes, the city-state governed by the Sankta. It's a place where their laws and way of life are upheld rigorously. Every Sankta is born with an innate understanding of these laws and a duty to uphold them. It's said that their connection to their guns is almost sacred," Crasie explained.
I nodded, absorbing the information. "So, if I am a Sankta, I should be able to handle these guns effortlessly?"
"Precisely," she confirmed. "But there's more to the Sankta than just their proficiency with firearms. They are also known for their sense of justice and their duty to protect the weak."
I took a deep breath, trying to piece together my identity with these new fragments of information. "Thank you, Lady Crasie. This helps a lot."
She smiled kindly. "It's the least I can do. Perhaps as you regain your memories, you'll understand more about your connection to the Sankta and your place in this world."
"Very well, I can't thank you enough for the help. May your kindness return to you in favor, my Lady," I said, grateful for the information.
Lady Crasie smiled and nodded. "Safe travels," she said.
I pondered the name Laterano. It sounded like an intriguing destination, but I was fairly certain that I wasn't a Sankta and definitely not a native of this planet, Terra. It seemed wiser to keep moving and find a more suitable place to start gathering information and resources.
With that decision made, I set off, hoping to find a safe haven where I could continue my journey.
With that decision made, I set off, hoping to find a safe haven where I could continue my journey.
As I traveled, I heard whispers and rumors about a mysterious affliction called Oripathy. It was said to be a disease unique to Terra, caused by prolonged exposure to Originium, a mineral with powerful energy properties. The disease was not only lethal but also highly contagious, and those afflicted by it were often ostracized and feared.
The more I learned, the more I realized how serious Oripathy was. Infected individuals, or Infected, as they were called, often faced discrimination and were forced to live in isolation or under strict surveillance. However, there were groups dedicated to researching and combating the disease. One such group was Rhodes Island, a pharmaceutical company and paramilitary organization renowned for its efforts to treat and understand Oripathy. kinda messed up this oripathy thing. After gathering as much information as I could in Lungmen, I decided to continue my journey to Laterano. The idea of finding out what the Sankta might think about my AR-15 was intriguing. If they were the only ones who could operate firearms in this world, their reaction to my weapon from Earth could reveal more about my unique situation.
The journey to Laterano was long and arduous, but I finally arrived at the city-state known for its towering cathedrals and strict governance by the Sankta. The architecture was stunning, with white marble buildings and statues of angelic figures adorning the streets. The atmosphere was serene yet disciplined, reflecting the Sankta's commitment to their laws and traditions.
As I walked through the city, I could feel the eyes of the Sankta on me. Their expressions were a mix of curiosity and suspicion, likely due to my unfamiliar appearance and the weapon slung across my back. I approached a group of Sankta guards, their halos and wings making them unmistakable.
One of the guards, a tall woman with piercing red eyes and a commanding presence, stepped forward. "State your business, traveler," she said, her tone firm but not unkind.
"I seek knowledge about this world and my place in it," I replied. "I've heard that the Sankta are the only ones who can operate firearms here, yet I come from a place where this weapon is common." I unslung the AR-15 and held it out for her to see.
Her eyes widened slightly as she examined the rifle. "This is not an Originium-based weapon," she noted, her tone now tinged with interest. "It appears to be of a different design altogether. Where did you acquire it?"
"It's from my homeland," I explained. "I'm ended up here for some reason and I need place to stay."
The guard exchanged glances with her companions before nodding. "Follow me. We must take you to the Sanctuarium for further examination. They will want to see this weapon and hear your story also if you got oripathy or not."
I followed her through the city to a grand building that stood out even among the impressive architecture of Laterano. Inside, the Sanctuarium was a place of both worship and governance, filled with the leaders and scholars of the Sankta.
A senior official Sankta with a wise and gentle demeanor, greeted us. The guard explained my situation and presented the AR-15 for his inspection. The elder's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he handled the rifle, examining its mechanisms.
"This weapon is indeed foreign to Terra," he said, his voice thoughtful. "Yet you, an outsider, can wield it. This is unprecedented. The Sankta's connection to firearms is both physical and spiritual, tied to our very essence. Your ability suggests that you possess a unique quality."
I thought to myself, *That's just normal military equipment* but still, I listened intently, trying to piece together the significance of his words. "What should I do next?" I asked.
"For now," the Sankta replied, "you are welcome to stay in Laterano. However, we must first check you medically to ensure you do not have Oripathy."
"You must be Eris," she said, her voice smooth and inviting. "I've heard about you and that peculiar weapon you carry."
I nodded, a bit taken aback by her presence. "Yes, that's me. And you are?"
"Mostima"
TBC