Chapter 1: A Shift in Reality
It was a relatively uneventful evening in New Eridu on Monday night. Belle and Wise, the owners of RandomPlay, a video store, had just closed up for the night. They had instructed one of their Bangboo employees, 18, to keep an eye on the store while they went out to get something to eat. Since Wise had chosen the last time, it was Belle's turn to select the meal for the siblings.
"Hey Wise, let's go get some hot pot. There's a promotional deal running in Lumina Square," Belle suggested to Wise as they walked beside her brother on the pavement. Belle had her phone out and was looking at directions.
"I think I know the place you're talking about. It's been quite popular on the inter-knot lately. Are the trains still running?" Wise replied, slowing to match Belle's pace as she focused on her phone.
"It seems there's been an issue, and the trains aren't running. Do you feel up for some noodles at Waterfall Soup?" Belle suggested, looking towards Wise waiting for him to reply before turning her gaze back to her phone.
"Are you sure, Belle? We could drive?" Wise asked, wanting to make sure Belle was certain with the change of plans.
"Yeah, and there's always another time we can go to the hot pot restaurant. I'm craving fresh iced noodles," Belle replied to Wise in return.
"Alright then, Belle, if you're sure, let's go to General Chop and order something to eat. Wise said, looking ahead with a casual tone.
However, at that moment, something shifted in the world around them, causing Wise to pause and push himself in front of Belle to protect her from the unknown threat. His body tensed, his eyes narrowed, and he scanned the area for anything suspicious. Without warning, he grabbed Belle's arm firmly but carefully, pulling her closer to him.
"Wise, what's wrong?" Belle asked, startled by Wise's sudden change in demeanour and reaction. Fearful, she had hidden behind her brother, almost dropping her phone in the chaos that had unfolded.
"Stay behind me, Belle!" Wise quickly told her, his voice alarmed.
As Belle opened her mouth to question him, she noticed what had caught Wise's attention beneath their feet. The world was fading away to a purple light, similar to a hollow. It was as if a hollow was forming by their feet, leaving a black void in its place.
"What is that?!" Belle cried out in fear, her heart pounding in her ears. She tried to take a step back to avoid the purple abyss that was forming on the ground beneath their feet, but unfortunately, the ground gave way too quickly for them to escape.
The siblings fell for what felt like years. Time seemed to stretch and warp around them, the sensation of falling never-ending. Belle clung to Wise with all her strength, her mind swirling with fear and uncertainty. The purple light and black abyss engulfed them, swallowing their cries and turning their thoughts to echoes.
As they descended, Belle began to lose track of reality. Images of their past flashed before her eyes—moments of laughter, arguments, and shared secrets. She felt a pang of longing for the normalcy that had been so abruptly shattered. Wise, ever the protector, was silent but resolute, his grip on her unyielding.
Suddenly, the darkness started to shift, and a faint glimmer of light appeared below them. It grew steadily, piercing through the black void like a beacon. Belle's heart raced with a mixture of hope and dread. What lay beyond this endless fall? What awaited them in the light?
The descent began to slow, the sensation of falling replaced by a gentle floating. The siblings found themselves bathed in a soft, ethereal glow. The purple light and black abyss continued to surround them, seemingly never-ending.
They landed lightly and in an instant from what had seemed like an age, they were transported to a cinema. Next to each other unconscious with Belle tightly holding onto Wises hand in her slumber.
Belle slowly awoke, feeling stiff. She blinked slowly to clear her blurry vision. The floating sensation had vanished, and she realised she was sitting in a comfortable seat. However, an uncomfortable chill spread throughout her body. She wondered where she was and if Wise was safe.
She could hear muffled voices in the background, but she was having trouble focusing, making it impossible for her to understand them. Her implants were malfunctioning slightly.
She called out, "Where am I? And where is Wise?"
As her implants started functioning correctly again, her vision cleared, and she could make out a familiar figure sitting next to her in the cinema.
"Wise!" she shouted in fear and relief when she saw that Wise was unharmed and slowly coming to awareness. Without thinking, she flung herself at him, wrapping her arms around him in a hug. He returned the embrace, but there was a look of confusion on his face as he wondered where they were.
"Belle, are you okay? Are you hurt?" Wise, panicked, quickly checks on Belle to see if he's in any trouble. However, in his alarmed state, he realises that Belle is just as confused as he is.
"I think I'm fine, Wise. You don't need to worry, brother," Belle replies, holding onto Wise but pulling back from the hug to look at her brother. "After we fell, it felt like we were falling for ages. Then I think I blacked out, and the next thing I remember was waking up next to you in this seat. My ocular implants were malfunctioning, though that seems to have stopped now," her voice trails off as she begins to look around the room and at the other voices she can hear in the background.
She notices that they're in a spacious, modern cinema room with blue and black fabric chairs arranged in rows around them. The room feels tense, like a powder keg ready to explode.
"I've never been to a place like this before, Belle," Wise whispers into Belle's ear to keep the others from hearing them talk. They scan the surroundings, trying to figure out where they are.
Belle's heart starts to race as fear begins to settle in. "Wise, where are we? What's happening?" she asks Wise, her gaze darting to the various groups of people in the room. Some she recognises from their work as a Proxy, while others are from Inter-knot.
She asks Wise quietly, her body filled with unease, "Who are they, Wise?"
"Belle, I don't recognise these individuals, but there are a few we've encountered before. Hopefully, they won't address us as Phaethon or proxies, as that group appears to be composed of public security officers." Wise scans the group and identifies Nicole from the Cunning Hares and Hoshimi Miyabi from what he has seen on Inter-Knot. Consequently, the remaining individuals around Miyabi must belong to H.A.N.D. Hollow Special Operations Section 6, which is more commonly abbreviated as H.S.O.S.6.
"Wait, Miyabi's here!" Belle exclaims to Wise when she spots her, ensuring she remains quiet to avoid drawing attention to them. "But what is she doing here, Wise?"
"I'm not entirely sure at the moment, but I have a feeling we might find out soon," Wise replies to Belle, continuing to observe the individuals in the room.
He can make out Hollow Special Operations Section 6 standing around Miyabi in a guarding formation, their serious demeanours scanning the cinema for threats with an icy alertness matching what they had read about them online.
"She appears to be taking this matter very seriously, Belle. Perhaps we should approach them and ask for their help?" Wise suggests to Belle, considering the possibility of seeking their assistance in this situation.
"Yeah, I understand. There's a lot happening here," Belle replies, her eyes scanning the other groups.
Belle continues to observe. In one corner of the theatre, there's another group of people who appear to have just emerged from a construction site. The contrast is striking—while Miyabi's group exudes composure and professionalism, this group is boisterous and unrefined.
A petite girl with striking red hair in pigtails stands resolutely before them. She wears a black tank top and oversized white pants. Her expression is determined, and the others are attentively listening to every word she utters.
"Is she… the leader of their group?" Belle inquires; her brow furrowed in concentration.
"I believe so," Wise replies, his voice filled with curiosity. "There's an aura of authority surrounding her. They're paying close attention to her."
Belle, continuing to scan the room with Wise, remarked, "Wise, that group looks like a group of butlers from the uniforms they're wearing!" Referring to the well-dressed butler and maid-like individuals in the room.
Wise observes the group Belle is referring to and notices how tall the wolf Thiren is compared to the others. Dressed in a smart suit with mechanical legs or some kind of boots, Thiren stands tall and positions himself to protect the others in his group.
"Belle, the wolf Thiren appears to be the leader of the group. His posture and position indicate that he is in charge and is ready to protect his companions."
"Wise, that Butler Bangboo is so adorable! Perhaps we should get some more outfits for Eous. I think he would look absolutely charming." Belle exclaims, glancing at the group's Bangboos, who are all wishing Eous was with them at this moment in time.
"This is so strange, why are there so many different people here and what is this place?" Belle mutters to Wise, absently wondering where they were.
"Wait! Belle, I just realised Nicole is here with the others from her company. Look over there in that corner. Normally, I would suggest we go to her, but given the current situation, it would be best to stay in the background until we have more information. However, if it comes down to it, we can hide behind the Cunning Hares or H.S.O.S.6 for protection." Wise said to Belle in relief and a bit of worry, hoping Nicole wouldn't expose them as proxies.
Belle turned her gaze towards the direction Wise was pointing, her eyes settling on the trio of people standing apart from the others. At the forefront was a woman with pink hair. She wore a tight-fitting shirt and black, shiny shorts. This striking ensemble drew attention to her effortlessly.
The two individuals seated next to her were equally peculiar, their combined attention fixed on Nicole, awaiting her instructions.
Belle signed, "What are they doing here? Did they avoid another creditor? Although this is precisely the kind of situation I would anticipate Nicole to find herself in and subsequently involve the rest of the Cunning Hares in, as they follow her."
"Wise, do you notice that other group over there?" Belle adds to her previous thoughts. Another group is in the cinema with them; this group appears to have originated from the outer ring. Their outfits are adorned with patches and symbols, including biker gang patches and symbols. At the front of their group stands a tall woman with long green hair, wearing a gunmetal grey dress that accentuates her figure.
"I believe the tall woman is the leader of that group, Belle, based on the way the others are gazing at her, waiting for her orders or shielding her from any threats. Meanwhile, she positions herself to protect her group." Wise observes Belle, while also pondering the purpose of their presence and the nature of this place.
"Wise, the real question is, why are we all here, and what is this place?" Belle asks Wise, taking in the situation and rapidly thinking to herself.
Wise turns to Belle with a serious, calm expression. "I don't know why we're all here, but we need to stick together and figure out what's happening. Something is clearly happening, and we're right in the middle of it."
The background noise and talking gradually fade as everyone turns their attention to each other and the front of the room. On the cinema screen, an image with text reads, "Good evening, everyone. You're probably all wondering why you're here. Let this note put your questions to rest."
Belle and Wise exchanged a wary, cautious glance with each other.
The red-haired girl from the construction company's group snaps at the screen, exclaiming, "Who do you think you are kidnapping us like this?"
This outburst elicits murmurs of agreement from everyone else in the cinema room. People subconsciously nod and exchange uneasy glances.
The screen text transforms into an unsettling message, disclosing the purpose of the gathering: "You are here to witness the unfolding of your future, the secrets people conceal, and the truth that awaits you and the future of both Belle and Wise."
The mention of their names sent a ripple of shock and surprise throughout the room. Wise stepped in front of Belle to protect her from the screen, and everyone else in the room turned to look at them.
The Cunning Hares glanced at them and then exchanged confused glances with each other. Their expressions were a mix of confusion and worry.
Whispering to each other quietly, they wondered, "What are the proxies doing here? Why are we reacting to their future? Is something bad going to happen to Phaethon?"
One of the girls from the outer-ring biker gang shouts out to the screen, demanding, "Why should we care about them? What makes them so significant?" After her initial outburst, she crosses her arms and adds, "Not only do you kidnap us, but you also expect us to watch some strangers? This is utterly absurd and ridiculous!"
"Lucy, please calm down. Yelling at the screen won't make it respond to you, nor will it solve anything by getting angry." A man from the outer-ring group interjects, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. He's trying to calm her down while maintaining his composure.
A figure, the wolf Thiren from the butler group, steps forward. He moves with graceful intent, yet his actions are deliberate. "I agree with the sentiments expressed by the young lady," he says, approaching the cinema screen. He senses that there's more to it than meets the eye. "My time and the time of my employees are precious, and I can't afford to squander them on this trivial matter."
From the Public Security group, another voice joins the conversation, adding their own perspective to the mix. A rat thiren, who smirks casually from where she is leaning against a chair, asks, "The future, you say? It sounds impossible, so why don't you elaborate? unusual screen, or should I say the person or group responsible for this?"
Belle grapples with confusion and fear, contemplating the meaning of their future. She glances at Wise with concern and mutters to herself, "What does it all mean?"
Wise leans in closer, maintaining a low voice. "I'm not sure, Belle, and I'm not comfortable with the fact that we're the main focus."
The display's text changes again, startling everyone in the room. They realise that something is listening in or that the screen is monitoring them and reacting accordingly. "You're here to witness their lives unfold before your very eyes on this screen. You'll witness their choices, struggles, secrets, and triumphs. Nothing will be spared. And as you watch, your reactions, thoughts, and emotions will become an integral part of this experience."
"What are you reacting to? Their mistakes?" Lucy scoffs, receiving a warning glance from her companions and others in the room who disapprove of her attitude.
The text then shifts to reveal, "You will be reacting to everything. You will witness the repercussions of their actions and possibly your own."
This statement prompts a woman from the Public Security police group to step forward. Her boots click against the carpet as she speaks firmly and with authority, her hand hovering near her weapon. "This act is highly illegal and carries severe consequences. Kidnapping an entire room and then forcing them to watch something without their consent is a crime in New Eridu."
Next to her, the robotic girl with green hair cautions, "Zhu Yuan, be careful. We're clueless about our location or the identities of those responsible. If they can bring us all here simultaneously, it suggests they possess resources or abilities beyond our comprehension."
Before anyone can react, all weapons in the room vanish into thin air, and the text updates to indicate that "all weapons have been removed from the room. Any threats directed towards the screen or towards each other will not be tolerated."
The officer refocuses on the screen, her expression a blend of anger and fear. "How did you manage that?" she demands.
The text updates again. "Your weapons were confiscated because they are unnecessary and pose a risk to yourself and the others in this room. As such, they have been removed. You will be able to retrieve them once you are returned to your homes. However, I do require your cooperation throughout this process."
Belle clings to Wise's arm, her fear palpable. "This is insane! What have we gotten ourselves into?" she whispers to Wise.
Wise simply nods in response, his body tense and his jaw clenched. "This situation is beyond insane; it's impossible. Items can't simply vanish into thin air, and if that's possible for objects, what prevents it from happening to people or us?"
After this, the display transitions to a new blank image or display set against a blank background, accompanied by text that reads, "Before we begin, you should introduce yourselves to each other. Unbeknownst to you now, you are all connected to one another. Understanding your identities will aid in comprehending your purpose here."
Nicole steps forward, exclaiming, "You better be compensating me with Dennies for being here without my consent! Do you have any idea how much money I'm missing out on by being here and the debt I have to pay?"
The text updates, assuring, "Time has been paused in your world, so you don't need to worry about missing anything. Once you're returned home, everything will be precisely as it was when you left."
Another update appears after everyone has read the previous one: "Now, I would advise that you all find a seat so we can commence our discussion."
Belle and Wise exchanged worried glances. Wise shrugged his shoulder gently and pointed towards a set of seats for them. Belle nodded in response. Together, they slowly made their way towards the two empty seats at the bottom of the room in front of the screen, but towards the outer edge. They ensured that there was a distance between them and the others in the room.
Everyone began to move towards the seats in the cinema room and started sitting down in their groups. However, they remained close to the other groups so that they could talk and discuss what they were about to watch and react to.
If you enjoyed what you read, it would mean a lot to me if you could leave some feedback, either as a comment or a kudos.
I'll try to release the next update soon.
Unfinished draft copies might be shared on my Discord server: /Bjy2CKErfb