One day after the "Genesis Event"...
The once-serene main command center of Solendel had now become a space of chaos and clumsy attempts. The grand conference hall was converted into a temporary training area, where the "first awakened" were trying to understand and control the new abilities they had never asked for.
Amidst the turmoil, Lina was sitting cross-legged in a corner of the room, trying to filter the endless torrent of thoughts flooding her mind. But then... she heard a different voice... It wasn't the voice of human thought, but a voice filled with a pure and profound confusion... a voice that came from the direction of the main research lab.
She quickly got up and ran to call the others. "Everyone! To the lab, quickly! I... I think I heard something!"
When Zaria, Karess, and Dr. Aris followed her into the research lab, they saw Zen standing frozen before the "Soul Core," which was levitating and pulsing rhythmically in the center of the room.
"Just now... did it speak?" Lina asked, her voice trembling.
Zen slowly turned to face them and nodded. "Yes... I think it's because the Eidolon I created could already speak and think like a person. But I didn't know if... the special qualities it had as Eidolon would carry over."
"And what 'special quality' is that?" Karess immediately interjected.
Before Zen could answer, a synthetic voice, soft yet laced with wisdom, emanated from the air around the core.
"Based on the power displayed by Miss Zaria and Mr. Karess a moment ago... it seems your two abilities are polar opposites... Light, and Darkness."
Sora continued, "To master your powers well, it might be best to start by 'understanding' their true essence. What is light? What is darkness? It depends on your own interpretation... This is all just an opinion based on the data I have. As for its effectiveness, that remains to be seen."
Sora's words sparked a new idea in Zen. "Sora's point is interesting... If our powers depend on interpretation... perhaps the act of 'defining' them could be the best first step."
He looked at his teammates, then turned to Zaria and spoke with a firmer voice. "This is very interesting... Let's go tell everyone. Tell them to go back and try to understand, and to try and 'name' their own power. Perhaps... having a name can open up our minds and our understanding."
He continued, looking at everyone on the team, "And also... tell our 187 new employees to train following this same guideline."
In the grand conference hall where everyone was still gathered, Zaria relayed Zen's instructions throughout the room. Though there was still confusion and fear, receiving a clear "mission" helped to calm the chaos. Everyone dispersed back to their own quarters with a new question in their hearts... "My power... what is it, exactly?"
Late that night, after having managed various matters all day, Zen returned to his private quarters. He stood looking out the window, seeing the lights from the various buildings where the personnel of Solendel were staying. It was a beautiful sight, but one tinged with a heavy sense of responsibility.
He sat down at his desk and activated the holographic screen before him. On the screen were two sets of data working in tandem... one was the original blueprint of the "Eidolon" project he had brought from Neuralis Core, and the other was the "soul core" data that Sora was now emitting in real-time.
He was beginning his most important research yet... creating a holographic "body" for Sora... giving his AI friend a tangible presence in the real world.
His fingers traced along the complex data structures, but his mind was on something much bigger...
(Zen's thoughts): "If news of this gets out... the entire Aetheryon system will be thrown into turmoil... War could break out... Fear would consume everyone... And it's all because of us... because of my one decision..."
He looked at the simulated image of Sora taking shape on the screen.
(Zen's thoughts): "As the one who caused these powers to emerge and created Sora... it's my responsibility to control it... And Sora... the very being who awakened everyone's powers, must also be the 'key' to controlling that power..."
The thoughts and the immense responsibility swirled in his head. He sat there, analyzing data and drafting models, until the exhaustion that had accumulated over the past few days began to take over. His eyelids grew heavy... the hologram before him started to blur... and finally, he fell asleep at his desk...
As he closed his eyes... and opened them again...
He was no longer on the planet Solendel.