🌃Chapter 5: The Approaching Darkness

In the infinite expanse of the galaxy, Red was determined to find her lost brother, Ray. Her conviction never waned, even as days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months. She refused to believe that he was gone forever, despite what others said. She knew that he was out there, somewhere, waiting for her to find him.

Meanwhile, I found myself at the Academy, struggling to focus on my studies. My mind was elsewhere, consumed by the need to uncover the truth. I knew that I had to speak with the Grandmaster, and that time was of the essence. My after-class training with Master Talia might be my only chance to communicate with the Dark Entity, but I needed to clear my mind and let the voices guide me.

As I made my way through the Academy, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something I was missing. The voices in my head grew louder, and I could hear Ray's voice calling out to me. Master Talia dismissed it as my mind playing tricks on me, but I knew deep down that he was trying to communicate with me.

I was determined to uncover the truth, no matter the cost. When Kyle told me about the intercepted signals from the missing ships, I knew that I had to investigate. But when I arrived at Master Ya'zz's class, I realized that my plans were in vain. He was occupied with "Order Matters," and I knew that he was likely involved in the search for the missing ships.

Desperate for answers, I sought out Master Talia in the containment sector. When I arrived, I found Master Ya'zz and Master Talia engaged in a heated discussion. They were planning something, but I didn't know what. When Master Ya'zz left, I asked Master Talia for an update on the situation.

"Things are more complicated than you know," she said. "We have a plan, but the risks are high."

"How can I help?" I asked.

"You're already helping," she replied. "Come with me, and I'll show you what I mean."

As Talia approached the neural amplifier stack, Red awaited her arrival, eager to connect to the device. "Master Talia," inquired Red, "could you please enlighten me as to how I'm contributing to this endeavor?"

Thalia sauntered over to the amplifier and responded, "After analyzing the neural data from our previous training, I discovered that you've been hearing your brother's voice for some time now." "Interesting," replied Red, "but how does that help?" "I believe it does," said Talia, her tone confident.

"The data shard and readings have spiked, and there seems to be a pattern. Somehow, the GrandMaster's neural data shard is synced with yours since his return. We must examine these connections more closely to determine what ails the GrandMaster." Talia gestured gracefully and activated the amplifier.

"I'm willing to dive deeper this time," said Red. "This could be our last opportunity to communicate with my brother and uncover the truth." Red sat in the amplifier seat, allowing the computer to connect her neural tech. Talia synchronized Red's cyberware with the amplifier, and when the data stream began, she warned, "Never let yourself near the darkness while in there, alright?

Remember the risks. If you allow the voices to engulf you, you may never wake up." "Don't worry, Master Talia," replied Red, reassuringly. "I'll be cautious." Red closed her eyes and prepared herself.

"In three, two, one," Master Thalia announced, "I shall amplify the resonance." But the moment the resonance amplified, Red found herself lost in a dark and dream-like world, unable to hear even the countdown. It was as though she had been swallowed by a void of infinite darkness, and she felt cold and alone inside its embrace.

As she struggled to control her breathing, Red heard a faint white noise in the background. And as she focused on it, the noise grew louder and brighter, illuminating the darkness around her. Shapes and abstract forms flowed past her, and the more she focused, the more of them appeared until the sky above her was alight with their glow.

Red realized she was standing on a shallow lake, surrounded by strange objects that floated in the air as if there was no gravity. Her brother's PETs were there, along with her missing book on Cyborg Anatomy. She even saw a house floating in the distance. "Where am I?" Red wondered.

Taking a deep breath, Red called out to her brother. Her voice created a new shape in the air, and it shone brighter than the rest. Suddenly, all the other shapes stopped moving, and Red could sense that something sentient had become aware of her presence.

The shapes moved closer to Red's voice, except for one that remained still. Red walked towards it and realized that it was her brother's voice. She tried to reach out to it, but it was too far away. "Brother, I am here. Can you hear me?" Red asked, and her voice merged with Ray's energy field to create a stronger connection.

"I can't believe it," Red thought, "it's Ray's voice, and it's clearer than ever." Her vitals and neural data spiked at that moment, and Master Talia realized that they were onto something. Despite the risks, this might be the only way to save the Academy, she thought.

Master Talia increased the amplifier to stabilize Red's connection, and suddenly, Ray's voice became clearer. "Something is wrong with GrandMaster," Ray said. "He was the reason why we were ambushed by Lilith. It's as though he wanted to be found by the spawns of Lilith."

"Are you okay? Where are you?" Red asked, but Ray's voice stopped suddenly, and the dark energy fields started to break inside their white bright energy field. They surrounded Red like a dark cloud, and the thunderous voices overwhelmed her. Master Talia closed the amplifier, and Red felt a sudden pain in her head before losing consciousness.