Astra Fracta

Chapter Five: Unforeseen Accident

I woke with my chest still burning, every nerve alive from the chaos of the fight.

The memory of the anomalies, the twisted screams, the surge of power—it was all vivid. Too vivid.

Dragon Blood. My fists, my hands… the glow that nearly consumed me.

And then I felt her presence.

Raven Ashcroft stood before me, calm as ever, white hair brushing the light, her eyes sharp, assessing.

“I… I almost lost control,” I said, voice rough, trembling.

“You did,” she replied. “But you’re alive. That’s what matters.”

My body shook, remnants of heat still coursing through my veins. I could feel every pulse, every flicker of energy that still lingered under my skin.

“It was… overwhelming. I couldn’t stop it,” I admitted.

“Exactly,” she said. “That’s why you need guidance. That’s why you’re here.”

She gestured forward.

“Come. I want to show you something.”

We walked through the silent corridors of the Secret Nation, the hum of machines beneath the floor, monitors glowing with data streams, operators moving efficiently, unaware of my storm of thoughts. Every step echoed slightly against the metal walls, a reminder that I wasn’t in a normal city anymore.

“This place…” I whispered, trying to take it all in. Screens stretched across walls, each filled with flowing symbols, graphs of energy, anomalies, and portal schematics. The air smelled faintly of ozone, warm electronics, and disinfectant, and a subtle hum resonated through my chest, syncing strangely with my heartbeat.

Raven glanced at me.

“This is where we manage anomalies, monitor Dragon Blood incidents, and coordinate our operations,” she said. “I know it’s overwhelming. You’ll get used to it.”

I nodded, though I barely understood. My hands itched, wanting to touch the glowing panels, to feel the energy pulsating through the room. I noticed a small group clustered around one massive console, whispering in low tones. Lights blinked across the room. The hum of the Jot device at the center vibrated through the floor, almost alive.

“What is that?” I asked.

Raven’s gaze followed mine.

“That is Jot. A portal device, passed down through generations of scientists,” she explained. “It’s delicate. Every step matters. One mistake… and you might never return.”

I swallowed hard.

“And… that room? This team?” I asked, trying to absorb it all.

“You’ll meet them properly later,” she replied. “For now, focus on the machine.”

I stepped closer, every nerve screaming. My Dragon Blood throbbed in my veins like molten lava. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting memories of the fight settle. My hands shook as I imagined losing control again.

Could I really do this? I wondered. Am I ready? What if something goes wrong? What if I never come back? My mind raced, looping over every possibility: the anomalies, the portal, my own power…

The hum of the machine seemed louder, almost alive, responding to my thoughts.

Raven’s voice broke through the noise:

“Think. Take your time. When you’re ready, come forward.”

I stood alone for a moment, eyes tracing the glowing veins of energy running through Jot. My hands shook slightly. The heat of Dragon Blood simmered beneath my skin, a reminder of what I had almost lost control of before.

What am I doing? I asked myself. Am I ready? What if something goes wrong? What if I never come back? I swallowed hard, trying to steady my breath. My mind raced, imagining every possible failure—the machine exploding, the portal misfiring, my own body failing under the surge of power.

I looked around at the monitors, the team moving confidently, unaware of the storm inside me. They trust me. I can’t fail them. Can I even trust myself? The hum of Jot seemed to answer in waves that pulsed through the floor, the walls vibrating subtly with energy.

“Think… focus…” I muttered. The glow beneath my skin pulsed in time with my heartbeat. Memories of the alley, the fight with the anomalies, Raven’s calm face—they all flashed through me, urging me forward.

I took a deep breath. “Okay… I can do this. One step at a time.” My voice trembled, but determination edged it. I clenched my fists and focused on the light beneath my skin, molding it, guiding it, trying to sync with the portal device.

I noticed a console nearby, an assistant looking at me nervously.

“Are you… sure about this?” the voice asked.

I nodded, though barely understanding the question. “I… have to try. I have no other choice.”

A final glance at Raven’s calm, unflinching expression gave me a fraction of courage. She said nothing, only a small nod, almost imperceptible, signaling that it was my decision.

I inhaled, centering myself, letting the heat of my Dragon Blood surge just enough to merge with the machine. Every pulse of light, every vibration beneath my feet, it all seemed alive. The moment stretched, suspended in tension. I closed my eyes, grounding myself, whispering, “I am ready… I am in control… I can do this.”

The sequence began.

The floor vibrated. Panels beeped. Lights shifted colors rapidly. The Jot thrummed as if testing me, probing my Dragon Blood, measuring, waiting.

Then—suddenly—the device shuddered violently. Sparks flew.

A high-pitched wail of metal and energy ripped through the chamber.

“What’s happening?!” someone shouted.

“Stay calm!” Raven barked. “Focus!”

I gritted my teeth, trying to steady myself. Not now… not like this. My Dragon Blood surged again, a chaotic storm of heat and force. Reality seemed to warp, the chamber bending around me.

Raven’s voice reached me, distant and urgent:

“Keep your mind! Do not panic!”

But panic hit anyway. Machines sparked, panels flickered. The hum became a scream. My vision blurred. Energy cracked across the room, pulsing in waves through my chest, arms, and hands.

I stumbled back, heart racing. Why did I let it get this far? Could I have controlled it better? Did I even choose this? Could I have paused? Could I have asked for more time?

The glow beneath my skin flared hotter. I could feel every vein burning. “Think… control it…” I whispered to myself.

But the machine betrayed us.

Jot shuddered violently, sparks flying. Alarms blared. The energy field twisted around me, irregular, unpredictable.

And then—white. Complete, blinding white.

When I opened my eyes, nothing made sense.

No chamber. No team. No Raven.

I tried to move. My head throbbed. Limbs felt heavy, disconnected.

I couldn’t remember… anything.

The only thing I could recall was the machine… Jot, the portal device, shuddering and breaking. And the chaotic surge of my own power mixing with it.

And that was all I knew.

End of chapter five.