The Core Part 7
1118 Words
Chapter 55
Nephrite looked for Ram. He wanted to know what happened in the first mission.
Or if he can not tell, at least, maybe he knew why Xei wanted to keep it all to himself.
But he did not want to alert them if they were hiding something.
Nephrite saw the backdoor of the house was left open. He decided to search in the backyard.
Ram’s house was a chalet bungalow(which a style Nephrite did not expect to see in the Core). Large parking for air and space vehicles occupy half of the backyard. The other side was surprisingly a garden. The side of the pathway towards the parking lot had an unusual tree he saw planted on the Main City from afar.
Nephrite walked around for a bit until he saw a small house near the main house. He decided to check on it.
However, before he reached the door, it opened and Ram walked out of it.
“Mr. Wang? Why are you here? Are you not feeling well?”
“Sorry, I got bored so I looked for you.”
"Is that so? Great timing, though! Come, follow me.”
It turned out that the small house was his workshop.
The inside of the workshop looked well and organized. Nephrite felt embarrassed that he generalized all workshops cluttered and messy.
Ram invited him to sit in a half pod-like single chair beside a transparent glass table.
Nephrite glanced at the wristwatch on the table. A huge toolbox was on the side of it.
Ram sat on the other pod-like chair.
“Mr. Wang, I need you to check this,” Ram gave him the wristwatch. “I modified it for now since I do not have materials to make simple weapons.”
“Weapons?”
Ram took a few seconds before he got what he meant, “Oh! Not that kind of weapon. I only customized the one I gave you. There were also customized weapons that hunters use. But I admit, those made by illegal soul hunters are stronger.”
Nephrite observed the wristwatch in his hands.
“You have to wear it so it can start the body scan and calibration.”
Nephrite looked at Ram doubtfully. When Ram noticed it, he chuckled. “Come, I’ll scan and test it for you if you're worried. Then I will reformat the data later.”
Nephrite handed the wristwatch, embarrassed. “Sorry.”
“It is fine. You are in a strange place after all. It is good not to be impulsive.”
Ram demonstrated how to use the device. After that, Nephrite understood the basics but he still had to try it for himself to completely get used to it,
“I apologize, I could only make a shield for you this time.”
“No, thank you for making this,” Nephrite said. He hesitated for a bit, Professor Ram, what exactly happened? Why did I lose my memory after I left the first world?”
It was very reasonable for him to ask so Ram did not keep anything from him. “Your vitals suddenly fluctuated while we were saving the information from your brain and condensing the memory fragment. We still had no idea what caused the disturbance in your brain waves. The condensation failed and you partially lost your memory. By the way, I’m sorry. I was the one who decided to use electric stimulation to save you. The amnesia was a side effect of it.”
Nephrite waved his hand, “No, I understand. Thank you for saving me.” He knew it was a tough decision but if Ram did not do it, his brain would be forever damaged.
“Don’t worry, we will investigate as soon as possible. I also planned some countermeasures for your safety.”
Nephrite thanked Ram. He knew Ram was working hard for the Record Bank while still minding his safety. He was about to ask if Ram also knew if Xei was keeping something from him, but an alert message interrupted him.
Ram checked his own wristwatch, “Oh, it’s time for you and Xei to go and see if you could submit the memory fragment.”
______
The Core did not have a sun that illuminates it. Even plants rely on chemosynthesis instead of photosynthesis. However, as the Center of this universe, it has its own light**** source of energy of the core: Memory Fragments.
Nephrite watched as Xei activated the central system: the Center or also known as the Core’s heart. After the latter input the codes, he called over Nephrite.
They stood in front of a small metal obelisk, both of them facing each other, their palms pressed at the glass top.
“All you need to do is clear your mind,” Xei said in a low voice before closing his eyes.
Nephrite silently gazed at the man across him before following the lead, concentrating.
Despite his emotions being a bit messy, it did not take a while before he felt an unusual tug in his heart. Very soft electricity coursed through his veins, flowing in every inch of his body.
Just then, his ability activated all of a sudden, giving him a clear view of the surrounding area.
Though he did not move even half an inch, it gave him a feeling of float. Being able to see the depths under the platform gave him a slight sense of fulfillment, warming his heart. An unprecedented monochrome beauty only he could view despite his eyes closed.
As Nephrite enjoyed the certain privilege of his ability, a cluster of energy started flowing out of his and Xei’s body. It condensed into an orb-like crystal above their hands.
The overwhelming energy lets out a crackling sound as it slowly solidifies.
Once they felt all the energy flow stopped completely, they opened their eyes and saw a beautiful aquamarine orb in front of them.
Without delaying further, Xei guided him, and together, they put the orb form of the memory fragment on an altar-like pedestal in the innermost sanctum in the Core’s heart.
As soon as the memory fragment connected, the orb vanished like pixelated data. The whole platform lit up as the energy from the memory fragment nourished the Core and healing the decaying branch and that world itself.
When Nephrite opened his eyes, the center was like all the heavenly bodies connected were like a huge, glowing tree. With its branches extending towards the vast darkness of the sky, we stood there in the middle of this majestic view.
“It’s done,” Xei smiled at Nephrite, "You did well."
But Nephrite did not answer him.
- Writer
