Project Eliora

A ringing sound jolted me out of my dazed state. I slowly opened my eyes, revealing a strange location as the surroundings came into focus. I glanced around, confused and disoriented, and saw a long wardrobe and an interestingly designed mirror. As I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I noticed something strange. The person staring back at me was Eliora, but a younger version of her.

I struggled to make sense of the situation as a wave of confusion washed over me. Was I in Eliora’s body? My suspicions were confirmed when I held out my left hand for the mirror to reflect them. The realisation left me with more questions than answers. How did this happen? And more importantly, what was I supposed to do now?

I heard a voice in my head that wasn’t my own. It was Eliora’s. I wondered if I was sharing my mind with her or if it was just my imagination. Either way, her thoughts filled my head as I got ready for the day. I decided to make some ruite for energy. But as I did so, I realised that I was not the one moving the body this time; Eliora was in control, and I decided to go along with it while listening to Eliora’s thoughts.

Standing at the mirror, I took a long look at my reflection and felt disgust and hatred. Despite these unfavourable emotions, I knew I had to push them aside and focus on the tasks at hand. I entered the cleaning station and let the stream of Lumen wash over my body, feeling refreshed after getting dressed and eating breakfast.

Before leaving, I looked around at my living space and took a deep breath. As soon as I stepped out, I noticed the presence of my guardian, Zillah.

“Greetings, Eliora”

She greeted me in her distinctively modulated voice.

“Hello, Zillah”

I replied.

“Would you like me to accompany you today?”

She asked.

“Yes, please.”

There was no specific task I needed her for, so it was best she came with me. Zillah was a mystery to all, including myself. Only “he” knew her true identity. The imposing armour she wore only added to her authoritative aura, but I found it to be an advantage for me.

I couldn’t help but sense a sense of monotony as we walked. Every day, the same route and scenery were present. I let out a sigh.

“I am so tired.”

I muttered under my breath. We arrived at the Igovy, a pyramid-shaped building that served as our training facility, in no time. The idea of another day of demanding training made me sigh as we got closer to the entrance. As I entered the Igovy, the atmosphere immediately changed due to the thick fog that enveloped the place. It gave the area an eerie feel, but it was a familiar sight.

“I’ll meet you here once I’m finished.”

I told Zillah as she prepared to leave.

“Understood”

She nodded and then left, leaving me alone in the training ground as the large door shut behind me. As usual, Yazmin and her friend Bethany were already there. I couldn’t understand why they woke up so early, considering how important sleep is. I could never do such a thing since it is completely wasteful and unnecessary.

As Children of the deity, after long and physically taxing training sessions, we need plenty of rest to repair and replenish our energy. They might not require as much sleep as the average person, but I still can’t see the point in coming here before anyone else. There are no rewards for being early; there are only punishments for being late. I scolded myself for being so judgmental and sighed before looking ahead.

This kind of behaviour was unacceptable and needed to stop. However, my train of thought was abruptly halted by a bleak and unsettling vision that crossed my mind, depicting the consequences that would ensue if “he” discovered what was happening. I shook my head erratically to get the idea out of my head. The last thing I wanted was to dwell on it. I slipped away into the fog after giving Yazmin and Bethany one last look. I preferred to be alone most of the time, as socialising was not one of my strong suits.

The training began with the first obstacle, where all thirteen of us gathered on a large stage that started moving backwards. The pace of the obstacle course accelerated, causing some of my colleagues to stumble and fall. However, I remained composed and continued to run without hesitation. Eventually, I was the only one left running, and as the ground slowed down, I came to a stop.

The second round’s goal was to lift a large, cubic object above their heads that weighed roughly ten times as much as I did. Despite the weight, I and five others were able to complete it quickly. This was the standard pattern for the training, and the first batch quickly finished. I did feel more tired than usual, but it wasn’t a significant concern.

I was surprised to hear Yazmin’s friendly greeting as I came out of the fog.

“Hey, Eliora.”

“Hello Yazmin”

I said it without a change in expression.

“You did amazing today.”

“It’s just my usual performance.”

I replied, but she went quiet, possibly thinking of where the conversation could go next. Yazmin had always been friendly and outgoing, with everyone even going as far as trying to converse with me despite my awkwardness and stoic persona. But my social skills had been stunted by years of isolation with him.

She kept trying to connect with me, and I couldn’t help but wonder why. Was it pity? Was being kind to everyone her innate tendency? Or did she have some ulterior motive? I thought about asking her, but unlike before, I had learned the importance of timing, and this wasn’t the right moment. As we walked together, I stole a brief glance at Yazmin. This may not be my strong suit, but I appreciated her presence nonetheless. As we approached the entrance, I faced Yazmin.

“Thank you for accompanying me. I’ll make my way to the obelisk now.”

“Sure, see you at the next session.”

She waved goodbye before returning to the group. I wanted to wave back but could not bring myself to do so because I felt it would come off as awkward. With nothing left to do here, I left, and Zillah followed me as we walked in silence towards our next destination.

—

Eliora struggled with forming connections with others due to her poor communication skills and loneliness. It seemed that the root of her struggles revolved around a mysterious person she constantly referenced and had lived with, who had inflicted punishments on her.

Then there were the rigorous training exercises, which demanded precision, coordination, and mental capacity. It was safe to say Eliora was a powerhouse. Despite not relying solely on brute strength, she dominated each exercise and ranked first among the thirteen candidates. The other candidates, including Bethany, who was third in the ranking, and Yazmin, who was just behind her, trailed far behind.

It was obvious that Eliora’s physical prowess was unmatched, even when she was this young. Reuben and Yazmin, who are skilled in combat, may find it really challenging to take her down. Yazmin’s knowledge of Eliora’s moves might be helpful in a potential encounter, but it was uncertain if Eliora had learned anything new since their time apart.

—

As I approached, the buildings gradually disappeared until there were none in sight. In the distance, I spotted the colossal structure that resembled the Igovy in shape, but it was even larger, with numerous energy tubes leading in and out of it. Surrounding it was a shallow body of water that barely reached my ankles.

I kept moving steadily through the water and came up to the obelisk. As I got closer, I could see that the structure was at least ten times larger than the Igovy. Its massive cutout entrance loomed before me, shrouded in darkness that concealed whatever lay inside. Zillah stopped, but I kept going until I, too, stopped and bowed my head to the ground. The water rippled gently around me as I paid my respects.

The ground shook beneath me as heavy footsteps approached. Each one was louder than the last, causing the water around me to ripple and splash. A figure emerged from the shadows; it was too dark to see except for its feet, which were visible from the corner of my eyes.

“Rise”

It demanded in a deep, distorted voice. I immediately complied and stood up while maintaining a downward gaze. The wind abruptly changed direction, and something whipped through the air towards me. I sensed the figure approaching me slowly. My forehead felt a smooth but rough touch from its finger.

“Follow,”

He said that as he walked into the dark cutout, I followed behind, enveloped in darkness. I was able to navigate this area despite the poor visibility because I knew it like the back of my hand. The surroundings gradually came into view, and we entered a large hollow space. The walls were adorned with what appeared to be gold, and in the centre lay a vast pool of water. His throne stood across from us, fashioned from some soft material. He approached the throne and took a seat, his arms resting on the armrests, and I knelt down right in front of his feet.

“Let us begin.”

He said it, and I bowed as I responded.

“Yes, my deity.”

Zillah and the other guardian were standing behind me as I turned around. Even though their armours were different, I could easily recognise them. Zillah had a larger build, and her armour was significantly heavier than the other guardian’s; their usual attack pattern became apparent to me as they separated and dashed forward from opposite ends.

I launched myself into the air, twisting my body as I flew because I anticipated their moves. However, Zillah was quick to jump in the air, ready to strike. I managed to block her incoming kick with my arm, but it sent me in the direction of the other guardian waiting on the ground. I couldn’t evade the attack, so I clenched my fist and shifted my weight, preparing to strike back. I noticed that she was going to strike with her left hand, and my abdomen was struck by her fist; the pain was excruciating. However, my counterattack failed, as she avoided it with ease.

I retreated, but I could sense the danger approaching. I sidestepped to avoid the attack from behind, then skidded to a stop and looked at both of them as they closed in on me.

“Enough”

He spoke, his voice echoing throughout the hollow, and the battle came to an end.

“Today’s training showed no improvement. Your movements are slow, and some of your decisions are questionable. For example, why did you jump into the air when you knew it would leave you vulnerable to attack?”

I answered calmly.

“It was the best course of action I saw to avoid their joint attack.”

“I see”

He said that, and the room fell silent.

“Now come”

He beckoned, and I knew the evaluation was about to start. I took a deep breath before approaching him and dropping to my knees before his throne.

“Deep breaths, Eliora.”

I repeated my mantra in silence as long, slender tentacles slithered out from behind him and towards me. I didn’t flinch as they entered my spine, causing a pain I had grown accustomed to. As my body was lifted to face him, he posed a question that caught me off guard.

“What is the most important thing to have in life?”

“Absolute power.“

I responded instinctively, but he probed further.

“It is the hidden truth that we all desire. What about you? Do you desire such?”

One wrong answer would lead to severe punishment. My personal beliefs were inconsequential, and all that mattered was my loyalty to him. Even though I concurred with him that everyone wants absolute power, I was aware that this was a ruse to determine my allegiance.

“If it is the will of the deity, then I shall desire absolute power.”

I retorted cautiously. My response, though, was met with scorn.

“You hesitated; you thought carefully; the answer was not already clear to you.”

His tone was icy and unyielding. I knew what was to come next, and my heart sank with dread. It felt as if the tentacles slowly ripped through my flesh from the inside causing me unbearable agony which only grew worse. It was too much for me to handle, but I dared not scream or showed any sign of pain as he considered that weakness. Any sign of that was not tolerated at all by him.

“I will scan your memories,”

He said as he ascended gracefully from his throne and walked over to the pool of Lumen. The tentacles remained attached to me and lowered me slowly into the shimmering liquid until it covered my entire body, except my face.

“Imperfections are like pollutants in this world, and you are not meant to be one of them.”

He reminded me of a sentiment he had repeated to me countless times before.

“Your creation hinges on the fact that you are perfect, and only you will lead this civilization to its next stage of advancement and evolution. That is your purpose.”

I had long since come to terms with the fact that I was to be perfect—flawless in every way. Without perfection, I was nothing. It was a harsh reality, but one that I had to face if I wanted to fulfil my destiny as the leader of this civilization.

The subtle but distinct feeling of the scanning process began, and I prepared myself for the ordeal that lay ahead. Suddenly, a searing pain shot through my head, intensifying by the second. My vision blurred, and I saw flashes of memories. Every single one of them flew by so quickly.

“I could not find anything abnormal.”

I exhaled a sigh of relief and choked back tears, thankful that the scanning was over. My body relaxed as the tentacles were removed, and the Lumen started to heal the wounds they left behind.

“The chosen day is approaching, and the time for you to ascend nears. This is my will, and it is set. Be ready.”

I quickly went down on my knees and replied.

“Yes, great deity. Your will is absolute.”

He turned around and sat down on his throne once more.

“Leave”

He commanded

“As you wish, great deity,”

I replied, and then got up to leave. Though it was painful to walk, I bore the discomfort, as I always did. Both guardians were waiting by the entrance, and Zillah bowed as I walked past her, and she followed from behind. I had some time before the next training session, so I decided to return to my room.

—

The deity’s physical presence demonstrated that he was more than just a spiritual being. I began to consider whether the phrase “Children of the Deity” actually referred to the deity’s biological children or if there was another meaning to it that I was not yet aware of.

Standing at a height of about 100 metres, it was enormous. It was covered in a voluminous outfit that hung to its ankles. Although it had facial features like a mouth, nose, and ears, they were ineffective because they lacked the necessary parts. There were no lips on the mouth, no nostrils in the nose, and no eyeballs in the sockets. I couldn’t fathom how it could speak to her, given its lack of these crucial components.

He did reveal that Eliora had reached her maximum potential, implying that she had peaked and could not further improve through training. This was useful information, as it meant that in any physical confrontation, she wouldn’t have progressed further to enhance her abilities. Then there was the Chosen Day. What was it? I assumed it was the day that Eliora would ascend to the throne, but the deity’s words carried a weight that left me wondering if that was the only thing. Perhaps there was something deeper that I couldn’t yet grasp.

I learned more about Eliora’s thoughts and actions as the loop carried on throughout the day. Despite her exceptional performance in training, she remained distant in her interactions with others. I learned that she found solace in reading and spent much of her free time in a library-like space. Despite her outward composure, I sensed an underlying unease within her. After training for so long, the day had come to a close.

—

Zillah followed behind me as we walked down the quiet streets. The serene ambience was accentuated solely by the soft melody of a nearby fountain. I slowed my pace, relishing the peace that enveloped me. Like clockwork, I always passed by the fountain on my way home. At night, I often stopped to admire its beauty. However, as I got closer, I saw another person standing there and also taking in the fountain.

I wasn’t alarmed. It was possible that, like me, they were simply night owls who enjoyed the fountain’s beauty. The two moons’ illumination made the fountain a stunning sight to behold. The liquid that flowed from it was so clear that it sparkled, and I couldn’t help but stare in awe at the mesmerising sight. Zillah was standing by my side, and we both watched in silence as the water flowed gently from the fountain’s mouth. A serene atmosphere surrounded us, and I basked in its tranquilly. I couldn’t help but wonder if the stranger was also experiencing the same feeling of serenity. It was a moment of silent understanding, and I felt a sense of connection to this stranger that I had never met before.

After some peaceful time by the fountain, I started to make my way back to my room with Zillah trailing behind me. Passing by the onlooker, a hint of recognition stirred within me, but I refrained from interrupting her. However, when I turned around, I saw that she was glaring at me, and Zillah tensed, ready to strike at any moment.

“Is there something you need?”

I asked, hoping to get some answers. I initially thought it was a passing glance because she didn’t say anything, so I began to walk away.

“How are you?”

She asked, to my surprise. It was a strange question, but I decided to answer anyway.

“I’m okay”

I replied curtly, and she was about to say something more when she suddenly fell silent. I couldn’t get rid of the uneasy feeling that persisted inside of me. I didn’t know who she was, and being around her only made me more uncomfortable.

“My name is Nyla. Does that ring a bell?”

Her name sounded familiar, so I searched my memory for any connection, and then it hit me. This Nyla could not be the same person that I thought she was. I was about to speak when she interrupted me.

“I know you have a lot of questions, but I only wanted to see you.”

Nyla turned around and left, leaving Zillah and me standing there. I felt torn as I watched her disappear into the night. A part of me was intrigued and wanted to pursue her, but another part was wary and thought it would be best to let the encounter go. I didn’t know what to make of this strange meeting, and as I walked back to my room with Zillah by my side, my mind was in complete turmoil.

I exhaled in relief as I walked into my room. Zillah followed me in, and I thanked her for accompanying me. I could tell that she was worried about Nyla, but I assured her that everything was okay despite my own uncertainty about the situation. I was left alone with my thoughts after she left. The encounter with Nyla left me feeling uneasy, and I was aware that I needed to exercise caution, especially given that the deity had the ability to scan my memories. If he found out about my meeting with Nyla, it could jeopardise everything.

I quickly undressed and prepared to go to bed. My mind began to wander back to Nyla as I lay in bed. I hadn’t seen her in such a long time. The last time I remember seeing her was when I was just a child. As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn’t help but wonder why my mother had come to see me now.

—

As I opened my eyes, I found myself in a familiar place—the void. Eliora, or rather, Yael, was standing before me.

“I have questions.”

I said, and she answered right away.

“That is natural, but we have bigger things to worry about. What was supposed to happen next was that we would jump ahead into Eliora’s memories, to prominent events that occurred before the Chosen Day. This means we would have gone through about five to seven loops, but that might not be possible now because Eliora is waking up.”

I understood. It meant that I would have to leave soon, which meant I had to speedrun through my questions.

“What exactly is the Chosen Day?”

I asked.

“It is the day of ascension for Eliora and the rebirth of the deity.”

Ascension and rebirth? This was all new to me.

“To keep it short, Eliora becomes queen and offers herself to the deity. He combines with her, and the result produces a new physical manifestation of the deity.”

She explained, but I was perplexed. Was this a form of reproduction? Or was I missing something important?

“Three minutes left.”

She pronounced it with a sense of urgency in her voice. I had so many questions, but I had to be quick.

“What about Eliora’s mother?”

I inquired in an effort to learn more about her past.

“After giving birth to Eliora, Nyla was forced to give her up to the deity. She was allowed to see her daughter once a year before the visits were forbidden.”

That explained why Eliora had trouble recognising her mother. But why limit their contact like that? Was it to ensure Eliora’s focus on her training? As I pondered this, she continued.

“This place is called the Infinite Intersection. It exists separately from the loop and can be used to manipulate it. You’ll need to come here to travel to the Chosen Day and witness what happens.”

“Something is going to happen to me, isn’t it?”

She seemed to be leaving it up to me to decide.

“What will happen to you?”

I asked, concerned.

“I’m not sure if she’s aware of my existence, but she will know that something is wrong. When she does find me, I expect her to erase me completely.”

“So this might be the last time I see you?”

I said, my heart heavy with the realisation.

“Yes”

She replied calmly. She appeared to be surprisingly at peace considering the danger she was in. However, now that I understood Eliora better, I could easily see through the fake persona that she had. I approached her with my arms outstretched, and she didn’t resist as I hugged her tightly.

“Showing vulnerability is not a sign of weakness but rather a display of courage and strength. It takes great bravery to reveal your true self to others, and by doing so, you open up the possibility of true connection and understanding.”

I told her gently, trying to reassure her. Despite their apparent differences, she is a part of the entire whole that is Eliora, which means they have both experienced the same struggles. She may be broken on the inside, but she does a good job of hiding it. But I know that showing vulnerability can have its advantages, and I want to help her see that too.

She hesitated for a moment before slowly wrapping her arms around me.

“Thank you”

She whispered, and I held her tightly, offering what comfort I could. We didn’t speak for a while, just holding each other in silence.

We eventually resumed our conversation and lost track of time as we talked, and before we knew it, everything went black.