The early rays of Euphoria's twin suns bled through the massive glass windows, staining the ivory walls of Jahanox's suite in golden-orange hues.
The room was quiet, heavy with a stillness that made the rustle of bedsheets sound thunderous. Jahanox blinked as the warmth kissed his face. He groaned softly, pushed off the covers, and sat up on the edge of the bed.
His room luxurious, spacious, with intricate arcane patterns woven into the ceilings reflected the privilege of being in proximity to the Supreme Commander.
He stood up and walked toward the thick, layered curtains. With a swift tug, the sunbeams burst into the room in full glory.
The polished marble floors glistened under their light. A breeze from the vent stirred the corner of a parchment left on his nightstand.
Jahanox padded into the adjacent bathroom. Cold water splashed against his face as he leaned over the sink. He paused, looking into the mirror—hair messy, expression blank. Lifting his bangs, he muttered to himself, "This isn't good."
His eyes dropped slightly as he noticed how long his hair had gotten. A dry chuckle escaped him. "If mom saw this... she'd kick me outta the house." His voice dropped. "Mom... Dad..." His gaze hardened, yet something flickered behind it. "Hope you're doing alright."
Still silent, he stepped back into the room, pulled open a sleek closet, and slipped on a simple shirt. Buttoning up lazily, he leaned back against the doorframe, muttering, "Let's see... identity cards today." He glanced toward the window. "Whole week under observation and barely any learning..."
As he combed his hair, he continued to think aloud. "I guess that ends today. No more lazing around..." He exited the room into the hallway, his footsteps light on the carpeted floor.
The corridor was grand—tall arched ceilings, golden motifs tracing the walls, and chandeliers shaped like blooming flowers glowing faintly. Jahanox smirked.
"Guess there are advantages to being under the protocol of the Supreme Commander... Having Asher and Neo nearby does have perks."
He checked the time, and panic spread across his face. "Crap! Breakfast!" He sprinted to the elevator, jabbing the button. "No way in hell I'm missing that food. Not today."
The doors slid open, and he burst into the dining floor. The scent hit him first—savory, sweet, and rich aromas filling the air like music. In the center, long tables overflowed with dishes: steaming platters, exotic fruits, pastries, meats grilled to perfection, and items he couldn't even name.
Grabbing a plate, he walked along the buffet.
"Do I know what these are?"
He paused.
"Nope."
He picked one up. "Do they taste good?"
He answered with confidence, "Absolutely."
His plate stacked high, he turned to find a seat, when a voice called out. "Yo."
Jahanox turned around. "What's up, Asher."
Asher walked beside him, stretching. "Nothing much. Just woke up. Stomach's screaming."
"Same. Food here is next level" Jahanox said.
"Agreed!"
Asher pointed toward a far corner. "Hmm.. is that Zazm?"
Jahanox squinted. "Yeah, that's him."
Asher spoke saying, "Surprising, honestly. He usually comes before everyone else shows up."
"Really?" Jahanox asked still eyeing the other food items.
Asher nodded, "Yeah he comes really early and finishes up."
Jahanox looked at Asher, "How do you even know that?"
Asher laughed. "We've been assigned to keep an eye on you guys, remember? Bodyguards gotta be observant."
"Well makes sense."
Jahanox straightened his back. "On that note where's Sir Neo?"
"Saw him with Minos earlier. Talking about something."
"With Minos?" Jahanox questioned, "That is wierd..."
"You tell me."Asher shrugged.
They approached Zazm, who sat alone at the end of the table. "Yo Zazm, mind if we sit here?" Jahanox asked.
Zazm looked up slowly, pulled from his thoughts, and gave a small nod.
Jahanox sat and immediately noticed the empty plate. "You done already?"
Before Zazm could reply, Asher noticed another plate beside him. "Was someone else here?"
Zazm quickly said, "No. It's mine."
Asher raised a brow. "Two plates?"
Zazm picked it up and resumed eating. "I was hungry."
Jahanox chuckled. "Then finish it. Don't waste food."
"I know," Zazm responded simply.
As they dug in, Asher asked, "So today you guys are getting your identity cards, right?"
"Yeah," Jahanox answered mid-bite.
Zazm asked, "Where is everyone else? Haven't seen them all week."
"You would if you stopped acting all emo and depressed," Jahanox smirked.
Asher joined in, "Miwa's been destroying the gaming room. Kiyomasa got dragged by her. Minos was with Neo. Jennie and Aina? New BFFs apparently."
Zazm leaned back. "Aina?"
"Yeah," Asher nodded. "She's taken a liking to Jennie since the power assessment."
"Well, as long as they're enjoying themselves," Jahanox said.
"Agreed," Asher said, sipping his drink.
Jahanox asked, "Haven't seen Ai in like three days."
"She came to me yesterday," Zazm said. "Said she was reading."
"She asked for books," Asher added. "I got them."
"Are you guys excited to go out?" Asher asked with curiosity in his eyes.
"Well we are but still..."
Asher repeated, "'but still?'What?"
Jahanox leaned forward. "Still, our backstories are sus. We just appeared in this world."
"Don't worry," Asher said. "Neo's trusted companion handled it."
Zazm finished his food. "That's good."
"You alright, Zazm?" Jahanox asked. "Looks like you ate too much."
"I'm fine." Zazm answered while he look like he can throw up any moment.
Asher grinned. "Wanna know your fake backstories?"
Jahanox looked intrigued. "You know them?"
"Neo sent them last night. I'll tell you." Asher tapped twice on his wrist. A blue screen projected.
"The tech here is wild," Jahanox muttered.
"Don't get attached," Asher warned. "Anyway—so, apparently: Zazm, Ai, Kiyomasa, and Minos are from Earth. Their village got destroyed in a Remnant attack. Only they survived. Sent to Euphoria for an orphanage. There, they met you, Miwa, and Jennie."
"That's... lame," Zazm said, deadpan. "Also, why half from Earth and half from Euphoria?"
"To match personalities. You and Ai lost your families. Makes sense you're all gloomy," Asher said.
"Yeah, fair point," Jahanox nodded.
Jahanox added, "These backstories are crafted with real attention."
They were still processing when a voice cut in. "What the hell are you guys talking about?"
Neo strolled up. Asher greeted him. "Yo, Neo. Just sharing the fake backstories."
Jahanox looked at Neo and spoke, "Asher and I were just talking about the backstories they really work."
Neo pulled a chair, sat, and propped his feet on the table. "My comrade just threw random bullshit together."
"What?" Asher asked with surprise.
Neo took a sip of his coffee, "The simpler and dumber the story they less often are people to question it."
Jahanox laughed. "Makes sense. Also, what were you and Minos talking about?"
"Some folks thought he was a stalker," Neo said.
Asher spat out his drink. "WHAT?"
"He was watching Miwa gaming. They thought he was a creep and was taking him somewhere."
Jahanox leaned forward, "And then????"
"And then what they met me and I had to free him." Neo replied clearly annoyed.
Asher cracked up. "You're a savior, Neo."
Neo rolled his eyes. "Tch...pain after pain."
Zazm stood. "I've got work."
"Yeah, screw off," Neo muttered.
Asher stood too. "I gotta beat Miwa tonight. She broke my record."
"Good luck with that," Neo replied.
Jahanox stayed seated.
Neo gave him a look. "You not busy?"
"I've just been eating and sleeping."
Neo looked disgusted. "You planning to camp here until lunch?
Jahanox smirked taking his idea into consideration. "Not a bad idea."
"Keep rotting then," Neo said, walking off.
---
Meanwhile, in Zazm's room, the bathroom door creaked open. He stumbled out, pale, wiping his mouth.
Zephyra lay on the bed like a chibi anime character, tears pouring. "Why did you eat my plate?! Why why whyyyy!"
Zazm groaned, "I'm paying the price for it now."
Zephyra punched the mattress. "I wanted to eat more! I wanted! I wanted!"
Zazm leaned against the wall. "That's what you get for talking instead of eating."
---
Ai sat slouched in a chair, her oversized pajama sleeves drooping past her wrists, a large book rested on her lap as her glasses slid to the edge of her nose. Her hair was tied in a messy bun, an exhausted sigh escaping her lips.
"This is a headache... but it was worth it," she muttered, eyes half-lidded.
A knock echoed at her door. She groaned softly, getting up with effort, her steps lazy as she shuffled toward the door. When she opened it, Jahanox stood there, hands in pockets, chewing something.
"Hey," he waved, pausing mid-chew. He stared at her.
Then laughed. "What happened? Did you become a mother of two kids in three days or something?"
Ai groaned. "Very funny. Now what do you want?"
"You were holed up in here reading, so I thought I should check in on what you found out," Jahanox said.
Ai narrowed her eyes. "What's the real reason?"
He exhaled. "Everyone else was busy, so the trail brought me to yo—"
Click.
Ai shut the door in his face.
Outside, Jahanox knocked rapidly. "Open it! Talk to me, Aiiii!" he whined like a kid locked out of his parents' room.
She sighed and opened the door. "Fine, come in. But it's messy."
Jahanox stepped in and instantly flopped onto the bed. "Yeah, I can tell."
Ai returned to her chair, sitting backwards with her arms resting on the chair back.
"So, what did you figure out?" he asked.
Ai picked up a book and held it out. "They won't let us read anything about the outside world yet, so they gave me this."
Jahanox leaned over, squinting. "'Tales of Pretty Princess'? They gave you children's books?!"
Ai nodded. "Yeah... but also some novels and stuff."
Jahanox smirked. "Really."
Ai continued, serious again. "I read four novels and here's what I concluded..."
She removed her glasses and held up another book. "These books have a lot of fantasy material like what we saw in that other multiverse."
Jahanox rolled his eyes. "Fantasy, fantasy everywhere."
"Not just that." Ai leaned in.
"Go on."
She said, "All these stories combine nature, magic, and futuristic tech."
Jahanox casually leaned back, "hmm...A technological fantasy setting now that's an extremely rare genre. "
Ai nodded saying, "I have read novels on almost all genres but something like this was really rarely discused."
Jahanox's eyes gleamed as he asked Ai, "You have read books on nearly all genres?"
Ai gave a subtle nod.
Jahanox raised an eyebrow with a smirk, "Even 'those' books?"
Ai looked at Jahanox with a disgusted look, she spoke in a tone that matched her look "Not everyone is like you."
Jahanox chucked saying, "Fine, Fine continue."
Ai sighed and continued, "I think that this world is a mixture of fantasy and technology."
Jahanox gave a short laugh. "You just figured that out?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
He grinned. "Think back. Where did we arrive when we got here?"
Ai blinked. "A forest. With enormous trees..."
"Exactly. And those trees were charred in places. But no one cut them down. That was the first giveaway."
"You think that means they value nature?" she asked.
"Definitely. Humans are greedy. If they didn't care, that forest would be long gone."
Jahanox raised a finger and pointed at the books, "The second giveaway were these books."
Ai turned her head slowly towards where Jahanox was pointing . "books?"
Jahanox gestured. "People here are insanely advanced. Look around! This room is futuristic. But they gave you paper books instead of digital ones. Why?."
Ai stared at the pile. "Okay... that is weird."
Jahanox leaned back. "In our world, physical books were disappearing. People were shifting to reading online correct."
Ai nodded saying, "Well many people read online but many also bought hard copies."
Jahanox waved a hand saying, "That is not what I meant. I meant that in a century perhaps almost everyone would read them online or digitally except some enthusiastis perhaps."
"Yeah you're correct but what are you trying to say?" Ai tilted her had in confusion.
Jahanox began, "If you compare our world in technology to this then our word would look like stone age."
"So what you're saying is that these people like things the way they are?" Ai placed a finger on her cheek thinking.
Jahanox looked at her with a smirk, "Perhaps it's exactly hard to put into words but they gave you those instead of some hard drive or disk is already hinting."
She gave him a knowing smile. "You're hiding something else, aren't you?"
His eyes twinkled. "I helped in the kitchen. Staff talk. Talked to guards and pretty much everyone."
"Really cool what were you doing enchancing your social skills?" Ai said looking impressed.
Jahanox's eyes gleamed with an evil grin, "Somtimes when you talk to people many times they sometimes accidentally drop 'hints' which are enough to connect the dots."
Ai's eyes shot open in shock.
'I thought he was a weirdo... but he's just built different. He's been gathering intel this whole time.'
"What's with that look?" Jahanox asked.
"Nothing. Just impressed."
He chuckled. "Second-in-command, remember."
"You deserve it," Ai said honestly.
Ai quickly got back up, "But you know, I never thought you were much of a social person."
"Don't misunderstand, Ai. I hate humans as much as I hate romance genre." Jahanox shrugged.
"You couldn't have came up with a better example."
"You get the point, I can talk to people if I want to, I just prefer to be by myself." Jahanox spoke as he continued to swing his legs.
"Well you're really adaptable." Ai said in respect.
He waved the compliment away. "Anyway, there's another thing, right? About your powers."
Ai nodded. "Yes. Do you think Zazm lied?"
Jahanox leaned forward, face serious. "He didn't lie. He just... didn't tell you the whole truth. Probably on purpose."
Ai looked down. "Why though?"
"Only he can answer that." He spoke looking tired.
Jahanox placed a hand on his forehead, "It was already hard to tell what was going on inside that insane bastards head and ever since he returned from void...."
Ai continued from where Jahanox left off, "He has just become impossible to read since he shows no emotions or anything not even slightly and keeps that depressed and tired look."
Ai looked thoughtful her eyes mesmerizing something. "Yeah... but sometimes
...sometimes, it feels like he hasn't changed at all."
Jahanox smiled. "I get what you mean."
He stood. "Anyway, lunch."
"You were just eating!"
"I have a power that lets me enjoy all food and get full when I want," he teased.
"Weirdo."
He walked to the door. "Oh, and don't stress your powers too much. Maybe Zazm was mistaken."
Ai nodded. "Maybe."
As he stepped outside, he bumped into Asher.
Asher smirked. "Oho~ What's going on here?"
Jahanox replied dryly, "Private matters, sir."
Asher laughed. "What kind of private—"
Smack.
Neo slapped the back of his head. "Shut up, clown. We're here for something else."
Neo glanced between Jahanox and Ai. "Your identity cards are ready. You're the last. Thirty minutes."
"Alright," Jahanox nodded.
Ai added, "I'll change and come."
"Don't take too long," Asher teased as Neo dragged him off. Jahanox followed with a sigh.
The elevator opened, and they stepped into a large lounge with soft sofas and a high ceiling. At the same time, Zazm, Kiyomasa, and Miwa entered.
Jahanox glanced at Miwa. "Judging by that face, I'm guessing Zazm dragged her here."
"I was enjoying myself!" Miwa pouted.
Zazm exhaled. "Let's get this over with."
Jennie and Ai entered a moment later.
"Are we the last?" Jennie asked politely.
"You two are late. No desserts for you," Jahanox said.
Ai rolled her eyes. "We'll take that ourselves."
Minos was already lounging on a couch as the group looked to the large window.
Supreme Commander Rhyes stood there, arms folded behind his back, cape flowing, his black-and-red uniform radiating authority.
He turned. "Everyone's here. Sit."
Everyone sat.
Rhyes placed a sleek briefcase on the table and opened it. Inside were seven high-tech bracelets glowing faintly.
"What are these?" Minos asked.
"Identity cards," Rhyes replied.
Ai blinked. "Where are the 'cards' in these bracelets?"
Rhyes clicked a button. Holograms sprang up, displaying their identities.
Jahanox picked up his bracelet. "This is cool. BUT WAIT WHAT IS THIS??"
Neo asked in surprise what's wrong.
"Here take a look," Jahanox said showing his identity on the hologram.
[Nova Jahanox]
Minos burst into laughter, "They got your name in reverse."
Miwa mocked him, "Now that's insane."
Neo facepalmed, "Those shitheads....."
"Well there is nothing we can do." Rhyes sighed.
Jahanox calmed down, "It is fine but it just shows our name."
"Click on the name." Asher pointed and said.
As Jahanox clicked on his name all the information appeared Infront of him on the hologram. Zazm and Kiyomasa leaned from sides to take a glance at it.
Name: [ Nova Jahanox ]
Species: [ Human ]
Sex: [ Male ]
Date of Birth: [ 1st/July/7207 ]
Planet of Origin: [ Earth-Singular Star System-Milky Way Galaxy ]
Blood Type: [ ZO±Ab ]
Height: [ 181 cm ]
Citizen ID: [ b733hqw987po ]
Status: [ Active, Biometric Verified ]
"What the hell there is too much written." Kiyomasa spoke reading everything one by one.
Rhyes explained that everything written up there is important.
"Why is the blood type a maths equation?" Jennie asked with a confused look.
Asher shrugged saying, "There are over 1200 blood types."
"Yet another reason to be absolutely fabbergasted." Ai sighed clearly tired of being shocked over and over.
"It also functions as a communicator, health tracker, GPS, and more," Rhyes explained.
Asher added, "You can customize the design, too."
Rhyes continued, "Under the hologram is a 'Start Trial' button. That activates a tutorial walkthrough."
Jennie pointed. "This one?"
"Yes."
Jahanox slipped his bracelet on. "I'll mess with the design later."
Rhyes turned toward the window. "From today, you are official citizens of Euphoria. You're free to explore. I have work, but I'll return tomorrow. Until then, review everything."
He walked away, his presence still heavy as the door closed behind him.
---
Jahanox lay on his bed, wrist bent lazily as he held up the sleek, high-tech bracelet in the dim light of his room. He rotated it slowly, watching the surface glint faintly. The silence was comfortable until a sudden knock startled him. He sprang upright just as the door opened.
Standing there were Ai, Jennie, and Kiyomasa. Jahanox blinked, startled. "Everything alright? Why'd you all suddenly show up?"
Jennie, a soft pink flush on her face, nervously clasped her hands together. "We... wanted to ask something."
"Ask away," Jahanox replied, tilting his head.
Jennie stammered but Ai sighed and stepped in. "We can go out now, remember? So we thought we'd explore the Nullflux base a little."
Kiyomasa chimed in, "Miwa and Minos are coming too. So come on, let's check it out."
Jahanox shrugged. "Sure. Not like I've got anything else to do."
As he stood, a voice rang out from the hallway. "How about I join you?"
Asher strolled up, grinning.
Ai crossed her arms. "No thanks. One clown's enough."
Asher clutched his chest mockingly. "Who's this, Neo's cheap knockoff?"
Kiyomasa laughed. "Let him come. He can give us a tour."
Asher nodded. "Exactly. And if I'm with you, we can go beyond the dome."
"Really?" Jahanox asked.
"Yeah," Asher said, cracking his neck. "Let's start with the medical zone. It's the closest."
"Medical?" Ai raised a brow.
The scene cut to the group standing in stunned silence.
Jahanox's jaw hung open. Jennie's eyes stretched so wide it seemed they'd pop. Miwa had fallen back trying to process the view. Kiyomasa managed, "What the hell..."
Asher burst into laughter. "THAT reaction is exactly why I brought you here."
Minos crossed his arms, eyes locked on the structure ahead. "I wasn't even interested, but now..."
Miwa whispered, "Screw games. This is unreal."
Before them towered an impossibly massive structure—seemingly rooted in the earth, yet blooming beyond the clouds. It wasn't a tree. It was a flower—so enormous it defied comprehension.
Its petals shimmered in hues of deep violet and radiant pink, glowing gently against the pale sky. Light rippled along its surface like starlight bending through water.
Ai's voice was barely a whisper. "That's not a tree. That's a flower... it goes beyond the clouds. Twice the length."
Asher chuckled. "Must be your crazy eyesight, huh? Come with me. You haven't seen anything yet."
They followed him toward the base of the flower where a subtle panel awaited. Asher placed his bracelet on it, and a circular doorway opened with a gentle hum. The moment they stepped in, the lights flickered and their surroundings blurred.
Then—
Jahanox blinked.
They were suspended in midair.
He looked down. There was no ground, only the endless sky beneath his feet. Around him, everyone else floated too—just as stunned. But all of it paled before what lay ahead.
The colossal flower.
It unfolded like a dream—titanic, serene, mesmerizing. Its petals drifted with a kind of sentient grace, glowing brighter near the center and softening near the edges. Each petal had a distinct character—some sharp like blades, others soft and spiraled like seashells.
Asher's voice echoed. "This is observation mode. The flower—what you saw from below—is the Nullflux medical nexus."
Jennie's eyes brimmed with tears. "It's beautiful..."
Miwa and Kiyomasa floated quietly, drinking it in. Even Minos was speechless.
Ai asked, "How are we seeing it like this?"
Asher pointed. "See those floating petals? The big ones? Fourteen in total. Each one..."
Jahanox leaned forward. "Are those flying islands?"
Asher nodded. "Sort of. Each petal is a medical division."
Minos guessed, "Like one for brain, another for heart?"
Asher smirked. "Come on, Minos. Use that head. It's bigger than that."
He floated in front of them, hands wide. "Forget everything you know. This isn't just organ-based medicine. That petal—" he pointed, "—is for humans. That one's for elves. That one's for dragons."
Jennie gasped. "Wait there are Fourteen species?"
Asher shook his head.
"But you said there are 14 petals." Jennie spoke while tilting her head.
Asher went into thought for a second trying to find words then he began, "There are eight to nine species."
Asher raised his fingers and started counting, "Let's see....there are Humans, elves, giants, fairies, dragonoids, merfolk, dwarves, demi-humans... and vampires."
"What about the other islands?" Jahanox said pointing.
"Well they are like combined facilities or medicine development hubs etc."
The silence was stunned, full of wonder.
He clapped once, and the floating view faded. They were back in the structure's entry hall, feet planted on glassy marble.
"Alright!" Asher said cheerfully. "Now that you've seen the crown jewel, let's head to the engineering zone. You're gonna love that one too."
They turned and followed—some dazed, some still glancing back through the walls. Above them, just barely visible through the ceiling's curve, the glowing petals of the great flower swayed gently like it was alive, guarding them all.
_____________________