E.Y.E.S: FRACTURED DESTINY
Sync of Destiny
The MoT CCTV room was filled with light from rows of monitors displaying different angles of the facility. Raven sat in front of the main console, replaying the footage of the break-in at the secret storage room.
On the screen, several small spider-shaped drones crawled out of a ventilation duct. One of them approached the biometric scanner. A moment later, the access system malfunctioned, giving the drones an opportunity to move further inside.
Raven slowed the footage down as the E.Y.E.S box began to be lifted from its storage unit.
The alarm went off.
The security system responded immediately. Blue lasers swept across the room, destroying the drones they detected. The following footage showed guards entering the room and inspecting the scattered remains of the machines.
Raven paused the video.
"Jin, there's one thing I still can't confirm."
Jin stepped closer to the console.
"The drones' movements were recorded right up until the security system attacked them. But this footage still isn't enough to determine how the box actually got out of the facility."
Jin studied the screen for a moment before asking, "Has the ventilation duct reported by the security captain been inspected?"
"Not thoroughly. The report says there was a gap that looked like it had been deliberately left open."
Jin turned to Jaffar.
"Continue the field investigation. Start with that ventilation duct. Document its condition, inspect the locking mechanism, then check the maintenance records and find out who last worked on that section. Don't jump to conclusions until we have evidence."
Jaffar nodded firmly.
"Yes, sir!"
He immediately left the room.
Raven saved the relevant footage so it could be compared with the findings from the field. Meanwhile, Gwen began contacting the intelligence team to investigate whether any outside parties might have known the design of MoT's security system.
Not long after, a communication from Jaffar came through Raven's console.
"I'm at the ventilation duct."
The metal panel in front of him still had a small gap. Before touching anything, Jaffar took photos from several angles to document its original condition. Only then did he examine the panel's edges and locking mechanism.
"Raven, the gap is still here. I haven't found any damage that would confirm the panel was forced open."
"Send me the photos. Document the condition of the lock, too. I'll compare it with the inspection report from after the incident."
Jaffar sent over the photos.
Raven opened the images, zoomed in on the locking mechanism, and compared it with the available reports. There still wasn't enough evidence to determine whether the gap had been deliberately created or was the result of damage.
"Jin, we need to check the maintenance records and access logs for this area," Raven said. "The condition of the panel alone doesn't explain how the gap was made."
"Do it," Jin replied. "We follow the evidence. Don't accuse anyone just because something looks suspicious."
Gwen continued coordinating with the intelligence team. Raven began tracing the maintenance and access records, while Jaffar remained at the scene to finish documenting everything before inspecting the rest of the ventilation route.
Back in the CCTV room, Jin studied the facility map again.
They finally had a concrete lead to investigate. But the gap in the ventilation panel was only an irregularity. It still didn't explain who was behind the break-in or how the E.Y.E.S box had managed to leave MoT.
At Lira's Residence
Lira closed the container of semur, then slipped it into the small bag she'd prepared earlier.
After making sure the lid was tightly secured, she carried the bag into the living room.
Terra was sitting on the sofa, working on an assignment. Several sheets of paper were scattered across the table, and every now and then, her pen stopped moving whenever she had to think.
When she saw Lira walking past with a bag, Terra looked up.
"Lira, where are you going?"
Lira stopped.
"To Krishna's house, Sis. I'm bringing him some semur."
Terra's pen stopped moving.
"Krishna?"
"Yeah, Sis."
Terra glanced at the bag in Lira's hand, then studied her little sister's face.
"Still thinking about what happened yesterday?"
Lira lowered her head slightly.
"...Yeah. I still feel guilty, Sis. He ended up passing out because of me."
Terra fell silent for a moment. She looked back at her assignment, but her pen still hadn't moved.
"Lira, that doesn't mean you deliberately hurt him."
"But I still want to apologize."
Terra let out a quiet sigh.
"Fine. If that's what you want, I'm not gonna stop you."
Lira lifted her head.
"Really, Sis?"
"Yeah." Terra glanced at the bag again. "But how are you getting there?"
"By bicycle."
Terra immediately turned toward her.
"Your bicycle? His house is pretty far, Lira."
"I can handle it, Sis."
"I'm not asking whether you can handle it." Terra closed her assignment book. "What are you gonna do if your tire goes flat on the way?"
"I can fix it."
Terra raised an eyebrow.
"You can?"
Lira went quiet for a moment.
"...No."
"Exactly. And you still wanna ride your bicycle?"
Lira gave her a sheepish grin. Terra just shook her head, stood up, and grabbed the keys to her Scoopy scooter from the table.
"Come on. I'll take you."
Lira's eyes immediately lit up.
"Thanks, Sis!"
"Don't get too excited. I just don't want anything happening to you on the road."
Lira followed Terra toward the door.
"But you're still taking me, right?"
Terra stopped and turned around, giving her a deadpan look.
"Lira."
"Yes, Sis?"
"Don't make me change my mind."
Lira quickly nodded. Her smile was still there, even as she tried to hold it back.
"Okay, Sis."
Terra started walking again. When she noticed the strap of Lira's bag slipping off her shoulder, she instinctively fixed it.
"Get the strap right. You're gonna spill the semur."
"Okay, Sis. I'll be careful."
"And wear your helmet. Hold on to me properly while we're on the road."
"Okay."
Terra glanced at her again.
"Listen to me, got it?"
Lira nodded firmly.
"Yes, Sis."
"Good. Let's go before it gets too late."
Terra stepped outside first, and Lira followed, clutching her bag tightly.
For Terra, taking Lira there shouldn't have been a big deal. She simply didn't want anything bad happening to her little sister.
As for Krishna, that was a different matter.
The Scoopy pulled away from the house. Terra focused on the road while Lira sat behind her, hugging the bag of semur.
For the first few minutes, Lira stayed quiet. She occasionally glanced down at the bag in her lap before finally speaking.
"Sis..."
"What is it, Lira?"
"Do you think Krishna will forgive me?"
Terra glanced at her through the rearview mirror.
"Why wouldn't he?"
"But I made him pass out..."
"You already said you wanted to apologize, right? Then just give him a proper apology when you get there."
Lira fell silent for a moment.
"What if he's still angry, Sis?"
"Then give him some time. You can't force someone to forgive you immediately, can you?"
Lira slowly nodded.
"...Yeah, Sis."
"Now stop thinking about it so much. You'll give yourself a headache before we even get there."
Lira went quiet again. But it wasn't long before she asked another question.
"Have you ever made someone angry, Sis?"
Terra glanced at her through the rearview mirror.
"Lira."
"Yes, Sis?"
"Why are you suddenly asking that?"
"I'm just curious."
"Deal with your own problem first."
Lira giggled softly.
"Hehe, okay, Sis. I'll be quiet."
"Good."
Terra returned her attention to the road. Meanwhile, Lira leaned back and hugged the bag a little tighter.
Not long afterward, Terra began slowing down as they entered a residential street.
"Which house is it?"
Lira immediately sat up straight, scanning the houses for the one she was looking for.
"That one, Sis! The one up ahead!"
Terra followed the direction Lira was pointing and steered the Scoopy toward Krishna's house.
The scooter stopped right in front of the Takashima residence.
Terra turned off the engine and got off. Lira followed, still clutching her bag of semur.
They walked toward the house.
In the yard, Krish was busy working on the opened E.Y.E.S box. He was so focused that he hadn't noticed the two visitors arriving.
Terra had been about to walk straight over when she suddenly stopped.
Her eyes landed on Krish.
His hair was a little messy, his expression serious, and...
Damn. He's actually pretty handsome.
Terra hurriedly looked away. Her hands immediately went to fix her own hair, even though there hadn't been anything wrong with it in the first place.
Lira glanced at her sister. A mischievous smile slowly spread across her face.
"KAK KRISH!"
Terra immediately whipped around in a panic.
"LIRA!"
She instinctively clapped a hand over Lira's mouth. Unfortunately, it was already too late. Krish had lifted his head and spotted them.
"Oh, hey, Lira! Terra, too?"
Krish left the box for a moment and walked over.
Terra quickly removed her hand from Lira's mouth. She immediately put on a calm expression, as if she hadn't just tried to silence her own little sister.
"Ahem. I'm only here to drop Lira off. Don't get the wrong idea."
Krish frowned.
"Uh, I haven't even said anything yet."
Terra froze for a fraction of a second.
"Well... I'm just making that clear."
Beside her, Lira was practically suffocating from holding back her laughter.
Krish looked between the two of them, growing even more confused.
"Whatever. You two can come inside first."
"Okay, Kak Krish."
"No need," Terra cut in. "Lira came here to give something to your little brother. She wants to apologize for what happened yesterday."
"Yeah, Kak. I just wanted to—"
Before Lira could finish her sentence, footsteps sounded from behind them.
"Hey, who's—"
Lira instinctively turned around.
Krishna was standing right behind them. His hair was still wet, water dripping from the ends down his neck, while a towel was wrapped around his waist. He was still soaking wet, looking as if he'd just stepped out of the bathroom and wandered straight into the living room without giving a single thought to whether they had guests.
Lira's eyes widened.
One second later, her voice exploded.
"KYAAAAAAAAAA!!!"
Krishna was startled, too, instinctively stumbling back a step.
Terra froze. Her mouth hung slightly open, but not a single word came out.
Krish just looked at the three of them, then slowly shook his head.
Krishna instinctively pulled his towel tighter around himself.
"YOU SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME!!"
"S-sorry," Lira stammered, hurriedly covering her face.
Krishna was still glaring, while Lira stood stiffly with both hands over her face.
Terra slowly turned to look in the opposite direction.
Krish pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.
A few seconds later, Krishna finally realized who was standing in front of him.
"Oh, hey, Lira. What are you doing here?"
Lira lowered her hands a little.
"I... I..."
She lifted the container of semur, then immediately looked confused about what she was supposed to do with it.
Terra glanced at her little sister.
"She wants to apologize for what happened yesterday."
Lira quickly turned toward her.
"Sis..."
"She's been feeling guilty since yesterday, worrying about whether you're okay. She even went and made you some semur jengkol."
"TERRA!!"
Lira immediately pinched Terra's arm.
"OW! What the hell?!"
"STOP IT, SIS! THAT'S EMBARRASSING!"
"Then what am I supposed to say? 'Excuse me, we've brought you a mysterious container whose aroma can be detected from three houses away'?"
"SIS!"
Krish glanced at the semur jengkol in Terra's hand, then looked at Krishna.
Lucky bastard.
Krishna, meanwhile, just grinned.
"Well, bless my soul, I'm fine, ain't I, Lira?"
Lira stopped pinching Terra.
She looked at Krishna, and a small smile slowly appeared on her face.
"Really? You're okay?"
"Course I'm fine. I'm still alive, ain't I?"
Krish raised an eyebrow.
Since when could Krishna speak with that Ngapak accent?
Terra took the container from Lira and held it out to Krishna.
"Here. Take it. If you don't eat it, my little sister's gonna keep worrying."
Lira immediately turned toward her.
"Sis, I'm not like that!"
"Then who was the one asking people yesterday whether getting electrocuted still hurts afterward?"
Lira froze.
Krish turned to Terra.
"Wanna stay for a bit?"
"Nope. I'm leaving."
Terra immediately took Lira by the hand. "Come on, let's go."
Lira hurriedly turned toward Krishna.
"I'll get going, okay?"
Krishna nodded. "Sure, Lir."
Terra had barely taken a few steps when Krishna called from behind them.
"Lira!"
Lira immediately turned around.
"Thanks, okay? I'm fine, really."
Lira went quiet for a moment. The tension on her face gradually softened.
"Yeah... I'm sorry, Krishna."
Terra glanced at her little sister, then briefly looked at Krish before leading Lira away.
"Come on, Lira."
"Okay, Sis."
This time, Lira followed without protesting.
Krishna watched them for a moment before looking down at the container in his hands. The smell of semur jengkol was still wafting out of it.
He gave it a sniff, then looked at Krish with a cheeky grin.
"Hey, Krish. Want some?"
Krish stared at the container, then at Krishna.
"No way."
"You haven't even tried it, and you're already saying no."
"Then eat it yourself."
"Someone's awfully cranky, dude."
Krishna grinned, turned around, and walked away with his semur.
Once Krishna was out of sight, Krish returned his attention to the black box in his hands.
He hadn't had a chance to examine it properly yet.
Krish rotated the box, inspecting every side before feeling around its seams. There were no obvious buttons.
He tried sliding a small section on the side of the box.
SNAP!
"FUCK...!"
Krish immediately dropped the box. His hand tingled.
"SON OF A... IT SHOCKED ME!"
He glared at the box in annoyance, then leaned closer again, this time much more carefully.
Meanwhile, Krishna, who had already walked some distance away, suddenly felt something in his chest.
Thump.
His steps faltered for a fraction of a second.
He furrowed his brows, then glanced at the container in his hands.
"Guess I'm just hungry."
Krishna shrugged and kept walking.
Then he shouted,
"UNCLLLLLLEEEEE!"
The Takashima Residence, 10:00 PM
Krish was fast asleep in his bedroom.
Beside him lay the E.Y.E.S box, its interior still open.
There was no sound.
No movement.
Everything seemed perfectly normal.
Until Krish began to dream.
A vast expanse of green grass stretched as far as the eye could see.
A small boy was walking alone through the middle of it.
Krish.
His steps were slow. The wind blew gently, making the hem of his shirt flutter. There were no houses, no roads, and no one else around him.
Just grass and an endless sky.
Little Krish kept walking, occasionally looking down at the grass brushing against his legs.
Then, from somewhere in the distance, a woman's voice called out.
"Sweetheart..."
Little Krish stopped.
He turned around.
A woman stood not far away. Her face was blurry, but her voice sounded warm.
"Sweetheart, Mommy's leaving nowww."
The woman crouched in front of him.
"You'll stay here with Uncle, okay? Mommy will bring home your favorite fried chicken when she comes back, alright?"
Little Krish looked up at her.
"Where are you going, Mommy?"
The woman didn't answer immediately. She simply smiled and gently stroked his head.
"You'll find out soon enough."
Her smile lingered for a moment.
Then she stood up.
Little Krish watched as she began walking away.
"Mommy?"
The woman kept walking.
"Mommmyyy!"
She didn't stop.
Little Krish started running after her.
But the faster he ran, the farther away she seemed to get.
The grass beneath his feet slowly changed color.
Green.
Yellow.
Black.
Little Krish stopped.
A long, unfamiliar corridor now stretched out before him.
Several people stood at the far end. They were nothing more than dark silhouettes, their faces impossible to make out.
They began to move.
One of them pointed at Krish.
Suddenly, screams filled the corridor.
It was impossible to tell who was screaming. The voices overlapped, piling on top of one another until none of the words made sense.
Little Krish covered his ears.
"Too loud..."
The screaming only grew louder.
The scenery around him began to flicker.
The corridor.
The grassy field.
The corridor again.
Everything changed in an instant, as if something were constantly cutting apart the images inside his head.
Little Krish stumbled backward.
"Where am I...?"
No one answered.
Then, amid the jumble of voices, he heard someone call his name.
"Krish..."
He immediately went still.
"Krish..."
The voice came again.
Closer this time.
Little Krish turned in every direction, desperately searching for its source.
"Who's there?"
"Krish... Krish..."
The voice kept calling his name.
Suddenly, the shadowy figures began moving toward him.
Little Krish turned and ran.
His breathing grew ragged.
He didn't know where to go. Every time he looked back, the scenery behind him had already changed. The grass that had once been green was now covered in black shadows. The sky above flickered, breaking apart into disconnected fragments of images.
"Stop...!"
His voice was swallowed by the increasingly loud screams.
Then everything suddenly went silent.
Little Krish stopped running.
Something stood before him.
A massive figure with an irregularly shaped body.
A monster.
Little Krish froze.
He tried to step back, but his legs felt heavy. His chest began to tighten. His breathing became labored, as if the air around him had suddenly run out.
The monster moved.
Little Krish stumbled and fell.
"No..."
He tried to get up, but his body wouldn't move.
The monster drew closer.
"Don't..."
Little Krish's voice trembled.
"STAY AWAY FROM ME!"
The images around him began flickering again.
The monster's face became distorted.
The voices returned, overlapping with the relentless calls of his name.
"KRISH!"
Little Krish gasped for air.
He clawed at the grass beneath his hands, desperately trying to breathe.
But all that came out of his mouth were ragged gasps.
Then the monster lunged.
Darkness.
Krish jolted awake.
He was breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling as cold sweat trickled down his temples.
He sat on the edge of his bed, trying to steady his breathing.
The dream was still stuck in his head.
Krish wiped his face, then glanced at the bedside table.
The E.Y.E.S box was still open, its contents scattered after he'd taken it apart earlier. Among the tiny components lay a thin object resembling a lens.
Before he could examine it any further, a loud commotion from the next room shattered the silence.
It was followed by Krishna's voice. Whatever the hell he was doing in there, it made his room sound like a barn full of wild boars.
Krish pressed a hand against his temple.
"That damn kid..."
He shook his head, then got up and headed to the kitchen for a drink.
Cold water ran down his throat. His breathing gradually returned to normal, although the image of the monster hadn't completely left his mind.
Then he heard something outside.
Scritch... scritch...
Krish stopped drinking.
He turned toward the window.
Silence.
A few seconds later, a shadow passed outside, briefly catching the corner of his eye.
Krish lowered his glass.
"Who's that?"
He approached the window, trying to see outside. Something felt wrong, as if someone had just been watching him.
Krish set down his glass and walked toward the door.
As soon as he stepped outside, he scanned the area around the house.
Empty.
There was no one there.
Krish walked a little farther.
"HEY! WHO'S THERE?"
No answer.
Until a voice came from behind him.
"Krish."
His entire body stiffened.
The voice called his name again.
"Krish."
He turned around.
Someone was standing just a few steps away from him.
And...
To be continued.
Not a cliffhanger about our relationship, though. 😜
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