Project Eliora

My eyes slowly opened, gradually adjusting to the red and yellow hues that filled the area. I reached out and pushed the see-through hatch gently, causing it to fully open as I stirred. A cool breeze brushed against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine and causing my hair to stand on end.

I forced myself into a sitting position and supported myself with my arms while I took stock of my surroundings. The familiar sight of the ground littered with broken pieces hadn’t changed. However, what caught my attention was the absence of pain in my leg. The gel had done its job, providing relief and promoting healing.

I managed to stand up by myself and put my weight on the injured leg to test my renewed optimism. It held up well, allowing me to move without discomfort. It was time to find Reuben and Yazmin.

“Reuben, Yazmin!”

I called out, my voice echoing in the area. A response came from behind me, causing me to jump slightly. When I turned around, Reuben was standing there.

“You seem to be doing well.”

He said it in a neutral tone.

“It’s not good to sneak up on someone, you know.”

I replied, with a hint of playful reproach in my voice. He crouched down to inspect the gel on my leg before meeting my gaze.

“Does it feel better now?”

“Yes, much better. By the way, where is Yazmin?”

I inquired, curious to know her whereabouts. When he heard her name, I briefly saw a glimmer of contempt in his eyes. The remnants of his resentment lingered as a reminder of the past and the mistakes made in the loop.

“Come on”

Reuben said, extending his hand to me. I took it, and he led me to a nearby sitting area where Yazmin was already seated, holding a tablet in her hands. She noticed our arrival and set the tablet down on the table before standing up to greet us.

“Elisa, how are you feeling?”

She asked, her concern evident in her voice.

“I feel okay and well-rested.”

I said, grateful for the relief the gel had brought. Yazmin knelt down and gently removed the gel from my leg, examining the healed wound.

“That healed up nicely.”

“Yes, thanks to you.”

I expressed my gratitude. She stood up and inspected my body, looking for any indications of distress. She sighed after a short while.

“Have you been feeling any unusual sensations or discomfort?”

“No, not really.”

I responded, slightly puzzled by her question. Yazmin rubbed her chin with her hand as she fixed her eyes on me, and she then took a seat.

“I would need to run some tests later, but if you say you feel okay, then I’ll trust you on that.”

I sat down in the chair next to her out of sheer curiosity.

“What exactly is the cause for concern?”

I inquired in an effort to comprehend the nature of her concerns, and Yazmin took a moment before answering.

“You see, you experienced 84,823 loops before you came back to the real world, and your body has been inactive for approximately nine years.”

She explained, her tone carrying a mix of caution and fascination. It then dawned on me what she meant by that.

“Ah, I understand now. My body was supposed to have suffered from degradation due to prolonged inactivity.”

“Exactly. However, the fact that you’re feeling fine suggests that the substance you were submerged in—a more potent version of Lumen—prevented muscle decay and maintained your overall well-being.”

I couldn’t help but be amazed by the technology before me.

“That’s incredible. Such a powerful substance could revolutionise medical treatments for comatose patients or even facilitate long-duration space travel.”

Yazmin grins.

“Indeed, it holds great potential. But for now, let’s focus on your recovery and our mission ahead.”

As the implications sank in, a question arose in my mind.

“But why would they bother preserving our muscle function? Logically, in the construct of the loop, there would be no need for it. Unless they had plans to awaken us at a later time.”

I reasoned, my mind racing, and Yazmin nodded in agreement.

“Exactly. Their intention was to awaken all of you eventually, for purposes such as colonisation, cross-species breeding, experimentation, or even slavery.”

A species that thinks of itself as superior will often exert dominance over others and use them for its own benefit. It was a harsh truth, but one that existed in many corners of the universe. I let the weight of this knowledge sink into me as I closed my eyes.

It struck me that Reuben had remained unusually silent throughout our conversation. He was staring at Yazmin with an unreadable expression. I chose to directly address his concerns because I could sense the tension.

“Reuben, what’s on your mind?”

I inquired, hoping to entice him to share his thoughts. He turned slowly toward me, his gaze piercing.

“She is the issue.”

He said this, referring to Yazmin, as he turned back to her and slammed his fist into the table, his frustration reaching its limit.

“Tell us the truth, Yazmin. What was your relationship with Eliora?”

I was getting close to asking her about that, but since he had brought it up, it was best to clear the air about that now.

“Reuben, I trust Yazmin. She helped me escape the loop and has been accommodating us on her ship, but I understand your caution. There was a connection between Yazmin and Eliora, and it’s important for us to know the details.”

Yazmin sighed, her gaze shifting between both of us.

“I come from the same planet as Eliora, and yes, we were acquainted.”

She confessed, with a tinge of regret in her voice.

“But it was more of a distant acquaintance. Despite my attempts to get closer, she remained closed off and distant from everyone around her.”

Reuben’s analytical mind started dissecting every word she said, probably analysing everything so that there weren’t any discrepancies in her story.

“If you are wondering what circumstances brought us together, it was because we had training.”

“Training, what was that about?”

He chimed in as Yazmin’s fingers tapped rhythmically on the table as she contemplated her response.

“The training was to prepare one of us to become the ruler of our species.”

“So you could have become the queen?”

I said as my eyes widen in excitement, and Yazmin gives a solemn nod.

“Yes, that possibility existed. But unfortunately, circumstances took a different turn.”

My question made my mind start running. If Yazmin was the leader, what were the chances that she would do exactly what Eliora was doing? Maybe she would have had a different approach.

“Tell us more about Eliora. How much of a threat is she?”

Reuben asked, which snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Eliora was quiet and calm, excelling in every task she was given. She seemed to receive more attention, perhaps because she was considered a prodigy.”

She said this, her fingers tracing patterns on the table’s surface. Reuben leaned forward, his fervour clear to see.

“We were taught various skills, from learning different languages and cultural traditions to mastering different fighting styles across the galaxy.”

Yazmin responded, her hands highlighting the variety of her training.

“I specialised in engineering, which is why I have created the gadgets you see around you. It was an intense and rigorous process that spanned nineteen years.”

The revelation left me astounded. The depth of their training and the potential power wielded by Eliora were staggering.

As the conversation unfolded, a question arose in my mind. I couldn’t help but wonder what Yazmin’s people were called. If they belonged to a separate species, they would undoubtedly have a name, just as we humans are called humans. Additionally, Yazmin mentioned the galaxy, suggesting that their home was within the Milky Way, similar to us. It was a stunning realisation. Life existed within our own galaxy, and we had been oblivious to its existence all along.

“Yazmin, what are your people called?”

I asked, wanting to know more about her kind.

“We are called Solanas. It’s a name that’s short and easy to remember, don’t you think?”

She retorted with a smile. The revelation fascinated me, opening up a world of possibilities. It appeared that our local galaxy was more varied and intricate than we had ever imagined. Reuben, who had been silent the entire time, fixed his intense gaze on Yazmin, appearing to be deep in thought.

“Reuben?”

Concerned about his unusually silent behaviour, I called out to him. I was curious as to what was going through his mind.

“For now, I will choose to believe you.”

He said this after taking a deep breath and making his voice a little softer than before.

“Thank you, Reuben.”

Yazmin said to express her appreciation.

“Don’t thank me just yet.”

However, Reuben’s words had a reserved tone. I felt a sense of relief that the tension between them seemed to have eased.

“Elisa, now it’s my turn to ask you some questions.”

I nodded, realising that she had every right to be interested in learning about my experiences. After all, I served as her unwitting test subject.

“Go ahead, ask me anything.”

She took a brief moment to gather her thoughts before continuing.

“When did you first encounter Eliora?”

I inhaled deeply as I made an effort to remember the specifics of my interactions with her. To put it mildly, it was an odd and unsettling experience.

“To be clear, I haven’t actually seen her true form. She has the ability to take on the appearance of people in the town. The first time I encountered her was during my third loop. She appeared to me as an old man.”

Reuben’s expression mixed recognition and guilt. I got chills down my spine whenever I thought about that incident.

“You mean the old man we visited?”

His voice was choked with regret, and I agreed with him by nodding.

“The second encounter happened during our visit to the old man, right after I learned her name. It triggered something within me.”

I stopped and considered the importance of those encounters. I was unable to make out any kind of pattern or trigger mechanism, but Eliora’s presence seemed to be connected to particular revelations or events.

“The truth is, I’m not sure if there’s a specific way to trigger her appearance.”

Yazmin glanced at the tablet-like device on the table as it began to flash white, and her frustration was clear.

“Damn, to the cockpit.”

She exclaimed, jumping to her feet and rushing out the door. Intrigued and concerned, Reuben and I followed closely behind. Upon reaching the cockpit, Yazmin was already seated in the pilot’s chair, and there was a sense of urgency in her movements.

“What’s happening?”

I asked, trying to make sense of the situation.

“A search party is heading our way.”

Yazmin said as she quickly flipped switches and readied the ship. She turned her attention to me, pointing under the seat.

“Can you reach under that seat and pull out the compartment?”

I complied when I realised she was talking to me and grabbed the small compartment before giving it to her. Yazmin swiftly opened the compartment, and before I knew it, she tossed something in my direction. I quickly reacted and caught it after realising that it was a transparent mask.

“I’m going to shut down the ship. That should help with breathing properly.”

She said it, her voice frantic with urgency. Shutting down the ship meant turning off the life support system as well. I understood the gravity of the situation.

“Get ready,”

Yazmin said, and Reuben and I both put on our masks. Without the aid of any straps, the mask stuck to my face and provided a snug fit. I nodded to show that I was ready as I watched Yazmin flip the final switch. The lights and equipment went out, and the ship fell into complete darkness. Yazmin signalled for silence by putting her finger to her lips. I prepared myself for what was to come as I peered through the viewport.

Nervousness consumed me, but Yazmin’s calm and calculated actions reassured me. She had clearly been in similar situations before, and I trusted her expertise. I suddenly heard an approaching sound—a humming sound that grew louder as it got closer to our ship. It was an eerie presence, casting darkness upon us. The looming darkness passed by, and we held our breath, waiting for confirmation that the area was clear.

Five, ten, fifteen, twenty, and thirty seconds

Time felt agonisingly slow, but Yazmin finally gave us the okay sign, relieving the tension that had built up within me. Knowing that the immediate threat had subsided, I sighed with relief. Yet questions lingered about the mysterious masks. There were no visible pores or openings for air, and there was no apparent storage space for them. It was baffling.

I chuckled softly to myself as I came to the conclusion that perhaps some things were better left unanswered, particularly when it came to extraterrestrial technology. On this unpredictable journey, embracing the unknown became a common theme.

Flipping the switches back, power was restored to the ship, and Yazmin pulled the mask off her face, prompting us to follow suit.

“That was close.”

She said this as she took the mask from us and reinserted it into the compartment.

“I need to perform a scan of the area, so I’ll join you guys later.”

She sat down in the pilot’s seat and started working right away. Reuben and I returned to the table we had been at earlier by exiting the cockpit together. I slumped into the seat and took a heavy sigh. I glanced at my palm, an unexpected source of fascination. It was a part of me that had always been there, yet now it held my attention. Its smooth and soft appearance mirrored the rest of my body. I pondered whether this was a positive or negative aspect.

Thoughts of personal hygiene crossed my mind—showers, brushing teeth. I cupped my hands in front of my mouth and exhaled, testing the quality of my breath. Surprisingly, after nine years of immobility, my breath was remarkably clean. It seemed even better than if I had regularly taken care of myself. I was not sure if I should be proud of that.

Lumen, wasn’t it? It was incredible.

The recollection of the tubes in my mouth and nose sent a shiver down my spine. It was an unpleasant experience I wished to forget. I tried to shut my eyes to get my mind off of these trivial thoughts. I had quickly come to understand my unique circumstances—the cycle of dying and repeating, the existence of the monsters, and Reuben’s involvement. I seemed to have a natural ability to understand everything, where it might have taken the average person longer. Yet, I didn’t consider myself special or exceptional. There was no inherent quality in my blood or genes that made me significant. It was merely a result of pure luck and coincidence that I was the subject of Yazmin’s experiment.

Reuben was dozing off with his head resting on the table when I opened my eyes. He showed a side of himself that was undeniably adorable in his peaceful sleep. I couldn’t help but think it would make a perfect photo, if only I had a camera.

My curiosity was piqued. Had I fallen asleep as well? And if so, for how long? I reached out and gently ran my hand through Reuben’s hair, savouring its soft texture as it glided between my fingers. It was a soothing gesture.

“Jaylin”

Reuben mumbled and stirred a little in his sleep. I wondered who he was dreaming about. Did aliens even dream? It seemed like a question worth adding to my list of random inquiries for Reuben or Yazmin. I gave Reuben one last look before getting to my feet, feeling the stiffness in my body. Stretching was necessary to alleviate the tension, and as I did so, a yawn escaped me.

I was looking around when I noticed an intriguing sight: an eye mounted on a pedestal. My curiosity was piqued by its unsettling presence, so I couldn’t help but investigate further. I cautiously walked up and carefully examined the eye, noting its intricate details and the pulsing glow emanating from within.

“Yazmin, what’s the deal with this eye?”

I called out, hoping for an explanation. However, to my surprise, there was no response. I turned around, searching for Yazmin, but the cockpit was empty. I started to become confused as I pondered her possible whereabouts.

“Yazmin?”

My voice rang out once more, echoing throughout the empty space.

“Over here”

My ears finally picked up her voice coming from the ship’s stern. I followed the sound and discovered Yazmin sitting on the floor, absorbed in what seemed to be a challenging Rubik’s Cube puzzle. She looked up at me and tapped the space beside her, inviting me to join her. Curiosity getting the better of me, I settled down next to her, attempting to find a comfortable position amidst the ship’s equipment.

“What are you doing?”

“Just finished some maintenance on the ship and decided to take a short break”

She replied with a tinge of satisfaction in her voice.

“Yazmin, about that eye I saw...”

Her expression shifted, with a glimmer of amusement in her eyes, before she burst into laughter.

“Oh, that! Don’t worry; I didn’t pluck it from someone. It’s an artificial eye, more like a holder. The real technology lies in the lens.”

I felt relieved as her explanation allayed my worries.

“Essentially, it enhances your vision, allowing for quicker reactions and even zoom capabilities. I named it Optics.”

Impressed by the ingenuity of the device, I couldn’t help but express my admiration.

“Sounds incredible.”

“But what’s the use of seeing things faster if you can’t react just as fast? That’s where the integration with your nervous system comes in, although I have to warn you, it’s an excruciating process. I do have one so I have experienced this firsthand”

She said as he pointed to her left eye. There was no noticeable difference, and there was no way I could tell the lens was there. My enthusiasm was dampened by Yazmin’s words of caution, which served to remind me of the potential risks.

“Perhaps it’s best if I don’t get one.”

I conceded, acknowledging her expertise, and she nodded, satisfied with my response.

“You are pretty cool.”

I said this with sincere admiration for her abilities and innovations.

“I know”

She responded with a playful grin, seemingly at ease with our shared moment of connection. It was clear that she wasn’t bothered by the silence, and it gave me a sense of comfort as well. Yet, amidst the calm and camaraderie, my mind teemed with a multitude of questions and I yearned to delve into discussions about alien life, advanced technology, and the wonders of the cosmos. However, there was one burning question that took precedence above all others, one that I couldn’t suppress any longer.

Gathering my thoughts, I turned towards Yazmin, my gaze filled with curiosity and a touch of nervousness. I took a deep breath, summoning the courage to ask the question that had been consuming my thoughts.

“Yazmin”

“Yes?”

She responded, giving me her full attention. I held off speaking for a moment, experiencing a tinge of unease as I did so.

“What is the plan to stop Eliora?”

There was a long pause as Yazmin fixed her gaze on me. I couldn’t shake off the sensation that I had said something wrong. Then, unexpectedly, a smirk appeared on her face.

“I was already preparing for that, and don’t worry, I have devised a plan.”

She reassured me. My goal was clear—to free everyone from the perpetual loop. And to achieve that, it was imperative to put an end to Eliora’s influence, but deep down, I wanted more than just stopping her.

I wanted to kill her.

“Can I continue asking you some questions about your encounter with Eliora?”

Yazmin enquired. She seemed eager to delve further into the subject because we had previously been interrupted.

“Of course”

I answered, curious to see where her inquiries would go.

“Great. Could you tell me where exactly these meetings usually take place?”

“They usually take place in a dark void.”

I explained.

“A void?”

She repeated it in an effort to understand the phrase.

“Yes, it’s like being transported to an empty space with no discernible surroundings.”

Yazmin pondered for a moment, considering her next question. She appeared to come to a realisation at last.

“I think I’ve figured it out.”

She exclaimed, her excitement evident.

“I was trying to determine if it was your physical body or just your mental state that was transported there.”

I raised an eyebrow, curious about what she meant.

“I was there when you said Eliora spoke to you before we left the loop, you zoned out for a few seconds.”

She explained.

“It seems there might be time dilation occurring during your conversations with her.”

“Time dilation?”

I echoed, puzzled.

“Yes, it means that even though it feels like a longer conversation to you, in reality, only a few seconds have passed in the outside world. It could explain the discrepancy between your perception and the actual duration of the interaction.”

I contemplated her explanation, processing the implications of time dilation during my encounters with Eliora. It added another layer of complexity to the situation. Yazmin leaned forward, her interest growing.

“What about the content of your conversations? What does Eliora talk about?”

“She tends to be vague,”

I replied.

“She asks if I understand what is happening, advises me to trust her, and then mentions that she hopes we can stop her.”

Yazmin’s expression changed, showing her uncertainty.

“That’s contradictory. Why would she want us to stop her?”

“I’ve been wondering the same thing,”

I admitted.

“She also mentioned that she couldn’t protect me outside the loop, which further adds to the mystery.”

“This is all very strange,”

Yazmin remarked, her mind racing with possibilities, and I agreed by nodding. Then I suddenly remembered something she had told me to tell Yazmin

“That reminds me, she directed a message to you.”

“That is intriguing.”

“Yes, she said that if you are looking for a weakness, you should go for the source.”

Yazmin looked at me, perplexed.

“Well, that is quite the message.”

“I sense you understand what it means.”

“I think I do, and if it is what I think it is, then...”

She paused, seemingly withholding the information from me.

“I will tell you both about it.”

Yazmin decided to take some time to process the information and continue her maintenance tasks. I had the urge to look around the rest of the ship in the meantime. I still had much to see, and it seemed like a fun way to kill time.

“I’ll leave you to your work then,”

I said, standing up from my seat.

“I think I’ll go and explore the ship. There’s a lot I haven’t seen yet.”

Yazmin smiled, acknowledging my plan.

“That sounds like a good idea. Feel free to roam around. If you have any more questions or discoveries, don’t hesitate to come back.”

With that, I left Yazmin to her tasks and ventured off to explore the intriguing corners of the ship, eager to uncover new discoveries and perhaps find some answers along the way.

—-

“I am here.”

I yelled as I rushed into the gathering space to find Reuben and Yazmin seated next to one another. Even though the tension was still present, it seemed less intense. Taking a seat next to Reuben, I eagerly awaited Yazmin’s plan.

“Now then, we need to put an end to Eliora, and I have a plan for that,”

He said, her voice firm and determined.

“Go on, we’re all ears.”

Reuben urged, his genuine interest evident in his expression. Before continuing, Yazmin stopped for a moment to gather her thoughts.

“This is of utmost importance, so listen closely.”

Reuben and I leaned in, eager to take it all in.

—

Restlessness consumed me as I paced back and forth in the room. The complexity of the situation weighed heavily on my mind, and I couldn’t find solace in sleep. Tomorrow marked the day we would put our plan into action, and the gravity of it all made it impossible to calm my racing thoughts. The silence was abruptly broken by Yazmin’s voice, and I was taken aback by her presence.

“I thought you would be asleep by now.”

I looked up at her, unable to conceal my unease. I confessed, the weight of my emotions evident in my voice.

“I can’t sleep.”

She walked up to me with concern written all over her face. She gently inquired, sensing that my agitation was more than just simple restlessness.

“What’s wrong?”

I hesitated, unable to disclose the true reason for my unease.

“I’m just nervous.”

I finally admitted it, opting for a partial truth.

“I am as well.”

I acknowledged my trepidation as Yazmin’s laughter filled the room. It was comforting to know that she, too, was feeling the weight of the upcoming events.

“How long has it been since you have seen her?”

“Face to face? It has been years.”

She confirmed, but curiosity got the best of me, and I couldn’t resist asking her a question.

“Would you mind telling me how many years?”

Yazmin made a quiet chuckle.

“You wouldn’t believe me.”

She made a quiet chuckle as she replied.

“Try me”

I was genuinely intrigued.

As I processed the information I had gathered, I pieced together a timeline in my mind. I knew that Yazmin and Eliora had been training together for nineteen years, probably since they were born. Considering that the loop had been in progress for nine years, there would be a gap of around five to ten years between their training and their takeover of Earth.

Observing Yazmin, she appeared youthful, resembling someone in their mid-twenties. I pondered whether it was acceptable to classify individuals in their mid-twenties as “young adults.” After all, age is relative, and perceptions can vary. According to these calculations, Yazmin would be between the ages of thirty and forty. This estimation provided a flexible range, allowing for a slight variance in the actual number.

“It has been forty-nine years.”

I was surprised by the number and struggled to process the revelation.

“Forty what? Has it really been that long?”

I stammered; my calculations had proven drastically wrong, and Yazmin supported my scepticism.

“Yes, it has.”

I sighed and sat back on the capsule, thinking that Yazmin was probably in her seventies or even older. Despite the passage of time, she appeared youthful and vibrant, and a pang of jealousy flickered within me.

“I want to go to bed now.”

I said, and she decided to shift the focus and tease me.

“I thought you couldn’t sleep, and now that I’ve told you that, you just want to run?”

“I wasn’t running.”

I defended myself, even though I was aware that I was attempting to get away from my own racing thoughts. I settled myself inside the capsule and got ready to sleep. I carefully injected the liquid from the syringe into my arm and watched it circulate through my veins. Yazmin waved goodbye before exiting the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

As I thought about the upcoming events, a mixture of anticipation and doubt raced through my mind. Was our audacious plan truly feasible? Nevertheless, despite my concerns, I clung to a glimmer of hope, daring to think that by tomorrow’s end, we could free everyone trapped in the loop. I inhaled deeply as I shut the capsule’s hatch, symbolically cutting myself off from the outside world. It was a symbolic act of surrender, allowing myself to be enveloped by the comforting embrace of sleep. Darkness descended, wrapping around me like a velvet shroud, and I surrendered to its soothing embrace.

As my consciousness faded, dreams began to take hold. I looked for safety from the pressure of reality in this world of fantasy and oblique whispers. The unknown awaited me, but for now, I embraced the comforting oblivion of sleep, hoping that when I woke, I would have renewed resolve and the fortitude to face whatever difficulties lay before me. and soon everything went black.