Condition Evolution 4 by Kevin Sinclair (books for 10th graders TXT) 📕

My body became paralyzed, so I moved swiftly into my Mindscape to confront the intruder, screaming for Havok mentally as I did. There was no response from him. In my Mindscape I was faced with four Apochros. Jezai was not among them, but Galivea and Fiekela were.

Fiekela looked at me like a juicy steak while Galivea spoke. “We are sorry, and I hope you forgive us for this.” Then, everything faded to black.

Chapter 5

New Friends

My eyes sprang open. A group of unfamiliar people sat arrayed in front of me. My first reaction was to rub at my temples as I was feeling dizzy and disoriented. My arms remained where they were, unmoving. “What’s going on? Why can’t I move my body? Well, apart from my head,” I said, turning it from side to side to demonstrate.

“How are you feeling, Vakuna?” one of them said, while I continued in vain to move.

“Vakuna?” he said again loudly, so I looked over at him. His full focus was aimed in my direction. Was he asking me?

“Hang on, I’m confused,” I admitted. “I’m not really sure where I am, or… who’s Vakuna? Is that me?”

“That is right, you are Vakuna. I am Fiekela,” he said with a friendly smile. “You have been unwell for a while, but you have recovered now. Your memory loss was an unfortunate side effect of your illness. Do not fear, we will help to replenish your memories, though it will take time. You are incredibly special to everyone here.”

“I’m special? I don’t feel very special. Particularly with my arms stuck to this chair,” I replied, not angry, simply perplexed.

“Our humble apologies, Vakuna. There was uncertainty as to what your disposition would be upon waking. The restraints are merely a precaution to prevent any injury. You should be able to move freely once more, though please remain seated as we have much to discuss.”

I lifted my arms first, reveling in the freedom. I raised my legs next, giving them a little stretch out. “Thank you. That feels much better. So please, go ahead. Fill me in. It’s disconcerting to know nothing.”

While I expected an infodump to follow on who I was, and what had happened to me, they instead proceeded to take turns introducing themselves and asking questions. Mostly repetitive and frustrating variations on, ‘can you remember anything at all?’ Then there were the more oddly specific, but just as baffling, questions, such as could I enter a Mindscape? Did I hear any voices? Could I affect an object by thinking about it? It was all very strange, and I was getting bored, fast. Finally, they changed their direction from asking questions I obviously couldn't answer.

“Very well, Vakuna. We are satisfied, although it is a shame you have lost your innate ability to enter your Mindscape. This can quickly be fixed by entering your mind and bringing you through. It is a simple process.”

“Aren’t you going to tell me anything about myself?”

“That will come, I promise. Memory recalibration will be a part of your daily training. For now, it is vital that you can access your Mindscape. This will be where most of the training is to take place, and much easier to assess what your mind needs,” said the woman named Galivea.

“So, entering this Mindscape should shed some light on what’s actually going on here?”

No one answered. Only one of the women, who had introduced herself as Ellam, smiled softly at me. I almost sensed pity in her expression, but when our eyes met, it quickly vanished, replaced by what I could only describe as firm resolve. That was of little matter, as my attention was suddenly pulled to a collection of voices inside my own head. “Close your eyes, Vakuna,” a voice I recognized as Fiekela’s said. “Focus on our voices and follow the sound deep into your mind.”

Strangely, I had an innate understanding of what he meant. I swam deep into my mind until I came up to an impenetrable barrier. I had a sense that it was porous. Only impenetrable if I was solid, but I knew instinctively that here I wasn't. So I just floated on through the barrier, continuing to follow the voices to a point where I felt I had entered a room.

“Can I open my eyes now?”

“It can be a very jarring experience passing through for the first time. Be prepared for some discomfort.”

I opened my eyes wide. “So this is the Mindscape, right?”

“My, my. You achieved the transition with remarkable ease. I remember the pain I suffered as a child when I transcended, so many years ago now,” he laughed. “Now, this is where you will spend much of your time training. It is crucial that we increase your levels, as quickly as possible.”

“I don’t get it. Why would that matter?”

“You are the future of our people, all people. Essentially a savior, if you will, the very definition of your name Vakuna.”

I thought his description of the name seemed a little vague. Essentially a savior was not the same as savior. I didn’t know much, but I knew enough to know I was no savior. Instead of saying what was really going through my mind, which was that these people might be crazy, I left that alone for now and asked, “What kind of training?”

“Every kind,” Fiekela answered with something approaching joy. “I can't promise it will be painless, but know that you are working for the future of our people. You will be a true hero!”

“This sounds like a lot more responsibility than I feel ready for. Can’t you find someone else? Somebody who can remember who they are might be a better option. If you don’t mind me saying, this seems like a massive oversight on your part.”

Fiekela laughed. “You are the Vakuna, not through choice but through design. Your Potential is almost unlimited. Come this way and see.” He led me over to a screen displaying a series of words and numbers:

Name: Vakuna