"Attention, passengers: The train is approaching the final stop."
"..."
As the announcement echoed through the train, Chirak Oran slowly lifted his head, his expression utterly drained.
He looked like a hollow shell, his face pale and his eyes bloodshot.
Since he had boarded the train, that low, oppressive voice in his mind had haunted him like a relentless nightmare, issuing threats and warnings without pause.
What made it worse was that the voice even guided him on how to respond to his parents' messages and calls, forcing him to hide his true situation.
During the ride, Chirak had received a reply from his father after sending him a detailed text about Marur Concor. His father had immediately mobilized resources to investigate.
However, the result of the investigation only deepened Chirak's despair.
The police found that Marur Concor's records were flawless.
From his school records to his digital footprint and social background, everything about Marur painted the picture of a "model student."
Not only was he an outstanding academic achiever, but he was also a popular figure at school, known among his peers and teachers for being helpful and charismatic.
Even more frustrating, the authorities tracked Marur's movements through surveillance systems and android partners.
But despite their efforts, they couldn't take any concrete action against him. The reason was simple: Marur had not committed any clear threats or crimes against Chirak.
This outcome left Chirak unable to convince the police to dig deeper and made him seem less credible in his father's eyes. Worse still, the voice in his mind monitored his every thought, preventing him from sharing the true extent of his plight with anyone.
He knew that if he so much as mentioned "the voice" or "the threats," his parents and everyone he cared about would be in grave danger.
His mother had called during the ride, asking why he wasn't home yet.
Under the voice's instructions, Chirak made up an excuse, claiming he was spending time at a classmate's house.
Listening to his mother's worried advice over the phone filled him with an unbearable sense of guilt and helplessness.
His hand, gripping the phone, was drenched in cold sweat. He forced himself to sound calm, suppressing every trace of his panic.
When the train finally pulled into the terminal station and the doors opened, Chirak let out a long breath.
He looked out at the unfamiliar surroundings, his mind racing for a way out of this nightmare.
But under the relentless watch of the voice, all he could do was follow its instructions and step off the train into the unknown.
The train's terminal was located in the western outskirts of New Argos.
The scene outside was a stark contrast to the bustling city center.
Stretching out in every direction were vast fields of farmland, meticulously organized and reaching the horizon. In the distance, he could make out the silhouettes of several modernized livestock facilities.
There were no farmers working the land in the traditional sense; instead, fully automated agricultural machines moved efficiently through the fields, showcasing incredible productivity.
Near the station, the cluster of buildings was sparse, with only two towering skyscrapers standing out. The rest consisted of residential homes, convenience stores, and medium-sized shopping complexes.
The architecture was practical and minimalist, blending seamlessly with the open, natural surroundings.
Despite being in the outskirts, the area still pulsed with life.
The streets bustled with people, and the skies above were crisscrossed by hovering vehicles, their soft trails of light carving paths through the evening.
Chirak stepped off the train, his exhaustion evident in his sluggish movements.
He scanned the station and its surroundings with weary eyes.
The voice in his mind fell silent for the moment, offering no further instructions. But Chirak knew this calm was only temporary, a facade masking the storm that was sure to follow.
"Keep walking—"
The voice suddenly spoke again, sharp and commanding.
With no choice but to obey, Chirak began walking.
He passed through the crowds, leaving the station behind.
His steps were steady on the surface, but there was a stiffness in his stride, and his eyes darted cautiously to his surroundings.
After only a few minutes of walking, he arrived at a large parking lot adjacent to the station.
The lot was impeccably organized, with various hover vehicles lined up neatly. Some were undergoing automated cleaning and maintenance.
Stopping at the edge of the lot, Chirak felt his heartbeat quicken. An ominous feeling crept over him, telling him that whatever came next would only plunge him deeper into this nightmare.
"That one—the purple hover van—get inside."
The voice returned, colder and more forceful.
Chirak's gaze swept across the lot until he spotted the deep purple hover van the voice referred to.
The van's surface was immaculate, its streamlined design standing out.
Chirak clenched his teeth, his mind racing as he debated whether or not to comply.
But the voice seemed to sense his hesitation, snapping sharply in his thoughts:
"Don't even think about stalling—get in!"
With no other options, Chirak reluctantly walked toward the van.
As he approached—
Swish!
The van's sliding door opened automatically, revealing an interior shrouded in complete darkness, as if it were a void that swallowed all light.
Chirak hesitated for a moment but ultimately steeled himself and stepped inside.
Swish—Bang!
The door slid shut behind him with a sharp snap, sealing him off from the outside world.
The darkness inside was absolute. No light seeped in, and the only sounds were his rapid breathing and the pounding of his heart.
Vrrrmmmm—
The low hum of the hover van's engine vibrated through the cabin as it began to move. The vehicle ascended smoothly before leveling out, gliding silently through the air.
At that moment, Chirak realized he had crossed the point of no return. He was now completely at the mercy of whoever—or whatever—controlled this situation.
His breathing grew heavier, each breath shallow and strained. He clenched his fists tightly, trying in vain to calm himself.
Minutes passed like hours, and the van's engine began to slow, the vibrations becoming softer as the vehicle descended.
Thump, thump—
The sound of landing indicated that the van had touched down, likely on solid ground or a platform.
Swish!
The sliding door opened once more.
Dim purple light flooded into the cabin, forcing Chirak to squint as he stepped out.
What greeted him was a vast warehouse-like space, shrouded in a strange, surreal atmosphere.
The air was heavy with the overpowering scent of perfume, and the purple glow from the surrounding lights bathed everything in an eerie hue, as if the entire space was infused with some kind of unknown energy.
Chirak looked around, noting the warehouse's size and the presence of numerous people, both men and women, scattered throughout.
Many were moving rhythmically to the pounding beats of heavy metal music, their bodies swaying and twisting in the flickering lights.
The sharp notes of electronic synthesizers filled the air, their intensity disorienting. The pulsating rhythm was so overwhelming that Chirak felt it vibrate through his chest, making his head spin and his vision blur.
"Welcome, newcomer."
A low, sultry voice broke through the cacophony, drawing Chirak's attention.
He turned quickly to see a woman approaching him.
She wore a deep V-neck evening gown, her movements graceful and deliberate.
Her long silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, shimmering under the purple light. Her eyes sparkled with an inexplicable allure, her smile subtle yet brimming with confidence.
Her entire demeanor was like that of a predator—elegant, agile, and exuding an air of innate superiority.
For a moment, Chirak was caught off guard, his mind struggling to process the woman's striking presence.
"Well, I must say, you've been quite difficult to invite," the woman said, her voice soft and laced with amusement.
"Such a young age, yet such a guarded mind."
Her gaze swept over Chirak, observing his every move. Her smile remained unchanged, a constant expression of intrigue and amusement.
Chirak stood frozen, feeling as if he were ensnared by invisible chains. His heart raced, and every nerve in his body tensed.
"Relax, child," the woman said soothingly, though her tone carried an undeniable authority.
"I had no choice but to use threats and warnings to guide you here, to this true family."
She smiled gently, raising her hand to brush it lightly over Chirak's head. The touch sent a shiver down his spine—not out of comfort, but from a primal, instinctive fear of the unknown.
"Join us," she said, leaning closer until her face was mere inches from his. Her whisper was hypnotic, laced with an almost magical persuasion.
"You still have a chance to become something extraordinary—a perfect being. You could still become... an Astartes."
"You?!"
Chirak's eyes widened in shock, his voice trembling with disbelief.
In an instant, he connected the dots—the cold, commanding voice in his mind belonged to this woman standing before him.
He stumbled back a step, his thoughts racing as he processed this revelation.
Though fear clawed at him, he resisted the urge to flee. He knew there was no escape.
But more alarming than the realization of her identity were her words.
She had not only admitted to manipulating him but was now attempting to lure him with promises of greatness, using phrases like "perfect being" and "Astartes" to tempt him.
Chirak clenched his fists tightly, his face
twisting into a defiant scowl.
"Traitor," he spat, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and fury.
The woman chuckled, her laughter a chilling sound that sent shivers down his spine.
"Oh, how delightful," she said, her tone filled with mocking amusement.
But before she could finish her next sentence—
Bang! Bang!
The sudden, deafening roar of boltgun fire shattered the air, cutting her off mid-sentence.
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! Only $5 per novel or $15 for all!!] [www.p@treon.com/Mutter]
[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]