Luna:
Without any small talk, he just starts talking, totally expressionless.
- I'll start with the basics, then move on to the more complicated stuff. First off, Cetus—although it's tiny and barely populated, it's a super advanced, prosperous, and well-located world. The population's split almost evenly between the northern and southern hemispheres, but the total number is about the same as the United States back on your planet. So, yeah, for us to have everything we do, we're raised and trained from childhood—not just to defend ourselves, but to understand, create, and improve tech that's way beyond anything your world can even imagine. Cetus isn't just in a different solar system—it's in a whole other dimension.
- Wait, are you saying I'm dead?
- No, Luna. Technically, in your world, you're in a coma. What's the last thing you remember before waking up here?
- Wow, I hadn't even thought about that yet. I remember being with my fiancé, on our way to an award ceremony, driving down the road… Oh God, we had an accident. I—I—….
For a second, I couldn't even put my thoughts into words. Everything was moving so fast in my head, my mouth couldn't keep up. I remember the accident like a movie I watched ages ago—the impact, the sharp pain from the seatbelt across my chest. The memory was so vivid I actually checked my chest to see if that was one of the many pains I was feeling, but all I found was a thin, white scar, like something that had healed years ago. Then I remembered my fiancé's body in a way no one could survive, and my mind just shut down the rest of the memory because the emotional pain was way worse than the physical.
Clara, knowing me so well, sat down next to me and held my hand. Magnus kept going.
- I'll get to that part soon. This world is in a strategic spot because it's easier to jump between dimensions from here. But, like anywhere, prosperity attracts the wrong kind of people. One of the most dangerous groups here are called the Renegades. A lot of their leaders are exiles from Cetus—people who tried to use our technology to hurt others and got kicked out. They didn't take it well and formed a criminal organization: the Renegades. They've got tech and a decent military force to cause trouble on other planets. So far, they haven't attacked us directly—just some tech and military espionage—but I have reasons to believe they're planning something big soon.
- They made it to Earth?
- Yeah, Luna. Unfortunately, Earth is a prime target for them. That's actually how I found you two—during one of my missions.
Magnus glanced at both of us.
- But when I saw you, I knew exactly who you were. I've known your mom since we were kids. You two are identical—the hair, the eyes, the nose—impossible not to notice. So I got close to Clara to learn more about you, confirm your family, and for a few months, I tried to figure out why the Renegades were so interested in you. It definitely wasn't a coincidence.
- Wait, are you saying you used my best friend to spy on me? And you—? I turned to Clara. Did you know he was spying on me?
- Luna, it's not like that. Let him finish, then we'll talk, - Clara said, looking tired and sad.
- Exactly. Listen first, then decide. After a few months, I realized Clara was totally loyal to you, so I told her everything and asked for her help to keep an eye on suspicious Renegade activity. That's when the accident happened. We know it wasn't random—they caused it. We just don't know why yet. Since your mom and I were close, I felt responsible for bringing you here, training you, keeping you safe—and I know you'll want justice.
I looked at Magnus's blank face. He was definitely telling the truth, and I appreciated how direct he was. He didn't sugarcoat anything. But then, why not just come to me directly?
- I get it, - I said, exhaling. - But why not just approach me yourself?
- Simple. I didn't want to tip off the enemy. If they were really after you, getting close would've put you in even more danger.
For a second, my mind stopped racing, and I realized I could speak and understand this new language.
- How is this possible? How can I read and speak a language I never learned?
- Here, we can encode complex information into a kind of pill and upload it straight into your brain—languages, skills, knowledge, whatever. That's how you can understand everything.
- How long have I been here?
- You've been in Cetus for three days. But you spent two days in the hospital on Earth before we could get you out safely.
- But what about my scar? It looks like it's been there for years.
- Our tech is way ahead of Earth's. Our medicine can heal and regenerate way faster.
We heard a noise, and Magnus answered what looked like a call—a full-body hologram of a man appeared. I couldn't hear anything, but he was super good-looking, tall, built, even under what looked like a combat suit. He had sharp eyes and an Asian vibe.
- That's Kai, one of the Apocalypse Knights,- Clara said, noticing me checking him out. - You can't hear him because Magnus is using an earpiece.
- Now that's what I call tech. Sometimes it feels like I'm in a nightmare and I'll wake up any minute.
The call ended, and Magnus came over with a kind of robotic smile—the kind you can tell he doesn't use much.
- I've got things to take care of. Clara can show you around and answer your questions.
Once he left, I looked at my friend and couldn't hold it in anymore. I cried—hard. The kind of crying where you can't breathe. I've seen a lot of people die in my job, even in horrible ways, but remembering Mike, my fiancé, right after the accident triggered everything. As if losing him wasn't enough, something about the way he looked reminded me of finding my mom dead at home two years ago. Their faces had the same expression, and just thinking it might not have been an accident made me even angrier. I kept crying, letting the tears wash away all the sadness and rage. I've only cried like this twice—when my mom died, and now. I'm not the type to cry; some say I'm cold, but honestly, I just don't like showing my pain. Most people can't help anyway, so why burden them? But Clara—she's different. She gets me. She'd never judge.
I cried for what felt like hours, then managed a smile, still sniffling.
- Okay, I think I just soaked you. Consider this payback for all those times you cried on my shoulder over some jerk.
- We laughed, like we always do about our unsolvable problems. She hugged me tight, her eyes wet too—obviously, she cried with me.
- You're not alone. Whatever crap comes our way, we'll get through it together, like always. Let's show them we're even tougher than we look, - Clara said, her voice full of determination.
- I saw you checking out the guy in the video. Is there something going on? - I teased, curious and a little worried—he looked like the ultimate bad boy.
- You mean Kai? He's one of the Apocalypse Knights, and no, nothing's going on—unfortunately! The guy's amazing, as you can see, and he totally gives off that vibe of someone who'd destroy the world to protect the people he cares about, - Clara said, sighing over him.
- Okay, time to tell me more about these Apocalypse Knights…