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Amado walked down the metallic hallway without looking back. His footsteps were cold, almost mechanical. Code followed him in silence, trying to hide the tension on his face. Everything around him smelled of disinfectant, metal, and death.
"Code," Amado said without stopping. "Today we will evaluate your compatibility with the Karma Project. Try not to lose your composure."
As if that were possible… Code thought.
They entered a large room lit by white lights. Several capsules were lined up, each occupied by youths roughly his age. Some trembled. Others whispered prayers. No one seemed to truly understand what was about to happen.
Code swallowed hard.
So this is the day…
The day the original Code was marked forever.
Amado activated a tablet and read several parameters.
"Approach capsule 07. You'll be kept submerged while we analyze your body… and while your fate is determined."
The capsule opened with a hiss.
At that moment, Jigen entered the room. His mere presence made all the scientists go still.
"Ready to prove your worth?" Jigen asked with a smile that never reached his eyes.
Code bowed his head.
"Always, sir."
But as he climbed into the capsule, his thoughts weighed more than his own body.
If I survive, I won't be the weak Code they know. I won't be a victim. I won't be a tool. I'll walk out of here… reborn.
The transparent liquid began filling his lungs. His vision blurred. The last thing he saw was Amado's calm face as he activated the container's seals.
Then, darkness.
weeks later
The sound of an alarm jolted Code awake. He coughed, spitting out the remaining fluid in his throat. Around him, all the other capsules were empty… and their occupants were covered with black sheets.
He was the only survivor.
But something was wrong.
A burning pain in his chest forced him to his knees. Then he saw it: a white pattern on his hand, incomplete, fractured, stretching from his abdomen up to his neck.
A Karma.
But not a perfect one.
A White Karma.
Jigen watched everything from above.
"Interesting. Not what I expected," he commented calmly.
An assistant approached.
"Sir, should we eliminate the subject?"
Jigen raised a hand to stop him and looked at Amado.
"Study him. I need to know if this… can be of use to me."
Amado nodded, though the tension in his jaw was evident.
Days later
Amado analyzed screens full of biological data, comparing cells, energy, and Karma patterns.
The result was clear: Code could not be a vessel. His body rejected it completely.
Amado sighed.
"Jigen won't be pleased…"
The decision
In the main hall of Kara, Jigen sat cross-legged when Code was brought before him.
"You cannot be my vessel," Jigen said bluntly. "Your Karma is incomplete. Defective."
Code clenched his fists but said nothing.
Jigen observed him for a long moment… then smiled.
"But I won't eliminate you. That Karma, even if imperfect, may still be… useful. Besides, your devotion prior to the experiment was notable. And I'm intrigued by that fire you now possess."
Amado spoke up.
"His physical performance increased by 70%. His endurance as well. Even if he's not a vessel, he remains a valuable asset to Kara."
Jigen stood and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Very well. Code, you will live. And you will be part of Kara… as long as you prove absolute loyalty."
The boy raised his gaze, his eyes burning with a determination the original Code never had.
"I won't disappoint you."
But inside, his thoughts were completely different.
I won't be your tool. I won't be your shadow. This defective Karma will be my power… not yours.
A new Code had been born.