As the Giant walked away and his soldiers followed,
Dante suddenly removed his mask, revealing a young man with slicked-back silver hair and a distinctly steampunk style.
— “Allow me to reintroduce myself: Dante, high-level Psycher of the Celestial Federation.
First of all, never challenge my authority. Follow me if you understood.”
He said arrogantly, turning on his heel.
No one dared contradict him. After all, he had just obliterated that giant goril… in less than a second.
Thus, we followed him into a vast hall where countless holographic screens floated in midair.
— “I hope you’ll cooperate,” he said, lighting a cigar.
He blew out a puff of smoke, and the screens came to life, showing scenes of our arrival in this world.
I saw Ken provoke the goril, join Louis, and myself going off to search for survivors.
Then, our conversations aboard the ship appeared on screen.
— “I’ve studied everything you said. It seems you’re from elsewhere.
Spatial fluctuations brought you here.
I searched our database for the pnet ‘Earth,’ but found nothing.
Maybe ‘Terra’—but given your reactions to our technology, you’re clearly not from there.”
He exhaled more smoke, looking thoughtful.
Suddenly, a student stepped forward, furious, and grabbed Dante by the colr.
— “What the hell are you saying?! This is insane! It’s just a dream! A fucking dream!”
— “Let go of me. I don’t like being touched.”
Dante blew smoke directly into the student’s face.
— “Are you messing with me?!”
The student screamed, swinging a punch.
But in a fsh, light erupted from Dante’s hand.
The student’s head vanished with a snap. His body colpsed to the floor.
Dante then crushed his cigar… on the still-warm corpse.
— “I told you: don’t challenge my authority.”
He smiled.
Louis timidly raised his hand, trembling.
— “Could you… please… continue your expnation?”
— “I like that attitude.
Oh, and I forgot to mention: according to our scans, 51 of you were transported here.
But only 48 are present.
And it seems that three of you have amnesia… and weren’t here at the start.
No one recognizes them.”
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Everyone turned to look at those who seemed… out of pce.
But who were they?
— “Well, that’s not my problem.
I’m just here for a debrief. I’ll introduce you to the Celestial Federation, then show you your rooms. The rest is up to you.”
He took another drag from his cigar.
— “The Celestial Federation is an organization over half a millennium old.
A kind of intergactic republic, maintaining harmony between the three races: Humans, Giants, and Amazons.
But don’t be fooled: the popution is split in two.
Psychers like me, who’ve transcended the human condition through ether.
And you, ordinary humans.
We’re offering you a chance to join us. We’re always short on manpower.
But whether you accept or not, I don’t care.”
He made a chest appear beside him.
— “Take a bracelet. These electronic watches will register your biometric data and give you an identity.
Any questions? No? Perfect.”
And just like that, he vanished. Without a trace.
Shaken and terrified, everyone headed toward their rooms.
The death of that student still haunted us.
---
In the shower of this strange futuristic room, I stood there in shock.
We’re no longer in our world.
It’s real.
After dressing quickly, I returned to my room.
Knock knock.
— “Huh?”
— “It’s me. I’m coming in.”
It was Shina. Her red eyes showed she’d been crying a lot…
— “What do you want?”
— “I wanted to tell you that the others and I are thinking of joining the Celestial Federation.
We wanted to know if you and the rest would come with us.”
— “Why are you telling me this?”
— “No need to be so cold, Reel.
You’re the only one who can talk to both Ken and Louis.
And since I want us to stay together, I came to ask you to mediate.
Besides, wouldn’t it be better if we stayed together? To understand what’s going on…”
She gave me that same desperate look she always used when she wanted something.
— “Honestly, I hate the way you do that.”
— “Huh?!”
She said, surprised.
— “Stop pretending. I know you. Drop the act.”
I said, irritated.
— “Hohoho? You should’ve said so sooner.”
— “Now I recognize you. A maniputive, cunning woman…”
— “For someone who used to be my boyfriend, you’re pretty cold.”
— “For someone who broke me, you’ve got some nerve.”
— “Humph.
I talked with Dante. He said the Federation will help us with our problem—if we cooperate.
All my pawns have already agreed. They just asked me to come get you.”
She wore an infuriating smile.
— “I get it. You can go now.”
The anger inside me rose.
— “Alright, goodbye!”
She said cheerfully, closing the door.
— “Huh, was that Shina leaving your room, Reel?”
It was Louis, grinning pyfully.
— “Man’s still got game, even in a crisis.”
Added Ken.
— “You know me. I’m unstoppable.”
We all burst out ughing.
And I thought to myself—I was really gd they were here.
Then silence returned.
— “This really is another world, huh?”
Ken opened the curtains, revealing the lush, green pnet around us.
— “So… what are we gonna do?”
He turned to us. He smiled, but the bags under his eyes—caused by tears—were clearly visible.
— “Guys… I’m not pnning to join the Federation.”
I looked them straight in the eyes, bracing myself.
— “OK.”
— “Huh?”
I was shocked.
— “Why would we follow a bunch of ruthless murderers, man?”
Said Ken, smiling.
— “Besides, they’re hiding something.
They want us to join by using fear.”
Added Louis, calm and thoughtful as ever.
— “I’m gd you’re both here. Really.”
— “Ugh, no need to get all sappy.”
Grunted Ken, turning his eyes away.
— “In that case, our goal is clear:
Figure out why we’re here… and how to get back.”
— “Sorry… but I’m not going back with you guys.”
Said Louis, voice low.
He expected us to bombard him with questions, but…
— “Don’t even think about running off, Louis.
Even if you’re not going back, you’re coming with us. Tha
t’s it.”
— “But… you’re not mad? Even if I won’t tell you why?”
— “You idiot, we’re friends.
When you’re ready to talk, we’ll be here.
In the meantime, you stay with us.”
Added Ken, smiling sincerely.
