At the entrance, a device blinked to life as Lucas waved a card in front of it. The light flashed pink, and the doors slid open automatically. As they crossed into the building, Gira was immediately hit with a blast of cool air, accompanied by the faint smell of carpet cleaner. Lucas guided him into an empty lobby, its decor soft but striking—a pale pink floral pattern sprawled across the carpet, matching the pastel green wallpaper that bloomed with pink flowers.

  At the far end of the large lobby, a massive, coarse black stone desk dominated the room, its dark, textured surface contrasting sharply with the delicate surroundings. Behind it, a serpentine machine loomed, sleek and imposing. Its dark industrial design really stuck out compared to the rest of the room as it watched the two. Despite its intimidating frame, it had two ear-like probes that twitched in the air, giving it an oddly cute appearance as it silently observed the two boys make their way toward the elevators.

  “What’s that cool-looking snake-dog thing?” Gira whispered, eyes fixed on the machine as Lucas tugged him along.

  “Stop looking!” Lucas hissed, tugging on Gira’s arm. “That’s an old Hollow unit.”

  “That’s a cool name. But why’s it called a Hollow?” Gira asked, struggling against Lucas's iron grip.

  “It’s pretty complicated, but—”

  “Wait, is this another long, overly complicated history lesson?” Gira interrupted, raising an eyebrow.

  “Yeah.” Lucas replied flatly, pressing the elevator button with a sigh.

  “Than do it in 20 words or less,” Gira challenged, a clearly fake smirk plastered on his face.

  “Ha, alright, 20 words or less…” Lucas grumbled, pausing as he thought hard for a second, counting silently with his fingers.

  Just as Lucas opened his mouth to continue, a soft ding signaled the elevator’s arrival. The doors slid open, and both boys stepped inside. Lucas scanned the options and pressed the button for the 23rd floor. The light clicked on, and the elevator hummed to life, filling the small space with a quiet, rhythmic sound.

  “There was an A.I called the Endymion and it made machines that it could hop in and out of.” Lucas said, pausing as he tried to count his words on his fingers.

  “What’s an A.I?” Gira asked, his interest piqued.

  “You said 20 words or less, remember?” Lucas shot back, raising an eyebrow.

  “Come, on man, just tell me.” Gira pleaded.

  “Okay but no more word limits. Ever again!” Lucas retorted, throwing his hands in mock frustration.

  “Ugh, fine,” Gira huffed. “So what’s this A.I. thing?” He leaned in, genuinely curious.

  “It stands for artificial intelligence. Think of it like machine life. Although most superintelligences were wiped during the—”

  “Okay thanks!” Gira interrupted, cutting Lucas off before he could dive into another lengthy explanation.

  Lucas huffed, crossing his arms. “Hmph, anyway, that machine down there is a remnant of a pretty prominent A.I. Without a master, though, they just do tasks around the port. Smart, sure, but their proficiency with violence is why people hire them—great for security.” Lucas paused, glancing at Gira. “The one downstairs was probably sizing you up, checking if you were a threat.”

  “So that’s why it kept staring at me.” Gira mused, picturing the sleek machine in action. “It was super cool-looking.” His eyes lit up as he recalled its intimidating yet oddly cute design.

  The elevator hummed along in a soft, inoffensive tune as it ascended to the 23rd floor. Before they knew it, a crisp Ding announced their arrival, and the doors parted with a smooth, fluid motion, revealing a new lobby—a space that felt worlds apart from the one below.

  The decor was dark and bold; the black carpet and wallpaper were adorned with fancy red geometric shapes that created an intimidating atmosphere.

  Off to the side, a set of black leather couches rested in a rigid line. Their glossy surfaces reflected faint shimmers of red from the walls, but there was nothing inviting about them; the leather looked cold and unyielding, the type that creaked and resisted any attempt at comfort.

  Behind another stone desk loomed another Hollow Unit. This one had clearly been tampered with—it’s head had been painted matte black, with jagged red marks crudely etched along the upper and lower shell to resemble sharp teeth. From within its jaw-like visor, a crimson light glowed faintly, adding to its rather oppressive presence.

  Lucas hesitated for a moment, trying to keep an air of composure as he cautiously approached the Hollow. “ Is Dr. Xizu busy? I’ve got a pretty strange case with me and—”

  “The doctor is free; I will deliver your inquiry, measly Lucas Russo.” The Hollow interrupted, its deep, guttural voice reverberating through the lobby. The words hung in the air as the unit’s visor pulsed red for a moment before it froze in place, standing eerily still.

  Clearly, not my day, Lucas thought with a defeated sigh after being cut off mid-sentence. Slumping into one of the leather chairs, he closed his eyes for a brief moment of reprieve—only to snap them open in a panic. Gira wasn’t next to him.

  “Are you alive, Mr.Hollow?” Gira innocently asked, casually leaning on the stone desk where the Hollow was stationed.

  “Since the conclusion of the age of the ENN.KORR, I have been legally classified as sentient and designated inorganic life,” the Hollow replied, its voice sharp and emotionless.

  Lucas watched in silent horror as Gira continued his questioning, undeterred by the Hollow’s detached demeanor.

  “So what’s it like being a machine?”

  “I have no reference beyond my own existence. I am simply aware that I am. I experience neither discomfort nor pleasure. I simply am.” it answered, each word cold and precise.

  “I have no idea what that means, but it sounded cool,” Gira said, giving the Hollow a thumbs-up.

  “I will accept this compliment. What do you recognize yourself as?” The Hollow surprisingly responded, its tone still icy and calculating.

  “I am Gira,” he replied, matching the Hollow’s cool, detached tone.

  “Very well, Gira. I will acknowledge you as not measly.” It replied, its voice still cold and detached.

  “Thanks? I…think.” Gira replied with a confused smile.

  “I will expedite your meeting with Dr. Xizu.”

  "Oh, thanks, Mr.Hollow.” Gira paused, a sudden thought crossing his mind. “Wait… What do you recognize yourself as?”

  The Hollow’s pointed ear-probes twitched slightly before it responded in its usual cold tone. “I am Fred.”

  “Well, nice to meet you, Fred! Thanks for the help!” Gira said, flashing a big, genuine smile, completely unfazed by the Hollow’s icy demeanor.

  Making his way over to where Lucas was sitting, Gira couldn’t help but notice the heavy air of dejection that surrounded him.

  “What’s wrong, Lucas?”

  “Nothing…” The measly Lucas Russo muttered, his face buried in his hands. “Absolutely nothing…”

  After a couple minutes of waiting, the Hollow Fred called out, “Dr. Xizu will see you now.” ” Its massive claws extended, pointing toward a door that slid open with a soft hiss.

  With Gira beaming and Lucas dragging his feet in quiet misery, they made their way over to the door.

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  “See you later, Fred!” Gira said as they walked past the Hollow.

  “See you later, Gira. You as well, measly Lucas Russo.” Fred replied coldly. The words hit Lucas like a slap as they stepped into the next room.

  The hallway ahead was dimly lit by red lights, their glow casting sharp, angular shadows that accentuated the edgy decor.The dark wallpaper, adorned with intricately detailed crimson roses, seemed to shift in the low light, each bloom a dark, almost blood-red against the inky backdrop. The roses gave the space an unsettling but elgenatly cool vibe as they walked further in.

  “This doctor has good taste, huh?” Gira chirped as he physically dragged the emotionally damaged Lucas.

  At the end of the dim corridor, Gira spotted an open door, warm natural light spilling through. His curiosity piqued, he eagerly made his way over and cautiously poked his head inside.

  The room was bathed in sunlight from a massive window that stretched across the wall. On the far right, a tall woman with long black and white layered hair was doing a handstand silently, her gaze fixed on the upside-down world beyond the glass.

  “Uh, hello? Are you Dr. Xizu?” Gira asked, his eyes studying the odd, hand-standing woman.

  Noticing Gira, the woman smoothly transitioned out of her handstand like a seasoned gymnast, gracefully rising to her feet. She casually fixed her hair before turning to face him. Her appearance was striking—stunning. She had dark circles under her amber-red eyes that gave her an intense yet also weary look. Her gaze inspected Gira from across the room as he stood frozen at the entrance.

  She wore a loose, bouncy black sweater with a deep v-neck that casually revealed one of her shoulders and the strap of a dark red undershirt, adorned with intricate crimson and black floral patterns. The sweater was tucked into black high-waisted pin-up shorts. A red choker with the words “Mourns” boldly inscribed circled her neck. Her tight black, slightly see-through leggings hugged her legs, while garter pockets strapped to her thighs tightly connected to a belt cinched around her midriff. She also wore strange, sporty black sneakers with fluffy red platforms, matching her choker with the word “Mourns” written on the red edge of the outer sole.

  Gira couldn’t help but stare, something stirring within him—until her voice cut through his trance.

  “Yup, that’s me,” she replied, her calm, soothing voice carrying a hint of boredom. “And who might you be?” She added, arching her back as she stretched.

  “Uh, my name’s Gira, and Lucas here told me I might have brain damage,” he said, casually dragging the slumped-over Lucas into view, his tone more matter-of-fact than concerned.

  “What's wrong with him?” Dr. Xizu asked with mild indifference, casting a disinterested glance at Lucas.

  “Emotional damage.” Gira replied flatly.

  “Right—well, brain damage is pretty bad. Sit over there,” she said, ignoring the fact that Gira had abandoned Lucas slumped at the doorway. She elegantly strolled over to a desk that sat in the middle of the office and slid into a comedically massive black leather chair. Crossing her legs, she pulled a lollipop from one of the garter pockets on her thigh, unwrapping it with a swift, practiced flick before seductively popping it into her mouth.

  Gira’s lizard brain blared alarms, desperately trying to shield his innocence from the confusing flurry of emotions surging through him.

  “Those are some cool shoes.” Gira muttered, grasping for anything to sustain his purity. The fluffy-looking sneakers seemed to glow a low red as the blinds descended behind her, casting the room in a dim, moody light.

  “I know, right? Had them custom-made.” She said, casting a brief, almost nostalgic glance at her shoes. “Last of their kind.” Her gaze shifted back to Gira, her tone turning more casual. “Anyway, what’s this about brain damage?”

  “Lucas said I have it,” he said, pointing at Lucas, who had just snapped out of his depression.

  “Uhh, where are we?” Lucas murmured softly, blinking as he took in the room. Dr. Xizu’s amber-red gaze reminded him of why they were there. “Oh right!” He straightened up, crawling up to the desk and pointing at Gira, his finger inches away from his face. “Dr. Xizu! I found this moron out by the Vivant Tower near the Primodía Abyssal Forest. I think he’s got brain damage—or he’s just really stupid.”

  “Wha—I’m not stupid! My brain was warming up!” Gira protested, giving his head a confident tap with a firm nod.

  “See,” Lucas said, pointing at Gira with an irritated look.

  “Hmmm,” Dr. Xizu mused, eyeing Gira thoughtfully. “Let’s start by seeing if there’s any record of him in the ORPA’s systems.” She snapped her fingers, and a small device appeared in her hand with a smooth, effortless motion.

  “Wow! How’d you do that?” Gira asked, surprised and excited by her cool trick.

  “It’s my Kyyr ability.” she replied aloofly, turning on the long device with a casual flick.

  “What’s that?”

  “Hmmm, what’s the best way to explain…” Dr. Xizu mused, leaning on the armrest of her oversized chair as she spun it lazily. “Well, a Kyyr ability is something everyone is born with. Most abilities are pretty useless, some are occasionally helpful, and a few can be downright dangerous.” She glanced at Gira, her gaze lingering briefly before holding up the device. “Mine lets me tether objects to my body through space, moving them freely between locations. I personally prefer using my hair.” She twirled a strand absentmindedly. “Unfortunately, I don’t have much range, and it’s a pain to set up, but it makes moving stuff super easy.”

  “So as long as your hair is touching it, you can move it around?” Gira asked, watching her expertly twirl the device in her hands.

  “Yup.” She replied, holding the device up to show him a thin strand of hair, crudely taped to its base. “When I was little, it was hard to keep track of things because my hair would fall out everywhere. But I figured out that by charging certain strands with more Kyyr, I could focus on specific targets more easily.” She gave a playful smile as she walked over to Gira. “You know, Lucas over there has a pretty useful ability, too.”

  “You do?!” Gira exclaimed as he turned to face Lucas.

  Dr. Xizu gently took Gira’s hand, pulling his palm closer to her chest and the device with a teasing smile. “Why don’t you tell him about it, Lucas?” She asked, her voice warm and playful as she shot Lucas a knowing look, her smile hiding her intentions.

  Lucas blushed slightly, trying to play it cool. “I can cause objects to accelerate,” he said, puffing his chest out a bit. “It’s a super volatile and dangerous ability, honestly. So I don’t use it much—pretty risky.” He paused, glancing at Gira with a smug look. “Not to brag, but it can be pretty powerful, even if I can’t really control it and picking a trajectory requires an annoying amount of math, which I tend to mess up anyway, but I still try my best and you know, I sometimes wonder why I was cursed with the equivalent of a gun that sometimes shoots its owner as an ability and—” Lucas continued to prattle on as he seemed to shrink in despair.

  “OUCH!” Gira yelped, ignoring Lucas’s ego death, "Hey, that barely hurt!”

  “Then why’d you yell?” Lucas snapped, breaking out of his self-loathing spiral.

  “I got excited…” Gira replied, blushing.

  “Are you some kind of closet pervert or something?” Lucas replied with a disgusted look.

  “How odd…” Dr. Xizu murmured to herself, a sly smile tugging at her lips as she glanced at Gira. “Very curious.”

  “What’s wrong?” Lucas asked, frowning.

  “She poked my finger.” Gira said, holding up his hand.

  “Not you, idiot!”

  “This friend of yours doesn’t exist in the system, but he does have some distant relatives,” Dr. Xizu remarked, examining the screen with a raised brow. “Here, look.” She turned the device so they could see. “There’s no direct record of him, but I found a Gira that seems to be related. He’s from the Lower Planuras, specifically the Swallowed Zone. From a little planet called Veses-3.” She paused, letting the information sink in.

  “What’s so odd about that?” Gira asked, looking back and forth between Lucas and Dr. Xizu.

  “It’s a planet that was swallowed by the leaking abyss about 300 years ago,” Dr. Xizu replied, with a mildly amused tone as her gaze fixed on Gira. “Supposedly, there were no survivors. Yet here you are, with this man’s blood running through your veins.” Her smile widened, her intrigue evident as she took in the anomaly before her.

  Lucas stared in shock at the photo of an older Gira lookalike awkwardly smiling at him. “Any other relatives?” he asked, hoping for more answers.

  “It only gets weirder.” Dr. Xizu replied, her tone carrying a confusing mix of excitement and unease. “Honestly, when the genetic connection was pinged, it was the first time I was actually thankful we were cut off from the rest of the universe.”

  “What do you mean?” Lucas asked, concern brewing in his tone.

  “He’s related to Vire Virelli,” she muttered under her breath, almost as if speaking the name aloud would summon something.

  Luca’s eyes widened as he could hear his own heart beating louder than anything else in the room. “ We can’t tell anyone else about this.” he mumbled, his voice a panicked whisper.

  “What’s wrong? Who’s Vire Vi-what?” Gira asked, his face scrunched in confusion as he struggled to make sense of the situation.

  “Doctor! Is he a—?” Lucas choked.

  “There’s a chance.” She whispered as she pulled another lollipop out of her thigh pocket and threw it at Lucas, the candy smacking him squarely on the head.

  “Why are you two acting so weird? What does any of this mean?” Gira asked, glancing between the two. Their faces were too different, with Dr. Xizu smiling in excitement while Lucas seemed to be in some kind of overload, further confusing him.

  Dr. Xizu pulled out the lollipop from her mouth with a slow, playful twist. “ You’re also related to another... interesting figure, but it might be best we figure out what’s wrong with your memory. Plus, I don’t want Lucas here to pass out.”

  “Okay?” Gira replied weakly, the fear in Lucas’s eyes making his chest tighten. The odd discomfort of his own identity began to gnaw at him. “Dr. Xizu, if there’s a way to get my memory back... can we not do it?”

  “Whoa, easy there, kid. I never promised I’d be able to restore your memories,” she said, her tone softening. “But if there’s a way, I won’t force you.” She offered Gira a gentle smile, her expression unexpectedly sincere.

  “Thank you,” Gira replied with a smile, turning his attention to the petrified Lucas. “Lucas, are you okay?” Gira tapped his shoulder, causing Lucas to spasm.

  “AAAH, YAH! I’m fine, Mr. Gira. Don’t mind a meager nobody like me.” Lucas stammered, his lips trembling as his eyes darted around nervously.

  “What? Are you okay?” Giras asked, tilting his head in concern.

  “AH, well, you know…. yeah, I’m 100% good! We’re still best buds, right?” Lucas blurted, forcing a panicked smile.

  “Y-Yeah?”

  “Good. good.” Lucas nodded rapidly, his movements awkward and forced.

  With a playful smile, Dr. Xizu glided past Gira, gently ruffling his hair. “Follow me, Gira. Let’s let Lucas cool down while we run a little test—I’ll fill you in on that interesting little family connection of yours,” she said, her tone soft yet teasing. Lucas turned ghostly pale, his eyes widening as he silently mouthed, ARE YOU INSANE? Dr. Xizu stifled a quiet laugh, a sly grin playing at her lips as she gently guided Gira out of the room with a casual wave.