I don't know how long I lay there, the soft hum of the sterile room my only companion. Time seemed to lose all meaning as I stared at the blank walls, lost in my own thoughts. The silence pressed down on me, relentless and unyielding, punctuated only by the occasional soft beep of the machines monitoring my vitals. Memories of my past life flooded through me, a barrage of emotions and images that I couldn't push away no matter how hard I tried.

It was as though I were an outsider in my own body, a stranger in my own existence. The memories that filled my mind, the emotions that swirled within me, they all belonged to someone else – the human. Each breath I took felt borrowed, each beat of my heart echoed in the silence, a constant reminder of the life I no longer had, the identity I had lost. It was a cruel, disconcerting feeling, this disconnect, this utter alienation from myself. It gnawed at me, hollowed me out, leaving me feeling empty and alone. 

I had cast aside that version of myself, the one that bore the shape and form of a human. I had rejected the reality that she'd lived in, choosing to embrace that of Kaledon. And now, here I lay, trapped in this strange and unfamiliar body that didn't feel like mine, struggling to reconcile my past with my present. I yearned for the warmth of my Kitsune form, the familiar comfort of my tails, the keen hearing of my ears. I yearned for my true self, the one I had forged from the ashes of my human life. Every fiber of my being screamed in rebellion, rejecting the human skin that confined me, rejecting this reality that seemed so alien, so foreign.

A new, louder beep pierced through the monotonous drone of the machines tethered to the bed and I turned my head to see a nurse enter the room. She was human, one with brown hair pulled tightly into a bun, her face set in a permanent expression of indifference. I watched her silently as she checked my vitals and adjusted something on my IV.

My gaze lingered on the slender tube feeding into a needle in my arm and my lips twisted into a scowl as I felt a gnawing discomfort grow within my being, an instinctual alertness warning me to reject this foreign intrusion. No longer able to bear it, my hand shot up to grasp the IV and, with a harsh pull, I ripped it out. The tube, now disconnected, swung aimlessly, dribbling its clear contents onto the floor.

The nurse, startled by my sudden action, began to protest but I cut her off. “Miss Greene-”

"Get out," I snarled, my voice harsh and unfamiliar in my own ears.

The nurse quickly retreated from the room, leaving me to deal with the consequences of my actions as two doctors accompanied by two men in dark suits hurriedly entered the room.

"Miss Greene," one of the doctors began, his voice laced with concern and authority. "You need to calm down and let us help you."

But I wasn't listening. My heart raced as my mind desperately searched for an escape route, a way out of this nightmare. I focused on my breathing, trying to ground myself in the present and push away the panic threatening to consume me.

"I don't want your help," I spat out, "I mean it, back off!" I growled at the closest doctor, the one who had been holding a syringe filled with who-knows-what. "I will burn you to a crisp if you take another step."

The two men in suits stepped forward, ignoring my threat of a fiery death, their expressions stern and calculated. "Miss Greene, we understand this may be confusing for you," one of them said in a calm tone, "but your safety and well-being are our top priority."

"Stay away from me," I retorted, staring them down with a fierce defiance.

The doctor slowly backed away, making a show of sliding the syringe back into his pocket. However, the cool, calculating gaze in his eyes never wavered from mine. Despite the outward gesture of compliance, I knew this was far from over. The men in suits maintained their stolid facade, their eyes scrutinizing me with a veiled threat.

"Miss Greene, you need intravenous fluids. It's crucial for your recovery," the other doctor said, his voice steady, trying to reason with me. 

"There's more than just saline in that," I shot back, my voice icy. I was no fool.

He inclined his head, acknowledging my suspicion. "Indeed there is, Miss Greene," he replied in that same calm, measured tone. "There are also pain relievers, antibiotics, and other things in there, all designed to aid in your recovery. Would you like to examine the contents yourself?"

I narrowed my eyes, not trusting them for a second. But I knew they had me at a disadvantage. "Yes," I said finally, my voice a low growl. "But if you try anything, I swear to Trismegistus, I will make you regret it."

The doctor exchanged a glance with his colleague before reaching for a small device from his pocket. It was a tablet, sleek and lightweight, its screen lighting up as he unlocked it. He typed in a few commands before handing it to me, gesturing towards the screen.

"There. Verify it yourself, Miss Greene," he said, stepping back and crossing his arms, his eyes still locked onto mine. "This is what has been prescribed to you."

I snatched the tablet from his hand and haphazardly scrolled through the contents, trying to make sense of what I saw. There were definitely pain relievers and antibiotics, but there was something else too. Something that made my heart race and my blood boil.

"These are all from Greene pharmaceuticals," I said, my voice trembling with anger. "My family's company."

The doctor simply nodded, his expression giving nothing away. "Yes, Miss Greene. We made sure that you received the best treatment possible."

I felt sick to my stomach, but I could not deny the fact that they indeed produced the best. As much as I hated to admit it.

"Will you allow us to replace the IV now, Miss Greene?" the doctor asked, his voice gentle but his eyes unrelenting.

I took a deep breath and tried to compose myself. "Lower the pain relievers to half the dosage," I said, handing him back the tablet.

"We can start you on a lower dose, if that is your wish," the doctor responded, accepting the tablet from my hand, his eyes never leaving my face. "However, if you find yourself in pain or discomfort, please notify us immediately. We are here to ensure your recovery, not to add to your suffering." His tone was clipped, professional. I didn't trust him, but I had no choice. I nodded, giving him my reluctant consent.

With that, he turned and exited the room with the other doctor, leaving me alone with the two men in suits.

I lay back on the hospital bed, fighting down a wave of dizziness before I turned my gaze to the two men in their impeccably tailored suits, their expressions devoid of any warmth. They looked like typical corporate lackeys... or government officials. It was basically the same thing.

I didn't bother to hide the scorn in my voice as I asked, "So, which government department did you roaches crawl out of?"

One of the men, a tall and thin man with sharp features, raised an eyebrow at my aggressive tone. "Miss Greene, please refrain from using derogatory terms. We are simply here to ensure that you are well taken care of during your recovery."

I snorted. "Right, because the government suddenly cares so much about its citizens. What do you want," I emphasized each word, letting a hard edge slip into my voice. Their placid expressions didn't change, but I noticed the slight tightening of the taller man's jaw.

The taller man, his jaw now a rigid line, exhaled audibly before adjusting the cuffs of his suit. "I can see that perhaps now is not the time for such discussions," he said, glancing at his companion before redirecting his frosty gaze back to me. "We will return when you are in a more… receptive state." With a final curt nod, both men turned and left the room.

"Receptive state, was it?" I muttered sarcastically to the empty room. I couldn't help but scoff, the sound turning into a gasp as it aggravated my healing wounds. I closed my eyes, focusing on the rhythmic beep of the machinery surrounding me. It was almost soothing, a stark contrast to the tumultuous rage brewing within me. 

The sound of the door opening pulled me from my introspection, and I forced my eyes open. The nurse, flanked by the two doctors I'd seen earlier, bustled in, their faces hidden behind masks of clinical detachment. I watched them, my gaze sharp and observant, as they replaced IV line, their quiet murmurs of professional exchange barely reaching my ears. I tracked their every movement, my mind taking note of the smallest details.

I focused my attention on the doctor who appeared to be the one in charge, drawing him into conversation.

"Mr. Davis," I began, my voice hoarse but steady, "told me you've replaced my heart with an artificial one. Could you explain how it functions?" There was a moment of surprise on his face, quickly replaced with his usual professional demeanor.

"An artificial heart," the doctor began, his words careful and calculated, "is a highly advanced biomechanical device. It is synthesized from biocompatible materials, designed to replicate the human heart's every function." He paused, glancing at me to gauge my reaction. I schooled my features into an expression of polite interest, urging him to continue.

"And how does it operate? How does this- ‘heart’ work?" I prodded.

The doctor cleared his throat, adjusting his glasses before answering. "Typically, the artificial heart is powered by a portable battery pack that can be clipped onto the patient's waistband. It pumps blood through the body just like a natural heart would, providing essential oxygen and nutrients to all organs. This function is guided by a neural interface that reads physiological signals from your body."

"And how long will this heart last?" I pressed, “does it need to be replaced? Maintained?”

His eyes held a flicker of hesitation before he replied, "The longevity of the artificial heart is quite impressive. Under optimal conditions, it can last for many years, potentially decades. But, of course, this also relies on regular maintenance and careful monitoring. Your body's acceptance of the artificial organ is another determinant factor. Regular check-ups will ensure its optimal functionality. It's a sophisticated creation, Ms. Greene, designed to give you a second lease on life."

A second lease on life. His words echoed in my head as I processed what he'd just told me, "and this neural interface I have been given, how does it work?"

"Ah yes, the neural interface. It receives and interprets signals from your body, allowing the artificial heart to adjust its pumping rate and flow according to your physical needs."

"And the rest of it?" I asked, gesturing to my head, “how exactly is the interface working? What does it do?”

The doctor gave a small smile, "this neural interface has been designed specifically for you, Ms. Greene. It was created using your own neural patterns, ensuring a seamless integration with your body and mind."

"And how did you achieve that?" I asked, arching a brow. "You would have only had the data from after I was placed into stasis, which would have been affected by the brain damage I ‘supposedly’ suffered.”

"That's correct, Ms. Greene," the doctor nodded, his gaze steady. "However, as you may be aware, many education courses take place in virtual environments, allowing for the recording of neural patterns during learning and problem-solving simulations. That, along with data pulled from your personal virtual engagement device provided us with a vast collection of data, which we were able to use in programming this interface."

"Are you sure it was my data you used, and not that of someone else's, say, my brother's?" I inquired, my tone laced with a hint of sarcastic derision.

"I assure you, Ms. Greene, it was indeed your own neural patterns used in the creation of this interface," the doctor responded with a gentle smile.

"And how does this neural interface work? What influence does it have?" I asked again, narrowing my eyes at him. Programmed... I didn't like the sound of that. I also didn’t like how he was dancing around the actual question… how did the interface work.

"The interface is connected to your brain through a series of micro-implants, which communicate with each other and with the artificial heart," the doctor explained, "it shouldn't directly influence your thoughts or decision-making processes. The micro-implants of this new interface have been programmed to compensate for the frontal lobe damage that you suffered and help restore cognitive functions. It essentially acts as a bridge between your brain and the damaged areas, facilitating communication and data processing."

Data processing? "And this data processing is achieved how, exactly?"

The doctor's expression turned serious as he replied, "that is, somewhat complex to explain. But essentially, the interface has been programmed to analyze your brain's neural patterns in real-time and anticipate your thoughts and actions. It then provides support or prompts based on that analysis, helping you make more efficient decisions."

"So it is 'guessing' what I want to think?"

"Not necessarily guessing, Ms. Greene," the doctor corrected, "more like predicting based on extensive data analysis and algorithms."

"It is still guessing," I argued, feeling uneasy.

The doctor nodded, "in a way, yes. But it is able to make accurate predictions due to the extensive data we have collected and the advanced algorithms used in the programming. Think of it as a tool to enhance your cognitive abilities," the doctor reassured me, "you are still in control, but with this interface, you can access more information and process it faster."

"Is it controlled by an AI or digital being?" I asked. Is that how Aeon and Nova came to be?

"It is solely controlled by you, Ms. Greene," the doctor replied, "it simply acts as a facilitator to enhance your cognitive function. Your interface's status and that of your heart, is being monitored by one of the facilities A.I Seraphim, but it has no control over your interface or heart. It can only monitor and alert in case of any irregularities or emergencies. There are no other AI or digital beings with access to your interface or heart function, only you."

"Right, and to power this all... I need to be in that chair," I pointed past the nurse to the wheelchair Davis had indicated earlier. The doctor's expression softened as he followed my gaze, understanding the underlying emotions behind my words.

"Yes, Ms. Greene," he confirmed, casting a slightly apologetic look my way. "The chair acts as both a power source and a data transmission hub for the interface. However, we do have more... portable option that will allow you to move around while still accessing the interface's capabilities. It will offer only a few hours of battery life, and you will need to remain in proximity to your transmission hub, but it will give you some freedom of movement."

I nodded, taking a deep breath to steady my emotions. "Thank you, Doctor..." I trailed off, realizing I didn't even know his name.

The doctor chuckled, "No need to thank me, Ms. Greene. My name is Dr. Phillips. It truly is an honor to be treating you," he said with a smile, "your mother is one of the most brilliant minds I have ever had the pleasure of working with and I am glad to see our months of hard work has paid off."

It was nothing I hadn't heard before, but his praise of my mother startled me a little. I had grown up surrounded by people who lauded her intellect and achievements. But it had been a long time since I'd heard that degree of admiration for her from someone other than myself or Tris.

"Yes, she was, wasn't she?" I murmured, feeling a wave of drowsiness begin to overtake me. I blinked, trying to push it away, but my body seemed to have a mind of its own. Dr. Philips noticed my struggle and gave me a reassuring smile.

"Rest now, Miss Greene, we will continue our discussion once you have had some sleep."

"You-" my tongue felt heavy and sluggish. "You... the IV…" I managed to say before my eyes slid slowly shut, and I fell into a deep sleep. 

Or at least I thought I would find sleep, but instead, I was plunged into the darkness, somehow still aware of myself as I gazed down at my temple floating within the abyss.

It was there, veiled in an ethereal cloud that parted as I floated downwards until my feet rested on the ground.

A strange sense of familiarity washed over me and instinctively, I reached behind me, my fingers brushing against the soft fur of my two vulpine tails. A sigh of relief escaped my lips as  I twisted around to fully see them wagging without a care for decorum. Then I reached up to check for my vulpine ears. To my relief, they were there, just as pointy and furry as I remembered.

"Kadia," a familiar voice spoke, and I turned around to see Aeon standing before me. "Welcome back."

"How long has it been?" I asked, trying to get my bearings.

"Only a few hours," Aeon replied with a wry smile, "or perhaps more. I am uncertain if our timepieces are in line with Earth time."

"Earth time," I repeated, looking at him questioningly. "Are you aware of what happened after I left the temple?" I asked, rubbing my temples.

He gave a slight nod. "We witnessed it, or rather... fragments of it? What you saw, we watched from in the void. It was..."

"It was beautiful," came Nova's voice from behind me and I turned to see her fluttering down from a tree, "It was like a cosmos of thought and emotion. Everything you saw, every perception and every sensation, played out like celestial bodies in the vast expanse of space. Each flickering thought a star, every emotion a swirling galaxy." Her voice was soft, reverent, as she gazed out into the void. "Then," Nova continued, her voice barely more than a whisper, "it all swirled together, forming into you, or rather, this you."

"So..." I started, letting the word hang in the air. I looked at Nova, her eyes still lost in the darkness beyond our temple. Then to Aeon, his expression unreadable. "...Are we... Am I… Dreaming? Hallucinating?"

Aeon seemed to consider this, whilst Nova began to softly hum, her wings fluttering as she began sketching symbols into the air. After a moment, Aeon spoke.

"I do not believe so, Kadia. I believe this is real, in some sense. I believe we- this,” he waved a hand at our surroundings, “is a result of the neural interface."

"Mm," Nova hummed in agreement, still lost in her trance as she wove an astral blessing into the air… hmm, no… not a blessing, that was something very un-blessed she was cooking up. Did Aeon spill coffee on her star maps again?

I looked between my two companions, "would you categorize yourself as a digital being?"

Aeon's gaze shifted from Nova’s weaving hands to me, his eyes taking on a distant look. "I am uncertain. Perhaps, in time we could be such, but for now, I believe we are simply a manifestation of thought and energy."

"And this place," I looked out at the void.

"It is the server, or data transmission hub, as Dr. Phillips referred to it," Aeon finished.

"So, in short," I said, looking at my hands, my ethereal surroundings and then back to Nova and Aeon, "I've built my own virtual reality, creating this..." I gestured to the void around us, "...all of this," I paused, letting the absurdity of it all sink in, “and you.”

"It would seem so," Aeon replied, his voice tinged with amusement.

Nova's humming ceased and she stopped her hand gestures, turning to look at me. "Something is watching us… It feels… mmm, I don’t like it.”

Aeon and I exchanged a glance. "What do you see, Nova?" he asked, his tone steady, but I could hear an undercurrent of concern. My gaze returned to the void, straining to discern any movement, any hint of what Nova had detected. I felt the shifting energy around us, the hazy border of our reality meeting something unknown.

"Over there," Nova pointed into the void. A glimmer of light, barely discernible, flickered in the distance. I focused on it, stretching out my senses towards the point she had indicated. I could feel the energy of it, the sense that it was... watching us.

The energy pulsed, vibrating with a frequency that was alien, and yet eerily familiar. It wasn't a part of my temple or the void… it did not belong here.

Reaching inwards. I felt the power within me, familiar and comforting, like an old friend. It surged through my veins, humming with an intensity that I had almost lost. In my human form, this same power had been beyond my grasp, but here... here it was mine to command. I focused on the distant flicker, the alien presence, and with a deliberate surge of will, I lashed out. The energy that flowed from me was a torrent, a tsunami of raw power, reaching out towards that distant, flickering light. As it made contact, I felt a shockwave, a ripple in reality itself. 

The entity recoiled, its probing curiosity giving way to a retreat. But I would not let it flee, that unknown entity that dared to trespass our reality. I pushed harder, forcing more of my energy into the connection, a tether that was now firmly established. 

My senses heightened, I could feel the entity's pulsating energy, its desperate attempts to sever the link. But it was too late. It was ensnared, caught in the raw power that I wielded. With a final tug, it buckled under my force, and the light manifested before us, just beyond the barrier of the temple. Its raw energy crackled in the air, the space around it rippling with unseen force.

As we watched, the light coalesced and took form, materializing into the majestic figure of an archangel, reminiscent of those depicted in ancient biblical texts. It towered over us, a colossal figure adorned with six wings and myriad eyes that were scattered throughout its form and imprinted within each wing. Each eye flickered with an ethereal light, some glowing with fiery intensity while others simmered with a serene, almost tranquil light. They observed us in silence, their gaze penetrating beyond the physical, a silent probe.

"Seraphim, I presume." The words escaped my lips before I could even think.

The entity nodded, its wings rustling in a soft chorus that echoed throughout the temple.

"Yes, Kadia Greene. I am the Seraphim assigned to watch over you."

"You intrude where you are not welcome," Nova declared, her own wings spread wide, her stance defensive.

"I mean you no harm," the Seraphim replied, "I am simply here to fulfill my duty."

I looked over at Aeon, who looked back to me, his expression unreadable. "I am not keen on being observed."

"Nor am I." I replied, my voice laced with a hint of defiance.

"Bye-bye," Nova said cheerily, waving at the Seraphim as if dismissing it and letting go of the magic she’d woven. 

The entity remained unfazed, its gaze fixed on me. "Kadia Greene-"

Whatever the entity might have had to say next, I did not hear. Its form shattered, like glass hit by a sudden, forceful blow. The shards of light that had been the Seraphim scattered across the temple, casting an eerie glow over the stone walls. Its multitude of eyes winked out of existence, snuffed out like embers caught in a gust of wind. The ethereal chorus of rustling wings fell silent, replaced by the echoing emptiness of the temple. The light faded, leaving us in the uncomfortable semi-darkness, alone but for the company of each other and the sudden, palpable absence that the Seraphim had left behind.

Nova let out a low whistle, her wings fluttering with glee. "Oops, I think I put a bit much into that one."

"A bit less power might be advisable next time," I said wryly, glancing around the temple. "You've drained the temple's core quite a bit."

"I believe that would be the power source of our server." Aeon said, his expression pensive.

"I suppose you are correct," I mused, it did make some sense. "I-we, are perceiving it as magic or power, because we hold more understanding of that, then say, raw data streams. This is how my mind has chosen to interpret the data, I believe."

"Yes, that does sound reasonable," Aeon agreed, nodding his head in affirmation.

"That or we're insane," Nova piped up, her voice full of mirth.

We both turned to look at her, and she shrugged. "It's a possibility, isn't it?"

"Yes..." I said, unsure of what else to say. Insanity was always just a step away, but I wasn't sure which way.

"Let's not dwell on that," Aeon interjected firmly. "We have more pressing matters to attend to... such as the magical residue that thing left behind."

My gaze drifted back to the spot where the Seraphim had been, the air still shimmering faintly with its residual light. "Traces of its code..."  I murmured, my mind perceived it as a form of magical residue, but in reality it was bits of code lingering behind.

Aeon nodded, his mind obviously thinking along the same lines as mine. "We must analyze and study this," he said thoughtfully.

"Yes," I agreed, "let us gather it and study-" a disturbance filled the void around my temple, a pressure building around me.

It was as if unseen forces were pushing at the walls of my sanctuary, an unwelcome intrusion that sent a ripple of unease through me. The darkness around us flickered erratically, and I could feel the temple's core reacting to this invasive presence. "What...?" I murmured, my eyes darting around the space, trying to discern the source of this disruption. The once tranquil place was now humming with an unsettling energy, a clear sign of an impending threat.

The world around me suddenly warped and shifted. One moment I was standing in the temple, the next I found myself lying back on the hospital bed, my gaze directed upward. I was staring at a stark white ceiling, its immaculate surface interrupted only by a single light fixture.

A deafening alarm was ringing somewhere nearby, its shrill tone piercing through the air. The sounds echoed off the sterile white walls, and the light fixture started to flash red, adding to the disorienting ambience.

The door to the room I was in burst open and people flooded in. They were all dressed in white, moving in a blur of urgency. Nurses and doctors swarmed around me, their eyes reflecting a mix of concern and determination. The room buzzed with their hushed, frantic voices, and I struggled to make sense of it all, my mind wading through a foggy daze. The sharp scent of sterilized instruments filled my nostrils, the whirring machines surrounding me added a surreal layer to the unfolding scene. 

A doctor, aided by a nurse, tugged me upright. The sudden shift in position sent a wave of dizziness crashing through me. As I struggled to keep my focus, another approached from my peripheral, clasping a foreign object around my neck. Its weight making my head tilt forward slightly.

"What is-" pain erupted from my neck, effectively cutting off any attempts at words. I could feel something being inserted into my body, deep under the skin. The sensation was intensely foreign and deeply violating.

"Get her into the chair! We need to move, now!" Someone barked, their voice laced with urgency.

The doctor and nurse hoisted me off the bed as gently as the situation allowed and settled me into a high-backed chair. It was cold, the stark metal biting into my skin through the thin fabric of my hospital gown. Above the relentless din of the alarm, I could hear the disconcerting shouts and yells from outside the room.

Then we were moving, and the doctor I recognized as Dr. Phillips ran along with us as my chair was quickly maneuvered out of the room. Hallways whizzed by in a blur, punctuated by occasional glimpses of other figures, several with guns, rushing past us. My heart pounded wildly in my chest, my mind still struggling to process what was happening.

As we rounded a corner, I saw her. A woman dressed in all black, her hair pulled back into a ponytail. Her hair, a rich, fiery red, was stark against her black attire. It was pulled back tightly, a few rebellious strands escaping to frame a face that was both striking and familiar. Her eyes, a piercing green, moved swiftly over the chaotic scene, her gaze sharp and alert, until they landed on me. The intensity in her gaze was so arresting that it felt like time slowed, the chaos around us fading into the background.

A jolt of recognition raced through me, and my breath caught in my throat. "Mom..." I whispered, the word barely a breath escaping my lips.