Awakening

"Put up the barrier at maximum output now, I want see how they do when completely separate, especially Vexenesis." Layla demanded of the other scientists, they silently went to work as she commanded. Layla was one of the most extreme researchers, she always pushed things over the edge until they were deemed "perfect" by all. Shes cold and distant, she has never cared about anyone else. Layla is all about perfection, and she will never be satisfied until she herself is flawless. Several years ago, Layla was a test subject, herself. They were trying to physically enhance her structure by adding mechanical parts to her body, a cyborg -in terms of most science fiction novels.


Layla sat down in one of the many metallic chairs that aligned the wall, then reached for a bottle labeled 'Symustein' and some other device on the shelf. "Prepare the system for my entry, I wish to view this battle in person."

"Yes, ma'am...it should be ready any time..."

"Good." Layla placed the metallic visor over her eyes, then took one of the pills inside the bottle. She fell back in her chair unconscious soon after, Layla was now inside the simulation.


~~~


The invisible wall between Vexis and Xenon solidified, it became a sturdy metal wall. Once Vexis lost sight of Xenon, she felt...unusually alone. It was like a chain that connected the two of them had just been severed, and left a big gaping hole in it's absence. Vexis felt more vulnerable, as if some shield around her that she had no clue about previously had finally dissipated. 'I'm alone...'

A bright flash of light erupted from on top of one of the crates above, the figure of Layla started to materialize. Layla gracefully leaped down onto the floor, then stopped next to the shadowy version of Vexis. "Hello, Vexenesis." She said with a wry grin on her face, her voice was very chilling to listen to. "And since I'm certain you have no clue who I am, allow me to explain some things. I am Layla Wakemen, one of the main researchers who created you. And this..." Layla gestured to the room around them, "...is all a simulation. This life you've been living these past few months, all these places you've been, all those people you've met, it's all fake." She said, visibly enjoying Vexis's horrified reaction. "All of this has just been a mere test for you, and now, it's time for your final test: you must battle yourself!" Layla let out a wicked little chuckle, "Have fun!" then she disappeared temporarily.


The shadow all of a sudden disappeared from view in a burst of speed, then punched down hard into the floor in front of Vexis. Vexis was thrown back several feet by the impact, a giant hole now covered where she was previously standing. Vexis immediately got up, ready for her enemy's next move. But the shadow did not attack, nor move in the slightest, it just stood there. Vexis watched it closely, then reacted in disbelief as it changed in appearance. The shadow had taken on the appearance of her, an exact replica of Vexis. Though, something was odd about this creature. It's dark green eyes looked hollow and seemed to pull you in, soulless and empty. This wasn't Vexis, nor was it a copy of her. This shadow was Vexenesis, the being that Layla and the other researchers created.


Vexenesis finally made it's move, it darted towards her at an incredible speed, and in a flash kicked Vexis into the wall, hard. Vexis found herself unable to move for some reason, as if invisible bonds were being used to hold her in place. Vexenesis came closer, it reached it's bony hand out to her and placed it on her forehead, a dim greenish glowing emanated from Vexis. Both of them were now covered in this light, it was gradually pulling the two beings together into one. Vexis and Vexenesis were competing for dominance, a test of wills. Vexis was the one that was fading, she melted into Nova energy and was absorbed by Vexenesis.


The girl fought, but the beast won.

~

"Vexis..." Xenon could sense something wasn't right, he felt her aura fade away, like Vexis had just died. His shadow charged towards him again, but Xenon fought it off with ease. Whatever his opponent did, Xenon could mimic and enhance the attack. The shadow stepped back, presumably in fear or submission. Xenon advanced towards the creature, then stopped just a few feet away from it. His limpid blue eyes became foggy with green energy, strands of Nova started to surround Xenon. He held his hand out in front of him, the Nova streams followed his direction and all flooded towards the shadow. Nova energy was pure and powerful, and absorbs lesser beings such as this shadow. The creature gave in, it just stood and allowed itself to be absorbed into Xenon.


The guardian conquered, and the demon fell to oblivion.

~~

Everything started to fade and disappear, Vexenesis, Xenon, and everything around them. Layla was no where to be seen during the battle, but she had watched it all.


The simulation had ended here, Layla woke up immediately after. She removed the visor from her face, then got up and headed towards the two pods. The other two researchers examined the containers closely, any moment now would Vexenesis and Xenon awaken. "All has gone as expected." Layla said, her devious grin never fading. She watched Vexenesis mainly, waiting to see the result.


Vexenesis's eyes suddenly snapped open, dark and hollow as ever. She reached out to the glass panel in front of her, and broke through it with barely any effort. The dark angel left it's container, and stood obediently, awaiting Layla's orders.

Xenon also awoke just after Vexenesis, but instead of violently breaking out of his pod, he gently pushed on the glass until it fell out of it's frame. Unlike Vexenesis, Xenon took his own sweet time on getting out and presenting himself. Once he stepped out into the room, his gaze was fixated on not Layla, but Vexenesis. What had happened to her? Vexis didn't seem herself anymore, she was just and empty drone now.


Layla looked from one angel to the other, satisfied with both of them. "Welcome to the world of the living, Vexenesis and Xenon."

The True "Beginning"

The echo of footsteps on the hard metallic floor could be heard, the dim lighting against the pitch black walls left the person silhouetted. The dark figure stopped at the end of the hall briefly, waiting for the automated door to allow them to enter. Once the door slid open, a giant laboratory of sorts was revealed. Large glass containers each filled with a silvery substance aligned the walls in an orderly fashion, more pods containing a similar fluid stood freely in the center of the room. Out of the hallway entered a young woman who looked in her mid twenties, her face had a very definite point to the chin, her golden hair was tied up into a ponytail currently, her eyes an icy shade of blue. She glanced over at one pod in particular, the one labeled "V". "Layla Wakemen reporting for duty. How's everything working out so far?" She asked the other researchers standing near the container, her icy stare fixated on the being inside.

"Everything is turning out fine, Project Vexenesis seems to respond well with the Symustein." The first man replied, "Although, the tests have shown some odd reactions when we expose her to the Nova radiation."


Layla watched the unconscious Vexenesis carefully, this being would truly be the one to help preserve the Nova stream? There's something rather unsettling and eerie about Vexenesis, and Layla couldn't figure out what. "Well, if it's responding fine, then why not release it now? And how's that one doing?" Layla questioned, then pointed over to the container labeled "X".


Inside this pod floated Xenon, the other side of Vexenesis. Xenon was more normal to Layla, he didn't have that same unsettling quality that Vexenesis did. Xenon seemed more like a guardian, a protector. Whereas Vexenesis was a weapon, an empty vessel for the Nova stream's revival.



"Project Xenon is showing no signs of change, his power seems to double whenever he's in contact with Vexenesis, however."


Layla got a satisfactory grin on her face now, "Good. Increase the simulation combat difficulty now! I want to see the true abilities of these things."



~~~~

Vexis had been cluelessly wandering these woods for hours now, no sign of Xenon or the beast anywhere. 'Where the hell could they have gone? Did Xenon already defeat it on his own?' Just when she started thinking of the possibilities, something strange started happening. Everything around her, the trees, the sky, even the ground below her, started fading to complete and total darkness. Vexis looked around frantically, trying to locate the source of this unusual experience. "What...hows this happening?! Xenon!? Lea!?" Vexis shouted out, but found herself no response other than her own echo. The ground started to collapse in on itself in sections, Vexis fell with it. The darkness was gradually beginning to lighten up the further Vexis fell, until she finally landed in some odd room. This new area was one gigantic warehouse type building, on the wall opposite of Vexis was written "Axion Testing Center IV." Vexis stood up, trying to remember if she had been here before...it seems...familiar. 'Where am I? This isn't that laboratory I busted out of...is it? I wonder....'


Something started to take form on the other side of the room, it looked human...but with wings, one black and one white. Xenon. He didn't seem to notice Vexis, maybe she was just a bit too far away to see? Vexis immediately spread her wings and burst off towards him. "Xenon! Where are we? And where's Kunekaku -" Vexis slammed into something just then, something...invisible? An invisible wall? Vexis jumped back to her feet, then tried once more to reach Xenon. She held out her hands in front of her, every time she tried going forward, some kind of force field just repelled her. "What the? Xenon, what is this?" But yet again, he did not seem to see nor hear her. Vexis stepped back a bit, why couldn't Xenon see her? She could see him...


A loud clashing sound echoed out from behind Vexis, something darted out from the piles of crates near the wall. The creature was completely pitch black -like a shadow, it looked exactly like Vexis in shape. The being had no face, and no other identifying details to it. This strange new...person slowly stepped closer to Vexis, a shadowy blade gripped tightly in it's hand.


On the other side, Xenon found himself encountering a similar being, this shadowy figure looked exactly like him, as well. 'This is certainly unexpected...'