The lovely life at Axion, NOT.

((Whee! This is the first post EEVEEEERRR (ever, ha!) in 2009! I never thought I would actually continue this story for more than just a few posts...proves my own brain wrong, I guess! XD ))

~

These past few days had been fairly slow moving for Xenon, all the attention, testing and excitement was for Vexenesis now. Why was he treated any differently? Xenon was as much a part of this project as she was! But to Layla and the other researchers, Vexenesis was the only worthy project. Sure, they did do a few tests with Xenon, and they did explain some things to him, but only about the equivalent of one third of what they were doing for Vexenesis. At least Xenon wasn't completely trash to them. Wow, what an honor.

Things were so vastly different here in the real world compared to the simulation, it almost seemed like they were on a completely separate planet. This Aristaisia was so dark and depressing, from what little Xenon could see outside the window. The skies were always gray and rainy, the ground was pale and relatively grass-less. Thick clouds of black smoke occasionally puffed out of the tall smokestacks of the nearby industrial plants, god knows what they made in there to produce that much pollution. 'What a waste...' Xenon often thought, he hadn't been allowed to see the rest of the planet yet, but he could already tell just how poor of a condition this planet was in. Xenon sat alone in his tiny excuse of a bedroom, it was just barely big enough to contain one chair and one small bed. The walls were all made of the same black metal as the rest of this dreaded place, the only thing that was mildly exciting was the puny circular window up towards the ceiling. Ooh, at least he was given the privilege to see a tiny fraction of the world hes supposed to help save! Vexenesis had it better, Xenon was certain about that.

The automated door slid open, Layla stood in the doorway with Vexis at her side. "Project Xenon, come with us for a moment." Layla instructed, her tone as harsh as ever. Xenon obeyed, moving along with them almost automatically. "It's time you both learn about the situation a bit more." Layla started to speak as they reached the end of the first hallway, and into the next. The walls here in this section almost seemed...alive, in a sense. Little streams of blue light occasionally pulsed through the cracks in between panels of metal, Nova energy. No wonder this place felt like a living being!

"As you've both probably noticed, Aristaisia is in very poor condition as of late. What is the cause of this? Well, to put it in very simple terms, the Nova stream is running almost completely dry on this planet. And it's all because of over-use of the stream." Layla led them into one particular lab room, then stopped by a large monitor on the wall. "Now, the Nova stream normally replenishes itself, at least, on other planets it does. But here in Aristaisia, there have been no signs at all of a regeneration cycle. And without the Nova stream to provide growth and life, Aristaisia will dry up energy and die out. Just like Earth did almost 5,000 years ago." The black screen blinked to life now, it displayed what Earth looked like before it died. Aristaisia was identical to how this photo showed Earth, gray stormy sky, lifeless dirt fields, and many depressed people, all waiting for their deaths. Xenon just stared at the screen solemnly, trying his hardest to understand what those people were feeling at the time. Sorrow? Anguish? No, resignation. These people had given up their hope long ago. Xenon closed his eyes in thought, he couldn't even try to imagine the pain they must have felt.

"And that's where you two come in. Normal humans are naturally born with the ability to manipulate Nova energy, but only to a certain degree. What little we can control is no where near enough to regenerate the Nova stream, not even with all of Aristaisia's population. It's just not possible." Layla turned to face the two angels now, the dim lighting cast an eerie shadow across her angular face, only her icy blue eyes could be seen in the darkness of Layla. "However, through years of research and experimentation, we were able to create you two out of artificial methods. Each of you, individually, have the capability to manipulate one half of the necessary amount of energy to revive Aristaisia. And together, your powers are amplified two fold."

Xenon glanced over at Vexis briefly, full of curiosity as what she was thinking right now. But Vexis displayed no hint of emotion, she just stood and listened, much like a stupid robot.

"Do you know why this amplification occurs? One of you must at least have an idea of why..." Layla mused, then waited for the long time it would take for them to answer.

"That is because our existences are intertwined in a rather intricate way. Our minds share the same wavelength, our bodies each have the same strengths and weaknesses, although in opposite ways." Vexis replied immediately, her voice was very flat and monotonous, robbed of any emotion at all.

"Correct." Layla said with a little grin on her face. "Believe it or not, you're both actually just one creature. The two halves of one entity, separated." She turned back towards the computer screen again, this time the monitor displayed the translations to several different words that were written in some strange language. "As your names 'Vexenesis' and 'Xenon' suggest, each of you possess one side of your whole personality. In ancient Ethian, 'Vex' means darkness, or to be of a more sinister quality. Whereas, 'Xe' is the exact opposite, it translates to 'light' or 'pure'. And 'Non' or 'Nohn' is the name of Nova, it means 'life energy'. Vexenesis' name would have originally been Vexenohn, which would mean 'Darkness of life', but we decided that was too much alike to 'Light of life', which is Xenon."

Xenon felt numb and unable to think, too much was running through his mind right now. How couldn't he have at least realized the similarities between Vexis and himself? What are they planning to make him do to help save the world? Why was he seen as so inferior compared to Vexis? Or better yet, why was he inferior? It was all too much, all these thoughts pulsed through his mind at once. And even though Vexenesis and Xenon were both mutated super humans with the purpose of saving the world (and possibly part of the universe), their minds were still human, and human minds are flawed and easily get overloaded. Xenon headed towards the door, trying to escape his own confusion.

"Fine, leave if you wish. At least I have one loyal experiment! Reject." Layla said with a sneer, but eventually returned to her explanation to Vexis. "The only problem with you two being so closely connected, is that if one of you die, the other will die as well."


~

Xenon tried to ignore Layla as the door shut behind him, and found it quite easy. '...If we're the same being, then why can't I figure out why Vexis changed?'

Xenon stopped in the main lab, the giant room with all the pods. Where he and Vexis first 'met' so to speak. He was just barely aware of one of the scientists staring at him, she sat in the corner of the lab behind a desk. Xenon watched her for a moment, she seemed oddly familiar. The girl looked slightly younger than Layla, her red hair was cut short and at an angle, her eyes were an odd...violet color. Her facial features were similar to Vexis', but a bit softer and more rounded. The first thought that sprung to Xenon's mind was Lea, the strange girl that was trying to fight Vexis constantly. But no, that couldn't be her, could it? Lea was just a simulation, after all, and besides, her hair and eye colors incorrect! So why did Xenon feel like he knew her?

Great, another question to add to his overloaded brain! Xenon stormed off back towards his room, right now, even the tiny prison cell seemed like heaven if it meant easing his mind.

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."