A splash of blood. The shimmer of beautiful crystals. Panicked cries of onlookers.

It happened so fast. The scientist that had been scolding the girl mere seconds ago was impaled by a thin crystalline structure that had erupted from under his feet. He hung limply, the crystal pierced into his lower back and up through his chest. It had lifted him completely off the floor. Blood cascaded down the clear crystal and pooled under his body. Strained gurgles were the last thing to slip from the man's lips before blood started dribbling from his mouth. The last remnant of life in his eyes faded away.

Vianca stared in shock, unsure of why or how it happened. It was her crystals, she was certain, but she hadn't meant for that to happen. Even with the man yelling at her, and threatening to hit her, she wasn't going to strike back in any way. So why? Why did he die?

Several other scientists moved closer, taking their colleague's arms and attempting to get him down. Vianca looked down at her hands, confusion etched on her face. She was trying hard to understand what happened. Looking up at the scene before her, she reached her hand out and balled her hand into a fist, shattering the crystal into pieces that scattered on the floor like broken glass. The lifeless body of the scientist collapsed, splashing into the puddle of blood and crystal shards. The people that had been trying to get him down gasped and flinched back, startled.

"Why did he...?" Vianca finally spoke in her light voice, little emotion in her tone. "Why did he die? I don't understand."

Everyone in the room turned to look at her, most of them glaring or frowning in disapproval. Even the ones that had been typing away on their computers or organizing papers had stopped to stare at her.

"Dr. Hauke," a female voice addressed a single individual. "Take her to the testing room. We need to do an immediate cleanup and organize a meeting."

The young man that was spoken to sighed. "Right away, ma'am."

Vianca set her pale violet gaze on the male approaching her. She knew him well despite his simple attire and lab coat reminiscent to the other scientists. He was the only one who would talk to her at his leisure. His blond hair was usually pulled back into a short ponytail, and just behind his round glasses were a pair of brown eyes that were always so kind. With a sad smile, he gently took her by the hand, leading her out of the room. The walk down the halls was silent until they reached the testing room where cages and test tubes were full of people and creatures that had already died and decayed.

"Nestor, I really don't understand. What happened to that man?"

Vianca's innocent question made him pause, his sad smile never leaving his face. "Your power is still unstable at times, Vianca. I know you didn't mean to, and it wasn't your fault, but...you killed that scientist."

Vianca gasped, her eyes widening slightly. "But I wouldn't... He was scolding me for not trying harder, but I didn't want to... I would never..." She trailed off, staring down at the floor. A thin layer of crystals was already growing along her arms.

Nestor gripped her hand and gently touched the side of her face, earning her attention. "Vianca, it was an accident. Don't blame yourself, okay? I'm sure his threats just triggered a defensive response in your body. It can happen." He gave a reassuring smile. "We're going to figure this out, trust me. You are destined for greatness, but to achieve that, there will always be failures and mistakes."

The girl stared at him, managing a small smile. "I trust you. You and everyone here know what's best." The crystals on her arms crumbled and fell to the floor at their feet, her mind eased by his words.

"Good." Nestor pecked her lips, a gesture he had gotten accustomed to lately. He then hugged her, though she simply stood there and let him, not at all comprehending the meaning of his actions. "I'll always watch over you, and I'll clean up all your mistakes." He released her from his hold and smiled. "Wait here for a bit. I need to assist the others."

"As you like."

Nestor gave her a tender look before turning and leaving, his shoes crunching on the tiny flecks of crystal. The automatic door closed behind him, leaving the girl alone in silence. With a quiet sigh, Vianca looked around. The corpses didn't bother her, as she'd been exposed to sights like that since she was a child. The light bubbling in the tanks was the only sound other than the clack of her shoes on the floor.

Her life was so simple --- do as told. She never once thought of resisting. She was raised there in those labs, and the scientists were the only people she knew and trusted, so why would she ever try to change that? She never asked about her parents or what was outside the walls, and frankly, she didn't care. She'd been told over and over again that her abilities would change the world, so she thought it best to obey her superiors.

With nothing else to do, she went over to the little jukebox that was set up for her. The scientists had it there to keep her occupied whenever she wasn't being studied, tested, or observed. Though there were several songs on it, there was only one that she ever played. It was her favorite, maybe partly because it was also Nestor's favorite. She knew all the words to it, and she sometimes sang it whenever the male was stressed or tired from work. She smiled when she heard that tune she knew so well. What little worries she had lessened and faded away.

After a short while of having that song on repeat, the door opened, and Nestor entered with a rather grim expression and his hands stuffed into his coat pockets. He paused when he saw Vianca over by the jukebox, a smile tugging at his lips upon hearing that familiar song.

The girl looked at him with that usual calm expression of hers. "You're back. Is everything okay now?" The music faded out, but she didn't push the play button to repeat it again.

Nestor heaved a deep sigh, slowly walking over to the girl. "Yes...well, mostly. The incident was cleaned up, and the meeting was short and...not what I expected or wanted." He looked at her with complete seriousness. "Vianca, the team has decided that, until we find a way to properly control your power, it's best to put you into stasis. Or put more simply, have you go to sleep for the time being."

Vianca nodded without hesitation. "Very well."

The man looked at her, a bit bewildered by her acceptance. "I tried to change their minds, but they wouldn't have it. Said it was too risky and that you could have another accident."

"Understandable."

Nestor suddenly grabbed her shoulders. "Vianca, this is serious. Aren't you scared, or worried, or upset at all?"

"Why should I be?" Vianca replied, tilting her head to the side. "It was a group decision. Clearly it's the best course of action for all of us."

"Well not for me!" Nestor argued, raising his voice a little. "Don't you see? We won't be able to see each other for a while. It could be a month or two, or it could be years. We don't know, and that..." His hand slid up from her shoulder to caress her cheek. "That frightens me. To think I won't get to see you for possibly a long time."

"How come? I don't understand the issue. I will still be here, just asleep."

Nestor opened his mouth to respond, but stopped himself and shook his head at her lack of understanding. "Never mind. It's just one of those kinds of things you haven't learned yet." He sighed, letting go of her. "They already have a place prepared for you, but before I take you there, I have something I've been meaning to give you."

Vianca watched him inquisitively. He reached into one of his pockets, fishing out a necklace. There was an almost clear, teardrop-shaped crystal hanging from a silver chain. With a sad smile, Nestor moved behind her, fastening the pendant around her neck for her. The girl stared down at the crystal resting against her chest.

"This crystal is like mine. It's very pretty."

Peering over her shoulder, the man chuckled softly. "I'm glad you think so. I found it along with a bunch of others just like it in a cave during one of my research trips. It reminded me of you, and how much I'd enjoy taking you to that cave one day."

Vianca smiled. "Thank you. I'll treasure it. And..." She looked down with a timid smile. "Maybe once I wake up, you can show me that cave. I want to see the pretty crystals."

Nestor grinned a little with excitement. "It's a date then." Before the girl could question what he meant, he took her hand and lightly tugged her along. "Guess it's time. No more prolonging it."

Allowing him to lead the way, Vianca followed him out and down multiple halls and flights of stairs. They reached an even deeper section of the lab, an area few people ever went to. The room she was brought to was small and bare, only a few monitors and desks present. There were a couple of other scientists there making final preparations. Nestor took the girl over, helping her onto the little platform at the far end of the room.

"Alright, I'm going to give you a little shot, then I want you to immediately surround yourself in crystal. It'll keep you safe and preserved while you sleep."

Vianca nodded in understanding, holding her arm out. The male was handed a syringe, and after tapping it lightly, he injected the girl with the sedative. Crystals started growing up slowly around her feet, just as he'd instructed. But to her surprise, Nestor had tears leaking from his eyes.

"Why are you crying?" she asked.

With a sad smile, the man tried to wipe away his tears. "It's just...it might be a long time before I talk to you again. I'll miss you, Vianca." He boldly stepped up onto the platform with her, leaned forward, and planted a chaste kiss to her lips. "You mean so much to me, and I really hope it won't be long before we wake you." He tapped the pendant hanging from her neck. "In the meantime, hold onto that and think of me, okay?"

Vianca nodded, surprised by his gestures, but also confused. "I will. But what do you mean by all that? I mean so much to you? And what was that thing you did with your lips?" She yawned, the drowsiness suddenly washing over her. Her crystals were growing up to her waist, forcing Nestor to step back off the platform.

"One day, I'll explain it all to you," he told her with a sad smile. "I'll teach you about all these emotions and feelings. I'll show you the world and the life all around us. I promise."

Vianca smiled tiredly, clutching her pendant as the crystals started to envelope her stomach and chest. "I can hardly wait." Her eyelids were drooping, and sleep was starting to take over.

"One more thing..." The girl tried to force her eyes open, the crystals rising up past her arms and to her chin. "I want you to know that I love you, and I'll be waiting every day until I can speak with you again."

"Love...me?" the girl mumbled. "I don't...understand..." Her eyes were closing on their own, and the crystals were climbing up along the back of her head. "What does that...mean...?"

With her eyes closed, the crystals spread over her face, but she could still hear that chuckle of Nestor's. "It means... Vianca, it means that I..."

His voice faded into silence as the crystals completely covered her and consciousness left her. She was thrown into a dark, never-ending void. There was nothing to see, nothing to hear, nothing to feel. But in a way, it was absolute peace and pleasant solitude. How long she was sleeping, she didn't know. Weeks? Months? Years? It felt like an eternity in that blissful darkness. But a time came when she stirred from her slumber. A violent thud resounded around her, and her ears began to pick up on muffled voices outside of her crystal cocoon.

"That won't work," a dull yet young female voice said. "The data I obtained said that her crystals are nearly unbreakable by any physical force."

A male voice hummed. It was deep and reverberating. "We'll see about that. I'll just put all my strength into it. I'll shatter this crystal."

"And then you risk crushing the girl like an insect," an accented female voice replied with a chuckle. "As entertaining as that would be, we'd lose a valuable asset."

"I will simply extract her using my dark power," another male voice spoke up, a calm one with a slight accent.

"No." The final voice was another man. "I'm certain she can already hear us. We need not interfere." Just by his tone, Vianca could tell he was smiling with confidence. When she finally managed to open her eyes, she was met by a face on the other side of her crystal, peering in at her. The wild-haired male smiled wide. "Time to awaken, Vianca the Diamond."