Métisse's thoughts were concerned and preoccupied with Asher's earlier actions.

Was he dead? Did she just murder someone?

She had acted like a serial killer, showing no hint of remorse or second thought. It wasn't merely a lack of remorse; her demeanour had shifted to cold stoicism and an unquenchable thirst for blood. Her typically goody-two-shoes, pragmatic persona had morphed into something dark and unrecognisable. She glanced at her from the corner of her eye, wishing she could read the thoughts running through her mind.

By the time they reached the surface, they were grimy, bruised, and completely exhausted. The sunset painted the sky with hues of orange and purple, and the first stars began to twinkle.

Sanaa explained to the group, "One of the things Dolora kept repeating was that I 'shouldn't trust the sisters' but in Latin. At first, I thought she was warning me about you guys...That suspicion didn't last long - it was impossible. Now it makes more sense cause she was referring to her actual sister."

Métisse replied dryly, "Yup. Definitely checks out."

Staring at the horizon, Jingwei muttered absently, "Such a pretty day for a messed-up day." It was a beautiful sight, contrasting sharply with the prior chaos.

"Don't worry, Elara didn't turn on the weird, deadly gas," Samaira said. "But even if we find somewhere safe, where will we go after?"

"I don't know," Sanaa replied, her voice barely a whisper. "All I know is that my teacher can help us. Hopefully, he'll know what to do."

As they ran through the woods with Sanaa leading the way, a chilling question gnawed at them: what unimaginable lengths would they be forced to go to, and what unspeakable acts would they each have to commit just to stay alive?

...

They politely knocked on the door, the action seeming rather...unfitting given their current circumstances.

Dr Leroy swung it open and was immediately greeted by Asher's suspicious and threatening glare. Jingwei stood close, silently processing the tense atmosphere as she lightly touched Asher's arm.

"It's okay," Sanaa reassured her and she relaxed a smidge.

"Miss Sanaa! And Co!" Dr Leroy exclaimed, "You made it back! Well...ah...barely." He paused, taking in their dishevelled condition while ushering them inside.

"...I mean, of course I had the utmost faith in you. This was a rather sudden, ah last-minute plan."

He continued in his typically rambling manner as they followed him. "We must make haste! You ladies must leave the EchoChamber immediately."

The girls exchanged puzzled looks. "Leave the...entire EchoChamber?" Métisse repeated.

"First of all, where would we go and... and how? Isn't there no world outside? No civilization left," Asher asked slowly.

Dr Leroy replied, "You still have so much to learn, but that's another lie you were told. It's not...completely gone, shall I say."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Asher demanded with thinning patience.

"It means," Dr Leroy explained, "the world is not as you were led to believe. There are remnants of life on the surface, places where people still live and fight to survive."

"I thought this was the surface..." Samaira mumbled in confusion.

He snapped his fingers in her face. "Miss, stay focused! The earth is a vast expanse. It still exists. And that's where you are headed now."

"Um...okay...What about the rest of the people at the school? The...brainwashed ones?" Jingwei asked worriedly.

Dr Leroy sighed. "I will do everything to help them as well. But for now, we can only help the five of you leave here."

A nervous silence settled as their reality seemed to be shattering even more when Dr Leroy emphasised their imminent departure.

He added, "We've prepared a few essentials to use when you reach the topside."

"Okay and how can we trust you?" Asher asked, her eyes narrowing. "You keep saying 'we'. Who are you working with?"

Sanaa cast a long, warning glance at her Sister, feeling like she was treading on eggshells around her; who was behaving like a predator ready to attack - her intensity was surpassing even Samaira's.

Dr Leroy cautiously backed away from her confrontational glare. "Oh y-yes, of course. Might as well introduce you. Uhm - "

A soft hum filled the room as a sleek, medical AI support bot glided in. "You know Aegis," Dr Leroy introduced, "Our lovely medical assistant."

"Hello," Aegis said in a soothing, robotic dialect. "My previous name was Aurora Lavoie."

The girls were dumbfounded but also oddly relieved. It was the easiest thing to believe compared to what they had been through. Samaira squinted at the robot.

Sanaa's eyes widened in recognition, "Oh, oh my - " She stuttered. No wonder the French accent struck her as both distinct and familiar - more so because it mirrored the voice of Dolora from her dreams.

She smiled at Aurora like a star struck fan while Samaira exclaimed, "So... you're also their sister? K8-LYN and... you?"

"We're sorry for what Lenora did to you," Jingwei whispered solemnly.

Aurora replied, "It's alright. I'm also deeply sorry for what they've been...discreetly doing to all of you."

They felt forlorn. The weight of their shared, fabricated reality sinking in too deeply.

"I've been wanting to help but was constantly monitored by Lenora. The time Sanaa was consumed by the Zenith Fumes, Dolora managed to take over for a while and gave Dr. Leroy information and instructions to help."

"Yup, very helpful elixir for ah Dreamwalkers," Dr Leroy confirmed with a wink. "As I said then, it was a very important experiment that I was working on for years. That was only the first of many Zenith Experiences, my dear."

"So... you did drug me...!?" Sanaa accused incredulously. No wonder time felt distorted, and she was overwhelmed by the strange sensation of being both inside and outside her own body - trapped, yet oddly at ease.

Dr Leroy chuckled as her eyes grew larger. "I wasn't certain it would work...I suspected you might have the same gift as her, but I had to be sure. And look at how successful it was."

Sanaa's mouth was still agape, a thousand questions on her mind when Métisse asked, "What's Lenora's gift?"

"Kataline had empathic telepathy, and I was what they would call an instant virtuoso. We've never really known Lenora's specific ability. At times, it seemed very...random."

And that was all Aurora said on that matter.

Dr Leroy hurriedly stuffed objects into a bag. "The night you ladies arrived, I had a vivid dream from Dolora. When she passed through you, she left a message for me to read when I slept. And she told me everything: where I needed to go and what to do."

I immediately told Aurora the next day. We've been trying to lead you in the right direction without arousing too much suspicion. You wouldn't have believed us. You had to discover the truth and want to escape by your own volition. Knowing your life is a lie can be...quite jarring and ah probably traumatic, ey. So you needed to be well prepared for it."

Dr. Leroy gave them a big smile after that heavy information dump and clearly not reading the room. They tried to digest his words. It was true - they never would have believed them. The revelations were unbelievable in itself; twisted in ways they couldn't fully grasp yet. The fact that they were speaking to K8-LYN's sister, now turned robot-human victim entity, was proof enough. Oh, and how Lenora ate their hearts.

He added with pride, "I also assisted you ladies. I'm the one who took Le Parangon livre from Lenora during one of your first therapy sessions. Over the past few weeks since you've arrived, you did a remarkable job distracting her. Knowing her, she saw you as her pets, a new challenge. Aurora and Kataline helped me break in and access it. I kept it in a place so obvious that no one would have thought to look there!" he concluded exuberantly.

"Huh. No wonder. But, sir, why did Dolora ask for your help?" Sanaa asked.

"I was old friends with them. I'm ashamed to say that I used to be on one of the Project Paragon research teams. Until things went very south. "

All of them froze up before he reassured them further:

"I attempted to aid Auroriel in escaping! But my efforts ended in failure, and I had to remain undercover as part of the team from then on. Up until this place was ready for settlement. Before their unfortunate end, she made me promise to safeguard certain items for them, including that painting."

Dr Leroy then quickly handed the girls a folded-up piece of paper and told them to keep it safe and secure in their bag of supplies.

" - I, myself, ensured its safety among Dolora's old belongings.

"It may have taken years, but your actions have proved fruitful now. Thank you, Hazwid," Aurora said appreciatively.

"Yes, thank you. And, if you find K8-LYN - may you free her as well?" Métisse asked meekly.

Aurora smiled. "Don't worry. 'We are everywhere,' remember? We've already been transformed into something beyond life itself. Now, we're truly free. And truth - that's the real freedom. How satisfying it is."

Asher inquired, "So, where are we headed, and what's our route?" Her demeanour remained distant as she focused on the new mission ahead.

Dr Leroy elaborated after he finished packing. "Alright. Listen carefully. There are Descending Gates and Ascending Gates within the EchoChamber. There's a Gate that can transport you outside; this is called the Skybridge Gate. We can only open this Ascender for a few people at a time, and you five are the most crucial right now."

"We'll try to come back one day and help everyone here," Sanaa whispered, giving them a sad nod. "Well, if you don't do it before we do."

Dr Leroy nodded passionately. "We will. Now, take this." He handed them the stuffed bag. "And the Lavoie sister's book, Le Parangon, will help you. There's also a map of the old world I slipped in there...it may not be as useful. Zachariah lied about humanity's extinction, and Project Paragon ran away from several of them; their own creations they thought 'went wrong."

Aurora further explained, "There were certain visions that Dolora experienced during our adult lives. She would see things - very random, blinding visions that gripped her mind. Initially, she ignored them, and they would fade like forgotten dreams as the day progressed. But with age, they became more persistent, giving her excruciating headaches. She never understood their meaning or the identities of the people in her dreams. Initially, sketching them down helped ease her uncomfortable sensation, but it wasn't enough. Plus, she wasn't really good at drawing."

She spoke with a hint of nostalgia, a bittersweet longing for her lost sister. Sad, but filled with affection.

Dr Leroy interjected warmly, "But you, my dear Auroriel, are an exquisitely talented artist."

Her smooth, metallic face softened as she replied, "Indeed. Dolora and I spent years refining her visions, striving to match them precisely as she saw them in her mind. It was extremely bizarre...like solving a puzzle I couldn't see. And I didn't perceive how significant it was until you five arrived..."

Sanaa asked curiously, "When we arrived? Why us?"

Aurora assured them, "Don't worry, but this is crucial: do not interpret the images literally, as dreams are not always straightforward. It's easier only when someone willingly shares a vision or dream, like Dolora did with Sanaa; because you are in control and not on the receiving end. Dolora started receiving particularly unsettling ones, and she was unsure of their origin or significance. You can only trust a vision or memory with a trustworthy person. She even claimed to foresee the future; the future involving five girls. Dolora was afraid because she had no idea who or what was giving them to her so freely. Because beware: very skilled Walkers can...fabricate convincing visions. "

"I see..." Sanaa whispered, feeling increasingly uncertain of herself. Who would guide or train her? What else could she do, and how would she even know how to do it? The girls were each perplexed.

"The future? She thinks she saw us even before we were born?" Métisse pondered aloud.

Aurora's tone was cryptic when she answered. "Indeed. And she saw you months after today...years after tomorrow...My sisters and I had stopped confiding in Lenora about any of our new discoveries by then, as it was during the time when she started to go mad. So, we never documented it in our Le Parangon, and she's never set her eyes on those prophetic images, thankfully."

Dr Leroy emphasised, "Once you see it, you'll understand why. Lenora would have exploited Dolora's power. What she depicts would sometimes come true. Lenora probably could have known you sooner, destroyed you, stolen your abilities like she attempted with Asher. Or worse, manipulated the future. She would've been one step ahead."

Jingwei carefully placed the paper into the book and secured it in their bag without checking its other contents.

"One more thing," Aurora added, "the images my sisters and I created may seem... unusual, but they hold deep significance, especially for your journey ahead. Remember, do not take them too literally. Sometimes you may, but you must have discernment."

Samaira responded after a long beat, "We understand. We'll try our best but, if I'm being honest? That all sounds pretty overwhelming. And to think that green tea actually used to soothe me." Her face twisted in disgust.

"Ah yes! Thanks to Aurora's persuasion, I also stopped ingesting that dreadful green poison years ago. Within a week of quitting, my memories flooded back, and my mind became clear...like a clean, flowing river." Dr Leroy chuckled, adding, "Visiting the medical centre was even better after that." He winked.

At that moment Samaira recalled her martial arts teacher's unease and her classmates' apparent confusion over her "Nimbus Grip" with Elara. At the time, she thought they were feigning ignorance, but it was now clear their memories of the incident had been genuinely erased...By the mysterious green substance they were all consuming.

Sanaa smirked. "Thank you, sir. But ah, I can't believe you actually used to injure yourself on purpose just to see her. No wonder she complained about always having to stitch you up."

He grinned, defending himself, "C'mon. They're so strict! Can you believe I need a pass if I exceed three days of visitation? Ridiculous! Might as well show up bleeding and they'll have no choice."

They both laughed, the tension easing with each shared chuckle. His unethical various behaviours pale in comparison to what his higher-ups were doing behind the scenes. Jingwei smiled for the first time since their confrontation. "That's kind of romantic."

Aurora's eyes sparkled playfully. "We have packed what you may need out there, even though we aren't sure of the state of the world. It's been years. But hopefully, our book will guide you."

They said their quick goodbyes and handed them a map to the Gate - the supposed exit from the EchoChamber into the 'real world'. The girls didn't know what was scarier: leaving or staying. 

They had to choose the lesser hell.

As they left, Samaira whispered, "It's unbelievable. The only ones we can trust are a robot and her crazy teacher-boyfriend."

They heard Dr Leroy's voice call from behind, urging, "Once you're safe, ensure you commit each of your given runes to memory!"

...

As they raced through the maze of the school garden and reached the outer grounds near the forest - which was always off-limits, Métisse said, "We have to find an old red sign that reads, Danger: Prohibited Grounds. It's the last landmark to find that'll lead us straight to the Gate."

"How ironic," Samaira mumbled dryly. "A warning sign placed right next to our path to freedom."

Métisse added in a bitter tone, "So, The Jarl lied about this too, obviously. There were never any 'harmful plants' being built here. He said it was out of bounds, that the air was so cold we'd freeze to death."

They walked hastily along the bushy, dusty road, scanning their surroundings for any sign of the warning sign. The air was thick with anticipation as their footsteps crunched against the dry earth.

Asher unexpectedly spoke in a low, hollow voice, not necessarily to anyone, "The shadow that's been 'following me', the one I always feel and sometimes see, it's been there with me the whole time." She continued in dismay, "I think."

The girls exchanged worried glances, all confused about her quite random and ludicrous revelation.

"So...it was you? Or inside you? How do you know that?" Métisse inquired carefully as she peered at Asher, "Your...shadow?"

"I'm not sure how to explain it." Asher remained silent; her gaze fixed downward. She walked like a zombie, her voice empty, and her eyes lifeless.

"Are you okay?" Sanaa asked while Jingwei observed her aura intently.

Asher took a deep breath that seemed to have been held for ages.

"Ash...what are you talking about?"

She responded off-topic and began to confess, "I don't trust myself anymore. I never should have. I'm sorry for doubting you. I was...very wrong and... horrible." Her voice trailed off, sounding like a lost soul.

Samaira wondered if it was just hard for her to apologise or she was actually being tormented. Reflecting on the day's events, she believed it was genuine, and Ash was deeply troubled. They all grappled with a profound cognitive dissonance for the first time, but it hit Asher more.

"It's okay. We all wanted to believe it wasn't true," Métisse reassured her, the earlier argument already fading from her mind. "Uhm, I'm sorry too." She had said mean things herself, but Asher's words still stung.

"Let's just keep going, okay?"

As they navigated the path, they unexpectedly stumbled upon a tall woman in a green dress peeking behind a tree.

The girls jumped and tried to cover their mouths from screaming out loud. As the figure moved closer, they realised in unison that it was Samaira's mother.