In a certain dimly lit dorm room, the persistent ring of a phone's notifications punctuated the stillness. Hidden beneath an avalanche of random debris and discarded trinkets, the device sounded off its desperate call for attention.
Strewn about the room were empty instant noodle cups, testaments to weeks of neglect. A television murmured in the background, its dialogue and jingles playing to no one in particular.
Xander lay sprawled on a worn-out couch, his gaze empty, fixed unblinkingly on the TV screen. The pale morning light sneaking through the gaps in the curtains highlighted the trails of dried tears on his swollen cheeks. His once-neat hair now resembled a bird's nest, and stubble peppered his chin. It had been three weeks since Kristella's death, despair and grief had taken its relentless toll on him.
Mustering a semblance of energy, he pushed himself up from the couch, every movement feeling like a monumental effort. As he shuffled through his own mess, Xander kicked aside discarded wrappers and crumpled papers. Reaching for a box of instant noodles on the kitchen counter, he sighed when he found it empty, the weight of reality pressing on him.
Without a word, he trudged back to his bed, the sanctum where he tried to escape from it all. As he lay down, the world seemed to blur out of focus, and the once familiar patterns on the ceiling now seemed foreign. Tears no longer came, for they had been shed in abundance, leaving him dry and hollow. The weight of grief and exhaustion pulled him into a restless slumber.
Days blurred into nights, and the sun's passage through the sky became the only indicator that time was still ticking on, indifferent to the grief of one broken soul. Within the confines of his room, Xander's life dwindled to mere existence. Popcorn kernels littered the floor, evidence of his sparse sustenance. Half-empty water bottles stood testament to the minimum hydration he was giving his body, just enough to keep him on this side of consciousness.
His mind was a broken record, thoughts looping relentlessly. Memories of Kristella, in happier times, would surface, bringing a fleeting smile, only to be replaced by the stinging reality of her absence. They had faced so many trials together, and Xander had always held onto the naive hope that things would eventually fall into place. But now, that dream seemed as distant as a mirage in the desert.
What was left for him in this world? The university surely wouldn't have him back after his extended absence, and even if they did, where would he find the motivation? The idea of the once-coveted internship seemed like a cruel joke.
Without the scholarship that had been his lifeline, eviction loomed ominously on the horizon. His phone showed countless missed calls and messages, probably Mika and a few others trying to reach out. But he couldn't bear the thought of connecting, of having to voice the chasm of pain that consumed him.
Every waking moment was haunted by a profound emptiness, a void that seemed to expand with each passing second, threatening to swallow him whole. He felt unmoored, adrift in a sea of despair, with the anchors of purpose and hope long gone. The weight of it all pressed down, pulling Xander deeper into the abyss of his own mind.
In the gloom of his room, Xander was jolted awake by an insistent banging on his door. It resonated like a hammer pounding against his aching head, and for a moment he considered just burying himself under his covers. However, the persistence of the knocking, coupled with its familiar timing, made him think of Mika." Is it Mika again? He has been trying to visit around this time", Xander thought groggily.
Dragging himself up, Xander shuffled to the door. As he cracked it open slightly, a sliver of his face appearing through the gap, an agitated voice confronted him. "Mr. Shayden! Third time I've been here. When do you plan on settling your dues?"
It wasn't Mika. Instead, the gruff-looking debt collector's eyes bore into him with palpable frustration. While Xander was fortunate to have had most of his and his sister's expenses covered by the scholarship and internship, they only took care of 80%. The remaining burden was his, which he had hoped to manage with his part-time job. But in his current state, work was the last thing on his mind.
Attempting to speak, Xander's throat felt raw and parched from disuse. No words came out. The debt collector's irritation grew. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" he spat, forcing the door open wider. With surprising speed, he grabbed Xander by the collar, pulling him close. "You think you can hide forever? You know how much trouble I've got brewing because of you?"
Barely audible, Xander managed to whisper, "I'm sorry." But before he could get another word out, the world seemed to blur. A forceful thud echoed, and suddenly the grip on Xander's collar loosened. The debt collector was on the floor, nursing his cheek and swearing loudly. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" he shouted, turning his gaze towards his assailant.
Standing there, a picture of contained fury, was Mikael. His eyes fixed on the man, he tossed a bundle of cash that landed squarely on the collector's face. "That should cover it," Mika growled, voice dripping with warning. "Now get lost before I decide you owe me for damages."
The debt collector, having grabbed the cash, made a hasty retreat, shooting Mika one last spiteful look as he vanished down the corridor. Curious heads popped out from neighboring rooms, wondering about the ruckus. With an apologetic glance towards the onlookers, Mika stepped inside at Xander's muted invitation.
The scene that awaited Mika was heartbreaking: empty food containers littered everywhere, clothes strewn haphazardly, and the distant stare in Xander's eyes that was most concerning.
Mika set to work, tidying up the place without a word. He worked systematically, restoring order to the chaos that Xander had been living in.
Hours later, sitting beside Xander on the now cleaned couch, Mika spoke, his voice gentle yet firm, "Do you think Kristella would want to see you like this? Or your parents? They'd hope for you to carry on, living the best life possible, cherishing their memories, and not being consumed by sorrow."
Xander looked away, but the tears that he thought had run dry returned, rolling down his cheeks silently.
Mika continued, "Life might feel like it's lost its meaning, but you're not alone. You still have me and others who care deeply about you. We all expect great things from you.
Remember, every time you rise and face a new day, you're also honoring the memory of your loved ones. They'd want you to find happiness and purpose, to make them proud."
After what felt like an eternity, Xander finally found his voice, though it was but a whisper. "I... I don't know how to move on, Mika. Everything seems so pointless. University, the internship... it's all over for me."
Mika looked thoughtful. "First things first, you've got a significant debt. How much are we talking about?"
Hesitatingly, Xander replied, "Three hundred thousand dollars."
Mika winced, "To be honest, after paying off that collector, I'm stretched thin too. But money's just money. We'll figure it out."
The desperation in Xander's eyes was clear. "I'll pay you back, Mika. I promise. I'll work my part-time job full time if I have to."
But Mika shook his head, "Forget about the money. I want you to focus on healing, on finding your way back to life. And speaking of life, wasn't it always your dream to be an explorer?"
Xander, having regained a bit of his spirit, looked at Mika, a hint of despair still lurking in his eyes. "You remember my dream of being an explorer, huh? That dream shattered when my aptitude test ranked me as a mere E. It felt like the universe was against me even then."
Mika gave a half-smile, "Well, I've been thinking of trying out as an explorer myself, to be honest. And aptitude isn't everything. Sometimes it's about heart and will. And if we team up, who knows what we could achieve?"
Xander paused, reflecting on his situation. "I've nothing left to lose. Danger? That doesn't faze me anymore. Maybe this is the fresh start I need."
Later that day, Mika returned from an appointment, waving a paper with triumph. "Guess what? I got a Rank C! Not bad, huh?"
Xander smiled for the first time in weeks, "Not bad at all. Let's get our licenses."
They soon found themselves at the Explorers' Association. It was a towering structure with a futuristic design, symbolizing the nexus between the present and the unknown worlds. This organization was the epitome of regulating explorer affairs, managing Nexus portals, and ensuring the safety of its registered explorers.
Xander and Mika navigated through the paperwork and, after a series of checks, walked out with their brand-new explorer licenses.
"We also need gear," Mika pointed out.
A visit to 'NexTech Outfitters' was in order. This place was known for selling everything an explorer might need. Shelves lined with electric batons, specialized guns, armor, and other tools essential for the explorer life.
Given their meager budget, choices were limited. Xander chose an electric baton, its handle fitting comfortably in his hand, and a basic protective vest. Mika, on the other hand, picked out a gun that boasted special piercing ammo. The gun itself looked sleek, and its silver sheen caught the light beautifully.
Handing over almost all of his money, Mika murmured, "This was the last of what I had, Xander. We've got to make every opportunity count."
As they exited NexTech, a commotion arose down the street. A sleek Ferrari was slowly driving by, pulling into the parking lot of one of the lavish casinos. The crowd grew, and chants of "Max! Max!" filled the air.
Curiosity piqued, the duo approached. And then they saw him. Stepping out of the car was a man in a striking yellow suit, adorned with black lightning bolts. His blonde hair was slicked back perfectly, and the gold of his twin earrings glittered. The aura around him was intense.
"Is that...?" Xander began.
Mika finished for him, "...Max, The Lightning King. One of the top Alpha rankers."
The moment passed, the crowd dispersed, and the buzz in the air remained. Xander, his determination reignited, turned to Mika, "Do you ever think we could reach those heights?"
Mika grinned, placing a comforting hand on Xander's shoulder, "Well, my friend, I guess we're about to find out."
As the awe of witnessing Max faded away, Xander turned to Mika, "I need to check my emails and voicemails. It's been over a month, and I'm sure they're overflowing."
Mika nodded, "Do that. Meanwhile, I'll get us an entry into a Nexus portal. But be prepared; it might take a week or two. The beginner-level portals are always packed."
"Thanks, Mika," Xander replied, a genuine appreciation in his eyes for the first time in weeks.
Walking back to his dorm, thoughts flooded Xander's mind.
The university he was attending had strict attendance rules, and with his month-long absence, he was sure he would face repercussions. Opening his emails, Xander's assumptions proved correct: warnings from the school about his prolonged absence and a looming eviction notice from his dormitory.
The reminder of how everything could so quickly go awry weighed heavily on him. "Just a week left in my dorm? Worse than I thought."
That evening, Xander dove into his voicemails. Most were filled with concerns from Mika and colleagues from the restaurant he worked at. But what caught his attention were the voicemails from Mr. Blonsky of Nano Genics.
The first few messages from Blonsky conveyed condolences about Kristella. But one voicemail, in particular, stood out. Blonsky's voice was shaky and tinged with panic, "Xander, I don't know how to explain this... that specimen we tested, the one that was set to be transported to our main facility? It's gone. The military-grade capsule designed to hold it? Empty. Not even a trace left. Do you have any idea how-?"
A sudden loud noise interrupted him, a sound akin to a door being broken in. The voicemail abruptly cut off.
Xander's heart raced. Calling Mr. Blonsky yielded no results, the line was dead. His next call was to the Nano Genics facility, but again, no response.
A quick search on the internet revealed that the entire branch of Nano Genics had been shut down two weeks prior.
"Did I miss something significant?....." Xander pondered, the weight of everything bearing down on him…