TFOS- Chapter 2
The glow of the screen beckoned me, both a source of fascination and an omen of danger. It hummed softly, pulsing with an almost living energy, making my fingertips itch to touch it. Across its flickering surface, a ghostly figure shifted in light and shadow—a projection of something, or someone, unknown.
“What’s so special about this?” I muttered, half to myself.
Curiosity clawed at me, urging me forward. But I forced myself to look away. Focus, Sol. I inhaled deeply, steadying the storm inside me.
“What’s the plan?” I asked, my voice sharp, slicing through the haze of distraction. “You said you need my help. What’s next?”
Burt and Brianna exchanged a glance, a silent conversation passing between them. Burt stepped forward, lowering his voice as though the walls might betray us. “We need allies. And information. There are factions here on Earth—dangerous ones—that threaten both your world and ours. If they discover you… things could get worse.”
I frowned, the weight of his words settling over me like a cold fog. “Why would they care about me? I’m just one survivor.”
“You’re not just anything,” Brianna said firmly, her blue eyes locking onto mine. “You’re a bridge. You know Solaria’s history—its defenses. That knowledge could help us build a resistance.”
“A resistance?” The word felt foreign, like a stone in my mouth. “Against what?”
Burt gestured toward a cluttered table, covered in tangled wires, odd devices, and crumpled papers. “There’s a group we’ve been tracking—The Revenants. They unleashed the disease that destroyed Solaria. We believe they’ve infiltrated Earth, using stolen teleportation technology to expand their reach.”
At the mention of the disease, my heart pounded. The images of my dying planet flashed before me—once lush and vibrant, now nothing but dust and silence.
“They raid Earth using something called… UFOs,” Burt continued, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
“What’s a UFO?” The term felt awkward in my mouth.
Burt shrugged. “Unidentified flying object. Some kind of vehicle. What matters is how they’re using them—to spread chaos and destruction, just like they did on Solaria.”
My breath hitched. “Why target Solaria? Why Earth?”
“They thrive on disorder,” Burt said grimly. “By destabilizing worlds, they seize control of resources and energy. Solaria was just the beginning. If we don’t stop them, Earth could be next—and if Earth falls, they’ll turn their attention back to your home.”
Brianna placed a hand on my shoulder, grounding me. “You have memories, Sol. Connections, skills. You’re more than a survivor. You’re a fighter.”
Something deep inside me stirred at her words—a faint flicker of hope. Could I really be the key to stopping them? My instincts screamed that I was too fractured, too lost. But Grace’s memory lingered at the edge of my thoughts, a whisper urging me forward.
“What do we do first?” My voice was steadier now.
Burt straightened, determination lighting his face. “We meet with our allies tonight. But first, we need to make sure you’re prepared.”
“Prepared how?” My stomach twisted. “I don’t even know the rules of this world. Your… cars are terrifying enough.”
Burt smirked. “You’ll get used to it. Let’s start with something familiar.” He walked to a cabinet and pulled out a sleek metallic device that gleamed under the dim light. “This is a training module. It’ll help you recover some of your combat instincts. You were trained on Solaria, weren’t you? Your muscle memory should still be there.”
I hesitated, fragments of my past surfacing—grueling drills, simulated battles, the surge of energy channeled into precise, deadly movements. “Yes. But it’s been so long…”
Burt activated the device, and a holographic enemy soldier from Solaria materialized before me, its form sharp and menacing. “Focus on the target. Trust your instincts. You’ll know what to do.”
The hologram lunged. My body moved before my mind could catch up. I sidestepped, reacting on pure reflex. A swift counterkick connected, sending a jolt of energy through me.
Memories crashed over me—laughter in the training halls, the vibrant songs of Solaria’s festivals, the faces of those I had lost. Each movement felt like unlocking a door to a part of myself I thought had been erased.
But with every strike, Grace’s shadow loomed larger, her voice a ghost in my mind. Why are you doing this, Sol? Running won’t change anything.
“I’m not running,” I whispered under my breath, dodging another blow from the hologram. “I’m fighting—for you, for us.”
Brianna and Burt watched in silence, their expressions a mix of awe and relief. The weight of their gaze only fueled me. I was no longer just a lost survivor. I was a warrior reclaiming her purpose.
By the time the training session ended, sweat slicked my skin, but inside, a fire burned brighter than ever. For the first time since arriving on Earth, I felt ready—ready to face the enemies lurking in the shadows, and the truth about Grace that haunted me.
The real battle was only beginning.
