The Astral Dogma

"X-01, wake up! It's time to eat!" Jia's voice reverberated through the Brightly lit glass chamber, jolting x-01 from his uneasy slumber. His eyes, heavy with exhaustion, struggled to adjust to the harsh lighting that permeated the sterile environment. With a groan, he sat up, rubbing his baggy eyes with his tiny hands, smearing the remnants of oil from his latest contraption.

Blinking away the remnants of sleep, x-01's gaze darted around the cramped cell, his heart pounding in his chest. Panic surged through him as he realized the device he had been working on was missing. Frantically searching every nook and cranny of the cell, his eyes widened in fear as he came up empty-handed. The device, his only glimmer of hope in this desolate place, had vanished.

Just as despair threatened to consume him, Jia's silhouette emerged from the shadows, holding the precious device in her hand. x-01's face lit up with relief and gratitude as she waved it teasingly before his eyes. With a mix of urgency and caution, he snatched it from her outstretched hand, examining it meticulously for any signs of damage. To his immense relief, the device remained unscathed, seemingly untouched during its brief disappearance.

Breathing a sigh of relief, x-01 turned to Jia, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "Sorry, X-01, I took it. It fell down to my bed, and you know I can't get up there," Jia explained, gesturing to her cybernetic leg. Guilt tinged her voice as she recounted the events that had unfolded. "I had to wait until I could give it back to you."

x-01's gaze softened, understanding the limitations that Jia faced. "It's fine, J-09," he reassured her, his voice filled with compassion. "This device is a surprise for both of us. I'll tell you more about it later." 

Led by the mechanical guard, x-01 and Jia followed the winding corridors until they arrived at the lunch room. The sight that greeted them was both disheartening and chilling. The room was filled with a multitude of children, each bearing the unmistakable marks of experimentation—cybernetic limbs, distorted features, and some even lacking a recognizable face. The haunting presence of their fellow captives served as a stark reminder of the grim reality they faced.

With heavy hearts,x-01 and Jia made their way through the sea of modified children, their gazes momentarily connecting with some of their fellow prisoners. Eyes filled with pain and longing silently pleaded for an escape from this nightmarish existence. The lunch room held a semblance of an "outdoor" area, a meager attempt to provide a hint of normalcy amidst the cold, sterile walls of their confinement.

Approaching the serving counter, they reluctantly accepted the meager rations that masqueraded as food. The unappetizing concoctions barely resembled nourishment, but hunger forced them to overcome their disgust. It was a harsh reality they had grown accustomed to over time—a constant battle for survival within the confines of this prison.

Finding a small corner table, xin and Jia took their seats, seeking solace in the limited privacy it offered. As they settled into their places, their eyes scanned the room, searching for familiar faces among the other prisoners. A few weary souls were already seated, their eyes vacant, their spirits seemingly broken. 

"Okay, about the surprise," x-01 began, his voice hushed but filled with a glimmer of hope. "You know how most of the guards here are robots, right?"

Jia nodded, her eyes widening with curiosity. "Yeah, I've seen them. But what about it?"

x-01's hands trembled with anticipation as he reached into the pocket of his hospital gown-like clothes, retrieving a pentagonal, hand-sized disk. He held it up, the metallic surface glinting in the sunlight. "So, this is an EMP."

Jia's brows furrowed, a puzzled expression crossing her face. "And what's that?"

x-01 realized he needed to simplify his explanation for Jia. He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "It's something that'll shut down the robots for a couple of minutes. It'll give us a chance to escape."

In the midst of the subdued atmosphere, P-03 and J-02, two of the older children, stepped forward. Their gazes fixated on x-01 and his creation, a mix of skepticism and curiosity coloring their expressions. Their eyes narrowed as they scrutinized him.

"X-01, are you absolutely certain this thing will work?" J-02 inquired, his voice laced with doubt.

Before x-01 could respond, a sudden kick struck him with blistering force, sending him sprawling to the ground. Pain shot through his body as he crumpled, but he clung to the precious disk, shielding it with his life. Gasping for breath, he glimpsed P-03 looming over him, a sadistic sneer twisting his features.

"No matter what this brat makes, it's utterly useless," P-03 jeered, his voice laced with malice.

P-03, larger and more imposing than the other children, reveled in his dominance. His bear-like features, though less intimidating than his towering stature, exuded an air of pure cruelty.

In the midst of this torment, Jia, a young girl with a fierce spirit, sprang forward. Her arms outstretched protectively, she positioned herself between P-03 and the defenseless x-01, her head bowed, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Let him go!" Jia's voice trembled with a mix of fear and bravery.

With a disdainful shove, P-03 callously shoved Jia's frail form aside, causing her to stumble and fall. The sight only fueled J-02's growing disillusionment, his disappointment etched upon his face. x-01, battered and bruised, clung tenaciously to the device, fully aware that their escape hinged upon its success.

As P-03 resumed his merciless assault, raining brutal kicks upon x-01's defenseless form, the children watched in a mixture of anguish and desperation. But amidst the pain and chaos, x-01's resolve burned brighter than ever.

"You won't break me," x-01 whispered, his voice a defiant murmur against the beating. "I'll save us all."

J-02 watched xin as he was getting beaten up he knew him since the first day they arrived he was there before them, before he was always quiet and in chains his skin was more pale than it usually his eyes were seemed empty and wounds and stitches as if he was tortured

J-02 stood there, his gaze fixed upon the brutal scene unfolding before him. The sight of x-01 being mercilessly beaten by P-03 sent a shiver down J-02's spine, but he remained strangely calm. Memories flooded his mind, taking him back to the day they had all arrived together. J-02 had been there even before their arrival, confined in chains, his existence shrouded in silence.

His once fair complexion had turned pale, a stark contrast to the vibrant hue it once held. Empty eyes stared out into the abyss, reflecting a deep-seated pain that no words could convey. Wounds and stitches adorned his body, serving as a haunting testament to the torment he had endured. The brown horns, symbolizing that the child might be of the dragon race, now appeared damaged and worn, a vivid reflection of the relentless suffering he had endured.

Blood stained his green hair, a chilling testament to the brutality he had faced, particularly evident on the back of his head. J-02 felt a pang of sorrow for x-01, knowing all too well the anguish that echoed through his tortured body. The scars etched upon his soul ran deeper than any physical wound, a poignant reminder of the darkness that enveloped their shared existence.

As he watched x-01 being struck with a savage blow, J-02's heart ached. Though he had grown accustomed to a life of solitude and silence, he had formed a bond with x-01 from the very beginning. They had traversed the depths of this desolate place together, finding solace in each other's quiet company. In x-01, J-02 had discovered a kindred spirit, a companion in their shared suffering.

Yet, despite the pain and anguish that emanated from every inch of x-01's battered form, J-02 found himself unable to intervene. Fear gnawed at his insides, reminding him of the consequences that awaited anyone who dared challenge the authority of P-03. J-02's silence was a defense mechanism, a desperate attempt to preserve his own fragile existence.

"P-03, lets go" j-02 said as he waved off his hand

P-03 spat on x-01 as he left the sad normality among the weaker kids in the facility. The cruel act of humiliation stung, but x-01 was no stranger to such treatment. He had endured countless instances of bullying and mistreatment throughout his time in the facility. However, this time was different. This time, Jia came to his aid, quickly rushing to his side and helping him get back on his feet.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you," Jia said to x-01, a hint of guilt in her voice.

"It's okay. I'm pretty used to it by now anyways," x-01 replied, offering a faint smile to reassure her. "Help me gather up the other kids' attention so I can tell them the plan. Tell them to meet me by the blind spot of the camera."

Jia nodded and made her way to the other kids, relaying x-01's message. Meanwhile, x-01 took a seat on the table within the blind spot of the camera. He winced as he held his side, noticing the bruise forming on his skin, but he pushed through the pain.

One by one, the children gathered around x-01, their curious eyes filled with a mix of hope and doubt. Some had lost faith in him, unsure if he could truly offer a way out of their misery. Undeterred, x-01 took a deep breath and stood up on the table, commanding their attention.

"Shhh, quiet down," x-01 whispered urgently, casting an anxious glance around the room. "They'll hear us!"

As the children started to settle down, their anticipation growing, x-01 began to speak, his voice filled with determination.

"Okay, J-09 probably already told you, but I have a plan for an escape so that all of us can be free," x-01 declared, his eyes scanning the faces of the young captives.

The children stared at x-01, their eyes wide with anticipation, waiting to hear what he had to say.

"First,I know that some of you don't trust me," x-01 continued, his voice tinged with a mix of sadness and hope. "But if you want to escape, if you want a chance at a better life, I hope that you can find it in yourselves to believe in me. This is an EMP device, and it will temporarily shut down the robots for only a few seconds. J-09 and I will use that time to unlock your cells. But for this to work, you need to stay quiet and follow our instructions. We will start the escape at nighttime, so get some sleep as soon as you can!"

A murmur of excitement rippled through the gathered children. Some exchanged glances, their doubts slowly giving way to a spark of hope. They were tired of their captivity, desperate for a chance to break free.

"""Okay!""the kids exclaimed, her theirvoice filled with hope.

The word resonated throughout the room as the other children joined in, echoing their commitment to the plan.

x-01 shushed them, sensing a robot guard approaching. The children quickly dispersed, pretending to engage in play as the guard announced their return to their cells.

[All test subjects, return to your cells,] the cold robotic voice echoed throughout the facility.

One by one, the children lined up and obediently made their way back to their cells, their hearts pounding with a newfound sense of anticipation. They knew that their journey to freedom wouldn't be easy, but they had found solace in each other's determination and in x-01's unwavering spirit.

As they locked the children back in their cells, a flicker of hope burned bright in their eyes. The countdown to their escape had begun, and they were ready to face the challenges that lay ahead. United in their desire for freedom, they silently vowed to support one another until they could finally break free from the chains that bound them.

…

As they waited on their makeshift beds, the anticipation of their impending escape filled the air. Jia, pondering the possibilities of the outside world, couldn't help but voice her thoughts.

"I hear that the outside world is really fun and colorful," Jia mused, her voice tinged with excitement. "We finally get to see it for ourselves."

x-01, deep in thought, contemplated Jia's words. He understood the allure of the world beyond the facility's walls, a world they had only heard whispers of. But before they could embark on that journey, Jia suggested something that made x-01 pause.

"But before that, don't you think we need names first?" Jia proposed, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.

A smile played on x-01's lips as he considered Jia's suggestion. Closing his eyes, he delved into his thoughts, searching for a name that would suit his newfound friend.

"What about Jia?" x-01 responded, opening his eyes to meet Jia's gaze. "It's a beautiful name that matches your spirit."

Jia's face lit up with joy at x-01's suggestion. She nodded eagerly, accepting the name with gratitude.

"That sounds perfect!" Jia exclaimed, her voice brimming with happiness. "Okay, what about 'x-01'? It suits you well."

x-01's eyes widened in surprise, never having considered a name for himself. But as he heard Jia speak the name, it resonated with him. It felt right, like a piece of his identity falling into place.

A soft smile adorned x-01's face as he nodded in agreement. "x-01... Yes, I like it. Thank you, Jia."

In that moment, the exchange of names solidified their bond, symbolizing their unity and shared determination. Jia and x-01, two young souls destined to break free from their confines, were now armed with names that held significance and a promise of a brighter future.

As they continued to prepare for their escape, the weight of their new names fueled their resolve. They clung to the hope of the outside world, where colors would be vivid, and adventures awaited.