Research Facility.

The second saving grace that came with the arrival of the rifts was the diversity amongst beasts and demons that came into Terranova. These beasts and demons were not united, and the humans were never their main targets.

Each rift was a passageway to a different realm of its own with its indigenous race, be it monsters, supernatural beings, or demons. Upon arrival to Terranova, the battle for dominance and territories began, and the defenseless humans were caught in the middle of all the chaos. 

Many humans believed they got the short end of the stick. Still, in reality, the most gruesome battles were between demons and beasts, fighting each other to maintain their newfound territories or even fighting to expand what they had.

Such large-scale battles could not go unnoticed, and soon the divine beings of the heavens decided to get involved. The reason for this decision was due to the rising demonic activities on TerraNova, their actions had attracted the attention of their sworn enemies, leading to the opening of new rifts.

Heavenly beings invaded TerraNova but with a definite purpose in mind. Unlike the beasts, supernatural beings, and demonic creatures, the heavenly beings had a single target in mind.

Demons! 

What may be considered chaotic by others, the Nexaria empire saw it as an opportunity. They broadened the scope of their research and delved into the DNA biology of the demons and Angels, using the retrieved corpses of both sides that died in their never-ending battle. 

Putting their scientists to work, they began infusing the DNA of these supernatural beings into their soldiers in hopes of increasing their strength, and the experiment turned out to be a major success. While some soldiers just gained heightened physical capabilities, others began attaining unique traits attributed to the angel or demon DNA infused in them. The dream of creating soldiers capable of matching the power of awakened humans became a reality. 

Their research so far led to a series of breakthroughs which has grown the Nexaria empire into a formidable force. However, science only rests once everything is uncovered, which we all know is impossible.

—

Back to the present day,

The corpses of demonic mutts meant for research were loaded on the vehicles, leaving behind puddles of blood littered across the battlefield. Taking one last glance, soldiers quickly entered the imperium transporters and drove away, leaving a small team to quarantine the area while they waited for a cleanup crew to arrive.

This event could never be allowed to get to the public, for their sake and the sake of the empire!

An unknown amount of time had passed since he was locked in the darkroom at the backdoor of the vehicle, leaving him alone with his chaotic thoughts. The vehicle began to slow down, causing Luke to sit up while listening attentively. 

Noticing they had stopped moving, Luke felt tensed again as a foreboding feeling washed over him. Sounds of soldiers discussing as they disembarked from their vehicles with the corpses could be heard.

Clank.

The door opened, revealing the commander, who gazed at him in silence for a while before turning to two soldiers standing behind him.

"Bring him," he ordered in a stern tone.

"Yes Sir!" The soldiers saluted before making their way through the door.

"Please, where are we going?" Luke asked in a pleading tone. "Where am I?" He asked again.

The soldiers remained silent, not bothering to respond to his questions. They took hold of him once again, pulling him along with them. As soon as he left he was pulled out of the van, Luke was greeted with a stunning sight of a dome-shaped structure 

Its curved structure, composed of advanced composite materials, glistened under the sun, seamlessly melding with the surrounding landscape. The outer shell, a network of iridescent panels, refracted sunlight in a mesmerising array of hues, casting a kaleidoscope of colours across the skyline.

As daylight kissed its surface, the dome seemed to shift and shimmer, its semi-translucent exterior allowing a subtle glimpse into the interior. Delicate patterns etched across the material appeared almost ethereal.

The architecture boasted a fluidity of form, with the dome gently curving upward to a zenith that seemed to touch the sky. Encircling the structure were ribbons of meticulously designed walkways, adorned with hovering gardens and cascading waterfalls.

Watching soldiers carry corpses of the demonic mutt into the building, Luke knew something wasn't right about this place. Why are they trying to take him to the same place with these monster corpses?

For some reason, he believed if he entered this building, he would never walk out of there again.

"I'm sorry for whatever I did," Luke begged, even though he had no clue what he did wrong.

Irritated by his constant pleading, the first soldier pulled out a black helmet and put it on Luke's head, blocking his vision while muffling his voice. Unable to see, Luke instinctively tried to reach for the helmet, but his hands were seized and handcuffed behind him, leaving Luke wondering why he was getting treated like a criminal instead of a victim.

'Why?'

'Why?'

He couldn't help but wonder if his crime was surviving the deadly attack of the demonic mutts that claimed the lives of everyone in his village. He wanted to ask if they had preferred he died in that horrific event with the rest of the villagers.

Luke was led into the building by the soldiers, and they led him through a corridor with an elevator at the far end.

The walls of the corridor were crafted from a seamless fusion of intelligent glass and lightweight, durable composite materials. The transparent panels, adorned with intricate patterns etched in luminescent hues, created an illusion of walking through a corridor of light. 

They reached the far end of the corridor, standing before an elevator. 

Upon stepping inside, the door shut behind them, and the elevator glided smoothly between floors, a subtle hum of energy permeated the air. Reaching the desired floor, they moved straight to a door at the other end of the corridor which opened on its own upon arrival, revealing the back of a man dressed in a white lab coat.

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AN:

Sorry for the chapter names. I don't know why, but I am so bad at naming chapters :(