Getting the grip of it

Lisa and Eden exits the arena. Lisa, having enough of it, confronts Eden

Are you going to explain me already what the hell is going on?

You tell me, what were you doing there?

I just got dragged there!, I didn' t know what was all that about

Well, what you just witnessed was. Let's call it some sort of an initiation passage for the newcomers that come to this world.

Initiation passage? 

Yeah, after you arrive here, the first thing people aims towards to is to receive a power armor. After having their own armor, finding their own way of combat and gaining enough field experience, they decide to take on this event , where they can show all their potential in order to be elected by a preceptor.

That word, "preceptor", what does it means?

In summary, a preceptor is a person who has earned a name and can take a number of subordinates so to say. If they see potential in you, they make you an offer in order to work for them. Since you receive all the benenifts that you would ever need, there is no reason to not take on that challenge. Is similar to joining a company if you think on it,

Lisa, stood in silence for a few seconds, processing everything. Her eyes went towards Eden armor.

These, "armors" what are they made of exactly?

Oh these?, said while extending the arms and looking at his own armor that he was currently wearing)

They are our day to day partners; these armors are made with an exclusive element similar to steel that is only found on this planet. It is both impenetrable and light to wear, so we adopted it as our primary raw material to construct all of our current technology.

(Eden opened the chest of the armor)

They are powered by something we call the "etherflow" which is an auto renewable power source that is extrated right from the atmosphere of this planet. In fact, it's what powers the entire city that you are seeing right now.

Lisa´s eyes went straight to the city, she couldn't believe that all of it was powered by an auto renewable energy source that is apparently very easy to process. When she returned her eyes to Eden, she noticed the armor was standing still right besides Eden, he was not wearing it now. Lisa stood speechless as this was totally unexpected.

Eden looked at Lisa´s confussion and proceeded to explain.

As you see, all these armors do possess an artifical inteligence, so they can act autonomously when they are not being wear by us. Say hi Ethan.

Hello there, (the voice was coming from the armor itself and some sort of LED lights panels lighted up as it speaked to reflect this)

Ouukey...

Lisa was partially speechless, it was a lot to process. After a while she said:

I see everyone is using them, does that mean I have to?

Yes, eventually.

But I....don't wanna, it looks like they are only used to engage on fights and I don't wanna fight nobody.

Not quite, fighting might be their primary utility, yeah, but saying they are used only for that is falling short. A lot of our habitants uses them for other purposes, like carrying heavy materials, aiding cientific investigation, etc... They do help us in all of our daily tasks and we certainly couldn't operate without them, that is why they become part of our identity here in this world.

I see. But...

But...

Lisa lowered her heard and voice tone.

I still don't know what I'm doing here.

Eden left out a sigh, closed her eyes for second and responded:

I'm afraid I don't have a clear answer for that, we all awakened here at some point and have no memory of our past.

So, nobody here knows what are we doing here or how we even got here in the first place?.

That is something I'm currently investigating.

Have you find anything so far?

I have....theories, but, nothing on stone yet.

Lisa sighed

I'm tired.

It has been a long day for you, we should head to the dorms. (Eden gave Lisa a follow me gesture with his hand)

They both walked through the city, Lisa was too absorted in looking at the surroundings that forgot she was accompanied by Eden. Lost in her thoughs she lost track of time, until Eden mentioned they arrived.

This is where you'll stay from now and on, is the dorm of all people that are under my watch, get to know them, tomorrow I'll show you the place around.

Eden waved at Lisa and departed, Lisa went into the dorms, she didn't see anyone in the halfways, it seemed that everyone was already indoors. 

Suddenly one of the dorm rooms opened, a girl with side-swept bangs and purple shirt, popped out of it, both exchanged gazes. Lisa was the first one to try entablish a conversation.

Hello, I...mmm, 

The girl interrupted Lisa as she knew what she was going to say.

You are looking for a dorm to stay right? you can join me, we have room for one more.

Lisa showed an expression of happiness and gratitude.

Oh, great, thanks, mmm, Miss...

I´m Zoe.

Hi Zoe nice to meet-

Zoe continued her way without letting Lisa finish.

-you... Sigh

Lisa entered the room, despite the unique architecture that everything is built on, overall it was a very normal looking dorms, there were 2 bunk beds at each side, with the only difference that the opposite wall was entirely look through, it was clearly mean to be a huge window that provides a really good view to the outside, giving a lot of uninequess to the room

Looking for something?

Lisa suddenly heard a voice coming from one of the upper beds. She was so immersed by the view that didn't noticed there was another person in the room.

From what Lisa was able to see, the person who spoke was another girl with long pink hair, she was reading what looked to be a magazine.

Lisa was caught off guard so she took a few seconds before she could reply to the girl.

Oh, hi, I...
I just got here and told I could stay here.

Oh you are the girl from today!

The girl said with a more vivid expression. Then proceed to close the magazine, stood up and landed in the floor.

I'm Ava, what´s your name? ( she asked with a lot of interestest )

I'm Lisa.

Lisa huh...

Tell me, it's true that you went to the colosseum without even having an armor at all?

I...

That's insane!, were you really that eager to show what you are capable of?

No, I-

I like your spirit!, I feel we'll get along very well. (she said while sliding her arms around her as a friendly gesture)

Lisa smiled timidly, she though she finally found someone she could be friends with.

You must have met Zoe already

Yeah, I did.

She is not someone that talks a lot but she is nice to have as a roommate.

Ava pointed to one of the beds

You can use that one, Zoe and I are using this one.

Sure, thanks.

Lisa, sat down on her new bed, while Ava went back to reading her magazine. After a while Lisa stablished a conversation with Ava.

Say, do you remember about anything yourself?

Me?

Yeah, like, about your chilhood, your home, all that.

No, I don't. And before you do, is gonna be the same for everyone, so no point in asking that.

I see, but don' t you want to know?

I mean sure, I would like to know more about where I come from, but If it's something that I can't do anything about, then no point in worrying too much about it don't you think?. I'm sure there is a good reason for it since everyone is on the same boat.

Also, I do remember who I currently am, that alone is enough for me.

Lisa lowered her head, hearing that opinion broadened her perspective on it.

Zoe entered the room, she paid no mind to the others too.

Hey, Milla (said while lookin at Lisa)

It´s "Lisa"

Yeah, Lisa, whatever, you can stay here, just, don't give me more problems, ok? 

As soon she said that she went to bed and put sheets on her, inmediatly falling asleep.

Don´t mind her, she means no harm, she just don't like dealing with  to newcomers.

Good night. 

Ava clapped her hands and turned off the night lamp that was on, and thus, everyone fell asleep.