Curiosity

In a planet called K2-18b everything is peaceful. Where everyone lives in harmony. Everyone is living their life to the fullest every day. Just like others Alithini Korolev is a 15-year-old extroverted student with a passion for science, currently enrolled at the prestigious Aetherium Academy.

Year m113, X115,

In the heart of the Korolev household, Alithini opened his eyes to the morning. Bare feet met the cool embrace of the wooden floor, marking the beginning of another day in Alithini's enchanted abode.

Alithini- “Huh, It’s morning already. Well might as well wake and prepare for school”

Phone rings in the background (Ilios Kherys). Alithini- “Oh it’s Ilios … hmm should I pick up or not”

(Ilios is a kid with extraordinary talent. He is a rational type, thinking things through before engaging.)

Alithini picks up the call.

Ilios- “Hey idiot I thought u told me to come to school early. So where you now?”

Alithini- (“oh shoot I forgot!”) “Aha ha-ha I am on my way. Just saw a poor cat is all”

Ilios- “Oh is that so? Whatever hurry up we’ve got important things to discuss”

Alithini- “Ah I forgot! Hurry! Hurry! Ma I am leaving for school”

Lorelei- “At least eat your food before you go!”

(Lorelei is a scientist and a kind-hearted woman. She loves her husband and her only child, Alithini, more than anything in her life.)

Alithini- “Nah I am late. Good bye”

Lorelei- “K. See you later sweetie”

"Alithini dashes through the short distance to school. Amidst his brisk run, he catches sight of Elena, a cherished friend from his and Ilios’s childhood. Elena, racing against the clock as well, swiftly closes the gap, joining him in their hurried journey."

Alithini- “You’re late too huh?”

"Elena smirked, her eyes gleaming with mischief. 'Maybe. But I'm not in trouble like someone else.' She chuckled, adding a touch of mystery to her words."

In the School

Ilios- “I thought you won’t come. So both of called me last night for something very important and you are the ones who arrived late I and Albedo were waiting here for ages. So What is it? What is the important thing you mentioned?”

Alithini- “Wait let me catch my breath. Remember there is an odd facility in the Merelony district?”

Ilios- “Ah here you go again with your imagination running wild”

Alithini- “Just here me out! I felt a strange phenomenon while passing through that street last evening. We should check it out maybe we can find some good subject for the club.”

Ilios- “Huh what am I gonna do with you?”

Albedo- “Hmm... did you feel eerie while passing?”

(A mysterious guy, he usually keeps to himself but is open-minded with his close friends)

Alithini: “Oh my look who’s decided show up.”

Albedo: “It’s been six months since that facility was established, yet no one knows any solid information about it. Maybe you should consider dropping the idea.”

Elena- “Come on guys this getting nowhere. Maybe we should listen to him this time.”

Ilios- “This time? We went with his plan last time. We did end up with some interesting pictures of a strange object. But it wasn’t well received by the president.”

Albedo- “I think we should listen to him this time. You I also felt something out of the ordinary while passing through there too”

Ilios- “huh… okay this is the last time but who is going to explain things to president Shilona?”

Elena- “Do you mind if I negotiate with her?”

Ilios- “No. Good luck. She is tough one”

Alithini- “I wonder if Shilona will agree with her.”

Ilios- “So Albedo explain the eerie feeling you felt.”

Albedo- "Four days ago, on my way home, I sensed a peculiar presence. I'm not entirely sure what or who it was, but whatever it is, it has piqued my interest."

Alithini- “You too!Huh?”

In The Club Room

Elena- “Hi cuz. Got a minute?”

Shilona- "Hey, don’t use that word at school. So what brings you here? Wait, let me guess; you are here to vouch for Alithini again. If I am right, then the answer is no."

(Shilona a gentle soul. Likes to keep her personal life separated from her academic life.)

Elena- “Come on sis help this poor girl a little. I swear this time it’s not something goofy this time. Even albedo is interested in it.”

Shilona- “No means no.”

Elena- “This is the last time I swear.”

Shilona- “You said that last time too. What’s with that puppy eyes. You know well that I am not gonna fall for it.”

Elena keeps on trying

Shilona- “Okay… Okay. This is the last time got it.”

Elena- “Most appreciated madam president.”

Shilona- “You could’ve used the term earlier too!”

Shilona- “I wonder what were they upto. Looks like I will have to keep an eye on them.

Back to The Group

Elena- “I have got the permit”

Ilios- “You what?! Are you serious?”

Elena- “Yep.”

Albedo- “Okay that means we are going to the facility after school”

Alithini- “Alright. Looks like we are having ourselves a great weekly strory!”

After School in a Classroom

As everyone readies themselves, Albedo takes out his favorite camera from the locker and carefully places it in his bag.

Elena arrived a little late. When Alithini inquired about the delay, she explained that she had been retrieving an essential tool.

Ilios grinned with anticipation. 'Looks like everyone is ready. Mystery, here we come!'

After School in The Facility

Ilios- “Okay... wait a minute when did the haunted house turn into this facility!”

Alithini- “It’s been 6 months since the change.”

Albedo- “Guys we have a problem. It seems some top dog made this facility a restricted zone. Hence the fences.”

Elena- “But there is no sign of it being restricted. I guess I will take the lead this time.”

Elena brings out a wire cutter

Albedo- “Woah woah when did you start bringing wire cutter at school?!”

Elena- “What? it is totally normal. We need wire cutters for the rabbit’s house at school.”

Albedo- “I guess you never know what a psycho can do…”

Elena- “Did you say something?”

Albedo- “No. Nothing at all”

While the kids were talking a young tall guy was going inside the facility and noticed them. All of the kids became alerted and stopped.

Albedo- “Elena hide the wire cutter fast.”

Elena- “MMM”

Alithini- “Albedo you feel that. The eerie feeling. I started feeling it as soon as that man arrived here.”

Ilios- “Now that you mention it, I am feeling it too.”

Elena- “Come on guys you are freaking me out. He is just a normal person.”

Albedo- “Oh no he is walking towards us.”

Alithini- “Guys relax. Don’t panic otherwise we will get caught.”

Ilios- “He is right. Act normal if we get caught Shilona will be demon we will have to face after this. I will do the talking you guys stay normal okay.”

The strange man walks towards them with an intense aura emanating from him.

The strange man- “Hello kids, my name is Hristos. Hristos Machievos. May I implore you to explain what you are doing here?”

Ilisos- “Nothing. We were just passing by.”

(Hristos navigated the situation with a blend of caution and curiosity, a delicate balance between wariness and intrigue.)

"Hristos flashed a thoughtful look. 'Is that so... (It seems they are not related to the SIB.) My apologies if I startled you all. It appears the lady behind you is a bit uneasy with my presence."

Ilios- “My apologies, Mr. Hristos. She's a tad reserved around new faces, you see. It's just a bit of shyness, nothing more.”

Hristos: “I see. Whatever. Just don’t do anything to get in trouble. Bye.”

Albedo: “Wait. Mind if I ask a question?”

Hristos: “Yeah. Go ahead.”

Albedo: “Who are you?”

Hristos’s expression unchanged but a subtle tension in his tone, replied, “Oh, nothing much. Just an ordinary scientist, is all.”

Albedo: "I see. By the way, my name is Albedo. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Hristos: “That’s a nice name you've got.”

Albedo: “I won’t take up any more of your time; it seems you're in a hurry. Goodbye, Mr. Hristos."

Hristos takes his leave and told a guard, “lower your weapons they are not threats.”

Ilios-*huffs* “That was close. Are you okay Elena?”

Allithini- “Don’t be scared I don’t think that man is bad. Cheer up look on the bright side they didn’t catch us and left without a trace.”

Albedo- “Maybe we should go home for today. We will come another time.”

Elena- “You’re right. I need time to collect my thoughts.”

Ilios- “Albedo what are your thoughts on the man? I personally don’t think he is our average human”

Albedo- “Who knows. And this is not a place to talk about it. We will talk later . For now, everyone, go home and rest up."

As the chaos unfolded, Shilona carefully observed the scene from a discreet distance, her eyes taking in every detail of the unfolding commotion. 'It's that strange man again.'

(Filled with rage) 'He's the one I've been searching for all these years. He must pay. I'll use every ounce of my power to ensure he faces consequences. He doesn't deserve a moment of peace.'

As everyone headed home, Hristos cautiously entered the facility, casting wary glances around as though he could feel unseen eyes upon him.

On The Other Side Inside the Facility

Guard A- “Take no offense, sir, but why would you let those kids go?”

Hristos- “They were just curious kids, that's all. They brought back memories of my own carefree days. We were all curious once.”

Guard A: “But, sir, this is a very secret research facility. They could've been government spies.”

Hristos- “No, they were ordinary children. I verified it myself. Instead of procrastinating on the matter, go get my laptop from the car.”

A scientist named Calloway approaches Hristos.

Calloway: “What’s this I see? You letting someone off the hook so easily!”

Calloway: “No need to stress. We'll get the results we're after soon. By the way those kids were intriguing, especially the blond one. What was his name again?”

Hristos: "Albedo?"

Calloway: "Yeah, that one. Looks like he is suspicious of you."

Hristos: "Maybe you’re right. Whatever. I hope they don’t end up like us."

Calloway: "Hope so. Have you visited Alcyone’s child, ‘Shilona’?"

Hristos: "No. I couldn’t after what happened." (expressing grief)

Calloway: "As expected. I am sure the kid is angry. After all, if I were in her shoes, I would want to kill you."

Hristos: "Who wouldn’t? The kid saw her mother dead in my hands while my powers were active."

Calloway: "Why didn’t you explain?"

Hristos: "I was also in shock to see Seraphima dead. I thought she had the ability to heal like me."

Calloway: "Fortunately I arrived at the scene just in the nick of time, and her father proved to be a sensible person. He's kept quiet all these years. I shudder to think what might've happened if I couldn't have explained the whole situation in a way he could understand."

Hristos: "Maybe I will go and pay a visit to her grave later."

Calloway: "Try explaining things to poor Shilona. I am sure she will understand."

Hristos: ……

To be continued