Erley's eyes snap open. He sits up sharply, scanning the dim room filled with makeshift beds. Sunlight filters through cracks in the crumbling walls, casting jagged shadows across the floor. His head pounds as he stumbles outside, squinting against the unnatural green glow of the sky.
"Where am i?"
The city lies in ruins around him - skeletal remains of skyscrapers clawing at the toxic air. The ground is dark with ash, the stench of decay clinging to everything. He examines his own battered clothes - a threadbare brown coat over a torn sweater, pants and shoes full of holes.
"I can't remember anything... Argh... My head hurts..."
Walking through the desolate streets, signs of life emerge, smoldering barrels, charred wood, scattered belongings. His mind races, trying to grasp at memories that slip like smoke through his fingers. The more he tries to remember, the sharper the pain behind his eyes becomes.
At the camp's entrance, a bearded man leans on a spear.
"Welcome back."
Erley frowns.
"Huh? what do you mean? it's my first time here."
The man meets his gaze. He thinks.
'What did Elias do now...'
"Well whatever you can go through"
Erley frowns.
"Wait, i have a couple questions."
The guard studies him, then sighs.
"Just go see Elias. It's dangerous out here."
Erley is confused once again.
"Who the hell is Elias?"
The man smirks.
"Elias leads us. You knew him before... whatever happened to you. Now move before something finds you"
With no better options, Erley enters the makeshift settlement.
Reaching the camp he looks around, People huddle in crumbling buildings, mothers clutching infants to their chests. The sheer number of survivors surprises him. A few people stand outside talking, while others work inside the damaged buildings. At a small stall, someone hands out soup.
Inside the tall buildings. People were taking shelter, made-up beds in the ground, some of them covered in dirty bed sheets to protect themselves from the cold. Some of them even holding babies on their hands.
A short-haired woman turns as he taps her shoulder. Her face lights with recognition.
"Oh! Erley you're finally back! "
"Hello, do you know where the leader of this camp is?
Turning around the woman with short hair recognizes Erley, making a surprised face.
"You should know where Elias is. Unless you're joking around."
"Uh... no i'm not joking. How long have i been gone for?"
The woman makes a confused face.
"Um, a couple months maybe? I lost track."
Erley looks at the ground. His mind racing.
'What happened to me?'
She points toward a domed building.
"Elias is in the library. Same place as always."
As he moves through camp, more faces light up at his approach, calling his name. The familiarity terrifies him - these people know him, while he remembers nothing.
'Someone's been following me.'
Reaching the library type building, he opens the tall doors covered with moss, a loud sound echoes inside the hallway. In front another door stood.
The library doors groan as he enters. The sight makes him pause - the building is massive, with a second floor overlooking the main area through a large opening. In the center of the first floor stands a huge round table, lit by faint sunlight coming through the crystal dome.
"Huh.. I do recognize myself, but it feels so weird it's as if i can feel it, but i can't exactly tell what my memories were"
He studies his reflection.
"As handsome as ever..."
His hair is short with two strands reaching down to his chin, nearly touching his shoulders. His pale skin makes him look doll-like, despite being dirty. His black eyes reflect his image, and his slim body looks strong and resilient.
Suddenly the mirror cracks, shattering in his hands. The pieces fall to the ground, the sound echoing through the building. As the echoes fade, a voice speaks.
"You shouldn't peer into the unknown..."
Looking up to the second floor, Erley barely makes out a man's silhouette. The man speaks again, his voice flat.
The figure steps into the light - a man with messy black hair and glasses. Closing his book, he greets Erley in a monotone voice.
"Welcome back, Erley."
Erley keeps his eyes locked on the mysterious man.
"You're the camp's leader"
The mysterious man responds.
"Wait down there. I'll answer your questions."
Sighing, Erley sits at the massive round table.
'He feels familiar.'
Coming downstairs, the man sits across from Erley..
"I know you're confused. But don't worry, I'll explain everything."
Erley leans forward, listening carefully.
"My name is Elias. Erley, you're an Imperfect - a stronger version of a human."
Erley glances at his body.
'So that's why I feel so strange. My body feels like it could break through walls if I wanted, but my mind resists it...
Erley glances back at Elias.
"However. That power comes at a price. The price... is your mind. Every Imperfect has mental changes - certain ways of thinking or emotions become dominant. Or disappear completely. This makes every Imperfect dangerous in different ways. Some become complete psychopaths..."
A hint of sorrow shows on Elias's face.
"One such psychopath is England's current queen, Maria. She's the reason why this place is in ruins, along with most of the country."
After a pause, he regains his composure, looking directly at Erley.
"Erley, you were an orphan. I took you in along with others. Since you were Imperfects, most people didn't accept any of you, but I believed not all Imperfects are monsters."
Erley asks, his tone cautious.
"So there are other Imperfects? Where are they??"
'Can i really trust him? His face did seem very familiar.'
Elias responds.
"I need you to trust me, Erley. We're fighting for survival here. We need your help-"
Erley interrupts, crossing his arms.
"Why did i lose my memories?"
Elias looks confused.
"Imperfects sometimes lose memories during their first awakening. But it's rare. The strange thing is, all the Imperfects in camp lost their memories too. There might be more to this than I understand.."
Erley rests his arms on the table.
'My best option is to trust him for now. He's leading this whole camp, and I'm completely lost in this place.'
Elias continues.
"As I was saying, we need your help. You just had your first awakening. Imperfects experience multiple awakenings, each making you stronger and developing your abilities. Remember what I said about dominant mindsets? Well... The more you awaken, the more that 'mindset' takes over... Or the more you lose it."
Erley has more questions.
"So what's my ability? And how do I awaken?"
"I don't know either answer. I've never seen an awakening happen, and information was scarce even before the city fell. As for your ability, you'll probably discover it during your second awakening, when abilities manifest."
Elias pauses briefly before continuing.
"But be careful, Erley. Don't lose too much of yourself. Awakening brings great power, but the cost is severe..."
Erley looks at the broken mirror pieces on the table.
"Don't worry, I don't plan on losing myself..."
Suddenly, a faint alarm sounds from the camp.
"Will you help us?"
After a moment's thought, Erley sighs.
"Sure... What is it you need help with?"
Elias stands.
"Follow me. The other Imperfects should be waiting.""
Erley follows Elias outside.
In the camp center, Elias greets the gathered crowd.
Four people stand in the middle with supply bags. A beautiful woman with black hair reaching her shoulders hands out canned food. Her slim figure and pale skin seem to glow in the dim light, her cold eyes sharp. Two swords hang at her hips.
Looking at her, Erley feels something stir in his chest.
'She's really beautiful.'
Next to her stands another woman, equally attractive despite being dirty. Her golden hair shines, her tight leather clothes reveal her amazing body. A massive spear rests on her back, its head as large as Erley's. She nervously distributes water bottles.
Behind them, a huge man scratches his head. His muscular frame intimidates, though his friendly face and bowl cut soften his appearance. An enormous steel shield rests on his back.
A male voice shouts from the circle. Erley can't make out the words over the crowd noise.
"Come on Moen! Help us with these supplies"
Right next to Moen, stands a blond man with straight hair, a bag on his hand, on his back a massive greatsword. The blond girl glances at him and responds, her tone aggressive.
The blonde woman glares and snaps back.
"You don't have to yell, Hao! Moen, you can rest if you want. Ignore him."
Elias approaches the group.
"Good to see you all returned safely."
The blond man flexes with a bright smile.
"You really thought we'd get hurt on such an easy job?!"
Elias smiles.
"Not really, but I'm still glad you're all okay"
He places a hand on the black-haired woman's shoulder.
"Follow me for a second"
Meanwhile, distracted, Erley blends into the crowd. Suddenly, a water bottle appears in his view.
"Are you going to take it or just stand there all day?!"
Looking up, he sees the blonde woman staring at him. Taking the bottle, he steps back from the crowd and drinks.
'What the hell, why is she so rude?!'
After a few minutes, someone calls from across the camp:
"Erley! Over here!"
Following the voice, he approaches Elias.
"We have a mission for you. It's urgent, so you'll meet the team on the way."
Elias points to the black-haired woman leaning against a wall, inspecting a small box with dials. Erley responds unenthusiastically.
"Alright i guess..."
Approaching the woman, he avoids eye contact and extends a hand.
"Uh- hey my name is Erley it's nice to um, meet you."
Without a word, she grabs a sword from against the wall and shoves it into his hand, then walks toward the camp's edge.
Looking at the crude sword in his hand, Erley sighs.
"Alright then..."