The hospital was quiet. People were walking around, talking normally; they had all just awakened. They gathered in groups, joyfully sharing their experiences during the Awakening, while others boasted about the resonance they had obtained. They were eager to prove their worth, to fight for their nation, for the Emperor, for humanity.
But none of it was real—it was nothing more than a mirage created by that parasite playing with my brain.
Only through the Soul's Eyes could I see the truth.
There were no bright colors on their faces, no enthusiasm—only broken men, struggling to rebuild themselves. Death had changed them forever, each of them having survived a trial that would be etched into their souls. Only time would reveal the price they had paid for this new life.
The real question they should be asking is: was it even worth it?
What's the point of coming back to life only to realize that those you loved, the ones who gave meaning to your existence, are gone? Accepting that reality wasn't easy. Maybe time… or a river of blood would help them move on.
Of course, one must have someone to lose in order to feel the pain of absence. But no one walked away from the Awakening unscathed. Many left behind their sanity instead. Time did not flow the same way in death as it did in reality, and the scars it left… those were perhaps the hardest to heal.
There were also those who emerged from the Awakening truly joyful. For them, life had been nothing but hell. Having already hit rock bottom, the only way left was up. The Awakening was their second chance—to chase their dreams… or, for some, to indulge in their darkest fantasies.
Too many people. Too many different perspectives to categorize them all.
And yet, all those emotions… were fleeting.
Each of them had a parasite in their brain.
A parasite that, I must admit, was the best psychologist in existence.
Mass effect is simple: if, one morning, everyone around you insists it's Sunday—even though you clearly remember yesterday being Monday—you'll start to doubt. And if all the clocks and calendars confirm it's Sunday, if even your own memories begin to blur… you'll eventually accept it. This parasite exploits that principle to perfection. It doesn't just manipulate what you see—it alters what you feel. It gives you reasons to believe. It drowns you in an illusion where people smile, where those you love are still alive.
Anyone witnessing this would feel comforted, reassured. This illusion is like a drug, making you forget your worries—contagious as a cold, intoxicating as hope itself.
How long before the illusion becomes reality? Before the truth is forgotten forever?
Watching this spectacle unfold, I was bound to become paranoid.
Even though the Soul's Eyes let me see the truth, I couldn't block out the sound of their joyful voices. So I started walking, no destination in mind—just hoping to find a little silence somewhere in this dead city.
Yes… the streets remained empty. Too many people had died, without hope of returning. Those who remained were either Initiates… or too young to undergo the Awakening.
Maybe there was still hope for those who were still fighting through it.
There was a way to distinguish between those still undergoing the Awakening and those who had failed.
If they were still in the process… their bodies remained intact, as if they were merely asleep.
If they had failed… their bodies began to decompose. That was when you knew there would be no miracle.
As I walked through the city, I noticed there was still a semblance of life. Electricity had been restored, as well as running water. Soon, traffic might even resume.
All of this… thanks to that parasite.
Every single person who had undergone the Awakening had one inside their brain. It controlled their senses, influencing them to behave normally.
Granting that much power to normal people all at once… That's the perfect recipe for chaos.
Without this parasite, I fear this city would have turned into a jungle, ruled by the law of the strongest.
"Wait… Since when do I think so much?"
"Usually, Sirius takes care of all the complicated stuff. I just tell him what I want, give him a general idea, and he does the rest. Ahh… at this rate, I'm going to end up as crazy as he is."
Oops. I had started talking to myself.
"Good thing no one's around to hear me—that would've been embarrassing."
The sound of a window slamming shut made me feel even more ridiculous.
I turned toward the source of the noise, my gaze piercing through the wall. And there…
A young boy. Definitely too young to have undergone the Awakening.
Beside him, a little girl—too adorable.
But the color floating above their heads… was black.
It was the first time I had ever seen black floating over someone.
Usually, the colors were vibrant.
Wel
l… this is interesting.
Maybe it's time I finally did some investigating.