CHAPTER 1 - Phantom Pain prologue

The great city of Eryon, a melting pot where many technological industries had established themselves over the years, remodeled its surroundings with constant advancements, transforming it into an icon of progress. Tall buildings rose from the surface like monumental skyscrapers, ranging from the simplest apartment buildings to the most luxurious suites in the heights, equipped with landing platforms and all kinds of amenities. At the very top, floating platforms lay, the most exclusive thing the city could offer. These engineering marvels offered all imaginable luxuries: elegantly designed vehicles soared through the skies twenty-four hours a day, while the streets were filled with a mix of land vehicles, speeders, and even hybrids of all types. The hustle and bustle of people filled the avenues daily, whether walking or in their transports. Even during the night, the city completely transformed, becoming a spectacle of neon lights and vibrant holograms flashing across the metropolis, painting the landscape in a variety of colors.

But what stood out the most in the center of all these buildings was one particular site, distinguishable by its imposing size. The Ecstasy Palace, one of the tallest buildings in the entire city, and the ultimate club-casino, a place where anyone could afford to enjoy good entertainment. Only VIP members had access to the most exclusive levels, a space full of all sorts of entertainment, rooms, and a restaurant occupying an entire floor. Calling all of this luxurious would be an understatement. What stood out the most were the upper levels, a place made solely to satisfy the boldest carnal fantasies. Private rooms are not only characterized by their extreme luxury but also offer a level of privacy and comfort that exceeds even the most demanding expectations. These suites had beds that changed shape at will, walls that transformed into holographic screens, and systems that adjusted the atmosphere according to the guest's desires. For those seeking company, dancers, courtesans, and other personal assistants were always within reach, ready to fulfill the most daring fantasies, always with a smile and without asking questions. Whether for a night of uninhibited fun or more intimate moments, regardless of how peculiar or exclusive the request was. From the small and curious Fenecc, with their large ears and small stature, to reptiles, with their cold and predatory gaze, intensified by their prominent snouts from which long, sharp fangs slightly protruded. Their exotic appeal was what attracted both the curious and those who became captivated after their first experience, despite the females lacking the conventional features of mammalian species, with no forms highlighting the beauty in the way a woman traditionally would. This only fueled the fascination of those who gazed upon this species.

But in those moments, he was far away from all of that, deep within the abyss, a labyrinth where daylight barely managed to filter through. The surface was worlds apart from the tumult that reigned in the lower levels. Due to the constant darkness that reigned almost all the time, public lighting remained on continuously, with flickering and irregular lights. Here, life flowed with a unique intensity, gangsters mixed with regular citizens, and all kinds of second-hand businesses filled the streets, some operating at the edge of legality and others blatantly crossing the line. Convenience stores were on every corner, supplying anyone with anything from the most basic to the most questionable products. Prosthetic clinics of dubious reputation competed to attract the most desperate or ambitious modification enthusiasts, even at the tangible risk of cyberpsychosis, either short-term or long-term.

In the skies, all kinds of fast food businesses soared on aerial platforms and vehicles designed to receive customers, ranging from the simplest ones, with their logos painted in bright, eye-catching colors, to those with holograms to grab the attention of people, with designs varying from small, modest floating boats to large mobile restaurants. The stalls dedicated to Asian cuisine took the form of ancient vessels, some so small they barely occupied a couple of square meters, while others were large platforms equipped with kitchens and tables, capable of serving a crowd. Each offers decent dishes worthy of a restaurant, as well as all sorts of street snacks. Among these, taxis and public transport units constantly traveled between the heights of the skyscrapers and the lower and intermediate levels, facilitating access to different points in the metropolis. This section of the city never slept. Nightclubs and places of carnal entertainment dotted the streets with vibrant holograms and music, audible to some extent from the outside, attracting those looking to lose themselves in fleeting bodily pleasures or immersed in virtual reality. Every corner had its own story, from those ascending in search of a better life to those merely trying to survive another day.

Loken entered one of the most crowded complexes in the area, a place where all kinds of businesses are concentrated in a single spot. If you were looking for something, this was the ideal place, not only for its variety but also because it was one of the safest points of trade. Any vendor would kill to establish their store there, as it meant higher chances of attracting clientele. As expected, the most prominent establishments were nightclubs and body modification clinics, followed by convenience stores offering basic products and one or two businesses specializing in hard-to-find supplies or items. The corridors, already narrow by design, seemed even tighter due to the crowds passing from one store to another, filling the air with a mix of smells, including the metallic scents of implants, the sweat of customers, and the stench of fast food. However, the ventilation system, which received constant maintenance, managed to mitigate the worst of the atmosphere, making the environment more tolerable. At this hour, the elevators weren't as crowded, which spared him the exhausting task of climbing over ten floors by stairs. As he ascended, the lights flickered slightly. The walls were covered in advertisements of all kinds, from propaganda for businesses within the complex to ads for external services. Graffiti, numbers written with markers or carved into the surface with a knife, along with all kinds of dedications or insults accumulated over time, were part of the charm of this place, despite the futile efforts to keep it clean.

Even so, the control panel remained spotless, protected by an automatic cleaning system that not only ensured its functionality but also included a reset mechanism. This last feature was designed to prevent pranksters from selecting all the floors, deliberately increasing the flow of people, a common occurrence no one would like to admit.

Loken continued his journey as the elevator finally stopped, announcing its arrival with a faint chime. The doors opened, revealing a dimly lit corridor with a series of lights, some of which flickered intermittently, casting irregular shadows on the walls. It was an unusually slow day for a weekday. Some establishments were already closing, lowering their shutters with a dry, metallic sound that echoed in the silence of the place, while others were just starting to light up their neon signs, bathing the corridors with flashes of vibrant colors. As night fell, the place began to come alive slowly. However, it was clear that most of the people were already gathered in the lower levels, where bars and clubs attracted the crowds with their music and unrelenting lights. He continued moving, turning a couple of corners while carefully watching the numbers on the worn-out signs. Finally, he arrived at his destination: a clinic for implants called "AugMed Nexus," with a holographic sign flashing in blue tones, emitting a soft hum with each flicker. The place seemed immersed in an unsettling calm, broken only by the echo of his footsteps on the metallic floor. The waiting room was modest, almost makeshift. A greenish light tinted the space with a dull, antiseptic atmosphere. There were a few worn plastic seats and a small table covered with low-quality magazines, their colors faded from constant use. In one corner, a turned-off television gathered dust, its screen reflecting the faint light from the environment. On the other side of the room, a series of shelves with display cases caught his attention. Inside, implants and discontinued spare parts were displayed, a collection of pieces that looked like they came from an impromptu museum. There were robotic hands of rudimentary designs, rusty hydraulic arms, crude metallic legs, and cybernetic eyes that seemed barely functional or even aesthetically pleasing. The variety was always surprising; no matter how many times he came, there was always something new to observe. On one of the walls, a series of framed photographs hung. Loken passed the time by examining them, scanning each one with his gaze. Some were so old that the colors had started to fade, giving them a nostalgic air, yet evoking memories in his mind.

"Loken?" A feminine voice called from behind, pulling him out of his thoughts.

He turned to find a young tigress with white fur and black stripes, just like him.

"Hello, Sylvara, I hope I'm not interrupting," he finally responded.

"Not at all, just the usual clients and a few orders that can wait. What do you need?" Sylvara said, her gaze clearly showing curiosity and excitement upon seeing him.

"You'll see," Loken replied as he lifted a discreetly designed briefcase. For Sylvara, this was no mystery. Her eyes lit up with curiosity and anticipation, eager to discover its contents.

Once in her operating room, Loken entered the codes to open the briefcase, revealing a SwiftCore implant. Sylvara stared at it in fascination; it wasn´t every day that she had something so new in her hands, beyond the replacement parts, prosthetics, and worn implants she usually received in exchange for a few credits.

"Do you think you can install it?"

"It will take some time, but it's possible. What do you want to replace?" Sylvara asked, reviewing the components with attention.

"Nothing. I want you to install it as it is," Loken replied, his tone serious, almost sharp.

Sylvara looked at him, worried. Loken was already nearing his fortieth birthday, and although his body was still in excellent condition, he was well aware that the reality of cybernetic implants was always present. His life was only prolonged because of them. The surgery was too complicated. The difficult part would be making sure his nervous system adapted well to the implant.

"I'll do it... but only under one condition," she said, her voice trembling yet firm.

Loken looked at her, knowing what she was about to say.

"Go ahead," he responded calmly.

Sylvara sighed deeply as if the weight of what she was about to do burdened her, but she needed it. She needed him to understand.

"Only use it in extreme cases," she insisted, with emphasis. "You already have too many modifications..." Her voice cracked, a hint of guilt crossing her eyes. "I don't know why you keep asking me to do this... I'm risking your body, and I know you see it, every modification you add brings you closer to collapse."



Her hands trembled slightly as if what she was about to do was consuming her from the inside. She knew he wouldn't listen, but with all her being, she tried to make him understand, hoping he would stop worsening his situation. Loken knelt in front of her, gently taking her hands, as if trying to transmit some peace through his touch. Sylvaras gaze, filled with anguish, softened a little at the feel of his gesture, but she was still trembling. He looked at her intently, determined to make her understand.

"The situation requires it," he said calmly, his voice deep and steady. "I promised you I wouldn't ask for any more modifications like this, but now I need it more than ever."

He caressed her cheek, wiping away the tears that gently slid down her face with his thumb. Sylvara couldn't help but be overcome by the sadness and concern, her body leaning into him until she finally hugged him tightly. The words that escaped her were a trembling whisper as if it were her last attempt to retain some control.

"I just want you to keep at least that promise"

Loken hugged her gently, stroking her back in an attempt to calm her.

"I will, once iit'sall over," he responded firmly, though his own words could hide the weight of what he knew was coming.