Pain pulsed in his temple once again.

  Asmara leaned against the cold wall of the corridor, breathing slowly. She didn't want anyone to see her in this pitiful state. Not them. And especially not her.

  She straightened up, as the pace approached, she wiped away the trickle of blood from her cheek with a gesture, her hand trembled, her mind wandered but her eyes kept that rage, that inaccessible firmness.

  This is what she became, this is what she was forced to become, never trusting, never letting emotions guide us.

  - I was stupid, she breathed.

  In this simulation, she had…. Almost made the same mistake again

  If that kid hadn't thrown his whip at the last moment...

  And then shit

  She shook the thoughts out of her head, feeling even more upset.

  It must evolve

  I still remember

  This familiar and so perfect silhouette

  This clear and venomous voice, which annoyed me and captivated me at the same time

  So small and fragile

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  How I regret having known him

  EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING IS FALSE

  NOTHING WAS TRUE

  WHY, WHY, TELL ME

  AS IF I WANTED TO KNOW

  YOU WHAT COMES OUT OF YOU AND DEADLY

  LIE, WHO WERE YOU

  CHILD BORN FROM THE SHADOW, I TRUSTED YOU

  Asmara knew his methods, his cruelty tinged with elegance, his dream, and where she was capable of going, but, she still played his game, a simple pawn

  She had to come back

  That bad smile, insolent, she is not satisfied

  I wanted to crush him, right there on the ground

  But no, she's just waiting for that.

  I won't give him that pleasure.

  I will take my place again.

  She stepped into her cabin and took off her gloves, tossing them carelessly onto her bed, ran her fingers through her long black locks, and collapsed against the wall, forcing herself to forget.

  And then

  What was it?

  A hidden force or a stroke of luck

  Or… an external force

  I hate the unknown

  And he was worse

  The compartment suddenly lit up

  Shadows advance, fluid

  - It was intense, breathed sadness, I think I swelled up

  - You should get yourself checked out, he huffed angrily.

  - It's not worth it, said Sadness.

  - Not you, Asmara, her wounds are bleeding

  - REALLY, passing your hand over the wound

  Hiding behind, a shadow watched them, a little saddened not to be the center of discussion.

  - What are you looking at? asked in disgust.

  As Asmara stared blankly towards the entrance

  - It's nothing, nothing important, she breathed, approaching her bed and collapsing into it, we'll start training again soon

  - Remember to rest, you're pushing a little too hard, she breathed sadly, a little worried.

  - Yes yes, lazy

  - No, no

  - But really the "chief" was quite good, breathed fear

  Silence

  The whole squad stared at her as if she had just blasphemed against their mother creator,

  She was the only one to put into words everything that others avoided saying or even thinking.

  The discussion ended abruptly and everyone went back to their rooms,

  In the silence of the training room

  - Chief, they're awake.

  - Let's go, breathed Alpha 1.

  She turned around, smiling, but behind her back and followed her teammate.

  Chetan and Ela, they were already on their feet, a little troubled despite the slight difference, they still remained in control of their minds.

  - You are ready, at the end of the evaluation you will follow the team for the domes

  - Good sir, Chetan affirmed.

  - "Good sir," Ela repeated, her eyes sleeping.

  - I am here

  Two figures emerged from the darkness and headed towards the new specimens.

  - Old man, I'd like to speak to you, in private, ordered Alpha 1.

  - It can wait

  - I don't think so

  The exam was already here, the test was fast approaching, did they really make the right decision, try everything and did they really find the solution?