Closer Than Touch, Separated by Light Years

Altair: My Underground kingdom

Jabuka: Two weeks ago

Since childhood, my father ingrained in me the importance of meticulous planning—from covering every angle, A to Z—to navigate life's unpredictable twists and turns. My name is Altair Zephyrion, and as the state's head security strategist, I've come to deeply value the necessity of robust plans and strategies. "Make a plan, stick to it, always deliver" became my personal creed the day I assumed the mantle of family leadership. But recently, something extraordinary happened that challenged my rational mind in unexpected ways.

As the final security measures powered down, the heavy stone wall rumbled open. Stepping into my hidden sanctuary beneath the family manor, I always felt a rush of excitement. Here, away from the pressures of my job and family demands, I pursued my passions and curiosities.

The amber lights flickered on, casting a warm glow across my meticulously organized laboratory. Shelves lined with vials of glowing solutions from exotic plants and creatures awaited my study. Compounds derived from mysterious samples and anomalies found during secret expeditions held the promise of unlocking secrets that could reshape everything I knew, perhaps even offering a cure for the ongoing conflict on our world.

In the center of the room, my control console stood surrounded by tools and prototypes in various stages of completion. Charts covered the walls, mapping out my attempts to understand the strange phenomena known as the Nebula Plague that defied explanation. In this quiet retreat, I delved into research too unconventional for public scrutiny.

Inside my meditation pod, I prepared to enter a trance-like state, hoping to reconnect with the enigmatic presence that had reached out to me recently. Our connection defied logic and conventional science, hinting at something beyond known understanding, yet it felt strangely familiar.

With a deep breath, I activated my headphone mic and began my latest experiment.

What little I had learned suggested this presence was somehow intertwined with my consciousness yet separate, as if existing in a parallel world.

Our initial contact had shown me glimpses of vivid scenes and intense emotions, seemingly from the perspective of a young woman around my age. These visions unfolded in a place unfamiliar to me—an expansive educational campus under clear skies and solid buildings.

Her mind seemed vastly different from mine, excelling in creative and artistic pursuits where I struggled. This contrast intrigued me, raising questions about how our strengths might complement each other across different realities.

Our bond transcended time and space, creating a deep sense of familiarity with this stranger. Despite the mysteries surrounding us, I felt a strong connection, compelling me to uncover the truth.

She brought both calmness and an intense drive to solve the puzzle of our connection. Though traditional science couldn't explain it, I persisted with experiments, aiming to establish consistent communication.

For now, she remains a mystery—a puzzle I'm determined to solve, step by step. Her secrets have the potential to challenge everything we understand about science, and I'm committed to uncovering them. In this hidden sanctuary, surrounded by softly humming machines, I feel a sense of control.

I closed my eyes and let myself become immersed in her presence once more. Each time I did this, it felt more natural, like tuning into a familiar frequency. This time, I noticed a deeper connection to her emotions. Waves of joy and warmth washed over me, as if I were surrounded by loved ones I had yet to meet. It was a sensation that reminded me of happier times when my sister and I were younger and we would sneak out to the city to play with the children in the streets —a blend of comfort and curiosity that drew me deeper.

I couldn't help but wonder if this was what people meant by an out-of-body experience. Books on astral projection and dream walking had intrigued me in the past, but nothing prepared me for the visceral reality of this connection. Laughter bubbled up around me, and I found myself smiling involuntarily. Amidst the laughter, a name surfaced clearly: Anaya

Her name resonated within me, stirring a profound sense of recognition. The bond with Anaya felt inexplicably significant, bridging our worlds in ways that defied scientific explanation. I felt a growing determination to unravel the mystery of who she was and why our paths had crossed across dimensions.

With each encounter, the mystery of this girl deepened, fueling my resolve to delve deeper into my research. I wanted tio get to know her to communicate with her. it felt like a primal urge within me. I had to be with her.

In the quiet of my sanctuary, surrounded by the gentle hum of equipment and the soft glow of monitors, I found clarity and purpose. The quest to understand Anaya out shined  the challenges posed by the Nebula Plague, motivating me with a mix of curiosity and personal intrigue.

As I opened my eyes, the lingering presence of Anaya left me with a sense of anticipation and wonder. I knew that unraveling her mysteries would lead me down paths both scientific and spiritual, each step bringing me closer to the truths waiting to be uncovered.