As the door closes behind me, the sounds of the hall grow louder. The corridor is bright and crowded, a stark contrast to the quiet of my cell. The walls were sleek, lined with polished surfaces that seemed to absorb and reflect the light in shifting patterns. I can hear a low murmur of voices and distant hums from down the hall.

"Judas, I presume?" the figure askes in a smooth, confident tone. I turn to my left to see a tall pale man speaking to me. His long black hair drapes on his shoulder like a blanket and shines like the moon in the night sky. "I am Lysander, one of the Council of Observers. It is my duty to assist new arrivals in their transition."

I nod and walk toward him. Lysander's robe flows with an almost ethereal grace, and the intricate patterns woven into the fabric seem to shift as he moves.

"It's... weird," I admit, struggling to find words that could explain how I feel.

"Indeed, Malum can be quite a shock for those unaccustomed to its splendor," Lysander says with a knowing smile. "Come, I'll show you your orientation. There are people you should meet and places you should see."

A striking woman with flowing red hair approached us. Her outfit, an elaborate ensemble of interlocking plates, seems to move of its own accord. She smiles warmly.

"Welcome, Judas," The lady says, extending a hand. "I'm Mira, Head of Cultural Affairs. I'll help you understand our customs and traditions."

"Thank you," I say, shaking her hand. I don't know how to tell her I have already learned everything I need to know about the PICK, so I'll just go along anyways. 18 years in a room pretty much alone gives you plenty of free time.

Mira's smile widens. "I'm sure you'll find our traditions fascinating. We'll go over everything you need to know. It is an honor to be a part of the homebound program. Oh look, there's Eamon."

A wiry man with a quick grin, joined us. He was dressed casually, with a practical look that suggested he was more hands-on.

"Hey there!" Eamon says, clapping me on the shoulder. "I'm Eamon. I'll handle your housing and training details. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

I give him a nod that he reads as nervousness and continues talking, trying to soothe my worries with words.

"I know you're scared," Eamon tells me. "But we're here to help you get settled. You'll be fine. Lora!" Eamon shouts in my ear, "Judas is here. Come introduce yourself."

A calm young woman with a serene presence approached. Her simple yet elegant outfit blends seamlessly with her surroundings.

"I'm Lora," she says softly. "I'll be your contact for educational matters. We'll cover the basics and prepare you for the PICK ceremony. For now let us take you to the Training Centre."

As we move through the city, Lysander guides me towards a sleek, transparent building. I take a look around the streets and other people walking around. Something just feels off. These people are not like my mother, there's a certain emptiness in their eyes. I ignore my uneasiness and walk into the building. Inside, the space is filled with interactive displays and people moving around.

"This is where your orientation will begin," Lysander explaines. "We'll cover the history, governance, and key functions of Malum here. It's important to be well-informed before you participate in the PICK ceremony."

"I think I am already pretty well informed, there really is no need for all of this," I explain. I am already exhausted and I've only been here 10 minutes.

"Well then use this opportunity to get to know the other kids. You along with 200 other students are all going through the same process," Lysander tells me.

"Did all of us go through the homebound program or just some of us," I ask. Maybe this won't be so bad if I can relate to the other people. After all, even though V3-R taught me how to speak to other people, today was the first time I got to use my skills on someone other than my mom.

"No, actually," the four of them glance at each other before Lora finally turns to me and says, "It's just you."