THE CLOCK STRUCK ZERO, marking the start of a new day in Veridonia. Of course, everyone's day started differently, but most people woke up early—the early Veridonian gets the units, after all. The light was not something to be wasted in Veridonia, especially since it brought the warmth they needed. The nights in Veridonia were icy, painful, and dark, with nothing to offer apart from the blackness of the sky.

Veridonians pretended the night didn't exist, as their morale always plummeted in the dark, yet soared with the morning sun. Maybe it was the sun, or maybe it was the ugliness of the dark. No one knew.

The majestic sun hung low over the sprawling city of Eclipsia, casting a bright glow that clung to the rooftops. The morning came with a decent amount of smog, giving the sky an almost orange hue as it mingled with the rising sun. But the air smelled different in the morning—no one knew why. The city was alive today, much like every morning—the Verids were patrolling, the vendors were shouting about their new scientifically experimented crops, and the music in the air rippled throughout the streets.

It was a Felixajour—the day when freshly baked bread arrived from the Northwest. The labs of the Northwest created new flavors every week for the Veridonian citizens, and all the stock was laid out at the bakeries. Tasting the bread right there and then had disadvantages though; the sharp tang of the metal from the blacksmith's forge was often a lingering taste in the bread. Some condemned the blacksmith, but he also had an important job—making the weaponry for the Verids.

The Verids were busy today, and everyone knew why. The Harmony Academy nearby was making enough noise to wake the dead. The children's laughter was enough to irritate the vendors whose voices were being lost to the winds. Everyone described Veridonia as utopian—everyone was equal. Their world symbolized happiness and fruitfulness. Built on truths, and developed on intelligence, Veridonia was a place of greatness. The Dominion Council ensured that.

In the heart of Eclipsia stood the Council building. The Dominion Council towered over the landscape, casting long dark shadows on everything that stood in front of it. No one ever used the shadows for shields though; the light was very much appreciated. The metallic spires of the building were made using non-destructible titanium and it reached towards the sky like accusatory fingers. The building was pristine and unyielding—a replica of the order and control that it stood for. No one knew what happened inside apart from the few lucky scientists who were allowed there for their weekly research reports. The Council members were known to be extremely secretive with their decisions but their discussions were thought to be strategic. They were the most intelligent people in Veridonia after all.

One such person was allowed entry inside today and it was Dr. Elara Voss, a lab technician of considerable repute. She threaded through the crowded in her lab coat, not noticing the sudden tumble of the yellow fruits that rolled onto the streets.

"Hey, woman!" a tall man screamed, picking up the mangoes off the floor. "Watch it!"

Dr. Elara Voss paid them no heed at all. Her focus was not on the streets, but on her path, eyes fixed ahead, fingers tightly gripping the vial of faintly glowing green liquid.

Veridonia was a city on the brink of a breakthrough when the rest of the world collapsed. Supreme Malakar was special for that, he saved the remaining parts of humanity that still existed. The Supreme being alive for so long had shocked many but no one ever put a finger on it. But Dr. Voss knew the truth. She knew that it came with a cost, a secret that could cause their entire world to question what they were taught. Their society would break down.

As she reached the steps of the Council building, she paused, taking a moment to look at the city she had dedicated her life to protecting. The sun was higher now, its light piercing through the smog and illuminating everything below. They trusted the Council. They trusted in the future.

But the future, Dr. Voss thought grimly, was uncertain.

Taking a deep breath, she ascended the steps, her eyes warily searching her surroundings. The atmosphere of the Council was so different from the outside. The corridors were silent, the air cool and sterile. Dr. Voss made her way to the central chamber, her eyes noting the amount of air purifiers inside. Her footsteps echoed on the marble floors, and soon she found herself in the presence of a secretary.

"Dr. Elara Voss, welcome," the secretary said, bowing. Dr. Voss nodded in return, her expression serious.

"May we live as long," she saluted as she handed the documentation to the secretary who gestured to the large wooden doors in front of her.

Dr. Voss pushed her way in, nearly stumbling on the potted plant beside her. But she entered the chamber safely, without breaking the vial. The Council members looked up, their lips pursed, and their eyes fixated on the vial in her hands. At the head of the table sat—not the Supreme—but the Chancellor, his sharp eyes narrowing as he regarded Dr. Voss.

"Dr. Voss," he intoned, his voice echoing around the room. "To what do we owe this unexpected visit?"

Dr. Voss met his gaze unflinchingly, her voice steady and clear. "The current approach isn't working," she stated. "The energy is spread too far through the country for us to take the energy for Project M."

A murmur rippled throughout the chamber. Project M was a mystery to everyone in the Council, apart from the Chancellor who understood glimpses of it. It was something Supreme Malakar ordered—the research was necessary for his survival, they were told.

The Chancellor gestured for her to continue. "You have our attention."

Dr. Voss stepped forward, holding up the vial for all to see. The room fell silent, all eyes fixated on the glowing green liquid. She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. "This is the latest iteration of the serum," she began. "It's effective, but we...need more energy."

The room fell silent, and Dr. Voss took a deep breath and continued. "Getting the serum to work is extremely difficult, but we need a concentrated form of energy. Your work—it isn't working. If you could tell us what Project M is...we could do better."

Dr. Voss heard the collective gasp in the chamber. The Chancellor's expression darkened. "You have a job, do it. Your group of scientists keeps Supreme alive, and the others are given the task of making sure the filth from outside doesn't tamper with Veridonia."

Dr. Voss nodded grimly. "Chancellor. It's almost impossible to use the little amount of energy we are given for both experiments. We must find another way!"

The Chancellor's eyes narrowed further, his expression stern. "Another way? Dr.Voss—" His eyes lit up, his smile eerie. "Energy concentration... I'll speak to the Supreme."

Dr. Voss clenched the vial tighter, her knuckles whitening. "We will not know about what Project M really is, are we Chancellor?"

The Chancellor smiled, his crooked teeth making their debut for the first time. It almost disgusted Dr. Voss, but she knew he was the one with the power. "Dr. Voss. No one, and I repeat it—" He paused to take a look at the entire table staring eagerly at him. "No one knows what Project M is. You'll get the energy, Supreme gets the serum."

He grabbed the vial off Dr. Voss, who stared at him, bewildered. They had to be up to no good, but the entire country trusted them—who was she to not trust the Council?