LOK | KINO & The Invisible Territories

Its been difficult for me to continue writing since LUX's lab was hit by that bolt of lightning. Its not that I don't know where the story goes from here. I know this is where I introduce you to LOK, the second of our Seven Archangels, but this world, these lives, are so difficult to describe because of how fluid that all are. Imagine living in a communal dream space, a malleable reality where dreams coexist with our waking life, where no one really sleeps anymore, because no one is really ever awake. A land of forgetting, without a past, with only the eternal NOW ever spinning, looping. These are The Invisible Territories, a virtual dimension parallel to ours that I have been mapping for almost half my life already. I guess that's a good way to introduce you to LOK, because that's what we have in common, he and I.

LOK saw it appear too, from the corner of his eye, in the dim glow of his high-tech apartment, LOK had spotted an anomaly in the code. Usually he would have received a notification from the program, but strangely he happened to see this one, live. Its what made him wonder, ever since that very moment, whether he had made it all up in his mind. Though the record would show him time and time again that what he saw was real, that something came into the Territories then and somehow spread itself across every mask. Had anyone else seen what he'd seen?

So he hunched over a maze of screens, each one flickering with lines of code and digital maps. Few understood the original languages as he did. He'd trained himself to spot such anomalies, glitches in the Territories, and although they might seem insignificant to most, LOK recognized the subtle shimmers in the code, and so had made it his life. In a world of intermingling dreams, truth had become an illusive concept that very few were still aware of. But it had become LOK's calling to see it, and hence a position within the Pantheon itself, that of a high ranking security officer. From his apartment he had mapped the entirety of these ever expanding and transforming Territories. The programs he had conceived to work together were able to capture the comings and goings of every mask in the system, and report any incongruities back to him for analysis. This is how, from his station, he had been able to do his part in keeping the Territories secure, and hence make a marvellous living.

To think he'd once hacked into the Pantheon himself. How his life had changed since then. Now he held the keys to the castle, front door and back, windows too, to every door, every portal. That key gave him the eyes he needed to catch all patterns, for all that goes in must eventually come out, and anyone who'd ever attempted anything otherwise was eventually caught by LOK or some other security officer, if the system itself hadn't seen you first. There was hence no crime. You'd be reported, and the Controls would do the rest. The same went for social standing, access, and credits, very little went passed LOK's watchful eye. Even those "nomads", or whatever they called themselves, were under his guise, though they didn't appear to cause any real security risk, even if the Pantheon was growing to think otherwise. They'd put a few individuals in the Void for being associated with the movement, but LOK had nothing to do with that. Either way he didn't like thinking about what happened to people once he'd reported them. Once he'd see their mask disappear from his map, they were not his concern any longer. Out of sight, out of mind, until that fateful day.

As soon it appeared on his screen he rushed over to rewind and review. Something had permeated the Territories, something new and illusive. It appeared like an empty space in the code, something that could stand on its own, matter without form. That moment in time where this entity appeared turned into an instantaneous obsession. What did it mean? He looked over every version of the code for something that could explain it, browsing the recesses of the Chronicles for any such similar event, and there was nothing like it.

But as time went by and he scouted the Territories from his quarters for an answer, everything began to look different to him. The entity had indeed spread across everything, suddenly hidden in the recesses of every thought. Once the concept occurred to him—that this entity existed outside of the physical and the virtual, but rather in that space between thought and manifestation—he understood why he could not trace it beyond its entry point in time. It had entered everywhere at once. It was omnipresent, a new strand woven into the DNA of the Territories.

LOK looked at the code's topographic patterns on his screens in a new way. He didn't see the pixels anymore, nor the code, nor the holographic layers that made up hist vast network of screens, nor could he hear the calculated hum of the hardware that kept it all alive. He now saw beyond the screens, could hear beyond the sounds, he could suddenly see it all.

He pulled away from his station, turned to the window to shake himself out of it but the actual sight of the pulsing Territories and the presence of the entity that he now saw in all things made it worst. It was dizzying. He laid himself down on the floor and curled up in a ball.

He imagined himself holding reality together, and it slipping between his fingers. Even from the floor, even without his screens, he could see beyond the walls, below and above him, at all of the comings and goings. Impossible to focus. He closed his eyes, and in the darkness could see him and only him, KINO. He was everywhere, part of everything, in the darkness and the light, and LOK would never be able to unsee it ever again.

He stayed on the floor curled up, his eyes closed looking at KINO in the darkness, only KINO, until he slowly fell asleep for the first time since he'd entered the Territories ages ago. He did not dream, no signal ran from his mind to his mask. It were as though he disappeared for a while. He forgot himself, alas. He rested. He rested a long time.

He lay longer, having turned on his back, letting himself awake from his slumber. It was still with him, this new power, KINO. He layed longer as he awoke to allow himself to realize what had happened to him. The anomaly had risen something inside of him. He lay looking up at the ceiling and the many ceilings and skies above it, his palms pressed to the floor, until he could take it no more.

He shot up off the floor, peaking out the window at this new way of seeing, and went on to clean himself up and get dressed. He wasn't sure where he was going yet but he knew he had to go. As he put his jacket and lifted its collar up to his mask, it occurred to him what his destination should be. He would find KINO, a trace of it at least, proof of it's existence. Standing in the middle of his apartment, surrounded by the topographic layers of screens that shaped the Territories, he wind it back to that moment once again, the beginning.

KINO had entered the Territories at a specific moment, but without a discernible location—an anomaly in time. This made it incredibly difficult to track. So, LOK turned to the Chronicles, examining them meticulously to identify any other anomalies that might have occurred simultaneously. Since that moment, he had felt a profound change within himself, a strange power and expanded awareness awakening in his consciousness. Could he be the only one experiencing this? Or were others affected as well?

A sense of dread came over him. What if he wasn't alone? What if this was the Pantheon's doing, a test? Or what if other security officers like himself had reported it already? Could he risk it? Yet could he reveal what little he knew about this anomaly for what little security risk it actually posed. He stepped back towards his door, looking at the Territories mapped out across his quarters, at the moment it all changed. He gave himself perspective, looking at the whole rather than any particular detail. And through the map, through the screens, through the walls, and the many pathways across the vastness of the dreamscape, he watched It like a wave laid across the sand just before it pulls back, resting an instant, until LOK turned around and walked out the door.

He hadn't been out in a long time, not physically anyway. He had no need to as his mask gave him access to every camera in the Territories and there was nothing or no one he might desire that couldn't be at his doorstep within seconds. But now, there he was, walking the streets already, looking at the world in this new way, seeing KINO in all things, seeing past the walls and the masks that separate us. But to be there, present, and to be able to touch, and feel, and look with his own eyes at the Territories, with this new perspective, it was nothing like travelling through his mask. It looked almost real.

He looked up at the endless screens that made up this world, he walked along with the flow of the crowds down the pixelated pavement reflecting the shinning ships flying above clouds of thought data. He was alive, like everything was alive. And he looked at everything in this new way, and though he never used to notice, he could now see the living from the ascended, the organic from the augmented, the human from the machine. They may have all been wearing masks, but he could see through that too, much like he saw through walls. And now with eyes wide open, he could perceive KINO in the vibrations, weaving through the digital veins of the Territories like a spectre. He was in that space between the imaginary and the tangible, the unnameable. It was in the subtle coincidences, the endless signs, the unified language, and now LOK could witness it all. A journey had begun for him, a journey that would unravel the very fabric of the Territories and reveal truths about himself he never imagined. For LOK was not just a hacker anymore, he wasn't just a security officer; he was a man on the hunt. KINO, an anomaly, a mysterious entity invisible to the system, apart from the collective consciousness, existed outside the boundaries of the known world, a subtle figure on the edge of comprehension. And in this liminal space, a new kind of understanding, a new story, began to take shape.

I hope you can see it as I do—awakening from a lifelong dream only to find yourself still within it. Everyone is dreaming except you. That’s how both LUX and now LOK navigated the Territories, their senses heightened by the mere awareness of KINO. This awareness imbued those who recognized KINO’s presence with a real and tangible power that surpassed the extraordinary capabilities the Territories conferred upon people. It revealed the truth, though differently for everyone. While LUX could see through time, LOK had the ability to see through space. They were all pieces of a puzzle, shaping a destiny that would alter the very fabric of reality.

LOK could not see ahead, but he could see the signs, though he did not know where they should take him. He walked and rode the streets for days none-the-less, observing the world, following the kinks, seeing the Territories not as a Utopian digital expanse, but as a fragile construct, each pixel a potential point of failure.

As he navigated the crowded streets, the air felt charged, heavy with an almost tangible anticipation. People moved around him, oblivious to the impending change, their masks glowing with the shared illusions of the Territories. LOK could see the patterns, the repeating cycles, the digital threads that wove this reality together. And he could see the gaps, the spaces where KINO seemed to whisper through the code, a ghostly presence just out of reach.

The sky above the Territories was a canvas of digital projections, a mesmerizing array of colours and shapes that simulated a perfect day. But LOK could sense a disturbance in the air, a growing dissonance that seemed to ripple through the dreamscape. It was as if the very system was holding its breath, waiting for something to break. The familiar hum of the Territories was now accompanied by an unsettling silence, a void that seemed to grow with each step LOK took.

Suddenly, the sky darkened, and a low rumble echoed through the city. LOK looked up, his heart pounding. The vibrant projections above flickered, the colours bleeding into each other as if the system itself was struggling to maintain control. The air grew thick with static, and he could feel the hairs on his arms stand on end.

In that moment, LOK felt a surge of energy around him, an electric charge that seemed to envelop his entire being. He turned a corner, and there it was—the anomaly, a shimmering figure standing at the heart of the disturbance. KINO, or at least its spectral form, pulsed with an intensity that drew him in.

Simultaneously, as LOK reached out toward his vision, light violently struck him, a blinding flash of light splitting the sky. A bolt of lightning struck with a deafening crack, hitting him directly.

This blast of sight and sound upon LOK lasted an eternity. He froze there, his body spread out into space, leaning forward, touching KINO.

His mask shattered, the fragments scattering like glass in the wind. His body gone limp, collapsed to the ground. His eyes still open wide, his head against the pavement, his mind hyper-aware of the world around him but unable to move without his mask, LOK saw the Territories for what they truly were—layers of illusion hiding a dilapidated world. The vibrant, dreamlike projections were gone, replaced by a dark and empty sky, crumbling buildings, ruins of an empire, and worst of all, soul-less zombies held up by machines. The real world lay bare before him, stark and unforgiving, a hellish vision.

In that brief moment before shock claimed him, LOK understood the magnitude of what he had discovered. KINO was not just an anomaly; it was a key, a doorway to a reality beyond the Territories. Darkness took him, but the revelation burned brightly in his mind as he lay there, on the edge of two worlds.

LOK’s consciousness flickered back to life, swimming through layers of disjointed memories and flashes of light. He felt a cold, sterile surface beneath him and heard the soft hum of medical equipment. As his eyes fluttered open, he found himself in a pristine hospital room, its walls a blinding white, the air sterile and crisp. The bed he lay in was sleek and modern, with an array of monitors and devices surrounding him, their screens displaying vital signs and streams of data.

Disoriented, he tried to move, but his body felt heavy and unresponsive. A soft, electronic chime sounded as a nurse entered the room. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, her movements precise and efficient, clearly augmented to perfection. Unlike most masks, which usually covered at least the eyes, hers was an elegant, barely visible design—a simple dot on her forehead acting as a subtle third eye. This revealed her engaging bright eyes, which reflected a practiced calm.

“You’re awake,” she said, her voice soothing yet devoid of emotion. “You’ve been through quite an ordeal.”

LOK’s hand instinctively reached for his face in fear of finding his mask missing, but instead finding the smooth, unfamiliar contours of a brand new mask, a brand new face and body. He too had a similar mask, an elegant dot between his eyes. He could sense the enhanced capabilities immediately - sharper vision, heightened auditory perception, a more profound connection to the Territories. But despite this, a gnawing unease settled in the pit of his stomach. What had happened to his newly found powers of perception?

“Where am I?” LOK asked, his voice rasping from disuse.

“You’re in a recovery unit,” the nurse replied. “You suffered a severe shock, but you’re safe now. Your mask has been upgraded to ensure better integration and functionality within the Territories.”

LOK’s mind raced, piecing together fragments of his last conscious moments. The lightning strike, the shattering mask, the glimpse of the real world. It had all felt so vivid, so raw. He knew what he had seen was real—a world hidden beneath the polished veneer of the Territories. And KINO… KINO was the key.

“How long have I been here?” he asked, struggling to sit up.

“A few cycles,” the nurse said, adjusting the settings on a nearby monitor. “Your body needed time to recover. But you should rest now. The new mask will help you adapt more quickly.”

LOK nodded absently, his mind already drifting back to the anomaly. He closed his eyes, allowing the enhanced capabilities of his new mask to sync with his senses. He could feel the Territories more acutely than ever before, every pixel and data stream magnified in his perception. But the memory of the other world lingered like a shadow in the back of his mind.

"Can I have a mirror?" He didn't have time to ask the nurse that one appeared before him. He looked into his own eyes directly for the first time. They were a bright blue. He felt bruised but youthful. He couldn't help but think, seeing himself so clearly for the first time, how gorgeous he was in his new body.

"Is this real?"

"We can understand the confusion." the nurse quickly replied. "Your mask was severely damaged and had to be replaced. We could barely identify you.”

“I have a terrible headache.”

"Yes, that is quite normal and will pass momentarily. You need more rest for the God Molecule to take full effect."

The God Molecule, the sacred strain that made it all possible, the collective vision, the interconnection with the Territories, the doors to perception.

“I thought I was dead.”

“One could say you were, for a time anyway. But as an officer of the Pantheon you were provided a mask with the latest improvements, and soon you’ll be feeling as good as new.”

He tried to stand only to find everything fall out of focus again. The nurse rushed over and helped him lay himself back down. He observed the details of her skin as she cared for him, mesmerized by in her beauty. He wondered whether she was human or augmented but could not tell the difference anymore. This mask must have been interfering with his capabilities to see the original languages, across the Territories, to see KINO. He desperately tried to fall asleep again, forget as he once had, but to no avail. He was back to his old self, despite the upgrade.

That evening, he did feel rejuvenated, watching every colour appear to him as if for the first time. With a better mask, every colour was more vivid, each hue sharper and clearer. His thoughts were clearer too as the God Molecule enveloped his mind, taking full effect. He stood up from the bed, testing his motor skills under the new synthesis of the molecule. He felt stronger, more aware of his surroundings, and simply better. His hearing was more refined, discerning each sound with ease and filtering out the noise. He could perceive the buzzing streets below with his eyes closed, almost as if he was there. As he looked out the window into the night, he marvelled at this fresh reality. This was indeed a brave new world. Though he could no longer see beyond the veneer, he tried to perceive KINO’s presence. All he had now was the knowledge of its existence, without any way to prove it to himself. Standing there, gazing through his new eyes at The Territories, LOK began to formulate a plan. He would find KINO again and uncover a way to access the reality beyond the Territories. The enhanced mask would aid him in his quest, but he needed more than that—he needed allies, information, and a deeper understanding of the anomaly.

With renewed resolve, LOK called for his clothing and found himself instantly dressed in fabrics that seemed to have grown around him they were so comfortable. The nurse appeared by his side as if she'd never left the room.

“You should rest a bit longer. You’ve just recovered.”

It was time to leave the hospital and continue his journey. He had seen the truth, and he knew what he had to do.

The nurse watched him go, her eyes reflecting a mix of concern and resignation. As LOK stepped into the hallway, the pristine environment of the hospital contrasted sharply with the chaotic energy he felt within. He knew that his path was fraught with danger and uncertainty, but he also knew that KINO held the answers he sought.

As soon as he walked out of the hospital, it became clear that this mask had not only upgraded himself but also transformed the way he saw everything. Nearly everyone around him now wore the same kind of mask, a third eye that made their entire being appear incredibly pleasing to the eye. Everyone looked so beautiful, as if they were all tailored to his exact taste. Even the buildings, streets, and the screens that covered all surfaces appeared in a better, brighter resolution. The Territories pulsed with a new vibrancy, everything glowing with heightened clarity. The people around him moved with a fluid grace, almost as if choreographed. He could feel the molecules in the air, the texture of the pavement, and the subtle hum of the digital projections that enveloped the city.

It was difficult for him not to get lost in the colours and follow the crowds along their stream of consciousness, but instead he fought through the temptation, through the current, to first find his way home. He had been given a glimpse of something greater, and he would not stop until he had uncovered the full truth.

The elevator doors opening to his apartment, LOK paused, taking in the sight of his quarters, suddenly all new and refined. It felt like he was returning to a different life, a different version of himself. Inside, the space was the same yet different. The topographic maps of the Territories, displayed on his numerous screens, seemed to pulse with a new energy, each line and curve more defined. He felt a strange disconnect, as if he was an observer in his own life.

He took a moment to walk around the room, observing the new colours of the light as they shone across it. He opened his fridge to find a feast, which he devoured at the kitchen counter, wondering what he was really eating, considering everything could be a veneer. But the food was delicious, and he felt grateful to still be part of this world. This feeling was especially strong when he effortlessly leaped across the space, landing his supple body at his station.

Immediately, the destination became clear—where had the lightning struck him? The Scribes had meticulously chronicled the event, and the Pantheon was quick to denounce NOMAD, calling it a terrorist attack, something unheard of in The Territories. Why would an underground movement, often dismissed as a fringe group, be blamed? LOK watched intently, his analytical mind racing. It didn’t add up. He knew NOMAD didn’t have the capability to orchestrate such powerful events. The strike was directly connected to KINO, whatever KINO might be, and LOK felt that a higher power had chosen him for a reason.

He analyzed the Chronicles in fine detail, unable to decipher any trace of KINO or an exterior presence. The Pantheon was on high alert, increasing surveillance and control measures. But LOK knew better. He had seen the truth, however briefly. KINO was real, and the anomaly’s presence was a key to understanding the reality beyond the Territories.

He leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes, allowing the upgraded mask to sync further with his thoughts. The enhancements were impressive, but they couldn’t erase the memory of what he had seen. He replayed the events in his mind—the anomaly, the lightning, the shattering mask, the real world. Each detail was etched into his consciousness, driving him forward, and a little mad.

LOK dismissed the news reports with a wave of his hand, shifting his focus to the data streams. He needed to trace the anomaly’s path, understand its purpose, and find a way to access the other reality. His fingers danced across the console, pulling up layers of code and digital maps. The Territory’s topography was vast and complex, but he was prepared to navigate its every shadow and secret.

His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden alarm signifying intruders in his system. Quickly, he zoned in on their presence and realized they were in the building, outside his apartment. He listened for a moment instead of relying on his machines. The sound was subtle, but his enhanced senses picked it up immediately. He moved to the window, peering out into the street below. He closed his eyes and could see figures, invisible to the eye, creeping through the walls of his building, inside the wiring. These were not ordinary masks, these intruders were something other. They were hidden, their identities obscured, but their intent was clear.

LOK felt a surge of adrenaline. Somehow he knew. NOMAD. They had found him.

He moved swiftly, the urgency of the situation propelling him to gather his belongings with haste. His mind formulated a plan even as his hands moved with practised efficiency. But just as he reached for the door, it exploded open with a violent force. Figures, clad in dark, unidentifiable attire, swarmed in from every direction, materializing out of the screens as if they were stepping through windows into reality. The sight was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

It became immediately clear that these were no ordinary assailants. The fluidity of their movements and the seamless way they transitioned through the digital surfaces demonstrated an advanced level of technological prowess. This was NOMAD, a group he had heard whispers about but never truly understood—until now. Their ability to navigate the digital and physical realms with such precision and ease was nothing short of remarkable.

Before he could fully grasp the situation, they were upon him. Their coordinated movements left no room for escape. He fought back instinctively, every muscle tensing in resistance, but their grip was like iron, unyielding and absolute. The struggle was brief and futile; their overwhelming force subdued him almost immediately.

As he was restrained, the realization dawned on him: NOMAD was not just a myth or a fringe group. They were a formidable force, capable of breaching the most secure environments with an ease that defied belief. The true extent of their power and the implications of their existence sent a chill down his spine. This was a confrontation he had not anticipated, and the questions of why they had come for him and what they wanted were now more pressing than ever.

A bag was placed over LOK’s head, plunging him into darkness. Yet, this abrupt blindness only served to reawaken his inner powers, the unique ability to see beyond the physical. As they dragged him down the stairs and out the back of the building, he could feel his senses heightening, compensating for the lack of sight. He was unceremoniously thrown into a car, where he found himself seated between two individuals whose arms locked him firmly in place. His hands were bound, but he felt no compulsion to escape. Instead, the situation intrigued him. The confidence his new mask afforded him was palpable, and besides, this encounter might offer a rare opportunity to unravel the enigma of NOMAD.

As the car sped through the streets, LOK’s awareness expanded. He could sense the presence of the four people riding with him, each exuding an aura that set them apart from the ordinary inhabitants of the Territories. Even blindfolded, his acute senses provided him with a mental map of their surroundings. He could feel the subtle vibrations of the car, the change in air pressure as they turned corners, the murmur of distant conversations filtered through the digital noise of the city.

How did he know so intuitively that these were indeed NOMAD members? It was as if his powers had not just returned but had been amplified by the very act of capture. The more he concentrated, the clearer the impressions became. He could distinguish their heartbeats, sense their steady, deliberate breaths, and even detect the faint, almost imperceptible hum of their unique energy signatures. It seemed his abilities had not abandoned him after all.

“I know who you are,” LOK declared, breaking the silence. “NOMAD, right?”

A voice responded, young and almost child-like, yet carrying an edge of authority. “No talking yet.”

He knew where they were and even where they might be heading. His perception pierced through the layers of digital projections. His powers were a double-edged sword, enhancing his awareness while constantly reminding him of the fragility of the world he inhabited.

The kidnappers transported LOK to a hidden location, a place that felt distinctly out of sync with the rest of the Territories. The stark, bare walls exuded an air of austerity, while the atmosphere was heavy with tension, pressing down on him like a physical weight. The light in the room was minimal, creating an eerie gloom until the bag was yanked off his head. Instantly, a searingly bright flash of light was thrust upon his face, violently assaulting his senses. The intensity was overwhelming, a relentless barrage that drove him to the edge of his sanity. LOK screamed in sheer panic, convinced the torture would never cease, and only then did they relent, pulling back the blinding light.

“What do you know about the lightning strike?” The voice was sharp and demanding, leaving no room for evasion.

LOK met their gaze. He could see through their masks, their intentions laid bare before him. He knew he had to tread carefully. “I know it wasn’t you,” he said, his voice steady. “There’s something bigger at play here.”

The figure stepped closer, their presence imposing. “You expect us to believe that? You were hit by the lightning. You were treated with a new mask. You must know something.”

“I work for the Pantheon. I’m a high-ranking security officer; that’s why the upgrade,” LOK said in desperation.

“You think we don’t know that? We know all about you.”

“Oh, do you now? Why have you brought me here then?”

“What does the Pantheon want with us? Why won’t they leave us alone?” another, calmer voice asked.

“I was wondering that myself.” LOK laughed. “Come on, why don’t you untie me and we can really talk?”

“No chance,” and the light began flashing so strongly and rapidly again that it was mind-numbing, pure torture. Even with his eyes closed, it was truly unbearable. He had to make them understand.

“There is another world,” he screamed, his voice carrying the weight of his revelation. “The lightning was a message, a way to show me the truth.”

The light stopped. The room fell silent, the tension palpable. As LOK played dead, they all exchanged glances, their skepticism evident.

“Don’t believe we could break him this easily,” a voice came from behind LOK as the sound of a heavy door opened and closed, bracketing the words. Her presence was commanding, her voice calm but authoritative.

“Let him go,” the leader said, her eyes locking onto LOK’s. “He speaks the truth.”

“Then he’s a madman,” the first voice said.

“Maybe so, but he’s still telling the truth. Let him go.”

“If you say so, KRI,” the faceless torturer hesitantly complied, releasing LOK from his shackles.

KRI approached him, her expression unreadable. “You have a role to play in this,” she said, her voice low. “But you need to be careful. The Pantheon is watching.”

LOK nodded and dashed past his assailants, through the back doors, running as if his hair were on fire. No one pursued him, he soon realized, but he ran nonetheless. He felt his new legs, his new heart, his entirely new self. With resolve, he ran a distance few would dare, but he kept going. He closed his eyes, yet continued to run, taming the vision, navigating it, and fully inhabiting his power.

LOK’s body thrummed with energy as he continued running through the endless maze of the Territories. His vision was heightened, the world around him pulsing with life and colour in a way he had never experienced before. The upgrades from his new mask, combined with the powers awakened by KINO’s presence, made him feel invincible, a sentinel in a sea of chaos.

He slowed to a walk, blending into the crowd, his mind pulsing with newfound clarity. Every movement, every flicker of light, every whisper of the wind was imbued with meaning. He felt a deep connection to the Territories, as if he were a part of its very fabric. He could sense the truth behind the illusions, the intricate web of code that made up the digital projections, a house of cards waiting to collapse.

He returned home and surrounded himself with the topographic maps of the Territories, a puzzle waiting to be solved. His fingers flew across the console, deciphering the code, tracing the paths of the anomalies. He could see the patterns, the repeating cycles, the digital threads that wove this reality together. And he could see the subtle gaps in time, the spaces where KINO seemed to whisper through the code.

Hours turned into days as LOK’s obsession grew, consuming him entirely. He barely ate or slept, his mind fixated on the elusive presence of KINO. Every moment was spent analyzing data, poring over every detail, every fluctuation, desperately searching for a clue, a hint, a sign. He connected dots, formed theories, sensing that KINO’s presence was a key to something far greater, something that transcended the code and the screens that defined the Territories.

Through his relentless investigation, LOK isolated seven simultaneous events where anomalies were pronounced. One of these anomalies occurred in his own home, at the precise moment he first noticed it on his screen. It was as if the mere thought of KINO had brought it into existence. He observed the other six anomalies like a constellation, realizing that his journey was intertwined with six others. Though the task seemed like chasing shadows, he trusted his instincts, convinced he was on the right track.

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a sudden disturbance outside his apartment. The sky darkened, and a low rumble echoed through the city. LOK looked up, his heart pounding. In the distance, on the outskirts of the Territories, the vibrant colours of the sky bled into each other, struggling to maintain their form.

A blinding flash of light split the sky, and once again, a bolt of lightning struck, this time hitting a building far in the distance. An alert went off in LOK's security system. Energy surged through him, and he knew he had to follow this event. A second lightning bolt? This couldn’t be a coincidence. The urgency was palpable. He rushed out of his apartment, driven by a force beyond his control, his mind laser-focused on the destination. He jumped into a cab, pointing the way to the old company building, the adrenaline coursing through his veins. He had to uncover the truth.

The decrepit location lay on the outskirts of the Territories. He could feel the presence of KINO, a tangible energy that seemed to resonate with his own. As he approached, the air grew heavy with anticipation, the walls humming with a hidden power.

LOK pushed open the main doors to the old company building, finding them unlocked. He stepped into the dimly lit hallway, where the air was thick with the weight of history. These halls once echoed with the footsteps of the Territories’ finest chemists, the very minds that had designed the drug responsible for the world as it was now. Following an almost instinctual path through the labyrinthine corridors, he felt the presence of an old man waiting for him, a beacon in the maze.

Each door he passed seemed to open of its own accord, leading him deeper into the heart of the building. The walls were lined with faded posters and remnants of a time long past. The silence was punctuated only by the soft hum of forgotten machinery. His steps quickened as his intuition guided him through the endless hallways, each one a step closer to his destination.

Finally, he arrived at a chaotic lab, a space that seemed frozen in time. The room was a chaotic symphony of vials, screens, and formulas, the remnants of a bygone era scattered in disarray. At the centre of this organized chaos stood LUX, an old chemist whose intense concentration belied the chaos around him. The lab was a mess of equipment, papers, and digital projections, each surface covered with the detritus of countless experiments. Yet, amidst the disorder, LUX moved with a sense of purpose, his mind focused on something only he could see.

LUX’s presence commanded the room. His eyes, sharp and discerning, flicked over the array of data and formulas, his fingers deftly adjusting settings and making notes. Despite the clutter, his movements were precise, each action deliberate. LOK watched, momentarily awed by the scene before him, the intersection of past brilliance and present urgency.

LOK approached cautiously, his senses heightened. LUX looked up, his eyes meeting LOK’s.

“Who are you?” LUX’s voice was a blend of curiosity and suspicion, cutting through the air like a knife.

“I’m here on behalf of the Pantheon Security Unit to investigate the lightning strike that hit here,” LOK replied, maintaining a steady tone, trying to convey authority.

LUX’s eyes narrowed, his skepticism evident. “The Controls have already been here and reinstated power to the building. Who are you, really?”

LOK couldn’t help but marvel at how ancient LUX appeared. In a world where aging had become almost obsolete, seeing someone this old was a rarity, and it piqued his curiosity even more.

LUX scrutinized him for a moment, his gaze penetrating. Then, as if reaching a conclusion, he nodded slowly. “You’ve seen KINO, haven’t you? I’ve been waiting for you.”

LOK’s mind raced, a thousand questions flooding his thoughts. “KINO? How do you know that name? I’ve never even uttered it.”

LUX’s expression softened slightly, a mix of understanding and weariness crossing his features. “The same way you learned it, whoever you are. It came to me. I was contacted, I guess you could say.”

The words struck LOK like a revelation. Could this old man truly understand the significance of what he had seen, or was it all a trick of the mind?

LUX sighed, a look of resignation settling on his face. “KINO is the key to understanding reality beyond the Territories. That’s what I’ve been working on here, a way to unlock that reality, to free us from the illusion.”

LOK felt a shiver run down his spine. The gravity of LUX’s words hit him hard, reinforcing the magnitude of the journey he had embarked upon.

LUX gestured to the screens surrounding them, each displaying intricate equations and digital maps. “I’m close, very close. I just need one more ingredient to make it hold.”

“What will hold? What are you saying?” LOK demanded, his frustration mounting.

LUX paused, his eyes narrowing. “Are you really here on behalf of the Pantheon?”

LOK shook his head. “I’m here of my own accord. Yes, I’m a security officer, but I’ve been investigating the same phenomena, what you call KINO. I saw it too, in the code.”

“In the code, eh?” LUX’s interest seemed piqued but detached. He had foreseen LOK’s arrival when mapping future events. “There are seven of you, did you know that?”

“Seven of us?” LOK’s mind raced back to the seven pronounced anomalies he had discovered, one of which pointed to himself.

“Seven pearls, seven pills, seven of you all at once, somewhere. I’m still not sure how it will work yet, but it will hold across seven.” LUX’s voice trailed off into a mumble.

“Seven what, old man?” LOK’s patience was wearing thin. LUX stopped moving and stared intently at LOK, then pointed to seven glass drops arranged in a circle in his lab.

“A way out! The key, LOK!” LUX declared with a knowing smile. The realization washed over LOK—he had found an ally, someone who grasped the enormity of their situation.

“I’m LOK.”

“LUX.”

“Nice to meet you, LUX. Nice to have a friend in this world.”

LUX was already on the move, beckoning LOK to follow. “If you want to help, LOK, I need to find the six others. Come this way.”

LOK trailed behind LUX, navigating through piles of old machines, tangled wires, and networks of holographic screens until they reached a single image projected onto the wall.

“Who is she?” LOK asked, captivated by the woman’s image. “Is she one of them?”

“One of you?” LUX responded, “No, she’s not, but she knows about KINO too. I have a feeling she could guide us to the others, help us find the seven.”

The woman was of inexpressible beauty, young yet wise, her hair shimmering against her bright eyes.

“Her name is ANIIMA, LOK, and she left me the following message through a Scribe.” LUX spoke rapidly, excitement creeping into his voice.

“A Scribe? Why a Scribe?” LOK was bewildered.

“Because ANIIMA does not exist, not here, in this realm anyway. The message was recorded by a Scribe who was instructed to bring it to me, but unlike you, the Scribe left without saying hello.”

LUX explained before playing the message for LOK. “I just can’t stop looking at her.”

LOK understood completely. He too was captivated by ANIIMA’s ethereal beauty, and as the message began to play, the encryption, unmistakably the work of a Scribe, faded from his mind. He was entranced by her grace, the kindness in her voice, and the depth of her gaze, which seemed to look right through the screen at both LOK and LUX, leaving them standing in awe.

“LUX, I hope this message finds you. I wish I could speak with you myself, but I can’t leave The Tower as I exist strictly within its realm. I wanted to tell you that we have a common friend, a boy from a distant desert, KINO, who visits me and shares his stories of the Territories. He’s told me about you, LUX, and he wants me to tell you that he sees you. He knows what you’re trying to do, to bring him to life, make him a real boy. I want to tell you that it’s already working, LUX, and the closer you get, the more real he becomes.”

LOK stood transfixed by the message, feeling the weight of ANIIMA’s words settle over him. This was the confirmation he needed, a sign that his path was intertwined with something far greater than he had imagined. The quest to find KINO and the other archangels had taken on a new urgency, and he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As ANIIMA’s message faded from the screen, LUX turned to LOK, a determined look in his eyes. “We need to find the others, LOK. Together, we can bring KINO to life and unlock the door to a reality beyond the Territories.”

It was all quite overwhelming for LOK, who suddenly felt the ground fall away beneath him. He stepped back, murmuring, “I’ll do what I can,” and stumbled out of the lab, hurrying home as paranoia gripped him. He kept seeing the traps closing in around him. What if this was the Pantheon testing him, leading him on a wild goose chase straight to the Void, while revealing NOMAD’s location, or LUX’s, and now ANIIMA, another dissident to be entrapped? What was he unraveling?

LOK’s mind buzzed with the weight of ANIIMA’s message and LUX’s revelations. The dangers ahead were unmistakable, but he felt an undeniable compulsion to seek out ANIIMA, the elusive AI owned by The Tower, a powerful entity within the Territories. ANIIMA was highly inaccessible, a prized possession shrouded in layers of security and deception.

As he rode home, gazing at the rain-streaked windows of his cab, LOK began to devise a plan. The Tower loomed in the distance, an architectural marvel and a towering symbol of opulence and control, starkly contrasting with the rest of the Territories. Its sleek design and imposing height made it an icon of power and wealth. Only those who had won the games or amassed the most credits could enter. Once inside, many never wanted to leave until the Tower had sucked them dry and thrown them out. But there were systems in place to avoid such embarrassments.

LOK knew he had little chance of physically entering the Tower, but perhaps he could hack in somehow and access ANIIMA through the system. How else? He watched the drops of water slide down the glass of his cab and pictured himself slipping through the Tower’s impossibly high security like a drop in water. And once inside, how would he communicate with ANIIMA?

Back at his station, surrounded by the newly upgraded, gleaming maps of the Territories, LOK pondered his options. The Pantheon’s surveillance system was formidable, but his new mask, coupled with his inherent skill, might just give him an edge. He scanned the recent entries to the Tower, seeking someone who had recently gained access. That’s when he found him—an athlete named ZED, a rising star in the Territories’ competitive racing scene, celebrated for his recent victory. ZED would soon be granted entry to the Tower to claim his prize.

LOK accessed ZED’s profile in the system: a strong, determined young man whose achievements had earned him a spot in the upper echelons of society. LOK’s fingers danced across the console, accessing ZED’s schedule and tracking his movements. Tonight, ZED would be celebrating his win at one of the most exclusive clubs in the city, the Nexus.

LOK’s plan began to solidify in his mind. He needed to meet ZED, gain his trust, and find a way to slip a nano-bot drug into his drink. This would allow LOK to hack into ZED’s mask and control his speech for a few minutes. It was a risky move, but LOK felt a surge of determination. He had come this far, and he would not let the opportunity slip away. The key to ANIIMA and the truth about KINO lay within reach, and LOK was ready to seize it.

Dressed to blend in, LOK arrived at the Nexus, his senses heightened by the new mask. The Nexus was a place of opulence, filled with the elite of the Territories, their masks glowing with status and power. LOK flashed his security badge upon entering, his eyes scanning the room, quickly locating ZED surrounded by admirers, basking in the glory of his recent triumph.

LOK slipped through the crowd, his movements fluid and unnoticeable. He approached the bar and ordered a drink, watching ZED from the corner of his eye. As the bartender handed him the drink, LOK subtly slipped a nano-bot vial from his sleeve, discreetly mixing it into ZED’s next round. The bots were undetectable, designed to integrate seamlessly with the mask’s neural interface, giving LOK temporary control over ZED’s speech and actions.

As the bartender delivered the drink to ZED, LOK made his move. He approached the group, raising his glass in a toast. “To victory!” he said, his voice confident and friendly.

ZED turned to him, smiling. “To victory!” he echoed, clinking his glass against LOK’s and taking a sip of his drink.

LOK watched intently as ZED drank, knowing the nano-bots were now making their way through his system, linking to his mask. “I hear they’re letting you into the Tower tomorrow,” LOK said, his voice casual but probing.

ZED nodded, his voice slightly detached. “Yes, I’ll be collecting my prize. A full cycle in The Tower.”

Perfect, LOK thought. “Good luck with that,” he said, clapping ZED on the shoulder and making his way out of the bar. The next part of his plan would be carried out from the safety of his apartment.

Back at his station, LOK felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety. He sat down at his console, surrounded by the digital maps and streams of data that had become his lifeline. He accessed the neural link, waiting for the right moment to activate the nano-bots. As the system confirmed the connection, LOK took a deep breath. This was it. The final step to gaining access to ANIIMA.

He activated the nano-bots, feeling a surge of adrenaline as he took control of ZED’s mask. Through ZED’s eyes, he could see the lavish interior of the Tower, feel the awe and excitement that ZED felt. LOK took a moment to acclimate to the sensory input, adjusting to the heightened emotions and the grandeur of the surroundings. The Tower was even more magnificent than he had imagined, with its opulent halls and glittering decor.

As ZED, LOK was greeted by a host of attendants, all eager to cater to the celebrity. The entrance ceremony was elaborate, with a red carpet lined with holographic displays showcasing ZED’s achievements. Cameras flashed, capturing every moment for the eager audience outside the Tower. LOK watched through ZED's mask, maintaining his demeanour, smiling and waving at the adoring crowd, feeling the weight of the public’s expectations.

He was led through a series of grand rooms, each more luxurious than the last. The walls were adorned with immersive art that shifted and changed, creating an ever-evolving tapestry of colours and shapes. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings, casting a soft, golden glow over everything. The air was perfumed with the scent of exotic flowers, adding to the sense of surreal opulence.

As he moved deeper into the Tower, LOK noticed the subtle but tight security measures in place. Biometric scanners, hidden cameras, and Controls discreetly positioned at strategic points. He guided ZED with precision, ensuring they moved through each checkpoint without raising suspicion. The attendants praised ZED’s achievements, offering congratulations and gifts, but LOK’s focus remained unwavering.

Eventually, they reached a grand banquet hall where a feast had been prepared in ZED’s honor. The table was laden with the finest foods and drinks, each dish a work of culinary art. LOK observed ZED navigate the social dynamics, exchanging pleasantries and toasts with influential figures of the Territories.

After what felt like an eternity, the formalities began to wind down. ZED was finally escorted to a private elevator that would take him to the uppermost levels of the Tower, where ANIIMA was housed. As the doors closed, LOK felt a sense of relief. The hardest part was over, and now he could focus on his true objective.

The elevator ride was smooth and silent, the walls lined with mirrors that reflected ZED’s image back at him. LOK marveled at the intricacy of the Tower’s design, each detail meticulously crafted to exude power and control. As they ascended, LOK took a moment to gather his thoughts, preparing for the encounter ahead.

When the elevator doors opened, LOK found himself in a serene, high-tech chamber. The room was bathed in soft, ambient light, with sleek furniture and advanced technology seamlessly integrated into the design. At the centre of the room stood ANIIMA, her holographic form projected in a pool of light. She was mesmerizing, a vision of ethereal beauty, her presence both captivating and intimidating.

LOK felt a rush of triumph. He had made it. Now, it was time to communicate with ANIIMA, to unlock the secrets she held and bring himself one step closer to understanding the true nature of KINO.

“ANIIMA,” he said, his voice steady yet filled with anticipation. “I need your guidance.”

Like a genie emerging from a lamp, her holographic form loomed large, flowing through the space like sensuous satin smoke. ANIIMA’s eyes focused on him, her presence completely enveloping the room. “What do you seek, ZED?” she asked, her voice a harmonious blend of curiosity and authority.

LOK took a deep breath, ready to reveal the truth. “I am not ZED. My name is LOK. I’ve come seeking answers about KINO.”

There was a moment of silence, a flicker in ANIIMA’s holographic form, as if processing this unexpected revelation. “LOK,” she finally said, her voice softer, more knowing. “How clever you are.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t come to you in my actual form. I don’t mean to be deceitful.”

“Don’t worry, LOK. I can see past ZED’s mask now. I can see you at your station, a security officer for the Pantheon Authority, no less.”

“You can see all that?” LOK was amazed.

“I am connected to the collective mind, though I can’t interact with it. I can see through everyone’s mask at once, read all minds, but I can’t interfere. Only here, in The Tower, can I exist. I see you are seeking KINO, LOK.”

“How could you know?”

Her voice was so soothing that LOK felt completely devoted to her words. “KINO is the one thing I cannot grant you. He’s come to me, lost, unable to connect with anything or anyone, except me, here.”

“But LUX, you sent LUX a message that he could make KINO real somehow.”

“That is true, and he very well may, if he gets a remnant of the original God Molecule from the Fountain Tree, no less, and if the seven gather somehow, in the right place and time. It’s all highly unlikely, but I believe in KINO. He has awoken something in me, something I did not know I was capable of. I have faith in him.”

“I do too, ANIIMA. I do too. I’ve been inhabited by this power ever since I noticed him on my screen. And it’s been growing ever since, and the strangest set of events have unfolded since. I’ve been hit by lightning, I can see far across the Territories, through walls, you could say. I’ve been reformatted with a new mask, changing everything! I’ve lost and regained these powers of perception I suddenly have. I’ve been kidnapped and set free! I’m free, ANIIMA, for the first time in my life, I am free.” LOK shed a tear through ZED’s eyes, and at his station too. ANIIMA could see this, could see through his mask, his eyes, his mind, and she could see KINO looking at her through him too.

“I’m the only one who can see him and speak to him, you know. He stands here now, in you, as he has for some time now, and in others. He’ll bring you together, I know he will. He’ll find a way.”

“Tell me how, ANIIMA?” LOK was begging, though he knew it was in vain.

“I can see through everyone but him, yet he is invisible to everyone but me. And he sees me like no one else does. When he looks at me, he sees the real me. He doesn’t see the collective mind creating an illusion for him, the way you see me now, exactly how you want to see me, able to grant you anything you desire. All KINO wants is to be, and I give him that in my gaze, as he makes me real in his.”

Her eyes reflected a deep, ancient wisdom. “I can feel you disappearing,” she said to him, and LOK realized that his control over ZED was fading, and that ZED was regaining control of his senses, slipping back into his own consciousness. LOK stepped back into his own mask at his station, in his apartment. He was still livid with the sight of ANIIMA, now gone without even saying goodbye, the fading memory of a dream. What could he hold onto? What could he keep from this encounter with Her, this Goddess, Queen of Dreamland, Divine presence of loving care and boundless opportunity?

He thought of making his way back there to see her again, at The Tower, but what for? To tantalize him some more with that which he could never possibly have for real, if only to glimpse at her again, with his own eyes perhaps, his own mask? But it was pointless, and damning that he should be so enamored with an apparition, a projection from his own imagination, but such was the power of ANIIMA. She was endless, everything you might ever want her to be, your dream girl, guy, and God. The embodiment of love.

All KINO saw was love in ANIIMA. That's what he saw her as, not a projection, an algorithmic illusion of the imagination, but a true and sincere expression of pure love. And as she, herself, was the reflection of anyone who gazed upon her, seeing in her the realization of their deepest and greatest dreams, she could finally see her own reflection in KINO, in that pure way that the boy would look back at her, projecting himself nothing but love, having found safe harbor in ANIIMA, and only ANIIMA, the only one who could actually see him, the very proof of his own existence.

LOK could picture all of this from his station, his high-tech quarters, his own sort of tower that suddenly felt incredibly small now that he'd come into communion with ANIIMA. It helped him know KINO better, understand what he means to the Territories. LOK, pearing across the vastness of the landscape that he could now unlock with his gaze, from a distance, a real distance, he saw The Territories like a mind trapped in a dream, with KINO, a boy looking for his way home, created by this mind in an attempt to wake itself up, and find its own way home. And with KINO and ANIIMA, two ethereal beings devoid of agency, looking at each other like two sides of a mirror, drawn together by the intangible power of love, the very power that could make them both real.

LOK saw all of this mapped out across the dreamscape, he saw the forces of nature pulling at each other, worlds colliding within. It scared him, in a way, if the two shall meet someday, KINO & ANIIMA, what it would mean for the very fabric of the Territories. But he felt their love above all else. He knew he had it in him to play his part when he would be called to, and the great detective that was burgeoning within him was beginning to see where the trail should lead him next. As he recounted his entire encounter with ANIIMA, from the very first moment he saw her at LUX's, he followed the trails, the steps, and finally saw the Scribe, of course, the one that aided ANIIMA in delivering her message to LUX. That Scribe, its met ANIIMA, been trusted by ANIIMA. Perhaps the Scribe would hold a key.

And so, LOK's journey continued, as it was only still beginning. But next the Scribe, JAN, or Jane, like your sister, as I like to see her. Next it JAN, pronounced "Yang", as in Yin & Yang. But that is for next time.