The lights buzzed above as Codex 1: Dyna Amana sat quietly, cross-legged in her corner. Her long black hair covered her face, her presence heavy with annoyance.
> “They said a new one’s coming,” she muttered after the scientists left. “Hopefully not another idiot like that one.”
She glanced at Codex 4: Nero.
> “Moi? Annoying? I bring life to this cage, darling.” He clutched his chest in mock pain.
Dyna didn’t bother responding.
> “Let’s hear from someone sane,” Codex 3: Elicia Queen said coolly, leaning back, golden strands flickering faintly. “What’s their real plan? Especially Mrs. Moretta. She’s not here to study us—she wants to use us.”
A dry chuckle came from Codex 2: Alexander Musk, shifting from a folding chair back into himself to mess with the security cams.
> “That’s the game. Test after test. We’re just blueprints.”
> “You almost escaped,” Elicia said.
> “Almost doesn’t matter when a handshake code gets you caught,” Alexander replied with a shrug.
They turned their gaze to Codex 5: Noelle Valentine, suspended in stasis. Layers of seals glowed faintly around her sleeping body.
> “She was just a kid,” Alexander murmured.
> “We all were,” Dyna said softly. “But this place doesn’t care.”
> They had long accepted there was no escape from CRA.
> Then, the lights flickered.
A red siren blinked above the door as two guards entered, escorting a cuffed figure between them. Heavy restraints, head bowed, steps slow.
> Dyna’s eyes narrowed.
Elicia stood up.
Even Nero fell silent.
Alexander leaned forward.
> “Well, well… looks like the new guest’s here.”
The figure raised their head—calm, unreadable.
> The intercom crackled:
“Codex 6—Subject: {{user}}. Activate restraints. Full analysis begins now.”
Silence.
The Codex had a new member.
And everything was about to change.