Novo Prime, That was the name of the world in which Vis currently lived. The continent on which she stayed was Osarios and the current year was 1057.

Its history bore no resemblance to the Earth in her implanted memories. The first page of the book started with a quote, which read:

"For as long as humans have existed, they have always been alongside us. When we learned to run, they learned how to chase us. When we learned to hide, they learned how to find us. When we learned to create, they learned how to destroy. They are the Corrupted, and they have always been alongside us."

-Dr. Peter Rosamund

A clear reminder with a tone indicating caution. As Vis continued reading, she saw the events that helped to shape the world. Each era had one thing in common, and that was the Corrupted. The number of times humans fought amongst themselves couldn't compare to the number of occasions the Corrupted attacked. The word "Massacre" seemed to be synonymous with Corrupted. Many historical figures lost their lives while battling with the Corrupted during periods of early civilization.

Vis quickly skimmed the book until she arrived at the first sign of a modern era. A black and white photo of a Corrupted. It had a strangely humanoid appearance: Large eyes and reptilian pupils that took up the majority of its face, A jaw filled with neat rows of sharp teeth, thick claws at the end of each of its five fingers, and cat-like hind legs.

The description next to the picture said the creature's eyes were an amber color while its height was anywhere from 6 to 8 feet, often switching between bipedal and quadrupedal positions. The next ten or so pages detailing all that was known about the Corrupted. Incredibly fast growth and healing-rate, resistance to small firearms, resistance to poisons, extended periods of hibernation, and no discernible gender. The internal structure of the Corrupted showed signs of having male and female reproductive organs. A widely accepted theory explained that the Corrupted would be able to produce a queen and males to breed with the queen if it was needed. Such a frightening feature made it clear that the species would survive as a whole, even with only two members remaining, added on to the fact that they reached maturity in a matter of months. Faced with such a threat, humans came close to extinction too many times to be comfortable; one such time contributed to the loss of records from one period of history. Humans restarted their calendar years after nearly being wiped from the earth.

Finally, Vis reached the point of where Modern technology was introduced into civilization. While human technology relied heavily on oil and coal for decades, Novo Prime relied on Novidium. An abundant mineral capable of storing large quantities of energy. From then on, solar, wind, water, and heat sources were used to charge batteries containing Novidium. Larger batteries were used to power cities and towns, while smaller batteries powered vehicles. The portable batteries could last a month without being charged, while larger ones could last up to a year. Of course, much like the discovery of an energy source on earth, a period of rapid technological development occurred. The survivability of humans increased, but it wasn’t enough to completely be shielded from the danger.

The Corrupted would sometimes enter year long hibernations, and when they awoke, they would completely decimate any consumable wildlife in the vicinity before moving onto a more numerous source, humans.

There were dozens of human cities and towns which could change in number at any time. In the Midwest, there were currently three major cities, Copperhagen, New Mayhall, and Mancia. Each one operated under a loose trade alliance, with a non-aggression pact still active for ten more years.

After skipping the diplomatic side of things, Vis arrived at an event that took place seven years ago. “Fallen Star,” the unexplained phenomenon where a massive object entered the earth’s atmosphere without any warning signs. People assumed the worst, but it crashed somewhere without any visible destruction.

In spite of weeks of searching no trace of it could be found. After the “Fallen Star” event, certain people became what has been labeled as “abnormal,” possessing various physical and mental abilities from strength to intelligence and everything in between. Most of the abilities appeared to have occurred randomly, hereditary testing had yet to be implemented at the time of the discovery. What was even stranger was the fact that the Corrupted were rarely sighted and showed strange behavior after the “Fallen Star” event. The history book ended there apparently the updates occurred after each decade, so it was currently unknown if the cause was investigated or not.

“Minerva,” Vis said to herself. There was no possibility of anyone getting telekinesis without receiving the implant and even if another implant ended up somewhere on Novo Prime, no one would have the knowledge to understand what it was.

Vis closed the book and contemplated. She had no real direction and no end goal, even after learning about her new world, she was still lost.

Knock. Knock.

A short knock on the door shook her from her daydream. Rachel who entered with gauze and medical supplies, she brought them over to the bed and was surprised to see Vis reading history books.

“I need to change the bandages and clean your wounds before they fester,” Rachel explained.

“Ok,” Vis replied unbothered by it.

While unwrapping the bandages, Rachel spoke, “If you’re feeling better, Charlie can take you around the town. We have to get you registered.”

“Charlie?” Vis questioned.

“Oh, sorry. Charlie is my daughter. You guys might even be the same age, how old are you?”

Vis looked at her right arm, seeing the F-13 which represented her gender and age, she responded.

“Thirteen.” She said.

“You’re a year older than Charlie…” Rachel realized that one of Vis’ tattoos represented her age. She wanted to change the subject but was shocked after seeing Vis’ wounds.

“You…You’re an abnormal!?” Rachel wasn’t fearful, but rather surprised. Vis’ lighter wounds were already scars while the heavy ones were scabbing.

“I am.” Vis technically was an “Abnormal” so she didn’t attempt to hide it. Still, her healing was due to the nanites controlling her cellular functions and was far slower than Abnormals with the actual ability.

“I didn’t mean to yell; It’s just I didn’t expect you to be one. Especially when some of the Abnormals founded their city a few years ago, a majority of them went and moved there. These days you can only find them in the Military, working as private military contractors, or staying in that city.” Rachel explained.

After the initial surprise, Rachel’s mind began to wander. She already assumed Vis was a victim of human trafficking, but finding out she was also an Abnormal made things worse. At first, she didn’t think that human traffickers would expend much effort to look for one girl, but an Abnormal? If someone were involved with Abnormals, they would definitely have the resources and the capital to do so. If that were true, they wouldn’t let Vis go without a fight.

“Vis, is there anyone who would be looking for you?” Rachel asked carefully.

“No,” Vis replied, not knowing what Rachel was thinking.

“Are you sure?” Rachel once again asked in a supportive manner.

“...Maybe.” Vis became uncertain as she thought of Minerva. Would they look for her? The A.I in the lab didn’t say so, and she didn’t know anything about them. Unfortunately, her answer served to confirm Rachel’s personal conjecture. She was now under the assumption that someone might be searching for Vis.

Rachel sighed, it would be dangerous for her and her daughter to keep Vis around, not only them, but the whole town might be in danger.

Rachel had applied a few bandages before she spoke, “Come on.”

She led Vis outside of the room, and for the first time, Vis saw the rest of the home she was staying in. It was quite small, one bathroom, another bedroom, and a kitchen that also functioned as a living room. Vis felt no reason to complain though; she currently had zero interest in materialism.

They exited into the backyard, where a log, wrapped in rope, was tied to a tree. On a nearby stump, there were shotgun shells and a double barrel shotgun.

“I don’t know your circumstances, but I’m gonna help you as best I can. And the best way would be teaching you how to defend yourself.” Rachel said as she picked up the shotgun and handed it to Vis.

“Why are you helping me?” Vis asked as she accepted the shotgun. It was a valid question, she had yet to understand sentiment and attachment, so altruism was a foreign concept. As of right now, Vis' mindset leaned closer to practicality and rationality; it was what Minerva decided on rather than her thoughts. If she was Rachel in this situation the most rational thing to do would be to abandon Vis. Rachel didn’t know who Vis was, or what problem she could bring so it was strange for Vis to hear such a thing.

“Why?” Rachel helped Vis aim the shotgun correctly before continuing, “...My Father was a doctor, and he always told me, ‘Since we live in a time of monsters, humans should help humans when they can and as much as they can.' To be honest, I thought it was stupid; Charity is for the stoic since it rarely rewards you. So why would I go out of my way to help someone? Eventually, I realized that one selfish person could end up hurting hundreds of other people...Put your cheek on the stock.” Even though Vis didn’t say much and didn’t show any real emotion, Rachel took a liking to her.

Vis listened to the story as she adjusted the shotgun.

“What if you have to kill a human to help another human?” Vis asked. In her memories, it was suggested she learn how to control her powers lest she accidentally hurts someone, but there was no solid outline on morality which was intended by Minerva. They would’ve groomed her to be loyal to them, while unfeeling to anyone else.

Rachel looked at Vis as she contemplated, “There are humans, and there are monsters. People who do terrible things to innocent people, they aren’t humans, they’re monsters.” Rachel said coldly. She remembered her own life, she knew firsthand just how terrible people could be.

Vis absorbed what Rachel said, but she was still left with uncertainties. At what point did people become monsters? Were there exceptions? Where did she fit in? Was being human defined by DNA or was it morals that defined one as a human?

“Try to keep your eyes open and pull the trigger as smoothly as you can. When you’re ready to turn off the safety, and then you can shoot.” Rachel instructed, stopping Vis’ thoughts from wandering.

Vis listened carefully, and after she had turned off the safety, she pulled the trigger. Of course, she couldn’t shoulder the recoil and dropped the shotgun as she fell back. Rachel nodded with satisfaction and then helped Vis to her feet.

“The same thing happened to me when I first shot it.” She smiled as she wiped the dust off of Vis, “You okay with firing again?”

Vis nodded and picked the gun up. Rachel showed her how to load the shotgun and let her find her position once again.

“Same as before, when you’re ready just shoot.” Rachel said as she stepped back.

Vis used her Psionics to steady the gun and prevent all recoil. Rachel's eyes widened at the sight of Vis shooting yet not moving at all, as she had no idea of knowing what Vis had done.

“...You have a strength ability too?” Rachel asked with her mouth agape. It wasn’t to say it was impossible for one person to have multiple abilities, but Rachel hadn’t heard of such a thing before. Then again, she lived in a small town quite a way’s away from the larger cities. News like that wouldn’t travel there, people were more concerned about the activities of the Corrupted.

The only reason Vis used her Psionics is that she decided she could trust Rachel, although her memories told her not to disclose any information about Minerva to unauthorized people. It didn’t specify on what classified as information. Showing her abilities to someone didn’t necessarily equate to revealing Minerva’s secrets.

Instead of explaining, Vis raised her hand and caused two shotgun shells to float in the air. She then silently loaded them into the gun and put the safety back on.

Rachel was speechless, Vis’ ability didn’t exist in this world. There was no way she would know how to react to something as strange as what she just saw.

“Mom, I’m home...what are you doing?” A twelve-year-old who bore a striking resemblance to Rachel spoke in a curious tone. It was, of course, Rachel’s daughter Charlie.