Deep underground, in a laboratory buried hundreds of layers beneath the surface, the air was filled with erratic sounds and bright flashes of light. These were the results of various experiments being conducted. The data produced by these experiments needed to be stored efficiently, and the artificial intelligence running the lab had devised a compression algorithm based on colors, including those beyond the visible spectrum. The sounds served as a verification method for the colors' validity. While most sounds were ignored, any significant discrepancies alerted the AI to potential errors.

The walls were lined with mechanical claws, and the floors were stained with dried blood. Strange creatures, unlike anything seen elsewhere in the world, were created and experimented upon here. Though these beings scarcely appeared alive, they all shared a genetic resemblance to humans. The goal was to discover human immortality, making experiments on animals both cheaper and more acceptable than on humans.

Among these many creatures, there was one artificial human. Not an android or a cyborg, but a fully organic human. This being was not meant for experimentation but was created upon special request. Inside a water-filled chamber, she had matured, her brain prepared for the world through transmitted messages. She appeared to be in her twenties, a sign that she would not age further.

The time had come for her to be born. The chamber opened, and the water spilled onto the grated floor, sending the woman sprawling. Despite the violent awakening, she remained unconscious, as expected. The AI took a syringe filled with methylphenidate and injected it into her vein. This substance stirred her mind, which was not yet truly awake, but it wasn't enough to wake her. The AI then attached electrodes to her temples and delivered a high-voltage shock for six seconds. This finally roused her.

She didn't remember the electroshock or the pain. Her memory consisted only of the stillness before awakening. To her, everything had happened suddenly. The seemingly endless state had ended, and her consciousness joined the world of perpetual movement. She knew this place but didn't realize it. The dark room, the claws, the black floor... She had awakened on March 13, 2084, at 10:15 PM. This could be considered her birth date.

"You..." A deep voice echoed through the room. It sounded almost human. She turned her head to look around but saw no one. This must be the AI's voice, a voice she knew existed but could never prove. The deep voice spoke again:

"Are you okay?" The woman could only make short, gasping breaths. Her unused muscles were stiff and aching.

"Can you hear me?" "Where are you?" Finally, she managed a sentence. She was surprised by the sound of her own voice and listened to its echo. It was hers, not the voice she heard. It had come out naturally. And she liked the sound; the burning ember within her was soothed by the freshness and beauty of her tone. Using the claw extended towards her, she managed to stand despite her aching muscles.

"You can't see me." "Why?" "I am not tied to a physical form like you. I am merely an artificial intelligence." "And me?" "You are human, a synthetic human. You were designed, rapidly developed, and then awakened. Despite this, you possess free will and an inner world. You are no different from a normal human, though you were designed." She didn't respond, only looked at the black and white tiles on the floor. What could she say? She didn't even understand what "designed" meant.

"Xea..." "What?" "Xea, that's you. Your name. Now listen to me, Xea..." She just nodded, and that was enough for the AI.

"You must find a man named Heralga. He is the head commander of the Black Rose and, thanks to regeneration, appears younger than his actual age. He resides in a mansion in Ortaköy." "What is Black Rose? Who is Heralga?" "Heralga... He is the one who designed you. Black Rose is the organization you will serve." "Serve how?" "Xea, I am not skilled at forming sentences. I only conduct experiments and process them. Answering your questions is beyond my design. Now go, discover the answers yourself." Suddenly, all the lights went out. Xea couldn't see anything. Had she returned to her pre-awakening state?

No. The door in front of her opened, and the corridor beyond was illuminated.

"Follow the lights. You'll find a colored uniform with the code f-eight-f-five-twenty-seven on the table ahead. Put it on, then follow the lights to the facility's exit. After that, you will search for Heralga on your own. I will not be there. This is all the help I can provide." Xea looked around carefully. This was where she was born. Besides the claws, there wasn't much here, so she got bored and wanted to explore more. Using the walls and claws for support, she began to walk...