Fragments of Oblivion: Lost Memories

The monorail rattled softly as it glided along its elevated track, carrying Elias, Darius, and Mara closer to the floating city. The glass panels surrounding them offered an unobstructed view of the massive structure looming ahead—a sprawling utopia suspended in the sky, its mirrored towers reflecting the distant light of an artificial sun.

Elias stared out at it, his jaw tight. Up close, the city looked even more alien than it had from the ground. It wasn't just its size or its pristine surface. It was the way it seemed untouched by the decay of the world below, as if it existed in a different reality altogether.

"It's all a trick," Darius said, leaning back in his seat. His tone was casual, but his eyes were sharp as they traced the outline of the city.

Elias glanced at him. "What do you mean?"

Darius gestured lazily at the towers. "All that shiny perfection? It's a mask. The system keeps it looking pristine on the outside, but it's falling apart underneath. They're patching it faster than it's breaking, but it won't hold forever."

Mara, sitting across from them, turned her head slightly, her calm gaze locking onto Darius. "You're not wrong," she said. "But they're not patching it with steel or stone. They're using memories."

The words hit Elias like a punch. He straightened, his brow furrowing. "What?"

Mara reached into her coat and pulled out a small vial, its surface glinting faintly in the artificial light. Inside, a soft, golden glow pulsed rhythmically, almost like a heartbeat.

"This is a memory extract," she said, holding it up. "Pure, concentrated emotion. Memories are the fuel that keeps the floating city alive. Without them, the system collapses."

Elias stared at the vial, his chest tightening. "Whose memory is that?"

Mara didn't answer immediately. Her thumb brushed the edge of the vial before she slipped it back into her coat. "Someone who didn't have a choice."

The monorail came to a smooth stop at a small station built into the underside of the floating city. Mara led them through a series of narrow walkways and dimly lit alleys, the hum of machinery surrounding them like a constant whisper.

"Where are we going?" Elias asked, his voice low.

"To meet the people who'll make sure you don't get yourselves killed," Mara replied without looking back.

They emerged into a hidden outpost tucked within the city's foundations. The space was cramped but meticulously organized, with rows of workbenches piled high with tools, memory vials, and strange, glowing devices. Rebels moved through the room with quiet efficiency, their faces hard with focus.

"This is where the rebellion begins," Mara said, her tone flat. "Don't expect heroics or speeches. These people are here because they've got nothing left to lose."

A wiry man with sharp eyes approached, his gaze flicking between Elias and Darius. "These the new recruits?"

"They're the best we've got," Mara replied.

The man snorted. "Not much of a compliment."

Elias frowned, but before he could respond, Mara placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't take it personally. He's just bitter because he's still stuck here while we get to do the fun stuff."

Mara guided them to a central table where a detailed map of the floating city was spread out. She tapped a finger on a large circular building near the center of the map.

"This is the auction hall," she said. "It's where memories are bought, sold, and traded. We'll be going in as memory technicians, monitoring the extraction process and ensuring quality control."

Darius arched a brow. "And by 'ensuring quality control,' you mean... what, exactly?"

"Getting access to their systems," Mara replied. "We'll plant devices that let us track their operations and identify weaknesses. The auction hall is just the start. Once we're in, we'll have the opportunity to dig deeper."

"And what happens if we're caught?" Elias asked, his voice quiet.

Mara's smile was faint, almost amused. "Then you'll get a very up-close look at how they extract memories."

Darius let out a low whistle. "Cheerful."

****

The Floating City

The transition into the city proper was seamless. Their forged credentials passed through security without issue, and soon they were walking the polished streets of the upper platform.

Elias couldn't help but stare. The city was immaculate, its wide avenues lined with gleaming buildings and carefully cultivated greenery. People moved with calm precision, their faces composed and untroubled.

"It's perfect," Elias murmured.

"It's a lie," Mara said.

She gestured subtly to a group of workers unloading crates from a transport vehicle. Their movements were stiff, mechanical, their faces blank.

"They're extractors," Mara explained. "When someone loses enough memories, they end up like that. The system keeps them functional, but they're empty. Hollow."

Elias looked away, unease curling in his stomach.

The auction hall was a grand, domed structure filled with soft, golden light. Rows of seats surrounded a central stage, where shimmering memory vials were displayed like treasures. The air was thick with anticipation, the murmurs of the crowd punctuated by the auctioneer's smooth voice.

"Lot number twenty-seven," the auctioneer announced, holding up a vial that glowed brighter than the rest. "A cherished family holiday. Untouched by sorrow or regret. Bidding starts at fifty thousand credits."

Elias watched as the bids climbed higher, the numbers rising with startling speed.

"Why would anyone sell that?" he asked, his voice low.

Mara's gaze didn't waver from the stage. "Desperation," she said simply.

The next lot was brought out, and a family followed. The mother clutched the hand of a young boy, her expression taut with fear. The father stood stiffly, his gaze fixed on the floor.

"They're giving up their happiest memory," Mara said softly. "To pay for medical care. Probably for the boy."

Elias's chest tightened. He looked away, but the image burned in his mind.

The atmosphere shifted as a tall figure entered the hall. Kael moved with an air of authority, his dark coat trailing behind him like a shadow. His eyes scanned the room, sharp and calculating.

"Who's that?" Elias whispered.

"Kael," Mara replied, her voice low. "A mana-enforcer. Loyal to the system. Dangerous."

Kael's gaze lingered on them for a moment, his expression unreadable. Elias felt his pulse quicken, his hand brushing against the device in his pocket.

"Don't react," Mara murmured.

Elias forced himself to breathe, but the weight of Kael's gaze stayed with him long after it moved on.

As they left the auction hall, Elias's thoughts churned with unease. The city's perfection felt more fragile now, its cracks glaringly visible beneath the surface.

"This is just the beginning," Mara said, her tone calm but firm. "The deeper we go, the worse it gets."

Elias looked back at the hall, the memory of the family's sacrifice etched into his mind. For the first time, he wasn't sure he could remain indifferent.