Hollywood Zenith-Chapter 1232: Ritual-2

Ariel returned back to the living quaters but found that everyone was crowding up in Talia's room.

"Don't you guys know that master asked her to rest? If you keep disturbing her, she will be very angry. You know, what that means right?" She turned to her four fellow disciples reprimanding them for disturbing Talia's rest.

"Come on, big sister! We were just trying to get to know her."

"That's right. She will be joining our unit soon."

"A few hours wouldn't mean anything. It's barely midnight."

" Please don't tell master about this."

The four girls said simultaneously but it was hard to understand since they were speaking over one another.

"Go back to your room! Don't make me say it again." Seeing Ariel's fierce gaze they got up and teased her while showing their tongue before fleeing away.

Ariel could only shake her head. These four girls were quadruplets. They looked cute and innocent but that was just their usual persona.

They were essentially one team going on missions together. Their teamwork was extraordinary, meaning no one had ever escaped once they were targeted by them.

Still they feared Ariel because she was stronger than then with better control over her poison. If she wanted, she could easily immobilize them granted they didn't know about the attack. If they fought fairly, she was confident in winning seventy percent of the times.

"It's fine. I was bored and they came to keep me company. I never expected their mean look was different from their bright and charming personality."

"You..you don't know anything. No one here is good and they all want something from you. You might think everything is going fine but you will soon find out how mistaken you are. Stay away from them, they like to make trouble." Ariel warned.

"Why? Don't tell me you are worried about me?"

"Why would I ever feel such a way? I don't like you or hate you but considering you are his child, not many people here will like you."

"Are you talking about our father?"

"He is not my father! Don't ever mention him in front of me!"

"Ok, ok. Unlike you, I don't even know his name or what he did. My mother told me he left for some important work, I was two at that time so I don't even remember what he looks like."

"Humph, sounds like him. I had to endure so much because of him and am honestly happy that he is dead."

Talia didn't know anything about her family. Her mother passed away few years after her father left leaving her to fend for herself.

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Those painful memories were a permanent scar on her mind and only after finding her mentor and having a purpose she made something out of herself even when the profession was not a favorable one.

She never expected to meet someone related to her here. She could hear the disdain Ariel had for their father from her tone but she wanted to find more about him.

"Have you seen him?"

"Yes."

"Can you-"

"No. Remember my advise. Not everything is what it seems in here. If you want to survive you would have to think with your brain not with your emotions."

Ariel left. She didn't know why a cold and competent assassin like Talia was behaving so meek and submissive. The strange thing was she didn't seem to be pretending, like she had given up in life and was letting nature take it's course.

What she didn't know was Talia was quite soft on the inside despite her tough demeanor. Ariel was more cunning and deceptive just like her master but she didn't know why she felt compelled to help her half sister.

...

...

...

The following morning, Samara came to meet Talia first thing in the morning. She has a habit if waking up early so she was already waiting for her.

"Good. At least you are better at being punctual. Other kids are still sleeping, no matter how much I beat them, it's like they swore their loyalty to sleep rather then me." Samara said with a chuckle.

But suddenly, the adjacent door opened and Ariel came out already ready for the day. Even her long curly hair were made into a proper bun which was unusual.

"Why are you up so early?" Samara asked.

"No particular reason. I wasn't that tired so I decided to get up early and do some work." Ariel said with a smile but Samara narrowed her eyes knowing she was lying to her.

"Follow us then. We are going to run the first test."

Talia didn't know what was going to happen. She only knew that there was going to be a ritual but she didn't know how Vishkanyas were created.

They walked into the elevator and went to the lowest floor. It wasn't big but there were many expensive equipments which made the whole place look like a futuristic hospital. She was once again captivated by it.

"When the rituals are complete, many new places will be available to you. What you know about the world would drastically change as there are many technologies and breakthroughs that have been hidden from the public only available to select individuals."

"Are you one of them?" Talia asked.

"Of course. We can heal critical injuries and even attach limbs effortlessly, the medical science we possess is far superior to anything outside." Samara added with a chuckle taking them to the inner most section of the facility.

There was a simple bed in the bed which was surrounded by equipments and robotic arms as well as many different monitoring devices.

No space was left as it was meticulously designed to accomodate only one person, the one who will be laying on the bed.

"I know when people hear about 'ritual' they would think we follow some ancient craft but over the years the process has incorporated the science to make it more efficient. There is no need for human interference as everything will be done by artificial intelligence. They will take your blood analyse their content and even scan you whole body to make sure you are ready for the procedure."

"And what exactly is it?"

"I think you already know the answer to that question. Your body need to adapt to poison which will conflict with your natural physiology. These things will help with stabilization but we can't administer any sedatives making the process extremely painful." Samara gave a brief summary.

Talia nodded. She couldn't deny that she was scared but she knew she couldn't back down now. Samara seemed like a nice old woman which made her trust her beside her mentor was also part of the clan so there shouldn't be any worries regarding going through with it.

Pain never scared her but this time, she knew she would need to experience the dreadful sensation again and she couldn't lose hope or the process might fail.

"I understand. What should I do now?"

Samara smiled seeing the resolve in her eyes. Maybe the carrot was the way to go to keep her experiments from spiralling into negative thoughts. She really had high hopes for this subject.

"There is a small room. Change into something comfortable and tie up your hair. You only need to lay on the bed and leave everything to me." Samara said with a gentle smile. Talia nodded and left for the small room.

The small window of opportunity gave Samara to be alone with Ariel. She quickly changed her expression staring intently at her favorite pupil.

"What the hell are you doing? Don't try to lie to me a second time!"

"I just wanted to see the process." Ariel gulped feeling in the familiar killing aura from her master.

"You have witnessed hundreds of these experiments. Why are you suddenly interested in Talia's?"

Ariel knew she had to choose her words well. She paused before saying," Someone has to continue these process. It's not that I care about my sister that I am here but you said this is a unique one that could result in some breakthroughs. How could I ever dare to miss such a event?"

Her words were interwoven with lies and truth making it impossible for Samara to get into any conclusion about her intent. But she did understood the need to passing her ultimate secrets to Ariel, both were not getting any younger.

She might be able to sustain her old age but even their medical prowess wasn't enough to grant her immortality.

"Ok. Just make sure you are here everyday. There are three phases which is different from our usual routine. Everything will be revealed after two more days, if she couldn't even survive this first test then I was mistaken about her potential just like your traitorous father."

Ariel kept calm clenching her hands. Her master was really cruel never letting go of the past always reminding her if she didn't do better she would be a failure like her father.

In the meantime, Talia went inside the operating room looking at Samara and Ariel through the glass window. Samara asked her to lie down as they were about to start the procedure.