I headed to the kitchen, following Povi’s instructions, and approached what she called the service machine. It was a sleek, rectangular device embedded into the wall, its surface glowing faintly with soft blue light. I tapped the holographic interface and spoke the name of what I wanted for breakfast—an omelette and sliced apples. Almost instantly, a transparent container slid out from a compartment below, revealing a perfectly prepared omelette and neatly arranged apple slices. The container was delicate, almost weightless, yet sturdy enough to hold the food securely. I placed it into my bag and headed out of the house.
Stepping outside, I was immediately struck by the environment. The sun was mild and refreshing, just as I remembered it from my mornings in Uganda. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and blooming flowers. It felt like home, yet everything around me was undeniably foreign.
I had expected to see towering, futuristic buildings with sharp, robotic designs, but the reality was different. The house behind me was a stunning triangular structure, its architecture a blend of traditional Sudanese influences and futuristic innovation. The walls were made of a shimmering metallic material, interspersed with blocks of polished stone that reflected the sunlight. It was both elegant and imposing, a testament to the advanced yet culturally rooted design of Aetheris.
Looking down, the road stretched endlessly, smooth and pristine. It was adorned with small, exquisite blocks that resembled pavers but were far more refined, their surfaces glinting faintly under the sun. The road was flanked by rows of towering pine trees, their needles rustling softly in the breeze. I remembered my father complaining about the mess pine trees could make, but I had always loved them. Their presence here felt like a small, comforting connection to my past.
The area around the house was eerily quiet, with no other dwellings in sight. It felt isolated, almost otherworldly, as if the house existed in its own little bubble.
Suddenly, a triangular object appeared in front of me, hovering slightly above the ground. Its surface was smooth and golden, reflecting the sunlight like liquid metal. It was unlike anything I had ever seen—a floating vehicle of some kind, sleek and futuristic.
“This is…” I began, my voice trailing off as I stared at the object.
“The Zephyra-6,” Povi replied. “It’s the latest model. It’s faster and more efficient for traveling to school.”
I had no idea what a Zephyra was, but I played along, stepping inside as the surface of the vehicle slid open to reveal a comfortable two-seater interior. The seats were upholstered in a soft, silvery fabric that seemed to mold to my body as I sat down. A voice from the craft instructed me to secure the belt, and I complied, fastening it across my chest. The doors closed silently, and to my surprise, I could still see everything outside. The walls of the craft were transparent from the inside, offering a clear view of the surroundings, though from the outside, they had appeared solid and impenetrable.
The Zephyra-6 took off without a sound, gliding smoothly above the ground. Within minutes, the isolated landscape gave way to a bustling cityscape. Triangular skyscrapers pierced the sky, their surfaces shimmering with a mix of glass and metal. Homes and buildings followed the same futuristic yet culturally inspired design, blending traditional African aesthetics with advanced technology.
In the sky, other Zephyras zipped by, their shapes varying from round to square. None, however, matched the sleek, triangular design of the one I was in.
“You should switch the language you’re using,” Povi suddenly interjected, pulling me out of my awe-struck gaze. “Few of your classmates speak the language you’re currently using.”
It was only then that I realized I had been speaking 'Lunyankole', my native language from Uganda. This realization sent a jolt through me. If my language was recognized here, then this had to be Africa. No other continent on Earth spoke 'Lunyankole'. My confidence grew—I was 80% sure I had been reborn in a futuristic version of Africa. But where were the other continents? What had happened to them? For one, I knew that the Alliance didn't have the weapons to wipe out all continents, that was for sure. How then...
“Oh, which language is used all around Aetheris?” I inquired, switching to English to test my theory. In my previous life, the Alliance had banned all foreign languages, including English, as part of their extremist agenda.
“Most people in Region D use the Swahili language,” Povi replied.
This sealed another confirmation for me. Swahili was uniquely African. No other continent on Earth spoke it.
“What about the English language?” I probed further.
“According to my assessment, there is no English language on Aetheris,” Povi replied—in English.
I internally rolled my eyes. The irony was almost laughable. “What is the language we’re using now?” I asked, keeping my tone neutral.
“You are using the 'Lingua' language from Region A,” Povi explained. “There is a small group of people who use it there, though it is not widely spoken in the region.”
Lingua language, my ass, I thought. This was clearly English. Someone was trying to erase all traces of Earth’s history, including its languages. But I stayed composed, masking my frustration. Speaking Swahili wouldn’t be a problem. During the Alliance’s reign, Swahili had become a unifying language in East Africa, enforced with brutal efficiency. Those who refused to learn it were labeled traitors and faced dire consequences.
“You have arrived,” Povi announced.
I was surprised. The journey had felt incredibly short, no more than 20 minutes. The 'Zephyra-6' was undeniably convenient. I stepped out, and the craft disappeared in a blur, moving at a speed that left me momentarily stunned.
“Why is the craft faster than before?” I exclaimed, still processing what I had just witnessed.
“With you on board, the speed is set differently for travel,” Povi explained. “You haven’t advanced to the level where you can handle its maximum speed. At its peak, the 'Zephyra-6' can travel at speeds exceeding 1,000 kilometers per hour,”
I shook my head in disbelief. The fastest cars in my time could barely reach 400 kilometers per hour. This was on another level entirely.
“Povi, I’ll have to ask you many questions in the days to come,” I said as I approached the massive school gates. The sign above read 'Kinti Region D High School' in Swahili. At 20 years old, being in high school felt strange. In my former life, this would have been seen as a failure. But here, with a life expectancy of 200 years, 20 was practically childhood.
“Starting with, where is my class?” I added.
“Turn to your left, southern wing, Block 457, Room 6,” Povi replied. “It’s not a problem. I am your personal assistant. Everything you want to know, I will reveal.”
“Thank you,” I said with a slight smile, heading in the direction she indicated.
As I walked through the school gates, I noticed the lush greenery surrounding the campus. Towering trees with broad leaves lined the pathways, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. The grass was a vibrant green, dotted with colorful flowers that seemed to glow faintly in the sunlight,the atmosphere was serene.
Students whispered as I passed, their gazes a mix of envy and admiration. I couldn’t understand why, but their reactions were unmistakable. Something about me—or rather, Zahara—drew their attention. I kept my head high, pretending not to notice, I was patient, I would uncover and know everything about Zahara,Aetheris and any hidden secrets, I just had to take my time.
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