The Garden

Like inside a freezer, the air was chilling. It smelt of ammonia, provoking a piercing headache. As an expanse, the Garden was wide, yet dense as a brick. Everything was white, and subtly bright. But it didn't compare to the blinding sight of the sun.

Abel had spent nearly his whole life under the sun. Whether he was working or not, even during his past time he'd simply look at the sun. He wondered how his eyes hadn't burned out by now.

The Angels that were responsible for his pre-facility preparation were shocked when his eyes didn't react to the blinding white light. "He doesn't need a Resistor," one of them said. "It's a chip injected into your head that helps your eyes properly adjust to the brightness of the lights in the facility," the other explained, after being asked what it was. Abel connected the dots in his head, "The sun's simply brighter."

Approaching the Garden, rows of guards with gold-lined white suits cleared a path to allow entry inside. This was after recognizing Overseer Jophiel, who had the authority to enter.

"Who are these people?" Abel had asked when seeing the suited units for the first time.

"Cherubim. They're the highest grade of the three different Angel Units."

"Angel Units?" Abel asked with curiosity.

Jophiel decided to explain. "Yes. There's the basic Angel Units, who're most commonly found around the facility. They wear the essential white suits, and they're also used as test subjects for our experimentees to use their abilities on. Then there's the Seraphim, similar in authority to the basic Angel Units, but they're larger in size, as well as physically stronger. You can tell by their bulkier white suits. Finally, there's these guys, the Cherubim. They're the strongest and most physically enhanced of the three, but that comes with the sole responsibility of protecting the entrance to the Garden."

"So this is the Garden?"

"Yes, probably the most significant section of our facility. There are many valuable things produced and run here, hence why the need for the rows of Cherubim defending outside."

Abel nodded in understanding.

Now, they were inside the Garden. "This is where you'll receive your ability," Jophiel said.

Abel was led towards a tighter part of the expanse, where the ceiling lowered and the walls narrowed. The direction eventually came to an ending wall. Positioned within was a standing capsule, centered at the interconnection of numerous tubes.

Jophiel pointed at it, "Inside."

Abel stepped inside, feeling odd not about the situation but about the fact that he felt no fear.

Two Angels were called over to strap Abel to a steel plate found inside the capsule. His ankles, his wrists, and his neck, all tightly restrained by cold metal straps.

Jophiel walked up to the capsule, "You haven't ate anything since arriving, right?"

"Yes," Abel struggled to say, as a wide metal plate cuffed his neck. He realized there was even a struggle to breathe.

"Good," Jophiel shut the capsule.

Suddenly a beep resonated from within, vibrating Abel's body.

"Commencing: ability induction process." An automated voice spoke.

The walls surrounding the capsule began to close in, and so the space became tighter. Abel didn't notice it at first, but the inside walls of the capsule were lined with needles. As they moved closer, Abel felt his body begin to twitch. His legs were shivering. His arms, shaking. His neck, so tense a vein could burst had the metal cuff not been holding it in place. His mind was calm, but his body clearly wavered.

Abel's physical existence attempted to reject what was happening. But his mind pressed forward, understanding the process.

In a synchronous fashion, he was pierced in various spots around his body. Numerous needles had injected into his arms, legs, torso, and head. Following the insertions, liquid rushed forth from the needle tips, flooding Abel's entire circulatory system.

It felt hot, as if the serums being injected would burn holes into his veins. If they did, he'd internally bleed, and probably die. Abel thought about it. But before the panic could rise, his unconscious took over.

Darkness had shut his sun-stained eyes.