Chapter 7: The Forgotten Project

The year was 1997, and the city of Zuria was alive with possibility. It was in the university’s state-of-the-art laboratory that Adam Raufal first met Fendi. Both were fresh graduates pursuing advanced research in cognitive technology, but it was Fendi’s mind that set him apart. His ideas were revolutionary, his theories decades ahead of their time.

Adam often marveled at his friend’s brilliance. Fendi was the kind of person who could see solutions to problems that hadn’t even been fully defined. Together, they worked tirelessly on a project sponsored by PRASASTI—a neural interface prototype designed to enhance human cognition.

“It’s not just a device, Adam,” Fendi had said one late night in the lab, his eyes alight with excitement. “It’s a bridge. Imagine a world where people can truly understand each other. No barriers. No conflict.”

Adam had smiled at his friend’s enthusiasm. “And no privacy,” he had joked, though the idea of such a world intrigued him.

The project, codenamed Dunnorage, progressed rapidly. Fendi’s design was flawless, and soon they had a working prototype. But it was during these long nights of research that Adam began to notice something unusual about his friend.

Fendi would sometimes speak about the project as though he were someone else—someone softer, more introspective. At first, Adam thought it was simply exhaustion, the product of too many sleepless nights. But as time went on, it became clear that these weren’t just mood swings.

“Sarah thinks we should slow down,” Fendi had said one evening, staring at the glowing blueprint on his screen.

Adam frowned. “Who’s Sarah?”

Fendi looked startled for a moment, then laughed it off. “Just a thought in my head, I suppose.”

But it wasn’t just a thought. Over time, Adam came to understand that Sarah was a distinct part of Fendi’s mind—a persona born from the immense pressure of their work. While Fendi was ambitious and relentless, Sarah was cautious, questioning the ethical implications of their research.

“You trust me, don’t you?” Fendi had asked one night, his voice unusually vulnerable.

“Of course,” Adam had replied without hesitation.

“Good,” Fendi said, his tone shifting slightly. “Because Sarah needs you to trust her too.”

It was in those moments that Adam realized the depth of Fendi’s brilliance—and his fragility. The duality of Fendi and Sarah wasn’t a weakness; it was a balance. Fendi’s drive pushed the project forward, while Sarah’s conscience ensured they didn’t lose sight of their humanity.

But not everyone saw it that way.

When Kentofes entered the picture, everything changed. The organization offered unlimited funding and resources, but their vision for Dunnorage was far from Fendi’s idealistic dreams. They wanted a tool for control, a way to create a compliant society.

Sarah resisted, urging caution and restraint. But Fendi, desperate to see his work realized, believed he could keep the project’s integrity intact.

“We’ll use their resources,” Fendi had argued to Adam. “But we’ll make it ours. They’ll never know.”

Adam had his doubts, but he stood by his friend. Together, they continued their work, even as the pressure from Kentofes grew.

Then came the first human trials.

Adam would never forget the day they activated the prototype. The test subject, a young man eager to improve his cognitive abilities, initially showed promising results. But as the device integrated with his neural pathways, something went wrong.

The man’s behavior became erratic, his thoughts incoherent. Within minutes, he collapsed, his mind overwhelmed by the device’s power.

Sarah was horrified. “We can’t do this, Fendi. It’s not ready. It might never be.”

But Fendi’s determination only grew. “It’s a setback, not a failure. We’re close, Adam. I know it.”

Adam didn’t know what frightened him more—Fendi’s unwavering belief in their work or Sarah’s growing despair.

It was shortly after this incident that Adam began to distance himself from the project. He saw the writing on the wall: Kentofes wouldn’t stop until Dunnorage was perfected, no matter the cost.

But Fendi stayed, convinced he could keep their vision alive. And Sarah, though deeply conflicted, stayed with him.

As Adam left Zuria, he turned back for one last look at the lab where they had built so much together. Fendi stood at the window, watching him leave, his face unreadable.

For years, Adam had tried to forget those days, burying himself in other work. But now, as he watched PRASASTI and Kentofes grow more powerful, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he had abandoned Fendi to a fate he couldn’t escape.

And now, decades later, Dunnorage was back—and so was Fendi.