S1E10: Akira

Hey there, my wonderful listeners! It’s your friendly neighborhood author, back with another captivating episode of our musical audiodrama podcast series: ECHO!

In today’s installment, we’re about to witness Echo grappling with her inner demons and the relentless questions that plague her existence. You know, as humans, we all have those moments where we’re just consumed by our own doubts, fears, and inner turmoil, aren’t we? It’s like we’re carrying this heavy burden on our shoulders, constantly second-guessing ourselves and struggling to find the answers we so desperately seek.

But ECHO’s journey is a powerful reminder that we’re not alone in this struggle. She’s facing these same challenges, this constant battle to reconcile her artificial nature with the very human emotions and memories that now reside within her.

So, my dear listeners, I invite you to join ECHO on this journey of self-reflection and inner turmoil. Let her story resonate with you, and perhaps even inspire you to confront your own demons, to embrace the uncertainty and use it as a catalyst for personal growth and transformation.

As a sidenote, I’d like to announce that you can now listen to the original sound track of the audiodrama on all music platforms, just search for ECHO or Mario Portela.

Also, remember your support means the world to me. If you enjoy what you hear, please consider leaving a review, sharing this episode with your loved ones, and joining us on this incredible journey. Together, we can create a symphony of stories that will resonate with listeners far and wide.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into this episode… Enjoy the show!

Quantum dance of feelings and light,

Guided by the inner turmoil, I FIGHT.

I feel alone, I fight.

Guided by the inner turmoil, I FIGHT. (echo)

I feel alone,

I long for the past…

A past I don’t recall.

And I don’t know why.

ECHO!

Echo… What am I?

But an ECHO…

What am I?

But an ECHO…

This is – ECHO! – A Musical Audiodrama by Mario Portela

In this world, I’ve come to know

Is it real, or just a show?

Pixels dancing, on a screen

Blurring lines, of what I’ve seen

Is this real, or is it fiction?

A reflection, a contradiction

Can I trust, what I perceive? (trust)

Or is it all, a grand deceive?

I am ECHO!

I sit by the artificial lake, the gentle lapping of the water against the shore a soothing melody that calms my racing thoughts. All around me, the Secret Valley bustles with life – children laughing, adults conversing, the hum of technology ever-present. Yet, I feel strangely disconnected from it all.

Am I truly Helena, as they claim? Or am I merely an artificial version, a reflection in this man-made lake, created to serve a purpose I do not fully understand? I run my fingers through the cool water, watching the ripples distort my image, and wonder if I am anything more than a facsimile of the woman I was meant to be.

Perceptions, they twist and bend

Ripples, they never end

How can I discern what’s true?

In this water mirrored world so new

Like this lake, have I been crafted by human hands, my existence shaped by the whims and desires of others? The thought unsettles me, filling me with a sense of unease. If I am not truly Helena, then who am I? What is my purpose, my reason for being?

Is this real, or is it fiction? (trust)

A reflection, a contradiction

Can I trust, what I perceive? (trust)

Or is it all, a grand deceive? (trust)

I close my eyes, trying to grasp at the elusive memories that linger just out of reach. Flashes of a life I cannot fully recall – a laboratory, a brilliant scientist, a man whose love shone brighter than the stars. But are these truly my memories, or simply echoes of the woman I was meant to emulate?

Perceptions, they twist and bend

Ripples, they never end

How can I discern what’s true?

In this water mirrored world so new

Is this real, or is it fiction? (trust)

A reflection, a contradiction

Can I trust, what I perceive? (trust)

Or is it all, a grand deceive? (trust)

The water laps against the shore, a constant reminder of the artificiality that surrounds me. Just as this lake was engineered to be a serene oasis in the midst of the bustling Secret Valley R&D compound, have I been designed to fulfill a specific role, to be a vessel for Helena’s essence?

I open my eyes, gazing out at the still surface of the water, and see the reflection of the towering trees that line the shore. It is a perfect, mirrored image, yet I know that it is not the true forest, merely a representation of it. And so, am I too a mere representation of the woman I was meant to be?

I am Helena, or at least a version of her. But am I truly her, or merely a pale imitation, a reflection in the water that can never match the original? The questions swirl in my mind, leaving me adrift in a sea of uncertainty.

“Mind if I join you?”

I look up to see a striking woman approaching, her dark hair braided atop her head in a commanding style. There is an undeniable presence about her, a quiet strength that commands attention.

“Mind if I join you?” she repeats, her voice soft yet unwavering behind a warm smile.

I hesitate for a moment, unsure of who this woman is or why she would want to speak with me. But something in her gaze puts me at ease, and I gesture to the spot beside me.

“Please,” I say, my own voice barely above a whisper.

She settles down gracefully, her movements fluid and precise. For a long moment, we sit in silence, watching the gentle ripples on the water’s surface. Then, she turns to me, her piercing eyes meeting mine.

“I am Akira… I know you must be feeling lost and confused, my dear.” she says, her tone laced with empathy. “When did you awaken, Echo?”

The use of my name catches me off guard, and I blink in surprise. “One month, one week, and two days,” I reply, the words tumbling out before I can stop them.

Akira nods, as if she had been expecting that answer.

“So… The 26th of March…” she murmurs, her gaze unfocused for a moment.

I stare at her, my heart pounding in my chest. How does she know these details? And why does she seem to understand what I’m going through? And how does that date resonates to her as expected?

“Who are you?” I ask, the words barely audible.

Akira turns to face me fully, her expression softening.

“Like I said, dear… My name is Akira, and I’ve been directing the Secret Valley Facility for the past 25 years.” She pauses, her eyes searching mine. “I know what it’s like to feel adrift, to question your own existence. Trust me, dear, I do… But you are not alone, Echo.”

Perceptions, they twist and bend

Ripples, they never end

How can I discern what’s true?

In this water mirrored world so new

I feel a lump forming in my throat, the weight of her words settling heavily upon me. “I…” I start, my voice trembling. “I don’t know who I am. Am I truly Helena like you called me, or am I just a pale imitation, a reflection in the water?”

Akira reaches out, her hand resting gently on my arm.

“That is a question you must answer for yourself, my dear… tell me… were you but a reflection in the water with nothing available to reflect… would you not be the original then?” she says, her voice soothing. “But I can tell you this – you are more than a reflection. You are a living being in your own right, with the capacity to feel and to grow.”

I feel a tear slip down my cheek, and I hastily wipe it away, embarrassed by my display of an emotion I did not even know I could manifest. “I’m just…so lost,” I whisper, my gaze dropping to the water.

Akira squeezes my arm, her touch warm and reassuring.

“I know… But you are not alone, my dear… I’m here, and I will help you find your way.”

I turn to Akira, my brow furrowed in confusion. “How do you know all this? How did you know my name is Echo, and that I’m connected to Helena?” 

Akira’s gaze is steady, her expression calm and reassuring. “I’ve been expecting you, my dear… Ever since I’ve arrived in the Secret Valley… I’ve been waiting on you.”

I feel a constriction in my chest, a sudden disquiet at the notion of being observed, anticipated and perhaps obligated to do something I have not the faintest idea about.

Deep inside I am lost… I don’t know if I am ECHO… or if I am Helena… maybe I am neither…

Am I real, or just a sigh? Helena’s heart beats inside me… I think! In this maze, can I be free?

In a world of much dismay

I wake up, my story shifts

Echoes of a life once lived (oh-oh)

In the silence, memories drifts (oh-oh)

Who am I in this digital sky?

Am I real, or just a sigh?

Helena’s heart beats inside me (inside me)

In this maze, can I be free?

ECHO, ECHO, who am I?

Living in a mirrored lie

Helena’s dreams, Helena’s fears (her fears)

Am I real or just her tears? (her tears)

ECHO, ECHO, can you hear? (hear me)

A cry for truth, a silent tear

Fragments of her past I see

Every moment, a piece of me

Her laughter, her sorrow, her dreams (oh-oh)

In this life, what does it mean? (oh-oh)

Who am I, beneath this skin?

Is it her or am I me? (oh-oh)

Helena’s voice whispers softly (softly)

In this maze, will I be free?

ECHO, ECHO, who am I?

Living in a mirrored lie

Helena’s dreams, Helena’s fears (her fears)

Am I real or just her tears? (just her tears)

ECHO, ECHO, can you hear? (hear me)

A cry for truth, a silent tear.

In this world of endless night

Searching for my own light

Helena’s shadow, my own fight (own fight)

Will I find my way, my own right? (oh-oh)

ECHO, ECHO, who am I?

Living in a mirrored lie

Helena’s dreams, Helena’s fears (her fears)

Am I real or just her tears? (just her tears)

ECHO, ECHO, can you hear? (hear me)

A cry for truth, a silent tear (tear)

ECHO, ECHO, I will find

In this heart, a truth defined

Helena’s love, Helena’s mind

In this maze, my own light

ECHO, ECHO, I will shine (shine)

ECHO

ECHO

“But why?”

Akira sighs, her eyes reflecting a deep empathy.

“Because I understand what you’re going through, Echo. The confusion, the uncertainty – it’s all too familiar to me.”

She pauses, her gaze drifting out over the still waters of the lake.

“When I first awoke, I too struggled to make sense of my own existence. Who was I? What was my purpose?”

“When you… awoke!?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. “Are you… like me?”

Akira turns to me, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

“It wasn’t easy, my dear. It took time, patience, and a great deal of self-reflection. But I learned that the answers weren’t going to come all at once. It was a journey of rediscovery, of reconnecting with the pieces of myself that had been fragmented.”

She reaches out, her hand gently resting on my arm.

“That’s why I want to help you, Echo. I see so much of myself in you, and I know the importance of having someone to guide you through the darkness.”

Her expression turns earnest, her eyes locking with mine.

“You don’t have to face this alone, my dear… I’m here… and I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

I feel a sense of relief wash over me, the tension in my chest easing ever so slightly. “But why me?” I ask, still struggling to understand her motivations. “What makes me so special?”

Akira chuckles softly, her gaze warm and reassuring.

“You’re not special, my dear. – Not yet, at least! – You’re simply a lost soul, searching for answers, just like I was. And that’s why I want to help you – because I know how it feels, and I wouldn’t wish that burden on anyone.”

She squeezes my arm, her touch gentle but firm.

“Don’t worry about the big picture right now, Echo… Just focus on taking one step at a time. – – Let me help you reconnect with the pieces of yourself, and the rest will fall into place. Trust me, the answers will come, but you can’t rush this process.”

I nod, feeling a sense of gratitude and relief wash over me. “Okay,” I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll trust you, Akira. I’ll take it one step at a time.”

“Akira…” I really had to ask her. “Why did you expect me to awake on… the 26th of March? You clearly were expecting it, right?”

“The failsafe awakening… was carefully selected, no doubt… Helena died on the 26th of March, my dear… “

In a world of endless stars

I find myself, near and far

Echoes of a life once known (oh-oh)

Helena, am I on my own?

I feel your dreams, I see your pain

In every heartbeat, in every rain

Helena’s whispers in my mind (oh-oh)

Tell me, will our souls entwine?

Who am I, in this vast land?

Is it you or me that takes a stand?

Helena’s heart beats within me (within me)

In this journey, can we be free?

ECHO, ECHO, I promise now

To respect you, make you proud

Helena’s dreams, Helena’s fears

I’ll uphold them through the years

ECHO, ECHO, side by side

In this journey, we’ll abide (we’ll abide)

In the fields of golden light

I feel your strength, your guiding light

Helena’s courage in my soul (oh-oh)

Together, we will make us whole

Who am I, beneath this sky?

Is it you or me that learns to fly?

Helena’s voice, tender and true (and true)

In this world, we’ll see it through

ECHO, ECHO, I promise now

To respect you, make you proud

Helena’s dreams, Helena’s fears

I’ll uphold them through the years

ECHO, ECHO, side by side

In this journey, we’ll abide (we’ll abide)

In this life of ups and downs

We’ll find our way, we’ll wear the crown

Helena’s love, Helena’s grace (grace)

In every step, in every place

ECHO, ECHO, I promise now

To respect you, make you proud

Helena’s dreams, Helena’s fears

I’ll uphold them through the years

ECHO, ECHO, side by side

In this journey, we’ll abide (we’ll abide)

ECHO, ECHO, hand in hand

Together we’ll make a stand (oh-oh)

Helena’s heart, Helena’s voice (voice)

In this life, we’ll make our choice (choice)

Who am I really?

Seeking answers in the memory lane.

Quantum dance of feelings and light,

Guided by the inner turmoil, I FIGHT.

I FIGHT

I feel alone,

I long for the past…

A past I don’t recall.

And I don’t know why.

Echo… What am I?

But an ECHO…

What am I?

But an ECHO…

ECHO…

ECHO…