*Iavan's*
A silent hum rung through my ear, I shot my eyes opened and watched the ceiling remain the same color as it was since I had first been here, white.
Apparently, no one in this mutiny had entertained the idea of being creative. I breathed out and decided to get down from the top of the bunk bed where I was. I immediately noticed Miisa as she sat on her bed with her back on the wall. Like any other day since coming here, she stared at the polaroid photo of us.
Of the three of us. I sat beside her and snuggled close to her as I stare at Maia who was smiling in the photo.
"Good morning Maia"
I heard Miisa sniffle as I said those three words. It hurt us. Knowing that our friend was carrying an unbearable amount of pain and sacrifice. Knowing that we can't share the same burden as she made us question if we were even good friends.
"Do you think she's in peace now?"
I looked at Miisa and smiled sadly. I took the photo from her hand and caressed Maia's face.
"I'm sure she's playing with the angels right now Miisa"
That's what we like to think, we'd hate to think that our friend was still isn't in peace even after everything she had done and sacrificed.
To be true, I hated myself for never knowing. She had always only ever smiled and only ever acted out of responsibility and we took that for granted. She never told us and we never really asked her.
I inhaled deeply and stood from the bed and stretched my arms upward. I then looked at Miisa and offered her my hand.
"Come on, didn't we already promised to do what we can for her sake too?"
Miisa wiped her tears away and offered me a sad smile before taking my hand. As always, we did our daily routine before going out of our room. We had a glimpse of Maki and Damian talking on their way down the stairs. We followed suit only to stop when we saw Damian stop to stare at the mural. Even without following his line of sight, I already knew who he was staring at.
I grabbed Miisa's hand and reached Damian and Maki where I slightly pushed their back with both of my palms.
"Come on, let's get a moving people. We have lots to do."
"Ahhh Ate Iavan"
"Come on now people"
Damian glimpsed at me and offered me an apologetic smile to which I shrug my shoulders at.
I know personally how much Damian loves Maia. After a few sessions of therapies from the SDC, he had told us everything. About how part of my memories had been altered too so that I would forget about Damian. I didn't know what to feel when I had regained my memories then. But my tears had fallen before I can even utter a word.
I was so overwhelmed by the pain of losing someone special and the feeling that was so similar to that of being betrayed.
The four of us had reached the common area six floors beneath the floor where our rooms were located.
The SDC had created this underground bunker as a safe space and emergency haven that will be used once the revolution had taken fire. There are more or less a hundred floors in here with thousands of people residing in it. The walls are shaped cylindrically and even though we're deep below the ground, the ventilation is great and is sufficient for everyone.
The common area looks like a school canteen and it is mostly used for each faction's meetings or for when a meal is being served.
"Doesn't it look like there are more people here than usual?"
I looked around and just as Miisa had commented there were indeed more people than usual. Almost all of the tables were now being occupied. There were also people who were standing and leaning by the walls. The four of us had a walk to the table where our fathers were. We had instantly spotted the three of them talking seriously.
Sei, Miisa's father spotted us and had beckon us to come over. Instantly Khel, Maia's father, and my own smiled at us. I had only nodded at my own father and had remained by Damian's side as soon as Miisa and Maki had greeted theirs.
Whenever I remember how he had signed that waiver that will determine whether my memories would be sealed or not, I get angry. He had decided and chose something that I would never do. All for the sake of keeping quiet.
This was something that Damian and I had both shared. We knew of a secret that could both get us dead. Uncle Khel and Sei acknowledged Damian's presence by simply nodding at him. Their expressions are one with pity and sadness. We had heard from Maki that his father and mother both knew that Maia would die after accomplishing her nin.
It had made me angry at them. Even though I still respect them I still couldn't push down the fact that they had sacrificed their own child for this fleeting freedom.
"Everyone we would like to catch all of your attention"
On the common area, a small podium that was usually there for display now hosts a person that everyone knew too well.
Damian's aura had visibly changed and it dropped dangerously low. I glanced at him and I tell you, if a gaze can kill or pierce someone, his own father would be dead by now.
The person who everyone acknowledges as the scientist is also Damian's own father. I hate my own father, that is a fact in itself but with his, hate is still a light word. He despises the man. I can only imagine him cursing the man in his head and dreams every night.
The scientist had gotten everyone's attention. He cleared his throat before he moved to one side as if giving way to another person. Sure enough, another person had entered the podium. Dressed in a dark purple suit with her hair tied up in a ponytail. Her eyes and nose are covered by a mask that prevents people from knowing who she really is. Her red-stained lips forming into a grin as if she was enjoying the flocking people in front of her.
No longer visible was her kind aura that we used to like. Her motherly and warm words and hugs were all nothing now. What had left was this mask that had ignited the revolution. What had remained was this person named The Administrator who had basically started this mutiny. A person who had gained another name, Luna.
"Comrades… I am pleased to greet you on this day. I had come to deliver news to all of you. Something that all of the faction leaders and I had decided"
As her voice reverberated throughout the area, you can basically see people holding their breaths. If the faction leaders were involved then it must mean something very important.
"They're making a move"
I looked at Damian who had crossed his arms and was still staring straight ahead. His aura was still the same.
"A move? Then that must mean…"
"We had decided to lead on an expedition."
A collectively side comment and murmurs circulated just instantly as she had dropped the bomb. The administrator raised her hand and had continued her speech.
"With the help of the intel who we had sent on a mission months ago, we now have solid pieces of evidence and leads on where the government's front house is located"
"Front house?"
Maki was the one who had answered me.
"It's the front camp where the soldiers and weaponry, as well as their artilleries, are stationed Ate Iavan."
Since Miisa and I were part of the Omega chapter we barely had intel about this stuff since we were more focused on the research of new medicines that could be used once the war had broken. But it was different for Maki and Damian, being in the Beta Chapter means they were basically the all-rounder.
"An expedition would mean attacking this front house right?"
"This would be the second coming for the SDC. Breaking the main forces of the enemies would lead them to retreat, regroup and think of a way on how to counter the enemy. This crucial plan of attacking first will determine just how much we can beat the government"
It was Uncle Khel who had spoken up, his gaze still not leaving the woman up in the podium.
"Each faction would conduct a meeting to determine who will lead and be a part of this frontline attack. We expect volunteers but it is not news that we will handpick a few selected people."
"Iavan"
My gaze flitted to my own father who was also staring up ahead.
"Refuse the offer no matter what"
"Your father is right, Iavan, you too Miisa, choose to never be a part of that group"
Uncle Sei looked at us and smiled sadly. His gaze then went to Damian and then to Maki. It looked like he wanted to say more but I guessed Uncle Khel said it instead.
"Refuse and never volunteer too, Damian. Same to you Maki"
Maki, who was usually a bright and obedient child only stared coldly back at his father.
"Do you really think she won't risk her remaining child for this once-in-a-lifetime chance?"
Uncle Khel who was keeping his cool lost his composure but Maki had only stared at his own father coldly.
"MAKI!!"
"I will never forgive her for sacrificing Ate Maia, and the same goes for you father. But Kuya Damian and I had already decided. If it's the end that you want then we both will see this through the end"
Uncle Khel's face paled and you can see the fear from his eyes. I couldn't help but snicker and stare at the woman standing in the podium grinning like a Cheshire cat.
Maia, did you know. I already knew everything. How your mother wore the mask of a caring person while she had experimented on her offspring like an animal.
I stare at that woman again and like any other day. I curse her and I know that I would never forgive her. Not ever.
I curse Aunt Artemis.
Your mother.
The person who pushed you into your death.
The Administrator.