Location: Mars, Third City, Inside the Walls.
--- 8:30 PM
Alice walked through the inner installations of the city walls.
A grateful smile floated over her face, the inner room of the shield generator was not empty.
Two people were inside, Alice looks at one person there and asks "How long before the shields are up and running again?".
One of them replied "About two hours, we are waiting for the new stabilizer" Following his answer Estebe took a sip of coffee.
The other man found himself checking one of the many panels "The system in general hasn't been updated for over fifty years, that's probably why the overload occurred".
Alice backed up her steps "I see, I'll take appropriate action."
✠ - ✠
Location: inside the town hall.
Kelly opened the doors completely listlessly, walked over to one of the boxes where the food ingredients were carried into the back of the kitchen and sat on it.
Zeke left the burner aside, walked to the shelves behind him and picked up a vermilion container, not even looking at Kelly, "I thought you'd be trying to steal a kiss from the patient.
"I'm sure I would have already managed something."
Kelly slid down even further, she was practically lying on the box.
"But Brendan came, it was so unfortunate that he arrived at that time and but the worst thing was the long time he was there..... I couldn't do anything and when he finally left, Jack had gone back to sleep."
"..." Zeke seasoned the stew with the spices that were on the shelves.
Kelly's eyes widened all the way, after seconds of silence she asked, "Is it that obvious?"
Zeke gasped, began to mix the pot's interior, "Really? With those little eyes you make for him, once it happens, you turn to look at him without even noticing. I bet the first time you saw him you were petrified."
"Actually... That wasn't the first.
"First, second or fortieth. He doesn't remember you, if you can remember stuff so lucidly and brought it back to the present I think you make it all clear enough to me." Zeke raised the wooden ladle and tasted the broth.
Her face was full in disappointment "It really needs chandelia for finishing seasoning...".
Kelly's head bowed until she was looking directly down at her knees, ".... I guess you're right... Do you think...or...maybe.... Do you think I have a chance?"
Zeke watched Kelly from the corner of his eye, laughed dismissively, moved towards the fridge "First thing you need to do is get his heart."
She moved her face slowly towards Zeke "Hn? We're not talking about you."
Zeke pulled a bag out of the fridge, after which he closed the door. He looked at Kelly "I said get a heart, not reanimate it. Haven't you noticed? He's nothing but a mask without an owner, an empty shell playing his part because that's all he knows how to do."
"Haaah" Kelly lay back on the boxes behind her, staring at the ceiling she replied "Do you really think that about him?"
And so Kelly waited for an answer, even the sound of crinkling plastic came sooner.
Once Kelly stood up to leave, Zeke finally spoke, "It's not about what I think.... Eventually you'll understand, you should rest for now."
✠ - ✠
Kelly again pushed the doors unwillingly, over her eyes a space filled with blankets and people expanded.
｢I'm surprised at how quickly they finished arranging everything｣ But, one detail in particular stopped that line of thinking ｢.... Half a metre separation between each blanket｣.
Perplexed she watched the separation until, then, a voice redirected her attention.
"Here! Here!" screamed Ledia.
Kelly flashed a surprised smile and slowly walked in that direction.
She caught a glimpse of three empty blankets to the right of her.
"Where are those kids?"
Ledia pointed her index finger at the blanket to her left.
Kelly looked at the blanket, two figures were marked beneath the top blanket "I see."
"I guess it's time for me to join" After saying that she laid down on the blanket followed by the blanket next to Ledia's.
With a tired gesture she tried to pull the top blanket.
However, Ledia looked away from the book in her hands and said "Could you take the next one? Thank you."
"... That's okay, I guess."
✠ - ✠
- 6:35 AM.
The noises of the crowd echo in the corridors, voices lost in a sea of information.
The sound resulting from the combination of hundreds of voices concretised an indistinguishable background noise.
Kelly was roused from sleep by that cause, as disoriented as she could be. She scanned her surroundings…
Ledia didn't show any sign of change, in the same pose, with the same book.
"Didn't you sleep?" she asked in a voice full of dozing.
"It's eight thirty-seven."
A simple but forceful answer.
" You sure do sleep very well."
An unexpected and sharp answer.
Kelly slowly turned her face over to the direction where the second reply came from.
The speaker lay peacefully on the adjacent bed, his condescending expression couldn't be simpler.
The curses that fell upon him did not even fill his ears. However, his eyebrows scowled.
｢... If this continues then the situation could turn problematic...｣ He thought after reading the files that were injected into his mind.
He entered a reflective state, totally ignoring his surroundings.
Kelly was tired of the fruitless hunt and instead focused on the missing piece of equipment.
"I haven't seen Brendan do you know where he is?".
Ledia closed the book she was holding, then placed it on her right knee, resting her right elbow on the book. She looked at the sea of people and sighed, "I don't know."
"Hng~" Kelly stretched out the sound during the time she ran her eyes along the edges of the blanket.
"Over there" Zeke interrupted " With a bunch of kids.... Looks like he found where he belongs" He removed with his left index finger the tear that flowed from his right eye.
Another round of curses gushed out from a heart gripped by rage and like a torrent of water, they gathered in front of the walls of the receiving pipes.
No strike is everlasting, the offensive forces retreated while the defensive forces did not even see the face of their enemy.
How absurd｣ That's right, his focus on the news in the bulletin made any verbal offence slide off like slippery ice.
Out of that orbit, the door to the hall opened. A tired silhouette slowly entered.
After glancing at the landscape stamped into his eyes, Jack huffed from under his nose ｢.... Why do they place the Infirmary next to the rest room?｣.
He almost turned away until he heard something particularly irritating.
"And so, The Hundred Flavour Sandwich created the universe.
With light steps he moved to the source of that declaration.
Behind his back he watched him warily from the corner of his eyes.
A strange pressure begun to gather on Brendan's shoulders, he uncomfortably followed his speech until Jack spoke.
"May I ask what you're doing?".
Brendan slowly turned his torso, his complexion turning pale.
｢I'm so screwed up! Calm down, calm down｣ Brendan began to shuffle his possibilities.
"This... I teach them how the universe was created" He said with a complicated smile ｢I don't like to beat me out.... But I can't blow my cover｣.
He could feel the weight of those eyes looking down on him.
The image toward Brendan would have fallen from the previous place so quickly that he let out a sigh.
" Are you even six years old?" was what promptly followed the sigh.
"I'm nineteen actually" He replied scratching his cheek.
"Heeeh" He held up dismissively. He left the scene in the direction of the rest of the group.
As he saw him approach Zeke pronounced "The martyr awakens".
Jack raised an eyebrow.
"We're supposed to be a team, as soon as you get the chance you do things on your own" Zeke pointed out, as his words were sharp, his hand was not hidden, he attacked in a very simple way aiming for the bandages on Jack's abdomen.
"I thought it would be something quick that you'd hardly have to bother with, it's because of that-".
" Because of that you took the disintegrator?" interrupted Zeke.
"..."
"That says it all." Zeke attached a receiver to his hand.
Easy, easy..." Kelly hurried down to calm the matter.
Coal never shirks these questions, however.
"Even to me it seemed inadequate. A captain who cannot trust is a weak leader as his role is to coordinate a group, not to be a lone wolf" Ledia stated as she tried to zoom in on the image on her holographic screen "Though I admit the break was good for me."
Kelly crossed her legs and rested her hands against her knees. Her face filled with frustration.
Jack closed his eyes. He sighed lightly and stretched out his left arm in a V shape.
"I certainly made a mistake" After which he opened his eyes "Nevertheless, I'm glad I did it".
He dropped his arm " Although I hope not having to repeat it again... I don't regret what I did on this occasion.
Kelly bounced to her left side as she raised an eyebrow "Hmn?".
"Interesting" That was all Ledia replied.
On the other hand, she turned her gaze towards Zeke " You were the one who initiated this Do you not have anything to say?".
"Nothing specific, if you really believe that we weren't qualified to participate in that operation then there is nothing much to do" He expressed as he raised his eyes that seemed to have lost all hint of life ｢My portfolio has lost a digit.... Today is a sad day｣.
Jack stretched out his arms "Hit me with all your might. Then you will understand."
｢No, I understand perfectly.... I can't say that｣ He got up from the blanket without any enthusiasm.
｢... If I hit with all my strength I might break my bones.... I'll go with normal strength｣.
Zeke rushed his fist against Jack's chest in an uppercut.
｢Huh?｣ At that moment he took back his fist and wrapped his left hand over a section of arm.
The pressure on his bones slowly faded, yet it remained.
His bones creaked in rhythm with the vibration.
Cold sweat ran down his entire face ｢Impossible｣. As he calmed his breathing he tried to focus ｢Resonance? I don't remember any of his modifications being useful for that...｣.
｢Resonance apart.... Even the hardness of his body seems strange to me Did Kran use experimental modifications?｣.
"...".
Zeke gasped as he remembered the state in which Jack arrived.
Although no word was mentioned the impression was obvious. However, the silence could not be broken.
Perhaps fully planning her interruption, Alice entered the room with a rumble.
She simply approached the group "Preparations are complete, you may leave at your discretion". Luckily so simple it was simple to hide her surprise at the sight of Jack.
Jack sighed in relief "No updates from the other cities?".
"The other two cities..." Alice rubbed her eyelids in weariness " That' s not something you need to worry about. Unlike this city they're not entirely stagnant."
With a gesture Ledia let go of everything she was doing, picked up her left leg until her foot was the same distance as her left knee. Then she rested her head on her right knee "Is it really okay to leave it like this?".
Jack coughed softly, rummaged in his right trouser pocket and pulled out a roll of paper. He passed it silently to Alice who proceeded to hide it in his left sleeve.
Alice smiled and held her right palm in front of her chest "You really don't need to worry about this. Especially now" she then stretched her arm out in Jack's direction, until her hand was above Jack's. A card slipped out of her sleeve and into his.
A card slipped out of Alice's sleeve. Jack withdrew his hand as he slyly squeezed the card.
He looked confused for a few moments; he quickly tucked it into his left pocket.
"Especially now?" Kelly remarked "Have you got any new defences?... How?".
Alice smiled mischievously and placed her right index finger in front of her lips "It's a secret" To which she winked with her right eye.
Kelly sighed defeatedly, Jack let out a chuckle and Ledia remained silent, reflective.
Alice moved her gaze to Zeke who hadn't uttered a word since she arrived
"Well well, I thought you were focused on exploring the omnired? However it seems that silence is caused by something else" After saying that she pointed her eyes towards Zeke's right arm.
"I guess these things happen" Alice gasped "I think it's time for me to go".
She turned around and began to retreat back on her steps.
"Bye..." Kelly almost stopped as she realized that, this would probably be the last time in her life that she would ever see her.
"Thank you," was Jack's reply.
Zeke watched in consternation watched the old woman walk away.
Ledia then said an inaudible goodbye, waving her hand.
"It really feels like you're indisposed" Jack remarked towards Ledia.
Ledia finally raised her gaze "I feel it's wrong to leave them like this."
Jack smiled "Though it may not seem like it, but they have admirable defensive strength.... They were simply attacked out of guard."
"Sounds like a pretty lame excuse."
"If you don't want to believe me you may see for yourself" Jack pulled a rolled up piece of paper out of his right pocket.
Ledia took the roll in her hands and unrolled it "The planes of the city? Where did you get this?" she asked puzzled.
Jack smiled mischievously and placed his right index finger in front of his lips "It's a secret" To which he winked with his right eye.
He then let out a chuckle.
✠ - ✠
- 8:28 AM
A smell was hard to bear. It was the first thing he felt after opening his eyes.
A uniformly white ceiling filled his vision.
Voices unrecognizable spread to the most hidden part of his ears.
And there he lay motionless, immersed into the comfort. Despite feeling the hard floor through the blanket.
Wrapped in the blanket he quickly noticed something out of place, a hand that didn't belong to him.
He turned his head in that direction, his sister sleeping peacefully beside him.
"I see... They left us in the same spot" He whispered to himself.
Finally he decided to get up; gently to avoid breaking her rest.
Nearby he observed Jack's group sitting in a circle around a hologram projected from a small sphere.
He decided to get close enough to hear what was going on.
Jack shook his head "With that army you can never beat me" Jack slid his arm over the hologram.
Inside the hologram, two numbers 9|9 appeared in the sky.
"Hmph" he laughed briefly, his hand then entered the hologram and in it manifested a card "Storm of Torment".
The skies roared in anger. The clouds were painted an extremely dark grey and swirled across the map.
They covered even the furthest chink, stopping all light.
The darkness was blasted away with a rain of lightning that filled the entire space with light.
The dazzling spectacle vanished and with it the storm clouds.
The place where the lightning shower had previously landed found itself littered with robots scattered on the ground.
"The first thing you should protect a robot from is overloads," Jack commented.
Kelly fell sideways, leaning towards Ledia "I lost before I could do anything...".
Ledia smiled slightly "Your luck deserted you" she then slid her arm over the hologram.
6|3.
"... Eternal moss" He pronounced as he plunged his hand in the direction of the humanoid tree army. The card in his hand vanished and black moss sprouted from the trees.
Zeke smiled a wicked grin. He slid his hand quickly, looked at the new digits.
8|9.
Zeke slid his hand in, two cards appeared, " Fire Breath" There was no apparent change in his dragon troop.
"And so the two cards disintegrated.
He did not withdraw his hand, instead he pointed to the enemy army; Ledia's troops.
As indicated, the troops moved in the direction of their enemy.
Finally, Zeke withdrew his hand.
Jack sighed, considering the current point he had little margin left.
He slid his hand back, the results were unspectacular.
6|4.
Jack plunged his hand into the hologram "Fireproof and armour of the eon".
He quickly pulled his hand out without another word.
"That was quick" Zeke warned "Even if you try to give Ledia time, it should be obvious that she's going to lose.... Or is it that you expect me to drain my troops?"
Jack snorted harshly.
Ledia slid her hand over the hologram.
4|2.
Zeke smiled wryly.
Jack's complexion darkened.
Ledia plunged her hand ".... Fireproof" as soon as she uttered it, the single card in her hand disintegrated.
Zeke raised his shoulders slightly and shook his head "Tch. Tch. Tch. I'll give you a chance and I won't upgrade my army for the entire battle."
Ledia gasped, "It's already a one-sided fight. I doubt there's anything that could put me at a greater disadvantage."
Zeke smiled as he let out a condescending huff "Just sit back and watch.... I doubt you'll be able to do more."
When the time came, Zeke's army met Ledia's troops.
The war began, the roars of dragons filled the skies.
Trees quickly succumbed to the flames of hel, consumed to ashes.
"Wings" pronounced Zeke. The ground began to tremble, the earth split from within and the figure of an archangel emerged.
He appeared with a piercing wail, a tear emerged from his eyes. As it touched the ground, the field was covered with a golden but dull and diffuse light.
The figure vanished into thin air, the golden light followed.
Those humanoid trees stopped struggling. In fact, they did not move at all.
The flames increased in strength and quickly everything visible was consumed by the embracing heat.
Even the earth was swallowed by the fiery inferno that quickly consumed every living thing.
"Caching" pronounced Zeke just after the battle was over "Did you see? I didn't touch the shuttle at any point."
Ledia crossed her arms just below her chest "You really enjoy it don't you?".
"Maybe" She slid her hand over the hologram.
1|3.
"Wow."
He dipped his hand "Prudor" He stated immediately.
His hand filled with smoke obscuring his appearance, the troops began to move.
Jack's features darkened.
Seeing that he wasn't hurrying to the shuttle Zeke smiled "That's a double edged sword".
He couldn't help but be surprised when breaking the silence Jack slid his hand over the shuttle.
7|2.
Jack plunged his hand into the hologram without showing a card.
｢A passive? At that level it shouldn't pose any threat｣.
Before he could say anything the encounter finally happened.
Far from approaching the shuttle he laughed, watched Refrectem from the corner of his eye and soon after observed the "Let's finish this" hologram.
Troops from each side lined up in their respective positions.
The bidding began, unlike the trees the fire caused no great fuss over the celestials.
"Imperial tithe" Zeke pronounced.
An earthquake shook the earth, creating cracks in the ground that swallowed countless pawns.
The line broke and with the imbalance, chaos engulfed the battlefield.
Who broke the enemy line first? That is no longer important.
The predominant sound was that of steel swords colliding with the claws and scales of dragons.
...
...
As expected, most of the casualties were not of the Draconic species.
When Jack's forces dwindled to a fifth of what they had originally been; Zeke looked at Jack.
It is impossible to believe that at any point he became active... Even if that's the case, why didn't you use the previous one?
However, as soon as he noticed the strangeness of the situation, Jack smiled.
"Requiem, waltz of the dead, ultimatum."
Zeke was stunned at the multiple conjuration of abilities.
From the ground faults, the ghosts of the fallen rose.
Within the celestials the power of the dead began to rise.
The mortal dance began in the heavens and the channelled power welled up in each one.
Their eyes were filled with unbreakable determination.
Swords that were previously repelled with ease now sliced smoothly through scales.
Over the ashes they advanced with utmost ease, whether falling into the abyss or a fatal wound, the celestial offensive was total.
Zeke laughed in surprise "I really didn't expect that" his laughter slowly faded "I really didn't...".
However his posture did not reflect surrender. Instead the flame of excitement.
"Tamis star" he declared immediately.
As it was said, a purple star shone above the scaled army.
Scorching heat engulfed the dragons in the strength of their element.
Empowered, they redirected the force of their star into their flaming breath.
A joint attack that formed a vast concentration of energy.
The heat emitted simply formed plasma within the area.
"Reflex" Jack mentioned in desperate measure.
The attack was returned in its entirety to the sender.
However...
That fire capable of melting the earth did not finish off its sender.
"Hahaha!" A laugh of victory "I bet that was your last letter."
Zeke brought his right hand against his forehead "Let's finish this... Overload."
The dragons that already emitted an eerie and painful aura were filled with more energy than their bodies can maneuver.
Time bombs filled with fury ravaged the celestials.
Even the strength of the fallen could not match the breadth of a star.
And so they crumbled under the oppressive force of the star of thamis.
Reducing the earth they walk upon to ashes was no difficult feat, let alone annihilating the remnants of a lost will.
At last, Refrectem approached the group. "What was that?" he asked with curiosity in the forefront of his mind.
"Battle arena... The name is pretty generic and doesn't relate much to the content but, it's the most popular of its kind" Jack commented, followed by a sigh.
Zeke added "It seems a bit old-fashioned to use a hologram... However, most commercial brain interfaces don't have the power to simulate all this.
"Wow" He replied with a look of confusion on his face.
Kelly sighed "You don't seem to know half of what they said."
Jack coughed softly "It is what it is" He replied as he covered his mouth with his forearm.
He removed his forearm and surveyed his surroundings "And your sister?"
"She should be sleeping" After saying that he fixed his gaze behind Jack "She should" he stressed.
"I see" Jack turned off the orb "As soon as she wakes up, let her know we'll be leaving soon".
Refrectem flashed a smile full of discomfort "No need" he subsequently tapped the bridge of his nose with his right index finger.
A mischievous laugh reached Jack's ears "He's after me, isn't he?
Refrectem nodded.
Jack sighed "So that settles it, isn't there anything important left?
After receiving a negative from the whole group, Jack nodded "Let's go" So, he led the way towards the ship.
Somewhat sturdy no doubt, the odd weapon equipped and finally, its size somewhat lacking compared to new dawn. However Jack showed no trace of disappointment.
"Well" Jack turned to look at his group in full view, with a smile he declared "This adventure comes to an end.... Bid a proper farewell to the planet".