Haven was one of the 12 cities built during the Sky City initiative.
Just like the others, it was roughly as large as an island. ( Comparable to New Zealand )
It was separated into two areas, the Inner city, and the Outer city.
The former was where the Demirs lived while the latter accommodated the Awakened and other facilities.
Felix couldn't help but frown at the architectural structures he came across as Nathan drove them to the airport.
He frowned because he knew just how much blood and sweat from humans had gone into building these structures, yet they weren't even allowed to live in them.
"Some day…" Felix muttered at some point.
Nathan glanced at him. "Some day what?"
"We will be free," Felix said without reservation causing Nathan to suddenly stop the car.
If not for the seat belt, Felix would have flown out of his seat.
"Don't do that."
Felix turned to face him. "Do what?"
"Hah, a word of advise… until you can protect yourself, please don't threaten… 'them' all willy-nilly."
"We are already in the Outer city." Felix didn't see it as a big deal.
Nathan insisted. "Doesn't matter. Promise me that."
Silence ensued for a few seconds before a horn blaring behind them broke it.
Felix didn't give a response as he turned away causing Nathan to sigh helplessly as he resumed driving.
"I was carried away," Felix said as they neared their destination.
Nathan smiled. "I understand… or maybe I don't. Anyway, I'll help you. I hope you don't refuse."
With that, both men remained silent as they reached the airport.
It was a massive building with a hologram projecting the name, Air Transport.
A few minutes later and Felix and Nathan had packed the car, gotten to the counter to state their business, and were currently on cue, waiting to board the Ships heading to the surface.
From the corner of his eye, Felix saw a familiar figure.
With his bulging stomach and relatively large physique, he was impossible to miss.
"Charlie…" Felix muttered coldly as he saw the bastard that bought him and gave him hell.
Old grudges couldn't be forgotten especially when Felix had already marked him down as one of his targets to vent on.
The latter seemed to sense something as he glanced in Felix's direction.
Their eyes met and tension quickly rose.
Charlie narrowed his eyes, about to act when he felt something causing him to stay his hand.
He looked behind Felix to find Nathan glaring at him.
At some point, sparks flashed in Nathan's eyes causing Charlie to furrow his brows.
Only when the attendant he was speaking with called his attention did Charlie break off the staring contest with Nathan.
Meanwhile, Felix and Nathan passed the checkpoint and made their way to the terminal.
"I didn't need your help." Felix begrudgingly said.
Nathan shrugged. "I know that, but since I'm carrying you, I should be diligent in my work."
"…" Felix kept silent as he walked toward the capsule-looking ship capable of carrying 20 people at a go.
It was piloted by AI and was the only way to head from the floating cities to the surface and it was mostly Awakened that used them since Demirs found it beneath them to head down to an already ruined world.
In any case, Felix felt a bit sullen as he took his seat with Nathan beside him.
He had sensed it during the brief encounter with Charlie.
The latter was indeed stronger than him.
Even with his current stats, the pressure Charlie gave stifled him.
It was annoying albeit expected.
"I just need to get stronger," Felix muttered as he closed his eyes, preparing for the subsequent departure.
Nathan glanced at him before shaking his head…. Truly, Felix was arrogant.
Even when faced with stronger foes, he didn't back down.
It was foolhardy but respectable, after all, one had to be this crazy to have thoughts of fighting the Demirs even with everything.
A smile appeared on Nathan's lips as he closed his eyes as well.
A second later and a whirring sound was heard.
It was time to depart.
***
(2 hours later)
District 13.
It had been 6 years.
Everything was still the same.
From the polluted air to the dirty streets, nostalgia hit Felix like a bomb as he stood at the entrance with a complicated expression on his face.
He hesitated on taking the first step as his mind was plagued with questions about his mother.
What condition was she in?... Would she be happy to see him?...or maybe she'd be sad?... Has she moved on?
Even though he tried to hide it, the longing for home was there.
"Don't you want to go in or do you plan on standing here all day?" Nathan asked as he walked to stand beside him.
He could sense a longing in Felix's expression.
Unfortunately, the latter had experienced so much that it was hard to show his emotions.
Nathan decided to give the necessary push.
After a few seconds of contemplation, Felix nodded. "Mn, let's go."
Both men walked into the district and based on memory, Felix lead the way to his previous home.
Along the way, they were met with a few gazes as they passed by the dilapidated buildings.
Some hostile, others wary, some others greedy.
Nathan didn't think much of it though as they soon got to their destination after almost an hour of walking.
Felix's family house was located on the Western wing of the District, close to the marked-out border.
House number 121.
Felix's lips slowly curved up as he tried to smile, after all, it wouldn't be good to meet his mother with a frown.
Unfortunately, that thought disappeared like a lie as he noticed that the house was empty.
"I can't sense any life force," Nathan said with a frown.
Felix took a step forward as he tried to explain it. "Maybe she went out…"
Even though he said that a sense of dread slowly rose within.
Taking a deep breath, he tried to knock only to discover that the door was already open.
His heart jumped into his mouth as his expression changed to one filled with fear.
The one-bedroom apartment was in shambles with almost everything gone.
The torn couch that once occupied the sitting room, the wooden table his father had made which was placed at the center, the family picture on the wall… even the torn piece of clothing they once used as a curtain.
It's all gone… Felix muttered as he turned to the bedroom and slowly moved toward it.
"Please, I'm begging you… Please." Felix prayed to some unknown existence as he opened the bedroom door to see the sight within.
A second passed by before he dropped to his knees and a whisper escaped his lips. "…No."