Chapter 17: Auna
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Auna thought she was a disappointment to her race and family, her calm was know for progression and when she wasn't able to get a progression she was kicked out of the clan and no one in her family loved her. She walked around the fixed train and came across Allua. "oh hello Auna" "hey" I said back "I have a question" 'what is it" "well since your basically ancient" Allua looked at me "I'll take that as a compliment" "is there a way to gain a progression even after you weren't born with one?" "Sorry no there isn't" I looked at the ground "ok I said trying to hide my tears after 100 years of my useless life I stil don't have a progression
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I walked around the human city it was bigger then the other one and less destroyed. I walked over to a donut shop and took of my jacket. "A plain donut" I told the cashier "ok". I walked out the store and saw a few heros attacking a ENT I decided to just walk away because what would I do against a giant multi limbed creature fight it? I went to my family's grave and put some flowers in each of there graves except my mothers I hated that bitch.
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I walked back to the train and saw Neevo just standing there looking off into nothing "what are you doing" "I have no clue" that's all he said and then he went back to his sleep like state "ok then" I walked to the front of the train and saw V, I always wanted to ask him to go on a date but then I asked myself why would he want to ever date me?
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You know I always wanted to date Auna but she always avoided me I don't know why. "Hey Auna" "hey V, what would you do if you didn't have a progression?" "Train" I told her then she just walked out I wonder if she was ok. "Neevo do you-" "nah she's depressed" "yeah let's go"
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I walked to a dog race and saw There was a race commencing. "I'd like to bet on number 7" "you sure ma'am? That's the least qualified dog to win" "that's why I choose him" the man looked at me "ok then go take a seat the door is over there" I walked to the bleachers and saw everyone I held a red box to my side and looked for a seat
Chapter 18: The Weight of Shadows
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Auna sat on the bleachers, her gaze fixed on the dirt track below. The stadium buzzed with energy, the crowd cheering for the dogs racing in a blur of fur and speed. It should have been exhilarating, but all she felt was a dull ache in her chest, a heaviness that weighed her down like a stone. The vibrant colors of the banners and the shouts of excitement around her felt distant, as if she were watching the world through a fogged window.
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The noise around her faded as her thoughts drifted. She remembered the discussions she had had with V and Neevo about their impending journey to the Castle of 100 Layers. The thrill of adventure had once ignited a fire in her, but now it felt like a distant dream, overshadowed by an overwhelming sense of despair. She couldn't shake the feeling that the mysteries they were meant to unravel were trivial compared to the turmoil inside her.
As the dogs raced past, tails wagging and tongues lolling, Auna found herself drawn to a particular dog—a scruffy terrier with a heart-shaped patch on its back. The little creature stumbled at first but quickly regained its footing, bounding forward with an enthusiasm that seemed infectious. Auna couldn't help but smile at its determination. It reminded her of her younger self, fearless and full of hope, before the weight of her responsibilities began to drag her down.
But that hope felt like a distant memory now. The pressure to lead her team into the unknown, to find answers, felt insurmountable. She had always been the one to chase after dreams, yet now, it was as if those dreams were running away from her, just out of reach. Auna buried her face in her hands, overwhelmed by a wave of sadness. The laughter of the crowd felt like a mocking chorus, taunting her for her inability to feel joy.
"Hey, Auna!" A familiar voice broke through her reverie. It was V, his brow furrowed with concern. He joined her on the bleachers, taking a seat beside her. "You alright?"
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She forced a smile, but it felt fragile, like glass. "Just watching the race."
V followed her gaze, watching the dogs sprint around the track. "It's something, isn't it? They're just so free. No worries, no responsibilities."
"Yeah." Auna sighed, the weight in her chest growing heavier. "I used to feel that way."
He turned to her, concern deepening in his eyes. "You know it's okay to feel this way, right? We're about to embark on something huge. It's normal to feel... overwhelmed."
Auna nodded, but the lump in her throat made it hard to speak. "I just... I feel like I'm not enough. What if I can't handle what's ahead? What if I fail?"
V's expression softened. "You're not alone, Auna. We're a team. You don't have to carry this all by yourself. You bring so much to this group—your insight, your determination. We're here to support each other."
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She glanced at him, searching for reassurance in his earnest gaze. "But what if my determination isn't enough?"
"Then we figure it out together. Just like these dogs. They don't run alone; they have each other." He nodded towards the track, where the terrier had taken the lead, its tail wagging as it ran with reckless abandon. "That one there? It's not the biggest or the fastest, but look at it go. It doesn't care about the odds. It just runs."
Auna looked at V and smiled she pulled his mask down and was the first team member to see his mouth it was brutal, his mouth was cut and is some spots his teeth were showing "hmm, that makes you look better" they kissed and the race was over and by pure of luck or coincidence number 7 won the race
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I walked out to a hallway and opened the box, inside was a gun "should I kill myself?" I put on two rubber gloves and then I picked up the gun and put it to thee side of my head "maybe i should" In that instant Neevo teleported in front of me "hey" "what do you want?" "I don't know what do you want" I was confused by his question at first then answered "something to live for" "hmm, interesting answer, in all my eons of living I never heard a human say something like that" "huh, hey Neevo?" "Yeah?" I turned around to face him "tell V and the other they were the best thing the happened to me" I that moment I shoot myself and fell to the floor
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I walked over to see Aunas dead body and picked it up "you were the best thing that happened to me" Neevo just teleported back to the train and I ran there. The rest of the team watched in horror as I carried Auna body to the lab "you that she's alive?" "Hmm, naw she looks dead" "your not helping me in any fucking way" I told Neevo Auna layied on the table and I watched over her. She was dead