In the military camp.
Adam woke up after an unknown amount of time had passed. He groaned softly, trying to shake the headache that lingered. He was beginning to suspect that he would have to deal with a lasting headache for the rest of his life.
He tapped on his wristband and checked the time. "8:17pm," He muttered. Then, Adam looked around and noticed he was the only one in the room.
As the Marshal had mentioned that the cafeteria would be open by 7 in the morning, and 8 when the sun fell, he guessed the others had left to get dinner. Any meal in between those times wouldn't be sponsored by the camp, and it would cost Crypts to get light snacks.
Clad in a tight-fitted shirt and black pants, he rose from his bed and walked over to one of the doors he suspected led to the bathroom. He stood by the basin and dabbed his face with water.
Adam could see his weary look in the mirror. His eyes appeared even more lifeless and there were dark circles beneath them, although they weren't too obvious.
No matter how much he slept, he always woke up feeling exhausted. It was like these new powers constantly drained him, trying to suck the life out of him.
"I wonder when the constant banging in my head will stop," After muttering a few things to himself, he left the room and stepped into the brightly lit corridors that had doors on the left and right sides. He shut the door to the room and walked forward, eventually reaching the large space that served as a reception of sorts.
Beyond a glass door was the cafeteria. He could see the others and a few Overseer officers. Adam paused for a moment, looked outside, beyond the dome-like building and wondered if he could eat someplace else.
…
Nina carefully placed a tray containing a bowl of regular rice and a cup of water on the table before her. The cafeteria in this part of the camp was more like a Mess hall, with wooden tables arranged in long rows.
She had causally picked a secluded spot and sat. Nina raised her gaze, noticing the numerous eyes on her. She was naturally very beautiful, and her doll-like demeanour added an uncanny presence that mesmerised people.
She remained silent and concentrated on eating, planning on going to bed immediately after. At that moment, she raised her gaze once more, due to a sudden stir within her and looked ahead.
She saw Adam. He was carrying a tray of food and walking in her direction.
Nina watched him place the tray on her table and sat across from her.
"Shouldn't you be in the main building?" She asked, though quite glad he came.
Adam rubbed his temples and said, "I'd feel uncomfortable if I sat and ate with those people."
"Understandable," She nodded. After all, they were alike.
The numerous stares didn't go unnoticed. Adam wore a solemn look and pointed out, "Quite a lot of them are staring."
"I wonder why," Nina said genuinely, oblivious to her own beauty. As she scooped a spoonful of rice into her mouth, she said amidst chewing, "Nana doesn't like that I'm trying to get into this new division."
"Because you would be putting yourself in danger." Adam said. "Frankly, I didn't know you would go through with it. I thought you had merely been joking the other day."
There was silence at the table.
Nina glanced at him and asked with her lips pursed, a rare expression on her face, "But are you glad that I'm here?"
"I can't say I'm not." Adam answered seriously.
Nina nodded and said with a soft smile, "If you're worried that I'll be putting myself in danger, then just become strong enough to protect me."
Adam stared at her for a whole. Her pitch black eyes were like a mesmerising temptation, luring people into the bottomless abyss. He oddly found comfort in her eyes.
"I'll make sure of that." He said. Before he knew it, his brain had begun to perceive Nina as a new Lyra. He needed someone to depend on, someone who could be a single ball of light in his dark world.
At that moment, he thought about the elderly man's words. He was the light in the dark, but he had to be careful of getting consumed by the choking darkness. Thus, he needed anchors who would be lights in his own darkness.
The horned beast had also said the same thing.
"Do you think you're one of the anchors that old man spoke about?" He asked.
"I see no reason why not." Nina nodded in response. "I mean, shouldn't that naturally be the case?"
Adam fell into a brief contemplation.
"At first, I thought so too. But then, I began to think, what if I'm not the only one? What if there are others out there with knowledge of these runes and the whole 'God' thing? What if I've yet to come across these anchors they talk about?"
"Being the light in your darkness…" Nina muttered the phrase, then asked, "Judging by this, it means the anchors are meant to stabilise you, right?"
"I guess so…"
Nina nodded and posed another question, "What do you feel when you're around me? What do I make you feel?"
"Comfort." Adam answered almost immediately. "Especially your eyes. They feel, I don't know… they just feel so familiar and comforting. Like someplace I yearn to be."
Usually, these sorts of questions and answers would have other people flustered, but Nina and Adam's brains were lacking in that aspect.
Nina nodded once more. "Then I guess there's your answer. Does Nana make you feel the same?"
Adam shook his head. "I'm not sure," He said.
Hm… could it be due to my special attribute? Nina had a fleeting thought. Just like what he had explained, she felt the same way in his presence. Was there a link between the monster she housed and Adam?
"Adam," That was the first time she would be calling his name. "There's something I need to tell you after these four months are over."
The boy stared at her for a while, then nodded, "Sure."