The soft buzz of the NutrientNet faded into the background as Kaius stood up, his legs shaky but functional. After days spent recovering, his muscles ached with every step, but it was a welcome ache—the kind that reminded him he was still alive. His body felt lighter, and though he wasn't anywhere near his full strength, he no longer felt like the worn-out, hunched figure from the slums. His hair, once a messy tangle, was cleaner now, and the dark circles beneath his eyes had faded slightly.
As he stretched his stiff limbs, the door to the room creaked open, and Ella popped her head in, a smirk already forming on her face.
"Well, look who's back on his feet," she teased, stepping inside.
"I was starting to think you'd forgotten how to walk."
Kaius rolled his eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips.
"Still kicking. Barely."
Ella clapped her hands together, her grin widening.
"Great! Because you and I are going for a little tour. Can't have you wandering around here like a lost puppy."
Before Kaius could protest, she grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the room. The hallway was wide and lit by soft, warm lights that cast a welcoming glow. As they walked, Kaius noticed that the base was far larger than he expected. It wasn't the damp, cold tunnels he had imagined—this place was alive.
They passed groups of rebels—men and women of all ages—working on various projects. Some were repairing cybernetic limbs, others were tinkering with machines that Kaius couldn't even begin to understand. The air buzzed with a quiet energy, like a community working in sync toward a shared goal.
And everywhere they went, people greeted Ella with cheerful smiles.
"Ella! Good to see you!"
"Hey, Ella, when are you joining us for drinks?"
"You back from your supply run?"
She waved them off with a playful grin, calling back,
"Yeah, yeah, keep your pants on. I'll be around."
Then, with a mock-serious tone, she added to Kaius, "You see, this is how you stay popular. Keep people guessing, never give them all your time."
Kaius chuckled. "They seem to like you."
Ella shrugged, but there was a twinkle of pride in her eyes. "What can I say? I'm charming."
As they moved further into the base, the atmosphere grew more industrial. The walls became metal, the lighting dimmer, and the sounds of machinery grew louder. There were fewer people here, but the few they did pass offered polite nods. Ella led him through corridors and past rooms filled with equipment, storage areas, and armories.
Eventually, they reached a large door, unlike any of the others. It was sealed tight, with heavy locks and two guards standing in front. The door itself had a different aura—it was reinforced, marked with symbols Kaius didn't recognize.
Ella stopped in front of the door, glancing at it before turning to Kaius.
"And this… is where we don't go."
Kaius raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.
"What's in there?"
Ella shrugged, but her tone was a little more serious this time.
"No clue. Higher-ups only. I don't even know what they're doing in there."
Kaius stared at the door for a moment longer, the air around it feeling charged, almost unnatural. He wanted to ask more, to push for answers, but something in Ella's expression told him that was a dead end.
"Guess I won't be getting a tour of that place, huh?" Kaius said, trying to lighten the mood.
Ella laughed, her usual playful tone returning.
"Not unless you plan on becoming one of the big shots around here. And even then, good luck. They don't even let me in—and that's says something."
Kaius chuckled, but his mind lingered on the door. There was something about it that didn't sit right with him. Something more than just secrecy.
They moved away from the restricted area, and Ella led him to a more open section of the base. It was a large training area, with mats laid out for hand-to-hand combat practice, weights stacked in one corner, and several rebels sparring with each other.
"You should spend some time here," Ella suggested, her voice a little less teasing.
"You're not bad, but you're not exactly ready to face what's out there either."
Kaius nodded, knowing she was right. His powers might be growing, but his body wasn't nearly as strong as it needed to be. If he wanted to survive, he'd have to train—not just his mind but his physical strength as well.
Ella crossed her arms, watching as a couple of rebels sparred nearby.
"This place isn't just a hideout, you know. It's a way of life. People come here to learn, to train, to fight back. And you…" she glanced at him sideways, "you could fit in here. But you've got to pull your weight."
Kaius took a deep breath, feeling the weight of everything settling on his shoulders. He'd come so far in the past few months, but he still felt out of place. Could he really become part of this rebellion? Could he make a difference?
"Do you ever think about leaving?" he asked, his voice softer now, more introspective.
Ella shrugged, her usual sarcasm softening slightly.
"Hell no man. Where would I go? The Sky District won't have me, and the slums? Fuck that.." She turned to him, her expression uncharacteristically serious.
"But here? At least we're fighting! Also we have a chance to change things, even if it's a long shot."
Kaius nodded with smile, understanding more than he wanted to admit. He glanced around the room again, at the rebels training and working together. It wasn't just about surviving—it was about making a stand.
As they continued the tour, the buzz of the base became more familiar. Kaius began to feel more at ease, though his mind still lingered on the restricted door. There were layers to this rebellion—things they weren't telling him. But for now, he had to focus on getting stronger.
As they passed by another group of rebels, one of them called out, "Ella! Bring your new friend to join us for drinks later!"
Ella smirked, glancing at Kaius. "What do you say, buttercup? Do you think you can keep up?"
Kaius laughed softly. "I'll try."
They continued walking, but the question remained in Kaius's mind: what was behind that door, and why was it so heavily guarded?