Below the swirling smoke on the surface lie the scarred remnants of cybernetic monsters known as Barrakudos, their circuits buzzing like swarms of angry insects. Eerie roars and rumbles echo through the darkness, blending with the sounds of grinding metal and twisted gears, mimicking the cries of wild creatures. The smoke is so dense that only the red, glowing eyes of these mechanical beasts pierce through the gloom, casting an ominous glow across the desolate wasteland.
Above the surface consumed by smoke and Barrakudo is the city of Arkvine, its massive skyline punctuated by towering skyscrapers covered in enormous screens displaying the symbol of the god Visage. The streets below were crowded with people hurrying to and from their homes, moving like a tide through the narrow streets.
A clear division existed between the cyborgs and the walkers-cyborgs were wealthy humans who lived in the inner cities, thriving and sleek with their mechanical enhancements.
Walkers, on the other hand, were the impoverished, living in the outer slums of Skyland Arkvine. They were seen as the overpopulated, uncontrolled masses who struggled to survive, without mechanical body advancements, unlike the efficiently managed lives of the cyborgs. Cyber-Guards patrolled the streets, their mechanical eyes cold and uncaring as they scanned the crowd for potential disruptions.
A woman is dragged out of her home, struggling against the grip of the armored guard known as Chief Iruka, a man well in his 50's, slick back brown hiar with a scruffy brown beared. "You are accused of producing illegal activity-art," the guard barks, tightening his hold. Desperate, she tries to break free, but he fires a taser into her back. Her body convulses, then collapses onto the ground. "According to the law of the Visage Order, art is banned. No man or woman shall produce anything artistic; such nonsense is poison," he declares to the small crowd gathering nearby.
The woman, her voice weak and pained, whispers, "My son, your Gods killed my son." Ignoring her plea, the guard handcuffs her and drags her to the back of a paddy wagon, throwing her inside "Your son was chosen by the gods sent to the surface to be sacrificed, he is in a better place now". As the door slams shut, a crumpled picture of a child falls to the ground. From the shadows, a ghostly, paint-like figure the a child appears, watching silently as the woman is taken away, before fading out of existence.
In the grim lit chambers of General Hinata, a thin blonde hared woman, Officer Gilldof and Chief Iruka stand before her, the atmosphere tense.
General Hinata, a woman with a cruel demeanor etched across her face, sits behind a heavy desk, her general's uniform sharply pressed. "What's the current status of Arkvine?" she demands, her voice cutting through the air.
Chief Iruka steps forward, his posture stiff. "All things are in order, General. All citizens are registered, several rebels have been detained and await execution alongside those breaking any other Visage laws. Sunday worships are still being enforced, and Cyborg cities are thriving while Walker cities are becoming extremely overpopulated."
General Hinata "What of the Barrakudos".
Chief Iruka "Welp, I've had the sky unit survey the surface world, even though we can't see the Barrakudo the electrical currents have increased by 50%"
General Hinata "That means those barbaric creatures have multiplied faster than last year".
General "More the reason why we must maintain Order on the skylands my lady".
General Hinata "I agree Gilldof".
Gilldof nods in agreement. "The walkers are beginning to become a pest to the Cyborg people. Some of the delicacies we Cyborgs enjoy have been shortened in order to feed those weaklings."
General Hinata scoffs, a sneer twisting her lips. "That's unacceptable. Walkers are scum, trash for the gods and slaves to cyborgs, they should never take away from Cyber people-that's the Visage order."
Her expression darkens, and she grits her teeth, anger visibly simmering beneath the surface.
Officer GIlldof shifts uncomfortably. "I'm not sure how much the island can take, General. There are too many of them."
General Hinata waves her hand dismissively. "No worries. I've already been contacted by the Visage Gods. They will be holding a mass selection tonight."
Chief Iruka's face lights up with a grin. "That's wonderful news, my lady. The gods are swift to act."
Officer Gilldof shoots him a disapproving look, scratching his head. "Iruka, please try to conduct yourself more professionally."
Chief Iruka chuckles, unfazed.
General Hinata's expression softens into a twisted smile. "We can always count on the gods to protect the Cyber people. Gilldof, you'll be in charge of overseeing the selection."
Gilldof bows slightly. "Yes, ma'am. I take it you won't be attending?"
General Hinata leans back with a smirk. "No, I was personally invited to a party by one of the Visage Gods, they call him, V4. There will be all sorts of treats there."
Chief Iruka "Ahhh lady Hinata that is spectacular, perhaps one day you will become a goddess".
Generla Hinata chuckles.
Within the Walker districts, the towering screens flickered, and a computerized voice echoed through the city. "Good people of Arkvine, we thank you all for your good deeds and submission in ensuring our society thrives. In light of the current population surge, God has decided to hold a selection tomorrow."
The cyborgs erupted in warm cheers. A Cyborg scoffs "It's about time, those walkers spread like germs". Meanwhile down in the Walker sectors, the same announcement was met with mixed feelings.
Despite their poverty, there was always a sliver of hope.
In one corner of the sector, Braxer, an 12-year-old Afro-American boy, large wild kinky Afro, alongside Venus, Irish, pale skin, 14 years old, muscular girl, Toko, 14, Japanese, wearing a gold watch sit on the edge of Arkvine, their legs dangling over the side as the world stretches out beneath them.
Braxer's gaze is fixed downward, staring into the dark abyss below. The view is hidden beneath a thick, swirling blanket of smoke, which drifts and churns like a restless sea. The darkness seems to go on forever, a void that even his imagination struggles to pierce.
The wind picks up, rustling through his puffy black afro, sending a chill down his spine as it whispers through the empty spaces between the metal beams of the city.
Toko kicks his feet absently, glancing at Venus, who leans back with her eyes closed, enjoying the breeze. She takes a deep breath, a small smile playing on her lips, while Braxer remains silent, his thoughts lost somewhere beyond the swirling smoke.
Despite the uncertainty and danger that lies below, the three of them find a strange comfort in this moment-balanced on the precipice between the floating city of Arkvine and the unknown depths. For now, they share this quiet space, where even the weight of their fears seems lighter against the night sky.
Igris an 18 year old blonde haired teen, grinning mischievously, "You guys, shouldn't sit on the edge like that you could fall".
Braxer jumped up "Igris". Toko and venus "Big bro".
Igris shouted from afar, "Alright, kids! It's time to play another game of team tagg. So you better not get caught! If I catch you before the timer goes off, I win!"
Venus's eyes sparkled as she winked at Braxer, tightening her calf muscles as they unnaturally swelled in size. With a flash, she bolted away like an Olympic sprinter.
Braxer, momentarily mesmerized by her wink, quickly followed her, his heart pounding not just from the chase but from his growing feelings for her.
Toko climbed a nearby building to gain a vantage point. "I'll just stay up here so I can see everything and with my lucky gold watch the God of luck will protect me" he muttered. Just as he reached the top, a whistle broke his concentration. He turned, only to see Igris grinning devilishly below him. "No way Big bro!" Toko cried as Igris tagged his leg. "Looks like you lost, little bro," Igris laughed. Toko groaned in defeat. "That's unfair, man." Igris chuckled. "Well, now you gotta help me catch Venus and Braxer."
Braxer walking ontop of building rooftop, he could see Venus from afar jumping from rooftop to rooftop "How can she be so strong and shes only 14" he said.
Suddenly his attention is caught by a couple below. He watched from a distance as the couple walked together, their clothes tattered but their hands tightly clasped. The man suddenly stopped and dropped to his knees, catching the woman off guard.
WOMAN (Surprised)
"What's this about?"
MAN(Earnestly)
"My love, the Gods may pick us for the selection one day, and I don't know if it'll be you or me. I want us to get married now, so when we become Titans, we'll be together forever. Will you marry me?"The woman burst out laughing, shaking her head.
WOMAN(Amused)
"How do you know we're going to be Titans? What if we just... die?"The man scratched the back of his head, looking slightly embarrassed.
MAN(Grinning)
"You know, you can be really dark sometimes. But I guess you're right."Braxer, watching closely, raised an eyebrow, his eyes filled with curiosity.
He couldn't help but be intrigued by their playful banter amidst such grim circumstances. As the man reached into his pocket, his face grew worried.
WOMAN(Noticing his hesitation)
"What's wrong?"The man chuckled awkwardly.
MAN(Sheepish)
"Well, at least we know for sure we wont be chosen for the selection this time around since we are having baby..."
Braxer repeats the word "baby".
Without a word, Braxer extended his hand. A simple wooden ring formed in the man's hand, crafted from the limited resources of the Skylands-metal, wood, and iron. The woman's eyes widened as she grabbed the ring, examining it with delight.
WOMAN(Excited)
"This is so beautiful!"The man blinked, still confused.
MAN(Baffled)
"Wait, what?"
Braxer smiled softly at their joy, but as Toko's voice suddenly called from behind him, his expression shifted. Without a sound, he slipped into the shadows, disappearing from sight.The chase continued, with Igris hot on Venus's trail, but her agility was unlike anything he had ever seen-leaping from rooftop to rooftop, flipping through the air with ease.
However, her legs began to tire, and Igris, sensing an opportunity, called out, "You've got a gift, Venus. I've never seen a kid your age with such physical abilities... but I'm still faster!" Meanwhile, Braxer, struggling to keep up, noticed Venus's slight limp and saw Igris closing the distance. He pushed himself harder, racing ahead. Venus darted into a narrow alley, realizing too late that it was a dead end.
Braxer caught up, panting. "Braxer, run! He's going to catch us!" she warned. But Braxer, smiling, reached out his hand. "It's okay." Venus, her face softening, took his hand, and Braxer's eyes began to glow green "Venus I want to give you something".
Venus with a curious look "Give me what".
They both stared at each other as the tension between them faded into a shared moment of trust.
Igris leaped down from the rooftop into the alley, scanning the area. His eyes landed on a large, dirty stuffed teddy bear in the corner. "Where did they go?" Toko, breathless, finally caught up, gasping, "Damn, Igris, you're too fast. Where are they?" Igris scratched his head, puzzled. "I swear I saw them run in here... there's no way they climbed up the building."
The timer beeped loudly, signaling the end of the game. Toko, hands on his knees, smirked. "Well, the timer's out! Looks like we took too long." Igris shook his head. "Those two are always sneaky." Just then, the giant teddy bear wobbled and stood up. Toko jumped back, shouting, "What the hell!?"
The bear collapsed, revealing Venus peeking out with a grin. "WE WON!" she declared proudly. Igris groaned. "You were hiding in there the whole time?" Venus giggled, sliding out of the costume.
A muffled voice came from beneath her. "Venus, I can't breathe! You're sitting on my face." She jumped up in concern. "Oh my gosh, Braxer, are you okay?" Braxer, red-faced but beaming, caught his breath. "Victory is ours!"
Later that evening, the four sat on a rooftop, staring up at the endless sky. Braxer, his voice soft, spoke. "I wonder what it's like on the surface..." Their musings were interrupted by a virtual screen appearing before them. The Visage Order's announcement of the upcoming selection played out again. Toko, ever the jokester, teased, "Ah, finally, another selection".
I wonder if they'll pick us this time." Venus glanced at him, her tone a little more serious. "Do you think we'll be chosen?"
Toko, in mock excitement, responded, "I hope we do!"
Braxer, however, shook his head. "I'd rather none of us get chosen." Venus turned to him, puzzled. "Why do you say that, Braxer?" He sighed, his gaze fixed on her. "Because no matter how tough life is as walkers, spending time with you guys makes it all worth it. I don't want to be separated from any of you." His words hung in the air as they all sat in silence.
Toko broke the tension with a laugh. "Don't forget! When we die, the God Visage will bring us back as titans in a new world. We'll be gods of our own nations, right, Igris?"
Igris, usually confident, sat quietly, his face marked with frustration and discomfort. Braxer noticed the shift, his smile fading as concern settled over the group. Igris faintly replied "Yes, will all be ttians of the new order".