Chapter 5: The Land of Machines
Episode 1: The Journey from PPP Harbor
The black, magnetic train streaked along its glimmering rails above the water's surface. Its smooth speed left the passengers undisturbed, yet the shifting scenery outside kept everyone silent, captivated by the view.
"What's that?" Yue asked, pointing toward a cluster of towering structures barely visible through the distant haze. The fog cloaking the city slowly turned into dense black smoke. "It looks like those buildings are breathing out clouds of soot…"
Akira glanced in the same direction, his expression turning contemplative. "That's similar to something we have back in the human world—industrial zones…" He paused, his tone shifting. "But nothing this extreme. It's not like they blot out the entire sky."
Draco leaned his elbow against the window, his voice laced with skepticism. "Looks like we won't be seeing many trees around here. Not sure if there's even enough air left to breathe."
"Just looking at it makes me feel suffocated," Mirelle said, her voice tinged with frustration, her eyes betraying a deep disdain. "These people treat the world like one giant factory. All they care about is production—no thought for the environment."
Yue turned to Mirelle, her curiosity piqued. "Why does this bother you so much, Mirelle?"
Mirelle took a deep breath, visibly calming herself. "Because it's pollution like this that's ruining the oceans in Undine. Leanne and I have filed countless complaints, but no one listens."
"I've tried, too," Elina said flatly, her gaze fixed on the smoke ahead. "But the real problem lies in the Cyborg Zone. They're upstream, and they couldn't care less about how it affects anyone else…" She sighed, her voice heavy with resignation. "And Guardians like us… we can't do much. Cyborgs and Guardians never work together."
As the train slowed, the rhythmic hum of machinery echoed through the cabin, like the heartbeat of a mechanical city coming to life. The scenery outside became clearer, revealing a stark contrast to the lush nature of Undine. This place looked as if it belonged to the Age of Iron.
Steel skyscrapers loomed like an impenetrable fortress, blotting out the sun. The sky had turned a murky gray, choked by smoke. Tangled wires crisscrossed over the streets below, some sparking ominously.
When the train finally halted, the screeching of metal against metal reverberated through the station, prompting Akira's team to glance around uneasily. The station, designed for function over form, was a grim structure of dull, rusted steel stained with oil and grime. Ventilation shafts emitted faint, eerie groans that only deepened their unease.
"Stay alert," Elina warned, scanning the area as the team disembarked. "This zone doesn't welcome strangers. But if they know who we are, they won't risk starting trouble."
The surrounding crowd was a patchwork of cyberpunk aesthetics—garish neon-lit outfits, cybernetic implants gleaming in the dim light, and expressions that sized up Akira's team with calculating wariness. Some were busy repairing their mechanical limbs, while others gathered in groups, puffing on e-cigarettes that exhaled metallic-scented vapor.
"This place feels like another world," Akira muttered under his breath. "Like NPCs from a game programmed never to smile."
Yue leaned closer to Draco, whispering, "Are they angry about something? Is there another Wrath Sin lurking around here?"
Draco blinked in surprise, recalling a particularly fiery encounter. "I sure hope not. I don't want to face another volcano-splitting maniac."
"They're not angry," Elina said in her usual calm tone. "They just don't care. This zone is full of outlaws, and smiling isn't something they find important."
The team made their way through a marketplace bathed in dim orange light. The air was thick with the deafening clamor of machinery, making casual conversation nearly impossible. The streets were riddled with potholes and slick with spilled oil, giving off a pungent, acrid stench. Overhead, haphazard electrical wires dangled precariously, occasionally sparking.
A man approached, his eyes lingering on the group a moment too long. Yue tugged at Akira's sleeve nervously. "He's been staring at us…"
"Just let him look," Elina said, her icy gaze locking onto the man. He quickly averted his eyes and shuffled away, as if caught in the act.
Draco chuckled softly. "You really have this aura that makes people back off, Elina."
She turned her sharp gaze on him, and he immediately looked away, muttering under his breath, "Now I see why they're scared of you…"
After navigating the chaos and decay of the Cyborg Zone, the team finally crossed into the Guardian Sector, where the atmosphere changed drastically—as if they had stepped into a different world.
The roads were smooth and clean, lined with vibrant green trees. Polished stone-and-metal buildings reflected sunlight brilliantly, and small ponds dotted the area, their crystal-clear waters revealing robotic fish gliding gracefully beneath the surface.
Children with cybernetic limbs played on manicured lawns, some riding mechanical horses while others practiced combat skills with surprising intensity. A few tested small, self-made tanks, their laughter and cheers ringing out.
"This looks like paradise!" Yue exclaimed, running up to a tree with bright green leaves. "It reminds me of Celes, except Celes had white leaves."
"Exactly," Draco agreed, inhaling deeply. "The air here is so much better than back there!"
"This is what the Guardians strive to protect," Elina said, leading the team forward. "We want to prove that technology and nature can coexist, as long as there's enough will to make it happen."
Mirelle walked behind them, her gaze scanning the surroundings with mixed emotions. "They've done well here," she murmured. "But can it really last if they don't address the pollution from the Cyborg Zone?"
The team passed through a small garden before arriving at a towering building adorned with the Guardian insignia. Its architecture blended ancient Chinese elegance with modern precision. Ornate metal doors creaked open, revealing a regal, elderly man seated on what could only be described as a throne of wisdom.
Dressed in a pristine white robe with intricate, shimmering designs, he exuded authority. His sharp, dark eyes carried a weight of experience, his face lined with the marks of time and responsibility.
"You must be Akira's team," he said in a deep, resonant voice that commanded attention. "Elina has told me about you."
Elina stepped forward and bowed respectfully, and the rest of the group followed suit. She introduced him as Castor Lycius, the leader of the Guardians. Castor greeted them warmly, but the anxiety and urgency in his eyes were hard to conceal.
The man rose gracefully, his movements measured and deliberate. His hands, clasped in front of him, radiated calm intent. His face, though kind, bore the unmistakable steel of a leader who had made countless tough decisions.
Akira stepped forward and extended his hand. "We came at your invitation."
Castor nodded, his expression steady. "Follow me. There is much we need to discuss."
They proceeded to a formal meeting room beyond the entrance. As the team followed him inside, they couldn't help but feel the tension beneath the sector's serene exterior. The true story of the catastrophe was about to begin in earnest.