An eerie cave loomed like a gaping maw in the side of the hill, its dark interior swallowing the faint light that dared to penetrate its depths. Inside, four figures moved with purpose, their hazmat suits glowing faintly under the beams of their headlamps. The suits were bulky, designed to protect them from the unknown chemicals and potential hazards lurking in the cave's ancient, undisturbed environment. The sound of their tools scraping against the rocky ground echoed through the cavern, a rhythmic symphony of discovery.
"I think I found something!" one of them called out, his voice muffled by the respirator but tinged with excitement. The other three immediately stopped their work and hurried over, their boots crunching against the loose soil and gravel. They knelt beside him, their headlamps converging on the spot where he was pointing.
There, partially buried in the dirt, were fragments of what appeared to be old scripts. The symbols etched into the stone were faded and worn, but their intricate patterns hinted at a language long forgotten. One of the figures reached out, brushing away the dirt with a gloved hand to get a better look.
"Looks like old scripts," another said, her voice calm but intrigued. "Doesn't seem like much, but… it's something."
The leader of the group, a tall figure with a commanding presence, straightened up and glanced around the cave. "That's enough for today," he said, his tone decisive. "Let's head back."
The others nodded in agreement, their movements efficient as they gathered their tools and samples. They moved quickly but carefully, their headlamps casting long shadows on the cave walls as they made their way back to the entrance. The cave seemed to watch them go, its silence heavy with secrets still untold.
Emerging from the cave, they were greeted by the stark contrast of the outside world. The hilltop offered a sweeping view of the barren landscape below, the horizon stretching endlessly under a pale, overcast sky. The air was crisp, carrying a faint metallic tang that made the hairs on the back of their necks stand on end. They descended the hill with practiced ease, their boots kicking up small clouds of dust as they went.
At the base of the hill sat their vehicle, a futuristic, rugged machine that looked like it had been built to withstand the apocalypse. Its thick, armored exterior gleamed faintly in the dim light, and its large, all-terrain tires were caked with dirt from their journey. The vehicle had no visible windows or windshields, its navigation system relying on advanced sensors and holographic displays visible only to those inside.
One of the figures glanced over his shoulder as they approached the vehicle, his voice tense. "Quick, before a chimera finds us out here."
The words hung in the air, a reminder of the ever-present danger that lurked in this desolate world. The group moved faster, their movements sharp and purposeful as they climbed into the vehicle. The doors sealed shut with a hiss, and the interior lit up with a soft, blue glow. The dashboard came to life, displaying a holographic map of the area and a series of cryptic symbols that only the driver could decipher.
The engine roared to life, a deep, guttural sound that echoed across the empty landscape. The vehicle lurched forward, its powerful wheels gripping the uneven terrain as it sped down the old, cracked tarmac road. The road stretched ahead like a lifeline, cutting through the barren wasteland and disappearing into the horizon.
Inside the vehicle, the atmosphere was tense but focused. The figures exchanged few words, their attention divided between the road ahead and the samples they had collected. The discovery of the old scripts was significant, but it was only the beginning. There were still so many questions, so many mysteries waiting to be unraveled of the ancient world.
As the vehicle raced across the empty landscape, the leader leaned back in his seat, his eyes fixed on the horizon. "We'll be back," he said quietly, more to himself than to the others. "This is just the start."
The others nodded in silent agreement, their thoughts consumed by the possibilities that lay ahead. The world outside was harsh and unforgiving, but they had faced worse. And as long as there were secrets to uncover, they would keep pushing forward, no matter the risks.
The vehicle disappeared into the distance, its engine fading into the silence of the wasteland. Behind them, the cave stood as a silent sentinel, its secrets still buried deep within the earth, waiting for the right moment to be revealed.
The car roared down the cracked tarmac road, its powerful engine humming as it approached the towering walls of Nai City. The transition from the barren wasteland to the outskirts of civilization was stark. The slum, known as The Den, sprawled along the outer surface of the massive wall like a scar, its makeshift homes and narrow streets a testament to the resilience of those who lived there. The Den was a thin strip of poverty, punctuated by bulges at the four cardinal points: east, west, north, and south. Each bulge was a densely packed cluster of life, where the elementals, humans born with the ability to control fire and its abstract forms, eked out a living.
The car slowed as it approached the eastern bulge, where Leo and his family resided. The Den was a chaotic yet vibrant place, its streets filled with the sounds of life: children playing, vendors shouting, and the occasional crackle of fire as elementals practiced their craft. The air was thick with the scent of cooking food, smoke, and the faint metallic tang that seemed to linger everywhere in this world. The people here were tough, hardened by their circumstances, but there was a sense of community that bound them together.
As the car passed through the slum, the towering wall of Nai City loomed overhead, its sheer height and thickness a constant reminder of the divide between the haves and the have-nots. The wall stood 70 meters tall and 10 meters thick, an impenetrable barrier that separated the opulence of Nai City from the struggles of The Den. It was a structure born of injustice, designed to keep the elementals out and the non-elementals in.
The car finally reached the gate of Nai City, a massive archway guarded by Scouts. The gate opened slowly, revealing the stark contrast between the slum and the city beyond. Nai City was a marvel of modern architecture, its streets lined with high-quality buildings and sprawling mansions. The air here was cleaner, the streets quieter, and the people dressed in fine clothes that spoke of wealth and privilege. At the center of the city stood the Spire, a towering structure made of white stone and gold metal. Its most striking feature was the huge spherical orb at its pinnacle, surrounded by golden rings that orbited and overlapped each other in a mesmerizing dance of light and motion.
The car navigated the pristine streets of Nai City, its occupants silent as they took in the sights. The city was a place of beauty and luxury, but it was also a place of exclusion. The non-elementals who lived here were ordinary humans, fragile and physically powerless, but they held the wealth and power that kept the elementals confined to The Den. It was a system designed to maintain control, to keep the elementals in their place while the non-elementals reaped the benefits of their labor.
As the car pulled up to a sleek, modern building, the leader of the group stepped out, his hazmat suit now replaced with a tailored coat. He glanced back at the Spire, its golden rings glinting in the sunlight, and sighed. "We'll report our findings to her Almighty soon," he said to the others. "But remember, this is bigger than just us. What we've discovered could change everything."
The others nodded, their expressions serious. They knew the stakes. The old scripts they had found in the cave could hold the key to understanding the old world, previous civilizations and more that defined their world. But revealing such knowledge would only be allowed in the presence of Her.
As they entered the main archeological centre, the leader couldn't help but glance back at the wall, its imposing presence a constant reminder of the divide that separated Nai City from The Den. He thought of the elementals living in the slum, the countless who struggled to survive in the shadow of the wall. They deserved better.
But for now, the secrets of the cave would remain hidden, locked away. The leader turned away from the wall and stepped inside, his mind already racing with plans and possibilities.
Meanwhile at Breon's house, his room was a sanctuary of knowledge and imagination, a space that reflected his curious mind and privileged upbringing. The walls were lined with shelves filled with books spanning every discipline, history, science, mathematics, and more. A large globe sat in one corner, its surface depicting the four continents and vast oceans in meticulous detail. Breon's bed, though oversized for his small frame, was neatly made, and his toys were arranged with care, some in boxes and others on shelves, forming a miniature civilization that hinted at his playful yet organized nature.
Breon sat at his desk, a sleek, modern piece of furniture with a lamp that remained off despite the soft glow of daylight filtering through the glass balcony door. The soothing hum of ambient music filled the room, creating a tranquil atmosphere as Breon pored over a book, his small hands turning the pages with quiet focus. The room was a blend of luxury and intellect, a reflection of the world Breon inhabited, one of privilege, but also isolation.
The tranquility was interrupted as the glass door to the balcony slid open, and Leonarda stepped inside. She was dressed in her usual black suit, the tailored blazer and trousers accentuating her tall, slightly muscular frame. Her presence was commanding yet graceful, and she carried a tray with a bowl of soup. The soup was a deep, viscous red, its aroma rich and slightly spicy. Breon, still a child, wouldn't typically be eating something so intense, but Leonarda seemed to know what she was doing.
"Good afternoon, Breon," she greeted, her voice warm and lively as she approached his desk.
"Good afternoon, Leonarda," Breon replied, looking up from his book with a small smile. He watched as she bent down, her movements elegant, and placed the bowl of soup and a spoon on his desk.
"That's enough studying for the day," she said, gently ruffling his hair. "You should eat now."
Breon closed his book and set it aside, pulling the bowl closer. The soup steamed slightly, its rich color and aroma inviting. As he picked up the spoon, Leonarda straightened up, her sharp eyes scanning the room before settling back on him.
"I saw your friend from the other night," she said casually, her tone light but deliberate.
Breon froze, his spoon hovering halfway to his mouth. His heart skipped a beat as he processed her words. He had thought his encounter with Amani was a secret, a rare moment of freedom and connection that no one else knew about. But Leonarda's words shattered that illusion. He glanced at her, his expression a mix of surprise and apprehension.
"Oh, uh…" Breon stammered, his mind racing. He wasn't supposed to have friends. His parents had strict rules about who he could interact with, and Leonarda was usually his only human connection. The thought of getting into trouble, or worse, losing the chance to see Amani again, filled him with dread.
Before Breon could say anything, Leonarda continued, her tone softening. "It's alright. I saw how happy you were. I'm glad you had fun." She paused, her gaze steady. "Just inform me about these things, okay? It's for your own safety. I should know if you meet him again."
Breon blinked, relief washing over him as he realized Leonarda wasn't angry. In fact, she seemed almost… supportive. His fear melted into curiosity, and then hope. "He can come again?" he asked, his voice tentative but eager.
Leonarda smiled, a rare, genuine expression that softened her usually stern features, something only Breon could do. "Yes, if… you promise you'll tell me. And you won't tell your parents. It's our little secret." She held out her pinky, a gesture that felt both playful and serious.
Breon's face lit up, and he quickly locked pinkies with her, sealing their pact. "Deal," he said, his voice filled with excitement.
Leonarda straightened up, her smile lingering. "Anyway, I have some errands to run. Eat up, and I'll catch you later."
"Bye!" Breon called after her as she left the room, his heart lighter than it had been in a long time. He turned back to his soup, taking a spoonful with a smile. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt a sense of freedom, and the promise of friendship.
Meanwhile, Leonarda stepped out of the mansion and into a sleek, black car. She drove through the pristine streets of Nai City, her expression unreadable as she navigated toward the crack in the wall that separated the city from The Den. The Scouts stationed there recognized her immediately, and after a discreet exchange, a bribe slipped into their hands, they let her pass without question.
As she entered The Den, the contrast was jarring. The bustling, chaotic energy of the slum was a world away from the sterile order of Nai City. Leonarda's car moved slowly through the narrow streets, her sharp eyes taking in the sights and sounds of the place she rarely visited. She finally stopped near a pole where a missing persons poster hung, the image of a young man in a pink hoodie with the words "Yes King" emblazoned across it.
Leonarda stepped out of the car, her heels clicking against the cracked pavement. She reached into her bag and pulled out a job application poster, neatly printed and professional. She pinned it to the pole, right on the missing person's notice. As if the missing man was of lesser importance than the job vacancy. The poster advertised a position for a house help at the mansion where she and Breon resided.
Her task complete, Leonarda returned to her car, her expression calm but thoughtful. She glanced back at the poster one last time before driving away, her mind already working through the next steps of her plan.