The Student Hostel of the West

09:47

A bit late at night, when everyone was suppose to be already asleep, N04H woke up feeling a discomfort. It wasn't something major, just a thing that bothered him. But when he looked around the room for a few moments, he noticed M1LO standing awake in his bed. So, he got up and went next to him, even though M1LO didn't want to make eye contact.

[M1LO]-...I've heard that you guys got into a small situation this night.

[N04H]-How did you find out?

[M1LO]-You know AU5T1N. He's not the best guy to keep a secret.

[N04H]-Right...

[M1LO]-...I told you to not go with them, you know?

[N04H]-I know, I know...

[M1LO]-But even so... it seems like you did a pretty good job handling the situation. I... guess you really are born to be a warrior.

[N04H]-...It wasn't me who managed to save them, though.

[M1LO]-Don't be ridiculous, N04H! You were the one who managed to run away and bring help! I'm sure the Central Base will accept someone like you.

N04H stopped for a second and thought about something, before he finally spoke.

[N04H]-I... don't think I will join them anymore.

[M1LO]-Hm? Why not? This was your dream from the very beginning.

[N04H]-I know but... I think I found a better place to work in.

[M1LO]-And which one is that?

[N04H]-To be honest... I'm not exactly sure of which one it is. Actually, I'm not sure of anything regarding it. I just have a few theories of my own.

[M1LO]-Why the sudden change of mind then?

[N04H]-I just... have a feeling that I will fit there better.

[M1LO]-So I guess these days are our last moments together, huh...

[N04H]-It doesn't have to be this way, you know?

[M1LO]-Yeah... but who knows what life will throw at us in the future?

[N04H]-We will always be friends no matter what. Don't you agree?

[M1LO]-Heheh...

Then, M1LO looked N04H in the eyes with a small smile. Though they knew the future, they weren't sure of their fate. And something about his question makes it look like it might have a deeper meaning than it is shown.

[M1LO]-N04H... Will you survive until the dawn?

[N04H]-...It's a promise!

[M1LO]-Then the only thing that I can hope now is for this to not be our last goodbye.

[N04H]-We can still live in the present and appreciate the last moments together, you know?

[M1LO]-Heh... Don't worry about that. We will make the most of it.

The Underground City

37:19

"While the sleep schedule of the day was going, I decided to pay a small visit to that abover and see how everything is going for him. I didn't know much about what he was going to do in our city though, I just heard a few things while he was discussing with the weird man when we were going to the underground. I heard, for example, that he is suppose to work somewhere at the east of the city. But that's pretty much what I knew. Even so, my lucky day continued just like before. Because when I was close to the east part of the city, I bumped into someone. Again."

[LUK3]-Oh, come on! It's the third time this day, kiddo! You don't have something against me now, do you!?

[N04H]-S-Sorry for that...

[LUK3]-Oh, forget it... So? You came to see your little friend from above too?

[N04H]-Yeah, but... I don't really know where he is.

[LUK3]-Then I guess we can go together, little guy! Follow me!

"I managed to have a small walk with him and also had the chance to ask a few questions about them. I didn't want to annoy him with too many questions though, even if I had a lot to ask. I wanted first to know more about them as people, and left the chat about their work for a bit later, when I thought it is the right time to ask."

[N04H]-Where is that girl, by the way? The one who was with you when I found you on the streets?

[LUK3]-KYR4, you mean? Oh, she wanted to stay back to our work place, though I've tried to take her out. We got a few things done early today, so she takes care of what's left. Not only that, but she also refuses when I ask her out pretty often anyway...

[N04H]-Then why were you two together last night when I found you?

[LUK3]-Oh, that's a whole different story! Originally, we were done with the work of the day, but a friend of mine asked us if we could take a few supplies from the city before we go to rest. KYR4 was suppose to go in the city anyway, and I came just to take everything we needed and get it to our work place. Just so she won't have to come and go again. And I had to come back there anyway since there is also where I sleep. I don't have an apartment of my own in the city like her or stay at the shelters. But then we found you with a problem, helped you out and came back to our rest very late. I was actually the last one to reach our rooms, come to think of it... I overslept a bit today as well, and Boss wasn't so happy about it, hehe...

[N04H]-Yeah, sorry about that...

[LUK3]-Oh, it's okay! Don't worry about it! I just had a bit of more fun before I went to sleep!

[N04H]-What about the other guy that came later?

[LUK3]-Um... C0NNER doesn't really enjoy going out that much. So even if I asked him to come with me in the city, I couldn't get him to join, if that's what you meant to ask. He usually stays and trains by himself back at our place. He does come with us sometimes so he can take a fresh breath, but he doesn't enjoy chatting that much. Oh, and that man doesn't stop smoking, if you are asking me! And he is even younger than me!

[N04H]-I see... so you've came here alone?

[LUK3]-Yep! The others are probably resting because of the schedule or help around the place, but I usually just go out and meet with the people around the city if I'm not tired. I do bring people with me most of the times so they can take a small break, but I mostly take them out in the morning before the schedule starts. B-But I do work when I'm needed!

"The man was actually pretty talkative. He didn't mind telling me personal things about him or what he was up it. It made him look even more strange, but I guess in a good way. Even though... most of the information he was giving me wasn't really what I asked about. And I did wonder what would the other two say about him telling me everything so easily."

[N04H]-Come to think of it, I've wondered...

[LUK3]-Hm?

[N04H]-...Is there any possibility of me joining you guys?

[LUK3]-O-Oh, I... guess? Even though, for the past years, we didn't have much luck on this subject. I will have to talk with Boss about this and now it... isn't the best time. I've got in a little fight with Him earlier.

[N04H]-How so...?

[LUK3]-Eh... He somehow found out that we went in a mission without telling Him, and C0NNER swears he didn't say a word. So... of course I was the one to be blamed. I think there is a possibility of seeing me later too, as I have to go around the whole city ten times as a punishment while, of course, avoiding the crevaators' area. Man... my legs are going to hurt all day...

[N04H]-Is the Leader there that cruel?

[LUK3]-Not really... He is a chill guy, actually. He just respects the rules a little too much, if you are asking me. All He does the whole day is work. That guy never takes a rest. But He is the boss, and we can't tell Him what to do. Yet that doesn't mean He is right every single time!

[N04H]-By the way... who exactly are you guys?

[LUK3]-Oh, yeah, sorry! I think I didn't mention it before... And it's not like we are banned from telling you this information anyway, though I will probably get my butt beaten again. We are part of the Southeast Military Base!

[N04H]-I've... never heard of you before.

[LUK3]-Yeah... Boss decided to erase our base from those papers eight years ago. I'm not so sure why He wished to do such a thing, actually... But, yeah, we are barely remembered now, even though we work harder than the others. Maybe He wanted us to be a secret base? Who knows... But I guess it's not a secret for you anymore, heheh! And it's not like I'm going against the contract I have signed anyway! It is just His stupid wish... Oh, and don't worry! I will try my best to bring you to work with us! It's just... you will have to wait for a while.

[N04H]-Thank you!

[LUK3]-No problem, uhh...

[N04H]-N04H.

[LUK3]-N04H! No problem, N04H! Hahah...

[N04H]-*giggles*

[LUK3]-By the way... did YOU get in trouble with the teachers after the whole incident? I remember the teachers from the Central School being very strict.

[N04H]-Not really. I don't think they found out about that just yet.

[LUK3]-Lucky kid...

After some minutes of talking, they finally arrive at the bar in which D4N7E is now suppose to work. They get inside and say their greetings to the changed M born from above. He was in a good mood this time actually, not like when they first met. In fact, he was in such a good mood that they managed to have a decent conversation with him.

[LUK3]-Hey man! How's the work going so far?

[D4N7E]-Welcome! I must admit, it is better than how it was up there! Everyone here is so kind and enjoys talking with me! In the City of Perfection, the citizens weren't even stopping by to say a small hello.

[LUK3]-Well, we aren't the "City of Perfection"! I told you everything will feel different when you get to move here!

[D4N7E]-The atmosphere here is so relaxing. No fears of the soldiers constantly paying you visits and questioning you about the C borns or your loyalty to the General. Just people living their life! She would have loved it... I am grateful to both of you!

[LUK3]-Heheh... Don't worry about that! This is what I'm doing every day for work! Nothing special, really! The feeling of knowing that the people you help are living better than before is the reward itself!

[D4N7E]-Heh... So, what can I get for you?

[N04H]-Doesn't matter! We've come only to see you anyway!

[D4N7E]-I have to serve you after all. Let me see what could fit your tastes the best.

[LUK3]-Oh, oh! Can I get a heavy drink?

D4N7E went in the back to take the drinks while the other two were left to chat. But right after that, the strange guy started searching for something from the bottom shelves which were full of books and other random things scattered around. N04H didn't know what he was trying to find either.

[N04H]-What are you searching for?

[LUK3]-Usually in these bars you can find games which you can play with the bartender or with your friends, like card games or... Oh, here it is!

He took out a board game and started setting it up. It appears to be something similar to the game "Chess" that we have, but the pieces have different shapes and colours, and even seem to have different positions and movements. One part is red, and the other one is blue.

[LUK3]-Ah, the good old board game everyone loves... Did you ever play it before?

[N04H]-I don't even think I remember its name...

[LUK3]-Oh, don't worry! The name is unimportant anyway. I've heard many legends about this game before, actually... It was said to be a game that reads your fate, or which connects you to the gods above! Amazing, isn't it?

Meanwhile, D4N7E came back with the drinks. For the man, he put an alcoholic drink which was truly something that even N04H would've assumed he liked. For him though, the drink wasn't heavy, just some little pieces from the ore which is usually used for alcoholic drinks, or how they call them "heavy drinks".

[LUK3]-Now, now... who thinks he can beat me in a game?

[D4N7E]-Heheh... I don't think I will play with you this time, LUK3.

[LUK3]-Oh, are you scareeed? How sad...

When he saw he had no chance with the barman, the man looked at N04H with his confident expression and asked him a simple thing. A question that probably started a true friendship between them. But as simple as the question seemed, it's true meaning will be lost in history.

[LUK3]-What about you, N04H?

"...Will you join me in a game?"