The Underground City

19:09

"...It's painful sometimes to remember these times from the past, but they are beautiful, so it's a shame to forget about them as well. Before everything, my brother and I used to go out just like this. Well... we used to go with our father, the previous Great Leader. It was fun and all, and going out with these people that are around me isn't that bad either. I know them all for a long time now, except for the newcomer, of course.

It was a habit of ours to go in the morning around the city before we started to work at the base. LUK3 didn't want this habit to die so easily, and I don't mind. Yet CHE5TER seems a bit annoyed about it now. We manage sometimes to convince him, but when he is in a bad mood, he doesn't even want to hear our words. We used to cherish these moments together, now I fear that I'm the only one who does so. In the end, I'm just trying to get to the old times, nothing more."

[KYR4]-RY4N!

[RY4N]-...Hm?

[KYR4]-Did you thought about the problem from the Council?

[RY4N]-Which one? At this point, I can't even keep up anymore.

[KYR4]-Just about how to make them co-operate without the need of arguing all the time. We lose time in the meetings just because of this.

[RY4N]-KYR4, didn't I tell you that we speak in vain? I know we both get annoyed about the situation in that room and all, but how are we suppose to solve it? This has been a problem even before CHE5TER's reign. Trust me, it can't be helped.

[KYR4]-Well, I'm just sick of every being present there making new problems each day just because they can't deal with each other. They make the work even harder than it already is. Don't we have to talk with the Great Leader to solve this? Even He seems pissed off by them all at this point.

[RY4N]-Just let it be... As long as they don't cause real troubles, we don't need to intervene.

[KYR4]-*sigh* If you say so...

[LUK3]-Hey, KYR4444! What are you talking there with RY4N?

[KYR4]-None of your business, LUK3!

[LUK3]-Oh, but if it involves you, it's already my business!

[KYR4]-Don't you know your limits??

[LUK3]-Nope! Teach me, Officer!

[KYR4]-I swear to the heavens, LUK3, I will break yo--

"--As to how I got to know them, it's pretty easy to explain, actually. I first met LUK3 when he joined alongside Miss MY4, right after my brother got his title. KYR4 joined a bit later, but they were friends already even before they came here. We got along pretty well in the end and managed to be friends with them too. But it's not much about them.

Officer KYR4 is a hard-working type of person, one that dislikes the idea of lazing around just for the sake of fun and nothing else. She proved her worth long time ago, a reason why she got her title in this base. But more than that, I don't really know much about her, like what she truly enjoys to do or simply what she likes. She is always hiding behind this mask of seriousness, as if we will start judging her the moment she stops. But we respect her, not because of her title, but because of her loyalty to the city and to its people. Maybe she will understand that one day.

LUK3 on the other hand... is the complete opposite. He does his work and all, but he dislikes the idea of surviving for working rather than working for surviving. He thinks this life is meant to be lived at its best, no matter the times. He has his points, yet the way he proves them is just chaotic. I won't say he is stupid or anything like that though. He is smart, even if he doesn't show it, but for some reason, he has these strange actions that he keeps repeating them all the time, and to which we got used to them. He is a good guy, and knowing a bit from his personal information, he is way better than the people that were around him. At least in our eyes for now.

Miss MY4 is a complete new story. I got to know her more only after I saw that CHE5TER got along pretty well with her when she joined us. She is gentle and delicate, ready to help anybody in need no matter the situations. To be honest, she deserves her title of "Mother of the City", because for a reason or another, she likes going to the shelters and treating the ill and wounded. The title didn't even exist before, the people of the shelters simply gave her this title when she got so known around the whole city. So I think from these three, MY4 is probably the only person that I know the best and appreciate the most. But I do appreciate these two over here as well. After all, they are friends of mine for a while now too."

[N04H]-Hey, Mr. LUK3! Did you thought of our destination?

[LUK3]-Umm... Not really.

[KYR4]-Are you serio... Then why the heck did you want us to go out with you if you don't even know where we should go!??

[LUK3]-Hey!! We have the permission to go out at the start of the day, remember!? Doesn't our culture say that it brings good luck if you start your day refreshing??

[KYR4]-Yeah, and being lost because of an idiot is very refreshing indeed!

[LUK3]-Oh, shut up and stop complaining!

[KYR4]-Stop complaining!?? You are doing this every single time! Why should I stop complaining!?

[RY4N]-Okay, enough you two! It's suppose to be a rest, not a fight!

[KYR4]-Tell him that, Mr. "Officer"! He's annoying the shit out of me!

[RY4N]-Oh, dear Heaven, forgive me...

[N04H]-Are they always like this, Mr. RY4N?

[RY4N]-You could say that. *sigh* At this point, you might have the worst view on us because of them, little N04H. I'm truly sorry if this is not what you expected when you decided to help us.

[N04H]-Not really... I mean, I had roommates who always fought just like them. I'm kind of used to it.

[RY4N]-Really? Then it seems like we are getting to a more childish type of generation if all the people will become just like LUK3.

[LUK3]-HEY! I'M JUST JOKING AROUND! I'M NOT THAT CHILDISH!

[KYR4]-Oh, come on. Nobody believes your lies, LUK3.

[LUK3]-SHUT UP!!!

[KYR4]-Just think of where we should go already and stop crying like a baby.

[LUK3]-Ninini ninini... *sigh* Okay. How about... the bars? We can get a quick drink, chat for a little and come back before the meeting starts.

[KYR4]-Mm... That's a no. Did you forget that RY4N doesn't drink, genius?

[RY4N]-I mean, we can still go if you wish to rest this way. I will simply not buy anything. We can still chat and all.

[LUK3]-See, KYR4? Officer RY4N is kind to me! Why can't you take from his example?

[KYR4]-Ughh, spare me!

And so, they all go in a random bar for now, just for the sake of resting for a while. They all take something to drink first, then start chatting with each other. Well, almost all. RY4N just brought himself a small book with him to read in the meantime. At some point, N04H notices how silent he is, so he can't help but get curious.

[N04H]-Hey, Mr. RY4N?

[RY4N]-Yes? What is it?

[N04H]-Why don't you talk at all?

[RY4N]-Oh, don't mind me. I'm just trying to read a book.

[LUK3]-Really? What are you reading over there?

[RY4N]-It's just a small notebook from an old soldier. You know how the people from the EZR4H Clan find bodies buried into the ground during their missions, old even from the war from 250 years ago, right? Some of the soldiers were writing in small notebooks to tell their stories, something like a journal, just in case they die all of a sudden and nobody knows what happened to them.

[N04H]-So...?

[RY4N]-So... I suggested a while ago that whenever the clan finds any more books like this one, they shall bring them to me. Just so that I can read the stories of these soldiers of the past and how they met their fate. It's pretty interesting, actually. Everyone has a different story to serve you on a broken plate.

[N04H]-So it's the story of a deceased fighter?

[RY4N]-Mhm!

[LUK3]-But why read it when you can live it? Just saying...

[KYR4]-Oh, so you want to live your death?

[LUK3]-That's not what I meant!

[RY4N]-Actually, you are not the first one who says the same thing. But I just like to read about them. Nothing special.

[N04H]-Why so?

[RY4N]-I... guess it comes from the dream that I had to give up on.

[N04H]-Dream? What dream?

[RY4N]-Doesn't matter that much. It's insignificant, really! Maybe you had dreams when you were a child as well.

[LUK3]-Oh, I had many!! One time I dreamt that I was so tiny, even smaller than an ordinary paper, and that I was being chased down by a HUUUUGE creature trying to eat me! It had ears and a weird mouth, but I never saw a creature like that before!

[RY4N]-That's not what I meant by dreams...

[LUK3]-But it's still a pretty interesting one, is it not?

[RY4N]-Okay... Be it like you.

[N04H]-Well... probably the only dream I had so far was to help out the people that protect this city of ours. More than that, I can't really think of any.

[RY4N]-And seems like your fate brought you to us. Be it good luck or bad luck, you will probably decide... But I don't think you should really consider it a dream.

[N04H]-Why not?

[RY4N]-I mean, it's a kind thought and all, but did you never dream of becoming someone who you truly think you are?

[N04H]-Like?

[RY4N]-I don't know... Maybe a teacher? A designer? Anything you could think of? I don't know you personally to tell what fits you the best. But a dream shouldn't really be represented by a simple thought of generosity. It should be something that you consider it represents who you truly are.

[N04H]-I... actually never thought of it this way, to be honest...

[RY4N]-Maybe you have something that you like to do, like a hobby?

[N04H]-I'm not sure... I focused a lot on trying to enter the military rather than what I could probably like. The exams themselves were a bit hard for me since I wasn't really the best student in Power Tactics and had very little knowledge on ores and all... So, most of the times, I was taking some particular lessons just enough so I can pass. I didn't focus that much on a "hobby".

[RY4N]-...Alright. It's fine. There is no rush for you to think about it anyway. Right now, you probably won't even have the time for your hobby.

[LUK3]-Hmmm... if we are on this subject, I'm a bit curious of something, 'cause I don't think I had the chance to ask you before, RY4N!

[RY4N]-What is it?

[LUK3]-Well, you are the only R born from our friend group, right? I know there are other R borns around the base, but I know you the most from there.

[RY4N]-Okay... Yeah, I think I'm the only one. Why?

[LUK3]-What exams did you have to take since you aren't a C born?

[RY4N]-Mm... Nothing much, just a few tests to prove that I have some knowledge at some subjects and a small surviving exam as a final grade. Why do you ask?

[LUK3]-Out of curiosity! Our class was full of C borns, so I didn't know R borns at that time and I really wondered what exactly do you guys and the M borns do to pass, since, you know... you don't have any powers like us? And our exams focused only on our powers?

[N04H]-I actually had a few R borns in my class though, even underground M borns.

[LUK3]-Really?

[N04H]-Yeah! I know a guy who studied very hard for his exams since they seem harder than ours and almost missed an entire year!

[RY4N]-Yes, they are harder since they focus only on what you know, instead of focusing on what you guys have. And if you don't know the subject... you are kind of screwed. But from what I understood, for you, they give you points even if you seem like you struggle with your powers, right?

[KYR4]-I mean, they do, but not enough to pass. Only if you manage in the end to do something that will guarantee you a higher score.

[RY4N]-I see... Oh, by the way, N04H. I heard that CHE5TER is letting you have your role, right?

[N04H]-Wait, really? He will?

[LUK3]-TOOK HIM LONG ENOUGH! FOR THE GODS' SAKE!

[RY4N]-I mean... he really didn't want to let you take it at all, but he had no other choice in the end. LUK3 already told you too much about us and you know enough to not be able to go back to your normal life. Plus that... you already signed the contract regarding the base and your silence about the Great Leader.

[N04H]-So, I will be an Investigator?

[RY4N]-I guess so... I mean, are you sure you don't want to change or anything? Do you really wish to continue with this role?

[N04H]-Yeah! I don't really see myself doing anything better than that right now anyway.

[KYR4]-These are going to be tough years, I swear...

[LUK3]-Not tough enough for me!

[RY4N]-So? Are you ready to face your destiny, little guy?

[N04H]-Yes! I am ready for whatever Goddess M1NERV4 prepared for me!

[RY4N]-Heh...

RY4N goes back to his book, while the others start talking with each other again. Yet he seems to be thinking about something. Something that does not please him that much.

"At least you are ready. Wished we were too..."