Chapter 1 - For A New Beginning

"-In life, nothing will remain the same forever, no matter how hard you hope for it to be. History itself proves it. There is... something that will happen and cause this change of our lives sooner or later. And as you will be aware of its benefits, I am aware of the consequences.

-I know you didn't call me only to tell me that. All the mysterious talk... you've been doing this for so many years. So? What bothers you now?

-Tell me, old friend..."

15.09.1641

The Student Hostel of the West

15:00

Four people, around the age of fourteen, stood in a student hostel room. Three of them were on their beds while one was standing up, ready to disrupt their sleep. All of them had something interesting in their appearance, though. While they looked human, their eyes and end of the hair had a specific colour that differs for each of them. Just like the suns shine in the sky as they rise in the morning, so does their colour in specific moments of life. And when the suns will rise, so will their future.

[M1LO]-Wake up, assholes! It's our graduation day! If we are going to be late this time as well because you can't move your bodies, I swear, I'm gonna cut off your legs!

[ANDR3]-Five more minutes, please...

While two of them had already started preparing, one remained in bed and made himself cozy.

[M1LO]-You are always telling me that, ANDR3! Wake up, you lazy shit! N04H, come help me with this guy!

[N04H]-You know it never works with him anyway. Just let him be.

[M1LO]-Just shut up and help me beat his ass already!

"...My name is N04H, one of the graduates of the Central School from the Underground City. A former student with a dream of being part of the team of people who fight for the peace we deserve. I've always wished to join the Central Military Base, one of the many military places present in the city I have grown in, and help those who protect us from the fears of the above every day. I admired all the soldiers, not only that base in particular. I did ever since I was a child, and I'm not the only one who had this mindset. M1LO, one of my old roommates, also had the same desire as I had. But I can't say that all the people I knew did the same. For example, K4NE and ANDR3, my other two roommates, only wanted to live simple lives, not to trouble themselves with the war. And they weren't the only ones. But it is maybe why M1LO sometimes never understood their wishes and maybe... a reason behind his impulsive personality that never left his soul."

[M1LO]-Come on, ANDR3! We are going to be late again because of you!

[ANDR3]-Mm... Just leave without me and let me sleep...

[M1LO]-Oh, not this time! I'm not going to be responsible for your absence again!

[K4NE]-Why don't you just pull him by the legs up to the school field and leave him with these clothes?

[M1LO]-Then help me pull him, smartass!

[ANDR3]-Nahh... Leave me alone... Stooop!!

"And I'm not going to lie... I was a bit nervous about the day we have graduated. It was a big celebration for all of us, but also a step forward towards our dreams. After all those years of learning the history of our kind, some survival skills and how to use our powers given by the gods above properly, I wouldn't say I knew what was waiting for me in the future. The times we lived in, and even now, are a bit harsh even for the strongest warriors. And it won't be easy for any of us, regardless of what we chose to do. But I hoped one day that I will be useful in stopping this bloodshed, even for a bit. To repay those who died for us.

When we were kids, we've learnt about our city and history either from elders or from school. Our home is a city constructed for the first time by M1NERV4, the second Great Leader, well placed underground in order for us to not worry about the M borns from the City of Above finding us and killing more of our kind so easily. To think that a city so small would grow bigger than anyone could've imagined... Maybe it was Her plan all along. But regardless, I was raised in this place we all call home. The people here deserve to live a peaceful life. They all are trying to survive every moment with the fear that one day we will be discovered and executed because of our "sins". Why do we have to live in fear? What did we do to deserve all of this? ...I question myself every single day of my life, and maybe I'm not the only one. But there is no use hoping for a response, as the only man who has the answer to all our questions is the same man that tries to kill us without any mercy. The man that I will never forgive for doing this to us all... the General of the above."

Central School "M1NERV4"

16:02

[GR1FFIN]-Good morning, everyone! And welcome to your graduation day!

As the graduation day commenced, a huge crowd gathered in the school's property. The teachers and the principal stood on a platform present in the center of the gather ground, while the rest of the crowd, mostly consisting of students, were scattered around that area in the form of a circle. Their attention was taken by the person speaking on the platform, the principal, yet the group of friends couldn't help but argue when they arrived at the start of the speech.

[M1LO]-Good job, asshole! We are already late!

[K4NE]-Stop making such a scene already, M1LO! At least we didn't miss anything important!

[M1LO]-We could've made it in time, you know!?

[K4NE]-To do what? It always starts half an hour after the time of presence. If you came here on time, you would've waited and wasted your minutes of life for nothing!

One of the people standing nearest to them in the huge crowd of souls from the school field started whispering harshly to them. The responses were quick and obedient, looking down once the familiar voice of a teacher was scolding them.

[3DMUND]-You two! Keep your mouths shut!

[M1LO+K4NE]-...Sorry, Mr. 3DMUND!

They didn't say a word afterwards, joining the huge crowd in listening to the principal's speech.

[GR1FFIN]-As you may already know, my name is GR1FFIN MILLER and I am the principal of the Central School "M1NERV4" of the Underground City. I am the one in charge of everything that surrounds us today, as well as the one responsible for all the young souls that step inside the school's doors each day. Every year, we welcome new students in our family of dedicated people and treat them all equally, whether they come from the shelters, from other families or even from above. We meet so many new faces, get to know so many different mindsets and views on life, and all we have always promised is that we will help forming your young minds into responsible beings that can take life into their own hands. But, of course, no one stands inside these walls of protection forever. As well as we are pleased that you all are going to take your own paths and fulfil your dreams, we cannot help but regret that--

"--To think that some years ago I started my journey inside that school after leaving the shelter in which I was raised ever since I was a newborn created by the machine present in the City of Above... and I was about to leave that place as well. I made a lot of friends in that school, and I was afraid I might not see most of them ever again. I knew at that time that I might be stupid to join the military, but I felt bad for not even trying to help those who protect our city from our enemies. I didn't know much about them, but I knew they are all kind souls, risking their own lives just for us."

[GR1FFIN]-...Now that you are going to follow your own destinies, I can only hope that everything will go as you've always dreamt. And for those who wish to continue with helping the people of our city, I just want to say... please, stay safe! Our desire is to see you all once again in the future. And do not worry, the information regarding the military bases will be revealed to you by the teachers and the people in collaboration with the military shortly. But for now, let us enjoy these last moments together, before--

"--But among those people, there is one person who rules over this whole city, and for whom I am the most grateful to: the Great Leader, ruler of the Underground City. Nobody actually knows this person's name, nor His true identity. All I knew back then was that He is some type of descendant of M1NERV4, like an entire bloodline that rules over these lands and that fights for peace. As for who He is or the people before Him? It's a mystery that was never solved. I've heard many stories and theories when I was very young. There was one that said the first descendant is actually M1NERV4's son, or that M1NERV4 simply created this person as the new god of these lands. But it's unlikely. The books that we've studied from say M1NERV4 was an R born, so She couldn't create anything at all since She didn't have any powers like us, C borns. And especially, She couldn't create a soul.

Another theory said that He isn't even one of us, but took Her role after Her death anyway. Nobody exactly knows how the Great Leader was decided after M1NERV4's demise. So, over the course of our existence... some people have started believing that when we were on a weak spot after the revolution, He saw Her death as an opportunity and took Her role anonymously in order to become our ruler. But if this was true, why did He continue helping us? My thought on this though was that He is simply a powerful being who had shown His abilities to rule over the city and got His right of doing so. But I couldn't say I was sure this was the truth either. As I said, nobody knows who He is even in the present. But at least He protects us all, and that's what I admire about Him."

[GR1FFIN]-...Lastly, I want to thank you for all the beautiful memories we've made these years, all of you! We are all aware of the hard times we live in, but at least we've continued to live with a smile and a hope for a new tomorrow. Do not lose this hope of yours, no matter your future difficulties. From now on, I wish you all the blessings of Great Leader M1NERV4! Glory to The Renaissance! And glory... to the revolution!

[ALL]-Glory to the revolution!