PROLOGUE

All the people began to count down the last ten seconds of the year 2099.

Then after they yelled zero…

A very massive catastrophe occurred in the Ring of Fire.

It was an earthquake with a magnitude that was beyond of the seismologist’s

imagination.

That was the largest and most powerful earthquake ever recorded in the entire

history which triggered a series of other deadly quakes worldwide.

Chains of gigantic ground fissures appeared across different continents of the globe.

They were so strong and powerful that they tore mercilessly the seven continents.

The once growing and massive population of mankind shrunk dramatically in a

minute. Several sophisticated infrastructures built thoroughly in years were all wiped

out together. Fire ravaged several regions in different countries. Tsunamis and

volcanic eruptions followed and increased further the death toll, injuries and

damages.

Few rich people managed to survive by using all their personal planes and jetpacks.

There were also a number of poor people left unharmed. They could not believe that

for so many years that they had been waiting; a good luck finally came to them.

Most of the people were screaming and crying. Others were still speechless and on

the process of absorbing the ordeal that they endured.

“W-What now…?”
Several questions crowded in the minds of the survivors but that was the only main

question that they could blurt for the moment. Mixed emotions of hopelessness, fear,

pain and sorrow ruled over their hearts.

All the people could not believe that on January 1, 2100 the earth would be in a total

devastation.

Few days after, the earth finally accepted its new form. The seven continents were

broken down to five major lands scattered in different directions around the earth.

These continents came from all the fusion and large fragments from different lands.

Survivors of different races, status and languages met and spread in these five

continents. All of them were just staring with one another. They all knew that yes

they couldn’t understand each other but deep within their hearts shared the same

feeling of pain and loss…

The survival rate kept on diminishing because of the different factors that affected

the people. There were famine and dehydration, extremities of temperature, murder

brought about by the scarcity of resources, infection, toxins in the atmosphere which

was the result of volcanic eruptions and many more.

The earth was doomed totally. Until then, six very large space vehicles appeared out
of the blue and covered the dark gray skies. Several people got nervous as to what

the intentions of the newcomers. Others got their hopes up, believing that the

newcomers came to rescue them.

Mankind watched the five vehicles scattered. Each of them landed slowly in each of

their designated area of assignment but the sixth vehicle remained in the air. Then,

all the spacecraft projected a very large and live video stream of six men clothed in

white coats and their faces were covered with black hoods.

“Fear not. We are here to rescue each one of you, our fellow human being,” one of

the six men said.

It was the ‘go signal’ of the five other vehicles to open. The survivors were shocked

to see groups of people and robots equipped with protective gears.

The rescuers started to give out foods, drinks, protective suits and medications to the

injured. Several people crowded immediately to the rescuers.

Most of them cried while eating and drinking. Others still hesitated for a moment but

eventually gave up and sought for help.

But there were some who were stubborn enough and continued observing the

behavior and intentions of the new group of strangers. While they continued the

rescue operation process, the six spacecraft continued the live video projection.

“We are the six head scientists called the Letrumeros. We are assigned and are

currently managing the Lunar Base. We deeply apologize for this very late rescue

operation. We had a long time in studying the restoration process of the earth and in

making certain preparations for this rescue.”

English was the universal language but there were few people who had not learned

and understood the language used so they were assisted by group of robots and

scientists that translated the words for them.

Just then, one of the survivors yelled, “Hey, filthy scientists! You were all claiming

that you were some group of gifted and expert people in the field of science and

technology then how come you were not able to predict this?!”

“You just kept on inventing and re-improving some stupid stuff and yet you were not

able to come up with an instrument to detect an earthquake accurately!” another

person added angrily.

Several people were looking around and nodding with each other. They were

astounded to what they just realized. After a couple of seconds, a man shouted

angrily that awakened and intensified the wrath of the people.

Some rude groups of survivors started to assault few scientists and robots that

complicated the conflict. Despite the insults and physical attacks, the scientists and

robots remained calm and tolerated silently the pain.

“We’re only scientists.”

All the people gained their attention back to the live- video stream projector.

“We’re not gods who know everything. We’re only humans just doing our very bests

to study everything and help the world with our discoveries and inventions. Our

knowledge, skills and abilities have also some limitations.”

Most people recovered slowly their calmness. Others continued to frown and

disagreed silently.

“Let us presume that we were able to detect a catastrophe like this in a given time.

The same thing will happen that not all people will be saved. This fortuitous event will

always bring death because death is inevitable.”

Several people recalled the loss of their loved ones and most of them began crying.

“The earth is also aging. Like all living things, she will also die. But look at her now;

she’s still standing like the rest of us. She is in bad shape and barely living. But she’s

still hoping and waiting to be restored!”

All the people were shocked to the sudden emotional yell of one of the six head
scientists.

“We should not give up just like her!”

One man had took the courage to step forward in front of the projector and said

firmly, “Tell us what to do on how to bring mother earth back to life.”

“….”
The survivors remembered painfully the memories of all their efforts in building a

strong and advanced civilization in the twenty first century. But everything was ruined

in just a blink of the eye.

They just woke up with no choice left but to start from scratch again.

Mankind gave the five major continents a group title called Zerofem. Year by year,

humans were able to clear the lands slowly with the major help of the Letrumeros.

Several people were very thankful and acknowledged the Letrumeros as their heroes

of the new civilization. But there were still some people who did not trust totally the

six head scientists.

The first continent they cleared successfully in the year 2115 was named Adelphiel.

It was the first place where humans lived more safely. It had a total land area of four

million square kilometers that was big enough to inhabit the remaining population of

the survivors.

Several people were so desperate to restore the land more quickly. After five years,

they were able to touch the next land they named Eutha Rosse. It was larger with a

total land area of five million six hundred thousand square kilometers.

Even after ten years since the day the people met the six head scientists called

Letrumeros; the people still did not see and know their real faces and names. The

Letrumeros had only code names. But these facts did not hinder the people in

making them as their leaders and heroes. A01, B02 and C03 were the first three

head scientists that managed the country of Adelphiel. D04, E05 and F06 were the

remaining members of Letrumeros that governed the second country, Eutha Rosse.

Most people loved their way of taking care of the two countries. But there were really

some people mostly the rich ones who kept on complaining and were not

comfortable to the said leaders.

Because of this, they decided to live on other lands.

In the year 2122, most rich men abandoned Adelphiel and Eutha Rosse and with

their joint resources and abilities cleared the land in the western part of the northern

hemisphere all by themselves. They called that land as Chronaxus.

The Letrumeros ignored those rich people and continued living peacefully with the

citizens who stayed with them.

Then a decade passed, the people living in Chronaxus cleared the land nearest to

them. It was the southern continent located in the southern hemisphere and they

named it as Uhloro with a total land area of seven hundred thousand square

kilometers.

The population of the survivors all over the world began to expand and grow again.

Chronaxus was not satisfied with Uhloro so they decided to journey in the year 2140

and clear the last land in the eastern part of the northern hemisphere. They later

named it as Philandura. This was the smallest land among the five which had a total

land area of four hundred thousand square kilometers.

In that year, mankind was able to clear the five remaining continents of the earth. It

was a good start of using to maximum limits the new inventions and resources they
made. Among the five continents Adelphiel and Eutha Rosse were the two more

advanced countries. They were followed accordingly by Chronaxus, Uhloro and

Philandura.

The people built the five lands new and huge equipment that filtered and transformed

the toxic air back to safe again. It was a very slow process but at least the toxins

were diminishing constantly. There were several towering posts built around every

huge continent to build a hidden, strong and massive barrier that regulated the

temperature. Then infections were studied thoroughly and corresponding cure were

made to combat them.

The scarcity of resources was still an underlying issue most especially to poorer

families. Because of this, the poor resorted to murder, robbery and other crimes that

made the rich and middle class people to join forces and establish laws. The

privileged people asked the approval of the leaders of their own countries and their

leaders agreed.

As a result, crimes deteriorated. All the people lived in peace and order. The laws

helped the citizens to live in harmony with each other. With that problem solved, the

country leaders were able to focus more on the scarcity issue. They came up with

the decision of implementing a law that there must be an equal distribution of food

and water regardless of the status of life. The rich men hesitated at first but were
convinced later on.

Each person contributed on how to stabilize the food and water resources. They

studied different scientific and artificial ways on how to produce more livestock, fruits

and vegetables in a given short period of time. They also invented useful machines

that filtered any polluted water to make it drinkable.

Humanity once sworn to restore everything back to normal and they succeeded

gradually.

As they waited and prepared for the next century to come; they could not deny the

tension and fear that knocked their hearts once again. But they knew that whatever

may happen would really happen and they were all ready and prepared to accept

anything…

Even death…

But as much as possible they wanted to live and relive their hopes and dreams.

Mankind wanted to win.

It was true that the pain brought by the nightmares of the past still hunted them but

they endured and tried to go on. They realized that they were so far already to just

give up everything.

It was time for humanity to make a major come back.

….

The dawn of the twenty third century was a matter of ten seconds already. All the

people began to count down silently. After zero, they clutched all their jetpacks with

cold sweats streaming down in their foreheads.

But nothing happened…

They waited for the next few minutes but still nothing happened.

“S-so the calamity forecast was accurate after all?” one man muttered shakily.

“Y-yeah..,” his friend agreed, “I h-hope so…”

Then a worldwide announcement came in a firm tone, “The earth is now clear from

any dangers. All of us are safe now. Happy New Year.”

All the eyes of the people widened and sparkled in happiness and surprise. They

were so happy that they were given the chance to celebrate life again.

All the people sang and jumped in joy as the door of the twenty second century

opened in front of them. All the people fully understood that the future concealed

several good and bad uncertainties. But one thing for sure, they wanted to live and

adjust well with those uncertainties.

They all knew that another century would bring changes and another set of trials,

challenges and problems. But again, all the people knew that challenges, problems

and changes existed to complete the cycle of life.

On January 1, 2201, mankind took another step forward to a new and different

civilization that paved way to the…

~Outbreak of Catalysts~
CHAPTER 1 – “The Spring of Change: The Girl Leaves and Lives…”

September 10, 2215

She waited and hoped silently that a miracle would save her from certain

banishment. There were several options in her head to escape from her state.

But she was afraid…

Afraid to risk and lose everything…

Tears started to form again in her eyes but she abruptly got up from her bed and

confronted herself in the mirror.

“JUST STOP CRYING!” she yelled angrily to herself. The spring winds blew softly

the curtains of the window behind her. Then a shaft of golden sunlight struck

beautifully her dancing mid-length brownish black hair.

“Ais?” a soft sad voice called behind the door, “I have been knocking the door for

several times already so―”

“Ma-chi,” She gave the robot a long and sorrowful look. Her dark brown eyes rippled

slowly as tears began to flow out, “What am I supposed to do?”

Her confused voice trembled in pain and fear as her body collapsed back to where

she was previously sitting. The thirteen year old young lady gave up all the tears she

held back carefully.

The two and a half feet tall robot went nearer to her and replied sadly, “I know that

you were too weary and pressured already of carrying the heavy reputation of the

Lesacas but…”

The robot held shakily her hand and cried, “You have to obey your parents...”
The gentle and sorrowful eyes of the girl changed in rage as she took off rudely her

hand from the robot.

“No! I had enough of living here as a prisoner!” Ais said and stood angrily, “And I am

not planning to waste another decade of my life in that stupid academy!”

“Ais…”

“I-I thought that you would be the very person who would understand me…” the girl

cried some more as she tried to wipe her flowing tears.

“I know the misery you have suffered here…” he replied as he flew closer to Ais and

looked at her crying, “But you must understand…”

The robot put gently his hands to her shoulders and looked deeply to the sobbing

girl, “That sometimes in life, it is not always the things that you really wanted that will

make you happy…”

The girl stopped sobbing gradually. Then she looked at her robot in teary and

confused eyes, “W-What do you mean?”

“There are times that you have to feel miserable so as to feel also the other side of

happiness. The one I called the sacrificial way of happiness…”

“That’s too vague! How am I supposed to feel happy when I am stressed and

suffering?!”

“Are you not happy when you see your parents smile warmly?” the robot said and

smiled sweetly.

The young girl was stunned for a moment as her eyes sparkled slowly in tears of

realization.

“Ma-chi!” she cried and hugged tightly her robot.

The girl began to sob again as the robot continued, “I know how much you loved

your family and I know that your family is blessed to have you as their daughter…”

Ais hugged her best friend tighter that made her robot choked.

“A-Ais.. I’m... c-choked!”

“Eh?!” Ais released him instantly and laughed softly, “Sorry for that Ma-chi.”

The robot stopped laughing and said, “Do not worry Ais. You still have me.”

The girl smiled also as the robot continued, “We will have our new adventure in

Shieldowrd Academy!”

Ais sighed and looked outside the window as she thought, Zid…

“Do not worry about him!” Ma-chi exclaimed.

The girl shrieked and knocked gently the laughing robot.

“I notice that Zid always bother your mind, huh?”

“No! No he’s not!” the girl looked away and blushed.

“If you want, we can sneak around sometimes and visit him!”

“Yeah… That’s what I’m planning too…” Ais said and smiled sweetly.

“See! You are attracted with that boy!” the robot mocked and laughed as the girl

chased him angrily.

“Miss Aisha Lesaca, you are to proceed at the roof deck now.”

Ais got up slowly as she freed her robot from her grip. Then she muttered seriously,

“Let’s go now, Ma-chi…”

The robot nodded and the two went out from her room that was located at the west

corner of the mansion. Ais paused for a while.

She looked around slowly…

Then she found all of them waiting below the first floor. They were all looking up at

her sadly.

“Miss Ais!” one called out, “Please take care always!”

Ais felt a surging mix of pain and joy in her heart. She could not blurt a word. She

never expected that all the robots designed and made to take care a hard-headed

and naughty girl like her would come together just to bid their goodbyes.

Warm tears streamed again in her face as she recalled every special memory of

sadness and joy that she had shared together with them.

Just then, the slim and tallest butler robot went out from the crowd and took off his

black hat. “Miss Aisha, never forget to smile and be happy always…”

“Sky..,” Ais muttered softly and nodded.

“Aissuuuu!!!”

Ais found the smallest robot jumped and landed at Sky’s shoulder.

“Star!” Ais called happily.

Star waved her left hand and smiled widely, “We will miss you… Aissuuu!!!”

Ais cried and sobbed louder.

“Hey Ma-chi!” a group of robot gardeners called out, “Always protect our one and

only Miss Ais!”

Ma-chi floated and gave them thumbs up. Then everyone heard the computer’s

message delivered once more.

“…”
“Sky! Star! Everyone!” Ais called out, “Thank you very much! I will also miss you all!”

All the robots including Ma-chi were shocked and it was intensified when Ais

continued, “I am so sorry for all the wrong things I have done in the past b-but I loved

you all with all my heart and soul!”

All the robots were just speechless to what they had just heard. Even Ais was

shocked that she was able to speak finally what her heart wanted to speak. Her eyes

widened and her skin blushed furiously. She also started to rub with each other the

fingernails of her two hands as a sign of her extreme shyness.

“Ais…” Sky said gently, “We know you by heart.”

Star gestured a signal and the rest of the robots smiled and said happily, “We will

wait for your return, Aissuuu!”

Ais nodded and wiped her tears.

All the robots saw the two left and a sudden surge of emptiness, sadness and

anxiety ruled their hearts.

“What’s with your faces everyone?” Star asked awkwardly, “Do not all worry! She will

always be all right!”

All of the robots turned to her sadly when Star continued, “Come on guys?”

Everyone shifted their gaze away from Star except for Sky.

“Ma-chi is with her,” Sky said firmly that made the robots locked their attention to

him, “Ais is strong.”

Star rejoiced and exclaimed, “Yeah right!”

The other worried and confused robots erased slowly all the remaining shred of fear

and doubts in their hearts. Sky was right. It was true enough that Ma-chi and Ais

were strong to protect themselves from any danger.

“Okay! Let’s get back to our work and live normally as though they are here,” Sky

exclaimed, “After all, they will return here safe and sound.”

“Aye!!!”
The two walked silently in the long and dark hallway of the mansion. The low and

brooding sounds of their footsteps echoed the same feeling within their hearts.

“Finally I can now leave this boring and old-looking mansion,” Ais muttered. Her firm

and calm voice concealed pain in every word she mentioned.

Ma-chi did not know what to reply so Ais faked a smile and continued, “Everything

here seems to be ironic right?”

The robot continued listening to her and the girl said, “Around three years ago, I was

telling my parents that I wanted to get out of here but they refused. And now, I can’t

understand why they want me to leave this mansion against my will?”

Ais let out a fake laugh and added, “Take a look at this mansion. She looks so old

and obsolete but she possessed sophisticated and advanced features within.”

Ma-chi analyzed Ais’ thoughts when she muttered sadly, “and like my name,

Aisha…”

“It means life but in reality I lived a lifeless life…”

Her last words prickled every part of Ma-chi’s existence…

He was deeply hurt… so deep to the point that the pain reached the very core of his

soul…

Soul?, he laughed at the back of his mind, Do I even have a soul?

What am I thinking?, he realized sadly, All I have is the latest, most excellent and
advanced artificial intelligence ever embedded by the Lesacas. There is no way for a
mere robot like me to feel this pain… but why?
The two of them continued walking. They were physically with each other but their

thoughts were miles away from each other.

“Ma-chi, let us take the stairs instead,” Ais requested.

The robot was fully drawn by his thoughts, Maybe I am just thinking too much so my

thoughts manifested into feelings? Yeah, right. Thoughts can manipulate anything
even feelings…

“Hey,” Ais knocked his head softly, “Are you listening?”

“Ow!― Y-yes of course!” the robot just processed in his mind what Ais requested so

he replied, “We will take the stairs.”

The young girl eyed him suspiciously and went ahead.

He faked a laugh to Ais then thought, I cannot blame you Ais… I know that I am just

an artificial being so there is no way I can give you beyond what has been
programmed to me. But if you only knew that every single day of my existence I
always wish that one day I can turn myself into a full human being…

But I guess, it would be a different story…

Ma-chi looked sadly to Ais and said to himself, I am sorry Ais. I am sorry if I existed

just this way. I hope someday true love and joy will find their way to you…

“Ma-chi, are you okay?” Ais asked, “You have been so quiet all the way here?”

“Y-yes, Yes of course!” Ma-chi exclaimed, “Do not worry…”

“Are you sure?”

The robot nodded and walked ahead of her, “Let’s go now before your parents got

angrier to us.”
“Tch, Is that what you are worrying for?” Ais asked irritably, “Believe me, I can

handle this.”

“Ho??” Ma-chi mocked, “Are you sure of that?”

“Yes of course! I am so sure!” Ais shouted this time, “Are you challenging me?!”

Ma-chi laughed and showed a funny facial expression that provoked Ais to run after

him.

You are still young Ais…, Ma-chi thought, Just wait patiently. Maybe it is not today or
tomorrow but I know one day you will wake up and see the other side of happiness…
Your own happiness where you can truly laugh and smile…

“Hey Ma-chi!!! You are cheating!” Ais yelled angrily.

“Heh?” Ma-chi mocked, “I am not cheating. It’s just your speed is naturally slow!”

After hearing those unforgivable words, Ais doubled her speed that made the robot

surprised, “Whoa!! She is so serious now!”

The purpose of my existence is to protect you and guide you. It sounds typical and
simple but as I went through my journey with you; I began to realize something
more…

That I can also be your best friend… And as your best friend, I want to make you
happy as much as possible. That at the end of the day, you will also think of me with
a little joy in your heart…

“Ais!!! We are almost there! So are you now ready?!”

“I am so ready all the way up here!” Ais yelled back.

“Okay! Here we go!”

The huge old door opened slowly in front of them and a bright ray of sunlight entered

the room. They both smiled after remembering the same scene.

Ais chuckled and said, “This feels nostalgic…”

“Yeah,” Ma-chi smiled.

The door opened totally and the blinding sunlight welcomed them warmly. They

closed their eyes and the spring winds greeted them a soft whisper in their ears. The

fresh scent of various genetically modified flowers mixed perfectly in the air that

created a perfume to the place.

“It feels so good to be out here right?” Ais muttered.

Ma-chi sighed in relief and nodded. “It’s good to be back here…”

“What took you so long?” came from a familiar cold voice.

A sudden chill crept in Ais’ body as she went nearer to the person asking.

“I-I just took a detour…” Ais said while rubbing each other the fingernails of her two

hands.

“We are not playing here… little sister…”

Ais was dazed for a moment after seeing the cold and piercing stare of her older

brother, Kei Lesaca.

“Come on, our parents have waited you there for so long,” Kei said aloofly.

Ma-chi thought, Tch, that usual aura… The robot stayed behind and the two left.

Ais and Kei reached the center of the roof deck and found their parents looking at

them. Everything was well-prepared. The enclosed white cubicle known as the Cuby

Generator emitted a glowing red light and a long deep siren. Those signals implied

that the strong barrier and transporter was currently processing inside the cubicle.
Just then, she recalled the first time she encountered the Cuby. That was the most

special and unforgettable memory that altered every aspect of her life. Up unto that

moment, Ais was very thankful to experience such wonderful coincidence with them.

But that rare happiness was only ephemeral.

Another twist of fate was yet to happen and the Cuby would play again its part in

delivering her in a new place. Her current feelings were different from the past

encounters she had with the Cuby. At the present, Ais felt so sad and a sore guilt

tortured her each day whenever she remembered what she had said to her dear

friend.., Zid.

Ais clenched her fists silently. She did not know what to do. She was caught in the

middle of her beloved friend and family. She had to choose though it was very

difficult for her.

In the end, she chose her family…

“Aisha Lesaca, my daughter,” a middle-aged woman approached, “We are so happy

that you finally obey us…”

The young girl came back to her senses.

“Mama?” Ais was shocked when her mother hugged her suddenly.

Ais’ mind hanged for a moment.

My mom is hugging me right now? Ais thought.

Ais was so lost with her thoughts when she heard her father said firmly, “Everything

will be all right Ais… Just trust us.”

She found her father smiled sweetly at her for the first time. The young girl was

shocked totally.
What is the meaning of this? Why are they acting strangely to me? Are they this
desperate in banishing me from this house? Or supposing what they had told me
was true? That they are doing all these because they truly love and care for me?
But I can’t understand?! Why do I have to leave this house?!

Ais was so confused when her father continued, “Your mother and I admit that we

have not been a good parent to you and to Kei…And for that we apologize…”

The young girl cried silently as she watched her parents burst in tears. She felt her

heart crumpled in pain. She did not expect that to happen… To see her parents cried

in front of her for the first time…

“Sorry because all we can do is say sorry,” her mother added.

Kei diverted his gaze away from the scene. He deprived himself from showing any

sign of emotion. But he was also shocked within. He never expected that his parents

will go that far.

Ma-chi observed them from a distance. Finally, I am happy for you Ais…

A gentle wind came and eased the solemn atmosphere.

“Mama? Papa?” Ais asked, “Why do I need to leave?”

Her parents paused for a while. Then she saw her father took a deep breath to

gather enough strength then in a firm tone he said, “We know that it is hard for you to
understand everything now. But the right time will come that you will realize it

yourself…”

Realize it myself? Ais wondered.

“All you need to do Ais is to trust us entirely,” her mother said, “Though we know that

it is difficult to earn your trust given that we have not done well as your parents….

But just this time Ais… We need you to trust us…”

“You have to leave this house and live…” her father said gently.

“Live?” Ais echoed, “Seems like a matter of life and―”

“Live there like a normal child.” Her mother interrupted and faked a soft laugh.

“We have realized that locking and protecting you here made no sense at all,” her

mother continued, “Besides, going there will give you insights of what real life is!

Insights that we ourselves cannot merely teach and explain to you.”

Her mother smiled dearly and kissed her beloved child.

The bright and warm sunshine enlightened Ais’ face as she cried loudly.

“Hey stop crying now,” her brother said and walked towards her. Then he got

something from his pocket. Her older brother held a silver necklace without any

special designs in it.

“Papa and I doubled your protection through inventing this necklace,” Kei said, “So

stop worrying for yourself now.”

“I am not worrying for my―”

Kei put immediately the silver necklace to Ais that stunned her for a moment. After a

couple of seconds, the necklace was lost!

“Eh! Where did it go?”

“Idiot, it was not lost. One of its capabilities is to become invisible to every living and

non-living object.”

“It cannot be detected by any powerful security regulator. That necklace will alert us

if you are in danger,” her Papa said.

“Does that also mean you see every move I take there?” Ais asked her father.

“That came into our mind but we just decided not to incorporate that feature.”
“Really?”

“Yes! We give the entire freedom to you!” her father said happily, “After all, if you

trust us entirely why can’t we?”

Ais got teary again after hearing those melting words.

“We leave your actions to you Ais,” her mother said, “We trust you…”

Just then, the Cuby Generator announced the completion of the Cuby formation

process. It was all ready to receive the order of destination.

Her mother cried and hugged her again. At that moment, Ais finally hugged her

mother back. She hugged her mother tightly and it gave Ais a very warm feeling

within her heart. She realized that she was indeed….loved.

“See you again… Ais,” Kei said and knocked her head softly.

The young girl smiled to her older brother. Kei shifted again his gaze away from her

little sister.

“Ma-chi! It’s time to go!” Ais yelled.

The robot flew immediately to her.

Ais’ father accessed the system. Then the Cuby Generator opened instantly and it

released a thick warm air and smoke that lasted shortly.

She saw her father encoded a control number in the Cuby Generator and its

computer system announced the point of destination.

“Chanos City of the Royal Ground. The passengers may now enter.”

“So the Cuby is ready. May God bless you Ais..,” her father said,” Be strong and be a

good girl…”

Her father patted her head gently and kissed her in the forehead.
“Papa!” Ais cried and hugged her father tightly.

We will miss you… Ais…, his father thought.

Ais wanted to stay a little longer but it was time already. She entered first the Cuby

Generator and Ma-chi followed her. Just then, the parents of Ais called Ma-chi.

The robot got frightened but he managed to answer politely, “Sir Edred and Máam

Acantha?”

The couple smiled at him and Edred said, “Thank you Ma-chi…”

Ma-chi bowed his head and said firmly, “It is my duty to protect your one and only

precious daughter…”

“Keep up the good work,” Acantha added.

Ma-chi nodded and entered finally.

Inside the Cuby Generator, only white surroundings and a black cubic barrier that

worked as the main transporter and shield of the passengers could be found. That

black cubic barrier was the Cuby. Black solid walls covered the Cuby inside and out.

A soft auburn light illuminated the dark and gloomy atmosphere within it. It had only
two seating capacities. The seats were facing each other and attached were glowing

green belts that will secure the two passengers. The Cuby looked simple inside and

out but its features were very remarkable.

At the present, the Lesacas were able to build six secret underground channels. The

channels were interconnected and could transport two passengers in any of the six

places of Philandura. Each place corresponded a fixed time of travelling and the

farthest place with a distance of 830km could be reached in twenty minutes the

most. Its monstrous speed could not harm the passengers since the transporter was

a barrier itself.
Only the Lesacas had that kind of carrier. They personally invented it for the

convenience of travelling quickly the different major cities of Philandura.

“Please press the glowing green button to secure yourselves automatically with seat

belts. This will only take five minutes or less. Enjoy.”

Ais sat perfectly still and she was staring blankly at the black empty floor. She was

mentally and emotionally tired. Then she dozed off unconsciously.

Ma-chi thought. This must be too hard for you… But I know you can handle this…

The robot followed what the computer instructed. Then after five seconds the system

powered up automatically. Bright red orange lights appeared and blinked in each

corner of the Cuby. Ma-chi could feel the carrier floated slowly.

Outside the black cubic barrier, the white floor of the Cuby Generator opened

gradually and it roared so loud but fortunately the uproar did not affect the sound

proof Cuby.

After few seconds, the dark subway showed.

Ma-chi saw a green light appeared in the ceiling of the Cuby. It stopped all the

blinking red orange lights and finally the floating Cuby dived into the dark subway.

The Cuby released its outrageous speed. The sleeping subway lights were

awakened consecutively after contacting the Cuby sensors. That displayed a

magnificent and graceful trail of bright yellow lights.

“How are they?” Acantha asked her husband.

“They are fine. Only three minutes left and they will reach Chanos safely.”

Ma-chi watched the sleeping kid because there was nothing left to do. Then he

looked around the boring surroundings again.

Man.., this all black and boring surrounding make me sick. Kei does not really have
any skills in art and designs… Tch.

“Hachoo!”

“Kei, are you all right?” her mother asked.

The aloof guy rubbed his nose with a black handkerchief and mumbled, “Someone

must be talking behind my back…”

Then Ma-chi was about to close his eyes when he suddenly saw Ais drooled.

He let out a big laugh that awakened the girl.

“Eh?! What’s your problem Ma-chi?!”

The robot had a hard time in restraining himself from laughing. Then Ais just noticed

her cheeks were wet so she hurriedly look for her handkerchief and wiped

immediately all the scattered saliva.

“Stop making fun of me!”

“I’m sorry Ais! But I can’t just stop myself from laughing!”

The Cuby lowered gradually its speed until it stopped moving totally.

“Eh? Chanos already?” Ais wondered.

The seat belts detached automatically and the door opened.

“All the passengers may now leave the Cuby safely. Welcome to Chanos the capital

of Philandura.”

The two went out and found themselves in a dark and remote alley.

“Hey, do you hear that?” Ais asked the robot.

“I guess they have started already. Let’s go.”

“All beloved citizens of Philandura, you have just witnessed the forty students

coming from different wealthy and notable families. Now we may call on Carol

Skyler, the only daughter of Sir Cordell and Madam Clyne!”

All Philians clapped happily and proudly as the young girl stood in front of them.

Carol looked at the whole crowd and she gave them a fake smile.

“Cackles!” the organizer called, “What are you doing?! Ms. Aisha Lesaca is still not

here!”

The emcee went hurriedly at the backstage and replied, “What?! But Sir Edred

contacted me that she’s here now!”

Vince, the organizer paused briefly and said, “Buy some time.”

Cackles stared blankly in the dark as the end call tune continued. Cold sweat rolled

down from his forehead as he muttered, “I’m doomed.”

“No you’re not!”

He gasped and turned his back to see the person.

“Ms. Aisha?!”

“H-Hi. M-Mr. Cackles right?” Ais walked closer to the emcee and said while rubbing

each other the fingernails of her two hands, “Um… Actually I was here already when

Papa called you. I―I was just waiting for the right timing to come out…”

The emcee was stunned. He had a hard time in composing himself properly. He felt

angry since he got almost lost his job and he felt so irritated towards the girl.

He told himself that perhaps he was just overreacting. He could not help himself but

twitched a little as he remembered his expectations from the young girl.

What he saw and felt were the opposite. By the current looks of the girl, Cackles

judged that no one would ever think that she was one of the Lesacas. Unlike most of
the Lesacas he had seen from the media, she was different. She was not really a

head turner. Every Lesaca had that exotic beauty that could capture everyone’s

eyes.

Her hair is a bit messy and in terms of her personality, she was still far beyond the
nature of the Lesacas... She’s shy and meek and there was really nothing special in
her… Maybe because she’s just an―

Ais lost her cool after taking a glimpse at the eyes of the emcee. She interrupted his

train of thoughts and said, “I still don’t understand the purpose of this boring event.”

Cackles returned to his senses and his silent irritation heightened. But he managed

to give the young girl a fake laugh and said, “The King requested this event because

he wanted to see personally each and every one of you. Since the fifty of you are

children of the most respected and prominent families, all of us are regarding you as

the next leaders of the following generations. The fifty of you are considered to be

the hope and pride of the whole Philandura so you are all deserving to be shown and

honored.”

The emcee felt proud to his speech and said, “Please prepare now, Ms. Aisha

Lesaca. Just come out as soon as I am done saying your name.”

Ais nodded seriously and said, “I guess you forgot something in your explanation

earlier.”

Cackles smiled fakely and asked as if he was curious to know, “My… my… What is

it?”

“Never mind. I’ll just keep it to myself!” Ais exclaimed and smiled.

“Okay, no problem.”

The emcee went to the stage as irritated as ever and started babbling several

flowering words to the Lesacas.

Ais muttered as he clenched her fists angrily, “This is just one of the many things I

hate about human nature.”

“Behold the youngest member of the clan that leads in the manufacturing industry!

One of the owners of the giant Mashinah Company and the only daughter of Sir

Edred and Madam Acantha Lesaca who are the chief leaders of the council of the

King, Ms. Aisha Lesaca!”

“I-I don’t want this,” Ais muttered and bit her lower lip to stop her tears from flowing.

“I know…” Ma-chi replied sadly, “But you have to…”

She had a very hard time in lifting her feet. Her knees were trembling and her heart

beat faster and wilder. It was as if any minute she would just collapse out of

nervousness... and disgust.

What’s wrong with her?! Why is she not going out! Cackles thought.

The King and Queen wondered silently and so the whole crowd.

“Come on, Ais! Don’t make me transform back just to push you out! Don’t mind the

crowd! Remember you are doing this for your family and not for those lunatics!” Ma-

chi exclaimed, “Do you want the crowd to laugh at your family simply because you

can’t face them all by yourself?!”

Ais got enraged and it was as if the built in nobility of being a Lesaca was awakened.
Ma-chi got surprised silently as he watched Ais learned to walk decisively.

This is so cool… though I am just in the form of a shoulder bag. Machi thought.

One from the crowd clapped his hands loudly that stirred the whole crowd to do the

same.

The King and Queen smiled to her and she bowed her head briefly as a sign of

greetings and respect to them. Then she met the serious gazes of her soon-to-be
classmates. She stared blankly to each one of them except for the girl beside her. It

was Carol. She looked so familiar to Ais.

Tch. I never knew that brat likes to play some suspense tricks. Cackles thought.

“I wonder how honest these people are,” Ais muttered sadly to Ma-chi, “There is that

gleam in their eyes by which I could not really determine.”

Ais was so engrossed with her thoughts. She did not notice that the emcee started

calling out the most awaited Royal-blooded students.

Is it really joy? No. I better regard it as jealousy… Or even worst… Hatred. Ais
thought.

The crowd kept on rejoicing and uttering words of delight and praise.

“I learned now the truth,” Ais muttered and grinned, “The people don’t want us to be

here… Instead, they are all dying to take our place here to gain fame, honor and

power….―How lame.”

“Wow… So I’ve been talking to the wind,” Cleta said and smiled to hide her anger.

“I despise them all,” Ais whispered to herself.

“Ais! The princess must be talking to you! Enough with your thoughts now!” Ma-chi

whispered.

As soon as Ais realized what Ma-chi told her, the King finished his brief speech that

signaled the Red Airship to land at the right corner of the stage.

“This is the first time someone turned me down,” Princess Cleta said in a friendly

way and followed her brother as they made their way to start the line.

Their six cousins, four from the side of the King and two from the side of the Queen

followed Princess Cleta and her older brother, Prince Edison. After all the Royal-
blooded students were settled, the emcee requested Ais to line next to the last royal

blooded student named Acelin Lacaden, daughter of the only brother of the Queen.

Ais forced herself to give her last and sweetest smile to the emcee. The emcee got

surprised silently and he didn’t have a choice but to fake a smile too.

He watched Ais walked honorably but after she took few steps she turned back to

him and said, “Mr. Cackles, I’ve changed my mind!”

He did not understand what the girl meant so he went closer to Ais and asked, “Miss

Aisha, you changed your mind about what?” Then all of a sudden, the memory

flashed back quickly to him like a song that was set to play back automatically.

Ais smiled and said, “The only thing you forgot in your explanation was that…”

Though Ais was smiling, Cackles could feel the sharp and intense glare in her eyes.

He felt so intimidated and he begged silently for someone to end that heavy

atmosphere that was only happening between him and the young lady.

“We’re shown here…,” Ais said and grinned blankly, “to be judged.”

Cackles stood motionless. He looked so pale and cold. He realized that the young

Lesaca knew that he judged her too.

Cackles thought. I-I misjudged her. So this is how terrifying the Lesacas can be…

“Hey, are you okay now?” Ma-chi asked softly.

Ais felt so great after releasing that heavy and uncomfortable feeling. She smiled

and still with her right hand down, she raised her right thumb just for Ma-chi to see

that she was feeling okay.

The fierce glare of the princess followed Ais as she walked to her designated place.

She never dared looking back to the princess or else she might lose her cool and do

crazy things.
Tch, I never expected that it would take faster than I thought. Ais told herself.

This time Ais made a new record. It only took her less than a minute and she now
gained an enemy. Worst is that it was the daughter of the King. We might as well
have the prince and their six cousins as our instant enemies. Man… What a good
start. Ma-chi thought.

The noise of the entire crowd intensified when all the fifty students turned to face

them. The students stood in splendor as they showed to the whole world the

emergence of a new and stronger youth force of Philandura.

“Whoah!!! Mama! Let’s work harder so that someday we can also be one of the top

ten wealthy and notable families in Merchants’ Town!”

“Huh?! Why did you suddenly think about that Yumi?” the mother’s kid asked.

“Because I also want to wear the Shieldowrd Academy’s uniform!”

Her mother burst in laughter and patted the child’s head softly, “Then let’s work on

your dream now!”

The child looked at the students for the last and longest time. Then a burning flame

of determination sparkled in her eyes. The sun illuminated brightly the golden-orange

outlines of the students’ uniforms and all the dark red color that covered the V-

shaped skirt of the girls and boys. The Shieldowrd Academy’s flag embroidered in

the students’ skirts looked so magnificent when the sun emphasized its beauty. The

outline of the flag itself represented the shield and within the shield the sword was

placed. In the middle of the handle of the sword was a glowing atomic structure

which implied the power of Science that will play a very significant role in students’

learning and the development of their knowledge.

Yumi blinked after she realized that her mother was too far already. She ran fast to

catch up with her mother. It was then she felt her heart beat so fast and a throbbing

excitement built in her.

King Dario Avarone and Queen Callista Avarone smiled to their two children, Prince

Edison and Princess Cleta. The two looked at them warmly and both children bowed

to their parents. The rest of the students made their goodbyes to their families and

relatives except for Ais.

Ais knew that her parents were back to their work. Although she still felt sad but she

was now able to understand them fully. She smiled sincerely after she remembered

that very rare and warmest scene she ever had with her family.

“Well, I guess I have to―” Ais said happily when the communication device vibrated,

“Huh?!”

Her heart almost jumped in joy after she saw the person calling her. She immediately

received the video call.

“Papa!”

Her father smiled back to her and she could not believe her eyes that her mother and

even her older brother, Kei were all in the video.

Ais got blushed and started rubbing the fingernails of her two hands. She got

panicked after she realized that she unconsciously freed the device from her hands.

Fortunately, the device floated automatically thanks for the help of Ma-chi who

changed the settings of the device.

Her parents smiled awkwardly and finally Kei lost his cool and yelled, “Calm down

Idiot!”

Ais took off his dark red hat and bit its edge to stop herself from crying. Then she

nodded cutely when his father began his message to her.

“Ais listen carefully. You are blessed to have a family that will do whatever it takes

just to protect you. You have Ma-chi and all the other robots that are strong and

powerful enough to keep you away from danger. You may also have some good and

loyal friends that may help you get away from tough situations… But when in the

end, when all odds turned against you, when everyone fails to protect you, definitely

there will be no one except you who’s going to defend and fight for your life.”

Her father looked intensely at her and continued, “Aisha Lesaca, promise me that

you’ll keep on getting stronger and stronger no matter what.”

Ais nodded as tears began to flow freely from her eyes.

“I need to hear you firm and concrete answer,” his father said.

“I promise that I’ll keep on getting stronger and stronger and stronger and

strongerrrrrr!!!” Ais yelled at the top of her lungs.

Her eyes sparkled in joy and unbreakable determination. She did not notice that all

the other students heard clearly what she just yelled.

“Tch. Actually there’s no need for you to shout,” Kei said coldly.

“It’s time Ais. Please be safe and strong,” her mother said in teary eyes.

The video call ended. Ais clenched her fists and thought, I’m gonna make myself

stronger for all of you Papa. I promise that.

The students started to enter the Red Airship. Each student had their own

designated seat and Ais had hers at the furthermost beside the window. Her

seatmate was Carol Skyler who kept her eyes closed and continued to sit quietly.

Ais thought, Tch. Why do I feel so awkward whenever I’m with this girl? She’s really

so familiar but I still can’t figure out why?!

The young lady sighed a little when all the seat belts attached automatically to all the

passengers. A brief welcome came from the pilot and the Airship took off.

For so many years, I’ve been living with different kinds of robots. I can’t deny to
myself that I preferred living with them than living with these filthy humans.

Ais eyed her classmates and she went back to her thoughts again.

Humans are hard to understand just like myself…

She cupped her face with her left hand. She felt sad but when Ais noticed the

beautiful scenery of the entire Royal Ground, her eyes lightened with awe. Ais saw

the golden Royal Palace shone beautifully in that bright, peaceful day. Chanos City,

the capital of Philandura and the other three surrounding cities of Creta, Auxis and

Aureo encircled the place where the Royal Palace stood. All the houses built in those

four cities looked so colorful and inviting. A number of tall buildings can also be seen

anywhere. Then in the right side of Chanos and Aureo was the Green Belt, the

graveyard of heroes and other prominent Philians. The graveyard was filled with

evergreen trees and lively green grasses. It even looked so beautiful when all the

grasses started to dance with the wind.

As the Airship continued to move northeast, Ais saw a portion of SCIRE Federation,

the place where brilliant scientists and engineers of Philandura worked together to

power the whole country. SCIRE was an acronym for Source of Credibility,

Inventions, Research and Energy.

Then just above the scientists’ realm was the Military Base. The Airfield was located

in the leftt side of the main headquarters while the Navy port was just in the right

most area.

After seeing the Military Base, a considerable amount of sadness rekindled in Ais’

heart. She knew that they were getting nearer to the dark and gloomy side of

Philandura.
“We will now leave the Dawn Dwellers’ Paradise. We ask each valued passenger to

press the red button so as to increase your personal safety. Thank you.”

After all the passengers except Ais pressed the said button, thick suits with grayish-

black gas mask appeared and covered their entire bodies.

All the students were educated about the other main part of Philandura they were

going to pass through. They were told that the place was said to be dangerous since

outlaws hid and were just waiting for chances to attack from anywhere. The

atmosphere was also filled with foreign, poisonous elements. But the students and

their parents were rest assured that the protective gears were really effective and

tight security monitored a large scope of area so any attempts of ambush will be

futile. Most students and their parents felt bad and scared about the risky location of

the academy but they didn’t have any choice. The Dawn Dwellers’ Paradise was fully

occupied and the vast island where the Shieldowrd Academy stood was the most

suitable place to use.

Carol Skyler who was just dead silent along the way finally decided to break her

silence.

“What the hell are you doing? Are you planning to get yourself killed?” Carol asked
calmly.

“I’ve learned the truth about this place. Believe me, that protective gear served a

different purpose,” Ais said firmly, “If I were you, I’m gonna take that off. You’re

making yourself look like a fool.”

Carol grunted silently and said, “I’m sorry but your explanation is quite shallow and

vague. Just don’t blame me when you get yourself killed.”

“If that’s really for safety reasons then they should have come here already and

forced me to wear that stupid, ugly suit.”

Light anger and irritation came to Ais as she replied. Carol could sense Ais’

overflowing honesty but too bad she could not just erase immediately all those

negative things she learned from the place. It was very impossible for Carol to delete

immediately all those notions that sank deeply to her mind and heart. It was like

erasing something that was part of her system.

The Airship approached slowly the Dead Abyss, the official main border between the

two main parts of Philandura. The said place got its name because it was an abyss

where unidentified dead bodies were dumped. Rotten bodies kept on piling at the

bottom. It made the abyss so polluted and was considered to be dead. Piercing smell

of blood and rotten flesh hung in the air.

Ais shed a tear upon seeing the dreadful scenery of the Dusk dwellers’ Dark

Paradise.

The world keeps on changing. I know someday, the rays of the sun will soon light
this gloomy place and end the misery of the people living here. For the meantime, I
have to stand still and find my way in this dark world. I have to keep on getting
stronger. I have to…

Ais… Ma-chi thought as he watched the young girl clenched her fists silently.

“Hey,” someone interrupted, “Can you tell me the real purpose of it?”

It was Carol. She already released the red button which took off her protective gear.

Ais was a bit shocked as she dried quickly her eyes and muttered, “You have to see

this.”

Carol gulped and Ais could see her eyes so terrified…and sad at the same time.

She asked, “S-so this is the place?”

“This is the shadow of the Dawn Dwellers’ Paradise,” Ais replied sadly.
“D-Do you believe that there are still some people living here?”

Ais nodded and gazed outside the window.

“The people living here are called as the Dusk Dwellers and this is their own Dark

Paradise.”

Paradise? Carol thought sadly.

“We are currently at the Hazardous Zone. Later on, I’ll be pointing to you the area in

which some very kind and good people lived,” Ais said and smiled warmly.

Carol got surprised silently after seeing Ais smiled so warmly. Then she asked

seriously, “Hey, you haven’t answered my question yet.”

Ais shook her head and replied, “You’ve already seen the answer.”

Carol’s eyes widened. She paused for a while and reviewed everything she saw and

heard. Then after that brief moment, she finally picked up what Ais meant and

muttered sadly, “They used this mask to trigger that planted fear in our minds and

hearts.”

They watched the other students holding tightly their masks. All of them looked so
scared and they were all trying to guard themselves to the fullest.

“That made all the passengers focused only in their own safety thus the shadow of

Philandura will never be seen.”

Ais wiped quickly her tears away and nodded.

Carol thought. We’re brainwashed. And I’m such a fool for believing that I am just

living in a perfect and wonderful country. How sad that I’ve just discovered this.

They finished crossing Bloodwoods, the place where several dangerous outlaws

were hiding. Ais and Carol were now watching the Giant Walmoura Barrier.
Carol’s eyes widened upon seeing the wonderful scenery.

“That long and giant mountain range protects the Cygnus Inhabitants from the

outlaws living there at the Bloodwoods,” Ais said.

“Wow,” Carol muttered blankly, “Those people must be lucky. It’s as if Mother Nature

knew the wretched situation they are in. And so she manifested herself there to

guard and protect the Dusk Dwellers.”

Ais became silent after hearing Carol’s words. She felt so stupid because it was only

then Ais realized an important thing. The thing was, she knew for so long the

wretched situation they were in and yet she did nothing. She did not initiate some

help for her dear friends. It was because she always relied and hoped that other

people or for an instance her parents would take the step in helping them.

But they did not. Just like the King.

No one dared to take the heavy responsibility of saving those people. All of them

were just busy playing blind.

Carol continued watching the long mountain range. It was when she noticed the shift

in Ais’ mood and facial expression. She turned dead silent and Carol noticed that her

seatmate had been staring blankly at the floor.

“Well, I guess this might take some few minutes,” Carol said and went back to her

seat. She hoped for a response but Ais didn’t bother opening her mouth or even

blinking her eyes.

Carol thought. You’ve changed a lot and it feels so sad that you’ve forgotten about

me… She sighed within her and continued. Why am I doing this?

Ais wanted to cry and laugh at the same time. But she couldn’t and remained playing

numb and dumb.

She thought before that when the day came that she will be seeing them again, she

would have the guts to feel happy. But she was wrong.

As she drew herself nearer to the Cygnus Zone, she just wanted to cry so badly. She

felt every inch of guilt overtaking her back. The last memory she had with her dear

friend played back perfectly in her mind leaving her a very suffocating and heavy

sensation.

She wanted to break loose. But she can’t.

The guilt that ate her slowly was way powerful and firm. She could not resist or else

she would just hurt herself further. So instead she calmed herself and changed

gradually her thoughts.

Ais, you’ve done the right thing. There’s nothing wrong in choosing your family over
them. You have your valid reason why you chose to break that promise with him.
Besides, four years had passed already and he might have forgotten about you. He
might have already realized that you were not his true friend. Perhaps he never
wanted to see you again… So moved on, Ais…

“Hey, are you all right?” Carol finally asked and knocked softly her forehead.

Ais went back to her senses and saw Carol in front of her.

“Take a look at those people,” Carol said and went back to her kneeling position to

see again those people gathering outside, “those must be the Cygnus Inhabitants.”

Ais nodded and watched coldly the rejoicing crowd.

At that same moment, Zid was standing perfectly still at the edge of the rooftop. He

was using his own version of telescope to see clearly the friend he was looking for.

He could feel his heart beating wild and fast as he moved the telescope to scan the

whole Airship. He didn’t see anybody at the farthest left side of the vehicle. He
gulped and he took a deep breath. He held the telescope tightly still hoping that

maybe she was seated at the farthest opposite side.

His nervousness made him unconsciously increased his speed in scanning.

Then finally something brushed his sight. He traced back quickly and there Zid

smiled.

He zoomed in further and adjusted the clarity of his invention.

Zid’s smile died.

He stood frozen. His once gentle and glowing amber eyes widened and turned to be

so empty and dark. His heart sank.

He just realized that he never prepared himself for the worst. So he was there,

strangled badly by the slithering truth.

Despite the cold and intimidating glare of Ais, Zid never took his eyes away from her.

He felt that there was that something beyond the gleam of her eyes. But as he tried

to buy some time in deciphering that implied message, the more he realized no

answers.

He felt so bad that a part of him started to feel smaller. Then a small, thin voice came

and told him that the world of the rich and the poor will always go in separate ways

and the gap between them will never die. It would only get bigger and wider as the
years to come.

As if on cue, Ais finally diverted her gaze away from him like he was just nothing.

The precision of his telescope made him to see clearly the reality but it only brought

confusion and sadness to his very heart and soul.

The cold wind blown the bluish-black hair of Zid as the rays of the sun started to

tease and dance at the spot he was standing.

It was such a very rare moment when the sun’s rays could somehow penetrate the

dark, polluted, cloudy place of the Dusk Dwellers’ Dark Paradise.

“Whoah! This is so beautiful!” Cara exclaimed and danced in joy.

This is the very first time I’ve seen the sun’s rays entered this much. Could it be that
the barrier here has been reduced? Zaki thought seriously. No. It couldn’t be. Or else
all those rich kids in that Airship would also be endangered. Maybe this is just some
kind of a brief and personal welcome from the sun.

Zaki smiled and joined Cara enjoyed that special moment.

“Let’s go home,” Zid said and left silently.

His two siblings got surprised. Cara attempted to ask his older brother about Ais but

Zaki motioned her to stop.

So instead the two of them followed silently their older brother. Both were also eager

to know what Zid found out.

Several people were waving their hands happily and others could not stop

themselves from jumping in joy upon seeing their Airship. Carol could not believe

that those people welcomed them more compared to the crowd in Chanos.

Why are they so happy despite the unfortunate situation they are in? What makes
them happy? Do they think that our mere arrival here would make any better
difference in their lives? Have they gone nuts?! They don’t even know that only the
two of us have seen them.

Carol wondered silently. Then she took a glimpse at her seatmate and noticed the

restless movements of her very cold eyes. It was like Ais was searching for

something or someone.

Then after a couple of seconds, Carol saw her stopped.

Carol thought. Did she find it? Or has she given up? And what’s up with those cold

eyes?

She wanted to know but Carol knew that it was none of her business.

Few minutes later, Ais turned back to her still expressionless.

“So that’s the Cygnus Zone which consists of six cities namely Central Crux,

Zerpens, Lynx, Vella, Ursa,” Ais paused and continued, “Perxis.”

Carol thought. Tch, I don’t remember asking her a question. Well, more or less

you’re still you.

“So I presumed those Cygnus Inhabitants must be the people whom you referred to

as very kind and good,” Carol said as she locked her stare to Ais.

Her eyes widened.

Carol went back to her seat and thought. See? I wonder who those special people

are…

Just then an announcement came.

“All the passengers may now remove your protective gears. We are now inside the

vicinity of Shieldowrd.”

All the other passengers except Ais and Carol sighed in great relief after releasing

their protective gears.

“Whoah! Finally, we’re totally safe!” Kiah exclaimed while fixing her long, rosy-pink

hair.

Lance, the seatmate of Kiah smiled and nodded.

The students looked outside their windows and got shocked in awe. They saw

several robots in various sizes doing busily their individual assignments. They were
also some group of people who were supervising and working in harmony with the

robots.

“Wow!” Darel said, “just how did they make this?!”

“What a waste,” Ais muttered.

Carol eyed her seatmate and nodded.

“But it’s good to know that they have secured us fully and redundantly,” Carol

remarked.

“For now our safety is guaranteed but what about tomorrow? Surely, this will worsen

the energy crisis we are facing,” Ais said.

Carol sighed and replied, “So what are we going to do? Request the king to reduce

the number of robots and this doubled barrier?”

Ais fell silent as she watched the prince and the princess talking with their cousins.

“You see? You cannot blame the king,” Carol said, “So stop worrying and be open-

minded.”

Ais gulped in guilt as she understood the feeling of choosing and prioritizing one’s

own family over the significant others.

“You still keep on worrying too much,” Carol murmured and closed her eyes.

After hearing those words, Ais remembered again something she could not really

figure out. The feeling of familiarity over her seatmate aroused back within her.

“Carol,” Ais said.

Carol’s eyes opened and she moved slowly her eyes to her seatmate who was

looking seriously back at her.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?”
Ais shook her head and smiled. As soon as she began blurting some words to Carol,

the entire Airship quivered a little and a deep and thundering male voice came that

covered everything what Ais said.

“Welcome to Shieldowrd Academy!”

“Oh, so we’ve come to enter the Air Gate,” Carol said while looking outside, “That

explains the slight trembles of the Airship.”

Ais got irritated silently to the bad timing that interrupted her.

“By the way, what did you just say earlier?”

Ais shook her head and said, “Nothing important.”

“Okay,” Carol said and sat back.

There were some robots that guided and assisted the big, red airship to land safely

at the Multi-purpose area. All the students except Ais and Carol got more excited as

they watched their aircraft descended further. They could see from above, all

classical buildings that surrounded an Assembly area covered with tight clay bricks.

A stage was set up just ahead that Assembly Area. Behind the stage was where the
great, golden clock tower stood. The flag of Philandura waved proudly at the topmost

part of the tower. Just below the big circular clock was where the flag of Shieldowrd

Academy hung magnificently.

“Those old-looking infrastructures remind me of my home,” Ais muttered sadly.

Carol agreed silently and said, “Either one of those two buildings in the far west can

be our sleeping quarters.”

Ais sighed and said, “They’re much creepier than I thought.”

At last, the airship landed totally at the Multi-purpose area safe and sound. All the

students were busy talking. Some with their old acquaintances while some with their

newly found friends.

“So everyone agrees. We will set the boundaries and build our territory in that place,”

the prince said, “and no one can ever set foot in it.”

All his royal-blooded relatives grinned in full agreement except for the Lacadens who

just agreed half-heartedly.

“Hey Ais, just be careful. I just saw the royals grinned nastily. I think they’re up to

something,” Ma-chi whispered.

Ais nodded while stealing glances to them.

A maroon bus arrived and transported the fifty students to the Assembly Area they

saw previously. Few minutes after, the students got to have their lunch inside the

bus.

The once, lonely wasteland of the Dusk Dwellers’ Dark Paradise in the Far East
turned into a majestic training ground of the royals and nobles. It’s so sad that it did
not reach the six cities of the Cygnus Zone. Ma-chi thought.

“Sir! Ms. Aisha Lesaca has just arrived safely at Shieldowrd Academy!” one of the

robots reported.

“Good,” Edred said, “Now let’s resume and level up this investigation.”

All the investigating units went back immediately to their busy and crucial work.

Acantha turned so pale and cold as she thought the risk they were taking. She was

looking nervously at the huge computer monitor.

“Ais,” Acantha cried, “She’s still very young…”

Edred hugged her wife and he could not think of any words that would somehow

comfort her. It was because deep within him, Edred could not really calm his restless

soul.

“You’ve trained us the hard way,” Kei stood and went closer to the large monitor,

“Life itself is a risk that you have to carry on until you die. It depends on each one of

us on how we play and deal with different uncertainties that we will stumble along the

way. And I believe now is the time that Ais takes part.”

Kei, it’s a shame that I am your father and yet this is just the time I’ve realized how
far you’ve grown. Edred thought and smiled.

“Aisha is in a different situation. Unllike us, she is not aware of everything which will

cause her to act in a more confident and positive way.” Kei added seriously, “and it

takes full composure and valor to win a very challenging game.”

Acantha wiped her tears away and watched her daughter who was walking in one

line with the other students.

Ais, we’ve trained you to fight and defend yourself. It’s time for you to show us how
far you’ve grown just like your older brother, Kei. Edred thought.

“After all, Ais is a pure-blooded Lesaca,” Kei said and his eyes gleamed coldly in the

darkness.

The fifty students were split into five lines upon arriving at the Assembly Area. In

front of them, they could see two huge buildings in both sides of the clock tower.

Those buildings were well-designed and influenced by (Rococo architectural

designs… Please elaborate this using your research!Then state here nga no doubt

ang Philandura ginclaim ya ang title nga Land of the Past)… Were busy looking and

admiring their new environment?

“This place sucks,” Jhon murmured, “though I’m so damn lucky to be here!”
“Will you shut your mouth?” Aria interrupted, “We’ve just arrived here so act

appropriately.”

“Oh, I’m scared,” Jhon replied and giggled.

“Finally, I’m away from home,” both of the students said in unison.

They looked at each other with startled eyes and they laughed eventually after they

familiarized each other’s faces.

“You must be Jadrien, the son of Air chief marshal Jancent Tapuro,” the guy said

and offered his hand.

Jadrien nodded and shook hands with him. “And you are Elvio, the son of General

Damien Sadural.”

“I know how you feel earlier,” Elvio said while looking at the great clock tower.

“Yeah, we must have shared the same childhood experience,” Jadrien replied,

“although we’re like prisoners deported to another cell.”

Elvio chuckled a bit and said, “But I have to admit that this place is a bit sweeter.”

Just then, a tall old man with a wavy dirty-white hair that reached his knees came

out.

“So what’s the feeling of facing your father at the stage?” Reid asked seriously.

“Alder,” Zeke said while looking at his father, “You can answer your own question.”

Reid rubbed his chin and replied, “Let me rephrase my question. What’s the―”

“I felt smaller,” Zeke said as he narrowed his dark blue eyes to Reid, “But proud for

him.”

Reid grinned which altered shortly his constant serious-looking face.

“I bet you’re satisfied now,” Zeke said and continued watching over his father.

“Hachoo!”

“Eh? Ais?” Ma-chi whispered, “Are you okay? This is the third time you sneeze.”

“I’m okay. It’s just some people are talking behind my back,” Ais replied while

rubbing her nose.

“Hey, can’t you see the Headmaster is here now?” Carol asked as she pierced her

sharp eyes to Ais, “and who the hell are you talking?”

“A-aha-ha-ha,” Ais laughed fakely, “Nah, I’m just talking to myself.”

“I welcome you once again in your new and second home, the Shieldowrd

Academy!” the Headmaster exclaimed happily.

The students heaved simultaneous sighs as they watched the Headmaster laughed

heartily. As he moved, his long and curly grayish-white beard danced gracefully

together with his very long hair.

“I didn’t know your father can laugh like that,” Reid whispered.

Zeke could not watch further and muttered, “Me neither.”

I wonder how many weeks did he practice for this. Zeke thought.

The Headmaster coughed a bit to regain his composure and said seriously, “I am

your Headmaster Merlin Hacrow and behind me is the Deputy Headmaster Yves

Walton.”

One of the students in the third line named Henry turned pale and cold as he

glanced at his father, Yves Walton.

“You are all gathered here because of your promising skills and potentials. The

whole Philandura has come to know each one of you today. So there’s no turning
back now,” Merlin said as he walked decisively at the left corner of the stage, “I’ll get

this straight.”

The entire atmosphere changed drastically. More batches of grayish-black clouds

piled up and covered the whole sky. It looked as though a storm was brewing but

there was none really. All the students felt a chill in their spines as they waited for the

Headmaster to continue.

“Tomorrow all the students will be taking the Grand Pre-Examination.”

“Whoah! For real?!” Calandra exclaimed, “Princess Cleta, this is all a bit sudden?!”

“Nope,” Cleta murmured and grinned, “This is expected.”

Calandra’s face was devastated further as she watched her cousins grinned

confidently.

“Geez, I thought we will be given a sort of one week adjustment period,” Kiah said

while twirling her hair.

“Oh my,” Enver said softly while covering his eyes to create some drama.

The students reacted differently. Others were very much thrilled and energized while
some were so frustrated and angry. There were some who were sad and they just

wanted to go home already. But a very small portion of the students chose to remain

calm and one of them was Ais.

She was too focused on the last conversation she had with her father.

It was then when Headmaster Merlin continued, “The Grand Pre-Exams will measure

your strengths and weaknesses in different aspects. It will also give us the ideas and

first impression of what kind of students you are. And more importantly―”

Red Sigrun raised his hand and asked coldly, “Can you give us already the

mechanics of that exam?”

“Red!” Fraco exclaimed and covered his older brother’s mouth, “I-I’m sorry

Headmaster for his rude interruption.”

“Good question but we will explain the details tomorrow,” Merlin replied.

“Thank you very much,” Fraco bowed down as he also pulled Red’s head to bow

down too.

“What are you!―” Red yelled.

Fraco was quick in covering his brother’s mouth and he tried to fake a smile.

“So this will be a compulsory-individual exam,” Merlin continued casually as the

students buzzed in a mixture of complaints and delight, “and for those students who

are still not planning to take the exams, you will be locked up at the Forbyl’s dungeon

for straight three days.”

The students turned silent as cold beads of sweat rolled down from their foreheads.

“The participants who will be violating the rules and regulations for tomorrow’s exam

will obviously be joining with those students. And as for an additional motivation for

each one of you…”

Ais could feel the atmosphere getting heavier and heavier.

“The student who will get the highest score will definitely earn a reward from me,”

Merlin’s smile vanished when he continued, “While those students who belong to the

Bottom five will receive a corresponding punishment.”

“This is interesting,” Arrio murmured and smirked.

“Hoh? Arrio?” Jamarcus Avarone mocked, “I thought you’ve lost your guts?!”

Arrio lift his fist right away but fortunately Earl Avarone stopped him.

“Get hold of yourselves!” Earl exclaimed.

Prince Edison and Princess Cleta were grinning excitedly outside. They were hiding

the fact that a vast amount of fear was already overtaking within them.

“That’s all for now,” Merlin said, “Have a good day and?―”

There was a brief pause when the right word came to the Headmaster’s mind.

“Enjoy!” was all he could think and say.

“There’s no way we could enjoy this,” Fraco whispered.

Henry heard him and replied whispering, “I agree with you…”

“Hello students!”

All the students got surprised to see a friendly-looking seven foot tall, female robot in

front of them. The robot was dressed in a pastel-colored ice skating outfit. She was

still smiling cutely though she knew the students found it so awkward because of her

height. She sighed silently and coughed a bit to make herself ready in giving a brief

self-introduction.

“My name is Skates!” she exclaimed and spin herself gracefully which made some

students smiled and got impressed, “and I will be one who will orient and tour you

today!”

“Wow,” Catherine, a soft-spoken young lady said, “H-her skates emitted some

shining dust particles…”

Skates glided happily to Catherine’s group then she flew quickly to the entire

remaining students.

“I love her skates,” Azzra said blankly as she chased the robot by her eyes, “Can I

have them?”

“How can her skates emit something like that?” Agatha asked softly.
Skates heard clearly what Agatha said from a far and she giggled. The robot glided

swiftly towards the girl and she patted Agatha’s head softly when Ivan Berret came

closer and said lazily, “Hey, I’m so freakin’ tired now so let’s get started and finish

this already.”

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Skates said and glided back at the stage, “now students join me in

shouting ‘S.A. Device’!”

All the students shouted the words ‘S.A. Device’ and a pinned golden name plate

appeared in each of the student’s neckline.

“H-how did it happen?” Agatha said with bewildered eyes, “h-how can she move that

fast and have this pinned to us?!”

“Simply because she’s a robot!” Amber replied proudly, “a magical work of Science!”

Zeke gasped upon hearing those familiar words from Amber then he asked himself

silently, That Amber, just where the hell did she learn it? Her last statement is one of

my father’s favorite original quotations!

Reid narrowed his eyes to Amber and muttered, “I was at the verge of throwing a big

laugh in her first statement when she caught me off guard and killed me right on the

spot by her next statement.”

“Tch, that’s just a coincidence,” Zeke replied, “and what’s up with this bunch of

idiots? I can’t believe they still haven’t realized that the name plates were already

given during the final inspection stage.”

“Yeah,” Reid agreed and grinned, “I bet Shieldowrd’s gonna have a tough time in

teaching these morons.”

“Excuse me, gentlemen but you don’t have to generalize all the students here,” Luis

Hames said decently, “and you do not have the slightest credibility and power to

judge how far we, your classmates can reach.”

Zeke and Reid were put to silence but their eyes seemed to talk back something.

“So ‘S.A. Device’ is the magic word to deactivate its invisibility mode?” Eric said in a

way that only Luis, Zeke and Reid can hear, “Hah, that even still gave me a hard

time when exactly did that last robot pin me this name plate? The robot made it

looked as though he was only scanning but actually he was just waiting for the right

timing to pin this.”

Zeke and Reid knew what the guy was doing and yet they chose to remain silent and

a little bit patient.

“And how are you supposed to discover it? I guess by the soft, clicking sound of it,

you’ll able to hear something? Or it could be that you can feel the slightest touch of it

in your neckline? Or just by intuition? Or just some background knowledge?”

Hearing those last words made Zeke and Reid gritted their teeth in anger.

“Well most of us here don’t have that skills by now and that’s the main reason why

we’re here,” Eric said, “And I guess all of us here basically know that it doesn’t mean

that when you’re a noble or a royal it will also follow that you are already a genius

and a skilled person.”

“Hey,” Zeke said with his eyes shadowed in deep anger, “Whom are you talking to?”

Eric got startled and said in a trembling voice, “I-I’m sorry but I was just talking to

myself!”

Reid said seriously, “Tell me, what crazy tricks you did for you to get qualified here.”

“Reid Alder, that’s enough,” Luis interrupted.

“You better learn to control that loud mouth of yours, Eric Verrill” Zeke muttered

seriously, “Or else I will be the one who will lock that up.”
Eric was still stunned when Reid added, “Insane people get expelled here so you

better be careful, dupe.”

“That was super amazing!” Yasuo exclaimed and laughed, “I wish I could have that

speed someday!”

All the other students didn’t know the conflict that happened to Zeke and Reid

against Luis and Eric. Skates continued to amaze the students except for Carol and

Ais who started to get so tired and annoyed.

“Okay! So before others get to be more upset, I would like you to follow me in a

single file for your tour!” Skates exclaimed as she jumped down the stage.

The students moved excitedly back to the previous maroon bus they took. It was

already three o’clock in the afternoon when they started their tour in Shieldowrd

Academy.

“Attention everyone!” Skates exclaimed, “Now I am going to explain to you the

importance of your name plates.”

“Really?!” Jhon gasped, “I-I thought this is just for identification purposes?!”

“Before!” Skates said, “But in this century, this name plate serves various features

that losing this will make your lives so miserable here.”

“Wah! I’ve just lost my name plate!” Ace cried, “My life is going to be misera―”

“S.A. Device,” few intelligent students muttered.

Skates laughed and said, “Good job for those students who have analyzed and

understood their device!”

“Oi, why does this have to be invisible?” Ace said in a very annoyed voice.

“Are you really that dumb?!” Zeta yelled finally, “its invisibility mode will help it protect

our name plates from people who are planning to steal it from us!”
“Oh, I see,” Ace said in love-love eyes, “thank you so much for telling me. Now I

know!”

“Zeta is right. Your name plate stores important records about your identity and this

academy so it is very important to limit its visibility.”

“This name plate is only visible for ten seconds,” Chandice said as she pressed her

stopwatch, “How can we alter this default setting?”

“You will see at the back portion of your name plate, a sliding switch,” Skates said as

she started checking the students in her left and right side.

“Slide that switch to the right and flip back your name plate. A red light is going to

appear just at the middle and right above your engraved full name.”

“Skates, the red light did blink thrice but it got steady now,” Yuri asked softly, “What

am I going to do next?”

“Hold your name plate that way and scan only one of your eyes.”

“Ms. Aisha Lesaca, welcome to Shieldowrd Academy,” a female computer voice

came which signaled the name plate to split in horizontal halves and a holographic

screen appeared like a tablet.

Ais got shocked a bit at the computer’s voice and she became amazed when some

icons popped up one by one on the holographic screen. She touched the Contacts
icon and a complete list of her classmates and teachers appeared.

Why are the Headmaster and his deputy not in this list of contacts? Ais thought.

It was such a great timing when Skates began to explain, “The Headmaster and his

deputy are not in your list of contacts because all your school concerns will be

directed to your Second Masters. But expect that each one of you will be contacted

anytime by the Headmaster and his deputy.”

“That’s a bit unfair,” Darnell mumbled.

The students continued exploring their new device. They realized how important the

device was. It contained the school’s manual about the usage of school facilities and

properties, the Shieldowrd Academy’s map and its rules and regulations.

“Your S.A. Device will inform you immediately about the latest news and updates of

Shieldowrd Academy’s important events, high-ranking students of the month and the

like,” Skates said ardently.

The royals together with some students grinned silently. They were very interested to

be ranked as the top performing student of Shieldowrd Academy.

Skates observed quietly the students and smiled. She knew Philandura would soon

have her newly-bred of brilliant and skillful sons and daughters.

“A complete set of your notes will be uploaded right after you class discussions. But

as per the additional notes of your Second Masters, it is one of your duties as

students to take them down by yourselves,” Skates said and winked cutely.

“All right!” a group of high-spirited students yelled.

“That’s the spirit students!” Skates exclaimed happily as she raised her hand to

cheer them.

Just then, a deep, brief honk of the bus came. All the students saw a huge, haunted-
looking manor outside.

“So that magnificent building is the Males’ Sleeping Quarters,” Skates explained

while pointing her finger to the said building.

Fraco, Henry and Frank shared the same feeling of uneasiness. They all wondered

why they had to build the manor in a creepier way. Enver, on the other hand cried

silently in desolation. He was imagining himself sleeping with some filthy

cockroaches, bugs and by morning some cute, little rodents would welcome and

make friends with him.

Now what’s going to happen with my handsome looks?! Enver exclaimed in his
mind.

While Enver continued imagining himself covered with some dusts and cobwebs and

the other three frightened students, Fraco, Henry and Frank were still under self-pity,

all the courageous males grinned wickedly as they thought of the same thing. The

creepier, the merrier.

After few minutes, they arrived at the Females’ Sleeping Quarters which appeared to

have similar creepy features. This time, Kiah Ricks joined Enver Mattix in mourning

for the impending disaster that was going to ruin their most precious, attractive

selves.

Zeta sighed in disgust and muttered, “Another duo of narcissists.”

“Okay students!” Skates exclaimed and continued seriously, “We expect you to read

in your S.A. Device all the things you need to know about this academy. That

obviously includes the rules and regulations of this school.”

The students listened attentively to Skates as she continued in a slow and serious

manner, “Each one of you is well-monitored here. All facilities and buildings are

embedded with SPECS. Those are considered to be a vast number of

microcomputers that would spectate and record every move you will take. Not

anyone of you will see them by your naked eyes since they are just the size of very

minute specks of dust.”

“That violates our right to privacy,” Lyan said bravely.

“The Shieldowrd Academy has stipulated everything in the contract and an ample

amount of time was given for your parents to think and choose the best decision for
you,” Skates said, “In the end, they signed the contract which implies that they have

agreed to those terms and conditions that the Academy had set.”

“I see,” Lyan said seriously, “it pains me, whenever I think of my parents allowing this

kind of humiliation.”

Some of the students could not grasp what Lyan was pointing out so they started to

ask others who did understand what he meant. While the students were still busy

talking and explaining their own insights, Lyan stood and asked seriously, “Since all

the buildings and facilities are embedded with SPECS, does that even include

watching us pooping and urinating?”

“Whoah?! That’s amazing!” Ace exclaimed after he thought of something dirty.

“That’s crazy!” Zeta yelled angrily, “We cannot allow something like that!”

Ais clenched her fists angrily as she waited for Skates to answer. She wanted to

speak but she did not want to just explode and try anything stupid that would stain

the Lesaca’s name. She tried to calm her silent anger when Sarah Kuper stood and

held Lyan’s collar harshly. “Don’t drag down the Shieldowrd Academy to your

pathetic level of thinking,” Sarah muttered angrily while looking fiercely at Lyan.

“That’s enough,” Prince Edison interrupted, “let’s just hear the answer from Skates.”

Sarah sat back but her eyes were still sealed to Lyan who did not look so bothered

and scared.

Skates tried to smile and said, “There are certain types of SPECS. The most

common are those which can literally watch, hear and record your every move. The

SPECS that are embedded in your bedrooms and comfort rooms are some living

chips and sensors that would only detect anyone who would do something

suspicious inside. Whenever those sensors detected a possible threat, it would send

signals to notify directly the Control Room.”

Lyan sighed in great relief and said, “So those SPECS in the CR’s and our bedrooms

are just some detectors while those SPECS that are located outside are more like

surveillance cameras with live audio recorders.”

Skates nodded and said, “So please be careful everyone. Always remember that any

wrong single move will lock you in that building’s dungeon.”

“The Forbyl’s dungeon,” Ais muttered.

The students felt a shiver in their neck when they reached the four story building

called Forbyl. Compared with the students’ sleeping quarters, Forbyl appeared to be

more normal.

“Okay let’s stop here for a while,” Skates said and motioned the students to stand

up.

They went inside the building and they saw a very warm and inviting cafeteria. The

smell of brewed coffee filled the whole place. Just then five robots came and

distributed each student a cup of coffee.

“This tastes good,” Calandra said after taking a sip.

“Who would have thought this building has a scary dungeon,” Cleta said, “Oh, by the

way, just look over there. The Lesaca is all alone by herself.”

“Yeah, and she looked so pathetic!” Calandra exclaimed and laughed.

Ais knew that some students were talking behind her back but she tried to ignore

them. She was enjoying alone at the farthest table since Carol went with Catherine

Locke, daughter of one of the business associates of the Skylers.

“This coffee would taste even better if,” Ais broke it off and said, “What am I saying!”

“Hey, Ais are you all right?” Ma-chi whispered.

Ais smiled a bit and sipped her coffee. I’m still with Ma-chi. She thought.
They finished their coffee break at around five in the afternoon. They went upstairs to

see their classrooms in the second and third floors. There they saw their lecture

room, the science laboratory, computer center and the like. In the fourth floor they

saw a very advanced library. Rows of individual study desks surrounded the

Academy’s Robot Librarian reception area. The study desks held a touch-screen

computer inside that was used to search easily the needed digital books. Beyond the

individual study desks were five long wooden rectangular tables with ten chairs each

table. A door could be seen behind the group study area. That door led to a dim-lit

room of thick crystallized shelves of digital books. Every edge of the shelves emitted

a glowing blue color and at the right bottom of every shelf was a controller. It was

where the code of the digital book should be keyed in.

Eh? There was another door at the far west corner. Ais told herself.

Curiosity crept into her and she decided to go there someday.

“Okay guys! Let’s go now,” Skates said and signaled the students to move out.

Skates led the students back to the maroon bus and some of them sighed in relief

because Skates were not able to bring them at the Forbyl’s dungeon. But there were

some students who got frustrated silently because they were curious to know how
scary the dungeon looked like.

“It’s now darker outside,” Ais muttered sadly and leaned her elbow to the bus

windowsill.

“So it’s dinner time!” Skates said, “Rest yourselves a bit because few minutes from

now all of you will be having your dinner at the Headmaster’s Dining hall. But

unfortunately the Headmaster will not be joining you in the dinner because of some

important matters.”

“That’s okay, were going to enjoy with just ourselves anyway!” Jhon exclaimed and

laughed loudly.
“Yeah right!” Ace agreed and laughed with him.

Sarah Kuper looked at them angrily that made Ace to space out with his love

fantasies and Jhon to laugh even louder.

Most of the students were getting more comfortable with each other except for Ais

who was getting homesick.

“I missed them already,” Ais whispered sadly, “Star, Sky and everyone… I wonder if

how well they are.”

Ma-chi said nothing when Ais whispered, “I wish… I wish I could talk again with my

parents and Kei…”

Ma-chi could not answer the young lady because Carol Skyler was standing and

looking behind her.

“Getting homesick already?” Carol asked seriously from behind.

Ais wiped quickly the tears that were about to form and replied, “What are you talking

about?”

“Don’t be so pathetic,” Carol said and before she walked away she muttered to Ais,
“Back up the words you’ve yelled at Chanos.”

Ais remembered clearly everything that she had yelled earlier. It was a promise that

she intended to keep for her family.

Ma-chi smiled and thanked Carol silently. Those were the words he wanted to tell

and comfort Ais.

They did not notice that their vehicle was able to pass already the mini paradise of

Shieldowrd Academy called Paragon. It was the said place where the Royal students

namely the Avarones and Lacadens agreed to set their territory there. After few

minutes, they were able to go back and stopped at the left side of the assembly area.
They were more captivated by the great, golden clock tower. It was sprinkled with

several small bulb lights that shone magnificently in a clear and peaceful night. They

left the bus at exactly six-thirty in the evening. As they walked to the Admin’s

building, they could already see the well-lighted halls past them.

“I wonder what kind of foods they’re going to serve!” Raegan exclaimed as he

rubbed his two hands in excitement.

“Yeah, I can smell the foods already!” Jadrien said after he wiped some saliva in his

mouth.

“Eew! What’s wrong with these cheap people?” Kiah said and shrieked.

“I wonder what kind of upbringing their parents had to them,” Enver whispered to

Kiah.

“I’m surprise to hear that from you, Mr. Enver,” Elvio said and smiled from behind the

two classy students, “but I guess telling you the kind of upbringing we had would not

make you believe me and worst it will just ruin this spectacular night of yours.”

Enver got shocked and a bit scared but he managed to regain his composure and

said, “But I never remembered wondering the kind of upbringing you had?”

Elvio gave up a friendly laugh and said, “But Jadrien and I had almost the same kind

of upbringing.”

Enver raised his left eyebrow and said, “Excuse me but we’re not that interested.”

Kiah added, “Let’s go now Enver before we got contaminated from their inelegance.”

After the two went away, Elvio said, “Wow, how rude…”

“Just ignore those two because we’re here now to feast!” Jadrien exclaimed.
A small orchestra played automatically the music for the grand welcome celebration

of the Shieldowrd Academy students. Everything was prepared exquisitely and no

wonder all the students were deeply amazed.

“This way students!” Skates said as she glided off.

Though the students could not take away their eyes from the splendor of the place;

they could still feel the smooth and softness of the red carpet beneath their shoes.

The joyful music of the orchestra made most of the students to feel so alive. The

delicious mixed scent of the foods scattered around the dining hall drove some of the

students to eat though they were not that so hungry.

Ais found her seat at the farthest end of the long table. She sat quietly but her mind

was so restless and still full of thoughts. She could not fully appreciate all the good

and amazing things she had in Shieldowrd Academy because of that sickening thing

she had done. As she recalled it in her mind, she could not help herself but to close

her eyes and pinch her hand secretly. In that way, the pain would continue to hold

the tears.

“E-excuse me, M-Ms. L-Lesaca, are you okay?” the girl beside her asked in a

trembling voice.

She narrowed her eyes coldly to Aleine, a very timid girl who mostly preferred to be

quiet.

Ais was not aware of her action not until Aleine got startled and became frightened at

her. Ais sighed silently. She knew that she was really bad at giving first impressions

to other people.

The students continued eating and after several minutes they started talking with

each other while others chose to relax quietly.

Ais was busy looking around. She wanted to see Skates so that she could proceed

ahead at the Females’ Sleeping Quarters. But unfortunately, she heard Cleta

babbling about getting-to-know-each-other stuff so Ais got stuck there for another

long period of time.

That spoiled brat always gets into my way. Ais thought angrily.

“I suppose all of you have come to know our names because we’re part of the Royal

bloodline so we would like to seize this moment in getting to know all of you,” Cleta

said happily.

Most of the students agreed and there were few students like Ais who just wanted to

move out and rest at their bedrooms.

“Let’s make this a little bit more interesting,” Prince Edison said as he stood.

“Sure!” Cleta exclaimed, “What’s your suggestion my dear big brother?”

“After we introduce ourselves, we might as well include our own reason why we are

here in this academy,” Edison said and smiled.

Ais thought briefly and she was able to realize the reason why she was at that

academy.

“That’s a brilliant idea my dear big brother!” Cleta said and clapped her hands, “I

think everyone is very happy with that suggestion so let’s start off with you my
beloved cousin, Arrio.”

Arrio stood proudly and said, “I’m Arrio Lacaden. The reason that I’m here is to

simply have some adventure and fun!”

Other students who got the same reason with Arrio smiled while all his cousins

looked angrily at him.

“H-hello everyone, I’m Arrio’s little sister, Acelin Lacaden. My big brother and I have

the same reason but he forgot to mention earlier that we’re here to support our

cousins most especially Prince Edison and Princess Cleta.”

Acelin’s cousins smiled dearly at her that forced her to make a fake chuckle.

“Why the hell did you do that?” Arrio muttered angrily, “Edison asked about our own

reason so there was nothing wrong in my answer.”

Acelin did not answer and pretended that she was focusing to other students who

started introducing themselves.

Ivan Berret, Darel Breton, Edric Frakes, Jhon Tacder and Ace Wagner were the

students who shared the same reason with Arrio. There were loud, simple-minded,

mostly arrogant and easy-go-lucky students who always love to enjoy and live life to

the fullest.

A slight mix of irritation and envy came to Ais as she observed those students. Then

a thing passed through her mind that she began examining her own life. Just when

did she enjoy and live her life to the fullest?

Jadrien Tapuro and Elvio Sadural stood together. All the students wondered why

they have to stand together. It was as if the two were putting for a show. Ais came

back to her senses when Jadrien exclaimed, “I am Jadrien Tapuro and this is my

best friend!”

Elvio got shocked after Jadrien patted his shoulder but he was also happy to know

that Jadrien recognized him already as his best friend. Elvio chuckled together with

his classmates as he also patted his friend’s shoulder.

“You heard it right,” Elvio said, “I’m his best friend, Elvio Sadural.”

“And we are here to enjoy this semi-freedom!” the two exclaimed in unison and

raised their hands.

How can they treat each other as best friends that fast? Ais thought while watching
her two classmates laughing. And what’s with that Semi-freedom?

“To exude our beauty to the world!” Kiah exclaimed as she stood confidently.

“and to spread out pure elegance to the entire human race!” Enver added as he

gestured his hands with great conviction.

“I am Kiah Ricks!”

“and I am Enver Mattix!”

“and we are the Guardians of Beauty!” the two shouted in unison while standing

hand in hand.

All the students fell in an awkward silence when Zeta Emerson stood and said, “I’m

Zeta Emerson and I’ve come to realize now why I am here.”

Kiah and Enver got so angry because they were ignored. The rest of the students

got shocked and diverted their attention to Zeta who knocked the table hard.

“I am here to get rid―” Zeta said, “I mean discipline all the students to refrain from

becoming narcissists, flirting and getting involved in any perverted acts!”

Ais smiled within her. She admired the bravery and verdict Zeta showed.

“What’s wrong with you?!” the twins asked angrily as they stood together to fortify

their side, “Who told you that flirting is really that bad?!”

“Excuse me ladies, before you start any argument, can you please calm down and

introduce yourselves first then state the reason why you are here,” Prince Edison

interrupted.

The twins calmed down instantly after the Prince said so. Then with their hearts

beating fast the elder started, “I am Cera Flynn and this is my younger twin sister.”
“A-Akako Flynn!” the other continued.

“Both of us are here to find true love!” the twins exclaimed together. Their eyes were

filled with passion and excitement.

“Ladies! Come to me and I will give you true love!” Ace exclaimed as he ran towards

the twins.

“Sorry but you are not part in our list for consideration,” the twins said as they turned

him off.

Ace felt his heart broke into pieces. He fell to his knees and started crying, “This is

just my first day in this academy yet I got busted already…”

So these are the hope of Philandura? Ais asked herself while watching again the
heated argument between Zeta and the Flynns. Is this academy really good enough

to change this bunch of weirdos and idiots?

Ais thought of the grim consequences if that kind of students will become the future

leaders of Philandura. She clenched her fists angrily and got to her feet. Then she

found herself walked away without a word.

“Lesaca, where are you going?” Cleta asked, “We’re not yet done here.”

All the students sealed their attention to Ais. They were all waiting for her most

appropriate excuse. But her anger and impatience turned them down as she replied,
“I chose to stay here because of my family and for the whole Philandura.”

Some of the students laughed at the back of their minds. They didn’t expect a noble

answer from her. But there were also a number of quiet students who secretly got

struck in awe. Then Ais continued, “I presume each one of you have come to

understand that we will be the next leaders of this country. Thus, I also believe that

you have come here to accept that future responsibility.”

“Of course we all know that!” Cleta shouted and was shocked to find herself reacting

that way. A drop of sweat broke down in her right ear as she chuckled and said, “I-I

mean we should not forget to have some free time for ourselves! Remember, we can

be more efficient and productive when we are in good condition.”

“Just for a friendly advice for each one of you,” Ais said, “Go out if you think that

we’re just playing games here.”

Her classmates were speechless. The sharpness of her words hit precisely both of

their pride and consciousness. Her words created a rift between the students. On the

left side of the rift, were the students who took her words positively. But too bad, they

were just afraid to stand up and join her. On the opposite side were those students

who simply cared for their pride. The painful bruise Ais left to their pride was much

unbearable. They never expected that a fellow student would start lecturing things

and would act as if she was the most superior among them.

The students watched Ais faded into the dark. Then there was a brief and total

silence among them. Several thoughts crowded their minds. They didn’t know how to

sort them fast and convert those to words.

Until then, one student stood and decided to give up. He yawned as if nothing
happened and said, “It’s getting late. We better rest ourselves and prepare for

tomorrow’s Grand Pre-Examination.”

It was Zeke. He was one of the students who got stuck at the right side of the rift.

Carol Skyler caught an unusual grin drew to his face. She passed through him and

thought, You’re still not friendly, Ais. Just look what you’ve done to them. But I’m

pretty impressed on how frank you are now.

Ais was walking along the dark corridors. She could still feel her entire body shaking

in rage. She gritted after she recalled the piercing looks of her classmates to her.
“I don’t care anymore,” Ais muttered blankly, “I-I don’t care what my classmates think

of me now.”

Ma-chi heard her clearly but he chose to remain silent.

“I’m impressed Ms. Aisha Lesaca,” a female voice came behind her.

Ais turned around and saw Skates smiling at her. She was holding several key

chains. Attached to those were cute-looking vehicles that kept on swinging back and

forth as Skates moved her hands.

“I was pissed-off totally so those words came out,” Ais said, “It was nothing to be

impressed about.”

Skates smiled further and threw one of the key chains to Ais. After the young girl

caught the key chain, Skates said before she left, “But anyway, I still want to thank

you.”

She’s not listening at all, Ais thought while looking blankly at the key chain she was
holding.

“Shucks! I forgot to ask her about this!” Ais exclaimed.

Ma-chi sighed and he finally broke his silence as he whispered, “S.A. Device.”

It was then she remembered the purpose of her S.A. Device. Ais called it

immediately and did again the instructions they were told to do. After she accessed

the device, she skimmed over several icons and found the Manuals Icon. She

pressed it and a female computer voice came. It offered Ais different categories

arranged in alphabetical order. She went over the Transportation category and she

saw icons of different vehicles. At the rightmost corner of the first row was the icon of

the key chain.

Ais pressed that icon and the computer said, “S.V. 0725, student vehicle of Ms.

Aisha Lesaca.”

Then several options popped up in the holographic screen and Ais pressed the

demo icon. She watched carefully the video and few minutes after, Ais applied what

she learned. First, she closed the holographic screen to turn back the device in its

name plate form.

Then, she pressed a small button located at the rear end of the miniature vehicle

attached at the key chain. A small rectangular port with thickness that was good for

the name plate to fit in opened. Ais inserted her name plate there. The miniature

vehicle lighted its edges and the name plate popped out. Ais got her name plate

back and she threw the miniature vehicle in about three meters away from her.

Finally the vehicle assembled itself in its bigger form.

Ais did not know her mouth opened slightly in awe as she watched the car unfolded

its roof to complete its transformation. She went closer and studied its looks and

features for a brief moment. As soon after she touched the hood of the car, its doors

opened automatically. She entered the car and a computer voice welcomed her.

Ais noticed that the vehicle was good for one passenger only so losing her personal
vehicle would also bring doom. She shook her head as she selected the point of

destination, the Females’ Sleeping Quarters. The car received the order and

departed.

Ais was looking outside the windshield. She wondered why there were no students

around. Then a sudden chill crept in her body as she watched the stillness of the

night. She wished the soft sounds of the running engine were loud enough to ease

the eerie, quiet atmosphere.

Just then, her vehicle stopped. The doors opened automatically and she got out. The

vehicle shrank instantly that startled Ais.

“Whoa!” Ais reacted as she caught the key chain.

She turned to her side and saw two eleven footer robots stationed in both sides of a

huge, gothic door. Ais knew they were scanning her so she called out her S.A.

Device to further authenticate her identity. The robots recognized her and they did

not detect any suspicious threat so they let her in.

Ais sighed silently in relief as she entered the mysterious-looking building. An empty

lounge area appeared in front of her. The big chandelier hanged at the center gave

off a gloomy dimmed light. Behind the lounge area were two archways that housed

darkness. Ais could hear the wild beatings of her heart. Only her echoing footsteps

could be heard as she tried to look on where to go. Ais opened her S.A. Device and

discovered her room number, F10. The device gave her the direction on where to

find the only entrance that will lead to her room.

She found herself stopped in a strange, small, old-looking chamber. A small

electrical lamp mounted at the stone wall was enough to illuminate a golden light in

that narrow room. Ais was getting more frightened so she put her right hand

immediately at the security scanner. Just then she heard a low grinding noise that

caused the whole chamber to tremble. Ais was totally shocked and frightened to
think properly. Before she got back to her senses the stone wall flipped and pushed

her out.

The rude impact brought her to her knees. She felt numb and after a couple of

seconds Ma-chi exclaimed as he transformed back to his original form, “At last!”

Ma-chi jumped at the thick, middle-sized bed and called Ais who was still in her

knees.

“Oi Ais!” Ma-chi called while suiting himself in the softness of the bed, “Why are you

not answering me? I’ve told you already that this room is free from any hidden

cameras and audio recorders.”

“That hurt!” Ais yelled while rubbing her knees, “Who the hell did that stupid

passageway?!”

Ais wanted to kick the wall but she could not move her feet properly. Ma-chi sighed

and went to help her. Then the robot muttered calmly, “That’s what gonna happen to

slow thinkers like you.”

“What?! Me?―Slow?!” Ais asked, “I’m not a slow thinker! I was just―”

“What?” Ma-chi asked as he narrowed his eyes to her.

Ais forgot to finish her sentence when she finally noticed the looks of her room. It

was a simple, average-sized, concrete room with no windows and there was only

one door going to the comfort room. She rolled her eyes to realize that the previous

entrance she just took was also the only way out of her room.

“You must have prepared yourself already for the worst instead of losing to fear! Did

you forget the things you’ve studied in your training?” Ma-chi continued lecturing her.

“I remember it but I’m just a normal person who also gets shocked and scared,” Ais

replied while customizing her room in her S.A. Device.

“If you always resort in that excuse then the same thing will happen to you for

tomorrow’s Pre-exams.”

“Tch, tomorrow’s different,” Ais said in a more serious, lower tone.

Ma-chi was about to argue some more when Ais enabled the artificial windows

option that stunned her for a moment.

Her eyes widened a little as she watched in a big screen the live feed of the entire

outside view of her room. In the farthest distance, Ais could see few lighted houses

of the place that was very close to her heart. Warm tears started to form in her eyes
but she stopped them directly. She yawned to hide perfectly the real reason why

there were some tears in her eyes.

“We should sleep now,” Ais said after she yawned and stretched her body.

Ma-chi was only looking at her. He fully understood the reason behind her tears but

he chose to ride on her play.

“Yeah,” was all he could say and forced himself to sleep and recharge himself

automatically.

Ais turned off the lights and went to her bed. She lied down and poured out all the

tears she hid carefully. She moaned within her. It was too difficult to cry silently. All

she could do was to wipe again and again the raging flood of tears. She could not

breathe well because of the pain and guilt that were drowning her much.

It’s true that I’m with so many people now… But how ironic that I still felt so alone…

Ais thought as she watched sadly the innocent city lights of the Cygnus Zone that

continued blinking in that cold and peaceful, dark night. She closed her tearful eyes

and flashes of vivid memories about that special place came back to her. She could

not help herself but to smile as she heard some familiar, resonating voices calling

her name. Ais could not ever forget that first fateful meeting that brought change in

her insights about life. It was when she met her friend, Zid.
CHAPTER 2 ―”The Seed of Change: When Zid found the Girl…”

April 24, 2211

“Catch!” the boy yelled as he threw the paper bag carefully, “Zid!”

His bluish black hair bounced as he jumped and caught the bag easily. “Got it!”

“Be safe Zid!” the boy cried and jumped off to an open manhole.

“You, three! Pursue that Zelimir!” the leader ordered, “While the rest of us here will

handle Zid!”

“Roger that!” the three minions separated and entered the manhole.

“You know now on what to do!” Zaros yelled.

His four members divided into two pairs. The first two went ahead north while the

other pair went to the opposite side. Zaros and his right hand continued chasing Zid.

“You’re about to meet your end, Zid!” Zaros yelled, “So just give up now!”

Zid sighed and muttered, “That leaves me one choice…”

Zid bent quickly and adjusted to loosen and removed the outsoles of his boots.

“That’s it Zid! Accept your defeat!” Zaros exclaimed and laughed.

Zid gulped nervously after checking the second layer of outsoles attached with

compressed springs. He then spread his feet and clutched the flush-looking handle

located in both sides of his boots.

Then he muttered, “I hope this will not be my end.”

Before Zaros group could surround him completely, Zid pulled up the handle that

instantly released the springs and shot him so high.

“Gyah!” Zid screamed in mid-air, “Help!!!”

His enemies laughed at him as he watched him struggling in the air.

“Damn this!” Zid cried and grinned at the back of his mind as he watched the safe

landing spot they prepared a week ago.

Zaros stopped from laughing and shook his head. Then he grinned and said,

“Another idiot died.”

His right hand said before he laughed, “May he rest in peace!”

“Yeah! And oh!” the other added, “In one piece too!”

They laughed together after they imagined how broken would Zid’s state be.

Just then, Zaros was shocked to see a pile of garbage bags falling from the

building’s rooftop. They tried running away but they were too late. They got stuck

and covered with a mountain of garbage bags.

“So who’s the idiot now?” Zid asked loudly and laughed.

“You’ll pay for this, Zid!” Zaros yelled.

“But for now, just enjoy the smell idiots!” Zid yelled below and left laughing.

Zaros and his group howled angrily as they watched their enemy walked away

victoriously.

“Well, it’s time to go home,” Zid said and used again his invention.

The spring wind continued to support him in his flight. The rays of the sun took a

glimpse of his delighted face when he jumped again for the next building. He could

feel the soft touch of the breads inside the bag. Though their warmth was already

fading, Zid could still smell their delicious scent. He smiled after he thought of his

dear family waiting for him.

But that smile faded gradually after he saw several people below who were still

gathering at the Town Circle of the Central Crux. A lot of them were still waiting for

their turn in the King’s quarterly rations.

He diverted his gaze away from the scene below. His weary heart and soul could not

bear any longer the longstanding pain of poverty. He let out a long, heavy sigh and

tried to recover. As much as possible, he had to leave behind all negative emotions

before he arrived home. Zid went on moving forward carrying a spark of hope in his

heart.

“I’m getting so hungry now,” Cara said and her stomach rumbled.

Her second older brother, Zaki, stood and clenched his fists as he muttered, “I’m

gonna rip him apart if he still screwed this.”

Aine their five year old youngest sister cried loudly after Zaki said those harsh words.

Cara got upset and rebuked her brother. Before their conversation got worse, they

heard Zelimir in their communication radio.

“Zil repeat,” Zaki said on the receiver.

“Zid’s at 2 o’clock,” Zelimir said, “The coast is clear.”

“But do not go back here not until Zid reach the safest zone,” Zaki replied.

“Roger that,” Zelimir said and cut their conversation.

Cara smiled silently to Zaki. She was happy to know that her second older brother

was also concerned for their eldest brother, Zid.

Meanwhile, Zaros’ three minions went back to the narrow alley. They were all

nervous because they failed to capture Zelimir. They were not yet prepared to face

the wrath of their boss.

Upon reaching the said place, they were more frightened and shocked to find their

boss stuck in a pile of big garbage bags. They went hurriedly to rescue Zaros and

their co-members.

“Jared’s gonna kill us,” one stuck member said.

“Shut up!” Zaros yelled as he struggled to get out, “Make it quick, idiots!”

As soon as Zaros got out totally he went to the three rescuers and kicked them.

“Shameless fools! You can’t still handle that midget?!” Zaros shouted and muttered

seriously, “Here’s the real deal. I’m gonna kill each one of you if you cannot find Zid

before the sun sets.”

“B-but Boss, where do we start looking for them?”

Zaros palmed his face and muttered, “Do you want me to kill you now?”

Five members of his group got scared and started to advance when Zaros’ right

hand shrilled, “Wait!”

Zaros turned his back and looked fiercely at his right hand.

“B-boss, y-you have to see this,” he said to Zaros nervously while pointing to his

right.

“Hoh? A new fish,” Zaros whispered and grinned, “Let’s change plans.”

The poor kid in a black hood continued vomiting at the corner while Zaros’ group

started encircling her.

“Run!” a soft voice came from the shoulder bag of the black hooded kid.

“What the?!―” a member yelled and chased the escaping kid, “How did he know it?!”

“Stop asking questions!” Zaros yelled and muttered, “This is going to be a big catch.”
“What an amazing speed he has!” his right hand exclaimed, “We’ve got to recruit

him, boss!”

“I know,” Zaros replied and grinned.

The kid doubled her speed and said, “What’s wrong with this place?! Why are they

after me?!”

“For now just focus on escaping! We’re dead if they find who you are,” the shoulder

bag replied.

This is bad. We can’t certainly use the Cuby to escape at Perxis. The kid thought.

“So where do we go now, Ma-chi?! Left or right?” the kid asked.

“Go left!”

Two other members of Zaros were approaching on that direction so they went back

to the right.

“Shucks! They’re going to trap us!” the kid said while tightening her hood.

“Fighting them back is the only choice left,” Ma-chi muttered.

Zaros’ group succeeded in trapping the kid at the back of an old evacuation building.

They were grinning and laughing to each other for the completed mission.

“Hello there,” Zaros started as he moved closer to his catch, “You surrender to us

and we’ll make you our member.”

Instead of replying, the kid raised her two fists and prepared to fight.

“Whoah! So you would rather choose death?!” Zaros yelled and laughed as he

swayed his big metal pipe, “What a smart decision!”

All members laughed so hard together with their boss not until a pebble hit exactly

the forehead of Zaros.

“One versus Nine? That’s unfair!” someone shouted.

“Zid!” the members yelled angrily while looking around to find him.

“Where the hell are you?!” Zaros yelled, “Weakling!”

“Over here!” Zid yelled and signed his thumb down.

Right after the whole gang noticed him at the rooftop of the old evacuation building,

Zelimir who was just hiding at the corner of the other smaller building threw five

smoke grenades that confused them briefly.

“My eyes!!!” one member screamed in pain and coughed after inhaling a large

amount of smoke.

Zaros walked angrily towards his captive. He was like a blind, coughing old man

looking for his lost grandson when all of a sudden an outburst of shout and shock

wave came that cleared shortly the dense smoke.

“Eh?!” Zaros reacted after catching a glimpse of Zid rocketed highly with the black

hooded kid, “No!”

While all the members started walking around and touched each other’s faces, Zaros
ran desperately to escape the thick smoke. He reached the nearby intersection of

the unused road. His eyes were all watery and hurt. He was breathing relentlessly

and his anger intensified the excretion of sweat in his body.

“I will never forget this humiliation!” Zaros yelled at the sky, “Zid Tacata!”

“Kyaaaaa!” the black hooded kid shouted.

“Eh? Y-you’re a girl?” Zid asked.

The girl cried further and tightened her grip to Zid’s neck.

“DO SOMETHING! YOU, IDIOT!” the girl yelled.

“W-wait I-I’m choking!”

“Kya! I’m sorry!” the girl said and lessened her grip, “Don’t you pass out!”

Zid laughed and said, “You’re so funny! Don’t worry, I’m in control.”

Zid saw the safest spot to land on. He waited for the right timing to launch his

parachute.

“Prepare yourself! We’re going to land now!” Zid said and pulled his parachute.

“YAAAA!!!” the girl screamed badly.

“HOOOOO!” Zid added and laughed.

The two kids reached a secluded vacant lot at Perxis. The land there was so dry and

unhealthy that only few grasses grew and withered. There were also a number of

skinny trees crowned with few yellow-brownish leaves. One of the Barrier Towers

that protected the whole Cygnus Zone was standing from afar. Though the Barrier

was regulating well the temperature, the inhabitants still felt dry and hot.

“Rescue operation success!” Zid yelled and raised his right hand.

The poor black hooded kid was barely standing. Her whole body was still shaking all

over but it did not hinder her to carry out her revenge.

She hit Zid’s head so hard.

“Aw! What the?!―” Zid exclaimed, “Is that how you thank me?!”

“Thank you for almost killing me!” the girl cried, “You could’ve killed us instantly with

that crazy, powerful rocket shoes you have!”

Zid laughed and said, “Yeah! We were like fired cannonballs!”

The girl hit his head again and said, “I could’ve handled them myself!
“Hey! That’s twice already!” Zid yelled while rubbing his head.

They continued their nonsense argument when Zelimir finally appeared beside Zid.

“Excuse me? Are you two quarreling?” Zelimir asked and smiled.

“OBVIO―” the girl tried to yell back but Zid stopped her mouth quickly.

“Hehehe! No! We’re just getting to know each other!” Zid covered up.

“My friend is a certified peace addict so just ride on,” Zid whispered to her ear.

The girl nodded and removed Zid’s hand from her mouth.

His hand smelled poop! The girl thought angrily but she managed to hold her
composure.

“Hi! I’m Zelimir, Zid’s friend. I assume you’re new here so welcome to Perxis!” the

small kid said and smiled.

“Oh I’m―” the girl started and paused after remembering to hide her identity, “Just

call me ‘A’.”

Zid and Zelimir stared blankly to one another. Then Zelimir said, “Okay, A? You

should come with us. It’s safer there in our place.”

“Okay but just wait for a while,” the girl replied.

She went away from them and asked her other shoulder bag buddy, “Ma-chi, what

do you think of them?”

“They’re nice,” the shoulder bag replied.

“Wow, a shorter response than what I expected,” the girl said as she narrowed her

eyes, “So it’s okay to have a detour to their place?”

“Yes,” Ma-chi replied, “I know you want to go there too.”

The girl smiled and heard Zid calling, “A?! Are you going or not?!”

“Coming!” A replied and ran excitedly toward them.

The growing population of Cygnus inhabitants hoarded mostly at the Central Crux

along with the nearby cities of Ursa, Zerpens, Lynx and Vella. Perxis was the poorest

city in the Cygnus Zone so few people were residing there. It was also the farthest

place from the main city of the Central Crux so getting basic resources and engaging

in trade imposed difficulty and danger to anyone who chose to live there.

But even so, most families like the Tacatas learned on how to survive and adapt well

in that environment.

“We’re almost there!” Zid exclaimed while getting something from his back pack, “It’s

good you have covering in your body now.”

The girl looked blankly at the two boys and asked, “Hey, don’t tell me we’re going in

there?”

“EXACTLY!” Zid exclaimed happily after he completed covering his face.

“Your suit is thicker than ours,” Zelimir said and smiled, “So don’t worry. Just walk

closely to us and you’ll be safe.”

“Let’s go!” Zid said and left first.

“Wait!” A exclaimed, “Can’t we check for another route?”

“That will expose us to greater risk and danger,” Zid said and continued, “Besides,

the only entrance to our home lies inside this vast field of giant stinging grasses.”

“Okay fine! Let’s go!” the girl lost her patience and agreed half-heartedly.

The three kids entered the thick clusters of giant stinging grasses. Zid and Zelimir

bent the tall grasses to make a way for the girl. The two released the grasses after A

moved forward.
“Wow...” A muttered after seeing the grasses returned to their previous positions,

“These grasses are rubber-like.”

Zid laughed and said proudly, “We planted them here for security purposes.”

“Heh? But they can still burn these or cut these if the intruders wanted,” she replied.

“That’s why we prepared several traps around here,” Zelimir continued politely.

“I see. That’s better then,” A said.

They reached a small vacant space with a manhole.

“Here’s the entrance!” Zid exclaimed as he opened the manhole.

A shivered silently in fear and excitement as she followed Zid. Zelimir was the last

who went down to the entrance.

“They made it!” Cara exclaimed upon seeing Zid got out from the manhole inside

their compound.

“So the hero survived?” Zaki said sarcastically.

Cara elbowed his big brother and found him turned skeptical. She followed Zaki’s

eyes and learned the reason of his suspicion.

“Why did you bring that kid here?” Zaki asked in the megaphone.

“She’s our new found friend,” Zid replied in their communication device, “Now draw

the bridge out.”

“But she’s still a stranger to us,” Zaki added, “Have you forgotten the―”

“Don’t you trust me little brother?” Zid muttered in a more serious tone.

“Tch, just don’t blame things on me stupid big brother,” Zaki said and pulled down

the red lever.

The girl stood in awe when the ground rumbled and shook in front of her. Two pairs

of big steel posts popped up from the ground and shoot some small and big bits of

soil. The kids covered their heads. Each standing post near them released two nylon

ropes that attached to their opposite pair. Ticking sounds came that implied the

ropes were locked completely to the posts. It then triggered to unhook the hanging

curve chains one pair after another. After few seconds the whole bridge was all set.

A was still stunned for a moment when Zid went closely to her and said, “Ahem!”

Zelimir giggled beside them while A went back to her senses and asked, “H-how did

you come up with this?”

Zid laughed as Zelimir explained, “Through Zid’s intellect and inventiveness.”

“Heh?” A reacted and she turned so annoyed after seeing Zid’s smile widened. She

then added mockingly, “Why on earth did you build this?”

Zid started crossing the bridge when he turned back to her and said, “To avoid

getting killed.”

“WHAT?!” A exclaimed.

Zelimir followed and said, “We planted several mines below.”

A dropped her jaw and exclaimed, “Why did you not tell me sooner!”

The two just laughed at her and continued on their way.

“Hey! Wait for me!” A exclaimed and followed the two nervously.

I can’t believe how they secured their place so much, A thought.

Zaki, Cara and Aine waited them at the opposite end of the bridge. A could feel

Zaki’s sharp and heavy stare to her. She knew Ma-chi felt the same way she did.

“Okay! Safe!” Zid exclaimed.

A wanted to sigh but she couldn’t. The atmosphere between her and Zaki was

getting hotter when the boy asked, “Why are you not revealing your face and name?”

Everyone sealed their attention to her. She did not know how to answer safely that

crucial question. Beads of sweat trickled silently within her mask as she prepared

herself for combat.

Now I think going here gets me nothing but regret! She screamed in her head.

“Hey! A!” Zid started, “Just don’t mind this filthy, suspicious younger brother of mine!”

Zid pushed Zaki’s forehead gently and added, “Stop acting so cool! It doesn’t suit

you!”

“WHAT?!” Zaki exclaimed and tried to punch his older brother’s face.

“Kya! Stop you two!” Cara exclaimed.

“Excuse me?” Zelimir said and the two stopped fighting immediately.

A stood there motionless and continued observing them carefully. She then gasped

after Zaki spoke again, “Just bring her at the Scrapyard!”

Zid wanted to object but Zelimir stopped him so he forced himself to agree with

them.

“Don’t worry A, I’m gonna tour you inside our car house in your next visit,” Zid said

and smiled to her.

The girl nodded and thanked Zid silently for his friendly and reassuring words and

smile.

The kids went behind the car house and reached the said scrapyard. In there, Zid

bragged to A all the useful things he invented. He showed her different kinds of

scraps that they collected everyday with his siblings and friends. Zelimir just went

with Zid’s flow while Cara and Zaki palmed their faces in shame and disappointment.
Zid thought A was fully listening to her but she was not. It was past one o’clock

already and the girl was hungry and thirsty. Just then a robotic female voice came.

It was a one- legged, two and a half feet tall robot. Her fuchsia hair was in a loose

variation of twintail only that the left bunch was curled up rigidly while the right was

curled down. Her rigid twintail hair wiggled up and down as she continued spinning

and jumping around along with the two bags in each hand and one big container of

water in her head. Every time the robot moved the buzzing sounds of the small

motor wheels in her right foot could be heard.

“Deita! Stop that or you’ll drop and spill our water!” Zaki yelled angrily.

The robot ignored the poor boy and instead she ran happily to hug Zid.

“Zidduuu!” the robot girl yelled as she reached and hugged the laughing Zid.

Ais smiled at Deita after she recognized Star’s way of calling her.

“Whoah! You’re more hyper today!” Zid exclaimed and laughed.

Cara and Zelimir thanked Deita for the job well done and they immediately gathered

the four bags and the container of water. Aine went with them excitedly to the car

house to prepare their delayed lunch.

Zid grabbed the opportunity to introduce Deita to A. But when Zid started to tell and

explain everything to her, Zaki stopped him. A was disappointed silently. There were
still several questions left unanswered like why was the robot looked so familiar to

her. But she gave up those questions already. She did not want to worsen the

headache she was already experiencing at that moment.

Just then Cara and Zelimir came with two plates of small breads and a pitcher of

water. Aine finished already her lunch inside the car house and she fell asleep there.
“Yahoo! Lunch time!” Zid exclaimed and reached for a piece of bread and a glass of

water.

This is their lunch?! The girl thought.

Cara came and interrupted her thoughts. But A got shocked further when the young

girl also offered her a piece of bread and water.

“Eh? F-for me?” A asked.

Cara smiled sweetly and nodded. A was about to refuse the offer out of shyness

when Zaki stood and said, “Cara?! What are you doing?! We must save that for

Mama and Papa!”

A gasped and said, “Z-Zaki is right. Thanks for the offer but don’t worry I’m not

hungry.”

“But I reserved for them already!” Cara answered angrily to Zaki.

“Tch, what a selfish brat you are, Zaki,” Zid said and took another piece of bread. He

went to A and said, “Here, eat my bread.”

Zaki grinned at them and said, “So who’s playing cool here?”

“Shut up!” Zid shouted.

Zaki fell silent immediately.

Mixed emotions ruled over in A’s heart. She could not believe that he was still willing

to give his part despite his desire to eat it.

A smiled within and said, “Thank you very much but you can also save that bread for

tonight.”

“Hoh? Acting tough huh?” Zid mocked and drew the bread closer to A’s nose.
“What are you doing?!” A exclaimed while brushing Zid away. She smelled the

bread’s delicious scent that made her stomach rumbled in front of everybody.

“See??!” Zid said and put the bread in A’s hands.

The rest except Zaki smiled at A.

A blushed further not only because of embarrassment but most of all because of that

rare, warm feeling brought by friendship. At that moment, she found herself removed

the mask she mostly cared for. Everybody looked stunned when they finally saw her

blushing and coy face.

“I- I’m Aisha Lesaca,” she said while focusing on rubbing the fingernails of her two

hands, “You can call me Ais.”

An awkward silence fell to them when Zid broke it with a laugh and said, “Now I get

it! So it’s A for Ais!”

Everybody laughed at Zid’s simple realization except for Zaki who was submerged

deeply in his thoughts.

Lesaca? I think I heard it somewhere…

Zaki looked intently at Ais but he could not find the answer to his question.

“Deita? Are you okay? Why are you shivering?” Cara asked.

“I don’t know actually,” the robot replied and her tremors stopped, “Oh! Now I’m

okay!”

Cara laughed and Ais finished eating her lunch.

“Thank you so much,” Ais began timidly.

All of them except Zaki smiled to her.

But their smiles vanished when Ais continued innocently, “So Zid? How much do I

owe you now?”

“What?” Zid asked.

Zaki stood excitedly after he realized something and said, “A hundred million

Pierras!”

Zid and Cara went to Zaki and hit his head. The poor boy screamed in pain when Ais

replied, “I j-just wanted to return the favor…”

“So you’re going to give money?” Zid asked seriously.

“Of course she would!” Zaki shouted while rubbing his head, “She’s a Lesaca and

she’s rich! And we know that rich people always think about business!”

Ais gulped while Zid, Cara and Zelimir stared blankly to each other. It was obvious

that only Zaki recognized how valuable the reputation of the Lesacas was.

“Tch, hopeless idio―” Zaki yelled but his older brother interrupted.

Zid exclaimed, “I don’t care if she’s the richest person in the whole Philandura! I

don’t even care of what she thinks of us right now!”

Zid walked to her closer as he continued, “All I know is that she’s now a friend. Our

friend.”

Ais could feel the tears forming in her eyes but she tried her best to hold them back.

She did not expect those words from him.

Zid was already in front of Ais when he knocked her head gently and muttered, “Idiot.

We know how to do business and we could’ve done it way back at the vacant lot.”

Ais stood perfectly still. The tears were pushing their way out in her eyes but she bit

her lower lip to stop them.

“And friends… Only bring and share kindness to each other,” Zid said and smiled.

Ais felt everything around both of them turned bright white. Then all she could see

was Zid standing with the purity of his heart brimming in his sparkling amber eyes.

She could not take her gaze away from his angelic aura. His light consumed every

shred of doubt, fear and stale pain within her.

What was left now to her heart was that she began to see and know why she went

into that place.

“Wuaaaaahhhhhh!!!!” Ais cried.

“Oi! Ais?!” Zid panicked, “Did I say something wrong?!”

“Gyah! Zid! What have you done?! We’re doomed! The Lesacas will hunt us down

now!” Zaki shouted as he ran back and forth.

“Yosh! There’s no point hiding now!” Ma-chi exclaimed and transformed in his true

robot form. Cara, Zelimir and Deita stopped laughing and dropped their jaws, Zaki’s

state looked more doomed and Zid and Zelimir were struck in awe after seeing that

interesting and magnificent model of robot.

Ma-chi laughed and said, “You have such good friends here, Ais!”

Ais nodded and continued crying.

Little did Ais know that Zid already planted the seed of change within her. As they

nourished their friendship together, its roots grew stronger and deeper and so was

the seed of change.

April 25, 2211

“What took you so long?!” Ma-chi whispered and narrowed his eyes to the girl’s

backpack, “And what’s with that bag?”

Ais smirked and ran ahead of him. Then she asked, “Did you get the control

number?”

“Of course and will you please slow down?! Or else…” Ma-chi was about to continue

when someone appeared behind them.

“Where do you think you two are going?” Sky asked and locked his eyes to Ma-chi.

“Gya! S-s-Sky! Ahehehe, we’re just pla―,”

“I’m going to meet my friends!” Ais interrupted Ma-chi and smiled widely.

Ma-chi palmed his face as Sky gasped and muttered, “But Miss Ais… Your father

doesn’t―”

“Aissuuu!” Star appeared at Sky’s shoulder and continued, “Can I come?”

Ais looked at the robot girl sadly and said, “But the Cuby has only two seating

capacities…”

“Aww… But it’s okay!” Star turned Sky’s head at his back and yelled, “Go Aissuu!”

“Hey! Star! What are you doing?!” Sky exclaimed while struggling to recover the

position of his head.

Ais ran and exclaimed, “Thank you Star! Bye Sky!”

“Ma-chi! You know what I’ll do to you if something bad happens to Miss Aisha!” Sky

exclaimed angrily.

“Don’t worry Sky!” Ma-chi replied, “Just do your best in covering us from Sir Edred!”

“Be safe Ais!!!” Star exclaimed happily.

The two reached Perxis quickly.

Ais went out from the Cuby and exclaimed, “The med you gave is effective!”
Ma-chi followed her and replied, “Yeah, coz last time, it was just so gross!”

Ais narrowed her eyes to the laughing robot who went ahead her.

The two continued walking happily despite the gloomy features of the city that day. It

was a sunless morning. Thick dark, gray clouds hovered the skies. Fogs started to

invade the cities of the Cygnus Zone. The true color of the Dusk Dwellers’ Dark

Paradise surfaced at that time.

The two entered the Tacata’s premises. It looked as though no one was around at

their home but Ais started calling them.

“Hello? Zid? It’s me, Ais!”

No one answered and went out. Ais tried calling again but still to no avail.

“I think, they’re up to somewhere,” Ma-chi muttered.

Ais looked disappointed as he called again, “Zid! Hey?! Are you there?!”

Just then the bridge started assembling itself. Ais sighed silently and crossed the

bridge after it completed itself.

She reached the next end and she was shocked to see Deita, Zelimir, Zaki and Cara

only.

“What are you doing here?” Zaki asked.

Zelimir tried to rebuke his friend’s younger brother when Zaki added seriously, “If

you’re looking for Zid, just go back next week. He’s having a hard time now.”

Ais gasped when Cara left them crying. Zelimir diverted his gloomy eyes from Ais

while Zaki continued looking steadily at her.

“What’s going on here?” Ais muttered, “Can somebody please tell me?”

“Our youngest sister, Aine…” Zaki said while tightening his voice, “Is dead.”
Her eyes widened. Ma-chi looked at her sadly and muttered, “Ais… Let’s go home…

Zid’s needs space.”

“Dead? But she was…” Ais paused and continued, “Just doing well yesterday…”

“What do you know about her?!” Zaki yelled angrily, “If you really insist! Then see the

tomb for yourself!”

Zaki barged angrily inside their car house. Ais felt so blank and weary. She

wondered why every time she tried to be positive in her life; the opposite always

turned her down.

“Ais,” Zelimir muttered sadly, “Please bring Zid back here. He’s not listening to us

anymore.”

Ais went back to her senses and nodded.

Zelimir brought the girl and her robot to the second manhole located at the hidden

corner of their scrapyard. That manhole would lead them outside just behind their

premises.

Ais and Ma-chi thanked their friend and went down the manhole.

The two reached the said spot. Ais started walking. It was only then she felt the cold

stinging touch of the still wind. The mists were getting thicker around them but she

chose to continue on her way. Just then, she heard the sea waves. She doubled her

pace and she reached the cliff and found Zid sitting in front of Aine’s tombstone.

She hid quickly behind the big tree and tried to compose herself. Her eyes widened

when she realized that it would be her first time in comforting a broken-hearted

friend. She hurriedly searched for words that would somehow alleviate the pain he

was experiencing. But no right words came… For deep within her, she knew no

words could ease that pain…

“What are you doing?” Ma-chi asked softly behind her, “I thought you wanted to see

him.”

Ais clenched her fists silently when Zid stood and wiped his tears away.

When Ais was about to lift her foot, her eyes widened.

Zid used his invention that shot him so high and disappeared in the thick mists.

Ma-chi initiated his scanning ability and a glowing Digital radar appeared in his eyes.

The young girl waited nervously when the radar’s alarm sounded and startled her.

“He’s now approaching the city of Ursa,” Ma-chi said while zooming in the blinking

yellow spot in his radar eyes, “It’s too far… But let’s try.”

Ais put on her goggles and climbed at Ma-chi’s back. Then they took off.

The two thanked silently the thick mists that hid them from the Cygnus Inhabitants.

“Hold tightly Ais,” Ma-chi said and yelled, “Accelerate!”

The two vanished in just a blink of the eye.

As the two entered the next city, Ma-chi shouted, “He’s going to land at that tallest

building!”

“Why would he go in there?!” Ais asked.

When Zid reached the tallest building, the two were shocked to see him took off

again.

“He’s actually aiming for Zerpens!” Ma-chi yelled and continued, “We cannot go there

further! I’m running out of power now!”

Ma-chi was busy initiating the safety for their landing. They were already going in a

zigzag direction when the robot noticed Ais took off a small black vessel from her

back pack.
“Ais?! Don’t tell me you sneaked in your brother’s lab?!” Ma-chi asked angrily.

Ais opened the middle junction in Ma-chi’s back and inserted the black vessel.

“Tch, she’s ignoring me,” the robot muttered.

Ais smiled after she saw the black vessel displayed ‘Transfer Complete’. The robot

lighted up as the power surged through his body.

“Let’s go!” Ais exclaimed.

“Roger that!” Ma-chi replied and flew.

Zerpens was the second desirable city in the Cygnus Zone. It was located at the east

side of the Central Crux. Most people of Zerpens were known to be the most peace-

loving among all but that to the extent of ignoring the needs of their fellows and being

blind to all the injustices happening around them. They chose not to care because of

their fear in losing the kind of peace they believed for.

But there were still a few who chose to live differently.

Ais watched several small, cubic, gray houses lined beside the silent, empty streets.

Few street lights were lighted that made their morning more like midnight.

They were already at the far eastern part of Zerpens when Zid landed and walked

toward a house that looked similarly with the others.

“We’ll walk from here,” Ma-chi muttered and landed.

Ais took off her goggles and put on her black hood. The two sneaked toward Zid who

was now talking with an old man.

“You want to eavesdrop?” Ma-chi asked softly.

The girl ignored again her robot. She continued observing him when she heard Zid

exclaimed, “Please, Granchaf!”

The tall, old man looked sadly at him and went inside his house. Then he returned

and handed a white paper to Zid.

Ais saw her friend read the paper. Then he jumped and gave the old man a tight

hug. He bid his goodbye to the old man while Ais sneaked closer to where he was.

But before she could reach the desired spot, Zid took off again.

“Shucks!” the girl exclaimed and took out her goggles again, “Ma-chi!”

The robot sighed and said, “I wonder what that kid is really up to…”

The two flew and went again after Zid.

“Is he going home?” Ais asked.

“I bet he’s not,” Ma-chi said while analyzing calculations in Zid’s speed, “Coz he’s

going back to the Central Crux!”

“What?!” Ais exclaimed.

Her eyes darkened with fear and concern for she knew that Zaros and his minions

were waiting to hunt him down at Central Crux.

Zid trudged the southwest of Central Crux. No hint of emotion could be seen in his

face. He walked steadily in the midst of that foul-smelling, dark passageway. The

streets were crawling with people who lusted for money and earthly materials. A lot

of them set their filthy eyes on the poor kid, Zid.

But he ignored them. He was too focused on reaching Dedenrev, the main scrapyard

of the entire Cygnus Zone. It was where all dead things owned by Dawn Dwellers

were discharged for the Dusk Dwellers to revive and make use of them again. That

was how Dedenrev got its name.

“Hey kid,” one man called and grabbed his arm, “You can’t enter unless you pay us.”
Zid turned slowly to the three men who were grinning with each other. He knew that

they were up to their monkey business.

He prepared himself for that. He took a bag of twenty silver coins from his pocket

and threw it at them.

The hairy guys opened the bag and checked the coins. Zid grabbed that chance to

move on.

While the other two men counted happily their own share, the other guy realized that

the coins were fake.

“Get that boy! We’ve been tricked!” he exclaimed angrily.

Zid reached Dedenrev. He was hiding himself in a large bundle of plain sheets while

observing the surroundings. As expected, a lot of people engaging in black markets

were there. But for anyone like him who was desperate enough to survive the day;

that was the only best place to take.

He continued scanning the surroundings and after few seconds he found his target.

He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists after seeing the laughing, greedy guy who

always claimed Dedenrev as his own.

Zid took a long, deep breath and shouted, “Jaaaareeeeddddd!!!”

Jared’s smile vanished. He and all his minions looked together at the far left corner
near the entrance.

They found Zid standing and holding with a long metal pipe in his right hand.

Everyone locked their fiery eyes to Zid as they waited for the signal of their supreme

boss.

“What are you all waiting for?” Jared muttered and grinned.
“Ziiiidddd!!!” Zaros exclaimed as he and his eight minions charged quickly toward

him, “Die!”

He stood still. His eyes focused on his approaching enemies.

“Fools…” Zid muttered and used his rocket shoes to fire himself like a cannonball.

“Gyaaa!” Zaros and his minions shouted.

His rocket shoes released a strong, powerful pressure that moved the scraps of

varied sizes, height and weight. They fell and covered Zaros’ group while Zid

rocketed precisely to hit his other main target.

“N-not a-again...” Zaros’ right hand muttered and fainted.

Zid travelled at an incredible speed toward Jared who looked shocked and

intimidated.

There was no time to evade and think…

Jared received a fatal blow that sent him several yards away from Zid.

Zaros could not look at the wretched situation of his boss. The blood in his forehead

oozed as he gritted angrily because he cannot move himself out to help his boss.

Jared felt few of his bones broke. He spat some blood and his face was already

stained with cuts and bruises.

His attacker walked slowly toward him. Zid nailed his dark and empty eyes to him. A

glint of burning hatred and killing intent could be seen in both corners of his dark

eyeballs. Zid tightened the grip in his metal pipe as he started running toward him.

If I had done this earlier…. I could’ve saved her…… DAMN IT!

Jared smirked after he injected himself with a large dose of modified stimulants. A

rushing sensation came to him that increased his mental and physical alertness.

Vast amount of energy took over the pain he felt in his whole body.

Zid did not notice the sudden change in the enemy’s behavior. As he raised his pipe

with his two hands to finish the lying tyrant, Jared spotted the opening in his

stomach. He got back quickly to his feet and plunged the knife to Zid.

“Too slow,” Jared muttered as he pushed the knife deeper to him.

Zid’s eyes widened. He coughed some blood when Jared took out his knife from his

stomach.

He collapsed in the ground. Zid was now bathing with his own blood.

“Do you really think you can take Dedenrev from me?!” Jared asked and added,

“Zid?!”

Their situation reversed.

Jared was now standing in front of him, laughing insanely while he was there lying

and catching his breath.

“Nice try Zid,” Jared muttered as he grinned and reached for Zid’s metal pipe.

Zid gazed at the dark, gray skies as he thought. The odds will always go against

me…

His vision became blurry when Jared raised slowly the long metal pipe he owned.

Too bad… I couldn’t take them down…

“Be grateful Zid,” Jared muttered, “You’ll die in your own weapon.”

What a worthless life I had…

Zid closed his eyes slowly while Jared started to smash his skull. But before he could

lower Zid’s weapon, a big strong steel hit his back that sent him few meters away.

Two black-hooded kids appeared.

“Go now!” Ais ordered her robot.

It was the first time Ma-chi heard Ais gave a firm and serious order.

The robot nodded and carried the injured Zid.

“Don’t do reckless things!” Ma-chi yelled and flew.

“That kid,” Zaros muttered from afar, “can fly?!”

Jared tried to get up but Ais went quickly and landed several kicks to him.

“YOU WILL REGRET THIS!” Ais jumped on him and elbowed his head.

The young girl panted. She was using all her energy and strength to deal damage on

her thirteen year old enemy, Jared.

Just then she heard him laughing at the same time coughing with blood.

Ais got irritated and pulled Zid’s metal pipe from his bloody hands.

“I’m going to shut that foul mouth!” Ais yelled and raised the metal pipe, “Yah!”

Jared caught and squeezed her two hands.

The metal pipe fell down while she screamed in pain.

“Whoah! What a girly voice you have!” Jared exclaimed as he squeezed her hands

further, “I love it! Shout more!”

The long silent audience of Dedenrev shouted and started cheering for Jared.

“Ais!” Ma-chi yelled after hearing the voice of the crowd. He looked at Zid and

muttered, “I’m sorry Zid!”

He brought Zid with him and they went back to Dedenrev.

Ais felt her wrist bones could break at any moment. Her oppressor laughed some

more.

“So Zid’s girlfriend came to rescue him, eh?” Jared teased, “I’m just wondering why

you have to hide your face?”

Before Jared could lift the mask in her face, a young man taller than Jared appeared

behind him.

“Let go of her,” he whispered.

Jared shivered and said, “No I’m―”

He gave Jared a harder blow in the face that threw him in the ground.

“Tch, Eleck,” Jared muttered as he spewed out some of his molars.

Ais muttered, “T-thank you.”

Eleck did not reply when someone called out, “A!”

The young girl cried in relief and frustration after seeing her robot came to her.

Jared got up and said, “Why every time I got to finish an opponent, someone always

showed up and get beaten?”

“Bring that girl and escape,” Eleck said with his eyes still fixed at Jared.

Ma-chi nodded and carried Ais. He thanked their rescuer and fled off.

“Tch, this time, I’m gonna finish you for sure!” Jared said and attacked him.

Ma-chi took another black vessel to power up again. On their way, Ais asked Ma-chi

to contact Sky. She asked him to send two best robot doctors at Perxis.
Sky gasped and asked about their situation but Ais yelled at him on the phone, “We

need to save my friend!”

Sky paused briefly and said, “Okay, but please tell me that you’re okay Miss Aisha.”

Her eyes widened and muttered, “Yes, I’m okay. I’m sorry for yelling at you.”

Sky sighed in great relief and said, “We’ll send them right away.”

Zelimir and Deita were waiting on the deck of the car house. Their faces looked so

sad and worried. Their expression changed dramatically after seeing Ma-chi carrying

Ais and the bloody, unconscious Zid.

Just then, two robot doctors landed and checked their patients. They opened their

brief cases which started assembling as medical facilities.

“Miss Aisha, we have to treat you first,” one robot doctor said.

“No! Treat Zid first!” Ais yelled angrily.

“B-but?” the other said.

“JUST DO WHAT I’M ORDERING YOU!”

Ma-chi gasped. He could not blame Ais. That moment seemed familiar to him. He

could not figure when but he knew that Ais could not risk losing a friend… again?

“W-what happened to Zid?” Zelimir asked panting.

Ma-chi went back to his senses while the two robot doctors started their medical

operation to Zid.

“Zil, Deita, don’t worry… Zid will be okay,” Ais said trying to conceal her fear.

“What’s going on here?!” Zaki said, “What happened to him?!”

“I found this in his pocket,” Ma-chi said as he handed to him a blood-stained paper.
Cara looked at it and covered quickly her mouth to stop herself from crying loud.

Zaki’s tears started to form in his eyes when he muttered, “That idiot!”

It was the same paper Zid asked from the old man at Zerpens. It indicated three

kinds of products, each specifying the volume of order needed.

Zaki gritted his teeth while Cara started crying loudly.

Zelimir muttered sadly, “You really love doing things on your own…”

“Zid…” Deita mumbled sadly.

Several hours left them a cold, dark, silent evening. None of them tried to eat or

drink. They just wanted one thing…

They clenched their fists as they imagined how hard it could be…

Fighting for your life against death….

The door knob of the car house sounded and stirred everyone alive. Cold sweat

rolled over their foreheads as one robot doctor came out.

No facial expression could be seen from the robot. But despite that fact, they

tightened their grip to hope.

“He won…”

Everyone’s eyes widened. Cara went hurriedly toward the door.

“Let me see him!” Cara exclaimed.

“Not yet,” the robot replied, “He still needs rest.”

Cara agreed and went to Zaki who was crying silently in the corner.

The robot doctor went to Ais and treated her injuries. She then apologized for yelling

at them earlier.
“I think, Miss Ais,” the robot said. “To have a good friend is one of the best treasures

that you can have in life…”

Ais got shocked to his sudden insight and the robot laughed and said, “W-Well, I’ve

got to understand it through your eyes…”

Ma-chi smiled silently while Ais asked, “Really? I wonder how my eyes looked like

then.”

The robot doctor and Ma-chi giggled. Then they stopped after seeing her frowned.

“You better rest now Miss Aisha,” the robot doctor said, “We’ll watch over your

friend.”

Ais agreed and leaned her back in the wall. The robot doctor went back inside the

car house. His fellow doctor approached him with their findings. They were shocked

to see how fast Zid recovered.

“What are we worrying?” the previous robot doctor said, “It’s good news.”

“B-But, it’s beyond a human can―”

The robot doctor stopped his fellow and said, “We’re just here to treat him.”

The other doctor bowed and apologized.

Ais was waking up from time to time. She checked her watch and saw that it was

already past three o’clock in the morning. She got up slowly and went inside the car

house to check Zid.

She gasped. Zid was no longer in his bed.

No, not again! Ais thought and went out silently.

Ais decided to look first at the cliff.

She went out from the manhole and the cold wind passed through her. She shivered

but upon gazing at the skies, she was struck in awe. The stories she heard were true

that the glowing transparent green barrier could only be seen in wee hours.

Few clouds appeared on that day and Ais was fortunate enough to see the stars

clearly.

The rare beauty of Perxis mesmerized her fully until she heard the splashing waves

of the sea. It brought her back to her senses that she was already behind her friend.

As the sound of the waves continued their rhythm, the cold morning wind danced

accordingly and pulled her hair over her face. Ais gathered her hair and held it. It

was then she noticed how the next wind played gently in Zid’s bluish black hair. She

smiled and let her hair go again… She closed her eyes and extended her arms.

Then a strong feeling of freedom and relaxation engulfed her.

Zid noticed that someone was behind him so he turned his head slowly.

“Ais?”

She panicked and said while rubbing the fingernails of her two hands, “Z-Zid! It’s c-

cold here! We sh-should go back there now!”

Ais blushed after remembering how she looked dumb in front of him. But even so,

she tried her best to fake a smile. As she expected, it did not ease the atmosphere.

She saw Zid’s hair overshadowed his eyes. She wanted to comfort him but she was

afraid that she would only make it worse again.

“Do dreams come true?” Zid asked sadly.

Her eyes widened. The wind blew harder when she went forward and sat beside

him.
She closed her eyes and offered a short prayer to Aine’s soul. Then she gazed at the

distance and replied, “It depends upon the dreamer.”

“Then…” Zid muttered, “I’m not a good dreamer after all…”

She looked sadly at him who was now bowing his head, trying to stop his tears from

flowing.

“I’ve laid my dreams for my family,” he said while controlling the firmness in his

voice, “But now… One’s lost.”

Ais could also feel the tears stinging in her eyes when Zid cried, “Because I was too

weak and slow in reaching those dreams!”

She clenched her fists silently. She felt bad because she was only staring at the

unfathomed agony of her friend.

Had she knew them earlier, perhaps they could’ve saved Aine’s life… But she was

too slow and afraid to venture the darker side of Philandura. Ais cried silently. She

badly wanted to help him.

“If this reality will always come and stole each―”

“YOU HAVE TO PROTECT THEM!” Ais finally shouted in tears.

Zid got shocked while his tears continued flowing from his eyes.

“I know and feel you’re the kind of person who does things on your own… But

please… Let me help you in reaching your dreams for them!”

Zid gasped while Ais wiped her tears and continued, “We’re friends right?”

His eyes widened as he thought. I’m sorry Aine. Working my dreams on my own was

not enough… And it feels so sad and plain…

Ais was now crying loudly like a baby.

But now, it’s different.

Zid smiled when Ais met his eyes and blushed.

I’ve shared those dreams with a friend…

“Hey! What are you smiling at?!” Ais said and frowned as she wiped her tears away.

I hope someday you’ll see me reach those dreams for each one of you…

Zid stood and Ais exclaimed, “Don’t ignore me!”

Zid laughed and yelled, “I’ll be the future King of Philandura!”

Ais got shocked while Zid continued, “I’m gonna give all the comforts to my family

and to every dusk dweller!”

Her mouth opened slightly. A smile curved in her face then she giggled.

“Ais?! What’s so funny? You think it’s impossible?!” Zid exclaimed, “I thought you’re

going to support me!”

“I just never expected you to shout like that! Idiot!” Ais yelled back.

“Oh, I see!” Zid said and laughed.

Ais smiled and thought, Family… I have one… But I wonder when will I experience

the true meaning of it…

May 1, 2211

Ais was standing at the balcony of their mansion. The bright, lively morning of the

Dawn Dwellers’ Paradise illuminated the surroundings but it did not reach the depths

of her heart.

She looked sadly at her communication device. But she couldn’t do what her heart

was telling her.

A gentle breeze came to comfort her but she walked away. She shut the door behind

her and went back to her room.

She walked wearily across the hall. She then wondered why the Lesaca’s Vertex

was built that large when only one person was living there. It only emphasized her

loneliness.

She sighed and smiled when she remembered how Zid’s family cared and loved

each other. They may be deprived materially but they were so rich when it came to

love.

You’re lucky Zid. It’s true that your parents are always from work but still they’re
doing their best to go home and see you… You and your siblings always fight even
in some trivial matters but the bond you shared was exceptional. That is why you
have to treasure and protect each one of them...

And as for me?

She glided expertly at the handrail of the swirly staircase.

I’m not yet giving up on them!

Ma-chi did not see her approaching so Ais bumped him into the floor.

“Wow,” Ma-chi muttered as he checked himself for any damage, “What a deadly

morning.”

Ais laughed and later Ma-chi joined her.

“So? Let’s go and meet them at Dedenrev!”

The two went out from the Cuby. Then she remembered the first time she arrived at

that place. She smiled and ran toward Ma-chi.

“So did you call them?” Ma-chi asked casually.

“Nah,” Ais replied and knocked the robot’s head.

“Aw?!” Ma-chi exclaimed and chased her, “What’s that for?!”

“Just because!” Ais replied and left the robot behind.

The young girl felt free and happy as she ran and jumped for any obstacles that

blocked her way. Ma-chi felt the same way as she did. He smiled warmly after

seeing her eyes sparkled. Ma-chi followed her gaze and saw Deita waving her hands

to them.

“Ai―!” Zid went quickly to the female robot and covered her mouth.

“Deita, call her A…” Zid whispered.

The robot gasped and apologized.

Eleck was sitting and observing them from afar. He wondered why the two black

hooded kids had to hide their identities.

As if one of them heard his thoughts, a black hooded kid came toward him. But it did

not alter his monotonous facial expression.

“H-hello Mr. Eleck!” Ais said while rubbing the fingernails of her two hands, “T-Thank

you so much for saving us.”

Eleck said nothing and continued gazing deeply at her. She panicked silently when

she stepped backward and realized what she had to give him.

“Please accept this as our way of gratitude,” Ais said shakily and put the paper bag

beside him.

Before she left, Eleck asked softly, “What are you doing here, Dawn Dweller?”

Ais gasped as a gush of wind passed through them.

She paused and muttered, “I want to enjoy the light I found here…”
Eleck saw her jumped and ran away toward her friends. Three birds flew back and

stayed at the top of his head.

I see… Eleck thought. So you’ve come to see that light amidst the dark paradise this
place has shown you…

He smiled only in his mind. Then he opened the paper bag filled with foods and

drinks. He took a bread and broke it into halves. He crushed the other half and gave

the bread crumbs to the three hungry, chirping birds.

As he ate his share, he thought. I hope Jared… you’ll find that light too…

“We’re so lucky that Eleck is here to protect us!” Cara exclaimed happily.

Deita nodded and said, “He defeated Jared so the bad guys are now afraid of going

here!”

While everyone was rejoicing, Zid muttered, “Someday, I’m gonna ask him to teach

me so that my fighting skills will further improve!”

“Keh! As if you already have that innate fighting ability,” Zaki muttered.

“WHAT DID YOU SAY?!” Zid yelled and chased him angrily.

Zelimir smiled and said, “Shall we get to our business now? Zid? Zaki?”

The two stopped immediately and started working. Ais came to them and joined their

work.

Just then, someone behind them was calling Zelimir.

“Eh? Don’t tell me?” Zelimir muttered.

Before he could turn around, a girl jumped and hugged him from the back.

“Zeeliimiirrrrr!!!” the girl exclaimed happily and kissed him in his cheeks.
Ais dropped her jaw and whispered, “I-Is that his girlfriend?”

Zid and Zaki narrowed their eyes and shook their heads.

“That is his avid admirer,” Zid murmured.

“Y-Yoko,” Zelimir said blushing and struggling to keep his balance.

The girl in his back was still hugging him more when she finally noticed two black

hooded kids.

“Heh? Who are they?” she asked and her cinnamon eyes sparkled in curiosity.

Deita answered, “Her name’s A while the smaller kid is Ma-chi.”

Her pixie hair bounced as she jumped off from Zelimir.

“Wow you’ve got some fascinating names and…” she went toward Ais and

exclaimed, “Some unique tastes in fashion!”

Everybody sighed silently in great relief while Yoko was taking down notes on the

kind of apparel they were wearing.

“Hmm… We have this style of clothes here in Central Crux…” Yoko muttered, “But it

does not match the way your clothes were made.”

“Y-Yoko, what are you saying. No matter how we look at it. They just look similar,”

Cara said.

“No! I know all the kind of clothes here in Cygnus Zone and I haven’t seen a garment

that is so durable, cool and just… so gorgeous black!” Yoko exclaimed, “I think…

You two must be dawn dwellers!”

Ais and Ma-chi gasped and they all panicked upon seeing other dusk dwellers stared

intently at them.
“Oi Yoko, Zaki said and marched toward her, “We found those garments in the

coastal areas of Perxis. It so happened that we met these sickly guys so we gave

those to them.”

Yoko bowed to the two and apologized. She looked at them sadly and said, “You two

are sick… That must be the reason why you are hiding your faces…”

The two nodded blankly and Zid laughed and asked, “Okay so can we work now?”

“Yosh! I’m gonna help my dear Zelimir today!” Yoko exclaimed happily.

Zelimir blushed and forced himself to laugh a little.

Jared’s gang still stayed on Central Crux. They took refuge in the dark basement of

an old evacuation building.

He was still groaning in pain whenever he moved his injured body. His agony echoed

in the dirty walls of the basement. Two of his minions were attending his needs but

could not even look at how wretched his situation was.

“Wh-W-where’s Z-Zaros?” Jared asked while panting.

“We d-don’t know boss,” his minion replied nervously.

Jared gritted and yelled, “You don’t know?!”

“Boss!” the other exclaimed and took more bandages to cover his bleeding wounds.

“Screw that!” Jared yelled as he threw away the bandages, “JUST GIVE ME THE

DRUGS!”

He coughed some blood while his two minions diverted their gaze away from him.

“I’m sorry boss, but we can’t,” the first minion said sadly.

Jared clenched his fists as he struggled to get up. He was in the verge of crying

when Zaros came and brought some interesting news to them.

One and a half hour had passed and Ais and his friends continued their work at

Dedenrev. Ais realized how difficult and tiring their lives were. She was amazed on

how Zid handled his life positively. It was true that Aine’s loss knocked him badly but

he stood again with a stronger heart and soul.

“Oi! Deita! Quit slacking off!” Zaki shouted.

Deita gasped and whined, “But I’m so tired and bored already…”

Zaki argued some more when Cara interrupted him, “Deita, you can have some rest

now.”

“What?!” Zaki exclaimed, “If Deita’s going to rest then so am I!”

Cara’s anger intensified as she yelled, “So that’s what you really want! You’re only

making Deita as an excuse!”

Zaki wanted to defend his side further when Zelimir stopped them and said, “Okay.

Zid, I think we should take a break for now.”

“Eh?” Zid reacted, “No problem with me. But l just want to continue.”

“Me too!” Ais exclaimed happily.

For real??? Ais? Ma-chi thought.

“Tch, So Deita?” Zaki said and stood again, “Can you stomach those two doing all

the work by themselves?”

Deita cried, “No… But, all I want is to have some enjoyment while working.”

“We can’t blame her. Even I felt so bored with this daily routine,” Cara said sadly.

“Then why don’t we play a game?!” Yoko exclaimed.

Ma-chi smiled and said, “I have a great idea!”

Everybody locked their attention to Ma-chi who went to find a piece of paper and a

small jar. They all wondered about what he was doing.

“Ais, Yoko, Cara, pick one of you who will draw first,” Ma-chi said while shaking the

jar.

The two girls pointed at Yoko who was so excited.

“Now, draw a piece of paper and do not open yet,” Ma-chi instructed.

She nodded and the other two followed the same.

After Ma-chi drew the last piece of paper, he said, “Let’s open now.”

“I got Zil!” Yoko gasped and said as she titled her head, “So what now?”

“The person in the paper will become your partner for the game,” Ma-chi said, “Deita,

we’re partners.”

“Yahoo! One female robot and one―” Deita exclaimed but Zid covered quickly her

mouth.

“Yosh! So who’s my lucky partner?!” Zid exclaimed and laughed to cover what Deita

was murmuring.

Ma-chi sighed in great relief upon seeing Yoko still flirting with Zelimir.

The female robot finally realized when Zid whispered to her, “He’s a boy for

goodness’ sake.”

Deita nodded and exclaimed, “Okay Ma-chi boy! Let’s win this!”

“Aye!” Ma-chi shouted and raised his hand.

“Hehe! I’m sorry everyone but it’s too obvious that Cara and I will win this game!”

Zaki yelled and grinned while crossing his arms.

“Hahahaha! I knew it!” Zid exclaimed and went toward Ais, “So you’re my lucky

partner!”

Ais blushed as she rubbed her fingernails with each other.

“Okay, listen everyone,” Ma-chi started, “All of us will be given two hours to gather

the needed materials for the three products listed in Zid’s paper.”

“T-Two hours?!!” Zaki yelled, “Do you even know what you’re saying?!”

Ma-chi replied seriously, “You’re free to back out.”

Zaki gasped angrily and muttered, “Tch. I’m not gonna lose. Go on!”

“After two hours, we’ll count and check the quality of materials that we gathered. The

pair who got the most number of quality materials wins!”

“Nyahahaha! Nice idea Ma-chi!” Zid yelled and gave him thumbs up.

“Okay?” Zaki said as he raised his brow, “What’s the prize?”

“That lucky pair will have the chance to ask anything they want from the other three

defeated pairs,” Ma-chi replied.

Zaki’s eyes widened and sparkled in excitement as he laid them upon Ais.

“Oi. Oi,” Cara and Zid muttered, “We know that look.”

They did not notice Ma-chi went to ask a favor from Eleck. Fortunately he agreed

and went down with the robot.

“YOSH! We have now our time keeper!” Ma-chi exclaimed as they ran toward them.

Everybody stared at Eleck who looked so serious. But they managed to smile at

him…awkwardly.

As soon as Ma-chi gave the stopwatch, Eleck said, “Let the game begins…”
Everybody looked blankly to each other and Ais faked a laugh and shouted angrily,

“COULD YOU AT LEAST MAKE IT EXCITED!”

Eleck simply stared at her as he sat down and closed his eyes.

Zid laughed and said, “Let’s go Ais! The others started already!”

Ais panicked and ran with him.

The four pairs spread over the four corners of Dedenrev. Other scrappers looked

happily at them while they were some who got so annoyed and envious to them.

One kid muttered to his comrade, “Keh! Playing while scrapping?”

“Eleck’s with them,” his friend replied, “So ignore those idiots if you care about

yourself.”

They both sighed as they continued their work.

The time flew faster as usual and only one hour was left. In the upper right corner of

Dedenrev were Ais and Zid who were able to fill two big garbage bags already.

They were too focused on winning the game and Zid said as he wiped the sweat in

his forehead, “We’re done here so let’s transfer now!”

“AYE, AYE SIR!” Ais replied and marched ahead of him.

“What’s with the Sir?” Zid asked as he struggled to move the two garbage bags,

“AND WILL YOU PLEASE HELP ME HERE?!”

Ais stiffened as she realized it. She went quickly to him and said, “Ahehehe. Sorry I

forgot.”

Zid sighed and smiled.

While the two transferred for the next area, the robots group was also doing great

progress…before.
“Wahhh! Deita, what’s wrong with this hand?!” Ma-chi exclaimed.

“I dunno know…” Deita replied sadly, “I’ve tried attaching that back… But to no

avail…”

Ma-chi gave up and sat beside her. He sighed and said, “You’re the only robot model

that is somehow similar with me… But also, you’re the only robot which I can’t fix…”

Deita saw him lowered his head sadly so she tried comforting him and said, “Zid’s

the one who assembled me so―”

“Assembled?” Ma-chi asked and wondered.

Deita smiled as she recalled some bits of memories in her head. She muttered,

“They found me here lying helplessly in that cold, autumn twilight. All I knew that day

was that I was broken and deserted…”

The female robot gazed at the gray sky and continued, “I couldn’t remember the rest

of the details of my past other than that special memory…”

Ma-chi looked at her sadly as he listened to her saying, “But even so! I was given a

second life and a loving family!”

Deita chuckled while Ma-chi thought sadly, It must be hard on you… Seeing that

shrouded past through the missing pieces of your body…

But what matters now….

Is that Zid assembled and repaired your life…

“Kya! We’re running out of time!” Deita exclaimed.

Ma-chi stood, stretched his body and said, “It will be such a shame for us if we’re

gonna lose here! Remember we’re robots?!”

“AYE! So give me my hand and let’s get going!” Deita replied.

In the corner opposite of Ma-chi’s was where Yoko and Zelimir were.

“Y-Yoko? Are you okay?” Zelimir asked while doing the task, “You’ve been staring at

me like that for over an hour already…”

The girl’s love-love eyes continued. Then she said as she tilted her head to the other

side, “I can sit here all day looking at you my love…”

Zelimir shivered as she smiled awkwardly to her. He was now sweating further and

how he wished to end the game already.

There’s no way we can win this… he thought and cried within his mind.

While those pair was somehow enjoying a sweet, peaceful yet awkward moment;

Cara and Zaki had the opposite.

Zaki and Cara were like cats and dogs when quarrelling. They could go on like that if

Zelimir or their parents were not around.

“I’ve had enough of this nonsense argument!” Zaki shouted, “I’m gonna do this

myself!”

Cara smirked. She believed she won the argument over her brother.

While he was concentrating to finish his work quickly, Cara teased him some more,

“Give it up my brother… Thirty minutes won’t be enough…”

“SHUT UP!” Zaki yelled and cried like a baby, “Stupiiiid sisterrr!”

Cara laughed some more.

Five seconds before the stopwatch alarmed, Eleck opened his eyes and yawned. He

stood, took a deep breath and yelled, “TIME IS UP!”

His deep, thundering voice bounced over the place. Everybody got stunned for a

moment.
Ais blinked twice as she thought, I never expected he can roar like that…

All pairs gathered back to Eleck. Ma-chi and Deita gulped nervously at Ais and Zid

after seeing their four bulky garbage bags. They both sighed because they filled

three bags only.

Zelimir smiled fakely. He didn’t care if they collected one and a half bags only. He

just thought of going home because he was getting more uncomfortable at the clingy

Yoko.

In their far end corner was where Zaki was lowering his head in embarrassment.

Cara said to him, “That’s the price you get… money fiend!”

As Cara and Zaki continued quarelling, Zelimir came again to stop them. The two

stopped instantly. It was then the peacemaker noticed that they only collected one

half of the garbage bag. He narrowed his eyes to them and saw Cara doing the

‘peace sign’ and Zaki looking down.

“Okay guys, it’s now Eleck’s Judgment Time!” Ma-chi declared.

The tallest guy of them unloaded and checked their collection. First, he started with

Zaki’s and Eleck saw no defects. He moved on to Zelimir’s and still discovered no

defective materials.

Zaki and Zelimir looked happy but Cara ruined their moment when she said, “Well…

It’s as expected with that volume of collection.”

Those three did not notice that Eleck was throwing materials the third time already.

Ma-chi and Deita were sweating all over. They looked away from their garbage bags

and they heard another material thrown away. They gasped together with those

three who just noticed the situation.

Chance! Zaki smirked as he thought of it.

“Not bad Ma-chi!” Ais exclaimed to cheer the robot.

“YEAH!” Deita added and raised her thumb up.

Zaki looked so disappointed but his hopes sparkled back when Eleck moved to the

last pair’s work.

Ais looked so excited when Zid whispered something to her.

Her eyes widened and she asked him, “Are you…. sure?”

Zaki rubbed his face in too much frustration when he noticed Zid whispering to Ais.

Tch, it’s too early to assume your victory…. Zid. Zaki thought as Eleck checked the
materials in the fourth bag.

Zaki chanted in his thoughts, Defect! Defect! Defect!

Then Eleck found three defective materials that made Zid and Ais looked a little sad.

YOSH! This is working! Defect! Defect! Zaki thought happily.

Just then Cara hit his head and exclaimed, “I know what you’re thinking!”

“AWWw!― What’s your prob―”

“Ais and Zid win,” Eleck simply declared and went back to his seat.

“Eh?” Zaki heard it and turned into a stone.

“T-That’s it?” Cara asked and she jumped in joy, “Congratulation AZ!”

“We won?” the winning pair asked.

Zelimir nodded and his empty stomach rumbled.

Yoko gasped and she looked at him, her eyes widened.

Zelimir blushed furiously when Yoko exclaimed, “That was so cute, Zil!”
Everybody laughed at him when Ma-chi exclaimed, “So sad we’ve lost… But moving

on! Zid and Ais what do you want of us now?”

Zaki and Zelimir came back to their senses.

Ais smiled at Zid and urged him to say what they agreed to everyone.

He nodded to her and he faced them saying, “You’ve done what we’ve wanted.”

The rest of the pairs looked at each other when Zid continued, “Now we can bring

these materials home! Thanks everyone!”

Tch, acting cool as usual. Zaki thought.

“We finished our work much earlier,” Ais exclaimed, “And oh! Before I forgot!”

She left her bag to Eleck and whispered something to him.

The guy looked steadily at her and raised his thumb up with no facial expression.

Ais smiled behind her mask and went back to her waiting friends.

“What did you do there?” Zaki asked.

“I just gave him the foods for the rest of the scrappers here,” Ais replied looking

down, her face flushed.

“HOW ABOUT US?!” Zaki exclaimed angrily.

That time Zelimir joined Zid and Cara hit their brother.

“Aww!” Zaki yelled.

Ais said and smiled, “Don’t worry, we still have Ma-chi’s.”

“Thank you Ais,” Zelimir said, “We’ll eat that in a vacant lot.”

“To the vacant lot!” Zaki shouted and dashed away.

Zid laughed and said, “We’ll reach our home by sunset and guess what?”

Everyone wondered when he added, “Mama and Papa will arrive home today!”

Everybody’s eyes sparkled in joy and Ais exclaimed, “C-can we eat again your

Mama’s special delicious soup?”

Zid knocked her head and said, “This is your second home, so why not?!”

“Yahoo!” Ais rejoiced and ran.

“Oi! Oi! Wait!” Zid exclaimed while balancing himself with the two garbage bags in

his hands.

“What a cute family!” Yoko exclaimed while wrapping her arms to Zelimir.

“Yeah,” Zelimir replied blankly and he shouted upon realizing that voice, “Y-y-yo-

Yoko?!”

Ma-chi and Deita giggled to each other when they saw Zelimir dashed off too.

As they headed home, the sun revealed itself finally. Its bright rays danced above

them. It was if the sun joined in the happiness they felt that day.

May 22, 2211

Ais and Ma-chi arrived at Perxis earlier that cold, misty and sunless morning. But

despite the usual weather, they could not shake the feeling of excitement upon

seeing the big cart loaded with the products that Zid made. They were even more

amazed to know that Zid exceeded the number of products required.

“Oi Zid! Don’t spend a single pentavo!” Zaki exclaimed.

“I know right?!” Zid replied and started pushing the cart. He winked at Ais and Ma-chi

who went to help him.

Zelimir bid them goodbye and followed Zaki to Dedenrev. Cara and Deita waved

their hands to them and went back inside the car house.

The two kids and Ma-chi went to the empty right corner of their scrapyard. Zid dug

and wiped some dirt out to find the hidden lever that will open two of the metallic

walls.

Zid smiled after he pulled down the lever and the walls opened. Ais and Ma-chi

pushed the big cart out while Zid closed the walls and went out through the second

manhole.

“Yosh! Let’s do this!” Zid exclaimed as soon as he got out from the manhole, “We’ll

travel through the waters.”

Ais and Ma-chi nodded and they continued on their way.

They reached Aine’s tomb and they offered her a short prayer. Ais and Ma-chi

smiled when Zid took out a bunch of white and yellow flowers from his pocket. They

bid her soul goodbye and continued on their journey.

They trudged along the cold, misty surroundings when Ais asked, “Are we there

yet?”

“Stop,” Zid said and the two followed.

Ais collapsed after seeing how steep the way down.

“Don’t tell me we’re going down here?” Ais asked shakily.

“Nope,” Zid replied, “But there.”

He pointed to them a large ramp that made their heart jumped in fear and

excitement. Both of the kids’ eyes shone as they pushed the cart quickly toward it.

Ma-chi felt afraid upon thinking on the possible damage they will take if an accident

happened.
“Wow! What a huge slide!”Ais shouted.

Zid laughed and said, “You both climb up now. Tell me when you’re all set and I’ll

push the cart down.”

“WAIT!” Ma-chi exclaimed, “Are you sure we’ll go straightly down there?!”

Zid laughed, “We’ll see about that!”

“READY!” Ais yelled and Zid jumped at the center that pushed the cart down.

“GYAAAAAAAaaa!!!” Ma-chi exclaimed beside Zid.

Ais shouted in mixed emotions, “THIS IS SO CRAZY AND FUN!!!”

“See?! Nyahahaha!” Zid replied as he pulled up two L- shaped wooden maneuvers.

“GYAAAA! WE’RE GOING OUT OF TRACK!” Ma-chi yelled, his eyes seemed to

jump out from their sockets.

“Ais, Ma-chi hold my back!” Zid yelled.

The two did and Zid clutched the right L-shaped maneuver and pushed it on the

right. The wheels of the cart turned right and the robot sighed in great relief. The

right maneuver returned automatically to its previous position and Zid pushed the left

maneuver in an angle that would sustain their balance.

They were now going down straightly. The cold wind continued to brush their faces

and blow their hair away.

It was such an exciting, rare experience for Ais. She enjoyed so much as if that day

would be the last day of her life.

“Almost there!” Zid exclaimed.

“Woaaahhhhhoowww!” the three yelled as their cart landed over the sand beach.
“Yosh! Thank God we’re safe!” Zid yelled.

“That was so awesome!” Ais said, “I wish we could do that again!”

Tch, crazy kids. Ma-chi thought as the two gave each other ‘high-five’.

Ais and Zid started pushing the cart toward the small wooden barge while Ma-chi

was still looking at the huge ramp ordeal that they just endured.

“Ma-chi! Please come over here and help us!” Ais shouted from afar.

“Okay! Okay!” Ma-chi replied and ran toward them.

The three finished pushing the cart through the inclined plane attached at the barge.

Then Zid asked the two to raise the anchor as he unfurled the sail. Ma-chi and Ais

did what he said and the wind started to move their barge away from the seashore.

They smiled at each other for the good job that they did.

Meanwhile, at the Tacata’s car house, Cara and Deita were busy preparing food for

everyone. The female robot was assisting the girl in chopping the vegetables. Then it

so happened when Cara remembered something.

“Deita, please watch over here. I need to go and buy pepper,” the girl said.

The robot gasped and replied, “No. You stay here and I’ll be the one who will buy.”

Cara shook her head and said, “Did you remember the last time I asked you to buy

eggs?”

“Ek!” Deita reacted after she remembered buying some buns instead.

Cara giggled and said, “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of myself!”

“But?” Deita muttered.

“No more buts…” Cara said and bid her goodbye.

The robot sighed, shook her head and continued her work.

While Zid’s group and Cara were busy doing their businesses, Zelimir and Zaki

travelled confidently to Dedenrev. They knew Eleck was still guarding the main

scrapyard.

“We’re so lucky to have Eleck on our side,” Zelimir said.

“Yeah, yeah,” Zaki said as he put his hands behind his head and leaned his head to

them.

“I wish I can also have his strength so that I can help him maintain peace and order,”

Zelimir said and smiled looking afar.

Here we go again… Zaki thought and pouted his mouth.

The two had just passed the Town Circle of the Central Crux when they saw a crowd

of people rushing toward them. They leaped immediately at the corner and heard

some people shouting for help.

“What’s wrong with these people?!” Zaki yelled.

Zelimir was busy asking some of the people running by. Several of those people

were so frightened enough to stop and answer their question. So what he did, Zelimir

got a stick and used it to block the way.

A kid of their age got tripped and yelled at them angrily.

Zelimir held the yelling kid in his shirt and asked him calmly, “What’s going on

there?”

“Eleck has been trapped at Guara!” the kid yelled and struggled to free himself.

Zelimir’s eyes widened as he let him go. The kid reached for the stick slowly and

upon getting it, he launched a direct stick attack on Zaki’s head.

“AWWW!” Zaki screamed in pain and saw the kid escaped, “Why me?!― Eh? Zil?

Where are you going?!”

Zelimir turned to him, smiled and said, “I’m going to help him.”

Zaki dropped his jaw and replied angrily, “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING?!”

“Just go back to Perxis and wait Zid there,” Zelimir said and left.

“OI!! Zil! GET BACK HERE! You will only get killed!” Zaki shouted at the top of his

lungs but Zil ignored him.

Zaki palmed his face and saw the stick on the ground. He then muttered to himself, “I

always hate that hero syndrome to both of you… Zid, Zil…”

He reached for the stick and ran toward Guara street where Zelimir was headed to.

“Geez! Someday I’m gonna invent a medicine that will cure stupidity!”

Zid’s group orbited successfully despite the mists and was now approaching the

border of Ursa. Moderate winds continued to move their barge in a constant quick

pace.

Zid smiled and said as he looked at his radar, “We’re going to reach Zerpens in no

time if the waters will keep behaving this way…”

Ma-chi stretched his body and said, “This is so relaxing… Travelling in these calm

waters and having the winds do our jobs…”

Zid laughed and said, “Yeah, you two must be lucky. We only experience this once

or thrice a month.”

“REALLY?!” Ma-chi exclaimed.

“You bet on it!” Zid said and his smile vanished after noticing Ais leaning her arms on

the railing, looking blankly at the mists.

He went to her while Ma-chi lied down on the floor and closed his eyes.

“Hey, Ais? Are you okay?” Zid asked.

She gasped, recovered herself immediately and exclaimed, “I’m just wonderin’ Zid!

H-How did you come up with all these?! I-I mean, that huge ramp and this barge.

You guys were just so amazing!”

Zid knew his friend was hiding something but he set aside it first as he replied to her,

“We love studying things on our own. Understanding how things work was so

exciting and fun most especially we were it doing together as a family…”

Zid caught her eyes saddened a little so he said, “These mists must be really hard-

headed.”

Ais looked at him skeptically when he added, “No matter how hard they try in hiding

Zerpens still we have this radar to locate it.”

“O-kay? I don’t see how―” Ais began when her friend interrupted her.

“So why don’t they drop their doubts… and clear this place?”

Zid smiled at her and her eyes widened. She didn’t know how or when but she just
realized that he was directing that message to her.

“Wow. I never had an idea that you can also speak metaphorically at your age,” Ais

said, smiled and went beside the sleeping Ma-chi.

Zid laughed while rubbing his right cheek and said, “I just don’t know how to put it…

Well, I’m just glad you pick it up.”

“Eh?!” Ais said as she narrowed her eyes to him and added, “Is that a compliment or

an insult?”

Zid laughed louder this time and said as he went to the other side of Ma-chi, “I hope

someday, I can help you drop those doubts…”

Ais looked down and muttered, “I’m sorry Zid… I know friends should trust each

other but―”

“It’s okay,” Zid said and smiled.

She looked back at him with surprised eyes when Zid added, “I don’t care how long

will it take for you to trust me fully but for as long as you will trust me…”

Ma-chi was still pretending that he was sleeping. But upon hearing those words from

Zid, he could not stop himself from smiling.

Ais’ thoughts jumbled in confusion. The conflict she had with herself grew but she

ended it abruptly when she asked him, “How long will we reach Zerpens?”

His eyes widened when Ais added while rubbing her fingernails to each other, “C-

can’t help it. I-I guess I’m gonna share with you the kind of life I have…”

The gentle wind blew the boy’s hair and made his eyes turned tender. Ais blushed

after seeing him looking at her in the kindest way.

“Oi! Don’t get so big-headed! I’m going to tell you just a small piece of my story!”

Zid got surprised to her sudden anger but he later laughed at her.

Ma-chi smiled silently when he thought, Finally… someone earned her trust…

Cara was already approaching the small market in Perxis. Only a few people were

around on that day. That gave her a sudden agitation. She shook her head to shoo

away the bad vibes but it turned the opposite.

She bumped a huge man which brought her down to the ground. Cara saw the

enraged man’s eyes. But before he could yell to her, the young girl stood and ran

away to the small pavement.

Cara found herself hiding and panting behind the big post. She eyed the

surroundings just to make sure he lost the man.

She was about to let out a big sigh when someone behind her appeared and

covered her nose with a handkerchief that knocked her to unconsciousness.

“So any plans?” Zaki asked from behind.

“Eh?” Zelimir reacted, “What are you doing here?”

Zaki jerked in silent anger as he thought, He was ignoring me all the way here?!

Zelimir blinked his wondering eyes when his friend replied and patted his head softly

with a stick, “Obviously, trying to help you out?”

“I see,” Zil simply answered and smiled.

“Oi, what are you smiling at?” Zaki asked, “Have you gone nuts after seeing that

large number of enemies?”

Zelimir shook his head while still smiling at him.

Zaki felt his annoyance heightened but he was still able to maintain his composure

upon asking his friend, “Then what is it?”

“I’m not scared anymore.”

Zaki raised his left eyebrow when Zelimir added, “Coz I have you now.”

Zaki’s eyes twitched in disgust as he thought, Oi, oi, why are you relying that much

to me?! Did you forget I’m the younger one here?!

“Here are the weapons I only have now,” Zelimir said as he presented him three

smoke grenades.

Zaki sighed silently upon looking at the smoke grenades. He thought, Man… So this

is where my brainpower comes in, eh? Tch, can’t help it… This is the burden of
being smart…
“These smoke grenades will release an average range of sleeping gas,” Zelimir

whispered.

“Good, but let me borrow your telescope first.”

Zelimir handed him the telescope. Then he climbed up the wall to peek on their

enemies. He gasped. It looked as though the entire bad guys of Dedenrev came to

eliminate Eleck.

Eleck is is strong and has remarkable endurance… but with this number of
enemies― Tch! That’s why we’re here right?! To help him!

He shook his negative thoughts and focused on their surprise attack. He determined

the safe spots where they could throw the smoke grenades without affecting Eleck.

After some self-deliberation, he went down and told the plan to his partner.

“All clear!” Zelimir said as he raised his thumb.

“Okay, let’s do this without getting caught,” Zaki muttered seriously, “We’re going to

meet here again after launching the attack.”

“Yosh! Let’s go!”

The two went on their designated attack area to carry out their special hidden

mission.

Ais was already crying loudly. All those dormant anger and sadness erupted from the

depths of her heart. Ma-chi didn’t want to ruin their moment so he remained acting

like he was sleeping although it was killing him softly.

Oi Zid! What are you spacing out?! Come on! Do something that will comfort her!
Ma-chi thought.

Zid was looking blankly on the mists when he muttered, “This world… does not have

a choice but to become unfair… to be fair…”

Her eyes widened when the last four words reached the core of her being.

Unfair to be fair? Ais thought of it over and over again.

Then Zid continued, “We can’t have all the things we’ve wanted at once and that

makes us think this world is unfair.”

Her sobs withdrew for a moment when Zid asked, “So supposing all the people have

all the things they’ve wanted at once… Will that make things fair?”

Ais clenched her fists as she thought, If that happens, there will be no more sorrows

or conflicts… so that would be too unfair with life. Coz life is a mixture of joy and
sorrow… So that’s why every person experiences both just to attain balance?

Zid then said, “Living a life like that isn’t life anymore… It’s nothing but a life trapped

in a man’s dream within a dream.”

“Tch, so what a cruel world we have!” Ais shouted and a tear fell down to her cheek.

“Cruel… yes. But that’s how real life gets its beauty...” Zid replied with a smile, “It is

only in experiencing real struggles that we can realize what our dreams are. And

upon chasing those dreams is when we put special meaning to our lives…”

Zid… Ais thought.

Zid’s words swept her gradually back to light.

She started wiping her tears again when Zid continued, “I think all people have

dreams. Others may not realize it but I know sooner or later they would come to

know it! But… the sad part is… some of them are too afraid to risk for it and others

just simply refused to work for it…”

How lame of them, Ais thought, her eyes narrowed.

Then out of irritation, she blurted, “As for me, I’ll have my true love then we’re gonna

have a happy family on our own!”

“Eh?!” Zid gasped, “That’s… a bit weird.”

“Weird?!” Ais yelled, “Don’t you know that life is but a boring thing unless you find

true love and true joy?!”

Zid faked a little laugh as he thought, Well, I just find it weird for a nine year old girl

like you to think of serious matter like getting married and having a family…

“Oi! What’s that look?! Of course I’m too young for that dream now, idiot!” Ais yelled

and looked away from him. She was already blushing furiously as she started

rubbing her fingernails with each other.

Ma-chi was having a hard time in restraining himself from tittering. It was good that

the two were too focused to each other.

“Oi Zid! Keep that as a secret or else… I’m gonna beat the crap out of you.” Ais

muttered as she locked her fierce eyes to him.

“Ek!” Zid reacted, “Understood!”

The gentle wind passed through them. It was then they noticed the fog got thinner at

that area.

Zid rubbed his left cheek and offered his right hand to Ais saying, “Let’s do our bests

Ais!”

Her eyes widened and her cheeks got redder. She put her hand to his as she stood

beside him.

They were now facing each other, still holding each other’s hands when Zid said,

“I’m glad you’ve also been keeping a dream. At least before we die, we could say

‘It’s worth the risk!’”

Ais nodded, smiled and said, “Surely, it would be a long and tough journey but that’s

how life gets its real beauty right?! Coz in the end, there’s no greatest victory than a

conquered battle filled with uncertainties, challenges and painful struggles.”

Zid nodded and smiled at her. They were looking at each other smiling and still

holding each other’s hands when someone grabbed that opportunity to tease them.

Ma-chi yawned loudly behind the two that made them startled. They freed their

hands in just a blink of the eye and turned their backs from each other. Zid and Ais

were both blushing, their hairs overshadowed their eyes.

An awkward silence followed them. Ma-chi regretted his stupid act.

“A-am? Did I interru―”

“Yosh! We’re now at Zerpens!” Zid interrupted the robot.

“Yahoo! Finally!” Ais added and tried to recover quickly.

Wahh… I hope Ma-chi did not see us holding hands! Ais thought.

Zid dropped the anchor and thought shyly, Man, why did I do it?

“Oi Zid! Stop spacing out and come, help us here!” Ais yelled while pushing the cart

out.

Zid smiled upon seeing the sail rolled up already. The two were much excited than

he thought.

The three were now walking along the cold, dark, empty streets. Only the sounds of

their footsteps and the loaded cart could be heard.

“Zid, this place is more like of a ghost town to me,” Ma-chi whispered, “S-so creepy

and quiet. Now I’m starting to doubt if there are really some people living inside

those cubic houses.”

“Hmm, they were already like this the first time I came here so I think this is only part

of their strange culture.”

“Hoh? I could never imagine myself living here,” Ma-chi muttered.

“Me too!” Zid agreed and laughed.

“These houses look similar to each other,” Ais said, “I wonder how you can locate

Granchaf’s house precisely.”

Zid laughed proudly and said, “That I can say by experience and instinct.”

“Eh?” the two reacted.

“Though I admit, I did nothing but trial and error at first,” Zid said and laughed.

Ais and Ma-chi narrowed their eyes to him as they thought, How brilliant…

Zid said suddenly, “We’re here now.”

Ais and Ma-chi put on their masks and black hoods. But before Zid could knock the

big gray door, it suddenly opened. Then a tall, long-haired old man appeared.

“GRANDCHAF!” Zid exclaimed and jumped to hug the old man.

“Hoyo! Hoyo! Hoyo! Long time no see son,” Granchaf said, “And you’ve brought

some new friends?”

“Yep! This is A and Mac,” Zid said as he pointed at the two.

The two bowed their heads after they greeted the old man.

“Welcome to my small home, Hoyo! Hoyo! Hoyo!,” the old man said and laughed as

he gestured them to come in.

The three pushed the cart gladly inside Granchaf’s house.

Ma-chi whispered, “I’m amused with the way he laughs.”

“And you’ll be more amaze by looking around you,” Ais said still mesmerized.

A soft silvery white light illuminated the whole first floor. In front of them was a

dangling rope connected to the first pulley above, its end was tied in a big post

located at their left. From the first pulley, they traced the rope going to the second

pulley at two o’clock direction. The rope in the second pulley was in an inverted Y-

shape.

“Zid, I hope you did not overdo it this time,” Granchaf said as he and Zid pushed the

cart to the right corner.

Zid shook his head, smiled and said, “My friends helped me.”

“Ohoyohoyohoyo! I see you’ve got good friends there,” the old man said while tying

each of the two edges of the cart with the ends of the inverted Y-shaped rope.

Zid laughed as he looked at his two busy friends who were now looking at some

product displays.

“This must be one of Zid’s works,” Ma-chi said while showing Ais a small lamp.

“No doubt, his initials are indicated,” Ais said, “ZD.”

Ma-chi leaned his arms on the railing and said, “It’s pretty dark below there.”

Ais nodded and said, “This floor must be Granchaf’s shop so that must be his

basement.”

Just then the pulley sounded. Ais and Ma-chi noticed that the cart was already

lowered.

Granchaf turned on the basement’s lights. He smiled at the two and said, “Thank you

for helping Zid.”

Ma-chi and Ais rubbed their heads shyly as the old man took the stairs down to the

basement. Then they followed him there.

The two got stunned further after seeing more of Zid’s works. Several stocks of his

creations were piled up neatly in two large shelves.

Ma-chi and Ais noticed their friend started pulling the cart by himself so they went to

help him. They pulled the cart to the mid-right portion of the basement and put the

products at two rotatable round, wooden plates that were connected to an axis. The

bigger plate was below the first plate.

Granchaf was at the work area that was located opposite of the three. He turned a

black lever and the empty floor of the working area flipped into a simple lounge. Ais

and Ma-chi got surprised as they went toward the old man.

“Ohoyohoyohoyo! It’s been awhile since I got some visitors here so please pardon

me for all these dusty seats and table,” the old man said while dusting off.

The two stopped the man and they said, “Don’t you worry, Granchaf. We can handle

this by ourselves.”

The old man rubbed his head and smiled. “Ohoyohoyohoyo! Very well then, excuse

me for a while and I’ll go get you some tea.”

Ais and Ma-chi smiled when Zid finally joined them at the lounge.

While drinking tea the old man talked briefly about the people of Zerpens. They

learned that apart from being a peace-loving community, they were also shrewd in

terms of their own safety. That was the reason why they didn’t go out more often and

why they were always eager in buying Zid’s convenient products.

Tch, they’re like my parents… Ais thought.

Granchaf stood and said, “Okay, let’s go back to our business.”

The three nodded and followed him back to the mid-right portion of the basement. All

the products from the cart were now arranged neatly in those two round wooden
plates. Granchaf checked the first product and he smiled for seeing no defects. He

marked by clamping a white flag. He rotated the first plate and he checked the next

product. There were no defects so he rotated again and did the same process until

he reached the flagged product.

“All the products in the first plate are clear,” Granchaf said and moved to the second,

bigger plate.

The three gave each other ‘high-five’ and smiled excitedly.

Granchaf continued his work and after fifteen minutes he faced them and said, “One

hundred percent clear! Oh~Hoyo! Hoyo! Hoyo! Hoyoooo!”

“Yahoo!” the three exclaimed and jumped in joy.

“Finally a clean hundred percent!” Zid exclaimed, “Thank you so much for helping us,

A, Mac!”

The two gave him thumbs up.

“And now for the reward of your hardwork,” Granchaf said and took out three bags of

coins, “Each bag is worth fifty silver coins!”

“Whoah! A total of one hundred fifty pierras?!” Zid exclaimed, “B-but Granchaf?”

“You deserve that amount Zid,” Granchaf said and smiled, “Hoyo! Hoyo! Hoyo! Don’t

worry about me! I’m a business old man. So sooner or later I’ll earn that money

back!”

Zid laughed and thanked him. Ma-chi and Ais went back to their senses and thanked

the old man.

“Yosh! We will go now, Granchaf. See you next time!” Zid exclaimed and bowed his

head. The two did the same and they pushed their cart back behind the right corner

of the stairs.
As they reached back the first floor, the three pulled the dangling rope down that

made the pulleys squealed. The empty cart rose at their right at the same moment

when Granchaf came up, smiling kindly.

The old man opened the big gray door and bid his goodbye to them. The three

smiled and waved their hands back to him.

They were now heading back at the same cold, dark, empty streets. But at that time,

Ais and Ma-chi joined the silence of the place.

They made Zid wondered so he asked, “Seems like the two of you adopted already

the culture here?”

The two gasped and shook their head, trying to smile normally.

Zid sighed and said, “Let me guess… It’s about the payment right?”

Both of them saddened.

Ais looked down and said, “Forgive us Zid… But we can’t help thinking. Granchaf,

himself told us the kind of people living here. And we all know he’s one of here. Don’t

you think he’s paying you accordingly?”

“Are you sure Zid that one hundred fifty pierras is really worth the hard work you

did?”

Zid eyed the three bags in his hands and muttered, “In reality… No.”

The two looked surprised at him as he smiled and continued, “But we’re

Duskdwellers… And we can only afford to pay a limited amount of money to each

other.”

The two tried to explain to him but Zid interrupted them saying, “It’s understandable.

But don’t worry...”

The two could see the raging determination in his eyes when he added, “This will not

stop me from reaching my dream… And as for Granchaf, I just knew that he’s

different.”

“By instincts again eh?” Ma-chi asked, narrowing his eyes to Zid.

“Yep,” Zid replied and laughed.

Ma-chi sighed in disappointment and said, “Well, I guess, that’s settled then, right

Ais?”

Ma-chi and Zid eyed her skeptically. She didn’t respond but instead she kept on

looking down at her fist.

Before Zid could finally ask her, the girl raised her fist and exclaimed, “Yosh! Let’s go

back and do more work!”

The two blinked their eyes in surprise when Ais continued, “The moment I say go,

we’re going to run as we push this cart.”

“Okay! We’re in!” Zid exclaimed as he made himself ready.

“GO!”

The three ran quickly that made the cart’s wheels roared in the streets. They were

not aware that the people of Zerpens were already panicking inside their houses.

As they ran happily, their hearts were pumped up with great determination to fulfill

their dreams someday.

Zaki reached the said safe spot. He took a deep breath and climbed the wall to peek

on their enemies.

Perfect. Now to create some ruckus…

After he masked himself for protection, he took out two smoke grenades. He threw

the first grenade to the enemies herding beside the walls. The grenade released

instantly a thick white smoke that knocked out several enemies one by one.

“What’s happe?!―” one guy exclaimed and fainted.

“IDIOT?! Put on some masks!”

“But we do not―” the other tried to reply and collapsed.

Zaki grinned and muttered, “But I’m not done yet…”

Eleck was fighting at the center but he did not take the risk. He took out his own

mask and grabbed the chance to fight the confused enemies.

As he kicked and punched his enemies, Eleck was wondering if who were those

people responsible for the surprise attack. But no matter who they were, he just

wanted to thank them.

Zaki launched the second grenade that signaled Zelimir’s turn.

Yosh, I’m done here Zil, Zaki thought while peeking at his friend’s location.

Zelimir smiled and threw the last grenade. Then another large portion of the enemies
got knocked out.

“Have you located the attackers?!” the right hand of Zaros exclaimed.

“Not yet Sir!”

“What the?!― Our number keeps on decreasing now!” he said panicking.

His group paused as they imagined the consequences if they failed their task. But

one member of the gang looked up and stayed positive. It was then he noticed

someone behind the walls.

“Sir! The attacker is at four o’clock!”

Zaki got shocked upon the sudden movement of the enemies. A number of them

were heading at Zelimir’s location.

“Oops… I got noticed,” Zelimir said as he stopped his jumping celebration.

“There he is!”

Zelimir jumped down and ran away to meet Zaki.

“It’s Zelimir!” the right hand exclaimed, “Chase him to death!”

Zaki was now running to meet Zelimir. He was all sweating in fear and rage.

Idiot Zelimir! Now we’re dead!

Zaki could hear the uproar of the enemies and when he turned right, all he could do

was gulped.

“Yo! Zaki! Good job!” Zelimir said as he waved his hands.

“YOU RUINED THE PLAN!” Zaki yelled and hit him with his stick.

Zelimir smiled as he rubbed his head. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. But don’t worry;

we’re more skilled in running away right?”

Zaki gritted his teeth in anger as they turned right. As they ran in the middle of Guara

street, the enemies behind them were more furious and unstoppable that escape

was not in hand.

“Now what are we going to do?” Zelimir asked nervously.

Zaki broke a sweat in his forehead. He knew the enemies will soon divide

themselves to trap the two of them.

We don’t stand a chance against them…. But there has to be a way!!!

“Zak! Hey! There’s Deita!”

Zaki gained his senses back and yelled, “Deita! GO BACK!”

Deita continued running to their direction. She could not hear and understand clearly

what Zaki was saying and gesturing. But she interpreted it in her own way.

They need my help…

The female robot stopped in the middle of Guara’s neighboring street. She calmed

herself as she closed her eyes.

“What the hell are you doing?!” Zaki asked angrily.

Zelimir looked behind him and saw one of the enemies threw a big stone to them.

His eyes widened as he ducked and pushed Zaki’s head down.

Zaki got shocked after he saw the stone landed in front of him. He tried to look

behind him but he saw Zelimir’s eyes filled with surprise and amazement.

He traced his gaze and found Deita immersed in bright, vivid colors. Her once up-

and-down twintail hair now lined horizontally, facing left and right. Her fierce eyes

were all glowing red and her fingers became razors in her hands. The buzzing
sounds of the small motor wheels in her right foot roared louder as it doubled and

doubled its rotating speed.

“Dei―ta…” Zaki muttered in awe as he watched the ground cracked from Deita’s

right foot.

Deita leaned her shoulders forward in preparation for her attack. Her weight

compressed in her one foot cracked further the ground and sent more rubbles in the

air.

Zelimir’s eyes widened after assuming that Deita might not recognize them anymore.

He jumped at Zaki and got themselves thrown at the corner.

It was then Deita dashed toward the stunned enemies to rip them with her razor

claws. Zaki and Zelimir could not watch any longer. They looked so blank and

horrified after seeing what Deita could really do.

“Now go before I could really kill you all…”

The enemies who just witnessed Deita’s killing demonstration ran wildly for their lives

while Zaki and Zelimir blinked in confusion.

“So… she just scared them?” Zelimir asked softly.

Zaki nodded blankly and they continued watching the female robot standing silently

from afar. Then they saw her returned to normal… and collapsed.

“DEITA!” the two exclaimed and ran towards her.

The robot was barely moving.

“Y-you’re both safe,” Deita muttered weakly and smiled.

The two thanked her and Zelimir asked, “Just how did you do it?”

The robot shrugged her shoulders and said, “I just felt doing it…”

“Hoh?! Deita you’ve got―”

“Help me here first!” Zaki interrupted him, “We’ve got to recharge her!”

Deita gasped and said, “Don’t worry about me coz we have a bigger problem.”

All the enemies who fled from Deita went back to the right hand of Zaros. They were

all shaking in fear as they told him what happened to them.

The right hand narrowed his eyes to them and muttered, “You failed that task…”

Their eyes widened as they pleaded for a second chance.

“Among you, select one who will deliver this letter to Zelimir.”
The terror returned to their eyes as they looked at one another. They knew no one

would want to go back and meet their death but their refusal would still bring the

same fate.

In the end, one brave soul stepped out from the group and said, “I’ll take the mission,

Sir!”

Zaki and Zelimir carried Deita at the nearby alley and hid her behind some garbage

bags. They told her to stay there and the two continued her search for Cara.

But as they went back to that ruined street, they were shocked to see one of their

pursuers before. He looked so frightened and he was holding a piece of paper.

Zaki raised his stick and said trying to sound firm and brave, “What brought you

back?!”

“I-I just came here to d-deliver this letter.”

Zelimir tried to come forward but Zaki stopped him and said, “Open the letter.”

The enemy followed and Zaki saw nothing suspicious so he continued, “Leave the

letter on the ground and go away.”

He followed and as soon as the enemy disappeared in their sight, the two came to

check the letter that contained a message saying, “I got your sister, Cara. If you want

to save her, bring Zid and the black-hooded girl. I’ll wait you until today’s sunset.”

Zaki crumpled the paper and muttered angrily, “Jared…”

Zelimir tapped his shoulder and said, “I’ll take care of Deita. You have to go back at

Perxis as fast as you can. We barely have three hours before the sun sets…”

Zaki nodded and thanked his friend. Then he rushed immediately with the letter in

his hand.

Just how did you get caught?! Stupid sister! Zaki thought angrily.
Zid, Ais and Ma-chi were all very excited to go home. That made them to arrive

earlier than expected. But as they went inside the car house, only the unfinished

food preparation welcomed them.

“Where are they?” Ais asked.

Zid tried to call Deita and Cara but still to no avail. A sudden bad feeling crept his

heart as he muttered, “Never did Cara and Deita left the cooking unfinished.”

Ais and Ma-chi looked at each other nervously when Zid went outside the car house.

He climbed up at the deck of the car house to check if one of them brought a

communication device. But sadly none of them bothered bringing one.

Zid clenched his fists silently as cold sweats rolled over his face.

Just then Ais called him from below and said, “Let’s go find them, Zid.”

Zid’s hope burst bigger after hearing his friend’s firm statement. He went below and

saw Ma-chi floating and carrying Ais on his back.

“Grab Ma-chi’s hands now!” Ais yelled.

Zid blinked his eyes and cut his hesitation. He went to Ma-chi and grabbed the
robot’s hands. Now Zid was hanging in the air.

“Oi, Ma-chi… Are you sure with― WAhhhhhh!”

The robot ascended quickly that made Zid ate his words.

Meanwhile, Zaki just reached the Town Circle. Several people started to crowd the

busy streets. A lot of them were in trade so Zaki had a hard time in finding his way

out.

“Hey! Watch your way!” one woman shouted after Zaki bumped her accidentally.

He didn’t apologize and continued running.

Be safe! Be safe! Be safe!

Zaki repeated those words in his head as he ran desperately to save his sister’s life.

He was panting and his knees would likely give up any minute but he continued

running. He couldn’t just let another sister die.

“Zid… You better be home now…” Zaki muttered and panted.

As if Zid heard him, Zaki heard him calling his name.

“Zaaaakiiiii!”

He wiped his eyes to see clearly the three persons waving and running towards him.

“Zid,” he muttered and sighed in great relief after confirming his eldest brother and

his two black-hooded companions. Then he smiled slightly and went at the corner to

rest a bit.

The three met him there. Zaki handed the letter immediately to Zid. He could feel the

escalating anger of his older brother.

Zid’s eyes were already blocked with rage when he gritted and muttered, “That

Jared…”

Ais and Ma-chi read the letter and realized the level of anger Zid was in. Ais flipped

the paper and saw a sketch map. Then she said, “This must be their location.”

Zaki nodded but Zid remained silent and motionless.

“Zid?” Ais asked.

“I’ll go alone.”

Ais gasped and said, “What are you saying?”

“I can’t risk your life with mine,” Zid said and took the paper from her.
Ais paused and replied, “You’re not one to decide.”

Zid turned back totally and started walking away.

Ais got angrier and yelled, “Don’t you realize Zid?! Jared might gonna kill your sister

if you will just go there alone!”

Zid paused and trembled in fear. He got caught in the middle of his friend and

sibling’s lives. His mind went blank after considering some few options left in his

head.

But Zaki stood behind them and said, “We can’t avoid taking risks.”

Zid turned to his right and saw Zaki saying to him, “That’s why in my plan, you have

to take care of those risks.”

Zaki tapped the bewildered two and continued, “Are you strong enough to bear that

responsibility?”

Ma-chi and Ais objected as they yelled, “ARE YOU ALSO UNDERESTIMATING

US?! EH?”

Zid cleared his thoughts and said, “I’m sorry Ais, Ma-chi. I guess I forgot to trust you
this time…”

The two looked at him as he continued, “The three of us will save Cara.”

Ma-chi and Ais smiled and gave him thumbs up.

“Now, here’s the plan,” Zaki started.

A strong smell woke Cara up and before she could open her eyes totally, someone

grabbed rudely her hand to make her walked. The place was so dark and she still felt

dizzy but she forced herself to walk and to avoid in getting her hand broke. It was

then she remembered what had happened before.

Regrets filled her thoughts. If she only listened to Deita, she would not be in that

situation. But it was too late already. She had to deal with it.

“Hurry up!”

Cara got shocked and got her ears hurt. She tried tripling her pace against her will.

Then she thought in mixed emotions, Am I… going to die now?

A single tear escaped from her eye. She was not yet ready to face her death. She

wanted to scream but she was afraid it would only kill her instantly.

“WHERE’S MY SISTER?!!”

Cara’s eyes lightened upon hearing that familiar voice. She cried in both fear and

relief. Fear because his big brother was risking his life for her and relief that he came

to save her.

Meanwhile, Jared was sitting on a big swiveling chair. He puffed out some smoke

from his cigarette and grinned. He was enjoying silently the looks from Zid’s worried

face.

“You think this is funny?” Zid muttered and gave his foe a cold look.

Jared chuckled and said, “Come on, Zid… Let’s make this a bit… peaceful.”

“Shut up,” Zid replied, “What do you want of me?”

“Of you?― Ha! Ha! Ha!”

“You want to settle our fight, aren’t you?!”

“Wrong Zid… You’ve lost that fight already… And what I am more interested right

now is that precious black hooded girl beside you…”

Zid and Ais gasped while Jared took out a small, golden sun-shaped crest that had

four rays, resembling a cross. A capital letter L was engraved in the middle of the

crest.

“You must’ve dropped this in our fight…” Jared said and grinned, “Right, Miss

Lesaca?”

Ais clenched her fists while Zid’s hair overshadowed his eyes as he thought, So

Zaki’s third assumption’s true…

Just then, someone called Jared from behind.

“Oh, Zaros bring his dearest sister here…” Jared replied and smirked.

“Cara!” Ais and Zid exclaimed and they tried running towards her. But Jared

motioned them to stop.

“Bastard! Remove that tape from her mouth!” Zid said.

Jared shook his head and said mockingly, “Don’t make me lose my cool, Zid… I’ve

been trying to settle this agreement as more peaceful than you thought… So if you

really insist your way…”

Zid’s eyes widened when Jared walked towards his sister, taking out a knife from his

pocket.

“STOP!” Ais and Zid yelled. Cara’s shouted in murmurs, her body trembling in fear.

Jared grinned, turned back to them and said, “So shall we start to our real deal?”

The two looked angrier at him as he continued, “I’ll return your sister if you give me

that girl.”

The two paused for a while when Jared exclaimed, “Come on, Zid! Blood is thicker

than water!”
Zid stood still when Ais tapped his shoulder and said, “Let’s do it Zid.”

He looked at her friend for a brief time and he clenched his fists. Then he turned his

gaze back to Jared.

His foe laughed and said, “Everything’s now settled so let this bargaining begin!”

Start this right… Ma-chi… Ais thought as she walked steadily toward Jared.

Cara was crying more as she thought of Ais. She felt so bad because her selfish

desire to live would kill a dear friend of his brother. She took a glimpse of Zid and

she was shocked to see him… calm.

“You’ve been so lucky to have this good, brave girl…” Jared said and laughed some

more, “But too bad, your luck ends here…”

No! Please! Do something! Don’t let Jared take Ais! Cara thought.

Only few yards left and the two girls would cross paths. Cara could not look back at

Ais because of shame and guilt. She did not see Ais smiling at her, a hint that

something good would alter the situation.

Zid, I hope you could catch up with me with this distance… Ais thought.

Ma-chi was hiding perfectly in the dark ruined cabinets of the first floor. He was

waiting patiently for the right timing to start the show.

“Hey… Both of you move faster…” Jared said seriously as if he smelled what they

were up to.

Ais and Cara gulped while Zid gritted his teeth silently.

Jared looked sharply at them and yelled, “I SAID MOVE―”

A black hooded kid brushed his sight and the next thing he knew was that Cara

vanished while Ais and Zid were coming to launch their hard blows to him.
It was too late for him to evade but before their blows landed, the young guy

managed to flash his wicked smile to them.

Ais and Zid’s fists landed squarely to his jaw and stomach that sent Jared few

meters away from them. The two glared fiercely at their lying enemy, beads of sweat

bounced off from their faces.

Both of them were panting as they watched their enemy lying silently from afar. Ais

took the chance to take a glimpse at her friend. Then she thought, What a monstrous

speed you have…

Zaros froze in awe. He couldn’t believe that Zid’s strength grew more powerful. He

had to do something or else…

“Let’s go,” Zid muttered and turned back.

Ais followed when Jared broke a long, crazier laugh that made Zid’s blood boiled.

“Zid… Just… how long will you keep on using her?” Jared asked as he wiped the

blood from his mouth.

His words rung and hurt his ears. “TAKE BACK YOUR WORDS!”

Ais got shocked at Zid’s frightening anger. Then a sudden feeling of uneasiness hit

her when Jared got gradually back to his feet.

“Zid, calm down! He’s just provoking you!” Ais tried to sink that back in Zid’s mind.

Instead of replying, Zid clenched his fists angrily still waiting for Jared’s response.

“I’m sorry Zid…” Jared said and grinned after he straightened up. “But I don’t know

how…”

Zid’s body shook further in anger as if he would explode any minute. Ais looked at

her friend more horrified and worried at the same time. She must do something

before Zid moved recklessly.

“Did I nail the wrong words?” Jared asked mockingly.

Zid dashed automatically toward him as he shouted again, “TAKE BACK YOUR

WORDS!!!”

Ais could not move at first but when she saw Jared drew a pistol and pointed it at the

charging Zid, her adrenaline rushed through her veins that helped her gained a

shocking speed…

Jared was too engrossed with Zid that he didn’t see Ais coming. He laughed and

said, “I’m sorry Zid… I really don’t want to kill you but… now I have to…”

He fired his pistol three times to Zid.

“Huh!” Zid’s eyes widened upon seeing Ais in front of him taking all the damage,

bloody and dying… She appeared quickly to him but now Zid could only see her

collapsing slowly to her… end?

“Noooooo!!! Ais!!!” he cried, as if still trying to hold his dear friend’s life, “You won’t

die!!!”

Ais was already catching breaths. A single tear came from her eye when she spoke

weakly, “I’ll… live…”

She smiled and twitched in pain. More blood came oozing from her wounds.

Jared who was so shocked came back to his senses when he laughed loudly and

shouted, “Are you that desperate and mad to even cut your precious life for that low-

life?!”

Ais coughed some blood and muttered, “He’s… my friend…”

“Don’t act as if you’re a saint, you filthy rich bitch!”

Zid fell silent and blank. The last words she heard were from Ais. A more powerful

throb in his heart and mind came to him when he thought, I just gained a new

friend… But now… She’s drifting away from me…

His cold, dark, empty eyes settled at Jared.

Everything is happening right now… because of you…

Zid laid slowly his friend on the floor. He looked blankly at her for the longest time

then he stood. An unusual powerful surge of strength came to him. He felt as if he

got awakened from a very long year of sleep. He could not understand the sudden

new sensation he felt in his being… But he just didn’t care anymore…

There was only but one thing he was eager to do at that moment.

Still bathing with Ais’ blood, Zid walked slowly with no hint of emotion towards Jared.

“What are you going to do?! Eh?!” Jared yelled as he pointed back his pistol to Zid.

“Avenge―”

Zid hit his foe with his bare fist that sent Jared at the far end corner of the basement.

Jared coughed some blood and thought, How?! How did he get tha―

Zid came shortly beside him. Then he held Jared’s shirt and threw him, using only

his right hand. Jared landed back to where he was standing previously. He could feel

the stimulants wearing off from his body.

“Gyaaaa!!!” Jared shouted in pain. Zid appeared back quickly to him and continued

beating him wildly… but silently.

Ais already got lost consciousness so there was nobody who could stop Zid on his

rampage to Jared.

That look… in your eyes… Jared thought while tolerating the physical pain he was
experiencing. Still exists… in this rotten world, eh?...
Zaros was shaking in fear and pain upon seeing his boss… and friend dying. He

cried silently with guilt of not doing anything to save him.

Zid continued beating him to pulp and Jared despite all the pain he was experiencing

at that moment, smiled helplessly as he thought, At least… I found it before I die…

Not bad...

Zaros’ eyes widened when Zid raised his fist to finish Jared who started to close his

eyes slowly.

Before Zid could release the final blow, Zaros gulped and yelled at the top of his

lungs, “STOP!!!!!”

His shout echoed and reached the depths of Zid’s being. Zaros watched him got

paralyzed in shock.

What’s going on with him? Zaros thought. It’s as if he doesn’t have any idea as to
what he did…

Zid felt like a spell was finally broken within him. After realizing the freedom from that

cursed spell, Zid’s eyes widened upon seeing Jared who looked like a ragged toy

covered in blood. He turned his head slowly to the right and he came to understand

everything…

He opened his bloody fists and tears streamed down his face. He got up, still

trembling and watching horribly to what he had done to Jared.

Zaros came cautiously to Jared and said, “Please… Don’t kill him…”

Zid’s eyes widened. He couldn’t accept that truth so he ran away, clutching his

aching forehead.

He ran away, hoping his sanity would hold onto him longer. But something caught

his sight from afar that completed the puzzle in his mind.
He shuddered upon confirming the lying unconscious body of his friend.

“Ais!”

Zid checked her pulse by placing his two fingers on her neck just below her jaw.

He felt her pulse rate getting weaker so he placed Ais in recovery position.

“Hang in there, Ais. You’ll live!” Zid shouted to cover the guilt he felt within him.

This is all your fault… If you didn’t act recklessly…If you didn’t―

“STOP!!! I know but just stop!!!” Zid yelled to himself.

He was crying helplessly, waiting for Ma-chi to patch up his grave mistakes.

“I’m not a good friend Ais…” Zid muttered, “I’m sorry….”

Just then, Ma-chi arrived and saw their horrible situation. His eyes widened and he

just didn’t know what to say…

“I’m sorry Ma-chi!” Zid knocked his head to the floor and added, “I’m dumb and

useless!”

Ma-chi held the girl slowly; his eyes were filled with sadness.

“Please Ma-chi….”

The robot just nodded at him and without saying anything, he flew away…

Zid was left below hanging and empty. He started walking slowly, taking one step at

a time. More tears of guilt and pain flooded from his eyes as he took every step on

his way.

As he was about to reach outside, Zaki saw and ran after him. But Zid didn’t notice

him coming… He was too blinded with his negative thoughts and feelings. Those
familiar thoughts and feelings washed over him again with a wave that made him

collapsed on his knees.

I’m sorry Aine… I don’t know if I will see her again… so if not? ― Then I’m so sorry
for losing her too…

Zid buried his face on the floor as if he was looking for the missing pieces of his

broken heart and soul…

Zaki cried a tear as he placed his hand to Zid’s back and muttered, “Ais is strong.

She will live…”

Ais and Zid entered the premises of the old evacuation building. They walked

cautiously. Not a single enemy was guarding outside. It was then Zid remembered

what Zaki had said about Eleck’s fight at Guara.

Zid clenched his fists as he and Ais entered inside the building. The two looked at

each other. Then they took the stairs located at the center that led to the basement.

Ma-chi looked for another route in going to the basement. He found

{Science is magic include sa speech ni Merlin Hacrow. “Behold the work of science!..

churva, as in proud gd xa. (-__-}