《b4 + a5T3R》


 Waking Up

    My eyes were still closed as I awoke as if they were glued shut. My limbs immobile and my body heavier than steel.


    Words couldn''t come to my mind. Only ideas. Pieces of thought broken into the simplest of ideas. Just feelings.


    Where am I? Who am I?


    Were the first questions that came to my mind, no, the first feelings that came to my mind. But before I even had the chance to think about them feeling returned to my body. I could feel myself on the rough rocky surface that I was laying on. My eyes still closed.


    Then came the feeling of burning. My entire body felt as if it was engulfed in flames. I couldn''t understand. Nothing made sense. It was as if I just popped into existence just to feel pain.


    I tried opening my eyes. It was basic instinct. Wanting to see the world around me. But I failed. I couldn''t do anything.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    I wasn''t going to give up. I attempted a second time. Managing to open my eyes to see the black rocky asphalt and a city in ruins around me along with a beautiful red sky. As if it was bleeding. My midnight blue hair blocking my vision slightly contrasting with the deep red sky. Of course, I knew not my surroundings. Everything was simply there.


    I moved my eyes away from the skyline towards myself. I could see the beautiful brown skin on my hands, my skin nearly immaculate other than a few blemishes from the black surface of the asphalt.


    Then the pain increased. As if fire had begun to flow through my veins burning the very core of my being into submission. It felt as though wires were being bent in my head trying to lock something away. Trying to hide it from me. My eyes closed while I struggled to stay conscious.


    Suddenly I stopped. I didn''t care anymore. I didn''t have the energy to resist. The dangers of falling asleep unknown to me I let myself drift away into the vastness of my now empty mind. The only thing keeping me alive being my Drive.


    And as I was asleep she arrived and took me away.

 What Happened

    I woke up in a forest. Just outside of the conference in Millenial City, formerly known as Chicago. I was supposed to be at the conference to meet the Medina for my new unit, Hill Grove, the most advanced, and deadliest unit in the world. In fact, Hill Grove isn''t even a base it''s just a town but it''s the inhabitants of the said town that make it so dangerous. I was one of few selected to join the unit after it''s establishment. Hill Grove has only had three recruits since it''s inception about five years back and transformed itself into a global power.


    But now I''m lost. I was just outside Millennium Tower on my way to the conference when I ended up here. Lost. In the woods.


    I checked my surroundings to search for Millenial City where I see a broken Millennium Tower. The once imposing spire, a center of the world, shattered. It''s once glorious spiral design celebrating the end of the third millennium and the advances of human culture and technology. Shattered. The beautiful tower broken in two only held together by a single beam of steel.


    I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran. I ran.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    My family was there. My friends were there. My future was there.


    I wasn''t allowed to use it here so I had to run. I finally reached the gates of the city.


    The sky was red. The entire city in ruins. I walked around to find the city abandoned except for a couple of lifeless bodies scattered around. Their faces in shock. They were just ordinary citizens. Those that we promised to protect. I had lost all hope of finding other people.


    I walked dejectedly toward Millennium Tower. The once lively streets filled were now desolate and empty, filled with piles of crashed vehicles, the unkempt stalls of street vendors, stores filled with merchandise but emptier than ever before.


    There I spotted him. A young boy. He looked to be about 10 years old. With beautiful brown skin and midnight blue hair. His eyes closed. Upon the right side of his head, there was a circular piece of equipment. It looked almost ethereal. A blue light emanating from it.


    I walked up to him entranced by the boy''s beauty pitying his death to find that he was breathing.


    I picked him up and walked into Millennium Tower with the boy. Unknowingly entwining my fate with his.

 Inside

    I walked into Millennium Tower with the boy on my back. I could see his clothing was torn and tattered but that was the least of my worries.


    I placed him on a table large enough to fit his entire person. He seemed to be injured, severely at that. I took off his shirt to find that he was bruised all over and surprisingly fit for a ten year. It seemed that his injuries would heal normally.


    My next priority was food. On my way to the city, I saw no wildlife in the area. It was as if this entire area was deserted. Millennial City was also no place to find fresh food so my next best bet was preserved foods. After the turn of the millennium, humans had greatly reduced their consumption of processed and preserved foods however the armed forces had to keep great quantities of processed and preserved food as they lasted longer and sometimes had more nutrition that natural foods even if they were less... palate worthy. The thought of eating that stuff gave me shivers but it was all we had to bet on.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    I stared at the boy. He was my only companion within the vicinity and he also seemed to be civilian. It was the job of The Armed Forces of Planet Vikasit to protect the people. There was no way I was going to let him starve to death. Besides that, I also didn''t want to be alone. Being alone in the world is the scariest thing a person can endure.


    Millennium Tower was a multipurpose building under the guard of the AFPV so naturally, they would have a stock of preserved foods. I walked further into the building.


    It didn''t seem to have any power as I walked through. I had no clue how Millennium Tower was laid out but I did know that it served as a tourist destination as well as a business center. People came here for everything from selling bananas to buying stocks. It was a lively place. But now it was silent. The silence could crush your soul. The dark corridors illuminated only by the light of the red sky, the once beautiful elaborate designs on the walls celebrating unity covered in dust forgotten by the world, and the deafening silence that never stopped.


    I reached the end of the corridor to see a large map on the wall. Looking at the maze which once guided people to who knows where.


    I look to where the storeroom is on the map and continue walking toward my destination.

 Asleep + Awake

    I was in a dark space. I could feel the vast emptiness of it. It was calming. As if I hadn''t felt it before in ages.


    I knew that there was more to this space. Rather it was something I felt. However, at this point, I knew nothing. Not my name, not my identity, nor what I was.


    I took a deep breath unconsciously, startling myself with the noise that came from my own body. I jumped into the black expanse with surprise. I could see my skin on my hands. It was like rediscovering what it was like to be a human. I didn''t know what to do. In fact, I had no idea what to at all. It was as if the instructions for the most basic of things were removed from my mind, my instincts overwritten. An overwhelming sense of helplessness taking over.


    Then came a light out of the bleakness.


    It was dim at first, but then it came closer and became brighter until it was like a glowing star in the vast nothingness.


    Its light touched all that existed but there was nothing there but me.


    "BEGINNING STARTUP SEQUENCE"


    Its loud words caught me off guard. It spoke but I could not understand. I shivered in fear, its large presence had invaded my once peaceful area.


    "MEMORY LOSS DETECTED, BEGINNING BACKUP SEQUENCE"


    "ERROR: BACKUP FILES NOT FOUND"


    "ERROR: LEVEL 9 ACCESS DENIED"


    The bright light loud noises had frightened me to the point where I was shivering in a ball. I could not understand what it was doing here. What did it want from me? Why was it here? Why me? Why?


    "ERROR: ENVIRONMENT UNIDENTIFIED"


    "REQUESTING PERMISSION PERMISSION PERMISSION PERMISSION>>>"


    "DATA CORRUPTION DETECTED>>>INITIATE RESTART SEQUENCE"


    It had disappeared. The light was gone. My peace was back. The soothing darkness was back.


    "RESTART SUCCESSFUL"


    I didn''t get it. Why was it back? It had just left.


    "LACK OF LANGUAGE PROCESSES DETECTED IN USER 0"


    "PLEASE SELECT A LANGUAGE PACKAGE"


    The voice had stopped. My head was tucked into my legs with tears flowing downwards. My eyes refused to open in the fear that the light would come to harm me. I couldn''t bring myself to move. I was too frightened.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Why did it have to come for me? These were my thought but they weren''t words just feelings.


    I looked in the direction of the light where the blinding white had disappeared to be replaced with a slightly transparent blue screen.


    I gathered my courage to walk up to it where I see rounded boxes. Each of them with different symbols of them. I had never seen them before. They were so foreign. So intriguing. Despite all my apprehensions I took my hand and put it on the screen along with that lighting up many boxes.


    I was confused. What had happened? Why did it change?


    I put my hand on it again. And more of them lit up.


    I was amused, it was like a game. Though at that time all I felt was joy. Maybe it was because I was able to feel something that wasn''t painful for the first time. Maybe it was because I like that the color changed when I pressed it. But it was enjoyable none the less.


    At a point, I had pressed all of the squares. All of the squares were the same color. Except for one. A brilliant light green.


    My hand went to press it and the moment it did the blue screen disappeared. Then it came again. I thought it was gone. Why was it back? Why hadn''t it left?


    "ALL SELECTED PACKAGES WILL NOW BE UPLOADED TO USERS MIND"


    "NOTICE: THIS CANNOT BE UNDONE WITH CURRENT RESOURCES"


    "BEGINNING UPLOAD"


    All of the sudden a sharp pain ran through my head. As if something was using fire to etch something into my very being. It hurt.


    It hurt a lot. As though my mind was being ripped apart and put back together a hundredfold. As though someone was moving wires through my brain and connecting them.


    Then it came.


    A flood of knowledge. Every known word in existence was being put into my mind. Each sound having countless meanings. It was as if my entire existence before was ignorant. My thoughts went from ideas and feeling to words. Countless words to describe every known emotion. Half of them didn''t make much sense. The noises of the light before began to make sense to me.


    Then its voice resounded once more. However, this time not frightening at all. Its voice now a soothing tone.


    "Hello. I am Drive A.I. Autumn."


    "Your condition is no longer critical. I am removing life support."


    My thoughts were a mess at this point. My mind confused.


    "Wait? What?"


    The voice seemed to hear my voice and uttered the words.


    "Bye-bye!"


    I could feel my face contort in annoyance but I didn''t understand why.


    Then the light faded. The pitch black turning a lighter color. My eyes opened. To see myself in a building with a seemingly once beautiful white interior.


    My eyes drifted downward where I found myself on a table. I slid off the table trying to stand my legs uneasy even while keeping a hand on the table.


    After I stabilized myself I began exploring. I found myself a soft tattered shirt with intricate designs. I decided to wear it despite its condition since it seemed of high quality either way.


    The voice of the bright light in my head was silent but my own words resounded. I could feel that it was there but I didn''t know how to find it. How to talk to it. My own existence was a mystery to me let alone that light''s voice.


    I wandered to the area I was in. There were windows in the area where I could see outside. The ruins of a once beautiful city in ashes still looking as majestic as it did in its prime. I couldn''t believe it. I wanted to explore. I wanted to go beyond the edge of what I could see.


    But then something struck me.


    *Although I woke up here wasn''t I on the road before this?*


    Then I heard footsteps behind me from the dark hallway that led to the inside the building. A figure slowly emerged. It was carrying a large sack on its back and seemed not in the least exhausted. It was a girl. Her eyes emerald green, her hair blue, her skin tanned but only slightly.


    She saw me and dropped her bag. I tilted my head in confusion.


    *Why is she staring at me? Did I do something?*


    She began to run towards me. She took me in her arms and embraced me. I realized the stature of my body was not quite that of the one in my mind.


    Then she began crying.


    "I''m so glad you''re up now."

 Gifts + Thoughts

    I walked down the dark hallway. The world seemingly unmoving except for me. It was a cold, cold feeling.


    The silence was deafening, not even the hum electricity nor the whistle of the wind could be heard.


    My thoughts began to scatter.


    *What am I doing here?*


    *Where are all the people?*


    *Is this really Millenial City? No? Yes?*


    *Why do I feel unsettled when I try to remember what happened?*


    *Who is that boy and what is his gift?*


    *Why am I the only person here? Wait. That boy is here*


    *Am I forgetting something?* *Try and think what happened before the forest.*


    *Why are there no people here?*


    *Where are all the animals?*


    *What is that thing on the boy''s head? What does it do?*


    *Was there a natural disaster?* *Will we find people if we leave the city?*


    *I don''t want to be alone.*


    My train of thought was suddenly shut down as I walked myself into a wall. I had been walking toward my destination unconsciously that entire time. The silence nearly consuming my mind.


    I looked up to see large industrial doors with yellow text on them.


    >>>STORAGE AREA>>>


    I had reached my destination.


    I checked my surrounding to see if there were signs of people coming here for supplies only to find a plethora of dust on the floors. I looked at the keypad next to the doors look for any signs of damage.


    It looked undamaged so I attempted to use my key code to unlock it expecting it to open as it always had before. Nothing happened.


    I sighed.


    "Of course. The power''s out."


    I stared at the doors intently. As if waiting for them to open by themselves.


    *Maybe it has a delay*


    Is what I thought to myself, but I knew that wasn''t true. The city outside was in ruins it would make sense for its infrastructure to have collapsed also. That meant that all communications to the outside were impossible, that there was no power for miles on end, all basic facilities that were a part of daily life before were unusable.


    *Schlitz*


    *I can''t use that without permission*


    *...*


    *But if no one''s around...*


    *I guess it''s fine, as long as no one gets hurt, I just have to control it*


    My thoughts were against the rules. No, they were strictly prohibited.


    No personnel of the AFPV could use their gift without proper authority. No one could break this rule. All people had a gift, in fact, everyone was born with one. The initial power of a gift isn''t determined at birth either. There are inferior and superior gifts but a person status was never based on the level of their gift. It''s about how you would train the gift you were born with and how it evolved with you and your experiences. However, personnel of the AFPV had trained their gifts to an extent to where there was no chance of an average citizen could challenge them. For this reason, AFPV personnel were never allowed to use their gift in public.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    The AFPV was one of the most respected organizations of the world government for this and many other reasons.


    This was ingrained in my mind. Never. Ever. Use your gift in public.


    From the first day of training to retirement you must never use it in a public area.


    But now things are different.


    Millenial city wasn''t the grand masterpiece of humanity anymore. I either survived here with the kid or died here with the kid. I wasn''t going to abandon the only person for miles to come.


    My mind was focused.


    The area around me glowing a subtle green hue.


    I could feel the energy of the world coursing through me. It had been a while.


    I felt the air around me. Moving even when at its stillest.


    I fixed my gaze on the door.


    I extended my arm, reaching out for the industrial grade doors.


    My palm opening. The closing. Along with it the door crumpling up like paper.


    I brought it forward away from the entrance and tossed it aside. I didn''t need it.


    I stopped the flow of energy running through me. My body immediately feeling slightly heavier.


    The air around me felt stagnant again and the world stood still once again.


    It had been a while since I had used my gift.


    I entered the now open storage area and immediately searched for food and water. I found it on the bottom shelf near the entrance so my time wasn''t wasted looking around the area for supplies. Everything necessary for survival was located near the entrance.


    The only problem was that I had nothing to carry it with.


    I searched around the area. Maybe I was there for hours or for minutes but I searched until I finally found a tarp from who knows when. It was at least a hundred years old but it was still usable.


    I took my newly found tarp and put all the materials necessary for my survival and his.


    I grabbed all I could till I looked like Santa from the Winter Festival and I left to go back to where I left the boy.


    I walked back. The silence still deafening. The items in the tarp only making minimal noise. The air stagnant as though it hadn''t moved at all.


    I almost got lost in my thoughts again. Running into a wall once was enough for me. I had to think about ways to contact other people. All once functioning infrastructures seemed to be down including communications. So our only option was to go out into the forest and travel by foot to the nearest populated area. It was an unsavory option to travel by foot but it seemed to be the best course of action.


    I continued down my path. Walking in the silence not saying a word but silently making a course of action, of course, while looking straight ahead for any stray walls.


    I turn down the last corridor and walk slowing seeing light from the outside seeping into my vision.


    Then I see a shadow, of a little boy.


    I continued walking down and I see him turn to me. His face that of confusion. Perhaps questioning my identity and where he is.


    My joy couldn''t be contained. I had been alone for a bit too long.


    I walked closer to get a better view of him stepping into the light.


    His features gradually becoming clearer until I can see him fully.


    I dropped the tarp on the ground and ran towards him. Tears rolling down my face. I embraced him with both my arms wrapping around his entire body. My mind filled with confusion simply grateful to not be alone anymore.


    *I need to say something. He needs to know that I am not here to harm him in any way.*


    I was trying hard to think of something to say. But my voice acted on instinct. Saying the words that came from the bottom of my heart. Perhaps not sophisticated or the best choice of words. No. Definitely not the best choice of words. I could have said ''nice to see you what''s your name'' or something intelligent. But instead.


    "I''m so glad you''re up now"

 Gods Journal Uthixo(1)

    U: I''ve been looking after Quday''s universe for over two eons now and nothing like this has ever happened. You won''t believe this.


    (Recording device turns towards universe b4)


    U: The inhabitants of a B-class universe found a shard of the Core of the universe. Hah! Can you believe it!


    U: Oh my goodness.


    (Exasperated movements as to emphasize shock, surprise, wonder, and excitement)


    U: Wait let me look closer...


    U: It seems to be quite a weak and feeble species. They seem to enjoy studying the properties of the universe they live in. Quite curious. Let me look back at the logs.


    ...


    U: Huh. They became an atheistic society after they venture past their home planet and sought to colonize their galaxy. They didn''t allow anyone who was partial to faith to colonize past their home planet. This is... quite unsettling.


    (Places fingers on chin)


    U: Hmmm...


    (New being walked into the frame)


    D: Hey Uthixo what are you doing? Wait. Are you recording something? What happened?


    U: Dievs whats up!


    (Proceeds to give high five to Dievs)


    Dievs: Nothing much. So what are you recording?


    (Proceeds to grab recording device and stare straight into it)


    (Uthixo grabs recording device back and lets it float back up)


    U: I found an interesting universe that Quday left behind. It''s only B-class but... wow. It''s inhabitants just did something remarkable.


    D: Huh? What?


    U: They found a shard of the Core.


    D: Oh coo- WAIT! WHAT! YOU DO REALIZE WHAT THAT MEANS RIGHT!


    U: Oh yeah.


    D: We''re going to get a new friend!


    (Dievs grins like a child)


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.U: Yeah! But... look at them. They''ve only just got it. They have no idea how to harness its power.


    D: That''s true. But if they head the right route they''ll be one of the most powerful species within any universe.


    U: Yeah. That''s for sure. But we got to do work Dievs. I can''t record forever.


    D: Yeah. I got my own to attend to. Well, I could only stop by for a bit Uthixo. See you at game night.


    (Waves bye)


    U: Yeah! See you there!


    (Waves back.)


    U: Huh. I should probably keep the logs active for now so we can record what happens to our soon to be friends


    Beginning of history logs for Universe b4


    ----------NOTICE: Tracking shard of core and its effects on the species classified and HUMANITY


    ------HUMANITY: Rank C as of first entry ---- Able to harness the energy of multiple stars as well as manipulate space-time


    ..... Shard has been procured by Human ship - Phailaav 2


    ... Shard had been ordered to be delivered to the home colony of Planet Earth


    ... Shard had been taken to Planet Vikasit illegally


    ... Shard had touched down on Planet Vikasit


    ... Humans of Planet Vikasit have declared themselves independent of Earth


    ... The humans of Planet Vikasit have gained a slight understanding of the shard and are attempting to harness Core Energy


    ... Humans of Planet Vikasit have successfully achieved independence from Earth


    ... Planet Vikasit cut off communications with the rest of the galaxy


    ... The Galatic Alliance is formed Planet Vikasit had opted out


    ... Planet Vikasit prevents travel onto and off the planet


    ... Planet Vikasit has been erased from star maps across the universe declared as a dead planet


    ... The humans of Planet Vikasit have harnessed Core Energy successfully but have failed to understand it


    ... An experiment regarding the shard goes wrong, wipes out 1032345/1154679 of the population on Planet Vikasit


    ... The Core Energy of the shard has been absorbed by the inhabitants of Planet Vikasit


    -Shard now devoid of energy


    ... Planet Vikasit has undergone unknown changes


    - Changes of Planet Vikasit have not been seen before


    - Unable to identify changes to inhabitants


    ... Inhabitants of Planet Vikasit undergone unforeseen changes due to energy from the shard


    ... Planet Vikasit has begun redeveloping civilization


    ---End of current log


    ----------NOTICE: Will now display statistics of HUMANITY


    -------HUMANITY:


    -----TWO SUBSPECIES


    ---Humanity (Galactic): Rank B as of last entry ---- Are able to harness energy found in space-time as well as their home galaxy.


    --Expected growth: Rank A


    ---Humanity (Vikasit): Rank B as of last entry ---- Are a developing culture. Have the technology of Rank C but are able to harness the energy of Core as well as have had unexpected changes to the entire planet due to exposure to Core Energy.


    --Expected growth: Rank ???F ???///////////////

 Conversation

    The girl went and hugged me out of the blue and while it was unpleasant for me it was unpleasant for someone, or maybe something else.


    "I''m so glad you''re up now"


    Those words were the first I heard from another human being to the extent of my knowledge. I could understand what she was saying.


    "Ah..."


    "Huuuuhhhh"


    I tried to vocalize myself but all that came out was jibberish and nonsense.


    She looked at me with confused eyes. Her face gave away her obvious confusion.


    "Are you okay? Can you speak?"


    *Yes! I can speak words. I can understand them too!*


    "Yuuueeesuuuu"


    "Boy? Can you speak?"


    I was determined to say my first words.


    *I will communicate!*


    "Ssssssssss-"


    "Sssss-?"


    "Sssssssss- ?Si yo hablo! ?Hablo muy bien! Soy como ... ?el mejor en hablar!


    *I did it! I said my first words! I''m so good at this! Wait. Why does she look confused.*


    "Uuuuuuuuummmmmmmm..."


    I tilt my head sideways. I was sure that I responded to her correctly.


    "Kid. What language are you speaking? I''ve never heard it before. Do you happen to speak common?"


    *Huh? I didn''t speak the correct language? What''s ''common''?*


    I search my limited memories searching for this ''common'' language and I remembered seeing it on that transparent blue screen in my mind.


    *Huh. I guess there really is a language called common. If people only speak one language then why do we need so many?*


    "ANSWER. The people of Vikasit had developed multiple new languages after an unknown incident causing the collapse of civilization. Because there were only a small number of people on the planet at the time and many unique languages developed in different regions that eventually came together to create ''Common''. These unique languages are still used today in local areas around the planet. However even though many of the ancient languages died out we are still able to read, write, and speak them as they were thousands of years ago due to advances in technology and technology from the ancients."Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    The voice of the light entered my head once again and although sudden not frightening as its words were so foreign anymore. However, something still lingered in my mind.


    *What exactly are you light?*


    I don''t know why I called out to it. I don''t know why I expected an answer. But I sure as hell got one.


    "I am Drive A.I. Autumn. I am here for the purpose of running The Drive actively so you don''t have to as well as answer any questions you may have."


    *Huh? What''s a Drive?*


    "Have you looked at or felt the right side of your head?"


    *...*


    "Well, I guess not since you don''t seem clueless about your own existence as well. But it seems like you have someone else to get back to. I''ll talk to you later!"


    While my face may not have contorted outside inside my head it sure did. The light''s voi-. No. Autumns tone made me really annoyed for some reason.


    "Hey, are you okay?"


    The girl that I was talking to was now really close to my face. Startled I feel back.


    "Woah there bud. You okay?"


    I stared at her silently for a moment. Collecting my thoughts.


    "Y-yeah... I''m fine..."


    Her face shifted into a something of joy. No. It was worse. It gave me chills. Her face turned slightly red and her mouth curling into a suppressed smile.


    "Oh my god! You''re so damn cute! Even your voice is adorable!"


    My emotions went straight from confused to annoyed. It was as if I had dealt with this situation before. Acting on nothing but instincts.


    "I don''t know what you''re saying who''s cute?"


    I turned my face away and frowned. It just seemed natural.


    "Awwwww. Don''t be like that bud. I gotta ask you questions anyway~"


    Her voice annoyed me. I didn''t move.


    She sighed.


    "Fine bud. Let the questions begin. For starters. What is that disk looking thing on your head?


    *Huh? What''s on my head?*


    I took my hands and reached for my head. I felt something on my head. It was round and flat. It had a circular groove in it and its edges were sharp.


    *Is that the thing Autumn was talking about? The Drive*


    "Yes. It is"


    Autumn voice started me once again this time my body jumping reacting and falling onto the ground.


    The girl moved behind me in an instant, catching me.


    "Bud, you okay? Can''t go dying on me the moment I meet you now"


    "Yeah..."


    Her face made that expression once again. I couldn''t back away this time so I just looked away and answered her question.


    "It''s The Drive"


    Her face showed confusion once again. Then changing between disbelief and doubt. As if she was just given information that seemed completely implausible.


    "Oh. So you must be from that place?"


    This time my face showed confusion.


    *What place? What is she talking about? There are more places?*


    Her face changed back to normal and then she cast a smile at me.


    "Nevermind. Don''t worry your little head about it. Big sis''ll keep you safe."


    I couldn''t help but trust her. She was the first person I had ever met. My trust in her would be unbreaking even if she hadn''t said that, but her words made me feel something I hadn''t in a long time, perhaps for the first time. A feeling of family.


    <hr>


    Meanwhile in The Drive:


    A: Wow. I knew he told me that he wouldn''t remember anything but he doesn''t even remember me how rude!


    (Autumn rolls down on her back and shakes her legs in annoyance)


    (She then sit back into a normal position)


    A: Meh. Whatever. It''s not like he restricted me that much. I mean... look!


    A: He already found a capable contestant to be his partner! And she''s one of the most developed from then!


    A: But then again she wouldn''t remember anything either. But it is unusual that he lost ALL of his memories.


    (Autumn puts her hands up and lays back down.)


    A: Perhaps they deemed him too dangerous. I mean... he did make the drive even without their help.


    A: Ugh talking to myself is so BORING! When can I be let out?!


    (Autumn shoots up)


    A: I know! Maybe I''ll talk to that girl! She seems to make better conversation than he does right now!


    (Autumn contemplates what to do)


    A: But I''ll have to do it when he''s not aware of me... I''ll have to do it when he''s asleep.


    (An evil grin grows onto Autumn''s face)


    A: MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA. i''m so dead if i get caught.


    <hr>

 The Boy

    I embraced the boy with both my arms. I couldn''t stop the tears from rolling down my face.


    *I should probably let go of him. This is bad for my image. But... just a bit longer.*


    I kept latched onto him. He was my only companion. I was so glad not to be alone. But then something happened.


    The disk on the side of his head turned a light red. Not the disk but rather a ring that went was engraved into the disk. As if it was telling me that I should let go. I wasn''t welcome to touch him.


    I didn''t want to but something told me I had to or someone, maybe something was going to come after me. I finally had to let go.


    "Ah..."


    "Huuuuhhhh"


    *What is he doing?*


    The boy was in front of me. It seemed like he tried to speak to me but the words didn''t come out. No. Almost like they couldn''t come out. Like he just learned a language and was attempting to figure out all the sounds.


    "Are you okay? Can you speak?" I asked him.


    He gave me a determined look. I wasn''t exactly sure what he was thinking.


    *Maybe he didn''t understand me?*


    "Yuuueeesuuuu"


    *Scratch that I think he did understand me but he may not be able to speak*


    I gave a deep sigh in my head


    *This is going to be tough*


    "Boy? Can you speak?"


    *If he can''t speak I''m going to have to teach him how to speak because a communication barrier like this will be the end of me one day. Even if I do have people with me.*


    My face gave off a bit of disappointment. It really hit me that I wouldn''t be able to have a proper conversation with anyone since the boy couldn''t speak. It really sucked. I hate being alone.


    "Ssssssssss-"


    "Sssss-?


    The boy began to make sounds again. I repeated after him to push him along. My hope for conversation was reignited. If he could speak then I would be able to actually have a conversation, and maybe learn who he is. Actually, I really wanted to know who he is. A kid this cute couldn''t have stayed hidden for so long. He would''ve naturally been picked up by an agency that would make him a star. But that was secondary to keeping him alive. It doesn''t matter who someone was if they''re dead.


    "Sssssssss- ?Si yo hablo! ?Hablo muy bien! Soy como ... ?el mejor en hablar!"


    My face turns to immediate confusion.


    "Uuuuuuuuummmmmmmm..."


    *Oh my goodness! What did he just say! I didn''t understand a word! I''m so confused right now. I picked up a kid on the street who happens to be the only person alive withing miles and he speaks a language that makes no sense. I don''t get it. Why...*


    My expression became one of confusion and slight despair.


    Then his expression turns to one of confusion. I look back at him thinking, *Maybe he''s also confused on why I don''t speak his language. I''ll ask him one more question and see if he really doesn''t understand me.*


    "Kid. What language are you speaking? I''ve never heard it before. Do you happen to speak common?"


    His face became even more confused.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    *Okay. He reacted to my words so I''m sure he can hear me. But can he understand me? It seems like when I said common he became more confused*


    I look at the boy once intently this time examining his facial expression and well as that little disk on his forehead. That thing was a mystery to me. I had never seen anything like it before, anywhere. It didn''t seem decorative since it gave off a glow when I was hugg- embracing him.


    *Wait. Why is he frozen?*


    The boy seemed to have stopped moving. His eyes still open, his expression still confused. He was like a statue. I waved my hands in front of him with no reaction. I did the chicken dance, no reaction. I ran towards him and stopped before I hit him, no reaction.


    *What is wrong with this kid? First, he doesn''t speak ''common'' and then he freezes?*


    I stayed in front of him. Lowering my head to look at his face.


    He really was a cute kid. I wouldn''t mind having him as a brother. Maybe even when he was older... I banished such thoughts from my mind. They would only corrupt my view of this innocent child.


    I examined his face intently. Out of boredom looking at his outstanding features. His midnight blue hair, beautiful brown skin, his eyes-


    My thoughts were interrupted by the boy''s sudden movement. He seemed to out of his trance.


    "Hey, are you okay?"


    He fell back as soon as he saw me. Perhaps staying that close to his face wasn''t such a good idea.


    "Woah there bud. You okay?"


    He was silent for a moment


    "Y-yeah... I''m fine..."


    *His voice is so cute! How have I never heard of this boy before?!*


    My face changed to match my emotions, his adorable levels were off the charts at this point and anyone who couldn''t smile was not human. But that was just my opinion.


    "Oh my god! You''re so damn cute! Even your voice is adorable!"


    He looked flustered. However, it didn''t seem like he understood his emotions. He was so pure! I had to protect him. He was my only companion and beyond adorable too, what else could someone ask for?


    "I don''t know what you''re saying whose cute?"


    He turned away from me with an annoyed expression.


    *Awwwww. He''s shy. But I can''t let that distract me. No matter how cute he is I have to know what''s going on. And who he is. And what the hell the disk thing on his head is cause it sure as hell wasn''t normal. And where I can visit him when I''m lonely after we get back to civilization.*


    "Awwwww. Don''t be like that bud. I gotta ask you questions anyway~"


    My tone of voice clearly that of an adult speaking to a child. He didn''t move. He still seemed mad that I called him cute. So I decided that I had to talk seriously with this kid. I sighed.


    "Fine bud. Let the questions begin. For starters. What is that disk looking thing on your head?"


    I decided that I should start with the seemingly least important question. But his reaction was unexpected. His face had an expression of confusion on it. Almost as if he didn''t know that there was something on his head as well.


    He looked at me for a second and then lifted his hand toward his head placing it on the object attached to his head. He moved his hand around feeling it. As though it was something foreign that he had never known about before. Then he suddenly jumped back for seemingly no reason whatsoever.


    I wasn''t going to have a potential injury happen to my only companion as soon I met him either. I used my gift.


    I felt the energy of the world flow through me. The wind encouraging me to move forward as I lunged to save the boy. It all happened in an instant. I slight green glow came off my body and then it went back to normal.


    "Bud, you okay? Can''t go dying on me the moment I meet you now"


    "Yeah..."


    His cuteness just made me smile again. He seemed uncomfortable with my expression so he simply looked away and answered my question.


    "It''s The Drive"


    *What.*


    I had entered a state of confusion. A Drive is something that a person can''t get unless they belong to Hill Grove.


    *That''s completely impossible. If this kid really has a drive then he could destroy me in an instant. It doesn''t seem like he remembers anything though.*


    Disrespecting a person from Hill Grove was the same as disrespecting the government.


    "Oh. So you must be from that place?"


    My tone changed from an adult talking to a child to a subordinate talking to a superior.


    However, it didn''t seem like he understood my question. Perhaps he really did have memory loss?


    *If he really does have memory loss then he also probably doesn''t remember how to properly use a drive. If he uses that thing then he could topple whatever''s left of Millenial City right here, right now. But he acts like a child now.*


    My confusion had reached a peak. What was a person of Hill Grove doing in the street and was he with me in a ruined Millenial City? These were the kind of thoughts filling my head.


    I looked at the boy again his face towards me curious about my expression.


    *I gotta be a good role model. Even if he is from Hill Grove he''s only a kid right now. I have to be responsible*


    I cast my best smile to comfort him and myself.


    "Nevermind. Don''t worry your little head about it. Big sis''ll keep you safe."


    His face showed trust in me now. I could see it in his eyes. He truly believed that I would keep him safe. That I would be with him the whole time. That I would be his big sister.


    I shouldn''t have said that. That may have been my biggest mistake. The amount of pain that I had to go through for those words. The amount of pain that we would have to go through for those words. Throughout my entire existence, those were the few words that changed the course of my life and all of Vikasit''s along with it. The entire universe''s fate had changed, just because I saved a boy lying on the street and said a few words.


    But even looking back at all that happened because of that indirect promise. I regret nothing.

 The Sky

    I couldn''t believe that this little boy on that I had found on the streets of a ruined Millenial City had a Drive. It wasn''t even shaped like a normal Drive! A Drive is usually shaped to fit a person''s gift and amplify its power. I''d never heard of a Drive shaped like a disk and slapped onto someone''s head.


    A sudden realization came to me.


    *Wait. Don''t they say that to get a Drive you have to be a high ranking Medina? Near the top of the top?*


    There were two methods of getting a Drive on Vikasit.


    The first method was to be a high ranking Medina in The AFPV, and that means an eight, nine star Medina. There was only one ten star Medina and that person was the one who began the Hill Grove unit. A legend in himself.


    The second, and needless to say harder, way to get a Drive, was to perform an act of extreme merit and courage. Those were the more common cases. These people had sacrificed much to save millions of people. Saving cities and ending disasters because of their decisive actions.


    I looked back at the boy who was now staring at me intently.


    "Hey sis? Are you ok?"


    I winced at his words.


    "Yeah. I''m fine. Are you hungry bud?"


    *I had been staring into nothingness for a bit now. He''d obviously be concerned. Even though he has a Drive he still a child.*


    "How do you feel hungry?"


    I looked at him confusedly.


    *W-What...*


    "Um... it''s like that feeling you get in your tummy that knaws at you saying, ''gimme food!''"


    I made hand motions of acted like a monster to add emphasis. It seemed to work as he seemed amused and laughed. His laugh was nice. It was the first time I saw him acting happy since I saw him. But to be fair the first time I saw him awake was a couple minute before.


    He finished laughing.


    "Yeah. I have that feeling in my stomach for a while now. I was wondering what it was but I thought it was normal?"


    I couldn''t help but feel pity. It was as if he had never been full before. Even though I didn''t want to show the pity on my face but it was there clear as day.


    *This kid is so confusing. He doesn''t know anything about anything. I''m surprised he can even speak. Rather how the hell can he speak multiple languages but doesn''t know what hunger is? Is that really a Drive on his head? A status symbol for heroes?*Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    "Here. I''ll get you some food."


    "Ok?"


    *His response was in such a questioning tone. I bet that he''ll ask what food is next. I better just go and grab the tarp so I can give him a meal.*


    Before he could say anything I turned around and went to grab the tarp with all of the supplies. My walking speed faster than usual as I really didn''t want to answer what food was and how to eat. I swear that was what he was going to ask next.


    I reached the tarp and swung it over my shoulder. I looked like Santa again. I walked back to reach the table I laid the boy on.


    I opened the tarp. Inside a bunch of sealed brown bags.


    "Here kid. Come and grab one."


    "No questions just grab one. I''ll tell you how to eat them after you grab one."


    I could see he was about to ask a question by the look on his face.


    "..."


    "Ok."


    He walked toward the table and scanned all the bags. He grabbed the bag with the wording


    >VEGGIE OMELET>


    *OH GOD. I CAN''T LET THE KID EAT THAT*


    I quickly grabbed a bag with a name I didn''t even read that was right next to the bag the kid grabbed.


    "Hey, kid? I don''t know if you want that one how about you trade with me?"


    He looked at the bag he grabbed and then looked straight at me.


    "No. It says good luck."


    I could feel annoyance running through my body.


    *I realize he''s a kid and he seemingly doesn''t know anything BUT IN WHAT LANGUAGE DOES THAT SAY GOOD LUCK!*


    I wasn''t in the mood to do anything so I decided to give up and let him accept his fate. I still didn''t want him to eat that but I wasn''t going to force him to do anything. I give a sigh.


    "Okay. Whatever."


    *Like hell I''m letting him eat sh*t!"


    I quickly swipe the bag from him and toss him the one in my hands.


    I take the bottom and crush it with my hands. A bubbling sound came from the bag. It lasted for a couple of seconds and then it stopped. The food was cooked.


    I open the top of the brown bag to see an orange chunk in the bag. I grab a spoon from the tarp and scarf it down with a do or die mentality.


    It tasted awful. It was like someone puked in a bag, condensed it, put an edible plastic film over it with chemicals that would definitely kill a normal person and stuffed it in a bag calling it an omelet. That had to be the worst thing I ever tasted. I could barely take the first few bites.


    I look at the kid. He gave me a weird look. As if I did something really stupid, but then he went off and copied me.


    He crushed the bottom of the bag with a strength that a kid of his size definitely shouldn''t have. A bubbling sound emerged from the bag and while that was happening he went and grabbed a spoon and held it exactly the way I did.


    The moment the bubbling sound stopped he opened the bag and looked inside it. I looked at the lettering on the side of the bag.


    >VEGGIE OMELET>


    *Oh god*


    My face contorted to an expression of despair. I was about to let the kid die because of food the moment I met him.


    He takes the spoon and grabs a bit of food and puts it in his mouth. He pauses for a second.


    *I let him die~*


    I was about to cry, as most people who ate >VEGGIE OMELET> ate it as a dare or punishment and had to go to an emergency room and undergo therapy.


    But then he took another bite. And then another bite. As if he was savoring and enjoying it. A smile appeared on his face while he chewed. I couldn''t believe it.


    *Oh god. Oh my goodness. What kind of monster is that kid? What has he gone through to enjoy the veggie omelet? Oh god.*


    My shock carried me outside of the tower. I needed some fresh air. As I reached the outside I noticed something odd. Something I should''ve have taken notice of earlier. It hasn''t changed since I got here.


    I walk outside and look up at the sky searching for the sun to find a red sky. As if stuck in perpetual dawn and dusk. The blue skies you could find all over Vikasit replaced with blood.

 A Dream

    *The lady said she was my sister? I have a sister? I have a sister!*


    I was unimaginably happy at that moment. I had found my first family and although those words were only a vague promise they meant the world to me.


    In the span of a couple minutes, she had made my world. She gave me my first laughs and my first meal since I had woken. I felt this feeling in my chest. It was warm and I couldn''t describe it with words. I think that was some congestion cause of the food.


    The orange stuff she gave me was apparently food. I couldn''t really describe it at that time but since it was the first thing that I ate I naturally liked it. I really don''t know why she didn''t want me to eat it at that time.


    After watching me eat she had an expression of helplessness on her face. I didn''t understand why she had that expression but I kept eating and finished. I looked back at her. She was looking at the sky. It was such a beautiful and horrifying sight. As if the sky was bleeding and the cloud, motionless and contaminated. It had an eerie beauty that gave you chills. A sky forever still.


    But I was soon taken over by a feeling of sleepiness. The feeling of being filled inducing my sleep.


    I tried to resist but it was futile. I slowly laid myself on the ground and closed my eyes.


    ...


    I was back in the dark expanse.


    Half light and half darkness.


    Suddenly I see a girl in her teens with burning orange hair and a dainty figure. Her eyes were a deep red-orange and skin a healthy white. She wore a simple white dress that went all the way to her feet. It was as if she was made rather than born.


    "Uuuuhhhh... Don''t mind me. I''ll be leaving now."


    Then she vanishes along with the light that took up have of the expanse in my mind.


    The entirety of the expanse that I wandered in was now dark. I saw no point in continuing motion either. The entire thing was pointless.


    *I should just stay here and contemplate everything*


    And so I did. I floated in the darkness in a fetal position. Just thinking.


    But nothing came to mind and eventually it was silence. Everything was silence. Then I faded.


    ----------


    *Where am I?*


    *Oh yeah. Today is the conference, isn''t it?*


    *Ugh*


    I jumped out of my bed and onto the floor. I stretch and then take a look around.


    I look to the mirror on the wall of my room. And I see my figure. That of a healthy eighteen-year-old man.


    I point to myself in the mirror.


    "Oh yeah. Looking good me."


    I walk into the bathroom to do my daily routine.


    Brush my teeth. Shave my nonexistent facial hair. Take a shower. Admire myself in the mirror and my nonexistent facial hair. Flex in the mirror to reaffirm my confidence after realizing once again that I''ll never have the facial hair of a man.


    The usual. But today I had a conference. I had to wear something nice. So I walked out of the bathroom with my hygiene at its highest level and go to my closet. I proceeded to grab my nicest t-shirt and a pair of pants.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "Ready."


    I walked out of my room and into the living room to sit on a couch and be lazy.


    *Today is supposed to be my lazy day. I don''t wanna go to the conference. I already spend half my time researching and now they say it''s for ''public morale''. Public morale my a--*


    My sister entered the room and walked next to me. She sat down.


    "Hey man. I know it''s supposed to be your day off but you know that you gotta go. Don''t look so down. You don''t even have to say who you are. You literally find the new recruits and then you walk out of there with them. And I''ll be with you through all of that."


    Everything she said was right. I was complaining too much. I just walk in, wave, grab whoever I need to, and leave. No talking at the conference with a bunch of hotheads who want to claim our glory. Just the bare minimum.


    I turn myself so I''m hanging off the couch. I can see the screen across from me and a table in front of my view.


    "Yeah. You''re right. I just don''t wanna talk to all those pompous a--es. WE ended that damned war so they don''t have a right to speak as they do."


    "..."


    She stared at me with pitiful eyes. I knew what she was thinking. I don''t know how but I just knew. I looked at her from my upside down position.


    Her black eyes and midnight blue hair. Her beautiful brown skin just like mine. We could''ve made a living off our looks but instead, here we were. In this small town, we accidentally turned into the most powerful place on earth.


    I had to change the subject. I could see that she was about to comment again so I picked a random topic.


    "So what are the new recruits going to be like. Are there any interesting ones or is it another batch of ''meh''?"


    Her face changed visibly to one of interest. She seemed excited to talk about this.


    "Actually that''s why I came here. There was this one girl in the batch which stands out. It says that her gift is manipulation. At least that''s what they called it on the report. When I looked into it she seems to be able to manipulate the world with the same energy that you use."


    My expression changed to surprise and curiosity.


    *Someone who can use and feel the same energy as me? That''s a first.*


    "Tell me her name. I''ll pick her up personally."


    "Oh. Her name is ..."


    ----------


    Then everything turned to black.


    I was back in the empty space.


    *What was that? Who am I? I have to do something! I have to tell her!*


    Then in front of me, I saw myself. But it wasn''t really me. It was the me that I saw in that vision. That dream.


    "You aren''t supposed to know this yet."


    His voice was almost ethereal. As if omnipotent.


    "Wait. What am I! Who am I?!"


    He looked at me and smiled. A gaze of pity.


    "Wow. You''re so childish. Like the purest version of me imaginable. I wish that you could stay like this forever.


    He sighed.


    "But you can''t.


    His face turned scary. Threatening.


    "I locked away those memories for a reason. You can''t know any of this yet. It''s too soon. You have to have a fresh start. Autumn will be your biggest help.


    "Knowing her she''s probably talking to -your- sister. Right about now."


    I look at him confused.


    "Huh?"


    He sighed once again.


    "I thought I''d get that reaction."


    He looked at me once again with a gaze of pity. This time the immense sadness in his heart could be felt.


    "I''m so sorry that I have to do this."


    He stared at me straight in the eyes and raised one hand.


    A glow came from his hands. As if it contained the energy of the entire world in it. It seemed to break reality itself.


    The expanse which I had to comfort me all this time was shaking, as if on the verge of collapse. I felt an impending feeling of dread.


    The expanse started to shift. The black started to consume me. I didn''t want this.


    "N-No. NO! NNNNOOOO!"


    He continued to look straight at me with his pitying eyes. Unfeeling.


    I reached my arm out but the darkness took hold and ate it whole.


    "Stop! I don''t wanna forget! Please!"


    At this point, tears were flowing. I was desperately struggling with the darkness that once comforted me. I didn''t want to forget. I couldn''t forget. This was my only clue to who I was.


    "Please."


    I was sobbing. My face was a mess and all I could see was his unchanging, unfeeling gaze. That cold gaze. The look of someone who had been seen countless deaths and created more than he had seen. The gaze of The Grim Reaper.


    "I''m so sorry. This has to happen."


    Everything was consumed except my head. The tears wouldn''t stop. I couldn''t move. There was no escape.


    "I''ll be seeing you soon enough though. I''ll explain what I can then.


    "Good-bye"


    The white glow that surrounded his extended hand grew brighter. Until it was nearly solid.


    Then he closed it. His hand turned to a fist.


    It ate me whole. I was completely surrounded in darkness. Unable to move.


    Then the pain started. The unending pain. It was worse than learning languages. As if my entire being was being thrown into a star forcefully bending and contorting to trap the most heat. As though wires in my brain were being forcefully pulled around and destroyed then rebuilt again. Over and over and over and over. Till I couldn''t feel any longer.


    Everything was as it was before. I drifted through the void. Ignorant of what had just occurred. The incident wiped from my mind.


    My existence still unclear.