waking up.

opening my eyes I saw a green tent roof.

the bed below me was soft like a pillow my left arm was numb but I could feel my right... with a heavy feeling on my chest, I tried to move and was unable too.

coming to grips with maybe being hurt worse than I thought I began to panic.

that is until I heard a sweet giggle it was refreshing but after having the struggle I did with my mental self coming to grips.

I knew I was my own worst enemy.

I am not getting in my way again!

Lala: About time.

Hearing Lala's voice to my right.

my eyes teared up and I could only muster two words...

Rico: I'm sorry...

Lala: no you are not.

I sent you alone because I knew what was happening... papa gets like that sometimes.

Although he said it's because his soul is damned by the faces he has taken life from.

The doctor called it PTSD, I think?

*her words stuck in my side like thorns, making me speak again but holding nothing back.*

Rico: I came to a realization...

Lala: and that is?

Rico: I am not sorry to anyone but those around me right now... I am greedy when it comes to this world.

I am happy with the world this way.

I don't wish it to go back like all the others and for that I am sorry.

Lala: yep papa said you would snap out of it.

at least my tort... I mean training was successful.

*with a bit of a red face having given up her secret Lala stayed quiet while a few others walked in and the ones in my room began to wake.*

Monica: hey runt, we have all been worried about you.

it was only a hunting mission here i thought you died... even lala got worried thinking she killed you.

oh yeah speaking of lala we will arrive in the main city in about two days the general said.

As for you, these four though were so worried about you that they have taken care of you since the day you crawled back into camp.

Vivian: ah I see you are awake a few days sooner than I thought!

Fin: ah good you woke up aye kid, it's been a minute since I've seen you in the smith I've learned a bit since last we met!

Rico: I see... I am sorry to have worried you all.

Fin: worried us little one No, you outright struck fear in us kid.

Yep and then Mr.winter and general Cross came and we had to pack it up Aye Ye made it back just in time.

Rico: ah I see I am glad.

Rory: Is that all you have to say?

*rubbing her eyes after waking up Rory glared at me.

looking around I saw the eyes of everyone in the room and more than realization hit me.

love washed over me each person here was in their own way showing they cared if even a bit they showed it.

steeling my resolve I kissed her on the forehead and then spoke clearly and loudly!*

Rico: apologies are not enough so I will make you all a promise.

'I will never let it happen again!'

I have been putting my own selfishness first thinking that only I was trying to survive...

I know that I am not alone.

Being honest I... regret not being able to help mother or sister but this world.

this thing, this apocalypse, this hell that I am striving in now I love it and I am sorry about those words but what's lost is lost.

I will not search for a way to return it to before.

*looking at everyone sternly a few averted their gazes but the ones who understood me had firm gazes also.

Lala, Vivian, Rory and a man I had not seen in a long time... my father.

they all had looks of resolve, then I noticed that i forgot to say something!*

Rico: Ah also I forgot to mention.

I evolved.

*with stares of disbelief at my words from in front of me Lala spoke.*

Lala: that explains the horns...

*it seems everyone knew but were more shocked than I knew after about an hour of reminiscing everyone except my father. *

Winter: I hope you understand that the path you wish to take is rocky and unforgiving...

*I tried to speak first but he was quicker, I know he is not my father Winter Dee Silver.

But this was the only man I knew by name that was the first thing.

I vowed to change.

especially since I had spent true time with these people treating them like the ground they walk on is gold was not an option.

They taught me, fed me, and even believed in me when I gave up.

Mulling over my father's first words.

He looked at me as I thought long and hard for about two whole minutes.

We sat silently everyone has left and i stuttering before I spoke.*

Rico: I remember what you and mom always told me.

When I was growing up...

"There are always paths ahead but you can only choose one way to go."

I haven't chosen my path... it chose me!

Winter: It seems you faced your tribulation of evolution.

For now, just call me mister winter, I will call you Rico, As you know We are no longer father and son...

He may be the owner of this husk but, I am currently its user.

Rico: I... although I don't quite understand.

I can accept It.

Winter: I assume you already figured out who I am.

From this point on you will be allowed to choose to enlist and help the UWG, or go it alone.

don't choose now think it over In what way you will go but don't thinm too hard or long.

Rico: Yes King Solomon.

Winter: I am Not the true owner of this vessel yet.

Nor, are you a pillar of Solomon.

There is a long time before this world is ready.

I know this will be rather painful to hear but he grows impatient.

You are his son still and he has been allowed to hold his wife and daughter.

He says to hold no guilt or regrets!

Rico: Right!

I will get back to you with my answer soon...

Winter: I will take my leave, We are still moving so since they put some new clothes into the drawer for you.

Get up and make use of yourself!

Rico: yes sir. thank you!

* with that Solomon and I had a small understanding, one that words were not needed.

This was the best option as we both had our own agendas yet we both had a common goal and that is to survive.

he didn't need to say it but he raised this boy to one day be a man and today was the day I chose to become that man!

Getting dressed I got ready to leave instead of the normal camo pattern, I got a soft-looking male's Wuxia kimono.

It was not tight but I felt comfortable, I have gotten quite chunky, and much more toned than I used to be.

∆∆A/N google this copy-paste style∆∆

https://www.google.com/search?q=chinese+wuxia+clothing&tbm=isch&hl=en&chips=q:chinese+wuxia+clothing, g_1:swordsman+japanese&tbs=qdr:w&client=ms-android-tmus-us-revc&prmd=isvn&hl=en&ved=2ahUKEwjfvKrq36_nAhU8HzQIHSqSCUEQ3Z8EegQIARAC&biw=424&bih=390#imgrc=HQstA2m-4qu6HM

∆∆see it looks nice!∆∆

*The clothes had such a fresh feeling not knowing what caused these clothes to be the main choice.

I didn't mind them for they fit oddly well and had a soothing feel, the shoes were simple leather wrap shoes.

like the medieval leather boots with the strap and all... I could just lie and say this was nice but in truth, I felt majestic!

With that, I walked out of the tent, confidence in the bag.

My emotions had been attacking me every day...

Having no idea what to expect?*

When I stepped from the tent

I got was a military camp slash mash unit like a hospital camp.

There were people hustling a moving with somewhere to be others had wounds and a lot of people are arguing In front of a giant board.

looking around I see we are not in Kansas anymore, it was for a fact never Kansas but California.

I was not where I had been originally!

From the key ingredient A giant red bridge, I am going to say this is probably San Francisco... we seem to have traveled a long way?

how long was I out!?

Noticing that there is a beautiful mural painted that depicted world war two.

I came to a full stop mentally this was the San Francisco Presidio military bunker on my left looking into the ocean I see the bridge turning around looking into the land.

I see military housing, tents, bunkers, and a small village like a city that stood proud even after the apocalypses mana changed the composition of things.

It was slightly more spread out and the hills were taller by a few hundred Feet.

We were on the opposite side of the bridge and we are in the center on the grass field.

There is a big tent bigger than anything I had seen before almost like a huge circus tent but even bigger!

It was pretty much a stadium!

not knowing where everyone had gone I set my sites on it laughing at the fact that I feel like a villain.

Looking over the formalities I looked at the landscape, thinking about how to go about things.

I will not stand in the way, so let's go with the gut!

I will do like I did before and just walk In!

After a long walk which was rather straight forward.

Passing all the green tents and refugees, or people clad in security gear?

When you are by the shore but hills and such make it a trial of land.

The walk seemed longer, I was about two buildings from the tent when I watched a crowd enter.

There were guards put to guard the front which made me think twice about just walking in...

Watching for a minute I saw another group of three people walk up!

He showed a badge and was let in thinking I needed to get in, either way, I waited for the next group.

A tall man and two ladies walked up the man caught my attention waving me over not really noticing.

he saw me, and made a grander motion point directly at me!

he turned to me and spoke.*

???: you boy come here!

* being startled the guards noticed me and I blurted out.*

Rico: Yes Sir, what can I do for you?

???: for one, you can do your job.

you are the helper sent here to assist me right.

*taking full advantage I nodded yes the man grabbed my shoulder ushering me in.*

when we entered the tent I was treated with the utmost kindness... nope just kidding that man was rude and treated me like a slave turns out.*

*He was a scientist that the government had and this tent was just a huge briefing dome there was a bay door here.

Below them a bunker that was being used for something that even He didn't dare talk about, at his direction I and a few others helped him move his gear.

I was kept close to someone at all times and was not allowed to listen to his conversations not like he tried to hide it the blustering snob.

he was pretentious and was an all-around ass hole.

he had me mainly move equipment but he never once talked to me!

he just shouted and the assistant gave Us the instructions, like we didn't totally understand or hear his screaming voice!*

*After a long while, I had finally gotten what I needed from him I heard there was a conference.

They were all to attend that all the personnel, scientists, and branch chiefs would be present.

I took note of that and continued working as if I was supposed to be here about an hour before the meeting.

I was dismissed by the assistant of his she gave me a small coin with an insignia of the military.

•¥●¡●¥●¡●♡●¡●¡

I was about to leave when I saw a glimpse of my father walking with a man in a suit he looked oddly familiar.

calling out to my father as we agreed.*

Rico: mister winter! good day!

*he noticed me and motioned me to come over so I did.*

Winter: I see you ha e made your decision.

Rico: Yes, but that is not why I came here.

Winter: ah I see. well, Donald, this is Rico!

Donald: yes hello I am Donald Mayweather, nice to meet you, young man.

Rico: Rico Nemorensis Silver, pleased to meet you also.

Donald: I thought you said your family died, Eh Winter?

What an odd head dress?

Rico: ah coincidence we are not related!

Winter: he is an acquaintance though so, Natalie could you please go ahead and take the day off.

I will have him accompany us.

Natalie: yes sir...

Winter: do not fret my dear here is today's pay go enjoy yourself, I hear they just opened the bar in town.

Natalie: Yes sir thank you.

*with that the girl hiding behind my father that I had not seen left with a bit of an ill look and with a few glares at me added in.*

Winter: let's go to the conference it should be starting soon.

*Noticing the arm He grabbed It was covered in wounds.

I realized it was far more tattered then the other maybe this arm is bad luck or something?

I was a drug around again certainly less like a slave and more of a tag-along kid on a leash.

after I was let go I was sent to a corner while mister Donald and winter sat down at a chair.

Noticing I was not the only one standing but was the only one dressed in these clothes besides Thomas who noticed me and fist bumped the air.

he did not wave but simply fist bumped and nodded his head.

I followed suit gently nodding and looking around.

I don't know when but the room seemed to be different more high tech like a high tech conference room!

Where did they even get the screen?

I seeing things cannot describe the picture on the screen there were different creatures, beasts, monsters, regular animals, and aliens!

In the center of the table sat a small glowing pyramid that displayed a grey ship with a symbol of the earth on it.

like the others in the back, I was shocked...

A few minutes of waiting and a man I had seen once on social media came in it was the general who got placed into the public duties of the nation as a promotion.

he walked in making a sour face there was a black chair that he sat in at the front of the table looking at the ship he took a deep breath in.

exhaling he looked at the people sternly then with no warning he spoke.

Gen. Cross: hello ladies and gentlemen!

we are gathered today for what I am sure you all know for those who don't please listen well.

I will first introduce three men.

gentlemen, please.

*standing up was three men, professor Mumford, my father, and Donald.

who in that order began to introduce themselves, skipping that by I already knew them.

Yet the one who spoke to everyone first was my father...Or Solomon.*