Chapter One: Festival

The world wasn't such a fantastic place, contrary to the bustling lights of the festival all around. There were crowds of people merrily trying different foods, some were shopping, while there were those stopping by to watch the on-going onslaught on fireworks spreading across the night sky.

It makes one question how people could all act as though everything was fine and normal when the world outside was far from it. With the threat of the Flare Virus leaving civilizations in ruin, only those who have never truly seen the harsh reality of the world could become so happy like these innocent people.

Humans die easily, especially without their technological developments to protect themselves from Neuro invasions, but even then, human techs can only do so little. Perhaps that was why they could all be so happy at the happiest moments, because they knew nothing would truly last long.

Selfish it might sound, knowing there might be people trying to survive in the wastelands, yet there they are—dancing through the beat of the drums and unfamiliar music.

Humans reside in colonies spread around the world, where each colony is protected by walls towering close to the point of reaching the skies surrounded by a thick layer of protective barrier that prevents the Flare Virus from affecting the people.

Beyond these colonies were nothing barren wastelands of what left with the numerous wars that had been happening for hundreds of years now, as well as the virus that could corrupt humans in a few minutes of exposure, eating away their sanity little by little until they become wild Ferals that would attack any sign of life they see.

It would have probably been a little better if humans only deal with that, unfortunately, the world wasn't such a compromising place. Numerous organizations sprang up since ancient times, attempting to get their hands on the power of the virus the biologically enhance all aspects of life. This had let to the discovery of Nexus, a joint between a Commandant and an Alter, a power that saved what little left of humanity from Ferals many years ago.

However, not every organization apparently votes for humans to survive this slowly crumbling world. If the war goes on like this, wouldn't it just be better if nothing survives in the end? Why must everyone ensure life only for themselves when they could quite literally share?

People aren't as naïve, I believe, for if it were that easy—I guess nobody would have needed to suffer at all. But life is a selfish existence. It wants nothing else than the ones beneficial to it, or things it could depend on.

Everyone is like that. They cannot live without others to accompany them or things they could use for survival. Looking at this so-called festival, I could easily discern the difference between how I perceive my world than how most see theirs. Bright colours, ranging emotions, and connections they value.

I wasn't exactly envious, this was nothing more but a mere curiosity for life because if theirs were glowing—mine was a monochromatic world of dullness and unambiguous way of living, so much that even the lollipop I was sucking didn't seem to taste anything despite being known for its sweetness. Well, I guess I should just be grateful instead. After all, medicines are supposed to be bitter and this one held no such bitterness at all.

Or perhaps even my sense of taste is adapting to my way of life, bland, one without any desire. Unlike others who live solely because they want to, I exist solely due to one reason and seeing the woman now entering my sight, walking slowly to where I was sitting—I couldn't help but thought to myself the reason why I persevered this far off into life. Some say that everyone has a reason why they're the way they are, and perhaps I could confidently say that I'm still 'me' because of this person.

I don't know if it's a sense of duty or simply because I wanted to, but just the thought of this woman in pain because I failed to protect her causes me immeasurable frustrations and anxiety.

I've always dreaded for that day to come, everyday wishing it would turn out alright, whether it was doing a simple mission or field training—but I eventually realized that wishes and prayers don't make sense at all when I could just make it happen myself. I do not believe in luck, nor do I believe in petty things such as prayers, hope, or wishes. I believe solely in her who could use me in a way I know just feels right.

"Why are you here?" She questioned, her familiar deep and clear tone settling in.

I tightened my hold around my black scarf, somehow refusing to meet those beautiful lusters of ambed-coloured eyes. We have been together for years, but never have I ever met her gaze directly for more more than five seconds, I know since I almost keeo track.

It wasn't because I didn't want to, it was simply because I fear what I'd find if I did—even now. With that in mind, I could hear hee disappointed sigh that seemed to have tugged my heart as though something was pulling it down. I have never did like feeling this way, I've always hated disappointing her. I don't ever want her to cast me aside, after all.

"Are you feeling unwell?"

"No." I replied with my usual soft and meek voice, shaking my head while looking down at clear visage of the water underneath this bridge where my figure was seen sitting over the railing.

"Tomorrow is an important day, we should head back and have a rest now."

I followed behind her as we walked silently back to the dorm, the streetlights illuminating the empty pathway. There weren't that many people around because it was already ten o'clock late into the night, and because of the festival by the Central where most people are probably gathered. The air was cold despite being a season of spring, cherry blossoms flying around as we past by the giant trees of pink tiny blooming flowers.

The coat I was wearing was plenty thick enough to protect me from the cold and I never leave outside without my hood up so I doubt the coldness would affect me unlike the Commandant in front who only wore her casual black long sleeve paired with jeans.

The number of times I've seen her wear something so casual could only be counted through mere fingers, which means she was truly taking this day-off well.

I never dare walk beside her despite being partnered for almost three years now. At first it was due to the fact that I was so used at walking behind higher officers, until it became just a way for me to stare at her without her knowing—or perhaps she knew but just always lets me...even now. She somehow just lets me do whatever, she barely even reacts to anything too.

Commandant is very tall for someone who's only twenty-two this year that my height would only reach below her nose. Her condition is also very great as proven by her previous battle records. For someone so young, she has accomplished far more many things in life compared to other older officers working in the same field as we do that she's actually quite a celebrity no matter which place we end up being.

After walking peacefully for about ten minutes, a huge building extending kilometers upward was seen just a meters ahead. It was a dormitory set for Nexus partners, ours being all the way up that it actually took us a few minutes in the elevator before reaching our place.

The dorm was huge, so big in fact that there was literally everything needed in here. The moment the elevator would open, a living room would meet us with circular couches surrounding a coffee table facing the transparent wall in front where we could still see fireworks exploding from here.

On the other right side were seperate bedrooms which Commandant immediately went towards, probably to take her bath now. Over the left side was a kitchen along with a dinning room, as well as an extra bathroom despite already having our own inside our bedrooms.

Walking towards the edge of the living room was a doorway leading to the terrace. Beside Commandant's room was hwr personal office because she apparently deals with paperworks too.

My bedroom was very spacious for someone sleeping in alone, but other than the bed itself and the study table beside it as well as the wardrobe and a cabinet, my room was basically empty, free of any designs. I don't even have lights in this room except for having a single lamp. I just simply liked it this way, though I guess I shouldn't say that when I barely even sleep here.

After taking a quick bath and changing my clothes, I grabbed one two pillows and a blanket before carrying them outside to the terrace. It wasn't that I dislike my room, I just got so used at sleeping outside most of the time that I feel comfortable closing my eyes where I could wake up at the slightest disturbance. The moon was up high today, there were no stars though I prefer it that way.

Even if it rained, I wouldn't exactly get wet in here anyway because of how big the terrace was and because it has a function where I could freely set the transparent glass ceiling up or not if I wanted to. I heard the Commandant added that feature here when she noticed me sleeping here most of the time.

Commandant may look very cold and anti-social, but her friends knew she was exactly the opposite. She's very kind, enough to even take care of someone she hates—and I'm talking about myself. If it wasn't for a higher order that she must take me in, I doubt she'd even truly bother with me and that's why people knew how much of a professional she is. She never lets personal feelings get in the way of responsibility, and I've greatly admired her for that.

I didn't bother putting up the transparent glass ceiling above this time, knowing full well by now the sky won't rain. Fireworks still danced over a distant, the height of our dorm lets me see the entirety of the festival below.

Each colony has cities ranging from A to Z, each city has a Central Zone or more of like a capital. This city is called Zenith, the frontline city tasked to protect the rest from the barren wastelands. Despite such duty, Zenith usually has festivals happening every once a week. They said it was a way to keep up the morale of the sentinels.

I don't see the point of it personally, because sentinels already underwent very rigorous trainings the moment they showed potential of immunity against the virus. Well, I say immunity but it's really just all about having a strong mentality whereas normal people would get infected in seconds, sentinels would at least be able to fight it off for minutes until they become corrupted by the virus, until they turn into Ferals.

I stayed up the entire time, watching over the festival below as people gradually decreased and I knew then it was time for them to end it. It lasted until one in the morning that they had let machines do the cleaning work, thus replacing the earlier crowd of humans. Only then a yawn came escaping from my lips, my visions gradually fading as I leaned my back against the blanketed floor.

I wonder if Commandant is asleep yet, I'm worried about her constantly working late at night just to finish those paperworks. Still, with that in mind, I managed to fall asleep.