Chapter 34 : Present

The taxi glided smoothly through the bustling streets of the upper city. They passed towering skyscrapers adorned with holographic billboards and darted between vehicles hovering on shimmering blue-hued holographic roads known as the SkyStreets. Ketsukii couldn't tear his eyes away from the futuristic spectacle outside the taxi's windows.

"Quite the sight, isn't it?" Lincoln remarked with a grin, noticing Ketsukii's wonder.

Ketsukii nodded approvingly. "I'm amazed you guys made it this far without charge."

Lincoln chuckled. "You haven't seen the half of it yet."

Their journey continued as the taxi descended into the lower city through a tunnel at the bottom of the Upper Imperial. The skystreets gave way to more conventional roadways, and the gleaming towers transitioned into functional, industrial structures.

As they arrived at the Canadian military compound, Ketsukii couldn't help but be awestruck by the sight of the military base. While the Upper Imperial had left him mostly unfazed, the disciplined order and advanced technology displayed in the lower city's military district were quite remarkable, even to someone who hailed from a world of advanced magic and technology.

Upon stepping out of the sleek vehicle, Ketsukii once again immersed himself in this advanced world's sights and sounds. His awe persisted as they ventured into the heart of the military compound.

The corridors leading to the commander's office were a stark contrast to the bustling streets of Imperial City. A plush velvet carpet stretched beneath their feet, a deep shade of crimson that seemed to absorb the echoes of their footsteps. 

Along the walls, elegant paintings hung in ornate frames, depicting scenes of valor, unity, and the evolution of the military throughout history. Each stroke of the artist's brush told a story, and Ketsukii couldn't help but admire the fusion of tradition and futurism that seemed to define this place.

The lighting, too, was a marvel. A soft, ambient glow emanated from concealed sources, casting a warm and inviting aura throughout the corridor. It was a stark contrast to the clinical, fluorescent lighting often found in other military installations, and it spoke volumes about the level of sophistication this world had achieved.

Ketsukii's senses were on overload as they moved deeper into the compound. The seamless blend of art, architecture, and advanced technology left him in a constant state of fascination. This was a world where humans had harnessed the power of science and innovation to create something truly remarkable, and Ketsukii couldn't help but be captivated by it all.

The commander's office remained unchanged from when Lincoln held the position himself, evoking a sense of nostalgia as he entered.

As they stepped into the office, Dexter's strict military facade melted away upon seeing Lincoln, replaced by a warm and genuine smile.

"Lin!" Dexter exclaimed as he rose from his desk.

"Hey, man. Long time," Lincoln greeted, his voice filled with a touch of emotion.

They embraced tightly, the months apart fading away in an instant.

When they finally separated, they both wore broad grins, their camaraderie undiminished by the passage of time. Lincoln gestured towards Ketsukii, who had observed their reunion with keen interest.

"This is Ketsukii," Lincoln introduced. "A new friend."

Dexter's eyes fell upon Ketsukii's unique diamond-shaped eyes, and extended his hand, welcoming Ketsukii with a firm handshake. "So, you're from Alvanian, huh?" Dexter remarked as he settled back into his chair.

Ketsukii returned the handshake, his polite demeanor reflecting the formality of the moment. "Yes, I am, Commander."

Lincoln, catching onto the connection Dexter had made, added, "It's also his first time on Earth."

Dexter leaned back in his chair, his interest piqued. "I've met Alvans before, and they have those same eyes," he reminisced, his gaze focused on Ketsukii's distinctive diamond-shaped eyes.

Ketsukii couldn't help but scratch his head, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "They do give it away pretty easily, don't they?" he admitted with a hint of amusement.

Dexter nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Not really, though, unless you know about those eyes. People here would just think you're wearing contact lenses," he explained.

"Oh, is that so?" Ketsukii replied with a note of relief in his voice. "That's good then."

Dexter turned to Lincoln, a hint of concern in his eyes. "How's your...?" Dexter inquired, and Lincoln immediately understood he was referring to his amnesia, a side effect of his ability use. Ketsukii observed Lincoln closely, intrigued by their conversation.

"At one point, it got really bad," Lincoln admitted, not minding Ketsukii listening in. "But Aytrex was there. I came to my senses shortly after."

"Came to your senses?" Dexter probed, his concern deepening.

"I'm not entirely sure what happened," Lincoln replied vaguely, not wanting to alarm Dexter further. "But don't worry, I'll be careful. I won't strain myself."

Dexter let out a relieved sigh. "Please, just take care of yourself," he urged his worry for his friend evident.

Lincoln gave Dexter a reassuring smile. "I promise, I'll do my best."

The conversation between Lincoln and Dexter continued, as the sun dipped below the horizon. They shared stories, reminisced about their adventures, and caught up on each other's lives. Despite the gravity of the situation that had brought Lincoln here, the camaraderie between these old friends was as strong as ever.

After a while, Lincoln's expression grew more serious, and he leaned in closer to Dexter. "Hey Dex," he began, his voice filled with sincerity. "I really need someone to take care of Dev while I'm not here."

Dexter regarded Lincoln with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, man," he replied with calm confidence. "I've already got everything handled. They've been staying with us ever since Naomi's tests came out. I got the message from the hospital about her condition, and I'm arranging for some nurses to take care of her."

Lincoln couldn't help but release a sigh of relief, his tense shoulders relaxing. "You were way ahead of me, huh?" he said with a chuckle. "Guess I should've consulted Naomi before coming here," he admitted with a sheepish grin.

Dexter's smile remained warm and understanding. "You're doing what you need to do, Lincoln. We'll make sure everything's taken care of on this end."

Lincoln met Dexter's gaze, gratitude shining in his eyes. "I knew I could rely on you, man," he said sincerely.

Dexter's response was simple but heartfelt. "It's the least I can do."

Lincoln's gaze fixed upon Dexter, a profound sense of gratitude welling up within him as a flood of memories from their shared past rushed through his thoughts. 

Ketsukii coughed, breaking the momentary reverie and returning Lincoln to the present.

"Well then," Lincoln began, rising from his chair, "I gotta get going."

"Yeah," Dexter replied, rising from his chair as well. He gave Lincoln one last hug and added, "Take care, my friend."

Just as Lincoln and Ketsukii were about to take their leave, Dexter's expression shifted as if he'd remembered something important. He leaned forward, his tone more serious.

"Wait a minute, Lin," Dexter began, "I just remembered something. Over a month ago, a man came looking for you."

Lincoln's brow furrowed in confusion as he turned to face his friend. "A man? Looking for me?" he asked, surprised.

Dexter nodded, his gaze fixed on Lincoln. "Yes, he didn't give a name, saying you'd come anyway. He mentioned something about being in Berm Square and said that you would be able to find him there."

"Berm Square? That's odd," he mused, recalling his battle with Edgar and his comrades that happened on his way there. "Did he say anything else? "

Dexter shook his head, a hint of frustration in his voice. "I tried to get more information out of him, but he was quite elusive. He seemed anxious as if he was in a hurry."

Lincoln exchanged a quick glance with Ketsukii, his mind racing with questions. 

"Thanks for letting me know, Dexter," Lincoln said with a slow nod. "I'll head there right away. Who knows? This may be a lead on what I was looking for."

Dexter nodded in agreement, his earlier warmth now replaced by a sense of concern. "Be careful, Lin. We don't know who this man is or what he wants. Watch your back."

Lincoln offered a reassuring smile, appreciating Dexter's concern. "I will, Dex. Thanks for everything."

With that, Lincoln and Ketsukii exited the military compound. Lincoln held onto the hope that this encounter with the mysterious man wouldn't divert them from their primary mission.