The Headmaster remained silent as he met Lincoln’s bold gaze.Even I was moved at that moment.Who would have thought that Lincoln would be so bold?Was this the influence of spending so much time with Jerry?It was good though.At least I wouldn’t need to always be worried about him.Silence reigned as we waited for the Headmaster to speak but strangely enough, he didn’t say anything for quite sometime.There was a strange emotion in his eyes as he kept staring.Just as I grew uneasy, worried that Lincoln’s boldness might have rubbed him the wrong way, he spoke up.“I hope you are able to keep to those words after you see what is to come.”The Headmaster’s voice was half worrisome, half threatening.But then again, he seemed to be genuinely warning Lincoln.Maybe Lincoln’s words had also touched him.With a stern expression, he continued. “Before we go further, you must understand something.”Glancing down at the four men in suits carrying the mass of flesh, the Headmaster remained u
“I didn’t bring up the statistics for you both to brood about your pathetic existence.” The Headmaster suddenly said, pulling myself and Lincoln out of our self deprecating state.Glancing back to note our expression, he continued. “When the tower first starts running, the population was roughly 10 million. Within a hundred years, humanity has increased that number by 10 times.“Taking into consideration that children can’t do it, how many people do you think out of that 100 million are Explorers?”Lincoln pursed his lips. “Not many?”“Indeed. Out of a hundred million people, only 100 thousand are Explorers, including those that have retired, those injured in the line of duty, those serving the Great families and those born into the Great families. That is less than ten percent of the overall population of the tower. Of course, the population of Otherworldly in the Fog are greater than our measly numbers. Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do about it because becoming an Explorer i
“I see… Well to do that, you will have to become an Explorer and join him on the battlefield, no?”Lincoln remained silent for a moment, he surveyed the hall, his eyes resting on each white room before moving to the next.Taking all of that in, he nodded. “When do we begin?”I was left speechless.When did Lincoln get so brave?It seemed like he was trying to pass across a message and as far as the Headmaster was concerned, he heard it loud and clear.Nodding silently, the Headmaster’s lips curled as he replied. “Come with me.”With that, he turned and led us to a certain white room.Pushing it open, he announced his presence to those within.Two men and one woman.Just as the Headmaster had said, they looked soulless with their almost emotionless expressions, the bags under their eyes and even their posture… completely hopeless.The biggest man amongst the trio glanced at our group before remarking. “You are here… again.”His voice was quite bland, carrying no hint of emotions therei
“Good, as long as you are aware of that. I wish you good luck.” Kenny muttered, almost disappointedly as he turned and prepped the capsule like machine.“Get in.” he said after ensuring it was ready.Lincoln was about to step forward but I grabbed his shoulder.“Let me go first.”He stared at me and I stared back.We remained like that for quite some time before he took a step back while nodding.Heaving a sigh of relief, I took the first step forward.If anything happened to me, it should serve as a lesson to Lincoln.Either I survive or die, it determines Lincoln’s next choice.So… I’ll try to survive.I stepped into the machine and laid down straight with my back on the cold steel.I watched as Kenny pushed a button and a glass like structure came up and covered the glass pod.Gulping nervously, I closed my eyes and prepared myself for what was to come.Then I heard Kenny’s voice. “Are you ready?”Clenching my fist and jaw, I replied. “Yes!”“Good.”A beep and then a bop and immedi
Leah stuttered as she replied. “…Not at all.”“Hmm.” I didn’t intend to push it so I relented. “Okay.”“But then, it’s good to know.”“It is?”“Yeah.”“…I see.”I couldn’t understand her thought process but I took it at face value.There was no need to ask more questions since she was clearly not going to add any more to her words.Just as I was wracking my brain on what to talk about, there was a buzz at the other end and then the sound of a gate being rolled back.“Well, I guess they are here for me.” Leah said from the other end.I pursed my lips. “Are you scared?”“…I won’t lie and say no… but don’t worry, I’m leaving here with the memories of our time together… it’s enough to keep me going.” Leah replied softly.Though my lips quivered, I stopped myself from asking her to stay.We’ll surely meet again outside.Keeping her here would be selfish of me.So forcing a smile on my face, I composed myself and said. “You’ll be fine. Remember, you are Leah, my right hand man. That is a po
“Leah, no.”“Theres nothing that can be done.” Leah frankly replied, squashing my hopes completely. “I really wish I could have been with you… but fate has other plans for us. My fate especially doesn’t seem to want to see me happy.”“…I will find a way to help you.”“Please don’t.” Leah shook her head. “…You will only be endangering your life.”“And you…”“I will be fine.” Leah remarked before adding. “I promise.”I could only swallow the words I wanted to say next.She had already made up her mind.Trying to force her would only push her further away.I can’t do that.But did it really have to end like this?I was unwilling.“Hey, don’t be so downcast.” Leah suddenly said. “We can make the most of right now, yeah?”I pursed my lips before nodding. “Indeed we can.”Though it hurt, I couldn’t let it show so as not to disturb Leah further.She was already going through a lot considering her facial expressions.She did well to hide it but I knew she was faking.I’m sure right now, her h
“The 25th day in the Mont of Zephyr, why?” The doctor replied, gazing at me with an unhealthy interest in his eyes.Gulping nervously, I nodded. “Alright.”To be honest, I was still trying to figure myself out.Having just left the white room after almost three months, I was a bit disoriented with the outside world.I was slow with my thoughts and standing was becoming a hassle for me.Strangely enough, I felt strong within.Like some unknown power had sprang up within me, turning me into something behind my imagination.I inspected myself after I was brought out of the white room.My breathing was smooth, my stamina had improved, my mind was clearer and it felt as though I had taken the first step beyond the boundaries of the human body.Is this the power that comes with surviving the Call?Before I could answer that question, I heard a voice.No, not a voice but instead, two voices.One was a whisper so low I couldn’t make out anything or what it meant.AhrajehrlwhayehdkakwhshIt so
Thankfully after surviving the Call of Chaos, Leah said that I’d be a provisional Explorer.This meant that I was already an Explorer but not yet able to go on outside missions.Most times, provisional Explorers would be placed in Squadrons which consisted of 24 people and they would be given minor missions to get them acclimated to the work of an Explorer.In any case, as an Explorer, I reserved the right to information that would normally be hidden from the masses.So in a way, I was merely demanding information that would end up being mine anyway.Just then, Doctor Chen spoke up, jolting me from my thoughts. “Genetic restructuring Experiment.”“Hmm.” I stared at him in confusion.“That is what a GRE is.” Doctor Chen continued. “A gruesome process that mutates the genetic code of a human using radiative waved so as to allow them accommodate the serums containing body parts of the Otherworldly.”“This…” I couldn’t help but suck in cold air.I had never experienced radiation before bu