Awaken Into a New World

Chapter 6: New Arrivals

The curious individuals strode near the ruins of a large built-in fountain.

"Isn't that weird, how it has an infant with wings?" she said, standing in front of it, scrutinizing the statue, her arms crossed. "It looks like it's blowing the palm of its own hand."

"Seems that way," he said, moving beside her, and typed something on the device on his wrist, light reflecting his face.

"What a weird idol," she said, stroking her chin with a tilt of her head. "No, it's too basic to be an idol."

"It might only be an art form," he said with a reasonable tone while he continued typing.

"Is that so?" She frowned and roamed around the fountain, meeting his gaze. "What are you doing?"

"Just logging our time spent here." He took a look at her and back on the screen.

"Do we have to do it?" She perched on the fountain wall.

"Yes," he glowered at her, "we do."

Scowling, he rolled his eyes. "We need to keep record where we are and how we got here."

He stopped typing and lowered his arms. "We are very far from home; we can't send a signal from where we are." She wiped the ashes off of the wall and acted as if she didn't care less. "So if anything happens to any of us, they'll get an idea of moments before. You should know about this."

He looked away and gestured ahead, done with her. "Let's move."

-

"This place is deserted," he said, squinting from one side of the road to the other. "If we can at least find some survivors, we'll be fine. I'm sure some of them will help us." His eyes bore into her as she leaned against the wall of a building.

"Leah, we should take flight, it'd be easier that way."

He crossed his arms.

"Before we do that," she said, leaning off the wall and rubbing the back of her neck. "Can I take this armor off? It'd be too heavy in midair."

"Do what makes you happy." He shrugged and walked into the street, gazing up at a soaring building that stood as far as the eye could see in a dark night.

She tossed her armor, making it tumble to the ground, followed by an ash cloud parting outward from under it. She wore a black, sleeveless polar-neck top, paired with black long pants, two belts and the red fabric still tied around her waist.

"That's much better." She twisted her back. "It's a good thing I had this underneath."

"Can we go now?" He turned to her, wearing his notorious scowl.

"Yes." She took a deep breath, her eyes closed, and exhaled. "Let's go."

"After you, Leah." He gestured with his hand.

Leah levitated off the ground, a trail of ash-dust seeming to gravitate from under her boots, and held her head high. She glanced down at him as she ascended.

"Aven, what are you waiting for?"

Aven did the same as he rose to her level.

"Follow my lead," he said, a calm expression on his face.

She smirked. "Will do."

Slowly, he flew to the west side of the city. Leah came from behind, arms crossed and hair flowing against the wind's resistance.

"This is so much easier," she said, catching up.

"Agreed," he said. "I thought there'd be a clue that'd aid in our search."

"Why'd there be any clues here?" She peered down the passing streets below.

"Cause this was where it happened," replied Aven, locking eyes with her. "It's too dark to find anything now."

"You said there are still survivors, correct?"

"I did."

"Someone out there might know something."

He nodded. "Surely, we'd find a person who could help."

They reached the city's outer perimeter, overlooking a large crater, gas leaking out from the epicenter.

"I'm surprised," Leah said, dumbfounded.

Aven looked at her. "What was that?"

"How could a civilization remain after being hit by something like this?" She descended her flight for a closer look. "Is there any reason why they were destroyed?"

"I told you already, didn't I?" Aven flew beside her.

"Don't you think it's too harsh?"

"They had their turn."

"Who gets to decide that?"

"Listen, Leah," he said as they floated above a devastated forest. "I wouldn't have picked you if you weren't my sister. I know your potential, and if it means keeping the peace back at home, we need to do things without questioning our actions. I handpicked and brought you here not only to help me out on this mission, but also to train and teach you."

"You haven't answered my question."

"Enough," he snapped.

She frowned and glared at him. "Fine."

The siblings flew over small hills that stretched far out in the distance, and as Leah observed the ground from the air, faint orange lights grouped in an area caught her attention, obscured by towering trees.

"Hey, Aven, look over there." She pointed at its location.

"I see it."

"Do you want to check it out?" She ascended to his level and flew beside him.

"We can't. Ignore it."

She gave him a sideways glance. "I was just saying."

"I'm sorry, Leah," he said. "I forget we could talk as a family, but you should learn to take strict exchange of words."

Without another word, Leah flew ahead of him. He let out an exasperated sigh as he got left behind, watching as she flies near the lights, and chased after her.

"Wait, Leah!" He hurried towards her, the speed causing the strands of his hair to stick to his forehead. "We must not alert them! We'll be in danger if they discovered who we are."

"Should we walk there and ask politely to let us in?" She raised her eyebrows.

He heaved a sigh of relief and slowed down, descending on the ground. "That could work."

"You made me nervous now." She landed next to him. "I'll follow your lead, then."

"Now, you're learning."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, stop being so irritating, big brother."

"Whatever you say," he said, turning to the trees that passed by.

"I don't think they'll approve that armor you're still wearing." She shook her head at him in disapproval, doing it with the intention of getting back at him.

"Oh yes." He stood still. "Good thinking."

-

Aven wore the same colored shirt and long black pants tucked into his boots. "I should've done this before."

"You probably forgot that those suits are more for space flight." She grinned, eyebrows raised.

"Fine, you win." He adjusted his outfit. "Now, move."

Leah stepped closer to him and held his arm. "Hey, cheer up!"

He chuckled and shook his head. "You never change."

"You know I won't."

-

After minutes of walking, they reached the source of lights. What greeted them were enormous wooden doors four times their size, fixed into a large white wall that extended on either side.

"This looks like a settlement." He moved towards the doors and touched the surface. "Isn't it fascinating?"

She crossed her arms. "How do we get in?"

"Hold it!" a gruff man's voice sounded from above, making Aven step back and whirl to the direction of the armed settler.

"What is your business here?"

"Hey, I'm-"

"I didn't ask your name," the armed settler bellowed, making them flinch. "Why are you here?"

"Well, I-"Aven started, turning to Leah with his mouth half open.

"Ouch," Leah muttered under her breath.

"Hey, Sir?" she called out, waving her hand. "We've journeyed far; we're tired and our legs are in-"

"Get lost, you and your boyfriend," the man exclaimed.

"But, please, Sir," Leah pleaded. "All we need is a place to spend the night, and we're gone."

The man placed this hand over his forehead and squinted at them once more.

"Fine," he shouted, and after a few beats, gestured at Aven. "Here's the deal: that device on his wrist, if you give me that, I'll let you in."

"Dammit," Aven murmured.

Leah raised her eyebrows. "I knew it was gonna bring trouble."

He sighed. "It'll all be fine."

"Is it a deal?" asked the man impatiently.

Left with no choice, Aven took off the device and tossed it to the man.

"Deal."

"Very nice." The man gave them a greedy smile, ogling at the device's every detail.

Leah tapped her foot on the ground, shooting surreptitious daggers at the man. "Are you going to let us in?"

"Yeah, sure, as you wish," he said, and after a while, pushed a lever. "This device will make a nice profit."

Leah released a ragged breath. "Well, that's a relief."

Mechanical contraptions clanged, screeching, as the wooden doors opened, revealing a community of buildings.

"Let's go," muttered Aven.

Leah walked in first, stopping Aven from entering. "Remember, this was your idea."

"No, it wasn't."

"Yes, it was," she teased.

He sighed and scratched his hair. "I'd rather not argue with you."

With a thud, the wooden doors closed behind them.