Enkerai and Oré, looked out over the water as the barge trudged across the valley to the ruptured dam ahead of them. Behind them, the town was little more than a grey smudge on a green bump, cloaked in fog. The one night of sleep Enkerai had in the town was not enough, but the only way to get out of the valley was by boat, and the only boat which didn't rely on manpower was owned by the engineers. It was them who surrounded the boys now on the barge, playing cards, going over plans, or sharing jokes while their leader - the woman from yesterday evening - steered the boat towards the gaping chasm ahead.

The woman's name was Yuma, and she had been the chief engineer's assistant before he was blown apart with the dam.

"You know you didn't need to come along," Yuma had told them, "We're not far off from repairing the dam. Wait a few days and we'll be able to take you through without a problem."

Enkerai had been up for a nice few days of relaxation, but Oré had told Yuma it was only fair they helped since they were being given somewhere to stay and food to eat.

"I have family living in the north near Old Unseelum and they say the fighting's pretty bad there," Enkerai heard an engineer sitting a few steps behind him say, "They say the Warchiefs are doing a poor job, and the King's fed up."

The conversation continued but Enkerai could no longer be bothered to listen.

"This war's a messy business," Oré said, poking at a nail in the floor.

"Got that right," Yuma appeared between the boys and took a seat on the wooden deck with them.

"I've never really given it much thought," Enkerai replied.

"Because it was so far?" Oré asked.

"Never saw how it affected me," Enkerai admitted.

"We're the largest country on the planet, but we are still one people Enkerai," Yuma said, "When the north bleeds, we bleed too."

"Why do you say that?" Enkerai questioned.

"Because, history says so," Yuma rubbed a scratch on her helmet, "Back when Oorunell was divided, when the different regions fought each other, each day was full of horrors. Where we see fields and farms and playgrounds, there was nothing more than battlegrounds. No one wants to see that again. When Oorunell is strong and united then its entire people prosper. But if we don't care for our fellow man, how can our nation succeed?"

"History also says that there were people who grew wings, controlled the weather, and shot rays of light," Enkerai laughed, "Maybe not all history is worth listening to."

"You speak of Arknights," Yuma responded, "Arknights, are real. Very real. There may no longer be any around, but I assure you that once you see the holy city of Takat, there won't be a doubt left in your mind."

"Well, if these Arknights did exist, they chose a really rubbish time to disappear," Enkerai said, "We could have really used them back in Manyatta."