Reincarnation Across the Ages
Chapter 6
The Age of Sculptors, Part 3
Ten ships bombard the lower district of the great metropolis.
Countless buildings are entirely devastated, while desperate citizens run away from the danger, leaving all their belongings behind in a quest for survival.
People of all ages watch as their former homes are plunged into the depths of chaos brought on by a rampant explosion. The smoke that accompanies the destruction fills the area with a terrifying mystery. All the victims of the attack now feared an uncertain future.
Facing the unknown, Roccan sets about solving problems beyond his reach.
"Let's get all these people out of here! Does the resistance have any useful vehicles?"
As the last living member of his squad, Jiro ignores the boy's question and asks his own, "Where's the relic?"
"Huh? The Lightning Relic?"
"It's the Electricity Relic, not the Lightning Relic. Since you killed the artifact's owner, we should take the chance to get it."
"It's already with me; I managed to steal it from that idiot."
Roccan reaches into his own pocket and finds the valuable object. Raising the item in front of him, he visualizes the details of the stolen treasure. It is a rocky material but undeniably more resistant than a simple stone, with the image of a lightning bolt on the top.
"It seems you're good for something after all," the resistance member exalts the young man.
"No, I still have a lot to learn..."
Frightened shouts overwhelm the culprit of all the chaos, making his thoughts increasingly irrelevant. The screams trap the pair of survivors, who find themselves without many options for action.
"Run! They'll kill us all!"
"Somebody help, please! Get me out of here!"
"My daughter, save my daughter!"
Pink dust mixes with the seriousness of the battlefield. The glow of the particles is reflected by the boy's blond hair, who puts himself in the role of bringing peace to those in danger.
"Right, let's put that thing away—"
An unexpected blow. Jiro hits the neck of his companion, who is suddenly put to sleep.
Darkness accompanies a forced sleep. After lying unconscious for hours, Roccan's eyes awaken to a metallic ceiling sight. The deafening sound of the bombed-out streets had given way to a pleasant silence.
Noticing the change of environment, the boy quickly gets up. Startled, he uses all his determination to stand up, preparing his body for combat.
"Where am I?"
Despite exuding tremendous willpower, the boy is confronted with an image that is contrary to his expectations: a spaceship is taking him away from the confusion, traveling through the vastness of the night sky.
The vehicle's driver is Jiro, a well-known fellow who guides the journey with exceptional driving skills.
"Tsk, are you awake?"
"Why are we running away? We have to save those people!"
"And how would you do that?"
"I don't know, but—"
"You caused this tragedy. This burden is now yours. Your carelessness could cost lives."
Silence interrupts the enthusiasm of someone who has already made up his mind. The young man feels the comment but soon resumes his motivation. His broad shoulders and upright posture are signs of a body that doesn't intend to give in so easily.
"Can't we get a team together? A group to help fix things."
"You have no idea how the resistance works, do you?"
"You... help people. You fight the SCONES bastards!"
"STONES. Besides, you're mistaken. The Sculptors are not a group of good guys; it's a job."
"Sculptors?"
"That's what the resistance is called. Boy, you look like an alien."
Watching the clouds before him, Roccan can't even tell where he's going. The landscape around him seems to change dramatically, surrounding him with new things at every turn, as if the world were conspiring to reveal its secrets.
"So, aren't we going back to help?"
"If you know what to do, go ahead. Otherwise, just shut up. You're disturbing my concentration."
No response. The inexperienced mind drowns in disquieting doubt.
"I... don't know how to get there."
"In that case, sit down."
"Where are we going?"
"Everyone has to start somewhere."
The ship descends through the sky, tearing through the clouds as it provides a clear view of the outside. Due to the absence of land and consequently of cities, the neon — responsible for hindering navigation with incessant glow — can no longer be perceived from any angle, leaving the flight area in the darkness of night.
The vehicle's new altitude opens the way to the open sea, allowing an unusual landing. The descent process unsettles the anxious boy.
"What's happened? Is there an emergency?"
"We've just reached our destination. Stop asking questions."
"Underwater? Is this serious?"
"Tsk, you sound like a child."
The turbines of the machinery are retracted in an alternation of mechanisms, ensuring space for the operation of huge marine propellers. Breaking the waves in its path, the ship enters the depths of the mysterious ocean, moving like a submarine.
The duo's destination is a place the light cannot reach. They submerge between ever-larger rocks and ensure their passage through narrow areas. Finally approaching their long-awaited destination, the interstellar vehicle positions itself in front of an underwater cave.
"You're kidding... you resistance guys are crazy."
"STONES usually have eyes all over the planet. The least we can do is stay below them."
"I would never have imagined that something like this existed. It's like an underwater city!"
"If you want to go into matters beyond your comprehension, then forget everything you think you already know."
Technologies capable of directly opposing the surface metropolises, operational facilities that entirely occupy the first layer of the organization, while the dwellings have their gateway to the cavernous ground; the newly arrived ship advances into the interior of the resistance base.
"Wait, I can't swim!"
"We're humans, not mermaids."
A simple force field, acting as a huge sieve, allows the vehicle to enter the desired location while preventing the water from advancing.
The base's first level is like a large commercial area, filled with stores, restaurants, and any other establishment capable of moving the region's market.
Looking through the ship's viewscreen, Roccan can see a scene beyond all expectations while a few squads notice Jiro's presence. Welcoming their comrade, the resistance members await the ship's descent at a suitable spot for the pair to land. Joyful shouts celebrate the squadron's return, or what's left of it.
"They're finally back! You can't wait to hear the latest news!"
"That's right! When I found out what it was about, I spent minutes laughing! It's unmissable news!"
After parking the vehicle correctly, the two survivors leave the ship, surprising the other squads. Falco, the team leader resting after a troubled day, has his peace of mind interrupted by an impending doubt. The man asks the newcomer.
"Hey, where are the others?"
Jiro replies, "That's exactly what it looks like. I'm the only one who made it back alive."
"No kidding! What were you up against this time?"
"A STONES commander."
"A commander! You guys are crazy! These guys are good enough to take on a squad of A-ranked Sculptors."
"Don't worry, it was a no-regrets operation."
"It was practically collective suicide! You should leave those missions to us. The top of the rankings wouldn't be taking so many risks."
"You don't need more ranking; we do. We don't have that kind of privilege."
Silence dominates the room, delaying Falco's following words. With a cap that highlights his laid-back style and casual flip-flops, the relaxed man takes advantage of the privileges of his rank to wear whatever he likes. His calmness stands out against the momentary tension, inviting his companions to join him for an evening of conversation.
"Well, why don't we go to the bar? No more being depressed. We've got some great news!"
Red lights guarantee the hustle and bustle of an evening establishment, while electronic music energizes every table for an endless party. The most inviting place on the base brings together squads of the most diverse ranks, who join voices to scare away the slightest hint of silence. Roccan and Jiro join Falco and his team, chatting as they fill their bellies with an exotic menu.
Drinks are served in elegant double-walled glasses, where a thermoregulating material keeps the drink cool, always providing an ice-cold sip. The sixteen-year-old dodges the temptation of alcohol, trying to stay sober in the same place where his companions lose their temper.
"Hahaha! I told you it could get better! Don't be so easily shaken, Jiro!"
"I'm not shaken. The relic is in my hands, and my life is intact."
"My, how cruel you are! What about everyone who died alongside you?"
"It's a natural consequence. Everyone was aware of this possibility."
"Hehehe, you're really tough."
"Why did you bring me here, Falco?"
The guy answers the question with a huge smile, preparing another shot of his golden drink.
"You won't believe it, man! Or rather, it's completely expected, hahaha!"
"Spit it out."
"It's the talk of the town! That young idiot's ship has been broken in half!"
"Are you talking about Proxie?"
The blond boy's bored ears finally find something to pay attention to, and the ambient music is ignored.
"I've heard that name before!" Roccan says.
"Of course you have. The most unsuccessful girl in the entire resistance!" Falco doesn't hide his joy.
Everyone around the table contributes to the debauched atmosphere, letting off steam in a pleasant tone.
"That worm shouldn't even have a ship!"
"How can someone like that be in the same organization as me? It's practically an offense!"
"She's been a Sculptor for over five years and has never gotten a single relic! As unsuccessful as her father, hahaha!"
Roccan doesn't understand the situation, "Huh? But I have the enchantment of two relics. Doesn't that mean our squad should get some points?"
"Ours? What do you mean, kid?"
"The android girl is on my team."
"Was that a joke? Why would someone with so much potential waste their time on that useless girl?"
"She promised me I'd get more relics!"
Falco can't take the boy seriously and gets up from his seat. The boy's innocence puts the adult at an advantage.
"You don't know anything about her, do you?"
"Huh?"
The conniving fellow looks closely at the young man's necklace, on which he carries the Transport Relic, always tied around his neck. Without permission, Falco comes into contact with the valuable object, grabbing it before its owner.
"This artifact is too precious to be in the wrong hands."
Roccan clenches his fists to contain his anger so as not to act impulsively.
He's holding my relic... even so, if I hit this guy, I could end up receiving a severe punishment. The boy keeps his body under control.
Insisting on his gesture, the man continues his provocation, running all his fingers over the artifact.
"Heh, it is a beautiful relic... I think it would be even more valuable in the possession of someone—"
An unexpected punch smashes the invasive guy's face. Hatred catalyzes a girl's determination.
"Don't touch my squad, Falco," Proxie orders.
The target of the blow is propelled away after suffering an overwhelming impact. Falco falls, rolling across the floor until he bumps into a wall.
"Ah, it's the dead girl!" Roccan recognizes his companion.
"I didn't die, you did! Twice!"
The victim of the surprise attack gets up, taking on complete seriousness. The man returns to his sober state, ending the night's celebration.
"Tsk. Look who decided to show up," he grumbles.
"Code 124: No member of the resistance should violate the individual privacy of someone in another squad," Proxie informs the inconsequential fellow.
"You punched me, stupid girl. You're breaking the rules, too."
"Code 11: The use of physical violence is permitted only for self-defense or if the victim is facing a violator of any other code."
"For a loser, you've been doing a lot of reading."
"Only get into a fight when you know exactly what you're up against."
"Another rule?"
"That last one isn't a Resistance guideline; it's my father's teaching."
Falco loses patience, and the gnashing of his teeth marks the end of his carefree posture. He twitches his muscles in uncontrollable irritation and takes advantage of his imposing stature to intimidate his smaller opponent.
"It's time for the children to go to bed. What are you doing here?"
"What do you want with the kid?"
"Nothing much; we were just having a good chat. This week brought some great news, and I realized something interesting. The boy has a very promising relic; he should be on a team that deserves such strength."
Like a statue in the center of an exhibition, Proxie is surrounded by malicious looks. At the same time, she can hear countless subsequent laughs. The music in the bar can no longer be heard due to the laughter of those in more significant numbers.
Although she seems to be suffocating under the crowd's pressure, the young woman doesn't hesitate to move her lips, leaving everyone silent with an unexpected reaction.
"Code 2: If you have any outstanding issues with any resistance member... You should contact their squad leader."
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