Isug was led back to the doctor where he was instructed to wait in another room and change his clothes.

He was given a black long sleeved turtle neck shirt that seems to retain heat, thick pants with multiple pockets, and a leather jacket to over the long sleeved.

--" Never forget to zip up all the way through." is what the doctor said before he left the room.

While waiting inside the room, Isug thought of the things that happened earlier on.

The reactions on the face of Thor and Patra, , indicates whatever he saw that day is a serious problem.

--"Ah, I forgot to tell them about the flaming red fox" Isug blurted to himself.

*Knock *Knock

The door opened and the doctor from before went inside to pick me up. Before leading him outside, the doctor tapped his shoulders and gave Isug some parting words..

--" Kid, it has been a long time since this kingdom has seen humans. There's a lot to tell you but we don't have time because right now, all of you are considered the Kingdom's property."

-- "Property?" Isug replied with a bit of confusion.

The doctor looked at him and said in a somewhat worried but assuring voice.

--" You'll know enough soon, son. You might not have the same privelege like your companions that came here, but let me give you a bit of advice." 

The doctor looked at Isug seriously the without delaying further, continued.

--"In this Kingdom, information is the highest form of resource. Never let other people get access to valuable information, especially everything that comes from beyond the Cage. You might have a lot of questions, but this is as far I can help you for now."

The doctor opened the door and two soldiers wearing the same type of uniform like Thor and Patra, though less imposing, is waiting outside for Isug. The doctor waved good bye to Isug, and Isug was escorted by these seemingly guards or officers in a door leading outside the building.

--------------------------------------------------------

7th day, Nix season.

It was very cold. During this time of the year the already cold forest turns up a notch.

Two guards stand outside the Royal Unit Hospital, the hospital in charge of quarantine, health and treating injuries of the Caravan Unit. 

Magi, an Ocho Guerrero rank, patiently waits outside the door together with his long time buddy, Mani.

They are wearing a leather buttoned to the neck uniform under the heavy and  thick coat with hood.

A black newsboy cap with logo in the middle of the Australis Kingdom Army can be seen.

Magi:

" The Nix season is just starting, yet the cold is already overbearing." 

Mani:

" During this time of the year, the Orgon behaves more like a miniscule particle more than a fluid. It really gives me a sick feeling" 

Magi:

" Same here. I think being used to higher Orgon concentrations really isn't that easy. I'm just glad atleast we are both Ocho ranks now." Magi explains with relief.

The two looked above.

White vapour comes out of their mouth due to the cold and disperses immediately.

And in the background of it, is the Capital city of Australis Kingdom, the city of Orac.

The city of Orac is an industrialized city.

Steel pipe racks run along the main roads and highway of the city carrying huge pipes that goes to different directions. 

The street is filled with tall poles with pipes that had wide nozzles pointing downward. The poles had square boxes that glow with incandescent orange light. Some poles are short and serves as streetlights also equipped with square boxes that glows. 

Just like any city, it was filled with people going on about their everyday lives.

Folks in a hurry for their jobs, some are taking care of their shops. Other's taking a stroll, some having their bonding etc. 

Magi looked at the people around and thought of his duty, as one of the protector of Australis Kingdom.

Magi:

" I had taken for granted the peace that we had all these years. I really never felt all of it not until now."

Mani:

"Same here. The long peace had made us fools, it almost made us think that the dangers are all imaginations at one point, like tales of myths and legends. Looks like we are wrong, and it reminded us in a bad way"

Magi:

" A whole Kingdom, annihilated in a single night. I don't know how strong or large Borealis Kingdom is but looking at our Kingdom, it gives me the shivers knowing something out there is capable of destroying an entire Kingdom in a single day. 

To erase the existence of a Kingdom that has stood probably hundreds of years out there in the vast forest in a single night, it indeed is terrifying."

The door suddenly opened and a man at his mid 20's came out escorted by two guards from the hospital. He was nearly 6 feet tall, lean body but not looking weak. Hair is bluish and had gray eyes. Skin is fair. He is wearing a long sleeved shirt with a paired slacks that patients usually wear. 

However his eyes feels like dead.

Magi and Mani already know that this the man that came out was the guy they were supposed to escort through to the Australisian Evaluation Department (AED), the place where individuals are evaluated for their abilities and capabilities to determine the sector they could be deployed.

The guards exchanged their salutes and went back inside the hospital after transferring the man to Magi and Mani. Since protocol suggest that Magi should be the one to approach the survivor from Borealis, Magi immediately approached:

Magi :

" I am Ocho Guerrero Magi, 5th Battery force, 1st Battalion of Capital Brigade. I am tasked of your transport to AED for evaluation of your capabilities. Before we proceed, may I know your name for confirmation?"

The man looked at Magi with dead eyes. His body looked fine, but his spirit seems exhausted. Considering the tragedy that happened in Borealis Kingdom, Magi somewhat understood what this man had been going through.

"Isug. I'm sorry, but that's all I can remember" the man replied with a very worn out voice.

Magi felt pity to the guy named Isug, one of the currently only 5 remaining survivors of Borealis Kingdom.

--------------------------------------------

Isug was greeted by the two guards outside the hospital. He was led to a carriage type floating 1 foot from the road. Two pipes pointing to the sky is installed at the roof of the carriage connected to a cube device with glowing lights on it. A two step ladder emerged mechanically from the carriage to assist in the loading of passenger through a one door. The carriage have a distinct humming sound that indicates power is running through it's system.

Isug entered the vehicle. Inside was a long seat on the right side that goes from one end to another, while facing that seat was a two seater seats installed in each window on the left side. The middle of the carriage is empty. While the outer of the carriage is made by iron, the inside was made of wood. Circular lights that glow incandescent are at the ceiling in the middle of the carriage. A separate cabin in front is where the carriage operator is located.

The two soldiers sat on the long seats, while Isug was told to sit in one of the two seater seats beside the window. The long seats are designed are intended for the two soldiers to seat so that they can monitor the escorted people inside the carriage.

Two other persons were seated on the two seater seats, one woman and one man who he cannot see the face yet due to the thick hood with fur that they wear.

Isug, with an exhausted look, faced Magi and asked:

Isug :

"May I know where are we going?"

Magi : 

"I've already told you earlier, all you three will be taken to AED for evaluation. But I suppose you do not know since you are an outsider. The AED is an assessment facility to test the inherent ability and the capability of each individual. You will be assigned to the industry that you are most capable at, and that will be your starting point in the society." 

--"In short, it is basically a job assessment system. The better your results, the better your chances of living a good life." -the guy sitting in one of the seats  blurted out in a snide remark way.

Isug looked at the guy which is sitting in front of him. The hooded guy turned to look at him and removed his hood. Half of his face had burned root marks, and one of his eyes is closed with scars of burn as well. The other half of his face had tan complexion, with a golden serpent eyes. There is a noticeable reptilian scales in the other half of his non-burned face.

Hooded Guy:

"You must be one of those survivors from the Borealis Kingdom that we heard was destroyed months ago. Hahaha. How pathetic and pitiful!"

Magi:

" Please mind your words! Have some tact!"

Hooded Guy :

"So what? I'm just speaking the truth anyway. Borealis and Australis had been in mutual connection for 500 years, sharing some ideas and tech to bolster both our Kingdom's defenses to be able to protect them from the Abyss creatures. The first attack that happened in the last 800 years, and a whole ass Kingdom vanished overnight. If that's not pathetic, then I don't what it is!"

Magi :

"Even if that is true, hundeds of thousands of lives died. You shouldn't be mocking them because that could happen to us too!"

Hooded Guy :

"That's basically why you soldiers have higher living standards than us right? It's your damn job to protect this Kingdom. So are you saying you all will go down easily like Borealis, eh?"

The hooded guy with a mocking gaze and in a loud voice, told that line to Magi. To Magi who dedicated his life to improving himself, that is a grave insult. He felt the anger inside him boil up. His fists clenched and he gritted his teeth.

Mani who was beside him watching everything, knew that for Magi it is taboo to insult his hard work. Mani had known Magi throughout the years and he knew this would result to Magi losing control so he intervened.

Mani :

"All right that is enough. I knew all of you are stressed right now since the season isn't good anyway, especially that it is hard to absorb Orgon this time of the year. (Mani tapped Magi in the shoulders and he looked at the hooded guy). You there, we don't limit what you can say about us since we work for the government, but insults are not allowed. Don't make me do this the hard way."

Hooded Guy :

"Tch! Using the law when it's convenient."

Isug :

"I'm sorry this all started because I asked a question"

Hooded guy :

"Yeah you an outsider, basically a foreigner to this Kingdom being fed by our Kingdom while we common folk struggle to feed ourselves. Must be lucky eh, getting  your home destroyed and now being pampered as royalty. Why don't you teach us some of your glorious Karma arts eh? Since no one's gonna inherit it anyway from your Kingdom"

Magi :

" Hey bastard. Karma arts is a highly confidential information! It is a crime to learn it, and only the selected people from upper elites of the military, special forces and the Religious order can practice and know it! Do you want me to detain you of the crime of espionage?"

Hooded Guy :

"Espionage for what? Borealis is already ruined, the Karma arts are basically under Australis Kingdom. And he definitely is now a citizen of Australis! (The hooded guy pointed at Isug) You bastard of the Borealis, I've been wondering already, why is an important person like you here in this carriage meant for lowlives like us? If the government really treats you like a VIP, shouldn't you be with the Special forces? And I think there are five of you who survived? Where are the others?"

The carriage become silent. The question the hooded guy asked Isug is already on the mind of Magi and Mani earlier since they met him, but duty doesn't allow them to pry for information since their task is only to escort these three today to AED.

Isug looked at the face of the currently agitated Hooded guy. He don't understand the rage of this guy, but to him he looked like he was suffering from something apart from his injuries. He smiled faintly and with innocent expression answered.

Isug :

" I don't know myself. I woke up only remembering my name. I was the last to wake up from the rest of the four of my colleagues which I also don't recognize. I'm sorry I don't have any answers"

The hooded guy fell silent and he lost his rage. Magi and Mani had a surprised expression in their faces, drops of sweat formed in their head showing a bit of fear. The silence went on for a full ten seconds before Isug felt awkward and started speaking.

Isug :

" Uhmm, I am not sure but did I say something wrong?"

-- " Nothing is wrong. You just said something terrifying about the Abyss forest."

The one who answered was the hooded girl behind Isug. She remained unresponsive during the whole chaos but now started speaking.

Hooded Girl :

" Information regarding the deeper parts of the Abyss forest is a tale as rare as myths. Most of the information out there is only exclusive to the elites within the circle of big wigs of society. We used to hear many stories of what tragedies we can expect to happen when encountering monster of the Abyss Forest. One of them is getting our memories stolen, and that myth had been proven right now by you to us"

Isug was shocked. This is the first time he heard something that concerns him. However he remembered the words of the doctor left to him.

Hooded Guy :

" You, what is your name?"

Isug :

" Isug, that's all I can remember"

Hooded Guy :

"So you atleast remember your given name. Anything else? Like Karma arts? or Alchemy?

Isug :

"I'm afraid I don't know any of that. Aside from my name, speech and atleast basic life skills, I pretty much can't remember anything"

The Hooded guy calmed down and scratched his head a bit irritated and regretting his earlier tantrum. Magi and Mani crossed their arms and lost in thought. The Hooded Girl was just stationary in her place.

Hooded Guy :

"Man, you got the short sticks then. You are the same as us. And that explains why you are here"

The Hooded guy stretched his hand to Isug for a handshake, which Isug accepted.

Hooded Guy :

"I am Kukuri. Sorry for lashing out earlier, I'm on my edge for many days now." Kukuri said while avoiding eye contact and scratching his hair.

Hooded Girl :

" My name is Irene. I'm on the same boat."  holding out her hand for a handshake greeting.

At that time, the Carriage operator informed them that they are nearing the Australis Evaluation Department.