More than 600 years ago, civilization had reached a peak in its development, one revolution followed another and nothing seemed able to disturb this society built on millenia of knowledge. Nevertheless, one day the machines built by human hands turned against their creator and caused the collapse of human civilization, or what is known today as "The Fall". However, humankind had not said his last word. Supermen, the pinnacle of human evolutionary science, stood in the way of the machine-led extinction, now known as "Cybermen", and allowed humans to gather in a single city, which they protected with their lives — Arkana — the last bastion of humanity. Thanks to these few people, humanity survived. But even they could not stop the war that continued for centuries. Today, the war still continues beyond these walls, waged by the descendants of these heroes who are now far more numerous, and it is impossible to say when or how it will end.
« Now, can you all wake up so we can finish this history lesson? » asked the annoyed man in front of this crowd of children unable to concentrate.
Suddenly, a high-pitched voice, indicating of his youth, intervened to respond to their teacher's annoyance. « But father, we've heard this story before. »
« And yet you still don't remember important dates and names. » he retorted warmly to these toddlers whom he had already taken care of for several years as if they were his own children. « If you want to live well later, learning is important. » continued the father.
« It's easy for you to say that, you're a cyborg, you don't need to eat or sleep... And we're orphans, even with all the teaching in the world we'll stay forever in the underground city. At the limit Taren and Nora have a chance but certainly not us. » said one of the children, breaking the heart of their adoptive father who welcomed them into this orphanage and did everything to ensure that they had normal childhoods by giving them food, warmth, occupations and teachings. He deeply wanted to believe that it was false, and yet he could not contradict his child...
« Lisa, don't say that. You know very well that you don't need to go up to the upper town to live proudly. » their father said kindly. « Also for Taren and Nora, it would be true if they stopped skipping my classes. They know that I give myself trouble at least? So, does anyone know where they are? »
« Probably beating each other to find out which of the two will have the taste of the other... » chuckled one of the kids in the back.
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[Nora]
Somewhere in the lowless district.
A slight current of air was escaping through the front door through which we had just passed, an unpleasant smell but very common to the poor districts of the city, suggesting the very pitiful state of this dwelling. I was waiting there, behind that moldy staircase, eager to find what I came for... a clue.
« Taren, are you sure? » I whispered to my friend hiding with me under those stairs, camouflaged by a few boxes placed randomly in the alley.
« Who do you take me for ? Of course I'm sure of my sources, I'm the greatest detective in the world after all. » he announced, proud of his role.
« Save that for when we catch the Cyberian King. » I said sarcastically.
According to our information, it is in this putrid house that the beast that made humanity tremble for several centuries resides. The famous dr. Octopiss described in our captions. The one who would have orchestrated the entire Fall of human civilization with his overdeveloped intelligence and his robotic claws.
« What do you think this monster looks like, Taren? » I questioned him.
« Probably very old if he's over 1500 years old... » — I chuckle between two breaths of air — « ...and bald, apparently that was a sign of intelligence at the time since there weren't the reinforced scalps of superhumans yet. »
Suddenly, the door opened letting in two middle-aged and seasoned people.
« It must be his minions. » I whispered so as not to attract the attention of these bandits.
The former sat down in a chair in a casual manner before pulling out a bottle, most likely with the intention of drinking it. It must be a drug that gives special powers.
It was then that the one with the bottle started the conversation. « It's amazing how profitable this job is, just a little more and we'll have just enough to get to the top. » he said hoarsely.
« What ?! » I inadvertently blurted my mouth. After realizing my mistake, I checked that no one heard me before noticing Taren who seemed to be mentally scolding me and motioning me to be quiet. But it remains unacceptable what these people are doing, after having broken the lives of so many people, they intend to return to their planet as if nothing had happened?! We definitely can't let them.
« I can't believe there are still people stupid enough to believe what we say Hehe. »
Oh no ! They tricked people into participating in their horrific experiments that aim to reduce men to puppets to serve their interests?! I can't allow this!
However, again for lack of restraint I got up too abruptly and hardly had I had time to realize my mistake when my head banged against a step of the stairs, causing a crash in the whole house.
« Who is here ?!! » one of the minions said.
We don't have much choice it seems. I looked at Taren one last time to be sure what to do next. And after receiving a final approval from him, we got up, and charged the men.
« Kids?! » he yelled in surprise. It is true that we are only 9 years old but that was no reason to react with this contemptuous tone. I could take it badly...
« Watch out ! They are fast! » said one of them, boosting my ego for free.
No sooner had they had time to breathe than I landed on the head of one of the men, landing myself with my foot on his face.
« This is what we do to the servant of evil! »
Suddenly, the second pulled out a knife before charging at me, clearly displaying his murderous intent towards me.
« Heh! Wanna play this? » I exclaimed in a mocking voice.
It was not with this kind of play that he was going to hurt me. At least that's what I would have meant if I hadn't slipped on a newspaper on the table.
« Shit ! » I bellowed while instantly regretting the barbaric term I had just used. If father had heard that, I probably would have gotten a lecture, but since he wasn't here, I don't think I need to worry about it.
Taren then caught up with me at the last moment before running for the front door.
Suddenly, the man screamed throughout the house. « INTRUDER! »
« Ok maybe that was a bit too much for us. » Taren said as he sped towards the exit carrying me on his back.
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A few minutes later... In an alley.
*out of breath*
« Tell me Nora, didn't we say 'in silence'? » Taren reported scolding me. Indeed, I admit that on this point I was not very professional. However...
« Maybe it didn't go the way we wanted, but at least we got what we wanted. »
« We wanted something? » Taren asked me, intrigued.
Removing my hand from my back, I showed Taren the famous treasure that was going to be used to save the world or something like that.
« Drugs ?!! » he shouted when he saw the unknown bottle that was held in my hand.
« Yep, I managed to get their bottle back just before I ran away. » I exclaimed proudly, waving the bottle like a trophy.
« By the way, what is it marked on the bottle? » he asked.
« Whi-skey? That must be the name of the drug. » I don't know exactly what it is but I just hope Father will allow us to keep it. « Anyway, let's go home Taren!" »
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