In the heart of an island, surrounded by a gaseous ocean, the rusted hatch of a bunker creaked open, accompanied by a metallic hiss. From within, two figures emerged, wearing helmets marked with different numbers: 97 and 11.
Once both were outside, Pai, turning to the hatch, closed it by spinning its wheel, producing a sharp metallic clank.
— Clack —
"How can so much dust gather in a sealed place?"
Seven, standing beside him, irritated by the dust clinging to his clothes, tried to brush it off. Even though he had barely touched anything inside, a surprising amount had stuck to him.
Taking advantage of the breeze blowing across the desolate concrete island, he began to remove the dust from his body.
Meanwhile, still crouching, Pai removed his backpack and began searching for something inside it.
"It's normal. In sealed places like this, thick layers of dust build up, but where we passed is still clean compared to other parts of the bunker."
Skeptical, Seven recalled the places they had been through.
I can't imagine what those other places must be like…
Finishing his cleaning, he glanced at the sky, surprised by the sun's position, and murmured:
"That was quick…"
By the sun, he realized not much time had passed, as it had barely shifted since he last saw it.
It lasted little more than an hour and a half… but it didn't feel like just that…
Perhaps the lack of light, preventing him from noticing the passage of time, or being completely engrossed in the gunfire.
Pai, hearing Seven's murmur, stood up.
"Your training was indeed quick. I thought it would take a bit longer, but you learned easily, hitting the targets with great precision after a few adjustments."
Turning to him, he handed Seven the end of a rope.
Seven, delighted by his Pai's praise, spoke with a smile.
"It was more fun than I expected, but I wish I could've shot a few more times before we head back…"
"I know, but it wasn't necessary. Besides learning quickly, we can't waste ammunition irresponsibly."
Turning, they began walking, with Pai leading along the same path they had taken to arrive.
Yes… ammunition is expensive.
Even though they could recondition some, they couldn't manufacture new rounds, making them one of the few items they had to retrieve from the citadel.
Will this time…
"Pai, this year, if I stay, will we do things the same way?"
Since it was a trip he made at least once a year, they were left alone at home, responsible for some tasks.
Though there was a chance to go with his pai, knowing about his sister's nightmare, Seven thought it unlikely he'd leave her alone.
"Now that I have a firearm for defense, can we leave the house more often? Spend the day out?"
Except for the few tasks they had, which could only be done during that period, like gathering certain herbs, they couldn't go out freely.
Even the greenhouse next to the house was off-limits for long periods, being quite restricted.
In silence, Pai thought for a moment.
"Depending on how things are, you'll be able to go to the greenhouse more often and, perhaps, visit the abandoned school once, but you can't wander other parts of the city yet."
Hearing this, Seven smiled.
Then this year could be a lot more fun, since we'll get to go to the school.
Of all the places in the city, that was one of the few they visited just for fun, as it was where they found the most clues about the past.
But, remembering something, he grew more serious.
"Pai."
"Yes."
"This year, if we go out to places near the house, like the greenhouse, can we take Yuliya?"
"…"
Pai, his shoulders stiffening slightly, kept walking in silence.
Seven, noticing this, continued.
"Her health has been improving a lot, and it seems like it'll keep getting better, so… I think leaving her alone at home must be a bit boring for her…"
Seven had been noticing this: Yuliya was supposed to be asleep when they got home, but that had changed. Now, regardless of the time, she waited for them, just like last night.
"…While I'm away, Yuliya can't go out, for safety. But if her health remains stable, we might be able to go out together a few times before my trip."
Surprised at first, Seven thanked him:
"Thank you, Pai!"
Continuing on, they stopped just before the gas, where, similarly, there was a pile of stones. Like the one on the other island, it was carefully stacked, likely to withstand the strong winds that blew through the area.
Beside it, Pai took out his compass and checked it.
"Seven."
But, lowering it, he turned to him.
"Do you have your compass?"
Frowning, Seven replied:
"Yes, why?"
As a basic survival item, he always carried it, both for moving through the city and in case something happened.
"Take it out."
Though puzzled by the sudden comment, Seven removed his backpack and retrieved the compass from one of its compartments.
Not much different from his pai's, it was made of brass and had an old but well-maintained appearance.
"Why do you need it? Did yours break?"
"No, you're going to lead the way back."
"What?!"
Surprised, he spoke a bit louder.
Glancing quickly at the ocean ahead, he turned to his pai.
"But isn't that dangerous?"
Besides being a completely unknown path, if he made a mistake, Seven had no idea where they'd end up.
This place must be somewhere in the city I've never been, maybe even near the center!
Seven knew much of the city, leaving few places where this ocean could be.
"I understand your concern, but look at the needle. To return home, just head southwest; to get here, go northeast. Got it? It's simple—just follow the compass, and we'll arrive safely."
Looking at the compass needle, Seven calmed down a bit.
That's true…
Though grim, it wasn't a complex path, almost a straight line. Even the few obstacles they encountered weren't hard to navigate.
Pausing for a moment, after glancing at the compass and then the gas, Seven nodded.
"I understand, but… why?"
Seven genuinely didn't understand why he was being put in charge so suddenly.
"…You're growing up, Seven. You need to learn to do some things on your own, both here and elsewhere in the city, if necessary."
"…"
Though uneasy, sighing, Seven looked at the compass.
"Got it…"
Stepping to the front of the line, checking the direction on the compass, he began walking, venturing into the gas.
***
Parting the leaves, Isis searched for something when she found a hanging fruit. With a swift motion of her knife, slicing it from the plant, she tossed it into a small bag slung over her shoulder.
Leaving the spot, she began walking over the light-green grass, a beautiful carpet spread across the ground, until she reached where she had left her things.
Approaching a backpack, she took the fruits she carried and placed them inside.
As soon as she finished, wiping her hands, she sighed wearily.
"Sigh... I guess that's it…"
Looking around, she checked the vine one last time, searching for anything she might have missed.
I've already picked everything within my reach…
Except for a few ripe fruits in higher spots, the rest were all green.
But, turning to her backpack, her expression was conflicted.
Even searching through the leaves, this is all I got.
Since there wasn't much to gather, she scoured the entire vine, trying to find every hidden fruit.
Just one backpack…
Looking at the other three, belonging to her siblings, she clenched her fists with a bitter expression.
…Letting them play with the machine, was that really the right choice?
Two of their backpacks were still empty, while Leon's had a single giant fruit.
That was all they had managed.
Compared to previous years, it was nothing, as that place used to yield enough to fill all her siblings' backpacks to the brim, barely able to close.
Even though she had allowed them to unearth the machine, she was regretful.
If we had worked together… if I had insisted on continuing… would we have picked more fruits, or reached the higher ones?
The original plan was for everyone to help, as Isis had wanted. But her siblings, completely drawn to the new discovery, disrupted her plans.
It wasn't them… I failed to guide them to the task we had, the one I was put in charge of…
Feeling a growing bitter taste in her mouth, Isis shook her head, trying to chase away those thoughts.
No, in the end, it wouldn't have mattered. That wasn't the reason…
All it took was a glance at the vine, laden with fruits but not yet ready for harvest, with the vast majority still green.
It wasn't something within her control. She was there because it was a task given by Pai, a routine one, as every year they came at the same time to gather as much as they could before returning home.
But this year, the fruits weren't ready, even though it was the right season.
Looking away from the backpack, she murmured:
"…I'll call them."
Turning, she headed toward her siblings.
With slow steps, her gaze was distant, fixed on the building's rooftop where the vine's tendrils swayed in the wind.
As she moved forward, glancing at some hanging fruits, she felt a pang in her heart.
Why do I still feel this unease?
She knew she couldn't do anything about what wasn't ready. Even picking alone, she had done everything in her power, yet she still felt guilty.
I just wanted things to go well today… after so long just being a burden…
Trying to clear her thoughts, she began observing her surroundings.
Her gaze, wandering over the environment, soon turned to the bluish sky, where the sun was already dipping toward the horizon.
It's past noon… What time is it? Two in the afternoon? No… maybe three?
It wasn't late—that was all she knew from looking at the sun.
…I wish I could tell the time by the sun's position… like Seven…
When he led, a quick glance at the sun was enough for him to tell the time with great accuracy and know how much time they had left.
"…"
With a downcast look, she continued, nearing where her siblings were.
Out of place in the surroundings, just ahead, piles of debris surrounded a certain area, something that wasn't there when they arrived.
Passing through some of them, made of rubble and plants, she reached a small clear patch where three people lay on the ground.
Drenched in sweat, they were all lying on their backs on the grass, utterly exhausted. They hadn't noticed her yet, their eyes closed, breathing unevenly.
With a faint smile, Isis spoke.
"It's time to head home. I've finished picking."
Leon, the only one who opened his eyes, though not looking at her as he stared at the sky, grumbled to his sister.
"Can't we rest a bit longer? Just a little…"
Still lying on the ground, arms and legs sprawled over the grass, he didn't move a muscle except his mouth.
But from his tone, Isis could picture him clasping his hands, pleading.
The other two, though listening, seemed unwilling to speak, remaining completely still. Either they were too tired, leaving it all to Leon.
"The longer we stay, the more tired you'll get, so we need to head home quickly."
At her reply, the three let out groans of disapproval.
Looking at the scene, a genuine smile spread across Isis's face.
Maybe a few minutes…
Raising her eyes, not far from them, stood the machine.
From the waist up, it was mostly uncovered, revealing more of its features, though from the waist down, it was still buried in the ground.
They managed to unearth quite a lot… No wonder they're so tired…
Impressed by what they had done, she passed her siblings lying on the grass and large chunks of concrete, approaching it.
In the exposed part, unlike before when only an arm protruded through the rubble, much of the torso and head were now visible, though the other arm remained covered.
Why is this one so different… Usually, they have short legs, long arms, and a sturdy torso, but this one's all proportionate…
Stopping near it, its appearance confirmed what Isis had suspected: it wasn't an ordinary machine.
The ones they saw in the city, built for construction, didn't need to be beautiful, just functional, designed for tight spaces.
But that didn't apply to this one, which had proportionate arms and torso, both quite robust.
It also bore marks she hadn't seen on any other. Like the arm, it was covered in scratches and holes, more noticeable on parts that had been more covered than the arm.
What was this used for…
Extending her arm, Isis placed her hand on the cold metal, which, though old, was still relatively smooth.
Despite its characteristic sturdiness, similar to machines they'd seen, it didn't seem meant for the same purposes, as it had a carefully crafted design.
As she circled it, running her hand over the metal, she noticed a small plaque welded to the upper torso, near the buried arm.
Curious, she began cleaning it, revealing a worn inscription.
"Junggernaut?"
There was more written, but, faded by time, she couldn't make it out.
It looks like it starts with a K…
Trying to decipher the rest, she kept rubbing the plaque to remove the dirt. Then she heard a soft, gentle sound of snoring in the background.
Looking back, she realized it came from Leon, who had fallen asleep from exhaustion. Not much different, Mia and Victor, though not snoring, had very soft breathing.
Smiling again, she covered her mouth, murmuring:
"We'd better leave before they fall into a deep sleep…"
Glancing at the machine one last time, she started to walk away.
"Let's go—!"
Then she saw a mark that caught her attention.
What's that?
Approaching it again, Isis reached out, placing her hand on one of the marks, just above the shoulder of the partially buried arm.
It doesn't look like just any mark, but a bite… was this from a beast?
Larger and deeper than the others, it had a crescent shape, having deeply damaged the metal.
Or…
Waking suddenly, Leon sat up, looking around startled.
Realizing where he was, he paused to yawn.
"…Sis, I think we can go now. If we stay longer, we'll end up falling asleep…"
His body sluggish, he turned to his other two siblings.
"Come on, get up, we need to leave…"
Right behind him, Victor and Mia, a bit clumsy, began rising like zombies.
Looking ahead, still rubbing his eyes, Leon saw his sister facing the machine.
"…How many backpacks did you fill, sis?"
"…"
She remained silent. Lowering his arm, he called her again, a bit louder.
"Sis?"
"…Oh! Yeah! We're leaving. I'll grab the stuff!"
With a quick, startled reply, she turned and hurriedly left, leaving them alone.
Still waking up, watching her walk away, Leon had a confused look, puzzled by how his sister acted.
"Victor…"
"Hm…"
Right beside him, already standing, Victor was finishing a stretch.
"Wasn't sister Isis a bit pale?"
Though brief, for a moment, her face had looked strangely pale.
"What?"
"When she turned to us, her face was pale…"
Victor, yawning, shook his head.
"…I don't think so… must've been your imagination…"
Still watching his sister's stiff back, Leon turned to the machine, covered in marks.
"…"
"Let's go…"
Looking back, already standing, Mia and Victor waited, their eyes tired.
"Yeah."
It was probably nothing…
Getting up with some pain, he headed toward his sister, moving away from the spot.
Far from the machine, unnoticed by them, through one of its cracks, a greenish gas began seeping down the metal, pooling near the plant's roots.