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Chapter 162 - Group Photography
🕑 Added 2022-02-03 17:42:16 +0000 UTCWe roll up to a suburban train station in a troop transport hovertruck. Since nobody among us could drive, we had one of the soldiers chauffeur us. The female driver breathes a loud sigh of relief when I get off from the passenger seat but flinches when I turn around to thank her before closing the door.
There aren't many civilians around, but they stare at our amazing gathering of unique-looking people. If this were Japan, we could act like a cosplay troupe, but in this city of new humanity, we stand out like a sore thumb. Still, striding through the train station as if it's the most natural thing for us outsiders to do, apprehensive looks soon turn into curious ones.
I expected this space station to have an authoritarian regime that controls its people's thoughts and indoctrinates them into perfect obedience toward the false gods. One hallmark for that would be uniform clothes that erase individuality. But in reality, the civilians are surprisingly fashionable, wearing clothes not much different from the time period I came from.
"I am sure they are watching our every move." Sigurd comments while glancing left and right, pulling me out of my reverie. He's not referring to the civilians, so he must mean hidden cameras or soldiers in hiding.
"They're most likely up there." I point up at the bright sky. While I can't feel machines with my Chaos senses, I don't doubt for a moment that the military has drones flying high in the sky to monitor us. After all, sending soldiers to tail us could cause an escalation and result in casualties.
Although the commander and the troops at the barracks gave up when faced with my overwhelming power, they aren't the decision-makers in the grand scheme of things. Certainly, there's a group of leaders sitting in a safe place that won't give up until being convinced in person. I'll have to deal with them when the time comes.
"But with you here, we have nothing to fear, right?" The bard preempts my declaration with a wry smile.
"Indeed." I raise my nose in exaggerated pride, eliciting a chuckle from him.
The train soon arrives at the station. I tell my companions to wait for the passengers to get off before we can embark; even in this unfamiliar place, the etiquette is the same. Unlike the military transport train we rode from the Rhodos station's forward section, this one is much smaller and reminiscent of those in Tokyo.
There are plenty of open seats, so we sit down across from each other and take up most of a wagon. We make for an interesting sight with our vastly varying heights and builds, the equipment and weapons some of us carry, and a few clearly non-human members. Both adults and children stare at us, and some younger kids even come up to us in curiosity.
"Hey, is that real?" One little girl asks Kamii while pointing at her cursed arm. The dark elf glances at me as if seeking help, but I give her a reassuring smile. Seeing this, she raises her arm and clicks the crab pincer demonstratively. The little girl's eyes widen in wonder and begin to glitter in excitement.
"Stop bothering the other passengers, dear." A woman walks over and pulls her away. "Excuse her rudeness."
"It's alright." Kamii replies with a nod and watches the child being dragged down the aisle while looking back repeatedly. This would be the first time an adult human hasn't shown a hint of disgust at seeing her cursed arm. I don't know if the woman thinks it's an elaborate costume, but she didn't seem bothered by it at all.
"The people here seem pretty friendly." Rolan comments while looking at the departing mother and daughter couple warmly. He has borrowed the bard's cloak to hide his destroyed left arm, and I think that was a good idea. No matter how nice the civilians of Rhodos city are, a man with a torn cyborg arm will draw attention of a different kind.
As we ride the train toward the city, I catch myself remembering my previous life. Although the sights outside are quite different from the Tokyo in my memories, it still makes me reminisce about what it was like. My companions are excitedly looking through the windows to take in the unfamiliar sights or sitting quietly to rest a little before the inevitable next battle. But to me, the atmosphere feels almost like a field trip.
"I hope they do not attack us now." Sigurd mutters next to me and glances around. He's not worried about us but the civilians that would be caught up in it. As I am now, I could protect everybody on the train and deal with the attackers, but I don't say it out loud. Still, he seems to see through my expression and smiles. "I am truly glad that we are on the same side."
I give him a noncommittal smile in return and peer across my companions. The moment I consumed the entire solar flare and surpassed the speed of light, I should have sent them back to Earth. But one part of me sensed that if I did that, I would never see them again. As if separating from them would irrevocably change how I perceive everything around me.
Sighing, I look at Kerry, who stands on their seat and looks outside with a curious expression. They said they haven't been here in a few centuries, so a lot must have changed. Even now that I have glimpsed eternity, I have yet to grasp the true meaning of being alive for many millennia. That still lies before me.
The train soon disappears underground, and more and more passengers get on at every station. We're transported from the familial atmosphere of the suburbs into the cold anonymity of a metropolis. The gazes now are filled with curiosity but also a sense of disapproval. It would seem that standing out in the society of Rhodos city is frowned upon, much like it was in Tokyo.
"Next stop, Zenith Square." The pleasant female automated voice announces, causing me to look up in surprise. She didn't say Zenlith, but it was close enough. I certainly expect to see some places named after the Old Humans here.
"This is our stop." Kerry remarks and peers up at the standing passengers through their helmet. I can sense nervousness in that gaze and understand that they're anxious about having to squeeze through so many people.
"We're getting off here." I stand up and call out to my companions sitting on the other side of the coach. When Rewera and Korenga rise from their seats, the other passengers make space for them. Using that opening, the others follow their wake, and we move toward the door.
The train rolls into the station, an incredibly tall hall that looks like a waste of space, and slows to a halt. The doors open, and we exit along with many other passengers, who immediately head toward one of the escalators leading up from the platform.
I make sure nobody is missing before following Kerry. From here, I will have to rely on them being our tour guide even though they most likely don't know the way either. A station name remaining the same for centuries is one thing, but stores staying in business for that long are rare. Then again, this place is most likely quite resistant to change if it has existed at the same level of technology since Alverost established it over a thousand years ago.
The underground station is an extensive shopping district in itself, with small stores and restaurants right where we climb the escalator. Countless people are moving with a destination in mind, but I can spot some waiting around pillars while looking at something suspiciously similar to smartphones. This is a living and breathing city, not just a breeding ground for the Old Humans' loyal soldiers.
"Not much has changed here since I last visited." Kerry remarks while hiding near the center of our party. They dislike crowds, so this is an uncomfortable place for them to be in. "The station layout is still the same."
Many eyes are on us as we make our way in the direction the little Old Human points us. Most of my companions are still in their spacesuits, making them stand out among the regular clothes in this place. Korenga wears a traditional Adanak outfit that exposes most of her elaborate tattoos. Tokomaha's leaf hair makes her look like a walking shrub in this underground space otherwise devoid of plants.
I would normally tell them to try and keep their focus so that they don't stand out more than they already do. But seeing them look around in wonder at all these new sights warms my heart. We came here to do battle, but this is a good experience for them. Now, they can see the true extent of all that Zenlith and the others have denied Earth for millennia.
Finally, we reach the surface and find ourselves in a bustling pedestrian area with shops all around. People walk around in fashionable clothes, carrying shopping bags while talking on their phones or holding drinks. Drum-shaped robots move about the place, cleaning up wherever waste touches the otherwise spotless ground.
"There's no nature." Tokomaha comments with an expression of displeasure and sniffs. There's not a hint of greenery here, even though the suburbs had plenty. Still, the air doesn't feel stagnant, probably because everything here uses electricity, and the temperature is regulated to perfection.
"What's this? Is it a circus troupe?" I hear voices among the surrounding people, talking in hushed tones. As far as I can tell, there's not a hint of animosity toward us, only innocent curiosity. The new humans, both young and old, stop to look at us before continuing onward, not one of them lingering long enough to be considered rude.
"This way." Kerry lowers their helmeted head and points toward one of the alleyways that lead away from the main street. I pat their helmet and signal my companions to shield them from the onlookers. As we cut across the broad pedestrian area, some people do gawk at our procession. Some younger children even run after us before their parents stop them.
Finally, we enter the far narrower alleyway, and Kerry sighs in relief. It's almost as if too much attention becomes oppressive to them and makes it hard to breathe. I look back and realize that Senka was right; even though we're clearly outsiders here, nobody cared enough to question us. It's the anonymity effect of large cities.
The street before us is mostly empty, but there are plenty of small stores and bars. They seem the type to open in the evening when the city comes to life with working adults finishing their jobs and looking for some quick escapism before having to return home and sleep. Even in a mostly automated city, I can see black companies existing in one way or another.
Kerry leads us down the street before rounding a corner into an even smaller alleyway. It's barely wide enough for two people to pass each other while brushing shoulders and seems to feature obscure little stores only few would know about. Here, we come upon a small bar that the onyx-skinned child enters without hesitation.
"Welcome." A girl with black hair and decidedly East Asian features greets us from behind the counter when the bell hanging from the door rings. But when we enter one after the other, her eyes widen in increasing surprise and confusion.
The interior reminds me of an izakaya, a Japanese bar that serves some dishes that go with alcohol. Of course, it's not entirely like one since the Japanese culture no longer exists in this age. It's a mix of various things, but the inspiration is undeniable. The girl behind the counter also wears a modified kimono-looking outfit that seems easier to move in than the original versions I know.
Our party barely fits into the otherwise empty bar, with Korenga, Rewera, and Gram looking hopelessly oversized in this small space. The wooden chairs creak under their weight, especially in the Black God's case and with the big man still wearing his spacesuit.
"It still looks the same since I last came here." Kerry walks forward and looks around, not at all apprehensive despite the girl's staring. Then they look up at the largest framed photo among many hanging on the wall in the very back of the narrow restaurant.
I blink my eyes when I see that it shows the helmetless Kerry smiling next to a young man of East Asian descent, standing in front of an older version of this very bar counter. That must have been taken several centuries ago when they last came to the Rhodos station.
Then I glance at the girl manning the new counter and realize that she may be the direct descendant of the man. She stares at Kerry, then the photo, and her jaw drops as she swivels her head back toward the little Old Human.
"A-a-a-a-are you... Kerry?" The girl stutters while rounding the counter with unsteady steps.
"You must be Ichi's descendant." Kerry takes off their spiked helmet and shows a surprisingly mature smile. So far, I've only ever seen them as a child, but now I realize once more that this Old Human flew freely across space for many millennia. They may be a child in body and heart, but they also have an incredibly old soul.
For a moment, the girl is unable to speak as she stares into Kerry's glowing white eyes. Then she screams for her father while running into the back of the store and up a flight of stairs. I walk up to the God of Comets and pat their crystal hair.
"Are you sure you want to come here before we have finished our business?" I ask with a dubious look. If they attacked us here, the girl and her family would be caught up in the fighting.
"They won't attack inside Rhodos city." Kerry sounds quite convinced of that fact, but I'm not so sure. At this point, Shelnir and Elaine should be desperate. After all, we're at their doorstep now, and we defeated what should have been their last hope, the Oinos mass-production models.
Two sets of footsteps stomp back down the stairs before the door is slammed open, and the girl from before emerges with her father. He looks quite different from the young man in the photo next to Kerry, but I can imagine that he's Ichi's direct descendant.
"... are you really Kerry?" The man stares at the little Old Human in disbelief. The framed photo is the centerpiece on the celebrity wall. And the fact that they know Kerry's name shows that their patronage must have been considered a historic event that was recounted through the generations of this family.
"Yes. It has been a while since I came here." Kerry responds with a bashful smile. It's rare to see such an expression on their face, so I'm slightly taken aback. But it seems that they feel comfortable with these people even if they're essentially strangers. They would have tried to hide from the attention in the rear of our party otherwise.
I step back and watch as the father and daughter pair begin to talk to Kerry in a reverent tone. Joining Hestia and Kamii at their small table, I watch warmly as the three talk. But a moment later, the daughter realizes that they have a full house of guests. She bows to excuse herself from their conversation with Kerry and comes over to us.
"Are you Kerry's followers?" She asks nobody in particular, eliciting a sniff from Aurelia. I shoot the Golden Queen a meaningful glance before standing up to reply.
"Something like that, yes." I smile, trying to hide my sadness and loneliness at the nostalgia I feel when I see a Japanese-looking girl before me. She's of mixed blood, but the Japanese features still shine through enough for me to recognize her as such. "For now, a round of drinks for us, please. I leave it up to your recommendation."
I wink at the girl, who raises an eyebrow at my carefree attitude regarding our order. Knowing my companions and myself, we'll finish everything they have stocked if we don't have to move on soon. It's a reprieve after our journey through space, and although we're still in enemy territory, it feels like we can relax here.
Soon after, Kerry returns to us with the father accompanying them. He bows before us, not letting his thoughts at our strange appearance show on his face in a display of professionalism. We have a round of introductions, and I learn that his name is Shin - and his daughter is Nina. The Japanese culture no longer exists on Earth, but it would seem at least something survived here on the Rhodos station.
Kerry hasn't explained our reason for being here, so I'll keep it that way. Instead, I express an interest in learning how they came to visit this establishment on the Rhodos station, considering they were on bad terms with their brother.
They explain that they snuck in many times while their brother was on Earth playing his game with the others. To Kerry, it was a little revenge against Alverost, even though the latter most likely never heard about it or didn't care if he knew. They explored the interior of this forward section plenty, and the new humans living here were quite welcoming toward them.
It's not hard to see that the people always knew Kerry was Alverost's brother but didn't know about their bad relationship. That's why they treated the childlike god with respect, which soon turned to warm-heartedness when they realized that they were still a child. Perhaps Kerry isn't aware of that fact, but they're happier for it.
Nina arrives with two trays full of glasses and bottles, balancing them on her palms with surprising skill. Although she looks about the age when I died and reincarnated, she must have had plenty of practice working in this bar.
She puts different drinks in front of my companions and me while explaining what they are. I can smell the alcohol in the air, so at least I know they must be cocktails, but I can tell that she judged some of us by our apparent ages.
"Hey, why do I get no alcohol?" Tokomaha complains after sniffing hers. She looks to be in her teens but is among the oldest in my companions. Likewise, Kamii and Luna didn't get any alcohol either since they also look younger than they really are.
"Alcohol is not for children." Aurelia lifts her glass of what appears to be wine and swirls it in a practiced gesture. Tokomaha takes offense at the Golden Queen's sardonic smile, but I mediate before she can raise her voice.
"We will be staying here for a while, so take this as a starter." I say with a wry smile, then glance at Nina.
"You judge them by their appearance, huh?" Kerry walks up to the bartender girl, whose eyes widen in shock. It's a loaded question considering their own childlike but non-human appearance.
"No, I would never-" She begins, but the little Old Human interrupts her with a reassuring smile.
"Not all gods look like ones." They say in another display of maturity beyond their usual behavior, then gesture at my companions. "There are three among them, not counting this true god here. Can you find them?"
Kerry puts a hand on my arm, eliciting a chuckle from me. In this party are a few obvious non-humans, but all those that used to be called gods in Adanak are actually humans using the Imagination Engine. Yet, I would consider Tokomaha and Tahiri gods when it comes to their scope. After all, the God of Growth saved the Earth, not the so-called true god that I am.
I watch Nina fidget as she tries to figure out who the gods Kerry mentioned are. For a regular human with no abilities, all of them could be considered gods in one way or another. In Adanak, all of them would have been revered as such.
Suddenly, the bell on the door rings when it's pushed open, and everybody tenses up. But instead of enemies, it's Senka, Exla, and Sintress. Before I can wonder how they got here so quickly, I see Flann entering behind them. I narrow my eyes when I consider that she said she can only teleport others when I'm with her.
"We used one of the transportation terminals." Senka explains, having read my expression and mind.
"We're with them." Exla asserts before the father and daughter pair can speak up. The small bar is already quite full, and with Kerry's visit, they most likely thought of making this a private event.
"Now there are two more gods." The God of Comets says with a grin while greeting the two in question. Nina's confusion grows, but Shin seems to recognize one of them.
"Lady Sintress?" He mutters in disbelief and awe. Although Sintress was banished from the pantheon on Earth shortly after Aurelia's tenure as the queen of Terminus, she must still hold her position as one of the gods on the Rhodos station. Surely, depictions of the Lady of Brilliance still exist in this city, or Shin wouldn't have associated the petite blonde girl with the constantly closed eyes with the goddess.
"Today is your lucky day." I say with a grin. Considering Shin and Nina's ancestors treasured Kerry's visit to the point of keeping a photo of it as the centerpiece on their celebrity wall for all this time, having so many amazing people in their bar must be an incredible honor. That gives me an idea. "Do you have a... uhm, camera?"
There is no word for camera in this language, so I turn to Exla and finish in Japanese. She understands what I mean and translates it for me. Nina immediately takes out a smartphone from her pocket and shows it to me. The only difference from those in my age is the incredibly thin design that makes it look like a card rather than a device. It also lacks a camera lens where I expected one, but it must be hidden like many future tech cameras.
"First, the guests of honor." I gesture at Kerry, Exla, and Sintress. The Old Humans make much more impressive celebrities than the still unknown rebels trying to overthrow the gods these people still adhere to. Of course, we won't reveal the truth to them.
After Nina shows me how it works, I operate the camera and take a photo of the three Old Humans and the owners in front of the bar. One part of me wonders where Nina's mother is, but as an outsider, I won't pry. If she were upstairs, they would have called her down already.
When I return the phone to Nina, she does something on it, and a printer hidden behind the counter immediately spits out a physical copy. Shin holds it up like a treasure and smiles with such contagious joy that I feel the corners of my mouth curl up as well.
"Now, can I ask you to take a picture of all of us and print it?" Once the father and daughter pair calm down, I ask Nina while pointing at her phone. Everybody is here right now, and we have the technology, so this chance might not come again anytime soon.
"Of course." She replies with a beaming smile.
I gather everybody in front of the bar and line them up according to their height and build. It takes some coordination, and I receive some curious questions from those who don't understand the concept of photography, but the party soon stands or sits in front of the counter for a group picture.
"I'm taking it now." Nina announces, clearly no longer thinking too much about this strange but amazing situation. Over a dozen extraordinary people are before her, getting their photo taken by this regular barmaid. Once she learns the truth about us, it will become a story she can tell her grandchildren.
The camera has no audible shutter sound or other indication that the photo was taken, but Nina breaks out into a smile and walks up to me to show the result. Considering we are so many people, it's amazing that no one blinked.
"Thank you." I express my gratitude as warmth spreads in my heart. With this, we have physical evidence of our fellowship coming all this way.
Nina prints out one copy for each of us, probably sensing that we don't have the technology to make more ourselves. I'm grateful for her to be so quick on the uptake without having to pry for information. Each of my companions looks at the printed copies with different emotions, but there's a sense of relaxation spreading throughout the bar.
I ask Shin to cook up some food and Nina to bring more drinks so that we can have a party before heading out to our final battle. Of course, I don't tell them the latter part. I quietly imagine how Shelnir and Elaine would react if they learned that we went out of our way to enjoy ourselves here while they were expecting us to attack them.
For now, destiny can wait. After all, this could be the last time we're all together like this.
