Erley ponders as he looks towards the wasteland before him, the sun caressing his cheek.
He remembers the conversation he had five days ago with Elias.
---
Sitting down on the other side of Elias, Erley asks, his voice tinted with curiosity.
"Well... I was fighting these humanoid things, and suddenly the world slowed down. In that moment, it was as if nothing else in the world mattered. Only me."
Elias signals him to stop.
"Were you in a life-or-death situation?"
Erley responds. His voice cold.
"The humanoids were powerful. I thought I was going to die. I think if it wasn't for the luck I had with that awakening, I probably would've died."
Elias stares at him, he leans back on his chair.
"Normally, awakenings happen when you are in dangerous situations or traumatic events, the first awakening being the only exception. Sometimes there is also an exception for the other awakenings, but very few times does that happen."
Elias frowns.
"At the moment, every awakening I've heard of has been fairly normal. It is those with exceptions that make the information I have pretty useless. And it is one of the reasons why awakenings are the hardest subject when talking about imperfects."
Elias locks eyes with Erley.
"Now I wonder... Was Argen's awakening an exception? What Hao told me was pretty weird. Even though he was in a life-threatening situation, it feels like he was holding back his awakening somehow."
Erley looks away, as if not concerned.
"Whatever, is that all you needed?"
Elias closes his eyes, thinking.
"One last thing... I have a favor to ask."
Erley looks at him, curiosity filling his face.
---
Erley frowns, jumping down from the building where he was sitting, he heads towards the outside of the camp.
Looking around, he waves towards the usual people of the camp.
'Their eyes...'
He bumps into a small girl.
"Oh, I'm sorry, little girl."
The girl looks up at him, her small iris black like a void, a red ring around it. She extends her small arms towards him.
"Erley!"
Erley frowns, replaced by a smile almost instantly. He hugs her.
"Hey Ava, how you been?"
The small girl's smile widens.
"Where you been, Erley? No other kids want to play here, I'm so bored!"
He puts Ava down.
"I'm sorry, Ava, I've been so busy practicing. You know we're leaving the camp soon, so I'm preparing to be the strongest to protect you! I'll play with you tomorrow."
Ava pouts.
"Fine..."
He pats her on the back, pointing towards one of the many ruined buildings of the camp.
"Now go back, your parents might worry."
Waving goodbye. They both go their paths.
Reaching the outside of the camp, he heads towards a circle made of a couple of crashed cars and a bus.
In the middle, a woman rests next to a small campfire made from pieces of wood collected from the surroundings.
It was Myora. She was swinging her sword forward, her left leg bandaged. The fire moving as the wind of the sword blows it away. Erley sits with his legs crossed on top of the bus behind her.
"Training again? You should rest."
She stops swinging her sword, looking back at Erley.
"You should stop worrying about me. I can already stand up and fight."
Erley frowns.
"Elias probably told you already, didn't he?"
Myora hides a frown from him, the wind gently moving her hair.
"Don't worry about it. I'm more than ready."
The frown disappears from Erley's face, replaced by a small smile.
"Let's train then."
Myora glances at him, swinging her sword.
"No, I'm practicing alone right now."
Erley comes down from the bus, kneeling behind her he starts poking her with his finger on the shoulder.
"Come on! You were smiling and lively back in the skyscraper. Now, all of a sudden, you're Ms. Cold Hearted? It'll be some light practice. I don't have anyone else right now since Annie and Hao are getting supplies..."
She grabs his finger.
"You are really annoying sometimes, you know... Fine, go get that stick, I still can't stand for too long though..."
Erley smiles, finding a nearby wooden stick, he stands in front of Myora. Ready to train with her once again.
---
Reaching the base, Aragon looks around, everyone rushes to their posts. The bright sun shines above the leaves of the trees.
'What is going on...'
Reaching the main tent, Aragon greets the leader of the armed group. A handsome, strong man with brown hair, scars all over his face and neck. He welcomes Aragon with open arms.
"Aragon! My favorite perfected! How are you!"
Aragon looks at him with disdain.
"Marlon... I thought I wouldn't have to come here on the weekend..."
Marlon looks at him confused.
"Ooooh... I forgot you don't watch the news..."
He takes a remote controller and turns off a nearby TV.
On the TV, an empty podium is seen, the headline down below reads:
-Statement from Queen Maria-
Aragon looks confused.
"Huh? What does this have to do with us?"
The leader calmly rests his back on the table.
"Well, the government has contacted us. They need our help in the retaking of the United Kingdom! They gave us a fuck ton of tax payer money."
He opens a bag full of stacks of money. Pulling out three stacks, he gives them to Aragon.
"Here is your cut, pretty boy. Make sure to leave everything ready for your sister. We are going tomorrow."
Aragon looks at him, his face full of anger.
"How do you know I have a sister?"
Marlon walks, turning his back towards him. He sits on a nearby chair.
"We know everything about everyone here. You are no exception... Don't worry, we won't do anything to her. If anything, she is safer now."
Suddenly, loud noises come from the TV, and Marlon and Aragon instantly lock their eyes onto the TV.
---
Flashes go out, tons of people inside the room taking pictures.
Simultaneously, all flashes stop. The loud noises inside the room are silent.
Not a single sound was heard, except for the loud sound of heels slowly hitting the ground.
Tack tack tack
A woman comes into frame. Beautiful, jet black hair falls upon her shoulders, her red eyes shining on her beautiful face. Her feminine body covered by the prettiest dress made of black and red.
The clothes looked beautiful, but imposing.
Everything blends perfectly together, making her look like an ancient war goddess. Everybody in the room was scared of the aura emanating from the mysterious woman.
The woman stops in front of the stand. Looking straight at the camera, she speaks, her voice calm.
"Twenty years ago, we lost our home, the United Kingdom. Along with most of Europe... The beast outbreak was a stain on humanity, an unexpected, horrible catastrophe that could not have been avoided. A catastrophe that has led us to make sacrifices. Sadly, a week ago, one of the military bases stationed in the United Kingdom was attacked by what seems to be a large group of Japanese terrorists. We have taken this as a warning towards us, and an insult to our honor. As such, we were led to make a decision."
After a short pause, Maria continues.
"Today, October 2nd of 2038. I. Maria Deinos. Will start reclaiming not only the fallen United Kingdom. But the rest of Europe. We will conquer and reclaim every single piece of land, the retaliation, whether it's from beasts or humans. Will be met with relentless force. Once and for all, it's time for humanity's second coming. Thank you, and may god bless you all."
She calmly turns, quickly walking away from the storm of sound inside the room, multiple bodyguards blocking her from the flashes of the cameras.