A/N:

A note on timeframes - The World Tree takes place a few years before the epilogue of TTGL.

Also, I've settled into something of an update schedule now - so you can expect a new chapter every Sunday, barring computer death or other misfortunes.

I own a grand total of *ding* nothing! Derp de derp.

Chapter 4: Kamina City

Not too long ago, Nakim had been trapped in a well of despair. But the story the Old Man told was a story of fighting and overcoming that despair, never giving up, even against impossible odds - to create a universe free from the shackles of tyranny; a universe free to shape its own fate once again.

It was a story every child born afterwards learned while growing up, chronicling as it did the exploits of history's most remarkable and esteemed protagonist, but told with a detail and oration that Nakim had never heard before. The Old Man, of course, had already been an adult at the time, and from what Nakim gathered he had been present during some of the conflicts involved.

Perhaps he could even answer the question every child posed the first time they heard the ending.

'Where did he go?' Nakim asked, a little hopeful.

The Old Man gave a knowing smile. 'I knew you would ask that. Still no one knows; some say he disappeared into the heart of the Old City in Teppelin, but many believe he left our humble little world for the stars; some scientists point to large Spiral energy deposits in space as signals of his presence, but they're always found to be places where alien ships have accelerated or old battle sites. I'd like to think he went out to see the wonders of the creation he saved.'

'Well, that's definitely the most in-depth telling of the story I've ever heard.'

'When were you born, Nakim?'

'Not too long after the last fight at Teppelin, actually. Apparently I was there to see the moon fall from the sky, although I can't remember a bit of it.'

'Oh? Quite an event, that was.'

They sat in thought for a little while, until the Old Man spoke again.

'Nakim, don't give up.'

'Hm?' Nakim's head jerked upwards.

'Just because the man tells you you can't fight doesn't mean you can't. If anything, you have more freedom to do so now.'

The truth of these words dawned on Nakim; he stared wide-eyed at the old man. 'You mean I should still...'

'There are no shoulds, only cans. We all choose how to live our lives, and we can choose not to lead them in despair.'

A shadow of his former confidence flickered across his face.

'You're right... I don't need titles or duties to kick ass. I just need to get some gear, get up there and sucker-punch the alien menace right in the face!'

The Old Man chuckled approvingly. 'Exactly. Don't bow down, Nakim; you have the strength to struggle.'

A short while later, he and Jun prepared to leave. Nakim was full of hope and resolve after the night's trials; he felt as invincible as he did in the thick of the fight.

'Well, Old Man, we'd best be heading to the capital.'

'You know how to get there? There's only a few kilometers' walk left.'

'I think we'll be fine now. Thank you so much... for everything. I think your finding us may just be the luckiest thing that's ever happened.'

'Well, it's nice to have some company now and then. It was an honour to meet you, Nakim.'

'The honour is all mine.'

Nakim saluted the Old Man goodbye. The Old Man nodded in response, and then they turned their respective backs, heading toward the future.

They plodded forward, great stone protrusions still keeping the city from view. In the early morning hours the temperature was more bearable, and the walk seemed to ease up with every step, in opposition to the night before where the chill of midnight ate away at one's skin and one's feet felt heavier with ever pace. Jun was still silent, apparently only just recovering from his horrific experience in the desert.

Nakim turned things over in his mind. He had met two very enigmatic people in one night; the strangely unfazeable, seemingly omniscient Old Man, and the wordless, malnourished child tottering along behind him. To have found them both at the same time was a freakish twist of fate. Since that last battle, everything had changed; life felt more surreal, a barrage of new experiences rippling through a once routine existence.

He knew where he had to go. He agreed completely with Jun on this point; the one place where any problem could be solved and any question answered was, without a doubt, humanity's first and greatest city. It was there he hoped to find a home for Jun - and a way to the stars so he could chase his dream again.

Minutes drifted by, wild images of fire and steel filling his head. He wondered briefly whether his bizarre addiction to combat was destroying him - certainly, it was what had led him here. But then, if he had never arrived here, Jun would be dead and he would never have encountered the Old Man. Besides, he had sworn to himself that he would never hold regrets. Maybe this was why his memories had drained away - his refusal to look behind him. But a true man never turned away, he knew that.

Nakim's train of thought was delayed by the sudden appearance of a welcome image on the horizon - the sprawling metropolis that formed their destination. They were nearly there.

Spurred by this sight, Nakim and Jun assumed a brisker pace, craving the noise and life of civilization. The earth seemed to dash beneath their feet as they sped up, until they almost sprinted in the city's direction. Only when their breath left them did they once again resume a walking pace, but it was enough. After hours of walking, they were on its very doorstep, joining a great road that threaded its way into the city's heart.

They had arrived at Kamina City.

By the time they had reached a train station on the city's outskirts, their feet and legs were positively murdering them; they gratefully sat themselves at a bench, and for the first time in hours Nakim turned to his little companion.

A marked change had come over Jun - his eyes shone with excitement, awed by the cars trotting to and fro along the streets, the tall, many-windowed concrete buildings, and the crowds of people attending their daily business. Nakim wondered if this was in fact the first time he had been in a settlement of this size.

'Well, Jun, we're here,' he said encouragingly. Startlingly, Jun beamed back at him. 'Happy to be here?' Jun nodded and gave a little 'mm' of contentment.

He could not help but be charmed by Jun's wide-eyed amazement. He sighed.

'It's a long time since I last visited the city. I suppose, since I don't have much in the way of family...'

A hint of something else entered the near-mute infant's eyes, something almost resembling sympathy or regret. Though he dared not voice it aloud, Nakim became suddenly aware of the very high likelihood that Jun was an orphan. He decided to veer away from the subject.

'Well, best make a move. Let's head to the city centre, so you can see some of the sights!'

Jun gave his wordless approval again.

A matter of minutes later, they were sat aboard a train sprinting towards the city's heart as fast as its rows of piston-like legs could carry it. Jun was feeling the wear of desert travel once again, and had fallen asleep, his head cushioned on Nakim's right arm. He was utterly at a loss as to what he would do with the boy - he had barely spoken to any children in his life, and had certainly never had the task of looking after one.

Turning his head to see out of the window, he watched windows and roads blur along the route. Eventually the train dashed onto a long bridge that sailed high over roads only just freeing themselves of the morning's congestion. Towers and skyscrapers could be seen on the skyline now, and a high midday sun was visible, lighting the streets with great intensity.

Nakim nudged Jun, prompting him to blink a few times and rub his eyes with tiny fists.

'Here's the first proper view, Jun,' he said, indicating the monumental works of architecture and network of roads. Jun gave a little gasp and pressed his face to the window, drinking in the rather impressive sight.

Nakim yawned and gave a wide grin. If there was one thing he could remember it was his moving to the city, and being introduced all its sights and surprises. Growing up away from the urban sprawl made Kamina City that much more glorious - the novelty added to what was already an amazing experience.

Jun was wide awake for the rest of the journey, marveling at every new urban panorama.

When they finally arrived at the centre he was almost energetic, skipping joyfully onto the platform and out of the station, to the point that Nakim was the one struggling to catch up.

'Oi, you don't want to get lost now!' he yelled as he drew level with Jun. 'Can't go charging around unfamiliar territory.' Nakim mentally punched himself for the hypocrisy of that admonishment, but he was responsible for Jun now, and keeping him safe came before filing through his list of personal failures.

Jun slowed to a halt, looking a little sheepish. Amused, Nakim gently took his hand in order to lead him to the next destination. As he did so, he noticed another change in Jun's demeanor - it was one of curiosity and puzzlement. How long had Jun been alone? He had probably had little contact with others over the brief course of his life so far. Then again, Nakim himself hadn't exactly been bathed in affection by his comrades in his years of service - they all viewed him with fear, disdain, or amusement. This lonely little boy was the first real company he'd had in a long time.

With a soft tug Nakim pulled Jun in the direction of a long, wide, busy road lined with souvenir shops and tourist information. Quite soon they would arrive at one of the city's most famous attractions.

Striding along the road, he grimaced at the sight of a poster displaying President Rossiu's aging face. He'd been indifferent to the man for most of his life, but the Old Man's account put him in a new light - a significantly less flattering one, given that it alleged that their leader had almost thrown them all to the dogs. Still, they had prospered since those times, and Rossiu had apparently earned his forgiveness.

They reached the end of the road, and turned left, snaking through some smaller roads until they arrived in a massive square, its edges lined with flags and banners proclaiming the victories of the human-beastman war, at the centre a presence that made Jun's jaw drop.

'You heard about this one in the story, Jun.' Nakim laughed.

Mounted in a patch of green in the middle of the square was a gigantic statue of a man, sharp sunglasses perched on his nose, one arm outstretched to point towards the clouds. It was the revolutionary from whom the city took its name; the great Kamina, founder of the Gurren Brigade, a famously charismatic leader and at the same time an infamously tactless idiot. Truly, the statue was a fine representative of the city.

Jun's eyes shined with an awe that almost reached disbelief. He spoke for the first time that day.

'Who made this statue?'

'Ha! Who else but the founder of the city himself? What you see before you is his sculptural masterpiece!'

Jun became speechless before the mighty statue.

The day wore on as they wandered through the inner town, pausing occasionally in order to eat some lunch and look at any landmarks they found, until they reached the city's internal limits.

'Look up, Jun,' said Nakim. Jun did so, and his eyes appeared to almost free themselves from the confines of his skull.

They stood utterly dwarfed by the colossal majesty that was the old city, Teppelin; a place no one had entered in over a decade, what lay within its dense, unbreakable walls was unknown to the general populace. Rumours held that it was lined with vast towers and rows of bizarre machines, and that the ancient throne of the Spiral King lay at its very summit. It was a ludicrously large edifice, so huge its crown disappeared into the clouds, like some sort of ironclad mountain.

'Didn't look so big back when we were at the borders, did it?'

Jun shook his head vigorously.

The sun began to set, submerging the city in warm liquid gold, taking its position among scattered trails and fragments of darkening cloud.

Nakim was sitting with Jun on a simple park bench, gazing up at the serene heavens. That day they had seen the very triumphs of civilization; the commemorations of past heroes and the city of the future. But to Nakim, that sunset was something far more beautiful and precious.

It took him away to somewhere he wanted to be, as if here was not his place; but as he hard as he tried he could not reach it. He was incomplete without the rest of the picture; incomplete without the rest of his mind.

Curiously, he felt himself drawn to the leaves and trees, as if they were the next step of his journey home...

'Nakim.'

He jumped; Jun had finally called him by his name.

'Yeah?'

'Where did you come from?'

'What do you mean? Where was I born?'

'No. When you fell out of the sky.'

'Ohhhh. Heh, 'fell out of the sky', that's a pretty good description of my last couple of days. You see, Jun, I was up with the stars, fighting evil people who want to snatch this precious world for themselves.'

''Why are you in this place?'

Nakim lapsed for a few seconds into a brooding silence, before remembering the Old Man's advice.

'Because those people are scared I'll beat them. And well they should be, because as soon as I get up there I'll give them the seeing-to they deserve!'

'Are you... angry, Nakim?'

Nakim gave a regretful sigh. 'Yeah, I suppose I am. But I'll get better.'

There was a thick silence for some time, until Nakim got up. 'Well, time to move on. Come on, I know a place where you can stay.'

As the last sunlight started to fade, they left the city centre and all its miracles behind.

Another lengthy train ride later, they were at the simple glass doors of a tall apartment building. Nakim punched a button for the appropriate room and waited for a voice to emerge from the speaker above. Some time later a young woman's voice sounded out.

'Hello?'

'It's Nakim. I've got a bit of an emergency on my hands.'

'Nakim!' the woman replied, her joy palpable even at this distance. 'Come on in, I'll see what I can do!'

The two travelers entered the building and took an elevator to the fourth floor. Nakim was a little startled by its rough, rumbling passage; he was too used to the Icarus lift system.

They emerged into a small landing with sky-blue walls and a potted plant in one corner, with two doors on opposite sides. Nakim rapped three times on the left door.

Almost at once it swung outwards and a heavy object collided with him, two extensions wrapping around his neck. As he came to his senses, he deducted that it was a pair of uncomfortably tight human arms.

'... 'lo, Maosha,' he managed to wheeze before attempting to extricate himself.

Upon succeeding, he found himself in the presence of a girl of average height and build, with smiling brown eyes and thick chestnut hair. She was in pajamas; it appeared that it was a little later than he had suspected.

'I haven't seen you in what, a year and a half, two years? Oh gosh, you've gotten taller again, I swear you have, I mean it used to be less than a head's difference and now I look like a dwarf in comparison again, and I could have sworn you're not off duty again until winter, but then again I'm not too clear on the schedule and I'm bad enough as it is at keeping my own calendar--'

Nakim raised a hand to stop her gushing and allow Jun to step out from behind him. Maosha's face became a picture of complete bewilderment.

'Nakim, why is there a six-year-old standing next to you? I swear, if you've gone and kidnapped one of your CO's children again--'

'Look, Maosha, it's a pretty long story, so can we please just come in? Jun here's spent a bit too much time away from food and sleep.'

'Well, fine, but you'd better have a good explanation for all this!'

She turned and disappeared into the apartment. Nakim and Jun followed suit.

They found Maosha in the dining room with drinks prepared, and gratefully took the seats she offered. Jun immediately began to doze off again; his ability to sleep was truly commendable.

'So,' said Maosha. 'What exactly is going on?'

Nakim gave the full story, from his last fateful, frenzied battle to his meeting with the Old Man, and then his journey through the city with Jun. Maosha's attitude softened as more events were revealed, and she gave a long, sympathetic look to Jun.

'So you found him completely alone? No friends or family?'

'Not one sign of any other people at all, until the Old Man rescued us.'

'And you've basically been kicked out of the army?'

'Kicked out is a bit of a harsh-'

'So you were kicked out of the army.'

Nakim slumped and hung his head in shame.

'Well, you did bring it on yourself, Nakim. And the way I see it, this way you can actually stay alive, and go see the world and do all the things you'd never get a chance to-'

Nakim snapped back into animation. He abruptly found himself irritated by his predicament. 'The only chance I want is the chance to fight!'

Maosha was taken aback by his sudden aggression. 'N-Nakim?'

Nakim's craving for adrenaline overtook him; he felt furious at the Ymir, at Hector, at Gimmy, at everyone who had brought this situation on him. 'I've spent my life going out there and risking my neck, getting hospitalized every other weak, pouring every drop of blood, sweat and tears into just holding these things at bay - and for what, Maosha?! For what?! For this?!'

Maosha was increasingly intimidated. 'I don't know what you-'

'What have I been fighting for? What the hell have I been sacrificing my humanity for?!'

'Y-you don't know? But then why did you-'

Nakim ground his teeth. 'I lied to myself all this time. Told myself I was doing it for love and freedom and all that stuff - but that was all crap. I did it because I was addicted, because it's the only real joy I ever knew!'

'The only... wha-?'

'I don't remember a single real, honest, happy memory, Maosha. I don't remember meeting you - or any of my friends - and I don't remember peace. I only remember fighting, and killing - I remember the last years in the city, and escaping that dullness, and then it's all smoke and metal and blood! I don't know anything except the fight! That's why I have to get back up there, because it's the only place...' He choked. '... the only place I'll ever belong.'

He was breathing heavily, determinedly ignoring even the Old Man's words. The agony of restriction was killing him. 'I need to get out of here,' he murmured.

'You don't remember?'

Nakim looked up. Maosha was inexplicably on the verge of tears.

'Remember what?'

'You don't remember... w-where you grew up?'

'No. What of it? All it means is one more thing that makes me a psycho.'

Maosha backed away. 'Who... who are you?'

Nakim flared up again. 'You know damn well who I am!' He got to his feet. 'I'm the guy who left his friends so he could go and shoot things!'

He turned and stormed towards the door, desperate to escape this miserable trap. He was useless, purposeless, and that was why he fought; it was the only way a man with no memories, no meaning to his life, could justify his existence.

'Naki-'

Nakim's final words were hollow and despairing. 'I saw one thing in this life that made me think it was worth living. And you can't find it for me. No one can.'

He opened the door and left.

A/N:

Yeah, Nakim's been repressing some stuff.

All will be explained in due time, but next chapter begins the REAL story, so stay tuned!