From the Start

Chapter 7

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE GOD EATER FRANCHISE HOWEVER I DO OWN MY OC.

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Winter's POV

Once Kota and I had made it to the cafeteria we went straight to order some food. The food that we were given this time actually looked edible. Fair enough it was just vegetables but at least it wasn't one of Doctor Sakaki's experiments. Once we had received our food we went to find a table. Luckily there was nobody else in the cafeteria so every seat was available. Therefore Kota and I chose a table towards the back of the white-walled cafeteria so that there was little chance of anybody overhearing our conversation. Each table could hold six seats I noticed as there were three on either side of the rectangular table. The table we had chosen was directly in front of the one window that I could see and thus there was little natural light in the cafeteria. It was mostly all artificial light. I sat in the middle seat on one side and Kota sat opposite me.

"Right, let's talk." Kota said in a 'we've got business' voice.

"You haven't even took a bite out of your food yet." I said back to him in a surprised tone as I would have thought that he would eat something before starting a conversation.

"Food can wait. Besides, most vegetables taste better when they're cold." Kota replied and used body language to further express himself.

"Kanon told me what you said." Kota started and I kept quiet so I could let him finish.

"As you could tell, she was very upset. Now I know that you said you were being brutally honest but you need to make it up to her." Kota stopped to let me speak.

"That's what Doctor Sakaki said as well." I replied in an annoyed tone since this is the second time today I have heard that speech.

"She may not get over it very quickly but it would be best for you two to make up. Me, Sakuya and Sakaki may have said a few things which I just want to warn you about."

"Why do you need to warn me?" I enquired with a confused expression plastered on my face.

"Well some of the things that were said included how you were found to become a God Eater. Cool story by the way." Kota began but I interrupted,

"What! I'm gonna kill both the Doctor and Sakuya for mentioning such things!" I shouted which may have brought some attention as I had heard the sound of the cafeteria doors opening. Then again, they may just be here for something to eat. It is around that time after all.

"Okay, calm down dude!" Kota shouted, clearly fearing for his life.

"Dude, I am calm!" Although even though I now realise that I am not calm and thus try to calm myself down.

"Just make sure you don't upset someone like that again, Winter. I'm sure you noticed that she was shaking in her boots when you came in for that body bag." At Kota's words I find myself calm enough to answer,

"Yeah. But was Kanon really crying that much because I upset her?" I ushered in a tone slightly above a whisper as I had started to feel slightly depressed.

"Well, no." Kota started which raised my mood from slightly depressed to sad although I never showed these feelings. Kota continued,
"Although what she was crying over still involves you in a way." I was confused. What else had I done? Kota carried on when he saw my confused face,

"I'm sure you know that the reason she was hanging around you is that she thought that she was your friend." Way to make me feel the guilt even more Kota.

"Well, she was upset that you had already seen a comrade while on the field. When you came into the lab for the body bag, she looked at you to see your expression. Your emotionless response didn't help her. She was even worse once you left." Wow, I upset her even more without realising it.

"How are you by the way?" Kota asked me, "you know, seeing somebody die like that."

"I'm the same as usual." I reply with my ever-present stoic expression. "I met the guy's father and sister. The sister was distraught but the father was more, what's the words, emotionally stable."

"Yeah I heard about that." Kota said. He continued but I heard two sets of footsteps getting louder. I was starting to regret choosing a seat that was facing away from the cafeteria's doors.

"Word gets around fast in here. Apparently you were waiting for the guy's dad on the roof." The sets of footsteps stopped as I felt a woman's, slender, right arm around my shoulders and the owner of the arm sat on my left whilst the owner of the other set of footprints sat on my right.

"Yeah, that's what I heard." Came the voice of the female that sat on my left before I grabbed her hand and moved it above my head and then turning towards her to put it back at her side.

"I think you dropped this." I said jokingly to the eye-patched woman with silver hair, not wanting the conversation to continue with the addition of the newcomers. The woman that sat on my right also had a tint of silver hair but she was wearing work gloves and strangely enough eye protectors on her head. I met her as well, just before Lindow wanted me for my first actual mission.

"Time for you to let go of his shoulders Gina. It looks like he doesn't like it." Licca said in a her usual voice as well as a hint of playfulness in it.

"Oh but we were having fun." Gina said in a playfully sad tone. Thankful for the distraction from the main topic though I decided to speak up,

"It's not that I don't like a woman's touch. It's just that I don't want it to be from a stranger."

"But I'm not a stranger." Gina started with a smirk on her face, however I saw my cue for a joke,

"Stranger danger! Stranger Dang..." I shouted before Gina put her hand over my mouth to stop me from saying anything more. This earned us a few laughs in response from Kota and Licca. Once Gina realised that I wasn't going to shout that again she removed her hand from my mouth and spoke up,

"Besides we're not strangers. We met yesterday, right here in the cafeteria in fact." She then moved to whisper into my ear,,

"and we met last year, didn't we?" She whispered recalling the lie that I told Kanon.

"What was that whisper about?" Kota asked wanting to participate in the conversation. Before I could respond, Licca spoke up,

"No idea but they seem close, Kota. Maybe we should move so that we don't disturb them." Licca said which produced a visibly surprised expression on my face. Something which Licca noticed.

"Hahaha, that's the first expression I've seen on your face. Hahaha" she continued laughing. Gina also spoke up seemingly to keep this surprised expression on my face, and it worked,

"Yeah, why don't you two go somewhere else while we get more acquainted." Before this got more out of hand I gobbled up my food and headed straight to my room. When I left the cafeteria I could still hear them laughing. Luckily I won't have to deal with anything else like this today.

Upon entering my room I decided to check the terminal on the people that I know.

Kota Fujiki (15 y.o.)

Joined Fenrir Far East Branch in 2071.

Assigned to the 1st Unit.

Born: June 20, Height: 163 cm

God Arc: Assault (Old-Type, ranged)

"Hasn't caused any major problems in actual combat so far, but his lack of concentration during drills and lectures is a cause for concern. Thos who join him on missions should stay on their toes" - Tsubaki Amamiya

"Interesting" I say to myself. This will give me something to annoy him with.

"Who should I check next? Ah, how about Gina."

Gina Dickinson (22 y.o.)

Joined Fenrir Far East Branch in 2066.

Born: Aug. 11 Height: 172 cm

A God Eater in the 3rd Unit. Has above-average skills, but often takes reckless actions that puts her life on the line.

God Arc: Sniper Old-Type, ranged).

'Five years of experience. Wow. Impressive' I think to myself. Who next?

Licca Kusunoki (18 y.o.)

Joined Fenrir Far East Branch in 2069.

Born: July 22, Height: 150 cm

A mechanic who has worked in the God Arc Maintenance Unit at Fenrir Far East Branch ever since her days at Kuromatsu High School.

Officially assigned 2 years ago, she already has more than 5 years of experience as a crew member. Her late fatehr was also a Fenrir engineer whom she has taken after.

'Licca sounds like an enthusiastic girl. It will be best if I get along well with her. She is in the Maintenance Unit after all.' I think to myself.

"It's getting quit late" I say to myself as I realise that it is 9 o'Clock at night. "One more entry then I'll go to bed. I also need to think about how I'm gonna cheer Kanon up as well. There's an idea! I'll check Kanon's entry."

Kanon Daiba (19 y.o.)

Joined Fenrir Far East Branch in 2070.

Born: Feb 28, Height: 165cm

A God Eater with the 2nd Unit.

Although she is highly compatible with the bias factor, she is often guilty of friendly fire during drills.

God Arc: Blast (Old-Type, ranged).

"She's the same age as me." I say to myself as I read over her entry again, "oh so she is prone to friendly fire. I know, I could help her with her accuracy!" I say to myself as I turn off the terminal and head for my bed. I find myself unable to stay awake as soon as my head hits the pillow.

The next morning, I am awoken by an announcement over the tannoy system.

"Winter, please report to the main desk for mission briefing. I repeat, Winter, please report to the main desk for mission briefing." I reluctantly roll out of the bed and look at the digital clock that hangs above the door. I notice it reads 6:00.

"How early so missions start here?" I ask myself while putting on my Petunia Pants and my Blue Officer Top. Once fully clothed I run out of my door, lock it and run into the lift so that I can get to the front desk.

Once I arrived at the front desk I noticed that Kota was waiting there. I enquired as to his presence but Hibari answered instead,

"You two are going on a mission to fight a Kongou. This will be your toughest opponent yet so don't let your guard down. Apparently, hitting it in the face is an effective area."

"I would imagine so." I replied.

"The helicopter is waiting on the roof. Go and take care of the Kongou now." Hibari said in an 'all-business' tone. I notice that Hibari always seems to be here and ask,

"Do you sleep behind that desk, Hibari? Every time I see you you are always behind that desk."

"I get up very early" is Hibari's reply, "Now get to the helicopter." As she says that Kota and I run to the lift and reach the roof where we climb into a helicopter that looks like it is about to take off. It was a silent trip to the Wailing Plains but once we reach the landing spot Kota asks, with his God Arc in hand,

"Winter, where's your God Arc?"

"Shit!" is my response as the helicopter has already flown away.

"Wait! You don't have it? Then what are you..."

"We need to find a Cocoon Maiden and kill it quick. Help me out with this Kota, I know what I am doing." I told him.

"Can't we get the helicopter to..."

"There's no time for that. The Kongou could have disappeared by the time we come back. Trust me, we just need to kill a Cocoon Maiden. Ah look there is one." I point towards a Cocoon Maiden and tell Kota to fire at it. Luckily a few mortars was all it took. I gave Kota a few O-Ampules that I had on me and went straight for the Cocoon Maiden where it had unsheathed all of its spikes.

"Kota, I need you to fire another mortar at it." I tell him in a whisper as the Kongou might be close.

"Right, here we go." Kota fires and the Cocoon Maiden drops a few of its spikes.

"Great! Now Kota, be a lookout while I get more of these spikes and turn them into spears."

"Aye aye." Is Kota's response.

A few minutes later and I have taken all of the Cocoon Maiden's spikes and worked them into multiple spears.

"I admire your crafting." Kota states to which I reply with humour in my voice,

"Of course. This is how I survived without a God Arc." A roar catches our attention as a Kongou jumps from higher land.

"Kota, I need to be very close to the Kongou now that I have these spears. I need you to keep shooting at and try to break any bonds. Try not to hit me." I say before I rush off towards the Kongou. The Aragami stands on its hind legs and pounds at its chest. It then looks like it is about to pounce when I notice that there is a lot of wind accumulating in front of me. I evade the wind and rush to the Kongou's face. It seems to not expect this however as it jumps back in surprise. I notice a few bullets go shooting passed me and into the Kongou's face. It seems ineffective though so I, with spears in my hands, continue sprinting straight towards the Kongou where I manage to connect my spears with the Kongou's eyes thus blinding it.

"Winter!" I hear a shout and take my yes off of the blind Kongou and look towards Kota,

"Did you shout?" I ask but he refuses.

"Winter!" I hear again, "Disengage from combat. Licca says you have left your God Arc here!"

"Hibari?" I answer.

"Disengage from combat!"

"Don't panic Hibari, the Kongou is almost dead." I shout into the air still unsure of where her voice is coming from before turning to Kota and commanding, "Devour it now Kota, while its blinded with my spears!"

"You fought a Kongou with spears!?" Came an angry shout from Hibari, "How did you even get spears?" After finding the source of Hibari's voice through a device on the massive wristband I was given to come a God Arc I check to make sure that Kota has devoured the Kongou's core before replying.

"Finally found the source of your voice..."

"Never mind that! Answer the question!" Comes another angry shout from Hibari. So i did,

"I extracted the spikes of a nearby Cocoon Maiden..." I started but was interrupted by Hibari's shouting,

"You did what? I am going to have to tell your supervisor that not only did you leave here without a God Arc, you killed a Kongou with spears!"

"Oh okay." Is my response.

"Hey Winter, ask about the helicopter." Kota said as he ran over to me.

"Oh yes. Hibari we need picked up. Can you send a helicopter over."

"Yeah sure." Hibari said. "Now that I think about it, you could have been infected with Aragami cells. You will need to get to the medical bay ASAP!" Hibari shouted. "Although I am impressed that a rookie killed a Kongou with spears." A lot of voices could be heard over the device, mainly Tsubaki's. Obviously, Hibari's shouting must have attracted a lot of attention. By the time Hibari had used the device again, Kota and I had been picked up from the Wailing Plains and were headed straight for the Den.

"New orders have been received. Winter, you are to report to Doctor Sakaki immediately upon arrival at the Den. You are to bring any remaining Cocoon Maiden spears with you."

"New orders huh? Sounds like the same orders that I have received on previous missions" I speak to myself but Kota overhears and replies,

"I'm not surprised, I do know that you report to the Doc but this is the first time I have seen somebody fight a Kongou without a God Arc. I'm glad you are on our side. I feel safer knowing that you have my back."

"That's quite the dramatic response don't you think?" I enquire.

"No way dude. You're going to be a celebrity when we get back to the Den." Kota replies. The rest of the journey was a quiet one.

Upon arriving back at the Den, I headed straight for Sakaki's laboratory and was lucky not to run into any people on the way there. Like Kota said before 'Word spreads quick here.' Opening the door to the laboratory I noticed that there were more than a few familiar faces in there. Doctor Sakaki was one, sitting behind his desk with Tsubaki in front of his desk. Kanon and Sakuya were on the right and Lindow and Soma were on the left. Once I walked in though the latter four all started talking at the same time. Their questions were never answered, or understood, as Doctor Sakaki ordered,

"Right everyone, time to leave. I do have a medical to conduct." I moved out of the way of the door. Soma went first, then Lindow and then Sakuya. Kanon was next but she halted before fully leaving the room and it looked like she was going to say something, fidgeted with her hands, then thought better of it and left. She looked worried though. Tsubaki had the nerve to talk to me before she left,

"I want to see you after the medical..." she began but Doctor Sakaki interrupted,

"That won't be possible, Miss Amamiya. He will remain unconscious for quite some time after the medical. I doubt he will be awake before tomorrow." That worried me as it was only 8 o'Clock in the morning.

"In that case, I wish to speak with you tomorrow." Tsubaki said as she left. I closed then laboratory door and asked Sakaki,

"Why am I going to be unconscious until tomorrow?"

"The medical exam needs to be thorough so that we can identify if you have been infected with Aragami cells. Now move onto the bed and let's get started." Doctor Sakaki replied with his ever-present smiling face. Thus I moved towards the bed and lay down.

"As I said before you will not awaken until tomorrow. I assume you wish to stay here?"

"You assumed correctly." I said before getting comfortable. If I'm going to be here a while I might as well be comfortable.

"Excellent. When you awake just knock on the door and I'll release you." he said before I was given sleep inducing pills.

Usual POV

12 hours later, Johannes entered the laboratory.

"How is he Doctor? Have there been any mutations?"

"His cells are indeed fascinating. There has been no mutations caused in this instance. However, his cells aren't exactly human. All of his cells have elements of Aragami cells and it appears they have been for many months." Sakaki responded with a smile on his face.

"What does that mean Paylor?"

"It means that he is stronger than any regular God Eater as is proved by his ability to utilise Aragami tools, such as the spears he crafted out of a Cocoon Maiden." Sakaki gestured to the spears that were laid on his desk.

"Have you analysed these spears?" Johannes replied.

"Oh yes and there has been a remarkable discovery." Sakaki almost shouted.

"Do tell, Paylor." Johannes responded with his patience wearing thin.

"These spears have his cells all over them." Was Sakaki's response.

"So the Aragami was still eating him?" Johannes enquired.

"No, in fact, the weapons were moulding themselves into Winter's cells. I believe that if we let him continue killing Aragami without a God Arc then his cells will mutate further. I have taken multiple blood samples to test this theory. I am to soak these spears in these blood cells to see if there is any change."

"Why are you doing that?" Came a puzzled expression from Johannes.

"If his blood cells can adapt to these Aragami weapons then the boy will be able to produce an aragami weapon at will!" Sakaki responded/

"That is indeed a fascinating discovery. If there has been no progress in a week I want you to discontinue this work."

"Of course, Johannes" Sakaki replied with a smile.

"Then I shall take my leave. Give the boy my regards." Johannes turned and walked out of the door. Unknowingly to each other, both Johannes and Sakaki both thought,

'The search for the singularity may be over'.