Prologue: The Dream of Alterna
"He knows too well the cost of audacious innovation."
"Father Axe, what was the surface like?" Akikta asked and waited patiently for the older male to reply. The two of them leaned over a sturdy rail and received a nice view of all the denizens on the lower floor, but more importantly, getting a beautiful shot of the rocket within the distance. The Spirit Lifter was what the lead scientists called it. It certainly did just that.
The older male, Father Axe, turned to Akikta and smiled. His already wrinkly face wrinkled even more. The artificial sky of Alterna made his light brown skin glisten like a shiny pearl. Father Axe took a hand and placed it on Akikta's shoulder, gripping the boy gently before their brown eyes locked on each other. The older's being slightly darker. "Our home was... wonderful. The sky was just as beautiful as the projections you see now. And the sun... its warmth cannot be described." Axe explained, re-sharing descriptions Akikta had heard over a dozen times but never truly grew tired of hearing. Unlike the elder scientists, Alterna was the only world Akikta, his father, and his brother had known. Father Axe was one of the elder scientists who survived whatever catastrophe made the surface inhospitable to humans.
He was one of the few people who could answer and satiate Akikta's curiosity about the outside world. Sadly, that fact reminded him that Father Axe was the only one who could call off this certain test he wanted Akikta to do. Said test would make Akikta miss the launch entirely.
"Father told me he and his co-workers will be launching the Spirit Lifter for its test launch a week from now. Are um, are you sure we can't hold off until then?" Akikta pleaded, desperately wanting to be there when the Spirit Lifter took off. Unfortunately, Father Axe was very adamant about him doing this. He had never shown such urgency in a little test before now. It was as though it were life or death. He showed this by giving a simple head shake.
"If these pods work, this would be revolutionary for our society. There's no better time than now." Akikta pouted, bummed out that he'd have to miss the test launch. The pods Father Axe referred to were what Akikta would call a cryo-pod. He's read about them extensively in those sci-fi books, so he knows what they're supposed to do. He doesn't understand why he and his friends were selected to test them out. And more importantly, why now?! Watching that rocket take off was top on Akikta's priority list ever since the day his father burst into his room and announced their grand plans for the future. If this all went well, they could both accomplish their dream and see the surface.
"Ok..." Akikta responded in a quiet tone, wanting to protest but not wanting to offend his elder. Father Axe worked hard to build those pods, so it'd be selfish to deny a request after he's spent decades of his life building it, especially if this would help their society.
The young boy's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Akikta turned, and his eyes immediately lit up at the sight of a familiar face. So much so that he ran into the arms of the taller newcomer, giving them a big hug.
"Whoa- hey now. You're seventeen and still hug me as if you're four."
"And I always will, bro." Akikta looked up at the male; his face, or rather, his whole body, was hazy and hard to make out. But he knew this was his brother, Chaska. The man showed Akikta that even when he felt alone, he wasn't. After a short period, Akikta ended the hug.
"It is nice to see you, young Chaska. Have you come to see Akikta off as well?"
"You know it, gramps. I'm always gonna be there for my little bro." Chaska commented, giving Akikta a small pat on the head.
"I'm sorry my son has been so absent from your lives lately... this rocket has preoccupied him."
Chaska shook his head. "No, no. It's fine, grandpa. I don't blame dad, the test launch is soon, and if all goes well, we can all return to the surface. Besides, don't you wanna see a real sky again?"
Father Axe remained silent for a moment before crossing his arms, which allowed them to disappear under his ceremonial robes. "Not a day goes by where I don't wish to feel the breeze of real air again, young Chaska. But my family is here."
A frown curled onto Akikta's face. "I think seventy-plus years of living has made you a little too emotional, Father Axe." Chaska looked down at Akikta sternly before Father Axe let out a hardy chuckle. Akikta's comment tickled him.
"Nonsense, young Aku. I've simply learned that family is much better than the sky."
"If you say so..."
"C'mon now, bro; your elders know better than you." Chaska teased.
"You don't." Akikta retorted.
"I have more experience than you."
"Only by nine years! Which is basically none!" The two brothers started to bicker, but another chuckle from Father Axe stopped it short. Before anything else could start back up, Father Axe gestured for them both to follow.
As Father Axe led Chaska and Akikta through a series of hallways and corridors, Akikta focused on the long ponytail braid which ended at Father Axe's waist. Akikta could see the many symbols that dotted Father Axe's robe when it moved from side to side. One of which was the face of a bear. Akikta giggled, remembering how his brother was scared of them, despite having never once seen a bear in person. The three arrived in a circular room with no windows or other furniture. The only things there were seven pods attached to the wall; a frown immediately took form on Akikta's face.
Father Axe pointed to the pod in the middle. "That's yours." He stated, which caused Akikta to look at it with malice. His pod looked different from all the others. Akikta fumbled with his shirt, something his brother noticed. Chaska kneeled to the side of Akikta.
"Hey, buddy, look at me. It's gonna be alright. You're just gonna go to sleep for a short while. A month is nothing compared to how long you've been living!" Chaska proclaimed. A blatant attempt to calm Akikta down.
"Yea, but... what if you guys forget about me?!" Akikta blurted out, revealing the source of his nervousness and fear.
"Ok, one, I could never forget about you. You're my only brother. Two, you won't be alone; your friends will join you shortly after." Chaska assured.
"And three, I have set the pods to wake you all up a month from now. Do not worry, young Aku; you won't be in there forever." Father Axe added to reassure the smaller brother.
Akikta's worries were eased, but not put to rest. He let out a soft sigh before he took off his shoes and put them to the side; thankfully, the floor was warm. Akikta wasn't looking forward to this at all. Maybe his brother could see it on his face or sense it somehow, but either way, Chaska placed a hand on Akikta's shoulder and gave him a thumbs up. "There isn't a thing you can't do. You got this. 'Sides, grandpa says it's just like all those books you read. You won't even realize how much time has passed. You'll be in and out."
That made Akikta feel a little better, knowing he wouldn't recall any time spent in the pod. "Thanks..." Akikta said appreciatively before he took a few steps forward. He still looked at the pod with mistrust, but would not protest any further. Before he got in, Father Axe stopped him.
"Before you go, there's something I must give you." Father Axe reached into his robe and pulled out a blank white mask. On the back of it was a band that straps onto another's head. Its eyeless black holes and black slit for a mouth were disturbing to look at, so Akikta paid more attention to the small triangular hole above the slit, which acted as a nose. It clearly represented something, but Akikta knew not what. "My father gave me this when I was your age. Your father never was interested in these things, so I've held onto it. After a short talk, me and young Chaska decided it'd be best if you kept it." Father Axe handed the mask to Akikta, who took it with pride. He examined the mask, discovering a small button on its side that would open the slit of the mouth if pressed. You could wear this and eat simultaneously, which confused Akikta since it felt like it was made of wood. No, it was made out of wood. He could feel the splinters on its sides. "Whenever you put this mask on, the Great Spirit will protect you."
"And we'll always be there with you," Chaska added, filling Akikta with a sense of safety and security. He looked at Father Axe and Chaska before giving them a big hug. Suddenly, he didn't feel scared about going through with this.
"I love you guys."
"We love you too." Father Axe responded before Akikta broke the hug and hopped into the pod, filled with excitement for what was to come.
"Hey, once you come out, maybe we'll have word on whether or not the surface is habitable. Maybe we'll be able to see the sky together!" Chaska continued to fill Akikta up with enthusiasm. Now that Akikta thought about it, if a month passed in a blink of an eye while in the pod, all of Alterna could stay in these pods and never age until Earth was once again safe for them. The thought alone was enough to make Akikta restless, but once the pod door closed, a faint but noticeable gas-like substance filled it. Akikta saw it practically freezing the inside of the pod's glass solid, but he didn't feel cold whatsoever. He could still see his brother and Father Axe, but after a short while, it was only Father Axe. The older man placed a hand on the pod door.
"May you see the sky. Young Aku..." Akikta raised a brow at that comment; it didn't sound right to him. Soon, Akikta grew sleepy rapidly. Father Axe was gone from his vision. Now it was just Akikta.
"We'll...see the sky...together..." Akikta said in response to Father Axe, albeit in an exhausted tone. His eyes became too heavy to stay open, and against his wishes, they closed. Now, it was just...black.