World of Advent
Chapter Eight
Sorry for the long wait, guys. It's been a hectic past few months for me with school ending and getting through some personal issues. But here it is! Chapter Eight- enjoy!
Cipher wished he hadn't set such an annoying tune to wake up to. The song blaring over the radio clock promised a "good day" if he woke up. Cipher was more assured that he would have a better time dismantling the clock with a hammer right before going back to sleep. With a groan, Cipher lifted himself from the bed, throwing the heavy covers to the side.
A small grin of excitement cut through his morning stupor. He was in the Resistance. His dream was finally coming true. The only thing left to do would be getting assigned his job and partners for the duration of his stay in the Resistance. Sighing as he discarded his sleepwear in favor for the Resistance regulation green tunic with black sleeves and its matching hat, Cipher wished he could don his normal red and black clothing instead. It was a small sacrifice, however, one that Cipher was all too willing to make.
Swiping the keycard from off the dresser, Cipher opened the door, ready to take on whatever challenges Colbur had set out for his class. A rush of morning traffic met his groggy eyes as similarly dressed people ran, pushed, and fought their way to their respective destinations.
Fifteen minutes of fighting through the populace for a spot in the now heavily overcrowded elevator, Cipher pushed the button that would take him to the command Room, where Colbur would address his class. With a mighty rumble, the ancient machine made its skyward ascent. Floor after floor, people would leave, having reached their destination already. Soon, Cipher was among the few left who stopped at the Command Floor.
It wasn't hard finding the Command Room again. If the enormous label weren't enough, a large line of young hopefuls trailed outside, waiting to be let inside. Cipher took his place at the end of the line, waiting in turn for even more to trail behind him.
Once all were assembled, a noise sounded from inside the command Room, its door sliding open in response. A slight murmur could be heard from amidst the crowd as they walked inside, filing in after one another.
The assembled group stood in rows of ten people. Cipher could tell with a quick glance that eight rows meant eighty people had passed the preliminary tests. Atop a platform, Colbur addressed them.
"Congratulations, trainees, on getting this far," Colbur said. "Please be patient while we are ready to assign your objectives for the day."
As the reploid turned his back, the slight murmur rose to a collective whispering as the class talked amongst themselves.
"What do you think they'll have us do?" one girl asked.
"I heard they make you do all the unpleasant chores first," a boy supplied.
"That's rubbish," another said. "I heard they make you take on a pack of pantheons to prove your worth."
Cipher shook his head, wondering how some of his class managed to pass the intelligence part of their testing. Scanning the crowd for familiar faces, Cipher's heart lurched unpleasantly when he noticed the rude girl, Sorra, was among the crowd, talking with an unknown male who appeared to be their age.
Following Cipher's gaze, one of the trainers walked over to Cipher. "Has she given you the 'welcome speech' yet?"
"Yeah," Cipher said sheepishly, scratching his head. "Why does she hate me so much? I've never even met her before."
"It's not you," the trainer said. "She's like that to all the newcomers. She and her brother, Grey- that's who she's talking to- have had a hard life. She has her reasons." The trainer looked over towards the platform where Colbur was discussing their schedule. "The name's Menart. Good luck out there."
Colbur cleared his throat, signaling for Menart to take his place among the other trainers. With a roguish grin, Menart leapt up the platform, nodding to the class below him.
"Welcome to the Resistance," Colbur said magnanimously. "I'm sure many of you have heard of the illustrious patrol squads that defend the rest of the world. Not all of you will make it there. Some of you will drop out of the training program early. This is fine. Not everyone is destined for such a life. Remember, all jobs here have worth, even down to the cleaners. It is my job to ensure that you are sorted out to where you belong. Your role in the Resistance Base will always be an honorable one.
Now, follow me. You have already been predetermined to have had an adequate enough intelligence. Now we determine if your physical prowess is adequate as well."
Cipher's class made their way outside, each hoping that they wouldn't end up with a mop in their hands by the end of their training.
They stopped at the beginning of an enormous track. Colbur strode past them, a megaphone in hands. "Your task is simple," Colbur's voice reverberated. "Run."
It took Cipher a second to comprehend the reploid's brief instructions. Apparently, judging by the stalled group, he wasn't the only one. It took a second command ("Run!") for them to lift their feet.
Cipher relished the feel of the morning sun on his face as he willed his muscles into action. Physical endurance was an Advent's specialty. Having been born with reploid DNA intertwined within their genes, Advents were created to share reploid resiliency, enabling them to perform tasks ordinary humans could not do.
Sure enough, as time passed by, most had already dropped out of the track, joining the rest of the class to the side. Cipher could see that most were humans, but a fair number of Advents had already passed out as well.
Soon, all but one human had veered off to the side, clutching their sides heavily as they sought to catch their breath. Grey was the exception, it appeared. Sorra's brother kept the pace as easily as any Advent. Among the others remaining on the track were two Advents, always close to each other when running through the circuits.
One of them, a girl, slowed down to match Cipher's pace. The other, a boy her age followed.
"How long do you think he'll last?" the girl asked Cipher. The contempt for humans was evident in her voice. "I give him a minute at most."
"Tone it down," her companion said reproachfully. "We're not here to make enemies."
"Very well," the girl sighed. She had a playful gleam in her eyes. "I can tell you're one of the stronger Advents," she said. "Why don't we play a little game?"
"What kind of game," Cipher inquired.
"It's simple, really," the girl said. "Why don't we see who's faster? Advent versus Advent."
Cipher contemplated his choices. On one hand, he could focus on the rest of the training and not waste his energy on a silly race. On the other, he would be backing down to a challenge."
"Sure," Cipher said. "Why not?"
The other Advent said nothing but radiated a sort of disapproval.
"Don't worry," the girl laughed. "I won't do anything too rash." she looked at Cipher. "Ready?"
"Ready." The two of them set off at a breakneck pace, feeling the wind rush past their ears as they tried to outpace the other. Soon, Cipher felt the strain of his muscles, but could sense the girl's endurance had not even begun to waver. Sweat formed in bands at the top of Cipher's forehead, a sign of weariness the girl did not share. In fact, she seemed to enjoy the speed at which they ran.
"How can you not be getting tired?" Cipher gasped.
"It's in my genes," the girl responded. "My father was known for being fast as the wind."
Cipher slowed down at the sign of a whistle, ending the competition. Colbur gathered the rest of the group together. Cipher noted that Grey was still on the track when they were called back. "Good job," Colbur told Cipher, Grey, and the two unnamed Advents. "But you'll need your energy for the upper body physical tests."
"Don't worry," the girl said. "I can go on forever."
"Very well," Colbur said. "Come. We must test your strength."
As they exited the track, Cipher found the Advent boy and struck up a conversation. "He's incredible!" Cipher paused to ease his breathing. "I didn't catch your names."
"We didn't give you them," the boy said.
"Can I have them," Cipher asked awkwardly.
"They are not important.
Cipher could tell he wasn't being snubbed; the boy just wasn't used to someone asking who he was.
Colbur led the group to an enormous gymnasium, empty but for the various trainers that eyed them calculatingly.
"You have each been assigned a machine," Colbur said. "Take your place next to your assigned position and wait for my mark."
Cipher quickly found his position among the other C's. The exercise equipment had many various functions, but it appeared as if their arm strength was to be tested primarily.
"Do as many pull ups, sit ups, and push ups as you can in any order," Menart called out to the group. "We will be watching you."
"Begin," Colbur commanded.
Cipher immediately began his regimen of pull ups. Having worked at Tom's shop for so many years, picking up heavy machinery had become second nature to him. Applying it to exercise was almost too easy for him.
Of course, Cipher found out shortly, the race had with the Advent girl had exhausted him more than he had originally thought. He found himself quickly out of breath as he competed with Grey, who was directly across him, for dominance in strength.
"You're pretty good," Grey said cheerily. Cipher was surprised to hear Grey speak. Didn't his sister hate him?
"Er, thanks," Cipher said. "You too."
"Don't worry," Grey said. "I disagree on my sister's treatment towards newcomers."
Cipher looked at him, puzzled. "What do you mean by 'newcomers?' Aren't you part of this class as well?"
"Yes," Grey agreed, "but we were born here. The Resistance has always been our home."
"Aah." Cipher thought about what Grey said. "Your parents must be very dedicated to the Resistance to have stayed for so long."
Grey's demeanor shifted slightly, if only for a second. "They sure loved their jobs," he said. Grey was about to say something else when Colbur announced that it was time for them to be evaluated.
"You will receive the results of your evaluations shortly," Colbur explained. "Who you are paired with and what you will be doing for the remainder of your course will be determined. For now, you may go outside in the Courtyard and relax."
Cipher secretly hoped to get strong teammates. He had done fairly well in strength, and excelled at endurance. Surely he would make it to patrol duty. Still, a voice nagged at him from the back of his head, not everyone made it to Patrol. One's psychological tests had to be cross referenced as well.
Cipher sighed, deciding that he'd make the best of whatever job he was given. Outside, the rest of his class played ball or simply relaxed. Cipher found his eyes gravitating towards the two Advents he had met on the track earlier.
"So who do you think you'll be paired up with," Cipher asked them. "Surely you would get on Patrol."
"We have petitioned to be on a team just ourselves," the boy said quietly.
"How'd that go?"
"Not well," the girl said. "Colbur said that we'd have to be part of a three man cell or be part of none at all."
"So who do you think you'll get then?"
"No one," the girl said. "We've decided that we'll be together on a team or on none at all."
Cipher stared at them in shock. "Surely not! Why did you come to the Resistance, if not to make the world a better place? How can you do that if you aren't part of a team here?"
The girl let out a bitter laugh. "I forfeited my right to serve Arcadia long ago. I have no wish to save a city of lies, ruled by foolish humans."
"I thought Harpuia ruled Neo Arcadia," Cipher said. "Shouldn't it be under reploid rule?"
The girl shook her head. In that moment, a faint shimmer could be seen, not unlike what a hologram would give off. "Harpuia is weak. He wouldn't dare strike down Templar even when they ripped his family apart."
Cipher blinked, confused. Who was this girl, speaking so freely of the ruler of the last and greatest human sanctuary on the planet? And what was with that shimmer? It was faint, but Cipher knew he had seen it. Whoever the girl was, she was hiding under the guise of a Cloaker, a hologram meant to disguise one's appearance. If she was under such pretenses, it was likely that her partner was as well.
"Well, best of luck to you," Cipher said. "What will you be doing then?"
"Most likely we'll find some odd job to do around the Resistance," the girl said. "There's always something that needs to be done."
"If not," the male Advent said, "then we can always find some place that does."
"Whatever." Cipher shook his head, not believing that they would be so willing to throw away such an opportunity as this. "They'll be done soon. See you around. Or not."
"See you around," the girl said with a smirk. "Or not." The pair waved him off as Cipher made his way back to the entrance.
A bell sounded not long after and the rest of the class came back inside, a huddled bunch of nervous and excited teens.
"Look at the board," Colbur announced. "There you will find who your teammates, future friends, and family for the next few years will be. I suggest you find something to do together afterwards. Get to know each other. You have the rest of the day off. That is all."
Cipher scanned the list apprehensively, staring at his name conjoined with two others. With a groan mimicked by another voice nearby, he read the words PATROL: Grey Skie – Cipher Unclaimed – Sorra Skie.
"Not him," Sorra complained. "Why'd it have to be that guy?"
"Hey," Cipher said, "you weren't exactly my first choice either. Let's just start over. The name's Cipher."
Cipher held out his hand for Sorra to shake. Sorra just stared at it. Eventually, Cipher rescinded his offer, dropping his hand to the floor. "Okay..."
"Come on," Sorra said, taking her brother's hand, "let's get out of here."
Grey looked at Cipher apologetically as they filed outside along with the rest of the class. Soon, Cipher was left all alone amidst the white walls.
"Where are your teammates," Colbur asked him. "Shouldn't you be out celebrating with them?"
"They're um, waiting for me," Cipher lied hollowly. "I should leave."
Colbur nodded, sending Cipher off.
Never had Cipher felt more alone. Nor had he ever felt such a roller coaster of emotions before. He had achieved his life long dream. He was in the Patrol of the Resistance. But his partners wouldn't give him the time of day. Cipher looked toward the sky, wishing, not for the first time, that he had someone to talk to about these things. With Tom gone and Neige busy reporting on the Virus, he had no parental figure, no one to comfort him and tell him that things would turn out OK.
Cipher smiled humorlessly. But wasn't that always the case? Shaking the feelings of self pity out of his system, he thought about heading to the district where all the popular restaurants were held, but an image of happy classmates chatting about what they'd do for the next few years stopped him.
Instead, Cipher made his way to the Pier. The ocean always helped calm him down. Soon, with the help of his C-Slider, he was amidst the gulls and salty air. He was alone, but this time it was by choice.
Cipher looked out to the ocean, watching the violent waves crash against the rocky shore. In some ways, the sea reminded himself of his own internal struggles. It was always something to ponder out on the Pier.
"I knew you could do it," a voice said from behind him. "I knew you'd make Patrol."
"You!" Cipher whirled around, his oversol now fully activated, energy saber glowing in the fading light of dusk.
Light held up his hands, placing them on the rails of the Pier. "Relax. I'm not here to fight you."
"What are you here for then?"
Light sighed. "You're my family, remember? I'm just here to congratulate you is all. Tough luck with getting the bitch with brown hair on your team, though. What was her name? Sorra?"
"Yeah," Cipher said, still wary. "At least I made it to Patrol."
"That's the spirit," Light said. "Always look at the bright side." Light looked out towards the Resistance Base, past the rolling waves. "Look, I know we got off on a bad start, but I'm trying to do what's best here."
"Like attacking me out of nowhere? What kind of ideology is that?"
"A necessary one." Light gave Cipher a grim glance. "This world is not kind to those not strong enough to resist its darker shadows. I needed to make sure you could handle yourself."
"From what? The Maverick Virus?"
"Well, there is that," Light admitted. "But something else is stirring, just out of reach. A war is brewing, Cipher. Soon, people will be forced to choose sides. Will you be among them or will you be strong enough to resist both sides of the war?"
"What do you mean?"
"Human supremacy. Reploid supremacy. Advent supremacy. Soon, these three will collapse upon themselves, leaving the world an easy target for the Virus."
"You speak of it like it's alive."
"You of all people would be foolish not to realize that," Light said. "With who our father is and all."
Cipher glared at his brother. "There you go again. 'Our father.' Who is he? What exactly do you know?"
"I know enough," Light said simply. "the answers are there; you're just choosing to ignore them."
"Our parents abandoned us," Cipher said. "If you're even my brother."
Light started laughing.
"What?" Cipher asked. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," Light said. "You remind me of someone. We are brothers. I can assure you of that. See?"
Light allowed his oversol to stretch across his arm, a bright red sheen covering it. "Now you try."
Cipher hesitated, but allowed his own oversol to stretch across his arm, as far as he could make it go. In shade and hue, it mirrored that of Light's own oversol.
"See? Brothers." Light smiled. "It took me a while to find you. I was afraid you really were dead."
"Who names they're children Cipher and Light?"
"THAT," Light said, "is the question you've been ignoring all this time. "Who indeed?"
"You think we're Zero and Ciel's children."
"I'm not saying anything," Light said in a sing song voice.
"Why me though," Cipher asked. "Why not Cero?"
"Cero is too invested in one side of the war," Light explained. "The war can only be prevented by someone who has no ties to the heroes or the villains of this world. He only sees what Zero and Ciel show him. The world is a darker place then what little Cero believes." Light's expression grew darker. "That's the other reason I'm here. You cannot allow yourself to be involved with the politics of the Resistance. When the time comes, I will have you join us. Until then, live your dream. I will fight for your right to have it."
Cipher shook his head as thoughts swam across it. "Who are you?"
"I am the son of two great heroes," Light said. "One who willingly forsook them both in order to not forsake this world. More importantly, I am your brother."
"Why are you telling me this?"
Light shrugged. "You need to become stronger. I can help. But only if you can accept who you are."
In Cipher's stunned silence, Light left as abruptly as he came, leaving Cipher to his own thoughts and decisions.
It was a quiet ride back to the Resistance, but it wasn't to his room that Cipher drove. Amidst the fleeting lights of the sky, he parked himself at the entrance to an enormous graveyard. In the distance, he could make out two shapes.
Even from the distance, Cipher could tell whose graves they stood over. Hiding behind a tombstone, Cipher waited for them to leave.
With heavy feet Cipher made his way to his own gravestone. With a shaking hand, he traced the name "Cipher" beside that of "Light."
Cipher's gaze drifted from the tombstone to his own arm, now enveloped by the red sheen of his oversol. The exact same red of Zero's.
It was a long time before Cipher made his way back to his room.