One World: Many Souls

Chapter 55: Following His Footsteps

Eras' Point of View:

"Impact! Eras! Come now our amazing baby bones! Open the door and let us see your dorm room!"

"Hang on, Dad!" Impact rushed over to the door of our nearly finished dorm room to allow our family members inside. Uncle Papy, Aunt Lilly, and Dad were all there to be welcomed inside by my cousin. "Hey you guys! We're almost done!"

"Fantastic! We have lunch all prepared and packed once you have finished everything." It was Aunt Lilly who was showing off the large packed bag with food for us all that Uncle Papy most likely put together. "Is there anything we can help you boys with?"

"Not really..." Impact took a look around before he faced me in the back corner while I took care of my clothes. "Eras? Anything you need help with?"

I shrugged at that. "Not really... just finishing touches..."

"Sounds good, kiddo." Dad teleported next to me, ruffling my hair. "Tom just messaged me that Hannah is done settin' up 'er room and ready ta join us. Ya good ta go?"

"Yeah..." I took a second to look around the room that was to be mine and Impacts during our time studying at the college. Impact and I had been hard at work moving in with some basic essentials and extra items. The room started off as any old college dorm room with basic walls and a room for two guys to share. Two beds on either side of the room with two desks, two simple desks and two wardrobes for us to put clothes in.

The changes started with bunking our beds. Impact wanted to make more space for us in the instance we had others over or other friends we may have made in college. He took the top bunk while I took the bottom one. Then with more space. Our wardrobes we left against the back wall together while our desks were separated. Impact wanted his desk right before the window to get lots of light. I took to the side wall to allow myself to not be blinded. We also brought with us some computer chairs from home. It allowed us to use the college issued normal wooden chairs as extra when someone came over, and Impact and I would be more comfortable while studying.

Especially since we'd be having Hannah over quite often.

Personalizing the room took a bit longer. We had some basic cleaning supplies tucked inside our small bathroom for us to share between each other for both our room and our bathroom. Some removable hangers we put up for jackets and a couple umbrellas at the door. My siblings sent a lot of pictures with us of our friends and family so we could decorate a couple walls so they weren't so bleak. Another wall was with a white board so Impact and I could display our schedules and chores between each other. Or notes.

Other things would be set up in time, minor things we didn't need the help of our family with and so forth.

"Then let's go."

My father eagerly led me away from our room to go eat and have a happier atmosphere. He was still pretty upset with Arial going off only a week or so earlier than us into the army. She tried to send us texts when she could, but training kept her busy, and it still hurt our parents to know she went into the army willingly.

But it was Arial's choice. It was what she wanted.

And with that in mind, Mom went to help her, so Dad agreed to help me get up in my dorm room. Mom couldn't take time off for both of us as much as she wanted to with her duties, so Dad ended up coming alone with me after saying goodbye to my siblings earlier on in the morning. It was fine... I was expecting it.

Arial never was the one to listen to all the rules. She was always the most wild out of us all. It seemed our parents only finally then were seeing it, her fiery spirit finally burning bright.

Out of our dorm room we were led to the outside picnic area. Lush green grass was all over while multiple tables were set about. I could already see Hannah and her father at a larger table where they were clamping down a cloth to keep our surface clean, especially since we didn't know if the wooden tables had ever been cleaned.

"E! Pac! Over here!"

And that began our lunch together with each other. Non-important conversations came about in the middle as our parents eagerly spoke of us going to college and beginning our lives. Starting to step out onto our own. We all had our own plans in mind as we wanted to move forward. I wouldn't say that every step was planned... but it was certainly at least strategically thought out.

We'd go ahead and get our degrees, we'd move into our own place. Impact, Hannah and I all agreed to live together to cut down on costs and save some money in an apartment. At least, that was the rough idea so Hannah could save for her own studio once she got her degree and licenses. Then she planned to dive right into competitions to showcase what she can do. Impact and I would instead focus then on working at different restaurants to build up an idea of other locations and how they work before working for Uncle Papy.

It's always what we wanted to do. We both loved being in the kitchen. We hoped to help him open a branch one day. Expand his business.

"Oh that was delicious!" Tom eagerly turned to my uncle. "I really appreciate you bringing food for us as well."

"Oh posh! Don't even worry about it Tom." My uncle waved him off with a bright grin on his skull. "I'm glad you enjoyed it! How about you three?"

"It was great like always Dad!" Impact grinned before showing a smirk to his father. "And before long, we're going to learn all those tricks and be better chefs than you!"

"Oh really?" Our uncle raised a boney brow at his son while the rest of us watched on, laughing.

"Thank you again, Uncle Papy." Hannah giggled at the older of the skeletons. "It's always a treat when we get to eat the food you or Mom make."

"But of course! Angel's work should be praised! She was my first teacher before I came to study here!" Uncle Papy eager turned his head to face us. "Just as she and I tried to give you all the chances to learn and fail, and now it's time to do so without the safety net. 'Leap for the stars, but know when to play it safe and hold onto a rooftop'... I think that's how the phrase goes... isn't it?"

"Even if it's not, it's a good analogy." Aunt Lily noted to him, holding his hand tightly. I could see the slight worry in her, but it was time for us all to grow further than before without their help.

"Yeah Pap, very in-sight-ful."

"Sans, I don't have the patience for your puns."

"Awe, but Bro, ya know ya love me ta the stars and back."

"You're just being horrible and you know it!"

"Settle down you two..." Tom nervously commented before turning back to the three of us. "Maybe this might be a good time to ask you kids if you need anything else? I know you're just about set up, Han."

"No, we're good." I commented first with a shrug of my shoulders. "We're as ready as we're going to be for now."

"Heh, figures." My father leaned over from where he was teasing my uncle to give me a ruffle of the hair. "Just as determined as yer mom. I know ya'll do well."

"Thanks Dad..."

"I think that's our cue to leave so you kids can start your lives and your choices." Aunt Lily stood up them, cleaning up our meal and gesturing for the older men to help her.

"Of course, Love!"

Uncle Papy eagerly began to help while Tom did too and Dad just chuckled on the side. He was as lazy as ever. The other adults cleaned up rather quickly before it looked like we'd never been there. That left our parents with bittersweet looks upon them as they had to let us go then and say goodbye.

"I guess... this is it, isn't it?" Tom was the one to speak first while Hannah eagerly hugged her father. Impact eagerly grabbed his parents into a strong hug, and I gave a last one to my father.

"Just until our first break." I shrugged at them, knowing that wouldn't be too long. Our first break would be in November. It would be just a couple months. It wasn't that long of a time period. They would be okay.

"Yeah, Dad, it will be okay. It's not that long before you see us again!" Hannah tried to give him a bright smile, to show that she and we would be okay. Tom sighed at it, but nodded.

"I know... I'm just being sentimental..."

"They'll be fine Tom, their our kids and we know they'll be together and help one another. We have to let them do as they want. They're growing up." Aunt Lily rolled her eyes before she took and started to steer the men away. "And I thought I was supposed to be the emotional one? Let's get going, you three, let them enjoy not having us hover over their shoulders."

"We're going, Lil. We're going." My father let himself be dragged back by herself and my uncle while Tom was steered away. "Good luck, baby bones."

And with that, the four of them flashed away with Dad's magic. We took a look around to make sure they weren't watching on again before the three of us sighed.

"Finally..."

"They were just worried." Impact shrugged while we ended up walking back to our dorm. "Come hang out with us Hannah, we'll show you our room and see if we can reach Lexi or Ari."

"That sounds good. Oh! We should reach out to Zak as well and see how his guard training is going too! He started only a couple weeks ago. Maybe he's free?"

"Maybe..." I was about to say more when my phone went off with a text. I looked to see what it was only to see Arial had been the one to message me.

Did the droves finally leave you alone?

I chuckled at that before showing my phone to the others who watched on in curiosity. Reading Arial's remark, they both laughed.

I quickly typed back to her. Yeah, we're alone finally. What's up?

I hardly had to wait much time to see a picture sent over my phone. The picture that first came across was Arial and Lexi in their army basic uniforms as they hugged each other in a selfie. They looked really happy in their own dorm room of sorts.

But then, came a second photo that made me blink as I looked at it. The second photo that came that time was both girls again in the same outfits but... they were kissing. Very obviously making out. Lexi was rather into it while Arial narrowed her eyes at the camera. It was clear the woman I knew as my sister was being rather smug as she showed off to me.

The caption on the picture was-At least I got away with it.

"God damn that woman..."

"What did she-oh my GOD!" Hannah squealed when she saw the pictures sent to me. "She actually took a picture of them together?! Oh my god!"

Impact on the other hand laughed rather loudly. "That fucking cousin of mine... damn... she's got more balls then any of us combined. But it's good to see she finally was okay with showing off her relationship with Lexi. It's been a few years now, hasn't it?"

"Yeah..." I could only shake my head as I watched on, smiling at how happy my twin was finally. My fingers started moving to send her a final message back.

Fuck you, have fun.

Third Person Point of View:

Number Five watched on worriedly while she ate and her fellow children didn't. They were upset, rightfully so she thought. She was worried for them. They hadn't been eating a lot lately due to the doctor and his rather difficult demands. He was asking too much of them. They couldn't keep up with only one meal at breakfast. Meals for the rest of the day only came to those who performed well.

The little siren girl was one of the lucky ones. Her magic was different compared to the four bunny children slightly earlier than her. They were forced to fight Mr. Musclehead everyday to try and do something to him. They often couldn't, they often went hungry. And Number Five couldn't even give them part of her dinner since the mothers watched on like silent monitors. The actions of the children couldn't be hidden. Not from the doctor.

And the scary people... there were so many of them. The scary laughing man. He made people obey him without any issue. The doctor made him not do that to Number Five or the other children, but that didn't mean it wasn't threatened that they would be just like the mothers. If they couldn't be used to fight, they would be used for other things...

Number Five didn't know what that meant, but she really didn't want to know.

The robot lady was also scary. She wouldn't talk to the children, but she mentioned once how she had a kid when talking to the laughing man. She hated her kid, and hoped he would go away since it would 'ruin her' or something. Apparently his name wasn't a number... Number Five was surprised by that.

And then there was the red lady. Her eyes always glowed red. She never talked and was always glaring. She hardly came down to check on what the doctor was doing. It was only when he sent something out to her first that she'd come approach. Otherwise, the other children were left alone... but they'd also never seen what it was like beyond their room, while all the larger adults went in and out all the time, even the mothers on occasion.

She sat with Number One before her. He was the only other one who managed to get food that night. He finally was able to punch Mr. Muscleman in the face and it was enough to please the doctor to let him eat. The two children quietly ate together with Number Five's mother watching them. She was pregnant with another baby in her belly. Number Five was worried. More babies were coming and the mothers were always gone a long time when a baby was born. Her mother, she could see, was really tired...

"Are angels... real?"

Number One stopped his ravenous eating of his meal to regard the little girl before him, only a year younger than him while she looked sadly down at her food. He would have tried to swipe it, especially since he was really hungry, but the last time he did that Mr. Musclehead threw him into a room by himself for days... And he couldn't get out...

He really didn't want to go through that again.

He honestly wasn't sure what to say to that question. But her eyes met his, and he could only shrug.

"I wish... they were... then... maybe we could..."

"Don't." Number One snapped at her rudely. Her train of thought was interrupted and tears slowly began to shed down her face. "Even if they are... no one's saving us. You know that."

Maybe Number Five did, but that didn't mean she wanted to give up. How did she keep going each day? There had to be more to her survival than just... this... the few books they kids had to share during down time showed that. Pretty pictures of animals, angels and a world entirely different then what they'd seen before. Water, grass, trees, sun, moon...

She really wished an angel would save them...

Witch's Note:

(From the command center in the underground base, Halloween sat and sighed. So many things had happened in the last week that she was so stressed that sleep wasn't coming to her, as many others also seemed to have.)

(Shadow had been sent to the surface almost a week ago to begin his investigation in the city. She waited to hear any news from him and tried to stick close to a console or communication device. She also couldn't help but track his signal from her side to make sure he stayed safe... or at least as safe as he could be. It was a risk letting him go, but too many things were happening as it was.)

(It also had been a week since River had woken up and began assisting the medical crew in assisting Mystic Boy, but it was always a constant state of panic when entering the medical ward. Every so many hours there was a medical emergency that kept putting her down and the staff were only able to manage her symptoms. Keeping her barely alive. It was a wonder she hadn't passed on if not for the determined souls who kept right at her side, including Mystic Girl and Chaos.)

(The biggest concern she had was what Dasansi's crew had told her. Impending attacks on an already delicate situation was something she was incredibly worried for. Dasansi also had to be taken to the medical ward for his own medical issues that arise in all the madness and it appeared that the other three were handling things as they could or knew how to without their leader at their side.)

(Halloween wasn't a fan of not asking questions. She didn't like not knowing the situation. She hated staying quiet, but she knew that her friends had their own ways of doing things and what they were allowed to do. Laws they had to abide by in their own universes.)

(She honestly hated it, but knew their situation was too dire to worry about otherwise at the moment. If they knew something was coming to harm them in their already precarious state, she had no choice but to listen. She had close friends and family aboard that were too weak to fight.)

(So she accepted the gamble, placing their lives in their hands. She certainly wasn't happy about it and demanded an explanation once it was all over, especially since she was trusting them blindly in those moments.) (Trust was an important thing. She could only give so much... without getting it back in the same respect...)

(The clock in the upper corners became more red then not as she sat at the command center, alone and worried. The mark for three weeks had passed and was dwindling down. There wasn't much time left, and it left her nauseous in worry.)

(Would they be ready in time?)

Who to believe? Who to not?

How much do you give, before you give up?

Can you stay determined through all of this?

Make the wrong call and let there be bloodshed...