Izuku moved cautiously, holding Eri in his arms, with Piper and her mother following closely behind. The world around them was strange and devastated: burned trees, collapsed buildings, and an unsettling silence, broken only by the whistle of the wind.
Mother: (Looking around, incredulous) How could this have happened? Everything is... dead.
Izuku: (Frowning) The war. This is what's left after so much hatred and ambition.
As they neared what seemed to be their old neighborhood, Izuku began to recognize a few familiar landmarks. Although the houses were in ruins, the layout was the same. Something inside him twisted as he saw his destroyed home.
Suddenly, a metallic sound broke the silence. A familiar figure appeared floating among the rubble.
Codsworth: (Excitedly) Mr. Izuku! It's you! You're alive!
Izuku felt a wave of relief as he saw the old robotic butler approaching quickly.
Izuku: (With a weak smile) Codsworth! I can't believe you're still here.
Codsworth: (Spinning his blades nervously) Oh, sir, it's been a very tough time. But how wonderful to see you and Mrs. Eri! Although... I must say, the neighborhood isn't quite as you remember it!
Piper: (Curiously, observing the robot) Is that your butler?
Izuku: (Nodding) Yes, Codsworth has been with us since before... well, before all this.
Mother: (Tears in her eyes) Codsworth, I'm so relieved to see you're okay. What happened here?
Codsworth: (His tone turning melancholic) Ma'am, I'm afraid the worst happened. The bombs fell. Everything we knew was destroyed in just minutes.
Izuku: (Looking around) And you? Have you been here this whole time?
Codsworth: (Sighs, if a robot could do so) Yes, sir. I've tried to keep the neighborhood clean, but... it's not the same without you. I've been waiting, hoping you might return.
The sincerity in Codsworth's words touched everyone's hearts.
Izuku: (Placing a hand on Codsworth's metal frame) Thank you for staying, Codsworth. But now I need your help. Do you know if there's anything or anyone nearby? A safe place.
Codsworth: Oh, sir, it's not safe to stay here. But I've seen movement in Concord, south of here. There might be people there, though I'm not sure if they're friendly.
Piper: (Thoughtful) Concord, huh? Maybe it's a good place to start.
Izuku: (Looking at his mother and Eri) How far is it?
Codsworth: Not far, sir, maybe a couple of kilometers. But I'd recommend going alone. It's a dangerous road, and little Eri and her mother will be safer here with me.
Mother: (Intervening) Leave us here? Izuku, is it safe?
Izuku: (With a serious expression) Codsworth can take care of you. I'll go to Concord and see what I can find. It won't take long.
Eri: (Still half asleep, mumbling) Daddy... don't go.
Izuku: (Petting her hair) It will only be a moment, sweetheart. Daddy always comes back.
Leaving his mother and Eri in Codsworth's care, Izuku adjusted his Pip-Boy and prepared to leave. Piper, who had been silent, looked at him with an eyebrow raised.
Piper: What about me? You want me to stay here too?
Izuku: (Looking at her seriously) I'd prefer that you did. But I know you won't.
Piper: (Smiling) Exactly. Someone has to watch your back.
Codsworth: (Intervening) Be careful, sir. The outside world isn't what it used to be. But if anyone can handle it, it's you.
Izuku nodded and looked at his family one last time before setting off toward Concord, with Piper by his side.
Izuku: (With determination) Let's go. Let's see what's out there.
With every step he took, the weight of the world seemed heavier, but so did his resolve. He had no idea what he would find in Concord, but he knew his family was depending on him.
End of Chapter 5.
Thanks for Reading..
