The city is in total lockdown. News of a Zoldier squad dying of gruesome deaths spread like wildfire, causing panic in the fortified city of Burn Abbey. The authorities are on full alert. They have never encountered a hostile underling in a long time.
"Please remain calm. Please remain calm. A Level 1 threat alert has been issued. Please stay indoors. Please remain calm. Please remain calm."
The local PA system blares as the speaker warns citizens of a threat that has caused some panic in a few areas around the walled city. It repeats the announcement over and over again.
But in the busy streets of the public square where the usual trade and bartering happen, the people there seem to ignore the warning and just carry on with their business. After all, their sense of safety lies with the responsibilities that the Zoldiers hold.
And they know that the Zoldier Forces will never let Zenos overrun the city of Burn Abbey because the city of Burn Abbey is among a collective of seven cities aptly called the Great Cities, where the Zoldier Forces govern under military rule.
Yet, rumours are going around that it was an underling who massacred the squad.
Usually, hostile underlings attack fortified towns outside the walls. Nobody would have considered them a threat to the cities.
That's what Seth thought as well, who is trying to blend in with the denizens of Burn Abbey.
[You should've eaten them, stupid!]
Zela's voice rings in Seth's ears. She is now a perpetual presence inside Seth, guiding him on how to use the power she has given him.
Seth shakes his head. His demeanor has completely changed, and there is an air of seriousness about him. Almost like he tries to appear cool, he leans on a wall as he contemplates, recalling the aftermath of his bloody rampage that killed a squad of Zoldiers.
…
At the clearing, a buck-naked Seth stands in the middle of a blood-riddled field. Leftover green steam finally blows its last, his wounds and exposed guts now healed and recovered.
[Are you entertained, are you impressed?]
"It was a bit gruesome."
[Gruesome?!]
"I am not a fan of gore."
[Don't act high and mighty and cool just because you're now a changed man!]
"I might attract attention. Any second now, their fellow Zoldiers will be suspicious that they are missing. You should've taught me how to use your powers earlier. Now I have to clean this mess."
[Bah! You're an underling, who cares?! If you are so concerned about the mess, then you should eat the evidence, you ignorant brat!]
Zela screams in Seth's ears, but he just ignores her and keeps his cool as he looks around while she's still crying in the background.
[Are you ignoring me?!]
Seth approaches the only dead Zoldier he did not split apart.
"His memories are his. I decided I won't kill anyone just to gain their memories."
[What? You just don't get their memories, you also get their skills! Kill an underling, and you also get their Zystem!]
Seth performs a prompt shadowbox. He was fast, and his punches produced gusts of wind.
"I wonder whose skill is this?"
He kicks the air, legs stretching upwards.
[Does it matter, it's fun! And it's not just one person, it's all of them, since you kinda had a taste of their blood! Amazing, right?]
"No. I won't eat humans. I will never let you take control anymore."
[What the— I did not take control of you! It's all you, that was all you! So, don't blame me if you hated human blood! If you don't want to gain new skills, then fine by me, but don't you ever blame me for something I did not do!]
Seth pauses, he appears not to believe her at first, and there is an ounce of thought to blame himself.
[You believe me now, brat? Good to humble you then, heh!]
"If it's true, then I must learn how to control it."
[You better be, because you won't be able to keep us both alive if you're weak as hell!]
"Why is it so important to you that we stay alive? What are you anyway? Why are you inside my head? Matter of fact, why are you even inside me?"
[Learn to use your power and get strong, then I will tell you.]
"What even happened to me? Why did I become so mindless and uncontrollable all of a sudden?"
Seth pushes his curiosity, and he also feels concerned about his newfound powers.
[Look, whatever that was, I am sure you will learn from someone else. I will not tell you about the basics of a Zystem. All I know is that our power is strong. We are the ultimate underling!]
"What do you even mean by that?"
[Enough with the questions!]
"I have so many questions. I need answers. How did the Zeno virus start? Who started it? Why do Zystem users exist?"
There was no response. It finally went quiet.
"Giving me the silent treatment, huh. Great."
Seth stands in front of the dead Zoldier, wondering what to do now. He sighs and nods as he starts dragging a grave for the others, including the Zeno, into a proper, orderly fashion.
"I am sorry."
He pressed his hands together, praying and bowing his head down. He gave them his minutes to pay respects in silence, and he could hear the songs of nature. It was now the morning's prime. After a few minutes, he puts his hands on his side and stops his prayer.
In front of him is the doe that ran away, its mouth bloodied and with a few wounds, but still perfectly fine and is now ready to graze on its favorite spot once more.
Seth smiles and turns around.
"I need to go back and find that doctor."
[We're going back to the city? Are you crazy!? We could've just gone somewhere else, moron! What are you even going to do in that place?!]
Zela blurts out, screaming, as she warns Seth of the consequences, who willfully ignores her.
Seth thought it was for the best to find answers. He looks at his groin area, flattered by the other improvements he gained.
"Yeah, I need some clothes first…"
…
"Hey, why are you wearing a ZF-issued jumpsuit?"
An authoritative feminine voice disturbs Seth's recollection of events, her sharp tone piercing through him.
She appears to be slim, but beneath her uniform hides a bodacious, strong, chiseled body. Despite her small frame, she has an undeniable strength of authority within her in the way she carries herself.
"Don't make me ask you again."
She leans closer to Seth, but he remains unbothered, maintaining his posture.
"I was about to report to HQ. See ya."
He stands straight and starts walking away from her, waving his hand.
"Wait."
She catches up to him and places her hand on his shoulder.
"Where are you going, recruit? HQ's that way."
She points in the opposite direction.
"Right. But this way is a shortcut. Bye!"
Seth quickly dismissed her and resumed his escape.
"So you're a recruit?"
She did not move, her hand on his shoulder with a tightened grip.
Seth turns around, anticipating an escalation.
"No way, me too! Come on now, I know the news was scary and you must've cold feet, but this is no way of facing it, man!"
Her whole attitude shifts, her mood changes. She suddenly showed a bubbly, upbeat personality.
"Err, but I am so scared."
Seth reluctantly said, feigning cowardice.
"Ha, I am scared as well! So scared that I puked my breakfast! But, come on, it's orientation day! It's practically the first day of training before the real training starts!"
She bares her teeth as she smiles, patting Seth on the back.
"Err, right."
"How about we walk there together? That way you won't be scared! I'm Zoey by the way!"
She puts her arms around Seth, offering a warm and unsolicited companionship.
"Sure."
"You know it's not a great sign if they found dead Zoldiers outside the walls, you could say that we should've chickened out. But, nope! I am doing this! We are doing this!"
"But aren't you scared?"
"Nope!"
Zoey answered quickly with confidence.
"Not even one bit?"
"Not really."
"Right."
Seth forced a chuckle, and they both started walking.
"So, do you know why the city was attacked?"
"Who says about the city being attacked? They just think we are, and that's why we are on high alert. If you want to know more about what happened, then let's ask the officers down in HQ!"
Zoey was confused by what he said.
"Alright… I'm with you."
He thought it was for the best to follow her to avoid suspicion. The search for the doctor can wait. Besides, he thought it must be interesting to join the Zoldier Forces, and he might find more answers from the government.
"By the way, what's your name?"
Seth stares as she smiles, the dreary streets of the city of Burns lit up with her energy.
"S-"
He hesitates, but he returns a smile.
"Zeth. My name's Zeth."