Elyas needed answers. He needed to know if his son could have survived the event that turned the largest city in the region into ruins.
Noah's tone was heavy as he spoke. "It was wandering Nightmares… a flood of them. Guided by a few rogue Dreamers capable of controlling them. I remember it clearly. I lost so many friends that day, but even more comrades…Julius was there too."
He paused, glancing at the giant who now stared at the ground, unable to lift his head. "I was an Enforcer back then," He said quietly. "I interrogated the rogues. We had caught them for suspicious activity near the city… but I found no fault in them. So we let them go."
"The same night, they returned," Noah continued, "They covered the meadows and hills in horrific abominations, blocking every escape route. Then they attacked. Monsters as tall as apartments and as strong as Third Grade Dreamers trampled the city. It was exactly like that day. The First Whispers. By dawn, nothing remained of it. The City of Fog was gone."
"Only a handful survived. Some hid under rubble, others among the corpses of their comrades or family, playing dead to survive. A few who had ventured outside to hunt or trade returned days later."
"The survivors, us and them, decided to stay. Rebuilding Vernis was impossible, but we could make small huts and cabins from the rubble and wood. That is why we hunt Figments and Nightmares. That is why we monitor rogues, and why we have an awakening ceremony. That's how Mistwood was born, and Vernis fell."
Elyas stayed silent, clinging to any possible hope. Michael could have been outside the city. He could have been in another city entirely. He could have been one of the survivors… He listed one possibility after another. To him, it didn't matter how improbable each one sounded. His own existence was something beyond reason.
Noah noticed the subtle shift in Elyas' expression and exhaled in relief. The man's willpower had not waned. If anything, the man looked more determined than before.
Julius voiced a lingering question of his. "Noah… I understand you protect him for the old man's sake, but why haven't you trained him yet?" Noah's reply came out measured. "When I first saw him, he didn't even have basic equipment. Teaching him properly would have consumed all my time, work hours included. I can't afford that."
The giant nodded slowly. Seizing the opportunity he spoke, making his voice raspy for added effectiveness. "Then I guess it falls to me. Elyas… if you want, I can train you personally. We can start with the basics and continue from there." His smile was wide, almost unnervingly friendly.
Noah facepalmed, cutting off Julius immediately. "Don't. This thief will make you pay for it."
"What?" Noah shook his head at the giant as he spoke. "This guy makes his wife heal him after workouts. His body's growth cap is also removed by his Grace of Limitless." Elyas frowned, then pieced it together. "Due to overuse of healing, he has to eat weeks worth of food to recover?"
"You rat! What's next?! You'll tell him my Wish and Cost too?"
"I will if you try scamming anyone else!" Noah shot back at Julius. The giant looked down at Elyas and Noah, the corners of his mouth twitching. "Whatever. Can we eat now? I'm sure the patient's also hungry. Didn't you hear what my wife told him?"
Noah agreed and walked outside, Julius did the same. Both waited outside for Elyas to change. The sight of a naked four hundred years old man wasn't very appealing, however young that man looked.
Elyas walked out in a set of linen clothes. "So, where are we headed? The tavern from yesterday?"
Noah smacked his forehead. "Oh, I forgot to tell you. We have fast food chains."
…
In one of the central streets of the north gate district In the middle of the night. Moonlight covered the always milky night sky, creating paintings both above and on the snow-covered roofs.
Crammed between them, right as shops started to replace households, was a restaurant. A big neon sign hung above it, held tightly in place by a few metal bars. They spelled out a name, covering the building's red and yellow walls in their white hue.
"Telly Burger" Elyas read the sign while standing beside two men. All three were covered by moonlight and the sign's harsh light. "What are you two waiting for? Let's go inside. I'm starving over here!" Julius shouted at the two, his voice echoing through the empty alleys and streets.
"Can't you suppress that damned stomach of yours? Oh and just you so you know, I will not be paying the tab this time!' Noah shouted as he rushed to reach the giant already stepping inside.
Elyas followed them behind. A familiar greasy, yet pleasant scent became more prominent with each step. When he reached the door, It had already overpowered the damp, rusty smell that clung to the city air.
As Elyas entered, his senses were assaulted. Harsh, bright lights, pure and bright colors of white, red and yellow. Dozens of customers sitting near the entrance or on the second floor. Sounds of chatter and laughter. Noah and Julius already blocking the front desk, ordering.
It was all familiar to him. It was to everyone who lived in the twenty-first century. Who hadn't been in a fast food chain before? It was familiar, and familiar things are predictable. That creates comfort. And the same comfort gets amplified by nostalgia, nostalgia and longing for a world that no longer exists.
Elyas found himself wishing for simpler times. He remembered when his father Rob would take him to buy pizza and a few drinks. His shoulders relaxed. Even the phantom pain every time he moved his arms couldn't wipe away his wide, happy smile. For once since stepping out of the void, he felt truly safe. Truly happy.
"Hey, we're done ordering, do you want anything?" Julius turned to face Elyas. Seeing his blissful expression, he shot Noah a strange glance.
"No need to worry, I'll order myself. Just go up, I'll join you when I'm done." Elyas said with a warm smile. Noah looked at him and nodded. Julius kept his eyes on Elyas as they climbed the stairs.
Walking towards the front desk, Elyas admired the great architecture of the plain white red and yellow walls. He stopped at the desk. Remembering what he always used to order, he said. "I want a burger with some fries and a—"
He was done admiring the architecture.
As basic etiquette, he turned to face the employee responsible for taking his order as he talked. The face that he saw was familiar.
It was Ralf.