Chapter 6 Starting The Journey

Chapter 6

Starting The Journey

 

Elder Melchior had given a tour of the building. Which turned out to be the nerve center of the city. It coordinated the military, communicated with neighboring cities, and was the center for spec ops.

That last one was really cool and luckily it was where Theta and Alysia spent most of their day.

Theta had to part with his suit upon arriving at the Elite Paladin wing, or EP wing.

They had told him it would only be temporary. Thankfully they had comfortable clothes for him to change into. His suit only allowed enough room for some underwear comparable to elastic pants.

The clothes were grey; Pants, shirt, socks, and shoes. He also partook in a new and very strange ritual.

Eating.

He hadn’t been used to it with the suit and all. But now he had to because the suit was being upgraded.

It was very difficult to get the hang of again. And Alysia wasn’t helping. She spent the entire time laughing, hysterically, at him. As well as some of the soldiers in the cafeteria.

The hardest part was using the utensils. He had told Alysia it was harder than it looked.

The cook did this on purpose. Theta knew it because the cook had made spaghetti and meatballs.

Whenever Theta dipped his fork. The darned noodles slid right out.

He saw a soldier in the cafeteria spinning his fork and spoon. Theta had little belief that this worked, but was surprised when the man achieved in taking a decent bite.

Theta tried to replicate this. His results made Alysia flutter to the ground and stagger with laughter.

So Theta had targeted the meatballs first because they at least stayed on the fork when you stabbed them.

After fifteen minutes of trying and Alysia almost crying with laughter. Theta did it.

He had found out how to spin his fork so the noodles stayed on the fork.

He ate with pride and shot Alysia a look as she tried to recover from her fit

After the meal Theta went with Alysia for her inspection. They were going to check her systems. No upgrades though. Her system wasn’t compatible with their gear. Besides Theta didn’t want Alysia to change. She was already very good. New stuff would only slow her down.

Later that evening after dinner. Which was much easier because it was a healthier version of country fried steak. At least that’s what they told him.

He was summoned to the weapon research and development area to check on his suit.

Nothing seemed to have changed on the outside. However it was now accompanied by a black cloak as to not stand out. It had a hood to cover his head. The sleeves were designed to not get caught on his blades or impede his hands. It had a slit on the back so it wouldn’t balloon if he needed to run or use his thrusters. It was also completely fireproof. The material itself would not tear either.

Unless something very powerful tried to rip it, the design team said.

His swords had also been upgraded. They now could become super-heated and cut through most of everything.

The scientists originally thought the heat would be problematic. But they found that his blades were not made from ordinary steel. But of molybdenum and titanium alloy. Which allowed it great resistance to acid, stress, and heat. They said the two metals had been tampered with even more to have even greater heat resistance than normal. They said that not even a nuclear reactor exploding, in a volcano, on a hot day would melt them.

Theta didn’t understand how they got the blades to heat up but Alysia said it was safe.

When they had finished there Theta and Alysia were directed to a room to sleep until tomorrow.

That night Theta dreamt of more flames and screams.

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When they awoke they were treated to breakfast and were given some last minute info as they boarded a helicopter that would take them a safe distance from the battlefield.

A scientist showed him how to set the destination on his suits navigation system.

Also a child was at the helipad. She was probably only eight years old, but was accompanied by Elder Melchior. Theta approached to say goodbye to Elder Melchior.

“Before you left I wanted you to meet the one who predicted your arrival.” He said.

“A child?” Theta asked.

“Yes we were also surprised. But she also shows great knowledge for her age. She also exhibited great understanding in all things.” Elder Melchior said.

Theta looked to the girl and squatted low to look her in the eyes.

She had brown hair, freckles, and such wise, violet eyes.

Theta removed his helmet and said, “Hello.”

The little girl looked down, embarrassed.

“What’s your name?” Theta asked.

She peeked up and said, “Serena.”

Alysia, who was perched on her usual spot of Theta’s shoulder, said, “That’s a very pretty name.”

Serena giggled and hid behind Elder Melchior.

Theta stood back up and carried his helmet under his hand and walked to the helicopter.

This one was smaller than the one that had brought Theta to the city.

It also appeared to be faster.

It had an open sitting area that was connected to the cockpit.

Theta sat down on the chair and waved to the pilot. The pilot nodded and began the liftoff process.

As they got higher. Theta looked out the window and could just see Serena waving at them. Theta waved back and prepared for the flight.

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They had been flying for a couple hours. Theta asked the pilot how they planned to get to the other side of the continent.

“I will be dropping you near the transport city, Chatus. It is a city that transports everything from people and weapons to food and furniture. It is costly and it is under the control of the enemy. You will need to pay to get near the facility. We suspect direct access is prohibited.” Said the pilot.      

“So you can’t take us all the way there?” Alysia asked.

“I will take you as close as possible so you aren’t suspected of anything and I don’t get shot down.” The pilot answered.

A little while later Theta asked, “How far away are we?”

The pilot pointed and said, “That’s the city over there.”

Theta looked and saw a large half-sphere floating in the sky. It was about a mile in diameter. A large, steel cylinder connected the platform to what looked like a depot city. All he saw were mills, factories, and buildings with different names on them. It had many roads and railroad tracks leading into it. Theta also saw black spots going into and out of the city. He assumed they were aerial transports.

“What is that big ball thing?” Theta asked.

“That is the Launcher. It uses strong electromagnetic anchors attached to specially designed capsules as transports.” The pilot explained.

“I can’t see anything moving from it though.” Theta said.

“That’s because the pods are moving blink fast.” Alysia said.

“How can you tell?” Asked Theta.

“My eyes are stronger than yours.” Alysia said with a smirk.

A couple minutes later the pilot told them he was dropping them near a subway system that would take them to the city.

When they landed Theta and Alysia quickly got out and waved off the pilot. Who lifted off and began the trip back. They had landed on a plane near the edge of a set of woods.

Theta pulled up the hood to his cloak and ran to an L-shaped, concrete building. It had no windows, but it did have a radar dish on top and various security cameras. The building was also surrounded by steel, storage units. He went down a set of stairs just inside the entrance; which was a glass revolving door.

Downstairs it turned out to be what looked like a subway. There was a platform, benches along the wall, and pillars placed periodically near the edge of the platform.

There wasn’t a tram in the tunnel just yet. But a black cube in the ceiling projected a third dimensional timer and it read that the tram would arrive in ten minutes.

Theta went to sit on the bench and Alysia remained on his shoulder.

 After a while, Theta looked to Alysia and said, “How are you getting into the city? I don’t think hawks are exactly normal.”

“Cloaking. The scientists planned for getting into the city, as well as moving around in it.” Alysia explained.

“Well you might want to activate it. I hear people coming.” Theta said.

Without a word Alysia simply disappeared. He could still feel the weight on his shoulder though.

A couple seconds later a large group of people entered the station. There were assorted businessmen, businesswoman, and people who looked very tired and not in any mood to work. All the business people had a silver ring around their head that covered their eyes and ears.

Theta could see the people nodding yes or no and would occasionally give directions about assorted business matters and the coffees they wanted.

Most of them didn’t speak so it was very quiet. The train was three minutes away.

Theta then heard metal boots clanking down the stairs of the station. He slowly switched between watching the stairs and the time. A group of men armed with rifles and protected in heavy looking metal armor. They were scanning the crowd carefully.

There was a minute and forty-five on the clock. Theta got up carefully and walked slowly into the middle of the crowd. None of people noticed.

One minute left. The men in metal looked in Theta’s direction and began to slowly move towards him. There were about eight of them. They spread out some stopping in other parts of the crowd.

Twenty seconds.

This clock had better be accurate, Theta thought.

Three of the soldiers were coming near Theta. The others had spread out along the platform.

Theta heard the train coming. It coasted lazily into the station. It looked like a tube made of mercury. It was silver and liquid looking. But entrances opened along its side and everyone boarded.

The inside looked like a normal subway car. Even had authentic trash, grime, and graffiti. There were normal seats and poles if seats weren’t available. Theta chose a seat close to the exit. The three soldiers stood in the middle of the area leading into the subway car. If Theta wanted to get out he would have to bypass the soldiers. Chatus was the first stop and was only a few minutes away.

Theta tried to appear relaxed and kept his head low. The cloak obscured his face effectively, but the soldiers watched him. Not intently as to reveal their intentions. They watched out of the corner of their eyes.

Alysia helped him keep tabs by linking what she saw to his visor.

They were arriving at the station.

Chapter 5 Meeting the Elder

Chapter 5

Meeting the Elder

 

 

Theta awoke and was greeted by the sound of birds chirping and grasshoppers.

It took him a moment to remember where he was, but when he did he cleared his head and rapped on the cave wall. Two times very heavily. He could have raised her on the coms but he liked this way.

The sound resounded through the cave and out into the area outside his cave.

This was the way he summoned Alysia when he couldn’t see her and there wasn’t trouble. He took the time waiting for her by studying the area around him. The ground was a foot or two elevated from the ground in certain places because of large rocks in the ground. The stream he had heard had many small round stones at the bottom. The trees were thinner here, but Theta could no longer see the fern path.

Guess they would have to go on their own from now on.

Alysia suddenly appeared above the trees and angled herself at Theta and flew in. She slowed down and perched on his shoulder.

“I have good news, bad news, and worse news. Which news you want first?” Alysia asked very excited.

“Uh-” but Alysia cut him off. “Alright bad news. The path has disappeared. Good news, I found a city in the nearby valley. Worse news the city is blocked off because there is an excess amount of bad stuff.”

“What type of bad stuff?” Theta said quickly running to the top of the nearby mountaintop. Much easier with this suit. Plus he was excited. He wanted to see this city.

Besides how bad could it be?

He reached the top and looked down into the valley and realized how bad it could be. As he got closer he started to hear and feel large rumbles.

In the valley was a huge city that sat, nestled in a pass many miles long. It was beautiful and very advanced for his memory of what was possible. He would have loved to go down there and explore.

But in the pass before the city. It was a warzone. Battles raged on the sides of the pass, as well as in the very center of it.

Two armies clashed violently. The one protecting the city was an army of men in silver armor. They looked like knights with guns. They fought with precision and cooperated. Coordinating all their efforts

The other army was not nearly as interested in accuracy. They seemed to just throw masses upon masses of soldiers at the problem. Not nearly as trained as the other soldiers, but well equipped.

There were no ground vehicles, but flying vehicles were in heavy combat above the battlefield. They would dip into the ground combat when they could. They looked like helicopters but instead of rotors, they had engines which maneuvered them about on wings.

Once again the defending army had better skill. The attacking had so many though, the odds seemed to be ten to one.

“Unknown combatant, identify yourself.” A commanding, male voice ordered.

Theta looked around and didn’t see anyone.

“Stop spinning like an idiot. We see you. Not the other way around. Now identify yourself.” He ordered, forcefully.

“I am Theta. I am on a journey. Now if you will excuse me. I have a long way to go.”

Suddenly a larger version of the helicopters he saw appeared in front of him.

Theta stepped back in surprise. It was so quiet. He hadn’t even heard its approach.

“We require your assistance. You will board the ship and all will be explained. In return we will assist you on your journey. We say this not as a threat. But that it is your destiny.” Said an old and wise voice.

The helicopter landed. And white, armored troops came out. All heavily armed. Their eyes were black slits on a pure white helmet.

Then an old man in white robes stepped out. His face was wrinkled, but his grey eyes twinkled with joy and knowing. He also had a long, grey beard that reached to the middle of his chest.  Theta couldn’t explain it, but he just wanted to trust this old man.

It must have been his beard.

He just oozed grandpa-ness.

"Please allow me to think it over a moment." Theta said.

"Of course, but you see we don't have much time." The old man said.

Theta took a few steps away and let Alysia perch on his forearm.

"We need to do this Alysia." Theta said. urgently.

"Why?" She asked already knowing his answer.

"You know why. With this maybe I can make up for all the wrong we did for those scientists." Theta said.

Alysia looked down and then back up and said, "But what about your memories?"

Theta paused. If the scientists found out he had run out on them, they would definitely seal up his memories forever.

"I guess that's the price I must pay." Theta said.

"I don't like it but if you think its what's right. Then lets go and see what that old man wants.

Theta smiled and turned towards the old man.
 

“Fine. We will help you. You need to explain the situation however.” Theta said.

The old man smiled, and nodded once.

“And what did you mean by, it’s my destiny?” Theta questioned.

“I shall explain on the way.” And with that the man walked back on the ship.

Theta and Alysia followed him and the soldiers followed them.
 

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In the airship everyone sat down on seats, built into the side of the ship, which lined the wall. There were no windows and everything was made of metal. But the seats were made of a durable cloth. Theta sat on one side. He had seats open beside him but the soldiers sat one seat away on each side.

The old man sat directly across from him.

Alysia was contently perched on Theta’s shoulder.

Theta could feel the ship rise and begin moving.

The old man smiled and said, “Theta, I am Elder Melchior. Our prophets saw a vision of a man. A man in black accompanied by a hawk. This man would find us in our time of need and rescue us. We believe that you are this man. We believe God has sent you to be our rescuer. You are The Lost Champion.”

“Lost Champion?” Theta asked.

“Yes this was your title in the vision that was seen. We take this as you were once a great warrior, but something prevented you or something or someone changed you.” Elder Melchior explained.

"Well I don't think I'm much of a champion. But yeah a warrior does describe me." Theta said.

“What is he supposed to do in this prophecy?” Alysia asked.

Elder Melchior looked to Alysia and said, “He will complete his journey but will have to make a series of important decisions. When he retrieves what he is searching for instead of returning it to his masters. He would return it to us. This was the only one that was clear. Though all the others appear to be important.”

Oh great, Theta thought now he was running out on AND betraying the scientists.

“What is this thing that you all seem to want?” Theta asked, deciding life without memories couldn't be to bad.

“It is a container. In it is a great evil. A general of Hell’s army. This monster was released through dark arts. The container was the key to its imprisonment. God revealed the way for it to be built. He was contained shortly after entering this world.” Elder Melchior explained.

Well a devil's general. That explained why those scientists had him do those things.

“So why hasn’t it been opened?” Alysia asked.

“They want to create a way to control the general. Or appease him so he will help them. They are coming close to both.” Elder Melchior explained.

“How will we reach it? It won’t be lightly guarded.” Theta said.

“We will provide a small army for when you reach the facility. To aid you and distract the enemy. For now all of our resources are aimed at defending our cities.” Elder Melchior explained.

“There are more cities?” Alysia asked.

“Yes, we are not alone. We are the most targeted, for we have the smallest army. But we are in a well-defended area with well-trained troops. We are still losing though. You must proceed with great haste or we will be lost." Elder Melchior said, sounding slightly worried.

Theta sat silently for a while.

“Where are we headed now?” Theta asked.

“To the city. We are going to refit your suit with the best of our technology. And emplace surveillance systems to give us eyes on. We should arrive shortly.” Elder Melchior said. 

“How are we going to reach this facility? It seems to be a good distance from here.” Theta asked.

“You will have to go to the nearby transport city. However it is under enemy control. There you are more susceptible to encounters with enemy forces. Though they have not recognized you as an enemy. Oh yes, I almost forgot to mention. They are called The Order.” Elder Melchior said.

“Will they attack us?” Alysia asked.

“No way to tell. Depends on their mood. But if you keep a low profile you should be fine. They aren’t that attentive. We will also provide you with something to disguise yourself. Because not everyone walks around in high, combat grade exo-suits.” Said the elder chuckling lightly to himself.

“We were given a map and a card with large amounts of money on it. Do you think these could give us away?” Theta asked taking them out of a concealed compartment on his suit.

Elder Melchior scrutinized them closely. “Yes these could we will confiscate these and supply you with a new map and funds.” He said.

“Ah, we are about to land in the city.” Melchior said, while smiling.

The ship landed a few moment later and the door opened. Theta stepped out with Alysia on his shoulder and they both gasped. For before them was the beautiful city they had seen from the mountain. They were on a helipad of a tall building. But up close the view was breathtaking.

Tall sky scrapers, none of which were the same shape, size, or color, greeted them. A series of elevated trains snaked their way between the buildings. Lower to the ground Theta saw houses, parks, churches, restraunts, stores, and schools. It was beautiful and there weren’t separate neighborhoods. It seemed to be all encompassed into one thing. There was no division. Theta also saw no law enforcement or prison facilities. He thought that was a flaw.

“Hey. Everything is beautiful and all, but how is order kept and crime punished?” Theta asked.

Elder Melchior was about to respond when Alysia interrupted and said, “Because there is no crime here. Everyone is in agreement about their belief and status. There are also is no tolerance for crime currently. With the war all forces are directed to the protection of the city. Anyone who acts up is assigned to a new but much more difficult job as punishment.”

Elder Melchior and Theta looked at her shocked. Elder Melchior asked, “How did you know that?”

“Well during the majority of the flight and our conversations I have been accessing your city’s database. Your firewall was relatively easy to bypass. You might want to talk to somebody about that.” Alysia said with a shrug.

“Alert Scribe Clark of the breach. I am rather impressed at this. Scribe Clark has some work to do then. We can’t have any weaknesses in these trying times.” Said the Elder.

The group began to walk to the elevator including some of the soldiers. But the majority stayed and got back on the helicopter.

The group arrived at an elevator and entered. 

Chapter 4 The Surprise

Chapter 4

The Surprise

 

 

It’s been eight months since we first met, Theta thought to himself.

He was currently sitting in a cushioned chair that was trying to suck him into it. He wasn’t wearing his suit at the moment. He tried to relax sweeping his eyes across the room. The ceiling and the upper part of the walls were red, like red velvet cake. And the lower half was wooden. Behind him was a bed that was length ways along the wall and a closet that contained his suit. Near the bed was a door that was currently closed. In a connected room was a kitchen and connected to that was a small but efficient bathroom. There was a fireplace and he was seated very close to it, absorbing the heat. Alysia was on the left of the fireplace. She was thinking and was very quiet. She was like that a lot after the incident.

He shuddered as he began to remember. It was more of a blur now.

We had been testing again. There were these floating creatures that shot lightning. He didn’t understand how these things existed but they did. The scientists had left a gun with a note. It was like a rifle but instead of shooting bullets. It shot energy infused plasma. The note read that he was to test the weapon and if it proved effective it would be added to his arsenal. It was effective all right I killed them, but the effect of energy colliding with a creature that naturally created large amounts of energy had a devastating effect. A large outburst of energy but it was electric so it was more static than actual energy. To say the least it crippled Alysia. One moment she was flying around killing with little trouble. Then she stopped flying and she crashed, writhing with pain. With each one he killed it increased her pain so he had abandoned the rifle using his swords witch put them down causing him some pain. He reached her after dispatching them and cradled her. She started to cry. Theta didn’t know a robot could cry. She hadn’t been the same since.

 In the amount of time that had passed there had been many more tests. There had also been missions. Into the world. He had done bad things. It had seemed necessary at first. It looked like he was fighting the bad guys. But then it all changed. The more he did the more he questioned it. So much bloodshed and for nothing he had found.  He didn’t understand why they wanted him to kill. Yes he was good, but they had to have a purpose.

“No they don’t.” Alysia said. Sadness etched on her features.

He had grown to hate his masters. They threatened to never let him have his memories. At first it was

She could do that. Tap into his brain. Hear his thoughts feel what he felt. It made him a little uncomfortable at times. So if he ever asked her she would leave his mind be. Plus if he focused really hard he could lock her out from parts of his brain.

Theta didn’t know what to do. All the things she usually liked, now seemed to aggravate and sadden her. She punished herself for what had happened so long ago. She blamed herself for his pain though it had only lasted moments.

Theta however had a plan. He had made a request to the scientists (via a note, long story) that he bring Alysia outside. Theta was only allowed out so many times a month. But Alysia wasn’t allowed and it was never explained. But he had asked to bring her out because it was beautiful, and there was a flower in the center of the courtyard that was incredibly beautiful. It was star shaped and purple. It was not tall but it was on and elevated pedestal. And it glowed lightly, shading the immediate area in purple.

Theta knew she liked flowers. There had been a painting in one of their earlier rooms. It showed a flower that had many shades of orange and red and yellow. She had stared at it, mystified. Until he had explained what it was. She noted to herself she wished she could see one in person.

He was going to do just that. Her sadness was slowly crushing her.

He prepared for the next day with a renewed vigor. Even Alysia noticed.

“What are you so excited about?” she asked.

“I dunno.” He lied. “Today just feels good.”

She didn't know because he had been careful never to think about the flower or let her have access to the idea when there minds were synced

She accepted it and perched on his shoulder. Theta opened the door and left but instead of a room meeting them it was an elevator that had a mirror on the inside and no buttons. And dark wooden walls. Theta stepped in not even hesitating. Alysia however shot him a questioning look, but he gave no answer.

As soon as he stepped in the elevator closed the doors and began to rise.

“What kind of test is this?” She asked.

Theta couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. After a few minutes the doors opened. And they were in the courtyard. With its high stone walls. The green, luscious grass. The flowers that dotted the area. And at the center was the purple, glowing flower. It was night time. Even though they had just awoken. The scientists’ hands at work there. He silently thanked them because the darkness made the flower all the brighter and wonderful.

Alysia let out a gasp. She obviously was trying to understand what was going on.

Theta looked at her and said, “Surprise.”

Speechless she remained on his shoulder. So, he toured her around showing all of the different flowers. He showed her the lightning bugs that sometimes appeared. He showed her everything until they arrived at the purple flower. Arriving there she flew from his shoulder and landed on the pedestal with it. And she gazed at it still very silent.

“What do you think?” Theta asked. Simply hoping for a resoponse.

“This is wonderful.” Alysia said lightly.

She looked to Theta and flew to his shoulder. When she landed she rested her head on his helmet with a smile on her face. Theta fist pumped in his mind. She was happy again. Suddenly she perked up and looked to the right of the purple flower.

Then from the ground came a steel briefcase. It was lying on the ground. Then it gave a click as it opened slightly.

Theta walked to it and opened it the rest of the way. In it was a small square with a button. He pressed it and a three dimensional map zoomed on a building, a picture of what looked like a smooth, steel football, and another picture of a large building from the sky. This was another mission. However this one wasn't like the others. Theta examined it closer and took note of its defenses.

A large concrete wall, in the shape if an octagon which gave a hundred feet distance between it and the main facility. Numerous towers dotted intermittently along the wall. A small hangar. Turrets were placed at the roofs of the building. The main building was circle around a strange, glass and steel dome. Strange rods with a ball on top and rings below made of steel surrounded the dome. The wall had entrances on four of its sides. One in each cardinal direction. All surrounded with fortifications, consisting of turrets, force fields, and sandbag cover that undoubtedly were manned.

Man force fields suck, Theta thought to himself. Remembering a previous test.

The map zoomed out and saw that the facility was on the other side of a land mass he recognized as a continent. And a red dot was placed over the facility location

There was one more thing in the briefcase. A green rectangular card.

He held it up and asked, “Alysia, do you know what this is?”

Alysia looked at it, her eyes narrowed. She was scanning it electronically.

“It is a banking card. It contains a large sum of money. And there is a note in here. We have a mission. They want us to retrieve that device.” Alysia said rather annoyed.

“Fine. But what is the money for?” Theta said.

“Well according to the map the facility is on the other side of the continent. We will need money for transport, lodging, and food.” Alysia reasoned.

“Your suit is almost out of nourishment, correct?” Alysia asked.

“Yes it is. It is almost as if they planned it like this.” Theta said after checking his suit levels.

Alysia paused at this and looked at him. Then said, “Though that seems a little far fetched it is possible. I talk to them about their days, not that I care. Every second is planned out for them. Don't really see why, every day is the same for them. Rather pitiful.”

Theta knew, she had told him after her trips. They took her in for diagnostics while he slept. Had to make sure she operated at full capacity. No repairs though. She had some kind of nano-bots. They handle repairs. Anything catastrophic however had to be handled by advanced robotic engineers.

Thank God for nano-bots. If he was going to be out there he would have no idea how to repair her if necessary. And he wouldn’t trust anyone else. He didn’t know what to expect out there. He didn’t expect long range anything because the scientists had been testing him in very close range environments. With close range weapons. His swords being the favorite. But he had been trained in hand to hand combat through simulators, in case of a non-lethal necessary encounter.

He hated those scientists but they made sure Alysia was alright, so that saved them from him hating them too much. He knew Alysia hated them too. The duo had both been used for evil.

He walked to the wall and part of it sank to the ground revealing a gate, which looked old and discolored but there was no rust, it opened slowly but gave off no sound. Theta walked through and was greeted by a lush forest. It was full of fireflies. There were many trees, tall with most of their branches forming a canopy above, but there were a few stragglers lower down. The ground was covered with ferns that seemed to mark a trail. They seemed like its guardians. For not a single thing touched the path. No leaves, grass, tracks, plants. Nothing.

Theta began to walk and Alycia followed by flying from tree to tree on their lower branches and would advance as soon as Theta got closer to a new tree. Always a tree behind or ahead.

She wasn’t avoiding. She was watching him to keep him alerted and safe.

Theta followed the path because it seemed to go in the direction necessary for him to arrive at the facility. He wasn’t moving fast. They had a long way to go; there was no need to rush.

As Theta walked he tried to remember. Anything at all. He had been successful of late. He remembered nations, wars, cities, music, languages (he couldn't speak any but he knew of them), technology, and other general things.

But never anything about himself. That was always a blank.

A few weeks after meeting Alysia, the scientists told him returning all his memories was too dangerous. But they reassured him by telling him he could get them back himself. They had implanted a device in his head that tempered the flow of memories. He could only let in a few memories. It wasn’t as easy as pressing a button. He had to think of things. If he was close to retrieving a memory, Theta’s suit would alert him. The more he thought and thought on the subject and branched from it the closer he would get to the memory. Well it was that easy until the scientists had threatened to never let him return his memories. In fact he sometimes thought that the reason it was so rare he unlocked a memory. Was because they were holding it back. But he had no proof.

It was difficult, maybe more proof that they were holding back his memories. But it was a wonderful feeling when he finally got the memory back. It felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, a very heavy weight. That if he wasn’t careful and persistent with it the weight would either remain there or fall away and never return.

They kept walking for a few hours. The scenery didn’t change much, forest and more forest. But it rose and fell at certain areas and got slightly rockier. It was well into the night when Alysia spoke.

“You should try and sleep. We have to have a synced sleep schedule with the outside world. Besides we would be safer being able to see where we are going.” She said.

“We know where we are going the map points the way.” Theta reasoned.

“Yes it points the way. But it doesn’t tell us what is in the forest. I have noticed some large heat signatures. But all seemed to get distracted and walk away. What if they become interested?” Alysia asked.

Theta had Alysia fly ahead and  begin looking for a place to spend the night. He began sprinting, to keep up with Alysia. Besides if he worked himself hard enough it would be easier to get to sleep later. It was beginning to get harder because they were starting to go up. So Theta began running up the harder parts of the mountain. Alysia found a cave after few miles running up and down the sides of mountains. He had known there were mountains in the area but never this many. It was near a stream, its light babbling could be heard.

 As Theta entered, he leaned against the cave wall and looked out the cave mouth.

It was dark. He could see the silhouettes of trees and the small area outside the cave but no details.

His sprinting had been effective in making him tired, for he leaned his head back and fell fast asleep.

He dreamed of fire and death.

And of her.