Emortuus

Chapter 8

I woke at the sight of the sun rising over the city. The misty air hung heavily to the ground. My body shifts on my bed as I look around my room. The softness of the blanket encasing around my woken body. I still wasn't use to feeling of sleeping. Nor the room of the new bed. Is this how my father slept every night?

Letting out a sigh I pull myself to my feet. My body slipping the clothing of my old uniform onto my body. Looking down I realized I had the uniform of my old faction. Taking the straps off my old uniform I started to resemble Impermissus. They lived a more simpler life. Less gear on the uniforms and simpler designs. After abandoning my weapons belt I was finally ready. Suddenly there was a knock of my door making me jump. The door slowly creeps open to reveal Sage.

"I'm here to escort you to your first leader." She chirps. I give her a small smile admiring her enthusiasm. She closes the door behind us as we head to the elevator. "So it's my job to inform you about the leaders. Your first person is the leader of the youth. He lives in the children's building. His name is Hector Blake. He lost his wife and children to faction Emortuus lands. An animal attacked them at the border and their bodies got dragged away. They only found the wife's body. He believes Emortuus has his children alive." She rambles. I don't think she has stopped to breathe yet. It was truly incredible.

"So basically no mention of my faction at all?" Sage freezes at my words before letting out a little nervous laugh.

"Basically how to win over his heart is to don't talk about Emortuus, get to know the kids, and help manage them. He dedicates his time providing for each of them. He has only a hand full of people handling them with him." The amount of children in that house seemed extraordinary.

"How long do you think it'll take me to win the heart of the leaders?" I ask. Sage shrugs carelessly as we walk towards the children's building. "It could be a few days to a week. Many of them are very conserved." Sage answers.

I could feel the dread already setting in. We arrived at the light blue building. Many of the children were outside. They kicked around an old ratty ball around the street. The ball often would go flying over the street. The group of people yelling as the balls hit the building wall besides them. Sage saves them off before grabbing the ball from the ground. Many of the kids begin to protest.

"Oh quiet down. This is my friend Athena who is new to our faction. I need you to introduce her to your father please." A girl rushes up and grabs my hand. She begins to tug me forward towards the doors. Sage waves at me before throwing the ball back to the impatient kids. Meanwhile a group of kids abandon the game to follow us. The door slides open with ease. Inside sat a bunch kids around a person reading a children's book.

"and then she raised her mighty sword for all to see. The crowd began to cheer as she saved all of China." He says finishing the book. As if sensing my presence he glances up. The kids go running to his side as he hands the book to them.

"Can we read the runaway bunny?" Another kid nearly screams holding up the book. The man clears his throat before standing up. The crowd begins to groan and beg.

"We can read more later. I believe it's time for recess. Go play outside with the rest of them. Stay close to the building." The crowd slowly gets up. Many of them looking at me curiously as they all leave.

The man waits for me to get closer before speaking. "I assume you are Athena?" He speaks.

"Yes." I answer. He glances at me before motioning to the hallway.