Chapter 6: The First Encounters

Two years have passed since the incident that hit the bunker. The outside world has changed drastically due to nuclear war, and Aether and Beatrice try to navigate this new environment full of danger. They walked carefully, observing the ruins and traces of the destroyed city.

As they passed a seemingly deserted settlement, they heard the familiar sound of an engine. Among the ruins, an old robot appeared that looked a little rusty but still functioned well.

"Sorry miss, how can I help you?" asked the robot in a cheerful, slightly worn voice.

Aether and Beatrice were surprised to see the robot still functioning. "Who are you?" Aether asked curiously.

"I am Johnny, an automatic household assistant. I served here before the war," answered the robot kindly.

Beatrice approached Johnny and asked, "Do you know what's going on here? We just got out of the bunker and need some information."

Johnny nodded and began to explain, "After the Great War happened, a lot changed."

"The survivors are trying to rebuild their lives. However, there are many dangers out there, including raiders and mutated creatures."

Aether asked, "Do you know anything about the raider group led by Doctor Mobius?"

Johnny was silent for a moment, then answered, "That name... yes, a name that is familiar to me."

"There are rumors about a group of raiders led by a scientist. They are often seen around the northern region. Maybe you can find more clues there."

~The First Meeting with the Faction Leader~

With information from Johnny, Aether and Beatrice decided to head to the north. They walked several miles before finally arriving at a city that looked better preserved than the other ruins. As they approached the city center, they saw a group of people defending against an attack by a group of robbers.

"This is our chance to get more information," said Beatrice, readying their weapons.

Aether and Beatrice join the battle, helping the locals repel raider attacks. After the battle was over, a man in a militia uniform approached them.

"Thanks for the help," said the man.

"Before that, let me introduce myself. My name is Heather Persley, what about you two?"

Aether also introduced themselves

"My Name is Aether And Next to Me Is Beatrice"

"And if I may know who you really are, Mr. Heather?" asked Aether

"I am the leader of a group called Hombre Libertad."

"We have a vision and mission to try to protect and help survivors out there."

"We are looking for information about a group of robbers led by Doctor Mobius. Do you know anything about them?"

Preston nodded. "We've heard about that group, They are very cruel and often attack weak settlements. We once had information that they were operating from an old scientific facility in the north, But if you are looking for Doctor Mobius, that place cannot be entered by just anyone."

Aether asked further, "Then, is there a safer way to reach the facility?" Then Heather thought for a moment before answering,

"Indeed... there is another way, namely... you go to our place first."

"Why?" Aether asked

"Because maybe that person will give you clues"

They both immediately nodded and said "okay"

Then Aether and Beatrice went to the museum there as a stopover in Hombre Libertad. There, Heather Persley introduced Aether and Beatrice to their group of 5 people. After they were visited by an old grandmother. They both approached Grandma who was sitting in her rickety chair. Aether asked "I'm sorry Grandma, may I know who you are?"

"I'm Mama Vaga, and you... you are the one who will save us."

At that time, Aether and Beatrice were confused when they heard the grandmother's words and could only remain silent for 1000 words. Then the grandmother continued to speak. "Your energy... is different from anything I've ever felt before."

Then Aether asked the grandmother in confusion, "Grandma, what do you mean about my energy? I don't understand."

"You... Have... Lost someone, right?"

Aether was shocked by Grandma Vanga's words, because it was clear that Aether had lost someone precious to him. "Lost..Someone...How did Grandma know?"

"She is a valuable person for you, She also always protects and accompanies you when you are alone." Apart from aether, Beatrice was also surprised by what Grandma Vanga said.

~The Sight~

After some time, when Aether and Beatrice felt confused about the next step, he decided to ask for help from Mama Vaga.

Beatrice Then Asked "Then Grandma, Can You Use Your Vision to Help Us?"

"The vision isn't always clear, but I'll try. Give me a little Blitz, and I'll see what I can see."

Grandma Vanga told her that she had to consume (Blitz) to help the aether find Auriel. Aether immediately agreed to Grandma Vanga's request, but Aether didn't have the item. Luckily, Beatrice had it when she had looked for the item before. Grandma Vanga was happy when she found out that Beatrice had brought her but Heather looked worried about it.

"Are you sure grandma?" Heather asked anxiously

"Yes..." Grandma Vanga answered seriously

Then after consuming (Blitz) suddenly Grandma Vanga's hands were shaking, Aether handed the (inhaler) to Mama Vanga. The old woman took a deep breath before inhaling the substance. His eyes immediately became misty, and his voice turned low and mysterious.

"Ah, there it is! I can feel the Vision coming. Oh God... it's... it's terrible, child. Claws, and teeth, and horns... the end of everything. And... and you're standing right in its path . The path to your destiny lies through the jaws of the beast."

But suddenly Heather interrupted the conversation, "Wait a minute, Grandma, I don't mean to interrupt, but he is frail and old. If Grandma forces him to inhale that, Grandma will-"

Not having finished what Heather said, Mama Vanga immediately answered

"It's OK Heather, I know that, however, they need to be enlightened because they are the key to our victory and freedom."

then Heather talk the same again"Are You Sure That's Grandma Vanga?" Heather asked in a whisper

Then Grandma Vanga also whispered "yes, I'm sure because I saw the light from her body"

"Hmm... Magic, yes, if you could know what the power level is? asked Heather in a whisper

"The Power Level feels very strange. Sometimes the numeric numbers are normal numbers, however, now they have changed to numbers that are somewhat error-like, like in computer code."

Here it is explained that power level is a system of a person's power towards magic. Grandma Vanga saw that Aether's power level was 10,000, but this number at an age like Aether was a very rare thing.

Then Heather asked "How old are you aether?"

Beatrice immediately interrupted the conversation "Aether's age. Why, Heather?" Beatrice asked with a smiling but serious face

Beatrice's words immediately made Heather with statements and suspicions in her heart

"(This child...does this child know about magic or what power level is She-)"

"Sigh, (what an idiot, I don't want to worry about magic, after all the people who know magic best are in the enemy faction and the Authoritarian Faction)"

then Heather tried to calm Beatrice who was upset "oh, I was just asking Beatrice why don't you sulk?"

Beatrice was just silent with a sharp gaze that made Heather a little scared and worried. Then aether was just confused by Beatrice's sudden alertness to something.

Aether asked Beatrice "Why are you Trice? What's wrong with Heather?"

Beatrice didn't answer Aether's question and just turned her head then looked at Heather again. The situation became increasingly heated and it seemed that Beatrice wanted to hold Aether's hand as if she wanted to take him away and run away from that place.

But Grandma Vanga broke up the dispute "Stop, all of you! Why are you making such a fuss, we are focused on eradicating robbers and looking for a safe place" Grandma answered firmly.

"You also know that I also helped you two earlier when we were looking for help. We want to help you. However, if you still suspect us, get out of here, lady."

Everyone immediately fell silent for a few moments, which made them realize their mistake in a matter that shouldn't be discussed now. Then Beatrice apologized to Heather

"Mmmm...Sorry Heather for being rude" Beatrice said apologetically

"Yes, I also apologize for being rude to you," replied Heather, feeling awkward

The situation was under control and they started normal conversations again. They started talking about their respective problems which also proved that they weren't really bad people.

After discussing their problems Beatrice then asked the two of them about magic. Instantly the air in the room became silent again, Aether was confused about Beatrice's words.

Then aether asked beatrice "Huh? Trice, what do you mean... Why do you ask they are magic"

"Yes... Magic, I know that, we also know about the rottenness of the government," replied Heather with emotion

Then Aether realized a reality that hit him that the magic that Beatrice was talking about earlier was not just idle talk, it needed to be explained that magic did exist and this was the ultimate truth that Aether accepted.

"Trice, I understand now what magic you mean," said Aether with an astonished face

"Kufufufu, now you know the truth" However, "(Aghhh...Even though your face is confused, your face is still cute and aether)" Beatrice said in her heart

Then Heather with a curious face asked Beatrice "then Miss..."Just call me Trice Mr. Heather," replied Heather

"Then Trice, may I know what your power level is?"

"Then... Mmmm... Wait a minute," answered Beatrice. After a few minutes Beatrice said, "around 4,000," Beatrice said proudly

"Hmmm... You are a normal person, but what is different is that your friend is Miss Aether who has an absurd power level."

A word that crossed the two of them after a discussion about magic that was beyond their logic. They explained that the aether's power level was around 10,000, Beatrice was shocked and amazed by the enormous power level of the aether.

"Ba...ba...how can that be?" said Beatrice

"I don't know, Beatrice, I don't know either, but maybe it has something to do with the light you meant earlier.",

That Also Make Beatrice Notice Something "Oh yes that light I know you mean aether"

Then Mama Vanga said that, "That light is a symbol of freedom and truth in the midst of this chaos, Aether."

"Then Grandma, can you predict again about my friend?" Aether asked seriously

"I can't, aether I need Blitz to do that, if you have Blitz give it to me and I will use my sight"

Blitz is a Purple crystal that gives the user more Action Points namely points to strengthen the body which can be seen in Vault boy, Use of Jet increases the user's reaction speed by slowing down time around them with minimal effect on their own movements. Additionally, it significantly increases jump distance and maximum rate of fire for a total of ten seconds.

The way to use it is simply to break it. However, neither Aether nor Beatrice have it so they will go to look for it, it must be in the ruins around them, before they say goodbye and leave they are given something by Heather.

"Wait miss, do you have a Vault boy? Wait a minute, I want to give you a map code so you can have more freedom, it shows all the places around our area so you can have more freedom."

"Okay Heather, thank you," replied Aether with a cute smile

"(Wow... Like an angel from heaven, thank you Oh Lord, your majesty , for giving me the charm you created)" Heather said in her heart

"Hmm... You are really lucky because you got Vault boy, that item is very rare and...Very much sought after by many people," said Grandma Vanga seriously

Aether just swallowed his saliva and immediately spoke to Beatrice to immediately look for the flash. Beatrice immediately nodded and immediately wanted to leave, then Beatrice smiled and said, "Thank you, Heather. Your help means a lot."

Heather nodded. "We, Hombre Libertad, will always be ready to help. If you want help, I will be ready to help as best I can, But be careful out there, and good luck finding what you're looking for."

With maps and additional supplies from Preston, Aether and Beatrice continue their journey. They know that their journey is still long and full of danger, but with each step, they get closer to uncovering the truth behind Doctor Mobius' betrayal and saving Auriel.

On the way, Aether reflected on everything that had happened. "I just hope we can find them and get the answers we need," he said in a determined voice.

Beatrice patted Aether's shoulder. "Don't worry, Aether, we will definitely find him."

Then aether responded with a worried expression. "But what if Auriel is killed or abused, you know that too, right, Trice?, That She is my best friend since childhood, I can't accept it if he is treated like that"

However, Beatrice continued to convince Aether to motivate herself "Remember, Aether, we just need to keep going and believe in ourselves. If you keep complaining like that, this problem won't be resolved", Aether also gave the same response "but Trice..."

"No More Buts Aether, You Just Need to Convince Yourself and What You Should Do Now"

"You remember when Sister Joanna explained, right? That we are always faced with problems," answered Beatrice seriously. "But what makes you strong is your faith in the Supreme (God or Gods)"

Aether immediately understood and remembered Sister Joanna's words when they were in the previous bunker, which made Aether awaken a new, burning spirit. They then stepped further into the forest, ready to face the challenges that awaited them.