Chapter 39

Anna saw that crimson and began drawing again even if the angle was bad and distant.

“I know very little about specifics, sir. Mine is mine. It looks and feels different from yours, I bet. No. I know that. It's normal. Walkers at higher Ranks like you are tough and powerful. Different from kids.”

“We have to be that. Someone has to do it, you see,” Luke said with a sharp look in his eyes, experience, and passion. His intent shone a little in his eyes, skipping a beat of his chest that pushed numerous waves in light and shimmering mist-like waves. It frightened William for a fraction of a second when something within him moved as well. It was unfamiliar as if his heart quenched and stopped beating.

It went for a moment before he looked away from Luke.

“What else is on your mind?”

“Life options?” William answered in a manner of question. “You gave me more questions than answers. I still appreciate it.”

“You are at the age where it is important to see more questions and seek steady ground below your feet. Both are good steps for any young Walker.”

“Does it need to be so specific and literal?”

“I don't know. I have not asked to be named like that; a Walker. Walkers are, however, pitiful and great names at the same time. I like it. We walk a fine line after all. One ought to remember it and accept it.”

Anna was too busy getting the right red color and forgot to speak.

William nodded and scratched his Emblem, hoping it wouldn't fall off, or cause a disturbance in the middle of a sky.

“Can I be afraid?”

“No.”

“Really?”

“That was a joke. Be how you want it to be. Walkers die horrible deaths, but you must know it a lot more than other kids. It is a truth that hurts and it speaks facts. Not fearing is plain stupid.”

His nonchalant manner didn't ease William's nerves. “Are you sometimes afraid?”

“Of what?”

“Anything. Darks. People?”

Luke hummed, thinking. “I suppose I do have some concerns. A lot of them, actually. On duty, not so much. I have to believe that my corners will go on without me. That's one way to relax. I see Walker as a name that occurred because someone had clever words or too much time on their hands.”

“I see. You know, sir Irwin, since we are here, in this machine, and in the middle of a sky, perhaps a little fear is not so bad.”

“I am not judging a kidnapped kid,” Luke chuckled and tried a bad joke. “It isn't our or my problem. The majority of the Walkers are experiencing worse things than flying. Sometimes, there is a lot of walking or feeling harsher emotions than Madness. Normal people can't even imagine it and think Outside is hell.”

“But not every Walker is equal, right? Well, not. Outside is hell. I see it regardless of this watching.” William asked, trying to hide his shaking hands with the force of his thighs. He even gestured to the window, and his nerves could not escape Luke's eyes. “Their Types are well-known, second to Ranks, but... Skills... what are they? What is the System that many describe as savior and devilish.”

“Have you dug for answers in some grave?” Luke asked and stopped laughing. “This isn't taught Outside, right?”

“Does it matter?”

“No. It should. They are our tools. Important possessions granted by Emblems. Some of us are born in a good light, place, and time, while most struggle even before reaching Rank 1. In a time when they are seeing their starting line. At what point are you?”

“Neither.”

“Do you believe that?”

“I can build my starting line, isn't it enough? Also... what you said is still uncertain. I have no clue what awaits me or what am I. How and why you are taking me, and what is there for me? A new life? Kidnapping... might not be a stretch.”

“I don't know. Perhaps it is right. I am not someone to know it or judge the rules or people. Am not that free, you see.”

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

“Yet you judge so many things,” Anna said after finishing some bare-bone coloration of a hand with a crystal clear Emblem and red storm within it.

“Says an assistant.”

“I am a great assistant!” Anna corrected him. “Assembly needs them. Especially your wife, let me say that as no judge.”

“Shut up...” Luke grunted.

“What makes you not free?” William asked about specifics rather than his life. There were some boundaries he didn't want to overstep. Family of others was that and Luke's wife didn't seem to matter. William was wrong.

Experienced Walker was a good way to get ahead and know things, and Luke was starting to speak a little better. This was a great start, which not a lot of young Walkers in their adolescence had. At least Outside, where Walkers were active or on duty, one couldn't find a teacher in them. That fell either on regular people or nobody.

“I am a soldier, bound to my service. Bound to the Federation and Yondu Division. It was my choice. My life. A choice that will go on for the rest of my life. Because of this, you should think twice about what you want and do. It starts here. Without your parents or others making this choice for you, you are a decision-maker. No one else. It is not how many Walkers live. If anything, it is part of freedom for what we want. Chains are wrong. You are free, but not at the same time ready for it. You got lost and came back, while your choice never came with your benefits, contracts, or people. Until now, that is, but we aren't forcing anything on you because... of luck, I guess. Then, it might be not there at all because what you know or want is vague. That is why I am speaking.”

“How rare indeed,” Anna commented and accepted his sketch with in an awkward smile.

William gulped and clutched his hands tighter. “My.... parents. You talked about my father who served with you. I understand what military means and how Divisions act as outlandish Walker places with their rules and commands. Can you tell me more about my father...or mother? Did you know them well?” William grabbed his courage and tried to force Luke to speak about his mother.

Luke easily caught up on that. “Your mother isn't up for me. Met her... like twice? Whatever, I may as well talk about what I know. That is fine, right, Anna? History is like a bunch of strings pulled by words and past.”

“Have I heard some fly speaking? I must be dreaming that you are asking me for some permission. Considering us and what we do, I am shocked!” Anna pretended to be busy and allowed it. William figured she was a secondary party in this mission and someone affiliated with no military. Perhaps the Emblem Association was very important. What kind of assistant was she? In that case? Maybe her position was meaningful even if she was a normal person.

Wait, she mentioned Emblem Association directly. Is that it? Luke needs her permission, so is she his boss? Wait. Bullshit. I am overthinking it. William wondered in his mind, realizing it wasn't the case at all.

Luke was blackmailed. Anna forced him to take her on this mission while both broke some rules. Normally, she would never be allowed here because her research and position were maintained in the Federation and her assignment was lacking.

Field missions were simply far too enticing for Anna, who was always busy and doing her work like a locked rat. And something great came over thanks to it, and she wasn't willing to let it go. She sneaked out and through some method, forced herself onto Luke's assignment. It was a wonder how she managed it, considering Luke didn't like her all that much. It must have been really good blackmail.

Luke had words to tell and words to not tell. He knew his acts, and his men were the same. Anna didn't and her position was great enough to cause him some distress. She was a normal person, so it was surprising for William to see their banter.

“I don't like all rules, William. They are unnecessarily put on some people, or on others that shouldn't have them. Some people just don't get it. Walkers need to know things. Ahead or not, problematic or good, or young. I will say it as it is...”

William listened to him with great interest, trying to stop his shaking hands between his thighs and storming emotions stirring deep. His beating and buzzing echoed like soft music, while, thankful, no voice spoke this time around.

“Unfortunately, your mother isn't someone I know very well. I served with your father, so I will speak of him more. I have known him for about a decade. It started after the Federation established their lands and Divisions, and when the Emblem Academy began to stand straight as a pillar for Walkers.”

“What year was it?”

“The Federation as a whole had decades of work and effort built into it. The base idea of its land went as far as 2070, if not earlier. Proper plans came much later, with greater creation almost at the mark of the new century. Considering the current year of 2128, the Federation has many decades of history that has been going on for a long time. Where reputation docked with safety and people, and counted in our land, people, and others, they created a paradise. Many places around the world have their fortress. Now, ours is more than three decades old and still growing. Academy is even older, however, but let's not get ahead. Your father, right? That is who you want...”

“Sure,” William mumbled in denial, wanting to hear everything.

“Don't worry. The Federation or Academy is no longer gone out of your sight. You will get how they work eventually. They aren't that fancy. They are great, don't get me wrong. They are pillars of our society, but rules and their workings are not as crazy for various reasons.”

Anna cleared her throat. “They are also built as a revived foundation for humanity. Outside of any continent, surrounded by water.” She added.

Luke continued. “Military is a boring subject when one who speaks is from the military itself. I won't be bothering you with unnecessary talk like her.”

“Yet you've started speaking about it.” Anna coldly said. “How boring, eh?”

“No. No. It is interesting,” William cut into them, while Luke scratched his chin.

“Alright. Back to your father. Simply put, he had incredible talent and courage, which caused him to reach Rank 6 before he was thirty. It wasn't the greatest record in the world since others overshadowed him later down the line. However, something was different about him. He was well above his Rank. Your father, I mean. Fighting like that is dangerous and full of spirit and vigor. He was an exceptional warrior, brave, and willing to go above and beyond himself.”

“Is Rank 6 that high?” William doubtfully asked. “There are still Rank above it.”