Dark Age isn't kind to anyone, not even Walkers and regular people alike. Luke is an example of one thing, but William knows so much more, that he feels uncomfortable even thinking about it.
Though untold, William could only imagine how many casualties Luke didn't talk about. So much could happen in an expedition of such caliber.
It all seemed worth it considering the needs of materials, yet what about the lives of others? Is it worth spending human lives in tries to get resources for another tanker? With expeditions happening every month, what sort of casualties will happen in a year?
William has no clue, and he doesn't even want to know the answer to that question. After all, it could be his time for that as well. Considering the Future, and everything. It could take years, and before he would know it, such an expedition would be forced upon him.
He knows it's not something that he needs to care about at the moment. After all, the future in front of him is in uncertain veils of the Awakening and Examination.
Laying in his bed, William closes his mind, in a try to get some rest.
He succeeds after many tries and failures that are unsteady because of his worries.
Like this, 6 days pass, and a time for the examination comes with a quick wash in the sink. William uses ice-cold water, that drops from his face.
He looks at himself in the mirror and sees a familiar face. A wet, yet expectant eyes, leaves many desires in his mirrored version of himself.
“Well. Here goes nothing. 6 weeks it is. Let's see what fate or whoever decides the future has for me.” William says as he rubs his face with a towel to dry himself.
Over the past week, he spent a fair amount of time on the 6th floor and finished everything that he wanted. At least, according to his vision, and Mi-Yung's considerable help. Of course, that doesn't leave Ellie, who helped him as well.
Changing to freshly washed clothes, which remain unchanged for the last 6 weeks, he feels ready to face this day. William has already got accustomed to wearing this set, so he plans to wear it for today as well.
Walking straight from his room to the kitchen, a figure is already sitting beside the table with prepared food.
Mi-Yung smiles at the early arrival of William, who forces himself to wake up in freaking 6 AM. A time that he finds atrocious and horrible. Yet, a time which was forced upon him from Mi-Yung, and in the past as well.
It all comes to willingness to wake up, and when he has to, Wiliam could force himself upon this... terrible time.
“Good morning.” William greets the light in the sunny kitchen and Mi-Yung, who is wearing a black dress. It almost resembles some kind of strange uniform. It features long sleeves, with a neck that is unbuttoned to reveal a bit of her Emblem. A sight that is not rare that much, since the temperature is quite hot in this environment, in the middle of the ocean.
“You look tired.” Mi-Yung voices his concern, while William could still take some sleep.
“I do? It must be because of how important this day is, isn't it?” William asks as he takes a seat in the very front of her.
“It sure is. I have time off today since this is an obligation that I promised you a long time ago. It will go well, I promise.”
“Hmmm. Not like it even matters. Thank you for the meal.” William appreciates the content of the table and goes right into the breakfast. Although this meal wouldn't tell him the fate of today's day, it's at least a good start.
He wouldn't eat the next meal after the examination, so this is an important meal on this special day.
“I am happy you like this.” Mi-Yung nods to her skill, or maybe in a different way since she bought most of it from the bakery.
A luxurious breakfast with sandwiches, omelets, and vegetables on plates is on the table. It isn't as heavy of a meal as she intended. The price is worth it in her mind.
Of course, she isn't polite to obliterate a few plates all by herself as well. There is only so much time in the world, and she places her importance where they are needed. Such as the stomach, which never ceases to work, even when she reaches the heights of being something beyond human.
They eat and eat, but still leave a single plate, which is left out for Luke.
It didn't take that long before Luke appears to go to his work. The military is an early work, so he often leaves before Mi-Yung.
“Good morning.” he greets them both, as a vision of a brand fresh face is bathing in the sun's light. No scar, nor residual wounds are there at all. Even his eyes are open to see, and untold wounds underneath his uniform are gone as well.
It seems whatever the idea Luke had 6 days ago was successful, and Mi-Yung help proved to be great.
Luke is healed, but at what cost? That remains a secret, while Mi-Yung is happy to see him appear how she remembers him.
“Good day, Luke.”
“Prepared for this new life, William?” Luke asks.
“No.”
“I bet. Though I have a piece of bad news as well as a good one. The general Yondu is summoning me for the Awakening, so I guess I will accompany you both today.”
“Sir Yondu did? Why?” Mi-Yung asks in a questionable tone. She knows Luke's boss, but that doesn't seem normal to her. Considering his circumstance in the expedition, he should be more considerate to Luke instead.
“It's not a big deal. It will be like what... 5th time already? Seeing it once more won't hurt me, and now, I have William to see.” Luke says in a casual tone, which couldn't be more unbothered.
“Then we can go together. That is not a bad idea.” Mi-Yung adds while giving him his part of the breakfast. That's the least she could do. Apart from the untold fact that the base premise of his recovery was put on her shoulders. That small deal went over the heads of anyone but Mi-Yung and lady Dia.
It makes no sense to bother Luke about some details that she doesn't deem worthy to bother him about. Since the scar and his wounds were too harsh on him, Mi-Yung would never live it down to see him, not in his best version of himself.
With the breakfast done, the 3 people are dressed, so they go by the rules of the Examination on this day what they each know.
Taking place in the Institution of Emblems, it is an important day for a lot of people. Expectant, reluctant, fearful, and so on. A day where the fate of 1 of them would be uncovered while a new batch of Walkers will give rise to the play of the organization.
They would be good, ready to be harvested by Dark beings, and Walker organisation alike. Both, for vastly different reasons.
With the meal being done, the group of 3 people leaves the 47th building complex. It would take a minute to reach the institution in the furthest part of the central district.
It takes them about 20 minutes to reach the position of the Institution of the Emblems. Like William assumed a long time ago, this is a group of building visible from almost every part of the central island. William doesn't see it for the first time, but he always feels amazed at seeing it so close. He still remembers the awe when he saw it for the first time. Back then, he walks through the pavement paths from the military barracks. It had been 6 weeks since then, while he still remains in Luke's company.
In the middle of this group of massive buildings, there is one, much bigger than the rest. This one shakes and shapes every young Walker becomes a proper one. At least if the willingness and care are there, of course. Without the need to wait years for adulthood, this is a very popular method for any Walker to consider.
William strives beside the pair of Walkers, that couldn't be more abundant in their love. They are holding each other's hands, which makes him fearful of other ideas of Ellie. He is even unsure why those ideas and thoughts emerge in his mind. He has to remind him what he is about to do, so he shuts such thoughts away. He knows for sure she will prepare something like this for him one day.
Alas, before he even has a chance to complain in his mind about it more, he is standing in front of the entrance to the massive buildings. Not one bit inferior to the library, it is impressive as they stand side by side. Glass panels make each floor distinct from one another, with at least 15 stories what William counts in his head. That is only the biggest one. There are also smaller buildings besides the biggest, which have a few floors less. Still big, considering the standards of the Federation, and massive regarding Outside.
Each and every one of these buildings is a place for the research of the Emblems, documents, and experiments about them. In truth, if one wants to know more about them, not even the library has full access to this place. It is under the jurisdiction of the Federation and the Emblem Academy alike.
The furthest left building is fully in control of the Academy. There is research that is better to be done here than worry about the travel of personnel from the distant land of the Academy.
“It looks amazing no matter how often I see this,” William mutters behind the back of the loving pair.
Glancing back, Mi-Yung couldn't help but chuckle at his words. She even wonders what he would say about the sights of the Academy, but that isn't something she can show him. The best is to see it with one's eyes for the first time in the middle of the ocean.
Feeling good wouldn't even describe his feelings at the moment. William is nervous and clenches his fist beside his hips.
He rather chose to put them in his pockets, since he didn't have to take his bottle with him today. There would be some leniency with food and water, so that is at least something to ease his mood.
Truth be told, he will not have all that many thoughts about clenching his thirst or feeling hungry. No one told him that, of course.
Tell a nervous person not to be nervous and the result is obvious...
At this point, Mi-Yung doesn't have all that much to say to him to alleviate his mind. A few words of encouragement are all she could give him, while she forces him to go through the entrance of the main building.
“I am not afraid... No,” he tells himself.
Inside, there is the reception, where are dozen, if not hundreds of people. Wearing all kinds of clothes. From military uniforms to the most casual pieces of clothes, one could find from the vendors.
The cluster of voices is all over the space, but William follows the pair in front of him to other parts of the building.
It seems they don't have to proceed with the reception for some reason, so William follows.
It is still a long while until the start of everything, so no one is in the hurry, but that doesn't mean it's not hectic. It should be around 2 hours left, but a lot of people were everywhere. From personnel of the institution to the military, and medication personnel for whatever reason.
William nervously looks at his watch, which tells 7:30 AM. He doesn't even know where the time disappeared into... and he woke up so early for this mess.
“This is where we separate for the time being.” Luke releases the grip on Mi-Yung's hand and tells it to her, more than to William.
“Go do your things, soldier,” Mi-Yung smirks at him and glances at William.
“Good luck, William.” is Luke's words of encouragement, before he leaves with a small gesture at his temple.
His words help a bit, but at this point, it is up to the will of the heavens, or something along those lines. At least that is in William's head.
“We will continue from here. I have your papers, as well as general consensus for your well-being in the Federation. This will allow the free rein over your choice, while no force will straight up take you in.” Mi-Yung explains.
Wiliam gulps down before nodding. He knows the meaning of her words, but no response could prove meaningful at the moment.
The time has come to meet his fate.