Kier was now fast asleep. We entered the corner inn into their only room that was available. Olley said it looked trustworthy but I had my doubts about it. There were only two beds in the room so naturally we would do shifts in sleeping. Though I wasn't sure if I needed sleep. I took in another pellet to start off the next cycle. The city was now quiet. It was an uncomfortable kind of quiet that made anyone want to feel scared. However, I was used to this kind of silence before. This was the kind of silence when things are about to go to hell. Sounds of some soldiers moving about was still evident with the clanging of their armor in the darkness. Some carts were being moved all over the alleyways probably carting corpses or debris. Olley was sleeping soundly in her bed and it made me think about a few things. The wooden flooring made it hard to move but I wanted to get some fresh air. This small room just didn't make things easier for me to process. Moving towards the door, Olley was already up from her sheets. Her eyes glowed colors in the dark looking straight at me. I sighed then opened the door. Nothing says fresh air than the ones on top of a roof. The hallways were empty except for the few candles stands to light up the way. There was another ladder going up to the last floor, presumably the rooftop access. I moved towards the door but Olley had grabbed my arm. She seemed a bit sleepy still despite telling me she doesn't sleep a lot.

Olley: You're not leaving are you?

Arc: I just needed to get some air. Nothing serious. All of this stuff is a bit hard to process in a small room. Just get some sleep already.

Olley: I don't sleep that much.

Arc: That's clearly a lie.

Olley: Come on, you can't blame me for thinking you're going to leave hmph!

Arc: Can we not discuss this in the middle of a hallway. I think everyone has had a hard day today especially because of us.

We whispered then tiptoed around the hallway to make sure we didn't disturb any of the residents. Olley motioned towards the roof entrance and that's where I went. As I passed the door, I could only see the smoke from buildings still recovering. The skies were even darker than they were. There wasn't any fresh air which was like a stark contrast to how it was just a few hours ago. To be honest, I just wanted to see the destruction that an Adamian can actually cause. A part of me couldn't help but feel guilty from seeing the destruction. Things like these don't get any easier for me. I headed towards the ledge to sit and check the rest of the view. Olley looked worried. Her hands were in her pockets this time. She sat by me too, this time quiet. There were still floating vehicles looking around the city with their big spotlights trying to find some people or mutants. It made me think even more on why didn't the capitol respond sooner. The mass explosions would've been a good signal to start helping but there wasn't anything. This awkward air to Olley made me feel a bit strange. She seemed to be the type to talk a lot especially in these situations. I usually keep my thoughts to myself so I didn't want to start something.

Olley: Hey, I just wanted to say thanks. I don't think I've said it. I guess now is a good time to say it or I might regret it if you just suddenly want to vanish. Though I wouldn't blame you.

Arc: Thanks for what?

Olley: For coming after me and saving me. I'm sure I would've had a hard time if I was all alone there. But I'm curious, what made you want to go? I know that I said it was fine to leave me and all. To be honest, I went in there knowing that you wouldn't. So that's what's making it hard to believe that you saved me. We just met after all.

Arc: You talk too much.

Olley: Figured you'd never tell me hahaha. But I'm glad that you did what you did. I honestly am.

Arc: Just be careful next time will you. Your mother would be sad.

Olley: You're a softie aren't you Arc.

Arc: Shut it. I don't want to hear it...

Olley: Hey, keep it down. People might wake up.

Arc: ...

Olley: Fine then, just this once hehehe.

Arc: Actually, I've been thinking about stuff myself. Being Adamian has it's perks but it also has its cons.

Olley: Like what? Isn't being super strong and magical pretty cool?

Arc: I'm not sure how to put it to be honest. You clearly have a mother don't you?

Olley: What's this have to do with my mother?

Arc: What's it like to be a mother?

Olley: Why are you asking me that?!

Arc: Do you not want to be a mother yourself?

Olley: Well… That's an embarrassing question to ask in the first place! Shouldn't you know that it's awkward to ask a girl that kind of stuff…

Arc: I'm sorry, I wouldn't know. Our birth system is quite different. I thought you'd give me an insight.

Olley: Huh?! How could it be different? Mom's give birth to babies is all.

Arc: Adamians are born from birthing tubes. It's to ensure the survivability of an Adamian offspring. We can't risk natural births for both the mother and the offspring. Though in return, I personally don't know what it's like to have parents or such things. I guess being born in a tube makes you less lovable.

Olley: Arc...

Arc: Just curious. It bothers me that I don't know these kinds of things. What seems to be common knowledge to everyone, I don't know a damn thing about.

Olley: Well I can't tell you what it's like being a mother because I'm not one. It's not that simple. You need someone to love first. From there, you start a family.

Arc: A family huh…

Olley: I don't know a lot about you Arc but anyone can tell from a glance that you're definitely complicated.

Arc: I guess so. Though I wouldn't know either. Cognitive magic is common for Adamians to use to forget things. So if I was wounded by something then I'd probably choose to forget it by now.

Olley: You guys can forget things on purpose?

Arc: Yes, we can choose to remove regrets, pains, traumas, and other unnecessary things.

Olley: Those aren't unnecessary though!

Arc: Why wouldn't they be? They only hinder someone's capability to do missions or get results. It's only natural that I would want to remove such memories. They'll only mess things up when they matter the most.

Olley: That just sounds like you're being a coward. Scared that you'll never recover from them.

Arc: Do you have any regrets or sadness?

Olley: Of course I do! But that doesn't mean I want them gone!

Arc: Why? It doesn't make sense to me not to remove them. Doesn't it bother you.

Olley: Of course it does! But I don't think it's right to just remove them. Things happen for a reason. Be it something bad or something sad. When my dad left to go hunting, it was sad. It's even worse that he still hasn't come back yet. But that's the kind of stuff that makes you stronger! I know I can't explain it well like you do but that's how I feel!

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Arc: But your father is… gone. Isn't he?

Olley: He's not! I know he's alive there somewhere!

Arc: I see...

Olley: Arc…

Arc: …

Olley: When the bad things happen, they happen for a reason. That's just the way things work.

Arc: That doesn't help at all.

Olley: I never said I was good at this kind of talking.

Arc: Well, then I guess we can just talk about what to do now. We're not good at talking that's for sure but I do feel a bit better. So let's get back to business.

Olley: I don't think we can do much right now with these things making the city busy. Pretty sure the only person that can help us right now is us.

Arc: I have other plans. I need to do something.

Olley: That's alright. We can split ways from here. I'll go with Kier.

Arc: Do you trust him?

Olley: Are you worried about me?

Arc: No, just answer the question.

Olley: I don't but I know he wants to help out. And I know you have to go your separate way. Is that okay with you?

Arc: Why are you asking me? I barely know you afterall. You should do what you want.

Olley: Because I see it.

Arc: See it?

Olley: With my eyes Arc.

She took my hands then removed my gloves. She placed them on her cheeks. My hands were still a bit cold but as I touched her skin they were warmed. Her eyes locked with mine. Those eyes of hers were brimming with colors. Colors that I couldn't seem to understand. It was like how Adamians surged with power their eyes would change. However, her's wasn't filled with power. They were filled with something that I couldn't describe. Something that I couldn't turn into words no matter how hard I thought about it. She smiled then let go of my hands to place back my gloves.

Olley: This is a secret of my people. Our body parts have special properties or at least one part of them. My eyes not only adjust the light but they can also see things that cannot be normally understood.

Arc: Like what?

Olley: That's a secret teehee. I just wanted you to know that my eyes aren't just for seeing things physically.

Arc: What a tease.

Olley: Hehehe, What can I say? We just met afterall. I wouldn't want to tell a total stranger my secrets. So, are you okay with me going alone on this?

Arc: Why are you asking me?

Olley: Just answer it stupid.

Arc: Yes.

Olley: I see… Guess I'll stick around even more then. You're a complicated one aren't you?

Arc: Wait I just said that I was fine with it. I'm fine with you going with Kier.

Olley: I know what you said. I'll see you in the morning Arc. We'll be helping out more people early in the morning!

Olley flashed me a smile then made her way back to the dusty door that led back inside. What was that about? I wished that she gave me more than just those cryptic answers. But what she said held a lot of weight that's for sure. I'm not sure on how to move on. There has to be a way to help these people without abandoning them. Adamians bring only ruin in their wake in a city. Sounds like some kind of bounty hunter bullshit. The skies continued to be scattered with flying search parties. There had to be plenty of casualties from this event. I wonder how their monarchs will respond to this. The wall I created still stood firm. Strange how a single person like me can have so much power. Destructive magic is the easiest to do. Any Adamian can create such chaos. This is what scares me about Terra. I wonder if Nitra was going to signal for the Vanta team. Are they going to send someone for her? If so then how can they take down a first series like her? Yet another mystery.

The evening was still in progress but it had already been more than eight hours. It was finally time to get a move on where to go. I had originally planned to continue towards the main capital through the walls but if everytime we moved through a barrier we'd be stopped then it would be a bad idea. Kier said that he would meet us at one of the barrier stops to help us with some political stuff. I remember he said something about the embassy passes for me. Me and Olley decided to make our way towards the said barrier. Though as we continued on these empty stone streets, there was something that made Olley anxious. She had already placed her goggles on her eyes. We were walking in a lonely stone bricked path towards the destination that Kier had told us. Except I wasn't sure if this path was the right one. The map that we encountered a few minutes ago had said that this was the way towards the barricade, so this should be the right area. Though there wasn't anyone that could be visibly seen from this part of the street until the end in sight. The streets were also pretty clean. It was as if it was cleaned just recently. The street light torches continued to function normal but that made things a bit even stranger. Everything about these buildings made it feel like everything felt fabricated. Things were a bit too perfect.

Arc: You seem more tense than usual.

Olley: You're the tense one!

Arc: Alright then.

Olley: Sorry, I just don't like it here. I'm not used to this kind of terrain. Everything looks quiet.

Arc: It's possible because everyone is still waiting for some news. But on the bright side it seems like most of the people were already evacuated out of this area.

Olley: That's not it Arc. I think I recognize this street.

Arc: This street?

Olley: This is an infamous street from what I can remember.

Arc: Wait what?

Olley: Apparently this is some kind of place where robberies happen. The surrounding districts have heard of this place.

Arc: I wouldn't be scared of some lowly thugs.

Olley: But these people are pretty scary y'know! There are people out there that can do some messed up things! One story I heard from one of the guards was that some of these thugs extorted money from some of the monarch's friends. Some even said that sometimes the royal scientist buys stuff them from them.

Arc: Wait! The royal scientist!?

Olley: Yep! Well it's just a rumour afterall.

Arc: Well it's a good thing we're here then. We might be able to-

Olley: ARC!

Olley pushed me to the side stone walk as a monstrous tentacle reached out towards the hole in front of us! The abomination wriggled around the area looking like it was searching for something! I quickly started modifying our boots then jumped on top of the nearest ledge of a high ground to avoid danger. The brown appendage scrambled around like it was looking for us. Looks like this street was much more than some black alley. I don't think I could identify what this creature is. We waited a bit more while we were hanging on the window. Moments later a humanoid monstrosity came out of the hole like it was just seeing light for the first time! It wriggled all over the place causing more damage to its surrounding area. However it's features were unlike anything I've ever seen. It's skin was mutated brown, no eyes, what's supposed to be limbs were just tentacles, and a giant vertical mouth on it's torso. Mouth having molar teeth on the left and fangs on the right. It was trying to walk like a humanoid type of species but in a terrifying way. What the hell is that?! My contacts suddenly began to scan the creature. However, it received no results in the registered life forms archives approved by the Oxel Records. I turned to see that Olley was trying to hold her mouth. She must be disgusted seeing it.

Arc: What the hell is that? Is that from your planet?!

Olley's head said no. This had something to do with what happened earlier too. It has to! These things just don't suddenly come out of nowhere. As I was about to jump in, a bunch of neatly dressed men with blue overalls came out of the streets with some weapons. One of them started to attack the creature with their primitive weapons. Some of them had pipes while some had basic sabres. The abomination swung its appendages towards them with sweeping motions knocking some to the side other slammed on the ground. The force it swung was enough to create a small crater on the side of the building the man was tossed in! He spat out some blood while the others went trying hard to get a swing at it. It looked like they didn't have a chance in the world. However, what interests me is that it seems like they've encountered this before. The way they move, the tactics, and strategy. They know this.

Olley: Shouldn't we help them!? Some of them are dying Arc!

Arc: Fine!

I kicked off my jump with an air current then landed right behind it. The men looked surprised but they held their weapons ready to fight again. I dropped a seal on the ground then manipulated a stone pillar staff into my hand. There was no way that I was going to let that thing close to me. These guys have the right idea to fight it close. Suddenly the creature turned it's way towards me! It's mouth is even more grotesque up close. It shrieked something inaudible that stunned everyone including me. Just like some kind of mad bull it wriggled it's tentacles towards me. It was fast! I had to dodge must faster than I usually do. This thing aimed for my head making me duck but as soon as I did it tried to slap me with it's other tentacle. I dropped to the ground to avoid every attack. However, it was prepared for that too! A tentacle was now dropping down towards me! I touched the ground to create a rock coffin to defend against the attack. There was clearly some kind of rage behind this demon. As the tentacle hit the ground, it shrieked in pain. So it's "limbs" still felt pain. I shot back up to the surface then as soon as I saw the creature, I surged some power into the staff! I aimed the end of the staff to its mouth then stretched it with great speed! The force was strong enough to pin down to the ground. Soon it's tentacles began to wrap around my slim staff. I retracted the staff to it's normal size then jumped high into the air using my air mods. As I did the creature stood right back up then bagan reaching to me. Tentacles that didn't seem to care about the laws of physics and infinitely stretched! I looked down to it. My eyes narrowed to it's bruised body and mouth. WIth all my force, I chucked the staff right at its center. The creature didn't seem to care that I threw the staff but it will now! My eyes started to turn a bright blue, I felt something electrifying in my body once again then shot it out to the stone staff. The staff was about to finally hit the creature. As my magic reached the stone staff, it expanded into a great pillar that was as almost as big as the street! A large explosive thud and squishing noise could be heard when it slammed onto the ground! Dust and rubble went all over the place from the explosion of the staff landing. Everyone on the ground recoiled from the mess. I used some air mods to slowly land on top of my great pillar. As the dust cleared, I retracted the stone staff to its original size then into a small pen size item. There on the ground was now what looked to be blood. The monster completely smashed into a flattened corpse. Teeth and all broken. If it had bones surely they were all bits now. The men were hesitant to approach but one of them had the courage to. This was the man who held the large pipe as a weapon.

Man: You! Adamian! Why are you here?

Arc: Aren't you supposed to be grateful that I saved you? I just did you all a service

Man: Not when it caused the destruction of these streets. Look at what you did!

I turned around to see that all the stone and ground behind me were completely torn out. What was left was uneven soil that I didn't convert into my staff. Olley landed right next to me and also looked a bit annoyed.

Olley: Did you really have to take out an entire street for one staff!?

Arc: I wasn't aware that the amount of stone concentration I need to create one would be the entire street. I just knew that I had to take some.

Man: Hey! Stop your babbling! Explain yourselves!

Arc: I'm just making my way to the barricade beyond these streets. This is my companion.

Olley: Hi!

Man: Why the fuck did you two choose these streets then! Don't you know these streets and alleyways are charged by the Touma gang. We don't appreciate outsiders!

Arc: We were just passing by.

Man: Like I said, we don't appreciate outsiders even for visiting.

Arc: Are you sure you want to try something. You saw clearly what I could do. Just let us pass.

Man: Tch! These kids. You're lucky our boss isn't here. Get the hell out of here.

Arc: Wait. I want something in return for saving y'all.

Man: What?! Save?! You broke the goddamn street just to kill this thing!

Arc: I just need information. Your gang seems to have some information. I don't mind giving back a little bit of compensation for my damages.

Man: Information?! Good luck with that rubbish! I don't know nothing! But if you are curious for something then you better be ready to pay.

Arc: I think I'll have something.

Olley: Hey! Arc! What are you doing!? These people are clearly dangerous! Just look at them! They want to command the entire friggin street! We should leave and meet Kier already.

Arc: Trust me for a bit Olley. So what do you men say?

Man: If you got something to pay then so be it. The Touma gang can think of something but don't think we'll give you some special treatment. You destroyed this neighborhood and you have to pay for it.

Arc: I wouldn't mind paying blood.

Man: Look at this tough guy. Watch your tone kid. You two! Get this thing dragged out the way and get the cleaners. This place gotta be spick and span before the first sun. How the hell am I supposed to explain this to the don…

Arc: I got this for now.

Man: Huh?

I placed another seal on the ground then surged my body once again. A small tremor was produced that made everyone's balance a bit strange. After a small moment rocks started to spring from the soil. Slowly but surely they attached themselves to the steps of the ground that previously had no stone steps. This took a lot of energy from me because it requires a lot of precision work. Shaping, rising, and combing. Only higher power magicians should be able to do these kinds of things with ease. Another few seconds and the road was nearly completed. I got back up to my feet then turned back to the tough looking man. He seemed a bit pleased.

Man: Not gonna finish the rest?

Arc: Call it a collateral. Proof that I'm a man of my word. Adamians can be reasonable.

Man: Sounds like this isn't your first ride either.

Arc: I've dealt with blackmarket gangs before. I know how these businesses work.

Man: Tch! Don't get cocky kid.

Olley removed her goggles then stood by me. We followed the man as he continued on towards one of the alley ways that did not have any street lights. I wasn't afraid but I was worried for different reasons. It would be a good idea if these gangs have a better way to traverse these districts. They should also have some information about the royal scientist. Honestly this is a lot of work just to get back to Talos but I have to do it.