08:01:57
Owl’s Old Repository.
Aether arrived at his team’s home base the following day at the appointed time. Pushing open the glass doors, he greeted the person behind the counter like always. “Good morning, old man!”
The ‘wax’ statue did not respond to his cheery greetings like usual and continued to unblinkingly watch the small screen above the entrance door. The old man’s glazed eyes reflected the morning news segment playing on the screen.
Chuckling to himself, Aether gently shook his head before walking to the back of the store. With his sharp sense of hearing, he picked up the clutter of noises coming from behind the slightly ajar door.
Entering the back of the store, Aether was greeted with the sight of his teammates crowding around the metal table in the corner.
Cypher was sitting at the head of the table with his arms kept folded and his face pointing toward the sky. An extreme feeling of contentment, bliss, and mystery could be read off of his face.
The rest of the team members including Midas, Fox, and Vix were gathered in a circle around him and seemed to be imploring him.
“Oh, looks like everyone’s already here,” Aether warmly greeted. His arrival broke the others out of their illusion as they turned their heads simultaneously to look at him. Aether simply smiled in response.
It was then that he saw Cypher suddenly bolt up from his seat and rush towards him. Aether wanted to instinctively dodge but decided not to at the last second as it would result in Cypher crashing face-first into the concrete wall behind him. While bracing himself, he waited for Cypher to crash into his chest.
Running into Aether’s chest, Cypher embraced him in a grateful hug. “Aether! Thank you!!” he cried.
Hugged by the younger and equally smaller boy, Aether felt confused. He raised his gaze to look at the others and silently asked with his eyes, ‘What’s going on?’
The others shook their heads being just as equally confused as him.
Cypher’s grip around Aether was tight, akin to a baby bear embracing its mother. His face which was buried within Aether’s abdomen constantly snuggled in search of a good spot to nestle itself.
After a good minute of enduring the tickling feeling around his stomach, Aether gently patted Cypher’s back, gesturing him to release his hold.
Reluctantly releasing his hold, Cypher turned to look at Aether with a face full of happiness. His milk-white skin shone with a healthy rose-coloured blush while his sapphire eyes stared at Aether with infinite gratitude.
Unable to bear the pure, positivity-filled gaze boring into him, Aether coughed before turning his gaze away. He then spent a second to steady himself, and asked, “What’s with the sudden hug? Are you trying to tickle me until I break down crying?” Aether good-naturedly began.
“Aether!” Cypher called out his name with a summer smile. “Thank you! Thank you so, so much!”
Aether grew speechless once again. Oddly enough, he found himself unable to meet Cypher’s pure gaze. While he recognised the gratitude within them, there was a mix of some other emotion that he couldn’t quite place his finger upon.
“Will you at least tell us now that Aether’s finally here?” Unable to hold back her curiosity, Fox asked.
“You were all waiting for me?” asked Aether, confused. “Why?”
“Something interesting happened to Cypher yesterday. However, when we asked him what happened, he refused to tell us anything, only maintaining a smug look of contentment and pride,” explained Vix, pointing at Cypher’s face. He then looked at Aether and said, “He told us he would only speak about what happened yesterday after you arrived.”
“That’s right. That’s right,” seconded Midas.
Aether finally turned his attention towards Cypher. He then curiously asked the smaller boy. “What happened yesterday? What’s it got to do with me?”
“Ahem, ahem!” Cypher looked around at the others and dramatically began. “So, yesterday evening…”
This is how Cypher’s story went; while he was wandering the streets of the Entertainment District the evening before, Cypher ran into the group of bullies that had bullied him in his old job. They had seen him and after nothing that he was alone, had dragged him with force into a nearby alleyway.
When he recounted up to there, the expressions of Fox, Vix, and Midas hardened while their fists clenched with anger. Aether, however, reacted differently.
An interesting smile spread on his lips as he partly guessed Cypher’s experience last night. He continued to listen to Cypher’s avid narration with interest.
“They pushed me against a wall while cursing at me. Their faces were as twisted and wrathful as demons, and their eyes shined with unkind intentions.” Cypher dramatically paused. His expression then turned solemn as he continued. “With my back against the wall and my front and sides guarded by the bullies, I was overcome with despondency. Fear shook my heart while a voice urged me to stop resisting.”
“Just as I was about to succumb to the throes of helplessness,” Cypher turned to look at Aether, “I recalled the advice from a friend.”
“‘You’re just a little guy!’” Aether sang with a smile.
“‘I’m just a little guy! And it’s my birthday.’” Cypher repeated. His tone of narration then shifted to become more upbeat as he continued with his tale.
While the bullies were confused and stilled by Cypher’s sudden words, the small hero quickly moved to kick the bully closest to him in the nuts. His timely attack cast an AOE debuff on the other bullies allowing Cypher to break free of their ambush and escape. After running out of that alleyway, he ran and ran and kept running.
Cypher did not stop running. He ran through his aching legs and wheezing lungs. He continued to run without looking back!
It was only when he found himself in a completely new area did Cypher stop. He trudged over to a corner and collapsed from exhaustion. However, while his body was exhausted his heart was light and free.
He had won! For the first time in this overbearing, grey, pathetic play called life, Cypher had claimed victory.
The emotions that he had felt during that moment were something that couldn’t be described by mere words. Relief, freedom, weightlessness… for the first time, Cypher felt hope. He felt that to continue living wouldn’t be too bad after all.
To others, this tale of Cypher might feel insignificant and unnecessary. However, for the hero of this tale, it was an unforgettable memory that altered the course of his life.
The two insurmountable walls called ‘Hopelessness’ and ‘Powerlessness’ which had towered over and haunted him for the entirety of his short life had finally come crashing down.
No longer did his future feel hopeless! No longer did he feel powerless! Cypher finally felt the feeling of being ‘alive’.
“And for that, I’m eternally grateful to you.” Cypher kneeled before Aether with utmost sincerity.
“Ai! What the hell are you doing? Get up!” Aether hurriedly pulled the younger boy up. He then dusted his knees, looked him in his eyes, and spoke with a warm smile. “It was YOU who overcame your walls. Not me, but you!” Aether poked at the centre of Cypher’s chest.
“Don’t ever forget that feeling,” he warmly advised.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Hearing Aether’s words, Cypher felt overcome by emotions causing his eyes to start tearing. He waddled forward like a duck and tightly hugged Aether.
Aether returned his hug and then gestured with his eyes at his teammates. The others understood his message and came forward to embrace Cypher in a group hug. Feeling the warmth enveloping him multiply, Cypher cried harder.
The smile on his face was equally as pronounced as his tears.
---
Ten minutes later.
After everyone finished pouring out their emotions, the group finally gathered together to discuss their plan for the day.
“Individual practice can only help us so much,” Vix began the meeting. “And the last round pointed to us the areas that we are lacking in.”
“The captain and I discussed our team’s performance, and after much deliberation, we have decided on our course of action for the future. For the next iteration of our collective training, we are going to–”
“WE ARE GOING TO THE TECHNODOME!!” Unable to hold back her excitement, Fox interrupted Vix’s solemn announcement with a scream.
While Vix quietly shook his head and the other team members seemed confused by the announcement, the blazing fire inside Fox’s eyes told everyone of her feelings towards this matter.
Fox was blazing with enthusiasm. She was bursting at the seams.
“The Technodome is the single greatest thing to ever exist in this city, past, present and future!!” Like an addict who had overdosed on substance, Fox spoke like a runaway train. “It is the holy land for everything that makes this city as amazing as it is and the point where all of the coolest people of the city gather!”
“It’s a dope place, dudes,” commented Midas.
“Ha!” shrieked Fox. She then lunged at Midas, grabbed him by his collar and asked, “Have you been there Midas!? Have you!? HAVE YOU!!?”
“Uh, ugh.” Midas looked shaken by the intensity of Fox’s energy. Fortunately, Vix came to his rescue as he grabbed Fox and pulled her apart. “Alright, simmer down. You’re scaring everyone.”
“I won’t! I REFUSE to simmer down!” cried Fox. Of course, her valiant cries earned her a knock on her head. “Ouch! Vix!? You hit me!!”
“That I did,” nodded Vix. He then pinched his fingers and threatened, “And I will do it again if you keep delaying us. We have a schedule to keep.”
“Aether! Cypher! Midas! Vix hit me! He hit me!” Fox immediately complained, seeking to garner public sympathy to denounce Vix. Unfortunately, it did not work as the trio were busy discussing amongst themselves about the Technodome.
“So what is it? I’ve never heard of it before?”
“What? Dude, you’ve never been there? Wow! You’re really showing your age, my man!”
“I’ve never been there either. Unlike Aether, however, I’ve at least heard of it before.”
“Okay, so listen. Technodome is this awesome place where…”
“Guys! Vix is–!” Fox’s pleas were cut short as another knock landed on her head. “Stop hitting me on my head! What if I become stupid!?”
“Hah! You’re telling you already aren’t?” Vix scoffed. His rebuttal fared poorly as Fox resorted to physical violence to get even with her childhood friend. And although he was built taller, Vix was, in fact, weaker than Fox when it came to tussles.
After a few quick manoeuvres from the young woman, Vix admitted defeat. “I–I con… cede!” Vix quickly gave up after finding himself in a chokehold.
“Say it!” Fox barked.
“I- ref… use!” Vix was unwilling to throw away his pride.
“Say it!” Fox threatened, tightening her hold.
“Argh!” After letting out a frustrated groan, Vix conceded. “Miss Fox is the strongest… most brilliant person… that I’ve ever… met.”
“Heh!” Fox laughed in satisfaction and released him. She then poked him in his chest and mocked him. “You’re still as easy as ever to bully, Vix.”
Facing her mockings, Vix was eerily calm. He stared at Fox with a deep, penetrating gaze, and quietly said, “Laugh while you can, Miss Fox. For the day will come when you won’t be laughing like this anymore.”
“Ooh!~ I’m so scared!~” Fox feigned fear before starting to guffaw uncontrollably.
Little did she know, Vix’s words at this moment were spoken with utmost sincerity.
---
Another ten minutes later.
After having calmed down and answered everyone’s questions, the party exited the store. They gathered in the street outside and began talking once again.
Being the de-facto organiser for this excursion, Vix took the lead. “Alright, since everything is more or less settled, we shall now hail a taxi and go to the Technodome.”
At the mention of the word ‘taxi’, Aether's miserly senses began quaking. “Do we need to use a taxi? Can’t we go there using the monorail?” To him, public transport was the cheapest, most cost-effective way to move around the city.
“We could,” answered Vix. “However, it would take us too long using public transport.”
“Can’t we just drive up there?” inserted Fox. She reminded everyone of her motorbike.
“Do you have a car?” asked Vix, dryly.
“...we can always rent one,” replied Fox.
“Do you have a licence for the car?”
Fox did not reply to his question and instead looked away. She acted as if she hadn’t heard his question.
Sighing at her behaviour, Vix finished, “It’s decided. We will use a taxi.”
It was then that Aether suddenly intervened, “Uhm, can I ride Fox’s motorbike?” His eyes shined with a peculiar light.
“You like bikes?” Fox suddenly asked, seemingly having found a fellow bike-lover.
“I love them!” Aether shared an unexpected piece of personal information. “I don’t own one because they are much too expensive for me to afford them, however, I love riding them! That feeling moving through the air with the wind caressing your back is simply… exquisite.”
“Eeii!~” Fox shrieked again. She then brought Aether together in a huddle and the two of them began pouring out their shared passion for motorbikes. After a few minutes, Fox suddenly turned around and announced, “Aether and I will arrive there using my motorbike. You guys come after us in a taxi!”
She then turned back and called, “Aether!”
“Aye-aye, captain!” Aether answered with a salute.
“Let’s ride!” Fox mimicked the hero’s catchphrase from her favourite movie. Unsurprisingly, the hero was a biker in that movie.
With Fox in the lead, the two of them departed on their motorbike adventure.
Midas, Cypher, and Vix watched the two of them leave. After they had turned the corner to head towards Fox’s garage, Vix clicked his tongue and spoke with pity. “I feel sorry for him.”
“Me too,” consented Midas.
“Me three,” agreed Cypher.
The three of them were all ‘victims’ of Fox’s bike rides. Their experience, lightly put, had been traumatising. Not so lightly put, it was…
‘Like being strapped to a rocket and being cut loose.’
---
08:47:15
Technodome, District 4.
Oddly enough, it was the ‘taxi group’, which had started later, that had arrived first. While they stood waiting in front of the massive, 150ft tall gate, which marked the entrance to the hemispherical-shaped Techodome, Vix was starting to grow impatient.
“Where are they!? We’ve already seventeen minutes behind schedule!” He hissed.
Just as he was about to try calling Fox to get a sense of their ETA, Midas patted the side of his arms and pointed at the distance. “Vix. Look there.”
Following his line of sight, Vix saw the scene in the distance. A motorbike carrying Fox and Aether raced in the front while four other motorbikes chased after them.
Fox, wearing a helmet, seemed to be giving her all to the race. Meanwhile, Aether, who was sitting in the back, had his head turned to look at their chasers and seemed to be saying something.
The roars of the bikes’ engines grew louder and louder as the group of street racers arrived closer to the Technodome. Their actions of zipping through the packed road showed the audience the skills of the respective racers.
“They seem to be heading right towards us,” Cypher quietly whispered.
Midas nodded his head.
“You fools!” Vix screamed. “GET OUT OF THE WAY!!” He grabbed both Midas and Cypher and jumped out of the way.
Although the trio stood a good dozen or so metres away from the main road, they, having been traumatised by Fox’s bike rides, did not have the confidence to stand their ground. And neither did the rest of the pedestrians walking around them as each scattered like sand after catching sight of the made charge of the bikes.
VROOOMM!! The roars of the motorbikes, now deafening, peaked once more as Fox’s bike gained a sudden boost prolonging her lead. The instant she weaved passed a waiting car and crossed the final junction, she straightened up and widened her arms in victory.
“I WON!!” She roared at the top of her lungs. Aether joined her in her celebration and roared, “WE WON!!”
Then, with practised grace, Fox brought her vehicle to a halt inches away from the pedestrian pavement. She then released the lock on her helmet, removed it, waited for Aether to get off the bike, and finally alighted the vehicle.
Having already caught sight of Vix and the rest of the gang, she sauntered towards them while flashing a sign of victory. “I won the race!” She stopped in front of the group with a face that read ‘praise me’.
Vix did not hesitate to knock her on the head once again.
---
“We’re going to the Technodome!~ We’re going!~ We’re going!~ To the Technodome!~” With not the slightest worry in the world, Fox sang while dancing her way forward.
Vix hid his face while following behind her while Midas excitedly introduced Cypher and AEther to every little thing which decorated the humongous entryway of the Technodome.
Having stepped foot into one of the oldest, most popular landmarks of District 4 for the first time in his life, Aether felt overcome with emotions.
‘This is just…’ He summarised with awe. “Wow.”
It wasn’t just a landmark. Technodome was a monument!