Somewhere far off, hidden away from the eyes of the world, is a small cabin in the middle of a frozen land. Sitting alone underneath the skies with dreams painted in their constellations, along with the moons splendor that seems close enough to touch. Flickering fires wedged inside oddly shaped urns, light up the way of a freshly plowed pathway that reaches its way towards the entry of the lonely cabin. Crunching of trotting snow echoes throughout the empty land, accompanying the huffing and puffing of red-nosed children who struggle with determination to reach the warmth that awaits them.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB8bw5Vk3M
Blistering winds lift the snow from its root raging past the children as swiftly as a jet, knocking one of them off their feet. "C'mon! Hurry it up before you die!" a young girl yells as she helps lift the young boy out of knee-deep snow. The young boy grunts angrily, tossing the snow around him like one would when in water-- "Ugh! This stuff is pointless! Why did god even make it in the first place!?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9fLmpqpjC
"You well know why!" his friend responds, shrugging her shoulders 101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbpHNXnfFB
"Stupid reason that is!" Suddenly a tidal wave of powerful snowy winds topple onto the children, they hover down hiding their faces away from the burning icy air. Through the chaos of the storm the snow thickens in inches by the second, causing the two young children to become worrisome as they feel themselves quickly losing the feeling in their legs. Until the hollering from a young woman rumbles through the sound waves, "You kids already losing your kill-drive!?" Lifting their heads up, their eyes widen in awe to see a tall bald-headed girl with purple eyes that shine in the moonlight, carrying a sack of wood logs on her back; without a hint of weariness. "Keep the flow up in your blood by taking in deep breaths. Try not to breathe hastily-- it'll make you feel the shivers more." The stranger says to the children before continuing on her way, trudging through the snow with ease, creating a pathway for the newcomers. "Did you see those eyes..?" the young boy follows the strangers movements with his eyes, his friend ignoring him as she hurryingly follows in the foot-steps of the young woman.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp95FkmW66u
A strong inhale and exhale enters inside the creaking door of the cabin. And the young girl's eyes slowly blink from exhaustion-- along with relief to see the warmth of wavering shadows created by a stone fireplace that sits in the middle of a small room, with decorative rugs scattered about its floors. She took off her boots and clinked them together, shaking off the snow. And the young boy, rushing quickly inside, swings the door open bumping the young girl's head. She grunts looking over to see her comrade warming himself by the fire, "You've forgotten to take your boots off." says the young girl, and the young boy shivering without sight of an end, glances at the girl with his purple lips and one black eye, the other covered with an eye-patch; in frustration he pulls the boots off his feet, tossing them at the door. To then warm himself again.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegA1S6Ib7e
Step... step... the childrens ears twitch at the creaking of floor-boards making them jump up into a readied stance. Step... step... the sound grows louder until it stops. A boyish looking man with white eyes and rosy cheeks, leans against the stone wall of the fireplace, holding two half-broken mugs in his hands. He hands one of them to the young boy saying, "Here, this will sooth your shivers." Without saying a word the young boy hesitantly takes the mug from the strange man. And the unfamiliar face smiles wearily, looking over at the young girl and handing her the other cup, "Don't worry about trekking in snow, it'll melt anyways. Here, this one's yours." Without looking away from the man's gaze, the young girl nods. She places down her boots then begins to walk over slowly towards the fireplace; taking the cup from the man's hand. Who then walks away, only to come back with a stool in hand. And sitting down he joins the children round the fire. The three share awkward glances here and there as the strange man continues to keep a straight stare, with the smell of burning wood circulating through the hazy air. Growing weary the children give in, taking the first sip before the man. It's taste enters the children's mouths but isn't swallowed, as they desperately try to keep a blank face but soon fail, gagging the bitter drink back into it's mug. Chuckling, the man finishes his drink in one big gulp seeming satisfied— as if that was what he was waiting for.
"I guess Thomas didn't warn you about the tea." A young woman with blue eyes and long hair falling to her knees walks into the room, "Pretty nasty hm?" she says sitting cross-legged next to her friend, smiling slightly, "I'm sure you're not used to such bland things at your old home... sadly this is all we have. You'll soon learn to appreciate it though." Her eyes scan the children and she notices the quaking of their hands, "Are you two still cold? I could go fetch a blanket--"
"Aaah! Quit it with the babying Bianca. It's another thing they ought to get used to, just like that disgusting tea." The purple-eyed woman appears from nowhere making the children jolt. Looking back in surprise to see the strong bone structure of the bald-headed woman.
"And become like you? You've been embracing the riginess of the land too much! It's beginning to affect your heart." Bianca says.
Thomas scoffs, lazily waving his mug in the air like a drunk man, "Please! Anola's always been this way for the past--" Thomas pauses for a moment, pretending to ponder, "well forever! And I, for one, am pretty grateful for her bruteness as you know. Now I-- there's times when I regret ever seeing your face but--"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9p205eV9fd
"You've deserved everything that's ever come unto you and we all can say cheers to that." Anola rebukes Thomas in a deep, womanly voice. "Cheers!" says Bianca, making Thomas gasp sassily, rolling his eyes; he pretends to sip tea from his empty mug.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPNDk3NkwG
"Oh now calm down you two! We have newcomers." The three adults shift their eyes onto the children making them shift their positions awkwardly, not knowing what to do. Bianca noticing that their uncomfortable, asks, "What're your names?"
Answering in low tone the young girl says, "Maybe because it's been so long you've forgotten that we aren't supposed to have names. I'll let it pass... you may call me #2006. And this one--" She points to the young boy, "He is #2007. Those are our 'names' if you will." And in perfect synchronization the two say, "At your heed."
They stare without a hint of life in their eyes; the only light to be seen is the reflection of fiery flames. Sighing, Anola leans against the wall of the fireplace.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTc9UCyYkg
However Thomas, who is holding back his laughter scratches his head and says, "I see... I had a thought you guys'd be the same."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3dZJvSO00
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"We're not the same." responds #2007; "Although we may wish we were... you guys don't belong here, you all belong somewhere I don't know the name, just somewhere... out there."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8AOkJ04rQ
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"What do you mean?" asks Bianca.
"Because you all act like you’re human." #2006 intervenes with her quiet yet assertive voice.
Anola scoffs, "You say that as if it's a bad thing."
"Because it is. Why do you think you've been here for so long?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLYfNxxpI5
The party remains silent, everyone besides the children, furrow their brows in slight anger. Leaving only the burning of wood and howling of winds to fill in the emptiness. Soon after Bianca sighs getting up from the ground, speaking gently, "It seems your drinks have gone cold. Anola, come help me make some more-- perhaps a bit more pleasurable this time." Walking into another room that's blocked off by a curtain, Anola follows her before quickly glaring at #2006 with her purple eyes.
The first ones to sit are now the last, with Thomas, #2006, and #2007 remain around the fire. Fidgeting his fingers and white-socked toes, the young boy keeps his gaze low to the ground as he hesitantly mumbles, "H-how... long have you guys been here?"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnw6Lg3XBB
"You two just have no shame do you?" Thomas smirks in annoyance, shaking his head to then sigh, he purses his lips while touching them with his fingers; pondering. "I'm 23 now-- we came here at 17-- 18, 19, 20-- 21, 22-- It's been 6 years now. Wow... what a hell."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeePSQfv3KV
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"What's a hell?" #2007 asks. #2006 stares at Thomas with piercing eyes.
"You said we don't belong here right? You may be right, but I can tell you that we belong here much more than we belonged to that other place... that twisted heaven." He sniffles as his eyes begin to water, he hastily rubs his face with the palms of his hands. Staring into the flames, letting silence prevail for a moment before saying, "You know they say the most painful part of hell is the coldest. That's where the devil sits on his throne of bones... shivering without end. Maybe that's why they dropped us here, because we're 'fallen angels' Heh... if that's the case I really don't mind being one. I'd rather be here in this snowy inferno, then there... that hell they call heaven. You agree, right?" Thomas shifts his eyes over to the two kids, shaking his head with fear in his eyes, "You have to agree right? I-I mean that's why you're here--"
"I said we're not the same." #2007 cuts off Thomas.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmYoEoDYYr
"R-right. I'm... acting like a child aren't I?" Thomas smiles wearily with furrowed brows, "I just find it strange-- why are you two even here in the first place? When you guys, well more specifically you" he gestures to the young girl, "you... acting all holier than thou, reminds me of those demons that call themselves angels."
Bang! He gasps, widening his eyes. Getting lost in the piercing state of the young girl who kicked him in the stomach; knocking him off of the stool. She grabs onto his shirt, bringing his face close enough to hers, that the two share a cold breath.
Each second seems to slowly melt away, while everyone remains still in their motion. "You're right." Thomas says with a smirk, "We're not the same. I understand now why you say we don't belong here... Is that why that boy is here too?" His bones tremble, and he swallows a heavy gulp before saying, "It's so obvious... now that I look in your eyes."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYszznLDk6
She knees him in the gut with full force, aiming a punch at his face, making #2007 jump to his feet. Pulling her arm down with his entire body yelling, "STOP! Esereht wake up! You're doing it all over again!"101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdAaCYOWGs
Thomas laughs, kneeling on the floor gripping onto his stomach, "Hah! So you do have a name! Eh-seh-reht... fitting."
The two young women run into the small living room checking to see what all the commotion is about. "What'd you do Thomas!?" Bianca shouts, hitting him; "First thing woman!?" Thomas grunts in pain.
The young girl flinches at the sight of the young boy, faltering as she dashes outside into the snowy storm, without grabbing her boots nor jacket. And her comrade quickly scurrying to grab her things, is halted by Thomas saying, "And what about you!? You have a secret too?"
Clenching his jaw, the young boy with a long ponytail and crossed bangs, half of it white, the rest black; says in a serious tone like that of a father when scolding their adult child, "Hugo. I'm... Hugo." And running off without another word, the door slams behind him.
"Hugo huh... what did you say to them Thomas?" Anola says, helping Thomas off the ground, "Dang that puny girl really did you. You're going to have a nasty bruise."
"Ugh... she's as strong as you. And you know me, I only say what needs to be heard." Thomas shrugs grunting in pain, saying with a smirk, "Besides... I think I found us a way out of here."
"What? Them!? They're only kids Thomas! Just like we were." Bianca refrutes.
"Look what she did to me Bianca! She wasn’t even going fully at it! And my insides feel like shit. They're not like us at all. We're humans... failing because it's in our nature. But they--" Thomas chuckles, "They weren't made to be saints."
Ragged breath, cracking lips, blood flowing from the warmth of her cuts; with the winds circling around her she seems to be in the eye of a tornado. And lifting her eyes to the only exit of serenity, she stares up at the stars that glimmer more brightly than the sun rays. Standing alone amongst herself in the middle of an unfamiliar land, the young girl, Esereht, feels lonelier than she's ever had. And like that of the stars, her tears twinkle and fly away freezing in the air turning into tear-drop crystals. She cries... and cries, her white pixie cut hair dancing in the wind, with a wall of snow burying her deeper and deeper. So close but so far, catching his breath is the young boy, Hugo, who shivers with trembling teeth shouting, "Esereht! Esereht!" His voice sounding like a whisper amidst the furious winds, his only choice now is to make it nearer his comrade; who he knows will freeze to death soon enough. Flinching at the grip that's taken ahold of her arm, she punches her comrade without hesitation. Only to then realize its Hugo, from the sight of his mechanical eye that reflects the moonlight off its surface. "Calm down Esereht! It's only me!" he says while still holding onto her arm. "We have to go back! You're going to die!"
"I can't Hugo!" Esereht yanks her hand out of Hugo's grip, "Just leave me to die here!"
"DIE!?" He takes his jacket off, throwing it along with hers to the winds, and they fly away into the unknown.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? I SAID LEAVE ME-- NOT YOU-- HURRY WE HAVE TO CATCH THEM--" Esereht begins to trudge through the snow until once again Hugo grabs onto her saying, "There's no reason to Esereht. They're gone. The only way to survive now is to head back to that forsaken place. So if you don't want me to die then let's go back."
"You're a maniac Hugo... Why do you always have to follow me!? Just go do whatever you want and leave me to do the same!" Esereht says angrily, pushing Hugo back.
Hugo smiles with his eyebrows furrowing, "Why are we here Esereht?" The two children stare into each other's hurt eyes, the snow slowly blinding them with the winds continual blows. Hugo inches closer to Esereht, gently grabbing her hand and placing it over his heart; "Do you feel it?" Esereht nods.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbY2VicZNj
He then places her hand over her own heart, "Do you feel it?" She lowers her head, letting the shadows cover her eyes. And shaking her head she says, "No."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeALhWTiXQ
He slowly wraps his arms around Esereht, holding her in a gentle embrace. And Gripping onto her friend, she looks over his shoulder muttering... "I'm sorry."101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPhapOeYke
Hugo grits his teeth, holding her tighter. Thinking to himself things he can't seem to say.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8bsgwOmLV
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End of Chapter #1 - Part I - A world away.101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI50uO2R55H
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Author a.t.e101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATWJnCPZ39
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2/7/2022101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjK7JEpZwOB
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Character designs drawn by me, a.t.e ⬇️
The main character~101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YKBuYnk4f
#2006/Esereht
Our second lead~101Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOg6ChOZV3e
#2007/Hugo
(Other Character designs to be shown in the next coming chapters)
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