HA\LF: Dead nor Alive

“So, could you tell me what’s happening? And who are you actually?” Ivan asked as soon as he was brought down to the ground.

“Eve and I are parasite. I mean, not really a parasite, we are more like Ex-Humans if you ever heard about them,” Archie answered as he looked around and made sure the surrounding area was safe.

“Okay, I heard about them, but don’t you guys are brainless like parasites?” Ivan asked with a confused look on his face.

“That’s Ex-Axis Humans, we are Ex-Humans. We are different from any humans that got host by parasite. We still have our consciousness like Axis Human, and the only differences between Ex-Humans and Axis Humans are that we have abilities like this wings or anything extraordinary while Axis Humans only had super strength and something like that,” Archie explained.

“I see, so you’re not dangerous, right?” Ivan asked with a worried and scared expression.

“No, I said it already that we are not going to hurt or harm you,” Archie answered as he shook his head. “So, can you tell us what actually happened to you? Why did you get chased by those Axis Humans?” Archie asked.

“Well, it’s all thanks to you that I got chased by them. I think they managed to find who tried to hack that hard disk. Thankfully you were there, and save my life, but I don’t owe you anything because you’re the one who put me in this situation in the first place,” Ivan said as he caught his breath.

“I know, and I’m glad that you’re safe,” Archie replied with a smile on his face.

Ivan sat down as he tried to calm himself down. He looked at Archie and Eve stared in the distance, and then he noticed he hadn’t paid any attention to his surroundings. He looked around and noticed they were at the cliff toward the sea.

“Wait, why are we here by the way?” Ivan asked.

“You see those wooden ships over there?” Archie asked as he pointed at the ships in the harbor. “We are going to leave this island and go back to the Eastern Nation. We decided it’s the right thing to do after knowing the truth about these people of the four nations decided to sabotaged and abandoned the Eastern Nation,” Archie answered as he looked at Ivan.

“What?! Is that what really happened?!” Ivan asked in disbelief.

“I have been dealing far worse than that parasite, so looking at that thing is like looking at a toddler,” Archie answered as he wiped the blood from the blade.

“Don’t tell me you really killed that thing?” Ivan asked as he looked at Archie with curiosity.

“It’s up to you if you’re going to believe me or not because I’m not going to try to convince you,” Archie replied and sheathed the sword on his back.

“Alright, fair enough. By the way, here, your payment for killing that parasite,” Ivan said as he grabbed something from his pocket that he was troubled to get it out. “Here you go, 5,000 Nomac,” he said as he have the money to Archie.

Archie looked at the paper money and it looked so weird because it didn’t look like the money that he used to use for buying stuff up in the station. “Is this new money? I have never seen one like this,”

“Ah right, you were gone for seven years, huh? Well, the world has changed and every Nation is using this currency that the Central Nation made,” Ivan explained as he rested his hands on his waist. “That much is enough for you to live for a week if you spent it on fancy food. If you just eat the street food, it will last for three weeks or a month,” he continued as he pointed at the money.

“I see, I guess this much is more than enough,” Archie said as he put the money in his pocket.

“Huh? Are you being serious? With your skill, I can make you at least 50,000 Nomac in a day!” Ivan replied while tapped on Archie’s chest gently.” I tell you what, I will give you a tour around the city and I will tell you everything that you want to know while I’m going to get you more money. How’s that sound?” he asked with his eyebrows raised.

“Okay, sure,” Archie answered while nodding his head.

They both went back up and walked on the sidewalk.

“So, what did I miss? Something that really important that I need to know,” Archie asked as he looked at the people that walked past by.

“As you can see, the city is fully developed and now people don’t need to live in the station anymore. Now the station is for rich people so they can sleep at night without all of these commotions,” Ivan answered as he waved at his friends on the other side of the road.

“What else?” Archie asked as he looked at the people that Ivan just waved.

“We have developed weapons to deal with high gen parasites that can instantly kill them. The last time they used it was when they encountered a Gen 5 parasite and it worked like a charm, so all the Axis Humans are not really needed anymore but for hunting parasites for their feces,” Ivan answered as he checked his phone.

“Only gen 5? That’s not going to be enough to fight gen 9 or gen 0 with the latest variant,” Archie said with his hands in his pockets.

“Wait, what?! Gen 9?! You fought a Gen 9 parasite?! We don’t even see a Gen 7 for the past few months,” Ivan asked with his eyes wide open.

“I’m not sure if it was Gen 9 or not because we were too busy surviving that we didn’t care about what Gen the parasites we fought since what mattered the most were how to survive. But, yeah, I believe they were Gen 9 or even Gen 10,” Archie explained as he looked at Ivan who was dumbfounded by his words.

“Holy fuck! That’s brutal!” Ivan said as he stared blankly. “Anyway, we are here. My friend needs your help,” Ivan said as he stood in front of a small restaurant. “Come, we might get free lunch,” he said as he entered the restaurant.

“Yo, Madliv, I brought the guy I mentioned in my message, he’s a fucking beast I tell you that!” Ivan said as he looked at a skinny guy with black messy hair.

“Really? Can he do it then?” Madliv asked as he looked at Archie who was checking the restaurant.

“Of course!” Ivan answered. “Archie, he’s my friend, his name is Madliv. Madliv, he’s Archie and you might need his service from now on,” Ivan continued as he introduced them to each other.

“Alright, I trust you, can you follow me, Archie?” Madliv asked as he removed his gloves.

Archie looked at Ivan and he just nodded then the three of them went to the basement.

“So now every building has its own source of energy?” Archie asked as he looked at the basement which looked exactly the same as if it was the standard to confine parasites.

“Yeah, everyone can produce their own electricity now but the risk of getting killed is higher because you have to do it your own. If you don’t want to take a risk the government will provide you the energy and of course, they’re going to charge you quite a lot of money compared to making your own energy,” Ivan answered as he walked next to Madliv.

“Yeah, if you want to know the whole truth, it’s going to take a long time to explain. For now, since you have nowhere to go, why don’t you come with us, to the Eastern Nation?” Archie asked back as he looked at Ivan.

Ivan didn’t reply immediately and thought about it first. He knew that he wouldn’t be safe no matter where he go because he had become a fugitive and a wanted person as well. It was only a matter of time before he got caught by them and he couldn’t protect himself no matter if he asked everyone’s help.

“You will protect me if I go with you?” Ivan asked.

“We will protect everyone because you’re not the only one they’re looking for. We all have become dangerous people,” Archie answered.

“Right, we are all have become a threat for them, huh? Alright then, I will join you as long as I’m with you guys, I think I will be safer no matter where I am,” Ivan answered.

“Good choice. Alright then, you should stay here because Eve and I will clear the harbor if there’s anyone deployed to guard the harbor. It won’t take long, and you’re free to watch from up here,” Archie said.

Archie and Eve spread their wings and flew away to the harbor while Ivan stood up and looked at where they were flying to. It was so quiet that it was unbelievable how could they flew away without making a noise.