Chapter 111: Echoes by the fire

Night fell gently upon the Forgotten Atlanta Expanse, draping the ruins in a velvet darkness broken only by the soft glow of bioluminescent flora and the distant, scattered flames from their makeshift campfire. The expanse felt alone and deserted. By now, nocturnal Behemorphs were supposed to be prowling the wild, searching for new prey to feed. But after the brutal battle a week ago, and the aftermath, resulting in the crazy swell of Clayton’s Aphid Network, Behemorphs in the expanse who were still free could be counted in the dozens. The Rootsite, Clayton’s newly established sanctuary, hummed with quite vitality, echoing the silence of the expanse. It was a peaceful lull following days of relentless fighting and labor. The team enjoyed the rare moment of peace. Clayton sat comfortably against a fallen pillar, his luminous green eyes reflecting the flickering flames before him. Around the fire, his companions gathered, their faces relaxed, their bodies finally beginning to shed the weariness accumulated over the grueling days. Add in the 60-day trek to the Scorchpaths Outskirts, and it was far more than a marathon. The smell of cooking filled the air, a comforting blend of roasting meat, spices, and the faint scent of herbs carefully harvested from the city outskirts. Veyra moved gracefully by the fire, performing her duties as their resident chef, tending to the food with practiced care. Her temporary possession of Regalia had not diminished her skill in the simpler, mundane tasks of survival. She glanced at Clayton and offered a small smile. "It’s been a while since we had a proper meal like this. Feels almost strange, doesn’t it?" "You’re damn right!" Clayton chuckled softly. "Strange but good. Reminds me of simpler days". Of course, he was referring to more than 300 years ago, when the world was yet to fall to the grip of the Genesis Protocols. When more than half of the world was yet to be overrun by Behemorphs. Torren, sitting cross-legged, nudged Kaelin playfully. "Did you ever imagine you’d find yourself relaxing in a Rootsite belonging to an actual Verdant Lord?" Kaelin didn’t answer immediately. First, he drank water from his bottle before throwing a glance at Clayton. He laughed lightly, stretching his legs out with a contented sigh. "Not once. The outskirts I grew up in never prepared me for something like this. Fighting, sure, but serving a ruler? It’s surreal". "Heck, I joined your team as a scout only because it was an adventurer team, and it promised so much adventure". "To think I would be in a Rootsite now". Clayton looked at him; he sighed. "Sorry for dragging you guys into all this mess man, I really had no choice". Kaelin chuckled. "No need to apologize. I may be a free man in nature, but in essence, what you gave us is an opportunity". "Very few Awakened warriors in existence can boast of being as close to an actual Verdant Lord as I am now". He grinned. "So, yes, I’d take this choice any time of the day". Clayton smiled in silent gratitude. Soren remained quiet, staring thoughtfully into the fire, while Lorn watched Veyra cook with quiet appreciation. The silence was comfortable, each member of the group appreciating this rare moment of calm and camaraderie. Afterall, they literally got to know each other in the first place through life and death battles against harrowing Behemorphs that were ready to snuff their lives out at any opportunity. The 60-day trek to the Scorchpaths Outskirts, just a small phase in their initial ambitious journey to Africa may be behind them, but they didn’t forget it. All of them also tactfully refused to bring up the topic of Africa. The moment they all left to help Clayton save his Rootsite, they knew that their lives would change irrevocably. Either Clayton died and they followed him in death, or he survived and they become glued to him for life. The latter happened, and here they were. Breaking the silence gently, Clayton looked thoughtfully at the flickering embers. "I’ve been thinking a lot about everything lately. The world, the Genesis Protocols...," he looked at Torren and smiled. "I know we’ve had this conversation before, but still..." he sighed. Clayton looked at Torren. "Where do you think it all began? Who made it, and why?" Torren leaned back, his brow furrowing in thought. He stared back at Clayton. "The Genesis Protocols? Well, like I told you before, legend says they’re older than humanity". "Something the gods left behind when they moved on. Some think it’s just that, legends and stories we tell ourselves to make sense of chaos". "And like I told you before, I don’t think they’re just stories". "It’s not proven. But from what we know, the Genesis Protocols, Echoterra, the end of the world was not triggered by some technology or some random Apocalypse nonsense". "Rather, the Pantheons are behind it". The group fell silent, allowing Torren’s words to sink in. Veyra broke the silence. Pausing her cooking, she turned to face the group, curiosity shining in her eyes. "Maybe Torren is right after all. Maybe they’re not just stories. What if the Protocols really are relics of beings far beyond our understanding?" "Gods... it’s a concept I’ve never really believed in due to my upbringing, and yet, I can’t help but accept the fact that the Genesis Protocols don’t seem designed for mere cruelty. They’re too structured, too purposeful, as if designed or left behind by something, a higher being maybe?" Lorn nodded, her voice calm and thoughtful. "Perhaps they were meant as a test, a means to filter our weakness, to create protectors or leaders for whatever future the gods foresaw". Clayton stared into the flames, the weight of their words settling within him. "If that’s true, the gods either underestimated humanity’s ability to adapt, or they truly saw potential worth fostering". He paused, thinking, then added. "Either way, it feels... intentional". Kaelin tilted his head, playful yet thoughtful. "If the gods intended this, why hide it in trials and tests? Why not just show themselves directly?" Torren laughed softly, shaking his head. "Directly? And rob us of the struggle that makes us strong? No, Kaelin. I don’t know about the gods, but I do know that growth demands hardship. The gods must have known that, at least". "Besides, like they say," he smirked. "Mere mortals can’t fathom the thoughts of gods". Clayton nodded slowly. "Hardship, yes. But something tells me the Genesis Protocols aren’t just about survival". "I’ve been suspicious for a long time due to my experiences in Echoterra, spilling over to back here on Earth. I think the Protocols is about evolution, pushing humanity to become more than it was. I wonder if they ever imagined we’d get this far". "Maybe we’re just one of countless prototypes that the god had for their experiments, if they’re real". "That thought train’s a bumper though". Kaelin pouted. "Agreed". Veyra said. The others laughed. At that point, Veyra carefully removed the cooked meat from the fire, dividing portions onto makeshift plates. "Perhaps that’s exactly what they hoped for. Humanity evolving past its limits, becoming something more". She handed Clayton his share, her eyes gentle yet thoughtful. "Maybe we’re not just survivors anymore. Maybe we’re meant to shape the future itself". The group ate in contemplative silence, each person mulling over the conversation, their thoughts drifting towards their roles in the grand tapestry of the world. Eventually, Clayton broke the silence again, his voice quiet but filled with conviction. "Then that’s exactly what we’ll do". "We’ll shape the future, right here, starting from our enclave. We won’t just survive the Genesis Protocols, we’ll master them". Torren raised his cup, eyes glinting in the firelight. "To mastering our destiny". Each member raised their cup or nodded in agreement, their faces illuminated by the flickering glow, resolute and united. "Together," Clayton echoed firmly, feeling warmth; not just from the fire, but from the shared bones of trust and friendship forged through countless trials. After everything he’d experienced, all the way from betrayals in the outskirts, to the trauma that surviving the Genesis Trials ingrained in him, you’d think he’d be more careful and reluctant to make friends. And yet, here he was. The truth was... Clayton craved a family. Now he had one; he didn’t hesitate to embrace it. He would hold on tight without letting trust issues get in the way. He would trust, till the trust was broken. Maybe it was foolish. Maybe it was short-sighted. Maybe he was a fool who didn’t learn from his mistakes, but with so much power at his disposal, Clayton believed, or maybe hoped that he could find happiness even in the Apocalypse. ’Happiness in the Apocalypse huh?’ he thought, a gentle smile blooming on his face. ’Has a nice ring to it’. The night deepened around them, but their conversation continued, weaving dreams, plants, and hopes for the future. Beneath the starlit sky, amidst the ruins, a foundation stronger than steel and deeper than roots had already been laid. The future belonged to them.