[Plate Apocalypse: Whatever will be, will be…] (Chapter 8 Part 1 & Part 2)
At first, Hesychia viewed Aris as independent and kind.
A person with an outgoing personality with a touch of natural helpfulness for those people in need.
There’s no need to debate that this person would protect who’s loyal and those who treat her correctly.
Friends, families, peers might’ve been content with her down to earth yet intense and eager enjoyment of interest in life.
Hesychia has nothing against her really, it was just that her presence is overwhelming.
This gave her the thought of “run as fast as you can, while you still have a chance.”
However…
“The name’s Aris Armani, may I know yours?
You don’t even know my name yet I’m being accused.”
“Armani…?”
Hesychia felt something broke, was it her expectations or trust?
She didn’t know.
The moment she heard of this, Hesychia closed all of her ears and already decided to decline anything that would come out of the woman’s mouth.
“Give me a chance to prove myself,” Aris gave her a warm looking glance, wanting to gain her approval, “that I will not harm you, or anyone close to you.
Earlier it was just…”
This…
this person is the youngest daughter of the fallen candidate?
The short-haired woman became even more alert and unwilling.
Being acquainted with people who have prior connections to the government or anything that can make them stand out would not do them any good.
Besides, she speculated that this person murdered her own family and ran.
This Apocalypse saved her from the search of police due to the sudden global chaos.
Although the woman didn’t have any proof of this motive, still, Hesychia did not want to interact with people who have grand backstories and have been under the masses’ spotlight.
Who knows the misfortune those walking red lights could bring?
It’s much better to team up with people you know first instead of a random stranger.
Hesychia, “…”
Another thing, this person’s stronger than them, Hesychia’s ninety nine percent sure that there’s a chance that Aris Armani already enlisted in the military when she was younger.
Due to the mutation on their physical abilities that flourishes at a certain age, Southerners tend to undergo military services/training irrespective of sex for two years and have the choice to continue serving onwards.
Hesychia doesn’t know the specifics but it was something like that.
She can bet that Aris Armani is more dangerous than Elara, and can snap their heads off using one arm.
Hesychia’s eyes landed on the black object hidden under Aris’ leather strap.
She pursed her lips, staring afterwards with a scorn.
“We have no means to keep you here, I myself don’t have anything to offer in return.
You shouldn’t make an effort to prove yourself worthy to me at all.”
She pointed, “In fact, we’ll only hinder your growth.
You’re strong by yourself and even stronger with people who can support you properly and genuinely.
Unfortunately, I am not one of those people.
Before this phenomenon occurred, you and your family were highly respected individuals who governed our city.
I would like my impression to stay like that however right now…
Miss Armani, are you perhaps threatening us to ‘cooperate’ with you?”
Aris immediately shook her head, backing away with a sigh.
“No, of course not!
I won’t do that to anyone.”
“Well then, excuse us—”
Elara protested this time, her voice rang through the whole room, “Hesychia!
You’re being too much!!”
The short-haired woman flinched, looking at Elara with surprise.
Hesychia’s shoulders tensed as her hand clenched upon hearing her name.
Elara slapped her own mouth, “I didn’t mean to shout, I was—!”
Hesychia did not respond immediately.
There was a few pauses of silence before she was able to muster something, “It’s okay…”
Elara saw this reaction, panicking.
“No wait, Hesy listen…”
“Forcing ourselves out of our beliefs would do nothing but quarrel.
It doesn’t matter.
Initial disagreement can create immediate bias.” Elara became even more scared once the other person started stating these sentences, “As such, all things have two perspectives yet as a human myself, I can’t always be impartial and listen to both sides.
My view of things today has been entirely different from the two of you, and I cannot agree with the view of letting Aris Armani tag along.
Therefore, I must say that I shall take my leave first and the two of you can continue.
I deeply apologize for taking your right to decide on this matter, Elara.”
Hesychia slipped past them.
Seeing the other woman’s resistance, Elara glanced at Hesychia’s back, and the figure soon disappeared from their view.
She didn’t run to chase after but…
“Ah shit, shit, shit.
It’s been so long since we had this type of dilemma.”
Aris wanted to shout how petty the reason was.
Of course, she was annoyed but at the same time, she felt quite complicated about the matter.
Logically saving someone from death should have earned her trust from Hesychia yet there was more hostility.
How come?
Aris stood beside her.
“You should’ve agreed with her.
She’s not entirely wrong, and from her reaction, it’s clear she has her reasons.
It’s dangerous to leave her alone.”
“I can’t follow her.
If she sees me now, it’ll only worsen her anger.
When that happens, she gives the worst silent treatment…
it could last for seven months.” Elara sighed, looking at the mess they made in the library.
“I’ll wait until she cools off before giving a proper apology.”
…Again?
“It already happened?” Aris asked.
“Yes.” Elara nodded.
“Hesychia’s emotions are all over the place because of an old accident.
She doesn’t have a serious mental illness, but the simplest things can trigger her.
Her last resort is isolation—to avoid letting things escalate.
That’s what her doctor said.
Plus, her medication adds to it, so…”
“I see.”
“Many people find her difficult, easily offended,” Elara said as she picked up fallen books.
“But Hesy knows this.
She’s been trying to be more open since high school.
Artemis said she’s made progress, but…
some things can’t be erased completely.”
“In the past, she was quick to take offense and start fights whenever her perspective was challenged.
She believed firmly in her own views until proven otherwise.
After counseling, she learned that disagreement was normal.
Now, instead of lashing out, she responds by acknowledging different perspectives without forcing her own.
This shift led to her habit of keeping a neutral, emotionless face around strangers.
Sometimes, after cooling off, either she reflects on the situation or the other party realizes their mistake.
On rare occasions, both sides apologize and reassess, giving her a quiet sense of affirmation.”
Aris watched the other ramble, with her hands moving up and down, “…”
Elara laughed awkwardly, “Ah, sorry.
I kept talking.”
“These are good signs of progress…” Aris said, confused, “but why do you look like something bad will happen?”
“That’s because Hesychia tends to overthink.
If she feels she’s made a mistake, she’ll come back completely changed.
Docile, losing her original self.
She’ll do anything to please the other person out of guilt, even if she didn’t actually do anything wrong.
It turns her into someone easily used.”
Docile?
That person?
“Give me an example.”
“It didn’t happen to me, but it happened to others who weren’t close to her.
When she was sixteen, according to Artemis because of her amnesia—” Elara abruptly bit her lip.
“I can’t say the rest.”
“All right, I won’t pry,” Aris said, sensing the weight behind it.
She firmed her voice, “What should we do?”
“We have to time it right,” Elara smiled.
“Let her irrationality pass, but step in before she falls into guilt.
If we respect her boundaries and communicate carefully, we’ll be fine.”
After finishing the cleanup, the two women closed the door tightly behind them.
“Isn’t it tiring?”
To have a friend like Hesychia.
“At first, I was so sure I wouldn’t be friends with her.
She looked so unapproachable, and honestly, I was bad at reading social cues.
Even Artemis ignored me back then, but…” Elara grinned brightly.
“Who would’ve thought she’d end up saving my life one day?”
“Save your life?”
“Hehe,” Elara’s voice was warm with memory.
“I can’t hide my bias when it comes to her.
She’s the reason I’m still here.
But really, I’m sorry for what happened earlier.
I’m sure Hesy will open up to you too.
We’ll work it out!”
“This feels like a manual on how to deal with that eccentric woman,” Aris said, holding her head.
“I’m honestly baffled that I listened.”
“A guide to Hesychia Astrid, by Elara Selene!” Elara laughed.
[January 17, 3031.]
Hesychia maintained her disguise, moving from place to place.
Now that she knew Elara was safe, she felt less anxious.
As expected, Elara had quickly honed her skills.
From the beginning, Elara Selene had shown an exceptional ability to adapt and learn, a true prodigy in many ways.
Still, leaving Elara with Armani left Hesychia uneasy.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that letting her guard down around the Youngest Armani would turn her peaceful life upside down.
Back to the present: Hesychia quickened her steps, arriving at a familiar house, Artemis Schwii’s.
“She’s probably not here…” she muttered, opening the gate by hand.
“Still, it’s better to check.”
But before stepping inside, she froze.
Sweat rolled down her temple as she clicked her tongue in irritation.
Her senses sharpened.
She turned, scanning the area.
“Who’s there?”
The same presence that had been following her appeared again, near yet distant.
Their stealth was alarming.
Stepping forward, Hesychia said, “You better show yourself.”
From a car parked along 1st Street, a young man emerged.
Despite seeing him, Hesychia kept her expression neutral.
She hadn’t expected him to be so far yet still able to hear her.
Even she, with her sharp senses, found it unreasonable.
She tilted her head slightly.
Pale silver hair, almost white…
From West Panacea?
Looking closer, something else stood out.
Gray eyes were rare among humans, usually a sign of blindness or iris discoloration.
Thanks to centuries of genetic evolution, pale gray hair had become common in the West, though it usually leaned darker, never this close to white.
Yet this man’s appearance was natural: no signs of dye, contact lenses, or augmentation.
Maybe a half-blood stranded here after the strange phenomena?
He stood around 190 cm, with a lean yet solid build hidden under a long white semi-formal shirt, navy vest, and blue pants.
“He looks like a business owner,” Hesychia thought.
She gestured with a finger for him to approach.
As expected, the man walked toward her at a relaxed pace, an easygoing manner that reminded her of someone.
They kept a distance of about a meter.
Hesychia was sure she had never met him, at least not after the memory loss she suffered years ago.
“Why are you following me?” she asked.
The man answered softly, “I’m lost.
Everywhere I go is deserted, and the population drop isn’t normal.
Can you tell me what’s happening?”
His accent confirmed her suspicions.
He wasn’t purely local…
part West, and the other part…
she couldn’t tell yet.
‘How very lucky, Hesychia Astrid.’
The woman carefully listened to his tone, there was a thick accent that lingered around his words.
Hesychia was sharp enough to catch on it.
The statement was a mix of a lie and the truth.
“You look trustworthy enough.” The man followed-up.
For now, she cannot pinpoint which was the lie and which was the truth.
Relying on which is obvious, Hesychia answered blankly.
“How can you not know what’s happening?
It’s impossible that you were able to hide somewhere during the days of Earth going under screenings.
Find another convincing lie before talking to me.”
About to turn away whilst hiding the knife at her sleeves, the guy calmly stated.
“If that’s the case, might as well learn how to lie from you.
Shouldn’t I follow?”
Hesychia paused, amused.
“How could you be so sure that I will let you?”
The man smiled, “It’s because you have triggered something that needs another person for you to complete.
You won’t let me approach you for naught.”
The woman’s brows raised, “You’re sharper than I’ve thought.” Glancing at the other person, Hesychia observed the light slowly eating them.
The unknown man nodded, “I will help you during the event and you’ll tell me information later on.
Is that plausible?”
Hesychia wasn’t convinced with his words, “And what if the game is competitive?”
The blonde-haired person walked near the gate and touched it, “I am willing to lose.”
“Liar.”
Every screening has death waiting for them, who would willingly lose?
Two of them were delivered inside the white space once the blinding light subsided.
“Greetings!
Player Hesychia Astrid has triggered a minor screening.
Please stay at your place (the waiting room) and wait for another player to enter.”
This announcement was broadcasted inside Hesychia’s ears once after touching the gate of Artemis’ house.
Formerly, she wasn’t able to react to the sudden announcement and thought that she would be transported once again against her will.
Though, because an amount of members that needed to trigger the screening at the same place were lacking, Hesychia didn’t disappear.
Her brain worked quickly in a few seconds, pinpointing the presence following her as a stepping stone.
Hesychia turned around without skipping places and finally thought of something to get a hold of.
She was able to detect this person but let him be as long as he didn’t touch any of her hair.
In the first place, the man has no hostility (which is strange) or he was able to completely mask his bloodlust (which is dangerous).
Either way, Hesychia’s gut feeling punched her long ago that she wouldn’t be able to shake this person off normally.
The young woman frowned, wondering how the man was able to see through her provocation.
At first, her plan was to provoke the stalker to approach her and pull him inside the minor screening.
Hesychia recalled that the man didn’t step any farther when their space was only one meter apart.
Many would think it’s to contain personal space.
In this world that has been turned into an incoherent mess, wouldn’t that be as good as a fairytale?
The woman should’ve planned further to see this loophole.
The unknown man stood right before the imaginary line where the minor screening could be triggered.
That meant that man was aware of Hesychia setting up a trap.
Calm and sharp.
Hesychia looked at the other person who seemed to have a complex expression, one of his hands was touching the side of his jaw.
It looks like a mannerism of dealing with anxiety.
「Why does he look troubled?
It can’t be his first minor screening, right?
It’s already been days.
If he hadn’t triggered anything at all, he’s quite unlucky to fall behind the buffs.」
“Game data is being loaded please wait!
The players are given five minutes to stay behave and patient whilst the game is being prepared.
Thank you!”
The mechanical voice washed Hesychia’s curiosity off, minding her business.
This person as an opponent would be troublesome but can be used as a great teammate.
His position in Hesychia’s eyes will be dependent on the game they will enter.
The woman was lucky enough to trigger intelligence screening once though would it be applied the second time?
There’s only two of them inside the white room.
The mechanical voice didn’t show any humans even after a few minutes.
Last time at her first minor screening, Hesychia encountered two more people, luckily Erza was one of them.
Coincidentally, the three of them were teammates and were forbidden to be violent towards each other.
There was no other team that was hidden away.
If there’s only the two of them, there’s a bigger chance that this person will be his teammate.
And, if ever there’s another set of players hidden from their sight that will emerge once the screening starts as their enemies, it will be more complicated.
Well, during that, Hesychia will be able to confirm that the voice doesn’t say how many people enter the screening before the game starts and doesn’t show the opposite side (their enemies) when the game data is being loaded.
Hesychia closed her eyes to think.
Though, that’s only one of the possibilities.
There’s also a chance where this person would be the enemy and there’s only two of them.
A minor screening where killing the other person is necessary to clear the game, a 1v1.
“Can I ask how I should call you?”
Hesychia opened her eyes, turning to the other person who had become silent with her after the five minute waiting time started.
From the previous game, the mechanical voice respected their chosen identity, not revealing their real names against their will.
Last time, triggering the minor screening can only be heard by the player itself and not the people around them.
The voice also uses their preferred disguise as an announcement when the game loads in.
Is this the purpose of the five minute waiting time?
Looks like the voice likes giving a fair amount of privacy to players?
Hesychia depleted the question, “You should tell me yours first.”
The man gave a light laugh, agreeing.
“You can refer to me as Wyde.
Is your surname Schwii?”
Her mouth went stiff for a moment but regained its neutral look of aloofness afterwards.
Every house in the city has a gate and an address, it has a number of its block and lot.
Along with is the owner’s surname.
She can’t let the other person know that in any way that she’s related to someone who’s surnamed Schwii.
It’s better to use her own name to not make her friends suffer any setbacks of using their surnames instead.
She can’t use Silas either, Hesychia needs to have different names in every screening every time a stranger will ask for it.
Whatever.
Giving up on thinking something, the woman responded, “Astrid.”
Wdye nodded with a small smile, “Then, I’m looking forward for your cooperation Miss Astrid—”
“The third player on Team White has entered!”
Hearing the mechanical voice, she was surprised to see another person slowly appear.
Wdye at her side silently watched the shadow to form.
“…!?”
Aris Armani?