HALF: Dead nor Alive

“This is amazing, how did they build this city? This is more advanced that the sky station,” Archie asked as he looked at the cars on the roads and the highways above the roads.

“I know, right? After we lost the Eastern Nation, they decided to split the Northern Nation and the Southern Nation into two then turned them into Central Nation,” Nova answered as she looked at the people passing by. “Anyway, you can enjoy the view later. Right now, let’s go to the Central Nation military headquarters since Elendra Faye is going to be there and personally select the candidates,” she continued as she grabbed Archie’s arm.

“Okay, lead the way,” Archie replied as he nodded his head.

Nova brought Archie to the train station, they used the bullet train to the center of the Central Nation. He was amazed by the crowds and all the buildings around him, it was as if he was living in a different world.

“Are you not going to join for the open recruitment? If you’re interested, you should join them because after knowing what you have been through, I think they need people like you,” Nova asked while looking at Archie who was mesmerized by the scenery.

“I don’t know about that, but we will see because it’s been a while since I can lie back. Not to mention the new world that I’m living in makes me want to go and check everything,” Archie answered. “But, you might be right, so I will think about it while we are still here,” he continued as he looked at Nova.

“If that’s the case then it won’t be a problem at all because the Valor isn’t always going out for an expedition, they’re usually just staying in the Central Nation until an emergency occurred. For example, if a massive horde of parasites came to one of the nations, they will be the ones to handle it which is quite rare these days,” Nova explained as she looked at the people walking past her. “So, you can enjoy your time for as long as you want, and not to mention you will be respected by other Axis Humans,” she continued while she looked at her phone.

“Do you know how many holes or caves they have discovered?” Archie asked.

“I’m not sure because it’s classified information, but there are at least two that are quite a hot topic among Axis Humans. One is recently discovered and it’s in Indonesia, I heard it was quite bad over there that almost every island in that country is filled with parasites from the cave,” Nova answered. “The other one near us, it’s further to the south but there’s barely any information on it. One thing for sure is that it’s different from any other holes or caves they have discovered,” she continued.

“What about the highest Gen parasite that you guys have discovered?” Archie asked while looking out the window.

Nova chuckled and raised her eyebrows. “Nothing can be compared to what you guys fought in the Eastern Nation, that’s for sure,” she answered while leaning her head on the seat and looking at Archie. “The highest that we discovered is Gen 8 and it was in Indonesia, a parasite that came from the cave,” she continued.

“We are reaching our destination, please prepare your belongings and make sure nothing is left behind. Thank you for using our service,” A man’s voice could be heard from the broadcast on the train.

“Alright, we are here,” Nova said as she stood up and looked at Archie.

Archie hummed while he was still busy checking the skyscraper, and when he was about to look away, he noticed someone standing on top of the skyscraper. He squinted his eyes and saw the long silver-white hair woman staring back at him. Archie was shocked and couldn’t believe that Eve was there in the Central Nation.

“Archie? We should go,” Nova said as she tilted her head to look at Archie’s face.

Archie looked at Nova and nodded with understanding then hurriedly stood up and followed Nova from behind. Nova noticed the sudden change in his expression and was curious about it.

They both get off the train and Nova led Archie out of the massive train station that could make anyone lose direction if they didn’t care. Archie was being cautious with his surroundings and Nova was a bit worried about it.

“What happened? Did you see someone?” Nova asked while looking at Archie.

Archie smiled and shook his head. “No, it’s not-” Before he could finish his sentence, he saw Eve in a white long sleeve shirt and black trousers stood not far from him and she was smiling at him. “Impossible…” He mumbled to himself.

Nova was so confused because Archie’s expression was a bit off and she could tell that he was in disbelief. She looked at what he was looking at and saw Eve walking toward them with so many people looking at how beautiful she was and her silver hair of hers that attracted their attention.

“Do you know her?” Nova asked as she was being hypnotized by Eve’s beauty.

Archie was still speechless and didn’t respond to Nova’s question. He then put his left hand on his back where he put his swords, but Eve didn’t look like she was trying to hurt him.

“It’s been a while, isn’t it?” Eve asked and immediately put her hands on Archie’s cheeks. “Don’t do anything stupid or I will flatten this whole place,” she whispered into his ear with a smile on her face.

“I’m sorry if I’m bothering you, but could you leave us alone for a moment?” Eve asked as she glanced at Nova while she kept rubbing Archie’s cheeks with her thumbs.

Nova nodded and slowly walked back while smiling at Eve.

“Why are you here? How did you find me?” Archie asked and stared at Eve with confusion.

“How? This,” Eve answered as she pointed at Archie’s chest. “Remember when I kissed you back then? I put my cell in your body and I can track you wherever you go and I have been watching you ever since,” she explained as she stared Archie in the eye.

“What do you want from me?” Archie asked.

“I just want to be with you because you seem fun to be around,” Eve answered. “It’s easy for you to be surrounded by these humans, but it’s hard for me. So, rather than living among parasites for who knows how long, I decided to follow you,” she continued as she stroked Archie’s hair.

“Don’t lie to me,” Archie said.

Eve chuckled softly and shook her head with a gentle smile on her face. “I never lie because there’s no reason for me to do that,” she answered as she stared Archie in the eye. “I also can’t lie to my Adam because I will be punished by getting my life taken away by them,” she explained.

“How long have you been living among the humans?” Archie asked as he glanced at Nova who was staring at Eve without blinking her eyes.

“This is my first time here,” Eve answered without hesitation.

“There’s no way this is your first time looking at how you dress,” Archie said as he looked at the two unbuttoned buttons on Eve’s shirt that showed her collarbone and a bit of her cleavage.

“Do you like it? I looked at that statue a human dressed on, so I took it from her and used it for myself,” Eve answered as she looked at her outfit.

“So you stole them?” Archie asked as he looked Eve in the eye.

“Stole? No, I just took it,” Eve answered as she tilted her head.

“What’s the difference?” Archie asked with his eyebrows furrowed.

Eve looked at Archie as she raised her eyebrows and shook her head with her shoulder shrugged. “I don’t know, I don’t remember the last time I interact with the outside world. The last time I remember was that the whole world was flooded by the sea,” she answered.

Archie could only stare at Eve with confusion and curiosity because that was when the meteorite struck the earth.

“I can promise you one thing and that’s I won’t do anything to you but in exchange, I want to see the outside world with you,” Eve said as she looked at the tall buildings around her and the cars on the road.

“That’s not good enough, I want you to not hurt anyone or anything except parasites,” Archie said.

“Okay, I promise,” Eve answered with a smile on her face.

Archie nodded and then he looked at Nova. “I’m sorry, she’s my-”

“He’s mine,” Eve interrupted while she stared at Nova with a serious expression and it surprised both Nova and Archie.

“I-i see…” Nova answered with an awkward smile on her face. “I think I should get going on my own then,” she said as she pointed her thumb at the road.

“No, we are coming with you,” Archie said.