33 A Small Chat

The sun rose over the Hermes Plateau. There were a few clouds slowly meandering around, but for the most part there was a clear blue sky. Little pillars of smoke rose into the air, exhaust from the factories in the city. Fortunately, it had not yet reached the point that the sky would start becoming murky and obscured from pollution.

Steven was taking a walk outside along the walls surrounding the inner cathedral. It was a good spot to relax away from the work of planning the development of the nation. Here, there was a good view overlooking the city and he could see the little houses, the roads, the factories, the things on the surface of Hermes. Of course, the greatest secrets of the place lie underground, hidden from sight.

Strolling along the wall, Steven let his mind wander as he contemplated about the tribulations the world would soon go through. Steven paused and leaned against the wall as he sighed. On this early morning, he had already begun worrying himself with the future.

A voice came from behind. "What are you sighing about so early in the morning?"

Steven slowly turned his head and saw Zero walking toward him. "Just thinking about the future", he answered.

"Well, what is making you sound so depressed?", she asked. "Do you not think that we can win?"

"It's not that", Steven said. "There is just so much to do, so much that is at risk. If we fail then it will all be over."

"We will win", Zero said with determination in her voice, her pink eyes focused directly on Steven. Under her gaze, Steven seemed to gain a bit more confidence.

"I do hope so", replied Steven after a short pause. "I suppose the important thing is to not give up."

"You have already helped do so much. We are stronger than we have ever been. Far from being hopeless, we should be confident in what we do." Zero walked next to Steven.

Steven and Zero stood together, looking out at the city as a light breeze blew.

"This place has really changed a lot", Steven said.

"Yes", replied Zero. She put her arm around Steven. "It was you who made all of this happen."

"Well, I suppose I did a bit", said Steven casually. "But it takes everyone to make it happen. I just helped it get started." The wind blew gently and some of Zero's hair fell onto Steven's shoulder.

"You're too modest", said Zero. "You are quite an interesting person. In my hundreds of years of life I have never met someone like you."

"I've never met someone like you either." Steven brushed his hand through Zero's silky smooth white hair. "You are a truly unique individual."

"Living such a long life had many effects", Zero said. "I have a lot of experience and I used to think I knew a lot. The unfortunate side of that was that I expected everything to stay the same."

Zero let out a sigh. "Back then I couldn't see the true future. I didn't pay enough attention to the new ideas and changes that had been happening. Spending too much time in a world of stagnation had made me too narrow minded. But then you came, Steven. I admit, it was difficult for me to believe what you were saying at first. But now, you have shown me so much. You helped me see the truth of the world. I guess that all these years have led to me being closed off, but now I am finally starting to open up again."

"That is good", said Steven. "You have made remarkable progress. I am happy to have helped you in this and I am proud of how far you have come. I even suppose that now you can handle things yourself."

"No", said Zero. "Doing things alone… That might have been why I had problems in the first place. I want to have someone else to be with, to talk and share ideas with. Steven, can you keep helping me; even once this war is over, I still want you to stay."

"Of course Zero." Steven gave her a hug. "I promise that I will always be here for you. I can stay by your side as long as you want me to. I have enjoyed my time here with you as well. I don't find being here with you to be troublesome at all. You don't need to feel obligated toward me or anything."

"Alright", said Zero. "But I still want to thank you, Steven. Thank you for everything."