(XXXIII) A New World

Isaac and Samael caught up while everyone gathered in front of him with the members of his group, and the two ex-military police officers stood behind them. 

After Camille returned from outside with the last members of their community, Isaac retreated and stood beside the officers as Sam took a step toward everyone. 

"Good morning, everyone!" He spoke loudly, protruding an aura of confidence despite feeling like an intense storm was raging inside him, "I wanted to talk with everyone here and explain what is going on..." 

A silent murmur broke out amongst the crowd as they whispered to one another about the young man and the changes he made as soon as he woke up. 

"Everyone did a great job with the projects that were started and are things that we need to get done..." He said, looking around, "...but they are things that can be completed later.

We have more pressing needs now and should focus on completing them as soon as possible." Sam looked around as he listed out the projects in order of most importance. 

As he explained their importance and listed why, the discord amongst the crowd slowly vanished and was met with agreeance. With a renewed vigor, the crowd dispersed and went about their tasks. 

"Son!" Sarah said as she held her hand out as he turned around to face his friends, stopping and holding out a finger before he ran over to his mother. 

"Yeah, ma?" He asked as she smiled and caressed his cheek. 

"You looked just like your father when you were up there speaking..." She sighed with a smile, "That was a good speech..."

"Thanks, mom..." He said, grabbing her hand and holding it for a moment as she gave him a squeeze before pulling it away.

"You may get the look and presence from your father, but you get that silver tongue from me." She said with a slight chuckle, turning as she looked at the ground, "There's something I need to speak with you about." 

"Of course, I'll always have time for you, Mom..." He said, placing his hand on her shoulder and guiding her toward a table and chairs, "Should we sit down?" 

"It's about your plans, sweetie." She huffed, groaning as she sat down and placed her hands on the table. 

"What is it?" He asked, furrowing his brow as he stared at her confused. 

"Some of the changes are being met with harsh criticisms, and they are falling on the ears of a man with decades of experience doing what you just did..." She sighed, shaking her head and staring over at the ex-mayor. 

"Is Mr. Abraham up to something?" He asked, reaching out and placing his hand on hers. 

"Of course, son!" Sarah exclaimed, laughing as she patted his hand, "He's a politician; they're always scheming something away from prying eyes!" 

"Sam!!" Isaac shouted, flagging him over. 

"Thanks for the heads up, Mom." Samael said, standing up as he hugged her and walked away after telling her he would keep a close watch on Kyle. 

"What's up?" He asked, coming toward his best friend as Camille, Ichiko, and Serenity approached. 

"You didn't give us anything to do." Isaac said, holding out the clipboard and tapping it, "You even assigned the twins, but not us, what gives?" 

"Ah..." Sam sighed, "Well since there aren't any portals to enter right now, everyone should just train and rest until you're needed." 

"You mean..?" Ichiko asked. 

Only Camille had seen anyone exit a Dungeon, so Sam explained that the portals were doorways, and they needed to enter them and clear them before the monsters spilled out. 

Everyone but Cami was shocked and expressed their concerns but were quickly dismissed by him and explained they would only do easy ones at first and, as they grew stronger, the harder Dungeons. 

"Eventually, I expect you all to be leading your own teams." He ended his explanation as they exited the bunker and walked along the streets. The cleanup of the surrounding blocks had already begun. 

They walked over to an intersection with all four ruins of the previous buildings cleared out of the way and stood in the middle. Sam turned around and smiled, "Let's get started!"

He split the group into three groups of two: Ichiko and Isaac, Camille and Dylan, the younger of the two soldiers, and Serenity and Liam, the older military police officer. 

"You were all paired with someone who has an Ability that is in direct opposition to one another, but complimentary enough for you to practice and spar with one another." He explained. 

"What about you?" Serenity asked, crossing her arms and staring at him sternly. 

"I have a couple errands I need to run and will be away from the camp for a while." Sam smiled and gave her a thumbs up, "I can't wait to see everyone's progress when I return." 

"How long are you going to be gone?" Cami asked, staring at the ground with a depressed expression. 

"A couple of days, maybe?" He looked toward the sky and stroked his chin, "Maybe a little longer." 

"Where are you going?" Ichiko asked, placing her hand on the hilt of her katana as she shifted her weight. 

"Nearby cities." Sam answered, "I'm going to look for more survivors and, if possible, bring them here." 

"I don't like this..." Cami spoke up, blushing as she looked at the ground, "You shouldn't go alone." 

"I'd prefer to bring you all along, but with my Ability, you would slow me down." He sighed and shook his head, "I can visit the surrounding metro in a few hours. It's better if I go alone and bring them back slowly." 

"So you just hand out assignments to everyone and then just disappear?" Serenity scoffed, glaring at him. 

"If I didn't have people I could trust to ensure everything got done and had to stay back and hold everyone's hands, nothing would get done." He countered, dismissing the windows that appeared. 

[Camille: Intimacy +2 (53/100)]

[Ichiko: Intimacy +4 (36/100)]

"I know you guys can handle this." He smiled, "I will be bringing back Beast Cores as well. We went through nearly all of them, Awakening everyone's abilities and getting prepared for when the portals return."

Everyone nodded their understanding before he called over Ichiko and Isaac, "I need you guys to keep a close eye on the old mayor while I'm gone." 

"Sure-" Ichiko agreed but was immediately cut off. 

"My dad..??" Isaac exclaimed; a wave of shame washed over him as he placed his hand behind his neck and stared at the ground. 

"Yeah..." Sam sighed, placing his hand on his best friend's shoulder, "I'm sorry to ask you, but he's planning something, and I can't have him jeopardize everything we're all working toward." 

"O-okay..." Isaac muttered, biting his lower lip as Sam thanked them both and turned around to leave. Ichiko returned to the square as the young man furrowed his brow, staring at the ground. 

His mind recalled the conversation with his father yesterday while Sam was unconscious. 

"Sarah swore she wouldn't tell him what happened, but I don't understand her angle..." Kyle said in a hushed tone, pacing back and forth, "You need to keep this quiet from him." 

"But dad..." Isaac protested, "He's my best friend, I can't keep secrets from him!" 

"This is one you will!" His father ordered, "He will seek retribution, and that'll be the end for us all! You need to convince Amy and your friends too!"