Chapter 1: Living a New Life At Underground

After entering the bunker, an alert sounded loudly, indicating that they had arrived at a safe place. The guards directed everyone to go to the registration area. They lined up neatly and were given bunker member uniforms. Aether and her mother, Anyelir, followed the flow of people towards the registration area.

At the registration area, a doctor welcomed them with a big smile and introduced himself as Doctor Mobius. Auriel, who was beside Aether, whispered softly, "That doctor looks strange, doesn't he?"

Aether frowned. "Why do you think that?"

Auriel glanced at the doctor with wary eyes. "He has the body of a pervert and a crazy doctor."

Aether rebuked Auriel quickly. "Hush, don't talk like that!"

However, the doctor seemed to hear their whispers. He approached Aether and Auriel with a strange-looking smile. "Are you two from the Duke Valenhein and MacArthur families?"

They nodded, and the doctor immediately called them to the front of the crowd. "Attention everyone! This is Auriel from the Duke Valenhein family and Aether from the MacArthur family, the leading knight warrior family here."

Auriel seemed happy to get the attention, but Aether felt uncomfortable. He hates being the center of attention, especially because he is considered important only because of his father. After the announcement, they were allowed to return to the line, but Aether noticed that the doctor's expression was as cynical as the strange guard from before. It made him feel very uncomfortable.

When they were given orders to change clothes and get ready for bed, Aether felt anxious. He jogged towards their room, trying to get rid of his bad feelings. Carnation, who also felt Aether's tension, hugged her daughter gently.

"Aether, try to calm down. We are here to be safe. Everything will be fine," said Carnation, trying to calm her down.

Aether nodded, even though his heart was still turbulent. They changed into the bunker uniforms provided and headed to the beds provided. The place was full of people who looked confused and tired, but still hopeful that they were in a safe place.

When the lights started to go out and the bunker became quiet, Aether still couldn't shake the uncomfortable feeling. He looked around, saw his mother who was sleeping peacefully. Thoughts about his father, the situation outside, and strange feelings about the doctor and the guard continued to haunt him.

In the darkness of the bunker, Aether decided that he had to remain alert. The world may be on the verge of destruction, but he knows that he must protect himself and his family from any threat, whether from outside or within this sanctuary. With that determination, he finally tried to close his eyes, hoping that tomorrow would bring answers and salvation.

In the middle of the night, Aether woke up with his face still half asleep. At the end of the room, She saw his mother, Anyelir, chatting with the mysterious robed person he had met before. In the darkness, he heard his mother speaking in a tense voice.

"Is there no other way?" Anyelir asked, full of anxiety.

The robed person answered calmly. "Nothing. This is what should happen."

Aether was too sleepy to digest the conversation and fell asleep again.

The next morning, Aether woke up and immediately realized that his mother was not in bed. He carried out his morning activities as usual even without sunlight underground. Aether exercised, ran on the treadmill, and did a workout before showering and changing clothes. However, anxiety began to overcome him when he came out of the room and found the place quiet.

She looked here and there, until She met Doctor Mobius. The doctor greeted him with a smile, but Aether still felt uncomfortable with the doctor.

"Good morning, Aether," said Doctor Mobius.

Aether swallowed hard, his memory of the previous incident gave him goosebumps. "Good morning, Doctor."

When She was about to rush to look for his mother, Doctor Mobius suddenly grabbed his hand. Aether was shocked and horrified.

"I know you must have noticed my strange movements," said the doctor in a suspicious tone.

Aether felt threatened, but before he could respond, someone's voice greeted him from behind. "Hello, Doctor!"

Aether turned his head and saw his father, Eidelweiss, with Auriel. Doctor Mobius looked disappointed and annoyed, then quickly left.

Father also tried to call him, but Mobius just kept quiet and left. Auriel was confused by the doctor, then Aether felt relieved after seeing her father.

"Father!" he exclaimed happily.

Eidelweiss smiled. "How are you, Aether?"

Auriel interrupted cheerfully, "Are you free, Aether?"

Aether nodded, but immediately asked, "Why does this place feel quiet, Father?"

"Everyone is being directed to the rest area to eat," answered his father.

Auriel asked again, "Indeed, where is your mother, Aether?"

Aether answered, "Mom wasn't there when I woke up."

They all became confused. Her father started looking for Anyelir and sent Auriel and Aether to the rest area.

"Come on, let's go there," said Auriel, grabbing Aether's hand and running.

Aether tried to stop him. "Wait, I want to ask Dad!"

However, Auriel didn't listen to him and continued running. His father smiled and said, "Kids these days are different from the old days," before leaving to look for Carnation.

At the rest area, they saw many people gathered and many robots serving them. Auriel was excited to see a handsome man, but Aether was focused on the robots, thinking about creating or revolutionizing them.

One of the people in charge greeted them. "Are you interested in the robot, young man?"

Auriel answered quickly, "No, we just-"

However, Aether interjected, "Yes, I'm interested."

Auriel was annoyed. "Oh, you ignored me, okay, even though I was very enthusiastic about introducing him to you."

Aether with an innocent face answered, "So why?"

Auriel said, "Because you are beautiful and graceful."

Aether just had a flat expression.

Auriel said, "You really don't understand how beautiful you really are. You're just wasting your beauty because of that robot." Auriel turned her face towards Aether with an angry and irritated expression.

The person in charge laughed and said, "You are really close friends, aren't you?"

Auriel answered with a smile and a little annoyance, "Because he's my childhood friend, sir, but sometimes he's annoying." Auriel whispered while whispering to the person in charge.

Then the person in charge introduced himself to Auriel and Aether. "Before that, let me introduce myself. My name is Ibn Jazari Al-Tesla, you can call me Mr. Tesla or Uncle Jazari."

Aether asked, "Is Uncle Jazari from the Middle East?"

Jazari nodded. "Yeah, I'm from there."

Auriel asked again, "Why did you come here? Haven't all the places leading to here been blocked off four years ago?"

With a sad face, Uncle Jazari explained, "Something happened that caused me to come here."

Uncle Jazari smiled mysteriously and answered, "You are still young, not old enough to know everything. Believe me, there are things that are better kept until the time comes."

Aether felt annoyed and answered firmly, "Uncle Jazari, you sound like my mother. Why do you always say we are not old enough to know forbidden things? What is actually hidden?"

Auriel added, "Yes, sir. We are adults, not children anymore."

Uncle Jazari looked at them with wise eyes, as if measuring how ready they really were to know the truth. However, instead of answering directly, he diverted their attention.

"Come on, you have to have breakfast soon. After that, there are important activities that you have to take part in."

Aether and Auriel looked at each other, curious but deciding to obey. "What activity is that?" Aether asked.

Uncle Jazari smiled again, this time with genuine enthusiasm. "Study science! This is an opportunity for you to understand more about the world around us, even in difficult situations like this."

Aether and Auriel followed Uncle Jazari to the dining room where breakfast had been prepared. They sat at a table with many other people, the originally quiet atmosphere starting to come alive with the sound of conversation and laughter.

Aether ate with disturbed thoughts. He felt that something very important was being hidden from him. However, he also knew that studying science might give him further guidance. Auriel, even though she looked impatient, tried to enjoy her food while continuing to wonder about the upcoming activities.

After breakfast, they were directed to the classroom which was filled with science equipment. Uncle Jazari stood in front of the class, starting the lesson enthusiastically. "Today, we will learn about the basics of physics and how the technology in this bunker works. Who knows, you might be able to help improve or even develop new technology for our safety."

Aether started to feel a little more excited. He's always been interested in technology and science, and this might be a way for him to understand more about what's really going on out there. Auriel, although more interested in socialization, also seemed carried away by Uncle Jazari's enthusiasm.

During the lessons, Aether and Auriel learned about the basic principles of energy, mechanics, and how the bunker's defense system worked. Om Jazari explained in detail how the robots in this bunker are operated, their energy sources, and how they are programmed to serve and protect the bunker residents.

When the lesson ended, Aether felt a little calmer. Although there were still many unanswered questions, he began to see that there was much to learn and understand. He decided to focus more on his studies and find out more about the world which now felt so full of mystery. Auriel, on the other hand, was still curious and a little annoyed that she hadn't gotten a clear answer, but she was also starting to see the value in the lesson.

That day, they both went home to their beds with more open minds and enthusiasm to find out more, even though there was still a lot left to be discovered.

~~To be continued~~