Month One: Finalization

---May 2nd, 2446---

With Providia's people slowly intermingling with the people of Alicas, Sky and Ruby showed gratitude to those who made it easy. Unfortunately, not everybody was the same in the way they treated people, oftentimes resorting to unnecessary, pointless acts of violence that put many people in danger.

The differences were only talked about because of the usage of strands. Although a useful tool, the people of the First Trial, now referred to as Firsters by the people of Alicas, saw themselves as more useful than the Humans on Earth. It was a war on the species entirely, and one that Sky and Ruby had to stop with all of their force.

Riots in the city, the newest buildings being burned down, and many lives in danger because of the integration had gone against their plan. The civil unrest of the Rubeki added on top, and the Firsters were starting to commit social suicide by doing things that couldn't be reversed.

Because of the climate of the city, Sky and Ruby finalized their decision with Providia to cast aside the Firsters since they couldn't integrate properly and sent them to the dwelling of the buildings left from Ultima Tower. Ruby saw that they had food and supplies needed to rebuild, and sent them off on their way, saying that trade was still possible as long as they behaved properly.

After all was said and done, Dani, Lia, Tavian, Carl, Charlie, Charlotte, Fudo, Alatus, and Troy all grouped up in one room together with Sky and Ruby to discuss the future of Alicas, independently from the Firsters and their new nations.

"It's unfortunate that we couldn't mingle well enough... but their behavior is something to remember, that's for sure," Ruby stated to the table while crossing her arms.

"I don't remember the people of The First Trial being that bad... they were kind, and even helped me out when I needed it. It has to be stress and the unrest that followed with moving on to such a large-scale formation of integration. I mean, we should've known they wouldn't have gotten along with Humans," Sky mentioned.

"Then, why do you guys treat us so well?" Troy asked Sky, chipping in whatever he could to remain useful.

"Because unlike the Firsters, we have seen the brutality of the Arkians, and refuse to be like them," Lia mentioned, remembering her time with Orion.

"Well, I'm sorry to hear that. Moving forth, we need to take into account these sorts of things. Not everybody is as understanding as you are, unfortunately," Ruby said. She took out a piece of paper and began to sketch a small map of her territory and a smaller portion dedicated to the remains of Ultima Tower.

"It's not that the integration didn't work, it's that they didn't want it to work. The threat of the Rubeki is still out there, assuming they're not already taking down civilizations... but I'm sure Khalil, Raiden, and Acchi would warn us if things were to happen if they didn't take care of it already," Dani added in next, taking a sneak peek at Ruby's map.

"Are you alluding to these Rubeki pressuring the citizens?" Tavian tried to interject with his minimal knowledge of the dangerous creatures, thinking that what he said was enough to provoke a thought between Sky and Ruby.

"It could be. The Rubeki were supposedly 'created off of negative emotions', but that never felt right to me. They glow with a black color and are usually hidden by smoke," Sky said. He pushed black strands into his arm and let them claim it willingly, displaying the same type of energy to the crowd at the table. Luckily, Sky had full control of putting the black strands away.

"Like I said, these black strands are probably the culprit of the Rubeki. It's Arkians who gathered too many black strands into their bodies. They power them up ruin them, and turn them into unresponsive Rubeki. Some of them gain better control, and that's where The Four Horsemen came from. I still can't even predict where Providence came from, but I suppose the reason she was so powerful was that she could wield them just like I could," Sky mentioned, materializing the black strands in his hands into several different shapes.

He amazed the whole table, especially Dani and Carl with his insanely perfect control over such an unpredictable thing.

"That's a pretty insane theory... yet it sounds right," Dani said. She never had an encounter with a Rubeki but was able to see what Providence was capable of.

"Um, I'm not really sure what's going on... There are different species of people? Like... you guys are Arkians? What about those injured people in the hospital?" Charlotte asked. She was new to the small group Sky had, which he happened to chuckle once he realized.

"Oh, I suppose you wouldn't know... we are Arkians, everybody here but Ruby, Troy, Fudo, Alatus, and you. I'm not really sure what the exact difference is... other than where we were born," Sky admitted. He knew there were actual genetic differences, but also acknowledged that through hard work, anything could be attained.

"Huh... I never knew..." Charlotte said, rubbing the part of her skin underneath her eye patch.

"You really don't want that healed? You'd be a lot more accurate with your depth perception," Charlie commented, but Charlotte shook her head, hiding under her thick hair to avoid attention.

"She's fine to live with her injuries as she wants. I've decided to do the same," Sky admitted, pulling down his shirt from his shoulder to reveal around eleven scars just on his right arm alone. They had come from training with Alatus and Fudo, and one was left over from his fight with Quake.

"Thank you, for understanding," Charlotte said quietly. Sky nodded and took the unfinished map out of Ruby's hands. He looked at it for a moment and then created a replica with strands on the table for everybody to see. With lights and corners perfectly adjusted in a 3D formation to exemplify how the city looked, Sky twirled his finger and then began to analyze the map further.

"I'm not too worried about it, but what I don't like is that Providia is let loose. She was still an ally to Providence. I wish we could've kept her on a leash. Well, no matter. We have our own things to attend to. I'm no longer a part of The First Trial, so they could implode on themselves for all I care," Sky said. He set the paper into Dani's hands and stretched his body out.

"Hey, be nice... then, we'll take things lightly from here... there's still more improving to do, of course, but we're at a good place, I believe," Dani mentioned.

The group dispersed after a few more conversations with each other, with Dani and Sky finding themselves alone while walking out.

"I'm proud of you," Dani said to Sky. He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her in close while sharing a laugh.

"And I'm proud of you too. We've been doing good. We can only go up from here, right?" Sky asked. Dani politely nodded but turned to him with a worried face.

"You're still training your body. I mean, this month alone, you've gained like fifteen pounds of pure muscle. What are you keeping in shape for?" Dani asked Sky. She had her own reasons to stay fit, but wanted to know his.

"Just in case. It's always nice to be physically capable but for the future? Cynthia and Fico are still out there. I need to keep them in shape in case they need to be put in place... and I'm doing this for Faith. She deserves a father who has physical strength, not just luck with strands," Sky said. The words still scraped his heart as he remembered them.

"Well, whatever your reason may be. I'll keep up as well. You're doing great, my love," Dani said, kissing him on the cheek while proceeding forward.