Chapter 2

Ahab smoked for a while before sleeping at the tree before dusk that moonless night. As there was no northern star to follow. And the sky at dawn was filled with stars and possible constellations that he did not recognize whatsoever. At least the sun sets west, but just to be safe he waited there until he can confirm it rises east.

He is in a completely different world after all

He woke up around minutes to sunrise '…sunrise…'

'Ugh…' Ahab groaned internally 'These memories just go about wherever they please.'

He rubs his head in frustration at his memories as he got up from the tree while looking to the sky just as the sun began to rise. While he did so he noticed the broken moon.

'So that confirms it… This is most likely not earth. At least that's what I would like to hope…'

Human history has proven time and time again how stupid they can get and just when you think they will learn. Boom, act out of fear/anger/stupidity yet again. So, while there may be no good reason why a human would blow a hole into the moon, it could've easily been done out of spite.

People have proven to kill for less after all, from the highest to the lowest

So after finally confirming his bearings, he started heading southwest. He pulled out the cigar he was smoking last night and light another match to continue smoking it while he goes his merry way towards wherever he is going.

The cigar was moving at an extremely slow pace as he walked by for hours. It was one of those slow smokers that can last a good long time. Never know how long you would be in the field, or when it would be your last time

He encountered no "people" or civilization. Just untouched wilds as he smoked by. It was calm, refreshing even, to be unbothered and unimpeded in the wilds. Something about nature always called out to him, at least he knows something that completely belonged to himself. The way it feels… The way it ebbs and flows… somehow… it just is…

Time went on. The sun passed through the sky, time just drifting and dissipating like the smoke from his cigar. It was boring, but boring is good. Boring means no trouble, no issue with anything happening. But this is usually when most if not when things went to shit.

Ahab has been through this song and dance every time. He could feel it already in the wind, he could even feel it in his blood. He snuffed out his cigar on the palm of his robotic arm and put it away. Something or someone had caught his scent… It's showtime…

He straightened out his body, straightened the creases in his clothes, stretched his body through his arms and legs, and took a more serious manner. He pulled out his knife slowly and held it in a reverse grip and took a combat stance. He closed his singular eye and listened, he closed out the sound of his heartbeat, the feeling of his own being, and felt the surroundings around him. Slowly, the sounds of nature drowned out, all the distractions and static filtered out. With himself at the center, he felt out his surroundings for their presence, and see what exactly was it that had the misfortune signaling him out as prey.

There, to the left. Closing in about a klick. Not too fast, but big enough to be a large animal. He opened his eye and sheathed his blade and headed toward a tree that would be strong enough to hold him yet had enough foliage to cover him from the creature easily spot him, climbed it, pulled out his blade when he reached the top, and waited. He did not have to wait long.

He heard it. Or rather didn't. As the forest held its breath, he looked in the direction of the creature's direction it was coming from. It took a while, but he soon heard the moving of foliage and the occasional snapping of twigs. He decided to leave his gun unclasped in his holster to make sure it was ready at a moment's notice. Along with a flashbang should he need.

Then he saw it. The animal- creature, whatever it was, came into view.

It seems to be a wolf. But it wasn't. Its head can be seen to have a visible bone of its skull showing with multiple molars of teeth shown without any gums surrounding them. "It" had a body of black and white. Bone protrusions stick out every which way all over its body. It seemed to be the stuff of nightmares, made to be as cruel as it is ugly and seemed to follow no evolutionary reason of nature. Unless there are big ones that swallow up prey with their soft insides by using their entire chest area as a mouth.

Now there's a scary thought.

Now this wolf thing, whatever it is, doesn't impress him.

Honestly, it looks like a very childish attempt at scare tactics. It could've easily scared anyone normal, weak, cowardly, or just easily afraid of the unknown…. But he's not exactly normal, isn't he? This nightmare creature may be some peak of the food chain around here… Not anymore. He'll give it the warning to walk away. If not? Then it's dinner for tonight.

"Rrrrrrrrrrrrrr…"

He gave a menacing growl to ward it off as that was how usually animals would to a more… dangerous animal. An Apex Predator with a lot of experience.

But the creature took no notice of it, did not care for it, or was too young for it. It didn't even react to his 'warning'. It just steadied itself and prepared to leap upon him.

It chose poorly. It's about to become lunch.

It leaped as though it was at the sound of a starting pistol, eager to taste his flesh. It gave no indication of fear. Or if it had any at all, it is something to learn at one point. It could be argued that it is actually something instinctual in every living thing, as it is something that all that was living can and would have a desire to live. Even trees are no exception.

Where was he again? "RAAAAA-"

Oh yeah~. It was lunging at him.

Before it even jumped off it was too obvious. Now that it jumped up to lunge at an opponent that was way above its "weight class" and in literal height. Before it was obvious, now it was too slow. Slowly moving through the air in some ill-conceived hopes that it was all it took to take him down. It was not.

He straightened out his position and prepared to step off the tree, he then poised the knife slightly above him so that he would strike down the back of its neck as the creature touched down, along with him with it. The rebound from the landing will have it snap its neck up which will push the blade further in insuring a killing stroke. It was simple and the only expended energy he used was to drive the blade down, a simple action for a simple creature. It was lunch either way, and he doesn't want, need, or time to waste with the creature when there are way too many unknowns out there. Wherever he is…

At its climax, he stepped off and pulled down along with the creature, still wary if it might do something more while in mid-air. Or-

*SHICK* As expected. It died.

'Lunch is secured. This is going better than- … What the hell?'

The slight surprise came from the disintegrating body as it started dissipating into thin air, even its 'blood' on his blade. Something that should not follow any reason or purpose whatsoever, unless it was to spite whoever killed it of any resources.

'Damn it…' Ahab inwardly cursed '…Should've known there was more to it than this… whatever this thing is.'

He flicked off whatever didn't dissipate from the blade and sheathed it, then he went on his way, though more cautious. It would be foolish to think that he managed to deal with the creature before its racket alerted others, it would even be more foolish to think that there weren't others like it. Possibly worse if it was something he was not equipped to deal with.

It was always something, it never can never be simple.

He went on a slow pace, his earlier assumption proven correct when a pack of 8 wolf-things passed by him to check his earlier disturbance. The creatures behave similar to the one he killed before. Failing to also act like actual canines with no utilization of what an animal would behave as. The creatures did not even properly explore the area, not even properly smelling for his scent. All they did was sniff and poke around until satisfied that there was nothing in the area to look for, then moved on. It was honestly refreshing that these creatures are inadequate in basic animal behavior yet irritating to see these things act this way in which one would feel losing brain cells.

This went on for 5 hours while heading in a straight-line heading west. He had to take a slower pace to better listen through the areas he traveled through to be able to hear any of the creatures of the area. It also allowed him to act faster to hide behind a tree against the direction of the creature's approach. He always managed to have them pass right by him, no matter how close.

He was able to see the different variations of these creatures, these creatures seem to follow in the looks and evolution of the animal kingdom. Yet with crueler and unnecessary mutations designed to be harder to kill, easier to maim others, and built to not support the ecosystem. He has not seen them eat once from the ones that wander near him. 'More intel is needed it seems…'

At the end of the five hours, he went over a hill with few trees and saw below his first sign of civilization… or the ruins of one it seems.

Never a good sign. Especially In a whole different world, he knows nothing about.

He crouched and started heading for the top of the hill, nearing the top he slowed down even further crawling to the top. Further making sure that his approach to the top was unheard, unseen, and undetected. From there he was able to get a clear birds-eye view of the entire desolated town. A depressing sight, but not one he isn't used to. Thought it made his situation worse by hinting that the 'creature' problem is probably a lot more widespread than just what he passed by. Most likely enveloping the world, isn't that just great?

He took out his Int-scope, surveying the land to get an idea of the lay of the land, entrances, exits, specific buildings, and possible hostiles. This takes a good thirty minutes making mental notes, though the tagging is not showing up for some reason, now was not the time to be contemplating why. Better to be focusing on observing the dead settlement to know your way completely before going in to investigate. Scavenging whatever supplies and info he can obtain to smoothen out his Journey into this…. Whatever this world can be considered to be.

He noticed that forty percent of the village has its doors open. Now that would mean nothing if the village wasn't in good shape, it was. Thus, that led him to know it had been abandoned, most likely due to the inky black creatures he passed by numerous times. Causing him to increase his danger assessment of them to have risen to higher levels. '… These creatures must outnumber the people one hundred or even one thousand to one. Most likely due to their physiology and possible abilities that currently I have no way of knowing at the moment. Hm… Need more intel…'

He cut off that train of thought and focused back on the task at hand. He's burning sunlight, and he rather be in a semi-secure location before nightfall. Better to be in a house than in the tree, though not having to worry about the tree screwing up his back was a huge motivating factor, along with not having to tie himself to the tree.

He Looked over the town, whoever or whatever it was, it was most likely recent. Or somewhat around a week possibly. Unless- 'There.' He spotted movement in the northernmost side of the town, a small figure entering one of the more prominent houses he has seen of the town. He took a couple of moments to see any other movement that goes around to signal if there are more 'companions' to this singular being.

Seeing none, he put away his Int-scope, got up, and started to lightly jog down the hill. Unlatching and pulling out his tranq gun as he did so, doing one last weapon check flicking the safety off. Hopefully, it's a person with intelligence, can speak a language he knows or is at least human. God knows he can't deal with any more strangeness, especially if it is trying to kill him. His I-Droid is almost useless in the situation he is in, with no satellites to piggyback out of, so a good amount of its capabilities has been reduced. He needs the being alive, no exceptions. Being blind and deaf for another day is another foot in the ground.

This person was his best chance for an introduction to this world, whether they like it or not.

He made it to the town and managed to pass the open gates with no problem. Though he did not forget at all to stick to his usual habits and snuck around through the town while heading in the direction of that particular house. Just because he didn't see any other possible combatants, doesn't mean that they aren't there. He already has it happened to him 6 times and has learned his lesson at this point NOT to discredit the idea that he could see everyone from one position.

He usually has her- no. Now's not the time to be reminiscing, focus on the mission.

He moved from building to building, silently and quickly as possible making his way while paying closer attention to his surroundings for any hostiles with tranq gun in hand. He saw numerous houses open; some can clearly be seen from the outside that the dust has been disturbed. The footprints are shown to be a person wearing shoes, which could be a good sign.

Finally, he reached the house and slowly pushed the open door to avoid it from possibly hitting his guns and alerting his prey. He heard a whistle, the type you would use to appreciate the beauty of something coming from the back of the house. He immediately started aiming forward towards the area where the whistle came from the back, turning off the laser to not give away his position, and slowly crept towards the back of the house.

He reached the room and saw the figure in question in front of iron railings blocking the way to what seemed to be an armory with multiple weapons. He focused on the figure in what he realized is just the kid with raggedy clothes who was examining the lock with brown hair so dark you could easily be fooled that it was black. He got close enough and-

"Don't Move."

The kid flinched and did not even move for a second

———————————————————————

"Put your hands up"

Howard did as he was told, but he could not help shaking uncontrollably due to how caught off guard he was. Especially when he forgot to arm himself while scrounging through the village, as it didn't seem he would be facing a nasty situation so soon.

"Drop the bag, empty your pockets."

"I-I'm going to drop m-my bag." His accent became more apparent now that Ahab was able to notice, something familiar about it. He slowly dropped his left hand "Please don't shoot me." He asked

'The Target' Ahab deemed slowly slid the duffel bag off his shoulder and dropped it to the ground. His hands still shaking, brought down both arms to slowly bring out of his pocket what seemed to be heavily folded paper, a kitchen knife, a wad of some bills, and matches. Ahab decided to start his interrogation while he had 'The Target' in a hold-up.

"Where are we?" He was a man of few words.

"I-in Anima, near Mistral, I think…" Ahab didn't know a 'Anima' Or 'Mistral', his eyes narrowed. He didn't have time for this, as he can see through the deteriorated hole in the roof that it was nightfall with the moonlight shining in and he had to decide here and now what to do.

"I have no time for jokes." He growled out. Let's add a little pressure shall we

"I'm not joking to be honest, I'm dead serious. Because if not I will be the one who gets shot." 'The snark of this kid. At least he knows his situation and goes straight to the point.' It would've made him smirk if not for the situation.

But the answers left him with more questions than answers. The kid talked about a continent he never heard of. All he could remember was the last moments before his end. Nothing in between from then and now. "Why can't I remember? How did I get here?..." He muttered to himself, not low enough for the kid to not catch it and perked up at that. He shook his head and instinctively reached for his 'horn'. The details were hazy. The only thing he could remember was the sirens of the destruction of Outer heaven. Nothing in between.

"You don't know too?" The voice of the target sounded similar to a hopeful whisper of a very dehydrated man. A normal person wouldn't have heard it, but then it has already been proven that Ahab is not a very "normal man". Causing him to immediately focus back on the kid, having his gaze bore to the back of his head.

"What do you mean?" His gravelly voice in a more neutral tone.

"Look, I don't know too alright?" He sighed, and was barely shaking from something "Are you from earth?" The kid blurted. The excitement it seems.

"Of course, I am, what do you think?" Ahab responded with slight annoyance in his tone with a role of his singular eye. What kinda question is that?

"Look up at the moon" A simple demand "Why would I?" But a ridiculous demand if nothing else. The stupidest diversion he has ever heard of, though Ahab made sure to keep aware of his surroundings to be aware of something he wouldn't have noticed when he first entered the room.

"Just look up please." The kid sounded genuine. Ahab decided to humor the kid, lifting his head slightly to peer out of the hole in the building. At the sight of the broken moon, he took a step back as his body tensed from shock. "What-?!" The moon looked like someone nuked it tenfold.

All In one fell swoop in conjunction with each.

"We are not on earth, not anymore." The kid sounded like he lost his home forever, the best way he could define it. "Pick up your stuff." He said calmly after his moment of shock. Seems there is more to this than it seems. Especially since the kid might be the only one similar to him in regard to their 'Hometown'. Best to have two of a kind then stuck with nobody and nothing.

Howard let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding and went down to pick up his duffel bag and put all his handheld items back into his pockets. Hitting and swiping any dust off them while putting it away while Ahab lowers his gun and breathes out hot air through his nose. 'Going to be another one of 'those' days huh?' He thought

"Well…" The kid started "I think introductions are in order. My name is Howa- SNAKE?!" The kid exclaimed in shock when he saw Ahab's face. Though his expression quickly turned into horror as 'Venom' quickly snapped back his gun at his face.

"How do you know me?" His tone quickly took an ice-cold neutral tone, which chilled the boy if it were any indication of how scary he became in just a second. No normal civilian could ever recognize him. Only high-ranking officials, high-ranking military officials, specific soldier groups, and mercenaries. The kid did not look or even act at all similar to a child soldier. He seemed really young, between the ages of seven and nine. Not even close enough to be considered a man.

"J-just like how I know of this w-world." 'The kid knows about this world?' It was another question he intended to ask as it seems he's hit the jackpot for intel. The boy, however, broke the silence in a pleading tone.

"Look, you can have my knife while I tell you everything I know. J-just don't point a gun at me." Well. There was nothing for 'Venom' to lose in this arrangement. Howard tossed his knife towards 'Venoms' outstretched hand who immediately pockets it in one of his holsters clumped together with a magazine while he keeps his gun aimed at Howard the whole time. Then he steps aside to the door and jerks his head towards the hallway he entered. "Up the stairs to your left."

They went up the stairs into a second floor and headed to one of the remaining intact bedrooms. Howard let down his duffel bag and dropped his body onto the surprisingly clean bed, which must be due to the open window left open. He lowered his gun and holstered it but left the safety off. He sat comfortably on the bed and lay his rife and AR on the bed beside him as he leaned into the wall and faced the kid for the long talk they were going to have.

Ahab softly facepalmed and rubbed his tired eye as he sighed heavily into it. "This doesn't even make any sense." He didn't even know where to start with this conversation. This kid turned his face from facing the bed towards him nodded in agreement with a sigh. Too tired to even move for his body to follow through with his nervous habit of running his hand through his hair.

"Yeah. I Know." The kid was just as lost as he is

They spent the entire night talking, or more accurately an interrogation as Howard deemed. There was a lot to take in, starting with the fact that the kid (who learned his name 'silva' for the moment for reasons he will explain later on) was not from his world as he originally thought. Close, but not quite, more like a parallel version of it. Nearly identical without one key factor: Metal Gears. Metal Gears and the meddling of those with too much power, wealth, or influence.

Well, besides the norm anyways.

Though he didn't expect Silva to be from the future. He just assumed he was somewhere around his timeline. Silva's knowledge of his world, including the complete and utter uncensored version of 'Big Boss' (including him), even the Boss was unexpected. Nor did he explain how he gained info about subjects that even the 1st world countries of the world could not even fathom to happen in the first place. Though he was aware of this and promised to tell at a later time.

Ahab gave Silva the stink eye and internally enjoyed watching him squirm. At first, he thought he was messing with him, but he was honest and was alluding more information first.

He honestly appreciated that.

Silva even knew his real identity, the deeds he has done in the name of Diamond Dogs, and for Ishmael.

They went through the night sifting through the info on this new world they're in, Silva giving him a rundown on the basics of it. 'Remnant' Silva called it, a world infested with these mindless creatures that are drawn to negative emotions of any beings with a higher thought process that would give off a mental flare to what are called 'Grimm' due to their emphatic sensor, or just the negative emotions of humans for now when Ahab asked him to simplify it for him.

Along with an energy source that could mimic nature in any possible way that was the sole fossil fuel in this world (with absolutely no carbon emissions unless used in a specific way which would not be good news whatsoever). A personal force field of some kind being projected from the soul which amplifies the physical body's natural abilities, protected from attacks for a while, and if lucky enough, to be able to have a "semblance", which is that specific person's own superpower. However, they come with a cost, those with the aura unlocked are made easier to be 'felt' by the Grimm should they not control their emotions and be threatened to be over swarmed. He also explains that even though certain ones are considered to be so rare that no one believes they exist. Some are considered too dangerous or even impossible to consider.

That is where the conversation took a menacing and dark turn when Silva explained the reason why he did not explain or say certain information was due to the existence of mind-based semblances. More specifically, brainwashing, mind raping, enslavement, the whole dark side of mind-based abilities. Silva has 'confirmed' through the info he knew that the exact ability exists. Though it's in the far east of mistrial, far into the deep wilds due to the person in question wanting to be left alone due to events that exact person to be secluded to the day they die.

Ahab was easily able to suck it up on the "need to know basis" bullshit as it was for good reason. Along with how easily forthcoming Silva was with this information.

Until then, Silva and Ahab both have to come up with a way to counter this. Or deal with it permanently should it come to it. Silva would love to tell him more, but it's a precaution if they are needing to be able to lift their own swords of their own free will. Not to any person or nation but only themselves.

"I know that this is a lot to take in Snake. But we need to reach an agreement." Silva stated as his eyes rested on Snake. "What are we going to do?"

"We?" Snake Raised an eyebrow

"Well, since we are both from earth, I thought we can stick together." He shifted his body to be more comfortable facing Snake while on the bed. "And to be honest, It would be beneficial to both of us in the long run."

"What are you talking about?" Silva knew something

Silva got up and took out the folded piece of paper of what was revealed to be a world map

"This world's story revolves around four important "kingdoms" Snake. And I say that term very lightly; (he gestures to each as he points it out) Vale, center, Vacuo, west, Atlas, north, and Mistral, east. Of course, there are settlements riddled all over the place besides Vacuo. But None of them are comparable to the four only major cities which have enormous walls, hunter academies, and (with great distaste in his mouth) bureaucratic funding."

"Hunter Academies?" Snake questioned

Silva rolled his eyes and nodded with a smirk 'Apparently he has that retarded parroting question. Sometimes the more things change, the more they stay the same.'

"Yeah, people who train at what is basically an academy for the young hunters-in-training. Usually prepared from a younger age at a prep school should they choose, to be prepared to be full-fledged hunters who take the fight to the Grimm and reduce the burden for humanity as a whole. It's kinda like mercenaries, except they specialize more on the things that go bump at night. Though they do have exceptions and certain liberties when the need arises when it comes to… some of humanity's crueler elements that manifest." He worded carefully

Ahab frowned at that "Are they child soldiers?" He asked a little strained

'Yikes…' Silva cringed a little internally at that 'Still a touchy subject for him then…'

"In a way, yes..." Silva carefully considered his next words "…But it's of their own free will and a necessity. They are the future who train their lives to fight any type of Grimm they know of. With mecha-shift weapons, aura, semblances, all that stuff." Snake Grunted distastefully at the "reason" that can be so easily twisted.

He got up and went to pick up a medium wooden desk from the corner in the room and placed it in between the two beds then picked up the map and spread it across the table easily due to how small it was with lesser details.

"There is something I should add Snake." He said with a serious tone that had Snakes' undivided attention. As it seemed he was solemn to delivering this piece of news that he absolutely needed to know. "These creatures, these… corrupted. They are not as mindless as people say."

'Venom's' Eyes narrowed as he bore his eyes into Silvas. 'I don't like the sound of that…'

"They are being controlled." He finished with the safest way he can put it. Ahab's singular eye widened a bit at the thought of that. Creatures that don't need to eat, sleep, and drink that can be in control of someone or something was a scary thought. Especially when it's a being who commands them with military strategy.

"It's a secret only known to a small group of people, specifically people of interest, who aim to keep the world in balance... As its only line." He scoffed at that, then smirked at Snake's expression. "Think about it Snake. People are dumb stupid animals. And if people knew that there was something or someone who could control the Grimm en masse completely-"

"It would cause a domino effect due to the empower negativity to be concentrated all in one place which would be strong enough to signal all the Grimm to come at once and completely overwhelm the city." Snake finished

Silva nodded at that "Yep~" popping the p "That's the gist of it."

"Earlier-"Snake Recalled "You said 'this world's story'. What did you mean by that?"

"Before I get to that, how many books have you read?" Silva answered the question with another question, for good reason

"Almost everything worth reading that can be easily accessed on earth and then some." He replied without missing a step

"This world is a classic hero's story with a more modern look. But…" Silva paused "As we are both well aware if it is exactly like a classical hero story, is that a hero's story never, if ever, gets a happy ending."

Snake went over what he just learned. If the ENTIRE world is a part of the story, and if it ends in wasteful tragedy then…" Damn…" Snake said at his realization

"Damn indeed." Silva nodded sadly "Damned indeed to high hell for Judgement day."

"When?" He asked a little shaken by that revelation they are now a part of.

"Unknown." Siva said "I have no way of confirming in this abandoned town."

Though, that brought up another question that has been bothering snake

"How do you know about it then?" Snaked asked "About me and this world?"

How much Silva knew was still quite a mystery. He knew both about him and this world, making an invaluable source of intel that was completely cooperative with him. Snake didn't know what to do with him, especially considering he knows too much to simply be left alone to his own devices. Either he was a capable ally to be a guide in this world or an enemy that knows him well enough of his past and skills that could be used to systematically bring him down no matter what. He will absolutely not allow another clone of Zero and his Patriots to exist.

"W-well, a bit of this and that, you know." He blatantly avoided the question as he turned to suspiciously inspect the walls to avoid looking at his eye. As Snake stared at him, Silva's eyes roamed all around the room but him. It seems he's clammed up on how he knows what he knows. Snake decided that it was enough for today and needed to digest the intel he has received. Snake did not want to force asking what will inevitably be told to him, so he filed it away for a later date to not put a strain on the start of their relationship in the efforts to loosen the kids lips faster.

"We'll stop here for the time being. I need time to digest this information and its already night. We'll pick up on this at a later time."

Silva nodded enthusiastically at the chance to finally be done with it for now. Though he will have to tell him sooner or later, sooner to already rip the band-aid off. Though they are not ready for the inevitable fallout that will come from 'Venom'. He folded up the map after Snake scanned it with his I-Droid and put it away in his pocket and laid back on the bed.

"I need to ask something Snake." Silva included his head curiously

"Ahab in private. I'm only called Snake when I am on the field." He said "We'll figure something out for our public identities." He made sure to have Silva aware as well as build up familiarity that Silva already has with him. Seemed to be even easier now that it looks like Silva revered him.

"Alright then, I need to ask something Ahab." Silva amended "Shoot" He said over his shoulder as he places his sniper rifle and AR standing up to the side of the bed and his tactical harness draped over a bedpost, while to preparing his gear again for the night.

"What are you going to do?" Silva asked "As of now, you are effectively retired. You are free from the binds you had, no family, no friends, not even the world to want you dead." He reminded him "There are only two visible paths that I can see here for you. We can either go very deep into the wilds, never to be even close to the major cities for the rest of our lives…"

"Or?" The first option was not something he would be able to do. Seemed more cowardly than actually surviving to him.

Silva brought out his hand for a shake and looked straight at Ahab in the eye

"Or… We can carve out our chapter in this world's story and let no one determine how our story ends in this forsaken world. The bonus being we are not and will never be heroes." He finished with a toothy grin

Venom stared at the boy in front of him. His eye narrowed trying to find deceit in his words, but the kid was genuine. His eyes were unwavering as Ahab stopped what he was doing to face Silva directly. He didn't flinch or shrink when he made himself more threatening. Finally allowing himself to be inwardly amazed at how well-spoken, learned, and mature he was. Though it seems the child within was showing through, he's got the guts to stand with what he said.

They stared at each other for a while until Ahab allowed a small smirk to appear on his lips. Grasping the hand in front of him with a strong grip. The kid didn't shy away wither and responded with a smirk of his own. "I think we will make quite a team Ahab."

"Do you even know how to fight?" Ahab asked with a hint of curiosity. Silva didn't even talk about his own life, or even how he got here. Only knowledge of two worlds.

"Erk-!? M-more or less?" The kid slumped from the embarrassing question, especially how he acted this whole time with his skewered priorities along with his situational awareness in the town. It was amusing to watch, not too dissimilar to how new recruits of the Diamond Dogs would've acted. Sadly, the people of Diamond Dogs didn't act too expressive with him often and he did not have enough time to interact with them.

"I'm sure the Legendary Mercenary can help with that, right?" Silva asked awkwardly

"We start training, tomorrow morning very early."

Before he got up, he had one more question

"What kinda accent is that? I can't put my finger on it." Curiosity nagged him the whole way

"Celtic-"He responded "Scottish if ya want to be specific about it."

'Huh. Interesting.' Thought Ahab

He slung the vest over his shoulders then the guns next and walked down the hallway

"I'll be taking care of our security with a couple of claymores." He mentioned "I'll be in the master bedroom. Sleep well. You'll need it tomorrow."

'The 0rth step that sets us at the beginning of our journey. (Yawns) Can't wait.' Silva's last thought before he slipped into the unconsciousness of the bliss that was sleep