Chapter 12: Reunion with past companions

They have been walking in silence for a good half hour already. Lu knew that if things go on as they are, he won't be able to clear his situation with her, and the worst that could happen because of it is cost someone's life.

Lu didn't want that to happen. Nobody does. That was why he had been thinking about how he would start a conversation with Autumn for a long while now.

When he finally mentally prepared himself, he asked whatever he could to start a little chat. "Hey, uh... Can you tell me about the details of our bounty?"

She held a piece of paper to him and did not say anything. Lu took it and sighed. It was difficult to lead a conversation somewhere when there isn't actually a conversation happening.

According to the paper, they were to map out the far west side of the city because its geography was still unexplored. It was an easy task, but what made it so that they had to do it, was that it required them to go outside the walls.

Lu immediately ran out of excuses to initiate a chat. He then resorted to creating small talk.

"Hey Autumn...", he voiced out. "Do you hate guys who are...shining or something". He first tried the indirect approach hoping that she'll catch on. Chrio told him that she isn't friends with the aurum, so he structured his question somewhat in that direction.

Autumn raised an eyebrow at him. "What do you mean? Is that some sort of hate reference to stars?" she asked.

Lu tried not to laugh. He expected it but didn't exactly know what to expect. The conversation went more stupid than he imagined it. He would do it again to amuse himself, but if he did it again he'd be going nowhere fast.

This time he attempted a little more direct approach. "Autumn...This is something that I can't just tell anyone, but I have this thing that shines as bright as the sun when I call upon it, or wake it up, but I can show it to you and you only", he said. He was hoping that Autumn would understand it as "It's a secret, but I have gold feathers , and of course, I have proof if you want".

Autumn did not respond and only looked at him like he said something wrong. Afterward, there was only that awkward silence, and Lu's gestures telling her to get the point, and Autumn looking at him like she wants him to shut up his weird rambling.

Lu shut silent for a few hundred meters as he though of the best way to say what he intended. His thoughts were so centered on it, he did not notice that they were already on the part where the map ends. It meant that they were already going to start mapping. He realized that he has no more time before they split up to map out the land.

"Autumn" Lu said in his panic.

The girl burst out. "What is it! If you're not going to make any sense just dont say anything, dummy!"

Lu wanted to say "I have golden feathers" out of frustration, but he knew that he just can't say it like that. However, he already called her and he had to say something, so he instead said, "Do you have a suitor?".

The wind blew hard in the dead air as a moment of awkward silence passed. They both processed what had just been said, and Lu himself was surprised with it. They both looked the opposite directions blushing.

"Maybe it's better if we just focus on the mission" Autumn nervously said.

"Right. Got it. I just didn't know how to say it even though I've been thinking about it" Lu said, and dug a deeper grave of misunderstanding for himself. Realizing this, he wanted to turn to correct it. "No! I meant--"

"Just shut up and work already!" Autumn walked away.

Lu reflected on his words. "I really need to work out my speech" he scolded himself.

***

Lu was finishing up the details on map he made using the coal he found and attatched to his feather. He marked the trees with fluffy balls, as what they would look like in top view. He also dotted the rocks, traced the uneven surfaces, and drew the small pond that he found.

Drawing was easy using feathers, and with only the basics of drawing you can make beautiful paintings already. That was more or less the reason why the world of Monitum doesn't value artworks much, because it was easily available for everybody. Even if they did, they can just make a copy of their own instead of paying for artworks too.

Satisfied with what he made, Lu went back and found Autumn waiting where they separated, arms crossed.

"What took you so long?" she asked, laying out the paper she has on the grass.

"Aren't you just early?" Lu asked back as he did the same, then the maps were pieced together .

"You might be right. There is a part I didn't investigate. Look here" she pointed at a big blank area on her part. "It looked like a cave of some sort, and it looks too dark and dangerous to go alone in. I thought we might as well do our first task as a team.".

"Don't you think we can skip that and just tell Chrio about it?" Lu asked.

Autumn looked displeased with Lu's suggestion and smacked his head. "When you have a job, you should do it properly, you know? Plus, it's not like there could be five titans that would come out or something, right? Two of them within five kilometers is already very rare, and there are no records of three within one place. If there is one, then we'll just beat it to a pulp"

Lu caressed the part where he was hit and eased the pain. "I guess. Haven't we done it properly enough though? Wait, why didn't you do it yourself then if you're so keen on this?"

Autumn sighed in frustration. "Just come along already. You signed up for this" she said and picked up the papers, then started walking.

Lu had no choice but to follow. He was held hostage because if he went back empty-handed, Chrio would not pay him, and if Autumn turns in two pieces of the map, she'll get twice the pay, and none for him. He couldn't try to steal the map from her either. She has proven to have more stamina than him when they met.

They walked through some trees that led to an even thicker domain of trees. It came up the point that Lu wasn't sure where they were going, and the only thing he has for directions is Autumn who has the map.

After walking through the thicket they reached a mountain-like structure, but it was almost perfectly dome-shaped, and would have been if it werent for the bushes and moss that grew on it.

"This is the place" Autumn declared. "I'm not actually sure if it's a cave, I don't know what it is"

Lu stared in awe as he saw the structure, which to him eas a familiar building.

"No way..." he smiled.

Autumn turned to him. "What is it?".

"I... I know what this is..." Lu said. "Remember when I told you that I'm not from here, in more ways than one?".

Autumn nodded slowly, recalling the instance.

Lu approached the object without any caution at all, as if he knows about it enough to not be threatened by it. "I didn't want to say it back then because I know nobody would believe me without proof but...I'm from another world"

"You mean this is proof? Are you sure you're not just delusional?" she asked.

"Come on. I'll show you" Lu said and waved his hand to invite her. He tapped on the surface of the big article using his palms, looking for something. When he pulled something and created a soft crack, Autumn couldn't hide her discomfort.

Seeing her hesitation, Lu pulled her in, and Autumn was introduced to a world she has never thought she would see. There were black helmets connected to multiple wires on top of seats that were aligned along rows and columns.

"This is a place where we used to play a game called 'Monitum'. Everyone was going crazy about it back there" Lu explained.

"How do you play it? Wait, how is a game proof of your otherworldly existence? " Autumn asked skeptically.

"It's easier if I show you. Sit here" Lu pointed to the only chair unaffected by the greenery. He flipped a switch and smiled when the helmet and the chair lit up on some of their decals. "It still works. Perfect".

When Autumn laid down on the reclining chair, Lu fit the helmet on her. "Close your eyes" he said. "This might not look anything extraordinary to you because you've already lived it, but still I suggest you try it.

"Is it a sleeping game?" Autumn asked and closed her eyes.

"Yes and no. You'll see when you play" Lu said, and tapped on a few icons on the helmet.

"Do you feel it?" he asked.

Autumn shook her head. "Feel what?".

Lu inspected the wires on the helmet if they were properly attatched. "I don't get it. You weren't supposed to answer. Your body should be asleep".

Autumn hurriedly removed the helmet and sat up. "You weren't planning something weird, were you?"

"What do you me--- ah why would I? That's not--"

"Okay, okay I get it" Autumn cut his speech. "I think we've seen enough already. Let's head back".

"Wait do you feel that?" Lu said.

"No, I do not feel sleepy, and I'm not willing to try that again" Autumn denied.

"No, not that. Can you feel that?"

The room fell silent as they listened the subtle tremors echoing. They looked at each other as they stood on slightly vibrating ground.

"I think I know where that's coming from" Lu said and walked deeper into the cave.

"Oh, so now you want to explore?" Autumn complained, but followed nonetheless.

***

The two climbed down a set of stairs until they reached a gold glow underground. They kept walking toward the bottom floor, where it got darker each step.

Lu clarified, "Underneath is a machine called a core. It is what powers the building. The container of energy should be impossible to make but it was made by...by someone I used to know. It's basically self-contained, sleeping, and a little-leaking, but what's in it is almost pure energy. Also, it can be opened to check the energy flow inside without getting harmed which allows a good golden waves show if you open it and leave it"

"Which means... A titan?" Autumn inferred.

"I thought you'd never get anything I'd try to imply" Lu felt a little cheered up.

As per his knowledge, titans live off pure energy, and are naturally attracted to it. This was why electricity is a very dangerous thing to have in a city, but still the lamps in Elle are run by electricity. However, it does explain why the civilians can be calmed only after two days when two titans have banded together to attack, which should be a rare occurrence.

The case with the headgear device was a little easy to identity. Lu suspects that electricity still ran in the building storage underneath, but Autumn couldn't use the headgear because the power was being drained from its source. Some causes like the device's age were more probable, but its symptoms does not include the vibration of the floor.

They finally reached the ground and they almost couldn't see anything except for the source of a golden light.

Silhouettes of giants stood between them and the light. It took them a moment before they could realize what those giants were.

"Wait, is that...what I think it is?" Autumn asked.

"Titans! Five of them!" Lu shouted and urged Autumn to run.

Instantly, the two hurried up the steps while golden eyes set their sights on them.