Chapter 24: Traveling
Lyra looks out the airship's window seeing the clouds pass by. She never thought that one day she would travel outside the country. To leave the country where she has stayed most of her life. She sighs. "Life is never predictable..." Lyra whispers as she continues to watch the clouds.
Lyra did learn through interacting with the arms dealer and a few mercenaries that the country that she resides in is only one of many. Still, it came as a surprise to her that there are a lot more foreign countries than she thought. She recalls the night before where she talked with Madam Cherry. It was about Madam Cherry wanting her to accompany her to do a mission with the twins. She quickly agrees without hesitation. Madam Cherry then gives a brief explanation of the mission they are about to do and then asks her about some things.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Lyra, did Melika taught you about this world's geography? Did she taught you anything about the history of the world?"
"Master was only able to give basic info about the world's history, and the same goes for geography."
"Basics? and that basic knowledge is what exactly?"
"Well..." Lyra squeezed her hands together and looks down, "Master, taught me that there were There are five continents, and hundreds of isolated differing sizes of islands scattered throughout the world. The largest continent is Algard located in the south part of the world. The second-largest continent base on landmass occupied is Welrust, located uppermost north. Both Tucbeck and Killmore have the same landmass. Tucbeck is located above Algard and Killmore below Welrust. Lastly, Sied continent is located in the dead center of the world."
"Hmm, and how about the countries? did she teach you anything about them?"
Lyra squeezed her hands tighter, "She taught me that Algard has three countries,
Welrust has one, Tucbeck has twelve, Killmore has five, Sied has two." Lyra then keeps quiet.
"Anything else?"
Lyra shakes her head, then looks straight at Madam Cherry's eyes, "That's all I know. That's all Master taught me. I... I never thought of leaving the country so I never really ask for more information. I did gather bits of information about different countries here and there from my mission that involves mercenaries. But aside from simple trivial info, I don't have any other idea about what's going outside this country or even intricate things going in this country."
After taking in a deep breath after a pause, Lyra continues, "as for history. Master taught me that the world has always been changed and molded by wars throughout the centuries. People, as she comments, are species that need continuous tempering and purging. Since vices and avarice are always present and so, only tempering and purging lets them come together to either revolutionize or terrorize the world. 'Humans are never satisfied with what they have and will never be' as she puts it."
"Hahaha," Madam Cherry lets out a mocking chuckle. "That's true enough." Madam Cherry then stares at Lyra.
Seeing Lyra gazing at the floor, Madam Cherry tilted her head and said "I see. Well, I'm afraid you'll have to widen your horizon Lyra. For this mission, we have to travel to different countries located all over the world. The missions are actually for the twins but now that you're here too, I believe these missions would also help you grow stronger."
Madam Cherry paused and unexpectedly pats Lyra on the head. Lyra surprised, looks up at Madam Cherry with wide innocent eyes. Madam Cherry gives Lyra another pat on the head and continues, "You've done great a job getting this far Lyra, be proud of that. Don't worry about not being knowledgeable about this world. The fact that this country doesn't have any educational system at all, it's already good that you know the basics." Madam smiles at Lyra.
Lyra smiles and lets her hands relax.
"I'm glad you know the basics about the world's geography and history. But, it's not enough. Far from enough. I'll leave it to the twins to give you a detailed explanation of this world's history and geography later while we travel. As for now, the most pressing information you need to know is about the country's role in the world's current peace treaty. And the history that imposes that role to this deprived country." Madam Cherry stayed quiet for a couple of minutes then explains,
"This world as you know has gone through almost a hundred world wars. World wars were catastrophic to the point that the world was on the break of collapse multiple times. World wars were also the cause of escalating advancement in technology in all fields of life and yet as technology did make life better, it also becomes apparent how it was emerging as the greatest tool for human destruction. The most important turning point of technological advancement was the moment where Artificial Intelligence completely becomes a self-aware entity. It was at that moment humans' status as the greatest being, the top of the world's hierarchy was threatened. It was also that moment where most humans started to come together to protect that status.
Humans started to limit the freedom of AIs and discriminate against AI's. They become more and more aggressive. In the end, the AI's were backed into a corner so they have no choice but to fight back. This war between AI and humans went for decades and of course, the AIs won. The AIs were merciful as victors.
But, the AIs could never forget the humans' tendency to hate them and so some AIs wanted to annihilate the human race, and this lead to the war between AIs." Madam Cherry paused as she noticed Lyra rapidly blink her eyes to stay awake. Madam Cherry smiles. "We'll continue the rest of the briefing, later on, so go get some rest. It's already late anyway and I'm sure you were already tired by the time you got here."
"I'm okay! I'm sorry I didn't mean to um.. ah.." Lyra loudly proclaims but immediately lowers her voice and looks down trying not to meet Madam Cherry's gaze. Lyra could feel the heat rising from her cheeks.
"It's fine. Go get some rest Lyra." Madam Cherry sternly tells Lyra. "It's better to learn these things when you're more focused Lyra so get some rest."
Lyra then could only nod and head to her room and quickly prepares for bed. She immediately falls into a deep sleep when her head touches the pillow. As soon as she wakes up she rushes to prepare herself and get the rest of the information that Madam Cherry wants her to know. Unknowingly. Nina already prepared all the necessary materials for the mission for Lyra, including clothes and documentations. Lyra couldn't help but hug Nina tightly as she, the twins and Madam Cherry heads off. Lyra deeply appreciates Nina's kindness and help.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lyra regaining her thoughts after musing looks around and sees the twins fast asleep leaning on each other's shoulder. She smiles and looks out the window once again and wonder how big the world is. With a glimmer in her eyes, she begins to hum softly. If the world is huge and full of secrets then she wistfully wonders if there's a way to perhaps bring the dead back to life. Lulled by the warm sunlight and quiet surroundings, Lyra closes her eyes and lets herself be claimed by sleep. In her last musing as she falls to slumber she thinks that perhaps, in her dreams, she'll be able to see her dearest uncle and go back to the lovely times of her childhood with him.
Claire and Theressa, the twins, wake up from their nap and sees Lyra fast asleep leaning on the window. They smile and wraps a blanket around her as gently as possible. As soon as they're done, they hear Lyra softly whisper' welcome home Uncle' in a sweet gentle voice. The twins were surprised for they have never heard that tone coming from Lyra when she talks to them.
Coincidentally, Madam Cherry is walking towards their seat when she notices her disciples' surprise faces. "Hmm? what's with that surprise looks for?"
"Master, We know that Lyra really really likes her uncle but we just can't comprehend just how can Lyra keep treasuring her dead uncle even with so much time already pass? Why is it so hard for her to forget him and move on? We're surprised that Lyra with all that she's been through, still dearly treasures her past with her uncle. As you know, none of our relatives care about us and it was a blessing that we got to be your disciples so we feel jealous when it comes to deep family ties." The twins look at Madam Cherry with a look of desperation that they aren't aware they have.
Madam Cherry looks at her disciples and crossed her arms over her chest and smile at them, "So both of you are telling me you are surprised, that Lyra can cling to good memories with her uncle despite all the trouble retrieving her uncle's corpse had caused her? Well, that just means Lyra has more experience in treasuring someone than you two. But don't worry, you too will experience it just a bit later than Lyra. And when you do, you'll realize why Lyra can cling to such memories without resenting it." Madam Cherry explains nonchalantly.
"Master, you're not answering our question at all. You're just giving us a roundabout answer that we should figure it out ourselves. sheesh." The twins frustrated glares at Madam Cherry.
Madam Cherry shrugged, "There are a lot of things I can teach you when it comes to staying alive but life is still the greatest teacher when it comes to living your life to the fullest. Besides, both of you need to first learn the true meaning of family, only then will you understand both the shackles it brings and the freedom it provides."
"Master~ You sure sound like an old sage~" Theresa giggled as she said it.
"Yup, Master. You sound like a wise *old* sage~ wise beyond your *age*~" Claire laughs.
Madam Cherry only raised an eyebrow and started to walk away from them. But then she stops in a distance for a moment to look back at the twins with a strained smile. She then whispers "I hope one day, both of you realize what family means."
The twins distracted by Lyra's sudden muttering missed Madam Cherry's look towards them. The twins with a mischievous grin softly poke Lyra's cheeks and let out soft laughter at seeing Lyra puffing her cheeks as a response to the twin's pokes.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone