Someone had set fire to things. And considering the oxygen in this place was a powdery form of solid matter on the ground, it had done a good job of burning whatever they wanted it to. Enzeru hadn’t been in the city proper since the cold began to come from the heavens and take a chill grip on everything he knew. His self imposed exile from the world took place outside of the city, mostly to warn people from trying to enter if he saw anyone doing so. That someone not only made it through, but set this kind of fire to things, spoke a deal about their ability to get around unseen. That same ability was, sadly, not one he trusted his companions to be as adept at. While he knew they were talented in their ways, the ways of being invisible and vanishing into nothing when needed were things that took himself decades of training to get right. So for the moment, they moved only when it was safe.
Safe meant when those radios weren’t going off. He learned that early on by studying the city from outside for a while. DJ Scratchy, the host called himself such, seemed to somehow be alive. Or more likely he had long died and something was using his body to broadcast things across the city. And even where there was no electricity the radios would click on and spread his word when he spoke. Or the music. When he talked it was fine, at worst a warning. But when the music began, you hurried into a hiding spot and you stayed there until it stopped. Otherwise the things would find you.
Words could not describe some of them. Most of them were humanoid in shape, but lacking in any features. But still many were obviously some construct from Hades. Some belonged to a third realm entirely. They set off bells in his head, and he was happy for the mask as his black eyes were constantly glowing a fierce blue light in response to the unnatural energies they gave off. Some were tall, some short. Some spikey, some gelatinous. All were vicious. It was survival of the strongest here, those who showed weakness were devoured. And among all of them the faceless man-things roamed. He didn’t want to know what would happen should one of those things catch them.
For the moment Enzeru and his traveling companions were holed up inside of an old barracks he knew of. The place was built like a fortress, with the largest opening that could be easily reached being no bigger than his face. The only way in or out was via the rooftop, and it could be sealed tight against many attacks. Even so he took no chances. They were in a windowless room with only non-combustible light sources to light their way. The ambient heat given off by these lights had warmed things up enough that the oxygen was once more a breathable gas, negating the need for their breathing masks.
He sat before one such light and looked at the woman and tigers with him, shaking his head.
”Someone else has been here before us. Several people if I read the tracks right. One or more of them set fire to the buildings most capable of helping me. The Hospital would have had records of my physiology and anatomy. The Crystal Tower was where the records of shinobi were kept. Tomorrow we’ll try the old ANBU headquarters. It’s underwater, but I think I can get us into it through the tunnels assuming all of them aren’t collapsed.” He moves over to Kimi and takes her hand in his, staring into her eyes for a moment.
”I shouldn’t have brought you here. This place is dangerous, even for people like me who are trained to navigate hellish terrains. But here you are. Promise me once more, my love, that you will do as I say if I tell you to. One misstep could result is catastrophe otherwise. Anything, even should it be abandoning me.”
Safe meant when those radios weren’t going off. He learned that early on by studying the city from outside for a while. DJ Scratchy, the host called himself such, seemed to somehow be alive. Or more likely he had long died and something was using his body to broadcast things across the city. And even where there was no electricity the radios would click on and spread his word when he spoke. Or the music. When he talked it was fine, at worst a warning. But when the music began, you hurried into a hiding spot and you stayed there until it stopped. Otherwise the things would find you.
Words could not describe some of them. Most of them were humanoid in shape, but lacking in any features. But still many were obviously some construct from Hades. Some belonged to a third realm entirely. They set off bells in his head, and he was happy for the mask as his black eyes were constantly glowing a fierce blue light in response to the unnatural energies they gave off. Some were tall, some short. Some spikey, some gelatinous. All were vicious. It was survival of the strongest here, those who showed weakness were devoured. And among all of them the faceless man-things roamed. He didn’t want to know what would happen should one of those things catch them.
For the moment Enzeru and his traveling companions were holed up inside of an old barracks he knew of. The place was built like a fortress, with the largest opening that could be easily reached being no bigger than his face. The only way in or out was via the rooftop, and it could be sealed tight against many attacks. Even so he took no chances. They were in a windowless room with only non-combustible light sources to light their way. The ambient heat given off by these lights had warmed things up enough that the oxygen was once more a breathable gas, negating the need for their breathing masks.
He sat before one such light and looked at the woman and tigers with him, shaking his head.
”Someone else has been here before us. Several people if I read the tracks right. One or more of them set fire to the buildings most capable of helping me. The Hospital would have had records of my physiology and anatomy. The Crystal Tower was where the records of shinobi were kept. Tomorrow we’ll try the old ANBU headquarters. It’s underwater, but I think I can get us into it through the tunnels assuming all of them aren’t collapsed.” He moves over to Kimi and takes her hand in his, staring into her eyes for a moment.
”I shouldn’t have brought you here. This place is dangerous, even for people like me who are trained to navigate hellish terrains. But here you are. Promise me once more, my love, that you will do as I say if I tell you to. One misstep could result is catastrophe otherwise. Anything, even should it be abandoning me.”