Chapter 5: Introductions and Uneasy Bonds
"Now, you all are gonna have a little brief introduction. After all, you kids are now one big family."
"Even if one of us is a naive prick from the disgusting Downside."
Ashnight heard Moraine give a sneer while his malicious eyes were on him, then he glanced sideways in disgust.
Mr. White Hair really was an 'inhumane' rights activist. He had heard they had many such human rights activists in the upworld. Say this group of people authorized the maximum use of these "rights."
Not that they applied to them downsiders, though. If you're hungry, you just kill someone who has enough. Power and strength meant safety.
"I would let you know that there shall be no discrimination. Right here, the seven of you must have known: you all are nameless identities. Your past, your family holds no ground here." There was that sadistic glow again.
"But you know, there is always a second choice where I just rewire those petty thoughts of yours and you all get to love each other."
Northman puffed his cigarette, and that was the last thing it took for Ashnight to understand that that cigarette wasn't actually burning off.
"Sounds good."
Rael muttered while he cast Ashnight a spotless smile. Ashnight just shrugged it off. It wasn't like it was gonna make a big difference anyway. He spied a glance sideways to see Mrs. Lollipop staring straight and unblinking with that eerie eyes of hers.
Then, robotically, she turned towards him, and that same horrifying smile spread across her pale face once more.
"Yo."
"Yo."
Ashnight waved back. Maybe it wasn't gonna hurt moving farther again, but the muscular body of Musclehead slumped on the floor was a really unwanted barricade.
Or maybe he could step backwards a bit. He hid another look backwards only to meet the intense eyes of the big-chested girl, who tilted her head with her palms on her chin, then her eyelids flashed him a wink.
His entire face went red. Autonomously, his neck swerved forward. Maybe staying was not exactly bad at all.
"Now we're gonna start with basic introductions as byproducts of Homo sapiens." Northman slicked back his hair. "You're gonna have to do some buddy-buddy name introduction."
"What if I don't wanna?" Big-chested girl called from behind, temporarily earning everybody's attention. She was kinda brave. She even had a bored look in her eyes. "Sorry Teach,there are some freaks here I don't feel like getting all buddy with."
Her hands lazily wafted to Rael and Moraine, though Moraine was the one who felt the hit most.
"Huh, who said I wanna get all buddy with you? Just fucking close your ears when it's my turn." Rael shot back with raised chin. But Moraine, well...
Ashnight studied Moraine. Moraine was a bit far into recovery.
Big-chested girl completely ignored the barking Rael, then those intense eyes of hers glued on him while her cherry lips formed a smile. Ashnight felt a cold chill down his spine.
"Though I wouldn't mind if a certain someone knew...infact I would love to tell him...."
He was trying all he could to halt the blood from rushing to his face and his own chest from becoming a frenzied drum. What was happening to him? This was the second time.
"In... private..."
"Huh."
This time, Ashnight could tell a little confusion in Rael's voice, whose crimson eyes were now on him demanding some sort of clarification.
While he could feel Moraine's eyes literally boring holes through him. He gulped. He was in a freakin tight spot.
"Sorry, love. But that will not be possible." Ashnight let out a grateful sigh. This was the second time Mr. Nephilim had saved him. Was he a hero or something?
"Tch." The big-chested girl gave a hiss before pouting.
Ashnight let out a sigh.
'Perhaps he should avoid that girl. She was bad news. Did not know what she was doing to him, but it kinda made him feel he was being fucking controlled. Wait, was this affection? No, no, no. Must be just a little attraction. Nothing much..'
He moved his palms to his chest. 'Yeah, now it was beating pretty normal. Thank goodness it was still beating pretty normal..'
"So now we are gonna start with Musclehead." Northman clicked his fingers, and Musclehead, like a zombie, rose from the floor. Then his eyes jolted open with a violent exhale.
"Maze Bermont." Then, like a beanbag, he crashed back onto the floor, snoring like he did not give a fuck.
Now Ashnight was a bit concerned as to what this fella had done. I mean, he was screaming like hell earlier. Was it the virtual helm?
"Moraine Nightingale... son of the Mayo..."
Rael cut him short. "Rael Stormnight."
If there was something he could notice, it was that fact that all these fellas actually had two names, but his was only one. Maybe it wouldn't hurt adding another one. He placed his hands on his chin. 'But which one?'
"Saint... Saint Merborne." Four Eyes spoke subtly. It took Ashnight's heightened hearing to even grab that. He wondered if the others had grasped that.
"Suits the personality, Four Eyes." He heard Moraine shrug, but his eyes were on Rael, obviously cause of earlier, but Rael was deflecting it with a low whistle.
"Nova Evergarden."
'Huh..' Ashnight turned to the girl beside him, who had an expressionless face on. 'So she could speak fluently like that..'
"Oh." The next instant, Ashnight felt the warmth of Moraine beside him. "How could I have missed this cutie. The name's Moraine,lovely lady.. but you can call me Raine..."
"..."
But all Moraine got was silence, and the eerie girl returned back to slopping her lollipop, much to Ashnight's disappointment. He had actually wanted her to stick with someone else.
Moraine let out a sadistic laugh, then a slow nod of realization before retreating away, but not before giving him a death stare.
"The name is Sky. Sky Mardoriel." Big-chested girl added while staring daggers at Rael, who still continued his nonchalant whistling.
Ashnight let out a sigh. Seems it was now his turn.
"Nether Ashnight."
"Seems the downsider got a name." That would be Moraine.
"Wait, you got a surname too." The next minute, Rael, who had been nonchalant, was now pestering him around.
"Yeah, yeah. Gave myself that also."
Rael smacked his shoulder with a smirk. "It's cool, though. You really much different than your other folks."
Funny enough how he had gotten the name from a daemon in *Shadow Slave*. Could have used Sunny, but no. That would be like a big blow to the GOAT himself. So he had figured he could just use something more familiar.
Nether created the underworld, which was a bit similar to the Downside. If they are both beings from the darkness, then it wouldn't hurt being namesakes.
"Nether... that is a nice name." Big Che—no, what was her name again? Oh, Sky. Sky whispered slowly.
"T... thanks." He stammered, trying as much to steady his demeanor yet failing.
"Hey, why're you getting all chummy with her? She was bullying you earlier." Rael tilted his head, obviously confused.
And again came the instructor's voice, vividly saving Ashnight again from yet another social awkwardness.
"Now that you peeps are done, you'll be shown your dorms by my....assistants."
Ashnight found himself staring at the silhouettes of human figures in white attire and black visors. They seemed to have just popped out of the thin air. Fabricated constructs.
It seemed he was the only one surprised as the rest just grabbed their baggage from the floor. Just how ignorant was he from the Downside?
"Hey, sir. I have been meaning to ask." Rael chimed. "I think we're still three persons short."
It seemed the rest were completely interested as they all followed Rael's eyes to Northman, who sighed.
"Well, let us say those three got scared, pissed off their pants, and I don't blame them for it. It's actually the right choice, the best one even. Trust me, by tomorrow you will be pretty certain yourselves."
"Oh."
That was Rael's only reply, but you could tell he was a bit petrified. But for Nether, he was not much fazed. He had seen far more worse hell than he couldn't believe there could be anything more hellish than living in an oxygen- and food-deprived environment.
The Downside...
"See y'all tomorrow. The day is far spent. Dinner would be delivered an hour from now." Northman waved them off.
Dinner. A smile finally was plastered on Nether's face. Like, for real! He nearly salivated. He was gonna eat upworlders' food.
"Hey, what are you waiting for?" Rael called at him up front. He blinked, drawn back to reality,he resumed walking.
Though his eyes were more on the muscular human bag being dragged all the way on the smooth floor towards stairs he had no idea existed in this space. He hadn't seen it earlier.
Not to mention how it led to an adjoining set of five metallic doors. But they were seven. He glanced sideways to see one of the white-attire weirdos leading the girls, which was quite shocking how the silver-haired girl complied, though her blank eyes were still on him.
They were led under the stairs to a pair of doors, though more spread apart than theirs.
"Thank goodness we are in separate rooms... can't fuckin stand the adjoined Freakiness" Moraine yawned. He was the one closest to the stairs, while Four Eyes was trailing quietly behind.
"Looks like someone finally overcame their fear of the dark. Funny how your name's 'Night'ingale." Rael whistled.
"Says the freak who is scared of lightning. Ironic how your name's 'Storm'night."
He nearly chuckled. They really do know how to take shots at where it hurts. Maybe perhaps it wouldn't Suck much... The Nullworld Program.
He scratched his back. How he wished his brother was here to see this.