When she was gone, the room returned to a quiet that Ares found deeply unsettling. Pushing back the cold that was slowly stretching its claws into his mind, he made his way to the care package. Inside, he found a black box containing the HaloComm—the latest base-grade version—along with two sets of tracksuits and a pair of sneakers.
In his former life, unboxing the HaloComm would have been a slow, satisfying ritual. Now, he just tore the box open, revealing an obsidian-black metallic bangle. He strapped it on and booted it up, the hologram screen lighting up.
There was no need to charge it; it functioned with revolutionary Bioheat power, relying on the user's body heat for indefinite function.
The first thing he did was search for information regarding Bastion Genesis. He scrolled through the public datastream, each headline a fresh stab of cold.
> Kaos Warlord declares that the Alienoid threat that destroyed Genesis has been handled.
> Still no official report on the number of survivors from the 'Genesis Event'.
> Zion's High Commander assures Denizens that measures are in place to ensure the security of our beloved Bastion.
> [Unverified] Bastion Genesis's destruction linked to the appearance of a new Kaos Warlord.
> Grand Severant of the Church of the End declares the Genesis Event 'The Third Ascension'.
After scouring the web for hours and finding nothing that lessened the cold hollowness in his chest, Ares ended his browsing session. He let his body relax on the bed, and the memories, the loneliness, came flooding back again.
So, I am all alone now, he thought, fighting back the tears welling in his eyes.
Ding.
A sound broke his train of thought as a letter icon appeared on the wall screen. The moment his eyes focused on it, the letter opened, displaying its content.
Hello Ares, This is the room number for the soldier I mentioned. 1846
Ares removed his hospital robe and put on one of the tracksuits from the package. As he was about to leave, he paused. Wait. The nurse said he was a patient, too. Was he wounded while rescuing me?
The thought solidified his purpose. This was an appreciation visit. Going empty-handed felt wrong.
Using the AI, he found the direction to the hospital Supermarket. He shouldn't have bothered; it was built into the very center of the hospital, with different floors bearing different sections. To get to the elevator, one had to pass through the supermart attached to their floor. As he was on the hospital's 'Teen Floor,' he was met with fancy gadgets, comics, and books.
He took the elevator down to the male ward's floor and found its supermarket section dedicated to all kinds of things a man might want. His search for a suitable gift began. What do you give the man who saved your life? He considered men's wellness products but grimaced. A vintage shirt? Far too expensive. A hover-headset? Impersonal and thoughtless.
Then his eyes settled on it. In a display case of vintage goods was a luxurious cigar pack, its box gleaming. It even had an A-grade Medical Certification sticker, a strange but reassuring detail.
A Luxurious Cigar Pack — 150 Credits
It was an extravagant expense, but Ares didn't hesitate. He didn't just want to thank the soldier; he hoped to build a relationship. He was an experienced warrior. He might have the answers Ares so desperately needed.
It didn't take him long to find Room 1846.
"Ha ha ha!"
He heard the loud, hearty laughter of a woman coming from the room just as he reached its door, causing him to hold back his outstretched hands. The laughter felt so alien, so irritating. It was a sound from a world that was no longer his. What was there to laugh about? A huge portion of the human population had just been wiped out, and someone was happy?
Ares felt truly alone at that moment. I'll come back later, he concluded, turning to leave.
"Hey there!"
A voice reached him just as he turned. The door had sprung open, and a woman was looking at him. She looked younger than his mum but was definitely not as young as she appeared. Her hair was dyed a bright yellow that matched the wild, golden glint in her eyes.
"Good day, ma'am," Ares greeted, but the lady just kept staring into his eyes.