A desire for freedom

Chapter 2- Skyler

Tarence was a beautiful city. The buildings were made of marble, a single block willed into the shape of a building. There were private houses for every Number, each a different design reflecting their personality.

The healer's building was made of marble quartz and was three stories high. Each wing had a different Number on staff, Crooked Eighty-Second was in the bedridden wing, Seven Hundred and Eighty was in the accident wing, and so on.

The Sanctum sat in the town square. It was a black stone jutting up from the ground in rows, it was ominously large, and had a rope hanging from the highest point. None of the Connected were allowed in the building, the numbers considered it their sacred sanctuary.

The Mess Hall was a large outdoor amphitheater across from the healers building, the large fire ring sundial in the middle. The amphitheater was filled with picnic tables and people sitting at them at all hours. A kitchen sat in the corner stocked to the brim with anything the humans could need. It was available whenever anyone wanted to use it.

There were very few Connected who trained to fight, but everyone in Tarence was just as busy as Skyler. Excluding all recently Connected who were even busier than her, she worked harder than any other Connected did. The other Numbers put her through a lot more work than their own connected, for reasons she couldn't understand. At first, she thought they disliked her but First assured her that they, in fact, loved her presence and her determination. She held pride in her accomplishments, which First used against her when It fought with her.

She loved her training sessions, fighting Thirty-third gave her an adrenaline rush every afternoon. Learning what chemicals could cause an explosion kept her focused on not blowing her and Fortieth everywhere, she sparred with Henry and Johnny to teach them how to use the granted powers their numbers gave them. She spent hours training with Sylf to harness her power, and to ready herself for intense mental strain.

Skyler was kept so busy she didn't have time to pester First. It was extremely relieved.

First spent most of Its time speaking with Second, the leader of Tarence, and a dear old friend of It's. They had been fighting the war together from the very beginning. First could remember every detail of their first meeting, a one-in-a-million chance that led to the freedom of their kind. Seconds' voice brought It back to the present.

"Even if you don't accept the leadership, everyone expects you to lead us to victory. You out of all of us should know this. They don't accept me now that you're here." Second declared.

"I pledged to you my fidelity, a long time ago, Second. The honor to lead does not belong to me, but to you."

"While I thank you for your confidence in me First, I must disagree. I am not suited to lead them into battle, since you are no longer absent, we stand a chance against the enemy now. You must take control sooner or later."

"I will lead them by example as the first to rush to battle, but I will not take advantage of your kindness by trying to replace you."

First checked the time and excused itself to meet with Skyler before her next lesson.

Skyler was sitting with Mason, one of the young connected that lived in Tarence, at the mess hall,

'Such a silly name Mess Hall' First thought

They were having a conversation on granted powers and how powerful they would be if their number gave them 100% control too them.

'Such a silly topic no connected could use all of their power without going insane' First thought as Skyler said it. First was pleased with how easily she was learning everything, Thirty-third had said that she was surprisingly fast on her feet and picked up the new techniques quickly,

'This praise would not be allowed to linger near her ears for fear of it going to her head, best to have her work harder than not at all.'

First approached and they both rose to their feet, Mason bowed respectfully. Skyler had a problem with this but didn't say anything.

When First smirked at her she remembered it could hear what she was thinking and she blushed deeply. Mason straightened looking at the both of them extremely confused. Mason was Twenty's connected, and Twenty was not the type to have a parental bond with Its connected or to think of connecting their thoughts.

First greeted the two warmly, Mason thought this odd too but greeted First with warm regards bowing again. This time Skyler spoke up.

"Why do you do that? Are you a court jester or something?"

Mason smiled and replied in a mocking tone, "Always bow to your elders, Mason." Skyler and First laughed

"What do the two of you have planned for tomorrow?" First asked.

"Sir we have our usual schedule." Replied Mason

"Oh, you do?" First looked over to Skyler questioningly

"Of course we do," Mason said defensively

'You haven't told him, have you?'

'Not exactly in so many words.'

'Or in any, I presume.'

Skyler gave First a long glare, sighed, and gave in.

"Actually Mason, First gives me Sundays off to spend time in church."

"No, really? I would have never guessed. What could have possibly brought someone like you to believe in a higher power?" His face chad such a plain expression it was hard for her to tell if he was joking with her, insulting her, or just plain dumb.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm sorry if I offended you, I didn't mean to, honest."

"He's telling the truth you know." First grinned from ear to ear.

"First, don't you have someplace to be?" She asked, quickly changing the topic.

"Yes, I must meet with Fifty-three, good day you two."

"Good day." They said in unison and walked off to continue their training.