Eternal Skies [Dr. Stone]

Chapter Two: Empire of Might [Rewritten]

"Yes! Hahah we did it! Sparrow you're flying! You're really flying!" Aria cheered in pure joy, unable to hold in her excitement. Giving herself time to take in the view through her goggles, it was time to get to work.

"Alright buddy, let's find out where our little stone scientist has gone off too," She said to her creation before heading towards the direction of the treehouse, scouting from the skies.

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It had been a couple of days since Yuzuriha and Taiju joined up with Tsukasa. The primate was still slightly cautious around them; mainly the latter. However, Taiju never made any move to avenge Senku's death, so perhaps Tsukasa didn't need to be as concerned.

While keeping a close eye on the two, he spent his time finding statues worthy of taking under his wing and bringing into his empire that could contribute in both strength and numbers. Though Tsukasa didn't just need brawns, he needed skill. More importantly, he needed someone who knew people.

Tsukasa prepared to depart on his search expedition when he noticed a shadow of a bird pass overhead. Peering up from between the trees, his eyes widened recognizing the silhouette of something more modern than a bird. 'Impossible- who could have possibly...?'

Swooping down beside an open cliff, Aria tilted the hang glider perpendicular to the earth, creating enough drag to slow her down so she could safely land. She took heed to be quiet, not wanting to attract any unwanted attention; more specifically, of the one she encountered at the abandoned base. Truth was, she wasn't sure what kind of people she might run into. They could be survivors from the petrification who lost all knowledge of the modern world. Or perhaps were just like her, only, there was no telling how long they'd been revived. They could be savages for all she knew; a Stone Age world can do a lot of things to a man's mind after all.

She peaked up toward the stone structure that towered above the tree's foliage, something she had spotted near the treehouse's location during her flight. 'Grids like that don't naturally form on mountains around here, so it's my only clue of possible civilization.'

After she unstrapped her harness, she turned to head down the hill. It wasn't very far from her landing spot when she suddenly felt the cold edge of stone pressing against her throat making her heart drop and she froze in place.

"Who are you?" A deep voice resonated from beside her. Despite its gentle and soft nature, it had a menacing undertone to it.

Aria gulped, careful not to make any sudden movements. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Aria's hands stayed paralyzed at her sides, her fingers twitching in her attempt to hide her shakiness.

The man moved in front to get a better look at the girl, noticing the cracks along her right hand and across her paled cheeks. Her hair was a gentle chestnut color with a matte texture from the buildup of dirt. Her attire wasn't particularly new either. It was worn and tattered on the ends. And fastened at her hips were pouches and sacks crafted with time and care.

"You've been revived for a long time..."

The girl glanced at him when he got into view, peering between the gap in her stone goggles. He had long luscious locks of brunette hair that draped gracefully over his face, three distinguishable cracks stretching diagonally across it. The moment she had caught sight of him, her heart skipped a beat. Aria could hardly believe she wasn't imagining the voices this time. Her lips pressed into a line, trying to hold back her tears but they still pooled at the corners of her eyes. "You're...real." She muttered, the word almost sounding foreign to her.