Eternal Skies [Dr. Stone]

Chapter Seven: Foreign Foe

(Credits to...Matthew Dragner: Composting, Khal: Character Concept, Natalie Forbess: Character Design, Myself: Art)

The people, the animals, and perhaps even the statues watched in awe. Senku, Gen, and Aria are on the brink of tears seeing this familiar light after so long. And for the first time in 3,700 years, there was a small shine appeared on the coast of Japan visible from space, signaling the start of humanity's comeback.

The distant shadow of someone from the treeline watched in surprise, their hand resting on the trunk as they observed the Kingdom of Science obtain electricity. They grinned slightly, muttering under their breath, "I didn't know the monkeys had light..!"

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Kohaku and Suika stood by the fire for warmth while they talked as Ginro and Kinro lay by the generator, absolutely exhausted from their hard labor. Senku still stayed on the shed, staring toward the sky. The progress he's made started to sink in. It had been so long...nearly a year and a half and they finally had electricity. There was a moment of peaceful silence for the Kingdom of Science, their endeavors of bringing light back to this dark world weighed heavy on their minds.

Aria rested against one of the posts holding up the storehouse, head leaned back as she stared up at the night sky. "Recreating Edison's light bulb...who knew we could pull it off," She mumbled to herself though Senku and Chrome could still hear her.

"It was the first biography I ever read," Senku spoke. "Edison. The library was ten billion percent guaranteed to have it of course." His gaze had such a distant look, you could almost mistake he was dreaming with his eyes open. Aria didn't need to see his face to understand the emotions he was feeling right now. The overwhelming euphoria caused by their first big step into modernity. After a while, Senku clenched the wires in his hands, "I've gotta say...we're off to a damn good start!" He said, unable to stop smiling.

Aria couldn't help but feel her lips curl up. "Damn right, we are. And it's only the beginning."

Gen held his hands under his haori as he walked along the treeline. He sat down to lean against a tree, "Electricity in this stone age? It's hard to elieve-bay..." He looked up, his eyes almost just as starry as the constellations, "I wonder if you're seeing this, Tsukasa..." He mumbled to himself. After witnessing the performances of the Kingdom of Science, the idea of living in a world like the one he grew up in became increasingly enticing the more he indulged in the thought.

Once he had truly made up his mind, Gen made his way towards the generator. That's when he noticed something lurking in front. Quietly he snuck behind a tree while cautiously observing the figure. Atop a thicker branch crouched a slim man, his hair white and medium in length, tied together in the back by his neck along with spiky side bangs. He wore dark attire that sheathed his body in shadow. The style was clean and on his hip, was a metal rapier. The man was lurking just by the edge of the Kingdom of Science, watching the unsuspecting members.

'Are they with Tsukasa?' Gen questioned, wondering if the primate had sent another to also spy on Senku or if it was someone from the village, Gen couldn't tell either or. Trying to get a closer look, his foot stepped on a stray stick, the sound of it snapping making the man's head shoot toward him. Gen quickly hid behind the tree, his face in a cold sweat worried that the man might've seen him. After a moment of silence, Gen slowly peaked his head around, the figure was gone. The boy looked around in worry, 'Where did he-'

"Aww, aren't you a sore sight for peaceful eyes," A voice whispered from behind Gen.

The mentalist shot his head back, being met face to face with the person he saw not even a moment ago. His eyes widened, "Wh-who-" Gen was suddenly struck against the neck, the world slowly falling into darkness while his body collapsed into the man's arms.