It's All Part Of a Grand Scheme, And Us, Pawns in This Endless Play

Chapter 1: The Abandoned Town

(Arti's POV)

I'm tired, but relieved....my...travelling companion has come through with his promise. This new change in environment is pleasant, I haven't seen such a forest before. I heard his voice in my mind again.

"There's bastions of tranquility all across the world, oases in a world of death," There's no cycle here? "Not too far now is shelter."

How long does it take to rain? It hasn't at all, and the sun is cresting over the green trees. I continue to keep my distance and follow him, at least one of my worries eased.

After awhile we make it to some odd looking buildings, made of stone and not metal. I pay attention to the odd creature and he enters one of the stone buildings, gesturing me to follow.....I cautiously approach and peek in to see him doing...something inside at a small stone arch. I watch as soon a flame ignites, and he sits in front of it. Why? Doesn't he know that fire is dangerous? Well, judging by the flame in his chest, probably not a fear for him.

Well...it's not spreading, I enter a little while later, keeping my spear close. Watching my 'companion' closely, for trickery. His body seems weakened so a fight should end in my favor.

"If you need something to call me, Vacuity is..." He spoke up so suddenly it startled me. "My name"

I tilt my head, that's an odd sounding name. Plus I can't communicate the way he does so how will that help me? He 'speaks' again, I didn't jump this time.

"You can't speak....there must be some way for us to communicate," Is there? "Ah ha! Can I teach you morse code? It's a way of communicating by tapping."

I nod, that's something I can do, what's the wo-! What's this feeling!? As quickly as it came this rush of something came it leaves. Vacuity speaks up with slight amusement in his voice.

"Sorry for the spook, can you tap out your name now?"

I was about to shake my head then realized I could. I tapped my left hand against my spear arm.

(Narrator interruption: I'll use "Quotations for Arti's morse code" makes my life easier.)

"I'm Artificer, what did you do to me?" I tried to tap accusatorily, but emotions aren't carried through so I just glare at him.

He stays silent, nodding then speaking up with a rather warm tone.

"Well then Artificer, I offer you the hand of friendship and guidance." Wait, he wants to be friends?

Hmmm, he has been nice enough....and hasn't tried anything. I nod after a few more minutes of contemplating.

We interact and get to know each other somewhat better, I found out that the rains here aren't devastating like the ones I'm used to. After awhile, I realize how tired I am and go to sleep.
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(Nobody's POV)

Vacuity looks out a window after hearing something on the edge of his hearing....air raid sirens, at first he was hoping it was just him hearing things or even trauma. But upon seeing the fog. His fears were confirmed, as Artificer rested, he barricaded windows and the door, then waited for one of his worst fears to pass on by. Eventually he falls asleep, dreaming of meeting an odd AI.

Meanwhile, closer to the fog, two new slugcats awakens. These two are in danger, but the brothers are reunited at long last.
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Lore stuff

Series 7 clones like Vacuity: Series 7 clones were the first clone series treated with the purity element, during their incubation they mutate into humanoid silhouette devoid of most features aside from their eyes and newly formed jagged looking mouth.

Internally the clone's skin toughens considerably, muscles and bones have increased density, tendons have increased strength....this makes the clone durable, strong, and fast in a streamlined body. The most interesting part is their telepathic capabilities, they can impart experience and speak to others...but are unable to read thoughts. No researcher has been able to explicitly find out what the purity element did to their body.