The CoDas: Reboot [By Hex]

Prologue

The rusty gears turn and a gust of steam leaks out from the pipes, the colliding metals echo and breathe life into the city. 4 years ago, this city used to be in its prime, with structures made of silver and platinum. A pure white and silver tone to each building to symbolize the purity and technological advancement of mankind. Now, it seems that the city and the world has regressed to 1000 years in the past. It always shocked me how 150 years worth of humanity's technological advancement can vanish in a span of 4 years. My thoughts diverted to the teenage girl who sits by the fire escape stairs, drawing on her tablet and enjoying the faint music of cogs and machines. Cats accompany her as she attempts to draw them, she adores the eyes and draws them with great detail and patience. 

I smile as I shout out for her at the top of the stairs, carrying a book on my left hand. "Good Afternoon, mind if I read my book here? I like to read while I have some company nearby."

She looks up at me with a smile, "Oh, Of course, be my guest."

I gave my gratitude as I walked down the stairs and sat across her. I placed the book on my lap as I pet one of the cats.

"So..." She began as she looked back down at her tablet. "Are you from around here?"

"Yeah, I've been in this city for quite some time, I grew up here but haven't returned to this city until 2 years ago."

"Hmm...I don't think I recognize you." She glances a little.

I chuckle, replying, "I wouldn't expect anyone to recognize me. It's a big and complex city after all."

She looks up at me again and observes me, leaning closer. "Wait a minute..." Her eyes widened, "Are you...Nathan? Nathan Tetrola?! The Liberator?"

I chuckle as I replied, "Well, I just jinxed myself, didn't I?"

She came in closer and asked in excitement, "That's incredible, I'm quite honored to meet you! I've heard about your stories of the war. Why is a person like you here? What happened to you after you disappeared? How come you look so different in the photos?"

I held up my hand in front of her face, "Ah, before we go any further, I want you to treat me as a normal and equal person. I'm not into being treated like an idol. Could you do that for me?"

"Yes! Of Course!-oh, sorry-uhm" She took a few deep breaths and then replied again. "Okay, I will." She says in a calm manner.

"Heh-Well, I'm just living in seclusion with my wife and daughter. We live around this area. Also, my appearance on those videos and photos that you saw are when I was only 17 years old. Ever since the age of 16 until the age of 18, my physical appearance never matured and stayed the same. It was until the Great Change that I was finally able to grow as a normal male would."

"That's amazing! Question, do you still meet Zack or Emily nowadays, they're my heroes. No offense to you." She giggles with a wide smile.

I respond, chuckling. "None taken. They're not exactly the type of people you'd expect them to be, don't get me wrong, Zack and Emily are amazing individuals but whatever you heard about them in the media is not entirely true. Not even my own side of the story is told to a full extent."

"Oh...So the media  didn't share the full story then?" She asks curiously.

"Yeah. The media only asked for the major parts, CoDas, Spectrum Lens, Grovar, Azmah the Equalizer, Shatter of Balance, those kinds of things."

I could see a light bulb above her head as she speaks, "Hold on for a moment."

She looks through her bags, pulling out different materials.