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Chapter 5

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               Astonishment filled the fennec’s eyes as he gazed out the window at the city before him. Large pillars held up the cavernous ceiling to allow large buildings to be built. There were even sky scrapers that were obviously hiding supports in them as their roof was the cave ceiling itself. Neon lights and the hustle and bustle of thousands could he heard even through the picture window.

               â€H…How is this even possible? How have you remained hidden for so long,†asked Raine looking rather astonished.

               Ashe stood next to him still holding her tail and fiddling with the tip of it. She seemed shy and reserved around everyone else. It took her some time before she answered in a happy tone, â€Angetech... It was an upstart that supposedly crashed on the overworld stock market. What really happened was Fox Hunt found out Edward Semling, the lead research and design director was one of us. They went after him and found he had built new technology that was far beyond what they had. Angetech was the main contributor in building the Underground Railroad and Neo Mesopotamia… the new cradle of civilization.â€

               Raine nodded slowly rubbing his chin and leaning slightly against the glass, â€So they can hide this place through technology?â€

               â€At every entrance to the city and underground rail systems there is a DEN MOTHER system. It scans nearby living things for the Familaris cell factor. If the one that approaches the site does not have it the site hides itself from them. I don’t really know how it works to tell the truth… something about image projection technology,†Said the vixen softly as she looked out at the city.

               Nodding slightly Raine looked back out at the marvel and smiled, â€So I guess this is home huh…â€

               â€For some of us you could say that,†came the familiar voice of Crono as the silver dragon walked down the quiet hallway in the top floor of the hospital. He came to a stop to the side of Ashe opposite Raine and looked out at the city, â€many of us live here but those like myself that don’t want to be a part of the whole movement live quiet lives nearby. Masatoshi has assured us protection even though we do not share his ideals.â€

               The dragon was wearing a rather ragged pair of jean shorts, probably the only thing that could accommodate him in this form but nothing would work for a top because of his wings which were folded behind him placidly. Raine couldn’t help but stare at the mark on the dragon’s chest. He remained quiet as Crono gave a nod.

               â€Yes I have one as well. You know there were seven in the story correct? The undying one gets all the attention simply because of his important role. Let’s see if I remember them all,†Said the dragon while tapping his chin with a talon, â€Undying,  Blind, Light, Night, Pheonix, Dragon, Frozen… I believe that’s all of them. We know where three of them are.â€

               Raine looked to Ashe and then to Crono curiously, â€Only three?â€

               The dragon and Ashe nodded and the vixen was the first to speak, â€You, Crono and Masatoshi. You are the undying, Crono is the dragon and Masatoshi is the Blind… He’s also known as Blindman.â€

               â€Who is Masatoshi,†Asked Raine softly as he looked back out over the city and was amazed to see how many different Familiaris were walking along the streets.

               â€He’s our leader. The oldest of all of us but different as well… Masatoshi claims that he is over ten thousand years old. He does not carry the Familiaris Cell Factor as well,†Said Ashe softly, â€He is known as the only ‘Pure.’â€

               Crono chuckled and rubbed the back of his head softly, â€Yeah I wouldn’t believe everything you hear Dr. Scribe. Toshi is old but I doubt he’s that old. He’s without a doubt one of the wisest men I have ever met though.â€

               Raine looked down at the hospital gown he was in and frowned slightly as he really wanted to go out there and see what there was to see in the city though he did have another question raised by the answers he got, â€Pure?â€

               Ashe nodded slowly, â€All of us are hybrids see. We have human DNA with a slight modification to a certain part of the helix that makes us what we are. Some have a full mutation that allows them to switch between human and familiaris while others are simply incapable. Masatoshi is… well he’s not human at all.â€

               Raine nodded slowly as he put his back to the window waving his tails behind him idly as he thought, â€I guess I’ll be meeting him sometime soon. It seems like I’m kind of important or something… What am I supposed to do now though?â€

               Crono quirked a brow and nodded slowly as he took to leaning against the wall across from the window before replying, â€Good question. I suppose you start from scratch huh. There are support programs for newly awakened. They will give you a place to live I’m sure but I doubt it will be the same as if you were any other awakened. You are well…â€

               The fennec folded his ears back and looked down at his paws with a frown. He didn’t want to be noticed or special. He just wanted to live a normal life but he knew fate simply wouldn’t allow it. Even walking through the halls of the hospital before he was the center of attention of anyone he passed by. He felt a hand on his arm and looked up to see Ashe smiling weakly.

               â€Don’t worry so much. I’ll help you… You can stay with me if you don’t like the place they assign you. I would stay with you two and talk but… well I’m still working and I can’t take off cause I need the credits,†Said the Blanford’s Vixen softly with a nod before letting go of Raine and giving a wave. She reached down to look at her pager before running for the elevator and disappearing behind the steel doors.

               Crono stopped leaning against the wall and walked to the picture window to look out at the city with a soft sigh, â€So I guess it really is true… Hard to accept but I think I can see where you are coming from. I couldn’t really imagine what it would be like to know that you will live forever… and judging by the racket you make in your sleep I’m betting you’re haunted by something. Still… You shouldn’t put people through that.â€

               Biting his lip the fennec put his back to the window again and gave a weak nod. He looked down at his feet in shame as he replied, â€I’m sorry… It’s… well it’s complicated.â€

               Crono chuckled and put his hand on the Raine’s shoulder giving it a pat as he spoke, â€Nothing’s simple these days. I wouldn’t wish this life on anyone and you have it worse than anyone… You will be seen as a messiah. I wish this trip could have waited a bit longer than it did though… to be honest though I knew it would happen eventually.â€

               â€You don’t like it here,†asked Raine softly. He turned around and looked out the window with Crono to see the amazing feat of engineering again.

               Crono rubbed his chin and the small tuft of silver hair that made a beard on the dragon’s chin while answering the question, â€I don’t really hate it I suppose… I don’t like it though so I suppose you would be right there. The other Familiaris, the ones that believe I should say… They become attached. Like Dr. Scribe to you… though I wouldn’t recommend one as tormented as you live with her. It won’t be good for her.â€

               Raine quirked a brow and looked up at the dragon who was now at least three feet taller than him. â€What do you mean by that? I’m not a bad person… what happened before… It was,†said the fennec before pausing for some time, â€I have been having bad dreams. Dreams where I become a monster and raise the dead… I keep seeing that face in my reflection.â€

               â€Interesting… Perhaps this is what the legend meant when it spoke of everything depending on the heart of the undying,†Answered Crono before he chuckled softly, â€Don’t worry about the mirror though. It was pretty cheap. What I meant by my previous statement though… Remember when I told you about people with abilities? She has one. She’s a healer but I would call her something of a sympathetic healer.â€

               Raine quirked a brow and tilted his head to the side confused, â€What’s that supposed to mean. Of course she is a healer… I mean she is a doctor.â€

               The dragon chuckled softly, â€Yeah but that’s just because she likes to help people. You see she makes other’s pain her own in order to heal them. She feels what they do and so makes it hurt less for them.â€

               The fennec’s eyes went wide and he put a paw on his neck where he felt the scar and remembered the feel of the tears on his cheeks. She was in enough pain to cry because of him. He looked at the ground in shame as he spoke, â€I… I didn’t know…â€

               Crono squeezed Raine’s shoulder gently with a nod, â€Of course you didn’t. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Just… She has a pretty strong will and she has a tendency to get herself hurt because of it.â€

               Raine nodded and gave a bit of a weak smile before his stomach growled loud enough for Crono to quickly a brow and chuckle softly. Raine blushed under his fur and gave a bit of a sheepish grin. He looked out the window and down at the street spotting a noodle place right across the street from the hospital, â€What do you say we steal those clothes back and we go get some food hmm? It’s gotta be better than the jello they gave me earlier…â€

               The dragon grinned slightly and gave a nod before he lead the way to registration where they argued with Dr. Tanyo for a few moments until he finally decided to let Raine release himself from the facility. Getting the clothing back Raine was quick to get out of the gown and into the jeans and duster again.

               Stepping out of the hospital Raine noticed very few cars and the ones that did go by were nearly silent. It was apparent they were far beyond the technology of what they called the â€Overworldâ€. Crono and he made their way across the street and into the noodle place. Almost instantly all eyes were on them making Raine feel uncomfortable. He actually ended up buttoning up the front of the duster to hide the mark. He tugged on the wing of the dragon and whispered softly, â€Remind me to get a hat so I can hide my face…â€

               The dragon chuckled as he produced a gold colored credit card that literally just said credit on it. Raine made the connection rather quickly that this was the credit’s Ashe was talking about before, their own currency.  Getting their food Raine and Crono found a booth away from the others, who were still starring at them.

               Raine didn’t give much time before he simply devoured the bowl of noodles and chicken. Apparently he was quite hungry indeed.

               Crono chuckled and enjoyed the meal in quiet up till a shout came from across the establishment, â€Crono you old lizard! Where have you been!?â€

               Raine’s ears perked and turned to see what looked like a husky and wolf mixed together. He grinned at Crono and Raine before its black and white form found a seat right next to Raine. The fennec ended up trapped on the inside of the booth looking to Crono with a look that screamed, ‘help’.

               The dragon laughed softly as he nodded to the newcomer, â€Kit Perilyn you’re still kickin around? I thought you’d have gotten yourself shot up by now.â€

               The newcomer laughed softly and shook his head slowly before looking down at Raine with kind blue eyes, â€Naw… Fox Hunt’s just a bunch of kids with guns. They don’t know how to aim and are about as slow as molasses in winter. Who’s this guy though?â€

               Raine looked up at the taller canine, he was a good foot taller than the fennec. It took a few moments before the vulpine looked to Crono who just nodded slowly in Raine’s direction. With a deep breath the fennec nodded and spoke softly, â€I’m Raine Diam… I’m new here.â€

               â€Bullshit… you’re too small to be,†Said the husky interrupting himself as he reached forward and unbuttoned the duster at the chest only to go wide eyed and finish much softer, â€The undying…â€

               The fennec quickly closed the duster and shook his head speaking softly, â€Hey… I don’t like the attention okay… I’d rather not attract a crowd. Bad things happen to people around me.â€

               Crono raised a brow and set his chopsticks down looking to Raine curiously as he questioned the smaller of the canines, â€Is that what you really think?â€

               â€It’s the truth… Jericho… you… the people that rescued me… Even Dr. Scribe was crying from pain,†replied Raine as he sunk back into the booth with his ears folded back and a frown on his face. People were starting to become more curious as to what was going on in the booth and Raine was getting nervous.

               Kit rubbed the back of his head sheepishly and nodded, â€You look like you’re done there Crono. I assume you called me because of this guy? I can’t imagine you would be staying here but since he’s new he’s gonna need a place till they find him one eh?â€

               The silver lizard nodded sagely before smiling to Raine, â€This is one of my better friends Kit. He is a part of the local military. Pretty much all they do is guard duty but every once in a while someone is captured and they go out and try to spring them. Mostly a boring job though. Did it for a little bit but decided that I just didn’t think exposing the Familiaris to the human population was a good idea. Masatoshi and I disagree there I’m afraid.â€

               Looking confused and still rather nervous Raine looked up at the much larger Canine as he was patted on the head softly, â€Looks like you’re bunkin with me. It’s okay though I got room on the couch and stuff. Unless you’re not shy sharing a bed with another guy eh eh,†The husky hybrid lifted a brow in jest as he jabbed Raine in the side with his elbow gently.

               Raine knew he was joking but still his eyes went wide and a blush rose on his cheeks. Thank god his fur was black. He shrunk back a bit more and went completely quiet then as his two companions seemed to be shooting the breeze for now. He was allowed his internal alone time for now which he used to try and make sense out of what was going on.

               Dr. Ashe was a nice person and Raine liked her even though he had only just met her. He felt like they had a connection of some sort but if Crono was right it’s entirely possible that the connection he thought he felt was from her healing his wounds. It was a silly thing to do as he knew now he couldn’t die so there was no point in wasting one’s strength in trying to heal him.

               Raine leaned forward and propped his chin up with his paws while his elbows rested on the table. He had zoned out the others completely at this point just thinking to himself. Ashe must have thought it would have made him more comfortable as she was a believer as Crono put it. It was a kind gesture and he would be obligated to return it in kind. Perhaps the opportunity to do such would come up soon but as things were going he had a feeling he would be busy for the next few days just trying to learn a new way of life.

               â€Anata wa dare desu ka,†said a familiar voice in the back of Raine’s mind making him shiver a little as he leaned back and looked around trying to find out if he had just had a random memory pop to the forefront of his thinking or if he was actually being spoken to. He saw it then in the side of the napkin holder. The polished chrome showed the image of Raiden grinning back at him.

               Raine looked at the other two before leaning in close to the reflection and whispering, â€You’re gonna make me look like a crazy person… Stop bothering me out here and stay in my dreams and memories.â€

               The reflection grinned as it tilted his head to the side and showed off its chipped and broken yellow teeth, â€I will never be just a dream or a memory boy. Plus you tried to kill yourself. I am willing to bet they already think you are a crazy person. Do you believe it a coincidence that Crono called a military man to look after you? He doesn’t want you alone because he irrationally believes you will succeed. We both know that’s not possible but also know that you are talking to someone that only exists in your head. They already believe you are a crazy person and I believe you do as well.â€

               The fennec frowned at the reflection but a poke in the side made him yip loudly and turn with a scowl towards the canine next to him. He shrunk back almost immediately when he saw Crono and Kit looking at him strangely. They had caught him and were most likely weirded out by the display.

               Crono cleared his throat and spoke softly, â€See something in the napkin holder Raine?â€

               â€N…No… I was just thinking to myself. Sorry if I was mumbling,†replied the fennec trying to cover up what had just happened. He looked to Kit who still looked rather freaked but he gave the fennec a pat on the shoulder anyway.

               â€Hey… Lets head back to my place and clear out a spot for a bed roll okay? Crono says you have bad dreams so we’ll put you in the same room as me okay,†Asked the hybrid with a gentle tone almost like he was talking to a child. It bothered Raine to be spoken to in such a way but everyone seemed to be walking on egg shells around him. It was like they viewed him as some sort of ticking time bomb.

               The fennec couldn’t help but hear the voice in the back of his head speak softly, â€I told you so…â€