Dmitry and Valutin University campus, State of Azuna. September 1, 2787. 0800 hrs

The school buses came one by one in an ordered fashion, each bringing about 30 passengers each. Students and staff, rich or poor it doesn't matter, they rode the buses to gain a degree or to work so appearances never mattered here. But one boy managed to catch everybody's eye. There are only tanned people here, no pale-skinned Venturans nor white-haired northerners.

He had deep-seated eyes, blonde hair, pale flawless white skin, sharp striking yet handsome features, and pink eyes.

He moved swiftly yet with a grace, a far cry from everybody else in this state. His movements were calculated and direct, almost as if a machine. To everyone's surprise, he seemed to know where to go and didn't ask anybody for directions.

He went straight to the halls and stored his stuff in his locker. As if by impulse, went to the General purpose hall to attend the flag-raising ceremony held every Monday which happened to be today.

As he went with his route, everybody turned their heads to see this mysterious stranger. He strode as if he were a ghost, moving ever forward without stopping at all. He somehow managed to stop in his tracks and took a solemn bow to the Campus president who also replied in kind, and then immediately as if he was paperweight disappeared into the halls of the school.

All of this commotion garnered the attention of one Katya Markhova as she was heading to class. To her surprise the blonde-haired newcomer was sitting next to her, she found out after he took off his Kepi as the class adviser came.

Their class adviser met and knew everyone in the room as he was their Biology teacher the previous school year. But concerning the blonde boy, he paid no attention to the subject.

He finished the necessary greetings and such and then proceeded to announce their schedules and the usual boring speech every teacher would do to either irritate the students into action or to heighten camaraderie by adding a few tips or finishing that unfinished joke they promised to spill every next school year.

In the midst of all this, the Blonde haired boy looked intently at the adviser and proceeded to take notes. His flair, quirks, and overall description had taken the hearts and interest of the girls in the room.

The very way he grins now and then concerning the jokes and references he found amusing was in a sense attractive to his peers. But try as they might gain his attention, his eyes were on the adviser's words or his notes.

Now and then, he sparingly turned his head left or right. Responding to those who look at him with faint smiles or with a confused look. Without his consent and knowledge, every time he responds to the girls with as little as a smile melted their hearts.

If only he knew he would have resented this notion. Nonetheless, the damage was done and any hope for repair is lost. Truly the first casualty of war is the truth, only today he fought a bloodless one.

Katya looked at the boy with serious intent. In her mind, this could be a huge opportunity for her. She could either gain fame, money, knowledge, contacts, and maybe even more! But Katya is not a mere commoner, she is the daughter of the influential and respected Damien Markhova the chairman of the respected and vital Merkatz Corporation which supplies the entire planet with weapons and various products. And so she narrowed her intent only in gaining a new friend or if possible a mate.

***

The adviser's speech came to an end. And like the norm, it's time to dismiss the students. That's when Katya noticed something: neophyte introduction. The very way every Azunian greets and welcomes a newcomer to town. It is very important as it includes the most disturbing information available to the newcomer in hopes of helping him survive.

As if by coordinated thinking, Katya and six others stood up at the same time and stayed as silent as the dead while they waited to be called or gain attention.

"Yes, Erika?" The adviser said. Katya turned her head only to see Erika Von Himmel behind her among those who stood.

"My apologies sir but I believe that we have forgotten our guest."

She said with a stiff whilst looking at the Blonde haired boy. He looked at Erika with a face that borders between Annoyance and Amusement.

"Ahh, that! Well, I believe your fianceé was on the verge of completing that task. I met Mr. Kempf yesterday at the dean's office and found Mr. Hedelki there as well. Suffice to say there's no need to hire a bodyguard for our guest as Mr. Hedelki managed to teach him the ropes in the least amount of time." The adviser said with a confident grin on his face.

"Wait?... What!!!"

She replied hesitantly, as she was confused. Pyotr was with her practicing their gunnery skills from 0800 to 1200, he was her partner since they started going to school. But to think that Pyotr was on campus that afternoon was odd, he plays online with his friends and brothers during that time.

Before she knew it, her face was a mess of confusion and doubt. She stood this way for three seconds and by the time she checked her surroundings everyone was looking at her!

"Sorry, sorry please continue sir." She said with an embarrassed tone as she slowly sat on her armchair.

"Hehehe, don't be Erika. Anyway, it would be odd if our guest wouldn't introduce himself properly. If you may Mr. Kempf."

He said while mentioning the young lad to come forward.

There was silence in the room as he approached the board. Thanks to his boots and his clothes he was as silent as a fox stalking its prey. Then further silence as he surveyed his surroundings. He turned his head cautiously left, then right as if expecting an ambush. In the eyes of his peers, he was awkward for a live human was the most important resource available, and a dead one was a huge loss.

He then cleared his throat, revealing a low rich voice, and proceeded with his introduction. The way he spoke was cultured at best, he was a good speaker. His words were better than good or even well for it was fantastic. To say he spoke with a silvery tongue is an understatement to the contrary, for he was even better.

He was Kempf, Andrey Kempf. And his parents owned Frigattor Industries, its influence was overwhelming in Korburg and even in Harkov. They supplied most of the cheap and rugged electronics that the locals treasured. At 16 years of age he transferred here for what he said could be a better life, and suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Once more there is silence in the air. The entire class was patiently waiting for his next set of words.

They heard none.

"And???" Katya asked with a sign of curiosity and craving in her tone.

"That would be all Mr. Kempf and thank you for the time you've given to us. As of now you already knew him by the details he gave to you, it is not his responsibility nor is it mandatory for him to spill the beans concerning his life. Privacy is a must!"

"Class Dismissed!!!!"

He said in the most professional way possible for a man like him. Professor Hayabusa is known for his eccentricity, it's what makes him the best in the business. But by today's standard, he seemed to be holding back as it seems.

Katya just as she was, felt a tinge of interest in her heart. "This might be the guy." She thought as she took her bag and proceeded with the entire class to the other room. The thought of Kempf still lingers in her mind. Donning her mask and looking at a clock nearby she stood staring at it and learned to appreciate its intricate beauty and mysterious past. It has Nixie tubes to tell the time.

"Maybe, just maybe. Another time perhaps." She said as she smiled in the mask while stealing a glance at the blonde-haired boy, then continued where she left off.

***

1800hrs Dmitry and Valutin University 5th floor hallway Right-wing.

Two figures were walking in a straight line. By the looks of their faces, it appears that they were tired, but the way they walk and their gait! It Seems full of energy.

" I trust you have seen the perils and abnormalities in the region since you first arrived here. The incident near your apartment, most probably spelled the schnapps out of you." One of the figures said.

" The 0300 incident was just a piece in the puzzle, I only know so little as of now." The second figure immediately said with a total lack of emotion in his voice.

" I expected that moment to explain everything Andrushka."

The first figure said with an amused tone as he approached the end of the hall. Standing near a fork and a huge fluorescent lamp revealing his features: he had light brown hair, olive reddish skin, a well-carved nose, a sharp chin, deep-set of dark black eyes, and what can be described as an odd form of neoteny as the general description of his face. He looked cute but also mature at the same time.

" I've been here for only 18 days Mr. Hedelki. Even you can't master a video game with that amount of time." Said the second figure.

" On the contrary, I did manage to master a game in just two weeks when I was nine." Pyotr Hedelki replied with a straight face, but suddenly it changed into an amused smile revealing his well-aligned teeth.

" But not this game Herr Hedelki, not this game." The second figure said with a serious tone. " The first time I laid my eyes on the monster, I almost puked my fruits and veggies that night. It truly is a sight and a challenge to kill." He added, starting with a tone of dread before switching to one of excitement!

Pyotr looked at the other boy with a look bordering on a reprimand and that of interrogation. Then he looked at the clock nearby and observed the way that the nixie tubes pattern switch after a minute has passed. " 1825 hrs, 25 minutes after our last discussion. When will you just favor me father time!" He said in his breath.

"What's that again?" The second figure said as he moved closer to the light to confront Pyotr.

His features became clearer, he has light blonde hair bordering white pale skin, a well-built physique, and facial features only a god could have.

" Never mind Andrushka," Pyotr replied in an apologetic tone.

" It's something personal." He said sternly as he noticed another figure staring at him near the staircase. Though he stood as if fearless his blood curdled underneath his skin.

The figure started to move towards him, slowly but oddly.

The way the legs moved was seductive at best and so was the gait. It moved close to the light and revealed a beautiful girl with sharp features, the perfect face for a warrior woman.

" Erika! What the hell fraulein? You nearly scared the hell out of me." Pyotr said, his tone filled with annoyance.

" Seems like I need to keep doing it or you'll be a scaredy-cat for life. It seemed to be effective at best." Erika said with an amused tone, in truth her face bordered on stoicism and bursting in eternal laughter for her mouth might be serious but her eyes no longer are.

" If you moved quick enough I could have zapped you, that would not be a good development," Pyotr said in concealed anger.

"Oh really! Sure darling, I would love to be carried in your arms as you hurry me to the hospital cause that would be romantic." She said bordering both mockery and seriousness.

" What in the heck is going on here? Don't tell me they're doing it again!" Pyotr said under his breath. His face was starting to sweat, his arms are trembling but he hid it under his coat. " Don't you dare tell me you played with them again!" He thought to himself as he looked at her grinning face.

"Come on Pyotr, this is the second time you were late for our usual ride home honey, your mother would be angered to know that you were slacking off." She said in a tone that of mockery.

"Take off your coat and the shirt, that's the punishment for the second offense, you'll be half-naked in the bus till we get home." She said in a daring tone.

He looked at her with surprise. "What's next? My pants!" He said in a slightly angry manner. "What's wrong with this girl! One moment she's a saint, in another she's a succubus!" He thought to himself whilst taking off his upper mantle.

She then turned her head to Kempf and said: " Kempf, you missed your bus eight minutes ago."

" You know that much! I've decided to take bus 23, I need to buy something at Kecheros." He said plainly and added: " Looks like I can leave you two love birds to your devices, my ride leaves in five." He said as he jogged towards the stairs.

" Finally! I can get to see what he truly looks like. Katya's gonna be so jealous now that I'll be the first to touch him. Hehehe!" she thought as Pyotr stripped.

Kempf stole a glance before descending and left a nearly diabolical snicker as he saw Pyotr's terrified face. He appears to be silently screaming for help!

"Hehehe, I would've sold everything for even as much as a touch from a beauty like that. If only I still would, Hahaha!!!" he said as the adrenaline rushed to his veins.

"HEY KEMPF!" Screamed Pyotr.

Kempf stopped in his tracks with a chill in his spine

"Don't you dare forget that ZAPPER!!!" He shouted as the first sentence echoed through the staircase.

" Da Generäle!" Kempf said Mockingly. "Hope they wouldn't go that far, their bus leaves in 25 minutes." He thought to himself whilst running, doing some parkour, and admiring his newfound freedom in his extremely functional gear.

***

Pyotr was breathing heavily, Erika was caressing his exposed body. She caressed his abdomen, his ribs, and his back. Following both his muscles and scars. The scars seemed to be what Erika was tracking most of the time.

She caressed the scar on his back the biggest so far.

All of these scars represent an encounter, but how he gained them is another story. The ones in his abdomen were from his first seven, each time he encountered a lurker, he managed to get himself in trouble. Trouble for someone, not himself for each represents a life saved.

As she caressed his abdomen her breathing was intense, the way she touched and surveyed each scar gave her relief. For now, she knew that they were right, he's the right choice. But every time she touched and followed each line and pattern, sent a different signal to Pyotr. It either gave him shivers in his spine or urges he had always sought to suppress.

Then her left hand reached for his back, her face was serious as if the entire event was her intent and the context was never teasing rather lust instead. Slowly she pulled him closer and closer till she could feel his breath, he wasn't breathing at all he held his breath moments ago. Her breathing intensified feeling a need to comfort him and herself as she feared the notion of Pyotr losing his cool and control.

That's when she fixed her eyes on the staircase and proceeded to walk towards it. Pyotr let out a relieved sigh and his breathing went normal when he felt a pair of arms enveloping his abdomen. The touch was cold at first, then became warm, another touched his back no! It's her bosom on his back. They were warm and soft, just what every boy would wish to have. Either on the back or in the face, but for Pyotr that was not the case.

She pulled herself ever closer to him to the point where her abdomen touched his spine. Pyotr was in a sense in pain, as most of his blood rushed to his genitalia. Luckily for him, he could conceal it, he wore briefs, not boxers an excellent choice. If only she could see the look on his face she would have apologized but she was busy staring at his lean yet broad and well-built back, he was three inches taller than her.

She surveyed the lines and found the biggest and longest scar of them all. For others, it would have been grievous, for her it was beautiful. This scar was two years old, and this scar bore the memory of Pyotr's first kill.

The story was long enough to be featured in a short film. But it does involve Pyotr saving as much as a dozen lives because of his sacrifice, Erika was among them. His previous notion of shitting his pants whilst killing it bore no truth. Erika was with him as he was rushed to the emergency room and Erika was with him all that time for more than five days. There were no medals nor tributes to his act as his family asked the city to swear their final wish before they lost their lives fighting the plague.

Touching the scar and surveying its length brought tears to her eyes. She could have lost him that day. Her life flashed back for a while. She had always held feelings for him ever since they met when they were eight. He was the most handsome boy she met and the bravest so far. And because of that, she had a friendly rivalry with Katya but with Kempf in the way, her post was cemented. But in a way, a contradiction also spawned out of her fear of losing him. She would always wish her feelings for him would not show, nor even exist. Most of the time she acts a bit cold but not too much to him. Sometimes she would ask that in her dreams she would not meet him, or even a reality where they never met. But either way, he was always there.

He always treated her like a little sister, though it can be seen that she bore feelings for him. And because of that her perception of him changed from a lover to the very brother she never had. ( Her sisters were a bunch of bitches.)

She rested her head and exhaled in his skin, her breath was cold and made him tremble. Then she furthermore caressed his abdomen, back, and breast from behind with a touch only a lover would give.

It only furthered Pyotr's fear and phobia of getting dragged into premarital affairs and incest. His breathing got erratic and abnormal. To him, this might be the end to his virginity. Seduced or raped by someone he thought of as a sibling. He might be able to hold his urges a little bit longer, he thought and just did that but he felt his self-control slip by the second. Talk about torture, his crotch was worse.

He always thought of her as a sister, because he feared he might lose himself in his lust. He knew his anger and his lust, it's almost insatiable! And so self-control was something he treasured. Even if it meant succumbing to his inner nihilist fears.

"Please don't, please don't, please not yet Erika!" He screamed silently in his thoughts. His face was filled with anxiety, but what worries him is not the concept of upsetting Erika with his build rather what might transpire after the caressing.

She finished caressing his back and turned to face him. After a second or so she rested her head on his chest, almost as if savoring her time pressing his head onto his well-built breasts.

On a side note, his weren't flat, a probable reason why she liked it.

Pyotr's face was filled with sweat. His face now a mess.

"Shhhh, don't be afraid it's not like I'm gonna rape you or something Liebling." She said in a comforting voice.

"Whew, that was close!" Pyotr said in his breath as his face started to show signs of relief when he felt a cold touch on his crotch.

"Not so fast handsome!" Erika said with a face even a boy would be afraid of.

"So much for Virginity." Kempf thought as he observed the entire ordeal through a window he had climbed on when he noticed the bus left him.

"MÜTTERFICKERS!!! Can't you just give me even a sec!" He cursed in his breath. "Okay then, if it should be then so it should be." He said with a sigh. And proceeded to climb down and do some parkour before assembling that bike he bought a few weeks ago minus the humungous basket. And without a word rode it as fast as he can till he disappeared in the lightless road.

***

In the halls of the university, Pyotr was trembling in fear. His heart was beating faster than before, even faster than that time he zapped that Lurker and spent five days in a hospital.

He had someone else's hand in his crotch!

She caressed his genitalia without knowing the pain he felt as his probe was being crammed in his undies. His face shows his fear and the dread he experienced. He had no choice but to close his eyes.

After a moment or so he realized he was staring downward as he opened his eyes and saw her soft yet firm fingers do their work. He couldn't take it anymore, he had to do something!

He thought maybe if he asked her to stop she might if he is convincing enough, or instead push her which could be effective but would strain their relationship. Not to mention that her father was a general, and his own was mere CEO of a fledgling company.

Without a choice he said:

"Please Erika, stop this! I can't take it anymore!" Better than a beggar's tone was his voice.

"Oh really! Okay then!" Erika said with an odd form of excitement in her tone as she started to unzip her baggy trousers.

"No! That's not what I meant!" Pyotr said with his palms raised. Stopping her from continuing the act. She slowly but steadily turned her head upwards, searching his eyes. And immediately went hysterical, and laughed as if hit by a curse.

She slowed her breathing, and her laughter drew to a close. She turned her head left and took a deep breath as she searched for the clock. The zipper was lowered but the button and belt were locked, she noticed as she looked at her trousers.

She slowly lifted her head and looked at his terrified face with a devilish smile, and slowly crawled towards Pyotr. She crawled as if a snake slowly closing in for the kill. She looked at his face and immediately reached for his ear. She whispered:

"I GOT YOU!" In an oddly playful tone.

Pyotr was trembling and cold from the sweat he let off, before hearing that line. Now it's as hot like a volcano, and his head that of the sun as it is sandwiched between anger and confusion.

Pyotr barely able to contain his destructive emotions, still managed to and said: "What in the blazes is going on???".

Erika smiled at him as she sat with both legs in her right and held a playful smile as she stared at Pyotr's messed up face.

"Answer me, Erika!" He said with extreme urgency.

"Got you once, got you twice Onii chan!" She said once more in a playful manner.

He let out a frustrated sigh and turns his gaze left trailed by disappointment. " She watched too much anime this year huh!" He formed a conclusion.

Erika's face went sour at his response. But she started to get closer to him and despite his silent protest ( refusing to give attention), she asked: "So, how did I do?".

He lets out a sigh and said: "I am very sorry madam, but I am too traumatized to give a straight answer." He replied in his lowest pitch with the accent bordering that of an automaton.

"Oh really?" She said mockingly. " Traumatised by some good lookin' girl as she tried to unbutton your trousers?." She added.

"Do you have any idea of the pain you have inflicted on me?" He said sternly.

" You're uncircumcised aren't you?" She said with a smile on her face.

" No, it's my undies. It hurts whenever it's erect." There is sadness in his tone. He sat with his legs folded, seizo. And sat there with barely a word out of his mouth, his head lowered. She tried to get a look at his face but what she saw shook her. This boy was known for selflessness and suicidal tendencies, he might take his life immediately. His hand trembles and struggles to reach, his zapper.

As if by impulse, she immediately jumped to hug him. The result of which was a loss of balance for both. She hugged him and got as close as possible to him, to the point where her heartbeat can be felt by his skin.

He managed to reach and unholster his zapper when she tightened her grip on him and said with a soft yet tense voice: "Please Pyotr, please not yet please!"

She felt his heartbeat slacken its pace. His hands and body no longer trembles. To her this is just temporal relief, she went through worse episodes than this. To him this is better than relief, inside he was crying manly tears but couldn't let this girl see him for what he is at this moment. His body and heart felt lighter. For he knew that the girl he cared so much about came back.

Mustering enough strength he said weakly: "You hurt me, Erika, why do you torment me like this?" He waited for an answer yet found none. She turned her head slowly to stare at his beautiful black eyes and said in an apologetic tone: "I'm sorry, I got carried away."

"Hey, It's my job to be the dumb, crazy, and virile bastard in our case." He replied this time his tone held all the comfort.

" Pyotr! Please promise me this." She said with all the decency she could muster and added: " That I'll be the one you'll swear your life's desires!" She looked at him with eyes that begged him of his senses.

"Katya told me you were going out with her. I was so afraid at the thought of losing you. With every passing day, you seem to keep moving further. And I'm getting nervous.

You no longer take me to the range to enjoy the fun with you. No longer invited me to your house and play cards with your brothers. No more walking hand in hand in the streets. No more Ice creams at Bloomberg's nor bagels at Harper's. With each passing day, you were a memory fading away. With Katya's boasts, I became more and more desperate. I thought that if I could take you with one swell scoop, You'd be mine.

I'm sorry I thought you were playing hard to get, and so." Pyotr interrupted her and with her grip weakening, he pushed her carefully and slowly away from him. And gave her a passionate kiss to the lips.

She was petrified during the entire ordeal barely moved. Pyotr was saddened by the ordeal she went through. He was away and busy doing things for his family and state. But seeing her speak like this almost made him cry for he can't accept the sight of her crying.

After his kiss, he looked at her and saw her nearly crying eyes and said: "Why do you listen to that she-wolf, she's an opportunistic liar! Remember when we played tag and she lied to you five times, you were tagged a lot of times because she lied." He said mustering the manliest tone he has. " Didn't I promise to you when we were little? I never told the promise I made silently yet." He added.

He stood up with his face still a mess and gave her a hand. She complied and stood with him. She rested her hand on his shoulder, her head on his side, and said: "That silent promise when we were young, did you mean it?" He stood silently before looking at the clock and said: "We don't have much time, come on."

"No, wait! Please answer me." She said begging him to answer. He sighed and said: "Yes I did."

"Then why were you treating me like a sibling?" She replied. " The thought of you being unreachable is better than the thought of losing you. That's why I thought treating you like one would have been better than asking for your hand." He said stoically though trembles can be heard in his voice.

" Just remember Liebling, I always fulfill." He said softly.

"Can I wear my clothes now?" He said calmly.

"No." She replied as she took the clothes off his hand and added: " I like you better without this shirt, and hurry up we're gonna be late." This left him dumbfounded as she grabbed his hand and ran to the bus outside.

He entered the vehicle and noticed a bunch of devious eyes set on him, most were girls. Hector pulled him and whispered something in his ear. He then went to his seat where he noticed Erika chatting with Katya, and Katya giggled as she looked at his body.

He sat on the seat, his usual near the window. Erika sat near him and rested her head on his shoulder as he rested his on the glass window. He was wondering what Hector said a moment ago: "You finally got her yet?" As he replied: " Maybe."

He closed his eyes and tried to rest for a while. It was a rough day for him. Then suddenly he heard a whisper followed by warm air: "You will taste me soon enough Liebling." Chills rose to his spine as turned his head to see her up close and grinning, like an obsessive psycho.