ravenousclaws-blog

[ravenousclaws-blog]

It's your lowest, your worst, your finest hour.

Sleeping on the car wasn't the best thing, either. They had managed to convince Kazuo to stay, although they were not able to fully convince the other male about their circumstances now... but that was alright. He wouldn't believe either, but with time they'd give up in trying to find another possible explanation.

It seems he wasn't the first to wake up, finding Noah absent from the van. There was some food they had brought with them, so Kuro couldn't think of a reason for why the other had to leave so early in the morning. Thinking too much about it wouldn't bring anything, so it'd be best if he just dealt with the situation at hand for now. Kazuo seemed better and more cheerful at night, and they were sure he could start trying to walk properly the following morning. It was time for them to check if their assumptions were true. 

- "Hey" He gently touched Kazuo's shoulder on the back seat, unsure if he was going to wake up instantly. He repeated the act, now a bit more intently. "Kazuo.

... Wake up, Kazuo."

They did need to talk, and decide what to do for the day. 

- "...Ah. You're awake. How are you feeling?"

Just what was Noah doing at a time like this, though... 

[ravenousclaws-blog]

He didn't say much during their walk back, nor gave a direct answer to Kazuo's question... pretending he was more focused on carrying the other male to answer this properly. In his mind, there was no reason for Kazuo to know. They could lie, raise suspicion... but there was no certainty that they would ever see him again, so no harm done. It was the safest way around this, even if not the most lawful one. 

He gave Noah a quick glance once they were in the car, still keeping his silence. He followed his eyes to their keys, understanding immediately. Of course he couldn't share the feelings, but Noah still had his parents.

... No, it'd be better to just simply say 'once had'. For a quick instant he had imagined death by drowning, sleeping and looking at your surroundings quickly filling with water, if not electrocuted by nearby apparels... a terrifying concept. It was obvious his partner didn't think that far, brooding over the loss rather than visualizing what really happened. He wouldn't really dare to, it was far too cruel. 

What Kuro could offer was his silence over their deaths. He wasn't heartless, and Noah's parents acted as if he was their own son, always happy for taking care of that blonde airhead... but there was nothing that could be done about this now. 

If they took care of their job quickly and without disclosing information, then perhaps this could be averted someh--

...

"Kazuo-kun… there’s something Kuro and I are about to tell you; it may seem unbelievable, or crazy even, but it’s the best explanation you’re going to get right now… Forgive me if it comes across as too much for you to handle…"

Well, god fucking damn it. He knew there was a chance that this would happen, he just wasn't believing that Noah would be so stupid as to-- Kuro practically slapped his own forehead in disbelief and embarrassment. Now he had fucking done it. 

What Noah didn't realize is that by doing this he was involving Kazuo in all this mess, and from the point that he knew the truth onwards he'd need to be by their side. 

Was it really that problematic just to dump that kid somewhere else and be done with it? Did his friend _really_ see the need to make things more difficult for them? Probably the thought never crossed his mind. Moving a bit on his seat, he chose to keep looking at Kazuo's eyes as he started to speak. Perhaps it'd be better to make his words sound true this way. 

- "...It's a hasty decision, but please try to believe it. What he will tell you is a ridiculous and a somewhat impossible history. 

But I've known Noah for years, and he never said a lie. Not even once.

... Well, if you come to doubt it that much, you can just look up to the sky. It'll make sense then."

A short pause. If revealing the truth was the only way, then it'd be better to be as quick and blunt he could, Noah would soften the hit later. He wasn't involved in the details as much as the other was, anyway.  

- "To put it simply, we're underwater. Good news is that there is a way to fix this whole mess.

Bad news is that Noah will be the one to explain it to you."

And the fact that they had a time limit, their oxygen supply could simply cease to exist, this could all go wrong, the electricity might never be back up, etc, etc. But he was only there to deliver the initial shock. 

Or perhaps the most ridiculous story Kazuo has ever heard in his whole life. It didn't matter much anyway. 

Day 1

At the rather casual introduction, Noah gave a friendly wave of his hand, still holding a pleasant smile as he and Kuro coaxed along the overtly gentle conversation. It was really out of place in the current setting, but just because the world was on he verge of extinction didn’t entail that they couldn’t keep their manners right? He was watching them, and surely, along with Noah’s own morals, would appreciate to treat the common man as such. There was no longer any established order, yes, but they couldn’t revert back to their cruel, primal instincts just yet—they had to rely on one another to survive efficiently. Besides, Noah felt partially responsible for all of this—even though he had saved everyone in Tokyo, he had also imprisoned them. And he would do his part, starting with this young boy.

"Ahaha, do we seem that calm? We’re just a couple of odd balls I guess you could say… But we’ll make sure you get somewhere safe, Kazuo-kun. At least until your leg will cooperate."

Looking to Kuro, whom was already helping Kazuo to his feet, Noah gave a nod as they made a sluggish trek towards their parked van a few more blocks away; It was pitiful, knowing that the younger was in pain because of an indirect injury like this—in fact, how many others were doomed to suffer in this great transition? Kazuo was but one in a sea of people—surely there was far worse to come. It was inevitable… but Noah kept from thinking too much upon the guilt and pressed on. There was simply no time right now. Luckily there had been no exterior damage done during the panic and everything was in tact once they arrived at their vehicle; It was apparent that they would most definitely have to be careful of the frantic bodies moving about and drive with utmost precaution. They couldn’t afford to let anymore accidents happen, especially of their own accord. Loading Kazuo up comfortably in the back seat, Noah seized the driver’s side, pulling out his keys and revving up the engine. And for a small split second, he realized it--he wouldn’t have a use for their apartment key anymore, or the spare for his old home—the home of his parents’ residence. They were but mementos now, a sad curve spreading upon his lips in one final understanding. You have to let go of those things now; You have a big job to do… The van all warmed up to go, Noah looked over to his partner on the side passenger seat to his immediate left and sighed. What was the point in hiding their activities? Really, it would only serve to make them look like the villains here with keeping such secrecy—-There was really no helping it now: Everyone, eventually, would have to come to learn the state of the world and what was happening within the Firmament. Kazuo would simply be the first. It was as simple as that. "Kazuo-kun… there’s something Kuro and I are about to tell you; it may seem unbelievable, or crazy even, but it’s the best explanation you’re going to get right now… Forgive me if it comes across as too much for you to handle…"

[ravenousclaws-blog]

"Oh, how great."

His tone was full of sarcasm, but knowing Noah... he would've never noticed it. Unless Kuro told him that he wasn't being serious. These news weren't comforting in the slightest, but he'd have to do. The idea of Noah's blind faith was unnerving when he considered that he was carrying the weight of the whole place in his shoulders... 

... the most unreliable leader they could've ever ask for... although he knew his friend would make the right decisions, staying away from him would just end in Noah getting killed somewhere. Not the best idea considering he was the only hope they had for this situation.

- "So if we fail, we will have literally nothing to breathe anymore, asphyxiate to death or probably we will just drown?? Seems like The Guy had everything thought out perfectly, giving you vague directions and just never getting the blame if things do go wrong. Huuuh... amazing.

The fact that we are alive is just complete coincidence then, if things are fated to go as you say."

It was making him get overly suspicious of their situation. Not the people around him, but the fact that... if 'God' had the power to protect them, then why he was making them go through such things? More important than that, he could've explained things better. 

But then again maybe it was Noah that never asked for this kind of information. That was alright, too. As he said yesterday, if things go wrong they die. There's nothing special about it. Only people attached to life would mind giving it up to such a calamity. It hangs above their heads, threatening to break anytime soon... 

No matter. Something else got Kuro's attention -- or rather, the lack of? Noah ran to help a random boy on the street, and that wasn't something unusual, really... 

... except that bringing someone along when they were going to do something about this apocalyptic situation would do nothing but raise suspicion. Good going, Noah. 

- "..."

A sigh. He approached both of them, analyzing Kazuo for an instant. He wouldn't leave him alone, either... kneeling down after hearing that it was not enough to walk, he gave himself a moment before speaking again.

- "If that's okay with you, we can take you somewhere safe. I can't really carry you, but I can support you. Staying here will only make things worse, and that won't do."

His tone was gentle, and he even offered a smile to the younger male... although no real warmth could be felt. Same could be said for literally all up until now, but it wasn't something noticeable, nor something that would ever fall on the eyes of anyone, ever. Knowing his friend, even if Kuro said that 'he'd drop this stranger somewhere safe, he'd insist that he accompanies them until he is healed'. Or something like that. 

- "... If you accept it, then I guess I'll have to know your name? I am Kazuhiko Kuro, and the blonde there--" he gestured with his head to Noah "-- is Noah.

Although it is a really weird circumstance, it is nice to meet you."

He already knew they'd end having to bring him along, anyway. At some points, Noah was scarily predictable. 

Day 1

"Good question; always attuned to the situation, yeah, Kuro?" Noah’s smile stuck like glue as he nodded to the other, always appreciative of his adept observational skills—that or just well off noticing the obvious, something that Noah himself often overlooked.

It didn’t take long for him to provide answers, however—everything was all well thought out and under heavy consideration. And though there were no definite results or time constraints (Noah was filled with simple estimations and speculations at best) they were better than nothing. He had been more worried about the processes than anything else; Besides, how could one carry out a plan successfully if the beginning steps cracked under their weight? This was the bare foundation of which they had to continue standing on, after all! "Hey, don’t look so glum, it won’t be a large task," the blonde gave it his best to keep a reassuring tone, all the while patting his partner playfully on the shoulder. "—we just need to fill the tanks with some fuel and give the cables a jump start and they should be running just fine. For how long, I’m not exactly sure, but we’ll make do.

"Given the size of the perimeter.. the oxygen content should last us around a week or so; maybe even a little more than that. We don’t need to worry immediately, especially considering I’ll be wanting to finish that as soon as possible…. As for the weather…" Noah trailed off at this point, taking a deep breath as he shrugged his shoulders. “Hm, without the sun’s heat we’ll probably be feeling something a little below the norm for summer—maybe autumn even. Good thing we layered up, huh? The logic was simple common sense—stuff they’d learned back in their mandatory education days, but it was still relevant. The lack of the usual seasonal warmth had been a smaller detail Noah hadn’t been able to solve or provide a solution for—he simply couldn’t do the work that mother nature had once supplied. As long as the conditions didn’t become too unbearable, then they could survive. They’d have to tough this out, at least. "Jests aside, we’ll be exposed to a momentary mass panic; as soon as we get the generators running, we’ll have to reassure the public with some information. We need to lead them in their time of need…" Again, the lack of any sort of previous leadership experience was alarming for Noah—he still lacked many the confidence points in this division, but with the responsibility of humanity’s survival on his shoulders, his own deficiencies could not be given the time of day; he was a figure head now, a messenger of His will or what have you. He had to lead his people to salvation, no matter what kind of murky waters they’d end up treading through. "C’mon. We should get to the truck now. Getting to the generators would take too much time by foot… besides, you could rest a bit, seeing as how I abruptly pulled you out of your beauty sleep." Noah spoke in the gentlest tone he could, sincerely apologetic for forgetting how easily perturbed the other became when disturbed while sleeping. Whether or not he would accept this offer, taking a vehicle to their destination would be more convenient regardless. Making their light jog through the bustling streets of Tokyo to the spare parking garage not too far from their apartment complex, a bustling group of mobile bodies was making their way away from the middle intersection, crossing over in a chaotic fashion as men and women were pushing and shoving themselves in order to get ahead of the crowd. In the process, however, Noah took note of a poor boy getting shoved viciously out of the way, falling on his backside as the passerby around him proceeded to either continuously brush against or step all over him. A completely inhumane and cruel display if anything; more than enough to stop Noah in his tracks. His first instinct was to just head over there and check over on the younger, wordlessly leaving Kuro’s side as he made a detour across the street and rushing over. The boy’s bowed head of silvery white locks hid a scrunched expression, tenderly holding onto his lower leg; He looked to be in some uncomfortable pain—nothing severe, a sprain or pull at best—but Noah could be compassionate. That was the key here. "Hey, are you all right? Can you stand…?"

[ravenousclaws-blog]

It'd be better if an earthquake was happening instead of Noah. At least he could hide and prevent more disasters from the earthquake. His friend, on the other hand...

... it was a violent start to his day, to say the least. He still felt groggy(he ended up staying late keeping the other company, seeing as Noah practically refused to sleep that day), body mostly unresponsive as his mind refused to wake up. Well... if they were alive, that's a start. He was always slow at mornings, so to keep up with such a pace was almost overwhelming.

To keep up with such cheerfulness because the world was ending was even more exhausting, but he had to deal with it somehow - although the way Noah kept praising God set him off. It wasn't as if He did much, right? The ones getting in real trouble and going through this was the two of them, mankind... not whatever deity was up there.

Whatever.

- "...After that, what comes next?"

He was feeling a bit more awake, so it'd be best to ask about what they'd do for the day. As long as it wasn't something ridiculous, he would follow without any major complaints... 

- "...No, to begin with, how we will start them up?

... How are we still having enough oxygen in the first place?"

Answers that would only be given when they started walking towards one of said generators. It made him feel sick to his stomach, being in such an unknown situation. The fact that Noah still was so hyped about this...

Kuro didn't understand it. He simply couldn't. Another detail that he noticed is the violent contrast between the weather today and yesterday. His coat seemed to be killing him yesterday, but today... he was glad he brought it.

- "It's cold. It doesn't feel like summer anymore..."

... What really was going on?

Day 1

Noah could barely sleep a wink that night, having stood up to the peek of dawn just regrettably fretting over the ordeal that was about to pass over them all. He could still feel his fingers curled around the cold mug of coffee as his head rested uncomfortably at the kitchen table. He couldn’t dream, his mind was just too preoccupied with stuff—drifting between conscious and unconscious and rinse and repeat. It was probably at the height of morning though, when a rain of screams and various panicking noises of traffic sounded right outside of the sink window, like the Doppler effect, jostling Noah completely awake with a start. Pulling out of the stiff chair whose legs gave a low groan as they pushed back against the linoleum padding, Noah’s hair stood on end, clumsily adjusting his glasses—His expression livened in mere seconds, as he could not believe his eyes. Outside. It was dark, but unusually so—the murky texture of the surrounding waters had been stopped right in their tracks as the barrier held strongly—-He had done it; He and Kuro had done it! “Kuro…. Kuro! Get up quickly! Hurry!“ Rushing to get on his blazer, the blonde moved over to the other whom was resting at the other end of the table and shook his shoulder vigorously; nearly fumbling his way across the small apartment to get his shoes. “Kuro!!” Opening the front door, Noah was met with the unpleasant tension filling up the hallway, the other tenants rushing out, screaming or nervously murmuring to themselves as they took what little important valuables and suitcases with them. How bad was it out there?! Had there been any breaches? The anxiety was killing him! Waiting until Kuro was at his heels and ready to depart, Noah never felt his feet move so quickly before, rushing past fellow neighbors and familiar faces of the apartment building as he made his way downstairs, eagerly seeking the closest exit—what happened, what had happened, what was the state of their world now— “Kuro…” Taking a few weak steps forward and down the back porch, Noah’s blue optics grew twice their usual size as he raised his arms in gesturing emphasis of the sight before them. “Kuro look…! It worked! The Firmament has protected us all!” Indeed, the magic barrier had been flawlessly executed, holding back the tremendous waves that had now submerged all of Tokyo completely. He couldn’t even begin to imagine how far down they were beneath the depths of the flooding, but considering that no sunlight was physically visible… well… they should be thankful that they were at least secured from this great wrath for now. 

“I never should have doubted Him… This is all a miracle!” His words just kept pouring out, excitedly in relief, giving a nervous chuckle all the while. He didn’t even know where to begin next, musing a hand through mussy golden locks as the nearest street lamp flickered incessantly. Ah…. of course; The lights! The power! “Right, right.. I almost lost myself for a moment there—c’mon Kuro! We have to start up those back up generators! Or else the city will be in perpetual darkness…”

[ravenousclaws-blog]

... Whoa. And there he goes with that stuff again. His smile turned into a brief laughter upon hearing the other, quickly putting one of  his hands over his mouth - it'd do them nothing to get caught when the purpose of it was to run away at this very moment.

- "You know what... you should be saying these things to your girlfriend. Not to me."

Not that Noah had one, anyway. But he had to wonder if this guy had any idea on how powerful words could be, especially ones like that... well, he was always like this. Never knowing that what he said could cause trouble for himself and for people around him... typical.

- "Yeah. Let's get out of here already, this place is starting to creep me out."

You'd think he'd get used to abandoned places at this rate, the most secure places they could think to plant these boxes... but honestly, it never stopped being unsettling.

---

"Escaping"-as he'd have worded it- was easier than he thought. Maybe whoever was supposed to look over this place was so bothered by the heat that they thought it was a bad  idea to just walk around without a goal... figures.

Speaking of which...

- "... Is the weather something planned, too? Actually, do you know how it will happen at all? Or are you just in the dark as the rest of us?"

They settled for just traveling doing nothing. As to where, Kuro simply mumbled "wherever you want to go, I don't really care", so his destination was something that he didn't really care to know at all. If they had to be prepared for this upcoming disaster, then... 

... Didn't he had the right to know, too?

Day 0

“Eh! K-Kuro, if that was the case, you should’ve just told me..haha..”

The blonde coughed awkwardly, adjusting his glasses clumsily with his forefingers—he always did so in reflex whenever he was feeling sheepish—and gave a light, anxious laugh. He was very aware of the history of his own work ethics—having even done reckless things such as pulling an all-nighter or two in a row or writing until his fingers nearly bruised from gripping the pen too tightly; if the other hadn’t told him anything at all, he would’ve continued into the night and past dawn (and then some perhaps)… But glancing back at the firmament box below, he couldn’t quench his uneasiness. By planting numerous rounds, he could assure more peace within his quailing heart—There were so many things that could still go wrong: a miscalculation here, an anomaly there, perhaps even just eminent failure at that. Considering the time of day, a few more wouldn’t have hurt, placing some back ups in more tentative areas but—

“Hrm.. you’re right,” Noah’s shoulders heaved forward as he slackened his tensed muscles; his back was absolutely killing him now that he was standing upright. “I should stop stressing over it. But… despite my confidence in His word, I just…” -A deep sigh. No, no. Stop being wishy washy with your decisions! You need to be a leader now; You need to be confident and reserved! Running a hand through his messy curly locks, Noah collected himself and shook away the lingering negatively clinging to his mind. After a moment he was able to calm himself some and managed a sincere smile back at Kuro (who had offered him one in turn). It would have to do for now though it was easy enough to say they were both still weary of any sudden attention they might receive from trespassing as such… It would probably serve them well to begin their departure. “Never mind, never mind. It’s as you said, we did our best and that’s what counts,” he admitted under his breath, gathering the rest of his work tools. “Heh, if the world does end tomorrow, I wouldn’t have minded having spending my last moments alive with you, honestly.” It was an innocent remark—Kuro was like family to him after all; precious and very much respected. Where the world would have discerned him and called him a mad man, the other stuck to Noah’s side closely and loyally, something more important than all the riches in the world. Of course, if their misfortune was that strong and they somehow were just fated to die from the start, there would be a lingering regret somewhere within Noah, possibly due to the fact of old promises left unfulfilled. That and the death of his best friend and the human race. “—Is the coast clear?”

[ravenousclaws-blog]

It was an absurd idea - still was, and at times he wondered if his friend was still sane. The answer to this question was yes, knowing that Noah never lied to him. He could omit things - wounds, feelings, believing that he should not be burdened by such things -, but never lie. That it was why it was so easy to believe in such a ridiculous message, such a delirious idea.

He said nothing about it, and assisted the other without complaining. They had been working on this for months, finding safe places that could become good hiding places for the machinery Noah created (and then planting those and being able to escape, which was the most difficult part)... and their spare time seemed to be reaching its end. Ominous, really. 

It was ominous, because things were absolutely the same as they always were. Nothing changed, not the weather... and not people, either. 

- "...We are about done. You actually already filled it a while ago, but I let you keep on working just in case."

Something he was sure the other would've never imagined. A good thing about "Noah" (as he wanted people to call him from now on, not even letting Kuro be an exception to the seemingly silly nickname) was that he was highly predictable. He put people's safety - others as his priority instead of himself. Annoying, but getting one step ahead of him could prevent such things. Letting a smile surface on his previously blank expression while shoving his hands on his coat pockets (ignoring the sun and the heat, he insisted on wearing it. It was a gift, after all), swift steps taken until he got really close to the blond man--

- "So that means your work is done. Our work, for that matter! If you spent your last peaceful day working on these things, I think I'd go crazy. And you'd get really  gloomy.

Actually, I think you're about to. 

If it works, it works. If not, we all die. That's all there is to it, so stop worrying about things too much."

... Not the best advice ever, but considering his usual approach at things, this could be considered almost cheerful. 

- "Come on, this is my day off and the last day I will get to relax ever. If you think I'm going to sit my ass and just go God's work all day long you're waaaaay damn wrong."

If this was all true and if they could all die and if he could lose the few things that still existed to him and were still precious...

... maybe cherishing them today was better. He wasn't scared, perhaps apprehensive was the best word for this... clicking his tongue, he added with a hurrying tone.

- "Let's get out of here before we get caught."

Day 0

“Almost done here…” Noah was enthusiastically tightening a series of bare metal wiring with a strong pair of pliers and his bare fingers, cringing as his clumsily pricked the tip of his thumb on a copper point. Despite the few technical difficulties, it was of no pressing issue when the fate of humanity was at stake. Heck, lopping off a finger or two would have been no large sacrifice, but if he could refrain from getting himself maimed in the process, that would be most appreciated too. Finally getting the circuits connected, Noah closed up the back of the small quadrate looking piece of machinery and firmly pushed it into the wet cement filled hole before him until all sides but the main breaker were firmly secured. Perfect! Having chosen to use a foundation was clever and it would keep from any sort of uprooting that could accidentally occur. Brushing off his knees, the blonde stood with a proud huff, looking over his work once more before turning to his companion beside him, taking an absent-minded lick of his stinging thumb all the while. “How many more did we need to meet the actual quota, Kuro..?” They had already finished up planting so many that he really should have kept better tabs on the quantity; though he had just wanted to place a few more extra around the desired perimeter just in case. But first things first—they needed to take care of what was necessary. The devices Noah was setting up though—the firmament boxes—were his own home made invention, powered by the tools and knowledge presented to him by God and his faithful servants. With what he could do in his current state of flexibility, he inspired to create a barrier that would be able to prevent any harm from breaching of Tokyo in its entirety. It was a real damn shame, however, that they couldn’t have worked quickly enough to shelter a few more cities, but they were basically down to their last few scraps of time… it was definitely better than nothing. He was just hopeful in that His trusted words would be able pull through and protect them all when the timing was right.

Albeit, most importantly, where would Noah even be if not for the wholesome support from his childhood friend? Having believed his wild experience as a chosen one from God… he was grateful to have someone so precious during this great moment of need… “Ah, sorry, by the way, for having pulled you along to come help me on your only day off… I know how exhausted you must be from the busy work week… If you get too tired, you can head home ahead of me.”