The Creatures that We Are

“What?”

“This is only a dream.” Little Qing Ling turned around. “Look.”

The bonfire vanished before Gao Yang's eyes, along with the sky and ocean. In the absolute darkness, the Nine Scions and Twelve Zodiac Signs materialized, forming a circle around him. They looked at him with pitying smiles.

Then their voices rose in unison, an endless echo:

“How lucky you are, Gao Yang.” “How lucky you are, Gao Yang.” “How lucky you are, Gao Yang…”

Gao Yang wanted to stand up, but he couldn’t move.

Whoosh—whoosh—

Something terrifying lurked in the darkness—the air fish. They were approaching.

Whoosh.

Whoosh.

War Tiger vanished, his greatsword dissolving into shadow.

Whoosh—whoosh—

One by one, they blinked out of existence.

No! NO!

Horror gripped Gao Yang's heart, but his body remained frozen, his voice trapped in his throat.

The whoosh of dark currents grew stronger, more frequent. Air fish, countless of them, circling closer.

A gentle touch wrapped around his hand.

He turned. Little Qing Ling was still there.

Her smile was gentle and melancholy. “Gao Yang, the air fish are coming. Leave us and run.”

Tears burned in his eyes, but no words came.

Where can I possibly go?

“This is a game between you and air fish. To clear the stage, you must find the correct save.” Little Qing Ling spoke like she could hear Gao Yang’s internal thoughts.

What game? What save? I don’t understand!

“The save is the flaw. Find it before the air fish eat you.”

There’s no flaw! I tried. I couldn’t find it. I couldn’t!

“You will do it, Gao Yang.”

“Run, Gao Yang, hurry.”

Little Qing Ling gripped his hand. Then whoosh. Gao Yang was no longer holding anything. She was gone.

Whoosh. Gurgle.

The air fish emerged. Their eyes gleamed in the darkness, their gray forms barely distinguishable against the black void. They bloomed around him like deadly flowers.

Their cold, empty gazes fixed upon him, waiting.

…

Gao Yang slowly woke up.

He was back, to the other world.

He was back in the other world, lying on the sofa. Can sat all curled up at one end, hugging a pillow to her chest.

The sedatives left him feeling unnaturally calm, like a mirror-smooth lake. His movement rustled his clothes, startling Can from her light sleep.

Opening her eyes, she said blearily in a slightly hoarse voice, “You…awake?” She smiled sleepily. “That’s…good. I was worried that you wouldn’t wake up…”

Gao Yang's gaze fixed on her face, noting the angry red cut on her left cheek.

Can's fingers brushed it reflexively as she laughed. “I accidentally cut myself with my nail when washing my face.”

His eyes dropped to her hands. Every nail was cut short.

She balled her hands into fists. “Haha, that was why I trimmed all my nails.”

“I hurt you.” It wasn't a question.

“That's just how everyone is when the illness relapses," Can rushed to explain. "Little wounds are inevitable. I was in quite a state back then, too, and Captain took the brunt of my condition.”

“I’m sorry,” Gao Yang said.

“Eh, it’s fine.” Can assured him. “It’s nothing. You’re being a stranger.”

Gao Yang had no response to that.

Can’s gaze softened. “Captain said that all Jupiter Travelers are lonely. Our dreams keep a part of us. We always feel like we’re missing something even after waking up, which makes us feel out of place in this world. It feels like we’re orphans in a strange world.”

“But even though we’re lonely, we can still lead a good life. Human beings are more resilient than we thought we were.”

Gao Yang slowly looked up.

“Haha, why’s the conversation so serious all of a sudden?” Can reached out to pat Gao Yang on the shoulder. “I’ve graduated from my condition. Keep fighting, newbie. You’ll be able to…”

Before she could finish, the I Chip in the back of her hand started flickering. She immediately pulled her hand back and said, “Take the call.”

A small hologram popped up. Vermilion Bird was sitting on a cargo container in an abandoned factory, legs crossed and a cigarette between her fingers.

She had sent a pre-recorded hologram message to the whole group.

Vermilion Bird waved the hand holding a cigarette. “Fellow patients, we’ve got a gig. Come to the usual place in an hour.”

Beep—

The hologram disappeared.

“Hm…” Can stretched as she stood. “An hour. We still have some time. I’ll make you something. Let’s go after lunch.”

“I’m going as well?” Gao Yang asked.

“Of course.” Can laughed. “We’re companions.”

…

District 17, Moon City, an hour later.

This was the part of Moon City that most resembled a ghost town. Abandoned factories and half-finished buildings stretched in every direction, utilities long dead. Only the homeless ventured here, where even Neunet feared to reach.

Gao Yang rode the motorcycle Vermilion Bird left him to an abandoned factory, Can riding in the back.

They walked into the factory. All that met the eyes were prosthetic components, white broken humanoid shells, mechanical fluids congealed into blue jelly, and neural cables crisscrossing like the roots of an old tree.

“You’ve kept us waiting! Can’t even eat shit fresh, huh?”

Gray Bear lounged on a decommissioned motorcycle, tossing a robot's head between his hands.

“We aren’t late.” Can jogged over while smoothing her wind-swept hair. “And who’s going to eat shit?”

Xiran and Ronnie were fully focused on a green machine the size of a suitcase. It projected a holographic control panel as big as a piano. The two young men stood side by side, agile fingers moving around in concert like they were playing a piece together.

“Captain, this is Cloudland’s latest VR scenario simulator, Green Box. How did you get your hand on it?” Xiran adjusted his glasses with barely contained excitement.

“It’s from an old client as prepayment for the gig.” Vermilion Bird was sitting lazily on the same cargo container in the hologram message.

Footsteps echoed overhead. Gao Yang looked up to see Lithe Snake walking upside down across the ceiling. He flashed an OK sign to Vermilion Bird as he completed his circuit, installing micro sensors and jammers.

Vermilion Bird hopped off the cargo container, dusting her hands. “This is everyone. Let’s start the meeting.”

The team gathered as Lithe Snake dropped from above, landing on one knee.

Can whispered to Gao Yang, “Brother Snake was part of special forces before contracting the virus. His superpower allows him to walk on walls like a gecko. And he’s got cybernetic muscles implanted into his legs for great mobility. He’s the physical specialist on the team.”

“What about me?!” Gray Bear protested at Can's praise of Lithe Snake.

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