Chapter Text
The fog is heavy, yet we still prevail.
…
That was what Sensei always said. What they always said. What we always said.
…
Because it’s true.
The crushing, tense pressure of the Fog of Topside meant nothing when compared with Underside.
Underside was our home. My home. I was raised in Underside, taken care of by Sensei, or as others would call him my dad, and my uncles along with my aunts after my mom ‘died’. The elders always said she had died. But I know the truth, we know the truth. She was lost to the fog, lost to wander to the Kraang. To wander to the Kraang to be ripped apart in front of my still young eyes.
I still remember that day, three years ago. We found her signal; they were so happy. But... it was a trap. Kraang Prime, as Sensei calls him, made us watch as he gutted her... torn her limb from limb. I was ten, I was young . Uncle Angelo covered my eyes, but by then it was already too late. I had seen what had happened.
…
Heh...
Even now I still cry and tremble thinking of it.
…
Since then, I’m not usually allowed to leave Underside, not allowed to wander too far into the darker, meaner side of Underside, nor to the unmapped areas as part of the exploration crew. Of course, Uncle Raph and Uncle Tello had convinced Sensei and Uncle Angelo to let up on that pressure. They had to get help from Aunt April and Auntie Sunita, though. Even then it took a lot of convincing to get my aunts on their side, as Uncle Tello said.
Underside can get boring, but never cramped. Even though there are hundreds of people working with the resistance along with other groups, who only ever stay in our haven for a few days at best, in Underside.
I’m excited to finally go Topside for the first time in three years. It’s a multi-day mission. Of course, Uncle Angelo is coming with me. They’re still worried about this, even after my constant reassurances that I’ll be okay.
…
My mission starts tomorrow.
I should sleep.