Chapter Text
It's been a total of two months since the destructive doll festival. Luckily, the injuries of locals and soldiers alike were kept to a minimum; all thanks to Eishia's hard work. Her vital instrument, Type: Heal, allowed her to heal every injury with the power of electricity. Truly an admirable ability.
And due to the Cleaners having to work alongside the Hell Guard, Rudo: our beloved Spherite, was let off the hook after an interview about the basic appearance of the Sphere.
Both Enjin and Zanka fell into a coma, with Zanka having woken up after two weeks. The Hell Guard, or best said, his siblings, avoided him like a plague during their time at the Cleaner's Headquarters. Zanka did not know what he was expecting, maybe a get well gift? Albeit he knows that his siblings aren't the type to do such things.
Enjin was still in his coma, and even though he should be glad he was even alive and breathing, the boy couldn't help but worry about Riyo. See, she was the first one out of the three of them that were taken in by the elder man. And Zanka knows that the man had a soft spot in his heart reserved just for her. A bigger spot than anyone else could ever have.
He still remembers their first time spent together, Riyo's jealousy was evident, making Zanka pull away from the other two for some time. Even if his heart desired otherwise. Hell, she even had a gun to his throat one night.
Riyo had sat on his lap, immobilising him, and had the gun to his throat. They stared at each other, one's eyes filled with hatred and the other's filled with apathy for the situation.
"Aye, I ain't tryna steal him from ya, 'kay?" He remembers telling her.
He doesn't remember much from that night, only that their relationship was forced to improve from then on. Hell, they had even opened up to each other after that. Though Zanka kept his frustrations to a minimum, he lived life much better than Riyo did. He didn't deserve to voice out his frustrations, as he was the one to throw his own life away by being too comfortable in a world were comfort in a huge luxury.
Speaking of Riyo, she was curled up into a ball in Enjin's room, hugging the man's vital instrument: Umbreaker.
"I brought some food," Zanka spoke, watching Riyo's movement shift to look at him. "The kitchen said you weren't eatin' much, so.. I brought some food. You should eat somethin', even if it's a little bit."
"Is that going to bring Enjin back?"
"It's going to make him happy once he comes back."
...
"How would you know that?"
"I had injuries way worse, and I'm back, aren't I?"
"Then go ahead and switch places with Enjin, the place would be much livelier with you in that coma."
...
"Make sure you eat your food before it goes bad." He chooses to say, before he leaves the tray of steaming food with her.
In a way, she's right. After their battle with the Raiders, the place was livelier than it is now. Zanka was in bed, and everyone else had smiles on their faces. Well, including Rudo's attempt at smiling. His team even went on another mission without him and succeeded! All without him!
That Spherite managed to get a lead on his journey, and made numerous connections that will prove themselves useful to him. How about Zanka? Still stuck on square one. Hell, the guy had to be saved by his brother. The same person he tried to avoid that night. Ironic, isn't it?
Zanka went into his room and changed into a more appropriate fit, still keeping on his tassel earings even if it was part of his uniform. He'd have to ask August why the hell he made it part of thr uniform, but eh. Zanka likes it, so why complain? He spared a glance at Enjin's unconscious body, a pang of guilt hitting his now healed stomach as he walked away without even talking to the other. He hasn't spoken or even given anything to that man, unlike many others who's gifts are present on the table next to the man. Zanka swears he feels people judge him for that, even the Cleaners he's not spoken much to.
He needs to get out, the air here would asphyxiate him otherwise.
"Headed somewhere?" He hears Semiu's voice from behind him.
"Just for a walk. I'll be back before you know it." He says, not waiting another moment before making his way out the large doors, though he's sure the receptionist said something to him.
He was immediately met with large grey-yellow clouds. A constant reminder of the pollution he grew around, and most likely die around as well. Nothing about it is refreshing, but it's better than the depressing air in HQ. He puts his mask on, just to be safer.
The area around the building in cleared out, makes it easier of the big vans and other vehicles. Further than that? A whole different story. Black bags on top of bags on top of bags.. All filled to the brim with nothing but trash. It makes Zanka wonder just how the hell Spherites still have resources to produce all of that. He couldn't give a fuck less about the Sphere, but seeing all the trash really makes a guy wonder: do they even know we exist? Will they feel bad if they did?
Rudo mentioned that he never knew there were people in the ground, and that the only people ever thrown here from the Sphere are criminals. When asked about the crimes they've committed, the Surebrec said the most they do is either theft or murder. Zanka thinks that can't be it. Is that all they show to the public? But if it really is all there is to it...
then isn't the Ground way worse than the Sphere?
The Ground has multiple cases of human trafficking, manslaughter, arson, kidnapping, and even neglect of human rights. There are numerous children out there that die, not knowing if anything will ever be changed. There are orphanages out there, packed with children that die one by one. Areas dedicated to trafficking, kidnapping that are never solved. Why must they all blame the Spherites for their problems, when there are so many things that they themselves can improve? They barely survive in this environment, why must they attack each other?
The more he thinks about it, the more it hurts his head. This is why he rarely ever goes on walks, he thinks about things he probably doesn't understand.
Zanka doesn't realise the lack of light is due to nighttime and not more pollution until much later. He was thinking too much, typical Nijiku-family-failure behaviour.
Bzz...
"Zanka, where are you?" Semiu's voice breaks the silence he put himself in.
"Sorry sis, jus' got caught up in my thoughts. Be back in a bit."
"Hurry up, okay? Just because you're fully healed doesn't mean you can go out on your own at night." The call is cut short after that.
Zanka sighs before activating his vital instrument, it provided some extra light. His dumbass didn't even pack a flashlight. He should keep that in mind for the next time he decides he wants out.
He's so caught up in his own head, he doesn't even notice the frail old woman walking up to him until she poked his arm. "Uhm- Hello?" He choked out, after seeing her.
"Young man.." She speaks. "You're a cleaner, yes?"
"Uhm, yeah. I'm a cleaner. What, is there a trash beast near by?" He asks, lowering himself down to her level.
"Yes.. around three of them.. my son and I were just passing by when they stopped us in our tracks. Then I saw you and-"
"Don't worry, ma'am.." Zanka says, smiling under his mask. "I'll handle them, just show me the way."
True to her word, there were three small trash beasts wandering around aimlessly. Her and her son were parked nearby, as Zanka did as he promised. "Do they always have to be that loud??" He said to no one in particular when he finished off the last one. He looked around, it was really starting to get dark now. Semiu would be mad upset if he didn't come back that instant.
"Hey- uhm, I gotta go back. Stay safe out there." Zanka says, as he faced the... young lady? She was smirking and her.. son? Where was he?
...
Semiu was desprate, calling him on his choker a thousand times, trying to get some signal but to no avail. Hell, she even walked around the area, looking for him on her own. When natural light returned to the Ground, the woman was evidently exhausted. Though her 12-hour panic was momentarily brought to a stop when she heard August scream at the bottom of his lungs. "WELCOME BACK ENJINNNN!!!"
When she made her way to the infirmary, Enjin was sitting up on his bed, surrounded by cleaners and supporters. Her eyes dropped in despair when the faint hope of Zanka still being there vanished as soon as it came.
"Hey guys.. sorry for scarin' ya'll.." He said, patting both Riyo's and Rudo's messy hairs. August was on one side of the bed, going on a detailed rant on how everyone was too depressed for his liking. Follo was crying relieved tears, whilst everyone else were gifting 'get well soon' gifts. Eishia was checking his vitals one second and gifting her own gift in the next. And surprisingly, Amo gifted her very own small box as well.
After the commotion died out, she made her way to the bed, where only the children and the boss remained.
"Semiu," Arkha spoke, his voice clam as usual. "It's odd that you leave your desk this early in the morning. And you got eye bags, too. Did something happen?"
"Awe.. were you waiting for me to get up? How sweet of you!" Enjin joked.
The woman let out a long sigh. "Nah, I trust Eishia's work. However.." Her tone shifted. "I have some bad news."
The once joyful atmosphere was now tense. "Continue." Enjin urged, his grip on Rudo's and Riyo's hair tightening it's hold slightly. His voice also shook, his fear of Semiu's next words spiked.
"Zanka went out for a walk yesterday, late afternoon, I told him to come back safe, but...
He hasn't returned. Safe to say he's missing. He's not in the area."
"What?! What do you mean he hasn't come back?!" Riyo yelled, demanding for answers she knows she wouldn't get.
"That explains why he isn't here..." Enjin whispered, letting his suspicion be known.
Rudo and Eishia stayed silent while Arkha had shock written all over his face, maybe terror too. Semiu wonders if it's because he'd have to share the news to the Hell Guard, considering their reaction isn't predictable.
By the time the clock hit noon, news of Zanka's disappearance spread all over HQ. It's sad that the day that was supposed to be celebrated was turned into one of terror. Who knows what could've happened to Zanka, chances of death were extremely high. They broke into Zanka's room, desperate to find at least one clue.
Nothing. They found absolutely nothing. Hell, his vital instrument was also missing.
Rudo looked back at Zanka's room, it was a total mess due to the search. Riyo was in complete tears, sobbing in Enjin's arms. They were close, so he doesn't find it surprising. However, unlike Riyo, he felt.. weird. Like he was full, but he didn't know what he was full of. He watched the Hell Guard be notified, how Remlin, Guita, and ever Dear break down after hearing the terrible news. He wonders if Zanka would be mad if he didn't cry.
All his thought were brought to a halt when he made his way back into is room, surrounded by the trash he's collected during his time here. Everything he said he could fix, all of the things his heart swelled for, found worth in. Ah, he wouldn't even know of this ability id it weren't for Zanka..
Rudo choked out sobs before breaking down right there. The tears wouldn't stop, not at all. He stood there, clutching onto the hem of his shirt, before his senses were filled with a smell that was.. comforting?
He looked up just in time to see Amo before he was pulled into a hug. She too, was breathing heavily, maybe she cried as well? Rudo reciprocated the hug before letting his tears fall freely. Dammit Zanka, where the hell did you go?
The Hell Guard, specifically, Zanka's siblings a whole bunch of randoms, showed up the very next day. It's possible that they were here to investigate and nothing more, considering their relationship with Zanka, and that Zanka was now officially missing.
What Rudo didn't notice were how messed up Kyouka and Goka really looked. Instead of a neat appearance, it looked rushed, like they hurried up as soon as they got the news.
Arkha noticed, but didn't comment. Why would he?
Zanka was their little brother, after all...
Her chocker rang that morning, it was much earlier than she'd expect, so she was a tad bit confused.
"Hello?" She spoke, her voice as stern as ever.
"I'd like to report a missing person." It was Arkha's voice.
...
When the call cut, she was beyond shocked, you could say she was terrified even. Goka walked in almost immediately. "Sister?" He asked, confusion evident. She wonders just what expression she was currently making.
"Our little brother's missing." Her voice was not so stern anymore. It was shaky, cracked at the words 'little brother'.
"Zanka's..." He couldn't finish his sentence, he too was shocked. The possibility of death being over fifty percent doesn't make anything easier to take.
It took both of them a good five minutes to process the information. Zanka just barely survived the incident at the Doll Festival, now he's gone missing...
"Did they.. say anything else..?" Goka asked, finally breaking the silence.
She took a deep breath before speaking. "Ark-.. Corvus mentioned that he went missing yesterday, late afternoon.. He went on a walk to clear his head and hasn't come back since.. Their receptionist went out looking for him the whole night.."
"The whole night..." Goka repeated. "Should I gather everyone? It takes two days to get there.."
"Immediately," She spoke. "And maybe wash your face, you're crying."
Goka seemed shocked when he was called out, as if he didn't know that he himself was crying. It was 2-3 tears, but they were tears nonetheless.