The Earth After Rebirth

Days came and went. The party was just a memory now, a beautiful memory Kiro relived over and over in his head. He spent most of his days holed up in his room, in Asgard. He could've used the pod gaming room but it was useless, he preferred his bed for now.

His beast rental business had spiraled out of control because of the game's popularity following the currency conversion announcement. He thought it was too bad that he could only tame 50 at once.

But there was nothing he could do about the slots. While it irritated them, people still waited. Most had already experienced what it was like having a companion that will not require a split of the rewards. So they kept coming back for more.

Hiro was also selling more than he was currently able to create. He even thought about taking an apprentice, but that failed when he saw how bad most of them were.

More players wanted to join After Dark for the benefits it offered. But Kiro rejected every one of them. He wasn't sure if they should take any more people. He was a force to be reckoned with even without Hubris.

He also didn't like the potential of being betrayed, that would increase the more they were within their group. So he put that on hold.

Everyone in the estate was doing their own thing now that they were settled and gotten used to living in such a house, or that they didn't have to worry where the next meal would come from.

The new additions were doing their jobs pretty well. Of course the kids were still required by their parents to at least clean their own rooms, which they didn't even complain about since they were used to it.

Freya finally got the hang of resting. Her stomach bump was finally showing but it was only by a little. Even though she was far into her pregnancy, which wasn't strange in the world they lived in. She was due the very next month.

"Ma'am, you should rest your feet up, it's no good sitting like that and claim you're resting." Angelina always worried and fussed over her.

"Nonsense, nonsense, I'm not an egg, I'm tough as nails."

Despite her protests, her feet still went up, Vada snickered and brought a light blanket for her.

There was nothing to do around the house, so they sat with her, kept her company. Gossiping and watching some shows on TV.

On the other hand, Waynworth Enterprise's creation was going steadily. Sekani had received his patents and the go ahead of mass producing their pods. They'd already built 6 plants, 3 in each of the districts excluding the upper.

The upper district would harbour their headquarters. He had initially thought about making 3 headquarters across the districts, but decided against it. The other districts would just have branch offices, less wasteful that way.

The work ahead made him exhausted to even think about. Hiring people wasn't a joke, extensive background checks would be needed.

He was half ready, he had already made several blueprints for each plant. He knew that, to delay even a little would make him miss out. He had insider information on Blakeson tech after all, their pod would be ready for sale in a couple of months.

He had to finish before then. So that he can compete with them head on. A slight delay would be disadvantageous for a new company like theirs.

He decided long ago to keep Kiro out of it for now. At least, force him into the company after he graduated school.

At least he wouldn't be alone when he's climbing the mountain that awaited him, Philip and Wilfred would help him with everything.

"Wilfred, have we gotten word from Silva about Raul?" He asked taking a sit in his new study.

"Not yet Sir." Sekani could sense the hesitation in his speech and eyes.

"Speak your mind." He demanded.

"In the future, I'd hope you'd trust me more Sir, I could've done the same job more fast and efficiently."

Sekani took a long look at him, he didn't seem like someone that dangerous. "Is that right, what else does the agency have to offer?"

He smiled shyly, "That..." He seemed to be thinking carefully of what to say next. "Those are skills I have acquired to survive the treachery of our world. I'm not proud of my youthful days but they were necessary to put food on the table for my family."

He took a long pause, his face appeared very bitter and full of regret. Sekani could tell the horrors he'd endured and inflicted. Even with him being evasive about what he did exactly, he just knew.

"I'm sure you're wondering how I've avoided punishment and gotten a job with the horrific past I carry on my shoulders, but that's just part of the set of skills I have. It wasn't easy, but it's doable. My daughter died you see, absolutely my fault.

"As ways to appease my guilt. I left that life behind and swore I would raise her daughter, as cleanly as I could."

"You've raised her well." Sekani complimented.

He wasn't one to judge. Given the chance, he'd have done worse things to ensure his family was alive and well. Wilfred's past didn't worry him, the fact that he came out and told him without being prodded proved that, he wanted to give him his loyalty.

Besides, the regret he seemed to carry around, the love he had for his granddaughter wasn't something that could be faked. Sekani always trusted his gut, so he did.

An atrocious sound came from his pocket, it was his phone ringing. 'I need to change that ringtone.'

Wilfred gave a slight chuckle.

"It came with the phone." He felt the need to explain even though he said nothing.

"Philip?" He answered.

"Hey there pops, the plants have been built, take a look."

He pointed his phone camera on a particularly large building, it look sturdy enough.

"Wait let me put experience mode." Philip frantically punched something on his phone.

Within seconds, it was as if Sekani and Wilfred were there in the plant with Philip. They couldn't touch anything, but walking around, seeing everything like they would if they were there in person.

Going inside, they saw a lot of machinery, already installed ready to be used to create their pods.

Sekani wanted the best of the best, he wanted the hardware to be sleek in design but also comfortable. He wanted it to be perfect. His software was perfect after all.

"Next up, interviews to hire employees. I've already put up ads, both on the streets and Internet." Philip reassured him.

Interviews would be conducted in each district, to make it easier for the citizens to reach without using money they didn't have.

"We will be there shortly." He took his winter coat and they both left the study.