Arknights - Echoes Of The Unfound Dawn

AN: Seriously it's worse than i thought, ill fix 1 to 7 later myself after the story has 23? Chaps?. Anyway, hope enjoy this chapter and have a good day.

The night had fallen, and the city of Lungmen hummed with the usual life of its bustling streets. Xian found himself walking through the shadows, his footsteps quiet against the cobblestone path. The cool air cut through the fabric of his jacket as he made his way to the meeting spot, a quiet café on the edge of the city. It wasn't much—just a place where the locals gathered for a simple meal, but to Xian, it felt like a temporary haven from the madness of his life.

When he arrived, Ch'en was already seated at a corner table, her sharp gaze scanning the room as though she could spot a threat from a mile away. She looked as serious as ever, her posture rigid with authority. Despite the unspoken tension that always seemed to follow her, there was a familiarity in her presence. It made Xian's heart rate quicken, though not in the way he would have liked. He had learned quickly that Ch'en's presence could either be a blessing or a curse. Tonight, he hoped it would be more of the former.

Xian took a seat across from her, smiling faintly. "Evening."

Ch'en gave him a nod, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied him. "You're late," she said, but the words didn't carry the usual bite they might have. It seemed like her patience had stretched just a little farther since their last encounter.

"Sorry," Xian replied, shrugging off his jacket and settling in. "Got caught up with... life."

Ch'en didn't press him further, and instead, a waitress came by to take their orders. The meal was simple—some roasted meat, steamed vegetables, and rice. Nothing fancy, but it would suffice. As the food was laid in front of them, the air seemed to relax, and Xian could finally take a deep breath. After the tension of the past few days, he needed something familiar to ground him.

They ate in silence at first, Xian savoring each bite. The food was good—comforting even—and it allowed his mind to wander, momentarily freeing him from the whirlwind of thoughts that had been occupying it. But Ch'en wasn't the type to linger in silence for long, especially not when she had a purpose.

"So, Xian," she said between bites, "how are you feeling? After everything, I mean."

Her voice was softer than usual, almost casual, though her eyes remained as sharp as ever.

Xian paused, his chopsticks halfway to his mouth. He swallowed the food before answering, putting on a relaxed smile. "I'm fine," he said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "Just... taking things one day at a time."

Ch'en studied him carefully, her gaze unwavering. She nodded slowly, as though evaluating his response. "Hmm. Alright," she said, her tone unreadable.

Xian couldn't help but feel a little relief. The conversation shifted to lighter topics—simple things. They discussed the city, the food, the weather, even the various rumors floating around Lungmen. It felt almost like a normal evening with a friend—well, if you could call this normal. Xian could relax, if only for a moment, to enjoy the simplicity of a shared meal.

Ch'en wasn't one to make small talk for long, however. The fork paused midair, and then she placed it down with a soft clink. She folded her hands in front of her, her eyes growing more serious as she leaned in slightly.

"Let's get to the point," she said, her tone a little more direct now. "I need you to gather someone for me. There's a person I'm looking for—someone who may have information about the company you were involved with before it closed. The company that was linked to the illegal experiments... on humans."

Xian's eyes flickered, and he took a deep breath, trying to keep his composure. He had been prepared for something like this, but hearing it from her mouth made the situation feel more real. His stomach tightened, and he forced himself to keep his expression neutral, though his mind was already racing.

He was just about to take another bite of food when Ch'en continued.

"You might not know this," she said, lowering her voice, "but the technology used by that company—especially the power suits—was derived from highly illegal experiments. Those suits were not just simple weapons. They were born from Originium, designed to enhance human capabilities. But the side effects? Well, let's just say they weren't pretty."

Xian froze mid-bite, his chopsticks trembling slightly in his hands. His thoughts were suddenly clouded, his mind spinning like a centrifuge. The heat began to rise on the back of his neck, and his palms grew clammy. The sweat beaded along his spine, but he kept his face calm, trying desperately to keep his composure. He hadn't participated in those experiments, not really. He was just fascinated by the suit designs—hell, he even admired the one in the game he used to play. He had no idea they were based on anything... this.

He'd been talking about those suits purely out of interest in their design, their mechanics, the potential for improvement. He hadn't known the dark origins behind them. But now, hearing Ch'en's explanation, it felt like his worst fears were coming true.

Did they suspect him? Was he being linked to those illegal activities because of his interest in their designs? Could they think he was somehow involved, even though he had no knowledge of the experiments or the energy behind the suits?

His mind began to spiral, and his mouth went dry. He felt his throat tighten as the weight of the situation pressed down on him. Sweat trickled down his back as he tried to maintain his calm.

Ch'en was watching him closely, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Xian," she said, her voice sharp. "Are you alright?"

Xian jolted, his body stiffening as if someone had just shocked him with a jolt of electricity. He quickly recovered, but the flicker of panic was evident in his eyes. He cleared his throat, trying to act casual.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," he said with an awkward chuckle, though his voice cracked slightly. "Just... uh... thinking about something."

Ch'en didn't seem convinced. Her gaze lingered on him for a moment, scrutinizing him carefully. But she didn't press it further. Instead, she continued her explanation, though her tone had lost some of its usual sharpness.

"We've been tracking down the people behind those experiments," she continued. "It's been a long investigation. And the company you were working with... they were linked to some pretty dangerous people. If you have any information, I need it. Do you understand?"

Xian nodded, still trying to maintain his cool, though his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. I didn't do anything wrong. I didn't know any of this was happening. Just sketches, just harmless designs!

His stomach churned as Ch'en pressed on, and he could feel his pulse quicken. The questions were building in his head. What if they found out about the sketches he admired? What if they thought he was involved? What if they connected him to all of it?

Ch'en raised an eyebrow, clearly noticing the sweat on his forehead and the slight tremor in his hands. "Xian," she said, her tone suddenly stern. "What's wrong?"

Xian swallowed hard, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. He quickly thought of an excuse, though it sounded ridiculous even to him. "I—I'm just... worried about the future, y'know?" he stammered, trying to sound sincere. "I mean, with everything going on in the world, I... I just don't know what's gonna happen."

Ch'en stared at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she sighed and leaned back in her chair. "I don't know what's going on with you, Xian. But if you're involved in something, you better tell me now."

"I'm not," Xian said quickly, almost too quickly. "I swear. It's just... my mind's full of things. Future stuff. You know how it is."

Ch'en didn't buy it, but for the moment, she let it slide. She exhaled, then returned to the matter at hand, her focus sharp once more.

"Just stay on task. We'll get through this together," she said, her voice once again resolute.

Xian nodded, though his mind was a mess of swirling thoughts. Stay alive. Keep your head down. Don't get caught.

But deep down, a part of him knew that no matter how hard he tried, this was only the beginning.

---

The night air was cool as Xian stepped out of the restaurant, the heavy conversation with Ch'en weighing on his mind. He shoved his hands into his pockets, sighing deeply. His thoughts spiraled as he walked down the quiet streets of Lungmen, illuminated by the soft glow of streetlamps and the buzz of distant chatter.

"What if they think I'm involved?" Xian's brow furrowed, his steps quickening as the weight of Ch'en's words replayed in his head. "Even if I didn't do anything, I'm connected. If I get caught, what happens next? Prison? Or worse… experimentation?"

He shook his head, trying to push the thoughts away. "I need to stay calm. Freaking out won't help." His stomach growled, interrupting his grim thoughts, and he realized he hadn't eaten enough. The lively hum of the nearby district with food stalls caught his attention.

The aroma of grilled meat, sweet pastries, and sizzling noodles filled the air, giving Xian a brief moment of comfort. He wandered from stall to stall, picking up snacks and supplies for his late-night experiments. His mind shifted to something more productive: theories, ideas, and the next steps for his work. He paid for everything without a second thought, his arms now heavy with bags.

As he walked away from the stalls, the bustling crowd seemed to thicken. People moved in every direction, their conversations blending into a chaotic symphony of city life. Xian weaved through the crowd, barely noticing the small group of children darting around him—until he felt a light bump. He stumbled slightly but kept walking. Moments later, his hand instinctively patted his pocket.

His wallet was gone.

Xian's eyes narrowed, his mind snapping into focus. "The kids..." He turned, scanning the sea of people until he spotted a group of six children slipping into a dark alley. Without hesitation, he followed, his footsteps silent, blending into the shadows.

---

The narrow alley led Xian to the outskirts of the slums, a place where the city's bright lights faded into darkness. He crouched behind a crumbling wall, listening as the kids gathered, their voices carrying in the still night air.

"Alright, what do we got?" one of them asked, his tone excited.

"Enough for some food!" another chimed in, his voice full of childish glee. They exchanged their findings, laughing and chattering about what they would buy, their imaginations running wild. Names were called out, plans discussed—innocent dreams amidst a harsh reality.

Xian sighed. "They're just kids... but still." He straightened and stepped into the dim light. His presence cast a long shadow over them, and one by one, their chatter died as they noticed him.

Except for one.

A boy with a mop of unkempt hair kept talking, oblivious to the growing silence around him. "What's wrong?" he asked, turning toward his friends. When he finally saw their terrified faces, he froze, then slowly turned to see Xian standing right behind him.

"Ahhhh!" The boy let out a piercing scream and bolted. The others followed, scattering like frightened birds. But Xian was faster. He lunged forward, grabbing the closest one—a girl with dog-like ears and a tail. She squirmed in his grasp, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Let her go!" one of the boys shouted, charging at Xian with his tiny fists, followed by the others. They pummeled him with punches and kicks, their fury palpable. Xian held the girl with one arm, raising the bags of food with the other to keep them safe from the onslaught.

"Hey, hey, calm down!" he shouted, but the kids were relentless.

"Let her go!" they screamed, their voices filled with desperation.

Xian dodged their attacks as best he could, his patience wearing thin. "Listen to me!" he barked, his voice firm. The children paused, panting and glaring at him with wide, tear-filled eyes.

"Why did you steal my wallet?" Xian demanded.

"We needed it!" one of them shouted defiantly, though his voice trembled. "Like you'll understand. We don't have anything! No family, no home, nothing!"

Xian's grip loosened slightly as he looked at the girl. Her tail drooped, and tears streamed down her face. That's when he noticed it—a faint glimmer on her arm. His eyes widened.

"Is she... infected?" he muttered aloud.

The kids froze, their faces pale with fear. They clung to each other, trembling. The girl in his grasp whimpered, her ears flattening against her head.

Xian's mind raced. He recalled the plight of the Infected, the harsh discrimination, the suffering. And then... he remembered the events from the original timeline—the riots, the chaos, the inevitable invasion of Lungmen by Reunion. The image of a war-torn city flashed before his eyes.

This is how it starts, he thought, his heart sinking. He looked at the girl, her tears, her fear. These weren't criminals. They were just kids—victims of a world that had turned its back on them.

The girl sobbed, pleading. "Please... we didn't mean to... we're just hungry... we have no one."

Xian clenched his jaw, his thoughts tangled. What do I do? If I report them, they'll be taken away... but if I leave them, they'll starve or worse...

Finally, he spoke. "Alright, listen. I'll let you go... but on one condition."

The kids stared at him, their eyes wide with suspicion.

"You'll work for me," he said. "Help me out, and in return, I'll make sure you have food and a place to stay."

One of the boys, shaking with fear, shouted, "No way! You're just trying to trick us!"

Xian sighed, his patience tested. He shifted his grip on the girl, careful not to hurt her, and stared the boy down. "You think I enjoy grabbing kids off the street? Trust me, I've got better things to do."

The girl sniffled, her ears twitching. "We'll do it," she whispered. Slowly, one by one, the others nodded, though their fear didn't fade.

Xian relaxed his hold, setting the girl down. "Good. Now, my wallet?"

A boy hesitated before pulling it from his pocket and handing it over.

Xian pocketed it and exhaled deeply. He rummaged through one of the bags and handed them the food he'd bought. "Here. Eat something decent for once. And tomorrow, come to this address." He scribbled it on a scrap of paper. "If you don't show up, I'll find you—and I'll personally hand you over to the police."

The kids shivered, but they nodded, clutching the food. As Xian turned to leave, he waved over his shoulder. "See you tomorrow."

---

Walking back to his house, Xian couldn't help but feel a strange sense of relief. He'd handled the situation better than he expected. I needed some help anyway. Maybe this'll work out.

But in the back of his mind, the weight of the future still loomed. He was grateful, yes, but uncertain. What have I gotten myself into now?