Descendant of Sloth Chapter 2: The World Around Me

The city stretched endlessly before , buzzing with a life I had never seen before. The constant hum of movent, the rush of cars, the clatter of voices, it was overwhelming in a way that made feel both confused and oddly intrigued. People, everywhere, walking with purpose, eyes glued to glowing screens, so laughing, others talking in groups. But there was sothing else, sothing that stood out: they were all using powers. Or at least, many of them were.

I slowed my pace, watching as a man waved his hand and a gust of wind picked up, lifting his papers into the air. He laughed as they floated around him, almost like an act. Nearby, a woman levitated a bag of groceries into the air with a simple thought, while a small child made sparks fly from his fingertips, creating arcs of electricity in the air. I blinked, taking in the spectacle.

"So now they are allowed to use their strength freely?" I muttered to myself, eyes narrowing.

The mories were hazy, but the old laws, the kings and queens, the fear of overstepping bounds—they all punished those who used their power in public, especially for personal gain. They had executed those who abused their gifts. Yet here, it seed normal. Accepted, even.

I sighed, pushing the thoughts aside.

Good to see a more pleasant environnt, at least.

The thought didn't sit right, but I had no answers yet. And answers—well, they were becoming all I cared about.

I continued walking, trying to get a better feel of this strange new world I found myself in. The street was wide, bustling with people moving quickly in all directions. My shoes made a sound on the smooth concrete.

Suddenly, there was a loud honk* I turned just in ti to see a large, sleek car speeding toward , its engine roaring.

I froze for half a second, my mind racing, thinking if it wants to attack or just wants to pass away. The car was going too fast. There was no ti to think, only to act. I jumped back, narrowly missing it. The car turned, missing by inches, and screeched to a halt.

I exhaled but didn't let myself dwell on it. The car's driver was honking and yelling sothing, but it was all distant noise now. My senses were already focused on sothing else.

I walked along the sidewalk, forcing myself to steady my thoughts and adapting to this current world as fast as possible, focusing all my energy to observation of every detail and decisions that was happening around by the people.

I found a street corner where a red light blared brightly, and instinctively, I stood still. When the light changed, I followed the others and crossed, careful not to step into the moving traffic.

So, they used lights. Had so basic rules. I glanced around at the massive vehicles. The cars—what did they call them here? Cars? They were large, smooth, shining tal beasts. And buses.

Buses that almost ran over, apparently.

But then there were the people. They were using money too, in a way that felt familiar and unfamiliar all at once. As I passed by a store, I saw soone pay with sothing—a paper, of so sort. Not coins. No, it wasn't just coins anymore. Paper.

They used paper for transactions? I leaned closer, studying it from afar. There was a picture of a figure—who was that? An old leader? A historical figure? It didn't matter. I didn't have one of those bills. "I have nothing" I thought, feeling a strange feeling in my chest.

I continued my walk, more aware now of the people around . I was..just a stranger. Everything here was so different, so much more... complex than the world I rembered. People lived so comfortably with their powers. It was both a marvel and a mystery.

Then I passed by a grocery store. The scent of fresh bread hit my nose, and I realized I hadn't eaten in who knows...how long. My stomach growled, reminding of how little I had cared for the passage of ti when I had been lying in slumber. Ti seed irrelevant, but hunger, hunger was real.

Without thinking, I entered the store. No one seed to notice , too caught up in their own purchases. The shelves were full, so full of food, enough to fill for days. My eyes scanned the rows of items.

Finally, I spotted a pack of sandwiches near the counter. A quick glance told that no one was paying attention, and in the blink of an eye, I was standing on the other side of the aisle, holding the sandwich.

I unwrapped it without hesitation and took a bite.

It was... good. Mmm. Simple, but satisfying.

I was in the process of chewing when I noticed movent outside the store.

A mother, her arms outstretched, running down the sidewalk, screaming sothing, her voice filled with panic. "Billy! Billy, no!"

I narrowed my eyes, watching. A little boy—Billy, I presud—was walking carelessly down the street. His back was turned, and he didn't see the massive bus coming his way. The bus, going full speed, was too close.

A girl jumped in as she appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, rushing toward the child too.

"Watch out!!!" She yelled and reached the boy.

She grabbed him, lifting him out of harm's way. But the bus, too fast, was already on a collision course with them.

Without thinking, I leaped, the world blurring around as I moved with a speed I hadn't used since ages and in the blink of an eye, I reached them

CRASH!!!

It slamd into .

The world erupted in a flash of light and then the dust lifted in the wake of the impact, and I stood there, perfectly still, the sandwich still in my mouth as I chew it.

"You okay?" I ask, abruptly.

"Hmm yeah..." she said, as we both stared into each others eye for a mont.

"Oye! You okay??" The bus driver scread.

The girl and the boy—both frozen, staring at in shock.

I stood, the dust settling around , and continued chewing my sandwich, almost casually. People began gathering around, murmuring, unsure of what had just happened.

One of the bystanders, a man, stepped forward. "Hey! Are you alright? You— you just got hit by a bus!"

I looked at him briefly, then at the girl still holding the boy. Her eyes were wide, her mouth slightly open. The boy was staring up at , wide-eyed even though his mother ca rushing to him and hugged him.

I didn't answer. I simply walked away, the sound of the crowd's confusion behind .

I walked a few steps, the sun warming my back, the world around continuing to expose itself to . It was strange, being a part of this world but so far removed from it at the sa ti.

"Hey.." A girls voice faintly rang behind .

"Hey wait!" She said again, her voice a mix of curiosity and urgency as she ran towards closing the distance between us.

I stopped on my track and turned behind to look at her.