2:14 PM || Cape Breton Highlands National Park, near the Ingonish area, on the eastern coast.

  I opened my eyes to see the faded grey leather backside of a bus seat half a meter in front of my face. I tiredly straightened my back, feeling the sweat coat the back of my shirt, which was orange and had “Breton Youth Reformatory” branded on both the front and the back. While fanning my shirt, I saw views of the Atlantic Ocean through the window down below, appearing after a steep downwards hill covered in short trees and grasses. The sun shone brilliantly, reflecting off the sapphire water, gently warming my face in the process.

  Compared to the artificial tunnels of New Halifax, it felt almost like a slice of heaven. Maybe only slightly less heavenly than cheesecake. But it was up there.

  Shifting my gaze, I observed the two other people on the bus. Like me, they seemed to be uninterested in talking, choosing rather to look out the window.

  I noticed they were wearing the same shirt as me. The person on the left, had well-defined muscles, the result of years of training and hard work, while the person on the right wore jeans and rubber boots, playing with a swiss army knife. Both looked cunning, as if they were planning the moves ten steps ahead in a game of chess.

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  However, I was tired of sitting in one place, and ignoring the robodriver’s complaints, I navigated my way down the rusty metal steps slowly towards the midsection while the rickety suspension made me feel every pit and bump the bus passed over.

  “Hey there! I’m Vexis, but you can just call me Vex. Pleasure to meet you!” I exclaimed to the person on the left, “What are you in for?”

  “Nothing good, obviously,” she began, deflecting the question elegantly, “Also, have you never heard of a comb before?” She shot a sharp gaze pointedly at my hair, which looked more like the silhouette of a hurricane. I had inherited my silver hair from my mother’s side, but I couldn’t bring myself to be disciplined enough to keep it tamed.

  I sheepishly smiled, using the pause to sit down two seats next to her - not out of politeness, but because she had arms as thick as a mattress, rippling with pure strength. I also noticed that she had a prosthetic leg. Judging from her build and her leg, it was clear that she was a Samurai, who were rare individuals who could kill antithesis aliens and obtain points, which could be exchanged for highly advanced weapons. They were selected by the Protectors, an ancient civilization engaged in battle with the antithesis, and it meant that Earth, to them, was simply a proxy site for their war.

  “Hah, I guess I haven’t,” I laughed.

  We jerked forwards as the bus came to a stop.

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  ANTITHESIS WORSHIPPER KAELRIC VEXIS

  WARNING - INCURSION STARTING IN TWO MINUTES

  YOUR OBJECTIVE - KILL THE TWO PEOPLE ON THE BUS

  GIVEN - 1x

  PENALTY - DEATH

  Your continued support is important to us! Please send any questions or suggestions to your closest antithesis hive. Have a great day!

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