Day Two: Evening

[Android 17]

Although they were now traveling in a much larger party consisting of a bunch of faces familiar to the android, Seventeen and his saiya-jin ally had made an effort to keep themselves distanced from the other warriors. It wasn?t because of anything they had against the others, but in the end, the two just didn?t favor moving in tandem with such numbers.

Traveling a few yards away from the bulk of the conglomeration, the two allies kept silent as they slowly made their way through a relatively thin patch of trees. Every few moments, they would glance over at Yamu and his company to ensure that the bald humanoid was still in the same location. Although the machine-hybrid had nothing against the brawler who had helped him unlock Kaioken, the fact that this was Dante?s Abyss meant he could trust no one.

With that thought in mind, the cybernetic warrior glanced over at his saiya-jin partner. In his gut, Seventeen knew that he would eventually have to deal with the notion of a face-off with the long-haired powerhouse, but for the moment, Raditzu was currently the only person he was going to bother instilling with any of his trust. As if he could feel the android staring at him, the monkey-hybrid glanced over at his partner and flashed him a faint smirk.

?You trust these guys, Rad?? Seventeen asked, motioning with his head toward the group of warriors being led down the nearby path by the bald, vein-covered Yamu. Turning his eyes back to the saiya-jin superstar, the android twisted his lips up into an uneasy expression of doubt.

?You honestly can?t trust anyone in this game,? Raditzu replied. The machine-hybrid, having dealt with the treachery characteristic of Dante?s Abyss in last year?s game, simply nodded his head. Turning his attention back to the makeshift pathway that his partner and he were forging through the forest, Seventeen pulled another piece of paper out of his pocket and placed it in his bag.

Pulling a fresh blunt from his copious supply, the machine-hybrid light up and took a long drag. After a few beats, the cybernetic warrior exhaled the smoke and proceeded to sigh shortly thereafter. The depressing noise caught the attention of the saiya-jin?who turned his attention to his awkwardly dressed partner.

?Remember the question you asked me earlier?? Seventeen inquired; his voice almost a whisper in the night air. ?About killing people?? Once the question had left the android?s mouth, the scene fell silent as his long-haired partner contemplated how to respond.

?Yea,? Raditzu replied nonchalantly after a few beats.

?I don?t remember,? the cyborg said, glimpsing over at his superpowered ally.

?Hmm?? The saiya-jin asked as the two made their way over a small, mud-covered prominence.

?I don?t remember the first person I killed, or at least?I can?t remember,? Seventeen sighed, taking another long drag on his blunt and turning his eyes to the moon that hung ominously overhead. ?Hell, I don?t even remember the first two decades of my existence. I didn?t start living my life until a little under two years ago, and even in that time, I haven?t found out the slightest clue as to who I am or why I am,? the android paused to take another hit from the overstuffed marijuana cigarette.

?Strange,? Raditzu responded as the two casually jumped over a chasm.

?I used to have these dreams about doctors, a sibling, and a family, but I don?t even have those anymore. Then when I actually had the chance to find out about myself, I turned the other way and ran off to star in a reality television show,? the cyborg uttered, coughing a few times as the two ducked underneath a series of low hanging branches.

?You ever think you?re better off not knowing?? The long-haired powerhouse shot back. ?Did you ever think that maybe you?ll unearth something that was better of remaining buried in the past? There?s always a chance that the horror of what you discover will overshadow the dread of never knowing.?

?It?s just,? the android started, pausing to collect his thoughts. ?I?m going to be someone?s dad soon, and for some reason, I don?t think I?m ready in the least bit. I want to be able to instill my kid with some semblance of values, but how can I do that when it feels like I?m running from myself??

?I think you?re stressing yourself out too much,? the saiya-jin laughed, patting the cybernetic warrior on the back. ?You?re starting to seriously embody the whole outfit you?re wearing, and if we?re going to deal with the other group out there, we can?t have you all despondent and mopey, ?kay?? Raditzu responded, smiling faintly at his lethargic partner.

?I suppose you?re right,? Seventeen said, nodding affirmatively as he took a hit from his blunt. As he exhaled, the android smiled at his partner and turned his attention to the group traveling just a handful of yards from his position. ?I got to remember to enjoy myself, or this whole game will be for naught,? the machine-hybrid uttered, taking another drag as he and his saiya-jin ally took a moment to chuck a massive boulder from their path.

?That?s the spirit,? Raditzu replied as his cybernetic traveling partner continued to take the edge off with a rapid succession of hits from his blunt.

With his characteristic smirk returned to his pallid visage, the cyborg discarded the charred remains of the marijuana cigarette and began to sing beneath his breath.