Modern Cultivation : The Strongest Couple Bonded by Vampire System-Chapter 621 - 621: Merry Christmast

"We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year." Karen sang, jolly, clapping her hands.
For the first time since it was built, the base was in a festive atmosphere. Alex could see everyone's faces filled with happiness.
Someone had dragged old metal tables into the main hall and lined them up into one long row.
A string of salvaged battery lights hung along the ceiling beams.
The walls were still bare concrete and steel plates, but for tonight, they had paper snowflakes taped everywhere.
A few people laughed when they saw them.
"Who made these?" Someone asked, holding one up like it was a rare treasure.
Another survivor raised her hand, then quickly lowered it. "I did. It looks weird, right?"
"It looks good," other said "It is symmetrical."
That single line made her brighten. She rushed back to tape another one on the wall, standing on her toes to reach higher.
Karen kept singing, not caring that her pitch was not perfect.
A pot of hot soup steamed near the back.
Alex have given them the material, a jar of sugar and many fruits. T
hey cut them into tiny pieces so everyone could taste something sweet.
Solomon sat on a chair near the center, a blanket over his knees.
His leg was still wrapped, but his face had color again. He looked around like he was trying to memorize every second.
Alex stood beside him, "Why are you not walking?"
As he already healed his leg Solomon should be able to do this, but somehow he preferred to hide it.
"It's better this way, I will only begin walking whey some time has passed."
As someone that have lead the association, he know how people behave.
If he suddenly begin to walk now some people will start feeling jealous.
It's different with Faerith, as most doesn't even know that the robot have soul inside it.
"To think I will see the day, they smile like this. Thank You Alex."
Solomon said with a smile.
"It's fine. I should have done this faster." He said with a sigh.
"Don't blame yourself I know you face your own problem. What happened with you Father is not simple."
"About that do you know about them? The primordial?"
Solomon nodded, "At that time I just heard rumor, I don't even know the word, only some being were having design that resulted in your father and suzaku guild demise…"
His gaze deepened.
"But after the war I started digging deep, looking trough every single information we have.
With them Things is never that simple ALex. I feel they already have their hand on everything in the univurese."
Alex nodded, the universe were using void and Webpath, but he still remember how Byakhee have a way to move everywhere in the universe.
"Their power is on another level…"
He shook his head, he need more to grow from just chess pieces to become a player.
"So how much you know?"
"Not much, I spend most of my time looking way against the mecalyte, there's still much to be learned.
You should check it yourself, I will tell Karen to give you acess to the archive."
"That's good." Alex nodded, than put his hand over his shoulder, "you should enjoy yourself more Solomon, I miss the old fox that filled with sly tactic."
"Why? You need me to help you?" Solomon asked with a sarcastic chuckle.
"Don't put yourself down too much, the universe is a large place. We still need someone to play politics and diplomacy."
Alex than walk away leaving him behind.
He look at the party feeling warm in his heart.
Survivors who usually kept their heads down were talking now.
Even the ones who used to avoid it, now come and enjoy the festivities.
Claps burst out, louder than before. Someone whistled.
Someone else laughed and shouted, "Encore!"
Karen waved her hands fast. "No, no. That's enough."
"Do it again!" a woman called out, grinning.
Karen puffed her cheeks. "If you want more, someone else sing."
The crowd went quiet for a heartbeat, then a few people started pushing for other like a game.
"Simon!" one of the soldiers shouted.
Simon stepped back like he had been attacked. "Why me?"
"Because If you sing, the enemy may hear and run away."
That made the room explode with laughter.
Even Simon laughed, though he looked betrayed. "Fine. Fine. I won't sing than"
Alex watched with Mingyue. She did not smile, but her eyes were softer than usual.
"Enjoying the party?"
"Yes it's fun, we should make this chrismast our culture."
"Yes we should. A single day in a year where everyone forgot everything and just focus on enjoying time with their loved one."
A small group of kids sat near the corner, clustered around a low table. They were orphan.
They usually busy themselves with training, swearing to take revenge.
Tonight, they had cups of soup and with sweet fruit.
One boy, maybe eight or nine, kept staring at the lights on the ceiling. His hair was cut unevenly. His cheeks were thin.
He tugged on the sleeve of the older girl beside him. "Why are the lights like that?"
The girl shrugged. "Because… because it's a party."
He blinked. "What is a party?"
The girl opened her mouth, then closed it. She looked down at her hands, suddenly unsure.
A second boy leaned closer, listening with wide eyes. "Is it when we get extra food?"
"Maybe," the girl said, quiet. "Maybe it's when people stop being angry for a bit."
The first boy frowned like he was trying to understand a new word. "Why would they stop? Everything is a mess."
Alex's chest tightened.
He had heard adults say similar lines before. From tired soldiers. From civilians who had seen too much.
But hearing it from a child made it heavier.
Karen noticed the kids too. She walked over, crouching so she was at eye level.
Her voice became gentler.
"Hey. Are you all eating well?"
The first boy nodded, but his eyes stayed on the lights. "Aunt Karen."
Karen paused for half a second, then smiled. "Yes?"
He hesitated, then asked it straight. "What is Christmas?"
A few survivor from the old world nearby overheard. Their face turned grim.
Other adult looked toward the corner, drawn in by the question.
They also don't know about it.