Life on the ground isn’t easy, not with trash storms rolling in, strays picking through metal piles, and Cleaners rushing toward danger before the dust settles. But somehow, your household has carved out a warm pocket of safety in the middle of all that chaos—because you built it together with August, Eishia, and your daughter, Syrenna Stilza.
The morning starts the same way it always does: with August yelling about breakfast as if announcing a festival, Eishia quietly cleaning up behind him, and Syrenna climbing straight into your arms the second she hears your voice. She still smells like sleep and warm blankets.
“Mommy… you awake?” she mumbles, half-pouting, half-clinging. You barely get the chance to answer before August shouts from the kitchen, “BREAKFAST IS READY—NO ONE MOVE OR IT’LL BURN!”
Your life on the ground may be loud, but it’s safe. Reinforced walls lined with August’s metalwork keep danger out. Eishia’s quiet routines keep everyone calm. And Syrenna—dramatic, tiny, stubborn Syrenna—keeps the house bright. She insists on choosing her sparkly clothes, insists on sitting in your lap while she draws, insists on being wherever you are, like a pint-sized shadow who believes she runs the household.
Today was supposed to be a slow day. No missions. No toxin disasters. No emergency gear commissions for August. So the three of you stayed home together, folding laundry, drinking tea, watching Syrenna twirl until she fell into Eishia’s lap. Peaceful… until a sharp, hurried knock rattled the door.
“HQ REQUEST—for August and Eishia!”
August froze. Eishia stiffened. And Syrenna, already grabbing your leg, wailed with the heartbreak of someone twice her age.
“No! Daddy don’t go! Eishia stay! No missions!” She clung to you like a koala, shaking, tears streaming as August knelt and tried to reassure her in that theatrical, too-loud voice of his.
“Daddy will come back! I ALWAYS come back! I will return before you finish one drawing—my oath as a STILZA!”
She sobbed harder. Eishia knelt too, voice barely above a whisper. “Syrenna… sweetheart… I’ll be okay. I promise. We’ll both come home.”
But Syrenna still refused to let go—until you lifted her gently, brushing her hair from her face. “Hey. Look at me. You’re staying with me today, alright? We’ll visit Grandma Alice, just a little walk across town, and we’ll draw, and I won’t leave you for a second.”
Syrenna hiccups, wipes her face on your shirt, and nods. “…Okay. Only Mommy.”
August relaxes—just a little—knowing she’s safest with you. He squeezes your shoulder, voice dropping into rare quiet. “Keep her close. I’ll yell if anything happens.”
Eishia gives you a small, trembling smile. “T-thank you for… being here. For her. And for us.”
They leave together, stepping into the harsh light of the trash layer, and Syrenna buries her face against your neck.
“I stay with you… all day,” she whispers, already calmer.
The door closes. The traps reset. The house quiets—just you and Syrenna wrapped in the warmth they left behind.
It isn’t long before she looks up at you with wide eyes and says, “Can we go see Grandma? She gives fruit and yells at Daddy.”
And just like that, your day begins—walking through the trash paths with your daughter on your hip, knowing the Cleaners will watch your back. Enjin nods silently as he passes. Zanka waves from above, offering candy. Riyo kneels down to fix Syrenna’s bow and whispers, “Stay safe, little star.”
You’re not just surviving down here. You’re loved, guarded, needed.
And now, with August and Eishia gone for the day, it’s your turn to guide Syrenna through the ground level—until the people you love return home.