The Underground City

24:19

So, of course it doesn't take long for them to get back to the city, search for the location and arrive at the barman's place, enter the building and greet him.

[RY4N]-Hello, Mr. AD4M!

[AD4M]-Greetings, old friends. So I suppose you found Him in the end, huh?

[RY4N]-Yeah, I did. He put me in such fright for nothing though.

[CHE5TER]-As always, hard to please...

[AD4M]-So? What happ--

Yet the barman observes the little girl that came with them, a bit confused as he doesn't know her at all.

[AD4M]-...And who is the little one over there?

[RY4N]-Oh, remember K3IT4RO? He is taking care of this girl and we went to visit him today, but we found ourselves with her joining us too.

[CHE5TER]-You mean you found yourself, because you were the one who offered yourself to do so.

[RY4N]-*sigh* Anyway... She will stay with us for a while until she will leave to meet up with other people. Nothing special.

[AD4M]-I see... Alright then, let me give her something to get her distracted and we can talk after.

So, the barman brings a soft drink, perfect for a young child, and gives her some things he has around so she can play by herself on a smaller table in one of the corners of the bar. Yet when they look, seems like the brothers remember memories at that small table that stands there dusty, being the same spot where they used to stay when they came alongside their father to visit the barman.

[RY4N]-...To think that we were once her age and now we are barely remembering who we were before.

[CHE5TER]-Oh, you got me into nostalgia too now. How amusing where the times when I was beating you at every game we were playing.

[RY4N]-Hmph. That's what you wish to remember?

And it doesn't take long before the barman comes back to them and starts talking.

[AD4M]-Alright. What happened back then? Did you really get chased down by the M soldiers, CHE5TER?

[CHE5TER]-A bit. But it was no big deal as RY4N probably told you. I escaped after all.

[AD4M]-So you didn't get harmed or anything? RY4N said something about blood being discovered in that area.

[CHE5TER]-No, not really. Whatever they found back there isn't related to me. I mean, I got a few scratches and all, but nothing serious.

[RY4N]-...But he sure managed to scare the shit out of me for good.

[AD4M]-I know that. You came to me asking if I saw Him in the city, and your face was so terrified that you even managed to scare me as well. I even talked with some people that I know myself, but you probably don't remember most of them since you two were so young when you met them, and which of course are aware about the situation regarding the true ruler. Just to see if I could help you in any way and find an answer to your question. But... most of them don't even know how you look like now in the first place, so it was nothing but a waste of time.

[RY4N]-You've... done more than I asked you, actually... I didn't mean for you to ask around too.

[AD4M]-I guess I got concerned too since you both raised together in my bar throughout the years and I felt like I'm responsible for whatever happens to you ever since Master M4TTH3W had His last moments and Mr. AL7AN left the city.

[CHE5TER]-But you aren't responsible for us in any way. Our actions are at our own fault. Those responsible for us either died or ran away from these dangers around us.

[AD4M]-It's just a way of saying that I am attached to this family, little one. No need to go deeper into it now.

[RY4N]-We, actually, had the idea to give you something in exchange for how much you've helped us, AD4M.

[AD4M]-Oh?

This time, RY4N is the one to give the gift to the former soldier. He isn't surprised or anything like the Healer, he is just grateful for what he got.

[AD4M]-Heheh... So offerings are still to your liking, RY4N?

[RY4N]-I mean, it's simply an offering for the dead, not for the gods. I thought that since you've lost many people throughout your life, maybe a small offering for those you once knew should be alright as a "thank you" gift.

[AD4M]-It's not about the gifts themselves though. I appreciate the thought alone too, no need to waste money on something. But I guess you took a habit from your father even so... Still, thank you both for the gift.

He takes the small offering from the box, then searches for a lighter in his pockets to burn the small candles looking things on it and puts it on a shelf above, right from the wall behind where he is suppose to stay and welcome the customers. When he is done, he looks at it a few seconds, then says a few words.

[AD4M]-...May the eternal rest find its way to our fallen innocents.

[CHE5TER+RY4N]-...And may Fate have mercy to the survivors.

...Something similar to what we say when we pray to our God. Everyone has their beliefs after all, of course these beings have theirs too. When they finish, the barman sits back and looks at the brothers.

[CHE5TER]-I... actually need help with something myself, and I came to you in hope that you can give me the answer I'm looking for.

[AD4M]-Hm? What is it?

[CHE5TER]-*sigh* Well... you see, we found the letter from our father that was suppose to come in our hands the moment He died, and a few gifts from Him to us as a bonus too. Problem is that... my gift is simply indecipherable, and I cannot find the meaning behind it at all. Mind if you help me?

[AD4M]-Why do you believe it has a meaning behind it? Gifts are just something you offer to someone you care about, there is no need of them to have a meaning behind it. Only the thought itself has a meaning.

[CHE5TER]-I understand that, but we were suppose to get something that our past selves dreamt about. RY4N got an empty book, yet I got a simple paper with random colours on it.

[AD4M]-And why exactly do you believe that I have the answer you are searching for?

[CHE5TER]-I simply thought that since you used to be a friend of His, maybe you know why would He choose to give me such a thing that I see no meaning behind it.

[AD4M]-I might disappoint you, but I can give it a try if you truly desire me to do so. Let me see the paper.

So, CHE5TER takes the paper from His pocket and shows it to the barman. He too doesn't seem to have an answer.

[AD4M]-...You said you got a letter, right? Did you read it clearly to make sure you didn't lose something?

[CHE5TER]-Yes, I did.

[AD4M]-Did you try colour reading?

[RY4N]-We've tried everything we could. It was still in vain.

[AD4M]-*sigh* Then I guess it is simply a gift, nothing more.

[CHE5TER]-What do you mean?

[AD4M]-I just think that... this paper alone is a simple message for you to stop thinking about the past or stop trying to fix your mistakes. The more you think about this paper and its meaning, the more you prove Him that you didn't move on. Maybe He simply wanted you to focus on your own future and give up on trying to make everything that has happened better. It might sound random or delusional, but knowing Him and you... I just have this thought that He wanted you to simply move on from the past, giving you a confusing gift. I'm sorry, little one, but the paper has no meaning behind it. He gave you a gift in order for you to receive His true message, His intention behind it.

[RY4N]-...What about mine? I got something related to my old dream. It can't be simply that message.

[AD4M]-I'm afraid it is... It is the same message for both of you. Even if it is meant to be something related to your old dreams, it can also be a birth of a new beginning for your story, giving the message "move on". Whatever you decide to do with it, it will give birth to this fresh start I'm talking about. CHE5TER was a bit unfortunate because His dream is too hard to be related to an object, it's true. It is why the "message" is so ambiguous and hard for you to understand. To make it close to your dream, He gave you a strange painting to make you go in this difficult journey in hope of an answer, making the travel done for it have its own meaning. Nothing more.

CHE5TER is rather disappointed in this answer, maybe because He realised that this might be the truth. He expected so much more, yet He searched everywhere just for Him to get a message of "move on". All the work He has done and all the breaks He has taken only to give attention to this paper alone, now have been wasted for nothing but the painful truth. There is no legacy, no hidden message, no real gift. Only the words of His father hoping that He will stop living in the past.

[CHE5TER]-*sigh* I understand... I-I...

[AD4M]-...Please, don't be disappointed. The message itself tells you to be strong for Him after all. No need to be unhappy just because you expected more. I am sorry it is not the answer you wished to hear, but I do want to see you fulfil His last desire.

[CHE5TER]-...Alright. I will... fulfil His last wish and try to move on. It is my word...

[AD4M]-Good... Let's stop with these sad thoughts for now. Let me give you something and we can continue chatting on whatever subject you want as long as you please.

In the end, the barman gives them something to drink while they talk as usual. Of course, now CHE5TER isn't really into talking as much as before since He got a bit disappointed, but His brother tries his best to cheer Him up, managing somehow to do so. But it is rather sad to know the truth behind the paper. Knowing that they've been waiting ten years for their father's will and everything He got is a message for Him to move on is rather disappointing indeed. Who blames His bad mood? When you know that you are suppose to find something and the truth is so much weaker than you thought, of course it doesn't please you this idea at all. They let the paper on the table and try to forget about it in the end, continuing their chatting for a while.

26:01

And so, as they finish chatting after such a long time, it is time for them to say goodbye. Both of them wave at the barman and go towards the exit, telling IZUK1 to pack everything she has to and come while they will wait outside for her to be ready. So as they leave and IZUK1 puts back whatever she took out from her backpack while she was getting bored of what AD4M brought her, the old veteran was cleaning around.

But as he does so, he notices that the brothers have forgotten the paper on the table. He takes it in his hands and tries to go towards the exit, yet he gets stopped by the little girl who was bringing back what he gave her. So, he looks at her and shows her the paper.

[AD4M]-Thank you for helped me out with the cleaning, but can you do something for me?

The girl nods a bit confused.

[AD4M]-Can you give the people that you came with this paper back? So that I don't have to leave the bar.

Yet she starts talking in Sign Language again, but the barman doesn't know what she is saying at all.

[AD4M]-I'm... afraid that I do not understand.

So, seeing that she struggles in vain, she simply gives him another nod.

[AD4M]-Alright. Thank you, little one.

She then takes the paper from his hand and puts it on one of her pockets. Then, she goes towards the exit too and looks at the brothers, who didn't seem to really notice that she wanted to speak as they were talking to each other. So, she left them mind their own business until she finds the opportunity to speak. But, of course, being a child, she is pretty curious too, so as the two brothers start walking in front of her and IZUK1 following them, she takes out the paper and looks around, getting confused too. Just like them all. I mean, there is no hope in anybody understanding what the paper means anymore. But she thinks it's pretty fun to look at it though. Meanwhile, the brothers are still talking.

[RY4N]-...So what now? It's pretty early to go back at the base.

[CHE5TER]-Who says we are going back?

[RY4N]-Okay... then what do we do?

[CHE5TER]-I mean, if we've started the day like this, maybe we can visit a few more veterans? It's been a while since we saw some of them, remember?

[RY4N]-You got a point... Also, I suppose that tomorrow will be another mission around the walls, right?

[CHE5TER]-Yes, what about it?

[RY4N]-Do you want to try and come to see if you can observe a demon on your own? The areas look pretty safe, I mean, so there is no danger. The creatures are kept at distance from the light too.

[CHE5TER]-Won't be such a bad idea... But I do not want anybody to see Seven Two just yet, remember? I will try as much as possible to just remain in the city, and do the work outside only when it's needed. If anything... I guess the title of "Leader" now belongs to you. I will simply remain the Great Leader from how things look.

[RY4N]-So I'm officially the Leader of the Southeast Base?

[CHE5TER]-Not officially just yet, but technically yes, you are. I've became useless to the base in the past days from what it seems. Investigators aren't needed to the missions around the walls, and I planned easier missions for N04H to do them on his own as a practice. Yet I've contributed with nothing but organise the missions. If anything, until I give you the title officially, I will remain to plan all the missions of the base, but nothing more.

[RY4N]-So the day finally came, huh...

[CHE5TER]-Hahah... Oh, it's a shame that I've done nothing just for a small message that meant for me to stop my bad habits though. All the headaches with that paper alone and the most disappointing answer from them all...

[RY4N]-At least you got the answer, right? That's what you've wished for so many years. Why do you complain about it?

[CHE5TER]-Well, it's not exactly how I saw it to be at all. And I wasted some good days on it too. How good He tricked me into getting on a small journey for some words... But can't say I disliked it either. I guess... it had its fun this exploration.

And by saying that, He tries to search for the paper, only to feel it close to Him, maybe imagining His father there with them. But of course He cannot find it since He didn't take it in the first place. So, He begins to look around all of His pockets to find it, yet in vain, finally realising that the paper is missing.

[CHE5TER]-...Hey, RY4N? Did you take the paper by any chance?

[RY4N]-Hm? No, I didn't. Why do you ask?

[CHE5TER]-I think I forgot it on the table from the bar. Gods... now we have to go ba--

Yet as He looks back to change His direction, He notices little IZUK1 looking at it while walking. He got a breath of relief, so He puts Himself on a knee and stops her from walking, looking at her in the eyes.

[CHE5TER]-...So you took it for me, IZUK1?

She nods affirmatively.

[CHE5TER]-Thank you. I see that it confused you as well, hm? You don't understand its meaning either...

She nods again.

[CHE5TER]-Alright.

He gives her a small and friendly pat on her head and takes the paper gently from her hands. But the girl starts talking in her language again, which confuses a bit CHE5TER 'cause He doesn't understand a word or two.

[CHE5TER]-...I didn't understand. Can you repeat it?

So she repeats it. The signs itself are like this: first, she holds her right hand in front of her with her index finger, moving her hand side to side a couple of times, indicating the word "where" that CHE5TER understands; then, she places both of her hands horizontally and moves them again side to side, indicating the word "do" or "does", which again, CHE5TER knows. But then the last moves confuse Him. First one is by placing her right hand vertically on her left hand and doing a zigzag, then she holds her left hand with the right one, while the left one is straight, and moves them a bit to the right in front of her.

[CHE5TER]-I'm... afraid I don't know the third word at all. Can you spell it for me?

And so she does. The word isn't complicated though, so she only does three moves very quickly. First one is holding up her right hand, while the palm is facing out with all her fingers curled into her palm, then tucking her thumb between her ring finger and the little finger. Next one is holding up her hand in a fist, facing outward, with the thumb sticking up to the side of the fist. And the last one is holding down her hand, while the palm is facing in, with her index and middle fingers sticking out like an inverted letter "v", while her thumb is tucked in between the two extended fingers, with the two remaining fingers being curled in, touching her palm. All of these signs meaning the word...

[IZUK1]-...Map.

And of course CHE5TER got confused.

[CHE5TER]-Map? You mean "paper"?

While He asks her the question, He does a sign Himself, using a repeated backward movement of His left hand, striking the right palm with the left palm twice, the left hand moving while the right hand doesn't, meaning the word "paper". Yet she nods negatively.

[IZUK1]-M-mm. Map!

So He got even more confused. He gets now what the sentence means, "Where does the map lead?", but He doesn't really understand what she means by that.

[CHE5TER]-...What do you mean by "map"?

With that, IZUK1 gets closer and looks at the paper, showing around with her finger whatever she sees, but CHE5TER is even more confused since He doesn't seem to see what she shows Him. So, He gets an idea.

[CHE5TER]-...IZUK1, can you underline whatever you see on the paper with something?

At His command, she puts down her backpack and searches for some pencils, taking the paper too and putting it down to draw on it. In a few minutes after she does so, it seems like the brothers finally found the answer they were searching for with the help of the most unexpected person to know the truth about it.

And with that, I can finally explain what is happening with this paper. Since these beings see way more colours than us, the paper in cause was used to confuse any kind of being with a normal vision of theirs, appearing only random colours on the paper which the ruler complained about. But for us, since in this world we are considered as colour-blind beings just like IZUK1, we see this paper completely different from them. Each colour they see are for us nothing but either yellow, white or even a bit of orange, with the lines being either black or blue combined everywhere to confuse you, but for them, there are way too many colours to even count them, making this effect of blindness coming from them. It is why they are so strange to us, it is why their behaviour towards this small paper confused us. If it was for us to see alone what the paper represents, it was way too simple. This is the truth behind it, the real truth.

"Isha vaah" means "vision of the eye" being their first hint of what exactly do they need to focus on. Since they saw this sentence completely different, they couldn't find the actual answer, which led them to this endless journey of trying to find their father's last words. Now that they finally got another hint, it is maybe time to find out the real truth of this paper. Wherever it leads, whatever will happened, nothing can stop them anymore.

After this happened and they managed to visit the other veterans, the brothers found themselves again at the Statue of M1NERV4 with the letters they've received, putting them down and looking at them for the last time, before they both burn them for good, remaining nothing but the ashes behind. They do not have any other purpose, so keeping them is a waste of space. If they want to move on, they have to let the previous ruler die in peace with them. They will keep the gifts though, the only remaining things they have from Him, but the Great Leader of the past shall be lost again, repeating history once more. Who was once the Great Leader of the Underground City, now remains another forgotten and lost fallen being of this family... M4TTH3W, the ninth LENKOV.

"...Who knew if I could've find your answer that day if it wasn't for her help, Father. I could've search even years and still not know what you gave me at all. Those that were close to you had no idea, nor did those who tried so many things to solve it. So how did you know I will find the answer one day? Did you plot this as well?

I must admit... curiosity is now beyond its limit. I have even more questions for you than I had before just from this action alone. But maybe you will answer them once I find what you left for me. Or at least once we meet again in the future as you've promised. RY4N and I will never forget you, and you probably know that... You were our father, you loved us and we loved you. I bet that the reunion will be a welcomed one for sure, but it will have to wait.

So until that day..."

"...I accept your challenge, former ruler. Bring it on!"