17.06.1642

The Southeast Military Base

08:21

It's a bit too early in the morning now, as nobody seems to be awake around the base. Not even the Great Leader, who does like to stay awake most of the times. And yet, the one to disturb this calm atmosphere is, of course, LUK3. The chaotic character of this building.

He looks to be walking around the hallway as he woke up just a few minutes ago, but he is rather enthusiastic than tired, even with the early time that is now, knowing damn well that people are still suppose to sleep at this hour. He is going towards N04H's room, in which the little recruit is still resting, just like everyone else. He opens the door and comes closer to his bed, starting whispering to his ear for him to wake up.

[LUK3]-N04444H... N04H, wake up, you lazy kid!

Doesn't seem as it works at first though, as N04H is still sleeping, so he starts moving him slowly to wake him up.

[LUK3]-Wake up, N04H! Come ooon!!

[N04H]-Mmm... LUK3... Let me sleep for a bit more... I feel very tired...

[LUK3]-Yeah, of course you are tired! It's eight in the morning!

[N04H]-...Then why are you waking me up this early? Don't we have around *yawn* ...six more hours? And isn't it a free day anyway...?

[LUK3]-Yeaaah! But if I say you have to wake up, you HAVE to wake up!

[N04H]-Mnoo... Please... Let me have at least... five... more minutes...

[LUK3]-Oh, come on, man! Not you too! We have things to do today! N04H!!

Yet he talks in vain, as N04H went back to his sleep already, ignoring LUK3 completely. So, he continues shaking him, thinking he might succeed.

[LUK3]-N04H! Wake up already!

[N04H]-Leave me alone... I want to sleep...

[LUK3]-*sigh* You are forcing my hand, little guy. Let's see if you say the same after this plan.

Seeing he doesn't succeed in the end, he leaves the room looking around, left and right. He decides a few seconds later to go to the right path and starts counting something on a wall. Then, he puts his hand on the wall he stares at, revealing not long after a small button covered by glass. He takes the glass off and presses the button, resulting in a powerful alarm going on now.

[LUK3]-Good day, you little shit...

In just a few seconds, all the people that were sleeping left their rooms in a hurry, looking towards the one that had started the alarm at this hour, almost even ready to attack anybody comes their way. Even the Great Leader is now awake, alongside His brother, ready to give orders for whatever reason.

[IZA4K]-Where is it!?? Where is the intruder??

[LUK3]-Oh, there is no intruder! I just wanted to wake N04H up, and seems like I've succeeded!

[CHE5TER]-You gotta be kidding me...

In the end, N04H left his room and saw all the people standing half asleep and pissed off at the man that was simply smiling confidently. CHE5TER got a bit pissed off as well, as He puts His left hand on His face, closing His eyes for Him to try and calm down. He sure is tired from the way He appears, maybe a reason why He tries to not make a scene.

[CHE5TER]-...LUK3, what did I tell you the last time you've done this?

[LUK3]-Umm...

[CHE5TER]-I TOLD YOU that the alarm can be pressed only around the hours of 14:00 to 16:00, otherwise it will be categorised as an emergency! Do you remember?

[LUK3]-Oh, yeaah! Yeah, I do!

[CHE5TER]-Then? Why did you press it?

[LUK3]-Well, you know how we discussed yesterday about my plan for the free day? I told you already that N04H and I are going to wake up a bit earlier today, in hope that we will have an answer until... let's say... 20:00 or 21:00, so we can start the preparations from tomorrow! So because N04H didn't wa--

[CHE5TER]- --Nope. Stop right there. I don't even want to hear anymore. I warned you last time, so hope you didn't think I was joking. I'm going to take your permission of the alarms away for good from now on.

[LUK3]-WHAT!? WHY??

[CHE5TER]-Why? ...Why!?? You dare ask me why?? Do you see all these people here that barely stand awake, pissed off because of your action, LUCAS?? It's the third time you do something like this!

[LUK3]-But I got your permission to wake up at this hour and do what I want to begin with!

[CHE5TER]-That doesn't mean you have to wake the whole goddamn base up as well!

[LUK3]-Oh, come on, man! It's a good simulation in case of a real problem anyway! You should be thanking me!

[CHE5TER]-Oh, no you didn't... Let me kill him... LET ME KILL HIM NOW!

[RY4N]-Hey! Hey! Hey! Calm down!

The ruler got very angry at this point, as it doesn't help that He is tired as well, and started jumping at LUK3's throat to kill him with His own bare hands, but He is stopped by RY4N, who tries his best to hold Him back and not do anything He might regret in the future. Even His C colour lighted up because of His anger.

[RY4N]-Ches, calm down, now!

[CHE5TER]-LET ME AT HIM, RY4N!

[RY4N]-No, you have to calm down! You barely rested and now your lack of sleep is affecting your thinking!

[CHE5TER]-WELL, I CAN'T SLEEP IF THIS MA--

[RY4N]- --Go back to your bed!

[CHE5TER]-RY4N, YOU--

[RY4N]- --I said go! Now!

CHE5TER looks mad, straight into His brother's eyes, yet RY4N looks back with confidence, serious as well.

[CHE5TER]-...YOU KNOW WHAT!? SCREW YOU ALL! DO WHATEVER THE FUCK YOU GUYS WANT!

In the end, He leaves pissed off, mumbling to Himself as He enters His room and slams the door almost as if He was breaking it out of anger. Yet RY4N takes a deep breath, then looks at the people that were standing waiting for orders to know what should they do.

[RY4N]-*sigh* Alright, everyone! False alarm! You can go back to your rooms!

Everyone starts mumbling as well, as they are done with LUK3's behaviour. One even falls at the ground from his tiredness knowing now that there is no danger. You can say that this day started pretty chaotic, even if it's still rest time. But even so, LUK3 dares to speak to them all.

[LUK3]-Have a nice rest, everyone!

He might be just fucking around with them all at this point, as he smiles so innocently at the people that start leaving. Two guys even got mad for good and threw their small pillows at him to hit the idiot man that watches them, as they took the pillows with them to defend themselves from the "enemy". Something like the instinct kicking in and working instead of the brain at this hour because of the tiredness.

LUK3 turns to N04H then, who was so confused at this point after he saw what he did.

[N04H]-...Did you really wake the whole ass base just to get me out of my room?

[LUK3]-Well, you didn't want to listen! If you woke up when I said so, then I probably wouldn't have done such a thing!

[N04H]-Oh, so now you put the blame on me, huh?

[LUK3]-Yeah, pretty much!

[N04H]-*sigh* I'm beginning to think that everyone was right when they said you are an idiot, LUK3...

[LUK3]-Hey!! I'm not an idiot, alright!? I'm just joking around!

[N04H]-And you go this far with these jokes? Why would you activate the alarm just to wake one person up only? ONE person??

[LUK3]-OKAY, DAD, I'M GONNA BEHAVE PROPERLY FROM NOW ON! HAPPY!? Now come on!! We have things to do!

[N04H]-Oh, dear M1NERV4...

08:46

And now, they have finally arrived at the training ground of the base, where LUK3 seems to be wandering from left to right like a maniac on and on, while N04H is barely standing awake. He doesn't really get what this man wants to do, and at this hour, who knows how much he can keep up with his stupid decisions.

[N04H]-...Are we really going to train this early? *yawn*

[LUK3]-Oh, this won't be training at all, N04H! It's a free day, so I'm not putting you to train!

[N04H]-Then why don't you just tell what are we doing here?

[LUK3]-Simple! Remember what we've tried the first time we were put to choose your role? You know, when you joined the base?

[N04H]-...At this hour, I can't even remember what I did yesterday, LUK3.

[LUK3]-Okay, umm... Well... What about the moment when you hurt KYR4? Do you remember that?

[N04H]-*sigh* Just get to the point before I fall to the ground...

[LUK3]-Damn, you start to become just like C0NNER at this point, man... Okay! Okay! I brought you here because we have to choose your weapon! Remember?

[N04H]-At this hour...?

[LUK3]-Well, I mean... later this day, I already have plans for my free time and probably you have some as well. So I thought we could get this done as soon as possible so we can also have our rest later.

[N04H]-...What's the rush anyway? *yawn* Wasn't Master CHE5TER saying that I have all the time in the world until that happens?

[LUK3]-You're joking, right? Four months and you didn't even try to get an idea of your possible weapon? You know that from this one year, we also have to train in the weapon category, right? Half of the year is already gone, god dammit! From tomorrow, we need to start the training on that until the next year when you will begin your training with your personal Defender!

[N04H]-...Then why didn't you say it earlier!?

[LUK3]-I thought you already knew that!! Isn't it obvious that we need to train with your weapon as well? You think I can just give you a weapon and all of a sudden you are a master in controlling it? It took me four months to learn an advanced way of fighting with mine!

[N04H]-Yeah, great... Then how do I choose? You give me recommendations or...?

[LUK3]-Nope, not this time. A role it's much more easier to recommend than a weapon. There are so many choices that you can take and it only depends on your personal preferences! For the role, you can just put someone into a random case and see how he acts to get an idea.

[N04H]-Then how?

[LUK3]-Just take them one by one and try them out! The one you feel the most comfortable with while fighting will be your option. Well, at least that's how I chose mine when I was your age.

[N04H]-Really? You just took it and it was the best option for you?

[LUK3]-I just felt that I'm gonna fight smoother with it the moment I touched it. It's a matter of personal preference as I said! I felt that a spear is what defines me, simply as that. Later on, I had to design the way it will look like and got it in a few days. Those weapons are just for training, you get your own one after you are done with your year. Oh, and I called it "Little Sun"! Like it?

[N04H]-Do we really have to name them?

[LUK3]-Oh, no, not really. I just thought it was cute!

[N04H]-Okay... Then what about the others? How did they choose?

[LUK3]-I told you, personal preferences! C0NNER felt more comfortable with a bow, but I sure envy him 'cause he chose his weapon pretty quickly. The bow delivery was delayed though, so I guess it had its own down sides.

[N04H]-And KYR4?

[LUK3]-Oh, KYR4 was a strange one for sure. None of the weapons she'd tried were to her liking.

[N04H]-Then how did she got hers?

[LUK3]-Well... she simply designed it.

[N04H]-Huh? You mean a new weapon?

[LUK3]-Yep. She made her weapon also her gadget as you probably saw it before, but it took more time for it to come. But I'm not surprised by her gadget though. She got a pretty high score at her exam when we graduated.

[N04H]-Really? How much?

[LUK3]-Uhh... around 950, I think. I don't remember exactly. But it was pretty high!

[N04H]-Oh, she got a lot... I got around 730 'cause my design was too simple.

[LUK3]-Really? Aw, man... you got me... I got only 680...

[N04H]-Well, at least you've passed the exam.

[LUK3]-Yeah...

[N04H]-Okay... and MY4? How did she choose her weapon?

[LUK3]-Oh, she doesn't have one. She's a Healer, remember? They do not fight at all.

[N04H]-Alright... Then any other person that works here?

[LUK3]-Can't say for sure... MY4 and I joined at the same time, then KYR4 came too after one year, and the last one that entered was C0NNER, before you, of course. All the other members had already finished with their training by the time we were put to choose our weapons. I think the only one that was still training back then when I joined was RY4N, but he was almost done with it as well. You can ask them if you want, but I don't know how many of them even remember.

[N04H]-Then maybe you know the previous Investigators' weapons?

[LUK3]-Well, I knew a guy that was using a spear like me... a few were using small guns... Heh, one was using a long pole... Umm... I don't know, there were quite a few weapons. If you want an example from the present, Boss is using a sword. If anything, you can try and look for a melee weapon. That's what predominated in this role. Just take a look and see what appears interesting to you.

So, N04H goes around a table on which are all kinds of training weapons and observes them in detail. All bunch of guns, swords, polearms and so on. He doesn't get so excited from any though. He tries at first the sword thinking he might take the ruler's example, but the sword didn't seem so easy for him to handle. Then he tried to take from LUK3's example, then C0NNER's, but none of them seemed good enough. Then he tries some guns thinking that maybe he likes to strike from the distance more, but no result once again.

Then, he looks again at the melee weapons, until he gets to the fist weapons, where he gets interested in some simple brass knuckles. It's not a complicated weapon, so LUK3 doesn't really get why he chose these out of all the other options.

[N04H]-...I think I will go with these.

[LUK3]-Really? Didn't know you are into punching. Guess I learn something new every day...

[N04H]-I mean, they were a bit cooler if they had a small blade to use whenever I wanted, but they are fine for now. I don't see anything else around here that gets my attention.

[LUK3]-Well, you have all the time in the world to design your weapon until you finish with the training. No need to rush, but just make sure it will be done until then, alright? So we don't have the same problem like we had today.

[N04H]-Okay... Then what now? I've picked my weapon. Are we done?

[LUK3]-Not really. We have to see if it really suits you or need to change it, since you didn't think about it earlier. So... I guess we are doing some tests and then we come to a conclusion.

[N04H]-Oh, so are we gonna fight?

[LUK3]-Well, I mean, if you want me to wipe the floor with you, sure! But I was thinking rather using a simulation. Don't get me wrong, you've progressed these months and all, but I have years of experience behind and it won't be so fair. So it's better if we set up a simulation for your level, just to be sure.

[N04H]-Alright, I understand now. So what do I have to do?

[LUK3]-Simple! I will set the simulation for your chosen weapon and you have to beat three levels. After that, you can tell me if you remain with it or look around again. It's just gonna be a hand to hand combat in your case, just like what we did, so no worries, alright? And remember that the difficulty increases by each level. Knock your opponent out and you are good to go!

[N04H]-Got it! Start the simulation!

And so, LUK3 starts the simulation at N04H's orders, so that LEVEL 1 can finally begin. He takes his position while the hologram is being set, but it doesn't take long before the fight starts and the first level ends. Then LEVEL 2 begins and N04H takes his position again. This time, the opponent is indeed a bit stronger, but N04H succeeds in coming out victorious again. And then, LEVEL 3 finally comes. N04H takes his position once more and waits for the opponent to be set. But when it is set, its strength is way higher than the last two, making the fight a bit harder. His opponent is now faster and predicts his obvious moves too many times for N04H to even get closer.

At some point, the recruit is even injured by his opponent, making him move slower and realise that he has to think of a different strategy. He then remembers what he saw at the Great Leader a while ago in a demonstration, where He knocked His opponent down by finding a weak spot, so he thinks that he might have to do the same thing here too. He lets his opponent get closer to attack him, while he tries to dodge the attacks as much as possible. He couldn't dodge all of them though, so he had to defend himself at some, but when he saw the opportunity, he hit his opponent in the face as a small distraction, and then at its weak spot strong enough so it can drop on the floor and the simulation to finally end.

[LUK3]-Yeah! That's what I'm talking about! Hey, you good there, buddy? You took some pretty bad hits back there!

[N04H]-Yeah, I'm fine... Just a bit exhausted...

[LUK3]-Okay! Sooo... you will remain with this one or you want to try something else?

[N04H]-Nah, I'm fine with it for now.

[LUK3]-Okay then! Guess I don't have to find anybody for the weapon training in the end, so it's good for me as well.

[N04H]-Why? You had to search for someone?

[LUK3]-Well, duuhhh! There are weapons that I really despite and if you took one of them, I couldn't teach you anything myself! For example, I've never worked with guns! How was I suppose to teach you if you chose one?? At least with this one, we remain at martial arts practice, but more advanced!

[N04H]-Okay... Then what now? We've chosen the weapon. Anything else?

[LUK3]-Nope, that's all! You can go back to your sleep if you wish, ooor we can stay and chat for a bit longer!

[N04H]-*sigh* Did you really wake me up this early just to get everything done in a few minutes?

[LUK3]-Yup!

09:38

Now that they are done with everything, they seem to have remained just to chat until they get back to their time left for sleep. LUK3 had already put everything back as it was so now they just stay down to rest for a bit after the whole action.

[N04H]-So... Are we really gonna start the training tomorrow? I thought I will need more time at what we've done before.

[LUK3]-Hm? Oh, yeah. Well... if that's the programme, I can't do anything about it. But it will be easier than it was at start, that's for sure. You got used to our techniques already and know the way I teach, so it won't be as hard as it was when you just joined. Besides that... these will be kind of our last months in which I will be your teacher, because after, you will have to choose your personal Defender and train with him. By the way, did you thought about this subject? Do you have any person in mind? You won't really have that much time at the end of this year.

[N04H]-Why so?

[LUK3]-Well, the Defender has to approve to work with you in the first place, so if you have no idea of what person you should choose, you will find yourself that nobody really wants to work with you and end up losing some time from the training until you find someone. You just need to have some options in mind from now on and try to talk with the people you want later, so that at the start of the next year you can begin your training.

[N04H]-Okay... Then... What about C0NNER?

[LUK3]-C0NNER?

[N04H]-Yeah. I mean, he doesn't have an Investigator, right? So he is free. And he is probably the only Defender I know the best from all the people around here.

[LUK3]-I will be honest with you, kiddo. I'm not sure C0NNER will accept such a thing to begin with.

[N04H]-Why not?

[LUK3]-You know him, N04H. He is as cold as the blood of a dead corpse. He doesn't really like that much working with someone. Heck, he doesn't like that he needs to stay with KYR4 during the missions either, even though KYR4 helped him a lot of times!

[N04H]-Oh, I see...

LUK3 gets a bit serious now though, as he looks down and continues talking.

[LUK3]-But... I understand it's not his fault.

[N04H]-What do you mean?

[LUK3]-Even if I joke around with him sometimes, I know what he had to endure to enter this base and work for us. To be honest, I cannot help but feel bad about him sometimes when I see him struggle, yet still refuse any help.

[N04H]-...You told me he got saved from you guys, right?

[LUK3]-Oh, right. I never even managed to tell you about him, did I? Heheh... But yeah, something like that.

[N04H]-But... he should be happy that he survived and got in a more peaceful place... right?

[LUK3]-Yes... but it's not about whether he has a home or a shelter from the enemies. It's more about the people he had lost to achieve this life. I don't like remembering about it myself, so I don't even know how it should be for him.

[N04H]-You were there when it happened?

[LUK3]-Yeah... I mean, I was in the mission of saving him and the other people from his execution room. But because of the chaos that had happened in that mission, somehow, him and some friends of his got lost in the building. When I saw them, it was already too late for me to get to them and go to a safe space. It was my duty back then to protect him and the other kids... even now I didn't forgive myself for not paying attention to the people from the group. Later on, when we had finally finished the mission and got back, C0NNER got in the end with us, but his friends couldn't be saved. I'm not so sure what happened, but I felt bad the moment Boss told us that we had two losses during the mission.

[N04H]-...But it wasn't your fault, right?

[LUK3]-Hard to say for sure, buddy. It was my duty to protect them after all, but I also did everything that was in my power to get everyone out. It's a matter of perspective here. But... losses are normal around here, aren't they? It's the payment for working in such place, and we all have to deal with it. We cannot guarantee that we can save each person, even if we try it. It's better to lose a few than lose a bunch in the end.

[N04H]-You know, I didn't realise until now... but you all seem as you have seen things you didn't want, even with these happy faces you have. I've never imagined that you can hide so many truths behind that smile you always have.

[LUK3]-Really? Oh, boy, you sure have things to learn! Heheh! But you know, N04H, a simple death shouldn't affect you. This is the cycle of life after all. We shouldn't live our lives in fear that we might lose even more than we already did, that's why I'm trying to make the best of it! The others tried as well, even if it doesn't look like it, but maybe they just got a bit marked from what we've encountered throughout our journey here.

[N04H]-But what can cause such a sad atmosphere in the entire base? You said it yourself: a simple death shouldn't affect us. If it's not a loss, then what is it?

[LUK3]-Oh, you sure put a lot of questions, N04H! I like that!

[N04H]-Maybe because I want to know more about you guys? Aren't you working better with someone after you know more about the person?

[LUK3]-Maybe... But I guess in our case, it's the complete opposite. Don't you see how many times we fight with each other out of nothing? Take the example from earlier!

[N04H]-Umm... I'm not sure that's categorised as "nothing" though... You pissed me off as well when you did that.

[LUK3]-Really? Heheh... Why so?

[N04H]-I don't know, simply because of how stupid your reason was. Aren't you afraid you will get in trouble later?

[LUK3]-Mmm... Maybe. Maybe not. I'm not as afraid of Boss as you think, kid! I told you, He isn't as scary as He might look like! I mean, yeah, I hate pain and all, but He takes it easy on us, even if it doesn't look like it... Trust me, you really don't want to see Him at His true potential. If you fear Him because you don't know anything about Him, remember that there are people who fear Him because they know too much.

[N04H]-So... you know Him well enough that it stopped being scary to you?

[LUK3]-Actually, for me, there was nothing scary about Him to begin with. I worked for Him for some good years now, and believe it or not, we did have times when all of us were actually friends. If you want me to be honest, when I entered and saw Him for the first time, I thought He was some kind of brat that was playing with us with the lie of Him being the Great Leader. Don't tell Him that I said that by the way...

[N04H]-Really? What changed your mind then?

[LUK3]-Simply the fact that I got to know Him better after a while. I was your age when I joined, and He wasn't that older either. It's just a year difference between us. A lot of the newcomers had doubts on Him being the ruler of the city back then, and many refused to obey to His orders for quite some time. Heck, even KYR4 almost lost it when she joined a year after and was one step away from simply giving up on the military just because she saw a kid of our age being the Great Leader! Now look at the present! She obeys to every word He says no matter how hard she disagrees! He proved Himself worthy of being the ruler in the end, so we all had changed our views on Him. But maybe we pushed this into His mindset too much over the years, 'cause He still has this habit of proving everybody what He's capable of. So, maybe we really did exaggerate...

[N04H]-He feels that people still don't respect Him? Even after all these years?

[LUK3]-I'm not sure, buddy... I don't know His intentions any better. RY4N is the only one that knows Him the best, and yet he too doesn't understand what CHE5TER is after. I doubt it is respect what He seeks for. We gave Him all the respect in the world as our ruler. It can't be simply that.

[N04H]-Then... what it might be?

[LUK3]-Who knows... But with all this respect, in us grew a feeling of pity for Him, which just recently became fear.

[N04H]-Fear?

[LUK3]-Mhm!

[N04H]-Fear of what?

[LUK3]-...

It is that moment of hesitation when LUK3 stops talking suddenly and remembers a bad memory of the past, then looks a bit at N04H, not knowing how exactly he could respond to that question at all. He thinks about it for a while, then looks down again and tries to avoid the subject.

[LUK3]-Doesn't matter... Come, we've talked enough already, don't you think? You were tired after all. We can go back and rest until the day starts. We have all the time in the world to answer your questions later.

So, LUK3 gets up and starts walking towards the exit, while N04H remains behind and looks at him leave, wondering even more about everything that he has said.

14:17

And now, N04H seems to leave his room after he woke up some minutes ago, yet when he does so, the first thing he notices when he looks around is LUK3 with the Great Leader next to a wall. The Great Leader seems to be working on a program of the wall, while LUK3 is giving Him an innocent smile as if he begs Him, nothing out of the ordinary here.

[CHE5TER]-Don't try any tricks now, LUK3. You had your chances like everyone else.

[LUK3]-Oh, come on, man!! What if I really encounter an emergency and I can't inform you all because you took away this from me??

[CHE5TER]-Find someone else to inform us. It's not that hard.

[LUK3]-And what if I can't find anybody!?

[CHE5TER]-You will find a way. Besides, the chances of an emergency happening around the base with nobody around you are pretty low, don't you think?

[LUK3]-Come ooooon!!

[CHE5TER]-No. You abused your power over the alarm too many times. You do not have any access to it anymore as a consequence. This is my final answer.

And as He said that, He closes the program of the wall, making it look as ordinary as it was before, then takes LUK3's hand and puts it on the wall to make sure the program has been fixed. Now, the wall doesn't respond to his hand anymore, so CHE5TER succeeded in taking him this right.

[LUK3]-Please?? If I promise I will behave well, will I get my permission back?

[CHE5TER]-Why do you want it back so much anyway? It's not like you can't live without it.

[LUK3]-But I can't!! Doesn't it sound embarrassing if you were the only one in the entire building without this permission!?

[CHE5TER]-Really? You are talking about embarrassment? Have you ever looked into a mirror before, LUCAS? I said no and I won't change my mind, understood? My work here is done. Complain as much as you like about it if you wish, it won't change anything.

[LUK3]-Okay, look...

Yet the moment He hears these words, He rolls His eyes and He puts His hand on His face to not get angry again.

[LUK3]-...If I work harder from now on and pay all the debts I have, maybe you can reconsider it? Hm? How does it sound?

Then He looks at him again, straight into his eyes, with such a soft face almost as if He wanted to give him even a bit of hope. LUK3 gets a bit happier when watching this change of His expression, yet the happiness ends the moment CHE5TER hits him in the face hard enough so that he can get his mind off this idea for once and for all.

[CHE5TER]-...Hope that answered your question. 'Cause I got my revenge.

[LUK3]-BUT I DIDN'T HIT YOU! YOU ARE JUST EXAGGER--

[CHE5TER]- --Say one more word and next time I will kick you in the balls. How does that sound?

[LUK3]-*mumbles*

[CHE5TER]-Good. Hope that cleared everything out.

And with that, He was ready to leave, but the moment He tried so, N04H got closer to them in hope that he can catch the ruler for a small talk.

[N04H]-H-Hey! Wait! Master CHE5TER!

[CHE5TER]-Hm? Oh, good day, N04H. I will guess you want to tell me about your decision?

[N04H]-You are not far from it...

[CHE5TER]-Oh? Then what is it?

[N04H]-I actually have a small question for you. If you don't mind, of course.

[CHE5TER]-Go ahead. I have a few minutes left anyway.

[LUK3]-Oh, so for him you have time, huh...

[CHE5TER]-Hm? Did you say something, LUCAS?

[LUK3]-...Hm? Oh, me? Oh, no! I didn't! Nope! Did you hear me say something, N04H? No? Good!

[CHE5TER]-Hmph. That's what I thought. Anyway... your question, Mr. N04H?

[N04H]-...I was actually wondering how did you choose your weapon? LUK3 said it's a matter of personal choice, but maybe you have a different answer?

[CHE5TER]-My weapon? You mean my sword?

[N04H]-Yeah... What made you choose it?

[CHE5TER]-Why does it matter so much though?

[N04H]-I thought that maybe there is a reason why some weapons are better for others and some are simply not as good as they should be, even though all of them are equal in danger. I just wanted to hear a different perspective, that's all. I already chose mine, but I'm just curious.

[CHE5TER]-But there is no reason behind the choice. Why exactly do you wish to hear it from me?

[N04H]-Huh?

[CHE5TER]-Everybody is put to choose their weapon at some point, N04H. I had no hidden reason behind my choice, and I do not see the point in thinking there is actually a personal thing when choosing it. It's just what you feel better to use while fighting. I do not even see the reason for me to continue using it anyway. It's almost useless to me.

[N04H]-W-What? But you fight with it, don't you?? It protects you from danger and helps you in a battle, doesn't it??

[CHE5TER]-Little boy, a weapon is just a tool. It can break into pieces at any point and I can get another one. It has no meaning to its owner if you do not let yourself get attached to it. You don't get it? I am the weapon itself of the war. This sword means nothing to me. It just reminds me of what I was born to be.

N04H gets silent as he didn't expect this response at all. He thought he will get a response similar to "the weapon defines what the owner's desires are". But from this answer, it is more like "the weapon defines what the owner has become".

[CHE5TER]-If there is nothing left, I should take my leave. I need to start working on the papers for the next month. Have a nice free day, you two.

Then He finally takes His leave as He said, yet N04H watches Him in silence as He vanishes in the hallway, speaking with LUK3 again.

[N04H]-So that's what you meant by pity, huh...

[LUK3]-Yeah, something like that. But you are stupid as well for asking Him that all of a sudden!

[N04H]-How so!? I just wanted to hear a different opinion! How could I know He will answer with something like that??

[LUK3]-I was just saying!! Oh, what are your plans anyway? I was thinking that around 39:00 or 40:00, we should gather everyone from the base and go out in the city! All of us! Do you think you are free around that hour?

[N04H]-Sure, I guess... My whole plan was just to go meet some of my friends and stay with them until the sleep schedule of the day.

[LUK3]-Nice! Then you can help me out spreading the invitation, right? We need to act fast before everyone leaves for their free day after all!

[N04H]-Heh... Okay, okay. I will help you out.

And yet, as they talk, the ruler is still wandering around the hallways to make His way towards His office. When He arrives, He enters the room and sits down on His chair, getting the papers necessary to work on for the next month ready. But when He wishes to start, He has a moment of hesitation, as almost He doesn't dare taking the pen in His left hand now.

He looks at His right hand this time though, moving His fingers perfectly, as the arm doesn't seem numb anymore like it was before. He then takes the bandages off and looks around the black parts of His former wounds that took over the hand, replacing His injuries perfectly. And in the next second, He remembers a memory.

"[CHE5TER]-Man, you don't even know how much I've been waiting for this moment!

[AL7AN]-Oh? So I suppose you've already chosen your weapon even before we've arrived here?

[CHE5TER]-Yep! I always wanted to have a sword and learn how to fight with it! The soldiers from the war had swords, didn't they? So it must be a great weapon!

[AL7AN]-Really? But why do you think it fits you so much, if I may ask?

[CHE5TER]-Well, if I want to become a warrior and work in your base, I should be just like the soldiers from the past, no?

[AL7AN]-But does it have a meaning this choice of yours?

[CHE5TER]-Huh?

[AL7AN]-Little one, answer this question: How much does it matter the weapon in a true battle?

[CHE5TER]-Well, I guess a lot, does it not? You defeat your enemies with the help of it!

[AL7AN]-And what if I told you that it does not have any advantages?

[CHE5TER]-Well, that would be a bunch of nonsense...

[AL7AN]-Really? Then let's see what I have to say, shall we? In a battle of Life and Death, how much do you focus only on your weapon, rather than your own skills?

[CHE5TER]-Huh?

[AL7AN]-Think it like this... Even if you see this weapon as power, it is nothing but a simple tool that helps you out a bit. It does nothing but make the fight easier if you know how to use it. What matters in a battle is the person that wields it. A weapon has no potential if there is nobody to use it in the first place, does it not? It is and will forever remain a simple instrument of war. The true weapon in a battle is the man behind the tool. You get it now? You are the weapon, CHE5TER. You are the weapon of the war. Do you see it?

And in this memory, it seems like little CHE5TER also looks at his small right hand, trying to see this weapon that his master talks about, but he doesn't see anything besides just a regular hand."

Yet now, as He grew up, He realised the words His master has tried to tell Him, even though it's a bit too late for it.

[CHE5TER]-...Reason behind the choice, huh?

15:56

Going back to the other boys though, LUK3 and N04H had already invited some of the people around the base, and they got tired from running around the hallways in hope to get everyone before they leave.

[N04H]-So, who do we have left?

[LUK3]-Uhh... Mr. D4NI3L as we didn't find him... C0NNER didn't even arrive at the base yet... MY4 told me that she will ask KYR4 herself... Probably a few more Strikers... Oh, and the LENKOV brothers! Yeah, I think that's all!

[N04H]-So, who do we go to now?

[LUK3]-Umm...

Meanwhile, just at the right time, RY4N was trying to go towards the Great Leader's office. As N04H notices him, he shouts his name out loud for him to stop.

[N04H]-Hey! RY4N!!

[RY4N]-Hm?

Then, RY4N goes towards them to see what they want before he goes back to his business.

[RY4N]-Good day! Anything wrong?

[LUK3]-Nahh! We just want to talk!

[RY4N]-Is it related to the incident from the early morning? If so, I can't help you with anything. You caused yourself problems, LUK3.

[LUK3]-Yeah, yeah... For fuck sake, how many of you are gonna mock me today for this thing!?

[RY4N]-I'm not mocking you, I'm just saying that I cannot solve your argument with CHE5TER again. He gave you too many chances in the past, you should think twice before you do something stupid.

[LUK3]-OKAY! I GET IT! BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT WE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT!

[RY4N]-Then what is it?

[N04H]-LUK3 wants to invite the whole base later this day out. We just wanted to ask if you are interested or not, and maybe if you can convince the Great Leader as well.

[RY4N]-Can't promise anything but... I will try and see what I can do. So, this is your plan for the free day?

[N04H]-Yeah! What are yours?

[RY4N]-I didn't actually have any to be honest. Because of the new month that's going to come, I thought that I might help out with the documents in the office and then see what I can do with the time remained.

[N04H]-But isn't it suppose to be a break? Why are you working today? You and the ruler?

[RY4N]-It's just that it's a lot to handle in these kind of days, nothing special. And as a supposed Leader of the base, I am responsible for getting everything done. But it's not like it will take me the whole day, I will have some time to rest as well.

[LUK3]-If you say so...

[N04H]-Actually, RY4N, can I ask you something?

[RY4N]-What is it?

[N04H]-How did you choose your weapon?

[RY4N]-Hm? What do you mean by that?

[N04H]-You know... the weapon you use during the missions? You have one, right?

[RY4N]-Oh, is it because you had to choose yours earlier? But why are you asking me this?

[LUK3]-Yeah, N04H! I got bored of this question myself!

[N04H]-I just want to see more answers, that's all.

[RY4N]-Well... I don't really have the best answer for it. To be honest, I never thought about this question before. I guess it simply fit me the moment I was obligated to choose one.

[N04H]-So you believe in the wielder being the weapon itself as well?

[RY4N]-What do you mean by that?

[N04H]-Well... I asked Master CHE5TER as well because I thought Him being the ruler might give a good point behind His answer, but I only got even more confused by doing so. He told me something like the tool doesn't even matter if the weapon is not the wielder.

[RY4N]-He said that, huh...

As he hears these words, RY4N looks down upset, but gets back into his character to finish the chat.

[RY4N]-*sigh* No, I don't believe in that.

[N04H]-Huh??

[RY4N]-I mean, yeah, the wielder is in control of everything during a battle, but if the wielder does not have the power to be the "weapon itself", then he too is useless as well. For a person that does not have this ability, a tool is the true weapon, even if he believes otherwise. I am a wielder of a gun for example, yet I never felt like I'm the weapon. More like... I was the shield itself. But of course, it can be however you see it. I'm not here to influence you in my beliefs.

[N04H]-Huh... Somehow I understand this answer better than your brother's...

[RY4N]-I guess our beliefs are what makes us so different from each other... We had the same past, same childhood and met the same people, yet the way we saw this life of ours made us take different paths.

He thinks again about the ruler now, remembering something from the past too. It upsets him even more, to the point that he knows he cannot stay with them without any of both of the boys to not notice it.

[RY4N]-Anyway... You can go back to whatever you were doing. I will try my best with CHE5TER and all, don't worry. And I hope I managed to give you a proper answer to your question as well. I will see you later then?

[LUK3]-Sure thing!! Come on, N04H! We still got people to ask!!

The boys then leave, yet RY4N remains behind, watching them, being lost in his thoughts again.

"...So that's why you've done it, Ches? Because you consider yourself a weapon rather than a simple being like all of us? That's why you put us to live that day and asked to simply forget about it? Thinking it's as easy as it sounds to do so?

You know how much we've suffered just from that incident alone? It's not even about the losses anymore. We just live in fear from that day on just because of your actions. You know more than anybody in this city how badly it will impact our future if we lose another ruler all of a sudden, yet you are bold enough to put us all in this problem thinking it might solve the war.

Just because you consider yourself the weapon does not mean you truly have to become one. Once a tool breaks, it cannot be restored to its initial form, and it is the same case at beings as well. So why are you doing all of this? Do you truly have a reason behind it, or you just believe what your master told you? You want to see your title as "weapon"? Then do it! But remember that our father had it as well, and look how it impacted us when it came to that loss! You think you will change anything doing the same thing He did? 'Cause you won't! You won't change anything! You will only make our living even harder! You will make my living even harder!

...You know I cannot forget that day, no matter how hard you told me to do so. None of us can! We are only trying to help in this war as much as you do, but you think this burden shall only be on your shoulders alone. It's not a burden that shall be solved only by one being, CHE5TER. What do you think will happen after you succeed with your plan? That everything will have its happy ending? That we will finally go back to our true life? It won't. For me, it will never do. And you know why?"

"...Because it won't be a happy ending if you truly give your own life for it!"