11.07.1642

The Southeast Military Base

38:12

Everyone is getting ready for the next mission of today, while RY4N is informing everyone of what they are suppose to do. Every soldier is standing to hear his words, even though some of them question the mission itself. But it's not the first time when this happens, almost every day when the explanation is going, someone has some doubts. It's normal. Even in our world.

Yet after everything is done and everyone starts preparing the supplies, one of the soldiers seems to go towards the office of the Great Leader. As to why... it's left for us to find. He opens the door of the office, and even the Great Leader is a bit surprised to have a visitor now.

On His desk are the letters from His father, as well as His part of "legacy" and books, as it looks as if He was trying to find the answer again. Yet now, He is standing with the back towards the door, watching His city for a small break, before starting talking.

[CHE5TER]-What is it, RY4N? Shouldn't you prepare everyone for the mission? Why did you come again?

[C0NNER]-...It's not RY4N, Master.

[CHE5TER]-Hm?

He then finally turns around, looking at His visitor, a bit perplexed.

[CHE5TER]-...C0NNER? What is it? Something wrong?

[C0NNER]-It's just that... I haven't gotten the chance to talk with you that much in the past few days. I thought that taking a small moment before everything starts won't kill anybody, right?

[CHE5TER]-Right... Then what do you want to talk about? Do you have more questions to ask me? Or did you come to inform me of something?

[C0NNER]-I... just wanted to talk. I didn't really have anything in mind.

[CHE5TER]-Hm... Strange request, but alright. So? How are your lessons progressing? You've started them for some time now I believe, right?

[C0NNER]-Yeah, about... two months ago. But so far... I didn't progress in anything. I didn't manage to make even a simple object. I just... can't do it. Maybe I'm not made to be a C born...

[CHE5TER]-*sigh* You are talking nonsense again... C0NNER, it's in your blood to be a Creator. There is no such thing as "not being made for it". It's normal to fail at start, it's normal to take some time until you finally succeed. It was never easy for anybody to learn something new. Do you think we were born to wield our powers the moment we'd opened our eyes? No! We had to learn it as well! It took us time at first, and even failed sometimes. I know many people that took them even years before they finally managed to wield their powers for the first time.

[C0NNER]-...But most people succeeded from a young age, yet here I am at 19 years old not being able to do anything.

[CHE5TER]-Then, if it bothers you the age you have now, why didn't you accept my offering when you were younger?

[C0NNER]-Even if I did... wasn't I only going for one year? Or not even a year, just a few months... Since at 14 I had to leave anyway?

[CHE5TER]-A year is better than nothing, is it not? I'll be honest with you on this subject though... you didn't miss much by not going to school at that time. Most of the subject were focused on what you already know. I mean, I did fear that when I took you, you wouldn't have that much knowledge from what they teach you at school since nobody probably taught you, but you've learnt fast those things by watching us over the years, so there was no problem with that. You knew how to survive on your own from your past group already, and you've learnt after how to read and write from us, as well as how to use some ores just in case. And yet only professionals can teach you how to use your powers since they know how to help you in this regard. We were useless to you when it came to that problem, so maybe in that year you had, you could've focus only on this subject and ignore all the others.

[C0NNER]-Was it hard for you as well when you first learnt about your powers though?

[CHE5TER]-Mm... I won't say that. I've learnt faster this subject than all the others, but I did fail at first a lot of times until I got better. To be honest... I didn't really like school that much, so I left when I was even younger than you were when we first found you by taking my final exams. I couldn't bear four more years with those people... and from what I've heard, I didn't miss much anyway from what RY4N has told me in the past. But, again, it was better if you went when I said, even for just a year. Why did you refuse?

[C0NNER]-I guess I... was afraid.

[CHE5TER]-Hm? Afraid? Afraid of what?

[C0NNER]-I thought that... since I was in my first year at a much older age... people would've make fun of me.

[CHE5TER]-Oh, fear of being unaccepted. I guess it is common for all the Lost Children of Heaven though... I saw many of your kind with the same fear, and I guess it's normal since in the above you weren't accepted as who you truly are from the very beginning. Yet, tell me, why would you care what others say? You are there to learn for yourself, not for the others.

[C0NNER]-Then... maybe I feared that I would've been alone.

CHE5TER takes a small pause, looking a bit unhappy at C0NNER, before He continues again.

[CHE5TER]-...Then... I guess I won't blame you on this one.

[C0NNER]-...Hm? Why not?

[CHE5TER]-...During my school years, I actually felt alone pretty frequently. I could call them even my "Hell Years" if it was for me to name them. Hell, if it wasn't for RY4N to be with me, I wouldn't even continue going to school ever since the first month. Most of my old colleagues didn't like me that much for a reason I didn't really understand, so as a consequence, I've got bullied a lot of times. Even the teachers seemed to have something against me as well. I despite even more that my brother and I were born as different races so we had different schedules at some hours and had to be separated... Not until I got at the base, I didn't really have friends, you know? Officer RY4N was the only one who I talked with at your age. So this fear of loneliness is something that I can understand... I guess my only motivation back then was to get out of that place as soon as possible so that I can finally start following my dreams. But... I'm not telling this to scare you, this is only my experience. The others maybe had a better one than me, so you shouldn't really fear that place.

[C0NNER]-Even so, it's a bit too late for me to go follow a school. All I can do now is to do some particular lessons with one of the teachers when they have free time. And even like this, it doesn't seem like I will ever learn...

[CHE5TER]-Then show me what you've learnt so far. Come. We have some time left after all.

C0NNER goes in front of His desk and takes a seat, then starts to tense his arms in front of Him to show whatever he had learnt throughout the months.

[C0NNER]-...The teacher told me that I should start by doing these moves and see if I sense anything around my arms. Yet every time I try... I never succeed. I do not feel anything.

[CHE5TER]-Hm... Then let me try something. Continue what you're doing.

The Great Leader then looks around His pockets for a bag of money and takes out two coins of Verha, showing them to C0NNER.

[CHE5TER]-...You see these coins, right?

[C0NNER]-Yeah?

He smashes them after, forcing the black mist made out of them to appear and wielding it around C0NNER's arms. CHE5TER's C colour lights up by doing so, maybe what He wishes to see at him as well.

[CHE5TER]-Now... focus on the mist around your arms. Look at its movements and how it flows around freely. Do you feel it close to you?

[C0NNER]-A bit...

[CHE5TER]-How does it feel?

[C0NNER]-It's... cold... and unstable.

[CHE5TER]-Then let's make it stable, hm?

[C0NNER]-...How?

[CHE5TER]-Admire its chaotic movements... like a simple wind wandering around the world. Now... close your eyes, and focus on this strange wind. Take a deep breath and let every thought leave your mind...

C0NNER closes his eyes and tries to feel this "wind" around his arms, inhaling a deep breath and exhaling it after keeping it for a few seconds.

[CHE5TER]-...Good, good. Continue breathing.

And so he does. He got back to being His disciple in the end, even if they didn't wish for this to happen. Maybe because his master feels rather pity towards him for not being able to teach him these techniques in the past.

[CHE5TER]-Now... try and change its movements on your own. Once I let the mist free, its movements will be the same as they were before until they stop and fall slowly on the nearest ground. Yet by letting it... you will be able to become the only one capable of wielding its ways by focusing on it. Ready?

C0NNER takes a small breath this time and nods silently, yet without seeing anything. So, CHE5TER lets go of the mist, His C colour stopping its light, and looks at C0NNER's attempt. He looks for over four or five seconds and sees not progress, so He continues speaking to him.

[CHE5TER]-...Focus on the wind. Don't let it stop its journey.

Yet C0NNER tries so hard, tensing his arms so badly, trying to succeed. But he doesn't feel anything, he even frowns from all the tense. Yet still nothing. Even CHE5TER sees that his C colour doesn't light up at all, so He failed once again.

[C0NNER]-I don't... feel anything. Does it work?

The mist finally stops though, starting to fall on the ground like dust, only for the Great Leader to feel a bit disappointed and close His eyes as well, putting His left arm of his hands and moving them on the desk, enough for C0NNER to understand that the attempt has stopped.

[CHE5TER]-*sigh* Relax now. No need to continue.

And so, C0NNER finally opens his eyes and sees the black mist staying on the desk, feeling disappointed as well just by looking at it.

[C0NNER]-...I failed again, didn't I?

[CHE5TER]-It's alright... If it makes you feel better, I failed again as well. I guess I'm not made to be a teacher, hm?

Yet even if CHE5TER tried to cheer him up, he is still a bit sad that he failed once again. Even He notices it.

[CHE5TER]-...Don't take it to heart, C0NNER. You will manage to do it one day. It just takes time until then.

[C0NNER]-I understand...

CHE5TER takes the fallen mist again, lighting up His C colour and creates something simple with it, like a pencil, just to not waste it. Then, He looks around His pockets for a while. Yet C0NNER looks down, still disappointed in himself, a bit lost in his thought, before his master hands him something. It's a cigarette.

[CHE5TER]-...Here. So you don't say you left empty-handed.

He looks a bit perplexed at it at first, then at his master, before he sighs and takes it from His hand and putting it in his mouth. CHE5TER takes one for Himself as well, putting it on His mouth and taking His lighter and trying to ignite the spark a few times, before finally the fire starts coming out, at which C0NNER looks empty.

"...Each time I see that fire... it reminds me of so many unwanted memories... as if the past haunts me even till this very day."

6 YEARS AGO

15.06.1636

16:41

"...Each time I see a mist... it reminds me of how useless I am... of how useless I was when they needed me the most.

...Each time I see smoke though... it reminds me of how much my life has changed over the years. From a little boy that was running each day of his life... to a warrior that seeks revenge for the people he had lost. And yet... I am still not enough to make them proud, even after all those years.

I despite fire... even if I use it almost every day now. Fire took everything I had that day, whether it was by a gun or a simple small tool. Yet I'm still questioning myself... why do I use this small tool so frequently if it is the same tool that took even the last thing I had?"

There is a small memory of the little Six, crying around a dead corpse, that we've already witnessed.

[630G]-...FOUR!! WAKE UP FOUR!! FOUR, DON'T YOU DARE DIE ON ME TOO!! FOUR!!!

"Why do I... still like to use this fire that it makes, even after everything I've witnessed? Is it truly the ore that makes me addicted to it because of its calming effect? ...Or is it something that I didn't find about myself? Or maybe..."

And it doesn't take long before the memories cuts to the point on which the corpse is on fire, while the two figures stay next to it, watching it burn.

"...do I really like watching this smoke it creates after? Like I used to watch when this whole incident happened? If so... why do I like it so much? It only hurt me, and it will always hurt me each time I remember, so why would I like it so much?"

[CHE5TER]-...C0NNER! C0NNER, pay attention!

Yet the memory fades, as we found ourselves somewhere in the past after the whole incident happened, where young CHE5TER is looking at little "C0NNER".

[CHE5TER]-C0NNER!!

["C0NNER"]-...H-Huh?

[CHE5TER]-*sigh* You want me to call you "Six" or what?? What should I do to make you pay attention to me when we are training?

["C0NNER"]-O-Oh... u-um... Sorry, Mr. CHE5TER. I-I wasn't... My mind was somewhere else.

Yet CHE5TER seems a bit annoyed by this response for some reason.

[CHE5TER]-C0NNER, everything that happened is in the past now! It's been two days already! You have to learn to move on!

["C0NNER"]-I-I know, I just... I-I'm just...

Yet the kid seems sad, almost as if he wants to cry. CHE5TER doesn't seem to be the best master in these times either.

[CHE5TER]-...You know what? Just forget it... Go take a break for a while and we will continue a bit later. But please! Pay attention to me! I didn't take you for nothing, kid!

The kid doesn't say anything, he only looks ashamed at the ground, while the young ruler leaves the training room and lets him alone. He is pretty upset, actually, and while he is alone, he just goes to a wall and sits down, taking his rest.

But it seems like tears come from his eyes, yet he wipes them out immediately with his right hand, refusing for some reason to cry. But it doesn't seem as he can control these feelings of his either, as he sobs a little while wiping his tears. So, in order to stop himself from this, he looks around the room to analyse it better this time. Yet he notices a desk on which there are all kind of weapons, so by pure curiosity, he gets up and wipes his tears for the last time, before he goes towards the desk.

When he finally gets next to it, he looks at all the weapons that just stand there, yet it's a bit too early for him to choose one for himself. He is just curious, that's all. From the weapons, he sees a sword, weapon that his master wields, weapon that He used to save him. He takes it a bit in his hands and tries to move it around for a while, but it doesn't take long before another weapon gets his attention.

He sees a simple bow, yet for some reason he gets more attached to that weapon than the sword itself. So, he puts it down and takes the bow to try it out, even though the bow is a bit too big and heavy for him to even hold it. Yet he doesn't give up, even if he almost falls on the ground from it. He takes one of the arrows from the quiver that was on the desk and tries to arrange the arrow so that he can aim with it. Yet it's a bit hard for him since the bow is so heavy, but he succeeds in putting himself in a better position than before, looking around for something to aim at, noticing a training dummy.

It doesn't take long before he tries to aim at it, looking through the bow, with the arrowhead's direction towards the dummy, pulling the bowstring as much as he can, before he strikes... Or, well, tried to strike. Because the bow is heavy for him, his aim got destroyed the moment he let go of the bowstring, not to mention that his pulling wasn't strong enough, so the arrow barely flew. So besides sadness... he is now disappointed as well.

17:13

[CHE5TER]-RY4N, I don't know what to do anymore! I don't know what to do to help him! No matter what I try, he is not paying attention to me! He doesn't want to learn!

[RY4N]-CHE5TER, be patient with him... He just joined us after that tragic event he has witnessed. It's normal for him to act like this.

Both of the brothers seem to argue a bit about little Six in the Great Leader's office, yet Six seems to be listening quietly, without them knowing, from the door that was barely open, upset about what he is hearing.

[CHE5TER]-I can't be patient forever, Brother! You know I have a lot to do already! I have the Council which already gets on my nerves every day, I have the missions of the base to plan each night, I have to supervise the Underground City, and now I got myself being a teacher for someone that doesn't even want to pay attention to me! I know it hurts him and all, but I barely can make myself some time for him and he doesn't even want to listen to what I'm saying! I don't know what to do to make him understand this situation anymore!

[RY4N]-But that shouldn't mean you have to go harsh on him. He is just a kid, CHE5TER. We were the same as him. And right now, these aren't the best times for him either.

[CHE5TER]-*sigh* I know. But I feel like I'm losing my mind with everything that's on my "Have-To-Do" list. I was tired already even before I took him, and now I'm trying to wake myself up even earlier to have some time for him as well. I'm still trying to... get used to everything. You know that already, RY4N.

Yet Six leaves as he doesn't seem to want to listen anymore, still upset.

[RY4N]-You know... you acted the same when we had our incident. I couldn't even talk with you properly for days until you got better and managed to recover even a little, just enough to start your work as the new Great Leader. Don't put the blame on him for what happened. Fate simply wasn't by his side this time.

[CHE5TER]-...Alright. Yeah, I guess you are right. I will... try and go easier on him from now on.

[RY4N]-I'm always right, Brother! Now, take a rest before you go back to him and clear your mind. Arguing with him won't solve anything.

Yet as they stop talking, we see little Six again, wandering alone the hallway.

"...Over the past few days, He was pretty busy, even busier than I remember. The whole thing regarding the letter got into His top priorities, and I barely managed to see Him anywhere myself. Yet... to be honest, He was always busy, even the moment I've joined Him.

I remember that He was waking me up very early in the morning, yet I didn't really mind that since I was used to it from my past life, but He was always looking tired because of it. Since that... and all the anger thrown towards me because of His tiredness... I thought myself as another burden to Him for many years. Yet I never really told Him how I felt about all of this... I just kept it to myself.

When I joined, I remember that I wasn't really talkative to anybody, as I was barely talking with the other soldiers around me. I can't say I'm talkative now either though... to me, nothing really has changed. Yet even now and in the past, the person that I talked the most with was Him in the end. I don't know why... but I always felt more safe around Him than around anybody else. I guess I really saw Him as a model for me, even with all of His imperfections.

And it's true that He used to make my life even harder than it already was, but I guess I was making His as well. The trainings with Him were something that I really didn't enjoy doing, as His methods were too much for me, but knowing that He learnt the same way just made me wonder how many people actually suffered the same fate as me. As for my loneliness... it's a feeling I still didn't get used to it.

He was... the one who gave me my name. C0NNER... He gave me this name the moment I decided to help Him, to join His team and fight into this war even if it costs my life. I've never understood why did He choose this name to me, or why did He even give me a new name... yet I used it and I will forever use it until I meet my end. A new name means a new beginning, so maybe He only wanted to give me this gift of rebirth. Yet back then... I was still using my former nickname, as an old habit of mine... and maybe as a memory as well."

[LUK3]-Oh? Hey! C0NNER! Wait up!

Little Six stops from his walk and looks back at the young man that was calling him. It's young LUK3, the same man that tried very hard to be friends with the new guy years ago.

[LUK3]-How are you doing, little guy?? Wanna come with me and some of my friends to take a fresh air?

Yet little Six doesn't really respond at first, he is just looking down, waiting for the man to leave him alone.

[LUK3]-Come ooon! I promise you will have fun! Pretty please??

Then he looks at him a bit unsure, until he finally nods affirmatively and says one word, silently.

["C0NNER"]-...A-Alright.

[LUK3]-Hahah, I promise you didn't choose the wrong answer, buddy! Let me just bring the others and we will go around the city, alright? I will show you around!

Yet again, he doesn't say a word. But he seems to be looking at LUK3's nose, on which he has a small bandage from the mission in which he tried to save Six's group.

The Underground City

17:29

[LUK3]-Alriiight! Now, where should we go first to visit...

[MY4]-Maybe we can go around the center of the city? It's a good start for him to learn about our city's business and all.

[KYR4]-That's all you got, MY4? Business? You bring a Lost Child of Heaven into a new city and the first thing coming to your mind when asked what to show him is "business"?

[MY4]-I meant that it's where all the trades are happening. From clothes to every possible thing you need! If he ever wants to buy something or he is in need of an item, he should know from where to buy it, right? He has to learn to survive after all, just like all of us. Showing them early isn't such a bad thing.

[KYR4]-Shouldn't we take him easy at first? We will show these kind of things later. For now, maybe we can try and relax as how the initial plan was? Just saying!

[MY4]-You got something in mind then, ADIN4?

[KYR4]-*sigh* I thought we ended the whole thing with "ADIN4" long time ago, MY4.

[MY4]-Hey, I was raised with this name of yours, alright? It's a force of habit until I get used to it as well.

[LUK3]-Oh, oh, can I ask why did you change it if we are on this subject? I liked to call you "little Adi"!

[KYR4]-I could ask you the same thing, "LUCAS"!

[LUK3]-Well, I mean, I sticked to my old name, it's not like I changed it completely like you!

Yet as the three friends talk, little Six stays silent in the back, following them around and looking at the city. For him is out of nowhere to see C borns being free to wander the streets with smiles on their faces and not even a glance of fear to be caught by the M soldiers. But LUK3 ruins the moment for him and takes him by a hand to bring him on his right side, putting his arm around his shoulder and looking at him.

[LUK3]-Alright, buddy, you choose where we should go! Since me and the girls can't think of a spot, maybe you want to see something in particular! It could be anything, really! Maybe you've liked to visit a place in the City of Above and want to see something similar here! Just tell me and I show it to you!

["C0NNER"]-U-Umm... I-I don't really...

[LUK3]-Come ooon! There has to be something you wanna see, right? Anything! You are free to go wherever you wish now, don't waste this opportunity!

But even so, little Six doesn't seem to feel comfortable right now, and even the girls notice it.

[KYR4]-Okay, LUK3, you terrorised him enough. Let him breath.

[LUK3]-What do you even mean!? I didn't terrorise anybody! I'm just trying to be friendly to him!

[KYR4]-Yeah, and that "friendly" face of yours sure scared the shit out of his soul. Little guy is still getting used to his new life, god dammit! You don't have to force him from the first day!

[LUK3]-Ninini... Just 'cause you became an Officer, doesn't mean you are the boss when we are alone, got it??

[MY4]-LUK3, even I think it's a bit too much. Let's take it easy with him!

[LUK3]-*sigh* I don't remember you guys being so boring... Okay, then how about this... we go to a bar, take a quick drink and talk there where we should go next. What do you think? I mean, a drink doesn't kill anybody, and maybe he will like something from there too.

[MY4]-What do you say, Adi?

[KYR4]-*sigh* As long as you don't exaggerate or don't order something very expensive, then I don't care. Yet if this is his start... I don't really see him well in the next years.

[LUK3]-I won't exaggerate, alright!? I know how to control myself!

[KYR4]-Mhm... Tell that to all the times I had to carry you because of how drunk you got.

[LUK3]-It was just a few times!! Until a few years ago, I wasn't even getting my mouth near them, remember!?

[KYR4]-Alright! Alright! Just lead the way already, you idiot!

And so, the group goes around one of the bars near them, as the girls order something by themselves and only Six was left to decide, with LUK3 near him to help him in some advices.

[LUK3]-Alright, buddy! What does appear interesting to you from the list? Look, for example, I would recommend one of these three drinks for beginners! It's the first drink for you, right?

The kid nods silently this time.

[LUK3]-Okay, good! Yeah, these three are good for you! Or, or... this one! I mean, it's not my favourite, but it's loved by the others kids! What do you think?

Six starts looking around the names of all the drinks, yet he seems a bit perplexed. None of them appear interesting to him. Not until he sees one drink called "Dawn in the Night".

["C0NNER"]-...What about this one?

[LUK3]-Hm? "Dawn in the Night"?

["C0NNER"]-M-Mhm...

[LUK3]-Umm... Won't say you are ready for it if it's your first drink. It's a bit heavy this one, trust me.

[MY4]-Isn't it the same one that CHE5TER takes every time we take Him out?

[LUK3]-Really? That's the one? Then how is He so used to it?

[KYR4]-I don't know, His habit? Wasn't He saying that He used to go to a barman almost every day when He was younger?

[LUK3]-Damn, then I am nothing compared to Him if He remains so well in His feet...

Yet Six still looks around the list while the others talk and remains with that option.

["C0NNER"]-...That one.

[LUK3]-Huh? Are you sure, buddy?

["C0NNER"]-I-I'm sure.

[KYR4]-Well, I mean, good thing LUK3 won't get drunk this time, so we have someone to carry you if you can't take it easy. Worse than that, nothing can really happen. So, good luck, LUK3!

[LUK3]-Ha ha... *sigh* Okay, C0NNER, you do you. But don't tell I didn't warn you.

And so, LUK3 orders for himself and Six, getting the drinks right after, before he starts again chatting with the girls.

[LUK3]-Okay, so? What now? Do we have an objective after?

[KYR4]-I mean, MY4's idea of going in the center wasn't so bad... But we should have an idea of what to visit there in mind as well.

[MY4]-Maybe the park in that area? I know that most of the people from the center go to relax there.

[KYR4]-Mm... Not bad... But we can't stay in a park for hours as well. What about after we visit it?

[LUK3]-Oh! Maybe visit the south of the city? I know it's the best part of our lands, right? You know, how all the traditions from our culture are obvious from the architecture and all the friendly people...

But as they talk, Six has taken a few sips a while ago and began to not feel so well from it. He seems to be dizzy, as if the room moves with him. His colour also lights up out of nowhere, though he doesn't seem to wield his power or anything like that. Maybe that's what LUK3 meant by "heavy drink". Everything he hears are like an echo, so he puts his head on the table and covers his ears, closing his eyes to rest for a bit. Of course, as a consequence, MY4 notices his weird behaviour.

[MY4]-Hm? Little C0NNER? Are you alright? You seem pale.

[KYR4]-Seems like it began to do its effect, huh? That was quick, not gonna lie... Good thing it doesn't affect his health or anything.

[MY4]-Yeah, but even so, his head will hurt him for a while...

MY4 looks around her small handbag and takes a handkerchief which she deeps in some liquid, before it hands it to LUK3.

[MY4]-LUK3, put this on his forehead, alright?

[LUK3]-Oh, alright! ...Here you go!

He puts it on Six's forehead as she said, which makes him open his eyes and look around to the people who were staring at him.

[KYR4]-...Or, maybe at this point, we should just leave it for another day and take the little guy back to the base.

[LUK3]-Already!??

[KYR4]-What? You want to take him in the city like this?

[LUK3]-But it's not MY FAULT that he chose something that I've warned him about!

[KYR4]-He already seems like he is ready to pass out, you dumbass! I don't want to get yelled at because we've lost him in the city!

[LUK3]-But we won't lose him! I will keep my eyes on him!

[KYR4]-Yeah! And I should trust you like always, shouldn't I!? Every time I do that, I regret it every single time!

[LUK3]-KYR4, I won't lose him, god da--

But before they continue, little Six cannot hold himself anymore and throws up, right next to LUK3, even a bit on him actually, which makes LUK3 a bit disgusted as well.

[KYR4]-...Yep. We are going back to the base.

The Southeast Military Base

18:14

Now that they got back, little Six stays on a bed, more exactly in his room that was given at that time, even though now, the present C0NNER doesn't live at the base anymore. MY4 is staying with him as well to help him out to feel better. His C colour's light faded, so he does seem to get well.

[MY4]-How do you feel now, C0NNER? Any better?

["C0NNER"]-M-Mhm...

[MY4]-*sigh* You sure didn't take it easy... But, I must admit, you are pretty brave. Even with all the warnings, you still wanted to try it out.

But as MY4 tries to put her things back in her handbag, C0NNER looks down and starts talking again.

["C0NNER"]-I-I'm... not brave... Miss MY4.

[MY4]-Huh? Why do you say that?

["C0NNER"]-...

[MY4]-Come on... You can talk to me about anything. I won't say anybody if that's what you wish.

He takes a small look at the kind face of MY4's, in which everyone puts their trust on, so in the end, he decides to speak up.

["C0NNER"]-I-It's just that... I don't feel accepted here by anybody.

[MY4]-Why not? LUK3 already accepted you and really wants to be your friend, and Miss KYR4 and I are trying our best to make you feel comfortable. Even the others have already got used to you being around, even if you are the first new member of the base after such a long time.

["C0NNER"]-...What about Mr. CHE5TER?

Yet now she looks at him with a feeling of pity, but still that warm vibe that she's always giving.

[MY4]-*sigh* C0NNER... Master CHE5TER has some problems to deal with in these times. We all have at some point. He can be angry, but He can be calm as well. He's just a bit tired because of the constant problems of our city, that's all.

["C0NNER"]-But even so... I-I don't think He is proud of me.

[MY4]-Why do you want Him to be proud of you?

["C0NNER"]-...

He makes a small pause to take a deep breath, before he continues.

["C0NNER"]-...Miss MY4... He is always angry at me and His methods of teaching are like torture to me. I-I know it's only been two days and all, but I don't feel like I will ever make Him proud of me... A-And if I can't make the man that took me as His own disciple proud, t-then how would I ever make the people I lost be proud of me? I did nothing but disappoint Him! I-I disappointed them all...

[MY4]-...

["C0NNER"]-...W-Why can't I be enough for anybody, Miss MY4? Have I done something wrong?

[MY4]-Buddy... you did nothing wrong. It's just that fate was against you... I know Master CHE5TER can be difficult sometimes, but believe it or not, fate wasn't really that indulgent with Him either. This is why you see Him like this. It's normal to be mad when you are unhappy, C0NNER. His whole mistake is that He takes this anger on others, but He only does so to feel better Himself. He means no harm to you, little one. He is just trying to forget His past, just like you do, so don't take it personally. Once the times will be more simple for us, you will see He won't be angry at you anymore.

In the end, he nods silently and looks at her again.

["C0NNER"]-...Alright. I-I will... trust your word.

So she gives him a small smile, enough for him to know that she is already proud of him. But outside of the room, seems that the Great Leader had heard their small conversation, and He looks rather sad than disappointed, until He decides to leave too.

"But besides Him... I knew I had all the other members by my side as well. I always appreciated their help during that year of mine, and I will forever be grateful to them all."

18:36

Little Six is in the training room, waiting for his master to come and help him learn again. Yet when CHE5TER arrives, it is not that angry man He was in the morning, but rather a bit of an unhappy figure. But little Six only waits for his orders, standing still as a sign of respect.

Yet none of them say a word. The Great Leader only looks at him for a bit until he decides to look around the room. But as He does so, He notices that the bow from the table has been moved, as it stands on the ground, so He looks back at Six.

[CHE5TER]-...Have you looked around the weapons by any chance? Tell me.

But Six doesn't say a word. He is rather ashamed to answer in fear that he did something wrong again. But CHE5TER doesn't care, so He goes towards the bow and picks it up from the ground, as well as the arrow next to it, analysing it for a bit, before going back to Six and looking at him again.

[CHE5TER]-...Have you touched this weapon?

But no response. Six fears that he might get in trouble because of it, but all the Great Leader does is to take a deep breath, and look at the training dummy. He takes His position, aiming at the center of the dummy, closes one eye, and strikes... right where He pointed at. The little boy seems fascinated about His shot actually, but the moment the Great Leader looks back at him, he stands straight again to not look interested or anything.

But again, He doesn't care. He goes towards him and position Himself right next his body. Little Six seems a bit confused actually, but CHE5TER simply continues and places his little hands on the bow, fixing his position step by step and making them both aim at that training dummy again at the same time, with the same bow. Then, He creates an arrow that they will use to strike, waits for Six to see the center clearly... and strikes again, splitting the other arrow.

Six is actually very excited about this shot, yet CHE5TER remains calm this time. He lets go of the bow, letting him hold it on his own this time, but gives him another arrow made by Him.

[CHE5TER]-...Try it without me now.

The little boy looks at Him confused, but does as He says, trying to aim at a different dummy, yet struggling. Seeing him like this, CHE5TER helps him again with the position, but only fixing it by moving his body, not touching the bow.

[CHE5TER]-...Your left arm and your back should be as straight as a line and your thumb at 45° angle, if you wish for your arrow to touch anything. When pulling the bowstring, don't be afraid of it to break or anything. Fear won't help you in anything. Now... strike!

And so he does. It's not like it's an extraordinary strike though, but this time, he manages to finally hit the dummy on his own. He is actually so lively by seeing that he has finally succeeded, yet CHE5TER only cracks a small smile, nothing more.

[CHE5TER]-...Seems like you've chosen your weapon earlier, hm?

["C0NNER"]-Yeah!! I-I can't believe it! I did it!

Yet even this excitement has amused a bit the Great Leader as He didn't expect it to be like this. He tilts His head a bit to the left and look at him just to see his reaction. But even Six realised his action and got a bit ashamed.

["C0NNER"]-...I-I mean...

And his response is just enough to make CHE5TER laugh silently, as He closes His eyes, makes a friendly pat on his head and goes towards a wall, where He sits down to relax. But Six doesn't really understand His action, so he goes towards Him to see what's next. As CHE5TER notices him though, He seems rather confused as well.

[CHE5TER]-What is it, C0NNER?

["C0NNER"]-...W-What do I... do now?

[CHE5TER]-Well... since you've already chosen your weapon, you can try and train with it even without me, right? We will do martial arts a bit later. I don't have enough time for that as well right now... Until I leave, I want to see your shots, alright?

So he nods, and goes back to train by himself, taking the quiver from the table. He does a shot, then another shot, but both aren't so big of a deal, just like the first one. But at some point, CHE5TER doesn't pay attention anymore, as He searches around His pockets for a cigarette and His lighter.

Six does another shot, before he notices CHE5TER doing this unknown action to him. He stops then, watching his master lighting up His cigarette, which simply gets his curiosity and stares at the smoke made by it. The Great Leader wasn't looking at him though in the meantime, as He was a bit lost in His thoughts, but as He notices his weird behaviour, He gets a bit confused.

[CHE5TER]-Anything wrong, little one? Do you want to tell me anything? Why are you staring at me like that?

Yet the little guy doesn't respond, but it's not because he doesn't want this time, rather because he seems lost in the wild movement of the smoke from the cigarette, almost even afraid of it. The ruler is confused, but He doesn't really know what to do.

[CHE5TER]-C0NNER!

But with that shout, the kid wakes up to reality, so his master makes him a sign to come and sit next to Him. They stare at each other for some seconds, before Six is tricked by the smoke again, yet this time, CHE5TER simply analyses him for a bit. Then, He looks at His cigarette and shows it to him.

[CHE5TER]-...You are just curious, huh? You've never seen one of these before? This small thing is a "cigarette". Inside of this paper are pieces of an ore called "Pavekynosz", which have an effect of calming any being by consuming it in any possible way. Even this smoke it emits can have an effect on you, but it's more powerful by using this small object yourself rather than what it remains from it... Maybe you observe now a change in your behaviour since I told you this information? Since, you know, most likely you were affected by it by now.

Little Six looks a bit at it, before trying to take it in his hand, yet CHE5TER doesn't give it to him, as he moves his hand away fast in order to not let him catch it. He puts it back on His mouth and takes another one from His pockets, opening the paper and giving it to him to analyse it.

[CHE5TER]-...Here. This small pieces are the ore I was talking about. This cigarette though is a simple one. There are others that are heavier in their effect, but it's not really a good thing to use them if you do not want to fall asleep. The heavier ones have some other pieces from a different ore alongside these, one that's called "Bethjavih", which... to be honest, I think we use it in almost anything that we consume. It boosts the effect to be more powerful, even ten times more powerful if I'm not mistaking...

["C0NNER"]-...Then... what's the paper's use?

[CHE5TER]-Just to keep the ore inside, nothing special. By burning it, the fire gets to the inflammable ore as well, making it burn at the same time and giving this smoke with this calming effect. But the ore doesn't need a paper to burn though, it can burn on its own as well. Look.

CHE5TER takes His lighter and fires up the ore from the paper, starting a fire that spreads on all of the pieces, even getting to the paper and hurting C0NNER a little.

[CHE5TER]-It hurts, doesn't it?

["C0NNER"]-Mhm...

[CHE5TER]-Don't worry about it though. As long as your immunity isn't affected, you cannot be truly harmed. Pain is something we will forever experience, whether is physical or mental. But... once the cause of it stops, the pain goes away after a while. Do you feel anything now?

Once everything burned, all that remained were some ashes from the paper, at which Six looks at them.

["C0NNER"]-...No. I-I don't... feel the pain anymore.

[CHE5TER]-What about the experience? Did you like when it hurt?

["C0NNER"]-No... I-I... hated it.

[CHE5TER]-Do you regret that you didn't try to get rid of it sooner so it won't hurt you?

["C0NNER"]-I-I do.

[CHE5TER]-Alright... But it is gone, is it not?

["C0NNER"]-Yes, it is...

[CHE5TER]-...Then why are you still letting it hurt you?

Little Six looks at Him perplexed, yet the Great Leader remains calm.

[CHE5TER]-It is in the past what happened. It is in the past this pain that you felt, is it not? Now, it doesn't affect you in any way. Yet why are you regretting it?

["C0NNER"]-Because... it hurt me.

[CHE5TER]-Yes. It did. But does regret solve anything? Does it repair that pain from the past?

["C0NNER"]-...No.

[CHE5TER]-Then what does it do?

["C0NNER"]-I-I... don't know. What does it?

[CHE5TER]-Well... it continues your pain. Sure, it is not the same pain you felt at that moment, but that pain you experienced got now from physical to mental pain by just regretting it simply happened... which is a way of letting this simple experience hurt you more than it should. Do you... understand what I'm trying to say, little one?

This time, Six looks at his master upset, while his master continues.

[CHE5TER]-I know... it hurts you. I know how you feel. You are not the only one who has regrets in his life. I've lost people in the past... and most likely I will lose more in the future. Even if I lose millions and get used to it, it will forever hurt me each time... Yet that doesn't mean I should stop fighting, does it? I fight for those that I've lost, YOU fight for those you've lost! ...Giving up is what they wouldn't want to hear. As long as you keep fighting, they will forever be proud, no matter what happens to you, C0NNER.

"...If we are talking about glory... I guess I've lost mine a lot of times in the past. But I got somehow to my former self slowly, even with my "experiences". But this fire... I despite it... I hate it. I know I hate it! Yet why... does it appear so interesting to me? Why does this fire appear like a dawn in the black sky to me? Does it... have a meaning this small natural thing that we can create with tools? ...Or is it only existing to hurt? To burn everything that's precious to you? Why is it so... complicated?

A fire cannot be tamed, not even by the greatest leaders of the lands. It is a wild creature that thinks by itself, whose touch is as painful as being thrown into the suns themselves. Its movements are chaotic, like a true war spreading wherever it pleases. The burning itself is the battle between this creature and everything it touches... and the ashes are what remains after the whole fight ends.

...And even if I see it all like this, why does it still catch my attention each time I encounter it? Do I like this wild creature so much? Does my soul want to tame it, thinking it might get me back what I've lost? Yet if so, how foolish can my soul be? I cannot get back what was taken from me... All I can do is to... make their sacrifices matter. And to watch the fire burn."

PRESENT

11.07.1642

38:25

And with that... C0NNER has lighten up his cigarette, with the Great Leader in front of him, with His one almost half smoked already, looking at the ceiling with His mind lost in the thoughts. The former disciple just looks down, the opposite of what his old master does, but it doesn't take long before they both speak again.

[C0NNER]-...Have you got your answer in the end, Master?

[CHE5TER]-Nope... *sigh* And I fear I might have to wait even more. Neither I, nor RY4N, seem to be able to decipher His message. We've read those books five times each, and we barely made any progress.

[C0NNER]-Have you tried getting the help of a professional?

[CHE5TER]-Mm... You don't say it wrong... Yet I would like to keep the message between RY4N and I. Bringing a stranger to decipher it won't be something that I would enjoy doing. I've waited for so long to see the last message from my father... Wouldn't it be a shame for me to put others to solve it for us, rather than the sons themselves to do so?

[C0NNER]-What do you think it's all about then?

[CHE5TER]-Who knows... It could be anything, to be honest. He said it is suppose to be my answer to some of my questions from the past, yet the way He hid it from me just makes me wonder even more of what could He possibly say... Anyway, this is just my burden, like how you have yours. I guess time didn't change that much even after all these years, huh?

[C0NNER]-I guess...

[CHE5TER]-Hm... You know, I actually have a question... I know fate wasn't really merciful to both of us in the past, yet how do you think the future will look like? I mean, I see this war to end in the future, I hope... Yet... how would the world look like if the peace would've finally begun? What would happen to all of us? What exactly... will we do after we are done with all of this?

C0NNER looks a bit at his master, who was still looking at the ceiling for some reason. He is like a dreamy child, looking forward to see everything He hopes to happen to come true.

[C0NNER]-I... don't know. I think it's pretty obvious everything will change... and most likely most of the members would get other jobs or just retire immediately. Yet to see how exactly it would change us... it's a bit impossible for me.

[CHE5TER]-Heh... Not a bad response at all, C0NNER. To be honest, I wouldn't have a response myself. But I guess there is something that I enjoy about this thing called future. And that is its unpredictable, yet promised life...

"...Like an untamed wind from Nature Itself."