18.02.1642

The Southeast Military Base

18:43

This time, it looks like we are watching RY4N who seems to be going towards the Great Leader's office, maybe ready to talk to his brother about a particular subject again. Yet when walking alone in the hallway, he is stopped by LUK3 who just happened to notice him, forcing RY4N to look towards the weird man and respond to his words.

[LUK3]-Hey, RY4N!

[RY4N]-Hm? Oh, good day, LUK3! I was about to go and talk with CHE5TER. Anything wrong?

[LUK3]-N-No, no! Nothing like that! I was thinking that maybe we could go for a small walk before we start with all the work! I already talked with N04H and KYR4 and managed to get them to join! MY4 said she has some work to do at the shelter though, and C0NNER simply doesn't want to come! So I thought of adding you to the list too! What do you say? Do you think you can convince CHESTER as well so you both could come with us? You know... like we used to do in the past?

[RY4N]-Why didn't you ask him on your own though?

[LUK3]-Well... I mean, you are brothers. Maybe He will be more indulgent and accept the offering if you go instead! If I try it, I bet He will get annoyed by my presence as always! Pleaaase?

[RY4N]-I don't really think he would come though. You know He refuses to lose time only by wandering for the sake of resting for some months now. But... I guess I can give it a try. For the memories.

[LUK3]-Hehe! Alright! I will bring the others and wait for you outside! Good luck!!

And so LUK3 leaves, letting RY4N do what he intended to before. When he arrives in front of the office, he opens the door and notices the Great Leader staying on His chair, looking at the city from the huge window of the room. But even if no word was given, He could sense His brother's presence in no time.

[CHE5TER]-...So? Why did you come, RY4N?

[RY4N]-Good day to you too. A bit rude today, are we?

[CHE5TER]-You know I don't have time for such things. Did you come to inform me of something?

[RY4N]-Why do you believe that I always come only to give you an information? Can't I just talk with you every once in awhile about anything else besides work?

[CHE5TER]-And why do you believe that we have so much time now like we used to have in the past? Problems come every day and none of us can just solve them in a few seconds. If it was possible, then maybe we had time, RY4N. But since it isn't, chit-chat isn't something that I would like to participate in right now.

[RY4N]-You have such nonsense in your words, Brother. What's so hard to just talk for a few minutes when we get the chance to meet? To take a break from the constant stress and problems of the Great Leader title?

[CHE5TER]-*sigh* Hard to please, as always... How many times do I have to repeat myself for you to finally comprehend the situation though? Am I really that hard to be understood, or you just want to achieve something for yourself?

[RY4N]-If none us managed to understand you, did you think that maybe you simply make it hard for all of us to do so?

[CHE5TER]-Be it as you wish then. Maybe this way, we will end this conversation sooner and get back to business. So do tell me, why did you come to me?

From this response of CHE5TER's, RY4N kind of gives up on his initial plan that made him come here in the first place, so he just continues with LUK3's idea.

[RY4N]-...Well, LUK3 told me to inform you that he wants to take everyone on a break outside, and if by any chance you can come with us, to take you with me as well.

[CHE5TER]-Tell him that I cannot come this time either then. I have a meeting with some people later to plan something for today's mission.

[RY4N]-*sigh* You didn't come the last time either. Are you avoiding us or anything like that?

[CHE5TER]-You think that I can just take breaks all the time, as much as I want, just because I'm the boss over everyone, RY4N? The title comes with responsibilities as well. If you want to see it as if I'm "avoiding you all", so be it. But I know the truth already and it's enough for me.

RY4N is a bit unhappy from the response he got, as he looks down and talks again before he leaves the room.

[RY4N]-You know... We are not trying to be a burden to you, Ches. I'm not trying to be so. I'm just trying to help you, Brother.

And when he finishes his words, he shuts the door, leaving the Great Leader to remain alone, keep looking at the city with such a lifeless expression, but neither seeming to be happy about the silence, as He lights up a cigarette and starts smoking on His own.

"...Ever wonder who and what we are? What exactly are we suppose to do in this life that we were given to survive and what fate has prepared for us? Because I did, and I will forever do, until the day I find my eternal rest. I found some of the answers from these questions, yet others are still a mystery to me. The most important questions... are a mystery to me.

We are simple beings created by a machine hidden in the City of Above, a machine that we don't really know much about, but for which we are grateful for our existence. We fight for this existence of ours every day by protecting this small city we see, hidden from the people of the above. As for our fate... nobody is sure of what there is to come. It's a mystery for us all, that remained from Goddess M1NERVA, and we are trying to solve it. Unfortunately, Her puzzles are a bit too complicated for any of us to do so...

We are many people at number who play roles in this so-called "fate". Some are important, others almost insignificant. Mine for example is probably to protect what I have. Other people's roles are maybe to open a new path for all the other beings. Yet he... He probably has the most important role of all times in this battle of  Life and Death. But even with this role, he remained a simple being as he forever was, only changing the way he acts or lives. But... he is my brother after all. I cannot help but think that one day he might end his own life without even wanting just because of this title alone. Yet, he doesn't want to listen to me, nor to any other person around him. Because of this reason alone... we started fighting over the past months, and I stopped recognising the man that I once knew in him.

As for me... I remained a simple child of the city. Not even the responsibilities nor my title were able to change me at all. I do want to protect this city as much as he does, but we have to do it so that we can live and see the future of it. It is what CHE5TER doesn't want to understand. It is... what my brother doesn't want to understand. If we die and never see the change, then why did we exactly live? Our wishes are, after all, to live it. Giving our own lives won't be the answer to the war, right?

The title of "Great Leader" isn't actually so easily handled, I understand. But at the end of the day, it remains only a name. The way you see it makes you change your behaviour, not the words themselves. It is maybe the reason why I didn't change. In our culture, it is said that the glory remains only when you didn't let yourself change because of your fate. If you do so, even if you die a ruler, a true warrior or even a hero, you lost your dignity and honour. Maybe these words make me sound old, but our culture is a beautiful way of seeing this life of ours. It is maybe why I do not like to go off its path. Yet others decide their own life and I totally understand that. But deciding a life that might not be what you first wished for it to be and also one that you might hate for sure is something that I could never comprehend.

As for who am I? Well... the question has more answers. I am a son of the survivors, a descendant of the previous ruler, a soldier of the C borns. But more than that... I am RY4N, an R born trying to complete his life among the people he cherishes. Who knows if I will be able to do so though. I had dreams when I was a child like everyone else, even like my brother in code. But we had to abandon them because of what future brought us. But I didn't let this change me either.

I am an Original, born with two Errors in his code line. CHE5TER is one of the Errors, the right Error, my youngest brother read from left to right. We were born at the same time, I know, it might be confusing. But the Original is the only one who is suppose to be born from the specific code, which gives this name of "Error". I was raised only with CHE5TER and got the chance only one time to see the other Error in person. The code line ties us up together though, unable to live without each other no matter what we do. Fate is making sure that we will see each other even from far away, even if we were never meant to meet, even if we are trapped away from this world. This error of the code could be seen in more ways, and yet we decided to see it as brotherhood, our brotherhood.

But now, well... it doesn't seem like this at all, and I know. CHE5TER and I are fighting for a long time now, we barely have days when we agree on something. After all, it is as I said: he let fate change him. Before, he was so lively, like a child seeing the dawn of day for the first time. But now you can barely say he was like this at some point in his life. Why did he change? I'm not sure myself, and he refuses to tell me no matter how hard I try to get an answer. In the end, it just feels like I'm getting further and further away from him, almost as if we have never even met."

[LUK3]-So?? Any luck?

[RY4N]-No, not really...

[LUK3]-Aww, man...

[N04H]-Why doesn't He want to come anyway?

[RY4N]-If he doesn't want, then it's his choice. I can't obligate him. He wouldn't listen to me anyway...

[N04H]-Huh? Why not? Didn't you say you two are siblings?

[RY4N]-Yes... We are... But that doesn't mean he will listen to me just because I am his sibling. If anything, he seems more pissed off when I bring this up.

[N04H]-But why does He--

[KYR4]- --Okaaay, I think that's enough for today, N04H. You might have a lot of questions and all, but it's best if we answer them step by step, not all at the same time.

[N04H]-Alright... So, are we not going anymore or...?

[LUK3]-Oh, we are! Just 'cause He doesn't want to come as well, doesn't mean we shouldn't do it! RY4N, you are coming too! I don't accept any refuse from you!

[RY4N]-Heh... Alright. I'm coming.

The Underground City

19:09

"...It's painful sometimes to remember these times from the past, but they are beautiful, so it's a shame to forget about them as well. Before everything, my brother and I used to go out just like this. Well... we used to go with our father, the previous Great Leader. It was fun and all, and going out with these people that are around me isn't that bad either. I know them all for a long time now, except for the newcomer, of course.

It was a habit of ours to go in the morning around the city before we started to work at the base. LUK3 didn't want this habit to die so easily, and I don't mind. Yet CHE5TER seems a bit annoyed about it now. We manage sometimes to convince him, but when he is in a bad mood, he doesn't even want to hear our words. We used to cherish these moments together, now I fear that I'm the only one who does so. In the end, I'm just trying to get to the old times, nothing more."

[KYR4]-RY4N!

[RY4N]-...Hm?

[KYR4]-Did you thought about the problem from the Council?

[RY4N]-Which one? At this point, I can't even keep up anymore.

[KYR4]-Just about how to make them co-operate without the need of arguing all the time. We lose time in the meetings just because of this.

[RY4N]-KYR4, didn't I tell you that we speak in vain? I know we both get annoyed about the situation in that room and all, but how are we suppose to solve it? This has been a problem even before CHE5TER's reign. Trust me, it can't be helped.

[KYR4]-Well, I'm just sick of every being present there making new problems each day just because they can't deal with each other. They make the work even harder than it already is. Don't we have to talk with the Great Leader to solve this? Even He seems pissed off by them all at this point.

[RY4N]-Just let it be... As long as they don't cause real troubles, we don't need to intervene.

[KYR4]-*sigh* If you say so...

[LUK3]-Hey, KYR4444! What are you talking there with RY4N?

[KYR4]-None of your business, LUK3!

[LUK3]-Oh, but if it involves you, it's already my business!

[KYR4]-Don't you know your limits??

[LUK3]-Nope! Teach me, Officer!

[KYR4]-I swear to the heavens, LUK3, I will break yo--

"--As to how I got to know them, it's pretty easy to explain, actually. I first met LUK3 when he joined alongside Miss MY4, right after my brother got his title. KYR4 joined a bit later, but they were friends already even before they came here. We got along pretty well in the end and managed to be friends with them too. But it's not much about them.

Officer KYR4 is a hard-working type of person, one that dislikes the idea of lazing around just for the sake of fun and nothing else. She proved her worth long time ago, a reason why she got her title in this base. But more than that, I don't really know much about her, like what she truly enjoys to do or simply what she likes. She is always hiding behind this mask of seriousness, as if we will start judging her the moment she stops. But we respect her, not because of her title, but because of her loyalty to the city and to its people. Maybe she will understand that one day.

LUK3 on the other hand... is the complete opposite. He does his work and all, but he dislikes the idea of surviving for working rather than working for surviving. He thinks this life is meant to be lived at its best, no matter the times. He has his points, yet the way he proves them is just chaotic. I won't say he is stupid or anything like that though. He is smart, even if he doesn't show it, but for some reason, he has these strange actions that he keeps repeating them all the time, and to which we got used to them. He is a good guy, and knowing a bit from his personal information, he is way better than the people that were around him. At least in our eyes for now.

Miss MY4 is a complete new story. I got to know her more only after I saw that CHE5TER got along pretty well with her when she joined us. She is gentle and delicate, ready to help anybody in need no matter the situations. To be honest, she deserves her title of "Mother of the City", because for a reason or another, she likes going to the shelters and treating the ill and wounded. The title didn't even exist before, the people of the shelters simply gave her this title when she got so known around the whole city. So I think from these three, MY4 is probably the only person that I know the best and appreciate the most. But I do appreciate these two over here as well. After all, they are friends of mine for a while now too."

[N04H]-Hey, Mr. LUK3! Did you thought of our destination?

[LUK3]-Umm... Not really.

[KYR4]-Are you serio... Then why the heck did you want us to go out with you if you don't even know where we should go!??

[LUK3]-Hey!! We have the permission to go out at the start of the day, remember!? Doesn't our culture say that it brings good luck if you start your day refreshing??

[KYR4]-Yeah, and being lost because of an idiot is very refreshing indeed!

[LUK3]-Oh, shut up and stop complaining!

[KYR4]-Stop complaining!?? You are doing this every single time! Why should I stop complaining!?

[RY4N]-Okay, enough you two! It's suppose to be a rest, not a fight!

[KYR4]-Tell him that, Mr. "Officer"! He's annoying the shit out of me!

[RY4N]-Oh, dear Heaven, forgive me...

[N04H]-Are they always like this, Mr. RY4N?

[RY4N]-You could say that. *sigh* At this point, you might have the worst view on us because of them, little N04H. I'm truly sorry if this is not what you expected when you decided to help us.

[N04H]-Not really... I mean, I had roommates who always fought just like them. I'm kind of used to it.

[RY4N]-Really? Then it seems like we are getting to a more childish type of generation if all the people will become just like LUK3.

[LUK3]-HEY! I'M JUST JOKING AROUND! I'M NOT THAT CHILDISH!

[KYR4]-Oh, come on. Nobody believes your lies, LUK3.

[LUK3]-SHUT UP!!!

[KYR4]-Just think of where we should go already and stop crying like a baby.

[LUK3]-Ninini ninini... *sigh* Okay. How about... the bars? We can get a quick drink, chat for a little and come back before the meeting starts.

[KYR4]-Mm... That's a no. Did you forget that RY4N doesn't drink, genius?

[RY4N]-I mean, we can still go if you wish to rest this way. I will simply not buy anything. We can still chat and all.

[LUK3]-See, KYR4? Officer RY4N is kind to me! Why can't you take from his example?

[KYR4]-Ughh, spare me!

And so, they all go in a random bar for now, just for the sake of resting for a while. They all take something to drink first, then start chatting with each other. Well, almost all. RY4N just brought himself a small book with him to read in the meantime. At some point, N04H notices how silent he is, so he can't help but get curious.

[N04H]-Hey, Mr. RY4N?

[RY4N]-Yes? What is it?

[N04H]-Why don't you talk at all?

[RY4N]-Oh, don't mind me. I'm just trying to read a book.

[LUK3]-Really? What are you reading over there?

[RY4N]-It's just a small notebook from an old soldier. You know how the people from the EZR4H Clan find bodies buried into the ground during their missions, old even from the war from 250 years ago, right? Some of the soldiers were writing in small notebooks to tell their stories, something like a journal, just in case they die all of a sudden and nobody knows what happened to them.

[N04H]-So...?

[RY4N]-So... I suggested a while ago that whenever the clan finds any more books like this one, they shall bring them to me. Just so that I can read the stories of these soldiers of the past and how they met their fate. It's pretty interesting, actually. Everyone has a different story to serve you on a broken plate.

[N04H]-So it's the story of a deceased fighter?

[RY4N]-Mhm!

[LUK3]-But why read it when you can live it? Just saying...

[KYR4]-Oh, so you want to live your death?

[LUK3]-That's not what I meant!

[RY4N]-Actually, you are not the first one who says the same thing. But I just like to read about them. Nothing special.

[N04H]-Why so?

[RY4N]-I... guess it comes from the dream that I had to give up on.

[N04H]-Dream? What dream?

[RY4N]-Doesn't matter that much. It's insignificant, really! Maybe you had dreams when you were a child as well.

[LUK3]-Oh, I had many!! One time I dreamt that I was so tiny, even smaller than an ordinary paper, and that I was being chased down by a HUUUUGE creature trying to eat me! It had ears and a weird mouth, but I never saw a creature like that before!

[RY4N]-That's not what I meant by dreams...

[LUK3]-But it's still a pretty interesting one, is it not?

[RY4N]-Okay... Be it like you.

[N04H]-Well... probably the only dream I had so far was to help out the people that protect this city of ours. More than that, I can't really think of any.

[RY4N]-And seems like your fate brought you to us. Be it good luck or bad luck, you will probably decide... But I don't think you should really consider it a dream.

[N04H]-Why not?

[RY4N]-I mean, it's a kind thought and all, but did you never dream of becoming someone who you truly think you are?

[N04H]-Like?

[RY4N]-I don't know... Maybe a teacher? A designer? Anything you could think of? I don't know you personally to tell what fits you the best. But a dream shouldn't really be represented by a simple thought of generosity. It should be something that you consider it represents who you truly are.

[N04H]-I... actually never thought of it this way, to be honest...

[RY4N]-Maybe you have something that you like to do, like a hobby?

[N04H]-I'm not sure... I focused a lot on trying to enter the military rather than what I could probably like. The exams themselves were a bit hard for me since I wasn't really the best student in Power Tactics and had very little knowledge on ores and all... So, most of the times, I was taking some particular lessons just enough so I can pass. I didn't focus that much on a "hobby".

[RY4N]-...Alright. It's fine. There is no rush for you to think about it anyway. Right now, you probably won't even have the time for your hobby.

[LUK3]-Hmmm... if we are on this subject, I'm a bit curious of something, 'cause I don't think I had the chance to ask you before, RY4N!

[RY4N]-What is it?

[LUK3]-Well, you are the only R born from our friend group, right? I know there are other R borns around the base, but I know you the most from there.

[RY4N]-Okay... Yeah, I think I'm the only one. Why?

[LUK3]-What exams did you have to take since you aren't a C born?

[RY4N]-Mm... Nothing much, just a few tests to prove that I have some knowledge at some subjects and a small surviving exam as a final grade. Why do you ask?

[LUK3]-Out of curiosity! Our class was full of C borns, so I didn't know R borns at that time and I really wondered what exactly do you guys and the M borns do to pass, since, you know... you don't have any powers like us? And our exams focused only on our powers?

[N04H]-I actually had a few R borns in my class though, even underground M borns.

[LUK3]-Really?

[N04H]-Yeah! I know a guy who studied very hard for his exams since they seem harder than ours and almost missed an entire year!

[RY4N]-Yes, they are harder since they focus only on what you know, instead of focusing on what you guys have. And if you don't know the subject... you are kind of screwed. But from what I understood, for you, they give you points even if you seem like you struggle with your powers, right?

[KYR4]-I mean, they do, but not enough to pass. Only if you manage in the end to do something that will guarantee you a higher score.

[RY4N]-I see... Oh, by the way, N04H. I heard that CHE5TER is letting you have your role, right?

[N04H]-Wait, really? He will?

[LUK3]-TOOK HIM LONG ENOUGH! FOR THE GODS' SAKE!

[RY4N]-I mean... he really didn't want to let you take it at all, but he had no other choice in the end. LUK3 already told you too much about us and you know enough to not be able to go back to your normal life. Plus that... you already signed the contract regarding the base and your silence about the Great Leader.

[N04H]-So, I will be an Investigator?

[RY4N]-I guess so... I mean, are you sure you don't want to change or anything? Do you really wish to continue with this role?

[N04H]-Yeah! I don't really see myself doing anything better than that right now anyway.

[KYR4]-These are going to be tough years, I swear...

[LUK3]-Not tough enough for me!

[RY4N]-So? Are you ready to face your destiny, little guy?

[N04H]-Yes! I am ready for whatever Goddess M1NERV4 prepared for me!

[RY4N]-Heh...

RY4N goes back to his book, while the others start talking with each other again. Yet he seems to be thinking about something. Something that does not please him that much.

"At least you are ready. Wished we were too..."

20:58

And now, they seem to have already left the bar, wandering the streets of the city. For the moment though, they don't look like they have a plan. They are just chatting around to lose the time.

[LUK3]-Soooo... Where now? Any ideas? Anybody?

[KYR4]-Weren't you the one suppose to think about this?

[LUK3]-Well, I mean, I got what I wanted. Maybe you guys want to arrive somewhere! So? N04H?

[N04H]-I don't think I have any place in mind right now... I don't know much about how to spend time around the city.

[LUK3]-You didn't do it with your roommates?

[N04H]-Not really... We were occupied with the school and preparation for the exams, which I told you about already. During the holidays, we were either spending them around our hostel with other people to play some games together, or go on some walks around the city. More than that, I don't think we did something...

[LUK3]-Huh... And I thought that my classmates were boring...

[KYR4]-Oh, so MY4 and I are boring to you now, hm?

[LUK3]-I meant the others. You know they didn't really like doing anything fun in general! That's why I spend most of my time with you two!

[N04H]-You seem like the type of "popular guy" to me though, Mr. LUK3. You really didn't spend that much time with your other classmates?

[LUK3]-Oh? Popular guy, you say? We didn't have that thing in our class though. Did you?

[N04H]-We had a few, actually. I mean, there was a group who was organising events around the school and all, and probably the whole building heard about them.

[LUK3]-Your group of class seems fun! Can I meet them one day?

[N04H]-I guess you can! Yes!

[LUK3]-Nice! Alright... back to the point though. RY4N?

[RY4N]-Hm? Me?

[LUK3]-Yeah! Do you have a place in mind where we should go?

[RY4N]-No, I guess... To be honest, I wasn't even paying attention to you guys just now. My mind was somewhere else...

[LUK3]-Like all the time?

[RY4N]-What do you mean?

[LUK3]-Well, you know, you lose yourself in thoughts sometimes and don't pay attention to what the others say. Something like Boss, but He does it only when nobody is around.

[RY4N]-I was just thinking about responsibilities and all. I mean, you know very well that I'm suppose to take the Leader role soon.

[N04H]-Oh, yeah! Mr. LUK3, you told me about this problem already, but I still don't understand it. How come the Great Leader is also the Leader of the base, instead of having only one role in the city?

[RY4N]-Well... he was already suppose to be titled Leader before anything. The previous Leader promised CHE5TER that he will take the role after his retirement. The problem that we got after was that we woke up all of a sudden in need of a new ruler over the city. Because only the Leader has the authority to give his title to the next descendant, CHE5TER told me that he will make me the next Leader of the base when he decides that I'm ready.

[N04H]-But if so, why didn't you take the role of the Great Leader?

[RY4N]-The thing is that... this was not my choice, nor my brother's. I believe that if it was for the previous ruler, I was indeed the current Great Leader, but because He died and didn't write a will, the decision was passed to someone else.

[N04H]-To someone else? Who made the decision then?

[RY4N]-Well... the previous Leader of the Southeast Base. Him and my father got along pretty well in the past, and the Great Leader was working a lot around this base as well. So... he took the authority of choosing the next descendant of the title because of that. Right now, I'm waiting to get my title as well, as it will soon be my turn on being named a Leader.

[N04H]-So... until then... He will lead everyone from the base, but also rule over the whole city? Isn't it a bit too much? Wasn't He also the last Investigator?

[RY4N]-This is why we argue, N04H... Don't you see that none of us can actually understand his actions? Almost every day, we have a dispute with him which ends in more anger. But not a single time he understands what we are trying to tell him.

[N04H]-*sigh* I see...

[LUK3]-So what? Now you don't want to be a Leader?

[RY4N]-It's not that... I know I might need a bit of time to make sure I'm ready and all, but I can accept the title even if he tells me tomorrow his decision. I was thinking more that even with these changes, we might still not be ready to face our fate.

[KYR4]-Why so? We were always ready for any sudden problem. We were even ready for the most annoying problems from the Council.

[RY4N]-Why are you so sure of that, KYR4? I don't think we were so ready for everything that happened around this base.

[KYR4]-...

[LUK3]-Anywaaay, I thought of something we could do!

[N04H]-And that is...?

[LUK3]-I heard a few days ago that a merchant spoke to some other dudes about their property so that he can buy it and make his business on a larger space. Not only that, but he also said that it will be a bit more lively, as he hired a barman and now, besides the things you can buy, you can also rest on the second floor of the purchased space which he named "Home Sweet Home". We can take a look!

[KYR4]-Wait a second, isn't all of this about Mr. K14NU's business? Isn't he the same guy that puts the prices too high for anybody to even afford his items?

[LUK3]-Yep! That's him! Hope you have your wallets with you!

[KYR4]-Oh, so you want to be in more debts at me now?

[LUK3]-Oh, shut up! We are just going to take a look! We don't need to purchase anything!

[KYR4]-I swear to the heavens, if only the entrance is around 20.000 Novha...

The Southeast Military Base

22:12

Yet now, even with the idea LUK3 had, they seem to get back at the base a bit pissed. Well, only KYR4 pissed off for good at least.

[KYR4]-For the gods' sake, LUK3, maybe next time you inform yourself better before we go to the other side of the city and come back empty-handed just because of your stupidity!

[LUK3]-WELL, HOW WAS I SUPPOSE TO KNOW THAT IT'S STILL UNDER DEVELOPMENT FOR THE NEXT MONTHS???

[KYR4]-You can ask the people you heard talking about it? Is it really that hard??

[LUK3]-BUT I DIDN'T KNOW THOSE PEOPLE! I JUST HEARD IT RANDOMLY WHEN I WAS PASSING BY AND THOUGHT THAT IT IS INTERESTING!!

[KYR4]-*sigh* Gods, have mercy on me...

Meanwhile though, CHE5TER is leaving His office after some work done. As He notices them, He doesn't seem so happy, as a feeling similar to regret or guilt. But He doesn't say anything, He looks down and takes a deep breath, before He decides to leave from the area. Yet even so, RY4N seems to have noticed Him as well, so he stops Him in order to try and have a chat with Him again.

[RY4N]-CHE5TER!

...But this is probably the last thing He wanted to happen from the expression He gives back.

[RY4N]-So? Have you cleared up your mind? You were in a bad mood this morning.

[CHE5TER]-*sigh* RY4N... I'm already tired and have a lot to work on. You know very well at what time I went to sleep last night because of the celebration from yesterday. Can't I just go and do what I have to do? We have all the time in the world to chat, but I do not have the time to fulfil my responsibilities at all.

[RY4N]-So still in a bad mood... Did you dislike the celebration that much? I know the Council exaggerated a bit with the whole organising they did at the end, but that shouldn't really be a reason for you to act this way.

[CHE5TER]-Look, I really can't stay and talk right now, okay? We can argue when the sleep schedule of the day will arrive, but until that hour, I want to get the work done.

[RY4N]-It's not like you aren't doing such thing every time I'm trying to talk with you. You just bring an excuse in hope that I will forget and then leave as fast as you can, so that you don't have to deal with us at all.

[CHE5TER]-Yeah, yeah, be it like you. Just tell Officer KYR4 that the Council has programmed a meeting in about a hour and you two should be ready for it.

[RY4N]-That's all you have to say to me? CHE5TER, we already work more than anybody else in this city! Why do you believe that you should exhaust yourself until you can't take it anymore? No being can endure that much! Not even a god!

[CHE5TER]-Do you really think that I'm doing it because I like it? 'Cause I don't! I don't like it at all! But I have to do it! So, please, do excuse my leaving for now, and we will see each other in a few hours!

He leaves mad at this point, not even letting RY4N add a last word. But it does seem like something bothers Him for good. As for what it is? Who knows. We will find out sooner or later.

...You disappoint him, little boy. Look at what you've done. Look at what you've become!

Yet the only thing RY4N can do is to watch Him leave in a hurry, avoiding him, probably not for the first time either. It's true, these brothers argue almost every day, but it does look like RY4N still doesn't accept this "new" life he says he has because of his brother's behaviour. It can even break your heart the moment you look at him, and even when you get to know his feelings on this whole situation.

"...But friends cannot replace the one that I was raised with, no matter the case. I understand, that day was hard for both of us, as we barely slept because of the day we had before. And I know the title is tiring, but the more I live to see it, the more I realise that he is just torturing himself to the point that he will become one of the fallen ones.

The day before, we celebrated the previous Great Leader's day, as a habit made by the Council way long before we were even born. The explanation behind it though... it's simply because this title is suppose to represent a "god". We have this weird habit in our culture that when we are talking about a being that's above all, we must call it a god. The Great Leader represents this kind of being, a powerful one, one more powerful than anybody from this city of ours. But it's just a saying in the end. We see power in people that can do something that others couldn't, nothing special. After all, Goddess M1NERV4 is an example Herself.

As for the celebration, it's actually a pretty nice way of thanking the ruler for what He had offered us, freedom and protection. The problem is that... we celebrate the wrong person. It is suppose to be for the current ruler, not the previous one. But we must lie, we did it for some good years now, as CHE5TER had this wish and we had to help him with it. The reason behind... only he knows the actual truth. So, in the end, we celebrate our father's day instead of his.

As time passed, I developed more and more questions that I couldn't ask our father before He died, because of my age and naivety. It is not an easy task to let the memories with Him just fade away into the void, and I don't think even my brother let that happen. It is said that when a person dies, someone that the being used to know or someone who used to know the being will come from the eternal rest and pick up the fallen one to guide the it to the after-life, something like a reunion with the ones you've lost throughout your life. It could be even more people, not just one, staying side by side, waiting for you to follow them. I've always wondered who picked up our father. Maybe His father? Though I do not know anything about my grandfather as I never met Him.

And yet, here we are. The title has passed from generation to generation, from descendant to descendant, until the day it was the moment to choose between one of us to be the next one, and my brother was the one who had taken the responsibilities. The problem was that... our father wasn't the one who chose. Probably if it was for Him, I would've been the ruler, not CHE5TER. This is no envy, it's more like pity. I always see him suffer from this title of his and I'm not able to do anything about it. In the end, even if he could've change his fate, he still decided for it to remain this way.

I do not know his intentions, nor understand them, but I want to help him. I want to know that he is safe. I do not want to lose another person in my life again."

Yet it seems like hours have passed, more exactly even past the meeting with the Council. Right now, everyone is resting, being a part of their sleep schedule, but during the day. Yet RY4N doesn't seem as he can rest now, as he simply looks at his little brother sleeping on His bed, just for a bit, until he closes the door of the room, looking down, and decides to leave.

"After all... he is everything I have left from my family."

39:14

After everyone has rested, they prepare themselves for the next mission. This time, CHE5TER doesn't seem mad anymore, yet the emotionless expression of His still remained. Hard to say why is He like this all the time. He is giving commands to His people now, making sure that everything is ready for the quest.

[N4THAN]-...So if anything, we can use the exit from the east?

[CHE5TER]-You hear me being doubtful?

[N4THAN]-I'm just asking... I don't know how fast you can get to that exit.

[CHE5TER]-Just do as I say. It's not like I cannot do anything on my own.

[N4THAN]-*sigh* Alright, Master...

[CHE5TER]-Mr. J4CE, did you check on the equipment?

[J4CE]-Yes, Master! We just need to wait for all the members to get ready and we are off to go!

[CHE5TER]-And the supplies?

[IZA4K]-Is it really necessary? It's just a quick mission, nothing so extravagant.

[CHE5TER]-It's not just this one, Mr. IZA4K. Mr. M1SH4M needs help with a rescue as well. Weren't you paying attention when I explained the tasks for today's night?

[J4CE]-I'll be checking the supplies in no time, don't worry!

[CHE5TER]-Alright. Tell me if we miss anything.

[RY4N]-...CHE5TER?

[CHE5TER]-Hm?

From behind though, RY4N seems to be approaching Him again. The realisation of who's talking to Him just makes the Great Leader take a deep breath and hope to get over the worst.

[CHE5TER]-*sigh* You came to argue again? Right now, it's not the time for that. We are about to go in our mission soon. You know that already.

[RY4N]-And you know that I don't want to argue with you. You just make it hard for me to communicate with you.

[CHE5TER]-RY4N...

[RY4N]-I'm serious, CHE5TER! You do not want to talk to me at all, and you don't want to even admit it! But I'm seeing it all, Brother! I see how you simply don't want me to be around you anymore!

[CHE5TER]-Just... tell me what do you want. It's not that hard to get to the point, for the gods' sake. I really don't have time for any of this right now.

RY4N just looks at Him when he hears His words, almost as if the words themselves hurt him. He is... disappointed... but doesn't seem to be of the person that stands in front of him. He just looks down, upset, and turns around to go back to his position.

[RY4N]-...Nothing. I just wanted to wish you... a safe mission.

[CHE5TER]-...Huh?

So as His brother leaves, He is a bit confused by his words. He expected another fight between them, not a wish of "good luck". He stands for a while still to watch RY4N leave, almost as if He couldn't move, paralysed by the words. Then...

[CHE5TER]-...Wait! RY4N!

...He tries to reach out for him, raising His right hand towards his brother which was covered by a torn cloth, revealing an injured hand, almost even paralysed for good. Maybe He got scared, but of what? Yet it's a bit too late anyway, because RY4N didn't hear. He was already too far away from Him to respond.

He gives up in the end, looking unhappy this time, observing this hand of His. A hand that you could barely say it belongs to a living being. It is bandaged everywhere, yet one of the fingers is missing. He tries to move it for a bit, failing, before He sighs and goes back to His duty.

"...But even so... it doesn't seem like it. I want to know what changed him so badly, I want to fix what's broken. Yet in the end, no matter how hard I try, I remained a failure. Maybe in his eyes, I'm a disappointment, maybe I'm not even his brother anymore at this point. Who knows what's in his mind... Yet from the way he acts towards me, I just feel like we separated our paths long time ago, and there is no way back.

We used to talk to each other no matter the subject, even if we felt or knew that the other one will hardly disagree on what we were going to say. We didn't mind anything. He had things that hated at me, and I had mine at him. It's normal after all. We all have our own opinions. But now, we can't even discuss with each other. He blames it on work, yet I blame it on his desire to get as far as he can from me.

Maybe I did something wrong that made him hate me? Or said something that I shouldn't? Maybe I wasn't present on a moment when he needed me the most and didn't forgive me? But even if I stay for months and think about every single possibility, I would still not get my answer. As much as I would like to see him safe, I just miss these days when everything was perfect. When we never had any worries about anything around us. I know it's hard to get back to them, maybe even impossible. But everyone has a dream, right? And I don't think I'm the only one with this small desire.

250 years of war and hiding to survive, decades on building the concept of "freedom" among the citizens of the underground and ourselves, to believe that we are forever safe from the terrors of the outside. Yet, look where we are. We fear the day of tomorrow like children fearing to lose at a game. But this is no simple game, it never was. Life means survival, giving up on your dreams for the sake of your own protection. Is it really beauty in this so-called "gift from the gods"? We are lied that there is suppose to be hope out there waiting for us to find it. We are told to fight till the very end until the Light Itself comes to take us to our eternal rest. Can you truly call it "living", when we are trapped in a cage with no way out? Because there is not a more cruel thing that this destiny could give us.

Or maybe we are simply the unlucky ones. Maybe others lived better and they could actually call it "living". Maybe we are the ones that simply ended up in the worst times of history, doing nothing but endure and fight against it. If so, maybe in different times of history, we wouldn't have even argued once. Maybe we were still having the best life you could ever wish for, without anything ruining it. But in the end..."

"...maybe this is simply our fate."