05.03.1642

The Southeast Military Base

21:41

CHE5TER, RY4N and KYR4 are coming back from the meeting of the Council. They seem to be talking about something while walking around the hallway, until LUK3 and N04H make their appearances in front of them too. LUK3 being himself, he leaves the recruit behind and rushes to the group, more exactly to Officer KYR4, who he tries to take in his arms.

[LUK3]-KYR4!! You finally came back to me!!!

...And of course it doesn't take long before the Officer found herself trapped in his weird actions again, pissed off for good.

[KYR4]-Hey!! Hey, what are y... LUK3, get off me!! What's your problem, god dammit!??

[LUK3]-Mm... I have no problem! I'm healthy! I just waited for you to come!

[KYR4]-Are you serious... Let go already, you dickhead!

[LUK3]-Oh, I'm not leaving you any sooner! I will stay like this for some good minutes!

So, KYR4 struggles a bit to push him away, but seeing she doesn't succeed in doing so, she looks at her Great Leader in order for Him to help her. Or anybody in general at this point... Yet the others are simply staring at them.

[KYR4]-Master! RY4N! Please, help me! Anybody! ...Stop standing there and help me, for Heaven's sake!!!

Yet CHE5TER doesn't do anything about the situation, He only looks at both of them and seems a bit amused, but He gets back into His character and starts talking with RY4N again not long after.

[RY4N]-...So, are we going to help Mr. M1SH4M with the mission in the end?

[CHE5TER]-I think so. But I guess it won't be something hard to complete as he described. He only said that his team won't have the time to fulfil their plans at the last two places, so we only need to help them with those. Nothing special. It's not like it's the first time we assist him after all. The collaboration has some good years, doesn't it?

While KYR4 is trying to push LUK3 away from her though, LUK3 only seems to be listening to the conversation these two have.

[LUK3]-Oh, we are going in another rescue mission?

[CHE5TER]-Yes, we are. Late this night.

[LUK3]-Can we take N04H this time too??

[CHE5TER]-It's a rescue mission, Mr. LUCAS. N04H's role has nothing to do with it. What could he possibly learn from this experience if his role isn't even involved?

[LUK3]-But you said "no" at the missions that actually involved his role too! When will he be allowed to come!?

[CHE5TER]-When I decide that he is ready. I know you have good intentions, LUCAS, but he is still in his first months since he has started preparing. I cannot just take him everywhere with me just for the sake of him looking at us. If he chose another role, he could've join the missions even now to witness them. But at the moment, his role doesn't benefit from anything he will hear around. What do you exactly want to show him anyway? He won't even be able to see you in action.

[LUK3]-But I want to teach him more so he can be my buddy when needed! For example, how to fight with more enemies at once or how t--

But before he could finish his words, KYR4 manages to escape and knocks him on the floor, as he has lost his focus and forgot what he was doing in the first place. N04H finally gets close to them all, only to get confused on what's happening.

[LUK3]-Ouuch! Hey!! Why did you have to knock me that hard!?

[KYR4]-Are you serious, LUK3!?

[LUK3]-Yeah, I'm serious!! I didn't hurt you, god dammit! Why did you have to hurt me!?

[KYR4]-Well, maybe next time you will know where you belong if you keep doing this to me! ...The floor!

[LUK3]-*sigh* Man, you sure are hard to get through...

As LUK3 gets up on his feet, CHE5TER looks at him and continues his point.

[CHE5TER]-As I was saying... We cannot put lives on the line just because you want to teach him some small things that don't need to be seen in action yet. That's why we have the training room in the first place.

[LUK3]-...Then what? We leave him alone at the base again?

[CHE5TER]-It is not my choice what he decides to do while we are gone, LUCAS. He can train by himself if that's what he wants. Or he can go and take a walk around the city to visit anyone he pleases. It is not my responsibility to supervise whatever he chooses to do and ruin his free time. But he will not come with us!

[LUK3]-B-But, but--

[KYR4]- --Just give up already, LUK3! You know that Green Head has two years before he can join us in the missions! Why can't you understand that!?

[LUK3]-...I bring you a new member after years of nothing and I can't take him anywhere with me. How thankful you guys can be sometimes, I swear...

[KYR4]-Oh, gods...

Then, CHE5TER looks at N04H for a bit, as he has already listened to the conversation. N04H was a bit disappointed, of course, but he didn't expect that he could come either, so it wasn't a surprise for him.

[CHE5TER]-*sigh*...Sorry, little one. The mission from yesterday is the best I can do for you right now. If I stumble upon something similar, I will try my best to give you a small training like that one again.

[N04H]-...It's alright. I will wait until you consider that I'm ready.

[CHE5TER]-Don't be disappointed. You did well back there. It's just that your role here won't be so easy for me to give you anything since all the other Investigators have left and I'm the only one who remained. If we had more people, probably we didn't have any kind of problems like this one...

Yet RY4N seems a bit unhappy as he hears Him talking, looking down. Even the Great Leader notices that, so He looks at him calm.

[CHE5TER]-...Don't worry, RY4N. I will take you with me as well one day. Just like the good old times. I'm really trying, I swear. But I don't find anything for the both of us since the little time I have. I promise! I'm doing my best.

[RY4N]-...Is it one of your unbreakable promises or you are just saying that so you can get rid of me again?

[CHE5TER]-*sigh* It is my word.

[RY4N]-Hah...

But then, LUK3 intervenes and tries to get their attention again.

[LUK3]-Oh, right! You guys went on that mission yesterday and you still didn't tell me what happened! N04H, why are you keeping me in the dark!?? I thought I'm your buddy!!

[N04H]-I simply forgot to tell you and you didn't ask me either! It's not my fault!

[LUK3]-Well you have to tell me EVERYTHING! I'm your mentor after all! Stop forgetting!!

[N04H]-What do you even mean!? It's something normal to forget! You can't expect me to tell you everything for the rest of my life!

[LUK3]-Well, do your best and remember!! I wanna know EVERYTHING that you are doing so I know if I missed anything fun! I do not like a disciple that's having secrets which he hides from me!!

[N04H]-But I'm not hiding anything, god dammit! I just forgot!

[LUK3]-WEEELL, I don't care!!

[KYR4]-*sigh* Are you for real now, LUK3? You sound like an idiot the more you speak.

[LUK3]-Oh, shut up! I didn't ask you anything! I was talking with little N04H here!

[KYR4]-Okay, so? Maybe it's time for you to take a break from speaking and leave everyone in peace.

[LUK3]-But maybe I don't want to!! And it's not like I did something wrong! I just told him a rule!

[KYR4]-If that's a rule, then I might as well just bring everyone here and ask them if they ever heard about it, god dammit...

[LUK3]-Well, it is a rule made by me for the recruit! So just shut your mouth and--

While they are fighting though, CHE5TER looks at RY4N as He wants to inform him of something, before having the tendency to leave.

[CHE5TER]-...I need to see MY4 now. Tell me if something bad happens between these two, alright?

[RY4N]-Did you see her yesterday?

[CHE5TER]-I couldn't find her as she was away with her work. This time, it wasn't my fault, really. But I did talk with her some hours ago and I need to meet her now. Just so you know that I'm taking my schedule seriously.

[RY4N]-I don't want you to take your schedule seriously, I want you to take your HEALTH seriously! But you don't seem to understand that...

[CHE5TER]-...You want to argue about this now? 'Cause I don't. I either see MY4 now or don't see her until tomorrow. We can continue after, if you wish so.

[RY4N]-...

Then, the Great Leader takes His leave, making only a nod representing a goodbye to the people around. Only RY4N looks at his little brother as He leaves them behind, going forward in the hallway alone.

"...Broken promises are nothing to me, CHE5TER. I'm just worried like all the others. When will you understand that we need you alive...?"

21:56

And now, we are witnessing Miss MY4, who stands alone in a room which seems to be a place where she treats the patients from the base. In this case though, the patient that she wishes to treat is the ruler Himself, for whatever reason. So, MY4 is getting everything ready until CHE5TER arrives, but she seems a bit clumsy this time, something unusual for her. Even the Great Leader notices that when He enters the room. As a consequence, He looks worried at her, as if He doesn't see her like this very often, before finally talking to her.

[CHE5TER]-...Hey, MY4. Are you alright? You seem a bit tired.

[MY4]-Oh, hey, CHE5TER! Yeah, I'm fine... I just had to stay more at the shelter with the wounded yesterday. They needed my help since the people that take care of the building were overwhelmed after a hard day and the other Healers were a bit busy.

[CHE5TER]-Right... But you have some hours left until you go back to the shelter, right? Just take a rest if you are feeling so tired. Even a few hours are alright.

[MY4]-Says who, Mr. "I need to work every single minute of my life"?

[CHE5TER]-Ha ha...

The Great Leader goes towards the bed in the room, where He sits down and looks at MY4, almost as if He tries to supervise her movements in the meantime, anxious.

[MY4]-Alright... Should we start then? I know you don't want to lose too much time from your medicine and all.

[CHE5TER]-Oh, right. Right...

While MY4 sits down on a chair next to Him, CHE5TER unbuttons His shirt, taking the torn piece of cloth down at the same time with the shirt, remaining only in His undershirt, revealing His bandaged right arm, a bit covered in blood, which MY4 takes in her hands and starts taking the bandages off to analyse the arm for a while. Looking at it, it seems that one finger is missing from His hand, as well as the wounds being pretty deep, making the hand almost as if it doesn't even belong to a normal being at all. But even so, the arm seems as it has healed for a bit, as blood doesn't really flow right now either, it's just that it's dirty from all of this red water. She puts her hands gently around his arm, moving them around in different parts slowly to not hurt the man that was looking at His arm at that moment.

[MY4]-Can you move your fingers?

And so, CHE5TER starts moving his arm, or at least tries, as the fingers barely move from their initial position.

[CHE5TER]-Almost...

As He does so, MY4 is analysing the movements of the arm itself, looking at the muscles around it that were barely moving during His action.

[MY4]-*sigh* At least it isn't completely numb as it was before... It shows some progress in its healing here.

[CHE5TER]-You say so? I see no difference.

[MY4]-Yeah! Look! When you are trying to move your fingers, the muscles on this part of your arm are moving as well. Even if you don't manage to do anything with your fingers, the body still succeeds in trying to do the action you want to make, even if it is not the result you wished for. If it was completely numb, the muscles won't even move, let alone that the fingers won't budge even a little.

[CHE5TER]-Aha... Yeah, I'm sorry, MY4, but you are the expert here. I don't see any kind of difference from the first day. It's the same dead arm that I had for a while now.

[MY4]-Doesn't matter. As long as it shows a sign of progress, it's enough for me.

She then takes a handkerchief and dips it in a liquid, starting to clean all the blood that is around the arm, yet CHE5TER seems as He wants to stop her.

[CHE5TER]-Can't you... let it be and see the next one? I don't really see the point in staying to clean all the blood if it will get dirty again...

[MY4]-I do so because I don't want to battle an infection now. I have to clean it every once in awhile until there are no more open wounds, Ches.

[CHE5TER]-Heh... Can it really get infected that easily or you are just making things up so I have more time of this rest?

[MY4]-I mean, I can always let it be as you said and we can see it for ourselves in the future, hm?

[CHE5TER]-Alright, alright. I will let you do your work. You know better than me when it comes to this subject anyway...

It takes her a few minutes before she is done cleaning His arm. Then, she gets up to look around her medicine things, to put the dirty handkerchief and prepare an Energy Killer, while the Great Leader just looks at His paralysed arm with an expression that is almost regret. And then, she sits back and talks with Him again.

[MY4]-Okay... Let's see the other problem and then I can let you stay in bed for a few minutes until the Energy Killer does its effect.

[CHE5TER]-Mm... Do I really need...?

[MY4]-You like joking around, don't you, rascal? Isn't it obvious already that you have to? Come on, it's not the first time we are doing this!

[CHE5TER]-Hahah, calm down, MY4! Can't I do a small joke myself? I will do as you say, really! It's not like I didn't promise to you and RY4N this thing anyway...

[MY4]-...

The Great Leader begins to take off His undershirt in the end, revealing also His bandaged body, but this time, the dirtiness from the blood is way more spread than it was around His arm. To be honest now, for a powerful ruler that everybody sees in Him, His body doesn't really seem as powerful at it should be. He seems way too skinny, full of all kinds of wounds. From a health point, you won't really say He is able to do anything, yet here is He, the man that everyone fears, powerful enough to kill anybody He pleases.

But for these people though, it is actually pretty normal to be very skinny, and for warriors to be covered in wounds. After all, none of these beings need to eat in order to survive. So if they don't eat anything during their lifetime, how could they gain weight in the first place? The only ones that actually eat something are the crevaators after all, and their bodies are pretty similar to ours because of that, if not even a bit above average. But the others don't look like walking sticks or anything, 'cause they do workouts because of the survival rules, but it's just that we can see the bones around their chest pretty easily. For them, this is average.

MY4 begins to take off the bandages around His body as well, and it is in that moment when she finished which puts her in a rather sadder mood than she was before just by looking at the wound itself. It is almost as if a part of His body was missing from the deepness of it, and only a tiny part of it managed to heal after all this time He has it. So, she takes a deep breath and begins to speak again.

[MY4]-...I'm serious now, CHE5TER. Your brother and I only try to help you. I know you have a lot to do because of your title, but just pushing yourself all the time isn't really an answer to this whole war... We all try our best to end it, just like you do. But we have to be patient rather than exhausting ourselves till we can't take it anymore.

As she speaks, she detaches a small bandage that was sticked to the wound in order for it to heal His body properly, making Him shout a bit from the pain resulting from this action and opening the wound. But it does take a long time for CHE5TER to endure this type of powerful pain, even if it's not the first time He had to do something like this. His C colour starts lighting up though, as a sign of His body starting to try and heal the open wound. Yet it sure is hard for Him to even speak while processing the pain, breathing heavily.

[MY4]-...Why can't you listen to us?

[CHE5TER]-...You know everyone... depends on me... I cannot just... stay... even if I wanted... It is my duty... as the Great Leader...

CHE5TER seems to be losing His energy quickly though, as the C colour in His eyes and hair is slowly fading away. Seems like this simple wound can take all His energy away to heal just a tiny bit of it, so it doesn't take long before MY4 takes a different bandage to put in the wound in order for it to heal properly, and then to get up from the chair she was sitting on next to CHE5TER's bed, putting Him slowly to lay down and going to take the Energy Killer for Him.

[MY4]-...Even with this title of yours, there is still no reason for you to continue like this. We do depend on you, but that's only another reason why we are trying to keep you alive... and all you do is to push us away from you.

As she does so, CHE5TER notices something strange to her. While she is walking slowly, she is also shaking from the exhaustion, barely keeping herself on her own feet. Her eyes are also starting to close slowly, but she tries to keep herself awake to finish her work.

[MY4]-I just can't understand what's on your mind, CHE5TER...

[CHE5TER]-MY4...?

[MY4]-We only want to help you. You know that... right? I only want to help y--

[CHE5TER]- --MY4!

But she doesn't succeed in doing so. She falls down hardly all of a sudden from the tiredness, while CHE5TER rushes from His bed to catch her on His left arm. He forces a bit too hard and the wound only makes His pain worse for the time being, even screaming a bit more, silently this time. Yet He looks at her even if His body hurts, seeing her falling asleep after all this time she had tried to keep herself awake.

After struggles of getting up from the pain while also carrying her, He puts her softly on the bed, then searches for His Energy Killer on His own. He walks slowly, limping because of the unbearable pain, taking it from its location and coming back to the bed where he sits down. He takes His shot in His right arm, regenerating almost immediately His energy as His C colour gets back, looking at His right hand and moving His fingers a bit more lively than at first, then bandages the wound on His stomach. After that, He lays back on the bed next to MY4, as He puts her head on His shoulder and looks down, deadly.

[CHE5TER]-...I'm not doing it because I like it, MY4. Staying alone isn't something I'm pleased with... But I'm doing it because I only want to protect you all. It's a risk that I have to take, even if it costs my own life. I saw so many people die, even in my own arms... I can't bear to lose you too. You, RY4N and all the other people that are trying to help me... you are all important to me.

Then, He puts His head on her head as He speaks. He doesn't really care if she can hear Him or not, He simply wants to say everything that is on His mind, to get rid of a rock that's stuck on His heart.

[CHE5TER]-...I don't want you to understand me. I want you to let me go.

47:13

And now, everyone is getting ready for the next mission that seems as it will start soon. The ruler was absent for a while, but He came in time for the preparation. While everyone is taking their equipment, He makes sure that each person needed is present, including LUK3, who is late because he stood more with N04H. The Leader doesn't really mind that, as it isn't the first time LUK3 is late at something after all.

[CHE5TER]-Go and take everything you need, LUCAS.

[LUK3]-Alright, alright... But can h--

[CHE5TER]- --No.

[LUK3]-You didn't even let me finish!

[CHE5TER]-I already know the question. Now go and stop wasting time.

[LUK3]-*mumbles*

[CHE5TER]-...What did you say?

[LUK3]-N-Nothing, Boss! I'm going right now!

Then, LUK3 leaves in a hurry without looking back, yet CHE5TER remains staring at some papers, while N04H is simply waiting to see what he could do.

[N04H]-If I can't come as well, then what should I do?

[CHE5TER]-You can train by yourself for example. You don't need LUK3, nor anybody around the base to do that. Or you can profit of your free time and go see some friends if you wish. I'm not here to give you advices about how to spend your time while we are gone.

[N04H]-Yeah, but--

[N4THAN]- --Master, we are ready to go!

[CHE5TER]-On my way!

So, the Great Leader leaves N04H behind, alone, as He goes to lead everyone from the team in the mission. N04H doesn't really know what to do for now, as it is a bit late to visit someone as He said. He walks alone the now empty hallway, wondering what could he possibly do in the meantime. He could train on his own as he saw C0NNER do most of the times. He could walk around the city maybe to see if he could find any problems similar to the one that he has solved yesterday. There are so many choices, but he doesn't know which is the best to pick.

As he walks though, he notices Miss MY4 leaving a room, wanting to go somewhere, so he goes towards her as he was a bit confused.

[N04H]-...Miss MY4?

[MY4]-Oh, hey, N04H!

[N04H]-What are you doing here? Don't you need to go with the group in the mission as well?

[MY4]-Oh, no, no! My role doesn't need to be involved in the mission. I go for nothing with them.

[N04H]-What are you talking about?

[MY4]-It's just that they don't need Healers so much during the missions. I mean, yes, there are some that go every mission just in case, but the role comes in a lower number. Usually in missions are used only one or two Healers just for emergencies, while the rest stay at the base. If it is a bigger problem, we are simply called and be present there right away. So... I stay at the base most of the times since there are already other Healers that work for the missions every time.

[N04H]-So they left you alone at the base just like they did with me, huh?

[MY4]-Well, it isn't necessary for me to stay here. I can go wherever I want as long as I stay in the city. If something truly happens, I have a gadget which I use, as well as all the others from the mission do, and which they can use to warn me that I have to come back.

[N04H]-Oh, I see... So you will go out in the city?

[MY4]-Something like that. Do you have anything planned since you will be staying at the base as well?

[N04H]-Not really... The Great Leader suggested that I could train by myself or go visit some friends, but at this time of day, I don't really know who could I even visit...

[MY4]-I see... Then maybe you want to come with me? I mean, I won't do something interesting or anything, but since you don't know what to do, maybe we could go in the city together.

[N04H]-Oh? Sure! But why?

[MY4]-I was thinking of going to buy some more medicine supplies as I saw that we will run out of them soon. Nothing special! After that, I will let you go wherever you want if I remain without time and need to leave. If not, we could go back to the base together.

[N04H]-Out of time? Out of time for what?

[MY4]-Oh, just that I will go a bit later to the shelter to treat some people saved by Leader M1SH4M this night.

[N04H]-Oh, right! LUK3 said you work for the shelter!

[MY4]-It's not that I work for them... I just like going and helping others in need. That's all. They do not pay me or anything, I'm just doing it as a... hobby... I guess.

[N04H]-They don't pay you? At all?

[MY4]-No. I'm getting paid enough from the base, there is no need to get paid from the shelter as well. Why? Why do you ask?

[N04H]-Nothing, just curiosity...

[MY4]-Okay... Then, should we get going?

[N04H]-...Oh, yeah! Right! Yes, we should!

[MY4]-Alright then! Just wait a moment until I make a list with what we have to buy. I will be quick, I promise!

The Underground City

47:59

They walk around the city where the merchants are having their business. They seem to be doing it for a while actually, as MY4 is almost done with her list, remaining only a thing on it left.

[N04H]-So what do we have now?

[MY4]-Let me see... We have only... Oh, Energy Killers!

[N04H]-I... don't think anybody sells that.

[MY4]-Well, technically, you are right. Nobody sells the "Energy Killer" itself.

[N04H]-Then how do we get that?

[MY4]-Actually, it isn't something complicated, really. We only need to buy what it contains. An Energy Killer contains Histvorh, which is simple to get from anybody around here, but also an ore called "Bethjavih". The ore is located somewhere far from the area of both the Underground City and the City of Above, so it is a bit harder to find it at a simple merchant. But luckily, I know someone who sells these. Let's take the Histvorh first and then we will pay him a visit.

So, they separated themselves to go to different merchants, buying Histvorh as much as they think they will need. As to what this "Histvorh" is, it seems to be something similar to our water. The difference between it and this liquid is that Histvorh is a liquid which lights up during the night, whether it has a source of light near it or not, and it is also not actually a liquid, but an ore. It is in the state of a liquid if it got to brightness, but if it doesn't have such a source for a long time, it gets to its solid state back.

As to the reason why it can light up, it is said in a legend that this ore has something to do with their Goddess of Moon, Vera, which gave the C borns the bright colours that represent themselves in this race. Like how the ruler has the C colour "Voothrav", all the other C beings in the base have their own too. N04H has the green colour, LUK3 has a golden one with half of his head full of highlights with this colour too, KYR4 has one called "Vewfhroorav" which we see as purple, colour that is a combination between another one called "Haavenrav" which is seen as blue for us and the simple colour that we know well which is red, then we have C0NNER with the blue colour having a small highlight too and MY4 here having pink, of course with all the others that weren't mentioned having one as well.

This ore is pretty common in these lands though, just like our water, so it doesn't actually take long before they go and buy the other ore she told him about. They meet again and walk towards the man she told him earlier, greeting him.

[MY4]-Hello, Mr. TH4DD3US!

[TH4DD3US]-MY4! I haven't seen you in ages! What a pleasant surprise... Dear, you even got so much taller since the last time you came!

[MY4]-Oh, please! I came here some months ago for a visit! I didn't grow that much!

[TH4DD3US]-I'm just joking around!

[MY4]-Heheh, I know that already!

[TH4DD3US]-Ah... I remember when my clan was coming to the XANTH3 Residence and I was finding you, little KYR4 and little LUK3 playing around the building together when you were kids. How time flies... How is that little rascal doing anyway? Still avoiding his responsibilities till this very day?

[MY4]-*giggles* He is doing well. As with his responsibilities... I think it's the same story as ever. Nothing has really changed, actually. It's the same us from the past. Just the way we look and call ourselves seems as it has changed.

[TH4DD3US]-I see... And who is this young boy next to you?

[MY4]-Oh, right! This is N04H! He is a new member in the Southeast Base. He came a few months ago, so we are just showing him around for now.

[TH4DD3US]-Oh? Master M4TTH3W finally let someone join Mr. RY4N's base? I thought He didn't want anybody to come there anymore.

[MY4]-LUK3 was actually the one who brought him. He begged Him only after N04H found about us. He wasn't happy, of course, but He couldn't do anything about it anymore. In the end, He let it be, so we found ourselves with a new member after six years.

[TH4DD3US]-Oh, I see... Well, in that case, hello there, Soldier N04H!

[MY4]-N04H, this is TH4DD3US, one of the most trusted people of the EZR4H Clan. They are the ones who are going outside the Great Walls of the above and provide the city with the ores that we need. Most of the supplies we have in the city is with the help from people like him.

N04H waves at the man. He seems young from his appearance, but the way he speaks sounds as he has way more years than he looks like. But it is something normal here after all, otherwise the man will be ill. He gives almost the same vibe as MY4 whenever N04H saw her, joyful and opened to anybody. But he doesn't understand something from all of this. Why does MY4 lie to him?

[MY4]-Anyway, we came here to purchase some of your Bethjavih Ore. Do you have anything left? Or did the other bases purchase it already?

[TH4DD3US]-Oh, but of course I have! Do not worry about that! Come in and take a look! We had a mission some days ago, so I have plenty of them. And if you wish to buy something else, just tell me!

[MY4]-Thank you, Mr. TH4DD3US!

[TH4DD3US]-Any time!

But as the man leaves them in peace, N04H looks a bit at MY4.

[N04H]-Umm... Miss MY4?

[MY4]-Hm? What is it, N04H?

[N04H]-Why did you... lie to him?

She looks confused at him at first, but then she finally realises his confusion and gets closer to him to whisper this time.

[MY4]-...Outside the base, there is no Master CHE5TER, alright? Everyone around the Council thinks that the Great Leader which is now in charge of the Underground City is M4TTH3W LENKOV, the previous ruler. We cannot tell anybody about the change. Keep that in mind and try to get used with it, okay? We made a promise to the ruler, as well as the contract we all signed.

[N04H]-Okay... but why?

[MY4]-It was His command when He took the title. Only the members of the Southeast Base are aware of it. Try not to forget and not tell anybody about Master CHE5TER, alright?

[N04H]-Oooh, alright!

[MY4]-Okay, now let's buy what we came from, shall we?

So, they walk inside while the man remains to look for other customers that may come. They search for the ore for a bit, but they find it in the end. Yet then, N04H looks a bit shocked when looking at the price.

[N04H]-140.000 NOVHA FOR ONE GRAM!??

[MY4]-Actually, we pay with Verha this time, so it will be around 17.500 Verha per gram. Members of the Council and their subordinates accept this type of currency as they are the only ones aware of it. It's more simple for us to pay in Verha.

[N04H]-BUT IT'S STILL EXPENSIVE AS HELL, MY4!

MY4 laughs a bit at his reaction. For her, it's something normal to cost this much, but for little N04H, it seems as if this guy wants to steal everyone's money.

[MY4]-Calm down there, N04H! Ores in general are expensive depending on their rarity, and this one is indeed rare. Not only that, but it is also the most used ore we know to exist, having multiple usages, like the alcohol industry for example. If it was cheap, we would've run out of this ore pretty quickly.

[N04H]-...But you told me we need it for medicine.

[MY4]-Yes, we need it in medicine. But as I said, it is used in more industries. In medicine, we use it in these things called "Energy Killers". When a person is injured, the Energy Killer is injected in their body, causing this medicine to gain the person's energy back and forcing it to focus on the open wound, whether it is a C born or the other races. It is what makes the body heal itself after all. Of course, in a C born's case, this action will lead to the whole energy gained being lost not long after, as the body is using it all at once, a reason behind the name after all. Drinking it isn't much of a difference, but it has a slower effect comparative to the shot. If a shot could make the effect in a few minutes or even seconds, drinking it will make it in a few hours, even days depending on how badly the wound is. But if the person isn't injured... it works more like a drug. It makes the being hallucinate and dizzy, something similar to what you saw at LUK3 when we went out.

[N04H]-But that is the effect of the mixture needed to get an "Energy Killer".

[MY4]-Yes! That's right!

[N04H]-Hold on, hold on... Something doesn't make sense to me...

[MY4]-What is it?

[N04H]-I remember that in school, at one subject, we were taught that Histvorh is the one giving the energy back to the person, without any need of any other ore. Why do we need THIS to make it functional?

[MY4]-I'll be honest with you, I was just as confused as you are when I learnt about this after I took my role. You are 50% right in what you are saying, but the thing is that this ore is making the whole action more effectively. A shot of Histvorh without any combination won't do anything to the body, it will only regain a bit of the lost energy, but only a small part of it, the same being even if you drink it. This ore is making the effect from the Histvorh more powerful, causing everything I've explained. That's the whole thing about this ore. No matter its use, it makes everything with a more powerful effect. For drinks, it makes them heavier, for medicine, it makes them stronger so the body heals faster. Even in electricity it can be used! You put the source of the electricity with this ore and it has a more powerful effect.

[N04H]-Oh, I see... I think I get it now.

[MY4]-Good to know that. 'Cause we will need to buy the whole ore.

[N04H]-WHAT!? THIS THING HAS AROUND 300 GRAMS!!

[MY4]-I don't... see any problem with it?

[N04H]-YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY 5.250.000 VERHA! THAT'S 42.000.000 NOVHA!!

[MY4]-I am aware of that information, no need to scream. As I said, it's a rare ore after all, it's normal for it to be this expensive. We need to make sure we simply won't run out of it in the next few years.

[N04H]-Suddenly a 62.000 Novha drink doesn't sound expensive at all...

48:34

Now, MY4 and N04H are coming back from the merchants' area as MY4 thinks that the mission has already finished and everyone got back. She is carrying a bag with her which is full of everything they bought in the meantime, which of course seems a bit heavy, but she manages to carry it on her own. Yet after a while of walking, from behind, N04H hears someone calling him out of nowhere.

[K4NE]-...N04H? N04H! Over here!

[N04H]-...K4NE?

He looks behind to see who it is, only to see some of his old roommates who were waving at him and calling his name so he can see them.

[MY4]-Friends of yours?

[N04H]-Yes! They were my roommates when we were at school!

[MY4]-I see... Go talk to them then. I can leave and we will meet at the base.

[N04H]-No, no! I will be quick! I promise! Just wait a bit!

[MY4]-Alright then. Take your time!

N04H rushes to the two boys standing to greet them, yet MY4 remains behind, looking at her list once again and calculating something. She waits five minutes, ten minutes, even more, but N04H enjoys his time with his old friends, and another one seems to join after a while too. After some time of waiting though, someone seems to be calling for her a bit far away from her location. It seems to be C0NNER this time.

[C0NNER]-Miss MY4!

[MY4]-...C0NNER? What are you doing here?

[C0NNER]-Master told me to search for you and N04H since none of you gave us a sign where you guys went, so... here I am.

[MY4]-Oh... Sorry for the trouble then.

[C0NNER]-It's nothing. Where is the other one?

[MY4]-N04H is over there, talking with his friends. I'm waiting for him to come so we can go back to the base together.

[C0NNER]-I see... What's in the bag?

[MY4]-Right! We went to buy some things that I needed since we will soon run out of them, including the Bethjavih Ore.

[C0NNER]-Huh... I wondered how much it could last... I don't think I lived the moment when the base didn't have it until now.

[MY4]-Well it has to end at some point, right? Every material can get consumed after all.

[C0NNER]-Right...

Then they both watch N04H and his friends enjoying their lives, but C0NNER seems a bit unhappy as usual, so MY4 changes the subject.

[MY4]-How was the mission?

[C0NNER]-It was fine, I guess... We managed to save all of them, which will be around 26 beings. There are only five people injured, but Mr. IS4MU is taking care of them at the shelter right now, so no need of you to worry about that. If anything, you might bump into him when you get there. He said it will take a while until he comes back at the base.

[MY4]-It seems like you guys did a really good job. No problems encountered?

[C0NNER]-Come on. At this point, rescue missions aren't something so complicated. The collaboration between Mr. M1SH4M and the Southeast Base got to be a habit of our building over the years.

[MY4]-...

MY4 looks at him as she feels he isn't feeling better. His past doesn't let him go, so it's hard for him to enjoy anything around him.

[MY4]-...You still miss them, don't you?

[C0NNER]-*sigh* A bit... It doesn't help that he reminds me of her either...

[MY4]-C0NNER... We all lose people we love at some point. It is the cycle of life. But we can't let this affect us for the rest of our lives. Look at your master... He keeps letting His memories affect Him at the point that He doesn't care about His own life. No matter what you say to Him, He doesn't listen, He only does whatever He thinks is right.

[C0NNER]-...

[MY4]-...People give their lives so that we can continue their journey for them, to achieve their dreams, not to suffer from the loss. And I'm sure that your people are proud of how far you've come, little one.

[C0NNER]-...I hope so. Thank you, Miss MY4.

MY4 gives him a gentle smile, as C0NNER looks at her. He feels a bit better than before, so he smiles at her, for the first time for us, as a sign of gratitude. Maybe it is because of how MY4 behaves or treats people around her, or maybe it is because she is just a person that he trust. Whatever that reason is for him to smile, it sure is a warming feeling for us all just staying around this gentle soul.

But as they chat more and more, a person from the above seems to have been watching them all this time, listening to their conversation. You know who He is, but the reason for Him to be there in the first place is unknown. He looks at both of them, a bit upset from what the girl said, then leaves without a trace.

The Southeast Military Base

49:14

Minutes later, they come back at the base together, N04H chatting with MY4 while C0NNER simply walks alongside them, not saying a word. LUK3 was in the hallway, so when he notices them, he goes towards them to see how they are doing.

[LUK3]-Oh, you found them after all, C0NNER!

[MY4]-Hey, LUK3!

[LUK3]-Hi, MY4!

[MY4]-How was the mission?

[LUK3]-It was cool. We saved them all! And, oh, at the end of the mission, when we took the rescued at the shelter, two little girls from the group came to us and thanked us all! Not to mention that when they found out who was the one behind the plan, they went to Him and surprised Him with a little hug. It was sooo cuteeee! C0NNER saw it! He can tell if it's the truth!

[MY4]-CHE5TER let them near Him?

[LUK3]-Well, technically He had no idea what was happening in the first place... He was talking with someone when they came, so He got confused and almost lost it. But in the end, He let them be for the time being. Ah, you should've been there, MY4!

[C0NNER]-...Speaking of the devil... where is Master anyway?

[LUK3]-Umm... I think He said that He wants to see something, but didn't specify where He went. But is it really a surprise at this point? For real now! Oh, and... what's in that bag anyway?

[MY4]-We went to buy some things while you were gone. Nothing special.

[LUK3]-Oh, did you buy something for me??

[MY4]-No?

[LUK3]-...What kind of best friend are you?

[MY4]-*giggles* We went to buy medicine stuff, LUK3! What could I have get for you?

[LUK3]-Well that ISN'T an excuse for you to come empty-handed! You could've bought me anything from the merchants when you were coming back to the base!

[MY4]-Alright, alright... Next time, I promise you that I will bring you something that you might like.

[LUK3]-That's more like it!

[N04H]-...Is he really like this all the time?

[LUK3]-N--

[MY4+C0NNER]- --Yes.

[LUK3]-HEY! WHAT SIDE ARE YOU ON, MY4!? You know what!? Never mind! Fuck you both! N04H and I are going to train, so you bullies can talk shit about me when I'm not around! Come on, buddy! Let's leave!

[N04H]-Wait, at this hour!? H-Hey, hold on, LUK3! Wait a second!!

LUK3 takes N04H by a hand and leaves with him towards the training ground mad, yet MY4 and C0NNER remain together behind to chat again.

[C0NNER]-*sigh* I still don't understand how you manage to endure him so easily, Miss MY4... I swear, you are like a true god for me just because of this reason alone.

[MY4]-When you grow up with him, nothing surprises you anymore. He is the same person as when we were kids. But even so, he still got a good heart... even if he acts like this pretty often.

[C0NNER]-He can have whatever he wishes, he still manages to give me a headache whenever I see or hear him...

[MY4]-There is no friendship without a bit of fighting between each other after all, C0NNER. It is normal to not endure someone in some moments. But even so, reliance exists till the very end, doesn't it?

[C0NNER]-I guess so...

MY4 looks at LUK3 and N04H which are already far away from them, thinking about something, or someone, and getting a bit unhappy.

[MY4]-*sigh* I wonder where is He now...

[C0NNER]-We don't know where He goes in general anyway, but He always comes back. Why are you so worried?

[MY4]-...I admire how can you stay so calm, even though I know you are worried as well. I still remember the face you had when we all lived that moment a while ago. You see more than just a master in Him, don't you?

[C0NNER]-...

He doesn't seem as he wants to respond though, so she takes a deep breath and continues.

[MY4]-...I'm worried because He thinks He can do everything by Himself, even though He is a simple being, just like all of us. Before everything, I would have trusted His decisions, but now I can't take my mind off the idea that there is always a possibility of Him to never come back.

[C0NNER]-But He will come back... right?

[MY4]-For now...

Yet in the City of Above, CHE5TER stands alone in the night on a building, watching everything from above. Voices, screaming in His head, all from the people He had lost along His journey. Only one voice He doesn't recognise, one which speaks to Him every single day after that incident which He doesn't want to talk about. He wishes to end it all, but alone, He can't do anything. It's Him against the entire world, until Death will finally decide to take Him away as well.

"...But we need to be prepared for the worst."