18:31

LUK3 still trains with N04H in the meantime though, and even C0NNER seems to help out as well. Yet KYR4 has left a while ago, so only the boys remained.

[LUK3]-Alright, get a break. I don't want to start arguing again.

[C0NNER]-Oh? You've already argued today? So I don't need to stress myself that you will want to argue with me as well?

[LUK3]-Yeah, 'cause this kid doesn't want to listen to me!

[C0NNER]-Wait, you argued with N04H? Well, that's new...

[LUK3]-Shut up!

LUK3 and N04H sit down to take a small rest, yet C0NNER remains up and starts doing some training for himself with the bow as always, while the two boys talk.

[N04H]-So, are you really a successor of the XANTH3 Clan?

[LUK3]-Why? You're a fan?

[N04H]-No, I just mean tha--

[C0NNER]- --Who are the XANTH3 Clan again, LUK3?

[N04H]-...Huh? You don't know about the XANTH3 Clan, C0NNER?

[C0NNER]-Well, I know there is a guy in the Council that is the Leader of it, but I don't really get what's with all the praises around that group of people.

[LUK3]-And that's why you are my favourite guy from the entire base, C0NNER!!

[C0NNER]-Really? Then maybe you start respecting me as well in the future.

[N04H]-I've learnt in school that the clan made history in this city, probably that's what's behind the hype you're talking about. The XANTH3 Clan created the money to begin with and this way, they made a more... peaceful environment when it came to trades. I know that before the Novha coins appeared, the C borns were kind of used for any kind of object that the other races wished to get. So when these money finally appeared, trades got the first priority when it came to new objects and the C borns were put to rest from their eternal working life. I mean, they are reusable devices, right? You can make anything you want out of them as long as you have enough of them and... well, know how to use them.

[C0NNER]-Aha... Yeah, I still don't see it. That clan is full of idiots from what I know. The Leader is always bringing more troubles to the Great Leader, and... well, we also have LUK3 here.

[LUK3]-Yeah... Thanks for the compliment...

[N04H]-So you don't like being the son of one of the most famous names in this city, LUK3?

[LUK3]-...No, not really. It's how everyone says after all. The current Leader is kind of an idiot, I mean... my father is kind of an idiot. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for everyone that took care of me and all, but I simply don't like the clan that much.

[C0NNER]-Yeah, you don't seem that grateful to me.

[LUK3]-I am, okay!?? I am grateful that I was one from the very few that got a house, had people that took care of me when I was a child and even someone that really wanted me as his son!

[C0NNER]-So, spoiled in short terms.

[LUK3]-Mmm...

[N04H]-So you know how is it to have your own house, hm?

[LUK3]-You say it like I'm the only one, N04H. You know there are a lot of people who get adopted from the shelters like me every day, right? Are you gonna mock me for this just like KYR4 did? It's not my fault that very few people want to take care of kids, and most that actually want is because they want a successor. You don't think I feel bad that MY4, the kindest person I've ever met in my entire life, had to grow up on her own in these buildings alongside thousands of other people? Probably even millions!?

[C0NNER]-Hmph... At least you guys had a promised roof over your heads no matter the situation. I, on the other hand, actually had to survive.

[LUK3]-Oh, yeah, play the victim now, won't you!?? Thank me that we came after you that day, otherwise you wouldn't have survived in the end!

[C0NNER]-Yeah, yeah...

C0NNER seems to have used a lot of his arrows while talking, almost getting rid of all of them.

[N04H]-Hey, LUK3...

[LUK3]-Yeah?

[N04H]-Should I call you by your real name from now on? Since, well, I just found out about it?

[LUK3]-Ehhh?? No!! Don't you even dare!

[N04H]-Why not?

[LUK3]-'Cause I DON'T like IT!! Why the hell do you even think I've changed my name?? Only Boss mocks me with that old name and I let it be 'cause He doesn't listen, but I don't want more people to do it too!!

[N04H]-But isn't it practically the same thing? You know... "LUK3"... "LUCAS"... They are not so different...

[LUK3]-Lalalalalalala, I can't hear you, N04H!!!

[C0NNER]-*sigh* Are you serious, man...? You over-exaggerate just for a name?

[LUK3]-What was your name before then, hmm??

[C0NNER]-I had no name before, idiot. Stop crying about everything you want.

[LUK3]-I swear, one day I will smack yo--

[N04H]- --Anyway... how about you tell me how it was to live as a member of the XANTH3 Clan? I was curious for a while how is the life of the most famous names in the city. You sure had good memories as well, right?

[LUK3]-Umm... Yeah, I had, but with KYR4 and MY4 most of them. I used to take them at the residence so we could play together because it is too crowded at the shelters. But you probably already know that if you were raised there. I was a simple child, who do you take me of now??

[N04H]-I just asked! Why are you so angry??

[LUK3]-I'm not angry!!

[C0NNER]-Oh, but you are.

[LUK3]-I AM NOT!

[C0NNER]-Mhm...

[LUK3]-Look, I just don't like to talk about it that much, alright!? I lived a lot of fights in that house between me and the Leader of the clan, even more than the fights of the LENKOV brothers! I simply don't understand, nor like when people really praise this name for nothing!

[C0NNER]-LUK3, the LENKOV brothers should be an example for you at this point. Master RY4N and Master CHE5TER are fighting because of the way the Great Leader thinks the war should end. Probably Master is doing the same thing as you do: avoid the conversation thinking it might be solved on its own. But it won't, and RY4N is the one who tries to solve it by himself. If you want to get rid of the problem, you have to stop avoiding it and confront it directly. Did you really not learn anything throughout the years you've worked here?

[LUK3]-I did! Many times! Okay!? It never worked! My ancestors are not the type of people that are simple to deal with!

[C0NNER]-You are not one of that type either, I mean...

[N04H]-Have you tried getting to a common point on which you both agree? I saw that the brothers didn't argue that much ever since Master CHE5TER got back, as they talked a lot about it. Maybe you can try that too?

[LUK3]-I don't think you know the problem to begin with, N04H. Our fights are a story for some good years now, while they've started arguing last year. Of course they settle it down easier, they know each other like the back of their hands!

[C0NNER]-Hmph... If you think about it, you and the brothers are actually some kind of cousins, hm?

[LUK3]-Ehh?? How the fuck did you even come up with that conclusion??

[C0NNER]-Simple. Both the XANTH3 Clan and the LENKOV family are members of the Council, right? And both of them have important roles for the city's evolution. I doubt that the first ancestor of the brothers didn't know your first ancestor at some point. The families had collaborations for centuries now, won't you say you are even a bit related at this point?

[LUK3]-Man, you sure don't know anything about history, huh?

[C0NNER]-Well, excuse me that I didn't go to school, Mr. "Successor-Of-A-Rich-Family". I might not know anything about the past, but I can come to logical conclusions.

[N04H]-But Master CHE5TER said that even He doesn't know who the first LENKOV was.

[C0NNER]-So you think just because He didn't show His face before, He wasn't able to know anything about the "most known name of the city"? As the Great Leader Himself?

[N04H]-Yeah, but to the point the present descendants to be related even in a small portion?

[C0NNER]-Powerful beings want to work with other powerful beings, do they not? After all, why would the XANTH3 Clan enter the Council in the first place? There are a lot of other clans around the city that are not in the Council, but only a few decided to enter and help out the Great Leader. Or at least work with Him... At this point, I don't know if that is categorised as "help"... Take the example of the Crevaaria Clan, which is not a member of the Council. Do they seem as they want to help anybody in this city to you?

[N04H]-Not really... Everyone says they are parasites to the city rather than actual beings at this point.

[C0NNER]-And they are. All they do is to consume our resources and devour the corpses of the fallen people around the city. They do not benefit us of anything, so they are just a clan that lives here. They refused many times in the past to enter the Council as far as I know, and all the existent clans that are not part of the Council do the same thing as them. That's why I said that about the XANTH3 Cl--

Yet as he talks, C0NNER was still aiming with his bow and wanted to take another arrow, but his arrows were put to an end after so many used.

[C0NNER]-...Shit.

[LUK3]-Out of arrows again, huh?

[C0NNER]-So? What? Is that suppose to be a mocking or something?

[LUK3]-Maybe.

[C0NNER]-*sigh* Okay, sorry, where were we again?

[LUK3]-Nowhere. Enough talking about clans and ancestors! I will fall asleep if we continue this conversation for any longer!

[C0NNER]-Oh, I do apologise. But how come it bores you your own history? I thought you like past since you've studied it at school.

[LUK3]-Hey, who said I liked it!? *sigh* Never mind... Come on, N04H, get up. We had a very long break already and we should get back to training. Take your position and try to hit harder, okay?

[C0NNER]-Avoiding it again, hm?

[LUK3]-Oh, shut up before I go find your master and tell Him that you want a small training!

45:14

Seems like the members are getting ready for a mission now, yet CHE5TER doesn't seem as He really cares. He walks around, reading some papers and rarely answering the people around Him. LUK3 and N04H also seem as they walk together, so when they notice the Great Leader, they go towards Him to ask a small question.

[LUK3]-Boss! Boss!!!

[CHE5TER]-Yes? What is it, LUCAS?

[LUK3]-Look, I know you won't like it and all, but can N04H join us this time? Please?? I will be careful and all so he wo--

[CHE5TER]- --Sure, go ahead.

[LUK3]-Oh, come on, ma... Wait, what? Did you just say "yes"?

[CHE5TER]-Yeah, can't believe it or what? We will get some documents that aren't as guarded as some people think, that's all. You thought I'm going to do the mission on my own?

[LUK3]-Hahah, that's amazi... Wait, how come? I thought you didn't want N04H participate in any mission until he is not done with his training.

[CHE5TER]-You saw me present at the last missions though? You've all informed me that Seven Two is dead. Besides, it's a simple mission this time. I've arranged it after all so even he can do it. Let him take this one as a small training. Just make sure you can get him out of trouble if anything happens. Officer RY4N will inform me of every detail that had happened in the mission, so I hope I do not hear any kind of bad news when you all come back.

[LUK3]-Oh, you don't know how happy I am, Boss! I'ma buy you a drink for this one, I promise!

[CHE5TER]-Yeah, yeah, you do you, LUCAS. Now go to Officer RY4N and get ready for the mission.

[LUK3]-Alright!! See ya later, Ches!!

And yet, He doesn't care that much about what LUK3 said, He just makes two moves with His hand and starts leaving towards His office again, where He sits down on His chair and lets the papers on the desk to read them. But He gets bored, as He takes a deep breath and turns around to the observe the view of the city again.

He pulls out a cigarette so He can smoke for a while, as He sees the city from the distance, maybe thinking things straight.

"...From Her death shall raise the future of these lands, the dream of peace, the glory lost in the war."

[CHE5TER]-...I wonder what type of person you were, M1NERV4. You and the person you left behind... Heh... Actually, what was He to you? Your lover?

He stops for a second to smoke and look at the ceiling.

[CHE5TER]-...If I could just find even the smallest information about what happened after your death... As your descendant, I'm suppose to continue your work, am I not? But you made my work so hard to complete... Why didn't you leave anything for us to find? Or why didn't He do it either? You had a dark secret that you didn't want me to know? Are we actually on the wrong and lied to us all along? But if so, where is that help you promised us before you died?

Then He takes a break, as He looks down and puts His right hand on the back of His neck, where stands a weird symbol and a scar which splits it. Then He looks around, turning back to the desk, looking at the photo of Him and His family that stands just there, as He thinks about His ancestors.

And yet, He gives up on His thoughts, as He sighs and starts searching something on His pockets from the coat. As He takes it out, it seems to be that small advertise card of a strip club from the City of Above, given to Him by the crevaator He used a few days ago. He looks a bit at it, before He starts talking to Himself again.

[CHE5TER]-*sigh* Well, at least if I don't get my answers to my questions from you, I hope I can get some on a different subject that I've been puzzling on for some time. What do you think?

He makes another pause to analyse the card again and again.

[CHE5TER]-I wonder... how did you know I will be able to find you? You were a mystery to me for years now. Did you plan it all along? Did you supervise my movements from the shadows? 'Cause if not, I do hope you will explain it to me when we will see ourselves once again. Heh, who knew if I would ever see you after you left us. It looked like you wanted to hide yourself from me. But now...

"...it seems like someone finally decided to show his face."