23:26

As he said, LUK3 started searching for the specific books. So far, he got nothing, but he has climbed to the higher levels of the bookcase with a ladder to take a look around at the categories that he thinks the books should be included, picking all kinds of books and looking closely to their titles and what are they supposedly containing, while also continuing to chat with his grandmother.

[LUK3]-So... How have you been all these years? I remember you started your medicine when I left. How is it going so far?

[LUCIA]-I won't say it's something extraordinary. It just helps me stay on my feet and have some energy to move around. It's not like it is suppose to prevent me from my eternal rest. Everyone meets their end after all, LUCAS. Even the Immortals...

[LUK3]-Are you sure even them? I mean, I've heard that the oldest being alive is an M born that has over 400 years. It's not like they can naturally die like us.

[LUCIA]-But why do you believe that the oldest is only 400 years old?

[LUK3]-What do you mean?

[LUCIA]-Dear, our species has lived even more than that. We are in the year of 1642. Do you think that an Immortal couldn't be born from the first beings ever created and live till this day?

[LUK3]-I mean, we had some tough plagues over the course of our whole existence, haven't we? Isn't it pretty much clear nobody could've lived that much?

[LUCIA]-That is true... but you forget that the M borns cannot be affected by any illness, no matter how tough it is. Their immunity is way stronger than ours, so their death could never be one natural.

[LUK3]-So they've been killed over the years or what? I mean, a lot of people died during the war. The whole legend of the God of War says that He killed millions of beings during His existence.

[LUCIA]-Well... some of them died that way. Yet others found their death in a more tragic way, LUCAS.

[LUK3]-More tragic than that? Come on, Granny! The fear of being killed is not something that could be easily beaten by any kind of death.

[LUCIA]-What about those that get killed by themselves?

[LUK3]-...?

LUK3 is a bit shocked by this response, as he stops his search to think for a bit. Suicide isn't really an encountered subject for them. The R borns and C borns barely have any reports from this death, yet the M borns sure have a lot of issues with it.

[LUCIA]-LUCAS... death by your own hand is one of the most tragic ways of meeting your end. Over the course of my existence, I've heard a lot of those incidents from the City of Above, and I came to the conclusion that... life maybe is a painful gift. We, C borns, do not even think about it that way, not even after all these battles and struggles of survival. We are trying to cherish it as much as we can knowing that one day we might die. But what about the M borns? They are immortals, there is no such thing as fear of Death for them. They know every day, no matter how their lives are, there is no ending. And so... some of the beings wake up with the idea that if there is no end, then life does not have any kind of meaning behind... ending it themselves. So then... why do we fear Death so much?

[LUK3]-...Maybe because... we are afraid of losing everything?

[LUCIA]-And if that's so... why are they not afraid of losing everything they have?

[LUK3]-...Maybe they have nothing left.

[LUCIA]-There is no such thing as "nothing left", dear. There is always something that we leave when we die, even if we don't know about it. Whether is something material or something spiritual, there is always something that remains behind.

[LUK3]-...Then... I don't know...

While they were chatting, LUK3 seems to have finally found one of the books that he is searching for. Yet now, his lively character has faded away hearing this conversation.

[LUCIA]-LUCAS... I want you to be honest with me, alright?

[LUK3]-...

He looks a bit back at his grandmother who was a bit sad about this.

[LUCIA]-...Are you afraid that one day you might lose me?

And yet, he doesn't answer. He looks down, unhappy, knowing that she might try telling him that she does not have more days to live in this world.

[LUCIA]-I... know it won't be easy, dear. I see this fear of yours in the light of your eyes. And yet... it has to come, right? We cannot just avoid it. All we can do is to accept it.

[LUK3]-Granny... you know the best that you've been my favourite from the whole clan... You were probably the only one that actually made herself some time to spend with me instead of putting others to look after me. I stood the most with you and learnt from you more than I imagined... I know I have to accept fate and all, I swear. I've lost a lot of people since I've started working for that base. I know one day everyone has to start their eternal rest. And yet... *sigh* I can't just let you go so easily as well...

[LUCIA]-I know... You know I understand. I've lost people in my life too and I felt the same as you do now. But that doesn't mean you have to live with a regret that you didn't have more time left with me. We've lived together and made the best of it in the past. Shouldn't that be enough?

[LUK3]-...But it's not enough. It never was. We never had enough time.

[LUCIA]-LUCAS... Time will never be enough in this world. But if you cherish it when it happens, then it's more than you could think of. A simple loss shouldn't affect you, it should make you stronger. The moment I won't be a part of your life anymore will be the moment when I want to see that warrior that I've raised. Please... I want you to be strong for me, even if life won't be easy. Don't fear Death, nor the losses that It might bring. Stop stressing yourself about those painful things and make this life matter to you. Make it have a meaning.

This time, LUK3 looks at her, even if he doesn't seem so happy about this whole thing, and finally responds.

[LUK3]-...Alright. I will do it, just for you.

[LUCIA]-Thank you, dear.

Leader LUCIA just gives him a smile, yet the boy is still a bit unhappy about the whole idea of never seeing her again. So, he just goes back to his searching, not looking at her anymore.

[LUK3]-I... actually have a question for you myself. It's not about work anymore, it's just... a personal thought.

[LUCIA]-Ask away, little one.

[LUK3]-Why were you... the only one that let me be whoever I wanted to be, instead of teaching me the importance of being a ruler? You know, like how my father did? Or anybody that served him? You are his mother after all, so... how come you both are so different from each other?

Yet she only smiles to that question before she gives him the answer.

[LUCIA]-Maybe because... I saw myself in you when your father adopted you from the shelters.

[LUK3]-...You saw yourself in me? How come? I'm not a true ruler like you.

[LUCIA]-It's not about whether you are a ruler or not, LUCAS. If it wasn't for my fate, I probably wasn't one either.

[LUK3]-Then... what do you mean?

She seems to be thinking about the past now, not exactly to what has happened to her, but more like where fate brought her.

[LUCIA]-You see... the difference between your father and I is that we see this title of "Leader of the clan" different. When I adopted him from the shelters, I had no intention of having a descendant of the title. I knew from the very start that I could just give my title to anybody from the clan by giving the being my name. But... the more he was getting older, the more this idea of embracing the traditions got into his head. He started asking me if I could teach him all these kinds of rules and everything he will have to do when he will take the title. So, later on, he took this title from me and started ruling over the clan. I'm not sure about why did he decide to do such thing, and yet if that's how he saw himself to be, I couldn't stop him. Maybe he wanted to take this fame from the name, or maybe he wanted to make me proud of him... But I never knew the answer behind his action, and probably I will never do.

[LUK3]-Hmph...

[LUCIA]-Yet you... you were just like me when I was your age.

[LUK3]-Really? Then I guess I'm not the only one who got called stupid.

[LUCIA]-Really. This is the truth, LUCAS. I was just like you at my time. I got adopted by my mother and told that I had to take all the responsibilities when I grow older, even from an early age. People from the clan were coming to me each day to prepare me for the future even after my mother's death, and when the day came, I was obligated to take the role of Leader of the XANTH3 Clan. So when you got adopted... I felt a sense of pity for you, knowing that you might end up having the same fate as me. I didn't get to become the true person that I've wanted to be when I was younger, so knowing this pain made me simply feel attached to you. I just felt that it's simply wrong to not do anything and let you end up like me.

[LUK3]-...But you ended up being the best ruler our kind has ever knew ever since the Renaissance incident. How come you didn't want anybody to end up like you?

[LUCIA]-I know it's sounds like a perfect past, yet is it truly living if you pretend to be someone that you aren't just to protect your people?

Sounds familiar, doesn't it? But in this world, this type of lives are pretty common. Not everybody wants to be a ruler. CHE5TER was obligated to be one, and LUK3 was close to end up being one as well. If you are unlucky enough to be called one, even if you refuse, you continue your life with this burden until you die. You cannot simply change what you are, but you can change who you are.

[LUCIA]-I am grateful for the life I had, dear. I had beautiful memories along my journey even with all of these problems. I am grateful for who I ended up to be and all the love that I've got from the people of the city. And yet... I still have that small regret that I couldn't live the life I wished to have earlier. So I thought that giving you this life of freedom might be my only way of fulfilling my dream and getting rid of that regret from my heart. And seeing you now, the person you always dreamt yourself to be... it puts my mind at rest knowing that I've finished all my work. Do not let anybody change you, LUCAS. Alright?

LUK3 finally finds everything he needs as they've talked this whole time. He gets down from the ladder and looks at his grandmother, who was standing on the bed watching him.

[LUK3]-...Alright. I won't let anybody change me. I promise.

[LUCIA]-So? I see you've got everything you needed?

[LUK3]-Yeah, I guess... I hope that's what RY4N was looking for. Is there anything you wish to tell me before I leave? I don't know when I will come back. I-I mean, I will return them, I swear!

[LUCIA]-Well, I guess you asked your question, so it will be my turn, won't it?

[LUK3]-Hm? You have a question for me?

[LUCIA]-Just one. Nothing more.

He is a bit confused since he didn't expect her to have any questions until now, and yet it's normal since they didn't meet for years.

[LUK3]-Alright. What's the question?

[LUCIA]-Well... My question is... how does it feel to be free?

And now he is even more confused than before. Technically speaking, he isn't that free as he might think, or as she might think. After all, being trapped underground, hiding from the world from the outside is not something you would call "freedom". But knowing that this might be a part from her wish, why ruin it?

[LUK3]-...It feels... nice.

She gives him one final smile, as she gets up from her bed and looks up at him, not before she takes him in her arms again to say a small goodbye.

[LUCIA]-...I'm glad.

It doesn't take long before he hugs her back, yet instead of that warm feeling that she gives, he is a bit upset by doing so, maybe because it doesn't really feel right for him. In the end, they separate again and look at each other.

[LUCIA]-*chuckles* I see that you still have that scarf I gave you when you were around six, hm?

[LUK3]-Heh, yeah... I didn't really take it off that often. Even in the warm seasons.

[LUCIA]-Hm? Why n--

[XANTH3]- --Leader LUCIA, I've came b--

Yet the moment is destroyed when the Clan Leader opens the door and looks inside, seeing his son and mother talking to each other without anybody informing him earlier. LUK3 doesn't seem happy when he sees him, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, before starting to take his leave. He ignores completely the Clan Leader that was standing in the door, going out and avoiding him completely. He is not even making eye contact with him as he looks down, yet the Clan Leader simply watches him surprised, and yet a bit unhappy as well, but does not say a word. And so, LUK3 left the residence again, avoiding his problems instead of solving them.

The Southeast Military Base

25:17

And now, LUK3 got back from the clan's residence, with his destination being the office of the Great Leader to tell Him everything he got so far, and maybe to let what he borrowed as well. So when he arrives, he stands in front of the Great Leader telling Him everything he knows.

[LUK3]-...And because of that, I'm afraid nobody knows who the first LENKOV is. Leader LUCIA does not have anything left from the three LENKOV that were back then, not even their names. She told me that I could try my luck around the oldest members of the Council, yet she doesn't think that there is something in their possession either. Probably the only way of finding out the truth might be to find a former member of the Renaissance Group. I'm sorry, Boss. But that's everything I got.

Of course, CHE5TER is a bit disappointed about the whole situation. He hoped after all that Leader LUCIA might have even the smallest part of His answer, yet all the hope and struggles were in vain in the end.

[CHE5TER]-*sigh* I understand. You've tried at least. I appreciate that. Even from your expression I see that it wasn't really that easy for you to go again to that house. I assume you bumped into your father anyway?

[LUK3]-It's... not that. I mean, yeah, I bumped into him again and all, but this time we didn't get the time to even argue, so I guess it was better than the last time.

[CHE5TER]-Really? Then if that's not what this sadness is about, then what is it?

[LUK3]-...

LUK3 looks down, yet even CHE5TER didn't see him this sad over the years since they've worked together. After all, He knows about all his problems regarding his family, yet it was madness each time, not sadness.

[LUK3]-...I'm just... a bit concerned.

[CHE5TER]-...Concerned? Are you afraid that Mr. XANTH3 might try to give you the title anyway? I do not think that might have to concern you. I've tried my best in those years to not let him do something bold enough like that, haven't I? And, boy, how much anger did I put myself because of this problem...

[LUK3]-No. It's... not about him this time.

[CHE5TER]-Hm? Then about who?

[LUK3]-It's... Leader LUCIA that concerns me more now.

[CHE5TER]-...Leader LUCIA?

[LUK3]-*sigh* CHE5TER... you've lost someone that you've cared about in the past, right? Someone that you considered your family? How... did you feel?

Yet the question blocked the Great Leader, shocking Him like no other word that came from this man's mouth. It's not just shock either, rather, it's like it awakens some unwanted memories from the past... with a little boy, so innocent that you couldn't say it is ever possible for him to become a Great Leader one day, crying alone, as if it was his fault for whatever happened that day.

[CHE5TER]-...Why do you ask?

[LUK3]-Well... I'm just... afraid I might not have any more time with her left. Seeing her today put me a bit in a nightmare that I might have to deal with for the next days. I don't... think she has any more days to live.

[CHE5TER]-How did you come to that conclusion, if I may ask? From what I know from Mr. XANTH3, Leader LUCIA is being supervised and given her medicine every day. Isn't your father visiting her every hour to see how she's doing as well?

[LUK3]-I know, but... I just have a bad feeling that she will meet her end soon. She... started talking about Death and how we people are afraid of It for no reason, and made me promise that I will be strong for her... Don't you think that she's trying to tell me that she's near her death? Her body was also weaker than I remembered, and her voice was a bit more silent as well. I know it's because of her age and all, but I don't think she has any time left.

The Great Leader stands a bit to wonder now at His incident.

"[AL7AN]-...I thought for many years that maybe it's a curse which affects the family line which He never told us about, something that makes the descendants die when it's time for the new one to take the role. Maybe that's why you found so many ancestors, because they do not live as much as others do."

"...Come to think of it, LUK3... I think my father did the same things as your grandmother does now. My master did told me that he noticed something strange in His movements and all the low energy he had as an R born during His last years, yet He never put into a conversation Death. Rather, He avoided it at all costs. So... even with whatever killed Him that day, seems like He already knew when His day will come. Now I wonder... will I get that curse as well since I'm the current descendant?"

[CHE5TER]-*sigh* I guess time isn't really something that we can avoid. Leader LUCIA does seem like she is about to meet her eternal rest after a long life of serving the city and the people of her kind. Yet is it really a bad thing?

[LUK3]-...What do you mean?

[CHE5TER]-After such a long time of constant problems and stress, a long awaited rest is what she deserves, isn't it? It's tragic indeed to lose someone that you care about, yet at least you had the chance to meet her again, didn't you?

[LUK3]-Yeah, but what if I won't get any other chances in the future? What do I do then?

[CHE5TER]-Then at least you were ready to face what was about to come. You already know that she is going to die one day, don't you? If she died when you expected the least, then it would've been even more painful.

CHE5TER looks at His letter and paper while He talks though, so even LUK3 knows that what He is talking is from His perspective, from His experience.

[LUK3]-...You didn't expect your father to die, hm?

[CHE5TER]-*sigh* No. I didn't. He died young, even younger than anybody from the Council. Well, maybe only Mr. N3MES1O would be near His age... Him, being so young, we didn't have any kind of concerns about Him meeting His death that early. In the end, all of us were in shock when we heard what happened to Him, so we all suffered from it.

[LUK3]-...You were there when He died, didn't you? It hurt you when you saw Him dead after so many years of living with Him...

This time, CHE5TER pauses from whatever He is doing and looks at LUK3.

[CHE5TER]-...No. I wasn't. I didn't even manage to see His dead body.

[LUK3]-Huh?

[CHE5TER]-...The previous Great Leader died in the City of Above, being caught during a mission by the M soldiers and publicly executed by the General himself. Because of that, RY4N and I never got the chance to see His dead body and do a traditional funeral for Him. We only heard about what happened, but didn't live to see it with our own eyes... which probably hurt even more.

[LUK3]-...

[CHE5TER]-What I'm trying to say is... cherish the moments you have now, rather than focusing on what you don't have. I know it's hard, yet you cannot let that keep you down for the rest of your life. Did I make myself clear, LUK3?

He looks a bit upset when he knows that he has to accept this, a bit out of character for him after all.

[LUK3]-Yeah... You are right, Boss. I will do as you said... for her.

[CHE5TER]-Good. If you think you need a rest from all this problem, I suggest you go around the city for a break or take a nap. At least until the night comes. N04H is training with Mr. IZA4K, so no need to bother yourself with that. You are free to go.

But before he leaves, he remembers his other task given by RY4N, so he looks back at the Great Leader.

[LUK3]-...Oh, right. I managed to find what RY4N asked me. I'm not sure of how much use they are going to be since they are so old and torn though...

[CHE5TER]-It's alright. Let them on the desk and I will look into them later.

And so, LUK3 just puts them on the Great Leader's desk and takes his leave, yet CHE5TER continues to look into His father's letter.

...You still enjoy lying to everyone around you, don't you, Little Ruler? Aren't you ashamed of yourself?

"Heh... Maybe you are the curse my master was talking about. Yet looks like I got it even before I was the next descendant if so... No wonder Death tries to take me for some time now, yet I'm curious who is the next one then."

He takes a little pause and looks around the room.

"...So what if I lie? I'm the only one from this base that knows what truly happened to the previous Great Leader. If I told everyone, then it will make a mess around the whole building. He died even before being executed, don't you remember? Knowing that He ran away just to hide His natural death is a bit too much for everyone. It's better if only I and my master know about this secret."

I sense fear in your words, Ruler. You are afraid that this mysterious curse will get to you soon as well, aren't you?

"I'm more a bit perplexed than afraid. If it didn't happen for me to take the title and RY4N was the Great Leader, and if you truly are my part of curse, would that mean you were torturing him instead of me? And even more... did my father have a demon that He never told us about as well?"

...Funny.

"..."

He takes a deep breath before He continues speaking in His mind.

"...You will never tell me the truth, will you, Demon? You like to hide it from me more than anything. But I'm not the only one who got weaker, remember? I weaken you when we met. And if you don't tell me the truth, then..."

"...I will find it myself. Somehow."