Chapter 45 - Victims Of The World

03.09.1642

The Council of the Underground City

23:07

At the moment, we seem to go back to the Council, right at the time when the meeting is supposed to start. Some of the members are beginning to enter the room of the meeting, while a few others were already present, being Leader M1SH4M and Clan Leader EZR4H with their assistants. They both mind their own business while the others are still coming, preparing papers that they've brought with them to read from their work at the base.

Mr. EZR4H and his assistant for example are just discussing a matter quietly to not disturb the atmosphere, as the Clan Leader uses Sign Language and his assistant simply whispers. Leader M1SH4M on the other hand is reading a document he has in front of him, while his assistant begins to take a pack of cigarettes and his lighter to smoke until the meeting finally begins. He even tries to offer M1SH4M one, but he refuses with a nod silently.

Minutes later, everyone finally sits down on their chairs and the meeting begins. Or... technically it begins. Practically, nobody seems to start the fight of today, being either busy with their own work or just not caring enough about it. In the end, someone finally gets the courage to make the first step and start the conversation, that being Leader N3MES1O.

[N3MES1O]-...So, I've heard about a new investigation of the M soldiers above from one of my people. Perhaps you know something about the matter, Mrs. M4EK0?

[M4EK0]-We are still investigating the case ourselves. But how did your people find out about it, MARVIN?

[N3MES1O]-It just so happened that my soldier knows one of M1SH4M's people, who also knows one of yours. They've talked about this new case and somehow the information got to me as well. I was just curious to hear what it truly is about since the information was vague.

[R4YMOND]-What's so special about it anyway that had caused the soldiers to talk about it? Have the M military reveal the General's plans by mistake? Or have they been betrayed?

[M4EK0]-*sigh* No, it's nothing like that. Apparently a few days ago, someone or something got inside the City of Above and started killing their soldiers out of nowhere. They suspect to be a demon, but I doubt the situation is that dra--

[S4DA5HI]- --A demon!?

[XANTH3]-...A demon got inside the Great Walls?

[M4EK0]-Let me finish my se--

[EM3RY]- --But wouldn't a demon cause us trouble as well? Their instincts are pretty powerful and would put our city at danger in no time. Shouldn't we start to prepare ourselves and block the entrances of the tunnels?

[N3MES1O]-We could do that, but it will mean for us t--

[M4EK0]- --Listen! The demon thing is just a rumour! Stop panicking for no reason and listen to what I have to say! It is just a speculation because they couldn't find the person behind the attack, but they also didn't prove that it truly is a demon since nobody has seen any creature inside the city!

Though it has started panic at first, everything went back to normal after M4EK0 managed to explain the situation.

[M1SH4M]-Heh... And you guys are getting so afraid of a rumour, yet you consider yourselves Leaders. Wouldn't it be pretty obvious that this rumour isn't even true? A true demon would've destroyed the City of Above and arrived in ours already, even maybe killing us all in just a matter of a few days.

[XANTH3]-You say it like you aren't afraid of those creatures like us, EWAN. And how come you seem to not be interested in this meeting at all? I thought that you are the only one who actually does a good job in this room by your sayings.

[M1SH4M]-You exaggerate in your words, XANTH3. But... you are right. I must apologise, but I will not be able to take part of today's fight. I have a lot of work to catch up with, so you may continue without me.

[RY4N]-But you usually are punctual and do your work before it becomes too overwhelming, Mr. M1SH4M. Is everything alright?

[M1SH4M]-It's nothing, Master. I just have a few papers left from previous days that I've forgotten to take care of.

[M4EK0]-Why do I doubt those words as well, M1SH4M?

[N3MES1O]-...Alright, let's get back to the subject then. Say, Mrs. M4EK0, have you managed to find something about the whole rumour?

[M4EK0]-No, we didn't, but I believe that the attacker might be a citizen of the City of Above, considering that none of your people have reported of one of our citizens to go illegally above. It is either a C born that falls into the category of "Lost Children of Heaven" or an R born that is revolting against the General. I doubt it is an M born with all the propaganda taught in their schools.

[XANTH3]-Then may I suggest on your people to start and look around the citizens from now on too and see whether this rumour is true or not? I refuse to get our city's safety in danger just because of wrong speculations done by us.

And though the conversation went on and on, a few people have lost focus on it completely and had to look after something else. One was announced to be M1SH4M, but the other one seems to be R4YMOND, who stares at the North Leader as if he knows that there is a lie behind this whole announcement.

25:41

After the meeting is done, almost all the Leaders are leaving the room, with only two remaining behind. M1SH4M remained as he kept looking into the papers, but R4YMOND had a suspicion which he wanted to prove. So when they've remained alone with their assistants, R4YMOND went towards him and started speaking.

[R4YMOND]-...So? Have you decided to speak about what is truly happening, EWAN?

No response though, as the North Leader seemed pretty focused on his papers that he didn't even realise that the meeting has ended and everyone left, while his assistant remains by his side, looking at the East Leader without knowing what to say.

[R4YMOND]-M1SH4M!

This time, he has gotten his attention, a bit surprised and confused as he looked at the other Leader, also noticing the empty room.

[R4YMOND]-You finally woke up, I see?

[M1SH4M]-...Max? Where is everyone else?

[R4YMOND]-Are you kidding me, man? The meeting ended a few minutes ago. Didn't you see everyone leaving?

[M1SH4M]-Not really. I was focusing on my papers, so maybe I didn't pay much attention to what has happened in the room. Something the matter if you decided to remain?

[R4YMOND]-Cut the bullshit, EWAN. I know you better than everyone else. It's not in your character to lose focus or to forget things regarding your work. We've been colleagues for almost a hundred years now. What's happening?

[M1SH4M]-What could even happen, Max? I am just busy with work those days, that's all. I guess I lack a bit of sleep, but nothing really happened.

[R4YMOND]-What could even get you so busy? You've saved even thousands of people a day in the past, but you never seemed to have that many papers to complete at the shelters before.

[M1SH4M]-I said it already. I have forgotten about them for some time and I need to complete them now. Maybe it is because of me not getting enough rest, but it shouldn't really be something to worry you now.

[R4YMOND]-I sense it in your words that you are lying.

[M1SH4M]-I am not. Now, please go back to your base. I do not want to be blamed for the East Leader's absence again.

He still does have that suspicion on him, but he finally decides to leave the room, M1SH4M and his assistant being the only people who remained behind at the huge table. But once he was sure that they were alone, the Leader put down his papers, laying his head on his right arm and having such a helpless expression on his face. He even coughs a few times, before his assistant starts talking.

[ETT0R3]-Are you still feeling unwell, Master?

[M1SH4M]-...It's not like I can hide it forever, ETT0R3. *cough* *cough*

[ETT0R3]-Do you wish for me to call the Healer again?

[M1SH4M]-I will see him at the base anyway. *cough* It's no point in doing that. But it doesn't even make sense for me to feel this way at my age. I'm suppose to have around 50 more years to live and I do not suffer of the Vitthora Illness. *cough* *cough*

[ETT0R3]-Maybe it's just a cold. You had all the symptoms for one from what the Healer said anyway. You should just rest until you feel better and get the papers done later.

[M1SH4M]-It's been days already, ETT0R3! *cough* *cough* Letting the papers be undone at time will mean more for me to do after I have finished my rest.

[ETT0R3]-Then maybe K3NJ1 and I can do them for you? We will only need your signature on them, but the rest are easy for us to handle.

[M1SH4M]-Are you sure you two can handle them alone? *cough* They aren't that few, you know.

[ETT0R3]-I'm sure of it, Master. But for now, let's get you to your bed. You need to see the Healer for your examination.