A week had passed since Matt Hunt's burial. While they couldn't afford to keep their house Rex and Chase were offered to stay in a spare room of the Cordra Research Facility. There they'd live under the observant watch of the Cordra scientists. The facility was located at the center of the middle region of the district. It was a tall green building with multiple smaller structures branching off from its sides and encompassed by an elevated cement wall.

At the end of another workday, the brothers stumbled onto the facility grounds. Walking through the laboratory gardens along a dirt road they spotted a friendly face waiting at the front door. "Ah, good to see you boys made it back safely!" Professor Lem had been a close friend of their father's and a well-respected researcher in his own right. 

He'd short light brown hair with brown eyes hiding behind the pair of glasses perched on his nose. Like always, he donned his white lab coat with a black shirt underneath. He'd a lanky appearance as he wasn't the most muscular of folk but it hardly mattered since he spent the majority of his time indoors. 

"I trust the stallion we ordered found its way to you without any problems."

"We told you already, Lem. We really don't need an escort. My brother and I are more than happy walking-"

"No can do! You boys might be in potential danger. If Matt- I mean your father was . . . You know, there might be a chance the same person could target you next."

Rex cracked his knuckles. "Fine by me. I'd love to look the bastard in the eyes when I ask him why he murdered my father."

Lem pushed his glasses further up his face and said, "You do know it's illegal for unlicensed individuals to further examine an official criminal case, right? Don't be reckless."

"Seriously?! What kind of rule is that?!"

"These rules keep us safe . . . Allegedly. Anyways, you two are probably tired from a full day's worth of work. Come in, come in."

Expanding from the entrance was a long metal corridor, arctic currents of air gracing their skin. Doors and glass windows dotted the walls as lights flickered on the ceiling. The main building of the facility housed research spaces filled with highly advanced technology. 

On the right side was a room with numerous tables, professors seemingly fixated on a table furthest from them. The room to the left contained human-sized capsules of blue liquid. Inside of the capsules appeared to be deformed organic lifeforms. A certain organism looked like a cat mixed with a bird, the being squirming uncomfortably. Rex didn't have the guts to ask what it was. 

Their personal room was on the second floor, the three of them having to take an eleshaft to reach it. Advancing across the hallway Chase noticed someone leaning against the wall ahead. He had bushy black colored hair, a tad bit darker than Chase's, and wore a red-colored coat with long blue pants. There was also a rather unkempt beard at the bottom of his angular face. He activated his navy eyes upon hearing them, the man swiftly pretending he was, in fact, doing something productive.

"Lem! So good to see you! I was just in the middle of some . . . Um . . . Very important research."

"Really, Gordon? What kind of research?" Lem replied sarcastically.

". . . The sleeping kind."

"Shocker."

The two of them chuckled before Gordon spotted the boys. "Rex. Chase. I haven't seen you much since you began living here. For what it's worth, I'm sorry for the suffering you've endured, and at such a young age too. Matt was like a brother to me . . . Someone I thought would change Sanctuary for the better. I could go on and on of the many nights we-" Lem coughed into his hand, bringing Gordon's attention to their worn-out faces. "Oh! You're tired, huh? Hehehe, I'm familiar with the feeling."

"Yes well, they were just on their way to their rooms. Isn't that right, boys?"

Instead of responding they simply walked past a stuttering Gordon and proceeded in silence. "Jeez, they've seen better days."

"They're . . . Lost. I only wish there was some way we could help them but . . . I'm not Matt Hunt."

"They're kids, they just need a bit of time to themselves," Gordon said, placing a hand over Lem's shoulder. "Prying will only serve to make them more miserable, I'm afraid."

Their room was at the end of the hall, a single white door awaiting their arrival. Upon entering the cramped space Rex collapsed onto his rather uncomfortable mattress. He desired nothing more than to grant his aching bones the rest they needed. 

Chase prepared to follow his lead before a knock came from the door. When he lazily opened the door he nearly caught a heart attack. Standing there was Alice and her personal enforcer Lucas. He hadn't seen either of them since the funeral. Before he could say anything, the girl embraced him with a hug.

"Hi Chase, how are you holding up?"

"Uh . . . We're fine. . . Why are you here, your grace?" The cold stare she gave sent a shiver down his spine. "I- I mean Alice."

"I came to make sure my friends are ok. I'm sorry I didn't say anything at the funeral. It didn't seem like the right time."

The disheartened and familiar tone awoke the previously slumbering Rex. He arose from his bed to find his pair of wealthy friends conversing with his brother. Of course, his eyes naturally landed on Alice. Only a week had passed yet it felt like he hadn't seen her in months. His heart skipped a beat when she returned his stare. ". . . Alice?"

The girl greeted him with a smile. The white-haired princess strode inside the room and took a seat next to the bewildered outsider. "So this is your new home? I asked Lucas to search for you as you kind of went silent after . . . Uh, the incident."

"Sorry, we should've said something."

"I understand, truly I do." She pulled him in for a hug. Her nurturing nature enveloped him, a sugary aroma hanging in Rex's nose. Normally, he reverted into a stuttering mess whenever she got close. However, his exhaustion as well as his cluttered mind kept him from doing so. This didn't mean he didn't cherish her company. He wanted to stay in her arms forever. It distracted him of the agony surrounding his current predicament. "Wh- When Lucas told me where you'd be staying I simply had to come to see you both," she explained upon releasing Rex, the girl remaining close by his side.

"She wouldn't let me rest until I discovered where you'd be staying. To be frank, I was rather interested as well. Surely the two of you couldn't afford to keep your old house so, naturally, I assumed you'd either move to Haren or stay here. As a friend, you have my condolences."

"Thanks but I'd appreciate it if everyone stopped mentioning him. Having people constantly apologize is starting to lose its effect on me. It's not like saying that sappy stuff is going to bring Dad back."

"So you've moved on already, have you?" The enforcer stared at Chase. "Does the same apply to you?"

"Yes," Chase confirmed, staring at the floor. "I'd rather let him rest in peace and move on."

"I see. However, there remains the matter of your futures. Surely you boys don't intend on living in this storage room forever."

Rex and Chase looked at each other. If they had a plan neither of them offered to reveal it. Chase thought of furthering his education. If by some miracle he earned enough jen to enroll his dream school of Phana Tech he'd devote himself to his studies so he could secure an honest living life. For some reason, he couldn't deduce, however, a burning fire raged in his soul. While he knew not of how to sunder it, Chase was aware of its incitement. The fact that his father's murderer escaped infuriated him beyond belief. 

Concerning Rex, the boy had no clue. How could he determine his future if he didn't even know his past? Although, Rex did have a goal. His dream was to free humanity from this glass prison. That was it. End of story. He hadn't stopped thinking about it since his meeting with Keith. Maybe his future lied beyond Sanctuary's walls. Maybe it didn't. He'd never unravel the truth if he didn't possess the initiative to act. His father was a man of action and so was he.

"Well, I believe it's time, Princess Alice," Lucas said, destroying the veil of silence.

"Already?"

"You heard what your father said. His instructions were for you to see the Hunt brothers and then return within the hour."

"Leaving so soon?"

Alice turned to Rex with a sigh. "King Vincent has become displeased with my behavior lately. He's adamant about monitoring me at all times. I'm surprised he even let me see you both."

"Does he disapprove of our friendship?" Chase inquired.

"Perhaps," the girl admitted. "He just wants me to focus on becoming queen."

Rex slammed a fist on the bed, much to Alice's surprise. Across from her, sitting on the edge of his bed, Chase looked to be equally as agitated. Scowls sat on the brothers' faces, Rex and Chase broadcasting the anger Alice had grown numb to. "He's treating you like you're his prisoner," Rex grumbled. "I don't care if he's the king. He shouldn't treat his own daughter like this."

"His royal majesty has always had an odd way of raising Alice," Lucas explained. "Regardless of the reason, it's none of our place to question his majesty's final decision."

"You know, I get really annoyed whenever someone says that."

Lucas cracked a smirk, opening the door behind him."It's been a pleasure. I wish you the best. Come now, my lady. The researchers here were kind enough to show us to them. It wouldn't be right if we were to leave without showing our gratitude."

"Of course." The princess returned to Lucas' side. "Farewell, my friends. I'll find a way to see you again. Just try to stay out of trouble," she grinned. Giving them a final smile, the princess left the room, Lucas shutting the door behind her. Their presence, as minor as it may have been, was a joy nonetheless. Even so, not a second past prior to Rex jolting to the door, startling his brother in the process.

"Alice!"

"Rex?"

The confused princess watched as her tired friend lunged passed Gordon, the professor jumping in surprise. She narrowed her gaze when the outsider stopped in front of her. He held his hands on his knees, sweat dripping from his face as he hungrily gasped for air. Lucas and Alice exchanged blank stares. "Are you alright?" the princess asked, tapping Rex on his back.

"I . . . Wanted to make you a promise."

"A promise?"

"Yeah." The confident smile he shot her made Alice's cheeks ignite. "I admire you a lot. Especially your goal of helping Sanctuary's people."

Lucas pretended not to notice her evergrowing blush. "Yo- You're being too kind. But what's this about a promise?"

"You strive to save Sanctuary's people, right? Well, I promise to do the same. I might not have as much power or influence but I don't care." The image of his father's burial manifested in Rex's head. It reaffirmed his newfound ambition. "I promise to fight for the betterment of humanity. One day, I swear we'll live in a world without walls. If you promise to keep fighting for what's right then I will stand by your side. Now and for all eternity," he grinned. He extended his pinky finger to the astonished noble. Here was a friend willing to support her dream despite so recently losing someone dearest to him. How could he be so selfless? With a smirk, she wrapped her pinky around his.

"I'll hold you to that," she answered, mirroring his smile.

Her guardian cleared his throat. "I hate to intrude but we should probably get going."

" Ah! Understood!" Alice squeaked. "Bye, Rex! Don't go starting any fights!"

"Now there's something I can't promise."

She waved to him for a final time before the doors of the eleshaft separated them. That was that. Their promise had been made and Rex could finally walk the path he'd envisioned for himself. However, there was still an obstacle he'd to clear. An obstacle he didn't think he was prepared to face.

His brother.

* * *

Thankfully, no-one mentioned Matt's murder. Their workspace returned to normal with the exception of a few workers giving their respects. As Rex finished fixing a busted stallion he stared at his brother in front of the office door directly ahead of him. He'd to construct some method of convincing Chase joining the Seeker Corps was his calling. He started for him, formulating how exactly he'd structure their conversation though Chase noticed him sooner than he would've liked. He faced him with a judgemental stare, undoubtedly knowing something was afoot.

Damn his amazing perception! "Hey bro! Beautiful day, isn't it?" Seriously?! That's how you're going to start the conversation regarding your future?! Pull yourself together, idiot! If I don't look like I'm one hundred percent willing to commit to my dream he'll brush it off as nothing but a child's fantasy!

Chase squinted. "Why so nervous?"

Nothing gets passed you, does it, brother?

"Listen, Chase," Nearby workers directed interested stares at them, much to Rex's discomfort. Sighing, he continued, "For the longest time, I didn't know what I wanted. My future was as big of an enigma as my past. But now, I think I've recognized my purpose in life."

Chase folded his arms. This should be good.

"I want to liberate humanity from Sanctuary," he declared. This was his decision. His drive. The ideals he held were as concrete as the agitation on Chase's face. "Brother, I bit my tongue and abided by society's laws long enough. I'm through being a prisoner. Instead, I'll help contribute to a worthy cause and devote myself to changing our fates. You might disagree. You might think I'm an idiot." Once again, his emotions overwhelmed him. "But that's what my heart believes. I'll deliver to the forlorn the salvation they've been robbed! With your permission, I'd like to enlist in the Seeker Corps."

Rex petrified as an ardent glare enveloped him. An aura of frustration and indignance veiled Chase in a crimson coat, terrifying Rex to his core. "I don't have time listening to your childish fantasies," he grunted. "Joining the Seeker Corps? Are you out of your mind?! Do you have any idea what happens to people who leave Sanctuary?! Most of them never make it back! Are you so eager to see Dad again you're willing to dive headfirst into absolute despair?! Even after everything we've been through, you continue to spew such garbage!?!" If everybody wasn't already eavesdropping they certainly were now, Chase's fiery roars of fury spanning throughout the workspace. Even Mr. Fredrick, someone who never cared for his workers' personal affairs, peered through an office window.

"Chase I-"

"No! I've listened and now you'll listen to me! Do you think life is a fairytale, Rex?! That everything will end in favor of the hero?! You seriously need to wake up! How long will you make me repeat myself?! Life is unfair! It favors no-one! It doesn't matter how just your ideals or character are! We're all the same in the eyes of nature! You going into that hell won't accomplish a damn thing!"

"What makes you so sure?!" Rex retorted. "The way I see it, we'll never know until we're willing to take the risk!" Something sparked within him. Every fiber of his being longed to challenge his brother's ideology. There are two sides to every argument. Rex needed to make Chase acknowledge and understand his. "Whether you like it or not, the future lies past Sanctuary's walls! This planet belongs to us and I believe it's our destiny to reclaim it!!"

"Don't be preposterous! What can that damned outside offer me other than death?!"

"Weren't you listening to Commander Keith? As seekers, we might be able to find out what happened to Dad! Isn't that important to you?!"

"Not if it means putting your life in danger! That's a chance I refuse to take!"

"Come on, brother! Life's worth taking chances!! What are you so afraid of that you're willing to spend the rest of your days trapped?!"

Chase grabbed Rex by his shoulders and screamed, "You're the last bit of family I have left! I could never live with myself if I was responsible for sending you to your death!" His cries of desperation were followed by a defeated whisper. ". . . I don't want to be alone." Taken aback, a speechless Rex stared into Chase's watery eyes. For a while, it felt like time had arrived at a standstill. No-one and nothing made a noise. Eventually, however, breaking the lengthy period of undisturbed silence, Chase released him, his hand dropping to his side. Wiping away the tears, Chase whimpered, ". . . Do as you please. Leave Sanctuary if you must. However, I won't be joining you. I don't think I could bear to witness my brother's demise." Rex, caught in a daze, watched him saunter to the office's door. "Should you choose to walk this path, you'll be on your own,"

The door shut behind a mortified Chase. He was a man of his word. If he meant something then that was the end of the argument. Was this where their roads diverged? Was this why he felt so hollow? Rex wore a sad expression as he meditated on the thought of his brother, his best friend, not being by his side anymore.