Chapter 17 - Dear Me Of The Past

"-Remember the first time we've met, friend?

-How could I forget? It is a memory buried deep into my heart which I gave my word to never forget. Why do you ask?

-There are things that... are better kept hidden, heheh. Besides, it's not like you don't have secrets that you refuse to reveal.

-But even so... it's actually pretty creepy how you find out about them so easily, without anybody saying a word to you.

-I guess that's what makes me special. Till the day comes when the paradise ends... But we are here to appreciate the memories, right?"

14 YEARS AGO

14.07.1628

The Underground City

35:27

Long it has been since we've witnessed this story. Yet this time it seems like we are thrown back into the distant past, way before every action of today that we know about were made. As to where exactly we are? Well... it looks like we are around 14 years ago, witnessing... two young boys wandering around the city. And as to how exactly they wander, they are jumping from a building to another, almost similar to a small chase or a competition between them. And these two children seem familiar to us. Very familiar... Being the young versions of...

[CHE5TER]-Keep up, RY4N! You are remaining behind!!

[RY4N]-I'M TRYING!

...the two LENKOV brothers. Who knows why we are witnessing this specific scene, but we are here to find out in the end.

...

"What are you?"

"Are you like us?"

"What does it mean to be an error of the machine?"

"Have you ever felt like you are not belonging in a world with a full code?"

"Are you... different?"

...

In those times though, you can see how joyful CHE5TER really was, with such a smile that you would think it doesn't even belong to him, and such bright and lively eyes that are now missed for whatever reason. RY4N seems the same as ever though, just more happy than we know him, and the same joyful face like his little brother.

It looks as while they jump, they sure know how to annoy a few people here and there, since one of the kids jumps on a merchant's property, getting the man a bit angry at them.

[Merchant]-Watch were you are going, kids!

[CHE5TER]-Sorry, Mister!!!

...

"...Those are... questions that every Error and Original get. But, we are not so different from all the other beings, even if we are part of one of the machine's mistakes caused by its age. We are still C borns, R borns and M borns, all living in this world to survive. We do not believe that we are different, or that we do not belong in this world. We are all the same.

As to what it means to be an Original and an Error, it depends from person to person. An error of the machine is nothing more but a broken code, creating more beings from a single code instead of one. But to the beings themselves... the Original and the Errors are bound together no matter what happens to them. Even if you see it as a never-breaking friendship, soulmates made for each other, or even..."

And after some time of running around, the kid in front stops on a tall building, waiting for the other one to come to take a small rest. So when the other one catches up, he sits down from his exhaustion, breathing chaotically, only for that moment to be the start of their conversation.

"...brotherhood."

...

[CHE5TER]-Wow, you really aren't in shape at all, man...

[RY4N]-...It's not like I'm training every single day like you!

[CHE5TER]-You still use that excuse?

[RY4N]-Ha ha... Laugh at me, won't you??

[CHE5TER]-I'm just saying, RY4N! Don't be such a cry-baby!

After the other one takes some breaths for a rest, they stand to admire the view of the city from that building. They both seem joyful and relaxed, and who wouldn't? The view is something that no being should miss, even for such a small city. In the meantime, the lively one appears to take out a paper on which is drawn a map of the city and begins to stare at it for a few seconds before looking back at the city's view, analysing their position based on a technique he probably made up for himself. The technique is pretty simple: after he manages to spot the north of the city with the help of his map, he raises his thumb up, facing that direction. After he moves his hand and body to the right, he also moves his thump 90° to the left, indicating that now he is facing east and at his left part is north. If it was the other way, facing west, his thumb will turn 90° to his right, while for south will be his thumb down. With that technique, he can find out where he is heading to and where he may arrive based also on the map he drew.

[CHE5TER]-Hm... I wonder where was that merchant who was selling cigarettes now. Won't be such a bad idea to try something new...

[RY4N]-What??

[CHE5TER]-What? Oh, come on! Don't look at me like that! You know that I'm kidding!

[RY4N]-With every stupid thing you say every day, I barely can tell which one is a lie and which is the truth...

[CHE5TER]-Hey, I'm not saying stupid things EVERY single day!

[RY4N]-Yes, you do!

[CHE5TER]-Nanananahh, I can't hear you!!

[RY4N]-*sigh* You are acting like a child.

Yet the playful one looks at him a bit strange as he doesn't understands something.

[CHE5TER]-But you are a child too!! What the heck do you even mean??

[RY4N]-Oh, NOW you can hear me, huh!?

They then stop arguing and admire the city one more time, before RY4N starts talking again.

[RY4N]-...We should get back to our father. You have your exam tomorrow and I think you should really take a rest so you can pass it properly.

[CHE5TER]-You are saying it like I'm some stupid kid who doesn't understand basic life things. I am resting right now, what's the difference if we go back?

[RY4N]-Well, at least he will know where we are...

[CHE5TER]-Ehh... Who cares about that anyway? Since we are in his beloved city from the underground, I do not understand why would he worry so much about where we are in the first place. It's not like the people he is talking about all the time are present here. There is no danger in this city at all.

[RY4N]-Still...

[CHE5TER]-If we go back now, we probably won't do anything interesting anyway. You will either focus on your books while I'm with my master, or stay with our father while he tells us more tales.

[RY4N]-What's wrong with reading books?

[CHE5TER]-It's just boring! New days, same old books with the same stories that we've heard ever since when we were newborns! And they are not even believable!! Don't you get sick of them??

[RY4N]-Not really... Not all of them are the same, you know? There are some life experiences written by real people, or journals by old soldiers, or--

[CHE5TER]- --Ughhh...

Then, suddenly from the distance, there is a voice calling for their names, somewhere from the ground. And it seems... to come from a faded face.

[M4TTH3W]-CHE5TER! RY4N!

[CHE5TER]-Speaking of the devil... Why did you bring him into the conversation? Now we truly need to go!

[RY4N]-Oh, shut up and get your ass down!

So, they jump off the roof of the building to meet the person that was searching for them: a tall man with white hair and blue eyes, looking with such a gentle expression at them.

[M4TTH3W]-There you are! We should get going. I was thinking of something we could do!

[CHE5TER]-Let me guess. I have to go home and rest for tomorrow?

[M4TTH3W]-If you wish to do so, I cannot obligate you... But I was thinking of something else.

[CHE5TER]-Huh?

[M4TTH3W]-Maybe we could go to Mr. AD4M alongside your master and celebrate in advance for tomorrow. What do you say?

[CHE5TER]-I... wasn't expecting that, that's for sure...

[RY4N]-Yeah, I can read it on your face!

[CHE5TER]-SHUT UP!!

[M4TTH3W]-So? What do you think, CHE5TER?

[CHE5TER]-*sigh* I mean... it isn't a bad idea and all, but...

[M4TTH3W]-But...? What is it?

[CHE5TER]-...Can we try the City of Above this time?

[M4TTH3W]-...

Yet his father goes silent as He hears these words from His son. It isn't the first time he asks for this, it doesn't seem like it. So, He takes a deep breath.

[M4TTH3W]-CHE5TER...

[CHE5TER]-You are always talking about it, but you never took us there! Why can't we go and visit that city at least for once? I will leave you alone after this, I won't ever speak about it, I promise! But I really want to see it! Pleaaase!! That's why I will join my master's base in the first place! Please, Father!!

[M4TTH3W]-We already had this conversation before...

[CHE5TER]-But I just want to see it at least one time! You told me it is waaay bigger than our city and that is more beautiful! Expect for the people there, of course... Please!!

[M4TTH3W]-It's too dangerous out there, CHE5TER! I can't let you go in that city no matter what it takes me to protect you!

[CHE5TER]-Protect me from what!? You are always keeping me in the dark! We've been hiding our whole life like we are some sinners hiding from the gods! I don't want to hide my entire life! I don't want to live in the shadows!

[M4TTH3W]-...I know you dream to see the world above, but I can't take you there for now. I promise you, one day you will see it with your own eyes, not hear some empty words spoken by a man. But that time didn't come yet. Do you understand?

[CHE5TER]-...

[M4TTH3W]-Now let's go. We shall meet up with your master so you can have a bit of fun, okay?

[CHE5TER]-*sigh* Okay, okay...

36:02

And so, those three have found themselves wandering around the Underground City in search for someone that they want to meet. And when they finally notice him around a street, the former ruler and the two kids walk towards him. The man seems to have white hair as well, but his eyes are green and his skin is a darker colour, him being the former Leader of the Southeast Base. This is our first time seeing the retired master of CHE5TER in flesh, as we only heard about him. But from the looks of it, there is nothing interesting about him. Or at least that's how he wanted for the first impression to be.

[AL7AN]-Well, wouldn't you look at that... The Great Leader... little RY4N... and the little rascal called CHE5TER.

[CHE5TER]-HEY!! I TOLD YOU TO STOP CALLING ME THAT!

[AL7AN]-Mhmhmhm... Don't get mad now, young warrior. You know you are not the only one who likes to play around.

[CHE5TER]-Well, I don't like how you play around with me, okay!?

[RY4N]-But you are a rascal after all.

[CHE5TER]-Y...m...ttt... On which side are you on!??

[M4TTH3W]-Alright, CHE5TER. Calm down now.

[CHE5TER]-But they bully me, Father! Your beloved son and your friend are bullying me!!

[M4TTH3W]-But don't you enjoy when you make fun of RY4N as well?

[RY4N]-See? You aren't so smart in the end!

[CHE5TER]-Hmph!

[AL7AN]-Now, CHE5TER, let's get back to business if we got you this mad. You have your exam tomorrow, right?

[CHE5TER]-Yeaaah! What about it, smart man?

[AL7AN]-Don't get so cocky, little one! If you truly want to join me, you have to pass it, remember? I've trained you for four years now in martial arts, but your powers are nothing that I can help you with. Did you get lessons in particular how I told you a while ago?

[CHE5TER]-I stood with someone from your base! Who did you want me to ask!? I even exercised with my powers for months!!

[AL7AN]-Did you remember my advice?

[CHE5TER]-Yeah! "The bedizen it is, the more attractive to the public will be". Especially for some people which *cough* *cough* I won't call their name... *cough*

[AL7AN]-You like to joke around, huh? If I'm thinking about it, why do you wish to leave school so early? Some education won't be such a bad idea for people like you.

[CHE5TER]-BECAUSE I don't like to go there! The kids are always mean and talk shit behind my back! Not only that, but I also don't learn anything new there anyway! I've learnt more from the people around the base rather than the school! For the gods' sake!!

[M4TTH3W]-*sigh*

[RY4N]-So you want to leave me alone in that class? Wasn't it enough that I was born as an R being and I can't have classes of Power Tactics with you?

[CHE5TER]-Well, I don't care what you will do from now on there! The kids don't seem to bully you anyway! Only me!!

[AL7AN]-So what if they bully you? Show them that you are better than them. Show them what you are capable of.

[CHE5TER]-Oh, so I should beat their butts?

[AL7AN]-Yeah! Get them, warrior!

[M4TTH3W]-AL7AN!

[AL7AN]-What? I'm just kidding! It's not like he is going to believe it! He is a smart guy!

[CHE5TER]-Aw, man...

And when he hears his brother's response, RY4N gives him a small kick in the head with his hand to wake him up to reality, while CHE5TER looks at him and laughs.

[AL7AN]-But I'm serious now, CHE5TER. I want you to focus tomorrow, alright? If you don't pass it, you know what's going to happen. You won't join me until you hit the age of fourteen. And not only that, but I believe a small "training" after your failure would make sure you won't ever fail again. Understood?

So, CHE5TER gets a bit concerned since he knows what's going to happen. He usually does train with his master and most of the time he eats some punches, which hurt like shit, of course. But when he fails, he doesn't like his punishment that much either, as it hurts even more than the training itself. He swallows uncomfortably now, knowing damn well that if he fails, his master won't have any mercy on him.

[M4TTH3W]-...Don't scare him now, AL7AN. I don't want him to run away alone and not find him for hours again.

[AL7AN]-But that's how they are suppose to learn, M4TTH3W! Take a lesson from me! You will see what man he will become in the future! You will be proud of his improvement, I give you my word!