The Underground City

21:47

Yet it seems like they remain for a while in their city first, staying on the roof of a building and looking on the horizon. CHE5TER is simply making sure His equipment is set correctly first, so it won't fall from the movement and get damage, yet RY4N is just watching the view in the meantime.

[CHE5TER]-New times, old view, isn't it, RY4N?

[RY4N]-I guess... You sure like to play this game, huh...

[CHE5TER]-Game you say... If you want it to be a game, then so be it.

[RY4N]-So? What's the destination?

[CHE5TER]-End of the city? Does it really need a specific destination? It's not like we had one back then either.

[RY4N]-If you say so...

[CHE5TER]-It's been a while since you did something like this. Are you sure you can keep up?

[RY4N]-Who do you take me of? You really think that I'm not able to do anything? Want me to demonstrate it to you, Mr. Great Leader?

[CHE5TER]-Please. Be my guest.

[RY4N]-Then I guess the last one pays for both of us.

[CHE5TER]-Then I hope you have your wallet with you, Mr. Officer.

[RY4N]-Hahah... In your dreams.

As he said his last words, RY4N takes a small advantage and starts jumping to the next building, as CHE5TER remains behind, laughing in His mind at His older brother that now began their game.

[CHE5TER]-....Poor choice of words, Brother. You forgot I cannot dream anymore?

And so, small competition is now going on, but it's a weird one. Can't really say it's a competition, nor a team game. Even if RY4N was in advantage, CHE5TER seems to have already managed to catch up with him, as He looks back at His brother being now behind Him, with a creepy smile, as if He wants to mock him.

[RY4N]-Oh, now you're just showing off!

But it does not take long before they are equal, as they start a small charade, like a dance in the sky, a duo. They help each other, then start racing again, then help again. It's a weird dance, and yet they seem to be dancing it synchronously, as if they were truly made to work together till the very end.

Even CHE5TER seems to be feeling more relaxed while playing this strange game. Maybe it's an old game they used to play together, one that He created just for them. Even with that creepy smile of His, it seems more sincere than the other ones. Maybe it took a while since He last felt such a warm feeling, bringing back the old memories they wish they could come back. But He stops all of a sudden during this whole play, as He saw something, not exactly sure what, losing the advantage He was about to have.

But RY4N continued, even getting to the end of the city as they said. It's a small celebration after, of course, as he has won.

[RY4N]-Show off now, rascal! Told you I can keep up! Did you see it now, CHE5TER? There's no way you can refuse me in any case! Did you see, CHE--

...But as he looks back, there is no sign of his little brother, which, of course, confuses him.

[RY4N]-...Ches? CHE5TER?

It doesn't take long before he starts going back, this time in a slower movement. He looks around for a while, until he finally sees his brother laying down on one of the roofs from a lower building. He wasn't looking so good though, as if He just fell from not paying attention, yet covering His ears all the time and His eyes being a bit... terrified?

[RY4N]-Ches? What's happening?

No response.

[RY4N]-...CHE5TER! Answer to me, Brother!

He shakes Him a little, only for Him to wake up to reality again. He looks a bit surprised at first, staring at RY4N as if He almost didn't know when he got here, but He got into His character not long after.

[RY4N]-...What's happening with you?

[CHE5TER]-...Nothing. I guess I got a bit carried away back there.

He then tries to get up, but seems like He got a bit injured at His leg from the falling. Not something serious though, but the problem is that He is still affected by the gas till this day. He didn't get the leg broken, just a small wound from which blood flows. As RY4N sees that He is injured, he takes Him by a hand and puts it around his neck to help Him move.

[RY4N]-...You actually fell?

[CHE5TER]-Laugh at me now, won't you? I'm just a simple being. I can do mistakes as well.

[RY4N]-Yeah, but... I don't remember you making such small mistakes on a game for which you created its rules.

[CHE5TER]-Yeah, yeah... Let's just go already. Save the mocking for later.

And so, RY4N helps Him walk in the end, while CHE5TER seems to be thinking of something while they struggle a bit to get back to their destination because of His wound.

"...It gets worse, huh? Seems like you like playing games as well, just like us."

It doesn't take long before they arrive again at their destination, for them only to leave and go towards the location of the Statue of M1NERV4. There, RY4N is making his offering to the goddess, while CHE5TER bandages His leg for Him to move again and shots Himself with an Energy Killer. The dose is smaller this time though, Him being very careful in what He's doing.

[CHE5TER]-So you still give Her your offerings, RY4N?

[RY4N]-Is there a reason for me to stop? She's the god that deserves our recognition. Even you pray to Her till this very day.

[CHE5TER]-Aren't offerings suppose to be given by kids though?

[RY4N]-Aren't we all Her children?

[CHE5TER]-If you say so...

So when CHE5TER's done with His leg, He gets up and stays side by side with His brother, before they talk again.

[RY4N]-...Remember when we were younger and came here together with our father to pray to Goddess M1NERV4 and we both used to do small offerings like this one?

[CHE5TER]-And then I was running wherever the fuck I wanted and used to draw that map of mine of the city? I wonder where it is now actually...

[RY4N]-*chuckles* Right, and after that, our father was putting me to search for you in the entire city 'cause we didn't know where you were off to again. You liked to give me work even when we were kids.

[CHE5TER]-Ha ha. Yeah, very funny.

There is moment of silence between them again, before they start talking once more.

[RY4N]-Say, Ches... You were joyful a couple of moments ago. For real this time. Why have you changed all of a sudden? I don't think it's just a wound your problem.

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

[RY4N]-Just a thought?

[CHE5TER]-Well, it's truly nothing. And who says I was joyful exactly?

[RY4N]-Oh, come on. Don't try lying to me. You were having fun just now. I saw it on your face.

[CHE5TER]-So?

[RY4N]-What do you mean "so"? Tell me what's happening!

[CHE5TER]-...

The Great Leader doesn't respond though, as He looks down trying to avoid the subject, while RY4N looks at Him with in worry.

[RY4N]-...Why do you refuse to talk to me ever since that day? Did I do something wrong? Did any of us do?

[CHE5TER]-...Just because you are my brother by code, doesn't mean I have to tell you everything, RY4N. There are things that I would like to keep them for myself. I'm sure you have yours too.

Though His voice is serious, on His face you cannot really read "happiness" from this subject. He isn't enjoying that much that He has to lie and everything, but for some reason He still refuses to talk.

[RY4N]-*sigh* You do you then... But I don't feel well with the idea that you are hiding something from me.

As they finish talking, CHE5TER looks back at the statue, at the faceless goddess that stays in front of Him. Then, He puts Himself on a knee, for some reason on the wounded one, even though it still hurts Him. He looks down, with His right arm touching the ground, and finally closing His eyes, praying to the goddess.

RY4N does the same, but instead of touching the ground, his arm touches the offering, praying as well. Though they do the same thing, the wishes always differ from person to person, making everyone unique in their way. As they finish the praying, they stand up again, look for a bit at the statue for the last time and then start talking once more.

[RY4N]-What did you pray for?

[CHE5TER]-For peace, like I always do? It's that even a question that should come out of your mouth?

[RY4N]-Right...

[CHE5TER]-What about you?

[RY4N]-Hm?

[CHE5TER]-What did YOU pray for? You used to say we have everything as long as we are together. How come you still do offerings and stress yourself with all of these small matters?

[RY4N]-There are things that I've lost as well, CHE5TER. Even if I say we have everything, doesn't mean I should not pray, right?

[CHE5TER]-Okay... Then what are these things you pray for?

[RY4N]-I... guess I'm praying for the old memories to come back. The times when we were happy and had no worries. Don't you miss them as well?

Yet CHE5TER doesn't respond though. He just looks at His brother watching the statue, as His thoughts are starting killing Him bit by bit. It doesn't take long before He gets lost in them, as He then looks at the ground without adding any other word.

The Underground Tunnels

22:52

Now, RY4N seems to be walking in the tunnels alongside someone else, as they try to go to one of the entrances of the City of Above. Of course, the area being supervised now, they meet up with the members of the Northwest Base for a verification.

[DU5AN]-Hm? Oh, Master RY4N! Good day!

[RY4N]-Good day, Mr. DU5AN!

[DU5AN]-I guess that you have work around the above at this time of day? Master N3MES1O said that it will be a meeting in a few hours. Don't you need to stay in the city until the meeting ends?

[RY4N]-Yeah, I know. Do not worry about that. I'm just going in the City of Above for a while and come back in time.

[DU5AN]-Alright then. You do you. Look, show me the documents and I won't bother you anymore.

[RY4N]-You don't bother me, DU5AN. You only do your work here. I'm present at the meetings, you know? I'm aware of the work of the other bases.

So, RY4N gives the man the documents, while he looks around them for a few minutes. He looks at his ID card, military documents and the entrance permission. As he finishes, he hands over the documents to RY4N and starts talking again.

[DU5AN]-Yep, everything good as always. You can enter, Master RY4N.

Then the man looks at the other guy standing besides RY4N, waiting for the documents. He nods as a greeting at the guy as he speaks.

[DU5AN]-Mr. BENJ4M1N.

...And the other guy nods back, but without saying a word. Again, he looks at the documents carefully and hands them over when he is done.

[DU5AN]-Alright, everything seems good.

["BENJ4M1N"]-It's not like I'm going to ever scam you, Mr. DU5AN.

[DU5AN]-I know, buddy, but these are the rules now. I don't like staying here all day and verify the military members when I already know most of them are trustworthy. Just yesterday we've encountered a guy with fake military documents trying to enter the city. We cannot risk again.

["BENJ4M1N"]-I was just saying. I know the problems already. And why would you trust everybody from the military so easily now? You know even the military doesn't have access to the city without the documents that specify the mission, just like these. Without the approval of the Great Leader, the documents aren't even made in the first place.

[DU5AN]-So what? Hehe... You're saying that I should not trust you anymore?

["BENJ4M1N"]-I mean, who says that you can trust me?

[DU5AN]-Well, in that case, you probably won't bother if I just took you to the cells just 'cause you told me, right?

["BENJ4M1N"]-Hahahah... Oh, I forgot you like to take the jokes a bit too far.

[DU5AN]-I'm just kidding, Ben. Go, do you mission, you both. Say to the Great Leader that Master N3MES1O is greeting Him when you are coming back.

They make a small bow, before RY4N and the guy start walking away towards the entrance. But DU5AN speak for one last time before they vanish.

[DU5AN]-Oh, and just a small warning! The M military is really active now. If anything, try to avoid the crowds. They make some verifications when they see a lot of people together. If you want to be sure, hope you have some fake documents with you to save your butts.

["BENJ4M1N"]-Don't worry about that. We thought about this problem in advance.

[RY4N]-We will be just fine, Mr. DU5AN.

[DU5AN]-Alright then. Take care and good luck!

And so, they finally leave, just for them to talk to each other again once they know nobody can hear them.

[RY4N]-Huh... So you still use this part of disguise to wander around?

["BENJ4M1N"]-Who said that I don't use it anymore?

[RY4N]-Just saying. I didn't see you use it in a long time.

["BENJ4M1N"]-I just don't use it that much in our city since it's not necessary. The crevaator clothes are a good disguise themselves there as everybody avoids them. But I still use it in the City of Above. How do you think I can walk around the streets without people noticing that I'm a C born?

[RY4N]-If we are still on this subject, are you sure this won't get us in trouble?

["BENJ4M1N"]-RY4N, I told you. The ID cards that we have are effective just enough for us to not get caught. I did this many times before and it worked for me.

[RY4N]-So I don't need a disguise, you say?

["BENJ4M1N"]-Nope. You are an R born. You have nothing to hide. You only need an ID card just in case of a verification.

[RY4N]-If you say so, Ches... So, where are we going anyway?

["BENJ4M1N"]-Hm?

[RY4N]-Where are we going after we enter the city?

["BENJ4M1N"]-Oh. Well... I don't know.

[RY4N]-Really, man?

["BENJ4M1N"]-Look, I'm not used to take anybody with me during the missions. To be honest, I didn't even plan something right now. I just thought if we go around the city, I will think of an idea.

[RY4N]-What about the problem you talked about with the crevaator?

["BENJ4M1N"]-Don't worry about that one. I just wanted a small message to arrive at a person. More than that, there's nothing to do. That's why I put the crevaator in the first place. Why should I go on my own for such a simple task?

[RY4N]-So we are just wandering around the city for now?

["BENJ4M1N"]-Yeah, something like that. I know a few places if you are interesting in something in particular.

[RY4N]-Of course you do...

["BENJ4M1N"]-Hm?

[RY4N]-...Nothing, just a thought.

["BENJ4M1N"]-Very well then. So? You have a plan in mind for now?

[RY4N]-I guess we can climb a building and watch the view.

["BENJ4M1N"]-Uhh... Not sure about that one though...

[RY4N]-Why so?

["BENJ4M1N"]-It will be a bit suspicious for two random men to stand on one of their buildings just to "watch the view", don't you think?

[RY4N]-Then, do you have any other idea?

["BENJ4M1N"]-Let's just wander around for now until we think of a better one, alright? Why are you in such a rush? We have time until the meeting comes.

[RY4N]-Alright then, "Boss". Lead the way.

["BENJ4M1N"]-Hmph.

It doesn't take long before they manage to go above, more exactly they end up in an abandoned apartment from which they leave and go around the city. Probably these are the entrances, well hidden so that no being can find them. They walk for a while, ending up just chatting until they find an idea.

[RY4N]-So?

["BENJ4M1N"]-Hm?

[RY4N]-What's new?

["BENJ4M1N"]-What do you mean?

[RY4N]-I'm just trying to start a conversation, no need of you to be so cold now.

["BENJ4M1N"]-*sigh* You sure are hard to please, RY4N...

[RY4N]-Hard to please, you say? Aren't you the one who dreams of something almost even impossible?

["BENJ4M1N"]-I think that's you. You want the memories to come back, yet I told you that this isn't possible. We cannot be kids again. We had one childhood like everyone else. We do not have bonus chances.

[RY4N]-That is not what I mean by "memories to come back".

["BENJ4M1N"]-No? 'Cause I kind of miss little RY4N for a while now.

[RY4N]-You sure like to fool around...

CHE5TER gives him a small smile, like all the other smiles He gave, while RY4N just got a bit pissed as he knows his brother just tries to annoy him.

[RY4N]-Yeah, fake smile now like it's gonna change anything.

["BENJ4M1N"]-Oh, but I'm not faking it.

[RY4N]-Sure... It's not like I can feel the lying from the way you speak at all.

["BENJ4M1N"]-Really? You can feel it, you say? How come only now?

[RY4N]-Yeah! Of course I can feel i... Wait, what do you mean only now? How much were you lying in the pa--

But before RY4N can finish his sentence, CHE5TER doesn't pay attention to him anymore. His attention gets attracted by two soldiers of the M, on their right side, talking to each other.

[RY4N]-...Hey! Are you even paying attention!?

["BENJ4M1N"]-Hm? Oh, no, I'm not.

[RY4N]-*sigh* At least you are honest...

["BENJ4M1N"]-RY4N, follow me and do as I say.

[RY4N]-What? Why?

["BENJ4M1N"]-Just do it. I will explain later.

[RY4N]-H-Hey! Wait! Hold on!

So, CHE5TER starts going towards the soldiers, while RY4N only follows up. But He doesn't try to approach them so He can talk, more like He tries to keep the distance while also being able to hear what they are saying.