21:12

And it seems like now we stand in a room, in which its walls are what they seem to be screens, with an image of their "water" as if the room is placed under a river. A small illusion of the room to make it look better, but also providing the room with light. In it, a figure seems to be standing on a chair, with his back towards the entrance of the elevator, from which CHE5TER finally exists.

[??]-So... you come from Young LENKOV's order, huh? I must say, it took you a while, but it truly deserved its waiting for that show, hahah... Oh, my dear ANUV4 really did a pretty good job, didn't she?

["BENJ4M1N"]-*sigh* Of course you were the one who put her to act like that around me...

[??]-Oh, but of course. Is there anybody else besides me who would do such thing after all? It was a fine entertainment show, and I knew I can count on her to make it happen.

["BENJ4M1N"]-Hmph...

[??]-By the way... may I ask how did you know exactly that I'm here?

["BENJ4M1N"]-...The word "steal" sure defines your character pretty well, especially when it comes to my time. Don't you think the same?

[??]-Heheheh... So you liked the show as well.

["BENJ4M1N"]-Oh, indeed... Especially when I had to endure your people's bullshit and start playing a role myself. I think I'm getting pretty good at becoming any person I want, am I not?

[??]-Hmm... Maybe... But now that we are done playing roles, how about you take off that disguise of yours so I can see my beloved little boy that I've been waiting to meet again for so long, hm?

So, CHE5TER does as he said, taking the disguise off and finally remaining in His true character. And then, the figure, either an M born or an R born with white hair and green eyes, with his skin a bit darker, and a few black highlights from his natural hair colour, turns back to finally see the little boy...

[??]-Heheheh... Welcome back, CHE5... Huh?

...that has died years ago. He gets surprised to see an emotionless young man, with half of His face covered by a scar, now looking at him straight in the eyes, almost as if He wanted to kill him.

[CHE5TER]-...Greetings to you too, Master AL7AN. Long time, no see, hm?

[AL7AN]-...W-What happened t--

[CHE5TER]- --So? A strip club, hm? That's what the almighty Leader of the Southeast Base has done after his retirement? Hide under such a pitiful environment, waiting for his beloved disciple to come back to him, thinking that the boy will have mercy on him? What a shame...

Yet even if His master has a lot of questions himself, he gets back in his character and starts talking again.

[AL7AN]-...But of course. After all, this is the most efficient way of manipulating people's minds, isn't it? Make them vulnerable enough until they tell you even their darkest secrets hidden deep in their hearts.

[CHE5TER]-Oh, so manipulation is still your business, hm? You didn't change that much from the last day I saw you... when you left the base behind when we needed a ruler the most. I must say... curiosity kills me... Why did you decide to retire so suddenly?

CHE5TER is almost killing His own master just by looking at him. Even His master now fears the man that He has become.

[CHE5TER]-What? No Answer? I thought that Master AL7AN has an answer to each question that little CHE5TER has. How come that has changed?

[AL7AN]-Hmph... I have a question for you myself. Are you truly the same CHE5TER we are talking about here? Because you don't seem like him at all.

[CHE5TER]-It's obvious I don't seem like him. Little CHE5TER that you once knew died a while ago. But of course you wouldn't know that since you didn't give us any kind of sign in the last eight years. The only sign you gave me was just a few days ago, which didn't even come from you. So? You dare asking me any more questions? Or shall I continue my business here so I can go back to my duty as Great Leader and Leader of the Southeast Base?

The former Leader looks down, a bit unhappy, yet he closes his eyes and smirks, before he finally starts talking once more.

[AL7AN]-...Heh, you've changed, little one. And it's true... I wanted you to change. Yet I never imagined it will be a bit worse than I've imagined you to be... Alright then. Go on. Ask me any questions you want. I will do you any favour just for the sake of this long awaited reunion.

[CHE5TER]-Favour for the sake of the reunion... Pfft, what a bullshit. You wanted me to change because you saw me as a killing machine that you can manipulate. Guess what? That killing machine cannot be controlled. You have no power over me anymore. So tell me, what's the reason you retired when the base needed you the most? When I needed YOU the most?

[AL7AN]-But I didn't see you as a machine, CHE5TER. I wanted you to become a true ruler, someone that doesn't let Himself being stepped on just because of a problem that He cannot solve. I've succeeded, yet that ruler seems to be a bit more merciless than I thought He would.

[CHE5TER]-Answer my question already, Mr. AL7AN. Stop wasting my time.

[AL7AN]-Oh, but I told you the answer when I left already. There was no need of old AL7AN here to remain in the city after your father's death. I only stood with you two more years so you have the chance to learn how to be a Leader.

[CHE5TER]-No need? You're kidding me, right? I became the Great Leader exactly after my father's death. You were the one who chose me, remember?? You should have known that I couldn't take the Leader role as well at the same time! I've made a deal with my brother, RY4N, that when I decide he is ready, he will take my role as Leader of the Southeast Base. All of this could've been avoided if you remained in the city and still worked around the Council! You've put too much pressure on a young child just to "make him a great ruler"?

[AL7AN]-But does it look like I had to remain?

[CHE5TER]-What do you mean?

[AL7AN]-Look at the current state of the base, CHE5TER. Does it seem like it has gone numb? I've heard a lot around the city from my people about what the Southeast Base has been doing lately. It doesn't seem like you had any problems in being their ruler at the same time. And I must say, the story of the so-called "Seven Two" is truly fascinating... Not only you are the Great Leader and the boss of an entire military base, but you are also a feared criminal in the City of Above. It doesn't seem to me that you need any help from me from what I hear.

[CHE5TER]-Oh, yeah? But did it really have a reason this retirement, or your leaving from the entire city? Or you didn't want to admit that you are a coward who has given up the moment the former ruler died?

[AL7AN]-Oh, but it had, dear CHE5TER. I've planned this retirement even before the sudden death of your father. I put one of my people from the above to buy the club a few years before and renovate it, so that when I retire, I will hide here and provide your father with useful information from the inside. It's just so happened that a small inconvenience has destroyed the initial plans.

[CHE5TER]-So you are not afraid that the soldiers might find you here? After all, you are one of the convicted, Mr. Former-M-Thief.

[AL7AN]-Let them find me, I do not care. If they find my hiding spot, I have already planned everything with my people. I have no worries about that small inconvenience.

[CHE5TER]-Okay then... I guess I have only one more perplexity left without an answer.

[AL7AN]-Oh? This fast? How about "What have you done these past eight years" or "Did you miss the Underground City"?

[CHE5TER]-If I had to start with this bullshit, I know I won't get back to my work any sooner. Shouldn't we leave this type of conversation for another visit?

[AL7AN]-Oh, but I missed talking with my dear disciple, Ches... Why did you become so cruel to your own master all of a sudden? I'm sure you have a lot to talk about with me, like how is RY4N doing? Or how have the Council's problems progressed?

[CHE5TER]-RY4N is doing very well, thank you very much for checking after so many years of not even contacting us. And the Council has been the same as ever. Anything else?

[AL7AN]-Anything else...? Hmm... How about that scar of yours, little one? I don't remember you having such a thing before. How come?

[CHE5TER]-Oh, I get it... So now you got interested in how we have been because of my scar? It took you eight years and a wound to give a shit about us again? If you are asking about what happened to the little CHE5TER you once knew, then I should be able to ask what happened to the old master I had? Which checked on us after the whole incident with my father?

[AL7AN]-Don't make it sound like I really didn't give a damn. I trusted you and your brother's powers of protecting the city after all. The more I heard about the Southeast Base from my people, the more I realised that it was a fine decision for me to leave. The only problem that got my attention was a month ago, when I heard about the criminal Seven Two being possibly dead. So when one my people finally heard the name "Young LENKOV" again, I had to put them and invite you here so we can discuss. I did think for a whole month that you might have actually put an end to your own life since I didn't hear anything from the name LENKOV from that day on.

[CHE5TER]-So that's why you wanted me to come? Because you heard a rumour about Seven Two who got into a chase? You are not the only one, you know? If I got a coin every time I heard this information in the last few days, heck, I would've had around 9.000 Verha already! Even RY4N had the same thought as you.

[AL7AN]-Oh? So is there a story behind this whole incident of His death? What say you tell me about it? It sounds interesting enough.

[CHE5TER]-But do I want to tell you, though? I've informed you already that I have to go back to my duty as soon as possible. If you do not remember, I have a city to protect, while you hide here, waiting for your conviction to be forgotten.

[AL7AN]-Oh, but please. Do not leave so quickly yet. I have so many things that I want to tell you. You said you have one more question for me, right? Enlighten me! What is this perplexity that bothers you, little ruler?

CHE5TER looks again at His old master, before He takes a deep breath and starts talking again.

[CHE5TER]-...I want you to tell me why exactly did you want me to come here. No more tricks of yours. Tell me, what's this secret I see in your eyes?

His master stops and admires this man that stands in front of him. All he can do is smile and give Him his answer.

[AL7AN]-...You've grown up pretty quickly. You are so mature that it even scares me now, hm? Alright then. I will tell you what's the deal. Just one question for you, then I give you my answer. Come here.

He is a bit pissed by this response, but He comes closer to the man that was simply sitting on that chair, and in front of him standing a small desk.

[AL7AN]-...How do you exactly know that I have something important to tell you, if you don't mind answering? Maybe I just wanted to see you after a long time. What makes you think it this way?

[CHE5TER]-...I know you too well for it to be just a small conversation on how I've been doing lately. No matter how much you liked to play with my brain when I was younger and invited me just for that, you always had an actual reason behind it in the end, whether it was something very important or just an announcement. I doubt you've invited me after so many years of nothingness just to discuss about such insignificant things. So? What's the deal here? Are you going to tell me, or should I take my leave?

He then looks down at the desk before he gives his answer.

[AL7AN]-I see... You've proved me right of how much you've advanced in being a true ruler. Seems like I cannot lie to you anymore... But I will be honest with you, CHE5TER. I'm not the one who truly wanted to talk with you.

[CHE5TER]-Then? Who is it?

[AL7AN]-Well... it's someone that has been waiting for a very long time to have His chance of giving His words. Now that I've seen you myself... I think it's time for that person to finally speak to you as well.

The former Leader puts his hands under the desk in order to find something that he has been keeping. He opens one of the drawers...

[AL7AN]-And that someone...

...to get a strange and old box which he puts on the desk, showing it to the Great Leader.

[AL7AN]-...is your father, little one.