21:37

The box stands now on that desk, as the Great Leader looks at it confused, while the former Leader is waiting for His answer. It seems to be covered in dust, as if it stood there, untouched, for so many years, even almost forgotten by the world.

[CHE5TER]-...What do you mean my father?

[AL7AN]-Listen--

[CHE5TER]- --You had a message for me from my own father all these years and didn't tell me anything!?

[AL7AN]-CHE5TE--

[CHE5TER]- --Why did you lie to me!?? You know very well how long I've been looking for His will to rule the city as He wished for me to do!??

[AL7AN]-...CHE5TER! Let me explain it!

CHE5TER looks at His old master, pissed, but calms Himself down to not do a scene in front of him.

[CHE5TER]-...Alright then. You have five minutes. They better be worth my time.

The former Leader then puts his hands on the desk, before he takes a deep breath and starts talking again.

[AL7AN]-*sigh*...I didn't give it to you earlier because I made a promise a long time ago, four years before He took His last breath, alright? It's not because I didn't want to. If it was by me, I would've given it to you in the same day I gave you the information of what had happened to Him. I think you were around ten when He came to me one day and made me give my words actually... Heh... What a difference...

"Now, he seems to be lost in the past, in a memory of him, sitting just like he does now, but instead of the merciless ruler, in front of him stands an innocent child, holding what seems to be a sword, a child that he missed for a very long time.

[CHE5TER]-Masteeer! You promised you're going to show me how to do that move, remember? Why don't you come already??

[AL7AN]-Because I said I have something to do now. Can't you just wait for a bit more?

[CHE5TER]-I've been waiting for TWO HOURS!! God dammit, old man!! You don't seem like you're doing anything now either! You're just trying to avoid me again!

[AL7AN]-Just have some patience. I will come soon, alright?

[CHE5TER]-*mumbles*

As the young boy starts cursing his own master silently, the former Great Leader, M4TTH3W, seems to be heading towards the office in which the Leader was standing. Little CHE5TER does see Him, so he gets his anger out on his father.

[CHE5TER]-Father! Your friend over here gave his words that he will teach me a move that I saw him performing, but now he is just lazing around and tries to avoid me! Do something!!

[M4TTH3W]-*chuckles* Is that so?

[CHE5TER]-Yeah!! Tell him something! He doesn't want to listen to me!

But the Great Leader only smiles, then puts His right hand on His son's head and gets on a knee, speaking on a softer tone.

[M4TTH3W]-Hey, CHE5TER... How about you go play with RY4N while I discuss something with Mr. AL7AN, hm? It won't take long, I promise. After that, I will tell him to go and teach you whatever you want. What do you say? Are you okay with it?

[CHE5TER]-*sigh* Alright, alright... I will go find RY4N...

[M4TTH3W]-Good. Have fun in a meantime.

The Great Leader gets up and taps him two times on his shoulder, before He enters the room and closes the door. Yet CHE5TER seems to be standing, left behind, looking at the door, a bit pissed.

[CHE5TER]-...Adults suck!

Inside the room though, the Leader seems to be looking at his ruler just a bit perplexed, yet the ruler simply seems unhappy.

[AL7AN]-...So? You told me you wanted to discuss something with me a while ago. Should I assume I did something wrong or...?

[M4TTH3W]-No, it's... nothing like that...

[AL7AN]-Okay... Then what is it? Something with the Council? Problems with the City of Above?

[M4TTH3W]-No. I'm afraid it's a bit more personal this time.

Yet the Leader only got more confused by hearing that answer.

[AL7AN]-Alright... Come then. Take a seat.

[M4TTH3W]-No need. I will be quick.

[AL7AN]-*sigh* Okay then. Say, what's this problem that frightens the almighty Great Leader of the Underground City?

The Great Leader looks straight in the eyes of His friend, yet these eyes are not merciless like the ones of the current ruler, rather more of a complete opposite.

[M4TTH3W]-AL7AN, can I trust you in doing something for me in the future?

[AL7AN]-Oh? Well, that depends on what I have to do. If it is for me to learn about something, I cannot give you any word. You know I hate studying. But, if it's for me getting my hands on something in particular, then maybe... I guess I could try and get to my old habits if that's what the Great Leader's orders are.

[M4TTH3W]-No. It is a bit different this time.

[AL7AN]-Okay... Then what is it?

[M4TTH3W]-Well, I was rather thinking more like...

The Great Leader takes out from His long coat a box, the same box that stands in the present, but looking fresh rather than an old piece of ores.

[M4TTH3W]-...you... giving this to my sons, RY4N and CHE5TER.

The Leader looks lost at the box though, frowning, trying to understand what's happening.

[AL7AN]-I'm afraid I don't quite follow. Why can't you give it to them right now? You save yourself some worrying about me forgetting about it, and for me some time. It's not hard to go and just... give it, you know? Whatever is inside, it doesn't seem from your expression that it has to wait. Rather a quicker move than a long waiting for the time to come.

[M4TTH3W]-But I cannot give it to them now. They are too young to understand what's inside it.

[AL7AN]-Okay... Then why me? How come you won't be able to do it yourself? You have all the time in the world to keep it for yourself and wait for the moment you consider them "ready". I'm not associated with your family after all. This personal problem should be solved only with the members of it, shouldn't it?

[M4TTH3W]-I'm afraid it won't be possible.

[AL7AN]-Hm? Why not?

[M4TTH3W]-...Because I fear that when the day comes, I won't be around to give it to them anymore.

[AL7AN]-...What do you mean by that?

[M4TTH3W]-Let's just say that... every descendant has to meet their fate at some point. From now on, I want the box to be in your possession until the time comes for them to receive it. Can I count on you to do this for me?"

Yet the memory ends with the box standing on the desk, in the past and in the present, with the former Leader looking down, unhappy about the memory.

[AL7AN]-...After that, He told me that I should give it to you whenever I consider you ready to face whatever is inside of it, whenever I think that you have matured yourself enough to receive your last message from your father. I waited for such a long time, looking forward to see the ruler I wished you to become... and now that I see Him in front of my very own eyes, I guess it is time for you to finally get what's yours. I'm sorry, little one. But I gave Him my word on not saying anything until this moment.

[CHE5TER]-...So He wanted us to receive the box only after we got over the whole incident? But how did He know about what would happen to Him in the next four years?

[AL7AN]-I'm afraid that I do not possess an answer to that question myself... I thought for many years that maybe it's a curse which affects the family line which He never told us about, something that makes the descendants die when it's time for the new one to take the role. Maybe that's why you found so many ancestors, because they do not live as much as others do. But if it is so, how would it even be possible... But of course, I'm not sure if it's true, it's just my own theory. Yet I'm sure of one thing: whatever is inside this box is meant to arrive in your hands. Both you and RY4N should be together when you open it, so that both of His successors can receive His final message.

[CHE5TER]-...Do you... know what's inside it? Maybe an idea?

[AL7AN]-*sigh* No. I kept it hidden and never touched it myself. It is meant for you, not for me. But I guess it's just a letter of goodbye from Him. Nothing more.

The Great Leader looks down, thinking more about His father, the previous descendant, and the mysterious box that was suppose to be His inheritance.

[AL7AN]-Now, now... This is suppose to be a happy event, right? You've waited for so long to hear another word from your father, didn't you? After all these years, you've finally achieved what you wished. And I finally managed to see you again too. I guess we both won from this reunion, didn't we?

The former Leader then gets up from his chair, standing next to the desk, then looking at his disciple, spreading his arms, waiting for Him to come.

[AL7AN]-...Yet it will be a shame if I didn't receive anything in a physical form from it as well. Just seeing you isn't enough for me after all.

He closes his eyes with a smile, while the young Great Leader was watching him stand. In the end, He decides to give him what he wants. He moves slowly to His former master, getting closer and closer, until the Leader finally manages to take Him in his arms, as a greeting after such a very long time, and staying like that for a few minutes as the former Leader is caressing his old disciple on His head.

Yet the Great Leader cannot stay for any longer, as they both separate themselves from each other, while the ruler gets ready to leave.

[AL7AN]-...Now, take the box and make sure that you and RY4N are together when opening it, alright? Oh, and... pay me some visits every once in awhile. I do not want to hear that this will be your only visit until the next 20 years.

[CHE5TER]-Alright. But are you sure you will be fine up here and you don't wish to come back in the Underground City?

[AL7AN]-Oh, do not worry about me. I'm fine here. So, go without a bad thought and rest your mind.

So, CHE5TER takes the box in the end and goes towards the elevator. Yet as He turns around, His master seems to be looking at his hand as he got a small bag, CHE5TER's bag of money more exactly. But to his surprise, when he looks inside it, instead of finding money, he finds some small pieces of ores and an used cigarette.

[CHE5TER]-...Oh, and hope you enjoy the gift you got. I don't know how much of use is it to you, but you will find a way. Because I sure will find one to use mine.

The Great Leader then shows him a wallet, more exactly His master's wallet. Yet the Leader isn't even mad, more like impressed, giving Him a simple smirk.

[AL7AN]-Heh... You've learnt more than I thought...

[CHE5TER]-Well... I've learnt from the best, haven't I?

The Southeast Military Base

24:47

RY4N seems to get back from the meeting with the Council alongside Officer KYR4 for a while, before she leaves him to go towards her own destination. It doesn't bother him though, as he already had plans to see his brother and find out what He wants.

So, he opens the door of the office, finding the Great Leader standing on His chair, lost in His thoughts, looking at that box He just received.

[RY4N]-What is it? Why did you want us to meet immediately? I've just got back from the Council.

Yet the ruler doesn't say a word.

[RY4N]-...Ches? Are you alright?

Then, He takes a deep breath and looks at His brother, as the confused young man waits for an answer.

[CHE5TER]-...We have something to discuss, RY4N. And I suggest you get ready for what I'm about to say.

[RY4N]-Alright... I'm ready. What is it?

CHE5TER makes a small pause to clear His mind up, before He starts talking again.

[CHE5TER]-...I was right about my suspicion. It was indeed my master the one who wanted to meet up with me. He was hiding under the club I showed you earlier all these years. But... that's not what concerns me.

[RY4N]-What did you talk with him?

[CHE5TER]-Well... a bit of what happened in the past years and shit like that. Nothing so out of the ordinary. But before I left, the subject was changed and I got a bit confused at first. He gave me this box which is meant for both of us all of a sudden and told me to open it when we are together.

[RY4N]-A box? Why did he give us a box? What's inside it?

[CHE5TER]-RY4N... The box comes from our father...

RY4N then takes a breath as well. He didn't hear a word about his father either, just like CHE5TER. Hearing now about a box coming from Him is a bit shocking, yet he remains calm.

[RY4N]-*sigh*...So it's His letter of goodbye, huh? What did it say?

[CHE5TER]-I... don't know. I didn't open it yet. I've waited for you to come back from the Council so we can read it together. You are His son as well, remember? If it was for only one of us to get it, probably you were the one chosen to receive it anyway. You are the one similar to Him.

The ruler gets up from His chair and goes next to His brother, standing side by side, Him on RY4N's right side. Then, He looks again at the box, but He doesn't seem as He is ready to open it yet.

[CHE5TER]-...It was made way before He died. What... do you think it says?

[RY4N]-I'm not... sure. Maybe it's something similar to the wills of the other soldiers that have died, talking about His last wish and legacy. Or maybe it's something different being a descendant of the Great Leader title. Come to think of it... I never saw a last will from one of the ancestors of our line... That would mean we have to get rid of it after we read it? Maybe it's a tradition.

[CHE5TER]-Get rid of the last thing we have from Him? Yeah... Tradition or not, I'm not sure I would agree to that.

[RY4N]-But the more you keep it, the more you prove you cannot let go of the past, right? You said it yourself. The descendants are lost in history as they live in the present trying to achieve a better future. Maybe we are meant to do the same.

[CHE5TER]-Yeah, but I don't th--

[RY4N]- --CHE5TER. Let Him go and put His soul at rest. That's what He would've wanted us to do. Can you trust me, at least this time?

CHE5TER looks a bit at His brother, yet both seem to have the same expression this time. A serious, yet unsure face, as not even RY4N seems to be ready for whatever is inside. But he stands more mature than his own sibling, taking the responsibility of "older son". As he sees that He doesn't have any response, he bends his right arm, clenching his fist, and waits for his younger brother to respond. It's not a position of fighting, he stands relaxed, with his right arm being next to his body, a bit raised from the bending and the back of the fist towards CHE5TER.

In the end, He gives him a small nod, so weak that you can miss it with just a blink of an eye, then, He does the same gesture. He bends His left hand, clenching his fist and puts it close to RY4N's, even touching it. It is maybe a sign of brotherhood, made so long ago, meaning trust and forgiveness.

[CHE5TER]-..."I will trust these words of yours, for the love of our lands."

[RY4N]-"And the lands should give their love back, for the trust that we've bounded."

Then, they let their hands down, looking back at the box. RY4N seems to be more confident now, even with an unsure face, and puts his right hand on the box, looking back at CHE5TER.

[RY4N]-...Are you ready, Brother?

CHE5TER raises His left arm for a bit to reach for the box and put His hand on it too, but stops in the middle of the action and looks at the chair that now stands behind the desk, empty. Maybe a vision of their father, standing on the chair, with the same smile they cherish and same smile in which He died. But it is only a vision, not a memory, not a reality. He puts His left hand down, and instead, He raises His right one, still wounded to this very day, yet able to move it properly again. Why did He change it all of a sudden? Only He knows.

He puts it on the box, just like RY4N, as their signs on their hands light up, the one of the above and the one of the right side. Yet the right one is flickering a bit on RY4N's hand, while on CHE5TER the light is a weak one, sometimes flickering as well. It has nothing to do with the fact that His arm is bandaged and it covers His signs, but rather the poor heartbeats He might have. Then, He finally speaks again, as a last word before they open the box of their fallen father.

"...I'm ready."