Chapter 32 - Find Me

14.07.1642

The Southeast Military Base

16:22

"...I had a dream once. A dream that... is still vague to me the details of what I've seen there. It was around the time when CHE5TER was in coma and I was taking from my free time to see how his condition was progressing. But I don't... know... why I had that dream and why do I still remember that I had it in the first place, since I can't even tell what was it about. And I am trying every time I sleep to dream that thing again, maybe hoping that I will get an answer.

What I do remember from it though was that something sure was happening. I know that everywhere I looked, there were weird figures, either playing or fighting with each other, and a black mist that traveled around me, guiding me somewhere. But I know it wasn't only that, I'm sure of it! I know those figures were actual people, but I just... can't remember who they were.

Even so, I followed the black mist which led me to a platform above everyone, where a single figure was standing, watching the horizon, while the mist was going around it, maybe representing that figure is the source of it. I remember that I even decided to go near the figure and see what or who it was, but the moment it turned towards me, my memories of that dream became so vague, forgetting how I got there and what I was doing. Years of trying to find what that dream was led me to remember a few more parts, but I never really got the full answer.

Yet I remember something that sure made me not forget that I've witnessed that dream. The eyes of the figure... they were weirdly shaped, but having a colour familiar to me. They were... voothrav... just like CHE5TER's... I've wondered if that figure was actually my brother. I've had many theories on what happened and why would that vision appear to me. But something isn't clear to me till this day and made me think further that this figure wasn't actually my sibling's representation... Because if it really was CHE5TER... then why wasn't I able to recognise him from the very start at all, nor after it looked at me in the eyes?"

Seems like the base is waking up at this hour, but since it is a free day, most that got themselves ready for a new day already left the area and went to spend some time around the city or simply resting wherever they want. The brothers just woke up too just like everyone else, but since they are the leaders here, they cannot leave the base just yet without being done with their work.

The ruler is going towards His office to work on the papers so He can get done all the work of the month and then have His free time later. RY4N goes with Him too, to assist Him will all the papers He has to sign and all, yet he does seem a bit sleepy since he went to bed very late this night because of what he did yesterday, and it's most likely that he didn't say a word about it to his brother either. So he cannot help but fall a bit asleep, sitting on his chair in front of the Great Leader's desk, with his head supported by his arm. Even CHE5TER sees how tired he is, yet He cannot help but make fun of him for a while, normal behaviour between siblings.

He moves his pen around a few times just by pure boredom, but also to wait and see if RY4N will wake up on his own, and noticing that there is no hope in this idea, He creates a tiny object that He throws at him in the face. Still, no response. So He does the same thing over and over again for a while, until RY4N finally felt annoyed by it and woke up, only to see his brother in front of him, watching him sleep and amusing Himself. And even so, He throws another one for a final movement, even if the sleepy Officer already woke up.

[RY4N]-...Stop that. I woke up.

[CHE5TER]-You think so? I can do this all day, you know?

[RY4N]-Yeah, I'm sure of it... I woke up, okay?

[CHE5TER]-Alright then. Say, why are you so tired anyway? Did you sneak off when I went to sleep last night and didn't tell me anything? What did I lose, if so?

[RY4N]-I didn't sneak off... I just went to buy a few things like I told you and just remained around the city for a bit longer than expected.

[CHE5TER]-Mhm. That before or after you went to the crevaators' area without my approval?

So of course he got woken up for good knowing that CHE5TER already knows the truth. It sure took Him so little time to find out, but knowing that He is the Great Leader, is it really a surprise for us?

[RY4N]-...How do you know that?

[CHE5TER]-*sigh* Man, you sure don't know how to hide anything... I wonder what would you've done without me when you got in trouble... Of course I know. Their leader informed me when I came to them while you were sleeping because of something I forgot to do around their area and wanted to get it done quickly. I'm more surprised that you even decided to do such a thing in the first place... Say, do you like the truth behind that clan?

[RY4N]-I wouldn't say "like"... It simply got me by surprise. How did you know about it then?

[CHE5TER]-I told you before, I found some old documents regarding the clan and its use to the lands back then. It is the same reason why I've decided to give them a small trade in the first place. If I didn't know about them at all, I wouldn't have even gone to their place that time no matter the intentions I had. I guess I got a lot of benefits when I became the Great Leader, actually...

[RY4N]-*sigh*

[CHE5TER]-And that... shouldn't really make you feel pity for them either. Even if they make it sound like they are victims now, which is true in a way, they've still refused to help our city no matter what I've told them. They had many chances of making up with their past mistakes, but still wished to remain to their old habits. Yes, they do help me here and there, but not the city. After all, they refused to join the Council and take part in the problems we witness. They live in their own world for years, let them be. When they will realise that they have to help us all for the sake of everyone's survival will be the moment they will get the redemption they've wished for all these years.

[RY4N]-You still see them as creatures rather than beings?

[CHE5TER]-No. I'm not seeing them even as sinners. But if you do not want to be helpful, then you aren't considered an ally either.

So it is only a matter of perspective on what side this clan is after all. Some say they are sinners, others that are creatures, even some that are demons. Few people see them as simple beings after all these years. And it seems like CHE5TER built a trust between Him and them throughout these moments of anger. But He built it with the help of fear, while RY4N only needed trust alone to achieve what he wanted to know.

[CHE5TER]-...Let's change the subject though. You are coming with me to visit Mr. AD4M, right? I mean, after I'm done with my work. You were a bit distracted yesterday when I asked you the same question, so I'm just making sure you didn't change your mind.

[RY4N]-Yes, of course. After all, it sure is a lot to explain to him what happened these months since I last visited him too.

[CHE5TER]-Oh? You visited him?

[RY4N]-I mean, after none of us managed to find you anywhere, I went to the retired soldiers of the base to ask around if they saw you. But... even so... we didn't find anything about you no matter how many people we were asking, and Mr. AD4M was one of these people that we've asked too. Mr. K3IT4RO sure knew how to keep a secret since he didn't tell me anything when I came to him...

[CHE5TER]-Heheh... I remember that moment actually. He came to my door when I was sitting in bed and said that you were searching for me.

[RY4N]-And you didn't give a shit, huh?

[CHE5TER]-Well, I told you I needed to rest those days. I didn't even open the door to talk with him and see what you wanted. I remained isolated from everyone including him after all.

[RY4N]-*sigh* I will never understand your actions at all...

[CHE5TER]-Hmph. Anyway, what say we buy a small gift for our old friend? Since I scared you all for good, it sure got him off guard when you told him the news as well, right? Maybe I can buy one to give Mr. K3IT4RO too since he helped me a lot that month...

[RY4N]-Alright. Did you have in mind what to buy or what?

[CHE5TER]-Not really. I was thinking of simply wandering the merchants' area for a while until I see something that catches my eyes. If I do not find anything, maybe we could buy some small offerings and give them to the soldiers. They lost people too after all, didn't they? And offerings for the dead are a traditional gift for those that served the city.

[RY4N]-So we are going to visit your master too? I mean, I am pretty curious where that man is right now after so many years of nothing.

[CHE5TER]-Oh, curiosity kills, RY4N... No, I'm not thinking of visiting him any sooner. I don't want him to get on my nerves on my free day.

[RY4N]-Heh, alright then. But I would like one day to visit him too, you know?

[CHE5TER]-Ha ha, very funny... Put me to lead the way that gets to him and I will only get trapped into his tricks again...

[RY4N]-Oh, what a shame...

[CHE5TER]-Oh, you fucker!