19:57

DU5TIN on the other hand, after he left the building in which the General was, he simply took advantage of the break he has today and went for some rest around the city. Or... at least tried. Before he left, he had to solve a few other matters that his colleagues reminded him of and also had to talk to a few more Officers to announce his break. So for almost two hours, he worked even if he didn't want to.

But even so, the whole work was put to an end and he finally managed to leave the building. When he did so, of course since he is the Officer, no matter the break, he is greeted by his colleagues just like the usual. Some even are surprised that the Officer took a break all of a sudden, giving their faces which explain it clearly that he doesn't do it quite often, but he needed it sooner or later. One of his colleagues though comes and greets him as usual, but remains for a bit to chat as well.

[ZAF4R]-Officer DU5TIN! Greetings!

[DU5TIN]-Hello, Mr. ZAF4R. Is everything alright around the team?

[ZAF4R]-Yes, it is. Why are you asking?

[DU5TIN]-Because I will be gone for today so that I can take a small rest and I don't want to hear that the soldiers managed to cause trouble again. Seriously now, make them somehow understand that the General doesn't wish to see us fooling around.

[ZAF4R]-A break? Well, that sure is a surprise... How long have it been since you last requested a break besides the free days given?

[DU5TIN]-It didn't even happen before, ZAF4R. But believe me when I say that I didn't wish to even request for one if I wasn't so tired today. Master C4E5AR wasn't happy when I gave him the question either. Probably it will be the first and the last time I do such a thing.

[ZAF4R]-*sigh* I understand that you fear his words and all, DU5TIN, but everyone needs a break at some point. You work for him ever since you were a child and refused to do something for yourself. I felt pity when I saw such a young soldier exhausting himself just to please someone else myself. You had the chance to live your childhood and you simply turned your back on it.

[DU5TIN]-We are at war here, ZAF4R. Do you really believe that we have time for breaks? The attacks from the Creators are increasing, and it doesn't help that this new enemy made its appearance now too.

[ZAF4R]-The war ended over two centuries ago, Officer. Those that are left are simply lost demons that we have to take care of so that our city can live in peace and the perfection that General 4RTHUR promised us. Why are you talking like we are still on the field of battle? What was worst ended and we have to take advantage of that. Our only mission now is to get all the plans of our General done and we can live the paradise after.

[DU5TIN]-If you really think that the C borns will give up from trying to fight against us, you are terribly wrong.

[ZAF4R]-I do not believe that. I simply believe that you have to also appreciate life as it is now. Stop thinking about work all the time. The General has other people that can do what he wants as well.

[DU5TIN]-*sigh* You remained my tough opponent of convincing even to this day, ZAF4R...

[ZAF4R]-Well, you remained the same little walking machine I saw when you joined us. Always obeying to the rules and doing whatever other people are telling you, yet never even trying to think by himself.

[DU5TIN]-...

[ZAF4R]-But enough of that... Since you took a break for today, why don't you come with me to give you a treat?

[DU5TIN]-...A treat?

[ZAF4R]-Yes! I will tell the others that I'm going for a few minutes off and we can go to get some rest. Maybe this way, you will learn how to do things for yourself sometimes.

[DU5TIN]-I'm not so sure of that idea, ZAF4R...

[ZAF4R]-It's not like you had better plans knowing you, right?

[DU5TIN]-I had, alright? I was thinking to go around the statue of General 4RTHUR later this night after I get some sleep now.

Yet the Sergeant seems pretty annoyed from his response, as he gives such a expression that reads "Are you serious?". So, the Officer gets rather confused.

[DU5TIN]-...What?

[ZAF4R]-I'm sorry if I sound rude, but these are not plans at all. I meant something that you could feel that you are living.

[DU5TIN]-I'm not taking breaks to have fun, Sergeant. I'm taking them to rest.

[ZAF4R]-Yet a drink won't kill anybody, right? I know a good place in the city which will be to your liking. And no, we won't drink until we pass out. Just a quick one and then you can go to whatever plans you wish to fulfil. What do you say?

At first, DU5TIN was hesitant on saying yes to this plan since he sure dislikes this idea of wasting time for "fun". But this is a colleague of his just trying to be friendly. So, he simply makes up his mind and gives the Sergeant an answer.

[DU5TIN]-*sigh* Alright, alright... But just a few minutes, okay?

[ZAF4R]-Of course. Just let me inform the others and we are good to go.

20:29

A few minutes later, after they've done whatever they needed and after wandering the streets of the city as DU5TIN follows his older colleague, they arrive at what seems to be a small club. As we already know, the concept of these buildings in which you are suppose to have a drink and relaxed is seen different by these cities. In the City of Above, or "City of Perfection" as its citizens call it, these areas are designed in a concept similar to what we call a club. Yet the Underground City designs them in a simple and small bar, from where you can only sit and relax, have a chat with the bartender or friends you bring with you and so on.

And though these clubs that are suppose to be in these areas in general are larger, this one is a bit smaller than the others. It doesn't have that many features as the others either, but it sure gives rather a calming atmosphere once you enter it. It is intentionally designed to come here and rest, not do a party until you can't take it anymore.

So it sure was a surprise to the Officer when he first set foot into this building and saw such a calming atmosphere around him. What a pity that this place barely has any customers, since the citizens of above do not prefer this vibe that much. This paradise they dream of contains, after all, a life that is lived to its fullest. Resting for them is like spitting on the gift of life and refusing to experience it. Funny information to know, since the supposed successor of the General himself only does what is commanded to him and never lives his life. A "machine" as his Sergeant said. And not to mention that the city is also seeming to be always empty because of the fear installed by the General.

[ZAF4R]-Soo...? What do you say? Is it to your liking?

[DU5TIN]-I'm... surprised you even know about this place.

[ZAF4R]-Yeah, I mean, a long day with everyone from work would make me lose my mind if I didn't take a rest myself once in awhile. I came here some years ago for a mission given by someone from the west and I discovered that this place is pretty calm compared to the other places. So whenever I have some time for myself, I... simply come here to rest on my own. It isn't such a crowded area, so it has its bonuses.

[DU5TIN]-Hmph. So that's where you disappear when I can't find you anywhere, huh?

[ZAF4R]-Heh, something like that... But, to be honest now, it is pretty much the only place of rest that I actually enjoy. Those from the young generations are doing things that simply... aren't to my liking at all. And since the bars are targeting them, rarely you find a place where you can go in your free time. So I thought that maybe you will enjoy it too since you don't really like partying that much either.

[DU5TIN]-I don't like wasting time, ZAF4R. That's what I despise, not that I am being different from my generation.

[ZAF4R]-Yet a rest is needed, isn't it?

[DU5TIN]-*sigh* Only this time.

And so, they sit on some chairs, get a quick drink to relax, talk in the meantime and finally enjoy life. It isn't much they do, and it is pretty similar to what the underground citizens do as well. Though these cities hate each other, ready to give blood in order to get rid of one another, they don't seem to be that different. All of them try to live, whether it is by working or by killing.

And what's the difference between them anyway? Their beliefs? They are all still brings, Immortals who live to see them all, R borns who are told to believe their city's stories and hate the other city, and even Creators, though they are rare in the City of Perfection. They are still the same. So why did a whole war start between them years ago?

As they talk, they do seem to forget about the work they have to do around the city, Mr. ZAF4R surely being relaxed, yet DU5TIN still trying to get used to this weird feeling to him. Not only that, but something sure starts bothering him after some minutes of talking. So, he stops speaking and tries at least to make that bothering feeling end.

What exactly bothers him? Well, it seems to be his eye. More specifically, his right eye, which is always covered with an eyepatch or with his hair. He puts his right hand on it and starts moving it around gently, as if he is massaging his eye. And though his colleague notices it, he doesn't really seem surprised either.

[ZAF4R]-...Problems with it, I see?

[DU5TIN]-It's just some random pain, ZAF4R. It's nothing serious. I barely even feel it anyway, it just bothers me.

[ZAF4R]-It's been some time since you got that problem though. Are you sure it is still normal to feel pain at that area? It already healed after all.

[DU5TIN]-Those who helped me said that it is. Though it sure is rare when it happens since most of the times I am focusing on my work and never actually pay attention to it. They told me that it is happening because of the lost body part.

[ZAF4R]-And you tell me that you still don't want a artificial eye? You won't need to hide all the time anymore if you bought one. And maybe it will help you with your pain too.

[DU5TIN]-I am sure I don't want one. I don't like that idea it all. Do you know how strange it would look?

[ZAF4R]-*sigh* As you wish then.

DU5TIN massages it for a while, until he decides to take off the eyepatch as well and continue what he is doing. Without it, he can do his job more effectively, so it might be the reason why he decided to do this. But again, nothing is really interesting. He does his job with his hand to move the muscles around the eye and make the pain go, and while he does so there are actually a few moments when we can see why he really hides this part of the body.

The area itself had already a scar, that's not really interesting to him. But what bothers him is that his eye is completely missing, and that part in which it was suppose to be is empty, like a dark hole. Whatever injured him sure did a good job on doing so.

[ZAF4R]-...He sure didn't have any mercy on you, huh? He really injured you for life.

[DU5TIN]-It's not like I can't live without my eye. I've survived the last two years ever since I got it after all. Whether I have my full body or not, I am still capable of doing my duty. Sure, I don't have the best vision anymore, but still.

[ZAF4R]-I assume the news on him being dead were long awaited? I mean, If I were you, I would've gone for a part of his body too as a revenge.

[DU5TIN]-Even so, Seven Two was not my top priority. He was an enemy of ours, but I had duties to complete, with or without him.

[ZAF4R]-But I still can't understand what that child could've wanted to achieve from our base. Why did he start all of that?

[DU5TIN]-Who knows. All I know is that he killed many of us and almost even me. Yet to be honest... probably almost himself too. I mean, an explosion of that level and that close to a being's body would've gotten him dead in the next second.

[ZAF4R]-Yet you both somehow survived.

[DU5TIN]-But I wasn't that close to the explosion, ZAF4R. At least, not as close as him.