The Underground City

25:53

Minutes later, the East Leader managed to finally leave the building in which the meetings are taken, being surprisingly accompanied by Mrs. M4EK0 who has been waiting for him outside for a while.

[M4EK0]-...You didn't believe his bullshit either, did you, R4YMOND?

[R4YMOND]-You really think I would do? He's been onto something for days now and he refuses to say what's happening. He might as well just plot an idiotic plan behind our backs.

[M4EK0]-*sigh* Your sense of humour is as bad as ever, I swear...

[R4YMOND]-I'm just saying. But I really don't understand why he chooses to lie all of a sudden. Last time he did it was when we all were commanded to do so in front of the LENKOV kids. It's simply not his usual to do things like this often. It could be something important too.

[M4EK0]-And what could that be? The past missions in which he was present seemed the same and it didn't look as if he was plotting anything. I've stood with him the whole time anyway, and my people also didn't report any weird behaviour from his soldiers. Maybe it's just a problem of his base alone that doesn't include us.

[R4YMOND]-And he would choose to lie about that fact?

[M4EK0]-If I was in his feet, I would lie too. I mean, why would I tell my problems from my base to the other Leaders just to make them worry about things that I know I can solve in no time?

[R4YMOND]-Though I doubt that, I would say to end the whole conversation about EWAN now. It's no point in talking about that anyway.

[M4EK0]-Okay, then have you wished to talk about work? Maybe you have something in mind that you wish to tell me since we are partners for years now?

[R4YMOND]-Is it really obligatory for me to talk only about work? It's not like we don't speak for hours a day on our devices to solve every matter. Since now we are just heading back to our bases, I was rather thinking about a small chit-chat before I go back to my people.

[M4EK0]-Alright, so what was in your mind?

[R4YMOND]-Well, I was rather curious about what's your husband doing lately. I didn't see him in a while and I do regret that thought...

[M4EK0]-I guess he is fine. He is waiting for me home every night and falls asleep doing so since I come very late. Why are you asking though? You miss your old shelter buddy?

[R4YMOND]-You could say that. But since work got harder those days ever since the M soldiers patrolling sessions started, I didn't have time to go for a small drink with him as we used to.

[M4EK0]-Heh, and I doubt that he will have time for that in the future too.

[R4YMOND]-What do you mean?

[M4EK0]-Well, we both discussed about it and we might adopt a child in the near future.

[R4YMOND]-Oh?

[M4EK0]-Yeah, and he sure is excited about that idea. Though I doubt it will be that simple for us. Don't you remember how Master M4TTH3W was when he adopted the two kids and didn't tell us? It felt like He didn't sleep for years when they were very young. If I really wished to do the same, it will mean for me to retire from the title of the South Leader entirely and pass it to the next one that is worthy of it from my base.

[R4YMOND]-Technically speaking though, M4TTH3W did the mistake to be a parent to two sons alone. You, on the other hand, are two people. It will be a lot easier from that perspective. But if you truly believe that you will be overwhelmed about work and the kids at the same time, then it's your decision alone.

[M4EK0]-You have a point... But what about you? Have you thought about your retirement? You do have a hundred years in the system after all, alongside M1SH4M being the oldest member of the Council.

[R4YMOND]-So far, it didn't cross my mind. I do understand that I will have to pass it in the future, but I am still capable of doing my job and I don't have any obligations that drag me down at the moment. Considering the idea that if M1SH4M will retire in the future, I will remain as the oldest member of the Council and someone has to keep the peace in that room.

[M4EK0]-Wouldn't the oldest be XANTH3?

[R4YMOND]-...Are we really counting him?

[M4EK0]-I guess? I mean, he is stubborn and childish, but he is still a member of the Council. Not to mention that LUCIA was a great help to us before her son came at command.

[R4YMOND]-Heh, how do you even know? You weren't a member of the Council back then. Your base wasn't even existing back when Leader LUCIA was at command.

[M4EK0]-Were you a member of the Council at that time and I didn't know?

[R4YMOND]-No, but the previous Leader of my base was and managed to take me one day as his Officer while the other one got sick. I actually managed to see young LUCAS since he was present at the meetings to learn from his mother. To be honest now, he sure suffered a change. Who knows why... But no matter the answer, now we have to tolerate the present XANTH3.

The XANTH3 Residence

26:09

[XANTH3]-...Leader LUCIA, I'm back.

Now we go back to the XANTH3 Residence, where the current Clan Leader is visiting the previous one to see how her condition is going. He opened the door of the room before be said that sentence, and only after he looked around it, noticing the old Leader in her bed, sleeping.

He goes towards her bed, stares a bit at the surroundings as he sees that his mother has read even more books from her bookcase, books that just stay on a small table present next to her bed. Then, he starts moving her slowly in order to wake her up.

[XANTH3]-Leader LUCIA. It's me, LUCAS.

She wakes up almost immediately, turning her eyes towards her son that was watching her, then making herself to stand better in order to look clearer at him.

[XANTH3]-How are you feeling? Did the Healers tell you anything?

[LUCIA]-...I'm feeling okay, LUCAS. No need to continue visiting me.

[XANTH3]-You are kidding, right? I can't just leave you to stay in this room alone for the rest of your life.

[LUCIA]-You seem to be bothered by a thought. Is there something that makes you question my wellbeing?

He stops for a second with his mouth widely open as if he wanted to say something but refused to continue. He has such a face worthy only of pity, as if he knows something that he shouldn't. Then, he makes up his mind and decides to speak again.

[XANTH3]-...It's nothing. Tell me, what have you read lately? I see all those books here and I can't really tell what's up with them that made you so interested to search for them in your bookcase. Can you explain me the stories behind them?

[LUCIA]-Strange request coming from you. I remember that you weren't as interested in these books as your son was. What's the matter now that made you so curious?

[XANTH3]-I don't know... maybe I just want to hear a story. I guess the meeting got me a bit mad since I've argued with the others again, so maybe I can hear one of your stories to calm myself down for a while. What do you think?

[LUCIA]-Alright then. Which one do you wish to know first? I have some in mind, but maybe you wish to know one in particular that caught your attention from the start.

He looks around the books that just stand next to them, before picking one randomly and showing it to the old Clan Leader.

[XANTH3]-I will go... with this one. Can you explain this one for me?

[LUCIA]-Alright. Make yourself comfortable so that you can calm down. You are going to stay here for a while after all.

And so he stays to listen to his mother's story telling, as if he is a child again and wishes to dream, to forget about the worries of the world and to just... live his life. Unfortunately, minutes before he has even came to his mother, he spoke to one of the Healers that help around the residence, a reason why his face seemed rather sad and worried. He knew already the truth behind what she was hiding, and now he just wishes for that truth to become a lie, even if it is impossible.

[XANTH3]-...K3MUEL, how's LUCIA's condition going?

[K3MUEL]-O-Oh, you came back, Master XANTH3! G-Greetings! Tell me! How was the meeting with the Council? Oh, and did you bring us something too?

[XANTH3]-Please, don't start with that. Can you tell me what you know? I'm begging you!

[K3MUEL]-...

The Healer had some hesitations telling the Clan Leader the truth, but even he felt bad about lying to him.

[K3MUEL]-*sigh* Master XANTH3, I will be honest with you... I wish I had good news regarding your mother, but we simply can't do anything anymore. I know it hurts you to see her this way, but her condition is getting worse by each passing day. You have to understand that she is a simple mortal and we are not gods to save her. My team and I have tried everything in our powers to keep her alive all those years, but it won't take long before she meets her final days now.

[XANTH3]-Are you sure you can't do anything regarding it anymore? Please, Mr. K3MUEL!

[K3MUEL]-I'm sorry, but our medicine isn't that advanced... I truly am, believe me. We all wished to help her get that energy she used to have, but we've shot her with Energy Killers every single hour and nothing has changed. Her age is catching up with her and we can't stop that fact. I'm sorry, Master XANTH3.

[XANTH3]-...

[K3MUEL]-Just... stay with her for now and make sure to spend the remained time together, otherwise you might regret of not doing so. You should be prepared for the worst. We don't know when she will die, but it sure seems as she doesn't have many days left.

[XANTH3]-...Alright. Thank you for trying.