"The Renaissance" Park

24:53

Now, we found ourselves in an unknown place to us. This park is known in the whole city, even though its position is located next to the ground walls. What makes it special is that in the wall, there is a little cave where it is located the Statue of M1NERV4 Herself, the first Great Leader that founded the group the Renaissance and the Underground City, and the same person who killed the old General around 240 years ago. It is well maintained, as it is the most appreciated historical place. But even so, people seem to have forgotten about its existence.

But the ruler of this city doesn't seem as He wants to forget about this place. No matter how far He advances in this war, He still has a lot of questions for the first Great Leader, questions that She never answered to any of Her people. Maybe it is hope alone who tells CHE5TER to come and see Her every day, or maybe it is something else telling Him that there is more to Her than meets the eye. He bows at the statue, putting Himself on a knee and looking down as a signal of respect. But even now He seems bothered by an unknown presence.

...Admit it, Little Ruler. You are a disappointment to the Renaissance, even to Her. This is why She didn't leave anything for you to find. She knew that you won't be able to do anything, no matter how much do you fight and overwork. You are a disgrace to the bloodline of this title!

[CHE5TER]-...I know you are there, C0NNER. Stop staring at me.

So, C0NNER walks towards the entrance of the cave, where the Great Leader was, a bit surprised by His voice.

[CHE5TER]-Why didn't you stay with them?

[C0NNER]-I... thought you were talking only to the recruit.

[CHE5TER]-I know you are aware of the fact that I was talking to both of you. And even so, the recruit himself decided to do whatever your plan was. After all, he wouldn't be present here with us if he didn't do as I just anticipated.

CHE5TER looks at the recruit who was hiding behind both of them, so N04H leaves his hiding position and gets close. The place was new for him, as he was never in this area before. He looks at the Leader first, a bit ashamed since he got caught, but then his attention moves to the statue.

[N04H]-The Statue of M1NERVA... I've heard about it before, but I never saw it with my own eyes.

[CHE5TER]-You are not the first person who says that. This place has been abandoned for years now to the point that people forgot about the most famous statue of the city. Many hear about it, but don't seem to know where it is located. It is a sad truth...

[N04H]-How did you find out about it?

[CHE5TER]-The previous Great Leader used to take me here very often. He always told me that this place is not made to be lost in the void of the past. "It is here where the history started and where it ended. But where there is an end, there is also a new beginning, a beginning of a new era, and we are responsible for writing it, so that the future generations could live in peace and freedom."

CHE5TER looks a bit to the statue, maybe seeing a vision of a distant memory.

[CHE5TER]-*sigh*...But I do not come here just for the memories. I come here in hope that one day I will get some answers to the questions I have for years now, in hope that I will learn more about Her successor.

[N04H]-Why do you wish to know that?

[CHE5TER]-M1NERV4 didn't have time to get all of Her plans till the end, as She died sooner than anybody expected. So, the one that is supposedly in the possession of all of Her plans regarding how to end this war is the person She left behind. But nobody knows anything about Him, not even I, a descendant of the bloodline. All I've guessed, for example, is that the person is suppose to be someone close to Her, like an old friend, or a relative. If I find who He was, I will be able to end this war forever. After all, She managed to kill the old General, something that the God of War Himself from the legends didn't succeed. I found many documents with different names, but I couldn't find anything from the years close to Her death. The oldest one I could find is one from around 150 years ago.

[N04H]-Did you ask the previous Great Leader?

[CHE5TER]-I did. But not even He knew anything about this person. He once told me that the second previous generation is always forgotten by the present one. I've never knew anything about my grandfather, nor did the previous ruler know about His. So maybe this is why He got lost in the past. Most of the Great Leaders live in the present and refuse to talk that much about the events before. A pity... But, of course, you shouldn't bother yourself with all of this information. The war in cause shouldn't affect any of you, only me. For many years, the people of both of these cities have suffered just because of one man's madness, and I have the obligation to end this for once and for all. I am sick of seeing people die every day... This is why I didn't want to take you so early, Mr. C0NNER, but you still don't want to understand that and follow me blindly.

[C0NNER]-...

[N04H]-...Is this the reason behind the "censorship"?

[CHE5TER]-This reason alone is just a motivation. I have many reasons behind my actions.

[N04H]-Then what are your reasons?

CHE5TER looks a bit at the recruit, making him uncomfortable by seeing His expression, yet He decides to speak again.

[CHE5TER]-...You are so curious. I admire that. Yet curiosity alone could kill a person one day.

[N04H]-...?

[CHE5TER]-For now, we should stop the conversation here. I think it's the best to go back to our friends, is it not? They are probably waiting for us after all.

CHE5TER leaves the small cave, but before both of His soldiers follow His command, N04H looks again at C0NNER, as he stands and watches the Leader go. Then, C0NNER looks at the little man with a sad face and closes his eyes, starting then to follow his Leader again.

The Underground City

25:31

The Leader seems to be far ahead from the two boys, who are walking on the streets together. There is an awkward silence between them that maybe makes N04H feel a bit strange. He wants to start a conversation, but doesn't seem to find the right words. Yet at least he tries anyway.

[N04H]-...Hey, um... I've noticed for some time now and I can't really get rid of this thought... Why are you upset, Mr. C0NNER?

But no response. He doesn't seem as he wants to talk about it.

[N04H]-I know there is something bothering you. Why don't you want to talk?

Still no response. They walk for a bit as N04H doesn't know how to make him talk. Yet C0NNER finally decides to speak.

[C0NNER]-...I know you want me to feel better, but there is nothing in this world that would make me change.

[N04H]-Did something happen when you joined His group?

[C0NNER]-You could... say that.

[N04H]-...Is it the same reason as why are you following Him everywhere?

[C0NNER]-...

And he made him shut his mouth again. He doesn't know what's in his mind, but he knows something isn't right. He feels a bit bad about him, but without knowing the problem, he won't be able to help him.

[N04H]-Were your classmates that annoying?

[C0NNER]-Hm? ...Oh, um... yeah. I guess...

[N04H]-Did you manage to make at least a friend there though?

[C0NNER]-...Not really.

"So he was lonely. Maybe that's why he is so upset."

[N04H]-...You know, I can be your friend, if you want!

C0NNER stops as he hears these words. He looks down, thinking about something. Then he looks at the little man, as he remembers something from his past. But he refuses to think about it anymore.

[C0NNER]-...Thank you, N04H. But there is no need of doing that.

[N04H]-Huh? Why not?

[C0NNER]-It's... simply a waste of time.

[N04H]-C0NNER, from when I joined, I've never seen you talk to anybody about anything besides work. Even the Leader seems to talk to Miss MY4. Why don't you want to talk with us as well?

[C0NNER]-...

[N04H]-You know you can trust us, right? Even though you don't realise it, we are all already your friends.

[C0NNER]-It's... not about trust. I already know that the people working with us are trustworthy. But at the same time, we have to battle these times and stop thinking every time about fun. Master CHE5TER already works hard enough, don't you think we should take from His example and do the same?

[N04H]-And don't you think we should live our lives no matter how hard the times are and stop worrying about everything in every second? Everything is going to be alright. We will all get through this together. A life without a bit of fun is a waste, isn't it?

C0NNER looks at the little man, maybe trying to forget a memory, but he loses this battle between him and his mind. All he can think about now are these words, as they aren't spoken for the first time. But then he clears up his mind and decides to give N04H a chance.

[C0NNER]-...Alright then. You win. I will do as you wish.

N04H looks at him and smiles, but C0NNER stares at him as he seems to have lived this moment before. As they walk, N04H seems to be finally enjoying talking with C0NNER, as he seems to talk a bit more than usual. But, of course, he tries to dodge the subjects that may upset him for a bit, even though his curiosity is beyond the limit.

After some minutes of walking, they finally arrive close to the location of the rest of the group. They are not far, but they do have some time left to talk. The Great Leader seems to have stopped in the middle of both of the groups, looking at the bigger one, where LUK3 was still a bit drunk and KYR4 looking as if she is done with him. But then looks back at the smaller group as they are approaching, seeing little N04H and C0NNER chat, cracking a smile on His face.

They seem to be talking for some time now, about any random thing they could find. Though N04H seems to be happy about the situation, C0NNER remains serious as ever. But, as he wants to learn at least a bit about C0NNER, he finally dares to ask him.

[N04H]-By the way, C0NNER... if the reason behind your silence wasn't about the trust, then why don't you want to talk so much with us?

[C0NNER]-...

C0NNER looks down. He knows he can't hide from the truth forever, neither can run from it. Yet he is saved this time by drunk LUK3, who was calling N04H as he saw him.

[LUK3]-...N04444H! Come here for a bit...!

[N04H]-Hm? Oh, coming, Mr. LUK3!

So, little N04H leaves, running towards the bigger group, yet C0NNER then looks on the road ahead, as he sees the group in front of him and the people he came with. He tries maybe to say the words in his mind, but the pain feels a bit too much for him to handle. And it gets even harder... when he sees a distant vision of three boys and a girl, even younger than the recruit, with a boy being similar to C0NNER and the girl... looking a bit like N04H.

"...Maybe because of the fear of losing people I once knew again."