Chapter 289: Reunited Once Again (1/2)
Bargaining stood from his Titan, watching the world go by. The fight between his sister and Alice had begun in which he had no care or intention of watching. Watching the sunset, he placed his hands firmly into his pocket, sighing. ”This is going to be the last sunset I see for quite a while, it seems….”
”Of course, you were always quite prepared to throw it all away in the end, weren't you, Adam Berry?” Bargaining turned as Charmeine hovered down her wings on display as she smirked at the sight. ”After all these years, you're still just as stubborn and naïve as always.”
”Four. I must admit I didn't expect you to still be alive. But I suppose a coward like you would always survive in the end.” Bargaining scoffed at looking back at sunset. ”It's almost time. Tell me, do you think Alton will go through with it?”
”Ten is unlike any of us. He'd never give up even if his goal was wrong.”
”Quite right. But that's not what I asked. I said do you think Alton will be able to see this plan to the end?”
Charmeine paused for a moment shaking his head. ”Those two are quite different. But I believe Alton will; desperation has shown to bring the worst out on him.”
”I came to the same conclusion myself. Eve is free once more and is currently about to engage with her dear close friend Alice. I'm going to move back before it begins.” Bargaining outspoke. ”The endless whisper is almost at hand. A new Stage is about to be crowned. Acceptance has most likely seen this as well. All he can do is prepare for the next stage of the plan.”
”I could stop you, I suppose. That was our goal, to stop the Garden if they intended on destroying the world. I'm sure I would be doing a great duty for our homeland.”
Bargaining smirked, turning to Charmeine slouching. ”You were always the funny one, Charmeine. You never showed any sort of care for Fairy-Tale. I'm sure you became one of the ten's judgement just to get away from it all. Is that why you became so close with Mortem?”
”How did you?”
”I didn't. But I knew someone was working closely with them. The CEOs loved their secrets even if they weren't very well hidden. So, tell me, you spent time with them. What is your opinion on the Garden?”
”You want my honest opinion? I suppose I feel sorry for them.”
”I see….” Bargaining debated walking away. ”If you wish to avoid the Long Whisper, I'd advise leaving Victoria now while you can. We're in the danger zone of it all or stay. It could be interesting to see what sort of world Alton desires.”
”Have you taken into mind that Alton might not go through with your plan? That he might use the stages for his own gain and wipe everything out?” Charmeine questioned idly.
Bargaining shook his head, amused. ”That outcome is impossible. Alton Brantley is just a lowly ape who cannot begin to understand my ambitions. By the time he gathers the stages for me, he won't even know what hit him. I'll butcher that lost soul once and for all.”
”Guess I was right about you, Nine. As naïve as always, this is why you were One's favourite. Goodbye, Adam Berry.”
”Farewell, once more, Charmeine.”
****
”No longer the noob now, huh?”
Emil turned his head panting only to stop speechless as Zinnia stood at the entrance to Haven with Henry by her side. Both stared at each other dazed as Zinnia was the first to speak out. ”Emil…. Is that you?”
”Zinnia.” He whispered to himself, feeling tears forming as he smiled, overwhelmed with relief. ”I found you.”
The storm kept Zinnia from running as she rammed her feet through the snow towards her old friend. Picking himself up, Emil and Zinnia met with a deep hug, being reunited after nearly four years. ”I never thought I'd see any of you ever again. What a relief to know you are all still alive.”
”The same could be said for you, Zinnia. Everyone has been searching for you. Alice, Iris, Alton. Just about everyone.” Emil admitted. ”It only felt like yesterday you left. Well…. I suppose it was more or less for me. Mortem got the better of me, and the last few years have been a mere blur for me up until now.”
Zinnia stepped away, seeing Jinx standing idly by nodding with a slight wave. She kept looking around with a clueless smile. ”Where's the others?”
Emil's bright and hopeful face fell into turmoil as he looked down to his feet. ”Scarlett is dead…. Iris is gone taken by the Garden. We lost all contact with Alton and Alice when Rhinefield fell.”
Zinnia was taken back as she stumbled about, feeling a sharp pain rip through her chest. ”No…. That cannot be true. There has to be some kind of mistake.”
”He's not wrong. The Garden struck us with our pants down and wiped everyone out. Vanguard, Goro…. Monty. Everyone was just taken out without much hope. Scarlett sacrificed herself to let us get away and well…. Alton and Alice went to strike the heart of the Garden like idiots. I'm wishful, but they most likely perished in the battle.”
”We don't know that, Jinx!” Emil argued.