Chapter 506: The Sea (1/2)
'He's not going to shut up, is he?' the bike sped along the dangerous roads. The refusal to have anything be linked to the past had death come pretty close. If not for the last second where a truck's horns felt like tremors, he'd have ended on the side of the hill. The driver behind noticed the biker's fleeting attention. Out of respect, Igna gave a thumbs-up.
”Cimier,” began Éclair's tale, ”-have been on the prowl for more than a few years. Ever since they acquired Meldorino and conquered the Eastern side of Iqeavea as well as Alphia, the business between our two groups grew into war. Just like we're allied to the Federation on a secretive level, they've allied with the Emperor. The value in technology and advancement outweighed the always war mindset attitude. The five-conglomerate only grew to become pillars, a full-fledged mountain in our path. They hold the key to where we want to step into, the place from where came Snow. Things aren't that difficult. The Larson Family managed to etch a strong base and control over a small village in Skouso. We deal with them and they deliver to other gangs throughout said continent. Phantom allied with Elon's Dynasty is just about strong to go face-to-face against the five-conglomerates and their bountiful continent. Illegal as it may be, we're still smuggling drugs into their turf. The more the risk, the higher the pay. Our produce all but grew better, Lady Courtney came to invent another simulant named Dragon's Breath. Seemingly innocent tablets at first glance. Once inside a person's mouth, the eruption has them always opening wide and blowing over the heat. We've no idea about the composition – the formula keeps on changing. The success of the novel drug is very much appreciated.”
”Many battles and turf wars have been fought in the underground. The Dark-Guild is holding head against Cimier, for the most part. Elon's Dynasty and the Overlord went under much change three years ago. Lord Elon, our benefactor, went into cardiac arrest at his residence. Lucky for us, lady Elvira was on a visit – she quickly managed to turn the man into a nightwalker. The decision was of her own volition, losing someone of such power would turn the tides onto us. The advantage of immortality can't be refuted. Thus, opposed to the old man dying, he rejuvenated into the young-man who clawed into hell. The succession, as to not arise suspiciously, was handled privately. Those in the front know him as Elon II, the bastard son of Elon, who is in fact, himself. Quite a confusing affair though it doesn't matter. Thanks to that, we've managed to secure part of Hidros; mostly, Queen Elendor's land. Airbases, army, tanks, weapons, name it, and they have it. Phantom saw fit to bring about fear into the heart of the Emperor. And so, the animosity of the East and West began. Hidros stands in the middle of the conflict as originators of the revolt against Cimier.”
”Tis a battle you began six years ago, a battle to fight against Snow. Fate had another decision in-store, and the revenge was brought to an untimely defeat per the god's themselves.”
”Are you done?” an hour and a half passed. The roads gentled into flatlands of agriculture, cattle, farm-villages, and overall pleasant countryside. The balance between modern and tourist-friendly was counteracted by hard work and effort. Bluer skies had the eyes narrowed, '-the beach, we're half-way there.'
Rotherham, the day began normally for those working for Phantom. A special clinic dedicated to those deemed worthy by the organization awoke to the gentle pulling of a cranky tray. The building might seem new and comfortable, and in the most example, was more of a hotel than a treatment area, the rusted squealing of a particular tray always waned the empty halls of dawn.
”Hey, are you guys ok?” walked heavy footsteps.
”Leonard,” glanced piercing blue-eyes.
”Frost,” they stopped to give firm handshakes, ”-didn't think I'd see you here so early.”
”Yeah, me neither,” he shuffled towards a window, ”-dreams have been more of a hassle.”
”I get what you mean,” added Leonard peering over the shoulder, ”-it's hard. That day can't be erased from my heart, I can't.”
”You've certainly gotten more dependent,” said he half-seriously, ”-it's not easy to stand up and walk with all that's happened.”
”Well,” breathing a sigh, ”-I can't afford to be left in despair. I want to be a better person for when Jen wakes up.”
”About that,” he pushed away to head for the waiting area down the hall, ”-she's undergoing special treatment, is she not?”
”I guess,” the couches gave to their weight. The white floor, white ceiling, and a single line running horizontally across the walls. Nurses in white, doctors in white, assistants in white, here white there white everywhere white, there laid a good reason for the 'white'. One he didn't know. ”She's been receiving treatments from multiple scholars. I don't really know myself.”
A tall figure ambled into the waiting area, ”-Hey guys.”
”Lampard,” stood Leonard for a hug, ”-you seem well.”
”I guess,” he sat with slight twitches of the eyes and head, ”-what brings you here today? I heard the school sent another expedition into Coria.”
”You heard right,” exclaimed Frost,”-they ignore us and now this. I'm honestly ashamed to call that institution a place for growth.”
”Calm it,” said Leonard, ”-you're disturbing them,” the looks on the worker's faces greatly worried him. The lower the pitch went, the sooner they returned to work.
”I see,” sighed Lampard,”-man, a lot has happened. I just wish the other students do suffer what we went through.” An unexplainable bond formed between them, the strongest of those who joined at the same time Igna arrived. Mild differences of the past were changed to compassion, empathy, trust, and love. On one where society and the student-body rejected their fight and dismayed to ignore their presence, the comfort given by those who shared the same experience brought closure. A single hug, words of comfort or even a lie would have done. The craving, the want for acknowledgment ultimately became their regret. Licking their wounds, stitching each other's hearts; the broken mended the broken into a complex maze of emotions.
”Lampard, Lampard,” skips and hums dissolved in where they sat. All came to a stop as she jumped and landed with hands in the air. Her eyes narrowed to glare at the faces with pouted lips. Locked onto Leonard, the frown brightened into a smile. ”Found you,” she sprinted to tag him.