Kaya: Wake up!

  She wakes up Nuri.

  Nuri: What did we do now...?

  Kaya: Nothing silly it’s time for a party.

  Nigel: Party?

  Kaya: Yes, that people organized for us.

  Nuri: Oh right, I almost forgot!

  He stands up. Kaya looks at Nigel.

  Kaya: Come on!

  Nigel: I am going... I am going...

  Everyone arrives except Rin and Rho.

  Ace: Where is Rho?

  Kaya: She and Rin stayed, they weren’t interested in this.

  Nigel: So we are allowed not to come... cool to know.

  He starts to walk away. Kaya stops him.

  Kaya: You are already here and at least you can stay.

  Nigel sighs.

  Nigel: Fine kiddo.

  Kaya smiles.

  Kaya: Beside isn't this great?

  There is decorations, music and food, starts are shining, the party is outside, and the fire is burning, giving them light.

  Nuri: Wow, this is amazing.

  Maya: This is all for you guys

  She and Sara arrives.

  Kaya: Hey.

  She was happy to see her.

  Rikka: You did really good job...

  Maya: Everyone helped.

  Nuri: Well everything is awesome.

  Maya: This was at least we could do.

  Kaya: Let's just celebrate okay? We all got a win today.

  They raised a glass.

  Ace and Nigel separated from them. Ace thinks.

  Nigel: Something on your mind?

  Ace: I heard Rin and Rho talked last night. I think she is going to tell him.

  Nigel: Why would you think that?

  Ace: The way they talked... I don't know. I just know something is off.

  Nigel: You are just afraid of unknown, relax, she won't tell him. And beside even if he knew, would that be such a bad thing?

  Ace: What?

  Nigel: I mean... you two seem to be good friends, He would understand.

  Ace: Look who is talking… Yes, I know he would, but I wouldn't. I still don't understand this, I don't understand a lot of things...

  She looks away.

  Ace: And before telling anyone, I need to understand it first.

  Nigel: And what if he could help you get there faster?

  Ace: What?

  Nigel: I mean, you put your trust in me.

  Ace: That is because you understand it.

  Nigel: And?

  Ace sights.

  Ace: And because I actually trust you.

  Nigel: I was afraid at first too. I was afraid to tell any of you, I didn't know how would you react because you need to explain to someone what means to be a curse user. Curse brings nothing good, curse makes you feel nothing, makes you be a living nothing but in the same time makes you feel something so powerful that can only be used for evil... But only when you use it.

  Nigel looks at her.

  Nigel: Trust me, I get it why you want to keep it to yourself. You don't want to hurt anyone and in the same time you are afraid of how will they see you, will they look at you with the same eyes after that...

  Ace looks down.

  Nigel: And then you found out first, and you didn't give up on me, and you are still choosing to be my friend... I didn't know that was possible. Then last night, Rho found out, and she didn't even flinch, she didn't even care about that... that tells me that we have some good friends here, and I think maybe we should trust each other more.

  Ace: I hope you are right.

  She was leaning against the wall.

  Rho and Rin

  Rin: So that shortcut that lead us to a small Island, where was a bunch of technology, documents, weapons... that is some kind of a trash can for government?

  Rho: Yes and no... there was a lot of projects that failed out there, but there were also a things that they couldn't understand quite yet... so I wouldn't say a trash can...

  Rin: How do you know all that?

  Rho: You said you won’t ask why, and that you don't care for that.

  Rin: You are right, It doesn't matter.

  Rho looks trough some papers.

  Rin: So tell me this then. How did I not get a bounty?

  Rho: Oh right, I guess I forgot to explain that one. Reason you got away this time is simply in the law. It is possible they actually couldn't tell for sure were you hostage or not, so they probably put you only at warning section.

  Rin: What is that?

  Rho: That means if anyone reports you seeing you with us again, and fighting for us, you'll get that bounty for sure.

  Rin: Well, I wasn't planning for that, I guess I got lucky. But how do you know the law so well? And why don't all citizens has access to that?

  Rho: Let me ask you this, if you knew that, would you use that as an excuse? To get away with it?

  Rin: Probably...

  Rho: If everyone knew that rule it would be hard to tell difference between who use it for good or for bad.

  Rin: Okay, I get that but... how would people know what to do or how to act without knowing all rules?

  Rho: No one knows every rule.

  Rin: But some knows more than the others.

  Rho: Everyone knows as much as they want to know. You of all people should understand that.

  Rin thinks and nods.

  Rin: You are right, but still, it is never good to play a God.

  Rho: I agree.

  Rin: So, did you figure out why Nigel's and Ace's bounty doesn't match up?

  She knew she had to lie.

  Rho: No, but now that you mention them, maybe we should go to that celebration. It would be rude of us to not attend.

  Rin: You are right... we should go.

  She gets up and takes her staff, they went out from her office, and she shrinks it again and put it in her bag.

  Rin: Seriously, what else do you have in there?

  Rho shrugs: everything I need, I guess.

  She starts walking. He follows.

  On the party.

  Kaya and Nuri and Rikka looks at the tree of hope.

  Maya walks over.

  Kaya: Yes... it really is.

  Nuri: I can't believe Rho managed to pull that off.

  Rikka: I know...

  Rikka looks around, she noticed the same guy from who she bought some pills, well drugs, he was looking at her from distance.

  Rikka: I am hungry… I will go find something to eat…

  She walked away, soon Maya walked away too, and Nuri and Kaya stayed alone, looking at the tree of hope. Nuri looked more serious, but a bit down.

  Kaya: You okay?

  Nuri: Yeah… I am just thinking.

  Kaya: Didn’t know you are capable of that.

  She jokes, and he smiles a bit, but his eyes are not smiling, she realized.

  Kaya: Did you talk to Rin about… well you know what…

  Nuri shook his head.

  Kaya: Are you planning to?

  Nuri: I don’t know…

  He was silent a bit.

  Nuri: In the same time I want to say something and ask him why he kept that as a secret from me… why he couldn’t tell me that he saw our dad… but in the same time I don’t want to know anything that has to do with him.

  Kaya leaned on the tree behind her.

  Kaya: Are you mad at him?

  He stayed quiet for a bit.

  Nuri: I… I am not sure, I just know that for now I don’t want to deal with it.

  Kaya nodded, she put a hand on his shoulder, trying to show support.

  Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

  Nigel and Ace sits at the open bar, and they drink.

  Nigel: You need to live a little. Don't look so depressed.

  Ace: Shut up

  Nigel drinks. Ace took out the cigarette.

  Ace: Good thing I can smoke now.

  She lights it and cigarette froze instantly.

  Ace: Are you fucking kidding me?!

  Rin and Rho appears.

  Ace: Is this how someone can summon you or what? You demon!

  She jokes harshly. Rin laughs.

  Rin: Well who would know, it works.

  Nigel: What took you guys so long?

  Rho: Just some things you would find boring.

  Rin: Well we are here now.

  Ace: I am happy that she is here but I can't say the same about you...

  She cracks the frozen cigarette. Rin laughs a bit.

  Kaya: Hey guys, come on!

  Rho: What is going on?

  Kaya: It looks like this tree has some kind of tradition where you sit down, make a wish and then you bury that wish, of course metaphorically.

  Ace: Well my wish already came true so.

  Kaya: That is so sweet...

  Ace took her beer and drinks it.

  Kaya: And she is talking about beer... great. You are definitely coming.

  Ace: Fine. She stands up

  They all sat at different places near the tree like the rest of the people there. People closed their eyes and put arms on their chest making a wish or a prey.

  Rikka wishes in her mind: I wish to see you again, Erika.

  Nuri does the same: I am ready to meet you... dad. Please find us.

  Nigel: Forgive me sister. I hope you are at peace.

  Kaya: I wish that this family never falls apart.

  Ace: I wish to find again... that bottle of beer Nuri broke... unlike others she whispered.

  Kaya throw the small rock at her. Kaya shakes her head. Ace sighs

  Ace: Fine...

  She closes her eyes and thinks of a wish. Her wish isn’t shown, instead she pulled her hair tie a bit, that was on her hand, placed between thumb and forefinger, and she let it go. (She has her own meaning for doing that, but that reason will be shown later).

  Rho closes her eyes, puts her hands on her chest.

  Rho thinks: I wish...

  She creates some kind of energy that gloves like her powers when she heals.

  Rho: I wish to heal... Rho said inside her mind.

  Then she put that wish under a ground, she puts her arms on the ground. Like everyone around them...but her hands started to light a bit, like she actually put piece of her in the ground, and that light transferred into the ground, reaching the root of that tree, and that light went up the tree, and one little, red flower bloomed.

  Rho opens her eyes, she felt like she already did this, de ja vu. She looked around here, she felt like she has been here before.

  Rin has his eyes closed, his wish wasn't shown.

  Few days later. Somewhere outside

  Rho: I guess it is time to move on.

  Maya hugs her. Rho doesn’t move. Maya looks at her.

  Maya: Thank you for everything.

  Rho nods.

  Nuri: It sucks we don't have a ship anymore.

  Rho: Don't worry, I have a way, we’ll just have to walk for a while.

  Rikka: Great. That is exactly what we want to hear.

  She said sarcastic.

  Rho: You have a better solution?

  Rikka wants to say something.

  Rho: That doesn't involve stealing.

  Rikka: I got nothing.

  Rho: That's what I thought.

  Maya: Actually now that you mention it....

  Nuri: Keep talking...

  Maya: There is someone who could give you a ride...

  Nuri: Now you are talking.

  Maya: But not with a boat...

  Rin: What do you mean by that?

  Maya: It is more underwater thing...

  Ace: Hell no. No no and no. I am not going under water. There is no way!

  Rin: Is someone scared of the water?

  Ace: No… I am afraid of the depth! And I am not afraid to admit it. Who knows how many creatures live there, and we could easily drown...

  Nuri: Maybe walking won't be so bad...

  Rho: Wait, are you talking about UW boat?

  Kaya: What is the UW boat exactly?

  Rho: It is vehicle that helps you travel under the water.

  Maya: Yeah... I am aware that there are not many of them...

  Rho: And how do you know about one?

  Maya: My father used to work for a company that worked at projects like that, but for some reason he quit... I am not even sure am I allowed to talk about this... but he owns one.

  Rho: No, you are not allowed to talk about it.

  She said calm and cold is always.

  Kaya: But she means... you can trust us.

  Rho: Of course that means that.

  Kaya: Anyway... where we can find your father?

  Ace: Wait, you are not seriously thinking about going in that thing?

  Nigel: What is the deal? You didn't have problem with staying at the ship.

  Ace: That's because I was ABOVE the water.

  Rin: Oh come on, you can't tell me a strong girl like you is scared of the water?

  Ace annoyed.

  Ace: Like I already said... I am scared of the depth, and what hides in there...

  Rho: Don't worry, that kind of vehicle doesn't go that deep under the ocean.

  Ace: I am still not going. There is no way you are going to make me agree to that.

  They are at somewhere inside, underground, looking at UW boat.

  Ace: How did we get here?

  Maya talks with her dad.

  Nigel: You think he will agree?

  Rho: Have no idea.

  Mayas father appears. Albert.

  Albert: So you guys need a ride? That's what I heard.

  Albert: How many of you?

  Rho: Seven.

  Ace: You mean six, because I am not going inside of that.

  Rho: She is...

  Albert: There is no need to be scared, it is perfectly safe. Beside it would only last three hours.

  Rho: Hear that? You can make it three hours?

  Ace: Sure I could... If I decide to walk and not go in there!

  Nigel: We can't separate.

  Ace: Are every one of you wants to go in that?

  Rikka: Well I am hesitant too.

  Nuri: Same... but... I am also curious.

  Ace thinks and looks at them, she sights.

  Ace: Fine... I'll do it...

  Kaya: That's our fearless girl!

  Kaya smiles. Ace rolls her eyes.

  Ace: But if we die, that's on all of you.

  They prepare to leave.

  Maya waves.

  Maya: Good luck with your journey!

  She smiles and watches them go away. They were in something like submarine, only smaller, different design, only for transport.

  Rho: Thank you for letting us join you.

  Albert: I don't mind company.

  Rho: If I may ask...

  Albert: How I own one of these? Easy, I build it.

  Rho surprised.

  Rho: That is impressive.

  He drives.

  Rho: Did you ever make one for someone else?

  Albert: Well I did sold instructions, or blueprint, call it whatever you want.

  Rho: What happened then?

  Albert: Listen kid, I respect all of you for helping my daughter and the rest of us, but I won’t give you any answers.

  Rho is calm.

  Rho: Understandable.

  Ace in the corner, scared but trying not to show it. Rin comes to her.

  Rin: You okay Mystery?

  Ace: Perfect... she said sarcastically.

  It got shaky a bit. She got scared and she grabbed Rin’s hand as a reaction.

  Ace: What the hell was that?

  She looks around. Albert yells.

  Albert: This is completely normal! It is supposed to happen!

  Ace: Oh...

  She realizes that she was holding his hand and she pulls it away. Rin just looked at her.

  Ace: Sorry about that...

  Rin didn’t say anything he just noticed that she was really scared. He slowly and gently took her hand into his. She was surprised, she looked at him but he looked away, in front of him, and she was standing next to him. She looked down and kept holding his hand. She felt more relaxed.

  Kaya: This is just awesome!

  Nuri: I agree...

  Rikka: I thought you would be scared the most.

  Nuri: Why?

  Rikka: I don't know, you are like always scared.

  Nuri: No I am not.

  Rikka: Yes you are.

  Nuri: Maybe sometimes, but not now. This is amazing!

  They keep talking.

  Rho and Nigel, separated from others. Nigel sits next to her, she is silent.

  Nigel: You know, I thought you would have a lot of questions after finding out the truth.

  Rho: Who said I don't have any questions?

  Nigel: Then what are you waiting for?

  She made a pause.

  Rho: What exactly are you capable of?

  She asked cold, not even looking at him.

  Nigel: You don't want to know.

  She is silent.

  Rho: How well you can control it?

  Nigel: So far so good. Now, I have a question, what you know about it?

  She thinks.

  Rho: I know that Orobas has jurisdiction over that.

  Nigel surprised, his expression darkness.

  Nigel: How you know about that?

  Rho: My turn. What is the deal with Ace?

  Nigel: Shouldn't you ask her that?

  Rho: I will, but it seems you know more than her... is she or is she not a curse user?

  Nigel pause.

  Nigel: In the same time she is and she isn't. She has curse, but she never used it, or activate her power, so, what do you think?

  Rho: I think we need to make sure that stays that way.

  Nigel: I agree. Now… how do you know that Orobas has jurisdiction over that?

  She looked at him, she stayed silent, her eyes serious, she was not ready to tell him the truth. He waited for the answer.

  Others asking a lot of question to Albert

  Nuri: What this button do?

  Albert: Don’t touch anything.

  Nuri: But what does this batten do?

  Albert: It makes this whole thing blow away.

  Nuri: Why would you put a button for that?!!

  Albert laughs.

  Albert: I didn't, relax

  Kaya: Is it hard to drive this?

  Albert: Not really, you want to try it?

  Kaya: Sure!

  Ace: I knew one of you will cost me my life, I just thought that will be Nuri...

  Albert gives her steering wheel. She drives.

  Kaya: You were right... this is so fun!

  Nuri: I want to go next!

  Ace: I stand correct, Nuri is the one.

  Rin smiles.

  Rin: Relax, you are going to be okay.

  Ace: And what if something cracks and this whole space is filled with water?

  Rin: Then we'll just find a way out, as always.

  Ace: How all of you can be this calm!?

  Kaya gives her a cup of tea.

  Kaya: I think you should drink this, it will calm you down.

  Ace takes it.

  Ace: Thank you. Finally, someone useful.

  She drinks it.

  Rin: You sure that is a good idea?

  Kaya: Absolutely!

  Rho looked around, she saw bunch of papers documents around the table. Rho didn’t came closer but she looked at them.

  Albert: Has something caught your eye?

  Rho: Why are you not driving this thing?

  Albert: I let the kids to play with it.

  He looks at Nuri and Kaya and rest trying to drive this. Rho calm.

  Rho: You sure that was good idea?

  Albert laughs.

  Albert: It is on autopilot mode.

  Rho: Autopilot?

  Albert: That means, it is driving on it's own.

  Rho: I know what it means... How is that even possible? Technology hasn't reached so far... it can't be possible...

  Albert: Why not?

  Rho: That idea wasn't even in the files... wasn't even created... Then how... how it exists?

  Albert: You worked for them haven't you?

  Rho looks at him. She didn’t say anything.

  Albert: I got something to show you, follow me.

  He starts walking in a separated room. Rin noticed that Rho followed Albert. Albert went into the locked room only by leaving the blueprint on doors open.

  Albert: After you. Rho enters, he closes the door.

  Rho: The way you just unlocked the door... you were...

  Albert: One who worked with Nex technology, yes. (Stands for Nexara).

  Rho looks at him, she knew that she needed to know him, it was her project.

  Rho: What is your real name?

  Albert: I'll tell you that, if you tell me yours?

  Rho reacts a bit, but then relaxes.

  Rho: You already know my real name, am I right?

  Albert: How couldn't I, I worked for you.

  Rho thinks.

  Rho: Steven... am I right?

  Steven: So you catch up thinks quickly, I like that.

  Rho: I remember you worked on a way to build vehicle like this someday... but not on the autopilot... I mean, you created something way bigger... how is that possible, you were only working on blueprints... and technology we had at the time, it wasn't...

  Steven: So advanced?

  Rho: Yeah...

  Steven: A lot of changed, after you left... no one knew what happened with you, they managed to cover that one up pretty good.

  Steven: You found a way for them to reach their goals faster... but yet you knew that some things can't be rushed, but they didn't get it. After you left, they kept using everything you thought them, but in very wrong way.

  Rho: What do you mean?

  Steven: I am saying, a lot of changed, and this is nothing compared to the technology they have now.

  Rho: That... that is impossible because for every project there was… I knew exactly how long it will take to actually accomplish something. And this is going to fast... It shouldn't go this fast... so advance... it's impossible!

  Steven: You are riding in something right now that has a program that you claim it is impossible to invent yet. Do you see where I am going with this?

  Rho: I know... I can see that but you don't understand...

  Steven: It shouldn't be existing now?

  Rho: Yes.

  Steven: I know, and I agree with you.

  Rho: You do?

  Steven: Strange things started to happen in 4 years before you left the company and after you left. While I was working on my project, and when I think of myself from period even before that, you are right, technology wasn't so advance, but 4 years before you left company, what, you were like 16? Something changed. In that period of time technology started to move even more fast forward, technology was rising but with a skipped step. And when you were 20, the time of your fake death, at that point another similar switch happened when it comes to technology, but the critical point was still at your age of 16, when first switched happened. So if I compare those two periods, period before first switch, and after that, while focusing on project I was working on in both of that periods….

  Rho: There would be a cross line between those two periods.

  Steven: Not just a cross line. That point is our x, our solution, and at that point something happened that can't be explained, but it is there.

  Rho: So you are telling me, that there was a point in your life, that was key to making your project come true, yet, you are not responsible for that? If I would ask you right now to give me your full blueprint, with every calculation on it... could you know how to do it?

  Steven looks down.

  Steven: No, there would be always one formula missing.

  Rho thinks for a bit about the period of time she noticed something strange was happening, for the same reason she was killed… Yet she still didn’t have an answer.

  Rho: When did you left?

  Steven: One year ago, one and a half.

  Rho: How did you manage to do that? It is not that easy for someone to just leave that company like that… not with same memory at least.

  Steven: I am smarter then they gave me credit for, that was their mistake, my leverage. And if you are smart too, you would ask more important questions.

  Rho silent.

  Steven: Come on, ask it, I know you want to.

  Rho: What was the last thing you worked on?

  Steven: I will gladly tell you that, I will even show you every file you want, but I do ask one thing in return.

  Rho: What is that?

  Steven: When you find the x, please tell me.

  Rho nods.

  Everyone around steering weal.

  Rikka: For God's sake where is that guy!!

  Nuri: We are all going to die, and Ace was right, it will be all my fault!

  Panic.

  Kaya also a bit nervous.

  Kaya: I am sure he will come back eventually,... I mean he couldn't just leave right?

  Nigel: I guess we’ll find out.

  Nigel calm. Kaya a little bit worried.

  Kaya: Ace? You good? You must be freaking out right now...

  Ace: You know, this tea is not beer but... it's not bad.

  She calmest.

  Kaya: Great... just what we need. Where the hell is that guy!!?

  Nuri: Great, we are all going to die!

  Rin looks at the door, through which Rho and Steven walked in.

  Rho and Steven

  Rho: You know, I thought you hated me back then.

  Steven: Nah, I was just pissed off a bit because almost everyone needed to take order from you. I mean you were only a kid.

  Rho: I don't know what you mean, because I assure you, I was never allowed to be a kid.

  Steven: Well, you always were a way more mature than the rest of your generation.

  Rho: And no, I was never anyone’s boss. I know Nex tech got name by me, but that was all, everyone knew me by my name, Nexara, that didn't meant I was allowed to do entirely the way I wanted... I also only followed the rules.

  Steven: I know. You were no doubt one of us, we just didn't know at the time.

  Rho: I understand that.

  Steven: You know, I hated to have some kid boss me around, but I must admit, you were really doing a god job.

  Rho smirks.

  Rho: Well thank you.

  Steven stands up.

  Rho: Where are you going?

  Steven: I think I left them alone for a way longer I should, so, I am going to join them, to scare them a bit more, and you can do with does documents whatever you want.

  Rho: Wait... you are letting me see those? All of those?

  Steven: They are yours now, do with them as you like.

  He walks away. Rho stayed to analyze documents.

  Albert (Steven) walks towards them.

  Nuri: Where have you been old man!!?

  Albert: You guys are still here? I guess I forgot... since I am that old...

  He teases more.

  Nuri: Sorry for calling you old, never leave us again!!

  He laughs and takes over the ride.

  Kaya: Now I can breathe...

  Rikka: Where is Red (Rho)?

  Rho gets out of the room.

  Rho: I am here.

  They looked at her. She walks towards them

  Rho: Anything I missed?

  Rikka: Only almost dying, but that happens always. She talked calm.

  Nuri: What kind of life do you live...

  Rikka: One that involves all of you.

  Nuri: Fair point.

  Rho looked relaxed she even looked satisfied, she had a small smile all the time, different from usual.

  Rho looks Ace

  Rho: You don't seem scared anymore, concerned your fears already or what?

  Ace: Nah, I am just... ignoring them for now...

  She is calm relaxed, drinking tea.

  Rho: Well that is one way.

  Ace: You look more relaxed too you know... you even seem... happy.

  Rho stares at her a bit, no reaction but than she laughs a bit. Everyone surprised.

  Rho: Why wouldn't I be happy.

  Steven laughed too a bit.

  Past

  Nexara and Steven.

  Nexara in her white cote, she was 16 then.

  Steven working on his blueprints, like few more of them.

  Troy walks in with Nexara.

  Troy: Keep your work doing, don't mind us.

  He said coldly. Nexara walked around. Nexara stood at some guys table.

  Nexara: Wrong.

  Guy looks at her.

  Nexara: There is a flow, either fix it or start over.

  Guy: Yes there is a flow... but it could still give the possibility to work even with the flow and by then we can find the solution for that flow.

  Nexara looks at him calm.

  Nexara: So, are you telling me that you would actually use something that has a flow, a risk for your own life maybe... with an excuse, ?we will figure that out later?“. There is no later, there is now.

  She speaks to everyone.

  Nexara: That goes for everyone, if there is a flow either fix it or start over. But don't go around it, because it will backfire one day, and destroy everything you have built.

  Nexera: That also goes for everything in life

  She said quietly the last part and kept walking. Steven because of her words ripped one of the papers, he started over.

  Nexara: Can you tell me, why did you do it?

  Stiven: You were right, we can't go around the flow, we will never be able to make anything, because that flow will always exist, and then we will make something that has that flaw forever... we can't let that happen.

  Nexara smiled.

  Nexara: That is right, you would put anyone at risk... well I see that this is a place where job is done, I won't bother you anymore. She looked at Steven and nodded. She was leaving them with him. She trusted him.

  next chapter, chapter after this will be the most important one by now... only for now. it will be probably unusual because it won't be similar to other chapters, not at all... It will be one of special chapters that I plan to put here, and all of that special chapters will be different from other chapters... I mean they are called special for reason...

  name of a chapter., that will be put somewhere between normal chapters over time. They will be different but very important one... and after special chapter, the story continues...