“The lack of desire to do anything,” mulled Rain over the words as she poured herself another glass. “It sounds like someone I know.”
“And how is he like?”
“Well, to be fair, he did go through some things, but who hasn’t?” Rain said while sipping from her cup. “I asked him once why he never did anything but train and plot, and he said this: once someone is expected to give, he is never allowed to take.”
“It seems he meant more than just materialistic gain.”
“He meant everything,” said Rain with sadness. “His revenge consumed him and took everything he had: his time, happiness, and desire for anything in this life. He was taken from but never given anything.”
Arthur was quiet as he watched Rain pour him another glass. It might be more than his powers that corroded his feelings, although they were the main role. This made him think of the time he had to provide for his family, day and night, without being given anything in return.
“The world has two kinds of people: those who take, and those who are taken from. It doesn’t mean that the more powerful take from others, but even in families, the most powerful person takes care of the rest. So who is taking from who in that scenario?”
“I understand what you mean,” Arthur said after gulping down his cup. “Even the weak take from the strong, as long as the strong provides. It is not survival to the fittest, but survival to the alone.”
“A sad truth, but life is as such. I have seen men and women blinded by love, hate, revenge, desire, and grief. They sometimes believe they took the world by storm, amassed all the wealth they could find, and gained every drop of power out there. However, the truth is that the world took something from them long ago, and they can never take it back, no matter how hard or desperate they try.”
Arthur stared at the reflection in his drink as he twirled it. The light ran in circles, as did his thoughts about what Rain said. He never anticipated a conversation like this one with her.
“I am one who was taken from, but I’m different.”
“What did you lose, Arthur?” said Rain, with millions of questions in her mind. “How did life push you into a late-night conversation with a stranger, midair, between injustice and its revenge?”
Arthur was silent. The room grew quiet as if it got separated from the rest of the space. This place and person were not what he expected to disclose his secret to, but maybe that was why he wanted to do it. It was hard to tell someone he knew about this, but it was different with a stranger who didn’t even know his actual appearance.
“I lost the choice, and my free will. I can never make a choice and call it my own.”
“Ah, I see,” muttered Rain as she placed down her cup, making a slight thudding sound. “This is dangerous.”
“I have always been in danger.”
“I didn’t mean dangerous to you,” said Rain, making Arthur frown and look at her. She was looking at him with her clear, amber eyes. “This is dangerous to the world. If someone lost a loved one, he might kill. When another loses their fortune, he might steal. However, what would a person do when his choices are robbed?”
“A person robbed of choices, huh?” Arthur smiled before he gulped down the drink without answering her question. Then, after the last drop entered his throat, Arthur placed the cup down and stood from his chair. “I think such a person would seek to decide the world’s fate.”
Rain was silent as she watched Arthur walk toward the window. Fear glittered in her eyes, but she gulped it down with her drink. Arthur stood beside the window and looked at the horizon.
“I hate this world, but I can’t help but wish for its safety. The sun can scorch my skin, and I would still wish it rises every day. Even if the stingy farmer has a great harvest, the murder roams free, and the world remains full of injustice, life needs to go on.”
“Then, that can be your desire.”
“No, that is not my desire. My desire is that I make that choice after I see everything that this world has to offer. You were right, Rain. I will steal the world’s choice and decide what to do with it.”
“That is more than enough to keep moving forward,” said Rain as she emptied the bottle into their glasses and picked them up. “Here, let us have one last toast.”
“What will it be for?” Arthur asked as he took the glass from her hand. Rain looked into the horizon and smiled as she could see a light twinkling in the distance.
“A toast to moving forward!” she said before she raised her glass, and Arthur clinked it with a smile. The two of them then drank the last of their bottle before looking out from the window.
“Your allies are here, Rain,” Arthur said as he stared at the battleship fleet making a grand entrance between the mountains. “We might be in danger since they already suspect you.”
“As long as you disable their arrays, there is nothing they can do once the battle begins. All we must do is wait for my men to take over the ship.”
“Your men?” Arthur raised a brow.
“You didn’t think I would have a small position in this, did you?” asked Rain with a grin. “I’m one of the rebellion’s three leaders. Another one is coming here and is the man I told you about.”
“The one who is similar to me?” Arthur was intrigued. “I wonder what kind of man he would turn out to be. You don’t seem to be like mindless rebels.”
“This has been organized for years. We started small, but when the Spark of Rebellion appeared, we were the oil. He was all we needed to take action.”
“And is Arthur Silvera a member of your rebellion?”
“I can’t tell you that much,” said Rain while pressing her index finger to her lips. “All that we have discussed needs to remain a secret. I trust you since we have a deal. Alright, Arthur?” asked Rain as she pressed the same finger on his lips.
“Don’t make me give you another punishment.” Arthur held her hand and pushed it away. “This one won’t be as merciful.”
“You think that was merciful?” said Rain with a sigh. “I still think about it every second since it ended. You are too cruel, Arthur. Once this is over, I will nag you for it over and over.”
“Try your best,” Arthur said before looking at the fleed approaching. “I also did an extra service for your rebellion. I disabled the radars and the alarm inside the ship. Unless your ships are close enough to cover us, these smugglers will be as blind as a bat.”
“You are so reliable. All of this makes me fall for you more, so how about we have some fun until the ships are here? It will be quick,” Rain leaned forward as she said, her breath touching Arthur’s face.
“I think that I just made you more annoying.” Arthur flicked her forehead and walked toward the door. “I will go and meet with another guest. I have no idea how, but it seems you didn’t calculate his existence.”
“We are the strongest two on this ship, so there is nothing to fear.”
“That’s incorrect. Someone else is just as strong, and I don’t think he will like his trip interrupted. So let me take care of it, and you can help your allies take over this ship.”
Arthur left the room before she could complain and walked down the hallway. He passed the guards unnoticed and walked toward the end of the ship. Rain didn’t seem to realize that a powerful presence was also on Goaty, suggesting they were hiding their presence.
After reaching the room the awakener was inside, Arthur passed through the door without opening it. The man was sitting at a table with his face masked and his presence hidden.
“Show yourself,” said the man to Arthur, who was using the Invisibility Rune. Since it was useless, Arthur walked out of thin air to stand in front of the man.
“Your presence felt familiar, especially the lack of voices in this room. After I heard your voice, I’m sure of it. What brings you here, Echoless?”
“Hm?” the masked man paused as he glared at Arthur with white eyes. Arthur undid his disguise to restore his original appearance, and Echoless stared with surprise.
“Outsider… what brings you here…?”
“That should be my question. The reason is obvious, but I want to know the target.”
“I cannot reveal that.”
“It seems you forget that Kirk is still in my guild and at my mercy,” said Arthur as he folded his arms. “Tell me who the target is, or your prince will die now.”
