6:11 PM

[QUEST UPDATE - COMPLETION]

Stage 2 of Survive the Siege is complete!

You have been rewarded:

25,000 standards

Slayer Gift 2

Ordo Shop has been refreshed!

~

Slayer Gift 2 contained: Survival Kit, Healing Potion, Free Item Voucher. Alexander assumed the voucher would give him a free item from the Ordo Shop, but he didn’t bother looking now. Every junior in the Department of the Systemic Works was called to Field Beta, Combative and Supportive, as Archknell had an update on Operation Scorcher.

The doors were open and a slight chill ran through the air, prickling the hairs on the back of Alexander’s neck. He tasted something bitter on his tongue, that familiar worry that never seemed to leave him ever since the Ordo Disaster began. He swallowed his saliva to get rid of the taste and looked around. The juniors separated themselves into their own groups, amongst their own classes, chattering about the latest developments and the rumors.

Such as the disappearance of over twenty junior magic engineers, supposedly called by Seraph where they were assigned a great responsibility in Pillar Dawns, taking the underground metro there. Hence, that was why the alchemists had to brew night vision potions. For some reason. They spoke about recent happenings within the borough, like small-time operations clearing out hostile zones and reclaiming them. Since Vesper’s fall, there had not been an increase of enemy activity; a brief respite before the storm, everyone supposed. No progress made on the Comets’ front. Pereyra’s location was still unknown, Tewfik’s as well, so the obvious was concluded: they were still preparing.

Or this rumored superweapon of unknown origins. Whatever the hell that was.

Alexander thought it’d do no good for him to stand around and wait for Archknell to begin; he promised to himself that he’ll bring everyone here home, so he ought to speak to some of them. See where they stand.

The first prominent group he met had Professor Kastellanos of Combative C2, or Professor K as most called him (they couldn't pronounce it right); he was a Greek man with more hair than skin; it made sense since his [Honor] allowed him to transform into a werewolf.

“Professor K,” Alexander greeted him, glancing around his small group of students. They were first-years, the youngest, just fledgling Slayers who barely tipped their toes into the business. Expressions of fear and anger and all of the above washed over them. Since they were here though, they were stronger for it.

“Alexander,” Professor Kastellanos returned his greeting with a warm tone. He always liked Alexander. Dad was part-Greek himself. Heritage made strong connections. “How are you doing?”

“Restless. I needed to move my legs,” he answered, matching the professor’s tone. “Are your students doing alright? Have they eaten?”

“I made sure that they ate. They’ll need every morsel they can get. Maybe that way, the food can absorb the anxiety in their stomach, haha. That’s what I hope, at least.” Professor Kastellanos sighed and turned to his students. In his class of twenty, he lost seven of his. Three were confirmed deaths, and the rest were missing.

“They look like good kids,” Alexander told him. They were Vernon’s age. “If I had any words of wisdom to share, it’ll be to fight. Fight indiscriminately and brutally.”

“Of course. Why don’t you tell them that now? Since you’re quite popular with Archknell and the rest of the guild masters.” Professor Kastellanos laughed afterwards, not having any hard feelings about a kid several decades younger being held to such high esteem. Many men would hold contempt. But at Kastellanos's age and position, Alexander thought, he had a lot of time to think about pride.

“You want me to? I don’t know.” Wasn't like I'm an actual Slayer. “I might scare them.”

“Scare them? More than they already are?”

“You're not wrong about that." He sighed. "Fine, I guess. If they run out screaming, it’s not my fault.” Of all things he had to be today, he didn’t expect “motivational speaker”. Oh well.

Alexander spoke to some of Kastellanos’s students. While their voices trembled, they remained steadfast. Just like him, no matter their experience or lack thereof, they were Slayers through and through.

While Professor Kastellanos thought of Alexander positively, not everyone shared the same feelings. Through the crowd, he picked out Professor Saad especially, of C1. An Egyptian Slayer. He always disapproved of him for some odd reason, but it seemed current events drove a wedge further between them. It didn’t matter though; Saad was professional enough to put aside personal feelings. However, the same courtesy did not extend to the Comets. Professor Saad lost five of his students. Four dead.

He saw Chunhua with Kaiya, both speaking to their professor, Professor Baek Hei-ran. Though, she disliked such formalities and preferred using “Professor Hei” instead. She was a Korean woman, slender-bodied yet fierce-looking, appearing twenty while, well, Alexander didn’t know and didn’t want to guess. Had light blue hair and bright eyes, which matched well given her specialization as a water manipulator. Manipulation was an offshoot of the conjuration system, manipulating what was present rather than conjuring it.

Alexander approached them. They were looking at Class A2 where Deon and Victor were talking to the rest of their classmates. He joined the women’s conversation, “I heard Deon made amends with his class. Seems like everything’s looking up for us.”

Chunhua nodded, pleased to see Alexander here. “He has. It is a surprise to see him mature so quickly. It makes me wonder. Professor Hei was talking about it too recently.”

Professor Hei hummed, twirling a lock of hair around her finger. “It’s been a mystery actually. I thought Katsuro knocked some sense into that boy but he said he wasn’t the culprit. Was it you, Alexander?”

Alexander shook his head. “Nah nah, you over-inflate my importance too much, Professor. I hardly know Deon; anything I say wouldn’t do a thing to that thick skull. No offense to him of course.”

“Well, whoever it is, we need to thank them. A2 needs that unity; it’ll give a morale boost knowing everyone’s together. That’s all we need, I think: morale,” she said.

“At least your class is doing well. Well as, you know…” Alexander shrugged. “...As a natural disaster, almost. Sort of. Not really. You know what I mean though.”

“I have amazing students.” Professor Hei gave a maternal smile to Chunhua and Kaiya. Briefly, Alexander saw a little bit of Mom in her.

“...I know. One of them saved my sister.” Alexander turned to Kaiya. “How brain-damaged are you now?”

She laughed. “Nothing too bad. I’ve been like this for a while. Chunhua says my brain’s ‘wired differently’ but I know her. She’s calling me 'stupid'.”

“I do not,” Chunhua countered with a frown. “Do not tease me. Especially not now—”

“Aw come on—”

They bantered like that for a while, leaving their professor giggling throughout their exchange. Alexander took this as his sign to leave, although he made sure to pay his respects to Professor Hei before doing so. He thought to bother A2 next but they were busy listening to a story as loudly told by Professor Ichiken.

Alexander didn’t want to bother them. They could suffer by themselves.

He thought about heading towards Team Luster left, who was off on the far wall talking with Alba, his team. Alexander thought the sight was wholesome in a way. In a sweet, yet depressing way.

Suddenly however, he saw a flicker of long raven hair, and heard the ceasing silence that came with it, a show of respect for the Slayer before everyone. Table legs screeched, and with one fluttering motion, the man stood on a feeble plastic table, the platform bending from his weight. It made for a poor stage, yet with him standing on top, it was as glorious as his guild’s name.

Without a command needed, all said not another word and turned.

“Well, here we are,” Archknell began with quiet words. “I hope you've rested, I hope you've eaten and had cold water, and despite it all, find some happiness during these times. Because now is the time where you will face battle once again. But as many of you have suspected, we have deceived you. You know of the engineers who left to Pillar Dawns, on Seraph’s orders?

“That was a lie that only myself, Sage, and Problem knew the truth of.” Archknell glanced at Alexander before turning to the crowd. “They were not supporting the efforts in Pillar Dawns but rather they were aiding the construction of a superweapon, one that you may already know of. A weapon that can and will destroy the Comets absolutely. I cannot tell you the specifics for obvious reasons, and as you may murmur to yourself, why tell you this knowing Pereyra is watching?

“Because this is a message. To Pereyra. It doesn't matter that you know. We're certain that we will destroy you so completely that your ashes will rain on Ordo for weeks to come. I know how you Comets cherish your pride so consider this as a challenge, from myself, a representative of humanity, and you, whatever the hell you came from. Right after I finish my speech, I'll leave. Because the arena is prepared already.

"For you, my warriors, you'll recognize the location. It's the very same place you fought the Tormented Flesh; you might've even heard that thousands of troops are mobilizing there as we speak. That is correct. We've established a battle formation, one that Sage will explain through a [Private Channel]. I will leave first, to fetch something from the departed engineers, while you... Well, while you have to make an important decision.

"We are not forcing you to participate. This is entirely your decision. If you do, then you'll be escorted to the site with the 5th Battalion, 6th Infantry Division. Otherwise, you'll stay here. Do you understand?”

Shocked mutters cascaded over the juniors. They glanced at one another, uncertain. This was bolder than they must've anticipated. Challenging the Comets themselves? Two of them? It wouldn’t be like the Tormented Flesh, where numbers were the overwhelming fear. It’d be the power that the Sungrazers posed, where one had destroyed Pillar Vepser.

Archknell seemed to acknowledge this doubt and nodded. “I understand your reservations but this is the best we could do given the time and resources. Regardless, even with perfect preparation, I'll present you the same choice then as I am now. While you are Slayers, you are also our children. Seraph personally said this to me, and she won't fault you for your decision. Don't think of this as cowardice. Normalcy has been destroyed for you, and the grief can be too much.

“I'll admit: even with our current forces, we may be outnumbered, we may be overwhelmed, we are facing a greater power than we can imagine. With your help, it may tip the scales to our side. Or maybe it won't, but that's our burden to bear: the high-rankers of Ordo. That is what your professors have chosen: to risk their lives to protect Ordo, protect you. Whatever you decide, stay or leave, please write. I say that to everyone regardless of who they are. Write to your loved ones, whether they're alive, or missing…”

Alexander heard sniffles beside him. He lowered his head.

“...Or have passed. Write. Write about how much you love them, how you cherish your life up until now. Remember the taste of your favorite meals, your favorite drinks, what movies and shows you love—your greatest memories!—and leave them, here, in these letters. You can write as much as you can, just as long as you engrave your being into words and allow them to become history. I'll have a box where you can put them in, and it'll be kept safe until the disaster is over. Before they go inside, kiss it and pray for the best. Even if you're an atheist! Do it anyway because someone will read them.

“Because... Because I cannot guarantee your lives if you choose to fight. Some of you will die here. I'll assure you this though: from the moment you follow me, you are, absolutely, one of the greatest Slayers to walk this earth. It's all because of a single, hideous word: sacrifice. It’s not a pretty thing, don’t think that. It’s not glamorous. It’s not an ideal or a concept you ought to strive for. It’s an ugly, soul-tearing act. When you give up your life, you've dealt the most horrible pain in every person you've touched. A permanent, gaping hole that cannot possibly be healed. So if you come knowing that, then yes, you're heroes as great as Primordial.

"Because this world is worth dying for.

“To those who had already made up their minds, I can't say ‘thank you’ because I wish this never happened. But since we're here anyway, know this: the enemy is nothing more but a false star. They're arrogant, twisted psychopaths who can only derive pleasure from our suffering! Just like any other monster you've fought and encountered! By midnight, they'll be another trophy on the wall! Tell yourself why! Tell yourself the reason why you fight. Why did you become a Slayer in the first place?

"Everything you've experienced, lost, let those emotions empower you!

“Once you leave Ordo University, there should only be one word in your mind: slay! You will no longer be humans but immortal warriors! That's your choice, Slayers of Ordo University. Non ducor, duco. 'I am not led, I lead.'

“After I leave, give your answer to your professor. Before that though. I’m not a religious man myself—Seraph will be incredibly disappointed with me—but I believe this is as good time as any to pray. No matter what god you have, I’m certain all of them are listening. Let’s lower our heads, and have a moment to ourselves. The Comets cannot take this from us.”

Everyone did. They prayed with the thoughts of their family and friends in their minds. Of those who were lost, of those who were missing, of those still living, here, during this tumultuous time. No one was alone.

Alexander wasn’t a religious man either, but he thought that God existed although the multiverse seemed to imply otherwise. There had to be Someone Out There, Listening. Because if They were listening, then it made things a little more bearable. He thought back to his parents, how much he loved them. He thought about Althea, how much he loved her. And Uncle Ali, and he loved him.

The same love hit the people around him. He heard men and women sobbing, some praying, hands clenched together as tightly as their will to live, some were even muttering: they wanted to go home, to see their mothers and fathers, girlfriends and boyfriends, dogs even, anything that mattered the most to them at this current moment.

He thought about Sage, knowing that she must’ve been praying too, only able to watch as Operation Scorcher proceeded. And Seraph, knowing that she had agreed to allowing the junior Slayers to participate. Archknell too, being here with them.

He thought about Vernon and Damien, Mark too. Most of all, Alexander wished he was at home, washing dishes with Leona. Flirted with her a little bit, teased her, and maybe had he the courage…

Alexander wiped his eyes, doing his best to stop his shaking arms. Most of all, he wanted to hear Mom’s and Dad’s voices again; he felt like a kid praying for it, but this was the time to be a little childish.

He wasn’t a religious man, or a superstitious man, but if he had to choose someone to hear him, it'd be them. It’d be them, always.

***

Leona:

Can we talk outside of Field Beta?

For a short while?

Alexander:

of course

Archknell left as he said. Everyone was writing and contemplating their decision. Alexander left waited for Leona outside of Field Beta, and she came out eagerly. The night seemed to shine on her no matter if it was dusk or dawn, she looked beautiful no matter the hour, all day.

Alexander smiled; his eyes felt puffy but he didn’t care. “Hey.”

“Hey,” she replied, gesturing with her head to go around the side. Alexander nodded, and they walked together. “So it’s been a full twenty-four hours.”

“Mhm.” That was shocking to hear. Couldn’t get his head wrapped around it. “Seems like all of us are coming along."

Althea, Vernon, and Damien had made their decisions from the beginning. Although Mark had spoken with Vernon after his conversation with Alexander, Vernon wasn't persuaded, remaining absolute in his choice to participate in the battle. And Mark couldn't do anything but respect his younger brother's decision—Alexander wished he was more supportive.

And of course, Leona made hers. "Mhm." She hugged herself as they went along. “Archknell didn’t mince words. It might sound obvious but I really prefer living. I don’t want to die. What about you, our handsome and courageous leader? Are you ready?”

“Of course not. I’m not. But…” Alexander rubbed his mouth, wiping away the crust built up. “...But I’d do anything for you guys. Even if it means, well you know, giving up my life. I know what Archknell said and I can’t disagree with him—if anything he's completely right. But I will. I will do that”

Leona’s face contorted with that future in mind, where he’d break his promise, and every emotion of grief came through her in just a second. “Don’t say that. Don't ever say that, unless you really want to make me cry."

“Then don't make me cry either, alright?” They had nothing to say afterwards, only listening to the conversations and the action. Ordo University was the busiest it had ever been: the Army, the Slayers, altogether for this moment.

After a minute, Alexander followed up, “Don’t you want to write? I think I will. To Mom and Dad.”

“I will. After this.” Leona stepped closer to him, pressing her shoulder against his. But she was uncertain, grazing his fingers with her own, touching yet strangely avoidant. “Right now though, I wanted a few minutes with you. Alone. I knew it all along, you know. Me and Althea did, Damien too. Except for Vernon; he was clueless.”

“Know what? That you wanted some alone time with me?” Alexander wasn’t sure if he should commit either.

Leona shook her head. “No, about Archknell. The deception. You knew all along, didn’t you? You knew the entire plan from the beginning.”

“Heh." He awkwardly scratched his cheek. "Something like that. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you anything—”

"Hey, I trust you, remember? Pereyra's out there, listening and watching, so I understand. Sometimes, you need to lie and hide a few things.” Leona beamed understandingly. She was always like that, wasn’t she? like Uncle Ali: understanding. More understanding than he deserved, at times like these especially, like yesterday, like everyday before that.

He stared at her in disbelief; a part of him knew Leona wasn't unreasonable, but another had expected the worst: where he would be admonished for blatantly deceiving her, for lying. No other person saw him so closely through microscope or telescope, seeing him as much as he wanted, in ways he wished for and abhorred.

She caught his gazing mid-way. In the backdrop of the infinitely false night a redness came over her cheeks, teasingly tilted her head sideways, just enough, to silently respond through looks alone.

Alexander pressed his lips together and challenged. “Is something wrong?”

“Is there?” she responded, her words sounding calculated but her tone coy. “What were you thinking about?”

He thought about why they were standing here, ready to ride into their speedy demise honestly, but that was not a good answer. “Well, I’m thinking about dinner. It sucked. I’m thinking about my current fashion choices." Alexander gestured to his [Full Combat Bodysuit]. "It sucks. I’m thinking about tonight where I’m going to fight literal cosmic horrors apparently. That will suck. And, well…” He hesitated, but continued, “...I’m thinking about all the little disasters that led to today.”

“I am too honestly.” Leona laughed to herself, looked at the ground idly. “I didn’t expect to be so close with my project partner for Statistics. The famous and gorgeous Alexander Shen, son to a pretty famous boxer, and the survivor of the worst outbreak to date since, well, today. And I heard both wonderful and terrible things about you: diligent worker, wickedly clever despite all his muscles, but he was a sarcastic, mean-spirited asshole."

"So a stereotypical American? Just take the intelligence out of the occasion?"

"Yeah, exactly. A stereotypical American. To my horror, you were just as sarcastic and awful as the rumors said. I couldn't stand a pig-headed bastard like you." She playfully bumped her shoulder into his.

Alexander exhaled, louder than a sigh. "Likewise. I'm surrounded by rich kids of reputable Slayers all the fucking time, you wouldn't believe. Damien kept nagging me back then, so I figured you were the same as the rest of them: arrogant, always spitting down. Worst of all, stubborn."

They had countless petty arguments about their project, each too deeply enshrined in their own methodology to budge a single inch. Somehow, they managed to get a good grade.

"So you thought I was a bitch?" concluded Leona cheekily.

"Yeah, exactly."

"Blunt as always."

They stopped when they reached a small resting area, where a few benches were against the wall, bolted to the ground. Leona stepped away from Alexander, pressing her fingers against the bricks of Field Beta. Because names had been carved there. That was tradition in the Department of Systemic Works, specifically for the Combative Program. At the end of their program, the students would carve both their real names and Slayer identities into the bricks. Some went to the very top as though bragging.

"If we were Slayers," Leona thought out loud, rubbing her fingers against a name with Chinese characters: Gong Delun, if Alexander read correctly. "then we would've taken over the world together."

Alexander opened his mouth to speak, paused, then said not a word.

"This is the part where you mention your Growth Potential, Alexander. That you're just a lowly D5 or whatever it was, so you devalue yourself—I always hated that." She turned and stared at him; he felt like he was put on trial. "Or did you finally find out why Seraph and Sage wanted to see you? So you can't use that excuse in good conscious anymore?"

"Did you know?" he asked.

Leona tilted her head side-to-side. "No, but I've suspected it. For a long time, actually. It made no logical sense. There are studies published that correlated general intelligence to Growth Potential, or whatever metric of intelligence that you use. Alex, you are so, so smart. It didn't make sense for you to be at D5 at most."

"D6, actually."

"Oh, be quiet. Maybe you thought something was off too but you ignored it, I don't know." She threw her arms up, exasperated. "But ever since I saw the real you, the Alexander who would cook delicious meals, who would drop everything if one of his friends needed help, I knew you were special.

"This merely confirms what I thought from the beginning, that you are a candidate for a Second Emergence."

Alexander had a strained chuckle, raising his hands as though he was the phantom thief finally caught by the dashing detective. "Yeah, you got it. Look Leo, I... I don't care, okay?"

"But I care—"

"I never wanted to be a Slayer. All I wanted was... Fuck, I don't know! I picked up item trading because I liked seeing the numbers go up; I thought doing something like that would be pretty fun. I was more occupied with Althea and sending her to college, making sure she was ready and prepared and knew what she was doing, and if she didn't I was going to help her. I was going to help her! And, fuck, and I couldn't even help myself with my own life. I..."

"Alex," said Leona loudly for him to hear, "can I tell you the truth?"

He didn't respond.

"I... I always wanted to be a Slayer, to go down the same path as my parents had. I like the life I have now, I love it, but it wouldn't give me the same satisfaction as the life I wanted the most. Really, I've only decided otherwise because that was what my mother and father wanted for me: to not die an early death like they had. I hope it doesn't change the way you think about me."

Alexander laughed from the absurdity of it. "Why would I care about that? If I've known about it from the get-go, I'd encourage you to do it if you really wanted to. It's your life."

"Just like when you encouraged me to leave Ordo? To chase whatever superficial aspirations I wanted?"

He was silent for a few moments. "...I thought that's what you were going for. You're smart, Leo. You could start a company, make a name for yourself, even become one of those untouchable families in Korea. You shouldn't tie yourself to me, who doesn't know what he wants out of life. A guy who might be too fucked-up to even start one."

"I hate when you say anything like that, I told you!" Leona raised her voice. "Did you know what I thought when you said that? I thought that, maybe, you didn't see us the way I had. That all that time we spent together meant nothing to you."

Alexander choked on his own spit, clearing his throat. "I didn't mean that—"

"Well, what did you mean?"

"I..." He couldn't find the words and hung his head, chest beating from humiliation.

Until someone had taken him by the hands, pressing their head against his. They were warm.

"What do you want the most?" Leona softly asked him. "What future do you want for yourself?"

"I don't know. I'm fucking clueless."

"What's the first thing that comes to mind?"

"I don't know, Leo. I just..." The thought came to him. "It's stupid. It's silly."

"Alexander—"

"I want to live a normal, boring life. I've tasted excitement and I hated it. It killed my parents, left me in pieces. I did horrible things. I've killed people, I beat a man to death and don't regret a thing, I told my uncle to kill himself when he was nothing but patient with me. Someone like me doesn't deserve all this special attention: from the Guild Masters, from everyone. I'm some fucking hero while I never asked to be one.

"But I don't know, Leo, most of all... Most of all, I want to protect everybody. Ultimately, I... I think I don't care what life I have. As long as I can do that, I'll be happy, probably. Just something where I can devote my time and energy into you, into everybody. That's what I want but I'm not the best person for it."

Leona tugged his hands closer to her. "Why not? You're the best man I know."

"I've hurt everyone I loved at some point. Said and did things I can't take back." Alexander shut his eyes. "Who knows. Maybe I'll fuck up again and hurt you too." And you'll hate me. I don't know if I can handle that. Ain't that a bitch?

"Sweetheart—"

"I... I don't believe in good people, Leo. I'm one step away from becoming a psychopath. The only thing I can do is, shit, try to be a better person than yesterday's me, reminding myself that I could be so much worse. A lot of the times, I fail. I shit the bed so badly that I wonder if I really had changed at all."

"That makes two of us." Leona giggled, surprisingly lightly despite the situation. "I worry a lot, Alex. I get in my own head too many times. Sometimes I'm afraid of bothering you too much, or going too far with my teasing. And you'll end up hating me or Thea, and I don't know if I can handle that."

Alexander exhaled, the pressure easing from his chest.

"Honey, we're two dramatic people. It's never as bad as we imagine and we forget that all the time! I know today's awful, and it's a breeding ground for negativity but we're a team, okay?"

"Okay." He nodded, then smiled. "Okay."

Leona's cheeks went red. "I'm in love with you, do you know that? For a little while now, actually."

"I know," he responded with the same warmth, "you have a funny idea about romance."

"Hush." Leona leaned in, closer.

For just a moment, the two had forgotten everything about the outside world. All of the pain, all of the deaths, the tears. The moment was golden, allowing them a reprieve from the chaos and their toils, and found peace beyond warfare. Underneath the cosmos, the false night that the Sungrazers had created for them, below the fake, chemically-crafted stars, their lips met.

They were not the cleanest or the prettiest, nor dressed properly for any sort of romantic dealings, especially standing in a place so worn and dreary. But it was a place that had the other, as seen in galaxies where suns spun planets around and planets twirled around suns, so they were together.

In gravity.

Of the Department of Systemic Works, all had volunteered.

Onwards then, to the first turning point of the Ordo Disaster.