Tales From The Kronos

"This vermin can't listen to basic orders..."

Silv stood up from the couch she was sitting on, waiting for Emel's return. Once she realized the Kronos's team caught her, she walked around the room, thinking of a solution.

"It's annoying, I guess I'll need to go save her now. I don't have much time though, I need to get her before they finish with Kairo..."

With Silva's former watch, Silv prepared herself to save her friend from the trouble she got into.

"She's not my friend..."

Sepide and Silva made their way to the higher parts of the buildings. They could feel they were close, the roof only a few floors above them. They found a calm place and called the ship, waiting for Emely's voice to answer.

*You managed to make your way to the offices. That's where it gets complex, only a few select persons can get the last grade of access cards, the VIP grade. There is sadly no one available so... The only way to get the card will be to ask the CEO himself for it.*

"Is it even possible?" Asked Sepide "How can we reach him?"

*It's not going to be easy but he is out of his office right now. He's apparently on the same floor as you are, you just need to find him. The problem is convincing him now...*

"Don't worry, we'll deal with this! What does he look like?"

*I know you can Silva! You'll recognize him, he's in a black suit, always a cigar in his mouth. His name is Orion Aspro. Neige just arrived, he'll come join you as soon as possible.*

"Alright, let's get this card."

Silva cut the call and immediately went toward the worker's offices with Sepide, determined to find this man and get to Kairo.

The two friends managed to make their way around without being suspected of anything. They imagined more people would ask what they were doing here but everyone seemed focused on their work, barely reacting to anything else. Silva tried asking some people for directions but didn't get any answer, they all ignored her and treated her like a nuisance. After a few minutes of asking around, a man came toward them and called them with an authoritative voice.

"Hey you two, why aren't you working?"

He had a cigar in his hand along with a fancy black uniform. His imposing figure was towering over the two friends who stayed silent for a short moment at the man's words. Silva took a deep breath and prepared herself for the conversation to come.

"Are you the CEO, Onion Aspro?"

"Orion Aspro, do you even work here? Everyone should know my name."

The man looked clearly annoyed at Silva's behavior, he was already ready to leave but was stopped by Sepide before he could.

"Sir, we would like to access the roof please, can you let us get there?"

"The roof? What's happening there? You're the fourth person to ask today, I'm not going to let you. You should go back to work now, I have no use for inefficient workers."

"Fourth?" Asked Silva "Who else asked?"

"Does it really matter?" The man looked at Silva and suddenly took a step back in horror. He instantly went on his knees and prayed to her, surprising the two friends "Lady Silv! I didn't recognize you. I thought you were over with your business there! I'll guide you to the roof!"

"Thanks, finally the respect I deserve!" Silva took a satisfied smile while the man gave him a card.

"Take my card, you can give it to me later."

"Wait, why are you submitting to her?" Asked Sepide with curiosity.

"You can't understand, she's a better person than most people here."

"Better?" Sepide seemed unconvinced by the man's words, who visibly lost patience.

"It doesn't matter, you got what you need."

"Wait, explain to her." Silva said with a fakely offended tone "I won't let you treat my assistant like that."

"Yes, Lady Silv! Right away!"

"So that's how Silv feels, it's not that bad." Silva muttered to herself with a chuckle.

"Lady Silv has ties with important political figures, she's a highly important person. Furthermore..." The man looked at Silva with fear in his eyes. It was brief but long enough for Sepide to notice "If she says something, you listen to her. Her influence reaches far beyond anything we can imagine."

"So she's basically controlling this world."

"You could say that, yes. She must have worked hard to get where she is now and I respect her for that. I wish my son could be the same as her..."

"Kairo?" Asked Silva.

"Right, I forgot you know each other. He's obviously far from your level. If only he tried doing something with his life..."

"But... Kairo always tried his best. Sure he may be a bit harsh on him sometimes and make mistakes, but it's because he wants to..." Silva paused for a moment and put her hand on her chest, grabbing the fabric of her clothes "... Be useful..."

"Well, he's not. For me, he's nothing more than a disappointment. I thought he'd take over the company when he's ready but he's not even enough to be part of my family."

"Apologize to him."

The man was surprised by Silva's cold words. He couldn't figure out whether she was serious or not.

"Lady Silv, are you kidding? You said that he-"

"I changed my mind, apologize."

The man felt insulted and let out a frustrated sigh before answering.

"I apologize, Lady Silv."

"Apologize to Kairo."

"I... Apologize to Kairo..."

"Good boy. If you knew how bad you made him feel all these years, even after leaving you, he still blamed himself for not being enough. If I could, I'd send you to hell."

Silva took her friend's hand and left the terrified man alone, heading toward the roof.

The door to the roof was right there, waiting to be opened. The two friends decided to wait for Neige to arrive. Sepide took this opportunity to ask Silva about what happened earlier.

"Did you... Really mean what you said earlier? You looked furious."

"Yeah, he reminded me of my parents... I didn't know Kairo was going through that, he said he was just a worthless guy without a job so I assumed he didn't want to talk about it."

The area stayed silent. Seeing the stress her friend was living, Sepide stood next to her and tried to comfort her.

"Are you alright Silva? Neige and I can deal with him if you want."

"No... I need to. Even if I empathize with him and that we have been friends for years... I can't forgive him for the path he took. I'll stop him and put an end to the weak me of before."

The sound of someone approaching cut their conversation short. They were relieved to see their friend Neige finally here.

"Everything is alright? You have the card?"

Silva proudly showed the access card of the CEO, bringing a smile to her friend.

"Great, let's go then. It's time to get it over with."

Neige took the card and swiped it on the door toward the roof. His hand was placed on the handle of the door, gripping it forcefully. He already knew how this would end, Kairo was too far gone and wouldn't join them again. The man's eyes closed themselves as Neige was trying to regulate his respiration. The gentle touch of Sepide on his back got him out of his thoughts, realizing that his friends were waiting for him.

"Neige... Are you alright?"

Staring at the handle, Neige couldn't think of an answer. He silently pushed the door to the roof and the three friends put foot outside. The rain was strong, with Kairo standing there, looking at the moon. With his firearm already in hand, he turned toward the group with a heavy heart and spoke through the sound of the rain.

"Do you remember this night Neige?"

"How could I forget?" Neige softly spoke, holding the handle of his dagger.

"Four years ago... Before, four years were nothing. A week would pass, and without knowing how, a year of my life passed in front of my eyes... But somehow, those four years felt like a lifetime. I felt like I had friends, a family, a goal."

"What happened Kairo? Why did you give up on all of that?"

Kairo harshly looked at Neige, a sharp pain resting in his eyes.

"Because it's all a lie. A story carefully crafted by a creator, is it a life worth living?"

Silva stepped forward with caution, the rain hindering her senses.

"Fudge this creator! We'll live our own lives, we're not going to submit to this being!"

A soft smile appeared on Kairo's face. The rain mixed with the tears on his face as he struggled to even speak.

"I'm not as strong as you... I wish I was."