The Power of Words

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14th July, 2093, 5PM!

*Director and founder of the scientific institution: Robert Graham*

Levon is currently standing in front of the door leading to his father's personal room. He knows he's inside because he made sure to track his movements today, and he is aware that he's being watched by Robert on the digital screen. Now, he's just standing until he lets him in.

After about 10 seconds, he does!

The door automatically opens, Levon slowly gets inside as the door closes itself.

Wiithout honoring him with the simplest of glances, the boss asks. "What is it?".

The latter does not reply, he stood right in front of the desk inside of this empty room. Only after 5 seconds, Robert decides to look up in Levon's direction, right into his eyes…

'…Those eyes! I already know what they mean… So you've decided!

Things went the way he liked them then, that bastard.'

It is ambiguous who Robert is referring to in his mind, but what is so clear, is Levon's will manifesting itself through the light shining from his eyes!

Levon breaks his silence. "I came to tell you that I'll leave the institution for some time."

Robert shuts off all devices with a simple click on thin air, crosses his fingers on top of the table.

"For some time?". He says in a sarcastic manner.

"Yes. For some time.". Levon replies firmly! He seems as composed as ever, not looking right and left, no inner monologues!

Robert. "Do you think someone like you can just quit his job whenever he likes?"

Levon. "I don't, I am not quitting either. But I have found a job even more important than mine."

Robert, upon hearing this last sentence had one of his nerves touched. As a man who lived and almost died by his work ethic and dedication, and to someone like Levon who he himself picked as a successor. This is such an insult!

He gets his crossed hands near his face, and fixes his eyes at one point in the void.

"A job more important than yours…

A job more important than saving humanity and rebirthing life on Earth?

Well then, how about you tell me about it. I may myself quit mine then.". His tone got fierce even though his voice remained the same.

Now the real challenge began for Levon.

"…You already know that The Eraquest is the same item that was left and created by Doctor X! And we're only 3days away from the opening day. I've been thinking since the moment I knew about it. At first, I had no intention except to know the story behind it. But after gathering information from different sources. I came to the realization that participating will be my only choice!"

Robert sarcastically grins. "Hmm… So you've talked to him, Axel I mean… He's the first to sponsor and push for this event. What did he tell you?"

Levon. "…Why would that matter? I already took my decision."

"…I said, what did he tell you?". The boss inserts his dominance! And even if Levon is extremely composed today, he can't beat his old man in that.

For the first time in this conversation, he looked sideways before answering.

"…He invited me personally, after he gave me information about the game. Information that caught my interest much more than any of the things I do here."

Suddenly, Levon raises his voice a little bit.

"Don't you know?! You've lived everything… You know this thing has a much better chance of saving humans! Assuming we can create the Sassosphere, it will take hundreds…No! Thousands of years for all the toxic substances to fully disappear. We have no insurance of what the results will be!? Or how will we react to the existence of this new sphere." The young man began his trial to convince his father through reasoning, however he didn't know that by doing so. He's insulting what he worked for even more.

Robert still keeps his calm. Though his expression got even more serious and intimidating.

"..And what insurance you have that this game is even the same one Doctor X left?" He asks.

Not letting the chance for Levon to reply, he continues. "Or that it can do the things Axel told you?

Or…that it even has any relation with what happened 30years ago?".

An awkward silence took place! Question after another, Levon felt like a defenseless warrior having bunch of arrows coming on his ways.

Only now, his eyes lost their light. He looked quite shocked.

"…I understand that it's such an intriguing thing. In fact, what Axel told you is probably right. Though it wasn't my field, I had enough understanding to realize it. That thing, was far beyond humans' comprehension. It may truly be a way to save the world like he claims.

But, I rather face reality as oppose to live a dream."

Robert abruptly stands up, puts one of his special cigarettes in his mouth, then looks sideways to the city of Babel, to the depressing dark horizon that appears from the transparent wall.

"…I chose you as my successor, when I realized that you cannot be swayed by others. You had too much intelligence that you grew separate from everyone. That is the kind of man that can lead the world one day to stand on its own.

What I failed to realize at the end is that, by supporting that same behavior…you started searching for something even above that."

Robert starts heading towards the door, before he gets out he stops and says." If you care for what I think, don't participate in the game. It is far more dangerous than it's portrayed to be. But if you decided to go, make sure you come to the house one last time before…There are things you should know."

Not waiting for a reply, he leaves the room.

Levon stood obliviously, most of the confidence and resolve he gathered for this important moment had failed him against Robert…

Such is this, the power of words.