24/XXIV. Who Am I? (Remastered)

“Know? I keep up with current events unlike your other children.” Arthur’s stern voice kept Edward calm amidst the confusion.

He sighed, resigning to whatever Arthur seeks in return.

“Is there anything you would want in return for solving this for me?” He desperately asked, knowing that the favour may be tantamount to the returned one.

Edward already gauged Arthur’s tone of voice. The child didn’t want to get involved in the first place, but there was something that compelled him to solve that puzzle.

I’ll make sure to check that website set-up by the Secret Intelligence Service.

“I want in.” Arthur’s words kept ringing in Edward’s ear. In, in, in…

“What do you mean in?” He reverberated. His annoyance clearly can be heard from that response.

He slammed the teacup he’s holding, and the cracks from that violent reaction trashed outwards to the air. He sprang up from his seat, and questioned the young lad.

“Exactly as I asked, I want in IN the Interpol. Put me wherever, I just want in.” Arthur looked straight in his father’s eyes.

They’re both unmoving, protesting their wants to the other, yet backing down by the threats the other held.

Edward knew he’d be the one to flip first, he’s the one asking for help here, he had no power over the bargain, in the first place, there’s no point in arguing.

He sighed, and closed his eyes, softly laid his body down to his swivelling chair, and resigned.

“I’ll… I’ll do what I can.” He can only sighed in resignation. He put his palms on his forehead and scratched his temples as he tried to figure out Arthur’s intentions.

“Then… before I go with you there, I just want to ask something.” He knew his son too much.

“You want to know who answered the puzzle?” The child asked as he knew his father too much as well.

“You did, did you?” His face showed no surprise, no hesitation.

Edward squinted at him, gripped tightly the chair he’s in, and gritted his teeth at the child.

“Haven’t I told you not to get involved unnecessarily?”

SFX: BAM! He slammed his fist on the table as he held back his anger at Arthur.

“And haven’t I told you that I will do what I think what’s right using my talents?” He answered honestly and quickly. It wouldn’t do anything if his father doubts him any longer.

Edward only sighed and as Arthur felt that his father was concerned and worried, “Don’t worry, father, I will not reveal myself carelessly this time. I have used another device in answering that puzzle.” Arthur’s answer left Edward in shock. He wanted to retort to that, but he can only smile bitterly.

He didn’t want to chastise the child any longer since it was a good thing that the first puzzle was solved and lives were saved.

“Good. Thank you.” He felt relieved. For the first time, Arthur’s involvement didn’t scare him at all. “We’ll go there this weekend.”

“Yes, father.”

-------------------- // --------------------

Weekend was around the corner.

“The commissioners in the MI-7 brought their own candidates to solve the rest of the puzzle. I know you won’t disappoint me.” Edward came in too strong at breakfast in the dining room.

The deafening silence from Arthur and the heavy scratches on the plate as they eat became too unbearable for Johnny.

“Dad, do you really need Arthur there?” Johnny tried to appear at least ignorant of the agreement between the two.

Johnny realized that even Arthur keep secrets from him from time to time. He didn’t know exactly how his father can get Arthur in the Interpol, but he was there at breakfast when Arthur demanded his bargain for the help he’s giving in solving this puzzle.

“I need his expertise.” Edward kept the conversation short. He didn’t want to discuss work details at home, especially with his kids.

“I’ll come straight home after Dad’s business. I promise. Keep Irene company.” Another order from Arthur, Johnny appeared uninterested, but nevertheless responded with “Sure.”

-------------------- // --------------------

Not long after, the two were driving away in a cab to the MI-7 center, located underground in the heart of London.

“Why do you want to get in IN the Interpol?” Edward broke his silence in the most awkward way, but nevertheless, Arthur obliged in answering his father’s curiosity.

He realized that keeping his father in the dark with this has more repercussions than benefits. He wanted to reveal his intentions, but not the whole plan.

“I…” He organized his thoughts, he doesn’t want to be so much revealing to his own father, but he didn’t want to lie to him or anyone else in that matter. “I want to be closer to the truth.” He continued, sheepishly hinting something else hidden under those statements.

It’s true. He wanted to know the truth behind the mission that was given to his father. He wanted to give his best in carrying that burden in the shadows.

“What truth?” Edward didn’t stop there, he knew Arthur won’t lie, he won’t reveal his plans readily either.

He wanted to choose his words, Arthur wanted his father not to worry about his plans, but at the same time, he didn’t want to reveal much to him.

“Your truth.” But Arthur’s answer seemed to have stopped him in his tracks.

Edward halted in his queries, he knew it would be pointless here on out.

The two silently continued the drive as they enter a dark tunnel and from beyond the lights it emerged – the National Historical Museum.

Slowly and surely, Edward wanted to know what’s in Arthur’s mind. Not only because he knew his child was a genius prodigy, but because of what he saw that day in the hospital, back when Jackson’s mother was still alive.

Arthur knew his father already had an inkling of his true spiritual nature. He can hear his thoughts, his desires, but he doesn’t want to voice them out yet.

The child only can wait on his father.

-------------------- // --------------------

“You seemed unsurprised.” Edward noted Arthur’s unmoving and uncaring behavior, it’s as if everything was going as he planned.

The two entered the Art section of the National Historical Museum. They walked past many beautiful painting pieces before coming across an empty room that only has the cleaning supplies and a door shaft.

“Is it too obvious?” He’s trying so hard to maintain his poker face.

“Too much, knowing you… you’ve planned everything, right?” Edward creepily interrogated his own son.

Arthur smirked at his own father, knowing Edward, he already deduced that Arthur planned everything ever since the solving of the first puzzle.

The door shaft contained an elevator inside.

The two descended in an elevator located in one of the hidden rooms in the National Historical Museum.

The floor comprised of a specialized elevator buttons that will only show through a thumb scan, and Edward selected the lowest floor – Floor 7.

Arthur only smiled, grinned, to be exact, as if mocking his father for only knowing his strategy on the way to the Intelligence Agency.

“And here, I thought that you were the intelligence agent.” He grinned, cackled a little, and then creepily went back to having the poker face.

Arthur wanted to aggravate Edward further so that he would be much distracted by his emotions rather than having his eyes focused on his own son.

“Let me just ask… what part of this plan is yours?” He continued to push Arthur’s buttons.

Edward was trying his best as well to irritate his son.

He waited intently for his reply, he was just trying to frustrate Arthur, but he earnestly wanted to know how long he’s been under his thumb.

“From the answer beyond…” He stopped, he acted as if he wanted to be known as evil, but his intentions were far greater than reputation.

“I was just waiting for a villain to show up.” Arthur continued.

His words shook Edward that much. He gulped from hearing Arthur’s answers, his face turned pale for a minute, as he tried to calmly compose himself.

A master strategist, what a terrifying opponent!

“I guess, it’s good that you are on our side.” His shaking manifested in his tone, the pings on every floor swallowed the silence after his statement.

Arthur didn’t rebut immediately, and this worried Edward as he knew that there was a power within his son that can be tapped any time that can destroy the whole planet.

“But until when?” His next question rattled Arthur, he knew he would be against the humans in the day of Reckoning – Judgment Day.

He’s already seen it all. No, rather, he guided Apostle John in writing the Revelations – the day of Judgment and the signs of the Second Coming of God to the Earth.

Still, he wanted to assure his father of his good intentions for now – omitting the future of his angelic missions.

Edward waited, and waited, and waited, until the last floor on the elevator.

SFX: Ping!

“Until… until the agency does good for humanity- I’ll be here to help.” His sincerity and his earnestness reached his father’s heart. Arthur looked him directly in his eyes.

Edward stood surprised, he felt the wholesomeness of the conversation, that time, that place, but the ping of the last floor and opening of the door pulled him up to reality.

Arthur carefully observed the secret entrance. The darkness that enveloped the place as the elevator doors opened appeared to throw him off a little.

“Isn’t it what you expected?” Edward noticed the changes in Arthur’s expression – surprised a little by his raised eyebrow and hesitation to plunge into the darkness.

The child inhaled and peeked out of the elevator. Nothing.

“A little off, but I guess…” Arthur clenched his fists, and confidently walked from the elevator into the darkness beyond the Floor 7.

“You’ll take the risk?” Edward followed his son and as soon as the elevator closed behind them and the thinnest glimmer of light can be detected, everything was covered in nothingness.

SFX: Tap, tap, tap

SFX: Tap, tap

SFX: Tap, tap, tap

Edward tapped the morse code for S-I-S, the audio security system caught the code and as soon as he tapped the last code-

SFX: PANG, pang! PANG, pang!

The light breaker switched automatically and as it switched on, the mechanism echoed through the empty hallways, the light more blinding as it filled the room.

“Neat.” Arthur’s eyes shone in the midst of the lights, his excitement washed over the dreaded feeling he had knowing it was an underground facility or office.

He had been to the pentagon and the underground facility before as an angel, but this one with the MI-7 was on a whole new different level.

The public only knew of the MI-6 which is located near Vauxhall, but this one was different. MI-7 is thought to be a myth, and no one knew its headquarters since it operated with the Interpol with international security and intelligence affairs.

Edward led the way as he followed the lights to the reception area. His shoes’ steps echoed across the hallway and created a vacuum of sounds reverberating like the sound was produced in a cathedral with the organ pipes.

SFX: Tok, tok, tok

Arthur only smiled in amazement. It was a wonderful sight.

The room covered in snow-white paint. The light made it more illuminate amidst the darkness that it just transformed a moment ago.

Edward nonchalantly opened the door and walked in as if he owned the building.

He was received by a warm welcome by the receptionist.

“Sir Edward.” The receptionist wore a smile past her cheeks. She welcomed the father and son duo at the lobby of the humongous office.

“Miss Mayer, good morning. How are you today?” He smiled back, sweetly, something he hasn’t done to the children for many days now.

Arthur only looked at the other way, knowing his relationship with his biological father strained as days passed by.

“May I ask who this lad may be?” She sprang up from her seat, away from her computer, and approached Arthur hastily – curiously hanging around him.

Her carefree and flirty attitude made Arthur jumpy and doubtful.

“He’s my son. We’re here to solve the rest of the puzzle.” He proudly smirked at the receptionist and dragged Arthur to his side as the lady was hovering too close.

Arthur stayed quiet but he looked directly at Edward, confused by the hand-tight grip on his clothes tugging most of his shirt upwards.

“Your son? Cool! I do hope he could solve it all.” Her quick remarks became too suspicious for Arthur.

She chuckled and swayed her body towards Edward, drawing her hips closer to him. Edward stepped back, and back, against the reception desk.

“Are the commissioners and superintendents already here?” Edward diverted her attention, and quickly, she answered, “Yep!”

Her answer gave him the reason to run out of there.

“That’s great, we’ll be going now.” He dragged Arthur down the head office and the main meeting room.

“Hmmmmmm…” Arthur’s concerns alarmed Edward as well as the two of them walked along the hallways to the meeting room.

“What is it?” The child squinted his eyes, he definitely was suspicious of the receptionist, but it was along the lines of a test, not a malicious intent.

“I’ll tell you later, father.” A slight tap at his shoulder, a light smile and-

“Don’t be too stiff. Just relax.” What a tantamount advice!

“Thank you.” Always in formal and polite way of speaking, it’s as if Arthur built a wall around him.

“You’re ready?” The two stopped at the door, Edward appearing to be more nervous than a minute ago, and inhaling, and exhaling. “Yes, father.”

SFX: Tok, tok, tok

“Come in.” A raspy, deep voice can be heard at the other side of the door.

Edward gently and firmly opened both of the doors and he walked in confidently as Arthur followed.

“Who is this young man?” The chief at the end of the long table barged in with his first question as he noticed the similarity of the two.

His remarkable knife wound in his right eye, and his white irises distinguished the gentleman from the rest of the team.

“This is Nathaniel Joseph, my son.” Edward set off with the most controversial statement in the room.

“No relatives! Smith, what is the meaning of this?!” The chief of his department in Interpol was quick to react. At the other side of the table, He slammed the table with his fists, and sprang up from his seat.

Arthur carefully observed everyone from his vantage point. All of the personalities in the room were in the Interpol databases of security personnel in case of emergencies and government collapse.

“Are you really all here to safeguard the people?” The child questioned the intentions of the adult in the room.

If they’re all here to protect the people, it will not matter if there’s blood relations on the people involved in the salvation process.

“Arrogant child, you were brought here to solve a puzzle, do you really think you are that of a genius that we need your help?” One of the oldest members seated round the table leaned forward towards the light, making the shadows in his face terrifying and horrifying in some way.

Arthur was unfazed, unmoving, and uncaring of the threatening eyes in the room.

“The first puzzle was already solved. We’re now on our way to get the person who owned the device that sent the answer. We don’t need your child, Edward.” The chief stayed silent as well as one of the young board members supported the claim of the first one that retorted.

“What’s the update on that student?” The chief directed their attention to the screens on the opposite side of the room.

Spanning different cameras and views of Harvard, and the student classes, a team of undercover agents, with and without uniform were dispatched into the building to locate the student who owned the device that submitted the answer.

The IT personnel meticulously coded the site with a privacy hack that when a device accesses the website, the camera of the device will turn on without the LED light turning on and will record the person who used the website at that specific time.

Arthur took note of this when he first opened the website at home. He always has his Detection ability enabled, but at a much blurry level in normal occasions that when a recording device records his face, he would immediately know of it.

Knowing technology, he altered the code of the website, and transferred the edited code of the website to his classmate’s device and accessed the link without the privacy hack.

The website was able to register the answer to the puzzle, but not the face of the one who answered it.

Thus, agents and officers were sent directly to the school dormitories and classes to have a chat with the device owner.

Arthur did not want his face to be recorded, but he still left out the IP Address vulnerable for tracing.

“Sir, we’ve obtained permission from the Dean, we’re now approaching the room in the dorms.” One of the agent held his gun straight as he surveyed the halls of the dorm.

“208, here’s the room.”

SFX: Tok, tok, tok

Iris, Ebony R. Arthur read the name of the lady from the monitor that knocked on the door of his classmate.

“Mister Olsen, this is the Police. Get out of your room with your hands above your head.” Threatening my classmate, what a bold move!

A chubby, short guy slowly and gently opened the door to his room, shaking in fear as the guns pointing at his room became visible to his eye.

“Who are you?” Agent Iris raised her brow and curled them in confusion.

She pulled out her phone to confirm the latest photo of Mister Olsen, and this fat dude does not bear any resemblance at all.

“I’m Pete.” He gulped and sweated heavily.

They weren’t expecting such development. The agents looked at each other in confusion.

“Chief, our pic is outdated, and…”Agent Iris stalled her report as the other agents were interviewing Pete.

“What is it?” The chief wanted a direct answer.

“The guy studies art. He doesn’t know anything about technology, but we’ve told him about the time stamp of the submission on the website, and he said someone used his laptop that time for a report.” Ebony continued in reiterating what they have found out from the guy.

The chief was taken aback, he curled his brows and turned back to the young scrawny child at the back of the room.

Still holding the ear piece he asked Ebony, “Any picture of the person who borrowed the laptop on that time stamp?”

Everyone in the room stayed in silence as they waited for her reply.

“Yes, sir, he’s pulling out the pictures on his phone right now.” All of the higher ups in the meeting room waited in anticipation.

Edward smirked and chuckled a little, but Arthur stayed in his poker face. His father’s little chuckle earned the scorn of the older officers/agents.

“Chief, we’ve got the picture.” Agent Iris’ report relieved every heart that waited for that one.

“Send me the picture.” The chief immediately gave the order, and as soon as he did, Ebony pressed send on her phone.

A large group of people posed for a class photo was the one that she sent directly to headquarters.

The chubby guy got this class photo about 2 weeks ago when they tried to go out to a field trip on a local state prison, and beside him was Arthur on the left corner side of the group.

The people in the room couldn’t locate the fit guy from their database, and in frustration, the chief called out Ebony once more.

“Can you take the picture of the guy, the current picture? And send it to us as well, and ask him who used the laptop on the time stamp.”

“Yes, sir.” A much obliged follow-up command after having sent a photo with unrecognizable faces.

While they await for her answer, the chief instructed the IT personnel on the room to clarify the photo further, zoom in, and identify the people in the picture.

“Sir, Mister Olsen said that the guy who borrowed his laptop was the one beside him on the far left corner and I have sent his current picture.” As soon as he got that report, the monitor pinged to a chubby short fellow, too far from what they have on file – fit, muscular, and with a touch of mocha on his skin.

“Zoom in on that guy, on the far left.” The chief instructed the IT personnel.

Every one seated in the table dropped their jaw along with the chief in the room, as the picture in the monitor got clearer and clearer, it displayed Arthur’s face.

They turned their faces on him and the chief directly asked, “Are you the one that solved the first puzzle?”

“Yes.” His answer piqued the interest of the IT personnel as well.

He gasped and quickly approached the kid, “How come my camera didn’t record you. You altered my codes, right?” The IT Personnel grabbed his hands in fascination.

“Yeah.” His answer completely silenced the room.

And the chief of MI-7 broke out the silence. “Then, you being here meant the rest of the puzzle can be solved, right?”

“Right.” His poker face reflected his seriousness.

“Introduce yourself, son.” Edward grew and appeared prouder at the moment.

For the first time, apart from royalty, a child from an unknown background stepped inside the most infamous secret organization of all time.

“Are you sure you want me to do that?” Arthur’s statement riled Edward.

He expected the unexpected from his child, but disrespect was not listed in those expectations.

“What is it, child?” The chief himself got invested in that secretive conversation between the father and son.

Arthur grabbed one of the pen and paper at the table and silently wrote, “Someone should grab the receptionist before she escapes with your secrets.” And he passed it on to the chief silently.

For a moment, he doubted the child, then Arthur, from his right shoulder, pulled up a small pin –like contraption.

The machine appeared to be a recorder, and the receptionist had the chance to tag it onto him while she hovered around him at the entrance.

Everyone saw the note, and the chief gave the kid the benefit of the doubt. “Go.”

And two of the guards stationed outside the meeting room slowly approached the receptionist and-