hours of comfort

Joaquin is drinking a coffee with liquor. he is on a table outside of a cafe. the clouds are full of blue, a bright blue. Joaquin receives messages from teammates.

Joaquin is today on his free day. he is taking a break from things. at first it was hard to adapt to the change. then it was harder to change again to adapt. now he is starting to live as part of a team. as part of something.

maybe the world never changed. maybe it was always like that. or all the worlds are one and the same. Joaquin just never knew about it. he never saw it as it was. now he has open his eyes. now he can see it as it is.

maybe things aren't fair. but then since when it was suppose to be fair. to have fairness is to let the struggles become meaningless. the world can throw many meanings. but it depends of us to take it or leave it. for us to find the right meaning.

Joaquin has some secrets. secrets from the previous game. sooner or later he will have to face the ghost of the past. the phantoms of a previous life to this one. it depends of him how he will take it. how he will react from now on.

but there is something Joaquin isn't aware of. some piece of information hidden. the truth is that someone from his past also came. there is someone on another team. a person who knows him from the previous game. a person with resentment.

this person is now the captain of another team. they are on the Hero side of things. and this person knows about Joaquin. uncertain if vengeance is the ideal way, or to pretend ignorance for their own good. nothing is certain jet.

everyone has a dictated starting point. now the journey is mostly uncertain. and the ending point is absolutely a fact.

Joaquin isn't the only one on that cafe. inside is Mad-M drinking a hot mocha. somewhere drinking an orange juice is Cabra-Head. on the bathroom is Frigus. someone is selling him information on the bathroom. Frigus pays with a fake smile.

Mad-M leaves the cafe. he finds Bird-E outside of the cafe. Mad-M has a conversation to start with him. Bird-E looks around. he gives him a card. he whispers. he wants him to meet with him later. right now he has better things to do.

Cabra-Head reunites with his people. he talks to them. he gives them information on codes to avoid problems. his people understand every last word. they then leave. Cabra-Head keeps drinking his juice.

Frigus washes his hands. he leaves the bathroom. Femina Lorem and Ridere are awaiting for him. Frigus smiles at them. he invites them for a private conversation. they follow him quietly. Frigus knows he is the weakest of the Fallen Heroes.

Joaquin stands up. he walks trembling a bit. he keeps walking calmly. he drinks his coffee slowly and calmly. there is some bitterness on his face.

it has felt like an eternity fighting against his alcoholism. now he has fallen. and he keeps falling deeper on his addiction. and dependence of the alcohol. he is afraid of others finding out. of others questioning his leadership.

he then stops frozen. Joaquin is witness of a familiar face. he is cold unable to react. a familiar voice calls his name. that person smiles to him. Joaquin's jaw drops. he feels some fear unable to run away. this person walks closer to him.

"I see. so a rat like you knows how to dress like a human."

"d,d,the-that can't be. you are dead."

"oh, so you are still being the same alcoholic piece of shit."

"NO..." he screams. "I killed you." he whispered looking down at the floor.

"I was between living my own life, or going after you. and I came to a conclusion. why struggle for you? when I can just show up on your life to destroy it. to made every day a living hell. so from now till the end..... I will bring you eternal misery."

Joaquin walks backwards. he keeps walking until he falls on the floor. he is surprise and scare of this new information. now his little castle is falling into pieces. his little castle of glass is now gone. he is about to be expose.

Joaquin turns around. he tries to stand up. he falls again on the floor. he sees some of his people walking on the streets. they look at him. Joaquin feels cornered. if they turn their backs on him. he will fall further from his humanity.

[information about Son of Sun: each Son of Sun Game is different. not just the style or story line of the story. but also the Gods/Deities on charge. so if you commit any mistake or vile act on a Son of Sun game. your mistakes won't be judge in another Game. this means you can be a Villain/Fallen Hero/ Dark Warrior/ or Etc. and on the next game you can play the Hero.]

Joaquin tries to explain himself. but no word comes from his mouth. he stands up. his legs are trembling. he then looks at that person. there is a sinister smile.

"hello. my name is Antonella. I am an old friend. I know Joaquin since so long ago. last time I heard about him. I was told he died. I am grateful to know he is still breathing."

Antonella leaves. Joaquin pretends like nothing happened. he asks about her. Alpha Purple Warrior tells him that she is a leader. her guild is a Hero guild. they seem to be respected by other guilds.

if she has power or recognition. then it will be hard for Joaquin to get rid of her. she won't give up easily, and she won't stop any time soon. it seems like Joaquin has a challenge in front of him. the wrong move can cost him everything.

there is something else on his mind. a part from Antonella's return. there is someone else even more suspicious. Federico has being behaving strangely. he seems to be planning something bad. things are taking a sinister turn.

Joaquin feels like his hands are tied up. he has no one to who fully trust. everyone can turn away from complications. not everyone has the right mind for a challenge. it seems like even when surrounded by his people. even now he finds himself truly alone.

Alpha Purple Warrior knows something is wrong. Joaquin is clearly afraid of her. they know each other. there is a past written in there. jet Joaquin doesn't seem to be ready to talk about it. so Alpha Warrior stops himself from asking unnecessary questions.

Doctor Middle Finger is also present. he kind of has an idea of what is going on. and is obvious that Joaquin feels uncomfortable. so he decides to wait until his boss is ready. you can't force a person to reveal their secrets. we all own our own secrets.

there isn't a person without secrets. and if someone denies the obvious, that person surely is lying. the bigger the secret, the harder that is to keep hidden. the uglier is the secret the harder we try to keep it hidden. every person has dirt under the rug.

every person has something to do. everyone has something to think about. they all walk with secrets and lies. they all live defenseless. they all are ignorant to what is to come. let them live their hours of comfort. but soon they will regret this hours of comfort.

the first unwritten law of this world was clear. the first rule was learned by arriving. don't ever leave your guard down. don't ever put down your shield and sword. but let the ignorant souls learn on the bad way. let the fire build their sense of danger.

don't blame the GODS. don't blame the world. BLAME yourself for being too naive. to believe in the word of few people. soon you will learn how darkness can be bright. you will learn about the prettiest fires, the ones that come from the Darkness.

you have no idea of what an evil heart is. or of how untrustworthy can a Hero be. but soon Federico, also known as Master of Lies. soon he will give you a lesson about evil. but before that. first there are things to be done. things to be finish on time.

around of the city there are people working for Federico. people getting the message. they are all getting ready for the bloodiest night ever. Federico isn't proud of this. but even so he knows what he needs to do. this is just the easiest way out.

some may try to understand him. others will judge without thinking twice. but the truth is that no one has any idea. no one will ever guess what is on Federico's mind. what has cause so much damage to his soul. why he does what he does.

in some days will be the big day. Federico already feels guilt. he hates himself every time he thinks about those who will die. he hates the idea of being a traitor. sometimes he questions the path he walks. but that is how a road to vengeance is suppose to be.

to do the right thing, it doesn't mean to be the Hero. to be a Hero, doesn't make you righteous nor your choices correct. to walk the path of vengeance isn't correct, but sometimes is the only path left.

Federico never intended to be a villain. nor he wanted to be a Hero. all he ever wanted was a normal life. but the night he lose his family, he lose everything. the normal was taken away from him. now he does what he must do.

.....

right now Federico is on the rooftop of a building. he isn't alone. there is someone at his side trying to understand his actions. Bird-E doesn't know much about Federico. they had known each other for some time now. but they are private about their lives.

"aren't you going to warn her?"

"I may say goodbye to her, but no more than that."

"so are you really doing this? are you actually taking the forbidden step?"

"nothing is truly forbidden on this world. some may call it a massacre or even go as far as to use the word genocide. but I am just human. what I am doing is the most human thing. if you actually think about it, I am not half wrong."

Bird-E is silent. he has no place on criticizing others. when he has betrayed those who used to be important to him. he has done much more wrong than good. but even on his worst moments. on his lowest. he haven't ever gone that far beyond salvation.

Bird-E is trying to see what Federico sees. the massacre he is planning seems pointless. it is too much brutality even to him. there are other ways of doing things. but it is obvious at this point. it is clear that Federico doesn't care.

Federico enjoys the scenario. to bring fear and doubts to his allies. to have unaware lambs walking peacefully on his backyard. everything is on its place. and jet, and jet Federico feels uneasy. probably it has to do with his own emotions.

Federico goes to the bathroom. he washes his hands. then he keeps washing his hands more and more. then he washes his face. he can't clean up the guilt. he can't clean up the emotions eating away. he starts to laugh with a lot of emotional pain.

he keeps laughing. the tears fall from his eyes. the smile becomes twisted. he starts to punch the floor with rage. he can't control his emotions. the rage is against himself. he feels disgusted by his own actions. he can't undo the road he has taken.

.....

the Hades' Tower.

Zeus is on Hades' zone. Hades is drinking tea. Zeus is having a black coffee. they seem to be playing chess. Zeus is bored. Hades calls for his wife with a stupid smile. Zeus makes fun of his brother's affection for his wife.

Hades ignores his brother. he goes to the kitchen. he looks at his wife baking a cake. he hugs her from behind. he kisses her on the shoulder. he kisses her on the neck. Hades whispers sweet little things of love.

Hades goes back to his brother. Zeus seems to be irritated. he hates to see his kids and brothers being happily married. Zeus was never a man to find happiness, nor joy on the simple things nor on love.

Hades keeps playing with his brother. this is the third time he wins. Zeus may be the king of the Olympus, but on chess Hades is the king.

"I was told that misinformation pushed others to believed I was the final boss."

"what do you mean dear brother?"

"we know I am not the actual final boss. my presence on the game is a Red Herring to hide another Deity from the Underworld."

"since when do you care about those things?"

"I don't. I just think it is about time for me to step down. soon will be time for HIM to become the force to push them to their limit. it is time to push for the end."

"not jet. there is some stuff that needs to happen. there are things to be done first."

"well. do as you wish. I won't get on your way."

"are you tired of playing with me brother? or do you have better things to do?"

"you know I don't like being the bad guy. I just want to take care of my own job and being done with it. I have a lovely wife to care for."

Hades wins the game. he stands up. thanks his brother for the game. then he goes to the kitchen to 'talk' with his wife. it is clear that he doesn't like having his brother home.

Zeus stands up. he finish drinking the coffee. he takes his hat and red coat. then he steps out of the house. Zeus is walking slowly. he plays with his beard. Zeus thinks about the possible end to the game. he then smirks.

"he has no ambition. maybe he is more human than the mortals. it is a shame, a shame indeed. to think for once I thought about sharing my plans with him. well, more for me."