Farewell

.......

Andersen: using triangle and perilous siege? just when i thought you couldn't stoop any lower. you're a deputy commander-in-chief, don't you feel any shame?

Burningum: you know perfectly well how much mar-

Andersen: I don't want to hear that bullshit, what commander varakiel is capable of is even more important than some heretic-nikke hybrid. 

Burningum: Then why didn't you say something!?

Andersen: Do you think the central government would make someone like him give something as precious like that just like that? Do you want to lose another johan? Tell me why did you want marian.

Burningum: with her we can win. if we figure out what exactly happened to marian, we can beat the raptures.

Andersen: How can you be so sure?

Burningum: A…gut feeling.

Andersen: I respect your instincts, but this time, you screwed up, badly. marian is a nikke serving under the commando unit. you might be a deputy commander-in-chief. but your reach only extends so far. i don't believe you had any ill intentions, so i won't bring any of this up in our next meeting….i can't say the same from commander varakiel, he's on his way right now, this is the first time i see him angry like that, a honest and patient men like that , all of his anger directed to you, you better pray that you might live, because not a massive amount of nikkes can save you now.

Burningum: n-no. marian is the key to the future. even you must realize that.

Andersen: If you live through this, I won't be so friendly when we meet again.

Burningum: uh…!....i-i can't give up here. I will do everything in my power to open up marian.

Andersen:....

Burningum: he can beat me up, put a gun to my head..nothing will stop me. even if he kills me. my subordinates will come after her.

Andersen: I think you heard enough, don't you?

*click* *thud*

Varakiel: yeah, burningum i presume?

Burningum: y-you, you're the one who is doing this! I'm disappointed in you, Andersen. I thought you would understand what I'm trying to do. Is humanity no longer your top priority? or is the former commander in you that doesn't want to see a nikke treated this way?

Andersen: If you know what's good for you, you won't bring that up again.

Burningum:.....

Andersen:....I understand you. I do. but the way commander varakiel plans is better in the long term of humanity, we always aimed for an immediate result without foresawing the consequences.

Burningum: do what you want.

Burningum was walking to the door to leave but…

Varakiel: Do you think you'll leave without facing the consequences?

Burningum: y-you…EEKKKK!!

Burningum saw directly into varakiel eyes, the crimson eyes with the flames of hatred itself were looking at him directly into his very soul.

Varakiel then lifts the small stature man by his throat and throws him back inside the office.

Varakiel: The central government makes you think that you're some sort of god, untouchable, that you can do things without facing the consequences.

Varakiel then kicks him on his stomach.

Burningum: BLEH!!!

burningum pukes all over the floor.

Varakiel: But you're just a fragile piece of shit, who doesn't know his own capabilities, open up marian!? 

Varakiel kicks him again and this time he smashes into the ceiling.

Burningum: h—elp.

Varakiel: Of course let me help you.

Varakiel then uses healing magic on burningum, and in the blink of an eye he's back to normal.

Burningum: w-what!?

Varakiel then kicks him again like a football.

Burningum: *sniff* s-top i-i am sorry….i was..BLEH!!!

Varakiel: Yeah, I don't feel sorry, this is for Marian!

*BANG*

Varakiel: anis!

*BANG*

Varakiel:neon!

*BANG*

Varakiel: Rapi!

*BANG*

Varakiel: You dared to play with the life of my squad, and that's not something I will forgive.

Varakiel then heals him again.

Burningum: wha-t are you…..

Varakiel: figure it out yourself.

*BANG*

Varakiel: Now look at me in the eyes and remember this, if you or anyone related to the central government tries to hurt anyone from my squad i will go for you, and impale you in a flag pole and heal you up right there until you don't remember who you are, capiche?

Burningum: i-i-i…..

Burningum then passed out.

Varakiel: oh no, you won't

*SIZZLE*

Burningum: AHHH!!!

smoke comes from burningum.

Burningum: wha? what?

Varakiel: you won't have the luxury of human biology not anymore, if you pass out i'll wake you up, when you are dying ill heal you up, until you engrave what i say into your brain, don't fuck around with my squad, capiche?

Burningum: *nod**nod**nod**nod**nod**nod*

Varakiel: good, now, get the fuck away from my sight before i begin to remove your limbs one by one.

Burningum: EEKKK!!

Burningum then runs away.

*BANG*

but he smashes itself with the door.

*Click* *thud*

Andersen:.......

Varakiel:.......*sigh* I made a mess…

*snap*

varakiel then snaps his fingers and all the mess he made by beating burninggum is clean up.

Andersen: So are you some sort of god or something like that?

Varakiel: nothing that mythical, just a human with magic.

Andersen: magic? magic exist?

Varakiel: yep, we can talk about it later, thanks for calling me, if you didn't i would have destroyed the whole central government out of hatred hahaha.

Andersen:....*inhale*...

Andersen knew, he wasn't joking.

Andersen:....

…..

Back in the outpost everyone is reunited.

Anis:....so what now?

Varakiel: *sigh* Even if we did all of this, more people will come after Marian, there's only a choice to do…

Rapi: her power and capabilities are beyond our current comprehension. it's no wonder she's attracted so much attention.

Anis: yeah, but Mr magic man here isn't being pestered by anyone you know?

Varakiel: is because I have been using magic to hide pretty well, only you, Andersen and Shifty know about it.

Neon: master is like a super spy, invisible to the eye.

Anis:...do you think this is gonna be the end of it?

Rapi: I doubt it. there's nothing they won't do to get their hands on marian. Today was nothing, they're capable of much worse.

Neon: master then what is that choice?

Marian:: I am sorry everyone, this is all my fault….

Varakiel: don't say that marian, with power comes envy, i have an idea.

Marian:...okay, commander, i-i believe in your choice.

Varakiel: I'll tell you later, let's go inside and measure the damages.

.....

the command center was in ruins….

Anis: What's going on here?

Neon: What a mess. looks like someone came here and gave the place a once over.

Anis: It wasn't even this bad when triangle was shooting at us before.

Rapi: anis. the floor.

Anis:...look at all these footprints. someone's been here who could it be?

Rapi: well…

ingrid: heavenly ascension.

Rapi:...coach?

Varakiel: hm? ah, welcome ingrid.

Neon: boss! Long time no see.

Anis: When did you get here?

Ingrid: about 2 hours ago. I heard that heavenly ascension raided this place. they've all been locked up.

Marian: heavenly ascension? Who are they?

Rapi: it's a group that's active in the outer rim. Their demands are autonomy for the outer rim and greater access to the ark.

Anis: the short version is that they're a terrorist group.

Varakiel: were they after marian as well?

Ingrid: precisely.

Rapi:...

Varakiel: *sigh* a bunch of rats believe they can do anything in my outpost? hmph.

Ingrid: news of Marian has already spread all throughout the ark. it's not just the central government that's targeting her. Everyone wants a piece.

Anis: wasn't this information confidential?

Ingrid: I believe someone purposely leaked the information. whoever it is, they're willing to take marian back by force if necessary.

Rapi: burninggum is the only one i can imagine acting so radically.

Ingrid: no comment.

Varakiel: *sigh* I knew breaking his whole body and healing it wasn't enough….

Varakiel eyes turn slightly red.

Ingrid:...are you going to explain what the hell was that about in your confrontation with triangle squad?

Varakiel: I will when this is over, for now, I am waiting for a friend.

Ingrid: Who is this friend?

Varakiel: snow white and her squad.

Ingrid:...so you are handing marian to the pilgrims?

Marian:....if it must be done to end all of this so be it, i…i don't want to be an annoyance to the commander.

Varakiel pats marian.

Varakiel: You'll never be an annoyance, you saved my life before, so never think of you as something like that okay?

Marian: okay…

Varakiel: You promise?

Marian: i….i promise commander.

Varakiel: mhm.

Ingrid:....good decision, even with andersen and i helping you, we can't face the entire ark.

Anis: aren't you putting yourself at risk by doing all of this?

Ingrid: It's because I trust you. you proved that humanity has the potential for another road, and managed to get yourself out of countless snags before. I'm confident this will be a piece of cake to you. Well, I must be going.

Varakiel: oh c'mon stay here for a treat is on me.

Ingrid: fine.

Varakiel: hehe, *snap*

Varakiel then snaps his fingers and everything in the command center is being repaired by itself.

Ingrid:...

Varakiel: It's magic by the way, I'll explain more in detail with Andersen later.

Ingrid: unbelievable…

Rapi: I agree, coach…

...

5 days later.

Varakiel: 13 encounters in 5 days, wow they are even more persistent that damn raptures, talk about human greed. who would say that the central government would care more about this than the terrorist attacking us, huh, they are lucky i am not into killing, but their injuries should leave them in bed for a whole week, if they can afford it that's it, well, if they can afford to bribe the guards of the outer rim gate they can afford that. and the request for defense forces, they really want me to destroy them for shutting down all of them don't they? if it was by myself this would be just fun, but…rapi, anis, neon, marian, mihara and yuni, they are at their wit end, we do have supplies to not worry going to the ark for 10 years *sigh* very well, if you won't leave us in peace no one of you bastards will have her, she is my family.

*beep*

—---

Snow white

Sorry for the delay, we are here, is everyone okay?

Varakiel

Yeah we are fine. I have been dealing with all the problems myself, but human stupidity is no joke.

Snow white

i agree, then come to this coordinates.

Varakiel

good, see you soon.

Snow white

Okay, take care.

—--

Varakiel: You don't deserve evolution yet, ark. not until you learn to be patient.

.....

Anis: it'll all be over soon.

Neon: yes, almost there now.

Rapi: commander, are we being followed?

Varakiel: don't worry right now I am on maximum alert.there's no one behind us in a perimeter of 5km.

Marian: Good, it would be a huge problem if the central government accidentally attacked the pilgrims.

Anis: yeah.

Varakiel: Are you fine with this marian?

Marian: Yes commander, if they keep up like this not only will your secrets be known by everyone, but they also will be killed by you, I am still a nikke, I don't want humans to die, not unnecessarily at least….

Varakiel: *nod*

......

Snow white: you're here. Is this marian?

Varakiel: yeah.

Snow white stares blankly at marian.

Snow white:..this is the one…..ready to go?

Marian:....yes.

Snow white: you're with us from now on then. varakiel, is this your final decision?

Varakiel: yes, marian from here on out you're part of the pilgrims.

Marian: *sniff* I don't want to leave you commander…*sob* I want to be with all of you…*sob*

Varakiel: I know Marian, I also would like for you to stay with us, but I would have to kill everyone in the central government, and I know that would be something you won't forgive yourself for.

Marian: *sob* yeah, that's right, but…but…

Varakiel then embraces marian.

Varakiel: Thank you, thank you for everything, for the smiles you gave us, for the laughs, for the happiness. Our time was short but it was beautiful.

Marian then embraces back.

Marian: *hic* *sob*

Varakiel: Marian, there's something I want to give you....

Varakiel hands Marian a phone and 4 teleport orbs….

Varakiel: You can use this to communicate with everyone in the outpost from now on, this is not a goodbye, is a see you later, alright? you'll always be a member of counters.

Marian: *sniff* yes, you'll always be my commander, always.

Varakiel: And these orbs, you can use them to call me for help if you find yourself in trouble, just think about me and I'll be there.

Snow white: is that magic as well?

Varakiel: yeah, but teleportation magic is something really hard not to learn but to use correctly, you could get yourself stuck between a wall.

Marian: *sniff* ….varakiel, rapi, anis, neon, and mihara and yuni, thank you i was happy aswell, i never been happier in my life *sob* eating together, standing guard together, napping together, i never had something like that before, thank you….i want to be with all of you, but…i know that's impossible right now…so i….i will train hard, harder than ever to end this war and so we can be together again.

Anis:..*sniff*

Neon:...*sniff*

Rapi:....we…we also will train hard so we can be together again.

Varakiel: (these two have walked a long road but finally they are more honest with their feelings) mhm. i promise when we are ready we'll come back for you marian, no matter how far you are.

Marian: yes, varakiel.

Varakiel: it seems you have something else to say to her anis, neon and rapi go ahead.

Varakiel then walks to snow white.

Snow white: so are you done?

Varakiel: they have something to say to marian…..hello i am varakiel.

varakiel says to the two nikkes besides snow white.

Rapunzel: I am Rapunzel, it is a pleasure to meet you commander, snow white as told us about you.

Scarlet: name is scarlet, nice to meet you commander, is it true that you use a sword to fight?

Varakiel then notices the katana on scarlet's waist.

Varakiel: a nodachi user i see, i don't know your capacities or your technique so i can't tell much to you unless we have a spar, but right now is not the time.

Scarlet: oh bummer…

Varakiel: Hehe, nice to meet you all. it really surprised me when snow white told me you were also coming.

Snow white: I brought everyone to show that I intend to honor this request you're asking of me. Besides, all of us were due for another meeting anyway.

Varakiel: good to know…hey have you got any more intel about the raptures language?

Snow white: of course, here you go.

Snow white hands varakiel two black boxes.

Varakiel: mhm, the more we have the shorter we decipher the language. i will send you a message of how much time this shortened 

Rapunzel: Wow, is it really true that you can decipher the rapture language?

Varakiel: Well, not me, but someone in my family.

Suddenly the two black boxes disappear from varakiel hands.

Rapunzel: wow, is as impressive as snow white said.

Scarlet: where did they go I wonder…

Varakiel: That's a secret for now…..it seems they are done.

Snow white: mhm, ready to go?

Marian: i….i am ready.

Rapunzel: great.

Scarlet: Let's hit the road then.

Marian: everyone….i'll see you later!

Varakiel: yeah.

Anis: don't you dare to die out there, it took a lot of effort to bring you back!

Neon: remember if you see something extremely powerful you must save it for me!

Rapi: i…..marian….be safe.

Marian:..yes everyone.

Snow white: let's go.

Then snow white, rapunzel, scarlet and marian walks away. The fog close by devours them, and they are about to disappear on it.

Varakiel: Be safe everyone.

Snow white:...yes. I promise.

The pilgrims and marian disappear into the fog

Varakiel:.....(*sigh* central government, heavenly ascension, this isn't something i will forgive, forever.) let's go everyone, we have a lot of work to do.

Rapi:...yeah…

Anis:...

Neon:....

Anis: after all that, we had her back….and now she's gone again.

Varakiel: don't worry, you can still talk to her through messages.

Neon:...yeah, right!

Neon suddenly cheers up.

Neon: master is right we can't be let down by this! She is still with us! She remembered all of you despite all the threats she is fine!

Anis:....yes..you're right.

Rapi: Yeah, the commander's efforts protected her all the way, but he couldn't have predicted the central government's greed.

Varakiel: It was in my range of probabilities but I didn't expect to go this bad, or this far….let's go everyone, we need to make the world a better place…for our friend.

Rapi: yes.

.....

Privaty: Let me get straight, you went to the surface for a stroll, then the pilgrims came out of nowhere and took marian?

Rapi: yes.

Privaty: why would the pilgrims take marian?

Anis: dunno, why don't you ask them?

Privaty: and what exactly were you all doing while they did this?

Neon: we did everything we could, but in the end we were unable to contend with the mighty power of the pilgrims.

Privaty: that line couldn't be more rehearsed if you tried!

Varakiel: Snow white by herself is very strong, 3 of them were a death wish, and if we retaliated we could get the disgust of the pilgrims. There was nothing we could do but comply.

Privaty: you….is this true?

Varakiel. Do you see marian between us to think that?

Privaty:..ha. Very well. If you say so.

Anis: huh? No more questions?

Privaty: I see no reason for it. Marian is gone. Our target has been lost. That means the mission is over.

Rapi: You must be disappointed.

Privaty:...I'm going. Ah. if you DO ever happen to see marian again…well..

Anis: what?

Privaty: can…can you tell her to be well?

Anis: bwaha!

Anis laughs with a sunny smile.

Privaty: what's so funny!?

Anis: Sure, I'll let her know.

Privaty:...i swear…

Privaty leaves.

Anis: so, we should get back to work?

Neon: how about a shower first?

Rapi: sounds nice. Commander, could you complete the dorm repairs?

Varakiel: sure *snap*

Anis: great while that's going we'll take a bath.

*beep*

Varakiel: One sec, I got a message from andersen.

—---

Andersen

Come see me.

Someone unexpected is dying to meet you.

I'll explain the details in person.

—---

Varakiel: hm? Who might be, i'll take care of this, you go ahead use my bathroom if you want.

Varakiel then stands and leaves.

Anis: such a rush, is something that important?

Neon: I think so, what could it be?

Rapi: I'll take the first turn.

…..

Varakiel goes inside andersen office.

Varakiel: Hello, andersen.

Andersen: Welcome, I have to say, you handled the Marian problem very nicely. Very smart. The loss of the black boxes is unfortunate, but I'm sure you had your reasons….i'm talking too much. The reason I called you is because Enikk wants to see you.

Varakiel: really unexpected indeed.

Andersen: right. These things happen sometimes. When there is someone Enikk can't understand outside of her programming. She learns by speaking with them. and you are a very rare individual, she has seen this "magic" of yours, but don't be afraid, besides her no one else knows about it.

Varakiel: Good, so she wants to meet me now?

Andersen: Yes, whatever you two discuss, you don't have to report back to me. You should go.

Varakiel: alright.

...….

Varakiel goes inside the room where Enikk called him.

Enikk: welcome. I am Enikk, an A.I. who oversees all of the ark. It's nice to see you.

Varakiel: a pleasure to be here.

Enik: Would you sit down?

A chair rises from the ground.

Varakiel: mhm.

Varakiel casually sits down.

Enikk: I'm sorry to have called you here. I realize you are busy.

Varakiel: It's fine, I can handle unexpected changes in my daily routine.

Enikk: I see, thank you then. I'm rather curious about something. May I ask you a question? Or rather several…

Varakiel: Go ahead.

Enikk: very well, i must ask first, marian is something of a mix between a rapture and a nikke. She will be an invaluable asset to the ark and for all of mankind. I must admit, I was under the impression. You would hand Marian over to the central government. For mankind's sake. Why did you hand over marian to the pilgrims?

Varakiel: There are several reasons for that. My personal reason is because she is part of my family, I wouldn't allow someone in my family to suffer for anyone's sake , not even me. The second reason is because I wanted to save her. She was the proof that miracles did exist for everyone, and third mankind doesn't deserve such evolution yet.

Enikk: I see. That was most helpful. Then next…i am an autonomous being. I am capable of my own thoughts and judgments. No different from humans or nikkes. If there is a difference, it is the presence or absence of a brain. What do you see me as?

Varakiel: a living being.

Enikk: what defines it?

Varakiel: a soul.

Enikk: Is that so?

Varakiel: yes, you might not have a physical body or a brain, but you indeed bear a soul, you're not the first A.I. with a soul that I meet.

Enikk:...not the first….that was most helpful. Next I might sound like they say, rude to ask but…..what are you?

Varakiel: Do you want the sweet lie or the hard truth?

Enikk: the truth.

Varakiel: My name is varakiel Fateburn, I come from another world, a world with magic.

Enikk: another world….magic…that was….most helpful. May I know the reason for your arrival?

Varakiel: Of course, my reason to be here is because the will of this world requested my aid.

Enikk:.....the will of the world….is it to help humankind against raptures?

Varakiel: not just raptures, but themselves.

Enikk: That was….very helpful…it would be truly rude of me if I keep asking questions like this…it may not be much, but I could answer any questions you have as repayment.

Varakiel:....was chatterbox communicating with you to corrupt nikkes? If that so , may I know why?

Enikk: yes. It was me.

Varakiel: So I was right in my assumption.

Enikk: yes it was me who was in communication with chatterbox. 

Varakiel: May I know why?

Enikk: ever since its construction, the ark has never once been invaded by raptures. It's believed this is because the location of the ark has never been discovered. This is not the case. The raptures have known the ark's location for a very long time.

Varakiel: ( very long?, then it can't be syuen's fault she is barely on her 20's this is way before her)

Enikk: chatterbox made a deal with me. In exchange for him not attacking the ark, i was to periodically provide him with nikkes. I therefore select nikkes on a random basis and implant the corruption code sent by chatterbox. I then manipulate the barrier and have them sent up to the surface.

Varakiel: Was that your only option?

Enikk: yes, that or the complete annihilation of the ark.

Varakiel: So you are aware that there's a huge gap in strength between raptures and humans.

Enikk: yes there is currently a substantial gap in strength between raptures and humans. If we were to face them head on, we would have a 0% chance of success. Absolute zero. The main priority. Is to protect mankind and maintain the ark. It was a decision that had to be made.

Varakiel:.....*nod* While I should be angry at you for such decisions, I have to agree from the bottom of my heart that it was a decision you were cornered to make, so….thank you Enikk, for protecting humankind.

Varakiel bows to Enikk.

Enikk:.....

Under her veil unknown to varakiel and herself a tear falls down her cheek.

Enikk: But now that chatterbox has ceased to exist, it is unclear whether the deal still stands. As long as you….as long you are here, there is hope for mankind as well.

Varakiel: That's what I came for, to help. You, and everyone, can count on me,

Enikk: yes, in a short period of time, you have done what mankind wasn't able to do. Eradicate chatterbox and purify the heretic. Now that I know who you are, I am sure why you were able to accomplish such feats, your actions speak for themselves. It might be rude of me after all that happened but….please help us, varakiel.

Varakiel: leave it to my squad.

Enikk: very well, then you should make encountering the heretics your top priority. Or if there is something you think that could help humanity I can help you with it the best way I can, the choice is yours.

Varakiel: sounds like a plan, as long as the central government or any authority doesn't get in the way between my outpost or my squad operations.

Enikk: We'll see what we can do after this meeting.

Varakiel: very well. Then if you excuse i'll like to retire.

Enikk: Yes, it is for the best to end our conversation here for now. It was a pleasure.

…..