Chapter Seven : Welcome to the real world

Eirik sat back against the wall, his breathing steadying as the tension began to ease from his body. The room was still, save for the flickering of a lone candle casting shadows on the wooden walls. As Freya nestled into his side, Aksel knelt down in front of Eirik, holding a coin between his fingers. He flipped it once, the metallic clink echoing softly.

Aksel's eyes met Eirik's as he began to speak. "There are two sides to every coin, just as there are two sides to the world we live in," he explained, showing one side of the coin with a glinting crest. "The first side represents the World Government. They are the rulers—the ones who impose order, establish laws, and dictate how we're supposed to live." He spun the coin around in his fingers before flipping it again, letting it land in his palm. "The other side is the World Government Military—the enforcers of that order, who ensure that no one steps out of line."

Eirik listened intently, his gaze fixed on the coin. Aksel continued, "The military isn't a single, unified force. It's divided into three factions, each tasked with controlling different aspects of the world's movement and ensuring the government's absolute dominance."

He pointed to the first side of the coin. "The Navy . These are the ones who patrol the oceans, ensuring that no ship sails unmonitored and that no smuggling or illegal trading occurs. They guard the waters like hawks and crush any rebellion that dares to rise from beneath the waves. The seas have become dangerous, not because of pirates, but because of them."

Aksel turned the coin over again. "Then, there's the Airforce . They dominate the air with their advanced warships and flying machines, keeping entire regions under constant surveillance. They say they bring peace, but their presence is a reminder that we're all being watched. No bird can fly without them knowing, no storm brews without them questioning it."

He flipped the coin one last time. "And finally, the Soldiers those who walk the earth, occupying towns and cities, controlling borders, and crushing dissent. They're not just soldiers; they are the hand that grips society, tightening its hold whenever someone dares to question the laws of the World Government."

Eirik's jaw tightened as Aksel spoke, the weight of what he was hearing pressing on his chest. "And then there are the… rebels, I suppose?" Eirik asked, his voice low.

Aksel's expression shifted, a hint of a smirk curling at the corner of his lips. "Yes, the Rebels—those who oppose the World Government and its iron grip. They are outcasts, fugitives, people who refuse to live under the rule imposed upon them. They don't seek peace, not in the way most would understand. Instead, they aim to expose the corruption within the government, to reveal the truths buried beneath layers of propaganda."

Lara interjected, her voice calm but tinged with bitterness. "The rebels don't all fight for the same reasons, though. Some want freedom, some seek vengeance, and others… they just want to watch the world burn, to tear down the systems that have kept us in chains."

Aksel nodded. "To the rebels, the World Government represents a false order. They believe that the power unleashed from Ragnarok is being used to reshape the world into something unnatural, that it's a violation of what should have been left untouched."

He tossed the coin back to Eirik, who caught it in his hand. "But remember," Aksel said, his tone sharpening, "no matter which side of the coin you choose, the world remains broken. And whether we fight for order or chaos, we're all playing a part in a game that started long before any of us."

Eirik felt the weight of the coin in his palm, as though it symbolized the very world he was now entangled in. "So, we're all just pieces on a board," he murmured, "caught between the World Government, its military machine, and the rebels trying to unravel it."

Freya clutched his arm, her voice barely a whisper. "But Eirik, which side will we be on?"

Eirik looked down at her, then back at Aksel and Lara. "I don't know yet," he said slowly. "But I do know one thing: we're not going to stay in the middle, watching from the sidelines. One way or another, we're going to tip this coin."

Eirik's gaze shifted from Aksel to Lara, his eyes narrowing as he leaned forward. "How exactly do the rebels plan to expose the government?" he asked, his tone edged with curiosity and a hint of skepticism. "Is there a plan, or is it just chaos for the sake of chaos?"

Lara met his gaze steadily, her expression calm but intense. "It's not just chaos," she replied. "There is a plan, though it may seem like a fool's errand to some. You see, scattered across the world are Treasures—not riches or weapons, but stones that hold the truth." She paused, her fingers absentmindedly tracing a pattern on the table's worn wood. "These stones are relics from the past, fragments of a world that existed before Ragnarok changed everything."

Eirik's brow furrowed as he listened. "What's so special about these stones? If they're just relics, how can they help bring down the World Government?"

Lara's eyes gleamed with a spark of something—hope, perhaps, or the embers of a fire long stoked. "Each stone contains a piece of a forgotten history, a part of the truth written on them long ago. They hold stories of the world before it fell into ruin, of secrets that were buried, and of the real events behind the government's rise to power." She glanced at her brother, who nodded, silently urging her to continue.

"Some say the stones are more than just historical records," Lara went on. "They're said to possess fragments of the gods' power—the very essence that reshaped our world during Ragnarok. If someone manages to gather all of them, it is believed that they'll be able to make sense of this world in a way no one else can." Her voice dropped to a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might draw the attention of unseen ears. "The stones could reveal the deepest secrets of this world, the truths the World Government has tried to keep hidden."

Eirik's fingers tightened around the coin he still held, a surge of determination welling up within him. "And if these stones are gathered?" he asked. "What then?"

"That," Aksel interjected, "is where things get complicated. There's no telling what kind of power the stones might unlock or what consequences could follow. The rebels believe that once the truth is uncovered, the illusion of order the government has created will crumble, and people will see the world for what it really is."

Eirik's brow furrowed as he absorbed Lara's words. The idea of the stones but something didn't add up. "If these relics are so important, why didn't the World Government just destroy them?" he asked, leaning in. "Wouldn't that have been the simplest way to keep the truth buried?"

Lara's expression tightened as she shook her head. "They tried," she admitted, her voice heavy with the weight of history. "When the World Government realized the power and significance of the stones, they sought to eliminate them. But at the last moment, during what would become known as the Final Reclamation, Prometheus and his crew intervened."

The room seemed to grow colder as she spoke the name. There was a reverence in her tone, a recognition of someone who had made a desperate, sacrificial choice. "Prometheus," she repeated, "was once a trusted general of the World Government. He had been a part of the system, an enforcer of their laws… but he saw the corruption, the lies, and the true purpose behind their efforts to control these relics."

Aksel picked up where his sister left off. "When Prometheus discovered what the government intended to do with the stones—erasing history and consolidating their power—he turned against them. He gathered a crew of like-minded warriors and scholars, people who understood the significance of the stones. Together, they launched an assault to save the relics from destruction."

"Their attack was sudden and chaotic," Lara added, her eyes flickering with admiration. "They stormed the facilities where the stones were being held, scattering the government's forces. In the midst of the battle, Prometheus and his crew managed to smuggle the stones out, splitting them up and sending them to the farthest reaches of the world."

Eirik's pulse quickened as he pictured it—a ragtag band of rebels defying the World Government, carrying the stones into the night, risking everything to preserve the last fragments of truth. "So, they scattered the stones," he said, "to keep them out of the government's reach."

"Yes," Lara confirmed. "They were hidden away in places the World Government would never think to look, some in the most remote and dangerous locations, others under the protection of ancient guardians or sealed behind barriers that only the worthy could pass. Prometheus believed that by scattering the stones, he would make it nearly impossible for the World Government to destroy them all."

Freya, who had been listening in silence, spoke up for the first time. "But Prometheus… he was executed, wasn't he?" Her voice was small, tinged with sadness.

Aksel's expression hardened, his eyes darkening as he answered. "Yes. The World Government branded him a blasphemous God, someone who defied the established order and challenged their authority. They captured him eventually, and he was publicly executed as erik as earlier witnessed as a warning to others who might follow in his footsteps." His jaw clenched slightly. "But even in death, Prometheus's actions live on. The stones are still out there, and they are the key to unraveling the lies that the World Government has spun for decades."

Eirik nodded slowly, understanding now the gravity of the situation. The stakes were higher than he had imagined. "So, finding these stones," he said, his voice firm with determination, "is not just about uncovering the truth. It's about finishing what Prometheus started."

Lara's gaze met his, and she offered a faint, knowing smile. "Yes. It's about keeping the spark of rebellion alive, about standing up against the forces that would rewrite history. The stones are more than relics; they're a promise of change."

Eirik raised his head, his gaze locking onto Lara's as he processed the weight of what she had just shared. "So, this means the World Government is still after the stones, right?" His voice held a note of urgency, as if the implications were just now truly dawning on him.

Lara nodded solemnly. "Yes," she replied. "The World Government never stopped searching for them. In fact, their efforts have only intensified over the years. They know that as long as the stones remain scattered, there's a chance—no matter how slim—that someone could gather them and expose the truth. That threat is something they can't afford to ignore."

Aksel chimed in, his voice tense. "They've formed a special unit within the military, an elite force dedicated solely to finding the stones. This unit operates outside the usual chain of command, with its members handpicked for their skills and loyalty to the government. These are not just soldiers—they're hunters, trained to track down the relics and anyone who might know their whereabouts."

Eirik's jaw tightened at the thought. "And what happens if they find someone who knows about the stones?"

Aksel's expression darkened. "Those people… disappear," he said quietly. "Anyone suspected of having information about the stones is taken in for interrogation. If they can't extract the information, or if they think the person is a threat, they're never seen again. The World Government has made it clear that they'll stop at nothing to keep their secrets safe."

Lara glanced at Eirik, her eyes filled with a mix of resolve and concern. "The military's involvement is what makes this so dangerous," she explained. "As I said before, there are three main factions—the forces that patrol the sea, the air, and the land. They work in tandem to hunt down any leads, cover as much ground as possible, and root out resistance wherever it surfaces."

"The Navy control the major trade routes and waterways," Aksel continued, "making it nearly impossible to smuggle information or relics without being detected. The Airforce patrols keep watch over the skies, tracking any movement that could hint at hidden operations or contraband. And the soldiers … they're the ones who enforce order, marching through towns and cities, searching for anyone who dares to defy them."

"It's not just about recovering the stones," Lara added. "It's also about crushing the spirit of rebellion. The World Government wants to send a message that no matter how many secrets are buried, they will always be the ones in control."

Eirik clenched his fist, the sense of urgency rising within him. "But if they're searching so aggressively, how have the stones remained hidden for so long?" he asked. "Surely with all their resources, they would've found something by now."

A small, defiant smile crossed Lara's lips. "Prometheus and his crew didn't just scatter the stones," she said. "They placed them in locations that would be nearly impossible to reach without the right knowledge or the will to overcome incredible challenges. Some of the stones are protected by ancient mechanisms or natural defenses that only few can bypass. Others are said to be guarded by beings who have no allegiance to the World Government, or even to humanity."

Aksel's gaze grew steely as he spoke again. "The World Government may be powerful, but they're not omnipotent. Their soldiers can't search everywhere at once, and the world is vast—especially since Ragnarok reshaped the landscape. Entire regions that were once mapped out have changed or disappeared. Some of the stones are hidden in places that aren't even on any map."

Eirik absorbed all of this, his determination solidifying. "So, it's a race," he said quietly. "A race to find the stones before the World Government does."

Lara nodded. "Exactly. And every moment counts. The longer the stones remain hidden, the greater our chances of finding them first. But we can't underestimate the lengths to which the World Government will go to keep their power intact."

Eirik's eyes burned with a newfound fire. "Then we'll beat them to it," he said, his voice filled with resolve. "We'll find the stones, one by one, and we'll uncover the truth they've tried so hard to erase."

Without hesitation, Eirik dropped to one knee in front of Lara, his eyes fixed on hers with a sudden intensity. "Lara," he said, his voice steady but urgent. "You know more about the world than I do—more than any of us. You've clearly studied the relics, the factions, and the history behind all of this. I… I don't know these lands like you do." He paused, swallowing hard as his voice grew earnest. "Please, will you be my navigator? Guide me on this journey to find the stones."

Lara blinked in surprise, clearly caught off guard by his request. Her mouth opened slightly as if to say something, but she hesitated, her gaze shifting between Eirik and Aksel. "You… want me to be your navigator?" she asked slowly, as if making sure she heard him right. "But… why me?"

Eirik stayed on his knee, his expression unwavering. "Because you know the truth about the world," he replied. "You know the stories and the secrets, and you understand the stakes better than anyone else. I need someone like you by my side—someone who can help me find the path forward, who can read the signs and navigate the obstacles." He looked down for a moment, almost as if in apology. "And… I'm not afraid to admit that I'm in over my head. I need help."

Lara's breath caught as she absorbed his words. She glanced at her brother, whose expression was a mix of surprise and thoughtfulness. "Eirik…" she began, her voice barely a whisper, "are you sure? You're trusting me with a great responsibility. If we're caught… if we fail…"

"We won't," Eirik said, his voice firm. "Failure isn't an option. And if there's anyone who can help me get through this, it's you." He looked up at her with a faint smile. "Besides, I'd rather take this risk with someone who believes in the cause."

Aksel took a step forward, his eyes meeting Lara's. "You're more than capable, Lara," he said quietly. "And if Eirik believes you're the right person for this, then I trust his judgment." There was a faint glimmer of pride in his gaze, as though he had always known his sister was meant for something more.

Lara's hands tightened into fists at her sides, as if weighing the weight of the decision. Then, after what felt like an eternity, she slowly nodded. "Alright, Eirik," she said, her voice carrying a quiet determination. "I'll be your navigator. But I'm not doing this just for you." She paused, her gaze hardening. "I'm doing this to finish what Prometheus started and to help those who have suffered because of the World Government's lies."

Eirik's face lit up with relief and gratitude. "Thank you, Lara," he said, rising to his feet. "We'll find the stones, and we'll make sure the truth is known." He extended his hand to her, sealing the pact between them.

Lara took his hand firmly, her eyes shining with a mix of resolve and unspoken promise. "Then we have a long journey ahead of us," she said. "And we'll need all the strength we can muster."