Where Lies End

by Zeit's Library

Continued from Friends Like These. Omri has a attack of conscious as Adonis, Kallistei and Dysprosium's true motivations come to life in a wave of violence.

1. Chapter 1

There were days when tea simply didn't cut it.

Traveling for so long, it was easy to forget the idea of luxury. Especially with Adonis and Kallistei; neither of whom had much of a grasp on the concept. The Sniper was understandable enough; 'luxury' was in short supply where he came from. The little Hunter, though, that was a surprising case. Luckily, he came through and was back to normal after Thorium's attack on him. But now he was listening to Caskay more than ever and making Omri's role in this little group more complicated.

Cherri was gone and she took Dante with her; cutting their numbers as soon as they had arrived in Geffen. Adonis and Kallistei were off doing...whatever the hell it was that class did amongst themselves. It all left the brooding Scholar with some much desired time to think and tea...simply didn't cut it today.

Which sucked.

I haven't seen Lighthalzen in weeks. I've just about abandoned my duties to the Rekenber Corporation. All because of some rich brat who I haven't dealt with properly. I am the only adult in this bloody situation. Why exactly haven't I just pulled the plug on this little fantasy? Especially when it nearly got the us killed.

No one in the pub bothered with him and why would they? Anyone who kept themselves hidden underneath a hood like Omri did had no interest in other people. He didn't and instead absorbed himself in his half-empty glass of Red Mushroom Wine; trying to rationalize his continued putting off of his own life in favor of traveling with the brat and the farmboy.

There really is no reason for it, is there? Omri sighed after a moment, taking another sip of his wine. Really, what is this? This lie is becoming too real. If I'm not careful, there will be no backing away from it for either me or the boy. And as bloody stupid as he is, Caskay doesn't deserve any of this either.

This isn't natural. Not for me...not with strangers...not with a lie.

He had actually been thinking about these from the moment he agreed to help Kallistei in Lighthalzen. The moment never played out well in his head and often left untied ends. Adonis and Kallistei were just the tip of a very large mountain that had been created since this little journey started. So many people has crossed paths with them. So many who, hopefully, had forgotten his face. It would leave less to erase.

Tomorrow morning I'll deal with this issue. Remove the attachments that are blocking the proper end result. Kallistei has to be send back to Yuno and Adonis...who really cares were he ends up? Don't the gods look out after the elderly and the fools? Omri chuckled to himself, chiding his own nature for wondering how Caskay would fare. The Scholar shook it off and turned back to the reason he came down here in the first place: to do something OTHER than think of those two.

At least, he wanted to.

Something was off: Omri could feel it just underneath his skin. The pub wasn't the same from when he first entered. It wasn't simply a matter of the small crowd...there was something else. From underneath his hood, Omri couldn't tell anything right away. The wine didn't help either; the Scholar wasn't drunk but the bit he had already affected his senses.

Maybe its just my own head. Its been awhile since I've been alone. Omri almost figured, until he looked down at the floor. The last time he checked, his boots weren't so dirty as to leave a trail.

"I'm getting rusty." Omri noted dryly, taking another sip of his wine. " It used to not take me nearly this long to figure out when you were in the room, Dysprosium."

At the mention of his name his stealth shield dropped and the Stalker let himself be revealed. In contrast to their last meeting, Dysprosium actually looked...healthy. However, Omri had expected for him and the other Experiments that had played a role in getting the Stalker away from Adonis and the others to be back in Lighthalzen. It wasn't like Dysprosium to disobey direct orders.

"You're looking well." Omri kept his voice down, not wanting to attract any attention. "How did you get yourself back to full health so quickly?"

"Found a priest on the way. Figured it would save a trip, though Praseo went back."

"Praseodymium went back? Wait, does that mean that Thorium is with you?"

"Yeah."

"Great." Omri muttered as Dysprosium sat in one of the empty chairs. The Scholar caught a glimpse of the dogtags he returned to him after the incident. Although he had kept quiet about it with Adonis, Omri did know exactly what was written on them. The Scholar simply didn't have the inclination to wonder what connection the Sniper and this Stalker had at one point. It was just another thing beyond his understanding gratefully.

"Why did you defy my orders Dysprosium? I directed you to go back to HQ."

"...There's somethin' I gotta take care of here. I'm healthy now. I don' need to go back."

Not exactly an answer. Omri sighed. It would've been fun to consider, even for a second, that this behavior wasn't like the blind Stalker. But, unfortunately, Dysprosium was never the best liar in the Experiment pool. His right hand never left his left side: now sealed with healed skin but where Omri could remember roughly sewing shut a rather nasty wound. And he had a habit of holding a grudge... "In all of that commotion the last time we met, I never had a chance to ask what happened."

Omri couldn't tell what was going on in Dysprosium's head, but he had definitely tensed. Was it nervousness or rage? Probably rage. "You were always one of our stronger subjects. I was surprised to find you in that condition."

"..."

"I'm guessing this has something to do with why you and Thorium aren't on the way to Lighthalzen right now?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...Now when have I done anything to deserve such treatment Dysprosium? We've known each other for long enough now for this whole...thing to be unnecessary." Omri stated slowly, softly, from underneath his hood. "If its revenge you're after-"

"I don't WANT-I don't want revenge." Dysprosium's sudden burst of rage was quickly quelled by his own self. Maybe he didn't want to attract any more attention that Omri did. "I want the fuckin truth!"

"The truth?"

"Yes. Is that really such a strange request?"

That wasn't Dysprosium's voice. It was lighter, more arrogant, but with more than its share of venom. Warily Omri looked up to see Thorium hovering over the Stalker's shoulder: that nauseating grin plastered onto his face. Surely, in a previous life, Omri must have been something terrible in order to deserve someone like Thorium in his current life.

"Thorium. It must be my lucky day."

"Well at least you're learning a little respect for me Usoa. I guess you can learn." Thorium said as he took the final seat, completely ignoring the other Scholar's sarcasm. "So, have you two gotten to the fun part?"

"There's a 'fun part' in this sordid mess?"

"Oh? You haven't have you?" The pink Scholar's voice was practically dripping with excitement. Whatever he knew about this whole situation couldn't have possibly been any good. "You wasted all of our precious time tracking him and you won't even tell him why?"

"Thorium maybe you should let Dysprosium speak for himself?"

"Maybe you have better uses Father." Thorium chided, gently nudging an empty wine glass at Omri."I already had to get my own glass."

The little prick certainly has a lot of nerve. "What in the bloody hell is he going on about?" Omri asked Dysprosium, nudging Thorium's glass back at him.

"Oh really. Are you really that simple Usoa?"

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"I suppose they'll make anyone a Scholar these days won't they?"

"No. I'm just too old to play little games with you Thorium. And as long as we've had to put up with each other, you should know that." Omri sighed, pushing the glass away again. Thorium seemed insistent on having the older male pamper him. To do so was far beyond his pay grade, but he wouldn't stop nudging that stupid glass in front of him. Again, it was called onto him to be an adult in the situation...luckily there was no one around who could see this. "So? Is there a point to all of this?"

"Really? I mean, other than me, you know our little pet better than nearly everyone right?" Having Omri bend just enough to give him want he wanted, Thorium sat back pleased with himself, tracing the rim of his wineglass with a single finger. "You know what Dysprosium is capable of don't you Usoa? You know his real strength. So, knowing what you and I know, knowing how badly he was beaten, who could possibly be responsible?"

It was hard, but Omri managed to swallow the bile that had begun to build at the back of his throat from dealing with Thorium. All of his disdain could very well be justified, but that didn't mean that every now and then he couldn't be right.That night Dysprosium had been badly beaten: far worse than I've ever seen him anyway. If it was just a monster or some other beast, Dysprosium probably would've ran or at least been able to treat his own wounds. I can't think of any normal person that could've gotten the advantage of him like that either...maybe he was ganged up on then? Unless...what was he saying about 'finding the truth'?

"Is it starting to make sense yet Usoa? It makes sense doesn't it? Only another one of us could've attacked Dysprosium and made him look so pathetic."

"Shut up Thor."

"No. Its impossible." Omri said quietly, glaring directly into Thorium's closed eyes. "We've made advancements in the process: MUCH better conditioning than when the project first started. A rogue Number in this day and age-"

"My my. Did I say anything about a rogue? I don't think I did." Thorium chuckled, sipping a little of his wine."I simply said it had to have been one of us behind it. Please try not to jump to conclusions Father."

"Have ya seen any of them Usoa? The new ones?"

"...I've heard things. I haven't had a chance to see any of the newest generation in person." That was partially true. The other side of the coin is that Omri was supposed to have had a preview of the latest generation of Experiments the very day he ran into Kallistei. "It can't be that bad: not bad enough to attack someone they should know is one of them."

"It is. They're insane: all of 'em."

"Thorium's insane. The Lukas Twins are insane."

"Don't you dare compare me to them." Thorium's smile had gone from saccharine to downright lethal: not a good sign. "You haven't had to deal with these pathetic children and their cravings at all."

"Its gettin' out of hand Usoa. Now I-"

"-Ahem-"

"Thor's been hearing rumors about them. Causin' riots: attackin' anything that moves-"

"But attacking another Number? Not matter what the reasons or lack there of, its just reckless. I can't imagine the Corporation would let that type of product out of the Labs."

"Never said any of 'em where all that smart." Dysprosium scowled. "But I know what came at me. I was sent out here to check one of those reports 's a matta of fact. 'S how I ended up how you found me. I can't go back to HQ until I finish what's started."

"..." Dysprosium certainly seemed determined. If he and Thorium was right, it wasn't something Omri could just ignore. Maybe that was why these two came to him: because they knew he would enable this insanity. Experiments hunting Experiments...having things really gotten that far?

"Is whoever did it still in Geffen?" No answer from either of them. The Stalker simply stared out into the nothingness and Thorium seemed content to grin and drink silently. It made sense though. If either of them had known anything, there would be no need for Omri Usoa's aid. "I see."

"I just gotta know the truth. That's all."

"Oh? You're not the first to tell me that." Omri sighed again, draining what little alcohol remained in his glass. "We have to keep this as quiet as possible. If word of this conversation ever got back home...all three of us might end up on the chopping block. Try and stay out of sight while you're doing this alright? If I find anything out on my end, I'll let you know."

"Maybe you can ask for your friends to help you."

The table went quiet. From underneath his hood Omri was on the edge, frozen with spite. What he would give to decimate Thorium right then and there. Unseen Dysprosium simply remained silent: wisely so. Thorium simply sat there: that same damned smile on his face as if daring the other Scholar to try anything.

This ISN'T an emotional issue for me. I barely even know these people! Why should I care if this freak throws them in front of me like this? Whatever Thorium does with 'em...it isn't...my problem...

"The ones from that hut? You remember don't you Usoa? I mean, you certainly treated them like you knew them all. You seemed especially close to that Assassin your guard dog was slapping around. What about that Hunter? Has the kid woken up yet?" Thorium grinned over his empty glass, speaking so innocently but clearly seeing in his mind the look Omri was trying to hide from him. "Its amazing really. I can't believe anyone would tolerate someone like you but apparently you are not alone in this world Usoa. You must be thrilled."

"If that is what you truly believe than you have gravely underestimated me Thorium. I guess even gods can be mistaken from time to time though." Omri's voice rolled like gravel back into the conversation as calm and controlled as he could've been in the situation. "All of them had potential uses for the Corporation...but that incident surrounding Dysprosium proved how invaluable they were. I haven't seem them since that night. In fact, you will probably run into them before I will."

"...You are a terrible liar Father."

Omri didn't bother to respond to the verbal jab. Instead he rose to his feet, dropping enough zeny on the table to cover his tab. Dysprosium's concerns, valid or invalid, would have to wait for just a little while. Taking another glance to his side, Dyprosium also seemed distracted: unchanged from his usual blanket, solemn glare but still distracted. If they were going to do this, attempt to track down another Experiment, wondering about Adonis and Kalliste wouldn't help.

They had to go.

"Good hunting Dysprosium. Thorium. I'll be in contact."

"If you see the little Hunter again, be sure to tell him I haven't forgotten him!"

Keep walking. Keep walking. Omri muttered to himself as he stormed out of the pub. I've got to end this nonsense with those two soon. Before that crazy bitch gets close to Kallistei again. I will not have that kid or Caskay's blood on my hands...

xxx

My name is Omri. Everything else about me, my look, my credentials, everything; it is a lie. The real me lost usefulness ages ago, longer than I can remember now. So I killed that boy, that street rat, and embraced a lie. Really there is very little difference in the Experiments, the Numbers, I keep track of on behalf of the Rekenber Corporation. We're all dead men carving out new existences. And when confronted by the living...

For some reason, the trip from the Pub to his room in the Inn felt long. Maybe it was just the trip to Geffen overall: Omri certainly hadn't had time to rest since getting here. Of course, anyone who ever had the unique experience of a conversation with Thorium would know how withering that can be.

What he wanted, what he needed, was rest. Solitary, uninterrupted rest. The uninterrupted part was possible, however solitary? That was unlikely. The one drop of sunlight in this otherwise stormy horizon was that the Hunter and Sniper would soon be on their own paths and he would be on an airship back...wherever.

The cleanest way to go about this is the total truth I guess. I'll just tell Caskay everything and let him do whatever he wishes to do with that information. Omri murmured to himself, his eyes focused on the room door in front of him. Poor Kallistei. All he wanted was a chance to have an adventure. The stakes are too high for that now, though. The safest place for him is back with his family.

Feeling more resolute, Omri placed his hand against the door, more than ready to get this over with. However, he paused and instead of his usual quiet focus was stuck in something resembling bewilderment. He couldn't be completely sure, especially with the door separating him from the rest of the room, but the Scholar could've sworn he heard something off. Lowering his hood, Omri pressed his ear into the door and waited. There was stillness, then the sound came out again: some sort of...groaning?

What in the hell is going on in there? Omri thought again about going through that door, however at this point he really didn't have another option. As calmly as possible the Scholar opened the door and entered the room. It all looked normal at first, until Omri saw Adonis on the other side of the room apparently sitting on the floor.

"Caskay?"

"Oh hey Uncle!" Adonis grinned from over his shoulder. "Enjoy your tea?"

"Uh..yeah. Where's Kallistei?"

"...H-Help..."

Omri's jaw dropped as he flew across the room and gawked at Kallistei, on his stomach, with Adonis sitting on his back. The poor child looked completely winded, yet he was still attempted to push the larger Sniper off his back.

"What are you doing?"

"Hero training!" Adonis gave the startled Omri a thumbs up, ignorant of Kallistei now straining for breath underneath him. "Kid said he wanted to get stronger for the Sniper test!"

"So you're sitting on him?"

"Nah its just pushups man! Only way to get stronger!"

"Get offa him you twit!" Omri may have acted a little overboard, especially with the kick to the head, but it succeeded in getting Caskay off Kallistei. "Kallistei. Kallistei! Are you alright?"

"Hey! That wasn' necessary man." Caskay groaned, sitting up holding the side of his face. "Just tryin' to help him."

"Dumbass! There had to be another way!" Omri said sternly as he tried to help Kallistei back to his feet. He might as well have been handling a live fish; the Hunter could barely stand upright. "Breathe kid!"

"I'm okay I'm okay." Kallistei tried to say and ended up mumbling over and over, finally letting Omri sit him on the edge of the bed. "I asked..."

"..." Omri wanted to chastise Kallistei as well, but he didn't have the heart for it. He could admire his ambition and his willingness to trust someone as reckless as Adonis as part of whatever insane plan or half-plan the Hunter had in his head. But then, Omri would've never allowed someone like Caskay to sit on his back so what did that say about Kallistei? Or him for that matter? "You really didn't notice that he could barely breathe?"

"We all gotta start somewhere right? If he wants to be a Sniper-"

"He does not want to be a Sniper."

"-Gotta be a lot stronger than he is now."

"He does not want to be a Sniper!" Omri said a bit louder, but it didn't seem to phase Adonis any. The Sniper just continued grinning on the floor, as if he had some secret knowledge that alluded the older Scholar.

"But, Adonis' is right. He's right!" Kallistei got out as his breathing became more regular and fixed his 'Uncle' with the most determined glare his honey-brown eyes could muster. "I do need to get stronger! I do want to be a Sniper!"

"No you just don't want to be a damned Scholar." Omri huffed, sitting down on the other side of the bed. "That's two completely different things."

"...you sound just like my parents."

Kallistei sounded especially bitter on that list bit. True, from everything Omri knew, the sole reason for the young Hunter traveling with Adonis was to see what lied outside of his home. It was just another thing that separated the supposed family members, really. Only someone who had a comfortable, untroubled life could even be interested in whatever this ugly world had to offer.

"Speakin of which, have you found 'em here?"

"No." Omri sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. Now that Kallistei was breathing on his own, the hard part of the night had come up. There was no easy way to do what he was going to do, but Omri had faced worse things before. "Perhaps its time we started thinking more practically."

"What'cha mean?"

"I think we should start thinking about heading back to Yuno."

"...What?"

"What?" Kallistei was on his feet; outraged. Omri ignored him and focused on Adonis, who looked confused. It was a pretty standard look for him, but this time he seemed more introspective about it. Was he actually considering the Scholar's words? The Hunter certainly wasn't and had put himself between Adonis and Omri as if he could physically block the conversation. "But I know they're not there! That's why we're here in the first place!"

"But your home is in Yuno." Omri pointed out, trying to shove Kallistei aside. "Everyone that knows you is there. If we take you back there, you can just wait for them to come back."

"But what if they're gone for months? I'll be all alone!"

"We don't even know that! Besides by the time we get from Rune-Midgard back to the Republic, they may beat us there!" By that time Adonis was a spectator in Kallistei and Omri's verbal spat. He sat against the wall, watching as Kallistei seemed to be on the verge of throwing a punch at his 'Uncle'. Really, the Hunter wasn't that foolish or upset. He just needed to get close enough so that the Sniper couldn't hear them.

"What are you doing?" The Hunter whispered hurriedly, holding onto the front of Omri's cloak before shouting loudly. "What if they're here? We can't just leave!"

"I can't get into details right now. Just trust me that we have to tell him the truth." The Scholar pushed his 'nephew' back, before similarly speaking loudly. "I've checked everywhere little one. If they're here they're playing a good game of hide-and-seek."

"Whelp! Sounds like you guys have a lot to talk about!" Adonis said suddenly, going to his feet. "Think I'll go get somethin' for Violetta to eat."

"What?" Both Omri and Kallistei watched as Adonis headed for the door, completely oblivious to their conversation.

"Wait a minute Caskay! We're not finished here!"

"Yeah! You still gotta put this old man in his place!"

"Old man?"

"I'm right aren't I? We can't just give up now! And I gotta keep training!"

"What part of 'you're not becoming a Sniper' don't get?"

"Hey wait! Get back in here!"

"Caskay!"

"Sorry! I'm not so good at this kinda stuff ya know?" Adonis laughed nervously, half-way through the room door with both the Hunter and Scholar baring down on him. "You two can figure it out and I'll just...go with it!"

Within seconds the Sniper was gone, leaving the two alone in the room. It was quiet for a long time as both Kallistei and Omri seemed content with glaring at one another. Omri was pure ice, watching as the little Hunter shifted every few seconds from scorn to fear to disbelief back to scorn. "I thought we had a deal."

"Things have changed Kallistei. You can't do this anymore."

"...I can't go back."

"Why not rich boy? What's so terrible that you've gotta stay out here with the likes of that idiot?"

"...You can't tell him the truth. You can't!" Kallistei's voice cracked. The wave of emotions from earlier seemed too much for him and now the Hunter seemed barely able to hold back the tears in his eyes. His hands, his body, shook far outside of his control; keeping Omri from looking directly at him. "Please. Don't do this..."

"This is the way its got to be. You'll understand when you get my age."

Those last few words were the last thing Kallistei wanted here. It had been familiar throughout his entire life and he didn't need to here it from this stranger. A flash of fury crossed his face as he punched Omri as hard as he could in the gut. It wasn't enough to cause any pain, but Omri had to admit it was a pretty good hit for someone of his stature. Seeing Omri still standing, Kallistei ran out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

For what its worth Kallistei, hopefully you won't have to understand why one day. Omri sighed to himself as he fell backward on the bed. Strange: if anything all of that talking put more weight on his shoulder, not less. And for all of his determination, he still hadn't told the Sniper the truth. Too tired for that right now. They'll have to come back here anyway. I'll do it then.