AUTHOR'S NOTE: After I had finished the 'previous' chapter I had writer's block (& I think I still might...). Since this phase of the story isn't intended to be long the 'ending' was planned out from the start, but I've been struggling with the in-between; I had a rough idea of it, but I believe my thoughts were getting out of control, which made development... haphazard. So I took a break, reread what I'd already done, and realized... I wasn't particularly happy. I didn't hate what I did, but it just felt 'off' in some ways. So I've been reworking the chapters - changing the order of things, some dialogue etc. - and I'm more satisfied now than from before (Although I wouldn't be surprised if my brain reworks my ideas again and I hit another block. Shit happens).

I'll be taking my time - and I mean really taking my time - with working on this, so as I mentioned in the past updates will be slow, since I gotta work at a pace where I don't mess things up. And other than suggesting to read this story from the start again before reading the latest chapter... that's all for now.


The Latent Prospect

Written by Mugen7


Chapter II: A Hollow Perspective


Kagutsuchi Port

Awareness fell into his job description. A mandatory requirement needed both in and out of the workplace. A cornerstone of his lifestyle. "Knowledge is power", as the saying goes. Sometimes the littlest of facts can be dangerous – with a little know-how a person can conceptualize, test, assume, and conclude a topic so vague and darkened by mystery that the results acquired can turn out false, thereby causing bothersome issues due to one's lack of patience and lack of initiative to gather as much needed information beforehand before proceeding with their analysis... In short, haste makes waste. Although, possessing more knowledge than needed from the get-go can prove to be just as fatal. For whoever, they'd have more control and perspective in how to apply their knowledge, and not necessarily for the better.

Then again, he supposed no matter how the quota is regarded from the numerous viewpoints, knowledge will always amount to some level of gain for an individual.

"Guess it's back to drawing board for them, then."

He's aware of many things. In fact most of his wisdom came from his tenant, courtesy of the link they share which allowed much of their insight to transfer into his psyche. Much, but not all. Unfortunately for them – more-so the latter than himself – they have reached a bit of an impasse. Not everything is as it should be, but, at the same time it is, so there's nothing to be surprised about. There's no little nuisance tailing him this time around for example, but that's neither here nor there.

Ignorance of the big picture can be oh-so vexing on the nerves, however, they can both agree that there is an acidic bliss to being in the dark – now so – simply waiting for what kind of awesome chain of events are to unfold.

"This does look promising... wouldn't you agree?" from a recess point of his mind an eerily audible voice answers him.

A hand slips across his chest. From an inside pocket of his suit jacket he pulls out a single folded document, that he opens and reads.


N.O.L: Intelligence Report [Blue Rebel]

On December 25th, 2194, the NOL branch facility in the 23rd Hierarchical City of Wakumusubi was destroyed in line with the event of the 5th Hierarchical City of Ibukido's total eradication. Within the following year, the 12th Hierarchical City of Kukunochi had their facility demolished in the same fashion as the Twenty-third. Later accounts described the perpetrator as young teen – male – wielding a large sword, and capable of an unclassified Ars Magus.

Two more Librarium facilities were destroyed in the coming years, in which afterwards the suspect became inactive. Whereabouts unknown.

In recent reports, both of the Librarium's facilities within Akitsu were annihilated in the previous year (AD 2198) by a 'Blue Rebel'. After making comparisons between exploits and salvaged security footage, both individuals are identified as being one and the same (Subject appeared to be missing his past armament).

Solid facts regarding the subject's background remain unknown. It is unclear why the rebel has been assaulting the NOL facilities, but he is deemed an extremely imposable threat to the organization.

With no concrete method of apprehending the target, along with the severity of his actions, the aforementioned Blue Rebel has been classified as a SS-class rebel.


"He's been awfully busy these past few years. Even worked up a bigger reputation compared to last time." The light-hearted intrigue is as infectious as the thinly stretched smile sliding up his face. Absent-mindedly he waves the document like a makeshift fan. "He was never this infamous before, though I suppose it's nothing to fret over. So long as he plays his role as the 'bad guy' then that's all that really matters in the end."

Airships park in and leave the port orderly; their misleading engines function efficiently – listless and quiet, yet actually methodical and energized to the brim from the world's prime renewable resource. Kind of like the world itself; chugging along quietly and passively with not an ounce of "spark", and with no will of its own. It's seems just too mechanical and monotonous. Simply energized to run the same course over and over – a little twist here and a little turn there, but predictably rinsing and repeating.

Standing on the balcony of the port's platform, he looks at the vast and open display. Fabricated as an iconic work of art with the land and sky in focus with well-placed add-ons flying transports and strokes to finalize an, outstanding piece... sort of. It may look like an impressionable sight to the "blind", but to him he sees no depth, no life no meaning no... message. An abstract contrived of colours, but lacking originality and substance.

"How boring..." voice vacant, but his smile remains as is.

All life goes with the flow. They unknowingly obey a consensus – people may think otherwise but he believes they do – acting and living similarly like countless times before. Doing the same routine over and over. Instilled with a false sense of independence, begetting freedom and individuality that they don't really have. Free-thinking, dreams, ambitions... do we develop our own, or are they recycled from remnants of a past long gone? Are we ourselves born unique, truly self-aware, or are we all in some way replicas of someone else, from a past long gone?

From the people – human, beastkin, artificial and other – to the wildlife, and to nature and the world as a whole, they all adhere to the whims of fate. That is his perspective of reality. "And it's quite a hollow one at that."

By the by, time seems to be following its schedule nicely. She should be close to completion soon, and thus he will be present when she emerges from her cocoon. Then the two can jump right into their bloody waltz. A mutual agreement to slay and devour one another in their own perverse and twisted throes of carnage.

"Well, best be on my way. I should hurry along and take care of some business before the show starts."

Repetitive and cliché and forced the world may be. Although he does find a wry amusement in watching people suffer, war, and vehemently try to kill each other, with a cruel and twisted sense of humour inherited from his tenant.

"Be sure to put on a good show now... I have a feeling you won't disappoint."


AUTHOR'S NOTE: Short chapter, yes. But that's I got for now. L8r.