Tranquility in inkopolis

by Mr.Madness419

My name is Jack Wilson Gruw. I am a doctor, and a man of science, of who's unlucky enough to witness the infamous demise of our race. We sealed ourselves away in our shelters which ultimately became our coffins...except for me. And so begging's my journey to the shining light's behind the horizon's. A world of the future and Devine opportunities...

41. Chapter 35: a gift from the admirer

"FUCK YA SELVES YA MINDLESS SHIT BAGS!" said rex as he keeps blowing things up from left to right while pushing straight to the end of this base, the fact that he is this powerful while holding back on some regards of his explosive fanatics is a more a less concern of its own, but he is associating with that inner saint he liked to call it while I stick with 'it' as a term I'd prefer to use instead. I never wanted ever in my life to associate with that damnd parasite, but it looks like it's on the move with his other 'things' probably rooming around every corner of the world to keep me in check….out of all times 'it' had step in, why now of all times? it never helped me in the past other than giving me unbearable counts of nightmares I had to suppress, even now it's doing the same thing but different after waking. All I can do now is keep myself open-minded to any possible similar oddities like rex is, even I think he would offer me something that coincides with whatever he juiced himself up. I'll have to refuse, I am greedy...but not that greedy to have it looming its stains on me than it already has. "Aright me lord! The hall is clear to breathe a bit, so try to take it easy after three days of shit cell in this crazy octo-base. I mean I say that but it never truly be there's now ain't it?" said Rex as he sheathed his broad sword, completely clean with no blood but rough in some places. " no...I don't think they have or even know." I said while trying to understand how this place is still a human bunker as I know back then we had every info there is on every single one of them to keep track of, but this is if nor perhaps the second one I've seen that had nothing in the files it all. Was Zoe keeping info for herself or that something of that nature when she got spooked about it? "Ay, there be nothing of supercuts or short circuits me lord. Two city bases in between one mountain are on high alert now so you better stay sharp n ready, or your lovely lassis ere are going ink-stained in stone," he said with a smiling comfort with his cultists Andover, he finished sheathing his sword from all the path clearing before leading us away to the end of this endless mess of a place where there is a lot of things I find useful here, the fact that there are two bases means there are two bunkers massive enough to hold a lot of the human populations here. but...I wonder if I looked more into this further, will I...find familiar faces in here...? ah...it is not the best time to think about it. I'll just mentally note this and prioritize it later. I see then rex has gone burst blazing on everything until we reach the outside, however, there's still more to go to the surface, rex then told us that currently, it's 8:00 pm night time, much else as I asked if he has any news to share about the current state of inkopolis city since I was worried that my absence can cause a bit shifting tides in a power struggle between the police and other criminals alike. as far as he can tell me, things are somewhat stable thanks to Zoe and me as the police doing their damn supposed jobs to keep the peace. Media are being somewhat restless too but not going full panic yet, as reassuring that may be, deadf1sh is perhaps Livid in some form of my absence. but, I can make sure that after I escape I'm going back to do my ghost of justice job and earn more of my payday on both sides...assuming that if they didn't destroy the healing function after they reversed engineered my suit to give that super octo-boy the gauntlet….and perhaps more witch is terrifying.

And obviously that we need to retrieve some things that belong to me before doing all that, but more importantly we still haven't found Callie and Celine nor our two best spies anywhere as of yet, but we're not stopping until we find them, keeping it together as we went forward while the more I look at every nook n cranny of this supposed bunker architecture the more that rex isn't that far off about it as she shared the info his ability to share. But I bit the other half or more are in deadf1sh's database. Keeping my head on every room and every hall I see is indeed octarian tech. but, the human parts only look somewhat unrecognizable because they covered it with their paint jobs and other junk, so most things we found and stumbled here are just either human or human and octarian fused. Despite that it's being odd on its forms, it gives quite the interesting result on it's every form of tech I see, and having it at my disposal along with everyone will do nicely if I had my suit back to gather it all up and transfer them to the sub for either bonus resource or money. Eh, either way, it works. we ventured out while every room I see that was deemed at least valuable or not before allowing to come back here and there in later times. we also found those who wanted to join us in our escape or just wait until it's the right moment to leave, and others just refused or tried to stop us. So business as per-usual with these guys, and considering that Necky is being the temporary bodyguard, she is trying to convince them to join us without letting them cause more casualties. like many times before with the inklings with the other sealings doing the same thing already but less involved and more spectating them as fools play, the process of escaping is going in a mixed bag kind of processing. but it does show its result that both sides have their own thing going on with rex destroying and Necky pacifying...no arguments here. However ever since the meeting with the false king himself, things have been somewhat clear. But being the old experienced person I am with other people, I demand more information, more to gain, and rise to the end of the pillar to see that all things have finally been unfolded. until if everyone is on board with every info we have been given...it only has the 'hers hoping that they would listen' kind of thing, but I digress. Anyway, as I am slowly getting my strength together over time, the injury itself feels a bit distant but not fully subsided, forced to keep my feet away from the action as I still use my roller as a cane. Furthermore of my inability to help, however, some of those who joined us still have a bit of a fight in them as they try to both protect me and give me some support to move forward...I'm not technically hundred years old and yet physically I feel like a drag in this condition. But at least it makes them happy so it somewhat eases most of my...I would like to say worries but even I'm not sure id call it that. As for the others they are fighting with rex who's doing well already on his own but being the guy with his kind of faith and salvation on the line, his encouragement felt like a roaring horde of mass divinity to fight without failing their mighty greedy lord to uphold his promise of paradise...it has been a forty minutes long of escape so far with this going on and the more I see how they are willing to do this for my sake with the promise land idea that rex is being too good at it, the more I feel that this idea of encouragement terrified me a bit of starting to consider it later. And regrettably...he isn't too far off with the promised paradise part. Since my big project might have something to do with it, it was intended to be that way but not to be...this kind of idea holiness or anything, I'll have to speak with him if he knows anything about it once we're back in my base. and if possible, I would let him tag along for the night shift if I get my gut all healed up first. Wonder also if Nicky is ok with me doing that yet I don't want her to be more upset if I left again for another mission, I mean she would definitely understand of course but...hmm, the base would be fine with her around at least since she mostly knows everyone. Yet...I also don't want her to be that's all she's for since I can naturally pay for all her and others services that am grateful for it, and then again my absence of being mostly dead already left a tool on her for three days so. Should I ditch the night shift so rex could handle it in my stead for the sake of her comfort and more? "great one, you ok?...you look like you need more rest." said one of the octoling followers who's been carrying my both arm and hand along with the other two giving an extra boost, reaching my limit of exhaustion they guide me towards a mostly empty room were some octoling soldiers that were just minding their business, creating new armor plates and such, they have noticed and try to engage but Nicky hold them off by aiming her weapon while telling them to keep continuing there work and stay alive or have her dealing the most damage on their plates of armor and repair it again except much less the opposite of being...normal armor. now I feel like this is a red flag by default but I've heard too many similar factors in hellvens city at midnight hour so I'm not all too frightened. They looked at each other before they complied with her demand as the sound of forging was heard. in this situation, someone would forge something to defend themselves, either a knife to throw or something to be shielded until overcome and adapt the whole thing...and it looks like I was right on the money. "Three guys are making a knife, take them out, and tie them good." I informed and pointed at them in a whisper to one of my followers and quickly let Nicky know as they made their move before they do, success was mostly achieved as most of them got away and hurt some of my lads. I managed to swing my roller at one run away on his back knees and fell on the metal floor, pinned him down afterward. Then I wanted to ask about the suit and where it is, but the guy is a persistent little fuck ward. Saying to let him go in a struggling weak tune while trying to escape my grasp and even biting my backhand to increase his chances of escape, it did hurt like a literal hell and how it's similar to a cat bite in a way, and somewhere in between of a dog bite as well. But given how their fang teeth are that sharp, it still makes it so either way. Increasing his bite pressure, I grunted softly as I held him tight around my other arm and pulled him back up to my chest, and made contact with the wall again. He kept struggling out of my grasp while feeling the pain of my gut is like fire as I endure it before calling out to one of my followers to give me a hand with this one, not before I see they are already tying them up with the ropes they have around and Nicky is stepping in as she stomped the little fucker on his forehead twice with a force felt strong enough that even my chest felt it, he let go of my hand instead as he was being in a drowsing pain. Quickly then, I remembered something about a certain state of my…(hellven gift) all the more convenient for my liking. I raised my hand to Nicky to hold off her stomping and made his head look up to me as I saw his eyes being drowsy with his audible moaning. "Reveal the stolen value of my power, and guide me to further my greatest limitless desire. Now March fourth to my rend asunder paladin, and show him the way of the necessary tool salvation." I laid those words to him as his eyes glowed orange, same as mine but less perfectly me. Then as I let him go in the process to make the magic work itself out. "I...will show him all the worth I have," he said with a drowsy tone before getting up and leaving the room while everyone was amazed. "Great one? What was that you just did to him?" asked Necky while my gaze has faded back to normal blue as it was yellow-ish orange, at the same time she is intrigued but careful. "Oh, that? It's something I've learned while I was in the sinful city, not a real name by the by it's just how I used to call it." I answered while adjusting my coat and fixing my hair a bit. Then checked my hand as I told her that it's fine, tho I do need to check for side effects once I get the suit back. She looked down for a bit before asking this question but was still on guard, looking in every direction while aiming at any possible threat nearby. "So what was that just now? Is it hypnosis or something?" Keeping it together as to not evert her main objective. "I mean, It is in a way but, can only use it if my target is dazed. The process is only temporary so he's not going to be that way until the goods are shown to our explosive rescuer. It's a working progress ability so...I'm not even sure if I want to finish improving it, let alone even use it any more than I need to." I furthered as she was somewhat relieved of my answer before checking on the rest of the group if they are hurt or not, Even checked on the tight-up ones and demanded if they have any info we could use, and she is mostly not kind about it. Perhaps I should talk to her after all, and I hope she won't see me as another Octavio reject or something since I'm not using it out of spite and...whatever is Octavio even doing at this point. I just do it to get what I and others want and not hold them against their will, too bad that I can't use it to pull pranks with it since it's only a show me the money kind of ability. Eh, as long as it whatever works for me and everyone, is all I ever want without ever holding there will. After Nicky checked on everyone and everything, she told us that we need to keep going and reach the surface as fast as possible with my suit is the key to freedom. Not true, since all they have to do is to get to the pipes to the unused backdoor entrance, they are more than capable without me...but I suppose is better to be safe than sorry to get the suit first for a perfect escape.

After her little speech about persevering through the human bunker and turned into an octarian base, they tried to apologize to me about it but told them it was ok since they needed a place to live and thrive regardless of my saying on the matter, am not going to ever fault them for their living conditions and I won't hold a grudge for it since it makes sense to them. I've been there, and I've always been, so instead, I'll give them a better home until this current one is fixed. Yet still, I have to know how this place exists in the first place. "My lord? Have you rested enough? or do you require more?" asked one of my octoling followers as I looked at him before the rest of them, seeing how they wanted to get out of here with some desperate expressions on their faces. I'd say I need a few before rushing it out...but it seems they have been cooped up in here long enough and are ready to throw everything to finally leave. I peeked out the door to see if the coast was clear enough to move out. The explosive Scottish lad along with the others are doing just fine on their own as they are cutting the way forward, I figured maybe we could wait for a little while until they could give us the ok as I looked back at them. "The way is somewhat clear, we should if possible wait a while longer before they give us the ok and march out to the next one," I informed and they complied with my suggestion while looking glad yet a bit impatient, Nicky reassured them that being reckless in our escape is not something they all want as she comforted them with words and a few friendly hand gestures before coming to me for the overall moral report.

"They're good now my lord, there just really tired being here."

"I mean there's no surprise there, being cooped up in here is not the idea of vacation time for me."

"You saying like you've been here before."

"In a different kind of bunker actually, so I'm not too familiar with this one."

"Really? I figured you gods would."

"We had everything to keep track of including our own, but this one…? No. it's pretty new even for me."

"...huh...weird."

"Yeah no kidding, and after exploud telling us this...I have more questions for him alongside the nature of what he is."

"I mean, you're not wrong. His kind of wack in the head but he's a good guy so far."

"I'm not saying I don't fully trust him since we just meet him in a sense, I'm saying that whoever he's working with is the one you need to keep away from."

"You mean the inner saint?"

"Yeah...that thing"

"thing...?"

"All I need to tell you now at the moment if he said anything about joining him about something? Don't...do it."

"...like what?"

"...do you want to live your life knowing that something is out there, watching you every step of the way? But being malicious about it?"

"..."

"Just believe what I say on this, even if he is sounded to be a genuine god seeker as evidence showed by his physical and tank prowess alongside with the black veins if you noticed, you should just stay clear enough to not end up in...uncertain principle."

"...i-i'll...keep that warning as a priority in mind my lord, thank you. But I'll still keep him close just to incase that we need him and his unique experts."

"You do that, but to make sure that you don't forget. These are the words to keep you in the know...as I had once *whispered the words to her ear as she looked both amazed and horrified*."

"I-i…"

"There that tenacious, well in all there craft. But tenacious."

"...o-ok, t-thank you, my lord."

"I'm not happy about it either, but I care for you that you won't end up unwell. So please, I'd like to see your face with nothing but a happy morning every day without them looming all over you."

"Thank you but I-huh?"

"I would do a lot of things just to make sure that morning happens to you"

"...r-really...?"

"Naturally my dear"

"Y-you…you're sure you want to?"

"Of course Necky, am not going to leave you even after I finally have her in my life."

"But...she is-"

"Admiditly yes, I still have my heart for her. But I won't let you be just because I have found her, I still have to make sure that your life is both happy n secure as well."

"N-no i-i mean I, that's…i-"

"Necky look at me.*eye's met with mine*"

"I feel like that you have things to give and to learn, and it's your choice to discard them however you like. But am here to tell you that I can make it happen."

"You would go that far for me?"

"Yes, and...I feel like that I miiiight be back in the market now."

"Back in the market?"

"It's another phrase for being available in someone's arms again, and I'm starting to…' consider' Zoe's idea."

"And...what would that be?"

"I think it's best to talk to her about it, she's the one that has full details to it. But in the meantime, I hope that you would like to be-"

"Together?"

"... I mean, if you want to...after of course know each other better."

"hmm….can you give the new followers some comfort too? they need their lord's blessings for their peace n mind before our escape to our base after all."

After she suggested the idea to me with a genuinely heartwarming smile, she left to handle our little tight-up neighbors. Hmm….well, she seems interested somewhat, but all I can hope for her now is that she won't ever head to regret it, along with rex's advice of when he's going to mention it soon. And after much long thought of Zoe's idea back on the island, I am not yet ready to agree. I just, feel that we need to test the waters first. If she agreed to it after the explanations from her, then it would be a good starting point for us...if it goes well at least. which reminds me. I think...that I owe Zoe some former apology for the way I acted to her, I mean I know she means well in her own right but still, the limit got to me with her…unique way of caring. I could have handled it at least on some reasonable grounds. I wonder what she's thinking now after three days of bassing, hmm...well. Whatever happens, is that all I want is to give her my apology and talk it out. After I finished thinking about almost everything I could cover, I have called over my followers to keep their minds strong as Necky would like to say and allowed them to keep their peace by both huggings or having a conversation and giving their prayers to me as most of them have their belief growing stronger and stronger the more they do. I don't know what my Lord would say to me about these new unforeseen circumstances, but it seems that my belief in him now is more…the fear that I, n-no...god or no god, My thoughts and goal as a scientist haven't changed that I still want to keep all these fascinating species to be alive and happy for generations, and my belief in him is still strong but I want to be cautious that I don't give him the impression that don't. So I'll stick to what I do and make things better for once, and maybe even finally bring them all together like how they used to….kind of like us humans in a way. it's, of course, impossible on some levels but I still want to keep at it since it was possible to bring people together, one person or more. I have to keep going, once a citizen of hellven city that makes all things impossible, it will possible in the end. "greedy one!" shouted rex as he came by before showing the unconscious guiding octoling while holding him in one hand by his strapped plate armor, it took time to wait but I assume he brought me some good news. "I knew you have some power in ya! The little crunk bucket ere just showed me where the door of the good stuff is! I was right that ya have something special in yer own sleeves." said the cultist lad excitedly before the rest of his motivated peacekeepers are here, I can imagine they are going to be the first people he would make them stronger and give them his advice. Boy, this is just getting more and more vomiting now. then the unconscious octoling got tight up too before he throws him away. " so...? Ye ready to get back in the game greedy on?" he asked as I nodded in reply before they all helped me get up and used my cane roller for support, like before they helped with the support but told them that I was feeling a little better to hold my own. And though they have insisted on keeping tall and ready so they just kept holding on to me regardless, we moved towards where the suit and goods are located with rex leading the way. Somewhat slow on my part even with their help but, I try to keep up the pace nonetheless. "Scrumpy?" said the cultist as he suddenly offered his share of his halved filed bear cider, looking at it for a minute and thought as to where he got something like this before deciding why not and took his kind offer. Drinking it while seems like the coast is very much clear for the time being, "so I take it that you just arrived here?" I asked the most cult before he nodded, "sure did! You should count your inner saint blessings, for now, I am mostly assigned here when you need me." he replied as I continued drinking before I raised an eyebrow. " then what else you're here for? Some information gathering or anything to do with inkopolis or the canyon?" I asked more while were are reaching a gate-like door that looks far more secured, of course, I assumed that if the guided octoling said anything to him on how to open it but he only said that he only knows that place is the most valuable without knowing the password. "Well half right me lord, but I also sent here to keep in an eye on things majorly and get some goodies while at it. contract with some worthy people and good change behind dogs in the low chain too. Also, I didn't want to blow up the goods on the way here and out there since I knew you want em." he furthered his info about his objective before looking around the rooms for the password note of some kind, "good thinking there, otherwise, I might bell you the damages for fucking up my shit where I need it most." I half-joked as he just laughs it off while still looking for the note, some of my followers also helped and expanded the search. "hahaha! Oh, don't ya worry! I've been taught how to handle real good shits like me own posse!" he said loudly to hear him in one room as I continued walking to the gate, "that's reassuring to hear since I need everything we could find and bring it back with us for a further chance of winning and bonus stuff for the base." I replied to him while my followers were chatting a bit about me mentioning the base, you know, the usual stuff like before but more hope to it this time. However, I feel like some things may need some reconstruction at least. Sure I provide home, safety, food, clothing, and such. But it's not the ideal paradise for real freedom, I still never expected this role will be handed to me. And I don't want to feel that using them without legit payment, I have everything I need to pay for the stuff for more daily resources and max kind of security, provided the staff doing both of them for everyone. but both money and actual freedom is still a problem, that's why taking all the stuff here should at least provide me the necessary financials to cover all that up for everyone, at least for a while before giving it back here once we claimed this whole dang place for ourselves. even before doing this mission, I did go as far as taking all gangs and criminals' hard work money to make things easier at most. Of course, I did feel some form of remorse in some cases but if the good guy always had to do nothing just for the sake of being the goody little two shoes in everyone's eye's, then nothing is done and competition will always be unfair, not just me...but to everyone else. So therefore In my recent missions in inkopolis have the reasonable conscience to give those who have good intentions in better use of their own money, the amount they deserve for it. And yet...I was still had to bring them all up to the police anyway. That and bringing all the money back to the banks for the big and under...fish dogs? I'm not sure if the saying still applies but I'll still use it anyway. in the end, I did take my fair share of it to take care of the ends of my good deed dept to keep all parties happy. And just as the old saying goes, it's not stealing if it was already an equivalent exchange. I mostly didn't like what I had to do, but what can I do when people always use that phrase as an excuse and always get away with it? It is never exactly being said in a full sentence but sure as hell they love to be in the right even if the roles are reversed, so I'll do what I have to do to keep not just everyone...but to also keep me happy. "Found the password note!" one octoling follower have shouted before I found myself and everyone at the gate-like door as they still chatted but kept their eyes out. I should mention that the door looks like a massive contraption gear lock, the size as somewhat big and square-like in its shape, showing also that the gears have multiple lines in them like they're meant to be aligned together. It is quite an interesting one but, too bad it's not a puzzle… It fits the word contraption since it looks secured but not given a vibe to a full-on puzzle. I do miss doing those in hellven city's bozo science game show, they're pretty fun to attend with the big leagues since Gloria was forcing me to...a-anyway, for some reason I feel safe next to the door, almost with the same feeling when my admirer is close by. Wait...i-is she?

While I was completely sure that she is behind the door, I saw the octoling come back with the note and gave it to Necky to start pressing the keypad and get the door opened. Excitement was holding me like a net as I couldn't wait to finally see and catch her in my grasp, the others also came back from the search but, it is a surprising coincidence that they came back not empty-handed with a variety of valuables. Some have found neat resource materials all collected in two or three bags, others have brought more weapons and armor. And some have mostly everyday valuable stuff, immediately thought that I could use some of those to sell them for more cash or just use it intended. Either way, they said that they figured since my title says it all to bring things so that we might or may not need later, I was both pleased and intrigued by how they assumed of what my nature could be with their findings in hand, needless to say, that I also found myself smiling with this action as I gave them the praise they deserve with a head pat on the side. Feeding them with warmth in their hearts is the thing they need right now, I will pay all of them back with their services. Necky looked at us and smiled as she felt like things are going well so far, "Good work lads! The greedy one's blessings will surely be the one thing you need to get out of this hell hole of an unworthy place," he said while coming back before they all smiled and chaired as I just looked at him with both concerns and worry, "explode, I like that you keep their motivation high, but I don't want them to get it over there heads before we escape. And...if I'm correct here, you seem to hate it here more than Necky." I asked before he shook his head," naye, you may find it surprising me lord but I do love it ere. it's just that most of em damned cunts disrespect this grave place of was where the best humans are. *leaned on the wall while sighing in disappointment* Now it's just half of it is a full-on captain Octavio drone's." he replied sadly as if he's speaking like he was back on those day's where the event took place while looking around in nostalgia, looking at him now in this might be a rear time to wetness this feeling of his unfolded. I wasn't feeling like that should be that empathetic towards him since...being he is of what he is, but I feel so far is that I could be at least being somewhat...I think. Then I thought of Handing his bear cider back before he chuckled, at first I was confused but then I released that was giving him the empty bottle...looks like I was more thirsty than I thought I would be, hehe~. "Looks like I owe you a drink when we get back, oh and...don't worry. Were getting this place back" I reassured him with a smile before smiling back and nodded once while hearing the door have finally opened. Gears are turning while sliding into a centered position until all of them are alining into one opened multiple lines. The door opened not before I see that's being slow, however, I did notice an octoling figure that looked female during the opening process, to which I was right but it looks like she was in the far distance as I see another door that was in the middle of being opened as well, a sudden fear was replaced by my excitement as then I found myself being desperate to get the door opened by my own hands. Leaving all the support behind me just so I could reach inside while forcing the door open, but it's no use. she noticed and only looked back at me with her side face before the coin has appeared out of her...is that my suite's scarf she's warring? That's the only thing I could make it out, but since they are far away I couldn't tell anymore, the worst of it was that even the light entrance was suddenly dimming as if fate is mocking me yet again and trying to keep us apart on purpose, she then said something to the coin on before her lips seemed to be touching on one of its sides. turning into her octo form to slip through the door. living it behind after, But also, left me in a state where I felt like another century have to pass for us to be together, In the back of my mind I know that we have to be apart long enough to meet. And I know that well enough, but the distinct I felt the more desperate I become. As such, I felt obligated to act the fool yet again…I hate this overwhelming feeling so much. So much that I want this whole thing to end, right here and now. I know we have to keep ourselves apart long enough to finally meet at last before then I did make sure the coin would keep her safe, and I still believe that it can do that. But my desperation has become more and more clear by the minute as I want to jump to the finish line and finally have her...but, even I should know better than being this...off. Before then my followers have checked up on me as I realized I was on the floor on the other side of the opened door, my stomach just felt a bit hurt but not very damaging to reopened wounds. I'd need to check up on myself more than ever now. My greed has never been this out of control before, not since the time I first entered the city for the citizen's evaluation program, it wasn't easy but...I managed, mostly anyway.

"Lord! you ok!? Why did just do that all of the sudden!?"

" oh I'm fine Necky, *got back up while having support again* I just...had a hiccup on my being is all."

"Hiccup?...what kind?"

"The my nature kind"

"Oh...? uhh, does...that usually happen?"

"Not… regularly."

"Oooh! Then how come it happened now?"

"It...usually happens when something I ultimately desire is right in front of me. Then I just get a bit loose and forget what's going on around me like a few seconds before reverting."

"Oh wow! So it's like an instinct in a way!?"

"Ehhh kind of, just more of a walk into the fire before actually reconsidering the options."

"So...is it like, a problem sometimes?"

"Y-yeah, most of the time when I find something I just get into trouble and make things worse for myself or those close to me or who around me."

"Ah...! yet you did train to control it in your spare time right!"

"And right you are, it took me the great amount to get it under control and not lay waste on everything accidentally."

"How long did that took?"

"...about a half a year."

"...ok that's, just...wow. I...it's pretty tough isn't it?"

"Pretty much, yeah. And I just so happened that I completely forgot about it when I first woke up."

"For-..got when you woke up? You mean you don't remember everything?"

"Oh don't worry I found all the recordings that made me remember everything. Well….almost everything."

"that's why you're not ready to share yet huh...?"

"Yeah, that's right."

"I understand. And Is that also why you were going to the suit when you saw it?"

" *saw the suit in some sort of tool table* (I don't want to lie to her, but the fact that my admirer has reviled most things so far while we were in the cell. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to correct.) that's not it Necky."

"Oh...? then, what was it?"

" *I motioned to lend her to me and whispered my answer* "

"...I...see."

"You..ok Necky?(did I blow it?)"

"Oh I'm fine, it's just, I have one question for you if you don't mind my lord."

"(she looks a bit serious, ah boy this is this going to hurt.) Oh Of course my dear, what's on your mind?"

"*takes a deep breath and before exhaling heavily*...what's that floating thing over there?"

Was confused by her question before turning my head to what she was pointing at, the coin was just being stationary at the door entrance. It was waiting for me if I had finished talking with her and not intervened, surely then both doors have started close while everyone is now inside of what looks like an armory and equipment room. Everyone was also awwing at the coin before slowly floating its way back to me while of course spinning. They all looked and gazed at it as they would do to me but not the worshiping kind, Necky was more confused than act like they do since this was the first time she sees the coin that she greatly dodged almost every time while not being in her senses. and as soon as the coin moved closer to my face, it touched my lips with the marked lipstick on the black side of it. Feeling like that my greedy hiccup has been eased for now as the desire itself of me meeting her right here and now have hold it. A small shade of blush has formed on my cheeks as I smiled in joy, it felt like a reward for reaching this far to almost meet her face to face, tiny victories always count for something to more than enough for the final frontier in my journey...well, all our journey more alike. I snapped out of my trance as Necky was calling out for me to answer her question. "Oh, this old thing? it's…(I don't want to reveal too much of what it is and what it can do so, I'll just simplify it.) a wishing coin." I answered her as she looked more intrigued while tilting her head, "a-a...? A wishing coin?" she replied with a question as she looked upon it. "Yeah, but it's the kind of wish that you need to trade from one happiness to the new one. It's a powerful one too since the last time I made a...umm." I trailed off as the coin backed away to everyone else as they speak to it. "What? It didn't turn out as you wanted?" she asked as her attention was only on me and not the coin, "I mean...It did but, you see...the thing is. I didn't ask for specifics when I made my wish." I answer her while making my to the suit as she fallowed, then setting on the tool table to have my rest before I told my little supporters to go look at the coin as much as they like before checking on every piece of equipment they need to escape and thanked greatly yet genuinely for there help, they replied in quiet joy before they went to it, I swear I feel like a grandfather with all this situation right now….not necessarily a bad thing since they look this happy. Well, they better enjoy while it lasts before we burst throughout this place because the hard part of escaping is always a hard one. I sure hope I won't fail them. "May I ask, out every possible thing anyone would've wished, and since your a cod. what exactly did you wish for? And my bet on your name that be something with infinite on it right?" she asked as I thought about my answer and be careful of how I should go about it and not judge me for it….and I think I know-how. "What any sane person would wish if they have an unfair advantage in the game of the climbing pillier of paradise and constantly fell back to the almost very bottom." I said with a sad smiling face as my tone is also showing the expression of the heavy decision of trading happiness that felt also in the disadvantage game, needless to say, she looked at me with sad eyes and came next to me for my sake of comfort. "...y-your saying that...your like us? That you wished for a better life?" she asked with an interesting answer as my expression was the same but more amused as I chuckled a bit. "In a more similar way, yes. But also made sure others has it as well, and ever since things were almost unkind to me in the world of the undergods...I was very desperate to make drastic changes at the time and force it to come to me. But it always mostly seemed to bite back at me like a brick stone. And Tho I did find the easy way out of it, I didn't like what I had to trade for it so I went with the usual to earn all of my keeps...inevitably for a while," I replied to her as I felt my voice cracked a bit, "was it...that bad? Back then I mean?" she asked as I nodded while mustering myself not to break or lose it. Hiding things is one of my strongest suits but then I had to always reveal them when things gets heaty. And most of them wouldn't get it even if explain thoroughly how hard it was for me to be part of the underdogs and had to force things in my favor just not go insane in starvation. And they always had to bring the stupid morality wheel just because it's bad, it's an absolute cluster fuck of madness that I had to deal with for those who don't get it. And I very much dislike it immensely. "I intend it to never let it happen, I tried so hard to achieve the things I always wanted to have in an o-natural way, but over time things along the way just started to feel less and less that my choices don't seem to gradually matter. everything always slips away from me as slowly as possible...leaving me with nothing but empty hands." I continued and kept my smiling face on as to also keep the glass from breaking at any point. "And…? Do feel happy? Now that you're here after you made your wish? Or did you regret making it?" she asked genuinely while looking at me in empathy as I only gently shook her right shoulder and just smiled at her before telling her that only time will tell if I made this forceful choice if the true paradise to all has been granted. or just maybe another massive set back disguised as paradise. That and kissing her forehead in the process as she blushed adorably. "virtuous and sinners of the future new hellven's residence! Hear our voices and listen!" shouted the two entities of the coin as it radiates its both red and blue glow, surprised by this that they are now speaking to everyone for the first time as Necky along with everyone else except rex is also surprised by this sudden act of the coin. Never thought they would talk to other people with a minimal audience this time. They never spoke to outside of private conversations so I wondered what changed to go and to this. Hold on...did they just say new hellven's residence? What in...well, hellvans name are they plotting here? "Enlighten the fact of what we have witnessed in what has changed in this world that we have come here thanks with the efforts of the sinner of greed and barrier of the virtuous integrity," they have spoken as I hear both male and female voices that sounded benevolently divine, my followers are in awe as they kneeled and continued to listen. Rex was doing the same but Necky was just hiding behind me. Seriously what are they doing? "we have decided that the next landmark of the new hellven residence will reside, in the city of inkopolis. Where the brand new hellven district shall be formed a new for the first time." WHAT...!? are you kidding me guys!? This is too soon! Were not making this priority now! "Therefore in time when the deeds have finally done without a single thing are a miss, devote yourself to the virtuous sinner and bring forth a true lawful paradise to all those who are truly welcomed." what the hell!? This is not a priority right now and I barely even have everything I need to make that happen! The landmark foundation is still working progress and I thought immediately they would pick the base but, somewhere around inkopolis...? That speaks attention that still not sure idea yet, of course, I agreed to it but I didn't think they would pick up the city out of all places to reconstruct hellvens once again...this is just out of the blue even for me. Sooner than they speak about granting my followers desires and other stuff about fortunate souls will be granted limited divine luck until they have finally forged the district, I am going to have a long chat with them after we all come back. After some long chat about things here and there before the redating glow is fading back to normal and went back to my hand as they fall asleep for now. I was then expected to have questions but all of them seemed to be getting ready to steel themselves with all the pieces of equipment around, feeling like they have seen the act of divinity to them have made them more than determined to leave. Rex was just smiling like before when we met him so nothing has far with him, Necky was both shaken in both excitement and fear around her body as she is cold. Wrapping her arms around my neck while hugging my face very closely, I felt her chilled cheeks with mine as her smile is wiled but more the adorable joy kind. Her eyes seemed to sparkle but also hold fright in them, slowly then I pocketed the coin just to reassure her and calmed her down with a bit of talking and hugging to ease all of her tense emotions of what she has witnessed. I was expecting her to handle it somewhat and assumed telling her about it would make it easier on her, but it seems I was wrong. "Don't worry Necky, the coin means well and I know them very personally so have no fear, they only want what's best for all of us I promise." I said while still hugging her as she seemed still a bit tense but slowly are fading away. "I-is it a-always this b-benevolent with there s-sound?" she said while her voice is shaken as I nodded, I have continued talking to her until she sounded like that she had eased up her tension before rex came to us while clapping his hands to show gratitude of bringing the coin with me. "very much looking forward to the two new places my lord, the blessings of the gods keeps getting more and more frequent by now. This truly is one miracle that all of us needed until the time we will construct the brand new paradise. your inner saint workings are very out of this world!" he praised before bowing to me as I just took the compliment and told him that I need when the time comes for it, after that, I told him to keep all of us in good shape more than ever as I believe most of the octarian's will try to stop us for dead. Octavio did say that I didn't need to do any escape plan, but the recent events so far proved otherwise and they will go on full alert when they see both un and authorized personal are makings things out of balance. Stealth and blending wouldn't work as I might be sure that the alarm will hit, he nodded to my request as he left. Necky has calmed herself before adjusting her armor for a quick breather, speaking of...I turned to my suit to see its conditions if it's required to be fixed since my last battle with the super-soldier.

and yet life has given another surprise for me that it looked like it's already been fixed, recently even! The hole in the gut section of the suit has been reinforced with another material that looks unfamiliar to me, it looked shiny with its blue color that fits the deep one. I even noticed that there have been some major changes to the suite aside from its appearance so far, fabric cushions inside the suite have been replaced with new one's and the Odradek seemed to be polished and refined with loving care, the usual scarf has now been replaced with another that had many stiles to it. Beautiful patterns of zig-zagging lighting with the color of flaxen yellow, one on both sides as if it resembles a cobra in a way. The scarf itself looks hand-made too as I see the waterproof material is still fresh while the colors are mostly the same but much more quilty selling market kind. though in this case id rather keep it than ever sell it, I can tell that she made this with extreme effort. Then I again have to question why she made these patterns that look like a cobra, my best guess is to give individuals a good fright in their soul before they see it coming...why does she have to go to great lengths just to love her more? I don't know if it is but, this makes things so much sweeter for many advantages for a good scare! Moving on to everything else so far, the tentacles and gauntlets are being upgraded with the same material of the shiny blue thing. I don't what quality it is but if it does both durability and damage by a slight increase then am not complaining. "My lord? Can I ask you about the flower?" she grabbed my attention as I looked confused, "what flower?" I asked back before pointing at the Odradek," this one. What is it exactly?" she asked with curiosity as she touched it twice, I supposed it wouldn't hurt to let her know." well Necky, The Odradek is a terrain Scanner. One of the things of having a shoulder-mounted, articulated mechanical sensor to give you the edge you need for care if not better exploration." I answered as she was amazed while I continued. " it also able to sense and scan hostels along with resource and materials alike." I furthered as she admired the somewhat butterfly-looking advice and inspected it with great details." amazing! Do you think we can have one of those!?" she asked exactly as I thought about the idea, it would replace the idea of the walkie talkie if I added the hollow call function. I just come up with that idea so I don't know if it's possible." if we have the stuff to make it then sure! I wouldn't mind." I replied joyfully to her as she smiled at my approval. "Lastly I should mention what it can do, it provides sweat works of crafty illusions." I said to her as that part had greatly piqued her interest. "Reeallyyy?" she said with her chin giving the thought rubbing as it sounded like it captured her interest. While leaving to her amusing thought process as I do have a great feeling of what it is, I laid myself inside the suit to embark once more, however it was painful since my gut is giving me hard time to stay in place but I endured it long enough to finally enter. Necky also helped me since my grunting give her a snap back to reality for a moment. But before I had to say the magic words to finally end this somewhat messy situation I'm in, I took the coin out and give it to Necky for a moment...it froze her but it was only for a moment until I'm back online. "D1v1ne z3r0, begin pilot authentication emparking process for the pilot unit: 'dr. jack wellson grew'." I said as I felt the suit is closing on me as felt the brand new comfortable fabric around my body. And ever since Zoe Is not around, we learned beforehand that if anything would going to happen to both of us should the chance we'd be to separate, I would say this activation line as a backup method in case the a.i is no longer inside or in the works in anymore, I mean sure Nero-linking us back together in the suit should be enough on its own since this would notify her that the pilot is online, but this suit has been upgraded so far and she's not in her good mined to adapt this new update as I will learn of what it is shortly. I still remember how easy it was for us to do missions as if we just passed the training program and begun to ace at everything thanks to the Nero-link function. How the whole thing works are like were two in the same mindset but not completely as to keep our minds simultaneously separated so the pilot will not experience overflowed information and die in the process. It's an effective way to get all the jobs done and choose permit information to the organic but it has its limits for its usage, you allowed to know...but the experience of that said information into the physical body is needed to be gain. Therefore, the Nero-link is permanently limited. Not much I would want to upgrade that since it's already doing its job so...leaving that behind until some new idea might pop up for something else instead. After the suit has closed with me inside as the needle is not activated, instead, it loaded only the audio functions to hear the outside world more clearly as if I'm blind. The visor has loaded its screen sequence before I got surprised with the mask being sled down after the visor. I didn't even see it while examining the suit, next thing I know the suit is running self-diagnoses before giving me the update that it's fine and fully functional as it told me in text. Then further noting me about its updates before felling me about the mask is being completely attached to the helmet with its fixed functions and removed ones that were deemed to be unnecessary. Making holographic faces and adding thermal vision functions as these were one of the kinks are in the mask. Other traces of functions that seemed to increase vocals or this grid vision that seemed fittingly unpolished with the mask's software being brand new either way, they're not in there anymore so I'm not too attached with something that is just being made. After that, the suit has jumped into pilot diagnosis and surprise surprise, shit was going nuts about my body having some weird shit like before except that it's less creepy and more stable in an odd way. Feeling like that I didn't want to put up now as I just skimp the whole thing and demanded to heal me already, few minutes of the healing process have finished without even an infection in my hand. I felt a bit better and started to rise slowly and carefully as I moved up and shifted to the edge of the tool table while I sighed in relief that I am back online, however, a slow realization hit me of how I felt the difference in power of my well-being between me and inside of it. Looking at my arm and lifted it close to my face while twisting n turning of how both heavy and powerful it felt, probably the first time seeing how different it was that I never fathomed of how powerful I am in the suit. I can move things more easily with my increased strength and be efficient about it at the same time with my increased speed. Finishing tasks has never been more satisfying than ever before with Zoe, and I have never been this easy sneaky with the cloak. All tho even I don't frequently dive underwater and breathe like the air was no issue I still find it satisfying that being able to do that with the suit, every function serves its purpose even if I don't always use some...I feel safer within it. Safe, powerful, more tactical, less stressful to trick people even if I did become good at it over the years while moving from place to place with the family van. and reach new highest without a single thing to top me down...at least until now. At this moment I feel that I am more reliable in the suit than outside of it to make a huge physical difference. But...even with this feeling of yearning to be in the suit at all times now, I still want to be out of it every now in then. It doesn't stop me from being afraid that the event from three days ago won't change that I have to adapt even harder. Am not going to let things end until I have all that I want, and am going to get them all, for them all and my own. "E-everything is working w-well?" said Necky as I looked at her in her frozen state that she still has the coin of fate in her hands, I chuckled at her state and told her it's going rather well and I feel quite fine now that am all healed up before taking the coin of her hands so she would speak with less overwhelmingness. She sighed in relief as I continuously flip the coin in the air, missing the only trick that I can do with my hand...perhaps I should do more! Explore the coin tricks that I hold of sooo long ago! "You look brand new, and that whole has been fixed too! So you ready to head out my lord?" she said as I thought about it for a second while continuously flipping the coin, sure I'm all healed now but I do still need to take it easy, I have to keep pulling my leg now that I am back online. It will take a bit of time to fully heal but I am not having it that I keep everyone waiting. A thought come to mind and told her that I will check outside in a bit, see if there's any real threat out there, she nodded but told me that she also wanted to come and keep me safe all the same. I couldn't risk arguing with her about all the stuff that's happing, so I agreed and let her come outside with me while she told rex to keep an eye on her people. The door opened and now we're outside as the three hallways are giving me the creeps that are some of them have dem lights without much visibility, thinking on it now...how are Callie and Celine going to get around here with Zoe is being delicious now? This place is huge on its own before my worry is growing more rapidly as my rhythm of flipping the coin is starting to feel less than a few tiny flips and going full strength on the last one that I accidentally hit the failing light and lose its bright on us and created a small dark entrance on the other side.

"Well...a little darkness couldn't hurt now and then."

"I can still see you, doctor. The lines are very showy n shiny."

"It supposed to be that way, to make them spoked. Plus I can roll the hoodie off and make it stick underneath behind my neck to still keep me in the dark."

"I see, well I hope you can give it a teste run. Oh and, make them shit themselves for me please?"

"Ha! I will just because it's funny mot because it's just effective."

"Thank you...can you-"

"Yeah, I'm already going to record it don't you worry~. And wow, you haven't called me that for a while, did the darkness have knocked your seness~?"

"What? N-no no I was being careful on the newcomers, they would correct me and be less around me if I don't call you by your name."

"But they don't know yet and they hardly said anything when rex called me doctor."

"That's because rex is very much all the more faithful than all of us are."

"He is pretty cultish, to say the least, the fact that he motivates them like that is very…"

"Influencing?"

"You said it, not me. Being this influencing has never been this crazy."

"..."

"Mmm.."

"You...don't like being worshiped?"

"It's new to me is all, so still I want to keep going no matter what."

"...Do I...bother you for being your follower?"

"You're keeping me sane Necky, that's what you're doing to me since day one. Sure a few things are a bother but that didn't stop me from asking you to be...you know."

"Y-yeah…I, still need to think on it."

"Hey no worries, I'm only giving us the together principle un opportunity, you have all the time to think about it so don't get worked up over it."

"Thanks...but we find Zoe and the others first."

"Very true, and I wouldn't-...hay…where did my coin go?"

"Wait it didn't fall back?"

"No...were the fuck?"

Realizing that I didn't hear the coin should fall back down to either make a sound or hit either of us before we looked up and saw nothing, despite the darkness the coin can still be found with its natural gleaming glow or its sup-natural one. We didn't even get a hint of the ceiling getting a crack or anything damaging to it of the sort as we looked around more. Using the thermal function to identify the heat source of its power is more than enough to find a single dot in the dark. That's how I found it last time while searching for a valuable component, it was a surprising encounter for all of us. A little later while wandering one of the halls for a bit, I finally found its dot heat source as it's spinning around...easy...wait, something else is entering my vision. "Hehehehe~" a light giggle has filed hall before soon it finished with the coin...it's her again, two times she has appeared right before me excluding that one time in the cell. And three times that my heart has made the connection once more, and I swear I just saw her eye's but it was too late to make them out since she's already gone. The teasing factor is so high that I think she's having fun with us being this close. Her giggle did sound a bit creepy but...it's more playful than just being malicious. I have control of my hiccup this time but only a little to say what I have to say. "Heh~...I very much love the gift you gave me, it's pretty unique, and leaves the question about the beautiful glowy patterns on the scarf you replaced...I find it very alluringly terrifying. So...keep mine, I'm sure you need it more than I do, it'll keep you both safe and warm. And...j-just, be extremely careful ok...?" I laid those and didn't get any replies, but I know that she is smiling...before I know it my limit has been reached, and felt like that my legs are betraying me, then my body next, and finally my arms. few steps have been made and I was about to reach her and grab her in my embrace in desperation of warmth in my aching heart, but a scream has been heard that shattered my greedy hiccup and looked behind me. Zoomed At the end of the halls using the visor binoculars to see that Necky is being in trouble, but not before I see that she is with both Callie and Celine fighting some hoards of octarian's chasing them down...this can't be good, and again...Octavio said that I don't have to pull un effort to get out of here, but sure is hell does it look like that I pretty have to. I then see rex coming out in a rush movement as he also heard the scream and looked around a bit before seeing the commotion while my roller in his hand….perhaps I should give it back to Callie since I keep forgetting it. She could use the extra buff. he called everyone to help Necky out while charging ahead, taking his sword out before yelling his war cry as he used the roller as a sword. Perhaps I should get something similar...or something new? Before I had to think about it more, I have this frustrating dilemma on me of what to choose, let my greed overcome me and have her on my embrace?...or the obvious one that I should go out there and help them all out while losing this one chance to finally meet her. Upon thinking about this, I felt the heavy consequences of every possibility that could end wrong with my choices that could or may lead to another unfortunate circumstance, even tho with the chances of my new life have indeed increased thanks to the coin, there's no telling that things still may end up in more disaster that I didn't want to happen. Gritting my teeth and hold my head in pain in this terrifying thought like fighting both the rational and irrational thinking of what I should do. Debating what's the best courses of action that I should take, and the hiccup is not making all of my choices any easier. For anyone, it seems less when they have easy options but this is a big if to me that felt like an eternity. Headache and sweat were getting awful, I didn't know what to choose. But...in the last moment that I recalled everything that was promised, I made promises that I specifically wanted to keep and never dared to break them, I chose to keep them all in my hands until they have finally had what they wanted, am the one who promised them to help that no other can in years, the unfortunate souls that left to rot are like me in every way. And if I left them with nothing but lies….id be no better than those who used me and left me to rot! "GAAAH!" screaming my lunges out to overcome my greed, I mad dashed towards the fight while pulling my tentacles out and letting my regretful rage of making the obvious choice out in the wild. In the end, the octoling woman smiled at her lover's choice and proceeds back in the shadows while prepping her last preparations for her department when the time comes. "He's doing very good~, his improve his control over his greedyness~. If he keeps this up we would all be in a match made of heaven~!" said the admirer as she speaks to the coin while looking at her mad dashing human securing victory for his subordinate's, it glowed its reply as it speaks in its telepathic tune once again. "I know I know~, but I can't help it~. Really~, I can't~. He needs to take control this time~, I love him very much~. That's why I'm doing what's best for him and realize pain can be a good thing too~." continued the admirer as the coin replied," he needs to realize how much it hurts them~, how much it needs for them that they don't want to be hurt~." the coin did the same thing with its replies as it's glowed with every finished speech." they'll love him~, it's the way how you both made the deal to make it happen~. Once they realize the truth in the end~, they'll either hate him...or love him, even more, than ever before~." furthered the admirer as she smiled sweetly before she caresses the black side of the coin with its red ruby eye's," oh trust him huns~, he's an opportunistic man~. He's not going to let them go even with his poor fragile heart saying that he should~, he's going to come back for them no matter what~. And before then, all of them have each other's grasp of how much similar they all are in the end~." the admirer has kept talking before realizing that she has remembered something extremely that she had to do. "Ho my~! I forgot to make him a dessert before he leaves the base completely~!" she said like a mothering tune before leaving back to the kitchen while humming happily that things are turning around and holding her already wore the scarf hoodie that she got from the human's suit and felt it's warmth on around her head and knees as she put her cheek on its fabrics and felt a warmth in her heart. now, both souls have made a great risk to change things for their favors for once in their miserable unfulfilled lives, now things are slowly but surely are changing for the better in this new form of reality...the game is almost finished, but that's just one of many to come.