Father's promise

It is said that in the greatest adversity we find our greatest strength. But what does that mean for someone who lives nothing but adversity? If your life is filled with endless waves of suffering and despair, does that mean you are stronger than anyone else? Perhaps the fact that you survived is proof of your strength. Pure luck can only get you so far, after all.

But ask that question to Alto Clef, and the answer you will get will be very different. He will probably say to you:

"It's not about staying alive; it's about staying yourself".

It had been 3 hours since the breach started, and for the most part, it was under control. The grand majority of the escaped anomalies were back in containment, only a few select ones were still at large. Namely: 362, 106, and 049. Technically, 166 and 6124 counted as "out of containment", but there were being escorted by Dr. Alto clef to a secure location, so their situation was considered under control as well.

Still, the veteran ex-GOC elite operative sure as hell showed the skill he had built up over the years. In a horrifying onslaught of 049 zombies, he had effortlessly wiped out all of them with just 1 assault rifle and 1 hand gun. His extremely efficient use of ammunition, extremely inhuman accuracy, and extremely horrific ruthlessness had just been way too much for the mindless horde.

The three were now walking down the hallways of site 19 in search of one of the designated safe locations. Bright had informed them that 362 was still outside the facility, so it was best to stay inside.

Along the way, Clef and Gaea were taking the opportunity to talk about anything and everything. His life, her life, life in the foundation, whatever they came up with they talked about. They even talked about Gaea's mother, which Clef talked about with a sense of sorrow and anger. Luz was respectfully walking next to them, listening and not interrupting them.

"So… is it true what the sisters were saying about her?"

"… It's… *sigh* yes, for the most part. She wasn't a bad person, at least not the way she saw it. She was just too extreme in doing what she wanted to do. All she wanted was to reclaim the world for nature, to undo the damage humans had done. But she also had this twisted idea that doing so required… killing all humans."

"…oh…"

"And, to be clear, it's not like I'm against the idea of killing people. Most of us are a lump of empty-headed, money-grubbing, short-sighted piles of horse shit that couldn't pull their weight around this place even if it literally killed them. It would do A LOT of good to get rid of these ass-wipes. But not ALL of us are a waste of air. Some of us are tolerable, decent, hell, respectable even. Things aren't black-and-white in this world, no matter how much those brain-dead politicians try to make you think they are… but… she… didn't want to understand that… so far as she was concerned, all of us were the problem, and no one could say otherwise."

"…I see… was… was I part of that?"

Gaea was nervous to ask this. She had overheard at the convent that she was a vital part of the ritual her mother's plans, but she had never been sure if it was true. If anyone knew for sure, it had to be him.

"Eeeeh, kind of. She figured someone had to inherit the world after everyone else was gone. Honestly, I was a pissed to find out she…"

Clef went silent. His pained expression was something no one had ever seen before. Or would ever see since.

"… to find out she…?"

"… she… didn't care… about me… she just wanted a child… and that's it…"

"…"

"… I loved her. I really did. I always thought she was the kindest and most loving thing in existence… I really did…"

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…You're better than us."

"Huh?"

"Better than me… and better than her. You didn't ask for the life you got. Not a single one of us did. But instead of going bitter and resentful like we did, you kept yourself kind and loving. We… gave up on the world, but you didn't…"

Clef stopped and turned to hug his daughter.

"I'm proud of you."

After a moment, he let go and looked her in the eyes.

"Listen, things are gonna get rough after this. These uptight asses are probably gonna send me to the other side of the damn planet and try to keep me away from here after the stunt I pulled. But I promise you that, no matter what happens, I will be there for you. No matter where I am or what I'm doing, if anything happens I will come to help you out, ok?"

"Ok!"

Her tears were falling out of her control. She was happy in a way she didn't know she could be, and for the first time in a long time, she felt safe.

*sniff*

They both turned to see little Luz trying her best to not cry.

"Oh, man. I almost forgot you were here. Sorry about that kid, I know it's gotta be rough for you to watch us right now."

Clef crouched down and picked up Luz. He is probably the only person in the world that can do that safely.

"Don't worry kiddo. You are a strong one. I'm sure you'll be fine."

Luz simply nodded and they kept on walking.

…

"Christ alive, finally! You three took your sweet time to get here! Come on, we have set up the safe zone to house 166 and 6124 separated from everyone else."

They moved inside the room. Luz and Gaea moved to their designated spaces and waited with everyone. Camila just so happened to be in that same safe room, and they had a tearful reunion.

Clef waved goodbye to his daughter and moved to talk to the security staff to file his report.

After all this hellish nightmare, it seemed like it was finally coming to an end

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"Hey, what's that black spot on the wall?"