a/n: This took me a while to write and rewrite because I was having issues trying to decide where to go with this chapter. I know I wanted to give Chung and Els a bit of time for themselves, but the main purpose of their previous chapter is to see what Chung had been up to since Els' absence and to find out why Papa Seiker showed up. I think I did an okay job of wrapping things up? It probably might leave people confused and wanting to know more, but I promise this isn't the end of their little episode. Next up...well, you'll see.
Til next time
~shine
As Elsword glanced around the mansion interior, he began to feel just how heavy the distance between him and Chung truly was. He had always known Chung was loaded, but this was truly ridiculous. All the maids and butlers that awaited them-lining the walkway and bowing to the boy and his father as they passed-it was more than a little intimidating. It was like he was essentially royalty and he began to wonder if he should have said all of the things he did to the boy in the past. Coupled with the grand interior, it created a feeling he couldn't quite place. But Elsword's insides felt like lead and his blood ran cold just from the icy glare the head maid gave him. She turned her nose up at him as she regarded him, fixing him with such cold distaste that it made Elsword's mouth dry instantly.
"Young master, it appears some riff-raff managed to slip into the mansion unnoticed. Shall I dispose of him?" She asked. Her voice sent chills down Elsword's spine and ignited a fire within him that was instantly snuffed out by the shuffling of feet behind him. Elsword glanced over his shoulder to see that some of the maids and butlers had closed the distance between himself and the door. Elsword gritted his teeth and faced them, crouching low in case anyone tried to reach for him.
Chung, however, spoke with a tone just as icy. "If anyone so much as touches him, they will be fired immediately for harassing my guest. I invited him here and you will treat him with all the respect you would myself and my father. Is that clear?" The walkway was cleared instantly, and the head maid nodded, though her distaste for Elsword only increased. "I've yet to have breakfast. Bring it to my study. Father? Cousin? Will you be eating as well?"
"No," was all Helputt said.
"I've already eaten," Sasha replied with a slight nod.
"Very well. Two plates for myself and Elsword, then," Chung replied. As he started walking, the others followed him in silence. Elsword continued to look around at the tapestries that hung on the walls, and the portraits of the boy at various ages. Elsword stopped at one particular picture of Chung, age 13 with a cute bowl cut and wearing a suit. He looked very uncomfortable, Elsword noted with a slight grin. Chung noticed Elsword staring at the portrait and grimaced. "Not the greatest picture I've taken, admittedly."
"And the butt ugly haircut adds to it," Elsword laughed, nudging Chung as the boy came to stand beside him. The blonde grumbled, nudging him back. "Still, it's hard to believe after all these years you've still got a baby face."
"And that's a bad thing?" Chung asked, quirking an eyebrow at Elsword who was smiling somewhat fondly at him. "Or is that something you like? I never could understand your tastes, Els."
"What's to understand? I didn't like you just because of your looks," Elsword stated. Chung nodded. He knew that. It was the same for him. Elsword had always been rather handsome, but it was his bluntness that made Chung's initial feelings for him grow. He could be harsh in his statements, but he never once told Chung a lie. He was kind and could even be quite sweet when he wanted to be. Not to mention the nights they've shared.
"I know. And I know that money isn't a factor either, given how often you refused to let me buy you things," Chung pointed out. Elsword nodded. He hated when the topic of money was involved. "So why do you like me, then?"
Elsword shrugged, a small smile crossing his face as he thought back. "Because you were so cute when we first met. I don't mean just visually, but the way you followed me around like a kicked puppy when we went to get your stolen wallet back. And the times when you blushed at my teasing. And when I grabbed your hand for the first time. You were adorable and sweet and at first, I felt bad for thinking you were clingier than a leech."
"In a certain respect I am," Chung grinned, his tone low and suggestive. Elsword's face ignited in a heavy blush at the implication. He had to force himself not to think back on what he could have meant. He already knew, and that made his blush increase by several shades. Chung's hand found its way into his, but Elsword didn't draw back from him. Instead, he accepted the gesture with a small smile. "Now, let's get this over with so father can grill me on why I'm such a fool for doing what I did."
"I'm not entirely happy with you either, by the way," Elsword pointed out, but the Seiker heir said nothing else on the subject.
Upon arrival to the study, Chung immediately let go of Elsword's hand and marched ahead to the bookshelf behind his desk, opening the secret passage that lead down the flight of stairs into his private lab.
Suits of armor lined the walls, each one glaringly different from the next as the desk in the center of the chaos held what looked like three cannons and two handguns. Three more suits of armor stood by the desk, topped by a helmet.
Helputt frowned at his son's work, hands behind his back as he looked around. The same question was on everyone's minds: what is the meaning of all this? Chung leaned against the desk with his arms crossed as the others glanced about, his face serious while he watched them, including Elsword who had picked up the handguns, the hints of a scowl deepening the longer he drew conclusions.
"Explain," Helputt's voice bearing such intensity that the temperature in the room dropped several degrees. Chung was silent for a long while before he had the courage to speak up. However, any excuse he could have made was crushed under the intense glare his father gave him.
"I heard news about the war in Hamel," Chung finally said with a heavy sigh. "And I know what you're thinking dad. We don't make weapons. We don't put our noses into things we have no business with for the sake of profit, and I don't want to make a dime from this. I just...don't want our people to march into a war they can't win. I want to give them a fighting chance."
"And you did this without consulting me or seeking advice?" Again the intensity crushed any hopes of Chung making excuses.
"I know, dad. It was stupid on my part, and I should have come to you. But-"
"You knew I would say no."
"Yes. I knew it and I did it anyway. I was blinded by my want and need to do something - anything!" Chung said, finally erupting in anger and slamming his hands on the table. "You've read the newspapers! You've heard the reports! Our people are getting slaughtered! And you tell me to do nothing?!"
"Because I don't want you to become like Wally!" Helputt roared angrily as well. However, when he brought his fist down on the table, it caved and groaned under the pressure. Chung didn't seem intimidated by this. "You think this will be the only time you create weapons for the military? You think you can just accept a commission from the government and come out unscathed?"
"They promised-"
"And you believed them?! Politicians lie all the time, son and naive fools like you become blinded and trapped by duty and obligation all the time!" Helputt growled at his son, making the young man flinch and shrink back at last. "Let this be the last time you disobey me, Prince."
"...Yes, father." Chung sighed, eyes downcast.
"But since you're already near completion of this little debacle, you may as well introduce me to your creations," Helputt grumbled. He waved a hand across the desk at the weapons sitting there.
With a heavy sigh, Chung ran a hand through his long hair, coming to stand at the work table where the cannons rested. "These are called destroyers. High powered cannons capable of firing cannonballs and missiles with enough force to dent 6-inch thick steel plating and pulverize anything remotely under that. There are only three models so far: Paladin, Chaser, and Trooper. Each one excels at something different, adding versatility and overall power." Chung replied. He pointed to each one in kind, lifting the weapon with little to no effort and a slight grunt of pain. "The Chaser model is lightweight but able to fire more cannonballs and missiles since it comes equipped with two chambers. Reloading speed is increased as well, and it can even unleash a swarm of heat-seeking missiles with enough range to cover a battlefield, big or small. It also comes with two handguns called Silver Shooters, firing bullets of compressed El. Coupled with the Deadly Chaser armor," Chung waved his hand to the middle of the three armors. This one was form fitting and covered in white Hamelian steel like the rest, however, the torso area, as well as the waist and much of the back was covered by Dark Steel, making it hard to puncture, and the plates were woven together so closely that finding a way between them seemed nigh impossible. "Overall battle capability increases, allowing the wearer to move faster and enter a berserker-like state which produces an unlimited supply of cannonballs based on the combatant's El reserves.
"The Paladin unit is the heaviest and by far the most powerful in terms of raw strength. A single swing of this Destroyer can pulverize most known metals, and shatter the earth. Its weight alone is more than anyone that isn't using the Iron Paladin armor can hold, weighing half a ton," Chung explained. He seemed to be more proud of this unit than all of the others, Elsword noticed, but he didn't say anything. "The Iron Paladin armor," Chung motioned to the first of the armors this time. It was more regal than the others and more form-fitting. Though Elsword imagined it must be heavier and lined with Dark Steel on the inside. The armor looked almost too beautiful to have been built for war, and more for a masquerade ball or something. "Comes with an enhanced life support system that, admittedly is much more reliable than the others, but only because you'll most likely see them on the front lines. The armor increases the wielder's strength tenfold, allowing them to crush small stones in one hand or stop a speeding car with minimal effort. The most notable features are its ability to project damaging fields of El based on the war chant recited. So far I've only programmed Pandemonium and Wonder Wall into it, but depending on the feedback, I was hoping to continue adding more.
"And lastly, we have the Trooper unit. Purely support, this destroyer comes with a variety of functions, mostly designed by my assistant Echo. It can act as an arm mounted two-way rocket launcher, a grenade launcher, a mobile one person tank, and even call in support when necessary. The Tactical Trooper armor," Chung waved to the last of the armors. This one looked more foreboding than the rest, and also the most formal. The blue kevlar vest did little to help the image Elsword's mind painted of a hulking mechanical beast descending upon the battlefield. Dark Steel also lined this armor, but much more generously than the others. "Allows the use of disfrozen grenades, very powerful compact grenades that have an elasticity to them that allows them to bounce before blowing up. The disfrozen can be ignited into a tear gas as well, making it a very unique and situational tool. The Tactical Trooper armor is designed to be a mobile artillery unit, so the life support system prioritizes safety over damage control. When things get rough, all battle related systems shut down until they are a safe distance away. Inconvenient, but for even the most stubborn of soldiers, it at least lets them know when enough is enough."
Once he was done speaking, Chung waited for his father to continue grilling him on his stupidity. But no words came. The taller man merely walked out, gesturing for Elsword and Sasha to follow him. With one glance back at the blonde boy, Elsword followed with a soft sigh.
It was a long, quiet ride back to town Elsword mused as he toyed with the guitar pick in his pocket. "Where are you staying?" Helputt asked at last, the silence shattered by the deep, gruff voice. Elsword looked away from the window he was staring through, confused for a moment. "Where are you staying?" Helputt repeated.
"My sister's place. She has an apartment on the corner of King and Vine. Tall red building. You can't miss it," Elsword answered.
"Very well." was the only answer given as the chauffer began the long drive to the destination. Elsword sighed softly. He wished he could understand what Chung was thinking by making weapons for war. Usually he would be making some trinket or protection or researching some charm or religious practice. He had never thought that Chung would ever actively involve himself in something that took lives, when he had been all about preserving life in all the years he had known him.
Elsword was let out at his destination and headed inside without so much as a backwards glance. Heading up the flights of stairs leading to his sister's apartment. He knocked on the door but found it unlocked. He supposed they were expecting him.
"...yes, thank you. Thank you so much for this, Penensio." Elsword heard his sister say. He rounded the corner and found her in the kitchen, arms folded across her chest while holding the cellphone against her forehead. She sniffles, a sound Elsword hadn't heard from his sister...ever. Was she crying?
"That's a name I haven't heard in years," Elsword said, leaning against the wall. Startled, Elesis quickly hung up the call and looked around until she saw Elsword standing at the edge of the kitchen, mumbling a quiet curse. "You left the door unlocked."
"Y-yeah, sorry. Ara has a bad habit of not locking the door when she's gone on errands. I didn't know you were coming by. Why didn't you call?" Elesis asked, but quickly smacked herself with her free hand afterwards. Of course he wouldn't call. He didn't have a phone. And even if he did, he wouldn't have gotten through. "Ignore I even said that."
"Said what?" Elsword answered with a slight smirk. Elesis rolled her eyes at her brother's antics and sighed. "So, what did ol' pen head want?"
"He didn't want anything," Elesis sighed heavily. "I did."
Elsword frowned. The only time Elesis ever called in favors was if she really needed something, or information on something. He couldn't imagine what it could have been that she needed to know, but he assumed it was urgent. "Sis...what's up? What's on your mind?" Elsword asked. Elesis was shaking slightly now, as if trying to suppress her sobs. He immediately went to her side and threw his arms around her in a tight hug.
"It's dad," Elesis said between sobs, clinging tightly to her brother. Elsword suppressed the fury bubbling up in his chest at that word. Dad. As if the man had been around long enough for Elsword to consider him as much. But for his sister, he would do anything. So he led her to the couch, where she finally released him and wiped her eyes. "They found his body. Or rather, his remains. Elsword, dad's been dead for fifteen years."