To make up for a long chapter this one is going to be shorter... Nay I'm just yanking you it's normal size.
Chapter 23
Great, with Shio locked in her room until she cools down, Sakuya and Alisa going AWAL. They both were able to contact us through Okami's Terminal. So that bastard of a father was more of a bastard than I thought. A devouring apocalypse to wipe out all but a handful of humanity, has he lost his mind?
"So that's everything we know about the Aegis Project and the Ark Project." Sakuya wrapped up her long explanation. "And that sheet there... is a list of all the people... eligible to board the Ark. Everyone of our names are on that list. Also relatives of each passenger to the 2nd degree are permitted to board. And one other thing, since we broke into Aegis, me and Alisa's name have been taken off the list. Even so, if things go as planned, you guys will be on the side of the 'Saved.' Were as Alisa and I are probably fugitives now, as far as the Branch is concerned."
"The Aegis Project... was a lie? But how?... How can that be?" I almost felt sorry for Kota, he was placing all his hope of protecting his family on that project only to have it crushed.
"I was never going to follow that tyrants orders anyway." Most likely my name isn't on that list. "Besides, unlike the rest of you my body is half Aragami. You really think they'd let someone like me survive in the next world." They'd sooner see me parish with the rest of the monsters.
"Even so the Director... I mean your father... put your name down on this list." What?
"What do I care?" Even so, I felt a small spark at the notion the bastard cared enough.
"Let me say this one more time... I refuse to let this boat set sail." Sakuya was determined.
"She's right, we have to stop the Director from carrying out this heinous crime." Alisa agreed with her. "First of all, we are going to stay hidden. And find a way to infiltrate Aegis again."
"That's all we thought you should know... And I'd like you all to decide on your own what you are going to do. Don't worry, even if you end up joining our enemies we won't hold it against you." Yeah fat chance of me joining that bastard Sakuya.
"Although if you get in our way we'll do everything we can to eliminate you."
"Alisa!"
"I'm only joking... but still... if at all possible. I hope that doesn't come to pass."
"I'm going to disconnect now. Think it over carefully... you don't want to have any regrets." Once she disconnected I got up from the wall I was leaning on and left.
I already had my answer, I won't side with that bastard. But what would Kota do? What would Okami do?
****** Dr. Sakaki's Lab ******
"The 'Ark Project.' Put simply, it will deliberately cause a flood called the 'Devouring Apocalypse.'" Said Saki, explaining to me what this Ark Project was. Sakuya explained what she could but not in a way I could understand. To me it sounded a lot like the story I read about a guy called Noah except without the animals. "The Project will allow only a chosen few aboard the 'Ark' to evacuate into space. The Ark Project was originally a proposal developed by myself, the Branch Director, and Aisha. True the Branch Director was pushing it aggressively. It was like a radical cure abandoned right away on humanitarian grounds. This was before the population collapse. As a result, the Aegis Project was adopted. And so development on Aegis Island proceeded. But he was using the Aegis Project as a smoke screen, secretly launching the Ark Project. The Ark... in other words, a spaceship... Not that I have any details myself... He must have hidden all the remaining last spaceships behind the Aegis Island Wall. A typical move by the secretive Johannes!"
"... The Devouring Apocalypse?" I asked not understanding the word apocalypse.
"The Aragami, who've consumed everything, and their final feast... Redistributing life by devouring the planet. And I believe Shio holds the key to it. If you're planning to hand Shio over to the Branch Director... I'll stop you, no matter what it takes."
"Sakaki!" I said looking at him stern, hurt at what he was implying. He looked at me, shocked at my first use of properly using his name. "I don't betray my pact. Don't look down on me." He must have realized how his words stung because he looked at me and apologized.
"Sorry Okami. But with Kota taking leave I'm just... on edge."
"But you know I kinda have more respect for Kota." Soma said adding in. "He expresses his ulterior motive without hiding it."
Ah yes, Kota. I weep at his choice and his lack of understanding the words I left him with.
Kota was slumped over my coach, glooming over the truth that he put so much faith in.
"Sorry... but I... I'm going to board the Ark."
I was disappointed in his choice. His family would be saved, but at the cost of thousands. Could he truly rely on such a dark salvation? Making this choice would just make him a passenger, unable to have control over his actions or others. He was signing away his future to a foreign party.
He looked up at me, gloom written all over his face. He had somewhat of an understanding of the consequences of his actions.
"Hey-I do know what the consequences will be. But now that there's no Aegis Project, I have no other way to make sure my family's safe." If he thought that then he doesn't fully understand the consequences of his actions. "I decided long ago... to protect my family, my mother and sister, no matter what it took." So he intended to dirty his hands... just like mine are. I killed my kinsmen to protect my pact and keep my brothers safe, I didn't want Kota to end up like me... with his actions plaguing his conscious.
"That's why I became a Gods Eater. And that's why I'm going to board the Ark." He was determined, I could see it in his eyes. Nothing I would say would stop him, there was no use at this point, he made his choice.
But he was my pact, I fought alongside him long enough to know him. I have faith he will eventually understand the words I spoke to him. I just would have to wait and stay strong until then.
"Listen, I'm going to rest for a while... Sorry." He said getting up to head to the door. He didn't even look at me as he passed.
"I hope you find yourself." Before it's too late. He paused for a second at the door. But he still didn't look back as he opened the door and left.
"Hey, the Director summoned you." Soma said drawing me out of my memories. "I don't know what that bastard father of mine will brainwash you with, but it's your choice. I'll never take orders from the Branch Director, Johannes van Schicksal. That's all it is."
How dare he imply that I was so weak in the mind that I'd be manipulated by pretty words. As if I was the weak chain in the pact. With everyone gone, Soma was all I had left. I needed his trust, his support to keep me strong now that the pact would not. With him doubting me, I felt so... alone.
I turned to him and glared. "If you don't already know my answer... then you truly don't know me." With that I stormed out the Lab, passing many faces I recognized waiting for their turn to meet with the Director. At that moment, I truly felt alone.
****** The Director's Office ******
"Ah, thanks for stopping by." The Director said turning toward me. "The plan is about to enter its final stage, thanks to you and your predecessors. I want to express my gratitude."
I said nothing but approached him at his desk, I would let him make the first move. "You seem rather perplex by my words. But surely Sakuya and Alisa have contacted you by now. Well... I can understand how you must feel, now that they're put on the wanted list." I let a low rumble leave my throat at his acknowledgment of endangering my pact.
"Now you're probably wondering how on earth can I still be loitering at the Den... I'll not make excuses. If you wish to cross swords with me right now, I'll be glad to accommodate you."
"You do know how to tempt me with the sweetest of baits sir. However, as you stated long before, I am a beast. And in turn I shall do nothing." The strongest of beast will wait patiently for the perfect opportunity to strike instead of blindingly charging in full force. In time, unbenounced to my prey, they shall come into my hand willingly.
"I see. However, you must understand... The Ark Project is the only way for us to achieve a true rebirth for the planet, and human preservation. Let me see..." He says looking over at the painting of a sinking ship in his office. "For example... Let's say that your ship has sank and you and another passenger are tossed into the raging sea. In the stormy waters... you see a single plank floating near by. No matter how you look at it, the plank will sink if you both cling to it. Now then... what would you do? Would you push the other person aside to save yourself? Or... are you the type who would gladly sacrifice himself?"
"The waters would be my grave sir."
"... You're one of the people who should cling to this 'Plank of Carneades.'" Who the hell is this Carneades? "For the future of mankind, that is the absolutely right choice to make."
He turned around facing the painting again. "The Ark will be complete in a short time. If you decide to join this project. I want you to fulfill your remaining duty to the best of your ability. And if you succeed, I intend to welcome you and your loved ones aboard the Ark as crew members."
"You have no place for my brothers on your 'Voyage of Salvation.'" I say coldly. "Don't speak such false words to me."
"Ah yes, your Vajratails." He says not even acknowledging them as my kin. "I know when you joined Fenrir you were promised the protection of your family. But... surely you realize by this point that you have no blood ties to them. And God Eaters of Fenrir protecting the lives of Aragami would simply be contradictory. Surely you wouldn't pass up your chance of survival for the lives of two Vajratails." He turned to look at me. "Now... what are you going to do? Board a doomed sinking ship and wait for a violent death in a stormy sea? Or... join me on board the Ark?"
"They're my brothers." I say sternly, a little enraged that this is the third time someone believed I would abandon my loved ones to benefit myself. "We either live together or we die together."
With that I turned to leave but he called out to me. "Oh, by the way, Kota was just here minutes ago to receive his boarding ticket on the Ark." I paused were I was, it's as if he knew my buttons. Using my pact against me, he truly was a clever man. "I'm proud at how strong he's become, just from having loved ones to protect. If you can't make up your mind now, I'd be happy to give you some time to mull it over. We're just one step away from setting the project in motion. Yes, if we could just get our hands on the singularity..."
As long as I draw breath that will not happen, and the same goes for Soma, I know that for a fact.
"I hope I'll be reunited with you in the New World... that you'll accept an official ticket."
"I believe you already know my answer sir." I say not turning to look back at him. "It's not going to change. Rest assured, I will continue to fight Aragami, it is in my nature. However, I will not play a role in your plan nor get involved with it. Your New World has no place for me, or my brothers, or the herd. I shall not rely on others salvation, I will create my own with my own hands. I don't need your ticket, I am my own ticket. It's my world, no matter how ugly it is I love it none the less. Oh, by the way..." This time I turned my head slightly to look him in the eye. "You never answered your own question of which type of person are you. You act like the type to cling to the plank... but you're the type to go down with the ship. I can see it in your eyes."
For the briefest of moments his guard dropped, but was back on iron-solid a second later. Like father like son I see.
"Your strategy is aggressive, manipulative, sneaky, and downright genocide-"
"You know that word?"
"Read it in a book, I'm on a roll don't distract me. But down at the core of it all your intentions are good, even if you dirty your hands to insure the lives of others... and your son. Perhaps if you didn't hide this side of you behind so many schemes... maybe... maybe Soma would like you more."
With that I turned my face and walked out of his office. My decision was made long before I entered the room.