Please do NOT read this story if you are planning to continue reading my other work. It will ruin your experience.
Many stories were told about his former self. Each story bringing variations with them, changing his qualities and personalities with every new one
"A ruthless warlord who didn't hold any regard for life."
"A kind man who played his hand correctly."
"A former researcher whose roots were dirtied by the horrors of war."
Regardless of their differences, all the tales had two common points: one, he formerly possessed the body of the one called the "Doctor", and two, he was a war strategist. People who knew him formerly looked at the Doctor with fear and mistrust, while some demonstrated absolute loyalty to him. Which interpretation of the one in the legend was right? Even as the rumored "Ghost of Babel" or the entity's other name, "The Evil Spirit of Babel" seemingly ceased to exist, the rumors didn't. The tales continued to be told, and actions were continuing to be taken. Kal'tsit still took the opportunity to scan his brain on health inspection, to see if he would ever revert back.
Foolish. Idiotic. Meaningless.
Thinking through the situation, he could only come up with those words for the participants of the said rumors. What kind of merit did it hold to know the truth? What mattered if he was a good man or vice versa? The fools were so caught up in the past they didn't even bother to glimpse what was in front of them. "The silly Doctor who pours noodles in his mouth." "The Doctor who gets his salary cut by Kal'tsit." "The weak Doctor who needs protection every given time."
He didn't particularly mind being thought of like that; he was even guilty of thinking some of it himself too. Somebody who people spent time with willingly, a person who many people liked to talk with, was bound to have some things said about him. Nevertheless, this wasn't of much importance either. The important matter was what was he really? The "Doctor" people rarely, if ever, spoke about.
"The capable Doctor who destroyed Reunion two weeks after his takeover." "The shrewd Doctor who the girls had an eye on." "The Doctor who many people swore loyalty to."
The man he was, their foolishness was also a factor that changed his plan and nothing more. He could use his thoughts to trick Amiya, which was the sole reason he gave countless nights to boring meditations. He just had to follow his practice and make Amiya believe he was doing this for the greater good, which Amiya would easily fall for. The plan was simple: to launch a coup d'état against Kal'tsit while having a personal team who would protect him from any dangers before Kal'tsit's personal squad came to an end. He had already figured out the basics. The challenge was collecting the pieces needed. It had taken much of his time, preventing him from ever progressing his relationship with the girl he favored.
He would confront Amiya and lead her to look into his mind to have her on his side. He had his meditations to thank for if he ever deceived her with fake thoughts. Having Amiya on his side was crucial. Not only was Amiya strong personally, but she also brought along the people who followed her to his side. With her, he could convince many others, especially Nearl and Shining, to fight with him. With that done, he would use his personal connections with everyone to launch an attack, with Skadi on the sidelines. The S.W.E.E.P squad which once upon frightened him so strongly would be of no issue with his stronger bodyguards beside him. He had imagined himself crossing the corner and giving calls while being surrounded by Hellagur, Mountain, and Mataoimaru, truly a sight to behold. What a privilege it was to have them on his side. Reading a book on relationships and psychology was going to come in really handy; sleepless nights spent finally were going to pay off.
Since his awakening, such plans have been on his mind, but they became official thanks to a certain fallen. Had he been a fool enough to cross Kal'tsit in this state, he had a vague idea about what would happen to him.
Red gets in.
Red gets out as his soul escapes his body. As easy as a walk in the park on a Wednesday afternoon.
Even if he dealt with Red, who knew what kind of monstrosity Kal'tsit had ready, waiting for him in this weak state? What a fool she was, he thought. Despite having lived as long as she did, he, who was lying in the sarcophagus not long ago, had a chance to overtake the Island. If only she put up a fake front and treated him normally, this wouldn't have been as easy. A plan outrageous as rebellion wouldn't be in his mind had there not been a need.
Not that her "normal" was decent in any way; he knew how she treated other people. Operators didn't like to spend time with her anyway unless they owed a favor to her. After all this time, she hadn't stopped to think if her attitude was right.
If only she looked at the Doctor in front of her for a moment, instead of proceeding to scan his brain she could've come up with some precautions. He had heard about how he was a really knowledgeable researcher and knew more than Kal'tsit did prior to his amnesia. A thought that made him laugh. She must have been scared of him way back then in that case. If he was a better researcher than her, what forte did she hold against him? Another reason she was fixated on his reversion must have been that reason he figured. How could she hold anyone on her side if he was a better researcher? She had an advantage, curing people with disease with her medical knowledge. Such edge was the only thing that her status made her someone "irreplaceable" to the current Island. Better connections, better researchers, and better strategists. Such a hopeless thought.
The Doctor had a different idea though, as didn't regard her as someone "irreplaceable. He never did after he realized the necessity of such a plan. He could easily manage to run the Island if she was to be disposed of.
Kal'tsit had been a pain in the ass ever since he returned, treating him like shit when he got back, scolding him every chance she got, and threatening him every once in a while. He had come to a conclusion after pondering over his relationship with Mostima. They had already reached a certain point in their relationship that forced him to think everything through.
He knew the facade he put on against Mostima with a pain in his chest would get called out one day. He knew the girl he favored was sharp and strong. She had managed to defend herself in deserts, catastrophes, and wilds. There was no way she would fail to see through his façade after all the time they had spent. Nonetheless, status quo had to be kept still until he found a way. A way to be free.
He had to stall for time meanwhile, as he was afraid of the possibilities.
What would happen to Mostima if he was nowhere to be found one day?
What if they split apart, barely interacting every once in a blue moon?
What if the "Evil Spirit of Babel" in the rumors came back and used her as an insignificant chess piece and then threw her away?
He never thought the legendary "Ghost of Babel" was an untouchable entity. Not against him, anyway. He knew a way to at least make Mostima safe or ease her worries if he ever reverted. Reverted, like the one in the rumors, that is, not the kind one but the bad one. He could trust the kind one to take care of her. But the bad one? The one variation that branded him as an evil not caring about anything or anyone he would deal with such a thing. He couldn't help but wonder, though. What if Mostima's old squad ever came under his service? Such thoughts had to be avoided, as he already knew the bitter answer. A civil war wasn't child's play. How could anyone expect him to progress if he was a commander who worried about every life he had been lent to? The end of the Kazdel Civil War hadn't been brought to an end with such naive thoughts; the one in the rumors must have known it. But these, too, were meaningless. There wasn't any certain answer to the aforementioned questions; however, the ambiguity didn't stop these questions from haunting him to this day, even at a thought.
Could she, who developed trust issues because of her old friend's betrayal, take the blow and get over it, or would her issues develop further, causing her to avoid any interaction with people more than necessary? He could feel his heart ache as he imagined the more likely possibility. He knew how she still wandered to the "good old days" every once in a while with a bitter smile on her face. Bittersweet times slowly became more and more distant with every passing day. She had moved on but he knew it still affected her to this day. Nevertheless, she didn't let such thoughts prevent her on her way to happiness.
He would never forget the look she gave to him whenever he found her after her disappearance. The perplexed, amazed look she directed at him, asking how the hell he spotted her.
He would reply with an "It's a secret" every time, with her often reacting with a laugh, saying "You're so interesting, Doctor." He was glad she hadn't found out how he did it; the truth was embarrassing. He would run through the possible paths she could have gone to and ask people on his way if they saw her. It was a failure most of the time, although it more than paid off whenever he succeded. After he started to check her delivery dates and waited for her with snacks with him, he spotted her more often, with a resolve that made her give up. She had let it happen and stopped disappearing after a while. They had already come to a point in their relationship where she would visit him the first thing she got back.
Nor did he ever forget her enjoying herself after stopping time to get on his back, scaring him.
The times they split up with others to get food in restaurants or roam the streets after the operation. She had invited him at the time, the reason being "They are pretty close to each other, I don't need such relationships." A tradition has been formed ever since. A charming tradition that involved them splitting from with others, together, in search of food, enjoying themselves in the process.
The Mostima whenever she barged into his Mostima whose eyes glimmered with light, with a smile only an angel could give, directing her tail with such beautiful movements only she could direct whenever he turned the tables and was the one who teased her.
Such Mostima could be lost, never to be seen again. With a new Mostima ousting her in order to survive and avoid pain and suffering.
A Mostima wandering around with only emptiness in her eyes with none to accompany her.
A Mostima staring sights she loved to talk about with grief and sorrowful thoughts in her head instead of enjoying them like she did before. A Mostima never interacting with anyone unless needed.
An outcome as enraging as that had to be avoided at all costs. Such a Mostima replacing the Mostima he knew.
He knew she was strong. The girl he loved was a force to be reckoned with. While her changing completely, never to revert back was a possibility, perhaps there was a chance she could continue living on as if nothing happened after a month or two. Even so, he couldn't let such a thing happen.
So he had made his choice. A new plan had to be formed, a happy plan that didn't involve any fake feelings. There were some dangers if he followed up his new plan, but they were nothing he couldn't avoid. It was decided. He would go with his new-found plan. There was an action in it he had long wanted to perform but couldn't due to his responsibility as her beloved friend and as a man.
He would propose to her.
I wanted to write about "Ghost of Babel", it has been on my mind for a while now and I decided to just write about it. Originally this piece was going to be used on another thing but I figured it may be too late to use and just decided to submit it here. As always, any kind of review, thought, or criticism is much appreciated.