Author Note: Hope you guys enjoy! This chapter was fun to write, and the next one is going to be pretty tight as well, but before the Shaddiq fight there is going to be another competitor. So brace yourselves...I'll give a hint, the first dude that lost in the duel in the anime, he's going to make an interesting appearance lol! Thanks everyone for reading and I am glad that this story has grown. So many people comment, favorite, review, follow on both and Wattpad and this story has shockingly hit the 1# for Politics in the Wattpad Rankings lol that was insane. It's even crazier to me that it hardly appears within the Gundam rankings on Wattpad and if anyone can breaking down the algorithm to me would be super cool! Still, thanks for everything and I hope you guys enjoy!


Reviews

EmeraldMage: Yeah, with all the mech's going around we're going to have a pretty climatic build up. Quiet Zero is a super weapon death weapon, and Prospera is basically arming all sides of the conflict. This is going to get really bloody and crazy compared to the anime. Sophie is crazy, but she loves Norea and that is highlighted throughout the anime. Writing these OC moments are a bit difficult, but I usually do a quick review on there Wiki page, and I feel that while Sophie is crazy and bloodthirsty Norea's state would be awful, and due to there sister like relationship I feel that Sophie would take over the more neutral composed attitude that Norea would usually have. NOREA AND AIDEN DID NOT HAVE SEX/THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY WEIRD NEWTYPE SEX. I want to make that very clear. This moment in the fic was meant to represent that Newtypes were starting to appear, that Aiden was made in a lab, but Norea is naturally one. This is going to be touched upon more, especially, due to the Legion believing that Newtypes/Druids are one in the same, and that Norea is a complete aberration to what they believe. Yeah, I wanted to touch upon Norea's racism, it's not over, and there is going to be more development on it but that's going to be a bit later. Where nearing the end of Season 1 and where going to be on season 2 soon, and I am really excited for Season 2 because that's when all the crazy shit is going to go down. Connor's arc and guilt is going to be interesting to write about, but he is a villain first, and I am going to enjoy writing his end in the story. SEASON 2 IS GOING TO BE FUCKING WILD. Also, yeah, I get what you mean about release papers but I was always vague about how they left the legion. But one can leave something...but they can't leave there past, Aiden's ARC is finding a path, a Worthy Adversary, but is Aiden just a pilot defined by battle and war? Or can he be so much more? Aiden is pro legion but he has enough sense to realize that path is just going to end in there deaths, Deacon wants to leave it all behind (Remember, Aiden, Jack, and Oscar went to attack the IMC...Deacon didn't and was frustrated that they went. Especially that there reaping consequences from there revenge). Jack is still down to fight, and Oscar...Oscar let me put it this way is going to be a pivotal character in the coming chapters. I am going to be honest, Vim, like I get that he can be abusive. But the anime had weirdly mixed versions of it. Like he slaps the shit out of Guel every episode, kicks him out, and so so so. But Laude and Guel feel horrible about his death. Like, I feel that they should've toned it down because I honestly didn't feel anything when he died, I felt bad for Guel, but I didn't feel bad for Vim. Also, yeah, this isn't OC Guel's grandfather is in the prologue episode and I was shocked when I was writing this fic to realize that Laude and Guel were both half brothers. They have different last names, and Laude takes his mother's. It's quite interesting and it was probably something that they were going to touch upon later but didn't due to the rushed ending. Also, yeah, I forgot about the whole Darlblade AI plot lol. That's completely on me. Also, I am glad that you like Vim's development. Like, this is still his son...his heir to his company, like especially with all the crazy shit that was going on in canon with the Aerial, why would he keep throwing his kid at that? Thanks for reading and the constant in-depth reviews, they are much appreciated, and I always read the comments and reviews everyone writes me. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy this new chapter!


Chapter 38 - Gundam's and Zero's

Aiden

Aiden trudged through the snow, the crunch of ice beneath his boots barely audible over the wind's howling. The main dining hall loomed ahead, its great windows casting a warm glow onto the pristine white ground. Inside, students were gathered, their laughter and chatter muffled by the thick glass. Aiden felt the buzz of his phone in his pocket and glanced once more at the inviting warmth inside before shaking his head and heading towards the back of the building.

"Yo, what's up, Oscar?" Aiden asked, bringing the phone to his ear.

"What's up?" came Oscar's voice, tinged with concern. "You good, man? You blew up on Miorine and then vanished. Where are you?"

Aiden shrugged, even though Oscar couldn't see him. "Outside the dining hall. I wanted to grab a sandwich and head back to House Harmony. I've had enough of Miorine and her Gund-Arm nonsense."

There was a pause on the other end, followed by a sigh. "I don't know what to say about you and Miorine, but Deacon has a plan."

Aiden's brow furrowed as he dug into his pocket, retrieving a carton that smelled faintly herbal. He popped it open, pulled out a joint, and placed it between his lips. The wind picked up, sending a shiver down his spine as he wrapped his free arm around himself. "…and what's that?" he asked, fumbling for his lighter.

Flicking the zippo with his thumb, Aiden produced a meager flame that was quickly snuffed out by the relentless wind. "You've got to be kidding me," he muttered, trying again with no better luck.

Oscar's voice continued through the phone. "Deacon wants to try mediation."

Aiden's eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed in skepticism. "Huh?" he replied flatly.

Oscar sighed. "Y-yeah, I know… but Suletta is a fan of it," he added with a chuckle.

Aiden sneered, shaking his head as he continued to battle the wind with his lighter. "You think telling me that Suletta is a fan is going to make me jump on board? I'm done dealing with Miorine's crap. The constant nagging, the never-ending issues..."

Oscar sighed, the sound carrying a weight that Aiden could feel even through the phone. "Listen, remember that fight against Elan all that time ago?"

"Yeah, why?" Aiden replied, his tone guarded.

"I found Miorine and Suletta talking after that whole outburst," Oscar's voice grew somber, the levity draining away.

"Oscar," Aiden began, frustration simmering beneath the surface. "You better not have…"

Oscar exhaled heavily. "No, I didn't tell her about the mission, but I did tell her and Suletta about our past."

Aiden's anger erupted, his voice echoing through the phone so loud that Oscar had to pull it away from his ear. When the tirade finally subsided, Oscar brought the phone back, his tone flat. "You done?"

Aiden pinched the bridge of his nose, massaging the growing headache. "Y-yeah," he muttered. "Fucking lighter... forget it, I'm grabbing a sandwich and heading back to the manor." He paused, then asked, "How did Suletta and Miorine react?"

Oscar's voice brightened. "Suletta was really cool with it!" Relief washed over Aiden as he leaned against the cold wall, listening. "After I lost my leg, I was lost. But seeing what happened with Miorine and Suletta, I didn't want us to lose our friends, especially Miorine."

Aiden scoffed at the name, the bitterness evident. Oscar continued undeterred. "I told them everything. From the nails, to our parents, even about Deke and his sisters. Suletta understood. This was a while ago, the same day you dueled Elan. If she was going to treat you differently, she wouldn't be letting you kiss up on her."

Aiden laughed, a deep, genuine sound. "I guess you're right about that."

The two friends chuckled together, the tension easing. Aiden took a deep breath. "…and Miorine?" he asked, his voice softening.

Oscar's laughter ceased abruptly. Aiden could almost see him rubbing the back of his neck, a nervous habit. "Y-yeah, about Miorine. It was a shock to her," he admitted, awkwardly chuckling at the end.

Aiden's eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. "Okay, then what did she say, exactly?"

Oscar took a deep breath, steeling himself. He couldn't bring himself to mention the sting of Miorine's slap across his face. "It was difficult for Miorine to hear," he began cautiously. "She… well, you know how Miorine is. The point is, it's about how she's coped and dealt with it."

"Funny," Aiden remarked bitterly. "She has to cope with our trauma, does she have to cope with Deke's dead sister's too, or my lost eye, or leg, or arm, or Jack's lost birthright. She has to deal with so much, our sweet Miorine."

Oscar gritted his teeth against the sarcasm. "Why are you being like this?" he asked genuinely.

Aiden fell silent.

Undeterred, Oscar pressed on. "What the hell is your problem?" he demanded. "Before, you loved teasing and messing with Miorine. Heck, you had me and Deke worried that you and Miorine were going to get together or something and cause some weird love triangle shit with Miorine…"

Aiden sneered. "I… I can't do that to Suletta," he admitted reluctantly. "Listen, they were just jokes that got out of hand, and I've been a bit of a flirt. But Suletta and I… she…" His voice trailed off.

"What about Suletta?" Oscar prodded.

Aiden blushed, not from the cold but from embarrassment. "Suletta, during the dance… she was…" He struggled to find the right words, his hand flapping around in the air lazily.

"What, Winters?" Oscar prompted.

Aiden blurted it out. "Dude, she was like grinding and twerking on me. Like, Miorine is cute and all, but Jesus Christ, Suletta's breasts, her thighs, her butt. I'd have to be insane to throw all that away for Miorine… and me and Suletta…"

Her image filled his mind, vivid and real. Aiden couldn't believe it. She wasn't just a dream or a fantasy anymore; she was tangible. Her smile, her laughter, her voice – all real. Tanned skin, teal-blue eyes, and rich crimson locks.

Aiden rambled on. "Oscar, I want to lay her on my mattress and…"

"Woah, woah, woah!" Oscar interrupted, his voice rising in alarm. "Jesus Christ, that's way too much detail. Dude, I don't want to hear about your thoughts on Suletta… how the hell did we even get to this part of the conversation?"

A heavy silence hung between Aiden and Oscar, broken only by Oscar's resigned sigh as he finally spoke again.

"However, I am glad that you are happy," Oscar said. "I-I can… well, I ain't a druid, I can't understand what you went through in that vision. Deke, he told us about what you…"

"Deacon told you?" Aiden's eyes flashed with irritation. "Listen, that was private and he had no right to…"

Oscar shook his head. "This was with me, Miorine, and Jack… Jack was ready to jump ship thinking you had lost your mind due to this girl, and Miorine was getting creeped out as well. Deke needed to tell. But I promise you that he did the bare minimum."

Aiden groaned, running his fingers through his wild, unruly hair. "I am too tired and too screamed and yelled out to get mad," he muttered. "Seems like everyone keeps talking about business without telling the others. That explains why Jack started to chill after me kicking him in the balls." Aiden chuckled at the memory, but then he realized that Jack had been gone for quite a while.

Oscar was silent for a moment, Jack's name resonating within him. He recalled the time when Aiden had picked Suletta over him in the duel, and Jack's speech about seeing the truth for what it was. Something felt amiss.

"Aiden, I think we should start moving forward with plans to get Miorine to Earth," Oscar stated flatly.

Aiden snapped his fingers and smirked. "Now, that's a good plan," he said.

Oscar wasn't as amused. "A deal is a deal," he said. "She did her part, and now we have to finish our side of the bargain. Heck, we shouldn't even bank on trying to get her out near the wedding day…"

"Yeah, I applaud that plan," Aiden replied firmly. "If me and Miorine marry," he snickered, "Suletta, I think she will lose her shit."

"No kidding," Oscar said. "Probably roll up with the Aerial and blow the whole block sky high." He chuckled along.

Aiden shrugged. "You're joking, but Suletta seems like the type."

Oscar shook his head. "Hell no, you're going to tell us our sweet Suletta is going to…"

"Believe it," Aiden said. "And let me make it clear, I am not going to do anything to put this in jeopardy. Suletta, I am… I am going to be her first everything, and I am going to make it stay that way."

Oscar looked at him, concern etched in his features. "Aiden, you're playing with fire."

Aiden's eyes darkened, a fierce determination settling in. "Maybe, but it's a fire worth burning for."

Oscar grew silent. "Holy shit, you're committing," he said, his voice tinged with disbelief as Aiden could imagine him leaning closer into the phone. "Hell, I thought all this music stuff was going to keep you a playboy till your fifties."

Aiden snorted as Oscar chuckled and continued. "Maybe, but that was before Suletta. I'm going to continue with music—I've got a decent roster of songs, and I can turn this into a good career—but Suletta... I don't want her to ever return to Mercury. She's told me about it, you know. Living on an asteroid with crappy heating, eating nutrient paste all the damn time, and being stuck with the same boring people every day. Screw that. I'll show Suletta the stars and the moon, let her feet touch the sands and laugh and play in a real ocean. I'll give her the most delicious food and take her on the most expensive trips. All for my Suletta Mercury."

Oscar was stunned. "I didn't realize you were that serious," he admitted.

Aiden chuckled. "Before, I didn't really have a dream... a path. But Suletta has been my dream since I was fourteen. She is the dream." Aiden giggled, and Oscar smiled, genuinely happy for his friend. This conversation, meant to discuss Miorine, had turned into a talk of brotherhood, and Oscar missed such moments. "It's always the quiet, shy ones who are the most possessive. Hell, she's the youngest daughter and…"

Oscar's eyes flared wide with realization. "Youngest, I… that was a while ago, but I remember you and Deke talking about that," he said, his tone more serious. "Prospera, she's got to… did you ever ask Suletta?"

Aiden paused. "No, I got to thinking that if it was bad or traumatic, why would Prospera and she not speak about it? Prospera is missing limbs herself and has to wear that visor… there are just some things you don't ask or need to know. Miorine could take that lesson to heart."

"Y-yeah," Oscar began, rubbing the back of his head. His mind reeled with the information, memories from so long ago flooding back. They'd been having so much fun, going to classes, getting food, hanging out in Harmony House. Suletta had been there so many times, and they had never asked that simple question.

"What was her name again?" Oscar asked, eyes widening as Aiden spoke the name.

"Ericht." The name hung in the air, heavy with unspoken histories. Oscar grew silent, the phone clattering from his hands as the weight of the revelation hit him.

"Oscar, you good?" Aiden's voice echoed through the phone, concern evident.

"Ericht?" Oscar repeated, his voice thick with confusion. "You said, Ericht, right?" he shouted suddenly, his tone jarring.

Aiden tensed. "Yeah, why? I could swear you knew this."

Oscar nodded vigorously, his movements almost frantic. "That was the name you said in the vision."

Aiden's eyes widened as he glanced around, taking in the shadows that clung to the back of the dining hall. The only light came from the soft glow illuminating the large clumps of snow outside, casting long, eerie shadows. Sparse trees loomed around him, their bare branches like skeletal hands. He scanned the perimeter, then returned to the phone, his breath visible in the cold air.

"I... I don't want to talk about the vision," Aiden said, his voice low and uneasy. He heard Oscar's surprised "huh" and felt a spike of irritation. "Don't 'huh' me," Aiden snapped. "That vision was really bad. Gerald, he…"

"You told me about Gerald," Oscar interrupted curtly. "You both saw the same thing. You said that was one of the clearest visions you've ever had."

Aiden shook his head, frustration evident. "Oscar, what I saw... it can't be real. It's impossible. At most, it's metaphorical for what's to come. These visions are difficult to interpret, and Gerald lost himself trying to do so. Besides, it wasn't Ericht, it was... it was…"

"It was Ericht," Oscar insisted, his voice sharp. "You know it. I heard that name come from your very lips. That's a strange name, and you knew it. Don't you remember the verse? Something about her being on my lap while she cried and I was trying to comfort her or something. Aiden, those were your specific words."

Aiden shook his head more violently, his hand cutting through the air. "Oscar, maybe. For all we know, it could've been Elan or some other conflict or…"

Oscar's eyes widened, and he backed away from the phone, incredulous. "You're in denial," he said.

"No, I'm not," Aiden stated firmly.

"You so are!" Oscar shouted, his frustration boiling over. "These are your own words, and now you're discounting them, for what?" He shouted again. "Aiden Winters, we're not part of the military anymore, but you can't be foolish, especially when lives are at stake."

"What lives?" Aiden retorted. Oscar couldn't see the darkness in Aiden's eyes, the hours he'd spent grappling with this, nor the lingering shadows of his time with Gerald. The weight of it all pressed down on him, and he felt the isolation of his thoughts closing in.

"Don't you think I haven't thought about it?" Aiden's voice rose, edged with a dangerous, raw intensity. "Oscar, mind your tongue. You have no idea the hell I saw at the end of that road… a fate worse than death. It had to be unreal, such a thing… it had to be impossible." His last words were laced with a horrified zeal, as if clinging to a desperate hope.

"It was a horrible omen," Oscar began cautiously. "But, I can't ignore everything that's happened."

Aiden shook his head, trying to dispel the lingering dread. "Think, Oscar. Maybe this has something to do with the last battle… you lost your leg and…"

Oscar cut him off. "Yeah, I was mentioned in the vision not losing my leg but soothing someone. Aiden, you aren't blind. I don't know why you're acting like this."

Aiden's eyes dropped to the ground, shadows playing across his features. Oscar continued, his tone insistent. "You and Deke are too distracted with school and your relationships to see the bigger picture. Aiden, Jack has been gone for weeks and we haven't seen him. Prospera weirdly just upped and took Connor, and now we have all these mechs and finances? We used to complain that Prospera didn't give two shits about us, but now Suletta is here with her weird machine that keeps being called a Gundam. I hear stuff on the internet, on TV… did you know that Guel and his brother were attacked recently in deep space?"

Aiden's eyes widened. "What!" he yelled. "How the hell, I thought they were taking leave to…"

"I guess," Oscar interjected, his tone grim. "But it's the guys that you are going to go wild about. The Nexus 65th, Tobias's old unit."

Aiden's expression turned to one of shock. "They… they attacked them. Shit, I thought the titans were…"

Oscar shook his head. "I don't know the details, but the Legion is making moves and you saw them last time. Marko is content with filling the ranks of Warbands with criminals, brigands, and rapists, giving them the blessings of Harmony and sending them out in the long war… Aiden, you saw the force Marko held when we attacked the IMC. They have only grown in strength. If the group… if Delling really starts taking them as a threat, they'll…"

Aiden's next words came out in a ghastly tone. "It will lead to war," he whispered.

"A second IMC…" Oscar began, but Aiden cut him off.

"No," Aiden said, his voice filled with a dark certainty. "The IMC is dead and gone. I made sure of that… this will be a war waged in revenge for Harmony. Marko has lost it, calling himself king. And what does he rule over? The atomics that scarred Harmony?" Aiden nearly chuckled, the darkness of it all pressing down on him like a weight.

Oscar and Aiden fell silent, a thick, uneasy quiet settling between them. It was Oscar who finally broke it. "Aiden, did you ever find your data knife?" he asked, his voice a shade too casual.

Aiden frowned. "No... why bring that up now?"

"It's just bothering me that we were in that hospital for so long and that expensive state-of-the-art hardware went missing," Oscar said, a hint of suspicion creeping into his tone. "There's a lot of fishy stuff happening around here, and I don't like it. Maybe I should stop by the hospital and see what's..."

Aiden groaned, the sound heavy and curt. "Oscar," he drawled, stretching out the name. "Prospera's really chill, and she's backing us. Don't start digging into things and getting paranoid when someone is..."

Oscar rolled his eyes. "I'm not going to do anything," he replied flatly. "They've got security footage, don't they? I don't see any harm in stopping to check it out."

Aiden shook his head. "You're crazy, Oscar... hell, it's probably not even open or..."

"Aiden, it's a hospital. They're always open," Oscar pointed out. "Listen, don't stay out too late. I'll see you back at the manor, and then we'll talk more about this."

Aiden sighed in relief at the thought of ending the conversation. "Yeah, I'll see you later."

But before Oscar hung up, his voice softened. "Listen, Aiden... don't stay up too late, and don't think too much about this. We're all brothers—me, you, Deacon, Jack... even Connor. I know what he did was wrong, but he had a tough hand in the war. We were together, but they had him fighting on some pretty shitty fronts. Maybe we can give him another chance. Not saying to completely let him in after what happened at Jetturk House, but baby steps. Get him a therapist, some meds maybe, and he can live a normal life."

"A normal life," Aiden echoed, his gaze drifting upwards to the stars. He wondered just how far away normal was from them all.

He sighed. "I'll talk to you later, Oscar."

They exchanged goodbyes, and Aiden slipped his phone back into his pocket. As he did, he heard footsteps rounding the corner of the building. His eyes narrowed as he turned toward the approaching figure.

"Oi, who are you?" Aiden demanded, staring at the darkened silhouette.

"Me?" the person replied, their voice vaguely familiar.

"Yeah, you," Aiden retorted quickly. "What do you want?"

The voice laughed, and as the figure stepped into the light, revealing blonde hair brushing against brown skin, Aiden recognized him.

"What do I want?" Shaddiq asked, flashing Aiden a million-dollar smile. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a lighter. "How about I offer you a light, Winters?"

Miorine

Miorine was hunched over her laptop, her eyes fixed on the screen, her academy uniform discarded in favor of underwear and a T-shirt, her hair tied up in a messy bun. A steaming cup of coffee sat nearby, forgotten. Her tired grey eyes scanned the file before her.

The red flash drive Prospera had given her was plugged into her laptop, and scattered around her were printed papers, analytics, graphs, and designs for prototypes. They all seemed to blur together at one point.

"Quiet Zero," Miorine muttered to herself, cracking her knuckles as she delved deeper into the wealth of information before her. "Prospera, you really don't hold back when it comes to information," she murmured, half to herself.

She maneuvered her computer mouse, navigating through the files on the screen. Her eyes narrowed as she muttered what she was reading. "...a radical new network that by," Her eyes widened as she read the next words. "By utilizing Gund-Permits…we can control or target data permits at certain locations. By extending the data storm network at certain locations, one can effectively…"

Miorine's eyes widened, the tiredness fading away in an instant. With sudden fervor, she lurched from her seat, knocking her coffee aside in the process. "Have control over biological and technological effects," she sneered at the mess, grabbing some paper towels to clean it up before returning to her seat.

Leaning back, she scanned the notes before her, signed by her and her father. If this were ever revealed to the group—that her father and mother were secretly ignoring his very own rules—Miorine shook her head at the thought. "That damned hypocrite of a lousy father," she flatly stated.

Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself as she continued reading. "...weirdly enough, data permits affect the human mind as well, and if the frequency is too strong, there can be biological implications. Theoretically, if Quiet Zero is deployed, and tuned in the right place and frequency, it can potentially function as a device utilized to terraform…or to heal."

Miorine's eyes widened. Clicking off the PDF and grabbing a nearby paper, she scribbled furiously, her mind racing. "Quiet Zero, it can function as a way of healing planets?"

She began to desperately sift through the notes, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips as she finally found them. Taking them into her hands, she started to read aloud. "While it may be difficult and take a couple of months, maybe even years. By having a gigantic data storm network will affect those biologically, however, it must be stated that data storms are particularly lethal to humans. Augmentation helps, but extending the network…the whole universe going through a dangerous permit attack, if Quiet Zero reaches bounds that touch all corners of the universe, of all corners of human life, sure, we can control technology and such. However, we must take into account that the death toll if something goes wrong…could be in the millions, maybe even in the billions."

Miorine's heart grew heavy as she recited her mother's words, settling back into her seat and placing the notes down. She ran her fingers through her wild locks, pondering aloud, "This is what Prospera is trying to revive?" She looked at the strange prototypes of Quiet Zero before her. "Sure, we are going to be able to control everything with Permit…but who's going to keep us in line. The group, The League, and others within the systems are going to fear this power, this could lead to mass death if we're not careful, but also…"

Her mind drifted to Oscar's tale, to the Earthians whose worlds had been ravaged like the Sons of Harmony. War, constant war, and through this artificial means, she and Prospera could put an end to it all. Accomplish her mother's greatest dream, pick up the slack where her lousy father failed.

Then, there was a knock on the door. Miorine let out a yelp, nearly careening off her chair. "W-Who's there!" she shouted, checking her watch. It was nearly 10 PM, what did…

"M-Miorine," Suletta's voice came, softer, almost akin to how she was in the beginning of the year.

Miorine let out a sigh of relief, but it quickly turned to panic as she surveyed her messy work area and her laptop that still had the open files and hard drive.

"Ah, Ah," Miorine whispered, then she loudly coughed into her fist. "What do you need, Suletta? I am not feeling so well. Did something happen?"

Suletta was silent. Miorine slowly descended the small staircase, her heart racing.

Suletta's voice, soft and tender, cut through the air, almost lost in the room's silence. Miorine's eyes snapped open, her arms wrapping around herself as she turned to face the door. "Suletta, you already know the answer to that," she replied, her tone casual but her eyes betraying a hint of tension.

An awkward giggle escaped Suletta's lips, but there was no joy in it. Her forehead pressed against the steel door, hidden from Miorine's view. She didn't see the hurt etched on Suletta's face, nor the simmering anger barely restrained beneath the surface. "T-that's not an answer," Suletta countered softly.

Miorine's eyes widened, frustration evident in her groan. "Suletta, we are together all the time," she began, arms crossed defensively. "We cook together, we plant together. Heck, I don't even like going to Harmony House to see Winters and his crew. But I still go with you for support."

With a flick of her hair, Miorine returned her gaze to her laptop and the scattered papers. "Suletta, it's like the weekend and I've got an important assignment that is due and…," she trailed off, exasperation coloring her tone.

"Miorine, it's nearly the start of winter break," Suletta interjected shamelessly. "You told me yesterday that you were done with your homework and assignments and…,"

Miorine's groan interrupted Suletta. "Suletta, I am not your mother. If I am not around, that means I have something important to do," she stated firmly, though even she realized her words came out harsher than intended.

A strange quiet settled over Suletta, surprising Miorine. She facepalmed at her own tactlessness. "S-Suletta, I didn't mean it like that," she quickly amended, too proud to apologize outright. "Listen, we are always together. That should tell you how I feel about you. You know."

But Suletta didn't know, and on the other side of the door, her fingers intertwined as tears welled in her eyes. "H-how do you feel about Aiden," she murmured, her voice barely audible.

"Winters?" Miorine repeated, unaware of the annoyance etched on Suletta's features.

Suletta's hand flew to her chest, anger blazing in her eyes. "Y-yes, my Aiden!" she exclaimed, her stutter betraying her emotions as Miorine took a step back, startled by the intensity of her outburst.

Miorine's eyes, once narrowed and accusatory, now held a mixture of frustration and sorrow as they remained fixed on the door. "Suletta, what is this about? If you want to talk about Aiden Winters, then—" Her voice faltered as a sudden realization struck her, eyes widening with a sharp glare at the door. "Is this about the argument?" she exclaimed. "Christ, Suletta, you're just going to be on Winter's side, right?" Her words echoed through the room, laced with exasperation and a hint of bitterness.

Suletta's eyes widened in response. "T-that isn't—"

"Please," Miorine interjected, rolling her eyes. "Before, you would've at least had my back. But then he goes in on me, and you just... please, stop, guys, stop fighting!" Mimicking Suletta's voice and tone, she continued, "Suletta, if you want to talk about him, go talk to him. I am busy, and I just... I've got stuff I have to get done. Important stuff. And I don't want to be distracted by House Harmony or Aiden Winters anymore."

"Anymore?" Suletta's voice trembled with an edge. "A-Aiden is mine," she declared, her tone shaky. "Just... I thought we were friends, best friends. And best friends don't do things to people that their best friends care about. I'll leave."

Miorine fell silent, the weight of Suletta's words sinking in. For a moment, she had forgotten just how much Suletta had grown. She regretted the swift turn of events that had brought them to this point.

Yet, in an instant, Miorine's eyes flashed with determination.

She sighed heavily, her gaze clouded with melancholy as she pressed her palm against her forehead. "Listen, Suletta, I just... I don't understand why we're arguing," she admitted, making her way to the door. "Honestly, I am still annoyed and frustrated at Aiden, but... I can understand what he means. Listen, I... I..."

Struggling with her words, Miorine paused, her grey eyes fixed on the sliver of light beneath the door.

"I... I don't know how to say it, Suletta," she began, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "Listen, I know I am difficult, that I am damaged. Did I ever tell you that my father didn't even let me go to my mother's funeral?" Her voice caught, a bitter laugh escaping her lips as she leaned against the door. "You're the first person in the whole world that I have told that to. I've known Shaddiq since I was a child, and even he went... not even her own daughter. And for what? Because my lousy father believed I couldn't handle it?"

Shaking off the dark thoughts, Miorine sneered, pushing back the bitterness. "It's difficult for me to open up to people, and I have given up on finding friends and finding someone that I will actually love." Pausing, a small, genuine smile tugged at her lips.

Miorine's voice, laced with a mixture of vulnerability and sincerity, cut through the stillness of the night. "You're my best friend, Suletta Mercury. I know I am a lot... but I figured that after everything me and you have been through, that you would know how much you matter to me. Likewise, why I could never…" Her words trailed off as a wave of melancholy washed over her, casting a shadow upon her thoughts. "I could never hurt you. Aiden and me, it's not what you think, and I wouldn't jeopardize our friendship for…"

As Miorine's gaze lingered on the light seeping through the crack beneath her door, she realized it was unobstructed. "Suletta?" she called out, met with silence. "Suletta, I'll let you in... okay... you sounded angry and sad. I know that you struggle with social stuff, so, I'll…"

With cautious steps, Miorine swung the door open, expecting to find her friend waiting on the other side. But the hallway was empty, bathed in darkness that seemed to swallow the faintest hint of moonlight. Her heart sank at the sight, a familiar sense of being too late creeping over her.

"Suletta," she called out, her voice echoing through the desolate hallway.

Too late, the thought echoed in her mind. Too late for her mother's funeral, always caught escaping, and now, too late for this moment with Suletta. The weight of her regrets pressed down on her, threatening to engulf her in darkness.

Returning to her room, Miorine collapsed into her chair, her sobs filling the silence of the night. "If... if I was just a bit kinder... if I was just a bit faster, then..." Her mind raced through all the missed opportunities, all the chances she wished she had taken.

Her mind raced, replaying moments with Aiden, his smiles, his laughter, his music.

She remembered the greenhouse, the scent of herbs clinging to them both, and the unspoken words that hung between them. If only she had touched his cheek, if only she had told him that everything would be okay, that she loved him for who he was.

If she had kissed him that night, she knew she would have surrendered herself to him, without waiting for the night they were married. For a fleeting moment, she entertained the thought of a child, a son with dark hair and grey eyes.

But such dreams were not meant to be. Wiping away tears, Miorine steeled herself once again, her resolve firm as she turned her attention back to her laptop screen.

Despite the strain in their relationship, Miorine remained resolute. Though she feared she had arrived too late to salvage things with Suletta, an opportunity had presented itself through Prospera's offer—an opportunity to realize her mother's greatest ambition: a universe devoid of war. Quiet Zero, if successful, could mend the scars of Earth and potentially bring peace to Harmony, provided her mother's notes were accurate.

The warning lingered in Miorine's mind, a flicker of doubt amid her determination. But she brushed it aside, unwilling to entertain the possibility of failure. This was her mother's dream, a vision that had sustained her through years of turmoil and loss. "A universe without war," Miorine whispered to herself, the words carrying both hope and weight.