The two left the place, soon after the whole building was shaking and everything was falling apart. Viola was outside smoking but suddenly she also felt the tremor on the ground, she quickly dropped her cigarette and ran to the building. But the door collapsed before she could enter. Suddenly, she sees not far away from her, a shadow leaped down from the side of the building while carrying someone out. Monika landed in front of Viola and handed Minka over from her shoulder: "Take her and leave."
"Wait, what are you going to do?" Viola asks, eyes filled with concern.
"I need to save the others, please take care of my daughter." Monika replied and returned to the collapsing building.
"I will." Viola nodded.
Viola sees Monika disappear among the smoke while she is carrying Minka on her back. The whole base is falling apart, the ground is shaking, buildings are collapsing. Everything was happening too fast, and eventually the smoke consumed them. Viola is running as fast as she can, but the smoke is thick and her vision is not that clear.
Eventually she ran out of the smoke while placing Minka on the floor, she can finally breathe the fresh air. But the tremors didn't stop: "Hey, wake up." She slaps Minka's cheeks lightly: "Wake up."
Minka opens her eyes, but her vision is blurry: "Where am i?"
"We need to leave, this is not safe. The place is falling apart." Viola said.
"The... others." Minka said: "Mom."
"Your mother went back for the others." Viola replied.
Minka tries to stand up but she is too weak, her legs are trembling and her knees are bent.
"I will help you." Viola grabs Minka and places her hand around her shoulder.
"Thanks..." Minka said with a weak voice.
"Don't worry, I won't leave you. Just stay with me." Viola said: "Come on, let's get out of here." Later, they arrived at a nearby cave, and Viola gently placed Minka on the ground and began contacting Leanna and Sannet.
"Viola, are you okay?" Leanna's voice came from the other side.
"Yes, me and Minka are fine. We are in a cave, where are you guys?" Viola asked.
"We are hiding in the forest, the tower is falling apart. There's chaos everywhere." Leanna replied: "I don't know about you guys, but we are kinda stranded here."
"Don't worry, stay where you are. I will pick you guys up." Viola said.
"What? It is too dangerous out there." Leanna replied: "Please, just stay put. Me and Sannet can take care of ourselves."
"What about mom? Where is she?" Minka asks: "Lea, have you seen mom?"
"No, not yet. She hasn't come out of the base. But I am sure that she is fine." Leanna replied.
"Mom... no." Minka begins to panic: "She is still in there!" Minka was about to get up but then she sees a person walking out of the smoke while having a halberd on her back: "Mom?"
But when the person walks out of the smoke, Viola and Minka's eyes widen.
"Hello there, another me." The person who walked out of the smoke is a matured version of Minka, she looks older than Minka but not that much older. She has her hair tied into a ponytail, and she is wearing a gray trench coat.
"Who are you?"Viola asks.
"You can call me: Ravager." The ravager said: "I am not an enemy, so don't worry. I came here to help."
"Why would you want to help us?" Minka asks: "You said that you will destroy anything the Archivist built, what did you mean by that?"
"I have a feeling that i shouldn't be saying this... but you already know." The ravager said: "My father, he is an evil person. And you know this very well, so there's no point in hiding it. The truth is... he rebuilt me with three key ingredients: My soul, my memory and my body that was corrupted a long time ago. I was reborn. And now, I am here to finish the job." She added: "The world you see now is tainted by that man's technology and ambition, I can't let that happen."
"So... you are saying that... you are going to destroy this world?" Viola asks.
"Not exactly, I am going to reset it. To give it a second chance." The ravager said: "I am sure all of you would understand it, right?" She looks at the others.
"What? No! You are talking about destroying the world that we live in." Minka is shocked: "You can't do this."
"That man is evil, I can't let him have another chance." The ravager said: "His sins are something that cannot be washed away. If the very structure of the world you see right now remains, he will always live. And I cannot allow that." She added.
"But you are killing everyone, all the innocent people will die." Minka said: "Are you okay with this?"
"I sacrificed myself once for this world, now I have a second chance and I see the mistakes that were made during my absence... I need to right the wrongs, and that is what I will do." The ravager replied.
"I am not going to allow this!" Minka stood up but she was too weak and fell to the ground.
"I am not gonna fight any of you, in fact, i will bring all of you out. Oh man, don't I have a lot to catch up. Hahah." The ravager smiles and looks over at Viola: "Do you have the ability to track the location of your friends?"
"Yes, why?" Viola asks.
"Get me to them, I can teleport all of us to safety." The ravager said. She then hands over the weapon back to Minka: "Take care of him for me will you?"
"This is your weapon." Minka said: "Why would you give it back to me?"
"Because you are a more fitting owner than I was." The ravager said: "He is a cranky and arrogant piece of junk, but he will help you through tough times. Just don't let him bully you." She added.
Minka looked at the weapon and then back at the ravager, she didn't say anything. Viola then gave Ravager the location of Leanna and Sannet.
"Close your eyes." Ravager began channeling power through the palm of her hand, the power was strong and it caused a wind to blow around them.
When they opened their eyes, the scenery had changed. They are now standing in the middle of the forest.
"Minka?" Leanna's voice suddenly came from behind them.
They turned around and saw Leanna and Sannet: "You are okay!" Leanna hugs Minka tightly. Sannet's eye suddenly shifted at the ravager, a rare expression of shock appeared on her face.
"Impossible..." Sannet took a step back: "No way..."
"Sannet, it has been a while isn't it?" The ravager smiled: "How have you been?"
"How are you still alive? I thought you were dead." Sannet said with a shaky voice: "We were all there... and... here you are. I can't believe it."
"It's a long story." The ravager said: "Let's just say, a lot happened."
"Sannet, you know about this Minka?" Viola suddenly paused for a second: "Hold on... does this mean that this is the Minka that once existed twenty years ago?"
"Correct." The ravager said: "And it's a nice coincidence for all of us to meet here." She looks at Sannet: "Sannet, I have something I need to talk to you about."
Sannet then took a deep breath and nodded. Away from the group, Ravager suddenly hugged Sannet: "Thank you for everything, and sorry that I was gone for so long."
"No, I should be the one apologizing." Sannet said: "We could have helped, we could have saved you."
"Knight told me everything... you sent the group into here to just bring me back... thank you." The ravager said.
"Minka... please... forgive me." Sannet said with a tearful expression.
"It's okay, I forgive you." The ravager smiled: "It was not your fault, and now I am back... I need you."
"What do you need? What can I do for you?" Sannet asked.
"This world... is built upon the technology of the archivist... I need to reclaim it and destroy it. Even with a fragment of him, he can still come back. And i can't allow that. The only way to ensure he is truly gone, is to reset the structure of the world." The ravager explained: "We will start from the labs around the surface and then go down the core of the world. I will have to destroy the entire thing, and then... rebuild it."
"We?" Sannet is confused: "Who's 'we'?"
"Knight is in. I will talk to Emilia then mom and dad. I am sure that they will join too." The ravager said: "I need your help too, Sannet."
Sannet remained silent and glanced back at Minka: "Minka, are you sure this is the right thing to do?" She asked the ravager.
"The world we know is tainted by the archivist, it will be rebuilt and it will be different." The ravager replied: "The world is broken and the people are suffering, they might not feel it now but we have a chance to fix it. Do you really want to miss this?"
Sannet remained silent again before replying: "Alright, I will help. But we need to leave first."
The ravager smiled: "Of course, let's get out of this place first."
Back with the others, Minka ran towards Sannet: "What did she say to you?" She asks.
"Nothing." Sannet replied.
"No, she talked to you. Why won't you tell me what she said?" Minka stands in front of Sannet and questions her with a very stern tone.
"It is none of your business." Sannet replied: "Now stop asking me." Sannet gave Minka a cold glare.
Minka felt like she was punched in the chest: "Fine... if you don't want to tell me, just don't."
"Sannet, that is enough. Stop hurting Minka." Viola intervenes: "You have been rude to her for too long, this has to stop. You can't hurt her forever."
"Shut up, this is none of your concern." Sannet said with a rather annoyed tone.
"This is indeed my business, I am not going to let you keep hurting her. She is my friend." Viola said: "I have enough of your rudeness and selfishness, can't you see how much Minka cares about you?"
“Enough..." Minka grabbed Viola's arm: "Stop, I can handle this."
"Minka..." Viola wanted to say something but she stopped herself.
Leanna however noticed the strange behavior from Sannet and decided to talk to her.
"Sannet, is there something bothering you?" Leanna asks: "You look troubled."
"No, everything is fine." Sannet replied: "There's nothing troubling me."
"It's the ravager, right? I noticed you were shocked when you saw her." Leanna said: "Say... were you two good friends?"
Sannet remained silent.
"Is this why you treat Minka differently? Because she reminds you of the ravager? And now you see the ravager again, and you don't know what to do. Is this the reason?" Leanna asked.
"No." Sannet replied.
"Don't lie, I can see it. You are hiding the truth from me and from the others." Leanna said: "Please... tell me the truth, I am not going to judge you. You can tell me, just talk to me. That's all I ask."
"......" Sannet is hesitating.
"I promise I won't tell anyone." Leanna persists.
Sannet remained silent.
"I have a lot of theories in mind, but i can't figure out what it is." Leanna said: "But I can guess a few things."
"What?" Sannet asked.
"You and the ravager were close friends, and when she died, you felt sad." Leanna said: "And when she returned, you were not prepared. That's why you are behaving weirdly. Am I correct?"
Sannet remained silent.
"You are not the kind of person that would behave like this. So there must be a reason." Leanna said: "Am i getting warmer?"
"No, not at all." Sannet replied: "Your theory is flawed, i wasn't close to the Ravager."
"That's what you said but your reaction tells me otherwise." Leanna said: "So I am pretty sure that I am correct. And since Minka and the Ravager are similar, you feel conflicted when you look at Minka."
Sannet looked away and didn't say anything.
"Look, Minka might not be as strong or competent as the Ravager, but she is the best person I know. I understand why you are afraid, but you can't push her away forever. She is trying so hard to help you, even when you are being rude. Can't you see? She cares about you. She is not going to replace the ravager, because no one can. And besides, she is a different person with her own personality." Leanna said.
"......" Sannet didn't say anything.
"I will stop talking if you want." Leanna said: "I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable, but I don't like seeing my friend suffering. If there's anything bothering you, just let me know. You don't have to carry your burden alone."
"......" Sannet looked away, she seemed conflicted: “ Lea, I will be leaving soon, the Ravager wants my help. She is going to reset the world and start everything over, and she needs my help. And I have agreed."
“That sounds wrong." Leanna said.
"It doesn't sound wrong, it is the truth." Sannet said: "The world is corrupt, it is built upon the foundation of the archivist. It cannot be allowed."
"Sannet... I don't know how to tell you this, but that is really bad." Leanna said: "The world is corrupt but that doesn't mean that it has to be reset. There are still good people out there, and they deserve a chance. Please... reconsider."Leanna pulled Sannet’s hand and pleaded.
Sannet avoids her gaze: "I am sorry…” she then heads to the Ravager’s side without looking back.
“Sannet!” Minka’s shout made Sannet pause: “ I will stop you, just like how I did it before.”
The ravager looks at Sannet: "Do what you think is right, this is a choice that you can only make yourself. I will respect your decision."
Sannet hesitated for a few seconds, then she went back to Minka: "What did you say?" She walked in front of Minka and stared into her eyes: "Did you really think you could stop me? I let you win last time because I didn't care, but now… I will not tolerate a single instant of your indulgence. Your stupidity has plagued me long enough." Sannet then pushes Minka on the floor: “Pathetic, you can’t even stand on your feet."
"Why are you being so mean?" Minka asks: "What have I ever done to you? Tell me!"
"I have had enough of you." Sannet said: "All of the time, all you ever do is mess up and be the weak link of the group. Everyone knows that, except for you."
"Is that why you are acting like this? Because you hate me?" Minka is hurt.
"Yes." Sannet said with a cold tone: "I hated your weak personality, I hated your incompetence. Your very existence was a simulation of the real Minka that died saving the world. You are made by your father, a man who I loathe. One day… I will end him myself."
"No..." Minka's eyes are teary.
"I will never forget the day you took her place, and the pain I have endured." Sannet said: "When that man asks me to look after you. He knew that it will be a torture for me, he knew it will remind me of the past. And he did that because he hates me. This is a punishment. He created you just to punish me."
“Sannet, stop! This is not right, please, this has to stop." Leanna intervened and pulled Sannet's arm: "This is not you, just stop. Please."
Sannet shook off Leanna's hand: "No, it has been long enough."
"Sannet... I..." Minka's words are stuck in her throat.
"You are the worst thing that has ever happened in my life." Sannet said: "And now, I finally get a chance to get rid of you."
"Sannet!" Viola shouted and pushed Sannet away: "Stop!"
"No, this is too much. I can't let this go on." Leanna stood between the two.
“Don’t let me see you again, or I will kill you." Sannet glared at Minka, then turned her back and left with the ravager.
After the ravager and Sannet were gone, the three remained silent. Viola sat down beside Minka: "Hey, are you alright?" She asks.
"What did I ever do wrong?" Minka said with a choked voice: "Sannet was a good friend, but now, she is saying such horrible things. Is this because of the ravager? Is this because of me?" She finally isn’t able to hold back her tears anymore and breaks down crying.
Leanna and Viola didn’t say anything, they could only hug Minka and let her cry on their shoulders. Then they heard a noise that sounded like something heavy dropped on the ground from behind them.
“Sorry that I was late…” Monika came back: "I went back for the others. And..." She paused and saw the expressions on the other's faces: "What happened?"
Viola looks at Monika: "Something bad..."
Monika walks up to them and picks Minka up: "Honey, what happened?"
Minka is crying on her mom's shoulder.
Monika looks at Viola and Leanna: "Tell me, what happened?"
"Sannet... she... uhh... well, she kinda insulted Minka and called her weak." Leanna said: "Minka tried to stop the ravager, and Sannet was not happy about it. They had an argument, and Sannet was really mean."
"What?" Monika is confused.
"The ravager was going to reset the world and rebuild it from scratch, she was planning to destroy everything." Viola explained: "Minka wanted to stop her, and Sannet sided with the ravager."
"What? Why would Sannet do that?" Monika is shocked: "And who is that ravager person?"
"Apparently she is also Minka..." Viola said: "But twenty years ago."
"......." Monika remained silent and looked at Minka who was still crying on her shoulders: "Minka... it's okay, you are not weak." She kisses Minka's head and hugs her tighter: "It's okay, mom is here."
"She said it was the worst thing that happened in her life." Minka said while tearing up: "How can she say that? What did I ever do to her?"
"I am so sorry that I didn't tell you everything earlier... " Monika said: "Sannet was indeed a friend of Minka or Ravager if that's how she calls herself now, and the two were close. The Ravager died saving the world."
"Yeah, the Ravager mentioned this when we talked to her." Leanna said: "But that doesn't explain why Sannet is acting like this. She didn't have to be so mean."
"I guess that is her way of expressing her sadness, she can't move on." Monika said: "Sannet always acted tough and cold, and she rarely showed her emotions. But underneath that cold facade is a very caring and emotional woman. I think she is hurt, and that is why she lashes out. Imagine, after so long, she has finally let go of the past, but when Minka and the ravager showed up... she has to deal with the grief again."
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
"I understand why she would lash out, but that is not a good excuse for being mean to Minka." Leanna said: "This is not right."
"No, it's not." Monika said: "I will confront her about this later... But now, we need to leave."
Monika then opened a hidden door around the corner: "This is one of the teleportation devices that can lead to the surface, it was just done last week. Now, let's leave this place."
The four then stepped in the room, and the teleporter began working. After a flash of bright light, they all appeared somewhere in a plain field. After checking for some more location data, they finally arrived at the city: "Mom... I wanna go home..." Minka said weakly: "Please."
"We will go home first, and then we will figure out what to do." Monika said: "Don't worry, mom is here." Monika then looks at Viola and Leanna: "Thank you for taking care of Minka, I will never forget about this."
"Minka is our friend, of course we will help." Viola smiled: "You don't have to thank us."
"If you guys need help, please let us know." Leanna added.
"Thank you, both of you." Monika has a smile of relief on her face: "Let's go home, Minka."
After they said goodbye, Monika and Minka headed home. When they got back home, Minka was lying on her bed. Her mind is full of thoughts and memories. She didn't feel good at all, Sannet's words kept replaying in her mind.
"I am not weak." Minka mumbled to herself.
"I am not the worst thing that happened to her." Minka mumbled.
"I am not incompetent..." Minka is crying.
"No... I am not." She wiped her tears: "I will prove her wrong, I will show her."
"Minka, you awake?" Monika gently knocked on the door.
"Come in." Minka replied.
Monika opened the door and walked over with cut fruits: "Hey, are you feeling better now?"
Minka tries to hide her face under the blanket.
"Honey, please talk to me. I am not going to force you, but at least let me know if you are feeling alright." Monika said: "Mom is worried about you, and I want to know if there's anything I can do." Monika gently rubs Minka's head: "Just talk to me, don't shut me out."
Minka's voice is shaky: "I am fine."
"No, you are not." Monika slightly pulled down the blanket that was covering Minka's face and said: "Just let it out, let the feelings go. And don't bottle up the emotions, that is not good for you."
"Is dad really a bad person?... Was Sannet telling the truth?" Minka asks: "Mom, please... tell me the truth."
"......" Monika paused for a second, then she sighs: "Sannet is indeed telling the truth. Your father is not a good man, he is responsible for the destruction of a thousand worlds and he caused countless deaths. But we never saw his cruelty, only heard the stories. The man we knew was a kind and caring person."Monika then slowly pats Minka's head: "Minka, your father has been living for millions of years... in that time span, he did things that we will never approve of. But he is not the man we know anymore. I can't speak for his past, but the man that I know was the kindest person I ever met. He loves us, and he is not the man he was before. Do you understand this?"
"Then why did Sannet say he is a bad person? Can't she also see this?" Minka asks: "She keeps insulting him."
"Well... umm... there is a history between Sannet and your father." Monika said: "And Sannet is not happy about it, and she has every reason to be mad. I would if that has happened to me."
"What happened between them? Mom, please tell me." Minka said.
"I can't tell you, that is a story that you need to ask Sannet about." Monika replied: "It is not my story to tell, and you should hear it from Sannet. Only she can tell you the whole story. Sannet is also a friend of mine... so i respect her every decision."
"But..." Minka stopped: "Fine, I will ask her the next time I see her."
"Minka, Sannet might not be the most gentle person in the world, but she is not evil. I understand that you are hurt, but remember that the pain is shared by her too." Monika said: "Now get some sleep, it has been a long day. I will be back with some food later, and you need to eat."
"Mom..." Minka said before Monika closed the door.
"Yes?" Monika replied.
"It's good to have you back... I missed you." Minka said.
Monika smiles widely: "Me too." She replied.
When Monika came out of Minka’s bedroom. She is greeted by the ravager standing in the middle of the room silently.
"How long have you been waiting here?" Monika asks.
"For a while." The ravager replied.
"Do you want some food? We have plenty." Monika offers.
"No, I don't need any." The ravager said: "Now... Can I have a hug from you?"
If it's under normal circumstances, Monika would not hesitate to hug her, because it's been so long. She missed her as well. But the fact that the ravaged asked for the hug made Monika hesitate a bit.
"You seem to have something on your mind." The ravager said: "Do you not wish to see me?"
"No... that is not the case." Monika said: "It is just a bit shocking that's all, it's been so long since I last saw you. And the last time I did, it didn't end well."
"I know... but I can assure you that I am the real one." The ravager then sits on the sofa: "So, how is the younger version of me doing? Sannet surely said a lot of mean stuff to her. It must have been rough."
Monika sits across the ravager: "Yeah, she is not really taking this well. You need to talk to her and tell her everything yourself."
"I will." The ravager replied: "But I need to ask you, will you join me? I need your help. I will not force you, and this is your decision. I am sure you will make the right one."
"Can you explain what you are doing exactly?" Monika asks:" Because resetting the world doesn't sound very peaceful."
"To prevent the archivist's return, I will destroy the structure of the world and rebuild it anew." The ravager said: "There will be a lot of people who will die, and it will be a painful process. However, I will use my powers to give the world a chance to thrive once more. The corruption and the malice will be wiped clean."
"I know you have done this to hundreds of worlds... but I think we are doing fine. People are suffering, but it is not a disaster yet. Can't we try to improve ourselves instead of resetting the world? We can build a better world without sacrificing anyone." Monika said.
"That would require a lot of time and resources, and this is not something we have. The corruption will grow and expand, and the archivist can find a way back. He has done this before, and I can't let him do it again. This is the last place where he still has fragments left. So I will not take my chances." The ravager replied: "I can give you more time to think about it, but eventually, we have to make the choice."
"We spent decades building what we have... many have devoted themselves to this new world you helped build. Do you really want to get rid of it?" Monika said: "We can do better, this is a promise."
"Mom... I know what you are saying, but there's no way to fix the corruption. If it goes on for another ten years, the world will crumble." Ravager then let out a sigh: "Sannet told me that someone called the Legend tried to right the wrong... but it was you who stopped him. Why? Did you not see what is going on in the world?"
"He was trying to kill people, and that was not the way to fix the corruption." Monika replied: "And... he threatened my family... I cannot let this slide."
"Did he know that dad is a necron overlord?" Ravager asked: "He must have."
"He did." Monika replied: "And he was trying to use that information to leverage this."
"Mom, this world is dying, and it is because of my real father. We can't let him ruin this world." Ravager said: "Please, stand with me and we can save it again."
"But we can save it without destroying the world and the innocent." Monika said: "I know there's good people out there, and i know they deserve a chance."
"That is a nice sentiment, but the world is corrupted." The ravager leans her back on the sofa: "Look, I know it is hard to convince you... but, Elysia didn't give you the power to be idle. There is a purpose behind her gift, and you should use it."
Monika looks away and remains silent.
While closing her eyes and resting, Minka suddenly realized something: "Wait... mom said that she will prepare me something to eat....? Oh no." Minka immediately rushed out of her room and headed towards the kitchen: "Oh no... mom, please don't."
"What is wrong?" Monika asks. When she glances at the ravager, she is already gone.
"Mom, the food." Minka ran into the kitchen and saw some of the food Monika was preparing.
"Minka, what are you doing out of bed?" Monika asked: "Get back to your room, I will bring you the food."
"It's ok, I will make the food for us. Just sit there and relax." Minka said: "Mom, trust me, you should not cook."
"What are you saying? I can cook, just let me handle it." Monika replied: "Why are you acting like this? I can take care of us, and besides, we can't have you doing everything. You have already done enough, just sit down and relax."
Minka gulps, she decides to go for another strategy: "Umm... mom, you see... you are tired from working all that time in the abyss... please let your dear daughter take care of you. You deserve a rest, and let me do the work. I can take care of the food and myself. So just sit there and have some rest. You have a lot on your plate already, and I don't want you to overwork yourself. So just leave this to me, and you can take a nap if you are tired."
Monika narrowed her eyes: "What are you trying to do? Is there something wrong? I remembered you and your dad loved my cooking. What changed?"
"Umm..." Minka is now sweating, she has no idea how to get out of this situation.
"What's going on here?" Trazyn's voice suddenly came from behind them: "I just came back from the school. What happened?" He said while closing the door
Seeing Trazyn, Monika drops the pot in her hand and hugs him tightly: "Traz, it has been...way too long"
"Not as long as the time you were gone." Trazyn hugged her back: "Welcome home."
"I missed you." Monika said with a teary face.
"Me too." Trazyn gently kissed Monika's lips.
Minka was watching the scene and suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable, she coughed and said: "Dad… mom was trying to cook for us. Don't you think we should let her rest up a bit?" Minka emphasizes the word 'cook'.
Trazyn seems to have noticed the signal that Minka is giving him, he looks at the pot and Monika: "Monika, honey, maybe we should have some delivery food for the night. I know a great place, and they make a delicious Chrnuous wings. We can watch a movie and have a relaxing night. What do you say?"
Monika looks at Trazyn, then at Minka, and then at Trazyn again: "You are hiding something, what is going on?"
"No, nothing is going on. I just think you have been through a lot." Trazyn said.
"You too." Monika said: "The two of you are behaving really weird. What is happening? Minka, tell me what is going on."
"No, nothing is going on. Mom, I am just worried about you." Minka said: "I know you are tired, so why not have a nice evening with dad. That is the best way to relieve stress."
"Well, I will do the cooking then, you should catch up with your father." Monika said: "And it's final. I will make some nice meals and you two will eat up like good kids."
After about an hour, a table of 'masterfully' done courses was served. Monika had an extremely proud expression.
"Oh, this is amazing, dear. The meal is wonderful." Trazyn said with a smile but his eyes kept trying to not look at the 'food' that was on the table.
"Mom, it's... really great." Minka is smiling, but she is not really feeling it.
"See? You guys didn't have to worry. I can make great food." Monika sat down and joined them: "Well, I am not particularly hungry at the moment, so you two can enjoy it."
"Yes, of course." Trazyn and Minka looked at each other and smiled. Minka tried to pick up the pancake with her fork, but when she tried to stab the food, the pancake broke in half like a plate that was dropped on the floor.
"This is really great, the pancakes are fluffy and delicious." Trazyn said while looking at Minka.
"Yea, they are. I love them." Minka nodded: "Mom, did you make the pancake batter yourself? I thought it would be a bit hard to get the texture of the batter right, but I am impressed." She's saying this but she still hasn't put it in her mouth yet: "Dad, I see you have a lot on your plate, why don't you begin eating?"
"No, no, you should eat first." Trazyn smiled and pushed the pancake away: "You should eat more, you are still growing after all."
"But... dad, I can't eat all of these." Minka said: "You should start eating, mom must have spent a lot of effort making these. So you should enjoy it. You need to eat as much as you can."
"Don't worry, I will eat." Trazyn said: "You should eat first."
Suddenly Monika's expression changed: "Something is not right... you two are not acting normal."
"No, nothing is wrong." Trazyn said while having his signature smile on his face.
"Dad, don't deny it. You know this is not working. We should tell her." Minka sighed and looks at Monika: "Mom, the truth is-"
Trazyn then stuffed a piece of pancake into Minka's mouth, it made a hard sound when it touched Minka's teeth: "Wow, this is great. I should have a bite." He then picks up a piece of pancake and puts it into his mouth. After chewing a dozen times, he was finally able to gulp down the hard pancake: "Wow, this is really great." He smiles while looking at Monika.
"......" Monika stared at the two.
"Mom, there's no way we can eat all of this." Minka said: "And we don't have to hide it, dad is not good at lying. Mom, the truth is that your cooking is not that good. The texture of the food is off and the taste is... well... let's just say it's not exactly edible."
Monika looks at Trazyn, and looks back at Minka: "But you two loved it before."
"Well...."Trazyn coughed a few times and smiled: "I kinda replaced the food you made with the food that I made... I just made them look like they were yours..."
"......" Monika looked at the food and the two.
"Mom, don't take it personally, dad just wants us to be safe." Minka said : "Your cooking can actually poison people."
Monika's face turned red immediately: "So all this time, I was trying to feed the two of you the stuff that is not edible? And you let me do this without telling me the truth?"
"Mom, we didn't want to hurt your feelings." Minka said: "This is not what we want, it's just the result of us trying to not make you feel bad. You worked really hard for the meal, and we didn't want you to know. That is all." Minka looks at Trazyn: "Dad, you should tell her the truth."
"But..." Trazyn was trying to come up with an excuse, but Monika's expression told him that there's no excuse.
"Dad..." Minka glared at him.
"Ok, fine... the truth is... your cooking is not good." Trazyn said.
"And?" Monika raised her eyebrows.
"I lied... and the food I cooked was made to look like your cooking. I am sorry." Trazyn sighed: "But in my defense, I did it because I didn't want you to feel sad."
"You could have just told me the truth." Monika said: "You two made me feel so good, but then I found out that all of these were not real." Monika shakes her head and sighs: "You two are such a handful."
"We are sorry." The two said while lowering their heads.
"You know what, it's okay." Monika sighed: "I will just order some food for us, and maybe we should not talk about this. Ever."
"Yes, that is a great idea." The two nodded and agreed.
After they finish their meal, Monika and Trazyn sit in the living room and begin talking about things that have happened in the past decades. While they were talking, Minka was cleaning the plates. Suddenly, a knock on the door caught their attention.
"Who is it?" Monika opens the door.
"It's me." Nova stood outside: "Can I talk to you?"
"Nova, why are you here?" Monika is a bit confused.
"It's important, but I need to speak to you." Nova said: "It's urgent."
Monika invites Nova in and closes the door, when she sees Trazyn sitting on the sofa, she rolls her eyes: "What are you doing here? This is a family reunion, and you are not invited."
"Hello, sis. Nice to see you too." Trazyn smiled and waved his hand: "Well, sister in law is still my sister."
"Ugh." Nova made a disgusted face.
"Nova, be nice. This is my home." Monika said: "And what is so important that you want to see me?"
"They are reforming the inquisition." Nova said: "This has not ever happened in the history of the imperium."
"And this concerns me? why?" Monika asked: "This is the high lords' decision, and the inquisition is not my problem."
"This is not an ordinary reform." Nova explained: "They are getting rid of the old leadership and putting in new ones. They are changing the entire organization. I am one of the candidates."
"So you've come to brag?" Monika said: "Nova, you are ambitious and a very powerful woman, and I am sure that you will get the position."
"That's not the problem." Nova said while sounding rather serious: "The reason I am telling you this is because they are targeting you. They want to make you the leader of the reformed inquisition. It is not a decision, it is an order from the high lord himself."
"High lord... isn't Leonard supposed to be the real 'high lord'?" Monika sounded rather sarcastically: "Isn't he the leader of the imperial high command?"
"Yes, and the fact that the high lord is making the decision is rather... alarming." Nova said: "You need to be very careful from now on. I don't know what has happened, but Leonard isn't replying to my calls. And this is not a good sign."
"Nova, this is not really our problem, if the high lord wants to change the leadership, then we should not be involved. I don't really care." Monika said: "I will just refuse the position and they will find someone else, probably you."
"No, they will not let this go." Nova shook her head: "Look, i can't really explain the situation in detail, but you have to be careful. Something is happening and we are not prepared. You should keep your guard up."
"Ok, I will." Monika replied: "Anything else?"
"No, that is it." Nova then walked to the door.
"Bye, sister." Trazyn waved.
"Go to hell." Nova said then left in a hurry.
"That went well." Trazyn yawns.
"Why are they after me? I am not part of the inquisition." Monika seems confused.
"Because the inquisition is not the same organization it was twenty years ago. Well, just so happens I know a thing or two about that organization. And this is a big deal." Trazyn said: "It means the imperial high command is no longer in charge. This is a coup."
"I am not sure if you are exaggerating, but it's true that something is not right." Monika said: "Nova wouldn't make this up, and I have a feeling that this is a really bad sign."
"Indeed, the situation is indeed dire. The inquisition was a check against the corruption and power abuse of the high lords, and now, it is gone. This is not a coincidence." Trazyn said: "They are getting rid of the old guard, and it is only a matter of time that the new guard will start taking control. And they will be the ones who decide what's right and wrong." He let out a sigh: "We only gained twenty years of peace, but now... it seems like we will have another conflict on our hands. It's time to fix this."
"About that... today I met Minka." Monika said.
"Yeah, I also met her. She's home right now." Trazyn replied while pointing at Minka who was in the kitchen.
"No, not our daughter that is in the kitchen. The Minka that we met years ago." Monika explained: "She came back, and she is a lot different than before. She called herself the ravager, and she is planning to destroy the world and rebuild it from scratch."
"That is... rather extreme." Trazyn scoffs: "Huh... is she really going to do this?"
"Yes." Monika nodded: "She even asked me to join her. The ravager told me she has done this to many worlds, and the reason for doing this is to stop the Archivist from returning."
"Ah... so she knows about what we did... Well this does make everything worse than it already is. I wonder why she didn't kill us, I mean, it is quite easy to do that." Trazyn thought about it for a moment, then said: "She must be planning something else. Or maybe the reason can be sentimental? She is the older version of our daughter, and I think it is not hard to imagine her hesitating before killing us."
"We can't let her destroy the world. And we need to help the people." Monika said: "We can't let the innocents suffer. It's not right." While they are discussing, Minka is hiding behind the kitchen door, and listening.
"But we can't stop her, if she is as powerful as we remember, there's nothing we can do. Maybe we can convince her, or give her a reason not to do it." Trazyn said: "She's still our daughter after all, we can't kill her."
"Maybe... I just don't want anyone to suffer, and I don't want to stand idle when I have the power to do something." Monika said while looking at her hand: "I don't want to abandon those who are in trouble."
"....." Trazyn pats Monika's head: "You are still the same person that I met long ago. The kind and caring Monika, it's good to have you back."
"Traz..." Monika blushed and hugged him tightly.
"Honey, you should rest." Trazyn kissed Monika's forehead: "Let's take a nap together, the bed is cold without you."
"Mmm." Monika nodded.
As soon as the two walked upstairs, Minka sneaked out of the kitchen and quietly opened the front door, then she left the house.
"This is a big deal, and we need to do something." Minka said to herself while walking around, then she suddenly remembered Noel who is currently working in the inquisition. She decided to pay a visit to her.
After a few hours of waiting, Minka is sitting outside of the inquisition main office. Then, she heard footsteps coming closer and closer, she then saw Noel walk out: "Aunt Noel!" Minka greeted.
"Minka?" Noel seems surprised: "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you." Minka answered.
"Is there anything I can help you with?" Noel asked while looking rather tired at the moment.
"Umm, actually, can I talk to you for a bit? Like a private chat." Minka said: "It won't be too long, and I just have a few questions."
"Sure." Noel replied then opened her office door.
"Thanks." Minka then followed Noel to her office. After entering, Noel asked: "Is there anything wrong? You seem rather worried."
"Yes." Minka nodded: "I am not sure what happened, but something big is about to happen. I need your help."
"My help?" Noel seemed confused: "How can I help you? I am just a lieutenant. If anything you should ask your mom."
"That is exactly why I need your help." Minka said: "I just got out of the abyss and I don't know what is happening. But according to what I heard from the conversation between my parents, the situation is not good. They said that the inquisition is currently having a reshuffle. The high lords are trying to control the leadership and take over the organization."
"That is... not exactly a surprise." Noel sighed: "Look, the inquisition and the high lords have always been in competition, and it is a fact that the high lords are more powerful than the inquisition. And with the recent events... they can easily take the leadership of the inquisition. I mean, whoever is the leader for me, as long as they pay for my paycheck, I couldn't care less."
"So, they are basically taking control of the inquisition, and the new leaders are going to be appointed by the high lords." Minka asked: "And this is a big deal, because the inquisition used to be the organization that stands against corruption and we have a huge situation going on."
"So we need to do something about that!" Minka said: "If they take control of the inquisition, this can be a big problem. Aunt Noel, you have to tell the people! You have to expose the truth, the high lords are trying to seize power."
"Me? Out of all people?" Noel laughed: "What makes you think I can do something about this? Look, I know you have a great idea, and you are willing to do things for the greater good. But the fact is, the people are not interested in this at all." Noel then stands up and stretches her arms: "Look, if you really want to help people. Go out and volunteer. Help the people around you. You don't need to take this big picture, and I am not interested. And besides, if I try to expose the high lords, they will kill me."
Minka remained silent.
"I will get into trouble and I will be dead before I can even tell the story." Noel sat back: "Minka, you should focus on helping the people who are around you. Forget about the greater good. That is the only way to do it."
"I am not giving up." Minka said: "I have a friend that can help me. I will make this right." Minka then left the office while sounding rather angry.
"Wait." Noel sighed and followed Minka out: "Just be careful. Don't do anything reckless."
"Thanks." Minka nodded and ran towards Viola's place.
Viola and Leanna were talking in the living room, when the doorbell rang. Leanna went and opened the door.
"Oh, Minka, what's the matter?" Leanna was a bit surprised.
"Lea? What are you doing in Viola's house?" Minka asked.
"She is staying here for a bit. And I am happy to have company." Viola appeared behind Leanna and smiled.
"What's going on?" Leanna asked.
"Well... I just have a favor to ask. And I need your help." Minka explained everything she knows about the inquisition reshuffle.
"This is serious. And the fact that the high lord is doing this, is not a good sign. We should do something." Leanna said: "We can't just let them do whatever they want. But the timing of this thing happening is way too strange...By the way where did you get this information from?"
"Aunt Nova." Minka answered.
"Mother said that? Huh... Well, this is not a good sign." Leanna said: "Mother would have kept this a secret. I think the situation is really bad."
"I have a plan." Minka said: "But I can't do this alone. I need your help."
"I don't really know what you are planning to do, but I am sure it's a bad idea." Viola said while looking at Minka in a concerned way.
"What is the plan?" Leanna asked.
"We can't let them take control of the inquisition. So I want to find out what they are up to..." Minka then looks around: "Let's sneak in!"
"...." Viola and Leanna stared at Minka: "Are you crazy?"
"It's a great plan, we will find the proof and show the people. Then they will be exposed!" Minka said: "Come on, the three of us will make a great team."
"We are not breaking into the imperial high command. We can't do that." Leanna said: "Unless Sannet is here... but..."
"We don't need Sannet." Minka sounded a bit frustrated: "We can do this without her. I will make sure of that. Besides, she probably wouldn't join me."
"Ah...." Viola has a slight grin on her face: "You are doing this because you want to take revenge on Sannet. Right?"
"What? No." Minka immediately denied: "I just want to make sure that the high lords don't take over the inquisition."
"Right." Viola still has a smile on her face: "But you are a bit angry with Sannet right? And you feel like you are being pushed away. Am I right?"
"Well... kinda." Minka said while avoiding eye contact: "I know that Sannet is not happy about this. But I don't care, I just want to do the right thing."
"Yeah, right." Viola still has a smile on her face: "The two of you should make up, this is not going to end well if you two keep being distant." Viola then pats Minka's back: "Sign me up for creating a bit of chaos! Also i would love to see the scene where you and Sannet hug each other out of happiness. Oh and the kiss would be a great scene as well. It would be like a romance movie. Sannet would be a handsome knight and you will be a cute sad little princess, and the two of you would fight for a while, then you will forgive each other and hug."
"Stop fantasizing." Minka made a disgusted face: "Also, I would like to see the scene where I punched Sannet in the face. It would be great."
"Oh, the two of you would look so good together." Viola's eyes turned into stars: "But Lea would be so jealous.... Since you two have a romantic history."
"Stop." Minka and Leanna said.
"Ok, ok, sorry. It's just that... I have no life. So I will just fantasize." Viola sighed: "Anyways, back to the topic. Do you guys have a plan to break in?" They then began discussing their plans. After hours of discussion, they have come up with a rough plan.
"This is a bit crazy, and I think the plan is very flawed." Leanna said.
"Well, it's better than nothing." Viola said: "At least it will be fun."
"So the plan is we will sneak into the imperial high command building, then find the records about the reshuffle." Minka said: "We will gather all of the evidence and prove that the high lords are trying to take control." She summarized the plan: "Sounds good, let's call it for the night. And tomorrow, we will put the plan into action." They then had dinner together and Minka gone home afterwards.