Chapter 10: Dreams.
“WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!” Stark spat out, anger boiled his blood molten. “Why the hell would you make Victoria go through something like that?”
Beverly had an equally hateful gaze as she embraced Victoria tightly.
From both of their perspectives the lesson had already been learned during their second deaths when the parasite rampaged. There was no need for them to die over and over again, and there was especially no need for Victoria to suffer like she did.
Stark grabbed the director by the collar as he stared him in the eye, demanding any kind of explanation.
The director didn’t retaliate but instead spoke calmly, his expression as still as a fresh water lake unfazed by the teens outburst. “You are all weak. Every single one of you has fallen behind your peers in the other academies.”
His words stung, especially for Lupus who clenched his fists in frustration immediately.
Delilah looked up at the taller boy silently while Beverly and Victoria were speechless. Hockney was indifferent.
Stark let go of the director before frowning deeply and asking. “I thought that we were supposed to be stronger than all of them? We’re the second generation right? You told us from the very beginning that we would surpass every immortal soldier that came before us.”
“I did say that.” The director nodded as he adjusted his coat while smoothing the creases that the rambunctious teen had made. “I was referring to your innate potential. The level you theoretically could reach is far beyond that of any of us first and third generation immortal soldiers. But that’s precisely the problem. Your current level isn’t up to standard for final year students.”
The light in Stark’s eyes dimmed as disillusionment settled in. “So you’re going to make us suffer through death over and over again just to make us stronger? And you let a parasite eat Victoria from the inside out.”
“Not just that.” The director said. “We have also deactivated the pain censoring feature in the simulations as I’m sure your recent deaths have made you aware of. From now on every death you experience in the simulations will feel real.”
Stark’s eyebrows shot up to the top of his forehead as he began to laugh before looking back at the rest of the youths with his arms spread. “That’s sick! It just gets more and more morbid with each word.” He turned back to the director and asked in a completely unserious tone. “At this rate, why not just say that If we die in the simulation we die in real life? It would be perfect for the vibe you’re clearly looking to set.”
“Stark…” Victoria spoke up. “You have to try and understand where the director is coming from…”
At the next moment everyone stared at Victoria surprised, nobody expected that she’d speak out against Stark in this moment.
“Victoria…” Stark was almost speechless as he looked at her in surprise. He didn’t get angry at her, how could he? Instead his Gaze softened as he asked. “Then please give me a hand. What is it that I’m not understanding? Because this all just seems like a scheme to make us all fall into line with what the ACDD wants.”
In bright light of the facility Victoria smiled as she looked at Stark before saying. “The director has people above him Stark. As our main teacher he is responsible if we under perform. I speculated that this would be an important issue eventually and today confirmed it.”
“Smart girl.” The director said, giving Victoria an approving nod. “So you all need to understand that it’s not your fault but mine. I’m the adult that was put in charge of cultivating the second generation so it’s my responsibility if you under perform.”
“Damn it.” Lupus sneered. “I had no clue that our performance was genuinely problematic…”
Stark became silent as he turned to look back at the director. For some reason he really didn’t like the idea that he, the strongest, or perhaps second strongest child in the facility was bellow average for his age group. Perhaps it was his pride as a young man or perhaps it was something else entirely. What he knew for sure was that his disappointment in himself had absolutely nothing to do with him caring about the ACDD’s opinion. Why would he care what they have to say about anything? If he was to improve his skills then he’d do so for himself. He’d do it to further his own goals and not to make himself into a better sacrificial pawn.
“Don’t beat yourselves up too much.” The director said. “If you really try hard you can catch up to or even surpass the rest of your peers.”
The director then fixed his gaze on Lupus before motioning for him to step forward.
For a second Lupus was stunned and confused but ultimately did as he was instructed.
Following more of the director’s gestures, he stood by the director’s side before facing the Stark and the rest of them.
The director cleared his throat before saying. “I believe that Lupus has the best mindset when it comes to self improvement. As a result I am appointing him as the head of the class.”
Beverly gasped in surprise as Hockney only slightly jolted in bewilderment.
The director motioned for everyone to leave and Hockney left promptly with Beverly by his side. Victoria remained with her eyes fixed on Stark who lingered on in a daze as if he couldn’t process the words that had just been said.
Victoria then walked over to Stark before asking. “Are you okay with this?”
Stark looked at her and said in a dead pan tone. “To be honest with you, I couldn’t make myself care even if I tried. I just want to see the outside world as I feel it’s the only thing about this day that won’t leave a bad taste in my mouth.”
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Lupus locked eyes with Victoria who scowled at him.
Lupus immediately spoke up in a surprise and partially defensive tone. “You’re seriously still mad at me? It was a sparring match for crying out loud. Let it go and grow up.”
Victoria spoke no words to him and began to rub Stark’s side where he had been kicked gently before asking. “Is the pain finally gone?”
Stark gave her a tired smile and said. “You got your internal organs eaten by the parasite and you’re seriously asking me if I’m in pain? What about you huh? Are you really comfortable going back into the simulation after today.”
“I think I can manage.” Victoria chuckled before looking back at Lupus and sticking her tongue out.
Lupus sighed not responding to the girl’s taunt.
Stark then smiled at him and said. “You should be happy Lupus. Turn that frown upside down.”
“What do you mean by that?” Lupus asked raising an eyebrow at the boy with long black hair.
“Wasn’t this always your dream?” Stark said before patting him on the shoulder and walking past him with Victoria quickly following behind.
As stark reached the edge of the cafeteria he partially turned back to say. “In the end, you were always the one who truly aspired to join the ACDD. With a fancy title like class head on your resume, I’m sure they’ll be jumping to draft and promote you.”
Lupus then shot back. “It was never my dream. Get that out of your head.”
His words surprised Stark and Victoria who both fully turned around to face him. Even the director who had been stone faced a few seconds ago raised an eyebrow.
“You can rest assured that it’s not that.” Lupus cracked his thick neck and knuckles before continuing.
Stark fell into deep thought after hearing the boy’s words. Was it really true that his goal wasn’t what it seemed? Was Lupus’s reason for suddenly trying harder really the result of him becoming like Hockney, someone with a genuine desire for something beyond this place?
“Look at you all confused.” Lupus chuckled.
Victoria sneered at him. Regardless of what he would say to justify himself, she would not overlook his previous behaviour up until now.
“Stark what is it that you want to do instead of fighting the Cosmic Death?” Lupus asked suddenly catching stark off guard. He then continued to ask. “Do you even know?”
“You need not concern yourself with me.” Stark sighed.
“You know I’ve fancied you a martial artist.” Lupus suddenly said in a flattering tone. “During our fight you could’ve won, but you decided to call a quits just because you couldn’t handle a single punch. In truth, you are stronger than me stark, you always were. But you never had conviction.”
Victoria seemed as if she wanted to refute him but ultimately wasn’t able to. It made sense as she also had no idea as to what she wanted to do either.
Deciding to humour the boy, Stark cocked his head to the side before dawning a slight smile and said. “I am quite fond of martial arts, and if things were different I would’ve loved to build a dojo of my own in the future.”
Lupus grinned and stroked his chin before replying. “If things were different? Different in what way exactly?”
“Don’t be stupid, you know exactly what I mean.” Stark laughed before he suddenly became pale as he realised that he had fallen into Lupus’s trap.
Lupus immediately became smug and decided to switch his attention to Victoria and ask. “Victoria… the most beautiful girl in the entire facility. Y’know I’ve always admired your unshakable enthusiasm and joy, even if it may cause you to be a thorn in people’s sides at times.”
Victoria seemed as if she wanted to explode at him but quickly calmed herself. She then gestured silently for him to continue, wanting to know just where the hell he was going with this.
Lupus cocked his head back as his smile stretched even wider. “I fancy you a symbol of joy and hope for a better future, a flickering light within the darkness of the dying universe. You are someone that people can come to and find motivation to fight another day.”
“I can’t motivate people, only myself.” Victoria rolled her eyes. “Being happy and joyful is the best thing I can do for myself because I know that one day…”
“What will happen one day?” Lupus asked, his grin taking a turn for the devious.
Victoria’s eyes widened as she quickly looked at Stark in bewilderment as she too had fallen in his trap.
Lupus then fixed his eyes at a point just behind them causing the two to look back. That’s when they saw Delilah peeking at them from around the corner. Upon being spotted the effeminate boy immediately blushed in embarrassment.
Lupus pointed his finger before snickering. “Delilah! I don’t need to ask you what your dream is. After all, you’re easily the person I’m closest to out of everyone here.”
“Aw.” Delilah gushed as if he were a school girl.
Stark and Victoria both looked back at him, their frowns deepening as they now both understood where he was going with this.
Lupus continued to speak. “You’ve always loved the stars. I remember back when we were but toddlers. Once I overcame my soul shattering phobia of the GAPING BLACK SCAR IN THE SKY, I was able to see a vast and beautiful universe surrounding it. Of course I couldn’t name the stars to save my life, but you could name all of them. You knew the names of every deity that the constellations inspired and every story the ancients would tell about them, don’t you remember?”
“I do…” Delilah said with a sad smile. “I remember Pegasus most of all as he was my favourite. I also remember how the Cosmic Death devoured Enif and Algenib, decapitating Pegasus and cutting off its beautiful wings. That’s when I stopped watching the stars.”
Lupus then asked them all. “Do you remember the history lessons about the twenty first century? Back then martial artist would fight for sport and leisure with world famous champions arising each year. Back then there were people who were fortunate enough to do nothing but have fun and laugh all day because life had been so easy for them. Back then they were constantly mapping the stars as they longingly fantasied about exploring the depths of space. Now all of that is gone. There are no more dojos left as they all went out of business because fear of the Cosmic Death drove billions off the planet. There is no joy anymore because everyone knows that everything will disappear very soon. And no one looks at the stars anymore because that Gaping void is only getting bigger and bigger every day.”
Stark, Victoria and Delilah were all dead silent.
Lupus then looked straight at Stark and said while laughing. “I know my family very well. The version of Stark who became a martial artist died before he was even born. The version of Victoria who was always happy died before she was even born. And of course, the version of Delilah who travelled across the stars freely died before he was even born. In the end our dreams crumbled before we even knew what they were, and all we have left is the final battle to end the Cosmic Death. Do you now get it? Do you understand what my true goal is.”
“So your goal is literally just to join the ACDD then.” Stark said bluntly before turning to leave.
“I want retribution.” Lupus said. “To avenge the world that once was.”
Stark shrugged before looking over at Victoria who had a completely empty expression.
“Let’s go get lunch together.” Stark said with a melancholic smile.
“I’d love to” Victoria smiled back at him, her eyes dilating and lighting up as she blushed lightly.
“You can live in blissful ignorance if you so choose.” Lupus laughed out loud with his long arms spread wide before continuing to say. “In the end the Cosmic Death will take and take and take until you’ll have no choice but to fight. Don’t forget that you’re both immortal. Do you seriously plan on running away for all of eternity? Eventually the Cosmic Death will take away everything you can escape to and you’ll have no choice but to fight by my side in the end…”
“Calm down Lupus.” Delilah said getting close to the larger boy before hugging him tightly. “I’m sure they’ll understand eventually.”
“They will.” Lupus sighed. “In the end my dream will be the last to die.”