--- [Alex’s perspective]
“The Emperor is… My father?” – Alex
“Yes. Throughout the countless millennia he has been alive, he has only ever had two children. You, and your brother.” – Illian
“How… I…” – Alex
My thoughts are all jumbled…
Speaking is hard, and thinking is harder…
“I never knew my father. Mom said he died before I was born, while big bro was still little…” – Alex
“She was either lying, or maybe he altered her memories. I don’t know, but he is definitely your father. And he is definitely still alive…” – Illian
“How… How do you know?” – Alex
“I’m an important member of The END. It’s my job to know.” – Illian
“…” – Alex
I need to ask him…
“I’ve encountered someone from The END once before… Arthur, the man who orchestrated yours and Shin’s kidnapping…” – Alex
“…” – Illian
“Before he let us go, he told me something… He told me he was part of The END. They forbid him from making contact with me, but he broke the rules after he learned what my specialty was. He also told me that the same group was after me, and that for all he knew, they might have already found me. I suppose he was referring to you…” – Alex
“Alex… It’s not like that…” – Illian
“Illian. Who are you?” – Alex
“I’m your best friend.” – Illian
“…” – Alex
“Nothing will ever change that… But I am also part of The END. Nothing will ever change that either.” – Illian
I can’t get a good read on him…
Everything I thought I knew…
All down the drain.
“What do you want?” – Alex
“That’s a difficult question. I suppose my ultimate goal is killing the Emperor. And… I know your stance on killing, and I agree for the most part, but…. That man… He’s not someone to whom you can afford any mercy.” – Illian
“You thinking killing is okay? Who even are you anymore…” – Alex
He gets visibly frustrated…
“Oh, come on! You don’t actually believe that, Alex.” – Illian
“I do.” – Alex
“No, you don’t.” – Illian
“I do. Killing is never justified. Never.” – Alex
He looks me in the eye and shakes his head.
I can tell he doesn’t believe me, but it’s the truth…
“Then why are still friends with Shin?” – Illian
“What?” – Alex
“I wasn’t there, but I know what happened during your first attempt at the E-rank exam. Shin activated his specialty for the first time, and stabbed his opponent in the stomach. She bled to death before the healers could save her.” – Illian
“But… T-that was an accident.” – Alex
“What about when he burned Edward to death?” – Illian
“That… That was self-defense!” – Alex
“Sounds an awful lot like you’re justifying killing.” – Illian
“…” – Alex
“I saw the way you looked at Isabella after her match… How come you didn’t think the same after she killed her opponent in the D-rank exam? Was that not self-defense?” – Illian
“…” – Alex
“And where the hell are your excuses when it comes to actual victims?! The Emperor is causing so much pain and suffering on a daily basis that any form of retaliation is self-defense! You’re a hypocrite, Alex.” – Illian
“What the hell do you want from me?” – Alex
He scoffs.
“Quit preaching, I don’t want to hear it. Just tell me what you want.” – Alex
“I want you to join me, Alex. Join The END.” – Illian
“Join you…? Why would I do that?” – Alex
Suddenly, he has an outburst of emotion.
“Because you’re my best friend! And it’s either that or…” – Illian
He takes a moment to calm down, reflecting on his choice of words.
“Please… We’re fighting for a good cause. I asked you if you wanted to end all the meaningless suffering, and you said yes…” – Illian
“That was before I found out you were part of some strange organization that has been stalking me for God knows how long! Before I found out who you really are.” – Alex
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“But that changes nothing!” – Illian
“Illian… You’re asking me to kill my father.” – Alex
“…” – Illian
“I don’t know his side of the story. I’ve never talked to him. Hell, I’ve never even seen him. I know nothing about him as a person, yet you’re expecting me to just take everything you say at face value? You’re the ones who have members willing to kidnap innocent people for their own gain. You’re the one who’s been lying and manipulating me into thinking you’re my friend. You’re the one who’s justifying murder. You’re the one whose ultimate goal is taking someone’s life. How could I possibly trust anything you say…?” – Alex
“Alex… I am your friend. All of it was real. Do you think me diving into a sea of flames was to trick to you?!” – Illian
“I don’t know… I can’t know. That’s the point.” – Alex
“My body is covered with scars from the intense burning I endured for you guys. Even now, it hurts like hell, but I don’t regret it! If I could do it again, I would. In a heartbeat.” – Illian
“…” – Alex
“Please.” – Illian
“Or what?” – Alex
“What do you mean?” – Illian
“I asked you why I should join you. You said ‘it’s either that or…’” – Alex
“…” – Illian
“Or what?” – Alex
“Listen… We’re nearing the battle festival, and you’ve got a good shot at winning it. Do you remember what the reward for winning was?” – Illian
He’s not talking about the money…
“… Meeting the Emperor.” – Alex
“Right… Alex, the reason why you’re so much more talented than everyone else is because you’re the Emperor’s son. One day, you’re undoubtedly going to become one of the strongest men alive. You meeting the Emperor is dangerous… He’s manipulative, and we can’t afford to let you become another one of his pawns.” – Illian
“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” – Alex
“…” – Illian
Wait…
No…
Please, it can’t be true…
“Where is Leo, Illian? Where is my brother…?” – Alex
“…” – Illian
For the first time in this conversation, I no longer feel any confusion or betrayal.
All that’s left is anger.
It bursts out, I’m unable to contain it.
“WHERE THE FUCK IS MY BROTHER?!” – Alex
I grab him by his collar, and lift him up.
“Answer!” – Alex
Tears start uncontrollably pouring down his face.
“I’m sorry!” – Illian
“…” – Alex
I let go, and he falls to the ground.
He doesn’t pick himself up, and instead continues crying on the ground.
He covers his face in shame.
“His name is Seth. He’s the one who did it…” – Illian
“… Why?” – Alex
“…” – Illian
I kick him in the side of the head with just enough restraint not to kill him.
He doesn’t try to defend, he just accepts it.
“Alex!” – Shin
“Shut the fuck up!” – Alex
“…” – Shin
“Answer me! Why did he do it?!” – Alex
“Because he refused to join…” – Illian
“…” – Alex
“They had been friends for years; fought side by side in countless battles. But when the day came for Seth to explain everything to him, he refused to join, just like you… He didn’t want to do it, but he felt he was forced to. He couldn’t let Leo join the other side…” – Illian
“So that’s your plan then?! I either join you, or you murder me. Did you just pretend to be in trouble back then as well? All so the boss could hurt me enough for you to be able to win?!” – Alex
“NO! I would never! I would never repeat his mistakes… I get why he did it, but I could never bring myself to do the same.” – Illian
This little piece of shit snake…!
I don’t believe a word he says!
With every passing moment, my anger grows more and more intense.
Pure hatred flows through my veins as I think about the horrible shit he and his cult have done.
They took my brother from me…
The person I loved the most.
Vic must have known all along…
There was never any ‘important mission’, it was all bullshit to protect me.
He has been dead for over three years, all without me knowing…
Does mom know…?
…
Something snaps within me.
Anger?
Hatred?
None of those words can accurately describe this…
…
…
…
I remember…
Those dreams I’ve been having all my life…
I remember them.
The last time this happened was when Gaia, the specialty finder, looked into my soul.
She said there was something ‘abnormal’ about me…
Something she had never seen before…
I know what it is now.
Those noises I hear when I have the dream…
The deep growling unlike any animal or beast…
I know what they are.
I hear it…
The creature from my dream is talking to me…
“Do you…” – ???
Although I know it’s not there, I can vividly see it, like it’s right in front of me…
“… Want power?” – ???
It reaches out its hand, and I reach out mine…
…
…
…
--- [Shin’s perspective]
Alex reaches out his hand, pointing it towards Illian.
He looks at him, and accepts whatever is coming for him.
What the fuck is going on?!
What is happening to him?!
The void in his hand spreads, crawling up his arm.
It’s no longer confined to his palm…
At the same time, it stretches out into the air itself.
It wraps itself around Illian…
“I’m sorry…” – Illian
And in the blink of an eye, the void disappears…
But Illian is not there…
Alex turns around, heading for the door.
“Wait! Where are you going?” – Lett
“…” – Alex
He stops, turns around, and looks at us…
“I’m going to meet the Emperor. I’ll see you at the battle festival.” – Alex
“…” – Shin and Lett
--- A few hours later, in Lett’s room
We’ve been sitting in silence for what seems like an eternity, unable to process what just happened.
To my own surprise, I suddenly burst out laughing.
“What? What is it?!” – Lett
I take a few seconds to collect myself as I wipe tears from my eyes, before responding.
“I could have stopped this…” – Shin
“What do you mean…?” – Lett
“During the first round of the D-rank exam, there was an enemy whose ability was forcing people to tell the truth. He came with one of his allies, and she had a combat-oriented specialty, yet both me and Illian came to the conclusion that taking him down first should be our priority.” – Shin
“And?” – Lett
“He asked us why, and due to his ability, we both answered truthfully. I said it was because I didn’t want to leak any more of our plans, as it could put the whole match in jeopardy. Illian said it was because he ‘couldn’t let Alex know…’. It was suspicious, and of course I confronted him about it after the exam ended…” – Shin
“…” – Lett
“He was hesitant to tell me at first, but he eventually admitted it was because he had a crush on Alex. I didn’t really believe him, but I didn’t want to pry any further… I shouldn’t have let it go…” – Shin
“Shin… It’s not your fault…” – Lett
“What if I found the guy who could make people tell the truth, and forced Illian to come with me? I could have at least tried a little harder getting the truth out myself… Maybe none of this would have happened then…” – Shin
“Then Alex would have just confronted him, and it would all have ended the exact same way. That group… The END, they killed his brother, and Illian was part of them. Maybe it wouldn’t have come out today, but it would have eventually. It’s not your fault.” – Lett
“Lett… I get that you’re trying to cheer me up, but you’ve got it all wrong. It’s true that no matter what, Alex would find out the truth eventually. His feelings would be hurt, and he’d grieve the loss of his older sibling. I know that pain all too well… But that’s not what this is about.” – Shin
“Then what is it?” – Lett
“It’s about saving Illian’s life!” – Shin
“… What?” – Lett
“Had I found out, I would have told him to leave us alone, and never come back. Even at the bitter end, he never put his hands on Alex. He never intended on doing what Seth did. He would never hurt Alex… He really was our friend... And he could have still been alive had he left instead of confronting him.” – Shin
Tears start welling up in her eyes…
“What happened to us…? Just this morning, everything was perfect. We were all healthy. We were all happy…” – Lett
I get up, and grab the door handle.
“Where are you going…?” – Lett
“I’m sorry, but I have someone I need to talk to. I won’t be back for quite a while…” – Shin
“Please, don’t leave… Not you too…” – Lett
“I’m sorry.” – Shin
“I don’t want to be alone…” – Lett
“I’m sorry.” – Shin
--- [Seth’s perspective]
“Seth, we have news on the operation.” – ???
“Oh? Spill it.” – Seth
“Illian… He failed. Alex refused to join, and took his life.” – ???
“I see.” – Seth
“Are we going on to plan B, then?” – ???
“Yes. I’ll do it myself.” – Seth
“Should we send out scouts to find him?” – ???
“No need. He’ll show up soon enough…” – Seth
--- Divinity: Part 2 THE END