“Huh? It’s just me, why are you doomed?” Fate asked the prone form of Chloe.
“Well,” Chloe explained. “When you see someone who’s supposed to be one of the strongest people ever known in Ionis lying down and unable to move, isn’t it embarrassing for them? I mean, I certainly wouldn’t want to do this. Know why? Because I have a reputation to uphold. Same reason I didn’t tell you I was a girl, because I didn’t want my reputation to be destroyed.”
“What does your real gender have to do with your reputation?”
“Don’t men call men who play as female perverts? Why wouldn’t it work the other way around?”
“Aah… That makes sense...”
Coming to that realization, Fate walked over to Chloe and picked her up. Since she couldn’t move, he added her to his collection of limp bodies that he carried on his back. This made quite a comical scene. One man with their eyes closed was on Fate’s back, while a woman was on the back of the man on the back of Fate. One would wonder if Fate would be able to handle that weight, but a man who could toss around boulders like they were pebbles would certainly not have a problem carrying two people on his back. Easily shouldering Chloe’s weight, Fate dashed off towards the meeting spot. On his back, Chloe blushed a bit. Although she had been holding it in to keep up her dignified appearance, she was greatly embarrassed that someone she knew saw her like that.
~Meeting Spot~
“So how did it- HAHAHAHAHA!” Lilia was about to ask how things went on Fate’s side, but burst into laughter upon seeing what he carried on his back.
“It’s not that funny...” Fate complained.
“No, it’s hilarious!”
“Ha ha, now lets get going.”
“Sure, sure, no problem. Follow me.”
Lilia turned around and motioned for Fate to follow her. Chloe had fallen asleep on his back. Although she did not want to, her fatigue was too great, and holding out long enough for Fate to arrive and retrieve her. Thankfully, she had also removed the bloody tracker and neck flesh from her pocket as well. As for the tracker, Fate had thrown it far away, and at a speed that would make any baseball player jealous.
Lilia moved quickly through tall grass, making little sound as she easily maneuvered through. Fate followed right behind her, trusting her to lead the way. It did not take long before they exited the tall grass and came to an unpaved road, where a single car sat, engine already running. Leaning on the driver door, was a man in his early twenties, eyes half closed. His hair was dark and long, looking like the main characters of Chinese fantasy novels. His face was extremely well made, equipped with charms that could capture the heart of any woman (A/N: Just an expression, just an expression). He wore a tank top complete with swim shorts, making it look as though he had a trip to the beach before coming.
“Master.” Lilia greeted him solemnly.
“’Sup, surfer.” Fate greeted him as well.
“For your information, I have never once surfed in my life.” Lilia’s master corrected Fate. “Anyway, I said I wanted just Fate and Neo, why the hell did they bring along a woman?”
“Master, this girl is-”
“Lilia, shut up for a second.” Fate interrupted.
“Ah?!” Lilia let out a surprised voice.
“Do you have a problem?” Lilia’s master asked Fate, as his half-closed eyes turned sharp.
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“Yeah, actually. You know, I’m a bit pissed at being put through this chain of events that makes it seem as though an author is trying to finish his book before it gets canceled. It’s too fast. I need an explanation before I decide to follow whatever plan you have.”
“It doesn’t matter what you think,” Lilia’s master stated firmly. “We are leaving, come on Lilia.”
“Yes, Master…” Lilia complied.
“I see.” Fate moved in front of Lilia’s master.
“What are you doing?” Lilia’s master demanded coldly.
“You know Gatemaster, I was suddenly brought here by Lilia after saving our lives. I went along with her to where she wanted because we owed her. However, we don’t owe you anything. So before you strut around haughtily, I demand you give us an explanation. And unless the world declares nuclear war on us, I’m not budging one bit.”
“You will get an explanation, so get in.”
“I said I wanted an explanation, not a promise of one.”
“… Is there a reason for your obstinate behavior?”
“Yeah, it’s called worry for both mine and Neo’s safety.”
“Just get in, you’ll get everything you want if you just comply.”
“You sound like a fucking pedophile trying to get a little kid into his van. Even if you didn’t, there’s no way I would get in with you.”
“Haah...” Lilia’s master sighed.
Fate firmly refused to move a single inch before he was given an explanation. However, Lilia’s master -or rather, the Gatemaster- did not intend to provide one. Glowering, the Gatemaster, stared Fate dead in the eyes. Fate returned his stare. Seeing the resolve in his eyes, the Gatemaster sighed and closed his eyes. Suddenly, Fate’s vision swam and he began to lose consciousness. Struggling to stay awake, Fate reached at the Gatemaster, but his weakened arm was easily grabbed and restrained. Finally, Fate passed out and fell onto the rocky road.
The Gatemaster opened the car door and threw only Fate and Neo in the backseat. He glanced at Chloe and kicked her body off the road. It rolled into the tall grass, where it was then covered in a thin blanket that that Gatemaster had thrown over her. Disregarding her, the Gatemaster sat down in the driver’s seat and turned on the car. However, Lilia did not get in the car. Instead, she looked back and forth, occasionally glancing at Chloe; it looked like she had something to say. Noticing this, the Gatemaster spoke up.
“Lilia, is she important?” The Gatemaster asked her.
“Uh- Y-yes she is. That’s Neo’s real form. I-I know she’s a girl, but she really is Neo.” Lilia explained.
“Huh, a gender bender then? A female one is new though. Get in Lilia, we need to get going.”
“Eh?! Aren’t we going to take her with us?!”
“Why? We don’t need their minds, just their bodies. In fact, it saves me the trouble of returning their mind to their real body. For one at least. We have to go to the East Coast for this one.”
“M-Master, can’t we at least j-just leave her some food and water. Money as well?”
“Hm? This is unusual. Lilia, are you actually making a request? Of me?”
“Y-yes… P-please grant it...”
Lilia’s voice faded, making her nearly impossible to hear. The Gatemaster gave her words some consideration. In truth, he did not really care about what happened to the real bodies of Fate and Neo. Since he had no prejudices, he took a thick wad of 100 dollar bills out of a thick wallet and threw it next Chloe. He took a water bottle he had prepared beforehand and threw it over as well. It did a splendid rotation and landed on it’s cap. Then, he tossed out some McDon*lds that had been meant for Neo and Fate. Satisfied, he ordered Lilia to get in. She obeyed and obediently got into the car. After the door closed, the car sped away and seemingly vanished as it hit 88 mph.
~December 18, 2044. Lemoore, California. 11:06:21 am~
“Fuck… did I party hard and get drunk?” Chloe mumbled as she woke up.
He head felt as though thousands of needles were stabbing into it. Her memories from last night were blurry. Although it cleared up quickly, Chloe had momentarily thought she had partied too hard at some sort of college party and passed out drunk. Though it might explain where she woke up, it would not explain why she had memories of completely different events that did not resemble a college party in any way. Despite how crazy college parties could get, it certainly would not involve the maniac swing of a sword clad in divine flame from another world and the ungodly pitching strength of a man that could carry two people on his back at the same time. At least, not any college party she had heard of.
After her memory cleared up, she noticed that she was most definitely discarded by the Gatemaster. Though she had no feelings of betrayal, she certainly felt anger. She had predicted that the Gatemaster would only be interested in using Fate and Neo, not teaming up with them. She had even considered the fact that the Gatemaster would be even more powerful than Lilia, and use said power to turn the rest of her life into a porno. Though she was slightly disappointed that did not happened, the feeling of disappointment was dispelled by her desire to have control over her own life.
Chloe looked at the four things left behind by the Gatemaster. First was the money. In a capitalist country, money made the world go ‘round, and if you were smart enough, you could grow your money on trees. However, no matter how thick a wad of hundred dollar bills may be, it was only a wad that fits in a wallet. There was only $10,000 in the single stack of hundreds. Though it seems like a lot, money disappears rapidly, much like the tissues of a teenage boy do overnight. However, for the time being, it was satisfactory for starting rent.
Second, was the thin blanket. It was simple blanket, but it still provided warmth. With Chloe’s tempered will, she would be able to sleep outside naked, much less with clothes and a blanket. Though it was unacceptable for the populace of Earth, it was more than satisfactory for Chloe.
Third was the McDon*lds. 10 years, no food. Enough said.
Fourth, was the water. 10 years, no water. Enough said, once again.
However, Chloe was greatly disturbed by what the Gatemaster didn’t leave her. Though she was unable to tell if he was forgetful, or just did not care, he neglected something very important. With the four things she had been given, she would be able to get by. However, what she did not have was something she needed to fully use her money. She certainly did not need to have the thing to actually use the money; however, it would attract less attention if she did have the thing she didn’t have.
“Aah… Gatemaster? Why didn’t you give me clothes? You expect me to walk into Walm*rt or Targ*t or something and have pajamas on? You crazy bastard.”