F’s lab was high above, on a cliff’s edge, just as the dome which held a smith. This, however, was not a dome, it was a castle. Black steel castle. Not exactly made of the same material as the blade, in fact, this was the incomplete formula. The castle was still strong, the last time the Hues attacked, they left only a few tiny scratches. The walls were indestructible.

Medeev knew Tridum had a plan. A huge one that would expand his territory. “What are you thinking?” asked Chester.

Within the castle was a humanoid figure. It wore a thick cloak, covered in black feathers. The head was that of a bird’s skull. Isaiah still did not know if it was a helmet, but he did know, that was F.

Medeev’s body froze, his mind was organizing his thoughts so he could vocalize them. “Tridum had a plan. He always talked about how he wanted more possessions. I’m thinking he might lead a massacre again.”

“Any new jobs I can do?” asked Isaiah.

“No,” F replied.

“I have nothing left to do, tell the Boss I’m free to do as he pleases.”

“How?” asked Chester as if that was an easy question. “That doesn't sound good.”

Medeev knew exactly who his opponent was, and his hand stopped shaking. “I don't want to kill him any more.” The thought that had been bubbling inside of him for a long time stopped, and it was clear that just knowing where Tridum was would give Tridum the upper hand. “I won't give him another chance to kill me,” he said softly. The moment was over. “I'm sorry,” the words went out quietly, but they were not as soothing as Medeev wanted them to be and it showed in his face. “I'm sorry,” he repeated softly, his tone now almost as solemn as his last.

Isaiah was not going to try to argue. He did not have the confidence to walk away, the situation was far too serious for a simple conversation. And when he did, he was right to do so, at least for a few seconds.

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Medeev's fingers stopped trembling after just a moment. “Don't worry,” Chester said softly. “You have more time than you think...” But before he could exit, “you know what I hate about this place,‪” he added. “‪I hate the way it smells.”

F was the only one who knew about how F had met Isaiah. They were at the same academy.

Meedev stood up quickly, and as before returned his gaze to Chester. “What do you want?”

F knew, at least partially, where his new teammate came from. And though F's mind was still filled with the memories of how he had tried to talk him out of joining the academy, he knew at least that F's new teammate was not from the Village.

“I only want this lingering shadow to end. You are the closest decent being I know that has gotten near Tridum.”

He didn't understand how Isaiah could have possibly joined the Academy. Perhaps it was the Village, maybe it was nothing to do with the Village. F was too busy trying to focus on what he should do next to worry about the details. The way he had always been a leader, F had always considered himself very intelligent. It wasn't because he was talented in any way. As for what's behind his leadership skills... F would never guess. After all, he did everything by himself. All he did was give instructions to machines, and they did as he wished. He was nothing but his own person. He didn't realize it at the time, but it wasn't just that he was the top of his class in his home country. There were others in the academy, along with him; members not just of the senior class, but even the ones who had reached the top. The members were all very talented and experienced. Even so…

“And none of you know Tridum! You haven’t seen what he is capable of! To act as if I, a single being, could do anything to him is ridiculous!”

When F had been young, he had been the first to become the leader of the Village; and to be precise, the top of his class. He had reached the highest point he could reach within the academy. He was the first to meet his Boss’s eyes. With that, it was no wonder that he had grown very excited. F thought that if he followed his Boss, he might just find the right person for him to become his subordinate. However, when he had finished speaking with his Boss, he seemed quite worried of F. He wanted to return the words of his Boss, to say that he too would appreciate his answer, but didn't have time.

Meedev looked at Chester with those eagle eyes, though his tone of voice seemed somewhat strained when he spoke these words. “Now that I've said it,‪” he said, but looked disappointed. “I don't want to make things more difficult than they already are. There's no way I should have to deal with him.”

“No need. We've discussed everything, everything we need to,” the Boss had said. F's eyes were still focused on his Boss and didn't turn to look at any surroundings. But when he looked at him again a moment later, his face was completely different than before. The face that had been filled with almost nothing, was now filled with happiness, bliss, and love. “Good job,” Boss said cheerfully to F.