"Forfeit control, Young Dupont. Let the flower bloom."

Raidon was speaking into the comms, no longer concerned with vague terms like 'client.' Avery was the client. Such was obvious to anyone paying close enough attention.

I still had no idea what the fuck he was talking about.

There was a slight crackle, and then Avery's response sounded through the little speaker in his hand. I took a step closer, blatantly eavesdropping. Again, nobody stopped me.

"-give up my kingdom to save one city. Utilitarian logic!"

"In favor of a selfish choice," Raidon remarked, "Hardly utilitarian."

"Yes utilitarian. I have emotions. I am a human. Better if I remain in control. Greater good and all that."

“This is the exact debate that has spanned decades! You fall on the wrong side of things! Trust in my wisdom!”

Raidon was gripping the device hard, pressing it against his nose.

I looked to Avery, who stood half a block away. One hand rested on her hip. The other dangled out to the side in a sassy manner. Blue Ascot held a communicator out for her, and she spoke, “I’ve read the articles, dummy. I know the facts and I’ve formed my own opinion. Too risky, simple as that.”

“You are biased.”

“And you aren’t? Look at that fucking demon-thing. Look at how big and close it is and tell me you aren’t a lil’ biased.”

Raidon grumbled and said, “Your mother has given you strong wit. You are still making the wrong choice.”

“Hey, I’ll do whatever I can for the city, but the flower stays in the box. You with me?”

“Of course I’m with you,” Raidon answered.

From here, he switched back to Japanese.

Damn. I’d been enjoying the moment of escapism. The distraction from the rampant screaming and the people running. From the growing threat and my indecision.

I re-clenched the wand and the gun, bringing myself back to center.

Time to find a solution.

I looked to the demon.

But it wasn't there anymore. The police helicopter was gone, no longer illuminating it.

That-

Anxiety nagged at me. Wondering where the demon could be. Was it near? Far? Would I hear it approaching?

The concert was ninety-percent evacuated. Most of the stragglers were on cell phones. Talking fast, pacing, shouting. They didn't know what was going on. With Photo, with Incumtox. Their brains would fill in the blanks, searching for an answer that made sense. None of the answers would be optimistic.

I didn't know what was going on either. Photo had left us in the dark, metaphorically and physically. Scrapped us in the middle of testing our simulation. Had Photo's requirements not been fulfilled? What was its new plan?

The light god was here, in the same city as the demon. Shooting the ears off of people who had assisted in its plan. Manipulating, abusing. Who would be next?

Panic began to set in. I felt like I was in more danger for having known Photo. The demon wasn't my only concern.

And I couldn't fight it. Not if Photo had brought it here for a reason.

Next best option was to find Kioshi, wait for him to wake up, and then do the broadcast.

Addy tapped my shoulder. When I turned, he gave me a boomstick.

"Think these will work?" he asked.

"No," I said, "Invincible. We need the Blaingel's sword."

"Yeah," he said glumly, "Thought so."

His voice was devoid of hope. My anxiety began to subside, making room for another feeling. Emptiness. Listlessness. My thoughts slowed...

It was hard not to emulate Addy's mood. He had such an enveloping presence. His emotions always seemed to be the right fit for the given situation. Given our week, it made sense to feel exhausted. Physically, emotionally. At a certain point, a person had to either break or say, “fuck it.” In classic Addy style, my friend had chosen the latter.

I preferred feeling like this. Nothing mattered, after all, and it was a waste of energy to attempt caring. This was better. More honest.

What had I been planning again?

Find Kioshi, wake him up.

I started walking and Addy followed. No destination in mind. We didn't even know where the hospital was. But walking was a start and it felt good to be moving. Going through the motions. Repetition. Everything pointless.

"Taking shelter in Teddy's Pillars? Smart," Addy said.

What is he talking about? I'm just sort of walking.

Then I remembered. Teddy's Pillars. The business simulation. Trying to escape, only to find the exterior of the building was indestructible. Created that way by Photo, just like the demon.

Hope threatened to usurp my nihilism. I couldn't think of a safer place to take refuge. If we told people, some of them might stand a chance.

That way, they could survive one more day.

Of their meaningless lives.

"Actually, yeah," I said, rolling my neck to get the kinks out, “We should probably tell others about it, too.”

“Yeah?” Addy said, contemplative, “Yeah.”

“Yeah,” I agreed, “Who do we tell?”

Addy let his finger dance through the air like a drunk man tracing a cloud. He did a little spin, then flopped his finger towards Raidon.

“That guy seems like a good choice,” Addy said, “Seems to care about people. And the city. And stuff.”

“Cares about people and stuff. I agree.”

Raidon’s head snapped up like a dog hearing a doorbell. He surveyed the remaining crowd members, locked onto Addy and I, and tromped towards us.

“Don’t point at me,” he said, huffing as he reached us.

Addy jabbed his finger playfully, and for a moment I worried he might poke Raidon’s nose.

“This is your danger response? Comedy?” Raidon surmised.

Addy shrugged, “Eh. Trying to get back to a place of comedy. Can’t seem to get it up, though.”

Raidon squinted cryptically, and said, “You told me a joke. Just now.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t feel anything, so doesn’t count.”

“Same,” I added, “Didn’t feel anything.”

Raidon stared at our blank expressions.

“You were pointing at me.”

“Yeah,” Addy said, “We were talking about how you’re a nice guy.”

“Really. Is that it?”

“Just about,” I said, “Also worth mentioning, the Pillars of Humanity are indestructible. You should tell some people. Maybe all of them?”

Raidon blinked, then turned to go.

“Raidon, hold on,” I said, still bordering on deadpan, “We have sensitive information, and you seem like the right guy to tell.”

Raidon half-turned and arched an eyebrow, “Sensitive information?”

“Kioshi. You saw him glowing, right?”

Raidon’s expression melted into something less critical. I’d captured his attention.

“Yes,” he said.

“Ok. How much probability theory do you know?”

“I’m going to stop you right there,” Addy said, putting a hand on my chest, “Let me explain. Raidon, you’re a smart guy. Tell me, do you ever dabble in conspiracy theories? Deep speculation on who pulls the strings of society?”

“Yes. I am familiar with the concept,” Raidon answered.

“Ok. Then what if I told you I have proof that something bigger is going on behind the scenes. Disappearing people, alien satellites, telepathic beings, people who glow like the moon. Everything connects, and it hinges on-,”

A low rumble started. I heard a crushing noise like an avalanche in progress. Loud enough that the sound waves were tangible, shaking my skin and flooding my hearing. Numbing my other senses.

A cloud of dust plumed down the street, filling the gaps between buildings. With it came another sudden temperature change. Faster than before and getting ever hotter. Distorting the air, making it ripple and shimmer.

We had minutes to get to cover. Maybe seconds.

“I’ll give you the abridged version!” Addy shouted over the noise, “An alien called Photo used the Pillars for some dumb experiment and made the walls indestructible so we couldn’t escape. Why exactly? It’s this whole other thing. But you gotta tell everyone to get inside!”

Raidon slowly shook his head, saying, “I am too eager to believe you. I am sorry.”

Forcing himself not to believe us, even though the words rung true. I wanted to elaborate for him, but there wasn’t time.

Could I prove our credibility? We had a handful of items from Photo…

The carving wand could be explained by lasers. The boomsticks are mere explosives. There's nothing special about the grappling gun.

Nothing, then. Nothing we could say to convince him.

Meanwhile, my throat was closing up, and I wasn’t sure if it was from the heat or the dust. I wouldn’t last much longer. My eyes centered on the nearest building and I ran for it.

We'd at least tried.

“No! Do not enter!” Raidon called after us.

I looked back and saw him raising a gun. Addy was running with me, behind and to my left.

I flicked a boomstick over my shoulder, looking back once more to check the size.

Sufficient. The explosion would provide us a few seconds of cover.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Not enough time to make it to the doors.

"Addy!" I shouted.

But there was no need. He had already filled a hand and was tossing black twigs over his shoulder aimlessly. A rolling wall of explosions blocked Raidon's line of sight.

"Throw one forward!" I hollered, fighting to be heard over the distant rumble and the nearby explosions.

Addy chucked three. Three mini fireballs ripped through the front doors of the building.

...which might have already been unlocked. But I wasn’t chancing it.

Much cooler air brushed past us as we entered the building. My head whipped around, taking everything in.

The lobby was vast. Two emergency lights illuminated the center-piece, a one-story model of the human brain, painted to resemble the Earth. The continents were brushed in gold, while the oceans were a matte white.

I located the stairwell and bolted. Multiple sets of feet followed after.

As I climbed, I was reminded that the building was no longer abandoned. Most of the floors were darkened, but some were illuminated by massive floodlights. Abandoned construction tools littered the carpet.

We continued to climb, flight after flight, until a woman stepped into the stairwell. A mountain of a woman, middle-aged and wearing a hard hat. Blocking our way.

“You’ll stop right there, thank you,” she said, pointing an accusatory finger.

Addy pulled a grappling gun on her, pretending it was the real deal.

“You will be our hostage, if you wouldn’t mind.”

I tensed. Flinched hard enough that I nearly slapped the gun from Addy’s hand.

N-

“No!” I scream-whispered, “No hostages!”

Events continued to progress faster than I could process them. Behind us, three security officers came around the bend. They stopped half a flight below us. Raidon joined them a second later, hampered by a slight limp.

“Yes hostages,” Addy said, “It would be silly not to, wouldn’t you agree?”

Speaking to Raidon, not to me.

“I would agree,” Raidon said, an edge to his voice, “Taking hostages is standard procedure.”

“Yes, and now that I have leverage, it would be wise to-,”

“Tettai!”

“-capitalize on it. Alec, draw your gun.”

Before I could move or even think, Raidon’s three officers dove around the bend, back down the stairs.

Leaving only Raidon, who was completely at ease.

I drew my grappling gun, pointing it in his general direction.

“I am slowed by my injury,” Raidon said, “You have me. What now?”

“Next I... cut you a fair deal. I don’t want to gain a dangerous enemy. So I can’t shoot you, free you, nor should I demand too much of you. But I should definitely claim a prize for defeating you.”

“Reasonable,” Raidon spoke, “What prize?”

“Your team can hack, right?”

“They can.”

“Good,” Addy said, “I want everyone in the city to receive an emergency alert telling them its safe inside the Pillars of Humanity. I’ll let you go after.”

“So be it.”

Raidon began speaking into his comms again.

“English, motherfucker!” Addy shouted, pushing his gun against the construction woman’s throat, “Alec. If he tries anything else, shoot him. Aim for the stomach or chest so you don’t miss.”

I winced. I’d been counting on missing. I’d already shot this man once today.

Raidon smiled, then switched to English.

Less than a minute later, an eerie digital shrill echoed throughout the building. Addy withdrew a screeching phone from his hostage’s utility belt.

He checked the display, then showed me.

Emergency Alert

Evacuate -or- take shelter

in Pillars Of Humanity

“Looks good,” he said, “I’ll honor my promise if you answer one final question. Tell me... how was that?”

“Passable,” Raidon answered, “Ease down on the theatrics. More action, less words.”

“Fair enough!” Addy said, “Thank you for the feedback. You may go.”

Without another word or gesture, Raidon walked the other way, back down the stairs.

Addy counted to ten under his breath before tossing a bundle of boomsticks. A large section of the stairs exploded, making the way we had come impassable.

Smoke billowed from the crater. I lowered my gun, returning it to my pocket.

And the pursuit was over. We were safe, surrounded by unbreakable walls. I let out a sigh.

So much for not caring.

Addy nudged our hostage with the gun, guiding her out of the stairwell. I noted the name on her vest - Lily.

The space we entered was jarring. Two very different settings, clashing. To our left, a mostly intact office space, complete with cubicles and water cooler. To our right, glittery black carpets and gem-studded soundproofing. Red and purple leather chairs. This level was being converted into a studio. Likely a place for Avery to record her music.

I’d heard construction noises when we’d first taken Lily hostage. All was silent now, the room vacant.

“I don’t wanna hurt you, ma’am,” Addy said to Lily, “Alec and I had a misunderstanding with some scary people. Had to make some tough calls. That’s over now. I’ll drop the gun if you promise not to lose your shit.”

“Mm,” Lily said, “Rude to imply that I’d do that.”

“Is it?”

“It is. I am a woman of composure. You shouldn’t assume the worst from me.”

The response was surprising.

And her demeanor was distracting. She consistently made gestures with her finger. Pointing, swishing, all with a practiced poise.

“Good. Then I expect the same treatment from you,” Addy said, “Believe it or not, we’re trying to do the right thing here. That emergency alert will save thousands of lives.”

“And why would lives need saving, hm?” the woman asked.

Addy looked at her dumbfounded. My eyes drifted to the large windows behind her. Fires were visible all across the city.

“I don’t know if you’ve heard - or seen - but a fucking demon is attacking the city,” Addy said.

Lily nodded, “I thought I saw a demon, too. But it's all in my head. Can’t let these things distract us from our work. Speaking of which, where has my crew run off to?”

“They probably took the fucking elevator and left! Because there’s a very real demon out there!”

Lily made a troubled look, and said, “You keep saying there’s a demon, and I’m... trying. Oh god, I’m trying. I’m sorry. I have principles, and it's impolite to show distress in front of strangers. I’m just... not sure what’s real anymore.”

The display of emotion threw me for a loop and I kicked myself for not being more empathetic. Why did it take this level of emotion to see a stranger for what they were - a complicated person with their own set of relationships and problems? Over the years, I’d devoted a lot of time to worrying about the state of the world and its people. But who was I really if the first thing I registered about a person was their annoying use of hand gestures?

Who else had we hurt today?

It was hard to empathize with the men in ascots; they’d attacked us and kidnapped our friend without so much as a greeting. But we’d also been aggressive to lasagna man. Needlessly so. Addy and I had been riled up from our encounter with Fudo and we’d released some of that emotion onto someone preaching love and fairness. Addy had destroyed his passenger seat. A disproportionate response that I’d been ok with.

Who was I? Who were we?

Were we terrorists?

Ok, that’s a bit extreme. We’re not doing any of this on purpose.

It was all circumstantial. Good intentions, poor execution.

Seeing this woman now - turning away to hide her face behind a nest of chestnut hair...

We couldn’t continue down this path. Blowing up cars, pointing guns at innocent people. It couldn’t become our ‘standard procedure,’ as Addy had called it. If it happened again, I’d be more vocal, disobeying Addy if I had to. Our goals were important, but we couldn’t lose ourselves to violence on the way to achieving them.

“Ma’am,” I said, still unclear what words would follow, “I get how confusing and stressful this all is. Addy and I both get it. We’ve been through a lot these past few days; seen some impossible things. There’s a lot to unpack, and I don’t think explaining would help you get to a better place...”

When I stumbled, Addy continued for me, “The world is a fucked up place. Especially now. What’s important is that you’re safe now. Safe here. Yeah, there’s a demon out there, and its scary as shit. Hard to reconcile, for sure. But as long as you stay put, you’re gonna be just fine. Get comfortable. Work through your... demons, or whatever you want to call them. Maybe don’t look out the windows. Sound good?”

Lily responded by rhythmically bobbing her head. Fervent nodding. She eventually turned to face us and was wearing a hopeful smile.

“‘Don’t look out the windows.’ That is good advice. Really good advice,” she said, “I can’t even begin to explain, but that’s precisely what I needed to hear. Thank you. I’ll forgive your flagrant use of firearms.”

I nearly choked up, hearing that, and not from the words alone. She sounded genuinely grateful, like we’d helped her through a crisis. I wasn’t entirely sure what we’d helped her through, but...

I was glad to do it. I felt good. Revitalized. That was one person we’d helped. Seven billion to go.

“Thank you for the kind words, ma’am,” Addy said, “Now I’d hate to change the topic so suddenly, but are there any snacks around we could munch on? We had to skip lunch because this Kioshi guy stuffed all our food in a refrigerator that got disintegrated. And dinner never fucking happened...”

While Addy gathered intel on snacks, I wandered.

I walked left, venturing into the remnants of the office. Sure, Avery's studio-in-progress was more colorful and interesting, but I found myself at ease among the dull grey cubicles. There was order here and I needed a safe place to think. To decompress.

What were my current stressors?

We'd lost track of Brad and Kendra. They'd disappeared from the concert venue after Teddy had been shot.

Teddy was a concern. Shot in the ear by Photo, who was no longer communicating with us. Carried away by Raidon's officers.

Cecilia needed medical attention and might not get it, especially with a demon attacking the city.

Kioshi was drugged for the next eight hours. We needed to wake him so we could broadcast important information about malevolent alien gods.

So many tasks, each one pressing. And I was trapped here. In the equivalent of a bunker. Unable to affect the world in any meaningful way.

We'd gotten the alert out, at least. Soon there would be people flooding into the facility. I hoped there would be enough room to contain them all, especially after we'd severed their access to this Pillar's upper floors.

They could always take the elevators. It will be slower, but at least-

Wait.

Shit.

"Addy!" I shouted.

I heard a ding.

Then a shuffling of feet.

Guns being cocked.

"Ah, fuck!" Addy's voice called back.

"Shit," I whispered.

They had him.

I was next.

Couldn't escape to the elevators or stairwell. I ran in the opposite direction, dashing past row after row of cubicles.

Emergency lights lit my path, few and far between. Most of the office was pitch or cast in shadow; difficult to make out the details. Hiding would be easier, but looking for hiding spots would be tough.

No. Can't hide. These guys are too skilled. Gotta keep moving or create more obstacles.

I took inventory. Carving wand, grappling gun. I drew the wand, then steered left into one of the darkened aisles.

As I ran, I traced a shape on the ceiling. Small and wonky; no need for precision. Yellow lines became red and a chunk of infrastructure fell loose.

I tucked the wand into my waistline and drew out the grappling gun. Aimed upwards and fired. As soon as the cord went taut, I fired again and was pulled through the hole, up to the next floor of the building.

Shoes touched ground and they kept running. Another labyrinth of cubicles. Different layout.

I chose my path at random, weaving in and out of illuminated areas until I reached another dark corner. Then I traveled upwards through another hole, climbing higher.

Raidon’s officers were after me. They wanted information. Technically, that wasn’t a bad thing. If I explained everything and they believed me, Raidon’s officers had the means of achieving our goals.

Not a fucking option. I was tired of being captured. Of being subordinate. To Photo, to Kendra, to Raidon, to Addy. I was capable of making my own decisions without someone to guide or restrict me. I was a goddamn player on the board.

Fuck getting captured. Fuck feeding Raidon all of my information and letting him make the calls. I liked my plan and my plan was to wake Kioshi and do the broadcast. No one else was going to fucking stop me.

I made turns, sprinted, sliced holes, fired the gun. Ran past cubicles and offices and lounging areas and construction zones. Up and up, away from Raidon’s crew.

Sometimes I heard them pursuing. Feet tromping, getting closer or becoming distant. Elevator dings, doors slamming.

But I was covering too much ground. They had to search every floor I passed, and I was moving fast. As I progressed, the sounds became less frequent and further away. I was winning - for now. I allowed myself to feel a measure of relief.

Then I stopped suddenly, seeing the pale glow.

I stood in a familiar hallway. Narrow, with few doors. Elevators, stairwell, fancy black carpet. The rubble had been swept to the side, making office 23-1 more accessible.

My office from the business simulation.

White light was spilling out from under the door in thick overlapping sheets. Washing across the hallway floor like water from a flood.

I stepped towards it, letting it rush against my shoes.

And the feeling returned, overwhelming me with its raw power. Soothing, warming, caressing.

And wrong.

I didn’t feel at peace. I felt in line.

I wasn’t sharing in Photo’s glory; I was connected to it.

Something had changed. Subtle. Distinct.

I continued to walk and threw open the door.

Light assaulted me, sending my senses into overdrive. Fragmenting my thoughts, overriding my impulses.

Overclocking my emotions. I nearly screamed.

As my eyes adjusted to the brightness, certain features became apparent. My desk from the business simulation. Crates full of gadgets, machinery, and computer parts. An entire wall of servers.

Standing in the middle of it was a woman in a purple dress. Swaddled in white light and frantically dialing something into a cell phone.

Upon seeing me, she paused, then set the phone down on the desk. Her demeanor changed, and I saw her relax her shoulders. I took a step back, my danger sense flaring.

None of this was right. The strength of the light, the sensations, the woman’s ease. Photo wasn’t here, and yet the light remained.

Avery smiled satirically, and said, “How nice of you to join us, Mr. Silver.”