Past. Nexara. (Project Nexum)

  She was in a large room, reading names of people that will work on Nexum project. Among the chosen ones, there was also Isaac and Zia, but not Merlock. After reading the names she gave a small speech.

  Nexara: I know that all of you who are chosen, will do a good job. I don’t have doubt because you showed me that I can trust you… You will start in a few days, before that there are contracts you need to sign… And the others who did not pass, don’t worry, there are other projects that would be perfect for you…

  She talked calm, Troy standing beside her.

  Nexara: Before we continue, there are few of you I want to speak in private. Mister Merlock, could I see you in my office?

  Merlock looked annoyed but he nodded. She started to walk and he followed her. Soon they were in her office. She sat down and gestured him to do that as well. Troy standing beside her desk, silent and calm.

  Merlock: Let me guess, you want me for another project? I was too good for this one anyway.

  He spoke in arrogant way.

  Nexara: Not quite… I need you to sign these papers.

  She gave him paper about release.

  Merlock: What is this? You are firing me?

  Nexara: You were never really a candidate in a first place, but you did help a project, in a way… and your service is no longer needed.

  Merlock was pissed.

  Merlock: You can’t do that!

  He stands up aggressively Troy stepped closer as a warning, Nexara was sitting calm, and looking at him cold. She raised her hand showing Troy to not do anything, Merlock stayed still.

  Nexara: I can, and I will, and why? I will tell you, even if you didn’t ask. You showed traits of a someone who lacks of empathy, doesn’t think, just do, and most importantly, doesn’t even listen. You showed no respect for this project, or even me, and I am giving you a chance to walk away without any troubles. Beside, if you don’t sign those papers, and if you don’t follow the contract you sign, I will be more than happy to show you consequences. Now, what is it going to be?

  He looked at her pissed but he knew who she was and that he didn’t have other choice, so he signed the papers.

  Merlock: You will regret this…

  Nexara: Is that a threat?

  She stands up and looks at him calm, and fearless.

  Nexara: Because if it is, I must warn you, you can have a death sentence for that.

  He was silent for a bit.

  Merlock: No, it was not.

  Nexara: Good, Troy will show you a way out…

  Troy nooded and escorted him out. Nexara stayed in her office, looking at the window.

  Present.

  As Rho walked trough the hall, only thing she could think of was how Merlock managed to come back and be at the position he is now… Soon they reached the door.

  New room, few doors around.

  The doors opened, Rikka and Rho walked out first. Then Ace and Rin. They looked at each other.

  Rin: What is going on? How are we here?

  Rho: Long story... the others should be here too.

  Ace: I am just happy to see you guys…

  Another doors opened and Nuri and Kaya walked trough the door, meeting others. They yawned, they looked like they were asleep.

  Kaya: What is going on... ?

  She looked like she just woke up. As Nuri.

  Nuri: What man needs to do to get some rest around here...

  He yawned.

  Ace: It is great to see you too...

  She said to Nuri.

  Nuri: Oh you guys are alive! Good for you!

  Rho: Weren’t you two together in the same room?

  She looks at Ace and Nuri.

  Rho: And you two in another?

  She looks at Kaya and Rin.

  Rin: Yeah, also long story.

  Nuri walks towards Ace and puts his hand around her shoulder.

  Nuri: We were a good team, am I right?

  Ace removed his hand from her shoulder.

  Ace: Strangely, yes.

  Kaya: And we also had a great time... well beside almost dying.

  She looked at Rin.

  Rin: I agree.

  Rikka: And I thought that we went through hell.

  Rho: It was.

  Rikka: Oh come on, it wasn't that bad...

  Rho: Beside the point that you didn't know when to keep your mouth shut, it was tolerable.

  Rikka: Well, that is the nicest thing you said to me so far so I will take it.

  She smiles… and Rho smiles a little too.

  Nuri: Wow look at you two standing each other and not killing. It looks like we all had some bonding time in there, so I guess it wasn't that bad.

  Rin looked at Ace and smiled, she looked away embarrassed.

  Ace: I guess.

  Ace looks around.

  Ace: Hey, has anyone seen Nigel?

  Kaya: You are right... I totally forgot about him... and Troy too!

  Nuri: I hope they didn't kill each other...

  They all looked at him.

  Nuri: What? I can't be the only one who thought of that.

  Kaya: If we all had some bonding time in there, they probably had too. I bet they are even friends now, and have deeper connection like we all do.

  Rikka: Well, If I and Red didn't kill each other...

  Rho: Which was really close.

  Rikka sighs: Yes... but we didn't.

  Rho looked at her.

  Rho: You were great in there, I couldn't manage without you.

  Rikka shocked.

  Rikka: You all heard that right?

  Rho: Well, it is true. The purpose of this place is to make deeper connection, stronger bond... so I bet that even Nigel and Troy realized that, and they are on a path towards stronger friendship, like we all are.

  Ace and Nuri looked at each other, Rin and Kaya looked at each other, Rikka and Rho looked at each other. Suddenly another door opens.

  Kaya: That must be them!

  Rho: And now you will see two friends smiling, because that is a purpose of this place.

  They waited.

  Nuri: I don't hear anything... shouldn’t they..?

  Suddenly Troy fell from that door, Nigel attacked him aggressively. They fought, and they didn't stop.

  Rho: What the hell?

  She said cold.

  Ace: They don't seem very friendly.

  She said calm as they fought each other.

  Rikka: Or like they are smiling...

  Rin and Nuri started to break them apart.

  Nigel: I will kill you!

  They were all bloody.

  Troy: Not when I kill you first!

  Rikka: Well, your project works great so far...

  She talked sarcastic. Nigel stops to struggle as Nuri held him, and he looked at Rho.

  Nigel: Your project?

  Nuri: Well it is nice to see you too Nigel...

  Nigel then looks at Troy.

  Nigel: I knew that you two had your fingers in this...

  Nuri: Glad to see you alive too Nuri, well thank you Nigel that is very nice of you.

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  Nuri being ignored. Troy rolls his eyes.

  Troy: You don't know anything! Why? Because you don't listen!

  Ace: What is going on here again? What project?

  Rho ignored a question.

  Rho: What is the matter with you two? You should have worked together through the challenges and not against! Well, games, because Merlock decided to change it.

  Rin: Merlock? Who is Merlock?

  Nigel: What games? What are you talking about?

  Ace: And what project?

  Nuri: And where is the bathroom around here? I really need to go.

  They all looked at Nuri.

  Nuri: What?

  Then they looked at Rho. Rho sighs.

  Rho: I will explain everything... but first I need to know, what happened to you two?

  Merlock voice appears.

  Merlock: They were impossible!

  Rin: It is you again...

  Rho: That is Merlock.

  They all were confused.

  Nigel: What is that voice?

  Troy: Beats me, this is the first time I hear about it.

  Merlock annoyed, frustrated.

  Merlock: Are you kidding me!? You fought this whole time! You skipped every game there was! You destroyed everything!

  Nigel: Well I can’t say I remember but that sounds about right.

  Troy agreed calmly.

  Merlock: Those two were impossible, good luck with them!

  Rho: Oh boy... I guess this will be a lot harder then I expected.

  Merlock: You think? Well, you better find a way or... you know what happens if you don’t. Game on.

  His voice silent. Rikka looks at Rho worried.

  Troy: What is he talking about?

  Rho decided to stay quiet about it.

  Rho: It is nothing to worry about...

  Troy: Oh no you won’t...

  Rho looks at him, as he stepped closer.

  Troy: You are doing it again are you? You are hiding something.

  Rho: Troy... we have discussed it...

  Troy: And I never agreed with that rule.

  Nigel: What are you two talking about? Can both of you start to talk normally, not in fucking codes all the time?

  Rho looked serious at Troy, he looked serious at her.

  Ace: Seriously Rho, what is going on?

  Rin: What is he talking about? What happens?

  Kaya: Are there more games we need to do?

  Nigel: Again, what games?

  Ace: And what project?

  Nuri: Seriously Rho, if you know so much about this, maybe you could tell me where the bathroom is?

  Again they looked at him.

  Nuri: What? I really need to go...

  They turned to Rho asking her questions, she couldn't take it anymore, there was so many questions from them she was starting to lose herself a bit.

  Rikka: Okay guys, that is enough!

  They all shut up. And looked at her.

  Rikka: The truth is... this is an old Nex project, called Nexum, which means that Rho knows about it because she was Nexara as we all found out recently. And because of me... Merlock... the voice guy, found out that she used to be Nexara... and now we all have to finish this game or whatever it is in an hour... and we will be finally free... and only way to do that is if we listen to her.

  She looks at Rho. Rho looks impressed.

  Rikka: Because Merlock is giving us a chance to actually play this “game“, let's call it like that for now... by the rules Nexara created for this game...

  Rikka: Now, is everything clear, or you still have some more stupid questions?

  They were silent a bit.

  Rin: Only one, what happens if we lose?

  They look at Rho.

  Rikka: That doesn't matter because we won't lose.

  Ace: Well she got you there, that was a stupid question. What is next? Rhodri.

  She looked at Rho, as all of them did. She explains to them that this was her old project and how Merlock changed the rules, and changed her project completely.

  Ace: Well that has more sense now… because rules seemed a bit to harsh.

  Troy: But that doesn’t make sense… How was he able to come back? I remember throwing him out myself…

  Rho: I know, that is what bothers me too but the fact is that a lot of time passed, who knows what changed. Maybe the rules are not the same anymore…

  Troy was silent.

  Rho: But I am planning to get some explanation, but the safest option is to follow the rules for now, even if I don’t want to admit it, he has advantage right now.

  Nigel: Seriously? That is your plan? We can’t trust him!

  Rho: You think I don’t know that?

  Kaya: I don’t know about you guys, but I really want to get out of here, especially after finding that body…

  Rho freezes.

  Rho: Body? What body?

  Ace: We found a dead body in here… Male, that’s all we know.

  Rho’s eyes widen, Rikka freezes as well.

  Nuri: Didn’t you find a medallion with pictures?

  Ace: Oh yeah…

  She takes out the medallion and gives it to Rho. Rho opens the medallion and her eyes widen even more when she realizes to who it belonged.

  Rho: Isaac…

  Kaya starts to remember something.

  Kaya: Wait… that picture…Isn’t that a woman we talked with on Caligo Island? When we fought that fox guy… She talked about her son… Isaac…

  There was sadness in her eyes when she realized.

  Kaya: Oh no…

  Rho remembered Isaac, and how good person he was… And now he was dead… because of her… Her eyes darkened. Troy looked at her, feeling what she is feeling… He stepped closer.

  Troy: Rho?

  Her hand tightened around the medallion, her anger boiling.

  Rho: No more rules… but there will be another dead body…

  She started to transform, but her transformation looked different… she was all in black. Their eyes widen as they looked at her. Merlock watched her amused. Suddenly his voice is heard.

  Merlock: You forgot something? You need to follow the rules to get to me… Just like I had to follow your rules.

  Her anger grows as she heard his voice.

  Merlock: Isaac tried that as well, he failed… What about you and your friends? Do you have a wish of meeting him? Because I can make that wish to come true…

  All of them started to get angry.

  Ace: You son of a bitch… You are a dead man!

  Merlock: Yeah? I would like to see you try, because if you all forgot, I can keep you all in here until you die, which I will do. Don’t forget to tell Isaac I said hi…

  He sealed all the door, trapping them there. Rikka and Kaya got scared, Nuri got nervous… others were ready to find a way to fight him.

  Rho: You forgot one thing…

  Her transformation got a bit of a dark red, her hair changed to her old hair, that Nexara had… She started to look more like her, more like mix of her old self and a person she is now.

  Merlock: Oh, and what would that be?

  Nexara: I created this place…

  She pulled out the black sword from her chest.

  Rho: And I will destroy it.

  She swang with her sword stabbing it in the ground. Walls started to fade as her sword absorbed everything around them. Merlock’s eyes widen.

  Merlock: This is not possible… How are you doing this!

  Others couldn’t believe with their eyes. Every color from that place was fading, every rock disappearing… clearing a path towards him. Suddenly she screams, she screams so loudly, not from the things she absorbed, but the feeling she was finally letting out… All the pain, all the darkness, all the anger… She looked like she was gaining strength but in the same time loosing it… Ace noticed that it was too much for her. Ace stepped closer, kneeled in front of her, in front of the sword and she grabbed it, holding Rho’s hand that holds the sword. Rho looked at her, feeling her friendship, feeling her strength, feeling her bond…

  Ace: You are not alone anymore…

  She said to her as she held her hand tight, absorbing with her every feeling she gave to this place.

  Troy joined next, kneeling beside Rho, grabbing the handle of the sword. They were stronger. The place where she left her soul a long time ago was now disappearing, clearing a path towards a person she now become. After all cleared out, her sword became red and green again, but a bit brighter this time… She was breathing heavily, just like Ace and Troy were… Then she looked up, and stood up. They all were ready to held her back. She started to walk forward… destroying everything that Merlock was throwing in front of them. There were statues with weapons attacking, mannequins that Nuri and Ace fought, he threw at them all he had left, but each one of them destroyed everything that come in their way. They fought, until there was nothing else to destroy… There he was… standing in front of them.

  Merlock looked terrified. He tried to run away but she didn’t let him, she grabbed him and punched him so strong that he managed to hit himself against the wall as well. Ace wanted to step in but Rin stooped her and shook his head. It was her fight.

  Merlock: This is all your fault!

  Rho stepped closer, looking down at him while holding the sword.

  Rho: No… I am done blaming myself for others mistakes. I can’t and I won’t carry any more burden that I did not create. All I did was trying to make this world a better place, to fight against evil, to save those who wants to be saved…

  She leaned closer, looking with deadly eyes.

  Rho: You killed yet I am the one who need to carry the guilt. They put me in the cage, yet I was the one trying to save others even though I was the one who needed saving! I sacrificed my soul, emotions, heart, and body for others… And what I got? Scars, pain, nightmares… So no, I will not take a blame for something you did.

  She raises the sword, holding it close to his neck. He looked terrified.

  Rho: Yet I am not like you… They wanted to crate a monster while I tried to save one… I am giving you one last chance to explain yourself. Why… Why did you do all this? Why did you choose violence and not peace? Why did you choose death and not life?

  He looked at her, her expression changed… became more painful.

  Rho: I asked you something!

  Merlock: Because!

  He looked down.

  Merlock: I never felt I have other choice… After you were gone, everything changed… They gave me this role… I accepted… I didn’t have a choice…

  Rho: You think I was ever given a choice? Yet here I am, standing, stronger then ever because I refused to be someone else's puppet.

  He started to break, her voice cracking.

  Merlock: You treated me like a puppet! You fired me!

  She looked at him cold.

  Rho: I gave you a chance to prove me wrong… you didn’t. I saw something good in you, until you showed me that darkness in you is stronger… and now… I am giving you one last chance…

  Merlock looked up her.

  Merlock: What do you want me to say? That I am sorry?

  She looked colder then ever.

  Rho: You are not… but you will be.

  She stabbed him with the sword, sword that can’t take away life, but instead he could feel everything he has done. Every pain he created, every life he took, and also everything that she needed to carry. He felted all.

  Tears started to fall against his cheek, he started to scream like he couldn’t take it.

  Merlock: No! Make it stop!

  She didn’t, but then she felt a hand on her shoulder.

  Troy: That is enough…

  She looked at Merlock few more seconds before pulling the sword.

  Rho: This is for Isaac, because he was the one who would still spare your life…

  She pulled out the sword from his chest, he fell on his knees, crying, catching his breath. Her sword was fading, just as her transformation, while she was standing still. They all looked at her in silence. Rho falls on her knees as well, she lost a lot of her energy. Troy caught her.

  Rho: I am fine…

  His gaze softness, and he lets go of her. There was moment of silence.

  Roger: I wondered when will you all show up.

  Everyone looked surprised at Roger, that was sitting in a chair, smoking cigar.

  Nuri: How long have you been here?

  Roger: Long enough…

  He put out the cigar and walked towards Rho and Troy, and he sat beside them. Ace walked towards Rho.

  Ace: What now?

  Rho looked at Merlock that couldn’t stop crying.

  Rho: Now… we are leaving.

  She barely stood up, but she didn’t give up. She started to walk away.

  Merlock: Wait!

  She turned to face him.

  Merlock: I am sorry… What can I do to make things right?

  She thought.

  Rho: You can’t bring him back but… You can find yourself and become a better person. You have a rest of your life to figure it out how.

  Again she turned away, and started to walk away. Others followed without saying anything. Merlock was left alone…

  Merlock: I will… I promise…

  He said quietly, while he was left alone to do something he never did before… to face his own mistakes.

  All of them were outside again, in the nature. Rho’s transformation faded completely, and she looked like herself again. Ace was next her.

  Ace: Are you okay?

  She nodded.

  Rho: Yeah… I just need some alone time right now.

  She walked away in the forest, not looking at anyone. Troy started to follow, but Ace stopped him, and he just looked at her.

  Troy: She needs me. I wasn’t by her side when she needed me, but now I am here, and I won’t make the same mistake again.

  He followed her, others stayed behind.

  Kaya: I hope she will be okay…

  Moment of silence.

  Roger: You all look like shit, what happened in there?

  Rho walking in the forest, then she stops. She remembers the past, the projects, Isaac and his mother… and she snapped. She screamed as she started to punch a tree in front of her, until Troy grabbed her hands to stop her. She breathed heavily, she struggled for a bit until she stopped.

  Rho: He is dead… Because of me…

  Troy: No… you said yourself… you will stop taking the blame for someone else’s sins…

  She looked down.

  Rho: Who knows how many of them I killed…

  He grabbed her face, making her to look at him.

  Troy: And who knows how many of them you have saved.

  She looked like she was holding tears, anger and sadness in her eyes.

  Rho: He didn’t deserve it…

  Troy: Neither did you. The life you had and all the things they put you trough.

  She was silent. And he let go of her.

  Troy: I know this is not a right time but I think we should not let Merlock to walk away so freely… He could contact the authorities…

  She shook her head.

  Rho: He won’t. I felt all the emotions he did, I know that he is sorry, that is the reason why I decided to let go of him.

  Troy: I didn’t know you could do that…

  She looked at him.

  Rho: Neither did I…

  Others.

  Ace: I still think we should come back and kick his ass…

  Rin: Is violence all you can think of?

  Ace was leaning on the tree.

  Ace: When it comes to guys like him, yeah.

  Nigel: And what did he do to you?

  Nuri: Seriously man, were we not in the same place?

  Nigel shrugs.

  Rin: What is it with you and Troy anyway, why did you guys fought.

  Nigel: He was just pain in the ass, that’s all.

  Ace: Oh really, and what about your policy that violence is wrong?

  Nigel: Sometimes it’s not, beside it doesn’t matter, that is between me and him.

  Rikka, Kaya and Roger talked on a side, keeping a bit distance from others.

  Kaya: You were with Merlock all along?

  Roger: Yeah but he was to busy with you guys so he didn’t even noticed me. I just waited.

  Rikka: So, you came for us? I thought that all humans are stupid.

  She teased him.

  Roger: My human was in there, I couldn’t just leave him.

  Kaya: Aww that is really sweet…

  He rolled his eyes.

  Soon Rho and Troy came back. Others looked at them, not daring to say anything.

  Rho: It’s been a long day… I think we all should have some rest now.

  They walked back towards the Troy’s cabin. They didn’t talk much in a way back. When they arrived they all got a bit time for themselves. Nuri, Kaya and Rikka went to sleep, Nigel was outside, laying in the grass looking at the sky, soon Ace joined him, to check out how is he, Rin was sitting on the porch of the cabin, observing but giving them space. Ace brought a drink and handed to him, he took it.

  Ace: You okay man?

  Nigel: Yeah, why wouldn’t I be.

  He takes few sips.

  Ace: You want to talk about it?

  Nigel: About?

  Ace: Don’t play dumb with me, I know there is a reason for you fighting someone… spill it.

  He was silent for a bit, looking away.

  Nigel: I don’t trust him Acacia.

  Ace: And why’

  She carefully observed him.

  Nigel: Anyone who worked for them is a person that hides something.

  Ace: You talking about government?

  He nods.

  Ace: Don’t be so judgmental… beside, I think he really cares for Rho, and that is enough for me to trust him.

  He drinks her beer.

  Nigel: Who said that we can trust her as well.

  He stops to drink, her face darkness.

  Ace: Don’t you even dare…

  He looks at her. She just stood up.

  Ace: If that is your logic, then why any of us should trust you? I know who your father is, and I didn’t judge you, not even for one second. I will give you some time to think about that.

  She walked away, as he remained silent and alone.

  Rho was headed towards Troy’s room, he was following her, when Roger showed up. Roger just gave him a look, serious one, a look that was telling him that he knew something… something important.

  Rho: Are you coming?

  She opened the door and looked at Troy.

  Troy: I’ll be there in a second… feel free to take some rest.

  She went inside, and he came to Roger.

  Roger: I found something, you should see it…

  Troy: What is it?

  Roger: Not here…

  He started to walk and Troy followed him, curious of what he needed to show him…